TIDMGRIT
RNS Number : 3574C
Global Resources Investment Tst PLC
28 September 2018
To: RNS
From: Global Resources Investment Trust plc
LEI: 2138005OJKGWG3X4SY51
Date: 28 September 2018
Chairman's Statement
Introduction
I am writing to you for the first time since I became Chairman
on 27 April 2018. The intervening five months have been extremely
difficult ones for your Company.
Investment and Share Price Performance
At 31 December 2017 the Company had three major investments,
Anglo-African Minerals plc ("AAM": GBP2.1m), Siberian Goldfields
("Siberian": GBP1.8m) and Kalia Holdings ("Kalia": GBP2.4m),
together with four smaller investments (GBP1.3m).
When my predecessor wrote to you in April, the Board expected
the refinancing of AAM to be completed within weeks. Two sources of
funding had been identified, and while one fell away the other
progressed, albeit more slowly than anticipated. Insufficient
progress has been made in recent weeks, however, and the Board has
concluded that it can no longer be confident that the funding will
be forthcoming. It has therefore this week taken the decision to
write down the value of the investment in AAM to GBPnil, although a
GBP0.5m debtor remains as an asset on the Company's Balance
Sheet.
Siberian has also been seeking funding and, in light of
increasing international tension with Russia generally and certain
Russian citizens in particular, may have to reduce the price at
which it is doing so. The Board has therefore made the decision to
write down the value of Siberian by 42% in aggregate.
Kalia became a listed position during the period and is carried
at the price at which the company trades on the Australian stock
exchange.
The Executive Director writes more fully concerning all the
Company's investments in his Review.
The write downs of AAM and Siberian are both adjusting
post-balance sheet events and their impact is included in the 30
June 2018 results. Your Company's net asset value at 30 June 2018
was 10.4 pence per share, a decrease of 47.2% from the 19.7 pence
at which it stood on 31 December 2017.
The Company's ordinary share price stood at 9.85 pence, a
nominal discount of 5.3%, but this did not reflect the subsequent
write downs in AAM and Siberian.
Receiver
On 10 August 2018 the Board was notified that Tygola Pty Ltd had
appointed receivers over certain assets of the Company in
connection with expenses of US$251,000 that Tygola claimed were due
to it from the Company in connection with the guarantee by the
Company of a US$500,000 loan by Tygola to AAM.
On 27 September the receivers were discharged, the parties
having reached agreement. The all-in costs to the Company in
dealing with this matter are estimated at GBP0.3m.
General Meeting
The Company's largest shareholder, Mardasa Nominees Pty Ltd
(owning 29.7% of the Company) requisitioned a General Meeting of
the Company which was held on 22 August 2018. As a result of that
meeting Mr David Johnston and Mr Jonathan Reynolds were appointed
to the Board as non-executive Directors. The Board does not
consider Mr Johnston or Mr Reynolds to be independent.
Outlook
The Board is urgently considering the future direction of the
Company and all options, including those of a sale of the Company
or Members' Voluntary Liquidation, which would see the assets of
the Company realised and the proceeds distributed to shareholders,
are "on the table". The Board will advise shareholders in due
course of any proposals that it recommends should be
implemented.
Simon Farrell
Chairman
28 September 2018
Executive Director's Review
As already outlined in the Chairman's Statement, it has been a
difficult and disappointing six months for the Company. The
majority of the poor performance is a result of the Board's
decision to write down the carrying value of the Company's
investment in Anglo African Minerals plc ("AAM").
This was not a decision taken lightly, for as a major
shareholder and loan note holder in AAM, GRIT has been supportive
of the company and its management in them further developing their
world class bauxite projects in Guinea. Earlier this year, AAM had
agreed a refinancing proposal which would have put the company on a
solid footing; unfortunately this did not complete following the
failure of the new lender to deliver [on the agreed and signed Term
Sheet].
Since that disappointment AAM has continued to pursue
alternative funding solutions and for some time has been in
advanced negotiations with another existing loan note holder to
secure the refinancing of existing debts and the provision of new
working capital. These conversations have been on-going for a
number of weeks now, but as I write this Interim Report, no new
funding agreement has been agreed and signed.
It is this lack of an agreed and completed refinancing solution
that has led the Board to reduce the carrying value of its
investment in AAM and with no certainty regarding the completion of
the refinancing, the decision has been taken to write the equity
and loan note values down to nil, while retaining a [secured]
debtor balance of GBP500,000. This has had the effect of reducing
the NAV by 5.8 pence per share.
While extremely disappointing, it should be noted that if AAM
were to complete a refinancing at any time in the future, the Board
would look to once again revalue the investment based on the terms
of that completed transaction.
In a similar vein, but nowhere near as drastic, the carrying
value of Siberian Goldfields plc has also been reduced since the
year end. Like AAM, Siberian has been trying to raise pre-IPO
funding as a precursor to a listing on AIM. However, the increased
investor concern related to Russian risk has made the fund raising
difficult. We were previously valuing the investment at 12 pence
per share, which was the level that Siberian had mandated its
brokers to raise the pre-IPO funding, but that has now been written
down to 7 pence per share.
Against the current investment background and with no
improvement in the Russian situation, it is unlikely that Siberian
will be able to complete a listing, but we are aware that the
company is also in discussions with potential corporate partners to
complete the development of the project and bring it into
production.
I finish my report with some good news. During the period under
review, the investment in the private company Kalia Holdings Pty
Ltd was exchanged for shares in the ASX listed Kalia Limited, where
GRIT now holds approximately 22% of the listed company.
Kalia has now agreed exploration access with the local community
groups and a helicopter has been mobilised to begin work on the
geophysical survey, with initial results expected in mid to late
October.
We remain excited by the exploration potential of Bougainville
Island and look forward to the initial results from Kalia with
great anticipation.
Within the portfolio there remain three small listed holdings,
and it remains our intention to sell these holdings to realise
cash.
In conclusion, while these Interim Results are disappointing, it
serves to highlight the risks involved in the small cap mining
sector and we hope that by the year end we will be able to report
more positive news, ideally reporting that both AAM and Siberian
have been able to complete fund raisings that will allow both
companies to move forward. Additionally I would also hope to be
able to report good news from Kalia's initial geophysical
survey.
David Hutchins
28 September 2018
Enquiries:
David Hutchins
Director
Tel: +44 (0) 207 290 8541
Maitland Administration Services (Scotland) Limited
Martin Cassels
Tel: +44 (0) 131 550 3760
Income Statement
Six months ended 30 June 2018
Revenue Capital Total
Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Losses on investments - (3,301) (3,301)
Exchange losses - (4) (4)
Foreign exchange forward contract - - -
loss
Income (336) - (336)
Investment management fee - - -
Other expenses (237) - (237)
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Net return before finance costs
and taxation (573) (3,305) (3,878)
Interest payable and similar charges - - -
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Net return on ordinary activities
before taxation (573) (3,305) (3,878)
Tax on ordinary activities - - -
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Net return attributable to equity
shareholders (573) (3,305) (3,878)
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Loss per ordinary share 2 (1.37)p (7.87)p (9.24)p
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Six months ended 30 June 2017
Revenue Capital Total
Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Losses on investments - (77) (77)
Exchange gains - 15 15
Foreign exchange forward contract
loss - (121) (121)
Income 58 - 58
Investment management fee (25) (229) (254)
Other expenses (273) - (273)
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Net return before finance costs
and taxation (240) (412) (652)
Interest payable and similar charges (24) - (24)
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Net return on ordinary activities
before taxation (264) (412) (676)
Tax on ordinary activities - - -
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Net return attributable to equity
shareholders (264) (412) (676)
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Loss per ordinary share 2 (0.63)p (0.99)p (1.62)p
-------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Year ended 31 December 2017
Revenue Capital Total
Audited Audited Audited
-------------------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------
Losses on investments - (158) (158)
Exchange losses - (17) (17)
Foreign exchange forward contract
loss - (83) (83)
Income 76 - 76
Investment management fee (37) (629) (666)
Other expenses (453) - (453)
-------------------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------
Net return before finance costs
and taxation (414) (887) (1,301)
Interest payable and similar charges (24) - (24)
-------------------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------
Net return on ordinary activities
before taxation (438) (887) (1,325)
Tax on ordinary activities - - -
-------------------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------
Net return attributable to equity
shareholders (438) (887) (1,325)
-------------------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------
Loss per ordinary share 2 (1.04)p (2.12)p (3.16)p
-------------------------------------- ------ -------- -------- --------
The 'total' column of this statement represents the Company's
profit and loss account, prepared in accordance with IFRS. All
revenue and capital items in this statement derive from continuing
operations. All of the loss for the period is attributable to the
owners of the Company.
No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.
A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses is not required
as all gains and losses of the Company have been reflected in the
above Income Statement.
Balance Sheet
As at As at
30 June 2018 31 December
2017
Unaudited Audited
-------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------
Fixed assets
Investments 3,866 7,568
Current assets
Debtors 530 440
Cash at bank and on deposit 7 325
-------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------
537 765
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
Other creditors (30) (83)
Net current liabilities 507 683
Net assets 4,373 8,250
-------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------
Capital and Reserves
Called up share capital 420 420
Share premium 36,880 36,880
Capital reserve (28,973) (25,669)
Revenue reserve (3,954) (3,381)
-------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------
Equity shareholders' funds 4,373 8,250
-------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------
Net asset value per share 3 10.42p 19.66p
-------------------------------- ------ -------------- -------------
Statement of Changes in Equity
For the 6 months to 30 June 2018 (unaudited)
Share
Share premium Capital Revenue
capital account reserve reserve Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------
Balance at 31 December 2017 420 36,880 (25,668) (3,381) 8,251
Return on ordinary activities
after taxation - - (3,305) (573) (3,878)
Balance at 30 June 2018 420 36,880 (28,973) (3,954) 4,373
------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------
For the 6 months to 30 June 2017 (unaudited)
Share
Share premium Capital Revenue
capital account reserve reserve Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------
Balance at 31 December 2016 400 36,800 (25,311) (2,943) 8,946
Return on ordinary activities
after taxation - - (412) (264) (676)
Investment management fee
- charged to capital - - 229 - 229
Issue of shares 20 80 (100) - -
------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------
Balance at 30 June 2017 420 36,880 (25,594) (3,207) 8,499
------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------
The revenue reserve represents the amount of the Company's
reserves distributable by way of dividend.
Cash Flow Statement
Six months Six months
ended ended
30 June 2018 30 June 2017
Unaudited Unaudited
-------------------------------------------- -------------- --------------
GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------------------- -------------- --------------
Operating activities
Losses before finance costs and taxation (3,878) (652)
Gains on investments 3,301 77
(Increase)/decrease in other
receivables 42 (61)
Decrease in forward exchange
creditor - (2,412)
(Decrease) in other payables (52) (28)
Value of share issued in lieu of
management fee - 229
Net cash outflow from operating activities
before interest and taxation (587) (2,847)
Interest paid - (24)
Net cash outflow from operating
activities (587) (2,871)
--------------------------------------------- -------------- --------------
Investing activities
Purchases of investments - (1,306)
Sales of investments 379 4,123
Advanced Loan to AAM (110) (231)
Interest received - -
Net cash inflow from investing
activities 2,586 2,586
--------------------------------------------- -------------- --------------
Financing
Redemption of CULS - (2,700)
Net cash outflow from financing - (2,700)
--------------------------------------------- -------------- --------------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (318) (2,985)
Net cash at the start of the
period 325 3,142
--------------------------------------------- -------------- --------------
Net cash at the end of the period 7 157
--------------------------------------------- -------------- --------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial
statements.
Notes
1. Interim Results
The condensed financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
('IFRS') and IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the
European Union and the accounting policies set out in the statutory
accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2017. The
condensed financial statements do not include all of the
information required for a complete set of IFRS financial
statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2017,
which were prepared under IFRS as adopted by the European Union.
There have been no significant changes to management judgements and
estimates.
Going Concern Basis of Accounting
The Company's operations have been cash flow negative since its
inception; the Company relies on the sale of investments to
generate the cash needed to continue to operate. GBP0.4m was
realised from the sale of investments during the 6 month period
under review.
With the Company's exposure to fewer more material investments,
in conjunction with the disposal of the lower value more
diversified portfolio in order to meet the Company's operating
costs, the Board considers that the level of liquidity risk has
increased as compared to prior years. The Directors nevertheless
consider that the Company has adequate resources to continue in
operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason
they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these
financial statements.
2. Return per Ordinary Share
The revenue loss per ordinary share for the six months ended 30
June 2018 is based on a net loss after taxation of GBP573,000 and
on a weighted average of 41,964,512 ordinary shares in issue during
the period.
The capital return per ordinary share for the six months ended
30 June 2017 is based on a net capital loss after taxation of
GBP3,305,000 and on a weighted average of 41,964,512 ordinary
shares in issue during the period.
3. Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share
The net asset value per ordinary share is based on net assets of
GBP4,373,000 (31 December 2017: GBP8,250,000) and on 41,964,512 (31
December 2017: 41,964,512) ordinary shares, being the number of
ordinary shares in issue at the period end.
4. Warrant Instrument
The Company issued 5,000,000 warrants in 2014. The warrants are
unlisted and are exercisable up to the fifth anniversary of
admission in amounts or multiples of 50,000 warrants at GBP1.00 per
ordinary share.
5. Related Party Transactions
The Board of Directors is considered to be a related party. Mr
Farrell and Ms Fukuda are considered to be independent. The Board
does not consider Mr Hutchins, Mr Johnston or Mr Reynolds to be
independent.
The Directors of the Company received fees for their services.
Total fees for the six months to 30 June 2018 were GBP45,000 (six
months ended 30 June 2017: GBP42,000) of which GBP2,600 (30 June
2017: GBP3,750) remained payable at the period end.
RDP Fund Management LLP ('RDP') received GBPnil in relation to
the six months ended 30 June 2018, (six months ended 30 June 2017:
GBP25,000) of which GBPnil (30 June 2017: GBPnil) remained payable
at the period end.
The issue of up to four tranches of shares to RDP were approved
at the General Meeting held on 16 January 2017, each of 2,000,000
shares at a price of GBP0.05, subject to the satisfying of certain
conditions, in particular share price triggers. The first tranche
of shares was issued following the General Meeting and RDP received
1,994,500 shares; 5,500 further shares remain to be issued. The
second tranche of shares falls to be issued if the Company's share
price remains for a period of at least one month at or above 14p;
the third and fourth tranches similarly fall to be issued at
trigger prices of 16p and 18p respectively.
6. Post Balance Sheet Events
-- On 10 August 2018 the Board was notified that Tygola Pty Ltd
had appointed receivers over certain assets of the Company in
connection with expenses of US$251,000 that Tygola claimed were due
to it from the Company in connection with the guarantee by the
Company of a US$500,000 loan by Tygola to AAM.
On 27 September the receivers were discharged, the parties
having reached agreement. The all-in costs to the Company in
dealing with this matter are estimated at GBP0.3m.
-- Following the failure of refinancing proposals at
Anglo-African Minerals plc ("AAM") to complete prior to the
publishing of this Interim Report, the value of the Company's
investment in AAM was written down to GBPnil. This constituted an
adjusting post balance sheet event and the revised investment
valuation has been reflected in the 30 June 2018 numbers.
-- Following the failure of fundraising proposals at Siberian
Goldfields Ltd ("Siberian") to complete at 12 pence per share,
fundraising is now being sought at a lower price. The value of the
Company's investment in Siberian has been written down to GBP1.1m,
reflecting this lower price. This constituted an adjusting post
balance sheet event and the revised investment valuation has been
reflected in the 30 June 2018 numbers.
7. Interim Report Statement
The Company's auditor KPMG LLP, has not audited or reviewed the
Interim Report to 30 June 2018 pursuant to the Auditing Practices
Board guidance on 'Review of Interim Financial Information'. These
are not full statutory accounts in terms of Section 434 of the
Companies Act 2006 and are unaudited. Statutory accounts for the
year ended 31 December 2017, which received an unqualified audit
report and which did not contain a statement under Section 498 of
the Companies Act 2006, have been lodged with the Registrar of
Companies. No full statutory accounts in respect of any period
after 30 November 2017 have been reported on by the Company's
auditor or delivered to the Registrar of Companies.
Directors' Statement of Principle Risks and Uncertainties
The risks, and the way in which they are managed, are described
in more detail in the Strategic report contained within the Annual
Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December
2017. In the opinion of the Directors, apart from the following
matter, the Company's principal risks and uncertainties have not
changed materially since the date of the report and are not
expected to change materially for the rest of the Company's
financial reporting period to 31 December 2018.
Liquidity Risk: with the Company's exposure to fewer more
material investments, in conjunction with the disposal of the lower
value more diversified portfolio in order to meet the Company's
operating costs, the Board considers that the level of liquidity
risk has increased as compared to prior years.
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities in Respect of the
Interim Report
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
-- the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared
in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' and gives a
true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position
and profit of the Company;
-- the Chairman's Statement and Investment Manager's Review
(together constituting the Interim Management Report) include a
fair review of the information required by the Disclosure Guidance
and Transparency Rules ('DTR') 4.2.7R, being an indication of
important events that have occurred during the first six months of
the year and their impact on the financial statements;
-- the Statement of Principle Risks and Uncertainties referred
to above is a fair review of the information required by DTR
4.2.7R; and
-- the condensed set of financial statements included a fair
review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R, being related
party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of
the year and that have materially affected the financial position
or performance of the Company during the period.
On behalf of the Board
Simon Farrell
Chairman
28 September 2018
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END
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