TIDMASO
RNS Number : 3695I
Avesoro Resources Inc.
21 March 2018
21 March 2018
Avesoro Resources Inc.
TSX: ASO
AIM: ASO
FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER
AND YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2017
Further to its announcement dated March 5, 2018, Avesoro
Resources Inc. ("Avesoro" or the "Company"), the TSX and AIM listed
West African gold producer, is pleased to announce the release and
publication of its audited annual Financial Statements ("FS") and
Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the quarter
and year ended December 31, 2017 ("FY 2017).
The FS are appended to this announcement. The FS and the
accompanying MD&A are available for review at the Company's
website, www.avesoro.com and on www.sedar.com.
Contact Information
Avesoro Resources Inc.
Geoff Eyre / Nick Smith
Tel: +44(0) 20 3874 4740
Camarco finnCap
(IR / PR) (Nominated Adviser and Joint
Gordon Poole / Nick Hennis Broker)
Tel: +44(0) 20 3757 4980 Christopher Raggett / Scott
Mathieson / Emily Morris
Tel: +44(0) 20 7220 0500
Berenberg Hannam & Partners (Advisory)
(Joint Broker) LLP
Matthew Armitt / Charlotte (Joint Broker)
Sutcliffe Rupert Fane / Ingo Hofmaier
Tel: +44(0) 20 3207 7800 / Ernest Bell
Tel: +44(0) 20 7907 8500
Avesoro Resources Inc.
Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
Registered office: Suite 3800
Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower
200 Bay Street
Toronto
Ontario M5J 2Z4
Canada
Company registration number: 776831-1
INDEPENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
To the Shareholders of Avesoro Resources Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial
statements of Avesoro Resources Inc. for the year ended December
31, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016 which comprise the
consolidated statement of financial position, the consolidated
statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in equity
and cash flows for the years then ended, and a summary of
significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their
preparation is International Financial Reporting Standards as
issued by the IASB.
Management's Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial
Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair
presentation of these consolidated financial statements in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and
for such internal control as management determines is necessary to
enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that
are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or
error.
Auditor's Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We conducted
our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we comply with ethical
requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are
free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence
about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's
judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due
to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor
considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and
fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order
to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on
the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. An audit also
includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used
and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management,
as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated
financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit
opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Avesoro
Resources Inc. as at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and
its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then
ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards.
"BDO LLP" (signed)
London
March 20, 2018
Avesoro Resources Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
(stated in US dollars)
Year ended Year ended
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
--------------------- ---------------------
Gold sales (Note 5) 97,786 63,612
Cost of sales
- Production costs (Note 5) (73,494) (87,017)
- Depreciation (Note 5) (32,248) (15,948)
- Other costs (Note 5) - (8,883)
Gross loss (7,956) (48,236)
Expenses
Administrative and other expenses
(Note 6) (5,666) (12,049)
Exploration and evaluation costs (2,958) (2,715)
Impairment of property, plant and
equipment (Note 11) (2,876) (42,473)
Gain on lease settlement (Note11) 3,988 -
Loss from operations (15,468) (105,473)
Derivative liability gain (Note
16) - 1,054
Finance costs (11,812) (8,576)
Finance income 16 5
Loss before tax (27,264) (112,990)
Tax for the year (Note 7) (143) -
Net loss for the year (27,407) (112,990)
--------------------- ---------------------
Attributable to:
- Owners of the Company (27,474) (112,990)
- Non-controlling interest 67 -
--------------------- ---------------------
Other comprehensive (loss)/income
Items that may be reclassified
subsequently to profit or loss
Available-for-sale investments
(Note 12) (34) (28)
Currency translation differences (66) 110
Total comprehensive loss for the
year (27,507) (112,908)
--------------------- ---------------------
Attributable to:
- Owners of the Company (27,574) (112,908)
- Non-controlling interest 67 -
--------------------- ---------------------
Loss per share, basic and diluted
(US$) (Note 19) (0.51) (9.97)
--------------------- ---------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
Avesoro Resources Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at December 31, 2017 and 2016
(stated in US dollars)
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
--------- ---------
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 17,787 13,429
Trade and other receivables (Note 8) 25,286 5,775
Inventories (Note 9) 36,932 16,351
Other assets (Note 10) 1,710 516
81,715 36,071
--------- ---------
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment (Note 11) 249,552 191,117
Available-for-sale investments (Note 12) 21 55
Deferred tax asset (Note 7) 4,554 -
Other assets (Note 10) 1,196 -
255,323 191,172
--------- ---------
Total assets 337,038 227,243
--------- ---------
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Borrowings (Note 13) 35,999 20,312
Trade and other payables (Note 14) 41,003 14,227
Income tax payable 12,358 -
Finance lease liability (Note 15) 1,913 2,370
Derivative liability (Note 16) 105 105
Provision (Note 17) 523 -
--------- ---------
91,901 37,014
--------- ---------
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings (Note 13) 98,092 73,159
Trade and other payables (Note 14) 463 -
Finance lease liability (Note 15) 5,875 9,790
Provision (Note 17) 10,439 2,304
--------- ---------
114,869 85,253
--------- ---------
206,770 122,267
--------- ---------
Equity
Share capital (Note 18b) 353,653 283,506
Capital contribution 59,230 48,235
Share based payment reserve (Note 18c) 7,840 6,770
Acquisition reserve (Note 4) (33,060) -
Available-for-sale investment reserve (Note
12) (487) (453)
Cumulative translation reserve (466) (400)
Deficit (260,156) (232,682)
--------- ---------
Equity attributable to owners 126,554 104,976
Non-controlling interest 3,714 -
--------- ---------
Total equity 130,268 104,976
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and equity 337,038 227,243
--------- ---------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
Approved by the board of directors on March 20, 2018
"Geoffrey Eyre" (signed)
Director
Avesoro Resources Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
(stated in US dollars)
Year ended Year ended
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
Operating activities
Loss for the year (27,407) (112,990)
Income tax 143 -
----------- -----------
Loss before tax (27,264) (112,990)
Items not affecting cash:
Share-based payments (Note 6) 1,070 768
Depreciation (Note 11) 32,765 16,359
Unrealized foreign exchange loss/(gain) (31) 240
Derivative liability gain (Note 16) - (1,054)
Interest expense 11,812 8,576
Write-down of inventories (Note 9) 2,900 7,431
Gain on lease settlement (Note 11) (3,988) -
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
(Note 11) 2,876 42,473
Impairment of inventories (Note 9) - 4,933
Exploration acquisition costs settled
through issuance of shares (Note 18b) - 531
Services settled through issuance of
shares (Note 18b) - 100
Changes in non-cash working capital
Increase in trade and other receivables 655 (4,970)
Increase in trade and other payables (2,036) 11,983
Increase in inventories (7,791) (14,446)
Cash flows from/(used in) operating
activities 10,968 (40,066)
----------- -----------
Investing activities
Acquisition of Youga and Balogo Gold (4,336)
Mines (Note 4) -
Payments to acquire property, plant
and equipment (30,061) (54,126)
Decrease in other assets (546) 328
Proceeds from pre-production gold sales - 14,793
Finance charges - (153)
Cash flows used in investing activities (34,943) (39,158)
----------- -----------
Financing activities
Net proceeds from issue of common shares
(Note 18b) 18,680 92,695
Proceeds from shareholder loan (Note 18,800 -
13b)
Exercise of stock options 8 -
Net repayment of borrowings (168) (12,430)
Finance charges (8,987) (6,897)
Proceeds from issue of promissory note
(Note 18b) - 12,303
Cash flows from financing activities 28,333 85,671
----------- -----------
Impact of foreign exchange on cash balance - (146)
----------- -----------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 4,358 6,301
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of year 13,429 7,128
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
year 17,787 13,429
----------- -----------
The significant non-cash transactions during the year ended
December 31, 2017 and 2016 are disclosed in Note 24.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
Avesoro Resources Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
As at December 31, 2017 and 2016
(stated in US dollars)
Total Equity Attributable to Owners
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share-based Available-for-sale Cumulative
Share Capital payment Acquisition investment translation Deficit Total Non-controlling Total
capital contribution reserve reserve Reserve reserve Interest Equity
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
--------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------------- ----------
Balance at
January
1, 2016 177,877 48,235 6,002 - (425) (510) (119,692) 111,487 - 111,487
--------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------------- ----------
Loss for the
year - - - - - - (112,990) (112,990) - (112,990)
Other
comprehensive
loss for year - - - - (28) 110 - 82 - 82
--------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------------- ----------
Total
comprehensive
loss for year - - - - (28) 110 (112,990) (112,908) - (112,908)
Share-based
payments
(Note 6) - - 768 - - - - 768 - 768
Issue of common
shares (net of
costs) 105,629 - - - - - - 105,629 - 105,629
Balance at
December
31, 2016 283,506 48,235 6,770 - (453) (400) (232,682) 104,976 - 104,976
--------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------------- ----------
Loss for the
year - - - - - - (27,474) (27,474) 67 (27,407)
Other
comprehensive
loss for year - - - - (34) (66) - (100) - (100)
--------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------------- ----------
Total
comprehensive
loss for year - - - - (34) (66) (27,474) (27,574) 67 (27,507)
Share-based
payments
(Note 6) - - 1,070 - - - - 1,070 - 1,070
Acquisition of
Youga and
Balogo
(Note 4) 51,459 - - (33,060) - - - 18,399 3,647 22,046
Other issue of
common shares
(net of costs) 18,688 - - - - - - 18,688 - 18,688
Related party
loans (Note
13b,c) - 10,995 - - - - - 10,995 - 10,995
Balance at
December
31, 2017 353,653 59,230 7,840 (33,060) (487) (466) (260,156) 126,554 3,714 130,268
--------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------------- ----------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
Avesoro Resources Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
(in US dollars unless otherwise stated)
1. Nature of operations
Avesoro Resources Inc. ("Avesoro" or the "Company"), was
incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act on February
1, 2011. The focus of Avesoro's business is the exploration,
development and operation of gold assets in West Africa,
specifically the New Liberty Gold Mine in Liberia and the Youga and
Balogo Gold Mines in Burkina Faso.
The Company's parent company is Avesoro Jersey Limited ("AJL"),
a company incorporated in Jersey and Mr. Murathan Doruk Gűnal is
the ultimate beneficial owner.
2. Going concern
As at December 31, 2017, the Company had cash and cash
equivalents of $17.8 million, net current liabilities of $10.2
million and debt and interest repayments of $39.5 million due
within the next 12 months.
The cash generation profile of the Company significantly
increased as a result of the acquisition of the Youga and Balogo
Gold Mines (Note 4) and the turnaround of operations at New
Liberty. In addition, the Company has an undrawn facility of $16.2
million with AJL which it can call upon for general working capital
purposes.
The Company's forecasts and projections show that the Company
has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the
foreseeable future. The Company continues to adopt the going
concern basis of accounting in preparing the consolidated financial
statements.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies
The accounting policies set out below have been applied
consistently in these financial statements, unless otherwise
stated.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
3.1 Basis of preparation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards ("IFRS") issued by the International Accounting Standards
Board ("IASB"). The consolidated financial statements have been
prepared on a historical cost basis, as adjusted for certain
financial instruments carried at fair value.
3.2 New accounting standards adopted
No new accounting standards or interpretations were adopted
during the year.
3.3 Standards in issue but not yet effective
The following standards and interpretations which have been
recently issued or revised and are mandatory for the Group's
accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 or later
periods have not been adopted early:
Standard Detail Effective
date
--------- ------------------------------------------- ----------
IFRS 9 Financial instruments January
1, 2018
IFRS 15 Revenue with contracts with customers January
1, 2018
IFRS 16 Leases January
1, 2019
IFRS 2 Amendment - Classification and measurement January
of share based payment transactions 1, 2018
--------- ------------------------------------------- ----------
IFRS 15 is intended to introduce a single framework for revenue
recognition and clarify principles of revenue recognition.
Management have assessed the point of revenue recognition and do
not expect there to be any material impact on the consolidated
financial statements.
IFRS 16 introduces a single lease accounting model, in which
leases are capitalised as assets with an associated lease liability
with the exception of certain low value leases and leases with a
term under 12 months. Management are currently assessing the impact
of this standard but there are no material operating leases in the
Group.
IFRS 9 introduces significant changes to the classification and
measurement requirements for financial instruments. Management are
currently assessing the impact of this standard.
3.4 Basis of consolidation
3.4.1 Subsidiaries
Where the Company has control over an investee, it is classified
as a subsidiary. The Company controls an investee if all three of
the following elements are present: power over the investee,
exposure to variable returns from the investee, and the ability of
the investor to use its power to affect those variable returns.
Control is reassessed whenever facts and circumstances indicate
that there may be a change in any of these elements of control.
De-facto control exists in situations where the Company has the
practical ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee
without holding the majority of the voting rights.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
The consolidated financial statements present the results of the
Company and its subsidiaries ("the Group") as if they formed a
single entity. Intercompany transactions and balances between group
companies are therefore eliminated in full.
These financial statements include the accounts of Avesoro and
its subsidiaries. The significant subsidiaries at December 31, 2017
are set out below:
% of equity
Company Place of incorporation ownership
Bea Mountain Mining Corporation
("BMMC") Liberia 100%
Burkina Mining Company
("BMC") Burkina Faso 90%
Netiana Mining Company
("NMC") Burkina Faso 90%
-------------------------------- ----------------------- -----------
3.4.2 Transactions eliminated on consolidation
Intra-group balances and any unrealized gains and losses or
income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are
eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
3.5 Foreign currency translation
3.5.1 Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of each of the
Company's entities are measured using the currency of the primary
economic environment in which the entity operates ("the functional
currency"). The consolidated financial statements are presented in
U.S. dollars ("$"), ("the presentation currency") which is the
functional currency of most of the subsidiary entities.
In the consolidated financial statements, all separate financial
statements of subsidiary entities, originally presented in a
currency different from the Company's presentation currency, have
been converted into US dollars. Assets and liabilities have been
translated into US dollars at the closing rate at the balance sheet
date. Income and expenses have been translated at the average rates
over the reporting period. Any differences arising from this
procedure have been charged/credited to the "Cumulative translation
reserve" in equity. Equity has been translated into US dollars at
historical rates.
3.5.2 Foreign currency transactions
In preparing the financial statements of the group entities,
foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional
currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the
transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the
settlement of such transactions and from the translation at
period-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the loss from
operations.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
3.6 Equity
The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve
within equity.
Reserve Description and purpose
----------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Share capital Amount subscribed for share capital
at share issue price less direct
issue costs
Capital contribution Includes the net assets transferred
to Avesoro on April 13, 2011 pursuant
to the Plan of Arrangement and
the equity portion of the loans
payable to AJL (majority shareholder)
and Mapa Insaat ve Ticaret A.S.
(a related party)
Share-based payment Fair value of share-based payments
reserve vested
Acquisition reserve The difference between the consideration
and the aggregate carrying value
of the assets and liabilities
of the acquired entity as of the
date of acquisition where the
business combination includes
entities under common control
Available-for-sale Gains and losses arising on available-for-sale
investment reserve investments
Cumulative translation Exchange differences arising on
reserve translation of non-US dollar functional
currency subsidiaries
Cumulative deficit Amount of cumulative net gains
and losses recognised on the consolidated
statement of income
Non-controlling Represents the share in subsidiaries
interest that is not owned by the Group
----------------------- -----------------------------------------------
3.7 Property, plant and equipment
All property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost
less depreciation and applicable impairment charges. Historical
cost includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the
acquisition of the items. Subsequent costs are included in the
asset's carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as
appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits
associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost of
the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amounts of any
replaced parts are derecognized. All other repairs and maintenance
are charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive
loss/income during the financial period in which they are
incurred.
Depreciation is provided to write off the cost using the
straight-line method over their estimated useful life of the assets
as follows:
Machinery and 3-4 years
equipment
Vehicles 5 years
Mining equipment 5-10 years
Leasehold improvements Term of the lease
An asset's carrying amount is written down immediately to its
recoverable amount if the asset's carrying amount is greater than
its estimated recoverable amount.
Mining and development costs include costs incurred after the
completion of a mining property's feasibility study. Mining and
development costs are not amortized during the development phase
but are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be
recoverable, at least at each balance sheet date.
A mining and development property is considered to be capable of
operating in a manner intended by management when it commences
commercial production. Upon commencement of commercial production a
development property is transferred to a mining property and is
depreciated on a units-of-production method. Only proven and
probable reserves are used in the tonnes mined units of production
depreciation calculation.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
3.8 Exploration costs
Exploration and evaluation costs are expensed as incurred until
a decision is taken that a mining property is economically
feasible, after which subsequent expenditures are capitalised as
intangible assets.
Exploration and evaluation costs include acquisition of rights
to explore, studies, exploration drilling, trenching, sampling and
associated activities.
3.9 Impairment
At each balance sheet date, the Company reviews the carrying
amounts of its non-current assets to determine whether there is any
indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If
any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is
estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss
(if any). Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are
independent from other assets, the Company estimates the
recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset
belongs.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to
sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated
future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a
pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of
the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for
which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted. If
the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is
estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount
of the asset (cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable
amount. An impairment loss is recognised as an expense in the
statement of comprehensive income.
In assessing whether there is any indication that an asset(s)
may be impaired, an entity shall consider, as a minimum, the
following indications:
External
-- Significant changes with an adverse effect on the entity have
taken place during the period or will take place in the near
future, in the technological, market, economic or legal environment
in which the entity operates or in the market to which an asset is
dedicated;
-- Market interest rates or other market rates of return on
investment have increased during the period, and those increases
are likely to affect the discount rate used in calculating an
assets value in use and decrease the assets recoverable amount;
and
-- The carrying amount of the net assets of the entity is more than its market capitalisation.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
Internal
-- Evidence of physical damage of an asset;
-- Evidence from internal reporting that indicates the economic performance of an asset
is or will be worse than expected; and
-- Significant changes with an adverse effect on the entity have
taken place during the period or are expected to take place in the
near future to the extent and manner in which an asset is used.
An impairment loss recognised in prior periods shall be reversed
if there has been a change in the
estimates used to determine the assets recoverable amount since
the last impairment loss was recognised.
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying
amount of the asset (cash-generating unit) is increased to the
revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the
increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that
would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised
for the asset (cash-generating unit) in prior periods. A reversal
of an impairment loss is recognised as income immediately.
3.10 Financial instruments
Financial assets
All financial assets are recognised and derecognised on trade
date when the purchase or sale of a financial asset is under a
contract whose terms require delivery of the financial asset within
the timeframe established by the market concerned. Financial assets
are initially measured at fair value, plus transaction costs,
except for those financial assets classified as fair value through
profit or loss ("FVTPL"), which are initially measured at fair
value.
Available-for-sale financial assets
Available-for-sale financial assets include non-derivative
financial assets that are either designated as such or do not
qualify for inclusion in any of the other categories of financial
assets. All financial assets within this category are measured
subsequently at fair value, with changes in value recognised in
other comprehensive income. Gains and losses arising from
investments classified as available for sale are recognised in the
profit or loss when they are sold or when the investment is
impaired. In the case of impairment of available for sale assets,
any loss previously recognised in other comprehensive income is
transferred to the profit or loss. Impairments are assessed when a
decline in fair value is significant or prolonged based on an
analysis of indicators such as market price of the investment and
significant adverse changes in the environment in which the
investee operates. Impairment losses recognised in the profit or
loss on equity instruments are not reversed through the profit or
loss. Impairment losses recognised previously on debt securities
are reversed through the profit or loss when the increase can be
related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss
was recognised in the profit or loss.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
Loans and receivables
Trade receivables, loans and other receivables that have fixed
or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market
are classified as loans and receivables. Loans and receivables are
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method,
less any impairment. Interest income is recognised by applying the
effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the
recognition of interest would be immaterial.
Impairment of financial assets at amortised cost
Financial assets that are measured at amortised cost are
assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting
period. Financial assets are considered to be impaired when there
is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that
occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the
estimated future cash flows of the financial asset have been
affected.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand
deposits and other short-term highly liquid investments that are
readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an
insignificant risk of changes in value.
Derecognition of financial assets
The Company derecognises a financial asset only when the
contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire; or it
transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and
rewards of ownership of the asset to another entity. If the Company
neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risks and
rewards of ownership and continues to control the transferred
asset, the Company recognises its retained interest in the asset
and an associated liability for amounts it may have to pay. If the
Company retains substantially all the risks and rewards of
ownership of a transferred financial asset, the Company continues
to recognise the financial asset and also recognises a
collateralised borrowing for the proceeds received.
Financial liabilities and equity
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified
according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered
into.
Equity instruments
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual
interest in the assets of the Company after deducting all of its
liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded
at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Warrants
issued alongside the raising of finance are recorded as a reduction
of capital stock based on the fair value of the warrants.
Other financial liabilities
Other financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially
measured at fair value, net of transaction costs. Other financial
liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the
effective interest method, with interest expense recognised on an
effective yield basis. The effective interest method is a method of
calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of
allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective
interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future
cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability,
or, where appropriate, a shorter period.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
Derecognition of financial liabilities
The Company derecognises financial liabilities when, and only
when, the Company's obligations are discharged, cancelled or they
expire.
Derivative financial instruments:
The Company has issued warrants that are exercisable in a
currency other than the functional currency of the entity issuing.
As such these warrants are treated as derivative liabilities which
are measured initially at fair value and gains and losses on
subsequent re-measurement are recorded in profit or loss.
3.11 Income tax
The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the
tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date
in the countries where the company's subsidiaries operate and
generate taxable income. Management periodically evaluates
positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which
applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation and
establishes provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts
expected to be paid to the tax authorities.
Deferred tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on
temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and
liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated
financial statements. However, the deferred tax is not accounted
for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability
in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time
of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or
loss. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that
have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet
date and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset
is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled.
Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is
probable that future taxable profit will be available against which
the temporary differences can be utilised. Deferred tax is provided
on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and
associates, except where the timing of the reversal of the
temporary difference is controlled by the Company and it is
probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the
foreseeable future.
3.12 Gold sales
Revenue from sales of gold is recognised when:
- the Company has passed the significant risks and rewards of
ownership of the product to the buyer, usually when gold doré
leaves the gold room, unless a return of physical metal is
requested in advance;
- it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the sale will flow to the Company;
- the sales price can be measured reliably;
- the Company has no significant continuing involvement; and
- the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the sale can be measured reliably.
Revenue earned while the mine is ramping up to commercial
production is accounted for as a credit to the capitalised mining
development asset. Revenue earned after commencement of commercial
production is recognised in the statement of income. Commercial
production at New Liberty was declared on March 1, 2016.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
3.13 Cost of sales
Cost of sales consists of production costs, depreciation of
mining assets and costs during temporary plant shutdown.
Production costs include mine operating expenses (such as hire
of mining equipment, staff costs, fuel, consumables, maintenance
and repair costs, general and administrative costs), third-party
smelting, refining and transport fees, royalty expense, changes in
inventories for the period including write-down to reduce
inventories to net realisable value and permanent impairment of
inventories. Cost of sales is based on average costing for
contained or recoverable ounces sold for the period.
Costs during temporary plant shutdown are mine operating
expenses that were incurred during the temporary suspension of
plant processing operations from May 7 to June 30, 2016 as a
consequence of operating problems with the detoxification circuit
in the process plant.
3.14 Stripping costs
Stripping costs incurred during the development phase of the
mine as part of initial pit stripping are capitalised as mining and
development costs as part of property, plant and equipment.
Stripping costs incurred during the production stage of the mine
are treated as either part of the cost of inventory or are
capitalised as a stripping activity asset if all of the following
are met:
-- it is probable that the future economic benefit (improved
access to the ore body) associated with the stripping activity will
flow;
-- the component of the ore body for which access has been improved can be identified; and
-- the costs relating to the stripping activity associated with
that component or components can be measured reliably.
Once determined that any portion of the stripping costs should
be capitalised, the average stripping ratio for the life of the
mine to which the stripping cost related is typically used to
determine the amount of the stripping costs that should be
capitalised.
Costs capitalised as stripping assets are depreciated on a units
of production basis, with reference to the estimated ounces of gold
reserves based on the life of mine plan in the components of the
ore body that have been made more accessible through the stripping
activity.
3.15 Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable
value. The cost of ore stockpiles and gold in circuit is determined
principally by the weighted average cost method using related
production costs.
Costs of gold inventories include all costs incurred up until
production of an ounce of gold such as mining costs, processing
costs, directly attributable mine general and administration costs
and depreciation but exclude transport costs, refining costs and
royalties. Net realisable value is determined with reference to
estimated contained gold, market gold prices and an estimate of the
remaining costs of completion to bring inventories into its
saleable form. When the net realisable value is lower than cost the
difference is included in change in inventories under cost of
sales.
Impairment of inventories are recognised when stocks are
determined to be uneconomic to process. Reversals of impairments
are recognised when previously impaired inventories are determined
to be economic to process.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
3.16 Leases
Determining whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease is
based on the substance of the arrangement and requires an
assessment of whether fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on
the use of a specific asset or assets and whether the arrangement
conveys a right to use the asset. Leases of plant and equipment
where the group assumes a significant portion of risks and rewards
of ownership are classified as a finance lease. Finance leases are
capitalised at the estimated present value of the underlying lease
payments. Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and
the finance charges to achieve a constant rate on the balance
outstanding. The interest portion of the finance payment is
capitalised as development costs until declaration of commercial
production at which time, interest will be charged to the statement
of comprehensive income over the lease period. The plant and
equipment acquired under the finance lease are depreciated over the
useful lives of the assets, or over the lease term if shorter.
Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of
ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating
leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the
statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the
period of the lease.
3.17 Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Company has a present
obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it
is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle
the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of
the obligation. If the effect of the time value of money is
material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected
future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market
assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the
risks specific to the liability.
The net present value of estimated future rehabilitation costs
is provided for in the consolidated financial statements and
capitalised within property, plant and equipment on initial
recognition. Rehabilitation will generally occur on closure or
after closure of a mine and can include facility decommissioning
and dismantling, removal or treatment of waste materials, site and
land rehabilitation. Initial recognition is at the time of the
construction or disturbance occurring and thereafter as and when
additional construction or disturbances take place. The estimates
are reviewed annually to take into account the effects of inflation
and changes in estimated risk adjusted rehabilitation works cost
and are discounted using rates that reflect the time value of
money. Annual increases in the provision due to the unwinding of
the discount are recognised in the statement of comprehensive
income as a finance cost.
The present value of additional disturbances and changes in the
estimate of the rehabilitation liability are recorded to mining
assets against an increase/decrease in the rehabilitation
provision. Rehabilitation projects undertaken are charged to the
provision as incurred. Environmental liabilities, other than
rehabilitation costs, which relate to liabilities arising from
specific events, are expensed when they are known, probable and may
be reasonably estimated.
3.18 Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs are generally expensed as incurred except where
they relate to the financing of qualifying assets that require a
substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use.
Qualifying assets include mining and development properties.
Borrowing costs related to qualifying assets are capitalised up to
the date when the asset is ready for its intended use.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
3.19 Share-based payments
Equity-settled share-based payments to employees and others
providing similar services are measured at the fair value of the
equity instruments at the grant date. Fair value is measured by use
of a Black-Scholes model. The expected life used in the model has
been adjusted, based on management's best estimate, for the effects
of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural
considerations. When equity-settled stock options granted to
employees vest over a period of time and the charge is recognised
in the statement of comprehensive income over the corresponding
period.
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions with other
parties are measured at the fair value of the goods and services
received, except where the fair value cannot be estimated reliably,
in which case they are measured at the fair value of the equity
instruments granted, measured at the date the entity obtains the
goods or the counterparty renders the service.
3.20 Promissory note
Promissory note is initially recognised at the fair value of the
proceeds, net of transaction costs incurred. These transaction
costs are subsequently amortised under the effective interest rate
method through the income statement. Promissory note is classified
as a current liability unless the Company has an unconditional
right to defer settlement of the liability for at least one year
after the balance sheet date.
3.21 Segments
Information presented to the Chief Executive Officer for the
purposes of resource allocation and assessment of segment
performance is focused on the geographical location.
3.22 Business combinations
Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the
acquisition method. The consideration transferred in a business
combination is measured at fair value, which is calculated as the
sum of the acquisition-date fair values of the assets transferred
by the Group, liabilities incurred by the Group to the former
owners of the acquiree and the equity interests issued by the Group
in exchange for control of the acquiree. Acquisition-related costs
are recognised in profit or loss as incurred.
Goodwill is measured as the excess of the sum of the
consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling
interests in the acquiree, and the fair value of the acquirer's
previously held equity interest in the acquiree (if any) over the
net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets
acquired and the liabilities assumed. If, after reassessment, the
net of the acquisition-date amounts of identifiable assets acquired
and the liabilities assumed exceeds the sum of the consideration
transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the
acquiree and the fair value of the acquirer's previously held
interest in the acquiree (if any), the excess is recognised
immediately in profit or loss as a gain on a bargain purchase.
Non-controlling interests that are present ownership interests
and entitle their holders to a proportionate share of the entity's
net assets in the event of liquidation are measured at the
proportionate share of net assets of the acquiree.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
3.23 Common control business combinations
Where business combinations include transactions among entities
under common control and outside the scope of IFRS 3 - Business
Combinations, the Company considered the guidance provided by IAS 8
- Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors
and applied predecessor accounting.
Assets acquired or liabilities assumed are not restated to their
fair values. Instead, the acquirer incorporates the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities of the acquired entity and no new
goodwill arises.
The difference between the consideration given and the aggregate
carrying value of the assets and liabilities of the acquired entity
as of the date of acquisition is included as acquisition reserve in
equity.
Management believes this policy gives a true and fair view as
all entities are under the same ultimate controlling party,
therefore under common control.
3.24 Critical accounting judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the Company's accounting policies,
management is required to make judgements, estimates and
assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities
that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and
associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other
factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may
differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an
ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in
the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects
only that period or in the period of the revision and future
periods if the revision affects both current and future
periods.
Key sources of estimation uncertainty and judgements made in
applying specific accounting policies are as follows:
Carrying value of New Liberty and Burkina Faso cash generating
units
The ability of the Company to realise the carrying value of a
cash generating unit is contingent upon future profitable
production or proceeds from the gold mines and influenced by
operational, legal and political risks and future gold prices.
Management makes the judgements necessary when considering
impairment at least annually with reference to indicators in IAS
36. If an indication exists, an assessment is made of the
recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of value
in use (being the net present value of expected future cash flows)
and fair value less costs to sell. Value in use is estimated based
on operational forecasts with key inputs that include gold
reserves, gold prices, production levels including grade and tonnes
processed, production costs and capital expenditure. Because of the
above-mentioned uncertainties, actual future cash flows could
materially differ from those estimated. Note 11 outlines the
significant inputs used when performing impairment test on the New
Liberty cash generating unit.
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
Reserve estimates
The Group estimates its ore reserves and mineral resources in
accordance with the National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects" of the Canadian Securities
Administrators. Reserves determined in this way are used in the
calculation of depreciation of mining assets, as well as the
assessment of the carrying value of the cash generating units and
timing of mine closure provision. Uncertainties inherent in
estimating ore reserves and assumptions that are valid at the time
of estimation may change significantly when new information becomes
available. Changes in the forecast prices of commodities, exchange
rates, production costs or recovery rates may change the economic
status of reserves and may, ultimately, result in the reserves
being restated. The failure of the Company to achieve production
estimates could have a material and adverse effect on any or all of
its future cash flows, profitability, results of operations and/or
financial condition.
Declaration of commercial production
Management used its judgement to declare commercial production
at New Liberty effective March 1, 2016 following a 60-day period of
process plant operations in line with both design specifications
and management expectations in terms of throughput capacity and
gold recovery.
Provisions for mine closure and rehabilitation costs
Management uses its judgement and experience to provide for and
amortise the estimated mine closure and site rehabilitation over
the life of the mine. Provisions are discounted at a risk-free rate
and cost base inflated at an appropriate rate. The ultimate closure
and site rehabilitation costs are uncertain and cost estimates can
vary in response to many factors including changes to relevant
legal requirements or the emergence of new restoration techniques.
The expected timing and extent of expenditure can also change, for
example in response to changes in ore reserves or processing
levels. As a result, there could be significant adjustments to the
provisions established which could affect future financial
results.
Capitalisation of exploration and evaluation costs
Exploration and evaluation costs are expensed as incurred until
a decision is taken that a mining property is economically
feasible, after which subsequent expenditures are capitalised as
intangible assets. Management estimates the economic feasibility of
a property using key inputs such as gold resources, future gold
prices, production levels, production costs and capital
expenditure.
Inventories
Valuations of ore stockpile and gold in circuit require
estimations of the amount of gold contained in, and recovery rates
from, the various work in progress. These estimations are based on
analysis of samples and prior experience. Judgement is also
required regarding the timing of utilisation of stockpiles and the
gold price to be applied in calculating net realisable value.
Share-based payments and warrants
The amounts used to estimate fair values of stock options and
warrants issued are based on estimates of future volatility of the
Company's share price, expected lives of the options, expected
dividends to be paid by the Company and other relevant
assumptions.
By their nature, these estimates are subject to measurement
uncertainty and the effect of changes in such estimates on the
consolidated financial statements of future periods could be
significant.
4. Acquisition of Youga and Balogo Gold Mines
On December 18, 2017 the Company completed the acquisition of
the Youga Gold Mine and Balogo Gold Mine in Burkina Faso (the
"Youga and Balogo Gold Mines") through the acquisition of the
entire issued share capital of MNG Gold Burkina SARL, Cayman
Burkina Mines Ltd., MNG Gold Exploration Ltd., AAA Exploration
Burkina Ltd. and Jersey Netiana Mining Ltd. and their subsidiaries
from AJL for a total consideration of $70.2 million which comprises
of the issuance of $51.5 million of new common shares in the
Company and a cash component of $18.7 million.
The Youga and Balogo Gold Mines provide the Company with
geographic diversity within West Africa and are highly
complementary to New Liberty Gold Mine, significantly increasing
Avesoro's gold production, in addition to adding high quality
exploration upside that will provide for further future organic
growth.
This transaction has been accounted for in accordance with Note
3.23 Common control business combinations as the Company and AJL
are both owned by Avesoro Holdings Limited. The following table
summarises the carrying value of the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed on the date of acquisition.
$'000
Recognised amounts of identifiable assets
and liabilities assumed
Cash and cash equivalents 14,394
Trade and other receivables 20,166
Inventories 15,690
Property, plant and equipment (Note 11) 38,191
Deferred tax asset (Note 7) 4,554
Other assets 1,844
Trade and other payables (25,742)
Loans payable to AJL (Note 13(b)) (8,106)
Income tax payable (12,215)
Provisions (Note 17) (8,000)
Total identifiable net assets 40,776
Non-controlling interest (3,647)
Acquisition reserve 33,060
---------
70,189
---------
Fair value of consideration
Cash paid 18,730
Shares issued (Note 18b) 51,459
70,189
---------
The net cash outflow from the acquisition amounted to $4.3
million. Acquisition-related costs of $0.7 million have been
charged to administrative and other expenses in the statement of
comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2017.
The results of Youga and Balogo Gold Mines are included within
the consolidated statement of income from the date of acquisition.
Youga and Balogo Gold Mines contributed revenues of $2.5 million
and a net income after tax of of $0.5 million to the Group's net
loss for the period from December 18 to 31, 2017.
Had the acquisition completed on January 1, 2017, the Company
would have reported revenues of $236.6 million and a net income
after tax of $13.7 million for the year ended December 31,
2017.
5. Segment information
The Company is engaged in the exploration, development and
operation of gold projects in the West African countries of
Liberia, Burkina Faso and Cameroon. Information presented to the
Chief Executive Officer for the purposes of resource allocation and
assessment of segment performance is focused on the geographical
location of mining operations. The reportable segments under IFRS 8
are as follows:
-- New Liberty operations;
-- Burkina operations which include the Youga and Balogo Gold Mines;
-- Exploration; and
-- Corporate.
.
Gold sales from New Liberty operations and Burkina operations
are each sold to a single but different customer, both located in
Switzerland.
Following is an analysis of the Company's results, assets and
liabilities by reportable segment for the year ended December 31,
2017:
New
Liberty Burkina Exploration
operations operations Corporate Total
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Net income/(loss)
for the year (20,770) 1,319 (2,458) (5,498) (27,407)
------------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------
Gold sales 95,246 2,540 - - 97,786
------------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------
Production costs
- Mine operating
costs (70,433) (3,187) - - (73,620)
- Change in inventories (1,983) 2,109 - - 126
(72,416) (1,078) - - (73,494)
------------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------
Depreciation (32,248) - (500) (17) (32,765)
Segment assets 241,451 90,818 4,197 572 337,038
Segment liabilities (152,409) (49,388) (4,196) (777) (206,770)
------------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------
Capital additions
and acquisitions
- property, plant
and equipment 55,868 38,191 - - 94,059
------------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------
5. Segment information (continued)
Following is an analysis of the Company's results, assets and
liabilities by reportable segment for the year ended December 31,
2016:
New
Liberty Burkina Exploration
operations operations Corporate Total
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Loss for the
year (103,015) - (3,105) (6,870) (112,990)
------------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------
Gold sales 63,612 - - - 63,612
------------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------
Production costs
- Mine operating
costs (80,209) - - - (80,209)
- Change in
inventories (1,875) - - - (1,875)
- Impairment
of inventories (4,933) - - - (4,933)
------------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------
(87,017) - - - (87,017)
------------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------
Depreciation (15,948) - (389) (22) (16,359)
Other costs
- Termination
fee (Note 20) (4,500) - - - (4,500)
- Shutdown costs (4,383) - - - (4,383)
(8,883) - - - (8,883)
------------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------
Segment assets 216,567 - 575 10,101 227,243
Segment liabilities (121,483) - (69) (715) (122,267)
------------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------
Capital additions
- property,
plant and equipment 27,714 - 30 - 27,744
------------- ------------ -------------- ---------- ----------
6. Administrative expenses
Year ended Year ended
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
-------------- --------------
Wages, salaries and contractual
termination/change of control payments 1,693 4,046
Legal and professional 1,548 5,412
Depreciation of non-mining assets 17 411
Share based payments 1,070 768
Foreign exchange 78 250
Other expenses 1,260 1,162
-------------- --------------
5,666 12,049
-------------- --------------
7. Income taxes
Year ended Year ended
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
----------- -----------
Current taxation 143 -
----------- -----------
The analysis of the Company's taxation charge for the year based
on the company's statutory tax rate of 26.5% is as follows:
Year ended Year ended
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
----------- -----------
Loss before tax (27,264) (112,990)
Tax recovery at the Canadian corporation
tax rate of 26.5% (7,225) (29,942)
Effect of different tax rates
of subsidiaries operating in
other jurisdictions 345 1,895
Non-deductible expenses 1,048 10,822
Non-taxable gains (997) (279)
Tax losses not utilised and carried
forward 7,219 17,957
Other (247) (453)
----------- -----------
143 -
----------- -----------
Deferred tax balances in Burkina Faso for which there is a right
of offset within the same tax jurisdiction are presented net on the
face of the balance sheet as permitted by IAS 12. The closing
deferred tax assets, after this offsetting of balances, are shown
below:
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
--------- ---------
Deferred tax assets arising from:
Capital allowances 3,203 -
Other temporary differences 1,351 -
--------- ---------
4,554 -
--------- ---------
Deferred tax balances in Liberia for which there is a right of
offset within the same tax jurisdiction are presented net as
permitted by IAS 12. A deferred tax asset of $4.8 million (2016:
$2.9 million) in respect of losses has been recognised and off set
against a deferred tax liability of $4.8 million (2016: $2.9
million) with respect to accelerated tax depreciation in Liberia.
The Group has only recognised an asset up to the value of the
deferred tax liability.
The Group has further carried forward losses and capital
allowances in Liberia and Canada in which it does not recognise a
deferred tax asset due to uncertainty over the utilisation of these
assets. The unrecognised deferred taxation asset at December 31,
2017 is $107.9 million (2016: US$81.3 million) based on a carried
forward tax losses asset of $51.1 million (2016: US$26.6 million)
which expires between 2031 and 2037 and capital allowances of $56.8
million (2016: US$54.7 million) which have no expiry date.
8. Trade and other receivables
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
---------
Trade receivable 416 760
Other receivables 10,690 1,940
Due from related parties (Note
20(e)) 1,015 122
Pre-payments 13,165 2,953
--------- ---------
25,286 5,775
--------- ---------
Other receivables include a VAT receivable from the Burkina Faso
Government amounting to $8.9 million as at December 31, 2017 (2016:
$nil).
9. Inventories
December December
31, 2017 31, 2016
$'000 $'000
---------- ----------
Gold dore 3,986 1,720
Gold in circuit 2,561 1,492
Ore stockpiles 6,688 3,737
Consumables 23,697 9,402
---------- ----------
36,932 16,351
---------- ----------
Consumables at New Liberty as at December 31, 2016 include
inventories acquired from a related party (Note 20(d)).
Production costs for the year ended December 31, 2017 include a
write-down of ore stockpiles at New Liberty of $2.9 million to net
realisable value. Production costs for the year ended December 31,
2016 include an impairment of the low grade oxide stockpiles which
was not planned to be fed through the processing plant at New
Liberty as at December 31, 2016 of $4.9 million.
10. Other assets
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
---------
Current
Surety deposit 400 400
Deposit to supplier 662 -
Other deposits 648 -
Amounts in escrow in respect of
an operating lease - 116
1,710 516
--------- ---------
Non-current
Asset retirement obligation deposit 517 -
Other deposits 679 -
--------- ---------
1,196 -
--------- ---------
11. Property, plant and equipment
Assets
Mine held
closure under Machinery
Development Mining Stripping and finance and Leasehold
assets assets asset rehabilitation lease equipment Vehicles improvement Total
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
Cost
At January 1,
2016 221,275 - - - - 1,645 1,233 94 224,247
Transfers (221,275) 210,746 - 1,369 9,160 - - - -
Additions - 7,017 - 854 4,469 30 - - 12,370
Acquired from
a related
party
(Note 20) - - - - - 14,717 657 - 15,374
Impairment - (42,473) - - - - - - (42,473)
Foreign
exchange - - - - - - (6) (11) (17)
At December
31,
2016 - 175,290 - 2,223 13,629 16,392 1,884 83 209,501
Additions - 8,322 16,229 544 2,025 27,752 996 - 55,868
Acquisitions
(Note 4) - 24,895 - 3,445 - 30,639 204 - 59,183
Impairment - - - - (3,896) - - - (3,896)
Foreign
exchange - - - - - 10 8 3 21
At December
31,
2017 - 208,507 16,229 6,212 11,758 74,793 3,092 86 320,677
----------- -------- --------- -------------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------- --------
Accumulated
depreciation
At January 1,
2016 - - - - - 1,120 876 62 2,058
Charge for
the
period - 14,909 - 116 651 518 148 17 16,359
Foreign
exchange - - - - - (16) (4) (13) (33)
At December
31,
2016 - 14,909 - 116 651 1,622 1,020 66 18,384
Charge for
the
period - 23,754 1,838 296 2,933 3,622 303 19 32,765
Acquisitions
(Note 4) - 13,442 - 1,878 - 5,633 39 - 20,992
Impairment - - - - (1,020) - - - (1,020)
Foreign
exchange - - - - - 3 - 1 4
At December
31,
2017 - 52,105 1,838 2,290 2,564 10,880 1,362 86 71,125
-------- --------- -------------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------- --------
Net book
value
At December
31,
2016 - 160,381 - 2,107 12,978 14,770 864 17 191,117
----------- -------- --------- -------------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------- --------
At December
31,
2017 - 156,402 14,391 3,922 9,194 63,913 1,730 - 249,552
----------- -------- --------- -------------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------- --------
11. Property, plant and equipment (continued)
The additions to development assets for the year ended December
31, 2017 include capitalized borrowing costs of $nil (2016: $1.7
million). It also includes pre-production costs of $nil for the
year ended December 31, 2017 (2016: $2.1 million), net of
pre-production revenues of $nil (2016: $14.8 million).
Impairment of assets held under finance leases
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company agreed to
cancel poor performing heavy mining equipment held as finance
leases and fully acquire those with acceptable performance for a
cash consideration of $2.7 million. The derecognition of the
finance lease liabilities resulted in a gain of $4 million and an
impairment of $2.9 million was recognised on those equipment with
low availabilities.
Impairment of New Liberty Gold Mine
In accordance with IAS 36, Impairment of Assets, the Company
assesses annually whether there are any indicators of impairment of
non-current assets. When circumstances or events indicate that
non-current assets may be impaired, these assets are reviewed in
detail to determine whether their carrying value is higher than
their recoverable value, and, where this is the result, an
impairment is recognised. Recoverable value is the higher of value
in use ("VIU") and fair value less costs to sell. VIU is estimated
by calculating the present value of the future cash flows expected
to be derived from the asset cash generating unit ("CGU"). Fair
value less costs to sell is based on the most reliable information
available, including market statistics and recent transactions. The
New Liberty Gold Mine has been identified as the CGU. This includes
the mining and development property and associated working
capital.
The mine operations falling below expectations during the year
represented an impairment trigger, and as a result, Management
performed impairment testing in order to ensure that the
recoverable value calculated exceeded the carrying value as
presented. The results of this test did not result in any
impairment for the year ended December 31, 2017 (2016: $42.5
million).
The recoverable amount of the CGU was determined by calculating
its VIU, which has been determined to be greater than its fair
value less cost to dispose. The key assumptions used in determining
the VIU for the CGU is life-of-mine ("LOM") plan, long-term gold
prices and discount rate. The estimates of future cash flows were
derived from the latest LOM plan as at December 31, 2017 which
showed an estimated life of 4 years (2016: seven years) and was
based on management's current best estimates of optimized mine and
processing plans, future operating costs and the assessment of
capital expenditure of the New Liberty Gold Mine. The Company also
used the following assumptions:
-- estimated gold price of $1,300 per ounce (2016: a range from
$1,200 to $1,300 (LOM average $1,300) per ounce) based on
observable market data including spot price and industry consensus;
and
-- a pre-tax discount rate of 8.5% (2016: 8.5%) was applied to
present value the net future cash flows based on the weighted
average cost of capital applicable to the CGU.
12. Available-for-sale investments
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
--------- ---------
Beginning of the year 55 83
Loss recognised in statement of
comprehensive income (34) (28)
--------- ---------
End of the year 21 55
--------- ---------
As at December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company holds 615,855
shares in Stellar Diamonds plc, a diamond mining and exploration
company listed on the AIM market operated by the London Stock
Exchange. The Company's available-for-sale investments are
classified as Level 1 where the fair value is determined by
reference to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets.
13. Borrowings
December December
31, 2017 31, 2016
$'000 $'000
---------- ----------
Current
Bank loan - Senior Facility Tranche
A 14,741 11,222
Bank loan - Senior Facility Tranche
B 9,737 9,090
Shareholder loan 8,106 -
Related party loan 3,415 -
---------- ----------
35,999 20,312
---------- ----------
Non-current
Bank loan - Senior Facility Tranche
A 58,668 62,636
Bank loan - Subordinated Facility 10,846 10,523
Shareholder loan 14,938 -
Related party loan 13,640 -
---------- ----------
98,092 73,159
---------- ----------
(a) Bank loans
On December 17, 2013 the Company entered into an agreement for
an $88 million project finance loan facility (the "Senior
Facility") with the Nedbank Limited and FirstRand Bank Limited
(collectively the "Lenders"), and also entered into a subordinated
loan facility agreement for $12 million with RMB Resources (the
"Subordinated Facility"). On December 9, 2015 the Company entered
into an agreement for an additional $10 million Tranche B Senior
Facility ("Tranche B Facility", together with the Senior Facility
and the Subordinated Facility the "Loan Facilities") provided by
the Lenders. These Loan Facilities, which have been fully drawn,
financed the development of the Company's New Liberty Gold Mine.
$12.4 million of the Senior Facility has been repaid to date.
13. Borrowings (continued)
On March 31, 2017, the Company finalised an amendment to its
Loan Facilities. The revisions include improved conditions and
rescheduled repayment terms of the Loan Facilities in exchange for
the provision of a personal guarantee from Mehmet Nazif Gűnal,
Non-Executive Chairman of the Company, and corporate guarantees
from the Avesoro Holdings Limited group, the beneficial owner of
72.9% of the Company's issued equity.
The rescheduled repayment structure provides no further capital
repayments until March 31, 2018 and the Senior Facility loan tenor
has been extended by two years until January 31, 2022, and the
tenor on the Subordinated Facility has been extended to the earlier
of 12 months following the repayment of the senior facility or
January 31, 2023. The Senior Facility interest rate remains at
LIBOR plus 1.8% until 2020, following which it will increase to
LIBOR plus 4.3% and the Subordinated Facility interest rate remains
the same at LIBOR plus 7.5%.
The Senior Facility is secured by charges over the assets of
BMMC and charges over the shares in BMMC.
(b) Shareholder loan
Current
The current shareholder loan payable to AJL of $8.1 million was
assumed on acquisition of Youga and Balogo Gold Mines (see Note
4).
Non-current
During the year ended December 31, 2017, BMMC borrowed $18.8
million from AJL to meet liabilities arising on the termination of
legacy procurement contracts, make advanced payments to suppliers
to secure lower unit cost pricing and to accelerate the acquisition
of capital items that will increase process plant throughput at New
Liberty.
The loan is unsecured and ranks subordinated to the Company's
bank loans. Interest is charged on the loan at a fixed rate of
3.75% per annum. The amount undrawn from this loan facility as at
December 31, 2017 is $16.2 million. BMMC may draw down in multiple
tranches at the Company's discretion before December 31, 2020, with
funds available for general working capital purposes. The facility
is due to repaid in full no later than December 31, 2022 and has no
early repayment penalty.
The loan payable to AJL was initially recognised at fair value
calculated as its present value at a market rate of interest and
subsequently measured at amortised cost. The difference between
fair value and loan amount of $4.5 million has been credited to
equity as a capital contribution as the loan is from its majority
shareholder.
13. Borrowings (continued)
(c) Related party loan
During the year ended December 31, 2017 the Company entered into
equipment and finance facility agreements with Mapa Ä°n aat ve
Ticaret A. . ("Mapa"), a company controlled by Mehmet Nazif Gűnal,
Non-Executive Chairman of the Company, to facilitate the purchase
of heavy mining equipment totaling $23.2 million. The loan
principal of these agreements includes a mark-up of 2.5% over the
cost incurred by Mapa in procuring the equipment. The equipment
finance loans are unsecured, with interest charged at 6.5% per
annum on the US$ denominated loan amount of approximately $11
million and 5.5% per annum on the Euro denominated loan amount of
approximately EUR10.3 million (equivalent to approximately $12.2
million). The loans are repayable in cash in eight equal
semi-annual instalments, the first of which will fall due six
months after utilisation of the loan.
The loan payable to Mapa was initially recognised at fair value
calculated as its present value at a market rate of interest and
subsequently measured at amortised cost. The difference between
fair value and loan amount of $6.5 million has been credited to
equity as a capital contribution from a related party.
14. Trade and other payables
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
---------
Current
Trade payables 27,649 7,368
Due to related parties (Note 20(e)) 464 1,342
Accruals and other payables 12,890 5,517
--------- ---------
41,003 14,227
--------- ---------
Non-current
Trade payables 463 -
--------- ---------
15. Finance lease liability
The finance lease liability relates to diesel-powered generators
and related equipment and the fuel storage facility, all at New
Liberty Gold Mine. Such assets have been classified as finance
leases as the rental period amounts to a major portion of the
estimated useful economic life of the lease assets and the present
value of the minimum lease payments amounts to at least
substantially all of the fair value of the leased assets.
December December
31, 2017 31, 2016
$'000 $'000
---------- ----------
Gross finance lease liability
* Within one year 2,820 3,902
* Between two and five years 7,191 11,842
* After five years - 420
---------- ----------
10,011 16,164
Future finance cost (2,223) (4,004)
---------- ----------
Present value of lease liability 7,788 12,160
---------- ----------
Current portion 1,913 2,370
Non-current portion 5,875 9,790
---------- ----------
As discussed in Note 11, the Company cancelled certain finance
leases of heavy mining equipment. The derecognition of those
finance leases resulted in a gain of $4 million recognised in the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
16. Derivative liability
Year ended Year ended
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
Beginning of the year 105 1,159
Change in fair value - (1,054)
----------- -----------
End of the year 105 105
----------- -----------
On April 22, 2014 and July 29, 2014 the Company issued
16,687,499 and 12,260,148 warrants, respectively, with an exercise
price of GBP0.378 (or the prevailing C$ equivalent thereof) and a
term of three and a half years.
On December 22, 2015 the Company issued 20,400,000 Financier
Options and re-issued 11,124,528 warrants with an exercise price of
7p and a term of 3.3 years.
The Company's derivative liability is classified as Level 3
where the fair value is based on inputs that are not observable and
significant to the overall fair value measurement. These are
treated as a derivative liability and were fair valued at inception
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following
assumptions:
16. Derivative liability (continued)
December April 22,
22, 2015
July 29, 2014
2014
---------- ------------- ----------
Number of warrants 31,524,528 12,260,148 16,687,499
Exercise price 7 GBp 37.8 GBp 37.8 GBp
Dividend yield 0% 0% 0%
Risk free interest rate 1.29% 1.93% 1.99%
Expected life 3.3 years 3.5 years 3.5 years
Expected volatility (based on historical
volatility) 60% 43% 46%
---------- ------------- ----------
The changes in fair value at each reporting date are taken
directly to the statement of comprehensive income. The following
assumptions were used at each date.
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
--------- ----------
Exercise price 7 GBp 7-37.8 GBp
Dividend yield 0% 0%
Risk free interest rate 0.73% 0.55%
0.8-2.3
Expected life 1.3 years years
Expected volatility (based on historical
volatility) 103% 92-115%
--------- ----------
The weighted average exercise price of the outstanding
31,524,528 warrants which are accounted for as derivative liability
as at December 31, 2017 is 7 GBp (2016: 22 GBp).
17. Provision
December December
31, 2017 31, 2016
$'000 $'000
---------- ----------
Current
Legal provisions 395 -
Others 128 -
---------- ----------
523 -
---------- ----------
Non-current
Mine closure and rehabilitation
provision 8,529 2,304
Provision for employee benefits 1,910 -
---------- ----------
10,439 2,304
---------- ----------
17. Provision (continued)
December December
31, 2017 31, 2016
$'000 $'000
---------- ----------
Current
Beginning of the year - -
Assumed during the year (Note 4) 523 -
End of the year 523 -
---------- ----------
December December
31, 2017 31, 2016
$'000 $'000
---------- ----------
Non-current
Beginning of the year 2,304 1,369
Additions during the year 543 854
Assumed during the year (Note 4) 7,477 -
Unwinding of discount 115 81
End of the year 10,439 2,304
---------- ----------
The estimated mine closure and rehabilitation costs are expected
to be incurred at the end of the life of each mine, 2022 for New
Liberty, 2024 for Youga and 2018 for Balogo. Mine closure and
rehabilitation costs are estimated based on a formal closure plan
and are subject to regular reviews. The principal factors that can
cause expected cash flows to change include change in the LOM plan,
changes in ore reserves and changes in law and regulation governing
the protection of the environment.
18. Equity
(a) Authorised
Unlimited number of common shares without par value.
(b) Issued
Shares $'000
------------- -------
Balance at January 1, 2016 536,168,262 177,877
Issued to Sarama Investments
Liberia Limited (i) 5,648,310 531
Equity financing with AJL (ii) 390,644,883 17,462
Conversion of Promissory Note
(ii) 271,577,546 12,303
Other equity financing (iii) 4,110,000,000 75,132
Share subscription (iv) 5,300,000 101
Shares issued for services to
the Company (iv) 5,420,000 100
Balance at December 31, 2016 5,324,759,001 283,506
Issued to AJL on acquisition
of Youga and Balogo Gold Mines
(v) 2,033,492,822 51,459
Equity financing (v) 797,449,000 20,248
Share issuance costs (v) - (1,568)
Exercise of stock options (vi) 375,000 8
Balance at December 31, 2017 8,156,075,823 353,653
------------- -------
(i) On January 6, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of
Sarama Investments Liberia Limited which holds the Cape Mount, Cape
Mount East and Cape Mount West licences, for a total consideration
of 5,648,310 shares at a price of 6.38p per share ($0.094).
(ii) On June 21, 2016 the Company issued 59,533,674 new common
shares at a price of $0.045302 per Share and a promissory note for
the aggregate principal amount of US$12,303,006 to AJL ("the
Promissory Note"), raising gross proceeds of $15 million.
On July 15, 2016 the Company issued a further 331,111,209 new
shares at a price of $0.045302 per share to AJL, raising gross
proceeds of $15 million. Further, the Promissory Note issued by the
Company to AJL also converted into 271,577,546 Shares (also at a
price of $0.045302 per Share).
These transactions resulted in AJL becoming the majority
shareholder of the Company.
(iii) On December 6, 2016, the Company issued 4,110,000,000
shares at a price of 1.5 pence per share raising net proceeds of
$75 million, with AJL subscribing for $60 million of new shares,
via an equity fundraising to finance the Company's transition to an
owner-operator mining model at New Liberty, repay amounts due to
the Lenders and to strengthen its balance sheet.
18. Equity (continued)
(iv) In addition, Serhan Umurhan, the Company's Chief Executive
Officer, subscribed for 5,300,000 shares at a price of 1.5 pence
per share. Serhan Umurhan and Geoff Eyre, the Company's Chief
Financial Officer, have been issued 2,710,000 shares each at a
price of 1.5 pence per share in consideration for an aggregate of
$100,000 for services rendered to the Company.
(v) As discussed in Note 4, the company acquired Youga and
Balogo Gold Mines on December 18, 2017 for a total consideration of
US$70.2 million which comprises of the issuance of 2,033,492,822
new common shares in the Company at a price of 1.90p per share and
a cash component of US$18.7 million. The cash component was funded
through the issuance of 797,449,000 at a price of 1.90p per share
through a private placing. The directly attributable costs of
issuance of these new shares amounted to $1.6 million.
(vi) During the year ended December 31, 2017 the Company issued
375,000 shares on exercise of 375,000 stock options at a price of
1.575 pence per stock option.
(c) Stock options
Information relating to stock options outstanding at December
31, 2016 is as follows:
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
------------ ---------- ----------- ----------
Weighted Weighted
average average
exercise exercise
Number price per Number price per
of share of share
options Cdn$ options Cdn$
Beginning of the year 124,269,550 0.09 18,096,864 0.54
Options granted 174,500,000 0.03 113,046,000 0.04
Options exercised (375,000) 0.03 - -
Options expired (557,000) 1.05 (6,592,187) 0.39
Options forfeited (14,894,696) 0.18 (281,127) 0.35
------------ ---------- ----------- ----------
End of the year 282,942,854 0.05 124,269,550 0.09
------------ ---------- ----------- ----------
There were 51,202,500 stock options that have vested as at
December 31, 2017 (2016: 24,952,550) with a weighted average
exercise price of Cdn$0.04 (2016: Cdn$0.25).
The weighted average fair value of the 174,500,000 stock options
granted in year ended December 31, 2017 (2016: 113,046,000 options)
was estimated at US$0.01 per option (2016: US$0.02) at the grant
date based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the
following assumptions:
Year ended Year ended
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
------------ ------------
Share price at grant date GBP0.02-0.03 GBP0.02-0.06
Exercise price GBP0.02-0.03 GBP0.02-0.06
Dividend yield 0% 0%
Risk free interest rate 0.40-0.72% 0.17-1.30%
Expected life 5 years 5 years
Expected volatility (based on historical volatility) 34-90% 84-129%
------------ ------------
19. Loss per share
Year ended Year ended
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
Loss for the year attributable to
owners of equity ($'000) (27,474) (112,990)
Weighted average number of common
shares for the purposes of basic
and diluted loss per share 54,256,004 11,328,935
----------- -----------
Basic and diluted loss per share
($) (0.51) (9.97)
----------- -----------
The weighted average number of common shares has been restated
for the 100:1 share consolidation that became effective on January
16, 2018 (Note 25).
Where there is a loss, the impact of warrants and stock options
is anti-dilutive, hence, basic and diluted earnings per share are
the same.
20. Related party transactions
Following are the Company's related party transactions in
addition to the acquisition of Youga and Balogo Gold Mines as
discussed in Note 4.
(a) AJL loan facility
As discussed in Note 13(b), the Company borrowed US$18.8 million
from its majority shareholder, AJL, during the year ended December
31, 2017. Interest charged on the loan for the year ended December
31, 2017 amounted to US$0.7 million.
(b) Loans payable to Mapa
As discussed in Note 13(c), the Company borrowed US$23.2 million
from Mapa during the year ended December 31, 2017. Interest charged
on the loans for the year ended December 31, 2017 amounted to
US$0.4 million.
(c) Guarantee on the Loan Facilities
In exchange for the revised and improved conditions and
rescheduled repayment terms of the Loan Facilities (see Note 13(a))
a personal guarantee was provided by Mehmet Nazif Gűnal,
Non-Executive Chairman of the Company and corporate guarantees were
provided by the Avesoro Holdings Limited group, the beneficial
owner of 72.9% of the Company's issued equity.
(d) Termination of mining services contract and acquisition of
mining assets
On September 6, 2016 the mining services contract (the
"Contract") between BMMC, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary,
and MonuRent (Liberia) Limited ("MonuRent") together with all
underlying supplier contracts was novated to Atmaca Services
(Liberia) Inc. ("ASLI"), a Liberian company that is wholly owned by
AJL. All terms of the Contract remained the same.
20. Related party transactions (continued)
As part of the novation agreement with MonuRent, ASLI paid to
MonuRent cash of $15.4 million to acquire mining equipment leased
to BMMC, $7.1 million cash for inventory, $9.7 million cash for
invoiced receivables and $4.5 million cash as a contract novation
fee.
On December 6, 2016 BMMC terminated the mining services contract
with ASLI and completed the acquisition of mining equipment and
inventory from ASLI in exchange for a payment of $36.7 million,
equal to the amount paid by ASLI to MonuRent.
ASLI invoiced BMMC a total of $7.4 million for the lease and
maintenance of mining equipment in accordance with the Contract
from September 6 to December 6, 2016 of which $6.1 million was paid
in 2016 leaving an outstanding payable as at December 31, 2016 of
$1.3 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, BMMC charged $2 million
for management, procurement and operational assistance provided to
ASLI and an additional $0.3 million for payments made on behalf of
ASLI. The outstanding receivable from ASLI as at December 31, 2017
is $1 million.
(e) Other provision/(purchases) of goods and services
The Company also provided/(purchased) the following services
from related parties:
Year ended Year ended
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$'000 $'000
Technical and managerial services
provided to:
Avesoro Services (Jersey) Limited,
a subsidiary of Company's parent
company 486 122
Drilling services provided to the
Company by:
Zwedru Mining Inc., a subsidiary
of Company's parent company (899) (66)
Drilling services provided to the
Company by: (742) -
Faso Drilling Company SA., a subsidiary
of Company's parent company
Travel services provided to the Company
by:
MNG Turizm ve Ticaret A.S., an entity
controlled by the Company's Chairman (38) (20)
Administration services provided
to the Company by: (120) -
Avesoro Services (Jersey) Limited,
a subsidiary of Company's parent
company
Charter plane services provided to
the Company by: (180) -
MNG Gold Liberia Inc., a subsidiary
of Company's parent company
Technical and procurement services
provided to the Company by: (350) -
MNG Orko Madencilik A.S., an entity
controlled by the Company's Chairman
Environmental services provided by:
Digby Wells Environmental, an entity
that shared a common director with
the Company - (70)
----------- -----------
Included in trade and other receivables is a receivable from a
related party of $1 million as at December 31, 2017 (2016: $0.1
million) which represents management, procurement and operational
assistance services.
Included in trade and other payables is $0.5 million payable to
related parties as at December 31, 2017 (2016: $1.3 million) which
represents mainly drilling and charter jet services.
20. Related party transactions (continued)
(f) Key management compensation
The Company's directors and officers are considered the
Company's key management personnel. The compensation paid or
payable to key management for services is shown below.
Year ended Year ended
December December
31, 31,
2017 2016
$ $
---------- ----------
Salaries and other short-term employee benefits 1,263,198 1,099,122
Contractual termination/change of control payments - 1,243,797
Share-based payments * 576,529 487,388
---------- ----------
1,839,727 2,830,307
---------- ----------
The remuneration earned by each director is as follows:
Year ended December Year ended December
31, 2017 31, 2016
----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Salaries Salaries
and Contractual and Contractual
other termination/ Share-based Total other termination/ Share-based Total
short-term change payments short-term change payments
benefits of control * benefits of control *
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
----------- -------------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ----------
Geoffrey
Eyre(1) 413,488 - 177,614 591,102 164,671 - 50,000 214,671
Karin
Ireton(2) - - - - 25,701 94,897 16,740 137,338
Jean-Guy
Martin 90,226 - 61,379 151,605 86,989 94,897 67,420 249,306
David
Netherway 90,226 - 61,379 151,605 98,004 135,567 95,320 328,891
Loudon
Owen 90,226 - 61,379 151,605 86,989 94,897 61,840 243,726
David
Reading(2) - - - - 263,147 350,000 38,138 651,285
Adrian
Reynolds(2) - - - - 25,701 94,897 22,320 142,918
Serhan
Umurhan(1) 579,032 - 214,778 793,810 239,814 - 50,000 289,814
1,263,198 - 576,529 1,839,727 991,016 865,155 401,778 2,257,949
----------- -------------- ------------ ---------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ----------
* Share-based payments for the year ended December 31, 2016
include fair value of vested stock options and
shares issued in exchange for services to the Company.
(1) Geoffrey Eyre and Serhan Umurhan were appointed as directors
on July 15, 2016.
(2) Karin Ireton, David Reading and Adrian Reynolds ceased to be
directors of the Company on July 15, 2016.
(g) Equity financing
AJL's participation in the financing of the Company are
disclosed in Note 18b.
21. Financial instruments by category
The Company's financial instruments consist of cash and cash
equivalents, trade and other receivables, available for sale
investments, borrowings, trade payables and accruals, finance lease
liability and derivative liability. Financial instruments are
initially recognized at fair value with subsequent measurement
depending on classification as described below. Classification of
financial instruments depends on the purpose for which the
financial instruments were acquired or issued, their
characteristics, and the Company's designation of such
instruments.
The Company has made the following classifications for its
financial instruments:
Cash and
Receivables
Available at amortised
for sale cost Total
$'000 $'000 $'000
----------- ------------- ------
December 31, 2017
Assets as per statement
of financial position
Cash and cash equivalents - 17,787 17,787
Trade and other receivables - 11,106 11,106
Due from related parties - 1,015 1,015
Available-for- sale investments 21 - 21
----------- ------------- ------
Total 21 29,908 29,929
----------- ------------- ------
Cash and
Receivables
Available at amortised
for sale cost Total
$'000 $'000 $'000
----------- ------------- ------
December 31, 2016
Assets as per statement
of financial position
Cash and cash equivalents - 13,429 13,429
Trade and other receivables - 2,700 2,700
Due from related parties - 122 122
Available-for- sale investments 55 - 55
----------- ------------- ------
Total 55 16,251 16,306
----------- ------------- ------
Other
Liabilities financial
at fair liabilities
value through at
the profit amortised
and loss cost Total
$'000 $'000 $'000
-------------- ------------ -------
December 31, 2017
Liabilities as per statement
of financial position
Trade payables and accruals - 41,002 41,002
Due to related parties - 464 464
Derivative liability 105 - 105
Finance lease liability - 7,788 7,788
Borrowings - 134,091 134,091
-------------- ------------ -------
Total 105 183,345 183,450
-------------- ------------ -------
21. Financial instruments by category (continued)
Other
Liabilities financial
at fair liabilities
value through at
the profit amortised
and loss cost Total
$'000 $'000 $'000
-------------- ------------ -------
December 31, 2016
Liabilities as per statement
of financial position
Trade payables and accruals - 11,801 11,801
Due to related parties - 1,342 1,342
Derivative liability 105 - 105
Finance lease liability - 12,160 12,160
Borrowings - 93,471 93,471
-------------- ------------ -------
Total 105 118,774 118,879
-------------- ------------ -------
22. Financial and capital risk management
(a) Financial risk management
The Company's activities expose it to a variety of financial
risks, which include interest rate and liquidity risk, foreign
exchange risk and credit risk.
Interest rate and liquidity risk
Fluctuations in interest rates impact on the value of short term
cash investments, finance lease liability and borrowings giving
rise to interest rate risk. The Company has in the past been able
to actively source financing through public offerings and debt
financing. This cash is managed to ensure surplus funds are
invested in a manner to achieve maximum returns while minimising
risks. In the ordinary course of business, the Company is required
to fund working capital and capital expenditure requirements. The
Company typically holds cash and cash equivalents with a maturity
of less than 30 days.
The Directors consider there to be minimal interest rate risk
from fluctuations in market interest rates since the interest on
the borrowings are largely fixed. If USD LIBOR, which is the
variable component of the interest increased by 100% during the
year ended December 31, 2017, finance cost would have increased by
$1 million.
The Company ensures that its liquidity risk is mitigated by a
combination of cash flow forecasts, budgeting, monitoring of
operational performance and placing financial assets on short term
maturity, thus all financial liabilities are met as they become
due.
22. Financial and capital risk management (continued)
The Company's liabilities, stated at their gross, contractual
and undiscounted amounts, fall due as indicated in the following
table:
30 days Over
Within to 6 to 12 12 months
30 days 6 months months $'000
At December 31, 2017 $'000 $'000 $'000
--------- ---------- -------- -----------
Trade and other payables 28,673 12,322 8 463
Finance lease liability 594 880 1,346 7,191
Borrowings and finance
costs 199 25,345 21,329 130,034
--------- ---------- -------- -----------
At December 31, 2016
Trade and other payables 8,421 5,806 - -
Finance lease liability 325 1,626 1,951 12,262
Borrowings and finance
costs 9,082 1,832 17,135 84,609
--------- ---------- -------- -----------
Foreign exchange risk
Foreign exchange risk to the Group arises from transactions
denominated in currencies other than US dollars. In the normal
course of business the Company enters into transactions denominated
in foreign currencies, primarily Pounds Sterling, Canadian Dollars,
Euros, Australian Dollars and South African Rand. As a result, the
Company is subject to exposure from fluctuations in foreign
currency exchange rates. The Company does not enter into
derivatives to manage these risks.
December December
31, 2017 31, 2016
Carrying value of foreign currency
balances $'000 $'000
---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents, include
balances denominated in:
Canadian Dollar (CAD) - 17
Pound Sterling (GBP) 133 2,746
West African CFA Franc (XOF) 13,999 -
Others 5 53
Investments, include balances denominated
in:
Pounds Sterling (GBP) 21 55
Receivables and other assets, include
balances denominated in:
Canadian Dollar (CAD) 259 225
Pounds Sterling (GBP) 136 406
West African CFA Franc (XOF) 20,334 -
Others - 29
Trade and other payables, include
balances denominated in:
Canadian Dollar (CAD) 175 198
Euro (EUR) 2,985 186
Pound Sterling (GBP) 517 1,082
South African Rand (ZAR) 972 1,146
West African CFA Franc (XOF) 36,510 -
Others 36 65
---------- ----------
22. Financial and capital risk management (continued)
The sensitivities below are based on financial assets and
liabilities held at December 31, 2017 and 2016 where balances were
not denominated in the functional currency of the Company. The
sensitivities do not take into account the Company's income and
expenses and the results of the sensitivities could change due to
other factors such as changes in the value of financial assets and
liabilities as a result of non-foreign exchange influenced
factors.
Effect on net
assets of USD
strengthening
10%
December December
31, 2017 31, 2016
$'000 $'000
--------------- ----------
Canadian Dollar (CAD) (8) (4)
Pound Sterling (GBP) 23 (212)
South African Rand (ZAR) 97 115
Euro (EUR) 299 19
West African CFA Franc (XOF) 218 -
--------------- ----------
Credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to
credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents. The Company has
an investment policy requiring that cash and cash equivalents only
are deposited in permitted investments with certain minimum credit
ratings.
December December
31, 2017 31, 2016
$'000 $'000
----------- -----------
Financial institutions with Standards
& Poor's A rating 2,784 13,457
Financial institutions regulated
by the Central Bank of the 13,999 -
West African States
Financial institutions un-rated 1,004 -
----------- -----------
(b) Capital risk management
The Company's objectives when managing capital is to maintain
its ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide
returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to
ensure sufficient resources are available to meet day to day
operating requirements. The Company defines capital as 'equity' as
shown in the consolidated statement of financial position.
The Company's board of directors takes responsibility for
managing the Company's capital and does so through board meetings,
review of financial information, and regular communication with
officers and senior management.
The Company does not currently pay out dividends.
The Company's investment policy is to invest its cash in
deposits with high credit worthy financial institutions with short
term maturity.
The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital
requirements and there has been no change in the overall capital
risk management as at December 31, 2017.
23. Commitments
Operating expenditure contracted for at December 31, 2017 but
not yet incurred is as follows:
Less than Between Over five
one year one and years
five years
$'000 $'000 $'000
Operating lease expenditure 65 461 -
Other operating expenditure 4,652 - -
Capital expenditure 1,698 - -
---------- ------------ ----------
Operating expenditure commitments comprises of operating leases
as at December 31, 2017.
Commitments in respect of finance leases are disclosed in Note
15.
24. Notes to the statement of cash flows
Finance
lease Share Capital
Borrowings liabilities capital contribution Total
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
-------------
As at January 1, 2017 93,471 12,160 283,506 48,235 437,372
Cash flows from/(used
in) financing activities 5,999 (877) 18,688 4,523 28,333
Cash flows used in investing
activities - (866) - - (866)
Non-cash flows
Finance costs 9,689 1,695 - - 11,384
Acquisition of Youga
and Balogo Gold Mines 8,106 - 51,459 - 59,565
Non-cash acquisition
of assets held under
finance leases - 2,002 - - 2,002
Related party loans 16,772 - - 6,472 23,244
Unrealised foreign
exchange 54 - - - 54
Gain on lease settlement - (3,988) - - (3,988)
Changes in non-cash
working capital - (2,338) - - (2,338)
As at December 31, 2017 134,091 7,788 353,653 59,230 554,762
------------- ------------- ---------- --------------- --------
Finance
lease Share Promissory
Borrowings liabilities capital note Total
$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000
-------------
As at January 1, 2016 102,809 8,865 177,877 - 289,551
Cash flows from/(used
in) financing activities (18,357) (970) 92,695 12,303 85,671
Cash flows used in investing
activities - (1,061) - - (1,061)
Non-cash flows
Finance costs 7,548 948 - - 8,496
Capitalised interest 1,471 - - - 1,471
Conversion of promissory
note into shares - - 12,303 (12,303) -
Shares issued for exploration
licences - - 531 - 531
Shares issued in lieu
of services - - 100 - 100
Non-cash acquisition
of assets held under
finance leases - 4,378 - - 4,378
------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- --------
As at December 31, 2016 93,471 12,160 283,506 - 389,137
------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- --------
25. Subsequent events
On January 16, 2018 a 100:1 share consolidation became effective
and the Company's previously issued share capital of 8,156,075,823
common shares of nil par value was reduced to 81,560,260 new common
shares of nil par value.
On February 21, 2018 the Company entered into further equipment
and finance facility agreements with Mapa to facilitate the
purchase of heavy mining equipment totaling approximately $10.3
million. The equipment finance loans are unsecured, with interest
charged at 6.5% per annum and have similar terms as those entered
into with Mapa during the year ended December 31, 2017 as discussed
in Note 18(c). The loan principal of these agreements includes a
mark-up of 2.5% over the cost incurred by Mapa in procuring the
equipment.
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure
Certain information contained in this announcement would have
been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of
Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this
announcement.
About Avesoro Resources Inc.
Avesoro Resources is a West Africa focused gold producer and
development company that operates three gold mines across West
Africa and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") and the
AIM market operated by the London Stock Exchange ("AIM"). The
Company's assets include the New Liberty Gold Mine in Liberia (the
"New Liberty Gold Mine" or "New Liberty") and the Youga and Balogo
Gold mines in Burkina Faso ("Youga" and "Balogo").
New Liberty has an estimated proven and probable mineral reserve
of 7.4Mt with 717,000 ounces of gold grading 3.03g/t and an
estimated measured and indicated mineral resource of 9.6Mt with
985,000 ounces of gold grading 3.2g/t and an estimated inferred
mineral resource of 6.4Mt with 620,000 ounces of gold grading
3.0g/t. The foregoing Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource
estimates and additional information in connection therewith is set
out in an NI 43-101 compliant Technical Report dated November 1,
2017 and entitled "New Liberty Gold Mine, Bea Mountain Mining
Licence Southern Block, Liberia, West Africa" and is available on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Youga and Balogo have a combined estimated proven and probable
mineral reserve of 9.3Mt with 513,000 ounces of gold grading 1.7g/t
and a combined estimated indicated mineral resource of 16.05Mt with
801,600 ounces of gold grading 1.55g/t and a combined inferred
mineral resource of 13Mt with 655,000 ounces of gold grading
1.57g/t. The foregoing Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource
estimates and additional information in connection therewith is set
out in two NI 43-101 compliant Technical Reports, dated June 16,
2017 entitled "Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Update for the
Balogo Project" and dated June 19, 2017 and entitled "Mineral
Resource and Mineral Reserve Update for the Youga and Ouaré
Projects" and are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
For more information, please visit www.avesoro.com
Qualified Persons
The Company's Qualified Person is Mark J. Pryor, who holds a BSc
(Hons) in Geology & Mineralogy from Aberdeen University, United
Kingdom and is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London, a
Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists and a registered
Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat) of the South African
Council for Natural Scientific Professions. Mark Pryor is an
independent technical consultant with over 25 years of global
experience in exploration, mining and mine development and is a
"Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43 -101
"Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" of the Canadian
Securities Administrators and has reviewed and approved this press
release. Mr. Pryor has verified the underlying technical data
disclosed in this press release.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this press release constitutes
forward looking information or forward looking statements with the
meaning of applicable securities laws. This information or
statements may relate to future events, facts, or circumstances or
the Company's future financial or operating performance or other
future events or circumstances. All information other than
historical fact is forward looking information and involves known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause
the actual results or performance to be materially different from
any future results, performance, events or circumstances expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such
statements can be identified by the use of words such as
"anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may",
"will", "would", "project", "should", "believe", "target",
"predict" and "potential". No assurance can be given that this
information will prove to be correct and such forward looking
information included in this press release should not be unduly
relied upon. Forward looking information and statements speaks only
as of the date of this press release.
In making the forward looking information or statements
contained in this press release, assumptions have been made
regarding, among other things: general business, economic and
mining industry conditions; interest rates and foreign exchange
rates; the continuing accuracy of Mineral Resource and Reserve
estimates; geological and metallurgical conditions (including with
respect to the size, grade and recoverability of Mineral Resources
and Reserves) and cost estimates on which the Mineral Resource and
Reserve estimates are based; the supply and demand for commodities
and precious and base metals and the level and volatility of the
prices of gold; market competition; the ability of the Company to
raise sufficient funds from capital markets and/or debt to meet its
future obligations and planned activities and that unforeseen
events do not impact the ability of the Company to use existing
funds to fund future plans and projects as currently contemplated;
the stability and predictability of the political environments and
legal and regulatory frameworks including with respect to, among
other things, the ability of the Company to obtain, maintain, renew
and/or extend required permits, licences, authorizations and/or
approvals from the appropriate regulatory authorities; that
contractual counterparties perform as agreed; and the ability of
the Company to continue to obtain qualified staff and equipment in
a timely and cost-efficient manner to meet its demand.
Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in
the forward looking information or statements contained in this
press release as a result of risks and uncertainties (both foreseen
and unforeseen), and should not be read as guarantees of future
performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate
indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. These
risks and uncertainties include the risks normally incidental to
exploration and development of mineral projects and the conduct of
mining operations (including exploration failure, cost overruns or
increases, and operational difficulties resulting from plant or
equipment failure, among others); the inability of the Company to
obtain required financing when needed and/or on acceptable terms or
at all; risks related to operating in West Africa, including
potentially more limited infrastructure and/or less developed legal
and regulatory regimes; health risks associated with the mining
workforce in West Africa; risks related to the Company's title to
its mineral properties; the risk of adverse changes in commodity
prices; the risk that the Company's exploration for and development
of mineral deposits may not be successful; the inability of the
Company to obtain, maintain, renew and/or extend required licences,
permits, authorizations and/or approvals from the appropriate
regulatory authorities and other risks relating to the legal and
regulatory frameworks in jurisdictions where the Company operates,
including adverse or arbitrary changes in applicable laws or
regulations or in their enforcement; competitive conditions in the
mineral exploration and mining industry; risks related to obtaining
insurance or adequate levels of insurance for the Company's
operations; that Mineral Resource and Reserve estimates are only
estimates and actual metal produced may be less than estimated in a
Mineral Resource or Reserve estimate; the risk that the Company
will be unable to delineate additional Mineral Resources; risks
related to environmental regulations and cost of compliance, as
well as costs associated with possible breaches of such
regulations; uncertainties in the interpretation of results from
drilling; risks related to the tax residency of the Company; the
possibility that future exploration, development or mining results
will not be consistent with expectations; the risk of delays in
construction resulting from, among others, the failure to obtain
materials in a timely manner or on a delayed schedule; inflation
pressures which may increase the cost of production or of
consumables beyond what is estimated in studies and forecasts;
changes in exchange and interest rates; risks related to the
activities of artisanal miners, whose activities could delay or
hinder exploration or mining operations; the risk that third
parties to contracts may not perform as contracted or may breach
their agreements; the risk that plant, equipment or labour may not
be available at a reasonable cost or at all, or cease to be
available, or in the case of labour, may undertake strike or other
labour actions; the inability to attract and retain key management
and personnel; and the risk of political uncertainty, terrorism,
civil strife, or war in the jurisdictions in which the Company
operates, or in neighbouring jurisdictions which could impact on
the Company's exploration, development and operating
activities.
This press release also contains Mineral Resource and Mineral
Reserve estimates. Information relating to Mineral Resource and
Mineral Reserve contained in this press release is considered
forward looking information in nature, as such estimates are
estimates only, and that involve the implied assessment of the
amount of minerals that may be economically extracted in a given
area based on certain judgments and assumptions made by qualified
persons, including the future economic viability of the deposit
based on, among other things, future estimates of commodity prices.
Such estimates are expressions of judgment and opinion based on the
knowledge, mining experience, analysis of drilling results and
industry practices of the qualified persons making the estimate.
Valid estimates made at a given time may significantly change when
new information becomes available, and may have to change as a
result of numerous factors, including changes in the prevailing
price of gold. By their nature, Mineral Resource and Mineral
Reserve estimates are imprecise and depend, to a certain extent,
upon statistical inferences which may ultimately prove unreliable.
If such Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates are
inaccurate or are reduced in the future (including through changes
in grade or tonnage), this could have a material adverse impact on
the Company and its operating and financial performance. Mineral
resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated
economic viability. Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to
inferred mineral resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any
part of an inferred mineral resource will be upgraded to an
indicated or measured mineral resource as a result of continued
exploration.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press
release are based upon what management believes are reasonable
assumptions, the Company cannot provide assurance that actual
results or performance will be consistent with these
forward-looking statements. The forward looking information and
statements included in this press release are expressly qualified
by this cautionary statement and are made only as of the date of
this press release. The Company does not undertake any obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward looking information except
as required by applicable securities laws.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
FR FKKDNNBKBNNB
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 21, 2018 03:01 ET (07:01 GMT)
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