Strategic Minerals PLC Final Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2022 (3605D)

Share Name	Share Symbol	Market	Type	Share ISIN	Share Description
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RNS Number : 3605D

Strategic Minerals PLC

21 June 2023

This Announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK version of the market abuse regulation (EU No. 596/2014) as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR").

21 June 2023

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

("Strategic Minerals" or the "Company")

Financial Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

A full copy of the Company's annual report and accounts (including tables and/or diagrams referred to in this release) is available through the Investor Centre of the Company's website ( https://www.strategicminerals.net/investors/reports-and-circulars.html ).

Copies of the Annual Report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, will be posted today to shareholders, who have elected to receive a hard copy , and on the Company's website.

The Annual General Meeting will be held this year on Tuesday 18 July 2023 at 10am in the offices of our auditor's Shipleys LLP, 10 Orange Street, Haymarket, London, WC2H 7DQ. The notice of meeting and proxy voting forms will be posted today to shareholders, who have elected to receive a hard copy, and on the Company's website.

Financial Highlights

   --      2022 Group before tax profit was $0.372m (2021: $0.257m) 
   --      Net Cash generated from operating activities for 2022 was $0.774m (2021: $0.610m). 
   --      Unrestricted cash position of the Group on 31 December 2022 was $0.341m (2021: $0.611m).

Operational Highlights

-- In March 2022, after rolling over for a 10(th) year and, after many years of lobbying, management secured a longer-term access to the Cobre magnetite stockpile with it now being extended until 31 March 2027.

   --      July 2022 saw Cobre customer sales prices progressively increased by 20%.

-- In the last quarter of 2022, sales to Cobre's largest client significantly reduced due to recessionary concerns impacting the US west coast construction industry. While we are confident of their return as a client, we are unsure of timing due to a large stockpile of our material that they have on site.

-- The July price increase partially offsets the lower fourth quarter sales and Cobre still produced respectable 2022 annual sales of $2.446m (2021: $2.611m).

-- During 2022, the receiver for CV Investments LLC ("CVI") indicated that they would not accept Southern Minerals Group's ("SMG") substantial arbitrated award against CVI and were likely to use the fact that CVI's funds arose from a fraud to rank SMG's claim, along with other creditors, behind equity holders

-- In January 2022, LCCM submitted, to the South Australian government, a revised Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation ("PEPR") for copper oxide operations at the Mountain of Light plant at Leigh Creek. This PEPR was approved at the beginning of July 2022.

-- In late December 2022, an application for a new PEPR relating to planned mining of transitional ore at Paltridge North was submitted. This is being sought as part of LCCM's expected 2023 re-opening of operations at Mountain of Light at Leigh Creek, subject to funding. The new PEPR encompasses much of the information in the previous PEPR plus additional information the South Australian Department of Energy and Mining ("DEM") required in relation to the treatment of transitional copper sulphide ore expected to be mined as the planned pit reaches greater depth. Accordingly, it is not expected that approval of this PEPR will be as protracted.

-- Throughout 2022, Cornwall Resources Limited ("CRL") continued work on the Deep Digital Cornwall project, led by the University of Exeter's Camborne School of Mines, in which CRL and Cornish Lithium are delivery partners. Funding of the bulk of the work has been provided by the European Regional Development Fund, through HM Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The project is expected to complete in June 2023.

-- The inclusion of both Tungsten and Tin on the UK Government's critical minerals list, in July 2022, has opened up grant-based funding opportunities with which to progress the Redmoor project to a market acceptable "pre-feasibility" stage. The likelihood of funding has been further enhanced by the US Government instructing its defence contractors that their products must be free of Tungsten sourced from China or Russia (currently supplying 90% of the world market) and current indications that the US is about to classify the UK as a domestic source and, hence, eligible for government grants to develop critical minerals such as Tungsten and Tin.

-- The Company's strategy to focus on metals and minerals likely to benefit from expected supply and demand imbalances has been validated in both 2022 and early 2023 as commodity prices, especially for copper and tin show strong growth and have market analysts predicting even stronger future price growth.

 
For further information, please contact: 
 
                                            +61 (0) 414 
Strategic Minerals plc                       727 965 
John Peters 
Managing Director 
Website:                                   www.strategicminerals.net 
Email:                                     info@strategicminerals.net 
 
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Twitter:                                   @SML_Minerals 
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Notes to Editors

Strategic Minerals plc is an AIM-quoted, profitable operating minerals company actively developing projects tailored to materials expected to benefit from strong demand in the future. It has an operation in the United States of America along with development projects in the UK and Australia. The Company is focused on utilising its operating cash flows, along with capital raisings, to develop high quality projects aimed at supplying the metals and minerals likely to be highly demanded in the future.

In September 2011, Strategic Minerals acquired the distribution rights to the Cobre magnetite tailings dam project in New Mexico, USA, a cash-generating asset, which it brought into production in 2012 and which continues to provide a revenue stream for the Company. This operating revenue stream is utilised to cover company overheads and invest in development projects aimed at supplying the metals and minerals likely to be highly demanded in the future.

In May 2016, the Company entered into an agreement with New Age Exploration Limited and, in February 2017, acquired 50% of the Redmoor Tin/Tungsten project in Cornwall, UK. The bulk of the funds from the Company's investment were utilised to complete a drilling programme that year. The drilling programme resulted in a significant upgrade of the resource. This was followed in 2018 with a 12-hole 2018 drilling programme has now been completed and the resource update that resulted was announced in February 2019. In March 2019, the Company entered into arrangements to acquire the balance of the Redmoor Tin/Tungsten project which was settled on 24 July 2019 by way of a vendor loan which was fully repaid on 26 June 2020.

In March 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of the Leigh Creek Copper Mine situated in the copper rich belt of South Australia and brought the project temporarily into production in April 2019. In July 2021, the project was granted a conditional approval by the South Australian Government for a Program for Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) in relation to mining of its Paltridge North deposit and processing at the Mountain of Light installation. In early January 2022, an updated PEPR, addressing the conditions associated with the July 2021 approval, was lodged.

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Financial Highlights

   --      2022 Group before tax profit was $0.372m (2021: $0.257m) 
   --      Net Cash generated from operating activities for 2022 was $0.774m (2021: $0.610m). 
   --      Unrestricted cash position of the Group on 31 December 2022 was $0.341m (2021: $0.611m).

Operational Highlights

   --      July 2022 saw Cobre customer sales prices progressively increased by 20%.

-- The July price increase partially offsets the lower fourth quarter sales and Cobre still produced respectable 2022 annual sales of $2.446m (2021: $2.611m).

This Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 ("Annual Report") contains 'forward-looking information', which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the future financial and operating performance of Strategic Minerals Plc, its subsidiaries, production and exploration operations and affiliated companies, the future price of magnetite/iron ore, the estimation of mineral resources, the realisation of mineral resource estimates, costs of production, capital and exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, costs and timing of the development of new mines, costs and timing of future exploration, requirements for additional capital, governmental regulation of mining operations and exploration operations, stockpile and tailings dam operations, timing and receipt of approvals, licenses, permits, conversions and ongoing approvals to operate exploration activities, stockpile and tailings dam operations under the United States of America, Australia and other applicable mineral legislation and environmental legislation, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, limitations of insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation and regulatory matters.

Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans', 'expects', 'is expected', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates' or 'believes', or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will' be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward- looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Strategic Minerals Plc and/or its subsidiaries, investment assets and/or its affiliated companies to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Such factors include, among others, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities; stockpile processing/tailings dam operations; conclusions of economic evaluations and studies; fluctuations in the value of UK pounds sterling relative to the United States Dollar, Australian Dollar and other foreign currencies; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of magnetite/iron ore; possible variations of ore grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, logistics providers, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, insurrection or war; the effect of illness on labour force availability and turnover; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities. Although Strategic Minerals Plc has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may well be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those currently anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this Annual Report and Strategic Minerals Plc disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2022

I am pleased to present Strategic Minerals Plc's Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Despite a difficult year and a final quarter drop in sales to SMG's major client, the Group maintained an after-tax profit of $0.084m (2021: $0.156m).

The Group had unrestricted cash of $0.341m as of 31 December 2022 (2021: $0.611m).

The Board and Management have set the Company on a strategic path reflecting both the expected relative performance of different metal ores and the limited size of the Company's balance sheet. Implementation of the strategy commenced in 2016 when the Company invested into the Redmoor Tin and Tungsten project ("Redmoor") as it considered the long-term demand and supply outlook for tin and tungsten compelling. Initially, the Company owned 50% of Cornwall Resources Limited (CRL), the holder of the Redmoor asset, and, subsequently, moved to full ownership of CRL (March 2019).

The attraction to tin and tungsten reflected the key role these metals were expected to play in the electrification of transport vehicles, advanced robotics, renewable energy and advanced computation & IT. With restrictions on existing tin production in Myanmar and Indonesia, coupled with continued strong demand for electronics, the price of tin is expected to continue its, generally, upwards trajectory:

Spot Tin Prices Since Full Acquisition of Redmoor

US$ Per

Tonne

Currently, market sentiment is very bullish on the future of tin prices with some forecasting prices of between US $50,000 and $80,000 per tonne or higher.

Whilst tungsten's price has not appreciated as spectacularly as tin as yet, there has a been a steady growth in prices and it is considered that this will continue in the future. Irrespective, the current tungsten price is already above the forecast prices used by the Board when considering the acquisition of the balance of the Redmoor project.

   Source: Bloomberg                - Tungsten APT Priced in USD per MTU

In 2017, at a time when the Company was enjoying significantly higher Cobre revenues, the Board, whilst recognising the longer-term intrinsic value of Redmoor, felt that the Company would strategically benefit from the development of a second near-term cash generating project, bridging the gap between its operating asset and the delivery of Redmoor. The Board's analysis of the market indicated that copper, in particular, appeared to present the best long-term demand and supply characteristics the Board's strategy revolved around. In line with this focus, the Company began negotiations for the acquisition of a suitably sized copper project likely to generate a second, near-term income stream. Ultimately, this led to the Company, in 2018, acquiring Leigh Creek Copper Mine Pty Ltd ("LCCM"). This has strategically set the Company up as follows:

The identification of an exposure to copper has proven timely with prices having moved further than predicted at the time when LCCM was acquired. There is not expected to be a retraction in pricing with Goldman Sachs metals strategist Nicholas Snowdon recently calling a US $15,000 a ton copper price in 2025 on the basis that "We are in a supercharged, synchronised global demand surge. Chinese demand remains very strong, growing at 4% this year, underpinned by strength in infrastructure investment, strong completion phase in the property sector, and also strong recovery in consumer led sectors."

Copper Average Quarterly Prices Per Tonne

The remnants of the Global Pandemic contributed to making 2022 a difficult year, especially in relation to project development. The Company continued its modified operating procedures to ensure the protection of all stakeholders (employees, Directors, clients, local communities). Through adaption of contactless operating procedures at the Cobre magnetite stockpile, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Southern Minerals Group ("SMG"), has been able to maintain continuous contactless operations throughout the pandemic and its aftermath. The close working relationship, and the commitment to the highest levels of safety in operations, resulted in SMG securing access to the Cobre magnetite stockpile until 31 March 2027.

During 2022, SMG continued to work with the court appointed receiver for CV Investments ("CVI") in relation to SMG's arbitrated $21.9m claim against CVI, for their unfulfilled sales contract. Disappointingly, the likelihood of recovery on the claim has been significantly reduced due to CVI's assets being considered as "proceeds of crime" and, therefore, their distribution not being subject to normal creditor/equity standings. Post financial year end, SMG has agreed to reduce its claim to costs and anticipates that there will be a resolution for a considerably smaller amount in 2023.

In January 2022, LCCM responded to the July 2021 conditional Program for Environmental and Protection and Rehabilitation ("PEPR") approval for planned extraction of copper oxide from its Paltridge North deposit to be processed at the Mountain of Light plant, Leigh Creek. Subsequently, the PEPR was made unconditional at the beginning of July 2022. At the time of this report, the Company considers that, subject to securing finance, operations at LCCM will re-commence in 2023. It should be noted that a "cloned" PEPR was also submitted, in December 2022, to allow mining of transitional material at the base of the proposed Paltridge North open pit. This PEPR is expected to be approved in the first half of 2023. These ores are projected to represent approximately one third of copper sales from Paltridge North. A subsequent PEPR will be required in the future for proposed mining of the Lynda/Lorna Doone holdings and the cost and timing of this PEPR have been incorporated into the Company's financial modelling of the project.

The Company has continued to market both Redmoor and LCCM at an asset level and has utilised external consultants to attempt to locate suitable investment/operating partners. This process remains ongoing, and Management and the Board continue to follow up on and develop discussions with a number of entities. Just before Christmas in 2022, the Company signed a non-binding offer of debt finance with a resources focused fund which was subject to due diligence. However, while LCCM passed the technical due diligence, recent substantial increases in mining costs resulted in lending ratios being breached and the financing not proceeding despite continued projected profitability.

The Cornish mining revival continued to gather pace in 2022. We consider CRL to represent a significant asset in this regional play and its recent extension of arrangements provides the time to develop this fully to the best benefit of shareholders. The global significance of the deposit at Redmoor (inferred resource of 11.7mt at a tin equivalent (SnEq) of 1.17%) was further reinforced, in July 2022, when both Tungsten and Tin were included in the UK Critical Minerals List. This has opened the way for CRL to seek grant funding for progressing the Redmoor project to pre-feasibility stage. There have been encouraging recent developments in the US involving both defence contractors having to source Tungsten supplies from non-Chinese/Russian suppliers by 2026 and current indications that the US will deem the UK a "domestic" supplier, thus providing access for UK projects to US government funding.

The Board's first priority continues to be the safety and health of our teams and the continued resilience of the Group's operations. Despite challenges, our Cobre operations remain strong. . The Company believes that, subject to finance, it is in a position to move forward with operations at LCCM and, subsequently, further exploration and development of Redmoor. As confidence returns to the commodity markets, the underlying valuation of the Company's assets continue to build and remain strong. The continued cashflow from our Cobre asset, extension of Cobre access until 2027and the developed nature of our projects, places the Company in a solid position to benefit from improved international commodity prices.

I consider that the developments around Redmoor and the potential commencement of a second income stream will see a significant improvement in the market's perception of the value of the Company and I look forward to working with my fellow Directors and the staff of the Company to ensure that the 2023 financial year delivers.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the support of our shareholders, suppliers and other stakeholders and I look forward to your continued support during 2023 and beyond.

Alan Broome AM

Chairman

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

STRATEGIC REPORT

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2022

The Directors of the Company and its subsidiaries (which together comprise the Group) present their Strategic Report on the Group for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Financial Performance

The Company and the Group's reporting currency is US dollars reflecting that, previously, the Group's revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities were predominately in US currency and, currently, the bulk of revenues continue to be sourced in US dollars.

The Group recorded a profit before tax of $0.372m (2021: $0.257m) despite a dip in Cobre magnetite sales in the last quarter.

Throughout 2022, despite residual changes in the market environment from the global pandemic, the Company was able to continue Cobre operations, largely without impact.

The Board continued to maintain tight discipline on Group overheads with 2022 seeing another 11.1% reduction to $1.546m compared to $1.745m in 2021. The Board and management continue their policy to ensure overheads and administration costs are appropriately in line with cash flows from operations. These group overheads reflected both capitalised remuneration $0.160m and reduced activity associated with preparing to recommence larger scale operations at both Leigh Creek and Redmoor.

SMG incurred a tax expense of $0.291m (2021: $0.101m) for the year. The lower level of taxation in 2021 reflected SMG's capacity to write off, for tax purposes, its acquisition of a new loader purchased during the year. However, the remainder of the Group continues to generate tax losses.

The Company continued to invest heavily in moving both the Leigh Creek Copper Mine and Redmoor Tin and Tungsten projects forward. In 2022, the Company invested $0.717m in such activities (2021: $1.1152m).

Cash at the end of the year was $0.341m (2021: $0.611m).

PROJECT REVIEW AND ACTIVITIES

Cobre Performance

In 2022, Cobre sales revenue dipped 6.5%. Despite this, 2022 continued to be a profitable year for domestic sales with a total of 36,282 short wet tons of magnetite being sold which resulted in gross sales of $2.446m compared to 2021 when 42,637 short wet tons were sold for $2.611m.

After a number of years lobbying, and after demonstrating our successful implementation of contactless operations during the pandemic, we successfully gained a 5-year extension of access to the magnetite stockpile at Cobre. This is a great credit to the President of Southern Minerals Group ("SMG") our 100% owned subsidiary.

In July 2022, prices at Cobre were progressively increased by 20%. It was the first price increase for a number of years and did not appear to affect underlying demand for the magnetite product. However, in the last quarter of 2022, our major client at Cobre suspended purchases due to uncertainty associated with a potential of a US recession and the impact this may have on the west coast of America's construction industry. The Company does expect that the major client will return at some point but, as yet, that has not occurred and timing is difficult to gauge as the client had a substantial stockpile of our material at their plant site.

The Receiver for CV Investments is expected to make a distribution to claimants in 2023. However, the Receiver has indicated its distribution is likely to treat CV Investment's assets as proceeds of crime and hence the normal creditor/equity relationships are not likely to apply and hence there is considerable doubt on receiving any distribution from the Receiver. In light of this, post balance sheet date, SMG agreed to reduce its claim in line with costs incurred. Accordingly, any payment in 2023 is expected to be small.

SMG continues to have an exemplary safety record and has developed an enviable culture that reinforces the highest of safety standards.

Leigh Creek Copper Mine Pty Ltd ("LCCM")

In 2018, the Company invested in the LCCM project, a historically mined copper oxide deposit, as part of its desire to acquire a near term cash flow project exposed to minerals and metals expected to benefit in the future from supply and demand imbalances. Therein providing the Company with a second income stream.

Since acquisition, the Company has invested in a temporary restart of operations to test existing operating capacity and in preparing and submitting a Programme for Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation ("PEPR") in relation to its Paltridge North deposit. The PEPR was conditionally approved in 2021 and LCCM undertook the work required to convert the conditional PEPR to unconditional with additional information being lodged in January 2022.

In July 2022, an unconditional PEPR for the extraction and treatment of copper oxide material at the Paltridge North deposit was issued. The material planned to be extracted at Paltridge North is predominately copper oxide but becomes a transitional copper sulphide ore at the lower part of the planned pit. The regulatory authorities required further details on the treatment of such material and in response an additional PEPR, largely cut and paste of the unconditional PEPR with data addressing the peculiarities of handling transitional ore, was lodged late in December 2022.

In line with the approval of the unconditional PEPR, the Company followed up on parties interested in funding the project at the asset level with a view to a full restart in 2023, subject to finance. A further PEPR will be required for the proposed future mining of the Lynda/Lorna Doone deposits and work on this is expected to be undertaken during the mining and processing of ore from Paltridge North. The cost and expected timing of these have been incorporated into the Company's financial modelling of the project.

LCCM has three approved Mining Leases that cover a number of copper oxide deposits, including Lorna Doone, Lynda, Mountain of Light (Rosmann East and Paltridge North) and the Mount Coffin deposit. All the Mineral Resources are contained within the Mining Leases. They contain a JORC 2012 total resource in the Inferred and Indicated categories of 3.61mt @ 0.69% copper for 24,900 of copper metal forms the base of the project and includes the following Resource category breakdown.

 
                    Inferred            Indicated                Total Resource 
 Deposit        Tonnes    Copper     Tonnes     Copper    Tonnes     Copper    Copper 
                           Grade                 Grade                Grade     Metal 
                                                                               (tonnes) 
               --------  --------  ----------  -------  ----------  -------  ---------- 
 Paltridge 
  North          41,000     0.49%     879,000    0.82%     920,000    0.81%       7,400 
               --------  --------  ----------  -------  ----------  -------  ---------- 
 Lynda                -         -   1,349,000    0.65%   1,349,000    0.65%       8,800 
               --------  --------  ----------  -------  ----------  -------  ---------- 
 Lorna Doone     66,000     0.68%   1,280,000    0.65%   1,346,000    0.65%       8,700 
               --------  --------  ----------  -------  ----------  -------  ---------- 
 Total          107,000     0.61%   3,508,000    0.69%   3,615,000    0.69%      24,900 
               --------  --------  ----------  -------  ----------  -------  ----------

An existing heap leach and Kennecott cone-based copper processing facility is located at the Mountain of Light deposit (adjacent to Rosmann East and nearby Paltridge North) and was successfully operated for a short period in 2019 to test its capacity to resume full time operations.

The region around the project has excellent infrastructure with a modern town (Leigh Creek), sealed airstrip, sealed and all-weather roads, power and water utilities.

In addition to the Mining Leases, two approved Exploration Leases, covering an area of 686km(2) in the northern Flinders Ranges, are included in the project. These provide excellent opportunities for exploration of new copper oxide resources.

The underlying demand and supply factors for copper, that formed the cornerstone of the Board's decision to invest in LCCM, began to be widely recognised in the market during 2021 and 2022. This was reflected in the average copper price in 2022 being USD $3-99 lb. Given that the acquisition of LCCM was based on a copper price of USD $3-00 lb, the current copper price of over USD $3-50 lb has significantly improved the underlying valuation of LCCM as detailed in the Company's RNS of 9 November 2020.

The Board continues to consider that the Company's share price does not fully reflect its underlying asset values. Accordingly, in order to progress the Leigh Creek Copper Mine project, funding at the asset level is being sought.

In 2023, the Company expects to receive the unconditional PEPR for the Paltridge North transitional sulphide ores, secure external funding/joint venturing of the project and re-commence production at Paltridge North

Cornwall Resources Limited - Redmoor Tin and Tungsten Project

After having become a 50% owner in the Redmoor Tin and Tungsten Project in 2016, SML moved to full control of Cornwall Resources Limited ("CRL"), the holder of Project, in 2019. The move to acquire the balance of CRL was based on the Board's perception of the value of the acquisition and its preference to secure full control of such a key asset before the market became fully aware of its potential.

This 2019 resource update demonstrated that the overall inferred resource had increased from the previously assessed 4.5m tonnes at a tin equivalent ("SnEq") of 1.00% to 11.7m tonnes at 1.17% SnEq. The result was a 200% increase in contained metal, 160% in resource tonnes and a 0.17% rise in the tin equivalent grade.

Not only has the resource been significantly expanded but, as shown in the diagram following, the mineralisation has been discovered in discrete locations giving rise to the ability to tailor mining and processing to preferred mineralisation at the time of extraction.

During 2022, CRL concentrated on the role it played in the Deep Digital Cornwall ("DDC") programme undertaken by Cambourne School of Mines. In this programme, the Redmoor exploration licence area was, and currently continues to, be used as a field laboratory for collection of geochemical and geophysical data, which also provided CRL with information relevant to a number of new prospects within its Mineral Rights. This work was largely (80%) funded by a grant, although timing of payment claims has impacted working capital.

Prior to commencing the DDC work, an initial historic review of parts of CRL's mineral resource area identified multiple prospective targets for tin and copper to the west of the Redmoor deposit (shown in the following map as Target Tip Valley). This included historic drill intercepts report up to 1.26% tin over 2.55 m in core, and 0.23% tin in percussion samples.

In February 2021, CRL commenced a trenching and auger exploration programme aimed at testing the area to the west of its existing drilled resource. The sampling of material from this programme was undertaken in three stages;

   1)       10m spaced auger sampling (117 samples). 
   2)       Excavation of three trenches, which were then channel sampled and analysed (84 samples).

3) Additional 1m spaced auger sampling, where topographic constraints meant that safe access for mechanical excavation of trenches was not possible (81 samples).

Three of the anomalies identified by the auger sampling were followed up by the excavation of three trenches, totalling 169m in length, to a depth of 1m. CRL's geologists sampled the trench wall material as channel samples, typically as 2m intervals. Samples were analysed by ALS Loughrea using method ME-MS89L.

A 20m wide zone, that includes values significantly anomalous for tin, was identified in trench CRT01. This zone is shown, as 2m sample intervals, in the following table.

 
 Trench      Sample     From     To     Interval    Sn     Cu     W 
               no.       (m)     (m)       (m)       %      %      % 
 CRT01     CRL004411    4.00    6.00    2.00       0.17   0.01   0.00 
          -----------  ------  ------  ---------  -----  -----  ----- 
 CRT01     CRL004410    6.00    8.00    2.00       0.03   0.01   0.00 
          -----------  ------  ------  ---------  -----  -----  ----- 
 CRT01     CRL004409    8.00    10.00   2.00       0.38   0.01   0.00 
          -----------  ------  ------  ---------  -----  -----  ----- 
 CRT01     CRL004408    10.00   12.00   2.00       0.01   0.01   0.00 
          -----------  ------  ------  ---------  -----  -----  ----- 
 CRT01     CRL004407    12.00   14.00   2.00       0.03   0.01   0.00 
          -----------  ------  ------  ---------  -----  -----  ----- 
 CRT01     CRL004406    14.00   16.00   2.00       0.02   0.01   0.00 
          -----------  ------  ------  ---------  -----  -----  ----- 
 CRT01     CRL004405    16.00   18.00   2.00       0.02   0.01   0.00 
          -----------  ------  ------  ---------  -----  -----  ----- 
 CRT01     CRL004404    18.00   20.00   2.00       0.27   0.01   0.00 
          -----------  ------  ------  ---------  -----  -----  ----- 
 CRT01     CRL004403    20.00   22.00   2.00       0.37   0.01   0.00 
          -----------  ------  ------  ---------  -----  -----  ----- 
 CRT01     CRL004402    22.00   24.00   2.00       0.06   0.01   0.00 
          -----------  ------  ------  ---------  -----  -----  -----

The other two trenches, CRT02 and CRT03, did not show significant tin, copper, or tungsten grades; however anomalous levels of pathfinder elements were seen, which may indicate the presence of a mineralising system.

Close-spaced auger sampling was undertaken to test the fourth auger anomaly. This target could not be tested by mechanical backhoe due to steep topography associated with its location on the edge of the Target Tip Valley. CRL believes this area represents an extension of the sheeted vein system that hosts the resource at Redmoor.

Auger samples were taken at a 1m spacing from an average depth of 50cm using a Stihl powered auger. These samples identified unexpectedly high tin grades, and local elevated tungsten values. The work identified a widespread anomalous level of tin across the north flank of the Target Tip Valley, defining a 60m long anomaly greater than 1,000 ppm (0.1%) tin, and with peak value of 0.87% tin. Tungsten featured a peak value of 0.20%. These results are shown in the following table:

 
 Traverse    Sample no.      East       North      RL m     Sn     Cu     W 
                                                             %      %      % 
 Traverse 
  1          CRL003731     234883.61   70618.87   113.26   0.35   0.03   0.04 
            ------------  ----------  ---------  -------  -----  -----  ----- 
 Traverse 
  1          CRL003732     234883.15   70619.68   113.49   0.56   0.05   0.06 
            ------------  ----------  ---------  -------  -----  -----  ----- 
 Traverse 
  1          CRL003733     234882.75   70620.45   113.78   0.87   0.05   0.08 
            ------------  ----------  ---------  -------  -----  -----  ----- 
 Traverse 
  1          CRL003734     234882.38   70621.33   114.10   0.70   0.05   0.06 
            ------------  ----------  ---------  -------  -----  -----  ----- 
 Traverse 
  1          CRL003735     234881.95   70622.21   114.45   0.44   0.05   0.20 
            ------------  ----------  ---------  -------  -----  -----  -----

The high tin levels identified were followed up by hand-pitting. Two sites with peak values were excavated, to verify the soil profile and seek any evidence of disturbed ground or surface contamination. CRL's geologists observed the presence of decomposed shale, believed in-situ, with blocky vein-style quartz fragments containing clasts of wall-rock, in the pit base. Strike extensions from this location align with a man-made cutting in the hillside, interpreted by CRL as past small-scale open-cut mining.

Following on from the close-spaced auger sampling, CRL conducted a short program of hand-excavated pits to verify the geology ahead of potential future drilling. Two pits were excavated, and both were channel sampled. Hand pitting was utilised due to steep terrain. Four samples were taken which were analysed by ALS Laboratories Loughrea using method ME-MS89L.

 
  Pit       Sample     From    To    Interval    Sn     Cu     W 
              no.       (m)    (m)      (m)       %      %      % 
 CRT04    CRL003618    0.00   1.00   1.00       0.68   0.03   0.05 
         -----------  -----  -----  ---------  -----  -----  ----- 
 CRT04    CRL003619    1.00   2.00   1.00       0.27   0.06   0.03 
         -----------  -----  -----  ---------  -----  -----  ----- 
 CRT04    CRL003620    2.00   2.60   0.60       0.43   0.04   0.04 
         -----------  -----  -----  ---------  -----  -----  ----- 
 CRT05    CRL003621    0.00   1.00   1.00       0.17   0.04   0.01 
         -----------  -----  -----  ---------  -----  -----  -----

The pits contain decomposed shale, with blocky vein-style quartz fragments containing clasts of wall-rock, in the pit base. The results above confirm the presence of in-situ mineralisation, which is considered by CRL to constitute a strong tin exploration target. The CRT04 result with a 2.6m interval averaging 0.46% tin, 0.04% copper and 0.04% tungsten, is a clear example of mineralisation near-surface.

On the back of this work, CRL has submitted an application for a General Permitted Development Order ("GPDO") planning authorization from Cornwall Council for a potential drill programme at Redmoor, to the west of the current resource. This is aimed at identifying near surface tin and to test this highly prospective target's depth. Exploration of this tin target and adjacent areas, is intended to verify the projected westward continuation of the Redmoor Sheeted Vein System (SVS) orebody. If confirmed, this has the potential to significantly increase the proportion of tin, and total tonnage of a future resource. The proximity of the exploration area to surface is likely to further enhance project economics.

While Management and the Board recognised, early, the strategic importance of the Cornish mining area, it was during 2022 that the UK Government issued its Critical Minerals list identifying both Tungsten and Tin as two of the Critical Minerals that were needed for the country's future development. This and the continued success of Cornish Metals, post its AIM IPO, highlights the potential of mineral resources in the South West of the UK.

The Board and Management considers that CRL holds a significant asset at a time when the regional potential of the area and its recent extension of the exploration licence, until 2037, provides the time to develop this fully to the best benefit of shareholders.

Increases in commodity prices, notably tin and copper, have impacted very positively on the economics of the Redmoor project. This, combined with the world class standing of the Redmoor deposit, augurs well for valuation in the future. In the Company's last Redmoor scoping study report, October 2020, commodity prices used were Tin $20,000 a ton (currently c$28,000 a tonne), Tungsten $30,000 a ton (currently c$32,500 MTU) and Copper $3.18 lb (currently c$3.90). Accordingly, internal analysis shows a significant increase upon the previously reported after tax NPV @ 8% of $91m and the IRR of 23.4%.

In 2023, the Company anticipates completing the Deep Digital Cornwall work and, subject to external financing, undertaking further drilling at Redmoor, to test the western extension/near surface tin identified in the trenching and augur work conducted in 2021. At the same time, the Company will continue discussions with third parties about involvement in the development of Redmoor and is encouraged by recent interest in Redmoor in line with the US government instructing its defence contractors to not use Chinese or Russian sourced Tungsten from 2026 and the potential for Redmoor to be deemed a "domestic" supply for US government purposes., opening a door to US government funding.

Safety

The Company is pleased to report that, during 2022, there were no safety incidents (2021: nil) across its operations in United States, England, and Australia.

Board and Management Changes

There has been no change to the composition of the Board during 2022 and the current Board does not currently envisage a need for change. Management changes have been made in line with normal operations although all such changes are based around consultancy, rather than direct employment contracts.

Key Risks and Uncertainties

The management of the business and the execution of the Group's strategy are subject to a number of risks. Strategic Minerals regularly reviews the principal risks that face the business and assesses appropriate responses to mitigate and, where possible, eliminate potential adverse impact. There is the possibility that if more than one event occurs, that the overall effect of such events would compound the possible adverse effects on the Group.

Our principal risks and uncertainties are as follows:

Commodity prices and currency risk

Although the Group's main income stream at Cobre is focused on localised markets, which minimises the impact of global commodity prices, the value of its development projects can still be subject to changes in global commodity prices. Fluctuations in commodity markets are affected by numerous factors beyond the Group's control, including global demand and supply, international economic trends, currency exchange fluctuations, expectations for inflation, speculative activity, consumption patterns and global or regional political events. The aggregate effect of these factors is impossible to predict. Fluctuations in commodity prices, over the long term, may adversely impact the returns of the Group's investments. The Group monitors commodity prices and structures its portfolio of assets with commodities that are likely to appreciate in the medium to long term.

The Group reports its results in US Dollars, whilst the functional currency of the parent company from which the Group derives the majority of its funding is Pound Sterling. This may result in additions to the Group's reported costs. Fluctuations in exchange rates between currencies in which the Group invest, reports, or derives income may cause fluctuations in its financial results that are not necessarily related to the Group's underlying operations. The Group converts funds to a currency in which funds will be utilised on an as needed basis.

Funding risk

Strategic Minerals needs funds, both to manage its working capital requirements and fund new and existing projects, as the Company seeks to grow. If the Company is not able to obtain sufficient financial resources, it may not be able to develop new and existing projects. There can be no assurance that such funds will continue to be available on reasonable terms, or at all in the future. The Directors regularly review cash flow expenditure requirements and the cash flow generated from its Cobre operation to ensure the Group can meet financial obligations as and when they fall due. In 2023, uncertain capital markets have restricted access to both debt and equity markets. At present, the company has been preparing to access short term financing ahead of a likely raise in the second half of the year. The Board continues to expect that the Company will be able to raise funds when needed but has had to alter timing to suit market sentiment.

Reserve and resource risk

The Mineral reserve and resource relating to CRL and LCCM are only estimates and no assurance can be given that the estimated reserves and resources will be recovered or that they will be recovered at the rates estimated. Reserve and resource estimates are based on sampling and, consequently, are uncertain because the samples may not be representative. Reserve and resource estimates may require revision (up or down) based on future actual production experience. The discovery of mineral deposits is dependent upon a number of factors including the technical skill of the exploration personnel involved.

The commercial viability of a mineral deposit, once discovered, is also dependent upon a number of factors, including the size, grade and proximity to infrastructure, metal prices and government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, and environmental protection. There can be no guarantee that a mineral deposit will be economically viable. The Group undertakes studies in order to mitigate this risk.

License and Permitting risk

The exploration, developing and mining of resources is, usually, governed by licensing and permitting requirements issued, generally, by governments. These normally cover limited periods and risk may be attached to whether governments permit these periods to be extended or institute "new" conditions on their usage. While this is true for all resource projects it has significant application to SML's two, pre-production assets, namely;

a) LCCM - The PEPR permitting process provides risk, both to costs and timing of projects. While the PEPR for mining copper oxide material from Paltridge North is unconditional, at the time of writing, the variation to encapsulate the transitional ore expected at the bottom of the planned Paltridge North pit has also been submitted and is pending approval. There is also a need for a PEPR for the Lynda/Lorna Doone deposit. Allowance for these undertakings is reflected in our internal plans and valuations but it is acknowledged that risks to the overall projects value may arise from variations to expectations around the granting of these PEPRs.

b) Redmoor - As the planned Redmoor Tin and Tungsten project is not as advanced as LCCM, its progress is still dependent on obtaining and maintaining appropriate approvals. Ultimately, a mining license will need to be obtained. However, for the present, the principal focus is in obtaining drilling approval to prove up resources. The timing of such approvals may impact the effective valuation of such assets.

Customer risk

The level of profitability of the Group is currently dependant on the performance of the Company's Cobre operation in the United States. The Cobre operation has a number of major customers and should one or more of these customers choose to not to purchase product it may have a substantial impact on the performance of the Group. The Group continues to look for additional customers at Cobre to address this risk and in addition will develop other projects such as Leigh Creek Copper Mine to reduce the risk of dependence on any one customer.

Operational and Environmental risk

Mining operations are subject to hazards normally encountered in exploration, development, and production. These include unexpected geological formations, rock falls, flooding, dam wall failure and other incidents or conditions which could result in damage to plant or equipment, people, or the environment and which could impact any future production throughput. Although it is intended to take adequate precautions to minimise risk, there is a possibility of a material adverse impact on the Group's operations and its financial results. The Group will develop and maintain policies appropriate to the stage of development of its various projects. In 2020, as a safeguard to both our clients and staff, amendments were made to operational procedures to ensure that delivery of material was contactless. These procedures have continued in 2021 and 2022.

Strategic risk

Significant and increasing competition exists for mineral acquisition opportunities throughout the world. As a result of this competition, the Group may be unable to acquire rights to exploit additional revenue generative assets such as Cobre and attractive mining development properties such as CRL and LCCM on terms it considers acceptable. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Group will acquire any interest in additional operations that would yield reserves or result in commercial mining operations. The Group expects to undertake sufficient due diligence to help ensure opportunities are subjected to proper evaluation.

Uninsurable risk

The Group may become subject to liability for accidents, pollution, and other hazards against which it cannot insure or against which it may elect not to insure because of prohibitive premium costs or for other reasons, such as amounts which exceed policy limits.

Product risk

The Group has a contract for access to magnetite iron ore at the Cobre operation until March 2027. There is a risk that the supplier may terminate the agreement, after this time, in which case the Group would no longer have product to sell. The Group's proactive approach in securing access for the next five years has minimised the impact this risk may have on future operations and the Group's management actively engages with its supplier throughout the year to proactively address any concerns that the supplier may raise.

An off-take arrangement is in place for the LCCM project which is subject to minimum product specifications. During 2019 the company was able to produce at specification material in its retreatment of heaps thereby substantially reducing the product specification risk.

Dependence on key personnel risk

The Group and Company are dependent upon the executive and local management teams. Whilst it has entered into contractual agreements with the aim of securing the services of these personnel, the retention of their services cannot be guaranteed. The development and success of the Group depends on the Company's ability to recruit and retain high quality and experienced staff. The loss of the service of key personnel or the inability to attract additional qualified personnel as the Group grows could have an adverse effect on future business and financial conditions. The Group incentivises executives and management with market-based remuneration packages, short term and long-term incentive schemes.

Climate Change Risk

While climate change considerations can seriously impact resource companies, the Company considers that there is little downside risk from these considerations, given the metals and minerals in its portfolio, and that these climate change considerations are likely to impact positively on commodity prices for both copper and tin.

Coronavirus Pandemic Risk

While the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic appear to be mitigating, it remains difficult to predict its future impact given the evolving nature of this issue and the varying reactions of governments around the world. The Board and management are continually reviewing the potential implications and undertakes contingency planning reviewing actions it may take to mitigate the risk. At the Company's Cobre operation, the Company continues to implement a policy whereby drivers of trucks picking up material do not exit the vehicle on site and screens have been put up for the transfer of documents to protect staff. The working at home policy introduced in 2019 continues, at the Company's operations in the United Kingdom and Australia, in line with those country requirements. The company continues to actively talk with advisors and potential partners to move the Company's projects forward, although this is predominately being undertaken remotely.

Ongoing War Risk

The Russian invasion of the Ukraine continues to raise the possibility of a global conflict. To date, these actions have generally, positively impacted on resource prices relevant to SML. However, there is risk, that global economic growth may be severely curtailed, and this would, ultimately, have a negative impact on the demand for resources.

Key Performance Indicators

The Board monitors the activities and performance of the Group on a regular basis. The principal KPI's monitored by the Company are domestic sales of product from Cobre, the cash position of the Group, the investment in project activities, the share price of the Company and the health, safety and environmental incidents of the Group.

The sales of domestic product at Cobre dipped in the fourth quarter, as sales to the largest client were reduced. Despite this, sales in 2022 were lower than last year but a healthy $2.446m (2021: $2.611m).

The unrestricted cash position of the group as of 31 December 2022 was $0.341m which decreased from $0.611m from the previous year. This drop in cash reflects the operating profit generated during the year, less the investments made into the LCCM and Redmoor projects as detailed in the Group Statement of Cash Flows.

The share price of the Company at year end was 0.25p (2021: 0.30p). Directors have indicated their confidence in the future performance of the Company through on market acquisition of shares.

The group did not have any health and safety or environmental incidents during the year. (2021: nil)

Strategy

In early 2016, the Company adopted a strategy emphasising both an operating and investment strategy which is continued today.

The Operating Strategy is centred on maintaining and improving cash flows from the Company's magnetite stockpile at the Cobre mine in New Mexico, USA, whilst also limiting corporate overheads in line with this profitability, thus ensuring operating self-sufficiency.

The Investment Strategy is built around investment in projects that relate to metals expected to increase in demand and price over the medium term.

The Company is well positioned to execute its plans to restart full LCCM product subject to sourcing funding and commencing a Pre-Feasibility Study at Redmoor.

Outlook and Prospects

The Company continues to maintain controls on its overheads, is focused on restarting production at Leigh Creek in 2023, securing and expanding Cobre's profitable domestic sales and progressing the Redmoor Tin and Tungsten mine to a "pre-feasibility" stage.

The Board is confident that the outlook for the Company is encouraging having weathered testing times in both 2021 and 2022. The Company is actively pursuing non-dilutive funding approaches, both joint venture and debt style, to progress both LCCM and Redmoor. The low holding cost of these projects, the low level of debt in the Company and the now extended access to the Cobre magnetite stockpile, with its associated cash flow, provides the Company the flexibility, when considering financing options, to extract maximum value from these investments.

Current expectations are that funding for LCCM can be sourced so that production can commence later in 2023. Regarding the Redmoor project, expected time frames here are longer with the next goal being the preparation of a pre-feasibility study to be followed by a bankable feasibility study. Each study is expected to take two to two and a half years to complete, and the Company believes it may be able to access grant funding to assist in the completion of the pre-feasibility study.

The robust performance of commodity prices, notably Copper and Tin, have provided some optimism for the Company, although these have not, as yet, been reflected in market valuations of the Company's shares. While Covid-19 continues to impact developmental operations, the Board considers that the impact is not likely to significantly impact the 2023 year's operations. A more detailed analysis of the impact of COVID 19 is include as part of the corporate governance statement.

Directors' section 172 statement

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires Directors to take into consideration the interests of stakeholders and other matters in their decision making. The Directors continue to have regard to the interests of the Company's employees and other stakeholders, the impact of its activities on the community, the environment and the Company's reputation for good business conduct, when making decisions. In this context, acting in good faith and fairly, the Directors consider what is most likely to promote the success of the Company for its members in the long term. We explain in this annual report, and referenced below, how the Board engages with stakeholders.

Likely consequence of any decision in the long term

The Chairman's Statement, Strategic Report Business Strategy and the Corporate Governance Statement set out the Company's long-term rationale and strategy.

Interests of employees

The Employee section of the Company's Corporate Governance Statement sets out the Company's approach to the interests of its employees.

Foster business relationships with suppliers, customers, and others

The Company's approach to business relationships with stakeholders and shareholders are set out in the Company's Corporate Governance Statement.

Community and environment

The Company's approach to the community is set out in the Corporate Governance Statement.

Maintain high standards of business conduct

The Corporate Governance Statement sets out the Board and Committee structures and extensive Board and Committee meetings held during 2022, together with the experience of executive management and the Board and the Company's policies and procedures.

Act fairly between shareholders

The Corporate Governance Statement sets out the process the Company follows to ensure it all shareholder interests are preserved and enhanced.

Principal Decisions made by the Board

We define principal decisions as both those that have long-term strategic impact and are material to the Group, but also those that are significant to our key stakeholder groups. In making the following principal decisions, the Board considered the outcome from its stakeholder engagement, the need to maintain a reputation for high standards of business conduct and the need to act fairly between the members of the Company:

   (a)      Commitment to creation of a second income stream at Leigh Creek

The Board considers the creation of a second income stream to the Company, particularly where the asset is owned and controlled by the Company, of extremely strategic importance to the Company. However, given the deterioration in the Company's share price, it has taken the strategic view that the progress of the Leigh Creek Copper Mine into production needs to be funded at the asset level either by debt or equity. Accordingly, the Board and Management have concentrated efforts in sourcing funding at the LCCM level.

         (b)      Debt management

Apart from lease liabilities associated with funding equipment at SMG, the Board has repaid all debts and, at present, does not wish to place a commitment of this nature on its balance sheet, despite the recent extension of access to operations at Cobre.

   c)       Progression of Redmoor Tin and Tungsten Project

The Board continues to focus its attention on securing the progress of the Redmoor project with minimal parent dilution and considers that the placement of Tin and Tungsten on the UK critical minerals list is likely to provide an opportunity for the Company to access government grant funding to help achieve this aim. Should grant funding be forthcoming, this does not preclude the Company looking for an appropriately resourced joint venture partner that could assist in the completion of feasibility studies.

   d)    Limiting of Equity Raises in Line with Investment in Value Added Project Progression

The Board has adopted a policy of seeking to limit Strategic Minerals plc's capital raisings, and hence shareholder dilution, as much as possible and to, generally, ensure that the bulk of funds raised are for value added purposes/projects.

   e)   Commitment to funding operating costs from Cobre cash flows

The Board has adopted a long running strategic objective to maintain corporate overheads within after tax cash flow generated from its Cobre operations. In this manner, any dilutive equity issues are directed at, potentially, value accretive investments to progress projects.

In making the above principal decisions, the Directors believe that they have considered all relevant stakeholders, potential impact and conflicts, the Company's business model and its long-term strategic objectives, and have acted accordingly to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole.

The Strategic Report was approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors and was signed on its behalf by:

John Peters

Managing Director

19 June 2023

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2022

The Directors present their report and the audited financial statements for Strategic Minerals Plc ("the Company") and its wholly owned subsidiaries ("the Group") for the year ended 31 December 2022.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES, BUSINESS REVIEW AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

The Company is a public limited company registered in the UK whose registered office is 27/28 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8DH.

The principal activity of the Company is a holding company. The principal activity of the Group is the exploration, development, and operation of mining projects.

A review of the Group's business during the financial year and its likely development is given in the preceding Chairman's Report and Strategic Review.

RESULTS AND DIVIDS

The Group recorded a profit after taxation for the year of $84,000 (2021 $156,000).

The Directors do not propose to recommend any distribution by way of dividend for the period ended 31 December 2022.

DIRECTORS

The Directors who served the Company during the period and prior to the release of this report were as follows:

Current Directors

   Alan Broome AM             (appointed 2 July 2015) 
   John Peters                    (appointed 21 January 2015) 
   Peter Wale                      (appointed 12 July 2016) 
   Jeffrey Harrison              (appointed 7 February 2018, resigned 25(th) April 2023)

DIRECTORS' INTEREST IN SHARES AND OPTIONS

The persons who held office during the year or at the year-end had the following interests in share capital and options of the Company as detailed below.

 
 Director               Shares held         Shares held         Shares held 
                       at reporting    31 December 2022    31 December 2021 
                               date 
-------------------  --------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
 
 John Peters             81,000,000          81,000,000          74,000,000 
 Peter Wale              80,767,266          80,767,266          80,767,266 
 Alan Broome AM           9,172,319           9,172,319           9,172,319 
 Jeffrey Harrison 
  (resigned 25(th) 
  April 2023)             1,669,642           1,669,642           1,669,642

DIRECTORS' INTEREST IN SHARES AND OPTIONS (continued)

The following are the options held as at the reporting date and as at 31 December 2022 for all Directors:

 
 Director            Options held   Options held   Options held       Exercise   Performance       Expiry        Grant 
                     at reporting    31 December    31 December          Price     milestone         Date         Date 
                             date           2022           2021          pence    5-day VWAP 
                                                                                       pence 
------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 Alan Broome AM                 -              -      5,000,000           5.00         10.00   30/06/2022   15/02/2018 
 John Peters                    -              -      7,500,000           5.00         10.00   30/06/2022   15/02/2018 
 Peter Wale                     -              -      5,000,000           5.00         10.00   30/06/2022   15/02/2018 
 Jeffrey Harrison 
  (resigned 25(th) 
  April 2023)                   -              -      2,500,000           5.00         10.00   30/06/2022    9/08/2018

DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION AND SERVICE CONTRACTS

Under their respective service contracts, the officers of the company received fees as detailed in the Directors' Remuneration table in Note 6.

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS

As at 31 May 2023 shareholdings of 3% or more of the issued share capital notified to the Company were:

 
                                   Number of 0.1p ordinary shares   Percentage of issued share capital 
 Charles and Alexandra Manners                         91,130,742                                 4.52 
 RAB Capital (Phillip Richards)                        81,000,000                                 4.02 
 John Peters                                           81,000,000                                 4.02 
 Peter Wale                                            80,767,266                                 4.01

Based on the total issued share capital of 2,015,964,616.

POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

There were no political contributions made by the Group during the year ended 31 December 2022 (2021: Nil).

INFORMATION TO SHAREHOLDERS - WEBSITE

The Company has its own website (www.strategicminerals.net) for the purposes of improving information flow to shareholders, as well as to potential investors.

GOING CONCERN

The Directors have given careful consideration to the Group and Parent Company's (together "the Group") ability to continue as a going concern through review of cash flow forecasts prepared by management for the period to 31 December 2024, and a review of the key assumptions on which these are based and sensitivity analysis.

The Group's forward commitments include corporate overhead, which is actively managed in line with cash generated from the Cobre asset and costs associated with keeping exploration licences and mining leases current.

Group forecasts are based on Management's expectations of a recovery in sales, in the second half of 2023 and 2024, to 2021 levels. For the purposes of the consideration of the Group's ability to operate as a going concern, only non-discretionary expenditure on projects is included in the cash flow forecasts.

The Company forecasts that in order to have sufficient funds to meet all operating costs until December 2024, the Group is reliant on cash being generated from the Cobre asset in line with forecast and a capital raise would be required no later than the last quarter of 2023.

However, the Board considers additional funds will be required to progress the development of the Leigh Creek Copper Mine and Redmoor projects. It is the intention of the group that the LCCM asset will be developed during 2023 and Management are actively pursuing such funding and envisage that this will be sourced at the asset level.

As the Group is reliant on cash being generated from the Cobre asset in line with forecast, Management has performed reverse stress testing which shows that a 5% reduction in forecast sales would result in a cash deficit in July 2023, without management taking mitigating actions within their control. The Group does not currently have offtake agreements with customers, therefore there is uncertainty as to whether forecast sales will be met.

These conditions indicate a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt as to the Group's ability to continue as a going concern and therefore it may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.

If further funds are required, the Directors have reasonable expectation based on the ability of the Company to raise funds in the past that the Group will have access to sufficient resources by way of debt or equity markets to meet all non-discretionary expenditure. Consequently, the consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

The financial report does not include adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or to the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Group not continue as a going concern

INDEMNITY OF OFFICERS

The Group currently maintains insurance to cover against legal action brought against its directors and officers. It evaluates on the appointment of new directors whether an indemnity from the Company for the actions of previous directors is warranted. However, the Group may purchase and maintain, for any Director or officer, insurance against any liability in the near future pending the evolution and complexity of any further new projects undertaken by the Company.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Refer to Note 3 to the financial statements for further details.

EVENTS AFTER THE OF THE REPORTING PERIOD

Refer to Note 24 to the financial statements for further details.

PUBLICATION OF ACCOUNTS ON COMPANY WEBSITE

Financial statements are published on the Company's website. The maintenance and integrity of the website is the responsibility of the Directors. The Directors' responsibility also extends to the financial statements contained therein.

STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS

So far as the Directors, at the time of approval of their report, are aware:

   --      there is no relevant audit information of which the Group's auditors are unaware; and

-- the Directors have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as Directors in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.

AUDITORS

Shipleys LLP were appointed as Group Auditors to fill the casual vacancy that arose after the resignation of Jeffreys Henry in March 2023 and BDO in December 2022.

In accordance with section 489 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution proposing that Shipleys LLP be appointed as auditors of the Group will be put to the Annual General Meeting.

By order of the Board

John Peters

Director

19 June 2023

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Directors' responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors are required to prepare the group and company financial statements in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and company and of the profit or loss of the group and company for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

   --       select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 
   --       make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

-- state whether they have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

-- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Website publication

The directors are responsible for ensuring the annual report and the financial statements are made available on a website. Financial statements are published on the company's website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the company's website is the responsibility of the directors. The directors' responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein.

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Board of Directors

The aim of the Board is to function at the head of the Group's management structures, leading and controlling its activities and setting a strategy for enhancing shareholder value. Regular meetings are held to review the Group's forward planning. The Board currently consists of a Non-Executive Chairman, a Managing Director, and an Executive Director.

The Directors recognise the importance of sound corporate governance commensurate with the size and nature of the Company and the interests of its shareholders and, in 2018, formally adopted The QCA Corporate Governance Code (the 'QCAC") after noting that it had, effectively, implemented its content in its previous arrangements.

In addition to the details provided below, governance disclosures can be found at the company's website at www.strategicminerals.net

Principle 1: Establish a strategy and business model which promote long-term value for shareholders

The Board has developed and enunciated a strategy and business model as detailed on the Company's website at https://www.strategicminerals.net/company/strategy .

The Board considers the Company's strategy provides a framework for medium to longer term growth in shareholder value.

The major risks to the Company's overall strategy stem from the potential failure to maintain access to the Cobre magnetite stockpile and overextending its cash requirements.

With respect to the exposure to operating cash flow only from the Cobre magnetite stockpile, the Board actively embarked on a search for a near term cash flow asset in our preferred mineral suite. With the addition of Leigh Creek Copper Mine, the Board feels it has, to a large extent, mitigated this risk, although it has now developed a new risk associated with the re-commencement of operations at Leigh Creek Copper Mine. Again, Management and the Board have sought to address such concerns through ensuring that sufficient resources are allocated to the project to give it the greatest chance of success.

In relation to cash flow management of the Company, Management and the Board closely monitor existing and expected cash flow resources and plans for committing these to project development and covering of corporate overheads. Additional to this, the Board regularly is in contact with market participants to ensure that sufficient interest is maintained in the market and that the Company can, generally, raise funding as required.

A consideration of broader risks of the Company can also be found at pages 9 to11 of this report and the financial instruments note 3 of these financial statements.

Principle 2: Seek to understand and meet shareholder needs and expectations

Shareholder input and communication has been actively sought by the Board through direct contact with shareholders at both the Annual General Meeting, shareholder information evenings (sometimes combined with the Annual General Meeting), monitoring of social media platforms, regular RNS releases, interviews on both Proactive Investors and Vox Markets (including occasional shareholder Q & A sessions) and direct one on one meetings with larger investors. At all times, due regard is given to the price sensitive nature of comments.

All shareholders are encouraged to attend the Company's Annual General Meeting and investors have access to current information on the Company through its website and via the info@strategicminerals.net email address.

Principle 3: Take into account wider stakeholder and social responsibilities and their implications for long-term success

As the Company is involved in the mining industry, the Board is highly cognisant of its responsibility not only to shareholders but in the broader community. As such, it has adopted a policy to ensure adequate community consultation is undertaken in the areas where we operate. Notably, in New Mexico USA, Cornwall UK and Leigh Creek Australia, communication with local residents and active involvement in the community has been encouraged. Additionally, the Company has a policy to, where possible, employ local residents when undertaking operations. To date, this has proven highly successful with all locations recording either none or extremely low levels of community dissent.

Principle 4: Embed effective risk management, considering both opportunities and threats, throughout the organisation

The management of the business and the execution of the Group's strategy are subject to a number of risks. The Company regularly reviews the principal risks that face the business and assesses appropriate responses to mitigate and, where possible, eliminate potential adverse impact.

The Board is constantly undertaking a review of risk and, as a mining company, has adopted and engendered a safety culture within the Company to ensure that personnel safety is considered above financial reward.

Information in relation to the Key Risks and Uncertainties that are relevant to the group are set on page 9-11 of this report.

Board Committees

The Board has established separate sub-committees around audit (chaired by Alan Broome AM) and remuneration within the Company (chaired by Alan Broome AM) shared by the entire Board, excluding the Managing Director. Additionally, a separate safety sub-committee (chaired by Alan Broome AM) operated in 2022 with both Alan Broome AM and Jeffrey Harrison (resigned 25(th) April 2023) comprising its membership.

Given the composition of the Board and the size of the Company, it is felt a separate Nomination Committee is not yet warranted. However, as the Company's operations expand, the Board will monitor this aspect of operations and will respond accordingly. The Board collectively undertakes the function of such a committee and where conflicts arise the Directors exclude themselves from voting on such matters.

Further information on the Company's Remuneration, Safety and Audit Committees and their policies are set out under Principle 9 below.

Member details of the sub committees as at the date of this report are:

 
 Members                                      Remuneration Committee   Safety Committee   Audit Committee 
 Mr Alan Broome AM - Non-Executive Chairman         Chair                    Chair              Chair 
 Mr Peter Wale - Executive Director 
 Mr John Peters - Managing Director

Principle 5: Maintaining the Board as a well-functioning, balanced team led by the chair

There are currently three (3) Board Directors (one of which are non-executive) and the Board considers that, at this time, this is appropriate to the Company's current level of operations, although this is reviewed formally at least annually. The Board is considered well balanced in that:

- Mr Alan Broome AM, the Non-Executive Independent Chairman, provides a sounding board for corporate strategy, a wealth of mining experience, is a metallurgist by training and is highly experienced in corporate governance. As such Alan is not involved with the day-to-day operations of the Company and provides guidance at the Board level. It is Management (notably John Peters and Peter Wale) who have the responsibility to formulate overall strategy, propose it to the Board, adjust the strategy for Board feedback and then enact the approved strategy.

- John Peters, the Managing Director, brings in-depth strategic management and investment banking experience. His practical management has helped to focus the Company and its consultants on the overall strategy while managing the hands on, day to day management.

- Peter Wale, the Executive Director, provides an invaluable bridge to shareholders providing insights into shareholder requirements as well as monitoring and handling media aspects. Peter, along with John Peters, manage the Company's interface with shareholders, media and the investment community. Peter has also undertaken an executive role in the management of Cornwall Resources Limited.

All Directors are encouraged to use their independent judgement and to challenge all matters, whether strategic or operational.

The Company notes that the QCA Code also recommends that the Board include at least two Independent non-executive directors. Following the resignation of Jeffrey Harrison, the Board will consider the need for appointment of additional independent non-executive director as the Group's scale and complexity grows

Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings

The Board aims to meet at least eight times a year and as required from time to time to consider specific issued required for decision by the board.

The Company held 6 Board meetings and a number of sub-committee meetings during the reporting period and the number of meetings attended by each of the Directors of the Company during the year to 31 December 2022 were:

 
 Director       Capacity         Board Meetings   Remuneration Committee   Audit Committee   Safety Committee 
 A Broome AM    Non-Executive          6                    1                     2                 2 
 J Peters       Executive              6                   n/a                   n/a               n/a 
 P Wale         Executive              6                    1                     2                n/a 
 J Harrison     Non-Executive          5                    1                     2                 2

The directors attended all board meetings and committee meetings that they were eligible and required to attend, with the exception of J Harrison who was an apology at one meeting.

Directors' conflict of interest

The Company has effective procedures in place to monitor and deal with conflicts of interest. The Board is aware of the other commitments and interests of its Directors, and changes to these commitments and interests are reported to and, where appropriate, agreed with the rest of the Board.

Time Commitment of Directors.

The Managing Director is employed by the Group on a full-time basis, whereas Mr Wale (Executive Director) and the Non- Executive Directors are remunerated on fixed fee part time basis and are remunerated for hours over and above their normal duties.

Principle 6: Ensure that between them the Directors have the necessary up-to-date experience, skills and capabilities

Biographies for the Directors can be found in the 'Board of Directors and Corporate Management' section of the company website at https://www.strategicminerals.net/company/our-team.html

The Board is not dominated by one person or group of people.

The Board undertakes regular reviews of its capacity to guide the Company in seeking to implement the Company's strategy. The appointment of Jeff Harrison in February 2018 illustrates how the Board, realising the need to increase its collective mining operational experience added a fourth Director with such skills. The Board also reviews periodically the appropriateness and opportunity for continuing professional development whether formal or informal.

Independent advice

All Directors are able to take independent professional advice in the furtherance of their duties, if necessary, at the Company's expense. In addition, the Directors have direct access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary, Chief Financial Officer, Company's NOMAD, lawyers and auditors.

Re-election of Directors

The Company's Articles of Association require that one-third of the Directors must stand for re-election by shareholders annually in rotation and that any new Directors appointed during the year must stand for election at the AGM immediately following their appointment.

Principle 7: Evaluate the Board performance based on clear and relevant objectives, seeking continuous improvement

Given the size of the Company and the small but critical nature of the roles of the Directors, board performance measures have not been independently developed. The Company relies upon the market and shareholder feedback to assess the Board's performance.

Principle 8: Promote a culture that is based on ethical values and behaviours

The Directors recognise that their decisions regarding strategy and risk will impact the corporate culture of the Company as a whole and that this will impact the performance of the Company. The Board seeks to embody and promote a corporate culture that is based on sound ethical values as it believes the tone and culture set by the Board impacts all aspects of the Company, including the way that employees and other stakeholders behave.

The Company has adopted a code for Directors' and employees' dealings in securities which is appropriate for a company whose securities are traded on AIM and is in accordance with the requirements of the Market Abuse Regulation which came into effect in 2016.

The formation of the Safety Committee and the manner in which options are allocated to Directors and key management/consultants has created a team environment in which the running of the company is aligned with medium to longer term shareholder goals.

These measures enable the Company to determine that ethical values and behaviours are recognised and respected.

Principle 9: Maintain governance structures and processes that are fit for purpose and support good decision-making by the Board

As a resource development company, the Board considers the crucial governance structures and processes revolve around Safety and Audit.

Safety Committee

Safety is a critical matter, particularly given the capacity for harm to employees and consultants. The purpose of the Safety committee is to ensure that our vision, to provide a safe workplace where no harm comes to anyone, is applied at all of the Company's locations and that a culture of Safety purveys throughout the organisation.

The Company believes that all reasonable efforts should be undertaken to ensure incidents are prevented, management have ultimate accountability for health and safety but everyone on site has a responsibility to ensure no one comes to harm and employees have the responsibility to stop any job or activity they believe is unsafe and could cause harm to people.

The Safety Committee attempts to monitor, and report to the full Board, on the achievement of the Company in devoting the necessary resources needed to create a working environment, both physically and supervisorial, in which our people and others under our influence and control can work without sustaining injury or suffering ill health; ensuring no business target takes priority over health and safety; using risk assessments to identify hazards and unsafe behaviours and introduce actions to reduce the risk to acceptable levels; investigating and reporting all accidents and dangerous occurrences and preventing future incidents; setting safety targets with the aim of preventing incidents and accidents and communicate the performance to all employees; ensuring all employees are competent to carry out the tasks assigned to them by providing the relevant information, instruction, training and supervision required; encouraging everyone to contribute to working safely and preventing accidents; designing, constructing, operating and maintaining all equipment, buildings and structures to ensure a safe operation; and comply with all current legislation and codes of practice.

Audit Committee

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to provide formal and transparent arrangements for considering how to apply the financial reporting and internal control principles set out in the QCAC and to maintain an appropriate relationship with the Company's auditors. The key terms are as follows:

- to monitor the integrity of the financial statements of the Company and Group, and any formal announcement relating to the Company's performance.

- to monitor the effectiveness of the external audit process and make recommendations to the Board in relation to the appointment, re-appointment and remuneration of the external auditors;

- to keep under review the relationship with the external auditors including (but not limited to) their independence and objectivity;

- to keep under review the effectiveness of the Company's financial reporting and internal control policies and systems;

- to review key judgements and estimates relating to the impairment assessment of project assets - LCCM, CRL and

- to assess the ability of the group to remain a going concern.

Further details of board committees are given under Principle 5 above.

Securities Trading

The Company has adopted a share dealing code for dealings in shares by Directors and senior employees which is compliant with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 ("MAR") and appropriate for an AIM company. The Directors will comply with MAR and AIM Rule 21 relating to dealings and will take all reasonable steps to ensure compliance by persons discharging managerial responsibility ("PDMR") and persons closely associated with them.

Suitability of governance structures

The Board intends that the Company's governance structures evolve over time in parallel with its objectives, strategy and business model to reflect the development of the Company.

Principle 10: Communicate how the Company is governed and is performing by maintaining a dialogue with shareholders and other relevant stakeholders

The Directors believe a healthy dialogue exists between the Board, the Company's shareholders and other stakeholders. The Board regularly has reports on shareholder feedback through summary of social media comments, shareholder information evenings and undertakes site visits and customer visits throughout the year.

In addition, all shareholders are encouraged to attend the Company's Annual General Meeting. The outcomes of all shareholder votes are disclosed in a clear and transparent manner via a regulatory information service, such as RNS of the London Stock Exchange.

The Company includes historical annual reports, notices of general meetings and RNS announcements over the last five years on its website. The Company lists contact details on its website and on all announcements released via RNS, should shareholders wish to communicate with the Board.

The Company will include, when relevant, in its annual report, any matters of note arising from the audit or remuneration committees.

Impact on the Group of Covid-19

The global, social and economic impact of Covid-19 have been significant. Uncertainty remains as to the long-term implications of the pandemic as the Company continues to closely monitor governmental guidance in our various locations.

The Directors recognise that the current macro-economic environment continues to result in limited or more expensive sources of funding. However, as per its adoption of a going concern concept for the financial statements, the Board considers that funding required to maintain operations is available but notes that development capital may need to be deferred.

Operations at Cobre continue to be adjusted to ensure contactless supply to our customers.

The Company's early efforts to reduce costs and has enabled the Company to best position itself to manage any longer-term impacts of the pandemic although the Company continues to focus on near term fiscal, operational and regulatory matters.

The Group will consequently carefully review any capital asset investment decisions and take further action to reduce costs if necessary. As the risk of Covid 19 continues the priority for the Company remains the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees and wider stakeholders.

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

This report addresses the responsibilities, the membership, and the activities of the Audit Committee in 2022 up to the approval of the 2022 Annual Report and 2022 year-end Financial Statements.

Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the Audit Committee are the following:

   1)       monitor the integrity of the annual and interim financial statements;

2) Review the effectiveness of financial and related internal controls and associated risk management;

3) Manage the relationship with our external auditors including plans and findings, independence, and assessment regarding reappointment.

Membership

Members of the Audit Committee are Alan Broome AM, Peter Wale (Chairman) and Jeffrey Harrison. (Resigned 25(th) April 2023)

Activities in 2022

With regard to the 2022 year-end Audit, the committee has reviewed the following key audit matters:

1.Going Concern

2) Impairment Assessments

The Committee has reviewed the judgements surrounding the impairment assessments required under IAS36 for LCCM and IFRS6 for CARE and CRL.

 
 CARE:   The Group reduced the carrying amount of the asset to 
          nil in 2019 and recognised an impairment loss. During 
          2021 all tenements have been relinquished to the Western 
          Australian government. 
 CRL:    The Redmoor projects are early-stage exploration projects. 
          The Committee is satisfied that results from exploration 
          activity provide sufficient evidence of the continued 
          prospectivity of the asset. Accordingly, no impairment 
          indicators have been identified. 
 LCCM:       The Committee is satisfied that the fair value of the 
              Development Asset is greater than or equal to its carrying 
              value, therefore no impairment is provided. 
              The assessment of the financial model for the project 
              included review of the following key elements. 
              i) Mineable reserves over life of project 
              ii) Forecasted Copper pricing 
              iii) Capital and operating cost assumptions to deliver 
              the mining schedule 
              iv) Foreign exchange rates 
              v) Discount rate

Conclusion

In 2023 and beyond, the Committee will continue to adopt the new reporting and regulatory requirements and ensure that the system of internal controls is both maintained and regularly reviewed for improvement. The Committee will also continue to review group assets for triggers that may indicate impairment and closely monitor the financial risks faced by the business and progress made towards mitigating these.

For and on behalf of the Audit Committee

Alan Broome AM

19 June 2023

Chair of Audit Committee

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT

This remuneration report has been prepared by the Remuneration Committee and approved by the Board. The report for 2022 sets out the details of remuneration for the Directors and discloses the amounts paid during the year.

Membership

Members of the of the Remuneration Committee are Alan Broome AM (Chairman) Peter Wale and Jeffrey Harrison (resigned 25(th) April 2023). Other Directors are invited to attend as appropriate provided they do not have a conflict of interest. The aim of the Remuneration Committee is to attract, retain and motivate the executive management of the Company and to offer the opportunity for employees to participate in share option schemes to incentivise employees to enhance shareholder value.

Director Remuneration

Compensation for Directors who held office during the year is as follows:

 
 2022                                                                        Share 
                                   Directors' Salary and   Consultancy       based 
                                                    fees          fees    payments   Total 
                                                    2022          2022        2022    2022 
                                                   $'000         $'000       $'000   $'000 
 
 A Broome AM                                          12            58           3      73 
 J Peters                                             13           117           5     135 
 J Peters - Capitalised Fee*                           -            65           -      65 
 P Wale                                               40             -           3      45 
 P Wale - Capitalised Fee*                            60             -           -      59 
 J Harrison                                           12            24           -      36 
 J Harrison -Capitalised Fee**                         -            36           -      36 
 
 
 Total                                               137           300          11     448 
 
 
 
 2021                                                                           Share 
                                      Directors' Salary and   Consultancy       based 
                                                       fees          Fees    payments   Total 
                                                       2021          2021        2021    2021 
                                                      $'000         $'000       $'000   $'000 
 
 A Broome AM                                             13            60          16      89 
 J Peters                                                13           193          23     229 
 P Wale                                                 110             -          16     126 
 J Harrison                                              13            26           3      42 
 J Harrison - Capitalised Fee**                           -            22           -      22 
 
 
 Total                                                  149           301          58     508

During 2022 an entity associated with John Peters purchased on market shares - 2,000,000 @.2975p and 5,000,000@.3499p.

*During 2022, J Peters and P Wale provided extended director services to CRL and LCCM. This expenditure is capitalised as part of Deferred Exploration and Evaluation Expenditure or the Development Asset.

**J Harrison provides consultancy services for CRL. This expenditure is capitalised as part of Deferred Exploration and Evaluation Expenditure.

Details of other Director related party transactions are detailed at Note 23.

J Peters is the highest paid director in 2022 and 2021.

It should be noted that the Directors of the Company have, since becoming Directors, not sold any shares outright and that, as at the date of this report, all implied gains on options have not materialised and implied losses exist.

Going forward into 2023 and beyond, the Committee and I will remain focused on ensuring that reward at the Company continues to be closely aligned with the delivery of long-term shareholder value.

For and on behalf of the Remuneration Committee

Alan Broome AM

19 June 2023

Chair of Remuneration Committee

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

INDEPENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2022

INDEPENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

Opinion on the financial statements

In our opinion:

-- the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group's and of the Parent Company's affairs as at 31 December 2022 and of the Group's profit for the year then ended;

-- the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards;

-- the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

-- the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

We have audited the financial statements of Strategic Minerals plc (the 'Parent Company') and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') for the year ended 31 December 2022 which comprise of the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the Consolidated and Company statements of financial position, the Consolidated and the Company statements of cash flows, the Consolidated and the Company statements of changes in equity and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group and Parent Company financial statements is applicable law and UK adopted international accounting standards and, as regards the Parent Company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence

We are independent of the Group and the Parent Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

Material uncertainty related to going concern

We draw attention to note 1 to the financial statements which indicates that the Group's ability to continue as a going concern is reliant upon cash generated from the Cobre asset and is also dependent on raising near term funding to progress the development of the Leigh Creek Copper Mine and Redmoor projects and provide working capital. As stated in note 1, these conditions, along with other matters set out in note 1, indicate a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the Group and Parent Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

We identified going concern as a key audit matter based on our assessment of the significance of the risk and the effect on our audit strategy.

Our evaluation of the Directors' assessment of the Group and the Parent Company's ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting and our audit procedures in response to this key audit matter included the following:

-- We obtained and reviewed the Directors' assessment with regards to going concern and audited the key assumptions used by management in assessing the going concern status.

-- We have obtained and assessed the Directors' cash flow forecasts based on our knowledge of the business, including considering potential risks and uncertainties associated with the Group.

-- We compared recent sales information to the Directors' forecast including the impact of the continued loss of one of the groups major customers.

-- We have carried out sensitivity analysis testing and reverse stress testing on the forecasts to test the assumptions central to the LCCM asset carrying value .

-- We discussed with Management and the Board the Group's strategy to obtain further capital to fund its development plans and non-discretionary expenditure as required.

-- We have obtained and reviewed post year-end board minutes to confirm the group's ability to secure short-term financing as is required.

-- We reviewed and considered the adequacy of the disclosure within the financial statements relating to the directors' assessment of the going concern basis of preparation and the disclosure of the material uncertainties.

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Overview

 
 
                       100% (2021: 100%) of Group revenue 
   Coverage            99% (2021: 99%) of Group total assets 
 Key audit matters                                                2022   2021 
                        Going Concern                               P      P 
                        Carrying value of property, plant,          P      P 
                         and equipment - Leigh Creek development 
                         asset 
                        Carrying value of exploration               P      P 
                         and evaluation assets 
                         Revenue recognition 
                         Management override of controls 
                    --------------------------------------------------------- 
                     Group financial statements as a whole 
   Materiality 
                      $152,000 (2021: $220,000) based on 1.0% 
                      (2021: 1.5%) of Total Assets. 
                    ---------------------------------------------------------

An overview of the scope of our audit

Our Group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group and its environment, including the Group's system of internal control, and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. In particular, we looked at areas where the Directors' made subjective judgements, which involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain, such as their going concern assessment. We also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including assessing whether there was evidence of bias by the Directors that may have represented a risk of material misstatement.

In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the Group financial statements, and to ensure we had adequate quantitative coverage of significant accounts in the financial statements, our Group audit scope focused on the Group's principal operating locations being Australia (Leigh Creek Copper Mine Pty Ltd, "LCCM"), USA (Strategic Minerals Group LLC, "SMG") and the United Kingdom (Cornwall Resources Limited "CRL" and Strategic Minerals Plc "SML, Parent Company").

LCCM, SMG, CRL and SML were regarded as being significant components of the Group, which were selected, based on their size and risk characteristics and were subject to full scope audits.

The remaining components of the Group were considered non-significant, and these components were principally subject to analytical review procedures.

The audits of each component were performed in the United Kingdom and were conducted by the Group engagement team .

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit, and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. In addition to the matter identified in the material uncertainty related to going concern section above we determined that the following were key audit matters.

 
 Key audit matter                          How the scope of our audit 
                                            addressed the key audit matter 
 Carrying value       The carrying value                   Our procedures in relation 
 of Leigh Creek       of the Group's                       to management's assessment 
 development asset    Property, plant                      of the carrying value of LCCM 
                      and equipment -                      included, but were not limited 
 Refer to note        Development asset                    to the following: 
 2 and 11 of the      amounted to US$7.8 
 Financial            million and                           *    We reviewed Management's assessment of indicators of 
 statements           represents                                 impairment for LCCM and considered the requirements 
 for further          capitalised                                of IAS36 Impairment of assets ("IAS 36"). 
 information.         development 
                      expenditure on 
                      the Leigh Creek                       *    We reviewed the license documentation, confirmed that 
                      Copper Mine                                valid licenses exist, discussed with management the 
                      ("LCCM"),                                  current renewal position of licenses which were due 
                      ("Development                              to expire and assessed if the Group is in compliance 
                      asset").                                   with license terms. 
 
                      Management are 
                      required to assess                    *    We challenged the key estimates and assumptions 
                      at least annually,                         applied in the valuation model. This included the 
                      whether there is                           following: 
                      any indication 
                      that the Group's 
                      development assets                    *    Comparing the key inputs in the current year 
                      may be impaired.                           impairment model against the prior year model and 
                      Management are                             enquired of management the rationale for any changes

                      required to                                in inputs used. 
                      perform 
                      a detailed 
                      assessment                            *    Comparing forecast copper pricing against market 
                      if there are                               pricing. 
                      indicators 
                      of potential 
                      impairment.                           *    Comparing foreign exchange rate assumptions to market 
                                                                 forecasts. 
                      The assessment 
                      of the recoverable 
                      value of the                          *    Assessing the methodology applied and the consistency 
                      Development                                of the fair value less cost to sell method used 
                      asset requires                             against the requirements of IAS 36, and tested the 
                      significant                                mathematical accuracy and integrity of management's 
                      judgment                                   model. 
                      and estimates to 
                      be made by 
                      management 
                      - in particular                       *    We reviewed management's sensitivity analysis and 
                      regarding the                              performed our own sensitivity analysis and stress 
                      inputs                                     testing with the assistance of Shipleys financial 
                      applied in the                             modelling expert. 
                      models including; 
                      forecast copper 
                      prices, exchange 
                      rates production 
                      and reserves,                        Key observation: 
                      discount 
                      rates, operating                     Based on our audit procedures 
                      and development                      carried out we can confirm 
                      costs and forecast                   that the LCCM asset is not 
                      project                              impaired. 
                      commencement 
                      date. 
 
 
                      The carrying value 
                      of the Leigh Creek 
                      development asset 
                      is therefore 
                      considered 
                      a key audit matter 
                      given the level 
                      of judgment and 
                      estimation 
                      involved. 
                     -------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
 Key audit matter                                How the scope of our audit 
                                                  addressed the key audit matter 
 Carrying value          The Group's                       Our procedures included, but 
 of exploration          capitalised                       were not limited to the following: 
 and evaluation          exploration 
 assets                  expenditure                        *    We reviewed management's current Impairment 
                         in Cornwall Resources                   assessment report for CRL in accordance with the 
 Refer to note           Limited ("CRL")                         requirements of IFRS 6. This included performing the 
 9 of the                amounted to $5.2m                       following procedures: 
 Financial statements    at year-end. 
 for further 
 information.            The Directors have                 *    We reviewed the Group's licence documentation to 
                         assessed whether                        confirm that the Group has valid tenure over its area 
                         there are any                           of interest. 
                         indications 
                         that these assets 
                         may be impaired                    *    We discussed with management the exploration activity 
                         in accordance with                      undertaken during the year to assess if there are any 
                         the requirements                        facts or circumstances that would indicate that the 
                         of IFRS 6 Exploration                   project is uneconomical or unlikely to be developed. 
                         for and Evaluation 
                         of Mineral Resources 
                         ("IFRS 6").                        *    We obtained budgets, cash-flow forecasts and minutes 
                                                                 of meetings to confirm that there is an intention to 
                         Due to the value                        continue to explore the project area. 
                         attributed to the 
                         assets and the 
                         significant level 
                         of judgement involved             Key observation: 
                         in the impairment 
                         analysis, the                     Based on the work performed 
                         carrying                          we found management's assessment 
                         value of Exploration              of the carrying value of CRL 
                         and Evaluation                    to be appropriate. 
                         assets is considered 
                         to be a key audit 
                         matter. 
                        ----------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
 Key audit matter                                    How the scope of our audit 
                                                      addressed the key audit matter 
 Revenue recognition         There is a presumed        Our procedures included, but 
                              risk of fraud and          were not limited to the following: 
  Refer to note               error in revenue 
  1 of the                    recognition .               *    We carried out procedures to test revenue and to 
  Financial statements                                         consider whether the application of the revenue 
  for further information.                                     recognition policy was appropriate. 
 
 
                                                          *    We carried out revenue cut of testing to ensure that 
                                                               revenue was recognised within the correct accounting 
                                                               period. 
 
 
 
                                                         Key observation: 
 
                                                         Based on the work performed 
                                                         we can conclude that revenue 
  Management override                                    has been recognised in the 
  of controls                                            correct accounting period 
                              There is a presumed        and is not materially misstated. 
                              risk that Management 
                              is able override 
                              controls.                  We have reviewed journal adjustments 
                                                         and the rationale behind them 
                                                         and have considered whether 
                                                         these have been subject to 
                                                         potential management bias. 
 
                                                         Key observations: 
 
                                                         From our procedures carried 
                                                         out no adverse issues were 
                                                         identified with regards to 
                                                         management override of controls. 
                            ----------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------

Our application of materiality

We apply the concept of materiality both in planning and performing our audit, and in evaluating the effect of misstatements. We consider materiality to be the magnitude by which misstatements, including omissions, could influence the economic decisions of reasonable users that are taken on the basis of the financial statements.

In order to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that any misstatements exceed materiality, we use a lower materiality level, performance materiality, to determine the extent of testing needed. Importantly, misstatements below these levels will not necessarily be evaluated as immaterial as we also take account of the nature of identified misstatements, and the particular circumstances of their occurrence, when evaluating their effect on the financial statements as a whole.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole and performance materiality as follows:

 
                         Group financial statements          Parent company financial 
                                                                    statements 
                           2022             2021             2022               2021 
                             $                $                $                  $ 
                      --------------  ---------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 Materiality              152,000         220,000           88,000            136,000 
                      --------------  ---------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 Basis for              1% of Total    1.5% of Total      1% of Total      1.5% of Total 
  determining              Assets          Assets            Assets            Assets 
  materiality 
                      --------------  ---------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 Rationale             We consider total assets         The Parent Company is 
  for the benchmark     to be the most significant       a holding company which 
  applied               determinant of the Group's       performs fund raising 
                        financial performance            activities and incurs 
                        as the Group has invested        other administrative 
                        significantly in its             expenditure. As the strategic 
                        Development and Exploration      focus of the Company 
                        assets and these are             is monetising its asset 
                        considered to be the             base, we have determined 
                        key value driver for             that an asset based materiality 
                        the Group.                       is the appropriate basis 
                                                         of materiality. 
                      -------------------------------  ----------------------------------- 
 Performance 
  materiality             114,000         165,000           66,000            102,000 
                      --------------  ---------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
 Basis for             We use a different level of materiality (performance 
  determining           materiality) to determine the extent of our 
  performance           testing for the audit of the financial statements. 
  materiality           Performance materiality is set based on the 
                        audit materiality as adjusted for the judgements 
                        made as to the entity risk and our evaluation 
                        of specific risk of each audit areas having 
                        regard to the internal control environment. 
                        Performance materiality was set at 75% of the 
                        above materiality level. 
                      --------------------------------------------------------------------

Component materiality

We set materiality for each component of the Group based on a percentage of between 50% and 60% (2021: 50% and 70%) of Group materiality dependent on the size and our assessment of the risk of material misstatement of that component. Component materiality ranged from $76,000 to $91,200 (2021: $110,000 and $154,000). In the audit of each component, we further applied performance materiality levels of 75% (2021: 75%) of the component materiality to our testing to ensure that the risk of errors exceeding component materiality was appropriately mitigated.

Reporting threshold

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them all individual audit differences in excess of $7,600 (2021: $4,000). We also agreed to report differences below this threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

Other information

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Other Companies Act 2006 reporting

Based on the responsibilities described below and our work performed during the course of the audit, we are required by the Companies Act 2006 and ISAs (UK) to report on certain opinions and matters as described below.

 
 Strategic                     In our opinion, based on the work undertaken 
  report and                    in the course of the audit: 
  Directors'                     *    the information given in the Strategic report and the 
  report                              Report of the directors' for the financial year for 
                                      which the financial statements are prepared is 
                                      consistent with the financial statements; and 
 
 
                                 *    the Strategic report and the Report of the directors' 
                                      have been prepared in accordance with applicable 
                                      legal requirements. 
 
 
 
                                In the light of the knowledge and understanding 
                                of the Group and Parent Company and its environment 
                                obtained in the course of the audit, we have 
                                not identified material misstatements in the 
                                strategic report or the Directors' report. 
 Matters                 We have nothing to report in respect of the following 
  on which                matters in relation to which the Companies Act 
  we are required         2006 requires us to report to you if, in our 
  to report               opinion: 
  by exception 
                           *    adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 
                                Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit 
                                have not been received from branches not visited by 
                                us; or 
 
 
                           *    the Parent Company financial statements are not in 
                                agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 
 
 
                           *    certain disclosures of Directors' remuneration 
                                specified by law are not made; or 
 
 
                           *    we have not received all the information and 
                                explanations we require for our audit. 
                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Responsibilities of Directors

As explained more fully in the Statement of directors' responsibilities, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group's and the Parent Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Extent to which the audit was capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

-- Holding discussions with the Directors and the Audit Committee and considering any known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations or fraud;

-- Making enquiries of Directors as to whether there was any correspondence from regulators in so far as the correspondence related to the Financial Statements;

-- Reviewing minutes from board meetings of those charges with governance to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;

-- Gaining an understanding of the laws and regulations relevant to the Group and Parent Company and the industry in which it operates, through discussion with management and our knowledge of the industry. These included the listing rules, the financial reporting framework, UK Companies Law, tax legislation and environmental regulations in the UK, USA and Australia;

-- Communicating relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and remaining alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit;

   --      Agreeing the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;

-- Assessing the susceptibility of the Group and Parent Company financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur by making enquiries of the Directors and the Audit Committee during the planning and execution phases of our audit. We considered the area in which fraud might occur was in the management override of controls. In response our procedures included, but were not limited to;

o Addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls by testing the appropriateness of a sample of journal entries where we considered there to be a higher risk of potential fraud and other adjustments, assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates specifically those in the key audit matters section of the report are indicative of a potential bias, and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business;

o Testing the consolidation entries for consistency and appropriateness of application

Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website at:

www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities .   This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the Parent Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Parent Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Parent Company and the Parent Company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Shane Moloney (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of

Shipleys LLP

Statutory Auditor

London

19 June 2023

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2022

 
                                                              Year to       Year to 
                                                          31 December   31 December 
                                                   Note          2022          2021 
                                                                $'000         $'000 
 
 Revenue                                              4         2,446         2,611 
 Raw materials and consumables used                             (494)         (524) 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 
 Gross profit                                                   1,952         2,087 
 
 Other Income                                         5            13             - 
 Overhead expenses                                    5       (1,546)       (1,745) 
 Other expenses                                       5          (29)          (63) 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 
 Profit (Loss) from operations                                    390           279 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 
 Finance Expense                                      5             -           (7) 
 Lease Interest                                       5          (18)          (15) 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 
 Profit (loss) before taxation                                    372           257 
 
 Income tax charge                                    7         (288)         (101) 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 Profit (loss) for the period attributable 
  to the owners of the parent                                      84           156 
 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Items that may be reclassified subsequently 
  to profit or loss: 
 Exchange gain arising on translation of 
  foreign operations                                          (1,027)         (516) 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable 
  to the owners of the parent                                   (943)         (360) 
                                                             ________      ________

Profit (loss) per share attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the parent:

 
 Basic     8   c0.05   c0.10 
 Diluted   8   c0.05   c0.10

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2022

 
                                                  2022       2021 
                                      Notes      $'000      $'000 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Other Intangible Asset                   9        544        582 
 Exploration and evaluation assets        9      4,983      5,228 
                                         1, 
 Property, plant, and equipment          11      8,223      7,485 
 Right of Use Assets                     18        584        717 
 Other Receivables                       13        136        145 
                                              ________   ________ 
                                                14,470     14,157 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                             12          5          4 
 Trade and other receivables             13        319        485 
 Income tax prepayment /refund            7         88         63 
 Prepayments                             13         25          6 
 Cash and cash equivalents               14        341        611 
                                              ________   ________ 
                                                   779      1,169 
                                              ________   ________ 
 Total Assets                                   15,248     15,326 
                                              ________   ________ 
 Equity and liabilities 
 Share capital                           19      2,916      2,916 
 Share premium reserve                   19     49,387     49,387 
 Share options reserve                   20          -         97 
 Merger reserve                                 21,300     21,300 
 Foreign exchange reserve                      (1,334)      (307) 
 Warrant reserve                         19          -        153 
 Other reserves                               (23,023)   (23,023) 
 Retained earnings                            (36,403)   (36,748) 
                                              ________   ________ 
 Total Equity                                   12,843     13,775 
                                              ________   ________ 
 Liabilities 
 Non-current Liabilities 
                                         1, 
 Provision                               16      1,191        421 
 Lease Liabilities                       18        305        420 
                                              ________   ________ 
                                                 1,496        841 
 Current liabilities 
 Income Tax payable                       7        261          - 
 Trade and other payables                15        366        408 
 Lease Liabilities                       18        282        302 
                                              ________   ________ 
                                                   909        710 
                                              ________   ________ 
 Total Liabilities                               2,405      1,551 
                                              ________   ________ 
 Total Equity and Liabilities                   15,248     15,326 
                                              ________   ________

These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 19 June 2023

and were signed on its behalf by:

John Peters

Director

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2022

 
                                                       2022       2021 
                                           Notes      $'000      $'000 
 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Investments in subsidiary undertakings       10      4,142      4,523 
 Loans to subsidiary undertakings             10      4,634      4,483 
                                                   ________   ________ 
 
                                                      8,776      9,006 
                                                   ________   ________ 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables                  13         17         21 
 Cash and cash equivalents                    14          9         40 
                                                   ________   ________ 
 
                                                         26         61 
                                                   ________   ________ 
 
 Total Assets                                         8,802      9,067 
                                                   ________   ________ 
 Equity and liabilities 
 Share capital                                19      2,916      2,916 
 Share premium reserve                        19     49,387     49,387 
 Share options reserve                        20          -         97 
 Merger reserve                                      21,300     21,300 
 Foreign exchange reserve                           (1,378)    (1,257) 
 Warrant Reserve                              19          -        153 
 Retained earnings                                 (65,469)   (64,891) 
                                                   ________   ________ 
 
 Total Equity                                         6,756      7,705 
                                                   ________   ________ 
 Liabilities 
 
 Non -Current Liabilities 
 Loans from Subsidiary undertakings           16      1,919      1,221 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                     15        127        141 
                                                   ________   ________ 
 
 Total Liabilities                                    2,046      1,362 
                                                   ________   ________ 
 
 Total Equity and Liabilities                         8,802      9,067 
                                                   ________   ________

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the statement of comprehensive income of the parent Company is not presented as part of these financial statements. The parent Company made a loss for the year of $839,000 (2021: $633,000).

These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 19 June 2023

and were signed on its behalf by:

John Peters

Director

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2022

 
                                                  Notes       Year to       Year to 
                                                          31 December   31 December 
                                                                 2022          2021 
                                                                $'000         $'000 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 
 Profit/(loss)                                                     84           156 
 Adjustments for: 
 
 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment       11            16            52 
 Amortisation of Right of Use Asset                  18           278           158 
 Finance expense                                                    -             7 
 Income Tax expense                                   7           288           101 
 Decrease in inventory                                            (1)           (1) 
 Decrease (increase) in trade and other 
  receivables                                                     212           161 
 Decrease (increase) in prepayments                              (19)            10 
 (Decrease)/ increase in trade and other 
  payables                                                       (42)            92 
 Decrease/ (increase) in prepaid income 
  tax                                                            (25)          (63) 
 Income tax paid                                                 (27)         (121) 
 Share based payment expense                         20            11            58 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 Net cash generated from/ (used in) operating 
  activities                                                      775           610 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 Investing activities 
 Increase in PPE development asset                   11         (490)         (584) 
 Receipt of research and development incentive                      -             - 
 Increase in exploration and evaluation 
  assets                                              9         (226)         (564) 
 Increase in PPE                                     11             -           (4) 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 Net cash used in investing activities                          (717)       (1,152) 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 Financing activities 
 Net proceeds from issue of equity share 
  capital                                            19             -           523 
 Lease payments                                      18         (320)         (195) 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 Net cash generated from financing activities                   (320)           328 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 
 Net increase  (decrease) in cash and 
  cash equivalents                                              (262)         (214) 
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
  of year                                                         611           833 
 Effects of exchange rate changes on the 
  balance of cash 
  held in foreign currencies                                      (8)           (8) 
                                                             ________      ________ 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of 
  year                                               14           341           611 
                                                             ________      ________

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2022

 
                                                 Notes       Year to       Year to 
                                                         31 December   31 December 
                                                                2022          2021 
                                                               $'000         $'000 
 
 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 
 Profit / (loss)                                               (839)         (633) 
 Adjustments for: 
 Foreign exchange on investment in subsidiary 
  undertakings                                      10           381          (41) 
 Charge to receivables from subsidiary 
  undertakings                                      10           326            11 
 (Increase)/decrease in trade and other 
  receivables                                                  (254)           204 
 Increase(decrease) in trade and other 
  payables                                                      (15)            26 
 Decrease (increase) in prepayments                                -             - 
 Share based payment expense                                      11            58 
                                                            ________      ________ 
 
 Net cash used in operating activities                         (390)         (375) 
                                                            ________      ________ 
 
 Investing activities 
 Receipts from (advances) to subsidiary 
  undertakings                                                   366         (497) 
                                                            ________      ________ 
 
 Net cash used in investing activities                           366         (497) 
                                                            ________      ________ 
 
 
 Financing activities 
 Net proceeds from issue of equity share 
  capital                                           19             -           523 
                                                            ________      ________ 
 Net cash generated from financing activities                      -           523 
                                                            ________      ________ 
 
 Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                                   (24)           349 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
  of year                                                         40           394 
 Effects of exchange rate changes on the 
  balance of cash held in foreign currencies                     (7)           (5) 
                                                            ________      ________ 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year           14             9            40 
                                                            ________      ________

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2022

 
 
                                   Share                         Share       Initial    Foreign 
                         Share   premium    Merger   Warrant   options   Restructure   exchange   Retained    Total 
                       capital   reserve   Reserve   Reserve   reserve       Reserve    reserve   earnings   equity 
                         $'000     $'000     $'000     $'000     $'000         $'000      $'000      $'000    $'000 
 
Balance at 
 1 January 
 2021                    2,770    49,010    21,300       153       272      (23,023)        209   (37,139)   13,552 
                       _______   _______   _______   _______   _______       _______    _______    _______  _______ 
 
Loss for the 
 year                        -         -         -         -         -             -          -        156      156 
Foreign exchange 
 translation                 -         -         -         -         -             -      (516)          -    (516) 
                                                                                        _______    _______  _______ 
Total comprehensive 
 income/(loss) 
 for the year                -         -         -         -         -             -      (516)        156    (360) 
 
Share based 
 payments                    -         -         -         -        60             -          -          -       60 
 
Transfer                     -         -         -         -     (235)             -          -        235        - 
 
Shares issued 
 in the year               146       405         -         -         -             -          -          -      551 
 
Share issue 
 costs                       -      (28)         -         -         -             -          -          -        - 
                       _______   _______   _______   _______   _______       _______    _______    _______  _______ 
Balance at 
 31 December 
 2021                    2,916    49,387    21,300       153        97      (23,023)      (307)   (36,748)   13,775 
 
Profit for 
 the year                    -         -         -         -         -             -          -         84       84 
Foreign exchange 
 translation                 -         -         -         -         -             -    (1,027)          -  (1,027) 
                                                                                        _______    _______  _______ 
Total comprehensive 
 income for 
 the year                    -         -         -         -         -             -    (1,027)         84    (943) 
 
Share based 
 payments                    -         -         -         -        11             -          -                  11 
 
Transfer                     -         -         -     (153)     (108)             -          -        261        - 
 
                       _______   _______   _______   _______   _______       _______    _______    _______  _______ 
Balance at 
 31 December 
 2022                    2,916    49,387    21,300         -         -      (23,023)    (1,334)   (36,403)   12,843 
                       _______   _______   _______   _______   _______       _______    _______    _______  _______

All comprehensive income is attributable to the owners of the parent Company.

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2022

 
                                    Share                         Share    Foreign 
                          Share   Premium    Merger   Warrant   Options   exchange   Retained    Total 
                        capital   Reserve   reserve   Reserve   Reserve    reserve   Earnings   Equity 
                          $'000     $'000     $'000     $'000     $'000      $'000      $'000    $'000 
 
Balance at 
 1 January 2020           2,770    49,010    21,300       153       272    (1,153)   (64,493)    7,859 
 
Loss for the 
 year                         -         -         -         -         -          -      (633)    (633) 
 
Foreign exchange 
 translation                  -         -         -         -         -      (104)          -    (104) 
                                                                           _______    _______  _______ 
Total comprehensive 
 loss for the 
 year                                                                        (104)      (633)    (737) 
 
Share based payments          -         -         -         -        60          -          -       60 
 
Transfer                      -         -         -         -     (235)          -        235        - 
 
Shares issued 
 in the year                146       405         -         -         -          -          -      551 
 
Share issue costs             -      (28)         -         -         -          -          -     (28) 
                        _______   _______   _______   _______   _______    _______    _______  _______ 
Balance at 
 31 December 
 2021                     2,916    49,387    21,300       153        97    (1,257)   (64,891)    7,705 
 
Loss for the 
 year                         -         -         -         -         -          -      (839)    (839) 
 
Foreign exchange 
 translation                  -         -         -         -         -      (121)          -    (121) 
                                                                           _______    _______  _______ 
Total comprehensive 
 profit for the 
 year                                                                        (121)      (839)    (960) 
 
Share based payments          -         -         -         -        11          -          -       11 
 
Transfer                      -         -         -     (153)     (108)          -        261        - 
 
                        _______   _______   _______    ______   _______    _______    _______  _______ 
 
Balance at 
 31 December 
 2022                     2,916    49,387    21,300                   -    (1,378)   (65,469)    6,756 
                        _______   _______   _______         -   _______    _______    _______  _______

All comprehensive income is attributable to the owners of the parent Company.

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Share capital is the amount subscribed for shares at nominal value.

Share premium reserve represents the excess of the amount subscribed for share capital over the nominal value of these shares net of share issue expenses.

Merger reserve arises from the 100% acquisition of Ebony Iron Pty Limited in September 2011 and LCCM In April 2018 whereby the excess of the fair value of the issued ordinary share capital issued over the nominal value of these shares is transferred to this reserve, in accordance with section 612 of the Companies Act 2006.

Share option reserve relates to increases in equity for services received in equity-settled share-based payment transactions and on the grant of share options.

Initial restructure reserve consists of an adjustment arising from the Group reorganisation in 2011 being the formation of a new holding Company for Iron Glen Holdings Limited by way of a share for share issue and is the difference between consideration given and net assets of the Company at the date of acquisition.

The group foreign exchange reserve occurs on consolidation of the translation of the subsidiaries balance sheets at the closing rate of exchange and their income statements at the average rate.

The company foreign exchange reserve recognises the exchange differences arising on translating the closing net assets of the Company at the closing rate at the balance sheet date, and the results of Company's operations at average exchange rate for the year.

Warrants reserve represents the value of warrants issued. Warrants reserve is non-distributable and will be transferred to share premium account upon the exercise of warrants. The balance of warrants reserve in relation to the unexercised warrants at the expiry of the warrants period will be transferred to retained earnings.

Retained earnings represent the cumulative loss of the Group attributable to equity shareholders.

STRATEGIC MINERALS PLC

NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2022

   1.   Significant accounting policies

Basis of preparation

In preparing these financial statements the presentational currency is US dollars. As the entire group's revenues and majority of its costs, assets and liabilities are denominated in US dollars it is considered appropriate to report in this currency.

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. The policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Standards and UK adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with adopted IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires Group management to exercise judgment in applying the Group's accounting policies. The areas where significant judgments and estimates have been made in preparing the financial statements and their effect are disclosed in note 2.

The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for the acquisition of LCCM and the valuation of certain investments which have been measured at fair value, not historical cost.

Going concern basis

Group forecasts are based on Management's expectations of a recovery in the second half of 2023 and 2024 to 2021 levels. For the purposes of the consideration of the Group's ability to operate as a going concern, only non-discretionary expenditure on projects is included in the cash flow forecasts.

The financial report does not include adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded

asset amounts or to the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Group not continue as a going concern.

N ew standards, interpretations, and amendments effective 01 January 2022:

A number of new and amended standards and interpretations issued by IASB have become effective for the first time for financial periods beginning on (or after) 1 January 2022 and have been applied by the Group in these financial statements. None of these new and amended standards and interpretations had a significant effect on the Group because they are either not relevant to the Group's activities or require accounting which is consistent with the Group's current accounting policies.

New standards, interpretations, and amendments effective 01 January 2023:

There are a number of standards, amendments to standards, and interpretations which have been issued by the IASB that are effective in future accounting periods and which have not been adopted early.

Basis of consolidation

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. In determining whether de-facto control exists the company considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including:

- The size of the company's voting rights relative to both the size and dispersion of other parties who hold voting rights,

- substantive potential voting rights held by the company and by other parties,

- other contractual arrangements and

- historic patterns in voting attendance.

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.

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of business combinations using the acquisition method. In the statement of financial position, the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their fair values at the acquisition date. The results of acquired operations are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income from the date on which control is obtained. They are deconsolidated from the date on which control ceases.

Investment in joint arrangements

The Group is a party to a joint arrangement when there is a contractual arrangement that confers joint control over the relevant activities of the arrangement to the group and at least one other party. Joint control is assessed under the same principles as control over subsidiaries.

The group classifies its interests in joint arrangements as either:

   --      Joint ventures: where the group has rights to only the net assets of the joint arrangement.

-- Joint operations: where the group has both the rights to assets and obligations for the liabilities of the joint arrangement.

In assessing the classification of interests in joint arrangements, the Group considers:

   --      The structure of the joint arrangement 
   --      The legal form of joint arrangements structured through a separate vehicle 
   --      The contractual terms of the joint arrangement agreement 
   --      Any other facts and circumstances (in any other contractual arrangements).

The Group accounts for its interests in joint ventures initially at cost in the consolidated statement of financial position. Subsequently joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method where the Group's share of post-acquisition profits and losses and other comprehensive income is recognised in the consolidated statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income (except for losses in excess of the Group's investment in the associate unless there is an obligation to make good those losses).

Profits and losses arising on transactions between the Group and its joint ventures are recognised only to the extent of unrelated investors' interests in the joint venture. The investor's share in the joint ventures' profits and losses resulting from these transactions is eliminated against the carrying value of the joint venture.

Any premium paid for an investment in a joint venture above the fair value of the Group's share of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is capitalised and included in the carrying amount of the investment in joint venture. Where there is objective evidence that the investment in a joint venture has been impaired the carrying amount of the investment is tested for impairment in the same way as other non-financial assets.

The Group accounts for its interests in joint operations by recognising its share of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in accordance with its contractually conferred rights and obligations. In accordance with IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements, the Group is required to apply all of the principles of IFRS 3 Business Combinations when it acquires an interest in a joint operation that constitutes a business as defined by IFRS 3.Where there is an increase in the stake of the joint venture entity from an associate to a subsidiary and the acquisition is considered as an asset acquisition and not a business combination in accordance with IFRS3, this step up transaction is accounted for as the purchase of a single asset and the cost of the transaction is allocated in its entirety to that asset with no gain or loss recognised in the income statement. The step-up acquisition of CRL in 2019 has been accounted for as a purchase of a single asset and the cost of the transaction is allocated in its entirety to that balance sheet.

Listed equity investments

Listed equity investments in an active market are usually valued at the mid-price on the valuation date.

Business combinations

Acquisitions of subsidiaries and businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method under IFRS3 Business Combinations ("IFRS3"). The cost of the business combination is measured as the aggregate of the fair values (at the date of exchange) of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments issued by the Group and the Company in exchange for control of the acquiree. The acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that meet the relevant conditions for recognition are recognised at their fair values at the acquisition date. Goodwill arising on acquisition is recognised as an asset and initially measured at cost, being the excess of the fair value of the consideration paid over the Group's interest in the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired. If the Group's interest in the fair value of the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities exceeds the cost of the business combination, the excess is recognised immediately in profit or loss. Transaction costs incurred directly in connection with business combinations are expensed.

Impairment of non-financial assets (excluding inventories)

Other non-financial assets are subject to impairment tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Where the carrying value of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount (i.e., the higher of value in use and fair value less costs to sell), the asset is written down accordingly.

Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the impairment test is carried out on the smallest Group of assets to which it belongs for which there are separately identifiable cash flows: its cash generating units ('CGUs').

Impairment charges are included in the statement of comprehensive income, except to the extent they reverse gains previously recognised in other comprehensive income.

Externally acquired intangible assets

Externally acquired intangible assets are initially recognised at cost and subsequently amortised over their useful economic lives.

Intangible assets are recognised on business combinations if they are separable from the acquired entity or give rise to other contractual or legal rights. The amounts ascribed to such intangibles are arrived at by using appropriate valuation techniques (see section related to critical estimates and judgements below).

An intangible asset was recognised in the acquisition of Leigh Creek Copper Mine Pty Ltd and represents the fair value of the offtake agreement that was in place at acquisition date (Refer note 9).

Exploration and evaluation assets

The Group has continued to apply the 'successful efforts' method of accounting for Exploration and Evaluation ("E&E") costs, having regard to the requirements of IFRS 6 'Exploration for the Evaluation of Mineral Resources'.

The successful efforts method means that only the costs which relate directly to the discovery and development of specific mineral reserves are capitalised. Such costs may include costs of license acquisition, technical services and studies, exploration drilling and testing but do not include costs incurred prior to having obtained the legal rights to explore the area. Under successful efforts accounting, exploration expenditure which is general in nature is charged directly to the statement of comprehensive income and that which relates to unsuccessful exploration operations, though initially capitalised pending determination, is subsequently written off. Only costs which relate directly to the discovery and development of specific commercial mineral reserves will remain capitalised and to be depreciated over the lives of these reserves. Exploration and evaluation costs are capitalised within intangible assets. Costs incurred prior to obtaining legal rights to explore are expensed immediately to the statement of comprehensive income.

All lease and licence acquisition costs, geological and geophysical costs and other direct costs of exploration, evaluation and development are capitalised as intangible or property, plant and equipment according to their nature. Intangible assets comprise costs relating to the exploration and evaluation of properties which the Directors consider to be unevaluated until reserves are appraised as commercial, at which time they are transferred to tangible assets as 'Developed mineral assets' following an impairment review and depreciated accordingly. Where properties are appraised to have no commercial value, the associated costs are treated as an impairment loss in the period in which the determination is made. Management considers all tenements relating to each project to represent one asset when undertaking their impairment assessment.

Property, plant, and equipment

Items of property, plant and equipment are initially recognised at cost. As well as the purchase price, cost includes directly attributable costs.

Depreciation is provided on all items of property, plant, and equipment so as to write off their carrying value over their expected useful economic lives. It is provided at the following rates:

   --      Plant and machinery (except screening equipment) - 5 to 10 years straight line basis 
   --      Screening Equipment - on a unit of production basis 
   --      Mining assets - on a unit of production basis

The carrying value of property, plant and equipment assets is assessed annually and any impairment is to the statement of comprehensive income.

Investments in subsidiaries - company only

Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less provision for any impairment in value.

If circumstances indicate that impairment may exist, investments in subsidiary undertakings of the Company are evaluated using market values, where available, or the discounted expected future cash flows of the investment.

If these cash flows are lower than the Company's carrying value of the investment an impairment charge is recorded in the Company.

Loans to subsidiaries - company only

Loans to subsidiaries are stated at cost less provision for expected credit losses ("ECL's).

The Company recognises an ECL's on intercompany loans, based on management's assessment and understanding of the credit risk attaching to each asset, changes in the level of credit risk between periods and an assessment of the scenarios under which management expect the assets to be repaid.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held on call with under 90 days maturity with banks.

Revenue

Revenue from the sale of magnetite is recognised when the group passes control of the product to the customer, and it is probable the group will receive the funds. Control is considered to have passed when the goods are passed to the buyer, being the point of leaving the mine gate for domestic sales to the US markets. This is point in time when revenue is recognised.

Where a contract allows the group to advance bill ahead of delivery, a contract liability in relation to the outstanding performance obligation is only recognised on the date when payment is received. In those cases, the entity recognises revenue only after it transfers the goods to the buyer.

Inventories

Inventories are initially recognised at cost, and subsequently at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.

Taxation

Income tax

Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the same income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group's liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the statement of financial position date.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the consolidated statement of financial position differs from its tax base, except for differences arising on:

-- the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting or taxable profit; and

-- investments in subsidiaries where the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the difference and it is probable that the difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the difference can be utilised. The Group has not recognised any deferred tax at balance date.

When an asset or liability is raised the amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and are expected to apply when the deferred tax liabilities/(assets) are settled/(recovered).

Fair values

The carrying amounts of the financial assets and liabilities such as cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables of the Group at the statement of financial position date approximated their fair values, due to the relatively short-term nature of these financial instruments.

Share-based compensation

The fair value of the employee and suppliers' services received in exchange for the grant of options and warrants is recognised as an expense. The total amount to be expensed over the vesting period is determined by reference to the fair value of the options and warrants granted, excluding the impact of any non-market vesting conditions (for example, profitability and sales growth targets). Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options and warrants that are expected to vest. At each statement of financial position date, the entity revises its estimates of the number of options and warrants that are expected to vest. It recognises the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, in the statement of comprehensive income, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

The proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction costs are credited to share capital (nominal value) and share premium when the options and warrants are exercised.

The fair value of share-based payments recognised in the statement of comprehensive income is measured by use of the Black Scholes model or other appropriate models, which takes into account conditions attached to the vesting and exercise of the equity instruments. The expected life used in the model is adjusted; based on management's best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, and exercise restrictions. The share price volatility percentage factor used in the calculation is based on management's best estimate of future share price behaviour and is selected based on past experience.

Equity instruments

Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from proceeds.

The fair value of warrants is credited to warrants reserve. The warrants reserve is non-distributable and will be transferred to share premium account upon the exercise of warrants. The balance of the warrants reserve in relation to unexercised warrants at the expiry of the warrants period will be transferred to accumulated profits.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event, and it is probable that the Group will be required to settle that obligation. Provisions are measured at the Directors' best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the statement of financial position date and are discounted to present value where the effect is material.

Provisions for decommissioning costs are recognised in accordance with IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. Provisions are recorded at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the Group's future obligations. Provisions are reviewed at each reporting date to reflect the current best estimate of the cost at present value. Any change in the date on which provisions fall due will change the present value of the provision. Any change in the present value of the estimated future expenditure is reflected and adjusted against the provision and development asset, unless the asset to which the provision relates has been impaired, in which case the reversal of the provision is taken through the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The increase in restoration provisions, owing to the passage of time, is charged to the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income as a finance expense .

Financial instruments

Non-derivative financial instruments comprise trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, loans and borrowings, and trade and other payables.

Non-derivative financial instruments are recognised initially at fair value plus any directly attributable transactions costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost.

A financial instrument is recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are derecognised if the Group's contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial assets expire or if the Group transfers the financial assets to another party without retaining control or substantially all risks and rewards of the asset. Regular purchases and sales of financial assets are accounted for at trade date, i.e., the date that the Group commits itself to purchase or sell the asset. Financial liabilities are derecognised if the Group's obligations specified in the contract expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Financial assets

All financial assets other than an immaterial investment in listed equity shares, which are measured at fair value through profit or loss, are classified as financial assets at amortised cost. The Group determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition.

The Group's financial assets include cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and other receivables.

The Company's financial assets include cash and cash equivalents and loans receivable due from subsidiaries.

The Company recognises a loss allowance for expected credit losses ("ECL") on intercompany loans which are measured at amortised cost. The amount of expected credit losses is updated at each reporting date to reflect changes in credit risk since initial recognition of the respective financial instrument.

If the credit risk on a financial instrument has increased significantly since initial recognition, the loss allowance is equal to the lifetime expected credit losses. If the credit risk has not increased significantly, the loss allowance is equal to the twelve month expected credit losses.

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring credit losses using a lifetime expected credit loss provision for trade receivables.

Further details of the reviews undertaking during the year are set out in Note 3 below.

Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities refer to trade payables, other payables and loans and borrowings (including the host borrowing in a convertible instrument) and are initially recognised at fair value net of any transaction costs directly attributable to the issue of the instrument. Such liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

All loans and borrowings which are financial instruments are initially recognised at the present value of cash payable to the lender (including interest). After initial recognition they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. The effective interest rate amortisation is included in finance costs in the income statement.

Where there is a significant modification to a financial liability, the financial original liability is de-recognised, and a new financial liability is recognised at fair value in accordance with the Group's policy.

Convertible loan notes are assessed in accordance with IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation to determine whether the conversion element meets the fixed-for-fixed criterion. Where this is met, the instrument is accounted for as a compound financial instrument with appropriate presentation of the liability and equity components. Where the fixed-for-fixed criterion is not met, the conversion element is accounted for separately as an embedded derivative which is measured at fair value through profit or loss. On issue of a convertible borrowing, the fair value of embedded derivative is determined, and the residual is recorded as a host liability initially at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost. Issue costs are apportioned between the components based on their respective carrying amounts when the instrument was issued. The finance costs recognised in respect of the convertible borrowings includes the accretion of the liability.

Foreign currencies

Transactions entered into by Group entities in a currency other than the currency of the primary economic environment in which they operate (their "functional currency") are recorded at the rates ruling when the transactions occur. The functional currency of the Company is deemed to be GBP. Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the rates ruling at the reporting date. Exchange differences arising on the retranslation of unsettled monetary assets and liabilities are recognised immediately in profit or loss, except for foreign currency borrowings qualifying as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, in which case exchange differences are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the foreign exchange reserve along with the exchange differences arising on the retranslation of the foreign operation.

On consolidation, the results of overseas operations are translated into US Dollars at rates approximating to those ruling when the transactions took place. All assets and liabilities of overseas operations, including goodwill arising on the acquisition of those operations, are translated at the rate ruling at the reporting date. Exchange differences arising on translating the opening net assets at opening rate and the results of overseas operations at actual rate are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the foreign exchange reserve.

On disposal of a foreign operation, the cumulative exchange differences recognised in the foreign exchange reserve relating to that operation up to the date of disposal are transferred to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

Management of capital

The Group's policy is to ensure that it will always have sufficient cash to allow it to meet its liabilities when they become due. The principal liabilities of the Group arise in respect of the costs of financing working capital as inventory is built up prior to sale.

The Board receives periodic cash flow projections as well as information on cash balances. The Board will not commit to material expenditure prior to being satisfied that sufficient funding is available to the Group to finance the planned programmes.

Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI)

The Group's policy is that any RDTI should be recognised as a government grant, in accordance with IAS20 Accounting for Government Grants. This means it will be recognised as part of profit before tax, either as income or as a reduction of the associated costs.

Where the Group capitalises development costs, then the RDTI amounts received that relate to these costs will be offset against the capitalised development costs or deferred exploration expenditure as the case may be.

Leases

All leases are accounted for by recognising a right-of-use asset and a lease liability except for:

- Leases of low-value assets; and

- Leases with a duration of twelve months or less

Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the contractual payments due to the lessor over the lease term, with the discount rate determined by reference to the rate inherent in the lease unless (as is typically the case) this is not readily determinable, in which case the Group's incremental borrowing rate on commencement of the lease is used. Variable lease payments are only included in the measurement of the lease liability if they depend on an index or rate. In such cases, the initial measurement of the lease liability assumes the variable element will remain unchanged throughout the lease term. Other variable lease payments are expensed in the period to which they relate.

On initial recognition, the carrying value of the lease liability also includes:

- Amounts expected to be payable under any residual value guarantee.

- The exercise price of any purchase option granted in favour of the Group if it is reasonably certain to assess that option;

- Any penalties payable for terminating the lease, if the term of the lease has been estimated on the basis of termination option being exercised.

Right-of-use assets are initially measured at the amount of the lease liability, reduced for any lease incentives received, and increased for:

- Lease payments made at or before commencement of the lease;

- Initial direct costs incurred; and

- The amount of any provision recognised where the Group is contractually required to dismantle, remove, or restore the leased asset

Subsequent to initial measurement lease liabilities increase as a result of interest charged at a constant rate on the balance outstanding and are reduced for lease payments made. Right-of-use assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the lease or over the remaining economic life of the asset if, rarely, this is judged to be shorter than the lease term.

When the Group revises its estimate of the term of any lease (because, for example, it re-assesses the probability of a lessee extension or termination option being exercised), it adjusts the carrying amount of the lease liability to reflect the payments to make over the revised term, which are discounted at the same discount rate that applied on lease commencement. The carrying value of lease liabilities is similarly revised when the variable element of future lease payments dependent on a rate or index is revised. In both cases an equivalent adjustment is made to the carrying value of the right-of-use asset, with the revised carrying amount being amortised over the remaining (revised) lease term.

Government Grants

Government grants received on capital expenditure are generally deducted in arriving at the carrying amount of the asset purchased. Grants for revenue expenditure are netted against the cost incurred by the Group. Where retention of a government grant is dependent on the Group satisfying certain criteria, it is initially recognised as deferred income. When the criteria for retention have been satisfied, the deferred income balance is released to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income or netted against the asset purchased.

   2.   Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The Group makes certain estimates and assumptions regarding the future. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. In the future, actual experience may differ from these estimates and assumptions. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

Estimates

   (a)      Carrying value of intangible assets

Management assesses the carrying value of the exploration and evaluation assets for indicators of impairment based on the requirements of IFRS 6 which are inherently judgemental. This includes ensuring the Group maintains legal title, assessment regarding the commerciality of reserves and the clear intention to move the asset forward to development.

i) The Redmoor projects are early-stage exploration projects and therefore Management have applied judgement in the period as to whether the results from exploration activity provide sufficient evidence to continue to move the asset forward to development. There are no indicators of impairment for the Redmoor project in the 31 December 2022 financial year.

Further detail regarding the carrying value of exploration and evaluation can be found in note 9.

   (b)      Share based payments

The fair value of share-based payments recognised in the statement of comprehensive income is measured by use of the Black Scholes model after taking into account market-based vesting conditions and conditions attached to the vesting and exercise of the equity instruments. The expected life used in the model is adjusted based on management's best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations. The share price volatility percentage factor used in the calculation is based on management's best estimate of future share price behaviour based on past experience. Further details are given in Note 21.

   (c)      Carrying value of amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings.

IFRS9 requires the parent company to make certain assumptions when implementing the forward- looking expected credit loss model. This model is required to be used to assess the intercompany loan receivables from its subsidiaries for impairment. Arriving at an expected credit loss allowance involved considering different scenarios for the recovery of the intercompany loan receivables, the possible credit losses that could arise and probabilities for these scenarios.

The following were considered: the exploration project risk, the future sales potential of product, value of potential reserves and the resulting expected economic outcomes of the project. Further details are given in Note 10.

   (d)      Carrying Value of Development Assets

Management assesses the carrying value of Development assets for indicators of impairment based on the requirements of IAS36 which are inherently judgemental.

The following are the key assumptions used in this assessment of Carrying value.

   i)    Mineable reserves over life of project 
   ii)   Forecasted Copper pricing 
   iii)   Capital and operating cost assumptions to deliver the mining schedule

iv) Foreign exchange rates

   v)   Discount rate

If the carrying amount of the Development asset exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired. The Group will reduce the carrying amount of the asset to its recoverable amount and recognise an impairment loss. The assessment is carried out twice per year - end of half year reporting period and end of annual reporting period.

The assessment of the recoverable amount was conducted on the basis that funding is obtained and the following assumptions apply:

                                                                2022 Analysis                     2021 Analysis 
           Copper price US (average)                    $4.02/lb                            $4.41/lb 
           AUD/USD exchange rate (average)       0.6688                               0.6500 
            Discount Rate after-tax                           8%                                    11%

Commencement of Project;

                       Paltridge North                          July 23                                       July 22 
                       Lynda Lorna Doone                  April 24                           April 23 
   First Sales                                        November 23                  November 22

The NPV based on these assumptions was $24.68m (2021: $22.5m)

The carrying value of the asset is sensitive to market changes in key assumptions. Since the project was acquired at fair value in 2018, there has been significant movement in copper prices, the AUD/USD exchange rate and the expected project commencement date.

Management has conducted sensitivity analysis on these key variables to ascertain the level at which each key variable is required to be to reduce the expected after tax NPV to the current carrying value ($7.80m). Results of these analyses are that the key project assumptions would have to change to, holding the other variables constant:

           Copper price US                                                              $2.93/lb 
           AUD/USD exchange rate                                                   0.9611 
            Discount Rate after-tax                                                      52%

While Management does not expect the extreme swings in key variables required to return the project NPV to the carrying value in the Company's books, sensitivities were conducted on individual key variables with the results as follows:

Variable Change NPV Impact USD

Copper price average -10% -$6.3m

           AUD/USD exchange rate average                                 +5%                          -$1.9m

Discount Rate after-tax +2% -$1.07m

Operating Costs +10% -$3.3m

   (e)      Determination of incremental borrowing rate for leases

Under IFRS 16, where the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be readily determined the incremental borrowing rate is used. The incremental borrowing rate is defined as the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow, over a similar term and with a similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the cost of the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment.

The Group has continued to apply a borrowing rate of 6% to the Plant and Machinery Asset- the interest expense is $7,297 (2021: $11,500) and the initial liability for the 2 year lease which was renewed in 2021 is $297,400 (2021: $297,400).

At a borrowing rate of 5%- the interest expense is $6,025 (2021: $9,700)

At a borrowing rate of 7%- the interest expense is $8,592. (2021: $13,200)

The lease was renewed again in March 2023. The liability for this renewal is $150,114 and was taken up on 31 December 2022 at a borrowing rate of 9.75%

Office Lease

The Group has continued to apply a borrowing rate of 5% to the Office lease - the interest expense is $550 (2021: $1,500) and the initial liability was $56,500.

At a borrowing rate of 3%- the interest expense is $330 (2021: $1,000)

At a borrowing rate of 7%- the interest expense is $765 (2021: $2,200)

As at February 2023, the lease is paid on a month-to-month basis.

Car lease

The Group has continued to apply a borrowing rate of 6% to the Car lease - the interest expense is $188 (2021: $500) and the initial liability is $10,800.

At a borrowing rate of 5%- the interest expense is $156.

At a borrowing rate of 7%- the interest expense is $219.

The lease was renewed again in Feb 2023 for 5 years. The liability for this renewal is $17,375 was taken up on 31 December 2022 at a borrowing rate of 6%

Refer to Note 18 for details in relation to lease arrangements.

Judgements

   (f)      Investments in subsidiaries

Investment in subsidiaries comprises of the cost of acquiring the shares in subsidiaries.

If an impairment trigger is identified and investments in subsidiaries are tested for impairment, estimates are used to determine the expected net return on investment. The estimated return on investment takes into account the underlying economic factors in the business of the Company's subsidiaries including estimated recoverable reserves, resources prices, capital investment requirements, and discount rates among other things. Refer to Note 10 for further details in respect of the recoverability of the investment in subsidiaries.

   (g)      Contingent consideration as part of Asset acquisition

Judgement was required in determining the accounting for the contingent consideration payable as per of the CRL acquisition. The group has an obligation to pay A$1m on net smelter sales arising from CRL production reaching A$50m and a further A$1m on net smelter sales arising from CRL production reaching A$100m.

Whilst a possible obligation exists in relation to the consideration payable, given the early stage of the project it was concluded that at reporting date it is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Therefore, in accordance with IAS 37, a contingent liability, relating to this possible obligation is disclosed in Note 21.

   (h)      Contingent consideration -LCCM Bond Payable

Judgement was required in determining the accounting for the contingent consideration payable for the LCCM Environmental Bond, as determined by the Government of South Australia under the July 2022 PEPR. The group has an obligation to pay a A$1.440m bond prior to commencement of authorised operations at the LCCM site. The bond addresses future liabilities resulting from operations as described in the PEPR.

Whilst a possible obligation exists in relation to the consideration payable, given the project is not in operation, it was concluded that at reporting date it is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Therefore, in accordance with IAS 37, a contingent liability, relating to this possible obligation is disclosed in Note 21.

   3.   Financial instruments - Risk management

The Group is exposed to the following financial risks:

   --      Credit risk 
   --      Foreign exchange risk 
   --      Commodity price risk 
   --      Liquidity risk

In common with all other businesses, the Group is exposed to risks that arise from its use of financial instruments. This note describes the Group's objectives, policies, and processes for managing those risks and the methods used to measure them. Further quantitative information in respect of these risks is presented throughout these financial statements.

There have been no substantive changes in the Group's exposure to financial instrument risks, its objectives, policies, and processes for managing those risks or the methods used to measure them from last year unless otherwise stated in this note.

Principal financial instruments

The principal financial instruments used by the Group, from which financial instrument risk arises, are:

   --      Trade and other receivables 
   --      Cash and cash equivalents 
   --      Restricted cash 
   --      Trade and other payables 
   --      Lease liabilities 
   --      Borrowings

A summary of the financial instruments held by category is provided below:

Financial assets

 
                                    Financial assets at 
                                       Amortised cost 
                                       2022        2021 
 Group                                $'000       $'000 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents              341         611 
 Trade and other receivables            290         435 
                                    _______     _______ 
 
 Total financial assets                 631       1,046 
                                    _______     _______

Financial liabilities

 
                                   Financial liabilities 
                                             at 
                                       amortised cost 
                                        2022         2021 
 Group                                 $'000        $'000 
 
 Trade and other payables                250          279 
 Lease Liability                         587          722 
                                     _______      _______ 
 
 Total financial liabilities             837        1,001

Financial assets at Amortised cost

 
                                                2022      2021 
 Company                                       $'000     $'000 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents                         9        40 
 Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings       4,634     4,483 
                                             _______   _______ 
 
 Total financial assets at Amortised cost      4,643     4,523 
                                             _______   _______

Financial liabilities at Amortised cost

 
                                                     2022      2021 
 Company                                            $'000     $'000 
 
 Trade and other payables                              54        45 
 Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings            1,919     1,221 
                                                  _______   _______ 
 
 Total financial liabilities at Amortised cost      1,973     1,266 
                                                  _______   _______

General objectives, policies and processes

The Board has overall responsibility for the determination of the Group's risk management objectives and policies and, whilst retaining ultimate responsibility for them, it has delegated the authority for designing and operating processes that ensure the effective implementation of the objectives and policies to the Group's finance function. The overall objective of the Board is to set policies that seek to reduce risk as far as possible without unduly affecting the Group's competitiveness and flexibility. Further details regarding these policies are set out below:

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Group is mainly exposed to credit risk from credit sales. It is Group policy, implemented locally, to assess the credit risk of new customers before entering contracts. Such credit assessments are taken into account by local business practices. Further disclosures regarding trade and other receivables, which follow IFRS 9 including expected credit losses, are provided for in Note 13.

The Company is exposed to credit risk through amounts due from its subsidiary undertakings. Refer to Note 1 for details on the credit loss allowance made.

Credit risk also arises from cash and cash equivalents and deposits with banks and financial institutions. For banks and financial institutions, only independently rated parties with minimum rating "A" are accepted.

Foreign exchange risk

Foreign exchange risk arises when individual Group entities enter into transactions denominated in a currency other than their functional currency. The Group's policy is, where possible, to allow Group entities to settle liabilities denominated in their own functional currency (being Pound Sterling, US dollar and Australian dollar) with the cash generated from their own operations where possible in that currency. Where Group entities have liabilities denominated in a currency other than their functional currency (and have insufficient reserves of that currency to settle them), cash already denominated in that currency will, where possible, be transferred from elsewhere within the Group.

The parent Company maintains US dollar and pounds sterling bank accounts, whilst subsidiaries may hold either these currency accounts or their local currency.

All receivables and payables are settled at the prevailing spot rate; no forward contracts or other hedging instruments are currently entered into. The Board monitors the total foreign exchange risk on a periodic basis but given the major in and out flows of cash are in US dollars there is a natural hedge in place which minimises the overall exposure.

Foreign exchange risk (continued)

As of 31 December, the net exposure to foreign exchange risk was as follows:

 
 
                          US dollar         Sterling        Australian dollar         Total 
                         2022     2021     2022     2021       2022       2021     2022     2021 
                        $'000    $'000    $'000    $'000      $'000      $'000    $'000    $'000 
 Group 
 
                                             Net foreign currency financial assets/(liabilities) 
 
                       ______   ______   ______   ______     ______     ______   ______   ______ 
 
 Total net exposure     (213)     (33)       64      191       (56)      (113)    (205)       45 
                       ______   ______   ______   ______     ______     ______   ______   ______

The effect of a 20% strengthening of the Sterling and Australian Dollar against US Dollar at the reporting date on the corresponding net financial assets carried at that date would, all other variables held constant, have resulted in an increase in the post-tax profit for the year of US$3,000 (2021: US$16,000) and an increase of the net assets of US$3,000. A 20% weakening in the exchange rate would, on the same basis, have decreased post-tax profit and decreased net assets by US$3,000 (2021: US$16,000).

 
                              Functional currency of individual entity 
                                     Sterling                  Total 
                                    2022        2021        2022        2021 
                                   $'000       $'000       $'000       $'000 
 Company 
 
 Net foreign currency financial assets/(liabilities) 
                                 _______     _______     _______     _______ 
 Total net exposure                 (45)         (5)        (45)         (5) 
                                 _______     _______     _______     _______

Commodity price risk

Typically, the sale of magnetite to the export market, as opposed to US domestic customers, is priced by reference to the market quoted Platts IODEX 62% Fe CFR China price over which the Group has no influence. There were no exports of product in the 2022 year. As domestic sales prices are determined more by local supply/demand factors and transportation costs, they do not, generally fluctuate with changes in global prices, hence, there is no significant exposure to market price risks expected in the coming year.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk arises from the Group's management of working capital.

The Group's policy is to ensure that it will always have sufficient cash to allow it to meet its liabilities when they become due. To achieve this aim, it seeks to maintain cash balances to meet expected requirements for a period of at least 30 days.

Liquidity risk (continued)

The Board receives periodic cash flow projections as well as information regarding cash balances. The Group does not have any overdraft or credit lines in place. The liquidity risk of each Group entity is managed centrally by the finance function.

The following table sets out the contractual maturities (representing undiscounted contractual cash-flows) of financial liabilities:

 
                                                  Between   Between   Between 
 Group                                 Up to 3   3 and 12   1 and 2   2 and 5      Over 
                                        Months     Months      Year     Years   5 years 
 At 31 December 2022                     $'000      $'000     $'000     $'000     $'000 
 
 Trade and other payables                  250          -         -         -         - 
 Bond payable                                - 
 Lease Liabilities                          71        212       172       133         - 
                                       _______    _______   _______   _______   _______ 
 
 Total                                     321        212       172       133         - 
                                       _______    _______   _______   _______   _______ 
 
                                                  Between   Between   Between 
 Group                                 Up to 3   3 and 12   1 and 2   2 and 5      Over 
                                        Months     months      Year     years   5 years 
 At 31 December 2021                     $'000      $'000     $'000     $'000     $'000 
 
 Trade and other payables                  279          -         -         -         - 
 Lease Liabilities                          76        227       169       251         - 
                                       _______    _______   _______   _______   _______ 
 
 Total                                     355        227       169       251         - 
                                       _______    _______   _______   _______   _______ 
 
 
                                                  Between   Between   Between 
 Company                               Up to 3   3 and 12   1 and 2   2 and 5      Over 
                                        Months     months      year     years   5 years 
 At 31 December 2022                     $'000      $'000     $'000     $'000     $'000 
 
 Trade and other payables                   54          -         -         -         - 
 Loans from subsidiary undertakings          -      1,919         -         -         - 
                                       _______    _______   _______   _______   _______ 
 
 Total                                      54      1,919         -         -         - 
                                       _______    _______   _______   _______   _______ 
 
                                                  Between   Between   Between 
 Company                               Up to 3   3 and 12   1 and 2   2 and 5      Over 
                                        Months     months      year     years   5 years 
 At 31 December 2021                     $'000      $'000     $'000     $'000     $'000 
 
 Trade and other payables                   45          -         -         -         - 
 Loans and borrowings                        -      1,221         -         -         - 
                                       _______    _______   _______   _______   _______ 
 
 Total                                      45      1,221         -         -         - 
                                       _______    _______   _______   _______   _______

Capital Disclosures

The Group monitors "adjusted capital" which comprises all components of equity (i.e., share capital, share premium, merger reserve, and retained earnings).

The Group's objectives when maintaining capital are:

-- to safeguard the entity's ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders, and

   --      to provide an adequate return to shareholders by pricing products with the level of risk.

The Group sets the amount of capital it requires in proportion to risk. The Group manages its capital structure and adjusts it in the light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets.

   4.   Segment information

The Group has four main segments during the period:

-- Southern Minerals Group LLC (SMG) - This segment is involved in the sale of magnetite to both the US domestic market and historically transported magnetite to port for onward export sale.

-- Head Office - This segment incurs all the administrative costs of central operations and finances the Group's operations. A management fee is charged for completing this service and other certain services and expenses.

-- Development Asset - This segment holds the Leigh Creek Copper Mine Development Asset in Australia and incurs all related operating costs.

-- United Kingdom - The investment in the Redmoor project in Cornwall, United Kingdom is held by this segment.

Factors that management used to identify the Group's reportable segments.

The Group's reportable segments are strategic business units that carry out different functions and operations and operate in different jurisdictions.

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision maker has been identified as the board and management team which includes the Board and the Chief Financial Officer.

Measurement of operating segment profit or loss, assets, and liabilities

The Group evaluates segmental performance on the basis of profit or loss from operations calculated in accordance with International Accounting Standards.

Segment assets exclude tax assets and assets used primarily for corporate purposes. Segment liabilities exclude tax liabilities. Loans and borrowings are allocated to the segments in which the borrowings are held. Details are provided in the reconciliation from segment assets and liabilities to the Group's statement of financial position.

 
                              SMG      Head     United   Development          Intra     Total 
                                     Office    Kingdom         Asset        Segment 
                                                                        Elimination 
                             2022      2022       2022          2022           2022      2022 
                            $'000     $'000      $'000         $'000          $'000     $'000 
 
 Revenues                   2,446         -          -             -              -     2,446 
 
 Total Revenue              2,446         -          -             -              -     2,446 
 
 Other Revenue                                      13                                     13 
 Raw Materials 
  and consumables           (494)         -          -             -              -     (494) 
 Overhead 
  expenses                  (563)     (684)       (33)             -             29   (1,251) 
 Management 
  fee income/(expense)      (250)       253          -             -            (3)         - 
 Share based 
  payments                      -      (11)          -             -              -      (11) 
 Amortisation- 
  right of 
  use asset                 (278)         -          -             -              -     (278) 
 Depreciation                (16)         -          -             -              -      (16) 
 (Loss)/ gain 
  on intercompany 
  loans/investments             -     (707)          -             -            707         - 
 Foreign exchange 
  gain/(loss)                   -      (65)          -             -             46      (19) 
                          _______   _______    _______       _______        _______   _______ 
 
 Segment 
  profit /(loss) 
  from operations             845   (1,214)       (20)             -            779     390

                          _______   _______    _______       _______        _______   _______ 
 
 Lease Interest              (16)         -        (2)             -              -      (18) 
 Finance                        -         -          -             -              -         - 
  Expense 
                          _______   _______    _______       _______        _______   _______ 
 
 Segment 
  profit /(loss) 
  before taxation             829   (1,214)       (22)             -            779       372 
                          _______   _______    _______       _______        _______   _______ 
 
 
                              SMG      Head     United   Development          Intra     Total 
                                     Office    Kingdom         Asset        Segment 
                                                                        Elimination 
                             2021      2021       2021          2021           2021      2021 
                            $'000     $'000      $'000         $'000          $'000     $'000 
 
 Revenues                   2,611         -          -             -              -     2,611 
 
 Total Revenue              2,611         -          -             -              -     2,611 
 
 Raw Materials 
  and consumables           (524)         -          -             -              -     (524) 
 Overhead 
  expenses                  (678)     (910)        (8)             -             61   (1,536) 
 Management 
  fee income/(expense)      (398)       396          -             -              2         - 
 Share based 
  payments                      -      (58)          -             -              -      (58) 
 Amortisation- 
  right of 
  use asset                 (158)         -          -             -              -     (158) 
 Depreciation                (52)         -          -             -              -      (52) 
 (Loss)/ gain 
  on intercompany 
  loans/investments             -        29          -             -           (29)         - 
 Foreign exchange 
  gain/(loss)                   -     (478)          -             -            473       (5) 
                          _______   _______    _______       _______        _______   _______ 
 
 Segment 
  profit /(loss) 
  from operations             801   (1,021)        (8)             -            507     279 
                          _______   _______    _______       _______        _______   _______ 
 
 Lease Interest              (12)         -        (3)             -              -      (15) 
 Finance 
  Expense                       -         -          -           (7)              -       (7) 
                          _______   _______    _______       _______        _______   _______ 
 
 Segment 
  profit /(loss) 
  before taxation             789   (1,079)       (11)           (7)            565       257 
                          _______   _______    _______       _______        _______   _______ 
 
 
                                        SMG   Head Office   Development Asset   Australia   United Kingdom     Total 
 As at 31 December 2022               $'000         $'000               $'000       $'000            $'000     $'000 
 
 Additions to non-current assets          -             -                 490           -              226       717 
                                    _______       _______              ______     _______          _______   _______ 
 
 Reportable segment assets            1,166            84               8,813           -            5,185    15,428 
                                    _______       _______              ______     _______          _______   _______ 
 
 Reportable 
  segment liabilities                   910           220               1,233           -               41     2,405 
                                    _______       _______             _______     _______          _______   _______ 
 
 
 
 
 
                                 SMG      Head         Development     United   Australia     Total 
                                        Office    Asset (restated)    Kingdom 
 As at 31 December             $'000     $'000               $'000      $,000       $'000     $'000 
  2021 
 
 Additions to non-current 
  assets                           -         -                 584          -         568     1,152 
                             _______   _______              ______    _______     _______   _______ 
 
 Reportable segment 
  assets                       1,603        82               8,108          -       5,533    15,326 
                             _______   _______              ______    _______     _______   _______ 
 
 Reportable segment 
  liabilities                    795       185                 505          -          66     1,551 
                             _______   _______             _______    _______     _______   _______ 
 
 
 
 
                        External revenue            Non-current assets 
                     by location of customers      by location of assets 
                           2022           2021          2022         2021 
                          $'000          $'000         $'000        $'000 
 
 United States            2,466          2,611           658          802 
 United Kingdom               -              -         5,004        5,258 
 Australia                    -              -         8,807        8,097 
                        _______        _______       _______      _______ 
 
                          2,466          2,611        14,469       14,157 
                        _______        _______       _______      _______

Revenues from Customer A totalled $500,000 (2021: $486,000), which represented 20% (2021: 18%) of total domestic sales in the United States, Customer B totalled $818,000 (2021: $1,059,000) which represented 33% (2021: 40%) of total sales and Customer C totalled $880,000 (2021: $885,000) which represented 36% (2021: 33%). There were no export sales in the year (2021: Nil).

   5.   Profit/(loss) before tax 
 
 Group                                                                             Year to        Year to 
                                                                               31 December    31 December 
 Costs by nature                                                                      2022           2021 
                                                                      Notes          $'000          $'000 
 Operating Profit/(loss) is stated after charging: 
 
 Other Income (i)                                                                       13              - 
 
 Directors' fees and emoluments                                           6            276            428 
 Fees payable to the company's auditor for the                                                        111 
 audit of the parent company and consolidated financial statements                      74 
 Non-Audit Services                                                                     15             13 
 Staff costs                                                              6            485            481 
 Depreciation                                                                           16             52 
 Amortisation of right-of -use assets                                                  278            158 
 Equipment rental (ii)                                                                   3            116 
 Equipment maintenance                                                                  33             60 
 Legal, professional and consultancy fees                                              198            169 
 Travelling and related costs                                                            -              - 
 Other expenses                                                                        173            158 
                                                                                  ________       ________ 
 Overhead Expenses                                                                   1,546          1,745 
 
 Foreign exchange (gain)/loss                                                           18              5 
 Share based payments charge                                                            11             58 
 Finance Fee                                                                             -              7 
 Lease Interest                                                                         18             15 
                                                                                  ________       ________ 
 
                                                                                     1,580          1,830 
                                                                                  ________       ________ 
 
   (i)   During 2022, CRL hired mud mats on a casual basis to a non- related party. 
   (ii)   Equipment hire includes a number of short-term rentals. 
   6.   Directors and employees 
 
 Group                                                               Year to        Year to 
                                                                 31 December    31 December 
 Staff costs during the year                                            2022           2021 
                                                                       $'000          $'000 
 
 Directors' remuneration expense including consultancy fees              276            428 
 Directors' fees capitalised including consulting fees                   161             22 
 Wages and salaries including consulting fees for management             485            481 
 Share based payments                                                     11             58 
                                                                    ________       ________ 
 
 Total staff costs                                                       933            989 
                                                                    ________       ________

Government Grants - Payroll Support

Included in wages expense for 2021 is a $50k US government grant relating to supporting the payroll of SMG's employees. The Group elected to present this government grant as a reduction of the wage expense. SMG does not have any unfulfilled obligations relating to this program. The grant was originally given as a loan to SMG; however, the loan has been forgiven.

The average number of people (including Directors) employed by the Group during the year was:

 
              2022       2021 
            Number     Number 
 
 Total          11         11 
          ________   ________ 
 
 
 Company                                                       Year to        Year to 
                                                           31 December    31 December 
                                                                  2022           2021 
 Staff costs during the year                                     $'000          $'000 
 
 
 Directors' remuneration including consultancy fees                252            364 
 Directors' fees capitalised including consulting fees             161             22 
 Wages and salaries                                                  -              - 
 Share based payments                                               11             58 
                                                              ________       ________ 
 
 Total staff costs                                                 448            444 
                                                              ________       ________

The average number of people (including Directors) employed by the Company during the year was:

 
              2022       2021 
            Number     Number 
 
 Total           4          4 
          ________   ________ 
 
   7.   Taxation 
 
                                                        Year to        Year to 
                                                    31 December    31 December 
                                                           2022           2021 
                                                          $'000          $'000 
 
 Current tax expense - Overseas Tax (USA)                   288            101 
                                                       ________       ________ 
 
                                                            288            101 
                                                       ________       ________ 
 
 Reconciliation of effective tax rates                    $'000          $'000 
 
 Profit(loss) before tax                                    372            257 
 Tax using UK domestic rates of corporation 
  tax of 19% (2020 - 19%)                                    71             49 
 
 Effect of 
 Expenses not deductible for tax / (nontaxable 
  income)                                                    46           (81) 
 Capital allowance in excess of depreciation                  -           (96) 
 Allowable deductions                                      (30) 
 (Over)/under provisions in respect of previous 
  years                                                      27             17 
 Losses (utilised)/carried forward                           98            191 
 Difference in overseas tax rates                            76             21 
                                                       ________       ________ 
 
                                                            288            101 
                                                       ________       ________

The Group has net tax payable of $0.173m (2021: receivable $0.63m)

The Group has unused losses to carry forward of $24,855,873 (2021:$24,308,505). No deferred tax asset has been recognised for losses as their full recovery is not probable in the foreseeable future.

Different tax rates applied in overseas jurisdictions reflect the different tax rates applicable in the various jurisdictions in which the Group operates. The current tax expense and over provision in respect of prior year relates to operations in the USA. The combined state, federal and branch rate of corporate tax in USA is approx.29%.

   8.   Earnings per share

Earnings per ordinary share have been calculated using the weighted average number of shares in issue during the relevant financial year. The weighted average number of shares in issue during the year was 1,593,558,030 (2021:1,593,558,030). Fully diluted earnings are based on 1,593,558,030 (2021: 1,593,558,030) shares and the profit for the financial period was $0.84m (2021: $0.156m).

   9.   Intangible Assets 
 
 Group                                                                                              Other 
                                                                                               intangible 
                                                          Exploration and evaluation assets         asset      Total 
 Cost                                                                                 $'000         $'000      $'000 
 
 At January 2021                                                                      6,148        29,388     32,536 
 Additions for the year                                                                 564             -        564 
 Grant reimbursement                                                                  (196)             -      (196) 
 Research and development incentive                                                    (65)             -       (65) 
 Foreign exchange difference                                                          (101)          (34)      (135) 
                                                                                   ________      ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2021                                                               6,350(i)    26,354(ii)     32,704 
                                                                                   ________      ________   ________ 
 
 At 1 January 2022 
 Additions in the year                                                                  400             -        400 
 Grant reimbursement                                                                  (174)             -      (173) 
 Research and Development Refund                                                          -             -          - 
 Foreign exchange difference                                                          (471)          (38)      (508) 
                                                                                   ________      ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2022                                                               6,105(i)    26,316(ii)     32,421 
                                                                                   ________      ________   ________ 
 
 Amortisation and impairment 
 At 1 January 21                                                                    (1,122)      (25,772)   (26,894) 
 Impairment of exploration and evaluation costs (iii)                                     -             -          - 
                                                                                   ________      ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2021                                                                (1,122)      (25,772)   (26,894) 
 
 At 1 January 2022                                                                  (1,122)      (25,772)   (26,894) 
                                                                                   ________      ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2022                                                                (1,122)      (25,772)   (26,894) 
                                                                                   ________      ________   ________ 
 
 
   Net book value 
 
 At 31 December 2020                                                                  5,026           616      5,642 
                                                                                   ________      ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2021                                                                  5,228           582      5,810 
                                                                                   ________      ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2022                                                                  4,983           544      5,527 
                                                                                   ________      ________   ________

Exploration and evaluation assets

(i) Exploration and evaluation ("E&E") costs as at 31 December 2022 are the costs associated with the exploration tenements in the UK held by Cornwall Resources Ltd ('CRL').

Other intangible asset

(ii) An intangible asset arises from the contractual relationship entered into by Southern Minerals Group LLC ('SMG'), an entity wholly owned by Ebony Iron Pty Limited, with a third party for the rights to a magnetite stockpile held at that party's Cobre mine in New Mexico, USA. The intangible asset was fully amortised at the end of 31 December 2017.

An intangible asset arises from the contractual relationship entered into by LCCM with a third party for an offtake agreement over the Leigh Creek Copper mine.

10. Investments

Investment subsidiaries

 
 Company                              Loans to           Shares 
                                    subsidiary    in subsidiary 
                                  Undertakings     Undertakings 
                                          (ii)              (i)       Total 
 Cost                                    $'000            $'000       $'000 
 
 
 At 1 January 2021                       6,510           51,264      57,774 
 Movement in the year                      704                -         704 
 Foreign exchange difference              (56)             (38)        (94) 
                                     _________        _________   _________ 
 
 At 31 December 2021                     7,158           51,226      58,384 
                                     _________        _________   _________ 
 
 
 At 1 January 2022                       7,158           51,226      58,384 
 Movement in the year                      759                -         759 
 Foreign exchange difference             (759)            (381)     (1,140) 
 
 At 31 December 2022                     7,158           50,845      58,003 
                                     _________        _________   _________ 
 
 Impairment 
 
 At 1 January 2021                     (2,703)         (46,703)    (49,406) 
 Charge for the year                      (11)                -        (11) 
 Foreign exchange difference                39                -          39 
                                     _________        _________   _________ 
 
 At 31 December 2021                   (2,675)         (46,703)    (49,378) 
 
 At 1 January 2022                     (2,675)         (46,703)    (49,378) 
 Charge for the year                     (326)                -       (326) 
 Foreign exchange difference          477                     -         477 
                                     _________        _________   _________ 
 
 At 31 December 2022                   (2,524)         (46,703)    (49,227) 
                                     _________        _________   _________ 
 Carrying Value 
 
 At 31 December 2021                     4,483            4,523       9,006 
                                     _________        _________   _________ 
 
 At 31 December 2022                     4,634            4,142       8,776 
                                     _________        _________   _________

(i) Shares in subsidiary undertakings are assessed for impairment and are carried at the net asset position of the subsidiary. Refer Note 1 for further information in respect to the accounting policy.

(ii) Loans provided to subsidiary undertakings which are interest free and repayable on demand. The Directors do not expect to call for repayment of these loans in the foreseeable future. The loans are expected to be repaid by future revenues generated from the Group's assets in USA, UK and Australia. Loans to subsidiary undertakings are assessed for impairment in accordance with IFRS9. Under IFRS9, provisions for impairment of loans in subsidiary undertakings is based on an expected credit loss assessment (refer note 1 for further detail).

IFRS9 requires the parent company to make assumptions when implementing the forward- looking expected credit loss model. This model is required to be used to assess the intercompany loan receivables from its subsidiaries for impairment. The model also assesses the Investment in Subsidiaries for impairment.

Arriving at an expected credit loss allowance involved considering different scenarios for the recovery of the intercompany loan receivables, the possible credit losses that could arise and probabilities for these scenarios and an assessment of the net asset position of the subsidiary.

The following were considered, the exploration project risk, the future sales potential of product, value of potential reserves and the resulting expected economic outcomes of the project.

Refer Note 1 for further information in respect to the accounting policy and Note 2 (c) in relation to the accounting judgements.

Investment in subsidiaries

 
                                                        2022        2021 
 Company                                               $'000       $'000 
 
    Investments in subsidiary undertakings - CRL       4,142       4,523 
                                                   _________   _________ 
 
                                                       4,142       4,523 
                                                   _________   _________

Holdings of more than 20%

The Company holds more than 20% of the share capital of the following companies:

 
 Subsidiary undertakings       Country           Principal                      Class           % 
                                of                                               of 
                               Incorporation     Activity                       share       Owned 
 
 Central Australian Rare       Australia 
  Earths Pty Ltd                (ii)             Exploration and development    Ordinary     100% 
 
 Iron Glen Holdings Pty        Australia 
  Limited                       (ii)             Holding Company                Ordinary     100% 
 
 Southern Minerals Group 
  LLC (i)                      USA (iii)         Sale of magnetite              Ordinary     100% 
 
                               Australia 
 Ebony Iron Pty Limited         (ii)             Holding Company                Ordinary     100% 
 
 Leigh Creek Copper Mine       Australia 
  Pty Ltd (i)                   (ii)             Exploration and development    Ordinary     100% 
 
                               Australia 
 Iron Glen Pty Ltd              (ii)             Dormant Company                Ordinary     100% 
 
                               United Kingdom 
 Cornwall Resources Limited     (iv)             Exploration and development    Ordinary     100% 
 
   (i)     Held by Ebony Iron Pty Limited 
   (ii)    Registered office - 3 Laundess Avenue, Panania NSW 2213 
   (iii)   Registered office - 303 Fierro Road, Hanover, New Mexico, USA, 88041

Registered office - 10 John St, London WC1N2EB

11. Property, plant, and equipment

 
                                 Development Asset   Plant and Machinery      Total 
 Group                                       $'000                 $'000      $'000 
 
 Cost 
 At 1 January 2021                           6,828                   762      7,590 
                                          ________              ________   ________ 
 Additions in the year                         584                     4        588 
 Foreign exchange difference                 (385)                  (20)      (405) 
                                          ________              ________    _______ 
 
 At 31 December 2021                         7,027                   746      7,773 
 
 Additions                                     490                     -        490 
 Bond Uplift                                   797                     -        797 
 Foreign exchange difference                 (507)                  (23)      (530) 
                                          ________              ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2022                         7,807                   723      8,530 
                                          ________              ________   ________ 
 Depreciation 
 At 1 January 2021                               -                 (239)      (239) 
 Charge in the year                              -                  (52)       (52) 
 Foreign exchange difference                     -                     3          3 
                                          ________              ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2021                             -                 (288)      (288) 
 
 Charge in the year                              -                  (16)       (16) 
 Foreign exchange difference                     -                   (3)        (3) 
                                          ________              ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2021                             -                 (307)      (307) 
                                          ________              ________   ________ 
 Carrying value 
 
 At 31 December 2020                         6,828                   523      7,351 
                                          ________              ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2021                         7,027                   458      7,485 
                                          ________              ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2022                         7,807                   416      8,223 
                                          ________              ________   ________

12. Inventories

 
                                     2022       2021 
                                    $'000      $'000 
 
 Finished goods held for sale           5          4 
                                 ________   ________ 
 
                                        5          4 
                                 ________   ________

No inventories have been written off to profit or loss in the year (2021: Nil).

13. Trade, other receivables, and prepayments

 
                                                             2022        2021 
 Group                                                      $'000       $'000 
 Current 
 Trade receivables                                            218         190 
 Less: provision for impairment of trade receivables            -           - 
                                                        _________   _________ 
                                                              218         190 
 
   Other receivables                                           72         245 
 VAT/GST Receivable                                            29          50 
                                                         ________    ________ 
 
                                                              319         485 
                                                         ________    ________ 
 
 Prepayments                                                   25           6 
                                                         ________    ________ 
 
 Non-Current 
 Rehabilitation bond                                          136         145 
                                                         ________    ________ 
 
                                                              136         145 
                                                         ________    ________ 
 
   Company 
 Current 
 Prepayments                                                    -           3 
 VAT/GST Receivable                                            17          18 
                                                         ________    ________ 
 
                                                               17          21 
                                                         ________    ________

The Group's trade receivables are derived from magnetite customers at Cobre, whose credit quality is assessed by considering the customers financial position, experience, and other factors. There are no significant concentrations of credit risk, whether through exposure to individual customers, specific industry sectors and/or regions. Within 60 days of the year end, the Group had collected 100% of the trade receivables outstanding at 31 December 2022. The Group did not recognise any impairment and believes that credit risk is limited as customers pay within a short period of time. Other receivables in 2022 includes $71k receivables from the University of Exeter being a reimbursement due under the Deep Digital Cornwall Project, which were received in full by end of April 2023 .The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring credit losses using a lifetime expected credit loss provision for trade receivables. Based on the assessment, the carrying value of trade receivables, classified at amortised cost, approximated the fair value.

14. Cash and cash equivalents

 
                                                   2022       2021 
 Group                                            $'000      $'000 
 
 Bank current accounts - unrestricted               341        611 
                                               ________   ________ 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents in the statement 
  of cash flows                                     341        611 
                                               ________   ________

Cash and cash equivalents (continued)

 
                                                                 2022       2021 
 Company                                                        $'000      $'000 
 
 Bank current accounts - unrestricted                               9         40 
                                                             ________   ________ 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows           9         40 
                                                             ________   ________

The Group's balances are held with well-known and highly rated UK, USA, and Australian banks.

15. Trade and other payables

 
                       2022       2021 
 Group                $'000      $'000 
 
 Trade payables         226        256 
 Other payables          24         23 
 Accruals               116        129 
                   ________   ________ 
 
                        366        408 
                   ________   ________ 
 
 Company 
 
 Trade payables          54         45 
 Other payables           -          - 
 Accruals                73         96 
                   ________   ________ 
 
                        127        141 
                   ________   ________

Book values approximate to fair value at 31 December 2022 and 2021.

16. Trade and other payables

 
                              Provision for environmental Liability (1)      Total 
                                                                  $'000      $'000 
 Group 
 
 At 1 January 2021                                                  439        439 
                                                               ________   ________ 
 
 Finance Charges                                                      7          7 
 Foreign exchange                                                  (25)       (25) 
 
 At 1 January 2022                                                  421        421 
                                                               ________   ________ 
 
 Bond Uplift                                                        797        797 
 Finance Charges                                                      -          - 
 Foreign exchange                                                  (27)       (27) 
                                                               ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2022                                              1,191      1,191 
                                                               ________   ________

(1) LCCM's operations are subject to specific environmental regulations. The Group has assessed the environmental rehabilitation provision arising from these regulations and has recognised an amount, which reflects the fair value of such liabilities.

Non-Current Liabilities

 
                                          2022       2021 
                                         $'000      $'000 
 Company 
 
 Loans to Subsidiary Undertakings        1,919      1,221 
                                      ________   ________ 
 
                                         1,919      1,221 
                                      ________   ________

17. Deferred tax

Deferred tax is calculated in full on temporary differences under the liability method using the tax rate applicable for losses in the relevant jurisdiction. However, the deferred tax asset as at 31 December 2022 was nil (2021: nil) as the tax losses were not expected to be recovered in the foreseeable future (see note 7 for details).

18. Leases

The Group has leases for an office, plant and machinery and a vehicle. Each lease is reflected on the balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The Group classifies its right-of-use assets in a consistent manner to its property, plant and equipment (see Note 11).

Right of Use Asset

 
                                              Plant, machinery, 
                               Office Lease        and vehicles      Total 
                                      $'000               $'000      $'000 
 Group 
 At 1 January 2021                       40                  38         78 
 Additions                                -                 822        822 
 Amortisation (capitalised)            (20)                 (5)       (25) 
 Amortisation                             -               (158)      (158) 
                                   ________            ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2021                     20                 697        717 
                                   ________            ________   ________ 
 Group 
 At 1 January 2022                       20                 697        717 
 Additions                                -                 167        167 
 Amortisation (capitalised)            (19)                 (3)       (22) 
 Amortisation                             -               (278)      (278) 
                                   ________            ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2022                      1                 583        584 
                                   ________            ________   ________

Lease Liabilities

 
                            Office   Plant, machinery, and vehicles      Total 
                             $,000                            $'000      $'000 
 Group 
 
 As at 1 January 2021           40                               40         80 
 Additions                       -                              822        822 
 Interest payments               2                               13         15 
 Lease Payments               (20)                            (175)      (195) 
                          ________                         ________   ________ 
 
 As at 01 January 2022          22                              700        722 
 Additions                       -                              167        167 
 Interest expense                1                               17         18 
 Lease payments               (19)                            (301)      (320) 
                          ________                         ________   ________ 
 
 At 31 December 2022             4                              583        587 
                          ________                         ________   ________

Lease Liabilities are presented in the Statement of financial position as follows :

 
                    2022       2021 
                   $,000      $'000 
 Group 
 
 Current             282        302 
 Non-Current         305        420 
                ________   ________ 
 Total               587        722 
                ________   ________

The table below describes the nature of the Group's leasing activities by type of right-of-use asset

recognised on balance sheet:

 
 Right of            No of Right     Range of      No of leases 
  Use Asset        of Use assets    remaining    with extension 
                          leased         term           options 
 
 
 Office lease           1          less than           - 
                                     1 year 
 Plant and 
  Machinery             5          1-4 years           1 
 Motor Vehicle          1           5 years            -

19. Share Capital and Premium

 
                                                                                       Share 
                                                             Number   Issue Price    Capital   Share Premium     Total 
                                                                                       $,000           $,000     $'000 
 At 1 January 2021 Ordinary shares 
  (par value of 0.1 pence each)                       2,015,964,616                     2916          49,387    52,303 
 
 Share Issue(ii)                                        106,666,667        0.375p        146             405       551 
 
 Issue Costs on Placement                                                                               (28)      (28) 
                                                        _ _________                  _______         _______   _______ 
 
 At 31 December 2021 Ordinary shares of 0.1 pence 
  each                                                2,015,964,616                     2916          49,387    52,303 
                                                         __ _______                  _______         _______   _______ 
 
 
 At 31 December 2022 Ordinary shares of 0.1 pence 
  each                                                2,015,964,616                     2916          49,387    52,303 
                                                         __ _______                  _______         _______   _______

No director options (2021: nil) were exercised during the year.

(i) During 2021 the Company issued 106,666,667 shares at 0.375 pence raising $551,000 (GBP400,000). Issue costs on this placement were $28,000 (GBP19,300)

During 2020, the Company issued 175,000,000 shares. As part of this issue the Company also issued 175,000,000 warrants. Each share had a warrant attached which entitled the holder to subscribe for one new Ordinary Share at a price of 1.0p per share with an expiry date of 30 December 2022.

Number of outstanding warrants at 31 December 2022 and a reconciliation of their movements during the year were:

 
 Date of          Granted   Issued      Cancelled        Granted   Exercise     Exercise Period 
  grant       at 31.12.21             / Exercised    at 31.12.22      price 
                                                                                From        To 
 
 03.12.20     175,000,000        -    175,000,000              -      1.00p   03/12/20   30/12/22

The estimated fair value of options issued is calculated by applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

The assumptions used in the calculation were as follows:

 
     Share price at date of grant           0.42p 
 Exercise Price                             1.00p 
 Expected Volatility                        75.7% 
 Expected Dividend                          nil 
 Contractual Life                           2.7 years 
 Risk free rate                             0.189% 
 Estimated fair value of each option        0.1115p

The expected volatility was determined based on the historic volatility of the Company's shares.

The risk-free rate of interest for a 2-year term is estimated to be 0.0189% United Kingdom Sovereign Curve.

The options expired on 30 December 2022 and the value of the outstanding options at 31 December 2022 is $nil (2021: $153,000). In December 2022 the balance of the warrants reserve in relation to the unexercised warrants at the expiry of the warrants period was transferred to retained earnings.

20. Share based payments.

The Group has a share-ownership compensation scheme for senior executives of the Group whereby senior executives may be granted options to purchase ordinary shares in the Company. There were nil (2021: nil) options issued to directors and senior executives during the year and 22,250,000 options lapsed (2021: 49,250,000) during the year.

The options and warrants carry neither rights to dividends nor voting rights at shareholders meetings.

Options

Number of outstanding options at 31 December 2022 and a reconciliation of their movements during the year were:

 
 Date of grant     Outstanding at      Issued         Lapsed     Outstanding at   Exercise price     Exercise Period 
                         31.12.21                                      31.12.22 
                                                                                                     From        To 
 
 15.02.18          17,500,000 (i)           -   (17,500,000)                  -            5.00p   15.02.18   30.06.22 
 09.08.18           4,750,000 (i)           -    (4,750,000)                  -            5.00p   09.08.18   30.06.22 
                        _________   _________      _________          _________ 
 
                      22,250, 000           -   (22,250,000)                  -

(i) Market based vesting condition of 10.0p volume weighted average share price over 5 consecutive days.

All options outstanding at 31 December 2021 expired on 30(th) June 2022.

There were nil options outstanding at 31 December 2022.The options outstanding at 31 December 2021 had an exercise price 5.00p, a weighted average exercise price of 5.00p and a remaining weighted average contractual life of 181 days. The weighted average exercise price of warrants and option lapsed, cancelled or exercised during the year was 1.00p (2021: 1.00).

The value of the options at 31 December 2022 is nil (2021: $97,000)

21. Commitments

   (a)      Capital expenditure commitments.

At 31 December 2022, no capital commitments existed (2021: Nil).

   (b)      Exploration commitments

So as to maintain current rights to tenure of exploration tenements, the group is required to outlay amounts in respect of tenement rent to the relevant governing authorities and to meet certain annual exploration expenditure commitments. Other than for standard rent and licence fees, the group has flexibility over the life of the tenement to meet exploration expenditure commitments. The expected timing of outlays (exploration expenditure, rent and licence fees) which arise in relation to granted tenements and are as follows:

 
                                                 2022       2021 
 Group                                          $'000      $'000 
 
                       due within one year        304        305 
  due after one year and within five years      1,303      1,283 
                      due after five years      1,939      1,889 
                                             ________   ________ 
 
                                                3,546      3,477 
                                             ________   ________ 
 
   (c)      Other commitments

As part of the terms of agreement in relation to the purchase of CRL, the company had a commitment of AUD $1m on net smelter sales arising from CRL production reaching $A50m and a further $A1m on net smelter sales arising from CRL production reaching $A100m.

Given the asset is in still in the exploration phase, these milestone events triggering deferred consideration payments are considered to be uncertain.

As part of the PEPR, the company has an obligation to pay a A$1.440m bond prior to commencement of authorised operations at the LCCM site. The bond addresses future liabilities resulting from operations as described in the PEPR.

Whilst a possible obligation exists in relation to the consideration payable, given the project is not in operation, it was concluded that at reporting date that the payment is considered to be uncertain.

When the payments become probable, the group will raise a liability.

22. Controlling party

There is no ultimate controlling party of the Group.

23. Related party transactions

Director and key management personnel remuneration has been disclosed in Note 6.

Directors interest in Shares and Options have been disclosed in the Directors Remuneration Report.

J Harrison is a director of the group and was consultant to CRL during 2022. Fees paid by CRL for services provided by J Harrison's associated entity, during this period were $35,874 (2021: $23,000)

The Group paid $183,391(2021: $192,787) of John Peters' Directors remuneration to an associated entity. Of this amount $122,261 (2021: $128,572) was paid by the Company and $61,130 (2021: $64,215) was paid by a subsidiary company Iron Glen Holdings Pty Ltd. The amount outstanding at year end payable to the associated entity was $37,428 (2021: $32,250)

The Group paid $57,780 (2021: $60,027) of Alan Broome's Directors remuneration to an associated entity The amount outstanding at year end payable to the associated entity was $17,013 (2021: $14,882)

The Group paid $23,588 (2021 $25,745) of Jeffrey Harrison's Directors remuneration to an associated entity. No amount was outstanding at year end (2021: nil)

There were no other relevant transactions with Directors or other related parties.

24. Events after the reporting period

   --      SMG's major client has not, as yet, returned.

-- The debt funder for LCCM has withdrawn their non-binding offer due to rising mineral costs causing breaches to their lending ratios, despite LCCM profitability being strong.

-- Reduced cash flows likely to require short term debt funding ahead of a likely raise in the second half of the year

-- Interest in grant-based funding at Redmoor has grown from both the UK Shared Prosperity Funds and US government's interest in securing Tungsten not sourced from China or Russia

-- SMG took the decision to reduce the claim on CVI to costs of US $160,000 which was accepted by the Receiver. It appears that the Receiver is now likely to make a distribution in 2023, although it is anticipated that this will be a fraction of a dollar for each claim.

Competent Persons Statement

The information in this report that relates to Redmoor Project is based on information compiled and reviewed by Paul Gribble C.Eng. a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM), and who is Principal Geologist of Geologica UK (Geologica). Paul Gribble has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Paul Gribble is also a Competent Person as defined in the Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies which form part of the AIM Rules for Companies.

The information in this report that relates to the LCCM project is based on information compiled by Mr. David Larsen, who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (Member No. 1976). Mr. Larsen is the Principal Geologist at Terra Consulting Pty Ltd and is a consultant to the Company. He has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person, as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC 2012) and a qualified person as defined in the AIM Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies which forms part of the AIM Rules for Companies. Mr. Larsen has over 30 years' Australia and international experience in exploration, mining geology and resource estimation for gold, base metals and iron ore deposits.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

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END

FR DZGZVRGDGFZM

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 21, 2023 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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SML.GB Strategic Minerals Plc