ADVFN Logo ADVFN

We could not find any results for:
Make sure your spelling is correct or try broadening your search.

Trending Now

Toplists

It looks like you aren't logged in.
Click the button below to log in and view your recent history.

Hot Features

Registration Strip Icon for default Register for Free to get streaming real-time quotes, interactive charts, live options flow, and more.

TSG Trans-siberian Gold Plc

117.50
0.00 (0.00%)
25 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Trans-siberian Gold Plc LSE:TSG London Ordinary Share GB0033756866 ORD 10P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 117.50 116.00 119.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Trans-Siberian Gold PLC Half-year Report (1725S)

29/09/2017 7:02am

UK Regulatory


Trans-siberian Gold (LSE:TSG)
Historical Stock Chart


From Apr 2019 to Apr 2024

Click Here for more Trans-siberian Gold Charts.

TIDMTSG

RNS Number : 1725S

Trans-Siberian Gold PLC

29 September 2017

Trans-Siberian Gold plc

("TSG" or the "Company")

Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2017

Trans-Siberian Gold plc (TSG.L) announces its unaudited interim results for the period ended 30 June 2017.

Financial Highlights:

   --      Revenue of $18.8 million (H1 2016: $ 23.6 million) 
   --      Operating Profit of $1.3 million (H1 2016 restated: $ 6.4 million) 
   --      Profit Before Tax of $0.5 million (H1 2016 restated: $ 5.4 million) 
   --      Interim dividend of approximately $4 million 
   --      Cash and cash equivalents of $ 9.6 million (H1 2016: $ 18 million) 
   --      Debt of $16 million (H1 2016: $ 19.7 million) 

Operational Highlights:

   --      Refined gold production of 15,007 oz. (H1 2016: 18,680 oz.) 
   --      Cash cost(1) of $553/oz. (H1 2016 restated: $418/oz.) 
   --      Average realised gold price of $1,233/oz. (H1 2016: $1,231/oz.) 
   --      94.1% average gold recovery (H1 2016: 95.1%) 
   --      Ore extracted 93,693 tonnes (H1 2016: 87,348 tonnes) 
   --      Ore processed 90,177 tonnes (H1 2016: 80,646 tonnes) 
   --      Gold grades averaged 5.05 g/t (H1 2016: 7.74 g/t) 

Charles Ryan, Non-Executive Chairman of TSG, commented:

"In the first half of 2017 we have faced a number of technical challenges and I am satisfied we have successfully overcome them. Whilst our short term financial performance may have suffered, largely due to lower grade ore being extracted we have seen a return of high grade ore (8-10 g/t) in recent months. We remain well positioned to deliver on our full year production guidance.

Our interim dividend of approximately $4m underlines our commitment to deliver returns for shareholders. Despite a difficult first half our balance sheet remains robust. I wish to reiterate the Company's commitment to pay sustainable dividends when possible. We are investing significantly in the business and look forward to the remainder of the year with confidence."

Copies of the Company's Interim Report and Accounts will be available on the Company's website: www.trans-siberiangold.com

Ends

 
  Contacts: TSG 
 Stewart Dickson             +44 (0) 7799 694195 
                                 +44 (0) 207 894 
 Cantor Fitzgerald Europe                   7000 
 David Porter 
 

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ('MAR'). Upon the publication of this announcement via Regulatory Information Service ('RIS'), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

__________

1 Excluding depletion, net of the silver credit and excluding royalties

Chief Executive Officer's Review

Operating review

In the six months to 30 June 2017 mine development and preparation works, by-product extraction works and exploration works comprised 2,625 metres with 93,693 tonnes of ore extracted (2016 first half: 2,101 metres and 87,348 tonnes).

In the reporting period, the Asacha plant processed an average 15,030 tonnes of ore per month, 11.8% higher than the average 13,441 tonnes per month in the first half of 2016.

In the reporting period, the average processed ore grade was 5.05 g/t, 34.8% lower than in the corresponding period in 2016 (7.74 g/t). Principally that reduction reflected mining activities in geologic blocks with relatively poor ore grades. Additionally, continued delays in mine development and the consequent shortage of new stoping spaces resulted in a lower proportion of rich stoping ore delivered to the plant. The main reasons for this situation were the low technical availability of mobile underground equipment, mostly in Q1, and excess underground water inflow starting in Q2. The shortage of new stoping ore continued to be compensated by the blending of lower grade ore cut earlier.

Despite the fact that increased water inflow at the levels below 200 m had been expected and allowed for in the mine's design documentation, actual water volumes were higher and necessitated urgent measures to install extra pumping facilities.

In Q3, after delivery to the site of new underground equipment and the start of mining in the blocks with higher grades, the quality of ore has started to improve. The average processed ore grades in July and August 2017 were 5.14 g/t and 7.69 g/t respectively with the proportion of stoping ore delivered to the plant increasing to 46.6% (at 7.4 g/t) and 45.4% (at 12.3 g/t) respectively.

We expect that the current high level of average mill feed grade (8-10 g/t) will remain until the end of the year. Our target to achieve 2017 refined gold production in the range of 32,000 oz. - 36,000 oz. remains unchanged.

Mining and production at Asacha in the first half of 2017 is shown in the following table.

 
                                   1(st)     July   August   January/   January/    1(st) 
                                    half     2017     2017     August     August     half 
                                    2017                         2017       2016     2016 
------------------  ----------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Mine development    (metres)      2,625      547      437      3,609      2,941    2,101 
------------------  ----------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Ore extracted       (tonnes)     93,693   15,463   15,307    124,463    115,299   87,348 
------------------  ----------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Ore processed       (tonnes)     90,177   16,548   15,648    122,373    108,613   80,646 
------------------  ----------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Average gold 
  grade                (g/t)        5.05     5.14     7.69       5.40       7.25     7.74 
------------------  ----------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Average silver 
  grade                (g/t)        8,96    11.23    14.03       9.92      11.91    11.86 
------------------  ----------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Gold recovery 
  rate                  (%)        94.10    94.15    94.45      94.14      95.15    95.13 
------------------  ----------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Silver recovery 
  rate                  (%)        76.30    78.58    75.31      76.47      80.81    80.17 
------------------  ----------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Gold in dore          (oz.)      13,897    2,567    3,543     20,007     24,389   19,311 
------------------  ----------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Silver in dore        (oz.)      20,078    4,783    5,094     29,955     34,190   25,062 
------------------  ----------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Gold refined          (oz.)      15,007    2,517    29,28     20,452     22,667   18,680 
------------------  ----------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 Silver refined        (oz.)      22,212    4,415    4,981     31,608     30,104   23,411 
------------------  ----------  --------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ------- 
 

Personnel

As at 30 June 2017, 676 personnel were employed in Kamchatka (31 December 2016: 662).

Financial review

Revenue from the sale of 14,954 oz. of refined gold and 21,845 oz. of refined silver (2016 first half: 18,864 oz. and 22,743 oz. respectively) was $18.4 million and $361,000 respectively (2016 first half: $23.2 million and $350,000). Average realised prices were $1,233 per oz. gold and $17 per oz. silver (2016 first half: $1,231 per oz. and $15 per oz.). Cost of sales per oz. gold, net of credits from silver sales revenue, was $864 (2016 first half restated: $735). Cash cost per oz. gold excluding depletion, net of the silver credit and excluding royalties, was $553 (2016 first half restated: $418). These increases reflect the reduction in average processed ore grade discussed in the operating review above and the partial recovery of the Russian rouble against the US dollar, following the significant depreciation of the Russian rouble which commenced in the second half of 2014.

As disclosed in the Group's annual report for the year ended 31 December 2016, a change in accounting policy was implemented in 2016 whereby costs are now allocated to mined ore on a value (gold content) basis instead of on an activity (tonnage mined) basis. This change in policy was applied retrospectively and led to an increase in operating expenditure reported in the first half of 2016 and a corresponding decrease in the value of closing ore stockpiles included in inventory. This also resulted in a significant increase in tax losses relating to prior periods, increasing the previously reported deferred tax assets. Additionally, it was identified that deferred tax liabilities in respect of mining properties, plant and equipment had been understated in prior periods and a prior period adjustment has also been made to correct this. These adjustments are discussed in Note 3 to this interim report.

An additional impairment provision of $605,000 (2016 first half restated: $295,000) has been recognised against the lower grade ore stockpile, reflecting the difference between its expected net realisable value at a gold price of $1,243/oz. (2016 first half: $1,200/oz.) and cost, including processing, refining and royalties.

Administrative expenses for the half year amounted to $1.7 million in the UK and $2.2 million in Russia, in aggregate $3.9 million compared to $592,000 and $2.0 million respectively, in aggregate $2.6 million, for the corresponding period of 2016. UK administrative expenses included a termination payment to the former Finance Director in an amount of $314,000 (2016 first half: nil).

Finance income was $68,000 (2016 first half: $74,000). Finance costs were $858,000 (2016 first half: $1.1 million) reflecting the reduction in borrowings from $19.7 million in first half of 2016 to $16.9 million in first half 2017.

The profit for the period was $29,000 (2016 first half restated: $4.4 million) net of exchange gains of $199,000 (2016 first half: exchange loss: $74,000). The profit for the period included a tax charge of $514,000 (2016 first half restated: $2.2 million). The tax charge arises primarily in Russia and represents an effective tax rate of 24% of the profits of the Company's subsidiary ZAO Trevozhnoye Zarevo (TZ) (2016 first half: 46%). The decrease in the effective tax rate relates to the impact of deferred tax restatement described earlier.

Ore stocks are stated net of impairment provisions of $2.8 million (2016: $2.2 million), representing the difference between the ore stockpile's expected net realisable value at a gold price of $1,243/oz. (2016 first half: $1,200/oz.) and cost, including processing, refining and royalties.

Capital expenditure in the period amounted to $8.3 million relating to extensive underground development at lower horizons and completion of the second map of tailings storage with designed capacity until 2022.

Cash generated from operations before working capital changes has decreased from $11.6 million in first half of 2016 to $5.7 million in first half of 2017 reflecting the overall decline in profit from operations due to the processing of lower grade ore as described in detail in the operating review. The cash balance reduced from $13.1 million at 31 December 2016 to $9.6 million.

Borrowings increased from $16.7 million at 31 December 2016 to $16.9 million, reflecting the repayment of the project finance facilities provided by Sberbank to TZ for the development of Asacha, utilising a new $15 million facility agreed by TZ with the Russian bank VTB as reported on 20 June 2017. TZ agreed an additional $5m facility with VTB, as reported on 22 June 2017.

The Board is declaring an interim dividend of $0.036 per share for the six months ended 30 June 2017 (2016 first half: nil)

Board changes

As announced on 19 September 2017, Mr. Florian Fenner, Mr. Ljupco Naumovski and Mr. Stewart Dickson have joined the Company's Board as new non-executive directors.

Mr. Alexander Dorogov, who has been Finance Director of the Company's Russian subsidiary TZ since 2010 has assumed the responsibilities of Chief Financial Officer. It is expected that he will be appointed to the Board shortly.

Dmitry Khilov

27 September 2017

The information in this report relating to Asacha's mineral resources is based on information compiled by Carrie Nicholls, a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, who has sufficient experience relevant to the styles of mineralisation and types of deposit under consideration and to the activity she 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. Ms Nicholls is a Qualified Person as defined by the AIM Rules and consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on her information in the form and context in which it appears.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at 30 June 2017

 
                                         30 June 2017   30 June 2016         31 December 
                                                                                    2016 
                                            unaudited      unaudited             audited 
                                                 $000     (restated)                $000 
                                  Note                          $000 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------ 
Assets 
Non-current assets 
Mining properties                    5         36,015         27,644              30,489 
Property, plant and equipment        5         44,538         47,248              46,121 
Deferred exploration 
 and evaluation costs                5          2,179          1,643               2,106 
Inventories                          6          4,681          5,129               3,704 
Total non-current assets                       87,413         81,664              82,420 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------ 
Current assets 
Inventories                          6          7,313          5,300               7,485 
Trade and other receivables                     2,109          3,884               1,167 
Cash and cash equivalents                       9,649         17,996              13,097 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------ 
Total current assets                           19,071         27,180              21,749 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------ 
Total assets                                  106,484        108,844             104,169 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------ 
 
Liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings                           7         14,936         12,526               7,971 
Deferred tax liabilities                        4,090          3,798               3,876 
Provisions                                        736            826                 697 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------ 
Total non-current liabilities                  19,762         17,150              12,544 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------ 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                        5,615          3,351               4,030 
Current income tax liabilities                    295              -                   - 
Borrowings                           7          1,948          7,203               8,760 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  ------------- 
Total current liabilities                       7,858         10,554              12,790 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------ 
Total liabilities                              27,620         27,704              25,334 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------ 
Total net assets                               78,864         81,140              78,835 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------ 
 
Capital and reserves attributable to owners 
 of the Company 
Share capital                        8         18,988         18,988              18,988 
Share premium                                       -         89,520                   - 
Retained income                                59,876       (27,368)              59,847 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------ 
Total equity                                   78,864         81,140              78,835 
-------------------------------  -----  -------------  -------------  ------------------ 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - for the 6 months ended 30 June 2017

 
                                                                6 months to      12 months 
                                                6 months to    30 June 2016             to 
                                               30 June 2017       unaudited    31 December 
                                                  unaudited      (restated)           2016 
                                                       $000            $000        audited 
                                      Note                                            $000 
-----------------------------------  -----  ---------------  --------------  ------------- 
Revenue                                  9           18,804          23,570         45,202 
-----------------------------------  -----  ---------------  --------------  ------------- 
Cost of sales                           10         (13,283)        (14,209)       (27,972) 
Ore stock inventory impairment                        (605)           (295)        (1,389) 
-----------------------------------  -----  ---------------  --------------  ------------- 
Gross profit                                          4,916           9,066         15,841 
Administrative expenses                             (3,937)         (2,568)        (5,821) 
Other income                                            155               7            226 
Net foreign exchange differences 
 on operating activities                                160            (74)            445 
-----------------------------------  -----  ---------------  --------------  ------------- 
Profit from operations                                1,294           6,431         10,691 
Finance expense                                       (858)         (1,146)        (2,132) 
Finance income                                           68              74            157 
Net foreign exchange differences 
 on financing activities                                 39               -           (61) 
-----------------------------------  -----  ---------------  --------------  ------------- 
Profit before tax                                       543           5,359          8,655 
Income tax charge                                     (514)         (2,161)        (2,259) 
-----------------------------------  -----  ---------------  --------------  ------------- 
Profit for the period                                    29           3,198          6,396 
-----------------------------------  -----  ---------------  --------------  ------------- 
Total comprehensive income 
 for the period                                          29           3,198          6,396 
-----------------------------------  -----  ---------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
Profit for the period attributable 
 to: 
Owners of the parent company                             29           3,198          6,396 
Profit for the period                                    29           3,198          6,396 
-----------------------------------  -----  ---------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
Total comprehensive income 
 for the period attributable 
 to: 
Owners of the parent company                             29           3,198          6,396 
Profit for the period                                    29           3,198          6,396 
-----------------------------------  -----  ---------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
Profit per share attributable 
 to the owners 
 of the parent company (expressed 
 in cents) 
- basic and diluted                     11             0.03            2.91           5.81 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the 6 months ended 30 June 2017

 
                                  Attributable to owners of the Company 
                                       Share          Share      Retained     Total 
                                     capital        premium        income    equity 
                                        $000           $000          $000      $000 
-----------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
At 1 January 2016 (restated)          18,988         89,520      (30,566)    77,942 
-----------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
 
Total comprehensive income 
 for the period                            -              -         3,198     3,198 
 
At 30 June 2016 (restated)            18,988         89,520      (27,368)    81,140 
-----------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
 
Capital reduction                          -       (89,520)        89,520         - 
 
Dividends paid                             -              -       (5,503)   (5,503) 
 
Total comprehensive income 
 for the period                            -              -         3,198     3,198 
 
At 31 December 2016                   18,988              -        59,847    78,835 
-----------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
 
Total comprehensive income 
 for the period                            -              -            29        29 
 
At 30 June 2017                       18,988                       59,876    78,864 
-----------------------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------- 
 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

for the 6 months ended 30 June 2017

 
                                                                 6 months      12 months 
                                                 6 months              to             to 
                                                       to    30 June 2016    31 December 
                                             30 June 2017       unaudited           2016 
                                                unaudited      (restated)        audited 
                                                     $000            $000           $000 
----------------------------------------   --------------  --------------  ------------- 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Profit for the period                                  29           3,198          6,396 
Adjustment for: 
Mining properties depletion charged 
 to income statement                                  698           1,057          2,381 
Depreciation of property, plant 
 and equipment charged to income 
 statement                                          2,992           3,824          7,026 
Finance expense - net                                 751           1,072          2,036 
Net present value adjustment                            -               -             76 
Impairment of ore stocks                              605             298          1,389 
Corporation tax charge                                514           2,161          2,259 
Loss on sale of property, plant 
 and equipment                                        110              10             76 
-----------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
Cash flows from operating activities 
 before changes in working capital 
 and provisions                                     5,699          11,620         21,639 
 
Increase in inventories                             (748)           (116)        (1,767) 
(Increase) / decrease in trade 
 and other receivables                              (697)         (2,109)            494 
Increase / (decrease) in trade 
 and other payables                                 1,450            (69)            625 
Cash generated from operations                      5,704           9,326         20,991 
 
Corporation tax paid                                 (15)               -           (18) 
Interest paid on borrowings                         (810)         (1,146)        (2,132) 
Net cash flows generated from 
 operating activities                               4,879           8,180         18,841 
-----------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
Investing activities 
Mining and mine development                       (6,298)         (1,518)        (5,976) 
Purchase of property, plant and 
 equipment and exploration / evaluation 
 assets                                           (2,001)           (818)        (3,425) 
Interest received                                      68              74            156 
-----------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
Net cash used in investing activities             (8,231)         (2,262)        (9,245) 
-----------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
Financing activities 
Repayment of bank borrowings                     (16,500)           (504)        (3,519) 
Proceeds from bank borrowings                      16,501               -              - 
Repayment of short term borrowings                      -               -           (59) 
Repayment of finance leases                         (106)            (61)              - 
Dividends paid                                          -               -        (5,503) 
-----------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
Net cash used in financing activities               (105)           (565)        (9,081) 
-----------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash 
 and cash equivalents                             (3,457)           5,353            515 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at 
 beginning of the period                           13,097          12,643         12,643 
Exchange (loss) / gain on cash 
 and cash equivalents                                   9               -           (61) 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at 
 end of the period                                  9,649          17,996         13,097 
-----------------------------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

Unaudited notes forming part of the condensed consolidated interim financial information for the period ended 30 June 2017

1. General information

Trans-Siberian Gold plc (the Company) is a UK-based resources company, with the objective of acquiring and developing a portfolio of quality gold-mining assets in Russia.

The Company is a public limited company, incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom, and has subsidiaries based in the Russian Federation. The Company's registered office is 39 Parkside Cambridge CB1 1PN United Kingdom. The registered number of the Company is 1067991. The Company's shares are traded on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange.

This condensed consolidated interim financial information was approved by the Board on 27 September 2017.

The interim financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2016 is unreviewed and unaudited and does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The comparative financial information for the year ended 31 December 2016 has been derived from the statutory financial statements for that year. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016 were approved by the Board of directors on 29 June 2017 and filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Independent Auditors' Report on those accounts was unqualified.

2. Basis of preparation

The condensed consolidated interim financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2017 has been prepared in accordance with the AIM Rules and complies with IAS 34 Interim financial reporting as adopted by the EU. The interim condensed consolidated financial report does not include all disclosures that would otherwise be required in a complete set of financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the annual report and accounts for 2016.

Going concern

The Group's operations are cash generative and management tightly control the level of committed expenditure to ensure that the Group has sufficient resources available to meet its liabilities as they fall due. Regular cash forecasts are reviewed to assess the potential impact of factors such as changes in commodity prices, production rates and the timing of capital expenditure.

The Group has reported an operating profit for the period of $1.3 million, which is stated after significant non-cash depreciation and impairment charges. The Directors have reviewed the Group's cash flow forecast for the period to 31 December 2018 and they believe that, taking account of reasonably possible changes in commodity prices, trading performance and expenditure and scheduled repayment of bank loan facilities, the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, wherefore the directors are confident that the Group will continue as a going concern and have prepared the financial information on that basis.

Critical accounting judgements and uncertainties

The preparation of interim financial information requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

In preparing this condensed interim financial information, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those that applied to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016.

New standards, interpretations and amendments adopted by the Group

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial information are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Group's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016, except for the adoption of new standards effective as of 1 January 2017. However, the Group did not have to change its accounting policies or make retrospective adjustments as a result of adopting these new standards.

The Group has not early adopted any other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.

Impact of standards issued but not yet effective and not applied by the Group

At the date of approval of this condensed interim financial information, the following standards and relevant interpretations, which have not been applied in this financial information, were in issue but not yet effective (and some of which were pending endorsement by the EU):

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts

IFRS 15 Clarification to IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

IFRS 16 Leases

IFRS 17 Insurance contracts

IFRS 2 (amended) Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions

Annual improvements to IFRSs: 2014-2016 Cycle

The Group considers that the only standard that may have a significant impact is IFRS 9, however has not yet quantified the potential impact. The new standard will replace existing accounting standards. It is applicable to financial assets and liabilities and will introduce changes to existing accounting concerning classification, measurement and impairment (introducing an expected loss method).

The Group considers that whilst IFRS 16 and IFRS 15 may impact the Group, the effect will not be significant. The operating leases held by the Group are of low value and its revenue contracts usually contain a single performance criteria that is satisfied at a point in time. The Group will adopt the above standards at the time stipulated by the standards. The Group does not currently anticipate voluntary early adoption of any of the standards.

3. Restatement

The comparative financial information for the period ended 30 June 2016 reflects adjustments in respect of deferred tax and the valuation of mined ore.

As disclosed in the Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016, a change in accounting policy was implemented in 2016 whereby costs are now allocated to mined ore on a value (gold content) basis instead of on an activity (tonnage mined) basis. This resulted in an increase in operating expenditure reported in the first half of 2016 and a corresponding decrease in the value of closing ore stockpiles included in inventory. This also lead to a significant increase in tax losses relating to prior years and recognition of temporary differences relating to inventory impairment provisions. This materially increased the deferred tax asset at 1 January 2016 previously not reflected in the interim financial information for the 6 months ended 30 June 2016.

In addition, following a review of the recognition criteria for deferred tax relating to the mining properties and property plant and equipment of TZ, the Russian mining subsidiary, it was concluded that additional deferred tax liabilities should have been recognised in earlier years and a restatement, previously not reflected in the interim financial information for the 6 month ended 30 June 2016, was made to reflect these additional amounts.

The impact of the prior period restatements on the Group's financial position at 30 June 2016 and the Group's financial performance for the period then ended has been as follows:

Cost of sales and inventory values

Cost of sales reported in the first half of 2016 increased by $1.2 million with a corresponding decrease in value of closing ore stockpiles.

Deferred tax asset

An additional deferred tax asset of $2.7 million has been recognised at 1 January 2016. An additional deferred tax asset of $2.1 million has been recognised at 30 June 2016.

Deferred tax liability

An additional deferred tax liability of $5.6 million has been recognised at 1 January 2016. An additional deferred tax liability of $6.4 million has been recognised at 30 June 2016.

Group retained losses at 30 June 2016 have increased by $5.6 million.

Group income tax charge for the period ended 30 June 2016 has increased by $1.36 million.

4. Segment information

The Group's operations are entirely focused on gold production and exploration and development activities within the Russian Federation, with its corporate head office in the UK. The operating segment has been identified on the basis of internal reports about the components of the Group provided to the chief operating decision makers. The chief operating decision makers have been identified as the Chief Executive Officer, Finance Director and the non-executive board members.

The Group has one reportable segment, being operations in Russia. The operating results of this segment are regularly reviewed by the Group's chief operating decision makers in order to make decisions about the allocation of resources and to assess their performance. With the exception of $2.2 million corporate costs (2016: $592,000), the numbers in the primary statements reflect the results of the sole operating segment.

5. Mining properties, property, plant and equipment, and deferred exploration and evaluation costs

 
                                                             Deferred exploration 
                           Mining properties     Property,         and evaluation 
                                        $000     plant and                  costs      Total 
                                                 equipment                   $000       $000 
                                                      $000 
Cost 
At 1 January 2016                     59,295       101,518                  1,643    162,456 
Additions                              1,739           798                      -      2,537 
Disposals                                  -         (928)                      -      (928) 
At 30 June 2016                       61,034       101,388                  1,643    164,065 
----------------------  --------------------  ------------  ---------------------  --------- 
 
Additions                              4,237         2,518                    463      7,218 
Disposals                                  -             -                      -          - 
----------------------  --------------------  ------------  ---------------------  --------- 
At 31 December 2016                   65,271       103,906                  2,106    171,283 
----------------------  --------------------  ------------  ---------------------  --------- 
 
Additions                              6,786         1,963                     73      8,822 
Disposals                                  -         (166)                      -      (166) 
At 30 June 2017                       72,057       105,703                  2,179    179,939 
----------------------  --------------------  ------------  ---------------------  --------- 
 
Depletion 
At 1 January 2016                   (32,247)      (51,230)                      -   (83,477) 
Charge for period                    (1,143)       (3,828)                      -    (4,971) 
Disposals                                              918                      -        918 
At 30 June 2016                     (33,390)      (54,140)                      -   (87,530) 
----------------------  --------------------  ------------  ---------------------  --------- 
 
Charge for the period                (1,392)       (3,645)                      -    (5,037) 
Disposals                                  -             -                      -          - 
----------------------  --------------------  ------------  ---------------------  --------- 
At 31 December 2016                 (34,782)      (57,785)                      -   (92,567) 
----------------------  --------------------  ------------  ---------------------  --------- 
 
Charge for the period                (1,260)       (3,436)                      -    (4,696) 
Disposals                                  -            56                      -         56 
----------------------  --------------------  ------------  ---------------------  --------- 
At 30 June 2017                     (36,042)      (61,165)                      -   (97,207) 
----------------------  --------------------  ------------  ---------------------  --------- 
 
Net book value 
At 1 January 2016                     27,048        50,288                  1,643     78,979 
At 30 June 2016                       27,644        47,248                  1,643     76,535 
At 31 December 2016                   30,489        46,121                  2,106     78,716 
----------------------  --------------------  ------------  ---------------------  --------- 
At 30 June 2017                       36,015        44,538                  2,179     82,732 
----------------------  --------------------  ------------  ---------------------  --------- 
 

-- Mining properties assets relate to the Asachinskoye (Asacha) mining licence held by the Company's subsidiary ZAO Trevozhnoye Zarevo (TZ).

-- $309,000 of the depreciation charge related to property, plant and equipment is included in additions to mining properties (2016 first half: $118,000).

-- $35,000 of the depreciation charge related to property, plant and equipment used in construction is included in additions to assets under construction within property, plant and equipment (2016 first half: $18,000)

-- $179,000 of interest expense in the period has been capitalised within addition to mining properties in the period (2016 first half: $108,000).

6. Inventories

 
                                           30 June 2016 
                                 30 June                  31 December 
                                    2017       Restated          2016 
                                    $000           $000          $000 
------------------------------  --------  -------------  ------------ 
 Non-current: 
 Ore stocks                        7,452          6,202         5,870 
 Less: provision                 (2,771)        (1,073)       (2,166) 
------------------------------  --------  -------------  ------------ 
                                   4,681          5,129         3,704 
------------------------------  --------  -------------  ------------ 
 Current: 
 Gold in progress                  1,739          1,566         2,357 
 Silver in progress                   37             26            88 
 Ore stocks                          520            706         1,033 
 Fuel                              1,462            893         1,070 
 Other materials and supplies      3,555          2,109         2,937 
                                   7,313          5,300         7,485 
------------------------------  --------  -------------  ------------ 
 At end of period                 11,994         10,429        11,189 
------------------------------  --------  -------------  ------------ 
 

Ore stocks' impairment provision reflects the difference between their expected net realisable value at a gold price of $1,243/oz. (2016: $1,200oz.), and cost, including processing, refining and royalties. Gold in progress, silver in progress and ore stocks include mining properties depletion $662,000 (2016 first half: $150,000).

7. Borrowings

 
                                        30 June 
                              30 June             31 December 
                                 2017      2016          2016 
                                 $000      $000          $000 
 Non-current: 
 Bank borrowings               14,800    12,207             7,746 
 Finance lease obligations        136       319               225 
---------------------------  --------  --------  ---------------- 
                               14,936    12,526             7,971 
---------------------------  --------  --------  ---------------- 
 
 

Current:

 
 Bank borrowings               1,718    7,046    8,583 
 Finance lease obligations       230      157      177 
---------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
                               1,948    7,203    8,760 
---------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 At end of period             16,884   19,729   16,731 
---------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 
 
Movement in borrowings is analysed         6 months   6 months      12 months 
 as follows:                                     to         to             to 
                                                       30 June    31 December 
                                       30 June 2017       2016           2016 
                                               $000       $000           $000 
-----------------------------------  --------------  ---------  ------------- 
At beginning of period                       16,731     20,233         20,233 
Proceeds from issue of loans                 16,501          -              - 
Repayment of loans and accrued 
 interest                                  (16,533)      (516)        (3,519) 
Release of debt issue costs                     221          -              - 
Net present value adjustment                      -        (3)             76 
Net movement in finance leases                 (36)         15           (59) 
At end of period                             16,884     19,729         16,731 
-----------------------------------  --------------  ---------  ------------- 
 
 

Borrowings (continued)

On 19 June 2017, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary TZ entered into an agreement with VTB Bank for a $15 million loan facility for a 5-year term, repayable in equal amounts quarterly with the first repayment effective seven calendar quarters after initial drawdown.

On 21 June 2017, TZ entered into a further agreement with VTB Bank for an additional $5 million debt facility for a 3-year term, repayable on the loan expiry date.

Both loan facilities bear annual interest at 6.2% and are secured against the equity and fixed assets of TZ only. Additionally, TZ is required to enter into an exclusive gold sales agreement with VTB Bank.

The new facilities have been used to repay TZ's existing two loans with Sberbank amounting to $16.5 million, and provide additional funds for working capital and other corporate purposes.

8. Share capital

Share capital at 30 June 2017 amounted to $18.9 million (31 December 2016: $18.9 million). During the period, no ordinary shares in the Company were issued.

9. Revenue

 
                       6 months                     Year ended 
                                       6 months 
                          ended           ended    31 December 
                   30 June 2017    30 June 2016           2016 
                           $000            $000           $000 
---------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Gold                    18,443          23,220         44,359 
 Silver                     361             350            843 
 Total revenue           18,804          23,570         45,202 
---------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

The Group's gold and silver sales are not materially impacted by seasonal and cyclical fluctuations. The mining operations may be impacted by seasonal weather conditions. Appropriate mine planning and ore stockpile build-up ensures that mining can continue during adverse weather conditions.

10. Cost of sales

 
                                              6 months 
                              6 months           ended     Year ended 
                                 ended    30 June 2016    31 December 
                          30 June 2017        Restated           2016 
                                  $000            $000           $000 
----------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Wages and salaries              3,362           3,668          8,676 
 Energy and materials            4,438           3,990          6,611 
 Depreciation                    2,845           3,651          6,726 
 Depletion                         698           1,057          2,381 
 Other costs                     1,940           1,843          3,578 
----------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 Total cost of sales            13,283          14,209         27,972 
----------------------  --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

11. Earnings per share

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share has been based on the profit for the period of $29,000 (2016 first half: $3,198,000) and the weighted average number of shares being 110,053,073 ordinary shares issued for the period ended 30 June 2017 (2016 first half: 110,053,073).

The Group had no dilutive potential ordinary shares in either periods that would serve to reduce the profit per ordinary share. There is therefore no difference between the basic and diluted profit per share for each period reported.

12. Dividends paid and proposed

The Directors have resolved to pay an interim dividend of US$0.036 per ordinary share (approximately US$ 4 million) for the six months ended 30 June 2017 (2016 first half: nil). The dividend policy is dependent on the results of the Group's operations, its financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, profits available for distribution and other factors deemed to be relevant at that time.

A special dividend $0.05 per ordinary share, equivalent to approximately $5.5 million, was paid on 23 December 2016.

13. Related party transactions

The directors of the Company consider that there are no key management personnel, as defined by IAS 24, Related party transactions, other than the directors themselves. There were no other related party transactions in the period (1H 2016: none).

14. Contingencies

As an international Group with tax affairs in more than one jurisdiction the degree of estimation and judgements is more challenging. Any taxation issues that arise are dealt with on the advice of the Company's tax advisors, however, resolution may differ from the accounting estimates and therefore impact the Group's results and future cash flows. Accounting for tax contingencies requires management to make judgements and estimates based on management's interpretation of country-specific tax law and the likelihood of settlement. Management has identified a potential income tax exposure in respect of the taxation of intragroup interest. The directors believe that prior year tax losses should be sufficient to shelter any estimated tax liability, however the relevant tax guidance and procedures are subject to interpretation and agreement by the tax authorities and there is a possible income tax exposure of up to approximately $1.1 million.

15. Events after the reporting date

There were no significant events after the end of the reporting period.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR BVLLLDKFZBBQ

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 29, 2017 02:02 ET (06:02 GMT)

1 Year Trans-siberian Gold Chart

1 Year Trans-siberian Gold Chart

1 Month Trans-siberian Gold Chart

1 Month Trans-siberian Gold Chart

Your Recent History

Delayed Upgrade Clock