TIDMBEM
RNS Number : 7670X
Beowulf Mining PLC
29 November 2017
The information contained within this announcement is deemed to
constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse
Regulations ("MAR") (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this
announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in
the public domain.
For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing
Regulation (EU) 2016/1055, this announcement is being made on
behalf of Kurt Budge, Chief Executive Officer.
29 November 2017
Beowulf Mining plc
("Beowulf" or the "Company")
Unaudited Interim Financial Results and Management Update for
the Period Ended 30 September 2017
Beowulf (AIM: BEM; Aktietorget: BEO), the mineral exploration
and development company, focused on the Kallak magnetite iron ore
project and the Åtvidaberg polymetallic exploration licence in
Sweden, and its graphite portfolio in Finland, announces its
unaudited consolidated financial results for the nine months ended
30 September 2017 and provides a management update.
The unaudited financial results for 12 months ending 31 December
2017 and the next management update are expected to be released on
or before Wednesday 28 February 2018.
Overview of Activities in the Quarter
-- Kurt Budge, Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), attended the
Almedalen conference in Sweden where he met with representatives of
the Swedish mining industry, politicians, and government agencies.
During these meetings, the CEO detailed the chronology of the
application process for an Exploitation Concession for Kallak
North, and presented the case that the Company's application, and
recent supplementary documentation, including a Heritage Impact
Assessment ("HIA"), have more than satisfied the requirements of
the prescribed permitting process.
The CEO shared the Company's 'Big Picture' vision of Jokkmokk's
economic transformation, that could be delivered by a mining
operation at Kallak, and explained the Company's development
philosophy towards designing, engineering, and building a modern
and sustainable mining operation.
-- The Company published a study completed by Copenhagen
Economics titled 'Kallak - A real asset, and a real opportunity to
transform Jokkmokk'. Highlights of the study were as follows:
-- A mining operation at Kallak has the potential to create 250
direct jobs and over 300 indirect jobs in Jokkmokk;
-- These jobs could be sustained over a period of 25 years or more;
-- Kallak has the potential to generate SEK 1 billion in tax
revenues, considering the case where 70 per cent of the mine's
workforce are based locally, with annual tax revenues of SEK 40
million over a 25 years mine life; and
-- These tax revenues would help to develop and sustain public
services and infrastructure in Jokkmokk, which are at risk due to a
lack of new investment and job creation in the community, a
declining population, and an ageing population.
-- Bevan Metcalf, Non-Executive Chairman, notified the Board of
his intention to retire from his role with the Company.
-- Loss after tax attributable to owners of the parent for the
nine months ended 30 September 2017 is GBP681,898 (2016: loss
GBP489,263).
-- Cash and cash equivalents at 30 September 2017 at
GBP1,899,797, are GBP920,798 above the corresponding period last
year and GBP290,578 above the level at 31 December 2016.
Post Period End
-- On 2 October 2017, the Company announced high grade
concentrate results for composite samples from its Aitolampi
project. Highlights as follows:
-- Superior metallurgical response from all three samples
compared with grab samples from outcrops analysed earlier this
year.
-- The process flowsheet used was simple, yet proved to be very
efficient. The combined grades ranged from 96.8 per cent to 97.5
per cent Total Carbon across the three samples.
-- All three samples responded similarly in terms of concentrate
grades of the various size fractions.
-- The Company appointed SRK Consulting (UK) Limited ("SRK") to
complete a Scoping Study on the Kallak Iron Ore Project.
-- On 9 October 2017, the Government of Sweden wrote to the
County Administrative Board ("CAB") for the County of Norrbotten
and requested additional information, including a statement of the
CAB's position on whether the Company's Environmental Impact
Assessment ("EIA") meets the requirements of the Environmental
Code, and on whether mining is an appropriate land use for Kallak,
with reference to Chapters 3 and 4 of the Environmental Code.
Within its statement, the CAB is asked to consider matters
regarding Laponia and national interests. The CAB has been given a
deadline of 1 December 2017 to provide its statement to the
Government.
-- On 30 October, the Company announced the appointment of Mr.
Göran Färm as Non-Executive Chairman of the Company.
-- On 13 November 2017, the Swedish National Heritage Board
(Riksantikvarieämbetet, "RAÄ") and the Swedish Environmental
Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket, "NV") provided comments in a
letter to the CAB.
RAÄ and NV confirmed to the CAB that the information provided by
the Company is possibly sufficient for the CAB to provide its
opinion to the Government, on whether mining is an appropriate land
use for Kallak with reference to Chapters 3 and 4 of the
Environmental Code.
RAÄ and NV gave the Company recognition for the additional
information that has been provided, namely a submission to the CAB
in December 2016 and the Heritage Impact Assessment submitted to
the Mining Inspectorate in April 2017.
RAÄ and NV did not take any position regarding the potential
impact on reindeer herding caused by Kallak, and suggested that the
CAB may wish to consult with Sametinget on this matter. RAÄ and NV
considered that the claim by Sametinget for a national interest for
reindeer herding at Kallak, despite being made four years after the
Swedish Geological Unit's designation, is relevant and needs to be
considered.
-- At the date of this announcement, there are 310,240,269
Swedish Depository Receipts issued representing 58.075 per cent of
the issued share capital of the Company. The remaining issued share
capital of the Company is held in the UK.
Kurt Budge, CEO, commented:
"It's been a busy quarter, with a new Chairman, the publication
of the Copenhagen Economics study, and the start of the Scoping
Study for Kallak, being conducted by SRK.
"It is great to spend time focusing on the development of
Kallak; what it means to build a modern, sustainable, and
innovative mining operation, and brainstorming ideas, like
engineering a 100 per cent electric/zero diesel mine. Sweden is the
country to build such a mine.
"The Board is in Sweden this week, attending the SveMin
Höstmöte, and visiting Jokkmokk and Luleå for meetings with key
stakeholders. In these meetings, the Board has highlighted the
Company's ambition to build a modern, sustainable, and innovative
mine at Kallak, that benefits all stakeholders in Jokkmokk, and
gives Jokkmokk a thriving, diversified and sustainable economy that
outlives mining, when Kallak has been restored and rehabilitated,
and the land returned to its previous uses.
"We have been reminding key decision makers that Jokkmokk Iron
Mines AB first submitted the Kallak application four and a half
years ago, and while the process has been ongoing Beowulf Mining
has maintained its interest in the project, invested funds, and
kept the Company going. During that time the Swedish ownership of
the Company has increased to over 58 per cent, and we now have a
Swedish Chairman.
"Any day now, we expect the CAB's statement to the Government,
and that will determine next steps for the Government and the
Company. Whatever the CAB says, and we clearly hope for a statement
of support, it remains the Company's firm belief that we have
satisfied the requirements to be granted an Exploitation
Concession, in accordance with the prescribed process, and Swedish
law. In September 2017, the Minister for Enterprise and Innovation
was quoted in the Swedish media as saying that Swedish law is
enough for testing our application, and that the permitting process
should be 'by the book'. If this is true, then given past
statements by the CAB and the Mining Inspectorate, we remain
optimistic.
"I look forward to updating shareholders on progress in due
course."
Operational
Kallak North Exploitation Concession
Our investment in Kallak, to date, is above SEK 72 million, and
we are now investing in a Scoping Study to advance the design and
engineering of the project. We continue to invest on the basis that
we have satisfied the requirements to be granted an Exploitation
Concession, in accordance with the prescribed process, and Swedish
law, as validated by statements made by Länsstyrelsen and
Bergsstaten, in 2015 and 2017.
We are again waiting for the CAB to provide a statement to the
Government further to the Government's letter dated 9 October 2017.
The CAB's response will determine the next steps in the process for
the Government and the Company.
Despite permitting delays, the Scoping Study with SRK is well
underway, and should be completed during the first quarter of 2018.
In SRK we have a consultant who has undertaken a significant number
of technical studies for companies operating in the Nordic Region,
and has the relevant expertise to work with us on designing and
engineering a modern and sustainable mining project at Kallak
North, as well as assessing the broader potential of the Kallak
South deposit.
The Scoping Study will provide a roadmap to pre-feasibility,
detailing the work that needs to be completed, and support both
further investment, such as drilling the Kallak South Exploration
Target, and any future discussions with strategic
partners/investors.
Swedish Exploration Portfolio
Åtvidaberg
The Company's Exploration team gathered in Stockholm on 27
November 2017, to review the work on Åtvidaberg this year, plans
and budgets for 2018. A further update will be provided to
shareholders in due course.
Finnish Graphite
Beowulf is currently awaiting the final report for advanced
testwork on sample material from the Company's
Aitolampi project. A further update will be provided to shareholders in due course.
Financials
-- Loss after taxation attributable to the owners of the parent
company is GBP681,898 (2016: loss of GBP489,263).
-- Basic/diluted loss per share for the period of GBP0.13 which
is in line over the loss per share for the corresponding period
last year (Sept 2016: GBP0.10) and the 2016 full year loss per
share of GBP0.13.
-- Cash and cash equivalents at 30 September 2017 at
GBP1,899,797, are GBP920,798 above the corresponding period last
year and GBP290,578 above the level at 31 December 2016.
-- The translation reserve losses reduced from GBP464,882 at 31
December 2016 to GBP300,712 at 30 September 2017. This is mainly
due to further weakening of the pound following on from the Brexit
vote last year. Much of the Company's exploration costs are in
Swedish Krona which has strengthened against the pound by
approximately three per cent since 31 December 2016.
Corporate
-- Mr. Goran Farm was appointed Non-Executive Chairman on 30
October 2017, following the retirement of Mr. Bevan Metcalf.
-- On 10 October 2017, Mr. Bevan Metcalf exercised options held
over 8,500,000 shares. The options consisted of 8,000,000 options
exercised at 1.66p and 500,000 options exercised at 4p. The total
consideration received for these options was GBP152,800. Mr. Bevan
Metcalf sold 8,500,000 shares on 17 October 2017.
-- The total number of ordinary shares in circulation at the
date of this announcement is 534,207,254 ordinary shares of GBP0.01
each, with each share carrying the right to one vote. The Company
does not hold any ordinary shares in treasury.
Competent Person Review
The information in this announcement has been reviewed by Mr.
Rasmus Blomqvist, a Competent Person who is a Member of the
Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Rasmus
Blomqvist has sufficient experience, that is relevant to the style
of mineralisation and type of deposit taken into consideration, and
to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person
as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australasian Code of
Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves".
Mr. Rasmus Blomqvist is a full-time employee of Oy Fennoscandian
Resources AB, a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of Beowulf.
Enquiries:
Beowulf Mining plc
Kurt Budge, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0) 20 3771 6993
Officer
Cantor Fitzgerald Europe
(Nominated Advisor & Broker)
David Porter Tel: +44 (0) 20 7894 7000
Blytheweigh
Tim Blythe / Megan Ray Tel: +44 (0) 20 7138 3204
Cautionary Statement
Statements and assumptions made in this document with respect to
the Company's current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs, and
other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking
statements about the future performance of Beowulf. Forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, those using words such
as "may", "might", "seeks", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates",
"believes", "projects", "plans", strategy", "forecast" and similar
expressions. These statements reflect management's expectations and
assumptions in light of currently available information. They are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not
limited to, (i) changes in the economic, regulatory and political
environments in the countries where Beowulf operates; (ii) changes
relating to the geological information available in respect of the
various projects undertaken; (iii) Beowulf's continued ability to
secure enough financing to carry on its operations as a going
concern; (iv) the success of its potential joint ventures and
alliances, if any; (v) metal prices, particularly as regards iron
ore. In the light of the many risks and uncertainties surrounding
any mineral project at an early stage of its development, the
actual results could differ materially from those presented and
forecast in this document. Beowulf assumes no unconditional
obligation to immediately update any such statements and/or
forecasts.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
For the 9 months ended 30 September 2017
(Unaudited)9 (Unaudited) (Audited)
months Year ended
to 31 Dec
2016
30 Sept 9 months
2017 to
Notes 30 Sept
2016
GBP GBP GBP
Continuing operations
Administrative expenses (532,202) (463,788) (598,464)
Share-based payment charge (153,540) (30,082) (40,109)
------------- ------------ ------------
OPERATING LOSS (685,742) (493,870) (638,573)
Finance costs - - -
Finance income 3,095 4,549 5,344
------------- ------------ ------------
LOSS BEFORE TAX (682,647) (489,321) (633,229)
Tax - - -
------------- ------------ ------------
LOSS FOR THE PERIOD (682,647) (489,321) (633,229)
------------- ------------ ------------
Loss attributable to:
Owners of the parent (681,898) (489,263) (632,125)
Non-controlling interests (749) (58) (1,104)
------------- ------------ ------------
(682,647) (489,321) (633,229)
------------- ------------ ------------
Loss per share attributable
to the owners of the parent:
Basic and diluted (pence)
3 (0.13) (0.10) (0.13)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the 9 months ended 30 September 2017
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
Year ended
31 Dec
2016
9 months 9 months
to to
Notes 30 Sept 30 Sept
2017 2016
GBP GBP GBP
LOSS FOR THE PERIOD (682,647) (489,321) (633,229)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Items that may be reclassified
subsequently to profit
or loss:
Exchange gains/(losses)
arising on translation
of foreign Operations 164,253 693,457 626,438
Reclassification of revaluation
reserve following
permanent diminution
in value of asset for
sale - - 55,664
164,253 693,457 682,102
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/
INCOME FOR THE PERIOD (518,394) 204,136 48,873
---------------- ------------ ----------------
Loss attributable to:
Owners of the parent (517,729) 203,183 49,005
Non-controlling interests (665) 953 (132)
---------------- ------------ ----------------
(518,394) 204,136 48,873
---------------- ------------ ----------------
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at 30 September 2017
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)As at (Audited)
As at 30 Sept 2016 As at
Notes 30 Sept 2017 31 Dec 2016
GBP GBP GBP
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 5 8,040,735 6,972,553 7,186,576
Plant, property and equipment 32,873 26,646 23,511
Loans and other financial assets 5,571 5,540 5,503
-------------- ----------------- -------------
8,079,179 7,004,739 7,215,590
-------------- ----------------- -------------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 87,164 44,950 51,766
Cash and cash equivalents 1,899,797 978,999 1,609,219
-------------- ----------------- -------------
1,986,961 1,023,949 1,660,985
TOTAL ASSETS 10,066,140 8,028,688 8,876,575
-------------- ----------------- -------------
EQUITY
Shareholder's equity
Share capital 4 5,257,072 4,792,969 5,026,302
Share premium 18,073,469 16,167,782 16,879,241
Revaluation reserve 25,664 (30,000) 25,664
Capital contribution reserve 46,451 46,451 46,451
Share-based payment reserve 491,729 224,954 237,803
Translation reserve (300,712) (397,900) (464,882)
Merger reserve 137,700 137,700 137,700
Accumulated losses (13,749,061) (12,955,309) (13,067,163)
-------------- ----------------- -------------
9,982,312 7,986,647 8,821,116
Non-controlling interest (159,258) (157,508) (158,593)
-------------- ----------------- -------------
TOTAL EQUITY 9,823,054 7,829,139 8,662,523
-------------- ----------------- -------------
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 243,086 199,549 214,052
-------------- ----------------- -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 243,086 199,549 214,052
-------------- ----------------- -------------
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 10,066,140 8,028,688 8,876,575
-------------- ----------------- -------------
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
For the 9 months ended 30 September 2017
1. Nature of Operations
Beowulf Mining plc (the "Company") is domiciled in England. The
Company's registered office is 201 Temple Chambers, 3-7 Temple
Avenue, London, EC4Y 0DT. This consolidated financial information
comprises the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively the
'Group' and individually 'Group companies'). The Group is engaged
in the acquisition, exploration and evaluation of natural resources
assets and has not yet generated revenues.
2. Basis of preparation
The condensed consolidated financial information has been
prepared on the basis of the recognition and measurement
requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
as adopted by the European Union (EU) and implemented in the UK.
The accounting policies, methods of computation and presentation
used in the preparation of the interim financial information are
the same as those used in the Group's audited financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2016.
The financial information in this statement does not constitute
full statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the UK
Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the nine months
ended 30 September 2017 is unaudited, and has not been reviewed by
the auditors. The financial information for the year ended 31
December 2016 has been derived from the Group's audited financial
statements for the period. The auditor's report on the statutory
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 was
unqualified and did not contain any statement under sections 498
(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are presented in GB Pounds Sterling.
They are prepared on the historical cost basis or the fair value
basis where the fair valuing of relevant assets and liabilities has
been applied.
3. Loss per share
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss
attributable to ordinary owners of the parent by the weighted
average number of ordinary shares of 514,083,951 (30 September
2016: 469,331,096 and 31 December 2016: 472,525,290) outstanding
during the period. There is no difference between the basic and
diluted loss per share.
4. Called up share capital
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
30 Sept 31 Dec
30 Sept 2017 2016 2016
GBP GBP GBP
Allotted, issued and
fully paid
Ordinary shares of 1p
each 5,257,072 4,792,969 5,026,302
The number of shares in issue was as follows:
Number
of shares
Balance at 1 January 2016 430,313,824
Issued during the period 48,983,174
-------------
Balance at 30 September 2016 479,296,998
Issued during the period 23,333,333
-------------
Balance at 31 December 2016 502,630,331
Issued during the period 23,076,923
-------------
Balance at 30 September 2017 525,707,254
=============
5. Closing value of intangible assets
Exploration costs As at As at As at
30 Sept 30 Sept 31 Dec
2017 2016 2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
GBP GBP GBP
Cost
At 1 January 7,186,576 5,588,270 5,588,270
Additions for the period 652,192 686,888 968,460
Foreign exchange movements 201,967 697,395 629,846
8,040,735 6,972,553 7,186,576
============ ============ ============
The net book value of exploration costs is comprised of
expenditure on the following projects:
As at As at As at
30 Sept 30 Sept 31 Dec
2017 2016 2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
GBP GBP GBP
Project Country Minerals
Kallak Sweden Iron ore 6,818,693 6,405,110 6,438,283
Nautijaur Sweden Copper 27,363 25,184 24,912
Åtvidaberg Sweden Lead-zinc-copper-silver 205,251 99,893 153,927
Ågåsjiegge Sweden Iron ore 7,465 7,337 7,257
Sala Sweden Lead-zinc-silver 2,628 2,389 2,372
Haapamäki Finland Graphite 207,963 117,715 141,944
Kolari1 Finland Graphite 135,709 87,876 99,554
Piippumäki Finland Graphite 148,951 99,915 119,087
Viistola Finland Graphite 134,430 95,813 107,369
Pitkäjärvi Finland Graphite 352,282 31,321 91,871
------------ ------------ ----------
8,040,735 6,972,553 7,186,576
============ ============ ==========
Total Group exploration costs of GBP8,040,735 are currently
carried at cost in the financial statements. During the period, no
impairment provision was recognised (2016: GBPNil).
Accounting estimates and judgements are continually evaluated
and are based on a number of factors, including expectations of
future events that are believed to be reasonable under the
circumstances.
The most significant risk currently facing the Group is that it
does not receive an Exploitation Concession for Kallak. The Company
originally applied for the Exploitation Concession in April 2013
and throughout 2016, and since the year-end, management have
actively sought to progress the application, engaging with the
various government bodies and other stakeholders. These activities
are summarised above.
Kallak is included in condensed financial statements as at 30
September 2017 as an intangible exploration licence with a carrying
value of GBP6,818,693. Management are required to consider whether
there are events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the
carrying value of this asset may not be recoverable. Management
have considered the status of the application for the Exploitation
Concession and in their judgement, they believe it is appropriate
to be optimistic about the chances of being awarded the
Exploitation Concession and thus have not impaired the project.
6. Availability of interim report
A copy of these results will be made available for inspection at
the Company's registered office during normal business hours on any
weekday. The Company's registered office is at 201 Temple Chambers,
3-7 Temple Avenue, London, EC4Y 0DT. A copy can also be downloaded
from the Company's website at www.beowulfmining.com. Beowulf Mining
plc is registered in England and Wales with registered number
02330496.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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