Kefi Gold Regulatory News (KEFI)

27 September 2017

KEFI Minerals plc

("KEFI" or the "Company")

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017

KEFI Minerals (AIM: KEFI), the gold exploration and development company with projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the half-year ended 30 June 2017 and provide an update on development funding.

The statement below encompasses the activities of the Company's subsidiary, KEFI Minerals (Ethiopia) Limited ("KME"), in Ethiopia and its joint venture, Gold & Minerals Limited ("G&M"), in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Commenting KEFI's Executive Chairman, Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, said:

"The first six months of 2017 and subsequently has been a transformational period for KEFI. We have made significant progress at Tulu Kapi, agreeing with our partners both the execution plan to close the required financing and the Project works schedule.

"The rest of 2017 is expected to be equally busy as we work to close the Project financing and move towards development. We look forward to providing updates as further progress is made."

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement.

ENQUIRIES

Further information can be viewed on KEFI's website at www.kefi-minerals.com

Condensed interim consolidated statements of comprehensive income

(unaudited) (All amounts in GBP thousands unless otherwise stated)

The notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

Condensed interim consolidated statements of financial position 

(unaudited) (All amounts in GBP thousands unless otherwise stated)

The notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements. 

On 26 September 2017, the Board of Directors of KEFI Minerals Plc authorised these interim financial statements for issue.

John Leach

Finance Director

Condensed interim consolidated statement of changes in equity 

(unaudited) (All amounts in GBP thousands unless otherwise stated)

Attributable to the owners of the Company

The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within owner's equity:

Reserve Description and purpose

Share capital amount subscribed for share capital at nominal value

Deferred shares on 16 June 2015, under the restructuring of share capital, ordinary shares of 1p each in the capital of the Company were sub-divided into one new ordinary share of 0.1p and one deferred share of 0.9p

Share premium amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value, net of issue costs. Includes Lanstead sharing agreement share price movements.

Share options reserve reserve for share options granted but not exercised or lapsed

Foreign exchange reserve cumulative foreign exchange net gains and losses recognized on consolidation

Accumulated losses cumulative net gains and losses recognized in the statement of comprehensive income, excluding foreign exchange gains within other comprehensive income

The notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

Condensed interim consolidated statements of cash flows

(unaudited) (All amounts in GBP thousands unless otherwise stated)

The notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements. 

Notes to the condensed interim consolidated financial statements

For the six months to 30 June 2016 and 2017 (unaudited) (All amounts in GBP thousands unless otherwise stated)

1. Incorporation and principal activities

Country of incorporation

The Company was incorporated in United Kingdom as a public limited company on 24 October 2006. Its registered office is at 27/28 Eastcastle Street, London W1W 8DH.

Principal activities

The principal activities of the Group for the period are:

· To explore for mineral deposits of precious and base metals and other minerals that appear capable of commercial exploitation, including topographical, geological, geochemical and geophysical studies and exploratory drilling.

· To evaluate mineral deposits determining the technical feasibility and commercial viability of development, including the determination of the volume and grade of the deposit, examination of extraction methods, infrastructure requirements and market and finance studies.

· To develop, operate mineral deposits and market the metals produced.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements are set out below. These policies have been applied consistently throughout the period presented in these condensed interim consolidated financial statements unless otherwise stated.

Basis of preparation and consolidation

The condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards (IFRS) including International Accounting Standard 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" and using the historical cost convention.

These condensed interim consolidated financial statements ('the statements") are unaudited and include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings. They have been prepared using accounting bases and policies consistent with those used in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company and the Group for the year ended 31 December 2016. These statements do not include all of the disclosures required for annual financial statements, and accordingly, should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and other information set out in the Company's 31 December 2016 Annual Report. The accounting policies are unchanged from those disclosed in the annual consolidated financial statements.

Going concern

The Directors have formed a judgment at the time of approving the condensed interim consolidated financial statements that there is a reasonable expectation that the Company and Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, the validity of which depends principally on securing funding to develop the Tulu Kapi mine project as an economically viable mineral deposit, and the availability of subsequent funding to extract the resource or alternatively the availability of funding to extend the Company's and Group's exploration activities. These conditions indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the Company's and Group's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustment that would result if the Company and Group were unable to continue as a going concern.

Use and revision of accounting estimates

The preparation of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements requires the making of estimations and assumptions that affect the recognised amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Financial Assets

Fair value through profit or loss

This category comprises only Lanstead derivative (note 7) which is carried in the statement of financial position at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss. The Group does not have any assets held for trading nor does it voluntarily classify any financial assets as being at fair value through profit or loss.

Fair value measurement hierarchy

The Group classifies its financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the fair value measurement (note 7).

The fair value hierarchy has the following levels: a) Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1); b) Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices) (level 2); c) Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs) (Level 3). The level in the fair value hierarchy within the financial asset or financial liability is determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Adoption of new and revised International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)

The Group has adopted all the new and revised IFRSs and International Accounting Standards (IAS) which are relevant to its operations and are effective for accounting periods commencing on 1 January 2017. The adoption of these Standards did not have a material effect on the condensed interim consolidated financial statements.

At the date of authorisation of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements some Standards were in issue but not yet effective. The Board of Directors expects that the adoption of these Standards in future periods will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. 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 unchanged from those disclosed in the annual consolidated financial statements.

Valuation of derivative financial asset

The Company and Lanstead Capital L.P. have entered into an equity sharing agreement in respect of the share placings as detailed in note 7 for which consideration will be received on a monthly basis over 18 months period. The amount to be received each month is dependent on the Company's share price at the end of each month. The Directors have made assumptions in their financial statements about the quantum of the funds receivable at the yearend however there is significant uncertainty underlying these assumptions due to the unpredictable nature of the share prices.

3. Operating segments

The Group has only one distinct operating segment, being that of mineral exploration. The Group's exploration activities are located in Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia through the jointly controlled entity and its administration and management is based in Cyprus.

4. Loss per share

The calculation of the basic and fully diluted loss per share attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the parent is based on the following data:

The effect of share options and warrants on the loss per share is anti-dilutive.

*Adjusted for the 17:1 share consolidation which took place in March 2017.

5. Property, plant and equipment

6. Intangible assets

Management performed an impairment review for the above intangible assets at 30 June 2017, which relate to development work at the Tulu Kapi license area, and assessing its economic feasibility. The deemed net present value of the Tulu Kapi asset significantly exceeded the book value at 30 June 2017.

The impairment review compared the recoverable amount of assets to the carrying value. The recoverable amount of an asset is assessed by reference to the higher of value in use ("VIU"), being the net present value ("NPV") of future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets, and fair value less costs to dispose ("FVLCD"). The FVLCD is based on an estimate of the amount that the company may obtain in a sale transaction on an arms-length basis.

7. Derivative financial asset at fair value through profit and loss

In March 2017, as part of a subscription to raise, in aggregate, £5.62m (before expenses) from certain new shareholders, the Company issued 82,352,941 new ordinary shares of 1p each in the capital of the Company ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 5.61p per share to Lanstead Capital L.P. ("Lanstead") for £4,620,000 (before expenses). The amount of £693,000 of the proceeds of the Lanstead Subscription (being 15% of the Lanstead Subscription amount) was retained by the Company and £3,927,000 (85%) was pledged to Lanstead under the sharing agreement. The Sharing Agreement enables the Company to share in any share price appreciation over the Benchmark Price, being 7.48 pence per New Ordinary Share (the "Benchmark Price"). The equity sharing agreement is for a 18 month period. All 82,352,941 Ordinary Shares were allotted with full rights on the date of the transaction.

Accordingly, pursuant to the above arrangements, of the aggregate subscription proceeds of £4.62m received from Lanstead, £3.927m (85 per cent.) was pledged by the Company in the equity sharing agreement with the remaining £0.69m (15 per cent.) immediately available for general working capital purposes.

To the extent that the Company's volume weighted average share price is greater or lower than the Benchmark Price at each settlement, the Company will receive greater or lower consideration calculated on a pro-rata basis i.e. volume weighted average share price / Benchmark Price multiplied by the monthly transfer amount. As the amount of the effective consideration receivable by the Company from Lanstead under the sharing agreement will vary subject to the movement in the Company's share price and will be settled in the future, the receivable is treated for accounting purposes as a derivative financial asset and has been designated at fair value through profit or loss.

The difference between the cash consideration received and the share placement price of 5.61p per share is transferred from fair value through profit or loss to share premium account. During the current period an amount of £542,150 was recorded in share premium.

The Company also issued, in aggregate, a further 4,117,647 Ordinary Shares to Lanstead as a value payment in connection with the equity sharing agreement.

The fair value of the derivative financial assets as at 30 June 2017 has been determined by reference to the Company's share price in line with the sharing agreement at that time and has been estimated as follows:

9. Share capital

Issued capital

Consolidation of ordinary shares

Following the Company's General Meeting on 1 March 2017, at the close of business on 1 March 2017 shareholders received one Ordinary Share of nominal value 1.7 pence each for every 17 Existing ordinary Shares of nominal value 0.1 pence each.

2017

On 2 March 2017, 104,295,888 shares of 1.7p were issued at a price of 5.61p per share. On issue of the shares, an amount of GBP4,077,969 was credited to the Company's share premium reserve.

The Company issued a total of 17,825,300 shares to investors for a total consideration of GBP 1,000,000.

Company issued 82,352,941 Shares to Lanstead Capital L.P. ('Lanstead'), for an aggregate consideration of GBP 4.620,000. In addition, the Company has entered into Equity Sharing Agreements with Lanstead which allow the Company to retain much of the economic interest in the Lanstead Subscription Shares. The Equity Sharing Agreements enable the Company to secure much of the potential upside and downside risk arising from anticipated near term news flow. Further details available in note 7.

The Company also agreed to make a value payment to Lanstead of 4,117,647 Ordinary Shares.

Restructuring of share capital into deferred shares

On 16 June 2015 the Company issued ordinary shares of 1p each in the capital of the Company which were sub-divided into one new ordinary share of 0.1p and one deferred share of 0.9p. The Deferred Shares have no value or voting rights. After the share capital reorganisation there were the same number of New Ordinary Shares in issue as there are existing Ordinary Shares. The New Ordinary Shares have the same rights as those currently accruing to the existing Ordinary Shares in issue under the Company's articles of association, including those relating to voting and entitlement to dividends.

Details of warrants outstanding as at 30 June 2017:

These warrants were issued to advisers of the Group.

*Post share consolidation figures

10. Share options reserve

Details of share options outstanding as at 30 June 2017:

*Post share consolidation figures

On 22 March 2017, 6,829,613 options were issued to persons who discharge director and managerial responsibilities ("PDMRs") and a further 2,705,509 options have been granted to other non-board members of the senior management team. The options have an exercise price of 7.5p, expire after 6 years, and vest in two equal annual instalments, the first upon the achievement of practical completion of the planned processing plant at the Tulu Kapi Gold Project and the second upon the achievement of nameplate capacity for a twelve-month period.

11. Trade and other payables

Other loans are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

12. Joint venture agreements

In May 2009, KEFI Minerals formed the Gold & Minerals exploration joint venture, "G&M" Joint Venture, with Saudi construction and investment group Abdul Rahman Saad Al-Rashid & Sons Company Limited ("ARTAR"). KEFI Minerals is the operating partner with a 40% shareholding of the G&M Joint Venture with ARTAR holding the other 60%.

KEFI Minerals provides the G&M Joint Venture with technical advice and assistance, including personnel to manage and supervise all exploration and technical studies. ARTAR provides administrative advice and assistance to ensure that the G&M Joint Venture remains in compliance with all governmental and other procedures.

13. Related party transactions

The following transactions were carried out with related parties:

13.1. Compensation of key management

The total remuneration of the Directors and other key management personnel was as follows:

13.2. Compensation of key management personnel

Share-based benefits

The Company has issued share options to directors and key management. On 27 March 2014, the Board approved a new share option scheme ("the Scheme") for directors, senior managers and employees. The Scheme formalises the existing policy that options may be granted over ordinary shares representing up to a maximum of 10 per cent of the Group's issued share capital. The Scheme options vest in equal annual instalments over a period of 2 years or on the performance obligations set at the time of issuing the options and expire after 6 years.

14. Contingent liabilities

In 2006, EMED Mining Public Ltd acquired a proprietary geological database that covers extensive parts of Turkey and Greece and EMED transferred to the Company that part of the geological database that relates to areas in Turkey.

Under the agreement, the Company has undertaken to make a payment of approximately GBP51,100 (AUD105,000) for each tenement it is subsequently awarded in Turkey and which was identified from the database. The maximum number of such payments required under the agreement is four, resulting in a contingent liability of up to GBP204,400. These payments are to be settled by issuing shares in the Company. To date, only one tranche of shares have been issued under this agreement in June 2007 for GBP43,750 (AUD105,000).

On 13 August 2015, the Company created a fixed charge in favour of AIB Group UK Plc over amounts held in the Company's deposits accounts with the bank. The charge is in regard to time credit banking facilities provided by AIB Group (UK) Plc. At 30 June 2017, the balance in the deposit account was £20,015.

16. Events after the reporting date

KEFI Minerals (Ethiopia) Limited ("KME") and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia have signed the shareholders' agreement (the "Shareholders' Agreement") and other foundation documentation for the incorporation, ownership and operation of Tulu Kapi Gold Mines Share Company Limited, which will result in TKM owning 100% of the Tulu Kapi Gold Project. The exploration projects outside the Tulu Kapi Mining Lease area are not part of TKM and remain 100% owned by KEFI. The Shareholders' Agreement sets out the parties' respective commitments to invest equity capital in TKM and the mechanisms for control of the development and operation of the Tulu Kapi Gold Project. Based on the latest project cost estimates, KEFI (via KME) will own circa 75% of the share capital of TKM and the Government of Ethiopia will own circa 25% (circa 20% for its investment of US$20 million for infrastructure required for the project and an additional 5% free carry).

After the reporting date the VAT refund owed by the Ethiopian authorities was received.

In July 2017 the company signed mandate letter and heads of terms for US$135 million of project funding with Oryx Management Limited ("Oryx") to finance and operate all the onsite infrastructure at the Company's Tulu Kapi Gold Project in Ethiopia (the "Project"). The planned financing package also includes funding finance charges during a 30‐month construction and production ramp‐up period.