Half-yearly Report

 
TIDMHMB 
 
 

  HAMBLEDON MINING PLC 
 

  Interim results to 30 June 2009 
 

  17 September 2009 
 

  Hambledon Mining Plc ("Hambledon" or the "Company"), the AIM listed gold mining company based in Kazakhstan, announces today its interim results for the six months to 30 June 2009. No dividend was declared. 
 

  Highlights: 
 
 
    -- Interim loss reduced to GBP1.3m (loss 6 months to 30 June 2008: GBP3.4m, 

       loss for year to 31 December 2008: GBP7.6m). 
 
    -- Positive operating cash flow of GBP0.42m (outflow 6 months to 30 June 

       2008: GBP3m, outflow for year to 31 December 2008: GBP3.9m). 
 
    -- Gold production from Sekisovskoye was 9,413 ounces. 
 
    -- Second quarter gold production 86% higher than first quarter. 
 
    -- Overall production trend continues towards initial design rate. 
 
    -- 20% processing capacity increase achieved. 
 
    -- Spares inventory substantially improved. 
 
    -- Capital expenditure amounted to GBP0.86m. 
 

  Enquiries: 
 
Hambledon Mining:                Telephone [phone] 
Charles Zorab 
Fairfax I.S. PLC:                Telephone [phone] 
Nominated Adviser and Broker 
Ewan Leggat 
 
 

  CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT 
 

  I am pleased to report to shareholders for the six months to 30 June 2009. 
 

  Review of 2009 to date 
 

  Despite the production problems previously reported which affected the first half of this year, the Company made a positive cash flow from operations of GBP0.42m. The loss for the six months was also reduced considerably to GBP1.3m. Considerable capital was spent on the installation of the new secondary crusher and the construction of the second tailings storage facility, together amounting to GBP0.82m while at the same time, the Company has increased its inventory of spare parts which will help reduce the amount of down time due to small breakages etc. 
 

  Gold production in the first half was 9,413 ounces and silver 20,447 ounces. For both, second quarter production was considerably higher than the first quarter and is likely to increase still further in the second half of the year. As scheduled in the mine plan, the stripping ratio was high at over 5:1 but will gradually decline after February 2010 as the pit is mined below surrounding ground level. 
 

  Changes made during the first half of the year, principally to the crushing plant, have increased the processing capacity to some one million tonnes per year, 20 per cent. above the designed level. Mine output has similarly been raised by the acquisition of a third excavator which began operating in the second half of August, allowing mine production to complement the increased processing capacity. Until now, overall production has been restrained by unscheduled maintenance and repair stoppages but we are confident that the changes already made to the process plant and the build up of spare parts will reduce these stoppages to more normal levels and allow the potential of the plant to be fulfilled. 
 

  The application for approval by the authorities for the first phase of underground mine development has been submitted. Images taken from the submitted plans will be available on the Company's website, www.hambledon-mining.com. 
 

  Outlook 
 

  During the final quarter of this year we expect to achieve a further step change in our performance towards our initial target of 40,000 ounces per year as an average over the life of the open pit mine and to continue preparations for the underground project which should eventually bring our annual production to over 100,000 ounces. Cash flow from operations, already positive in our first half year, is likely to grow strongly. 
 

  George Eccles 
 

  16 September 2009 
 

  REVIEW OF OPERATIONS 
 

  SEKISOVSKOYE 
 

  Safety 
 

  The first half of the year showed an excellent safety performance with no major incidents or injuries reported. The company undertakes regular training and safety programmes to maintain this performance. 
 

  Mining 
 

  Mining operations were focused in the first half of the year on development of the 'Main Pit'. At the end of the period, the pit had been developed down to the 455 metre level, some 20 metres above surrounding ground level. The pit will continue to widen until it reaches the final pit rim at the 435 level, at which point the waste stripping ratio will be at its highest, around the end of 2009, and will fall thereafter. The current high level of waste stripping, together with unsatisfactory performance and long spare part lead times of the western procured drill rigs and excavators, made it difficult to maintain sufficient ore production to keep up with the capacity of the upgraded processing plant. From April until early August the deficit was met by treating low grade ore, which had the effect of reducing the average grade treated. To overcome this deficit, a third excavator, a Kraneks EK 450FS, was purchased which started operating in mid-August. The addition of this machine and the hire of additional mining trucks have increased mining volumes by 20 per cent. and thus reduced the amount of low grade ore that has to be treated. Productivity has also been increased by the hiring of a mining consultant who has worked with our operators to introduce best work and maintenance practices to maximise the utilisation of our equipment. 
 

  Construction of the second tailings storage facility progressed during the first half of the year and is now nearing completion. Due to the limited capacity of our mining fleet, this construction was carried out by civil earthworks contractors. The current storage facility, facility 1, was completed in mid 2008, and will be filled by mid 2010. Construction of the second tailings storage facility was carried out early as the clay lining cannot be installed during freezing winter weather. It will provide tailings storage through to the end of 2011, and construction of a third tailings storage facility will commence in 2010. 
 

  Processing 
 

  The operation of the processing plant during the first half of the year showed a step change in performance following the installation of the new secondary crusher. Output from the plant up to this time had been restricted by the ability of the crushing circuit to provide sufficient crushed ore. In addition to the installation of the new crusher, a contract metallurgist was employed for a period of four months to assist our local technical staff to improve operating and maintenance practices and procedures. These two events saw the crushing circuit increase from producing approximately 50,000 tonnes per month to over 80,000 and the size of the crushed product reduced from 20 mm to 16 mm. This then allowed the mills to be operated at a much higher throughput than had previously been achieved. 
 

  At the end of the half year, the process plant was operating at an ore tonnage throughput some 15 per cent. above the original design specification, and it is thought that with the replacement of the tailings line, to be completed later this month, an additional 5 per cent. can be achieved. Until now, production has been curtailed by frequent stoppages caused mostly by design failings in the crushing plant and long lead times for certain spare parts. In late August and early September we lost some production due to repairs and maintenance to the bearings of the jaw crusher and mills. The new installations, improved maintenance practices, and the build up of spare parts shown to be necessary either by operating experience or known long lead times should now produce a significant improvement in overall plant availability. 
 

  Metallurgical recovery of gold at 80.4% was below the 92 per cent. target indicated by testwork but this was influenced by the lower grade material being fed to the plant, from which a lower recovery is expected. 
 

  The plant was enhanced with the commissioning of the tailings thickener as well as the addition of a third electrowinning cell to the gold circuit. The former, together with a reduction in cyanide concentrations, has reduced cyanide costs substantially in recent months. 
 

  Underground development 
 

  Work in the first half of the year concentrated on producing the documentation for the first phase of underground development that is required to obtain government approval to commence underground activity. This was submitted in August with approval expected toward the end of 2009. A review of the cost and availability of underground mining equipment has shown that there has been a reduction in price and a decrease in lead times. It is anticipated that the cash flow from the open pit operation will have increased to a point in late 2009 where orders can be placed for equipment to be delivered in early 2010. The option of an earlier commencement of the development of the surface decline using mining contractors is being evaluated. 
 

  OGNEVKA 
 

  Ognevka remains on care and maintenance pending improving industrial mineral prices. Other options for the use of this versatile plant are also being considered. 
 

  EXPLORATION 
 

  Exploration for the first half of the year focused on research of known gold occurrences in the East Kazakhstan region and evaluation of their data. In addition, planning of the development of a test pit at Tserkovka to generate a bulk sample for metallurgical test work was finalised. It is expected that this will be carried out in September. 
 

  Condensed group income statement 
 

  Six months ended 30 June 2009 
 
                    Note  Six months to  Six months to  Year ended 
                          30 June 2009   30 June 2008   31 December 2008 
                          (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
                          GBP000           GBP000           GBP000 
Revenue                   5,667          828            5,553 
Cost of sales             (5,300)        (2,453)        (7,727) 
Gross                     367            (1,625)        (2,174) 
profit/(loss) 
Administrative            (1,408)        (1,686)        (3,154) 
expenses 
Other operating 
expenses 
Impairment of             -              -              (1,679) 
TOO Ognevka 
Operating loss            (1,041)        (3,311)        (7,007) 
Investment                -              24             42 
revenues 
Other gains               75             (77)           3 
and losses 
Finance costs             (109)          (51)           (101) 
Loss before               (1,075)        (3,415)        (7,063) 
taxation 
Taxation                  (250)          (10)           (561) 
Loss attributable   3     (1,325)        (3,425)        (7,624) 
to equity 
shareholders 
Loss per ordinary 
share 
Basic               4     (0.28)?        (0.76)p        (1.65)p 
Diluted             4     (0.28)?        (0.76)p        (1.65)p 
 
 

  Condensed group statement of recognised income and expense 
 

  Six month ended 30 June 2009 
 
                           Six months to  Six months to  Year ended 
                           30 June 2009   30 June 2008   31 December 2008 
                           (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
                           GBP000           GBP000           GBP000 
Currency translation 
differences 
on foreign 
currency net investments   (4,183)        (28)           4,751 
Net (loss) / profit 
recognised 
directly in equity         (4,183)        (28)           4,751 
Loss for the period        (1,325)        (3,425)        (7,624) 
Total recognised expense 
for the period 
attributable to equity     (5,508)        (3,453)        (2,873) 
shareholders 
 
 

  Condensed group balance sheet 
 

  30 June 2009 
 
                           30 June 2009  30 June 2008  31 December 2008 
                           (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (audited) 
                           GBP000          GBP000          GBP000 
Non-current assets 
Property, plant            16,204        17,995        20,361 
and equipment 
Current assets 
Inventories                2,882         2,335         3,393 
Trade and other            1,468         1,559         1,638 
receivables 
Cash and cash              116           1,717         536 
equivalents 
                           4,466         5,611         5,567 
Total assets               20,670        23,606        25,928 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables   (1,455)       (1,121)       (1,626) 
Provisions                 (141)         (117)         (161) 
Borrowings                 (503)         -             (356) 
                           (2,099)       (1,238)       (2,143) 
Net current assets         2,367         4,373         3,424 
Non-current liabilities 
Trade and other payables   (629)         (575)         (629) 
Deferred taxation          (811)         -             (561) 
Provisions                 (983)         (825)         (1,004) 
                           (2,423)       (1,400)       (2,194) 
Total liabilities          (4,522)       (2,638)       (4,337) 
Net assets                 16,148        20,968        21,591 
Equity 
Called-up share capital    469           469           469 
Share premium              31,317        31,317        31,317 
Merger reserve             (148)         (148)         (148) 
Other reserves             236           127           170 
Currency translation       (480)         (1,150)       3,629 
reserve 
Accumulated losses         (15,246)      (9,647)       (13,846) 
Total equity               16,148        20,968        21,591 
 
 

  Condensed group cash flow statement 
 

  Six months ended 30 June 2009 
 
                        Six months to  Six months to  Year ended 
                        30 June 2009   30 June 2008   31 December 2008 
                        (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
                        GBP000           GBP000           GBP000 
Net 
cash inflow/(outflow) 
from 
operating activities    417            (3,064)        (3,895) 
Investing activities 
Interest received       -              26             42 
Proceeds on disposal 
of 
property, plant and 
equipment               -              -              61 
Purchase of property,   (858)          (1,050)        (2,123) 
plant and equipment 
Net cash used           (858)          (1,024)        (2,020) 
in investing 
activities 
Financing activities 
Proceeds on issue       -              2,631          2,631 
of shares 
Interest paid           (51)           -              - 
New bank loans raised   147            -              356 
Net cash inflow from    96             2,631          2,987 
financing activities 
Decrease in cash and 
cash equivalents        (345)          (1,457)        (2,928) 
Cash and cash 
equivalents 
at beginning of         536            3,176          3,176 
the period 
Effect of foreign       (75)           (2)            288 
exchange 
rate changes 
Cash and cash 
equivalents 
at end 
of the period           116            1,717          536 
 
 

  Notes to the interim condensed group financial statements 
 

  Six months ended 30 June 2009 
 

  1General information 
 

  These interim group financial statements are for the six months ended 30 June 2009 and are unaudited. The information for the year ended 31 December 2008 does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. 
 

  The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2008 has been extracted from the statutory accounts of Hambledon Mining plc ("the Group") for that year that were prepared under United Kingdom Law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted by use by the European Union. A copy of the statutory accounts for that year has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain any statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 
 

  2Accounting policies 
 

  The interim group financial statements have been prepared using the accounting policies set out in the statutory accounts for Hambledon Mining plc for the year ended 31 December 2008. These accounting policies comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted by use by the European Union 
 

  3Dividend 
 

  The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend. 
 

  4Loss per ordinary share 
 

  The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is based upon the retained loss for the financial period. 
 

  The weighted average number of ordinary shares for calculating the basic loss per share and diluted loss per share after adjusting for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares are as follows: 
 
                    Six months to  Six months to  Year ended 
                    30 June 2009   30 June 2008   31 December 2008 
                    (unaudited)    (unaudited)    (audited) 
Basic and diluted   469,189,233    452,737,597    461,031,025 
 
 

  5Approval of interim group financial statements 
 

  The interim group financial statements for the six months to 30 June 2009 were approved by the directors on 16 September 2009.