China Nonferr Regulatory News (CNG)

30 Sep 2016 07:00

30 September 2016

China Nonferrous Gold Limited 中国有色黄金有限公司

(‘CNG’ or the ‘Company’)

Interim Results for the Six-Month Period Ended 30 June 2016

China Nonferrous Gold Limited (AIM:CNG), the mineral exploration and development company currently developing the Pakrut Gold Project (‘the Pakrut Project’) in the Republic of Tajikistan, today announces its interim results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2016.

The results below are available on the Company's website at www.cnfgold.com.

Highlights

2,183 metres of tunneling and cuttings at various levels completed by the end of August; 11,500 metre of drilling as part of face preparation and 4,497 metres of in-fill drilling completed; More than 122,000 tonnes of ore has been extracted during the first half of 2016 from above levels and has been stockpiled; Technical enhancements to the plant completed following trial production; Processing capacity currently at 1700 tonnes per day; 1,777 tonnes of gold concentrate produced and 150,000 tonnes of ore stockpiled by the end of August Pakrut operating board strengthened Debt re-financing of US$120 million with CNMC International Capitals Company Limited and post period end up to US$100 million with China Construction Bank Corporation Macau Branch, both at lower cost

For further information please visit the Company’s website (www.cnfgold.com) or contact:

China Nonferrous Gold Limited

David Tang, Managing Director

Tel: +86 10 8442 6681

Investec Bank Plc Jeremy Ellis,

George Price

Tel: +44 (0)20 7597 5970

Blytheweigh

Tim Blythe, Camilla Horsfall

Tel: +44 (0)20 7138 3204

Project Summary

The Pakrut gold project, of which CNG has 100 per cent ownership, is situated in Tajikistan approximately 120km northeast of the capital city Dushanbe. Pakrut is located within the Tien Shan gold belt, which

extends from Uzbekistan into Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Western China, and which hosts a number of multi-million ounce gold deposits.

CNG is transitioning from construction with mining contractors on site developing the underground mine and surface infrastructure to production phase.

About Tajikistan

Tajikistan is a secular republic located in Central Asia. The country is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Tajikistan hosts numerous operating precious metal mines as well as the largest aluminium smelter in Central Asia. CNG's management team has extensive experience in the mining industry in Tajikistan.

CHINA NONFERROUS GOLD LIMITED Chairman’s Statement

Construction and Production

During the first half year of 2016, the Company has made considerable progress on reaching the designed capacity of Pakrut Gold Project.

The tunneling and cuttings at 2110, 2170, 2230 and 2292 levels have reached 2,183 metres by the end of August. 11,500 metres of drilling for face preparation and 4,497 metres of in-fill drilling has been completed across the sub-levels. More than 122,000 tonnes of ore has also been extracted from above levels since the start of 2016.

Throughout the winter after trial production late last year, the Company continued to make effective and successful progress on equipment maintenance and technical modification work for the processing plant and smelting plant in order to complete commissioning work during trial production and reach the design capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day. The processing plant has been continuously running and is currently processing 1,700 tonnes of ore per day. Meanwhile the smelting plant has satisfied the conditions for continuous operation after equipment maintenance and technical modification. By the end of August 2016, the Company had produced 2,175tonnes of concentrate. The smelting of the gold from the concentrate is expected to start in October 2016.

On June 4th, the President of Republic of Tajikistan visited the smelting and processing plant and attended the opening ceremony of the processing plant.

In order to manage the production in a more efficient way, senior operational engineers have been recruited to assist in the transformation of Pakrut from the construction stage to production.

Financial Results

The amount incurred by the Company on development and construction work during the first six months of 2016 was US$39,587,000 (30 June 2015: US$29,673,000). Administration expenditure was US$2,820,560 (30 June 2015: US$1,277,000). The overall loss incurred by the Company was US$3,400,000(30 June 2015: US$1,203,000). Total cash equivalents at the end of the period amounted to US$109,020,000 (30 June 2015: US$13,218,000).

In the first half of 2016, new debt financing totaling US$220 million was secured from the China Nonferrous Mining Group and the Construction Bank of China. The new loans were used settle the ICBC loan balance and part of the previous shareholder loan balance in order to maximise the Company’s cash position and reduce financing costs. As at 30 June 2016 the Company’s outstanding debt balance consisted of US$311 million with $211 million owed to China Nonferrous Metals Int’l Mining Co., Ltd(“CNMIM”) and CNMC International Capitals Company Limited. Post period end the Company paid down $55 million of the CNMIM loan.

Outlook

The Company remains focused on the transformation of the Pakrut Gold Project from construction to production and is on course to reach design capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day for processing within the second half of 2016. The recruitment of more senior operational engineers will be conducted in due course while Pakrut is transforming from construction stage to operation.

The permanent camp at site is expected to be completed before winter and construction of the new tailings dam is expected to begin shortly.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our employees, management and advisors for their continued effort in 2016 and thank our shareholders for their continued support. I very much look forward to updating our shareholders on the mine production and gold pour.

Wu Xiang

Non-Executive Chairman

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE SIXMONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2016

CHINA NONFERROUS GOLD LIMITED

		Unaudited		Unaudited		Audited
		Six months ended 30 June 2016		Six months ended 30 June 2015		Year ended 31 December2015
		US$’000		US$’000		US$’000
Revenue
Interest income		3		1		4
Administrative and other expenses		(2,821)		(1,277)		(3,166)
Foreign exchange (losses)/ gains		(550)		80		(2,988)
Finance costs		(32)		(7)
Loss before Tax		(3,400)		(1,203)		(6,150)
Income tax		-		-		-
Loss after Tax		(3,400)		(1,203)		(6,150)
Total comprehensive income		-		-		-
-Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to owners of the Company		(3,400)		(1,203)		(6,150)
Earnings per Share
-Basic and diluted (US cents)		(0.89)		(0.31)		(0.0161)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30 JUNE 2016

CHINA NONFERROUS GOLD LIMITED

		Unaudited		Unaudited		Audited
		30 June 2016 US$’000		30 June 2015 US$’000		31 December 2015 US$'000
Non-current Assets
Intangible assets				-		-
Mine under construction		284,077		157,005		244,529
Prepayments for property, plant and equipment		565		2,689		-
Property, plant and equipment		10,573		11,340		11,624
Total Non-Current Assets		295,215		171,034		256,153
Current Assets
Inventories		40,164		34,776		39,390
Trade and other receivables		2,571		173		1,010
Cash and cash equivalents		109,020		13,218		2,213
Total Current Assets		151,755		48,167		42,613
Non-Current Liabilities
Payables for property, plant and equipment		(73,534)		-		-
Provision for other liabilities and charges		-		(593)		(646)
Trade and other payables		-		-		-
Borrowings		(275,000)		(134,877)		(56,437)
Total Non-Current Liabilities		(348,534)		(135,470)		(57,083)
Current Liabilities
Trade and Other payables		(46,940)		(5,628)		(74,204)
Borrowings		(20,000)		(20,687)		(132,583)
Total Current Liabilities		(66,940)		(26,315)		(206,787)
Net Current Assets(Liabilities)		84,815		21,852		(164,174)
Net Assets		31,496		57,416		34,896
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities		380,030		192,886		91,979
Capital And Reserves
Capital		38		38		38
Share premium		65,901		65,901		65,901
Other reserves		10,175		10,175		10,175
Retained earnings		(44,618)		(18,698)		(41,218)
Total Equity		31,496		57,416		34,896
Total Equity and Liabilities		446,970		219,201		298,766

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2016

CHINA NONFERROUS GOLD LIMITED

		Unaudited		Unaudited		Audited
		Six months ended 30 June 2015		Six months ended 30 June 2014		Year ended 31 December 2015
		US$’000		US$’000		US$’000
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Loss before tax		(3,400)		(1,203)		(6,150)
Adjustments for:
Interest income		-		-		(4)
Depreciation		908		5		542
Share based payments
Finance costs		-		7		-
Operating cash flows before movements		(2,492)		(1,191)		(5,612)
in working capital
Advance to suppliers		243		(1,973)		-
Trade and other receivables (increase) / decrease		(46)		160		39
Other payables (decrease) / increase		43,688		(8,574)		49,615
Decrease(increase) in Inventory
Cash used in operations		41,393		(11,577)		49,615
Income tax paid		-		-
Net Cash used in Operating Activities		41,393		(11,577)		44,042
Cash flows from Investing Activities
Payments for intangible assets		-
Payments for property, plant and equipment		(61)		(2,153)		(2,282)
Payments for construction in progress and mining rights		(38,752)		(17,476)		(111,999)
Increase in Inventories		(774)		(10,044)		(14,658)
Interest received		-		-		4
Net cash used in Investing Activities		(39,587)		(29,673)		(128,935)
Cash flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from issue of shares		-		190		190
Proceeds from borrowings		240,000		46,235		110,909
Repayment of borrowings		(135,000)		(10,229)		(31,375)
Interest paid						(10,890)
Net Cash from/(used in) Financing Activities		105,000		36,196		68,834
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents		106,806		(5,054)		(16,059)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		2,213		18,272		18,272
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period		109,019		13,218		2,213

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2016

CHINA NONFERROUS GOLD LIMITED

		Share		Share		Other		Retained		Total
		capital		premium		reserve		earnings		equity
		US$’000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000		US$'000
Balance at 1 January 2015		38		65,711		10,175		(17,495)		58,429
Loss and total comprehensive		-		-		-		(1,203)		-1,203
income for the period
Issue of shares in respect of exercise of share options		-		190		-		-		190
Balance at 30 June 2015		38		65,901		10,175		(18,698)		57,416
Balance at 1 January 2016		38		65,901		10,175		(41,218)		34,896
Loss and total comprehensive incomefor the period		-		-		-		(3,400)		-3,400
Loss and total comprehensive incomefor the period
Balance at 30 June 2015		38		65,901		10,175		(44,618)		31,496

NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2016

1. Accounting Policies

These unaudited condensed interim financial statements were approved for issue by the China Nonferrous Gold Limited Board of Directors on 28 September 2016.

These condensed interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The financial information has been prepared under the historical cost convention.

These condensed interim financial statements do not constitute statutory accounts.

As permitted, the Group has chosen not to adopt IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Statements’ in preparing these condensed interim financial statements.

The Group has applied consistent accounting policies in preparing the condensed interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2016 and the comparative information for the six months ended 30 June 2015 and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015 and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015.

Risks and uncertainties

The Board continuously assesses and monitors the key risks of the business. The key risks that could affect the Group’s medium term performance and the factors that mitigate those risks have not substantially changed from those set out in the Group’s 2015 Annual Report and Financial Statements, a copy of which is available on the Group’s website: www.cnfgold.com.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The preparation of consolidated interim financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the end of the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates are set out in the Group’s 2015 Annual Report and Financial Statements. The nature and amounts of such estimates have not changed during the interim period.

The functional currency of the Group is US dollars and accordingly the amounts in the interim results are denominated in that currency.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated Financial Statements incorporate the Financial Statements of the Company and all Group undertakings. These are adjusted, where appropriate, to conform to Group accounting policies. Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has control which is where the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. All significant intercompany transactions and balances between group undertakings are eliminated on consolidation.

Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group, and continue to be consolidated until the date when such control ceases.

Mines under construction

Expenditure is transferred from “Exploration and evaluation” assets to mining rights within “Mines under construction” once the work completed to date supports the future development of the property and such development receives the requisite approvals. All subsequent expenditure on technically and commercially feasible sites is capitalised within mining rights.

All expenditure on the construction, installation or completion of infrastructure facilities is capitalised as construction in progress within “Mines under construction”. Once production starts, all assets included in “Mines under construction” will be transferred into “Property, Plant and Equipment” or “Producing mines”. It is at this point that depreciation / amortization commences over its useful economic life.

Mines under construction are stated at cost. The initial cost comprises transferred exploration and evaluation assets, construction costs, infrastructure facilities, any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset into operation, the initial estimate of the rehabilitation obligation, and, for qualifying assets, borrowing costs. Costs are capitalized and categorized between mining rights and construction in progress respectively according to whether they are intangible or tangible in nature.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment (other than construction in progress) is stated at cost, less subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses, if any.

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (other than construction in progress) is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their costs to their residual values over their estimated useful lives using the following rates per annum:

Plant and machinery - 20%, Motor vehicles - 20%, Office furniture and equipment - 20%.

The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate accounted for a prospective basis.

Impairment losses on tangible and intangible assets

Exploration and evaluation assets and mines under construction are assessed for impairment annually or where there is an indication that an asset or cash generating unit (“CGU”) may be impaired. If an indication exists, or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the Group estimates the asset’s or CGU’s recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or CGU’s fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. Where the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset/CGU is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount. The Group bases its impairment calculation on detailed budgets and forecasts based on the life-of-mine plans.

The assessment is carried out by allocating exploration and evaluation and mines under construction assets to CGUs which are based on specific projects and geographical areas. Where exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources in CGUs does not lead to the discovery of commercially viable quantities of mineral resources and the Group has decided to discontinue such activities at the unit, the associated expenditure will be written off to profit or loss. Exploration and evaluation assets are impaired when the Group’s right to explore in an area has expired.

2. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of ordinary shares issued during the half year of 2016: 382,392,292 (2015: 381,407,570). There is no difference between basic and diluted earnings per share as the Company is loss making.

3. Going Concern

The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in Annual report for the year ended 31 December 2015 which can be found on the Company’s website. The accounting policies include the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments; and its exposure to liquidity risk. During the period the following refinancing steps have been undertaken by the Company:

On 6th May 2016 the Group obtained a loan with CNMC International Capitals Company Limited (“CNMC”), an associate of CNMIM of US$120 million (“CNMC Loan”). This loan has been used to refinance the loan facility with ICBC. The CNMC Loan is repayable on 31 December 2018 and includes an annual fixed interest rate of 4% on the amount drawn down, payable in arrears. On 27th June 2016 the Group drew down a further loan of US$19,114,809 from CNMIM for working capital purposes.

On 1st July the Group announced an agreement with the China Construction Bank Corporation Macau Branch for a loan facility of up to USD$ 100 million (“CCBC loan”). This loan has been used to refinance the Company’s 2012 loan with CNMIM and also for working capital purposes. The CCBC loan is for a maximum of 5 years and is repayable 60 months from the date of first drawdown. The annual interest rate is 2.1% plus 3 month LIBOR.

As at the date of approval of these interim statements, and based upon the budgeted levels of expenditure, the refinancing undertaken, Board approved cash flow forecasts and expected production dates, the Directors are satisfied that the Group has sufficient cash and loan facilities to finance the Group’s operating expenses and any further development and construction of the Pakrut Gold Project that is required.

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence and thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the interim results.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160929006479/en/

Copyright Business Wire 2016