TIDMPFP
RNS Number : 8448D
Pathfinder Minerals Plc
28 June 2019
28 June 2019
Pathfinder Minerals Plc
("Pathfinder" the "Company" or the "Group")
Final Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2018
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION
During 2018, the Board continued to pursue the reinstatement to
the Company of the areas previously licensed to Pathfinder in
Mozambique under Mining Concession nos. 760C and 4623C (now
consolidated as Mining Concession no. 4623C (the "Licence")). I am
very encouraged by the progress being made and optimistic about the
range of options being proposed to us. As announced on 3 June 2019,
the Board is focused on gaining further clarity from the various
interested counterparties on their proposal structures. I look
forward to updating shareholders further if and when progress is
made towards a resolution that is to the satisfaction of all
parties.
REVIEW OF ACTIVITY FOR THE PERIOD
In the early part of 2018, Path nder reported that it continued
to pursue a dual-track strategy to recover control of the Licence
either through the legal process or by way of a negotiated
settlement. The Company subsequently reported that the prospects of
a negotiated settlement had stalled.
A general meeting of the Company was requisitioned by certain
shareholders on 4 April 2018 proposing changes to the composition
of the Board.
On 9 May 2018, Path nder announced it had raised GBP250,000 in
order to provide additional working capital; along with certain
prospective management changes. The requirement for the Company to
proceed with the abovementioned requisitioned general meeting was
withdrawn on the same date.
On 22 May 2018, the Supreme Court in Mozambique notified the
Company of its request for nal written submissions in relation to
Path nder's application for recognition of the 2012 English High
Court ruling in its favour. The Company complied and lodged nal
written submissions. The Board has no visibility over the timing of
judgment and has received no further communication since then from
the Supreme Court in Mozambique.
On 10 August 2018, the Company appointed Strand Hanson Limited
as its Nominated Adviser and Broker.
On 23 October 2018, Pathfinder announced it had raised a further
GBP150,000 for working capital.
POST THE PERIOD
Post the reporting period end, on 11 February 2019, the Company
announced it had engaged Africa Focus Group Limited ("AFG"), a Hong
Kong-based company with a Johannesburg consultancy office
specialising in mergers and acquisitions in southern Africa, to
provide assistance to the Company in pursuing completion of a
transaction with the owners of Pathfinder Moçambique, S.A (the
current Licence holder) pursuant to which Pathfinder, or a wholly
owned subsidiary of Pathfinder, would re-establish an interest in
the Licence.
This process has and continues to progress positively and, on 10
April 2019, the Company announced that it was evaluating multiple
transaction structures, taking into account commercial and
regulatory factors, through which the Company could hold its
interest in the Licence and deliver value for shareholders; and
that the principle of a proposed transaction had been agreed
between Path nder and General Jacinto Veloso who, with his family
interests, is a 50 per cent shareholder in Pathfinder Moçambique,
S.A..
In parallel, the Board commenced discussions with regards to
potential funding strategies (including through partnerships or
debt provision) to facilitate a transaction and finance further
development of the Licence. Discussions are constructive and
ongoing.
The Company has raised a further GBP335,000 via new share issues
in April and June 2019.
VALUE
Shareholders should not lose sight of the value that lies within
the opportunity they have waited so patiently to pursue.
Earlier this year, the Board commissioned an independent
technical consultant, 2M Mineral Services Limited, to prepare a
revised Scoping Study on the Licence (the "2019 Report"), which
included a revision of the capital and operating costs and pricing
assumptions that were presented in the original URS/Scott Wilson
2011 scoping study report (the "2011 Report"). This revision
resulted in an estimated pre-tax net present value ("NPV") at a 10
per cent discount rate of US$1.05 billion; with projected annual
revenues of US$323 million over a mine life of 30 years. The
project internal rate of return ("IRR") is expected to be
approximately 25 per cent. The revised ndings represent a near
doubling of the previously reported equivalent NPV and an increase
of 6.1 per cent in the project IRR.
A summary of the key di erences in scoping study outcomes
between the 2011 Report and the 2019 Report is set out below.
Key Differences in Scoping Study Outcomes between 2011 and 2019 Scoping
Study Reports:
2011 2019 Change
%
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
Estimated Run of Mine production Mtpa 47.7 47.7 0%
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
Estimated Life of Mine Years 30 30 0%
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
Estimated Mineral Content Split
of Final Product Ilmenite 93.4% 93.4% 0%
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
Rutile 1.8% 1.8% 0%
--------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------ --------
Zircon 4.8% 4.8% 0%
--------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------ --------
Estimated Annual Production ('000
tonnes) Ilmenite 1,245 1,245 0%
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
Rutile 24 24 0%
--------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------ --------
Zircon 65 65 0%
--------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------ --------
Projected Annual Revenues US$ m 247 323 +19.4%
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
Initial Capital Cost US$ m 686 742 +7.5%
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
Estimated Pre-tax IRR % 18.8% 24.9% +6.1%*
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
Estimated Pre-tax NPV @ 10% discount
rate US$ m 529 1,046 +97.7%
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
Pricing Assumptions (USD/tonne) Ilmenite 125 173 +38.4%
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
Rutile 677 908 +34.1%
--------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------ --------
Zircon 1,148 1,320 +15.0%
--------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------ --------
* On an absolute basis
LEADERSHIP CHANGES
During 2018, new leadership was appointed with a view to
optimising the prospect of a successful recovery of the Licence. In
August 2018, Nick Trew stepped down from the Board and Simon
Farrell and Scott Richardson-Brown joined the Board in the roles of
Non-executive Co-Chairman and Executive Director, respectively.
Scott Richardson-Brown was later appointed to the role of Chief
Executive Officer. Throughout the year considerable progress has
been made in driving the Company's strategy to a successful
conclusion and a huge amount of effort has been devoted to
preserving the financial health of a non-revenue-generating, listed
company working to resolve a complex situation.
Scott Richardson-Brown left the Company on 3 June 2019 to pursue
other business interests, and the Board wishes him well with his
future endeavours. John Taylor was appointed as the Company's new
Chief Executive Officer on the same date and I am happy to report
there has been no let-up in the pace of operations and activity
since then. John is focused on assisting Pathfinder in delivering a
timely and positive solution to shareholders in what the Board
views as a highly opportunistic period to reach a final
settlement.
FINANCIAL RESULTS AND CURRENT FINANCIAL POSITION
During the period the Company issued 42,111,106 new ordinary
shares to raise GBP400,000 in cash and settle GBP81,000 in
corporate fees.
The financial statements of the Pathfinder Group for the year
ended 31 December 2018 follow later in this report. The Income
Statement shows a loss of GBP645,000 (2017 - GBP615,000) of which
GBP61,000 relates to directors' fees and pension contributions that
are recorded as a liability in 'Trade and other payables' but
actual payment of which had been deferred as described in 'Note 18'
to the accounts in order to conserve the Company's cash resources
during this period. GBP24,478 was also expensed relating to the
issue of 15,250,000 options to Directors during the period. Since
the period end, the accrued unpaid directors' fees and pension
liabilities up to 31 May 2019 have been settled in full through the
issue of new ordinary shares in the Company.
The Group's Statement of Financial Position shows net assets
(excluding GBP337,000 of deferred fees and pension contributions
described in 'Note 18') at 31 December 2018 of GBP139,000 (31
December 2017 - GBP224,000). The assets are held largely in the
form of cash deposits and receivables. Following the Company's
share issues in April and June 2019, and the receipt of cash
proceeds from the exercise of warrants, the Company's cash position
as at 27 June 2019 stands at GBP520,000.
OUTLOOK
Discussions are continuing to progress in a positive way both
with regards to a transaction in respect of the Licence and with
prospective funders who are conducting their own asset-level due
diligence. Should a transaction be concluded, the Board anticipates
that the e ect on the business would likely be
transformational.
On behalf of the Board, I should like to thank all shareholders
for their patience and support while the Board is continuing to do
everything within in its power to recover the Licence on terms
which deliver value for Pathfinder's existing shareholders. I look
forward to updating the market on progress in the near future.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:
Sir H C Bellingham
Director
27 June 2019
Financial Statements
Consolidated Income Statement
for the Year Ended 31 December 2018
2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Revenue - -
Other operating income - -
Administrative expenses (645) (615)
OPERATING LOSS (645) (615)
Finance income - -
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX (645) (615)
Income tax - -
LOSS FOR THE YEAR (645) (615)
Loss attributable to:
Owners of the parent (645) (615)
Earnings/(loss) per share expressed
in pence per share:
Basic (0.26) (0.33)
Diluted (0.26) (0.33)
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the Year Ended 31 December 2018
2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000
LOSS FOR THE YEAR (645) (615)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - -
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE
YEAR (645) (615)
Total comprehensive income attributable
to:
Owners of the parent (645) (615)
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
31 December 2018
Notes 2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000
ASSETS
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment - -
Investments - -
--------- ---------
- -
--------- ---------
CURRENT ASSETS
Trade and other receivables 2 192 56
Cash and cash equivalents 52 248
--------- ---------
244 304
--------- ---------
TOTAL ASSETS 244 304
========= =========
EQUITY
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Called up share capital 18,458 18,416
Share premium 12,431 11,997
Share based payments reserve 25 -
Retained earnings (31,110) (30,465)
--------- ---------
TOTAL EQUITY (196) (52)
--------- ---------
LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables 3 440 356
--------- ---------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 440 356
--------- ---------
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 244 304
========= =========
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors
on 27 June 2019 and were signed on its behalf by:
John Taylor - Director
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the Year Ended 31 December 2018
Called Share
up share Retained Based Share Total
capital earnings Payments premium equity
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Balance at 1 January
2017 18,345 (29,850) - 11,445 (60)
Changes in equity
Issue of share capital 71 - - 552 623
Total comprehensive
income - (615) - - (615)
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------
Balance at 31 December
2017 18,416 (30,465) - 11,997 (52)
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------
Changes in equity
Issue of share capital 42 - - 439 481
Share based payment
charge - - 25 - 25
Cost of share issue - - - (5) (5)
Total comprehensive
income - (645) - - (645)
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------
Balance at 31 December
2018 18,458 (31,110) 25 12,431 (196)
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended 31 December 2018
2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flows from operating activities
Operating loss (645) (615)
--------- ---------
Adjustments for:
Share-based payments 106 -
(Increase)/decrease in receivables (136) 10
Increase/decrease in payables 86 96
Foreign exchange loss (2) -
Net cash from operating activities (591) (509)
--------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets - -
Interest received - -
--------- ---------
Net cash from investing activities- - -
--------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds on issuing ordinary shares 400 664
Share issue expenses (5) (41)
--------- ---------
Net cash from financing activities 395 623
--------- ---------
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents (196) 114
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of year 248 134
Cash and cash equivalents at end
of year 52 248
========= =========
Notes
1. Publication of non-statutory accounts
The financial information set out in this report does not
constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31
December 2018 or 2017 but is derived from the 2018 accounts.
This information has been extracted from the Group's financial
statements to that date upon which the auditors' opinion is
unmodified.
2. Note on trade and other receivables
TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES Group Company
2018 2017 2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Current:
Other debtors 109 35 109 35
VAT 4 7 4 7
Prepayments and accrued
income 79 14 79 14
--------- --------- --------- ---------
192 56 192 56
--------- --------- --------- ---------
3. Note on trade and other payables
TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES Group Company
2018 2017 2018 2017
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Current:
Trade creditors 29 12 29 12
Social security and other
taxes - 11 - 11
Other creditors 401 324 403 324
Accruals and deferred income 10 10 10 10
--------- --------- --------- ---------
440 356 442 356
--------- --------- --------- ---------
4. Annual Report and Accounts
Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts, together with a notice
convening an annual general meeting, are being posted to
shareholders today and will be available within the Investor
Relations section of the Company's website
www.pathfinderminerals.com.
5. Annual General Meeting
The annual general meeting of the Company will be held at 11.00
a.m. on 23 July 2019 at Becket House, 36 Old Jewry, London, EC2R
8DD.
Enquiries:
Pathfinder Minerals Plc
John Taylor, Chief Executive Officer
Tel. +44 (0)20 3440 7775
Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated & Financial Adviser and
Broker)
James Spinney / Ritchie Balmer / Jack Botros
Tel. +44 (0)20 7409 3494
Vigo Communications (Public Relations)
Ben Simons / Simon Woods
Tel. +44 (0)20 7390 0234
Email. pathfinderminerals@vigocomms.com
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by
the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under
the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR").
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
FR CKFDNKBKDOAB
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