12 Dec 2014 07:00
Tertiary Minerals PLC ("Tertiary" or "the Group" or "Company")
12 December 2014
Audited Results for the year to 30 September 2014
Tertiary Minerals plc, the AIM traded company building a significant strategic position in the fluorspar sector is pleased to announce audited results for the year ended 30 September 2014.
Highlights
· Exploitation (Mine) Permit application submitted for the Storuman Fluorspar Project in Sweden.
· Work continuing on Storuman Preliminary Feasibility Study.
· Large maiden JORC compliant Mineral Resource Estimate for the MB Project in Nevada, USA: Indicated 8.9 million tonnes grading 10.3% fluorspar (CaF2) and Inferred 29.5 million tonnes grading 10.4% fluorspar (CaF2) at 8% CaF2 cut-off.
· Third drill programme completed at MB Project, key objectives: Increase the size of the Inferred Mineral Resource and target potential higher grade fluorspar.
Commenting today, Executive Chairman, Patrick Cheetham said: "The Company's strategic plan is on track. I am pleased to be reporting key milestones on our two principal projects in Europe and North America and I look forward to reporting the results of our recent drill programme in Nevada."
Enquiries
Tertiary Minerals plc Patrick Cheetham, Executive Chairman Richard Clemmey, Managing Director
|
+44 (0)845 868 4580 |
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker Ewan Leggat Katy Birkin
| +44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
Beaufort Securities Ltd Joint Broker Saif Janjua
|
+44 (0)20 7382 8300 |
Yellow Jersey PR Limited Dominic Barretto Kelsey Traynor
| +44 (0)7768 537 739 |
Strategic Report
Group Overview
Principal Activities
The principal activity of the Company is that of a holding company for its subsidiaries. The principal activity of the Group is the identification, acquisition, exploration and development of mineral projects with primary focus on fluorspar, the main raw material source of fluorine for the chemical, steel and aluminium industries.
The head office is in Macclesfield in the United Kingdom with core operating locations in Storuman in Sweden, Lassedalen in Norway and MB Project in Nevada, USA.
The Group's operations in Sweden are undertaken through its registered branch Svensk filial till Tertiary Gold Limited and in Norway through a UK subsidiary, Tertiary Gold Ltd. In the USA the Company operates through a subsidiary, Tertiary Minerals US Inc.
Company's Aims
· Become a reliable long-term and competitive supplier of high quality fluorspar to world markets.
· Add value to the Group's mineral projects.
· Discovery and development of mineral resources.
Company's Strategy
· Acquire and develop large fluorspar deposits located close to established infrastructure and key markets in stable, democratic and mining friendly jurisdictions.
The Company targets large fluorspar deposits as this is a critical factor in offering end users long term security of supply and provides a platform for future expansion.
A critical component to the success of any industrial mineral project is proximity to established infrastructure and key markets. Industrial mineral projects cannot accommodate large infrastructure development costs and product transportation costs, particularly during periods of depressed commodity prices. This has been a key driver of the Company's project selection process.
Mineral development is a high-risk business with long lead times between exploration and production and as a result Tertiary seeks projects in stable, democratic and mining friendly jurisdictions. This helps satisfy end user's aim that their fluorspar raw materials are ethically sourced with minimum long term supply risk.
Company's Business Model
· Successful, efficient and low costs explorer.
The Group prefers to acquire 100% ownership of mineral assets at minimal expense. This usually involves applying for exploration licences from the relevant authority, as was the case for the Storuman and Lassedalen projects. In other cases, rights are negotiated with existing project owners for initially low periodic payments that rise over time as confidence in the project value increases and this was the case for the MB project.
The Group seeks to operate with a low cost base in order to maximise the funds that can be spent on exploration and development - value adding activities. The Company has 6 full time employees including the two executive directors (Managing Director and Chairman) who work with and oversee carefully selected and experienced consultants and contractors. The Board of Directors comprises two independent non-executive directors, the Managing Director and the Executive Chairman.
The administration costs are reduced through an arrangement governed by a Management Services Agreement with Sunrise Resources, whereby Sunrise Resources shares Tertiary's office costs. As at the date of this announcement, Tertiary is a substantial shareholder (as defined under the AIM Rules) of Sunrise Resources plc, holding 10.41%.
The Company's activities are financed through periodic capital raisings, through private share placements and other innovative equity based financial instruments. As projects become more advanced the Board will seek to secure additional funding from potential end users. This kind of arrangement can take many forms, for example through off-take agreements or through joint venture partnerships.
Chairman's Statement
I have great pleasure in presenting the Company's Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2014.
In last year's Annual Report we set out in detail our established strategy to acquire and develop large deposits of fluorspar close to markets and in democratic and mining friendly jurisdictions with the objective of becoming a reliable, long-term and competitive supplier of fluorspar.
In our Strategic Report for 2014 we have reviewed our progress against the Strategic Plan and we are reporting key milestones on our two principal projects which are strategically located in the main centres of western world fluorspar consumption, Europe and North America.
At the Storuman project in Sweden our years of exploration and environmental baseline monitoring led to the submission of an Exploitation (Mine) Permit application in July. The grant of this permit is expected to take 12-18 months during which time our preliminary feasibility studies will continue. When granted, the Exploitation Permit will secure our rights to the deposit for 25 years and clear the way for environmental permitting.
In Nevada, USA, the receipt of very positive results from our inaugural two-phase drill programme allowed us to announce a maiden Mineral Resource of some 38 million tonnes of open-pit mineable material grading 10% fluorspar, substantially exceeding our initial target. As mineralisation is still open along strike in most directions, as well as at depth in many holes, we carried out a third phase of drilling this autumn. Our objective for Phase 3 is to expand the Mineral Resource to the north and northwest of the existing Mineral Resource. Results are eagerly awaited but first indications from a deep step out hole over 700m from the resource boundary are of multiple thick intersections of fluorspar mineralisation in a 300m thick section reinforcing my belief that we are just now starting to see the world class scope of this remarkable deposit. Our direct fluorspar discovery costs at the MB project are just 0.17p per tonne of fluorspar underlining our credentials as a low cost explorer.
Frustratingly, however, the equity market has not recognised the value to the Company of these results. This is true of so many exploration and development companies at present but ours is a cyclical industry and we believe that the progress we have made will position the Company at the forefront of the next recovery. This consistent progress is also important in building credibility and support for our ambitions amongst the international chemical producers which will eventually become our customers and we continue to establish ourselves as an active participant in this important community.
Because of difficult market conditions and to minimise shareholder dilution, we have carried out only a modest fundraising in 2014 but we did realise a profit on the closing out of our 2013 equity swap arrangement earlier this financial year.
I would like to thank all of my co-directors for their counsel in 2014 and all of the staff at Tertiary, ably led by our Managing Director Richard Clemmey, for their loyalty and hard work.
I look forward to meeting shareholders again at the Annual General Meeting which is to be held on Thursday 5th February 2015.
Patrick Cheetham
Executive Chairman
11 December 2014
Financial Review & Performance
The Group is currently in the earlier stages of the typical mining development cycle and so has no income other than cost recovery from the management contract with a third party explorer and a small amount of bank interest. Consequently the Group is not expected to report profits until it disposes of, or is able to profitably develop or otherwise turn to account its exploration and development projects.
The Group reports a loss of £358,807 for the year (2013: £451,160) after administration costs of £423,459 (2013: £437,857) and after crediting interest of £4,412 (2013: £5,668). The loss includes expensed pre-licence and reconnaissance exploration costs of £9,214 (2013: £32,131), and impairment of deferred exploration costs of £3,254 (2013: £7,140). Administration costs include £71,448 (2013: £88,506) as non-cash costs for the value of certain options and warrants held by employees and others as required by IFRS 2.
The financial statements show that, at 30 September 2014, the Group had net current assets of £887,072 (2013: £1,298,847). This represents the cash position after allowing for receivables and trade and other payables. These amounts are shown in the Consolidated and Company Statement of Financial Position and are also components of the Net Assets of the Group. Net assets also include various "intangible" assets of the Company. As the name suggests, these intangible assets are not cash assets but include some of this year's and previous years' accrued expenditure on minerals projects where that expenditure meets the criteria in Note 1(d) accounting policies. The individual intangible assets total £3,051,724 (2013: £2,420,947) and breakdown by project is shown in Note 2 to the Financial Statements.
Expenditure which does not meet the criteria in Note 1(d), such as pre-licence and reconnaissance costs are expensed and add to the Company's loss. The loss reported in any year can also include expenditure that was carried forward in previous reporting periods as an intangible asset but which the Board determines is "impaired" in the reporting period.
The extent to which expenditure is carried forward as intangible assets is a measure of the extent to which the value of Company's expenditure is preserved. In the current reporting period an amount of £3,254 was impaired for the Rosendal Tantalum project.
The intangible asset value of a project does not equate to the realisable or market value of a particular project which will, in the Directors' opinion, be at least equal in value and often considerably higher. Hence the Company's market capitalisation on AIM is usually in excess of the net asset value of the Group.
Details of intangible assets, property, plant & equipment and investments are set out in Notes 8, 9 and 10 of the financial statements.
Administration and overhead costs have been shared with Sunrise Resources plc, to the benefit of both companies. This cost sharing is continuing.
The Financial Statements of a mineral exploration company can provide a moment in time snapshot of the financial health of the Company but do not provide a reliable guide to the performance of the Company or its Board and its long-term potential to create value.
The usual financial key performance indicators ("KPIs") are neither applicable nor appropriate to measurement of the value creation of a company with no turnover and so the Directors consider that the detailed information in the Operating Review is the best guide to the Group's progress and performance during the year.
Fundraising
Since 2008, when the Company acquired its first fluorspar project at Storuman, the Company has raised just £4,971,271 in equity and your Board is therefore proud of the progress it has made since that date, on limited financial resources in a period of considerable financial turmoil.
During the 2014 financial year the Company raised a total of £737,938 net of expenses from a variety of sources as shown in Note 14 of the Financial Statements.
Operating Review & Performance
The Company's fluorspar projects sit at various stages within the typical mining development cycle. The Company is pleased to report that it is on track with the development of its 100% owned fluorspar projects towards the aim of becoming a reliable long-term and competitive supplier of high quality fluorspar to world markets.
In 2014 the Company has more than doubled its fluorspar Mineral Resource asset base as defined and categorised under the JORC Code 2012*.
*The Australasian Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves prepared by the Joint Ores Reserves Committee (JORC) of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and the Minerals Council of Australia.
Fluorspar Projects
Storuman Fluorspar Project, Sweden
2014 Highlights
· Exploitation (Mine) Permit application submitted.
· Preliminary Feasibility Study metallurgical testwork - close to completion.
The Company's 100% owned Storuman project is located in north central Sweden and is linked by the E12 highway to the port city of Mo-i-Rana in Norway and by road and rail to the port of Umeå on the Gulf of Bothnia. A newly constructed bulk rail terminal 25km from the project site is likely to become an important factor in the cost effective delivery of fluorspar to the key European fluorspar market.
Exploitation (Mine) Permit Application
The Company passed an important milestone in July 2014 by submitting its Exploitation (Mine) Permit application to the Swedish Mining Inspectorate. In order to submit an Exploitation (Mine) Permit application the Company had to complete the following key work programmes for the project:
· Drilling.
· Metallurgical Testwork.
· Scoping Study.
· JORC compliant Mineral Resource Estimate.
· Key stakeholder engagement and consultation.
· Two years baseline environmental studies.
The resultant technical, economic, social and environmental information has been used by the Company and its Swedish based consultants and advisors to prepare the technical description, environmental impact assessment and legal documents required for the application.
The estimated timeline for Exploitation (Mine) Permit approval in Sweden can be highly variable but the typical timeline is currently between twelve and eighteen months. The process requires that the Company waits for the approval of the Exploitation (Mine) Permit prior to preparing and submitting the Environmental Permit Application.
In an effort to eliminate delays in processing the Exploitation (Mine) Permit the Company has prepared a very thorough application with certain elements exceeding what is legally and normally required by the Swedish Mining Inspectorate. Whilst every effort has been made, the schedule for processing and approving Exploitation and Environmental Permits is not within the Company's control and this will ultimately govern the timeframe for the development of the mine.
Preliminary Feasibility Study
Preliminary Feasibility Study level metallurgical testwork has been ongoing and has been subject to a series of delays due to the different mineralogy of the two ore zones and unforeseen delays at the testwork laboratory. The initial results from the testwork of the Upper Ore Zone indicate that acid grade fluorspar concentrate can be produced with recoveries of more than 80%, meeting the key chemical specifications as follows:
· CaF2 >97%
· SiO2
The testwork has produced fluorspar concentrate with a coarser size distribution than that produced in the Scoping Study metallurgical testwork however this is somewhat finer than the 'typical' market specification of acid grade fluorspar. The results from the testwork of the Lower Ore Horizon indicate that finer grinding than that of the Upper Ore Zone is required in order to produce an acid grade concentrate and recoveries lower than the Upper Ore Zone.
The Company has contracted the services of a specialist mineral processing consultancy to complete the final phase of Preliminary Feasibility Study level metallurgical testwork where it will target further optimisation of both grind size and recovery. This stage of work is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2015.
Once this critical task is successfully completed the Company expects to evaluate different options for processing and mine planning and will then execute the final elements the Preliminary Feasibility Study including engineering design, mine design, capital and operating cost estimation. The current target for completing the evaluation and Preliminary Feasibility Study is the end of 2015.
MB Fluorspar Project, Nevada USA
2014 Highlights
· Large Maiden JORC compliant Mineral Resource Estimate.
· Phase 3 drilling programme completed.
· Scoping Study level metallurgical testwork - programme started.
The MB Property comprises 146 contiguous mining claims covering an area more than 2,800 acres and is located 19km south-west of the town of Eureka in central Nevada, USA. The state of Nevada is widely recognised to be one of the most attractive mining jurisdictions in the world. Eureka is located on US Highway 50 and the main railroad is located 165km to the north of the deposit providing bulk freight distribution to the East and West of the USA. Together with Europe, the USA is a key fluorspar market currently importing the majority of its fluorspar demand. Having distribution access to the west coast provides access to Asian markets, which may be a target market in the future.
Maiden JORC Compliant Mineral Resource Estimate
Following the two phases of drilling completed in 2013, comprising of 26 holes and totalling 3,223 metres across three areas of the deposit, the Company commissioned Wardell Armstrong International Ltd (WAI) to complete a maiden JORC 2012 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate for the MB Project. This Mineral Resource Estimate of 38.4 million tonnes grading 10.4% fluorspar (CaF2) was not only a significant milestone for the MB Project but also for the Company as it more than doubled the Company's 100% owned fluorspar Mineral Resources to 7.8 million tonnes of contained fluorspar.
Phase 3 Drilling
The Company moved quickly onto planning the next phase of drilling, Phase 3, following the completion of the maiden JORC 2012 Mineral Resource Estimate. The Phase 3 drilling programme completed in November 2014 and comprised a further 9 holes totalling 2,516 metres using the reverse circulation (percussion) method of drilling. The key objectives of the Phase 3 drilling programme were to:
· Increase the size of the Inferred Mineral Resource by extending the drilling to the North and west of the defined Mineral Resource;
· Target potential higher grade fluorspar closer to the source of mineralisation by drilling to the West of defined Mineral Resource.
Results from the drilling programme are expected to be reported in due course. However preliminary results from the first hole, a deep (516 metres) step out hole drilled 700 metres to the west of the current defined Mineral Resource, are encouraging. Observations and results suggest multiple thick intersections between 60m from surface to over 360m deep, of significant fluorspar mineralisation and indicate the potential to increase the size of the current defined large JORC 2012 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate.
Metallurgical Testwork
Composite samples from the Phase 2 drilling programme have been submitted to an independent testing laboratory for early stage bench scale metallurgical testwork. The target of the testwork programme is to ascertain the potential for producing acid grade fluorspar from the ore. Early stage results are expected by the end of June 2015.
The Next Step
Following the receipt of the Phase 3 drilling results the Company's objective is to contract an independent consultant to re-model the current JORC compliant Mineral Resource Estimate during the first half of 2015. The results from the modelling and the metallurgical testwork will drive the next step in the project whether that be a further phase of drilling and/or Scoping Study completion by the end of 2015.
Lassedalen Fluorspar Project, Norway
The Lassedalen Fluorspar Project is favourably located near Kongsberg, 80km to the south-west of Oslo in Norway. It is less than 1km from highway E134 and approximately 50km from the nearest Norwegian port. The Company views this resource as strategically important alongside its Storuman project for the European market. However, due to financial market conditions in 2013/2014 and given the commitments on its other fluorspar projects and the absence of expenditure obligations, further exploration at the Lassedalen project has been deferred. The objective in the future is further drilling aimed at increasing the size of the current JORC compliant Mineral Resource of 4 million tonnes grading 25% fluorspar (CaF2).
Non-Core Projects
Finland Gold Project
The Company's gold projects in Finland include the Kaaresselkä and Kiekerömaa gold prospects in the Lappland Greenstone Belt. This belt hosts a number of advanced gold projects and two operating gold mines including the six million ounce Kittila Gold mine operated by Canadian major, Agnico Eagle Mines.
The Kaaresselkä Exploration Licence renewal was granted in March 2013 and Kiekerömaa in April 2014 for a period of three years. The Company is currently evaluating how to best valorise the projects either through joint venture or sale.
Rosendal Tantalum Project
The Rosendal project contains a pegmatite hosted JORC compliant Inferred Mineral Resource of 1 million tonnes grading 255ppm tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5), open at depth. The majority of the pegmatite comprises sodium feldspar which is used in the manufacture of glass, glazes and in other industrial applications. Tantalum is used mainly in electronic applications.
The Company's 2002 PFS evaluation considered production of tantalum only using the prevailing tantalite price of US$35-40/lb Ta2O5. It showed the project to be marginal and no further work was carried out. Since 2002, the price for tantalite has increased and is currently in the range $80-90/lb Ta2O5. A Scandinavian source of tantalum could be well perceived as of value by tantalite buyers and consumers of tantalum metal who now seek ethically sourced, conflict-free supplies in compliance with the requirements of the 2011 US Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
As with the other non-core projects the Company is currently evaluating how to best valorise the project either through joint venture or sale.
Ghurayyah Tantalum-Niobium-Rare-Earth Project
During 2014 preliminary feasibility studies for development of Ghurayyah have continued to be on hold pending the issue of a new exploration licence.
Health and Safety
The Group has maintained strict compliance with its Health and Safety Policy and is pleased to report there has been no lost time injury's during the course of the year.
Environment
No Group company has had or been notified of any instance of non-compliance with environmental legislation in any of the countries in which they work.
Fluorspar Market Summary*
Key Fluorspar Market Dynamics
· China accounts for over half of the world fluorspar production.
· Chinese exports have continued to decline since 2000 as internal demand has increased.
· Potential for China to become a net importer in the future.
· Acid-spar prices have declined since late 2012 but the long term trend has been upwards since 2000 with long term future outlook looking positive.
· Western Europe, Canada and the USA are the largest acid-spar consuming regions outside of China, importing more than 900,000 tonnes per year.
· Fluorspar is classified as a critical raw material by the European Commission.
· USA considers fluorspar as a strategic mineral - 100% net import reliance.
The current global demand for fluorspar is 6.0-6.5 million tonnes per year. Acid-spar, the quality of material used as feedstock in fluorine based chemicals, represents the largest share of the fluorspar market by volume, with current demand being around 3.8 million tonnes per year, and commands the highest price per tonne in comparison to metallurgical-spar, used as a flux in steel making, and ceramic grade fluorspar. The two primary uses of acid-spar are:
· The manufacture of Aluminium Fluoride (AlF3) which is used as a flux in the aluminium manufacturing process.
· The manufacture of Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) with the largest use of the HF being the manufacturer of refrigerant gases.
The global supply and demand for fluorspar has seen steady growth over the decade 1998 to 2008. In 2009 the global financial crisis contributed to a contraction in acid-spar supply and demand followed by a recovery in 2011. From the latter part of 2012 and through 2014 demand for acid-spar has softened and this has been reflected in the price. The China export price for acid-spar (FOB China) is a traditional benchmark price and is currently published as US$290-310/tonne (Industrial Minerals Magazine). The equivalent price delivered into Europe (CIF Rotterdam) is published as US$330-360/tonne.
The current price weakness does not impact the Company's long term strategy as it is not yet in production and the positive macro-economic drivers for future prices are essentially unchanged.
China is the leading producer of acid-spar representing over 50% of the total output. However, during the last decade there has been a continued trend of reducing Chinese acid-spar exports. This significant reduction in exports is due to a combination of growth in internal demand and China's Government policies aimed at guaranteeing domestic supply and to protect limited reserves. As the downstream value added fluorspar consumer industry continues to grow this could possibly result in China becoming a net importer of fluorspar in the future.
It is the Company's view that the Chinese supply-demand dynamics coupled with the increasing global demand outlook for the downstream uses of fluorine such as refrigeration, energy reduction in the steel and aluminium industry and emerging uses, fluoropolymers in lithium batteries for example, will increase global demand and price for fluorspar in the long term. The new generation of environmentally friendly refrigerants, hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), contain an increased proportion of fluorine than the older ozone depleting refrigerants, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
The largest acid-spar consuming regions outside of China are Western Europe, Canada and the USA, collectively importing more than 900,000 tonnes of acid-spar per year. The uncertainty of Chinese acid-spar supply has resulted in increasing pressure on these regions to secure long term sources and recent upstream merger and acquisition integration in the industry reflects this position.
The changing fluorspar supply-demand dynamics has been recognised by the European Commission (EC) which in 2010 classified fluorspar as one of the fourteen critical raw materials because of its high risk of supply shortage and consequent impact on the economy. The USA, which currently imports material to meet all of its fluorspar demand, also considers fluorspar as a strategic mineral.
\* The information in this Fluorspar Market Summary is drawn from various sources, including Industrial Minerals Magazine, United States Geological Survey, Roskill, UN Comtrade and CRU.
Our Governance
Corporate Governance
The Company is committed to high standards of corporate governance and the Board seeks to comply with the principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code ("the Code"), insofar as it is appropriate to the Company at this stage in its development.
The Board of Directors currently comprises the Executive Chairman, Managing Director and two non-executive directors. The Board considers that this structure is suitable for the Company having regard to the fact that it is not yet revenue-earning. In November 2013, the roles of Chairman and Managing Director were separated with the promotion of Richard Clemmey from Operations Director to Managing Director, a move which, amongst other things, brings this aspect of governance into line with best practice.
The two non-executive directors have both served for more than eleven years and under the terms of the Code cannot now be regarded as independent. It is proposed that they should continue to seek annual re-election rather than every third year as per the Articles of Association. The Company has been fortunate to secure the services of Donald McAlister and David Whitehead during that time and both continue to provide valuable advice based on their long experience of the mining industry.
The Board can be strengthened by the appointment of independent non-executive directors but is satisfied that its composition is currently suitable for an AIM listed company.
Role of the Board
The Board's role is to agree the Group's long-term direction and strategy and monitor achievement of its business objectives. The Board meets four times a year for these purposes and holds additional meetings when necessary to transact other business. The Board receives reports for consideration on all significant strategic and operational matters.
Notwithstanding that the non-executive directors are not considered to be independent under the terms of the Code they are considered by the Board to be independent of management and free from any business or other relationship which could materially interfere with the exercise of their independent judgement. Directors have the facility to take external independent advice in furtherance of their duties at the Group's expense and have access to the services of the Company Secretary.
The Board delegates certain of its responsibilities to the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees of the Board. These Committees operate within clearly defined, written terms of reference.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, composed entirely of non-executive directors, meets at least twice a year and assists the Board in meeting responsibilities in respect of external financial reporting and internal controls. The Audit Committee also keeps under review the scope and results of the audit. It also considers the cost-effectiveness, independence and objectivity of the Auditor taking account of any non-audit services provided by them.
Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee also comprises the non-executive directors. The Remuneration Committee meets at least once a year to determine the appropriate remuneration for the Company's executive directors, ensuring that this reflects their performance and that of the Group, and to demonstrate to shareholders that executive remuneration is set by Board members who have no personal interest in the outcome of their decisions.
In 2014 the Company initiated a long term bonus and incentive scheme for the Managing Director. The objective of adopting the scheme is to provide reward for successfully achieving performance targets set by the Board of Directors in line with the Company's Aims and Strategy. The Company has in place an Inland Revenue approved share option scheme and also issues warrants to subscribe for shares to executive directors and employees. Directors' emoluments are disclosed in Note 4 to the financial statements and details of directors' warrants are disclosed in Note 17.
The Board is aware that non-executive directors are not considered to be independent under the terms of the Code if they hold warrants to buy shares in the Company and so they no longer participate in the issue of warrants.
Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee comprises the Chairman, Managing Director and the non-executive directors. The Nomination Committee meets at least once per year to lead the formal process of rigorous and transparent procedures for Board appointments and to make recommendations to the Board in accordance with the requirements of the Code and other applicable rules and regulations, insofar as they are appropriate to the Group at this stage in its development.
Conflicts of Interest
The Companies Act 2006 permits directors of public companies to authorise directors' conflicts and potential conflicts, where appropriate, and the Articles of Association contain a provision to this effect.
At 30 September 2014, Tertiary Minerals plc held 9.52% of the issued share capital of Sunrise Resources plc and the Chairman of Tertiary Minerals plc is also Chairman of Sunrise Resources plc. Tertiary Minerals plc also provides management services to Sunrise Resources plc, in the search, evaluation and acquisition of new projects.
Procedures are in place in order to avoid any conflict of interest between the Company and Sunrise Resources plc.
Corporate Responsibility
The Board takes regular account of the significance of social, environmental and ethical matters affecting the business of the Group. At this stage in the Group's development the Board has not adopted a specific written policy on Corporate Social Responsibility as it has a limited pool of stakeholders other than its shareholders. Rather, the Board seeks to protect the interests of the Group's stakeholders through individual policies and through ethical and transparent actions.
The Company engages positively with local communities and stakeholders in its project locations and in 2014, the Company provided modest sponsorship of the local ice hockey team in Storuman, Sweden, with particular focus on supporting the club in attracting, coaching and equipping new youth players to the sport.
Shareholders
As set out above, the Board seeks to protect shareholders' interests by following, where appropriate, the guidelines in the Code and the directors are always prepared, where practicable, to enter into a dialogue with shareholders to promote a mutual understanding of objectives. The Annual General Meeting provides the Board with an opportunity to informally meet and communicate directly with investors.
Environment
The Board recognises that its principal activity, mineral exploration, has potential to impact on the local environment and consequently has adopted an Environmental Policy to ensure that the Group's activities have minimal harmful environmental impact. Contractors are carefully selected to ensure that they have their own environmental policy, resources and training in order to carry our field activities in line with the Company's high standards.
The Group's activities, carried out in accordance with the Environmental Policy, have had only minimal environmental impact and this policy is regularly reviewed. Where appropriate, all work is carried out after advance consultation with all potentially affected parties.
Employees
The Group encourages its employees to understand all aspects of the Group's business and seeks to remunerate its employees fairly, being flexible where practicable. The Group gives full and fair consideration to applications for employment received regardless of age, gender, colour, ethnicity, disability, nationality, religious beliefs, transgender status or sexual orientation. The Board takes account of employees' interests when making decisions, and suggestions from employees aimed at improving the Group's performance are welcomed.
The Company has adopted an Anti-corruption Policy and Code of Conduct.
Suppliers and Contractors
The Group recognises that the goodwill of its contractors, consultants and suppliers is important to its business success and seeks to build and maintain this goodwill through fair dealings. The Group has a prompt payment policy and seeks to settle all agreed liabilities within the terms agreed with suppliers. The amount shown in the Consolidated and Company Statement of Financial Position in respect of trade payables at the end of the financial year represents 17 days of average daily purchases (2013: 59 days).
Health and Safety
The Board recognises it has a responsibility to provide strategic leadership and direction in the development of the Group's health and safety strategy in order to protect all of its stakeholders. The Company has developed a Health and Safety Policy to clearly define roles and responsibilities and in order to identify and manage risk.
Risks & Uncertainties
The Board regularly reviews the risks to which the Group is exposed and ensures through its meetings and regular reporting that these risks are minimised as far as possible. Details of how the directors mitigate these risks can be found in the Strategic Report. The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group at this stage in its development are:
Exploration Risk
The Company's business is mineral exploration and evaluation which are activities subject to speculative technical and economic uncertainly, and whilst the directors are satisfied that good progress is being made, there is no certainty that the Group will be successful in the definition of economic mineral deposits, or that it will proceed to the development of any of its projects or otherwise realise their value.
Resource Risk
All mineral deposits have risk associated with their defined grade and continuity. Mineral Reserves and Resources are calculated by the Group in accordance with accepted industry standards and codes (JORC) but is always subject to uncertainties in the underlying assumptions which include geological projection, metal price assumptions and other technical uncertainties.
Development Risk
Delays in permitting or changes in permit legislation and/or regulation, financing and commissioning a project may result in delays to the Group meeting future production targets or even in extreme cases loss of title.
Changes in commodity prices can affect the economic viability of mining projects and affect decisions on continuing exploration activity.
Mining and Processing Technical Risk
Notwithstanding the completion of metallurgical testwork, test mining and pilot studies indicating the technical viability of a mining operation, variations in mineralogy, mineral continuity, ground stability, ground water conditions and other geological conditions may still render a mining and processing operation economically or technically non-viable.
Environmental Risk
Exploration and development of a project can be adversely affected by environmental legislation and the unforeseen results of environmental studies carried out during evaluation of a project. Once a project is in production unforeseen events can give rise to environmental liabilities.
Financing & Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to raise working capital for its ongoing activities. The Group's goal is to finance its exploration and evaluation activities from future cash flows but until that point is reached the Company is reliant on raising working capital from equity markets or from industry sources. There is no certainty such funds will be available when needed.
Political Risk
All countries carry political risk that can lead to interruption of activity. Politically stable countries can have enhanced environmental and social permitting risks, risks of strikes and changes to taxation whereas less developed countries have enhanced risks associated with changes to the legal framework, civil unrest and government expropriation of assets.
Partner Risk
The Group can be adversely affected if joint venture partners are unable or unwilling to perform their obligations or fund their share of future developments.
Financial Instruments
Details of risks associated with the Group's Financial Instruments are given in Note 20 to the financial statements.
Internal Controls & Risk Management
The directors are responsible for the Group's system of internal financial control. Although no system of internal financial control can provide absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss, the Group's system is designed to provide reasonable assurance that problems are identified on a timely basis and dealt with appropriately and expeditiously.
In carrying out their responsibilities, the directors have put in place a framework of controls to ensure as far as possible that ongoing financial performance is monitored in a timely manner, that corrective action is taken and that risk is identified as early as practically possible, and they have reviewed the effectiveness of internal financial control.
The Board, subject to delegated authority, reviews capital investment, property sales and purchases, additional borrowing facilities, guarantees and insurance arrangements.
Forward Looking Statements
This Annual Report contains certain forward looking statements that have been made by the directors in good faith based on the information available at the time of the approval of the Annual Report. By their nature, such forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will or may occur in the future. Actual results may differ from those expressed in such statements.
This Strategic Report was approved by the Board of Directors on 11 December 2014.
Richard Clemmey
Managing Director
Board of Directors
The Directors and Officers of the Company are:
Patrick Cheetham (54)
Executive Chairman
Key Strengths and Experience
· Geologist.
· 33 years' experience in mineral exploration.
· 28 years' experience in public company management.
· Founder of the Company, Dragon Mining Ltd, Archaean Gold NL and Sunrise Resources plc.
External Appointments:
Chairman and founder of Sunrise Resources plc.
Richard Clemmey (42)
Managing Director
Key Strengths and Experience
· Chartered Engineer.
· 21+ years' experience in developing and managing mining/quarrying projects worldwide for Derwent Mining, Lafarge, Hargreaves (GB) Ltd, Marshalls plc and CFE.
· Board director since May 2012.
External Appointments:
None.
Donald McAlister (55)
Non-Executive Director*
Key Strengths and Experience
· Accountant.
· Previously Finance Director at Mwana Africa plc, Ridge Mining plc and Reunion Mining.
· 20+ years' experience in all financial aspects of the resource industry, including metal hedging, tax planning, economic modelling/evaluation, project finance and IPO's.
· Founding director of the Company.
External Appointments
Currently an independent consultant to the mining industry.
David Whitehead (72)
Non-Executive Director†
Key Strengths and Experience
· Mining geologist.
· 41+ years' experience in all aspects of mineral exploration, mine development and operations management.
· 20 years' at senior executive level at BHP Billiton.
· Board director since 2002.
External Appointments
Currently a director of Consolidated Mines & Investments Ltd and Chairman of its subsidiary Consolidated Nickel Mines Ltd. Both companies are unlisted.
Colin Fitch LLM, FCIS
Company Secretary
Key Strengths and Experience
· Barrister-at-Law.
· Previously Corporate Finance Director of Kleinwort Benson, Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at Rowe & Pitman (SG Warburg Securities) and Assistant Company Secretary at the London Stock Exchange.
· Held a number of non-executive directorships including Merrydown plc, African Lakes plc and Manders plc.
External Appointments
Company Secretary for Sunrise Resources plc.
* Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Remuneration Committee.† Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and member of the Audit Committee.
Directors' Responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Directors' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the Group and Company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. The directors are also required to prepare financial statements in accordance with the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on the AIM Market.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
· select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
· make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
· state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
· prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company and the Group will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Website publication
The directors are responsible for ensuring the Annual Report and the financial statements are made available on a website. Financial statements are published on the Company's website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the Company's website is the responsibility of the directors. The directors' responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein.
Information from Directors' Report
The Strategic Report contains details of the principal activities of the Company and includes the Operating Review and Performance which provides detailed information on the development of the Group's business during the year and indications of likely future developments.
Going Concern
In common with many exploration companies, the Company raises finance for its exploration and appraisal activities in discrete tranches, as and when required. When any of the Company's projects move to the development stage, specific project financing will be required.
The directors prepare annual budgets and cash flow projections that extend beyond 12 months from the date of this report. These projections include the proceeds of future fundraising and planned discretionary project expenditures necessary to maintain the Company and Group as going concerns. Although the Company has been successful in raising finance in the past, there is no assurance that it will obtain adequate finance in the future. However, the directors have a reasonable expectation that they will secure additional funding when required to continue meeting corporate overheads and exploration costs for the foreseeable future and therefore believe that the "going concern" basis is appropriate for the preparation of the financial statements. For further information see Note 1(b).
Dividend
The directors are unable to recommend the payment of a dividend.
Financial Instruments & Other Risks
Details of the Group's Financial Instruments and risk management objectives and of the Group's exposure to risk associated with its Financial Instruments is given in Note 20 to the financial statements.
The business of mineral exploration and evaluation has inherent risks. Details of risks and uncertainties that affect the Group's business are given in the Strategic Report.
Directors
The Directors holding office in the period were:
Mr P L Cheetham
Mr R H Clemmey
Mr D A R McAlister
Mr D Whitehead
Shareholders
As at the date of this report the following interests of 3% or more in the issued share capital of the Company appeared in the register:
As at 11 December 2014 | Number of shares | % of share capital |
Barclayshare Nominees Limited | 20,429,211 | 11.72 |
TD Direct Investing Nominees (Europe) Limited SMKTNOMS | 16,308,075 | 9.36 |
HSDL Nominees Limited | 10,108,314 | 5.80 |
Mr Patrick Lyn Cheetham | 9,033,288 | 5.18 |
Ronald Bruce Rowan | 8,000,000 | 4.59 |
Hargreaves Lansdown Limited VRA | 6,885,127 | 3.95 |
HSBC Client Holdings Nominee (UK) Limited 731504 | 6,259,554 | 3.59 |
Hargreaves Lansdown Limited HLNOM | 5,905,693 | 3.39 |
Beaufort Nominees Limited SSLNOMS | 5,829,375 | 3.34 |
Hargreaves Lansdown Limited 15942 | 5,677,627 | 3.26 |
Accounting Policies
The financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the recognition and measurement requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the European Union, and their interpretations adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). They have also been prepared in accordance with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. Further details of the Group's accounting policies can be found in Note 1 of the financial statements.
Disclosure of Audit Information
Each of the directors has confirmed that so far as he is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's Auditor is unaware, and that he has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's Auditor is aware of that information.
Auditor
Following a competitive tender, the Company has appointed Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP as its Auditor and a resolution to reappoint them as Auditor of the Company and the Group will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
Suppliers and Contractors
Details of the Group's policy and payment of creditors is disclosed in the Strategic Report under Corporate Responsibility. This policy will continue unchanged in the next financial year.
Charitable and Political Donations
During the year, the Group made no charitable or political donations. However, in 2014 the Company provided modest sponsorship of the local ice hockey team in Storuman, Sweden.
Annual Report
Copies of the Tertiary Minerals plc Annual Report will be published and sent to shareholders in due course and will be available, free of charge, from the Company's Registered Office or from the offices of the Company's Nominated Adviser, SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP, Prince Frederick House, 35-39 Maddox Street, London W1S 2PP, from mid-January 2015, and will also be on the Company's website: www.tertiaryminerals.com.
Annual General Meeting
Notice of the Company's Annual General Meeting will be sent to shareholders with the Annual Report.
Publication of Statutory Accounts
The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute the Company's Statutory Accounts for the period ended 30 September 2014 or 2013. The financial information for 2013 is derived from the Statutory Accounts for 2013. Full audited accounts in respect of that financial period have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Statutory Accounts for 2014 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The auditor has reported on the 2014 and 2013 accounts. Neither set of accounts contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) the Companies Act 2006 and both received an unqualified audit opinion. However there was an emphasis of matter in relation to a requirement that the Company raise funds in the future to continue as a going concern.
Consolidated Income Statement
for the year ended 30 September 2014
Notes | 2014 £ | 2013 £ | |
Pre-licence exploration costs | 9,214 | 32,131 | |
Impairment of deferred exploration costs | 8 | 3,254 | 7,140 |
Non-cash movement of liability under Equity Swap Agreement | (72,708) | (20,300) | |
Administrative expenses | 423,459 | 437,857 | |
Operating loss | (363,219) | (456,828) | |
Interest receivable | 4,412 | 5,668 | |
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation | 3 | (358,807) | (451,160) |
Tax on loss on ordinary activities | 7 | - | - |
Loss for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent | (358,807) | (451,160) | |
Loss per share - basic and diluted (pence) | 6 | (0.22) | (0.31) |
All amounts relate to continuing activities.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Incomefor the year ended 30 September 2014
2014 £ | 2013 £ | |
Loss for the year | (358,807) | (451,160) |
Other comprehensive income | ||
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to the income statement: | ||
Movement in revaluation of available for sale investment | (61,896) | (159,045) |
(61,896) | (159,045) | |
Items that could be reclassified subsequently to the income statement: | ||
Foreign exchange translation differences on foreign currency net investments in subsidiaries |
(161,845) |
(10,204) |
(161,845) | (10,204) | |
Total comprehensive loss for the year attributable to the equity holders of the parent | (582,548) | (620,409) |
Consolidated and Company Statements of Financial Position
at 30 September 2014
Company Number 03821411
| Notes | Group 2014 £ | Company 2014 £ | Group 2013 £ | Company 2013 £ |
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible assets | 8 | 3,051,724 | - | 2,420,947 | - |
Property, plant & equipment | 9 | 8,856 | 7,804 | 8,605 | 6,839 |
Investment in subsidiaries | 10 | - | 5,798,903 | - | 4,896,896 |
Available for sale investment | 10 | 239,626 | 239,626 | 230,251 | 230,251 |
|
| 3,300,206 | 6,046,333 | 2,659,803 | 5,133,986 |
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables | 11 | 115,732 | 96,018 | 81,490 | 61,735 |
Cash and cash equivalents | 12 | 942,890 | 873,326 | 1,187,612 | 1,110,892 |
Restricted cash | 12 | - | - | 366,007 | 366,007 |
|
| 1,058,622 | 969,344 | 1,635,109 | 1,538,634 |
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables | 13 | (171,550) | (99,220) | (233,881) | (72,268) |
Equity swap | 14 | - | - | (102,381) | (102,381) |
|
| (171,550) | (99,220) | (336,262) | (174,649) |
Net current assets |
| 887,072 | 870,124 | 1,298,847 | 1,363,985 |
Net assets |
| 4,187,278 | 6,916,457 | 3,958,650 | 6,497,971 |
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
Called up share capital | 14 | 1,743,020 | 1,743,020 | 1,617,662 | 1,617,662 |
Share premium account |
| 8,622,974 | 8,622,974 | 8,008,604 | 8,008,604 |
Merger reserve |
| 131,096 | 131,096 | 131,096 | 131,096 |
Share option reserve |
| 426,721 | 426,721 | 404,194 | 404,194 |
Available for sale revaluation reserve |
| (148,295) | (105,770) | (86,399) | (43,874) |
Foreign currency reserve |
| (24,741) | - | 137,104 | - |
Accumulated losses |
| (6,563,497) | (3,901,584) | (6,253,611) | (3,619,711) |
Equity attributable to the owners of the parent |
| 4,187,278 | 6,916,457 | 3,958,650 | 6,497,971 |
These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 11 December 2014 and were signed on its behalf.
R H Clemmey D A R McAlister
Managing Director Director
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
Group | Share capital £ | Share premium account £ | Merger reserve £ | Share option reserve £ | Available for sale revaluation reserve £ | Foreign currency reserve £ | Accumulated losses £ | Total £ |
At 30 September 2012 | 1,305,861 | 6,826,760 | 131,096 | 315,688 | 72,646 | 147,308 | (5,802,451) | 2,996,908 |
Loss for the period | - | - | - | - | - | - | (451,160) | (451,160) |
Change in fair value | - | - | - | - | (159,045) | - | - | (159,045) |
Exchange differences | - | - | - | - | - | (10,204) | - | (10,204) |
Total comprehensive loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (159,045) | (10,204) | (451,160) | (620,409) |
Recognition of equity swap | - | (123,341) | - | - | - | - | - | (123,341) |
Share issue | 311,801 | 1,305,185 | - | - | - | - | - | 1,616,986 |
Share based payments | - | - | - | 88,506 | - | - | - | 88,506 |
At 30 September 2013 | 1,617,662 | 8,008,604 | 131,096 | 404,194 | (86,399) | 137,104 | (6,253,611) | 3,958,650 |
Loss for the period | - | - | - | - | - | - | (358,807) | (358,807) |
Change in fair value | - | - | - | - | (61,896) | - | - | (61,896) |
Exchange differences | - | - | - | - | - | (161,845) | - | (161,845) |
Total comprehensive loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (61,896) | (161,845) | (358,807) | (582,548) |
Recognition of equity swap | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Share issue | 125,358 | 614,370 | - | - | - | - | - | 739,728 |
Share based payments | - | - | - | 22,527 | - | - | 48,921 | 71,448 |
At 30 September 2014 | 1,743,020 | 8,622,974 | 131,096 | 426,721 | (148,295) | (24,741) | (6,563,497) | 4,187,278 |
Company Statements of Changes in Equity
Company | Share capital £ | Share premium account £ | Merger reserve £ | Share option reserve £ | Available for sale revaluation reserve £ | Accumulated losses £ | Total £ |
At 30 September 2012 | 1,305,861 | 6,826,760 | 131,096 | 315,688 | 115,171 | (3,209,398) | 5,485,178 |
Loss for the period | - | - | - | - | - | (410,313) | (410,313) |
Change in fair value | - | - | - | - | (159,045) | - | (159,045) |
Total comprehensive loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (159,045) | (410,313) | (569,358) |
Recognition of equity swap | - | (123,341) | - | - | - | - | (123,341) |
Share issue | 311,801 | 1,305,185 | - | - | - | - | 1,616,986 |
Share based payments | - | - | - | 88,506 | - | - | 88,506 |
At 30 September 2013 | 1,617,662 | 8,008,604 | 131,096 | 404,194 | (43,874) | (3,619,711) | 6,497,971 |
Loss for the period | - | - | - | - | - | (330,794) | (330,794) |
Change in fair value | - | - | - | - | (61,896) | - | (61,896) |
Total comprehensive loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (61,896) | (330,794) | (392,690) |
Share issue | 125,358 | 614,370 | - | - | - | - | 739,728 |
Share based payments | - | - | - | 22,527 | - | 48,921 | 71,448 |
At 30 September 2014 | 1,743,020 | 8,622,974 | 131,096 | 426,721 | (105,770) | (3,901,584) | 6,916,457 |
Consolidated and Company Statements of Cash Flows
for the year ended 30 September 2014
Notes | Group 2014 £ | Company 2014 £ | ReclassifiedGroup 2013 £ | ReclassifiedCompany 2013 £ | |
Operating activity | |||||
Total loss after tax | (363,219) | (335,153) | (456,828) | (415,883) | |
Depreciation charge | 6,925 | 5,796 | 8,293 | 7,234 | |
Impairment charge | 3,254 | - | 7,140 | - | |
Share based payment charge | 71,449 | 71,449 | 88,506 | 88,506 | |
Non-cash movement of liability under Equity Swap Agreement | (72,708) | (72,708) | (20,300) | (20,300) | |
Non-cash additions to available for sale investment | (71,271) | (71,271) | (33,921) | (33,921) | |
Increase/(decrease) in provision for impairment of loans to subsidiaries | - | 452 | - | 416 | |
(Increase)/decrease in receivables | 11 | (34,242) | (34,283) | (5,554) | 6,252 |
Increase/(decrease) in payables | 13 | (62,331) | 26,952 | 18,709 | (6,915) |
Net cash outflow from operating activity | (522,143) | (408,766) | (393,955) | (374,611) | |
Investing activity | |||||
Interest received | 4,412 | 4,359 | 5,668 | 5,570 | |
Purchase of intangible assets | (788,482) | - | (480,227) | - | |
Purchase of property, plant & equipment | 9 | (7,176) | (6,761) | (1,626) | (1,304) |
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activity | (791,246) | (2,402) | (476,185) | 4,266 | |
Financing activity | |||||
Additional loans to subsidiaries | - | (902,459) | - | (574,217) | |
Issue of share capital (net of expenses) | 739,728 | 739,728 | 1,616,986 | 1,616,986 | |
Net transfer (to)/from restricted cash | 12 | 336,333 | 336,333 | (366,667) | (366,667) |
Net cash inflow from financing activity | 1,076,061 | 173,602 | 1,250,319 | 676,102 | |
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (237,328) | (237,566) | 380,179 | 305,757 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at start of year | 1,187,612 | 1,110,892 | 841,299 | 805,135 | |
Exchange differences | (7,394) | - | (33,866) | - | |
Cash and cash equivalents at 30 September | 12 | 942,890 | 873,326 | 1,187,612 | 1,110,892 |
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 30 September 2014
Background
Tertiary Minerals plc is a public company incorporated and domiciled in England. It is traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and its shares also trade on AIM - EPIC: TYM.
The Company is a holding company for a number of companies (together, "the Group") and is incorporated and domiciled in England. The Group's financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling (£) which is also the functional currency of the Company.
The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the Group's financial statements.
1. Accounting policies
(a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the recognition and measurement requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the European Union. They have also been prepared in accordance with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.
(b) Going concern
In common with many exploration companies, the Company raises finance for its exploration and appraisal activities in discrete tranches. Further funding is raised as and when required. When any of the Group's projects move to the development stage, specific project financing will be required.
The directors prepare annual budgets and cash flow projections that extend beyond 12 months from the date of this report. These projections include the proceeds of future fundraising necessary within the next 12 months to meet the Company's and Group's overheads and planned discretionary project expenditures and to maintain the Company and Group as going concerns. Although the Company has been successful in raising finance in the past, there is no assurance that it will obtain adequate finance in the future. This represents a material uncertainty related to events or conditions which may cast significant doubt on the Group and Company's ability to continue as going concerns and, therefore, that they may be unable to realise their assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. However, the directors have a reasonable expectation that they will secure additional funding when required to continue meeting corporate overheads and exploration costs for the foreseeable future and therefore believe that the going concern basis is appropriate for the preparation of the financial statements.
(c) Basis of consolidation
Investments, including long term loans, in subsidiaries are valued at the lower of cost or recoverable amount, with an ongoing review for impairment.
The Group's financial statements consolidate the financial statements of Tertiary Minerals plc and its subsidiary undertakings using the acquisition method and eliminate intercompany balances and transactions.
The Group has contractual arrangements with other participants to engage in joint activities that do not create an entity carrying on a trade or business of its own. The Group includes its share of assets and liabilities in such joint arrangements, measured in accordance with the terms of each arrangement, which is usually pro rata to the Group's interest in the joint arrangement.
In accordance with section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, Tertiary Minerals plc is exempt from the requirement to present its own Statement of Comprehensive Income. The amount of the loss for the financial year recorded within the financial statements of Tertiary Minerals plc is £330,794 (2013: £410,313).
(d) Intangible assets
Exploration and evaluation
Accumulated exploration and evaluation costs incurred in relation to separate areas of interest (which may comprise more than one exploration licence or exploration licence applications) are capitalised and carried forward where:
(1) such costs are expected to be recouped through successful exploration and development of the area, or alternatively by its sale; or
(2) exploration and/or evaluation activities in the area have not yet reached a stage which permits a reasonable assessment of the existence or otherwise of economically recoverable reserves, and active and significant operations in, or in relation to the areas are continuing.
A bi-annual review is carried out by the directors to consider whether any exploration and development costs have suffered impairment in value and, if necessary, provisions are made according to these criteria. The bi-annual impairment review was conducted in March 2014 and September 2014.
Accumulated costs where the Group does not yet have an exclusive exploration licence and in respect of areas of interest which have been abandoned, are written off to the income statement in the year in which the pre-licence expense was incurred or in which the area was abandoned.
Development
Exploration, evaluation and development costs are carried at the lower of cost and expected net recoverable amount. On reaching a mining development decision, exploration and evaluation costs are reclassified as development costs and all development costs on a specific area of interest will be amortised over the useful economic life of the projects, once they become income generating, and the costs can be recouped.
(e) Property, plant & equipment
All property, plant and equipment assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided by the Group on all property, plant & equipment, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset evenly over its expected useful life, as follows:
Fixtures and fittings 20% to 33% per annum.
Useful life and residual value are reassessed annually.
(f) Available for sale investments
Available for sale financial assets include non-derivative financial assets that are either designated as such or do not qualify for inclusion in any of the other categories of financial assets. Available for sale investments are initially measured at cost and subsequently at fair value, being the equivalent of market value, with changes in value recognised in equity. Gains and losses arising from available for sale investments are recognised in the income statement when they are sold or impaired.
(g) Trade and other receivables and payables
Trade and other receivables and payables are measured at initial recognition at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost.
(h) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash at bank and in hand and short term bank deposits with a maturity of three months or less.
(i) Deferred taxation
Deferred taxation, if applicable, is provided in full in respect of taxation deferred by temporary differences between the treatment of certain items for taxation and accounting purposes.
Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that they are regarded as recoverable.
(j) Foreign currencies
The Group's consolidated financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling (£), being the functional currency of the Company, and the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company operates. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date.
For consolidation purposes, the net investment in foreign operations and the assets and liabilities of overseas subsidiaries, associated undertakings and joint arrangements, that have a functional currency different from the Group's presentation currency, are translated at the closing exchange rates. Income statements of overseas subsidiaries, that have a functional currency different from the Group's presentation currency, are translated at exchange rates at the date of transaction. Exchange differences arising on these transactions are taken to the foreign currency reserve.
(k) Leasing and hire purchase commitments
Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis.
(l) Share based payments
The Company issues warrants and options to employees (including directors) and suppliers. For all options and warrants issued after 7 November 2002 the fair value of the services received is recognised as a charge measured at fair value on the date of grant and determined in accordance with IFRS 2, adopting the Black-Scholes-Merton model. The fair value is charged to administrative expenses on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, together with a corresponding increase in equity, based on the management's estimate of shares that will eventually vest. The expected life of the options and warrants is adjusted based on management's best estimates, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations. The details of the calculation are shown in Note 15.
(m) Equity swap agreements
The Company entered into an equity swap agreement during the year to 30 September 2013.
At the date of the agreement, the Company was required to deposit a sum of money into an escrow account. The escrow account balance was treated as a restricted cash asset on the Statement of Financial Position. The amount deposited was adjusted to the net present value of the deposit over the term of the agreement, with the adjustment being charged to administrative expenses.
The fair value of the agreement was determined by independent valuation at the date of the agreement and was deducted from the escrow deposit to determine the Company's potential liability under the agreement.
The liability was entered onto the Statement of Financial Position and charged to the Share Premium Account, because the agreement was entered into as part of the share subscription (Note 14). An independent revaluation is obtained at the end of each financial year and the liability amended, the adjustment being charged to administrative expenses.
Upon each of the periodical settlement dates during the term of the agreement a proportion of the initial escrow deposit was returned to the Company after the deduction of any amounts payable under the equity swap agreement. At each settlement date, an average market price of the Company's shares is calculated and compared to a benchmark price and the return payments to the Company are then adjusted in accordance with the outcome of the comparison. Payments from the escrow account on each of the settlement dates are treated as a transfer of funds to the Company's unrestricted cash, with the amount of the adjustments being charged or credited to administrative expenses.
(n) Judgements and estimations in applying accounting policies
In the process of applying the Group's accounting policies above, the Group has identified the judgemental areas that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements:
Intangible fixed assets - exploration and evaluation
Capitalisation of exploration and evaluation costs requires that costs be assessed against the likelihood that such costs will be recoverable against future exploitation or sale or alternatively, where activities have not reached a stage which permits a reasonable estimate of the existence of mineral reserves, a judgement that future exploration or evaluation should continue. This requires management to make estimates and judgements and to make certain assumptions, often of a geological nature, and most particularly in relation to whether or not an economically viable mining operation can be established in future. Such estimates, judgements and assumptions are likely to change as new information becomes available. When it becomes apparent that recovery of expenditure is unlikely the relevant capitalised amount is written off to the income statement.
Impairment
Impairment reviews for deferred exploration and evaluation costs are carried out on a project by project basis, with each project representing a potential single cash generating unit. The Group will review information produced by its exploration activities and consider whether the carrying value is impaired. Assessment of the impairment of assets is a judgement based on analysis of the probability of future cash flows from the relevant project, including consideration of:
(a) the period for which the entity has the right to explore in the specific area and whether this right will expire in the near future, and whether the right is expected to be renewed.
(b) the availability of funds for expenditure on further exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources on the specific project.
(c) exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources on the specific project has not led to the discovery of commercially viable quantities of mineral resources and the entity has decided to discontinue such activities on the project.
(d) Sufficient data exist to indicate that, although a development on the specific project is likely to proceed, the carrying amount of the exploration and evaluation asset is unlikely to be recovered in full from successful development of a mine or by the sale of the project.
Impairment reviews for investments in subsidiaries and available for sale investments are carried out on an individual basis. The Group reviews performance indicators of the investment, such as market share price, to indicate whether the carrying value is impaired.
Going concern
The preparation of financial statements requires an assessment of the validity of the going concern assumption. The validity of the going concern assumption is dependent on finance being available for the continuing working capital requirements of the Group. Based on the assumption that such finance will become available, the directors believe that the going concern basis is appropriate for these accounts.
Share based payments
The estimates of share based payments costs require that management selects an appropriate valuation model and make decisions on various inputs into the model including the volatility of its own share price, the probable life of the options before exercise, and behavioural considerations of employees.
Valuation of equity swap agreements
Management appoint independent valuers to estimate the fair value of the agreement at the agreement date and at the end of each financial year. The main inputs to the valuation model are the length of the agreement and the volatility of the Company's share price.
Valuation of restricted cash
Where the Group deposits cash into restricted accounts, a discounted cash flow is applied to determine the net present value of the cash at the date of deposit. The main estimates to the valuation model are the expected term of the deposit and a risk free interest rate.
(o) Standards, amendments and interpretations not yet effective
The International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and IFRIC have issued the following amendments, none of which have been applied in the consolidated financial information on the basis that their effective dates fall in subsequent periods.
The directors do not anticipate that adoption of the below standards or interpretations will have a material impact on the financial statements in the year of initial adoption.
Title | Issued | Effective Date | Date |
Novation of Derivatives and Continuation of Hedge Accounting (Amendments to IAS 39) | June 2013 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/01/2014 |
Investment Entities (Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27) | Oct 2012 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/01/2014 |
IAS 36 Amendments Recoverable Amount Disclosures for non-Financial Assets | May 2013 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/01/2014 |
IFRIC 21 Levies | May 2013 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/01/2014 |
IAS 19 Amendment - Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions | Nov 2013 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/07/2014 |
IFRS 10 and IAS 28 Amendments: Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture | Sept 2014 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/01/2016 |
IAS 27 Amendment - Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements | Aug 2014 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/01/2016 |
IAS 16 and IAS 41 Amendments: Agriculture: Bearer Plants | June 2014 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/01/2016 |
IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral Accounts | Jan 2014 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/01/2016 |
IAS 16 and IAS 38 Amendments: Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation | May 2014 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/01/2016 |
IFRS 11 Amendments: Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations | May 2014 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/01/2016 |
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers | May 2014 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/01/2017 |
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments | July 2014 | Accounting periods beginning on or after | 01/01/2018 |
(p) Reclassifications
Reclassifications to comparative amounts have been made in the Statements of Cash Flows and Investments note 10. Within the Cash Flow Statement the additions to available for sale investment have been reclassified into net cash outflow from operating activity as these additions are shares issued in lieu of a payment for management fees and therefore represent a non-cash movement. The reclassification within note 10 has been made to recognise the cost of investment in Tertiary Gold Limited at original cost. The reclassification being the excess of the cost of investment above the nominal value of shares issued in consideration.
2. Segmental analysis
The Chief Operating Decision Maker is the Board of Directors. The Board considers the business has one reportable segment, the management of exploration projects, which is supported by a Head Office function. For the purpose of measuring segmental profits and losses the exploration segment bears only those direct costs incurred by or on behalf of those projects. No Head Office cost allocations are made to this segment. The Head Office function recognises all other costs.
2014 | Exploration Projects £ | Head Office £ | Total £ |
Consolidated Income Statement |
|
|
|
Impairment of deferred exploration costs | (3,254) | - | (3,254) |
Pre-licence exploration costs | - | (9,214) | (9,214) |
Share based payments | - | (71,448) | (71,448) |
Other expenses | - | (279,303) | (279,303) |
Operating Loss | (3,254) | (359,965) | (363,219) |
Bank interest received | - | 4,412 | 4,412 |
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation | (3,254) | (355,553) | (358,807) |
Tax on loss on ordinary activities | - | - | - |
Loss for the year attributable to equity holders | (3,254) | (355,553) | (358,807) |
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
Intangible assets: |
|
|
|
Deferred exploration costs: |
|
|
|
Kaaresselkä Gold Project, Finland | 283,646 | - | 283,646 |
Kiekerömaa Gold Project, Finland | 128,589 | - | 128,589 |
Lassedalen Fluorspar Project, Norway | 350,937 | - | 350,937 |
Storuman Fluorspar Project, Sweden | 1,604,436 | - | 1,604,436 |
MB Fluorspar Project, USA | 684,116 | - | 684,116 |
| 3,051,724 | - | 3,051,724 |
Property, plant & equipment | - | 8,856 | 8,856 |
Investment in subsidiaries | - | - | - |
Available for sale investment | - | 239,626 | 239,626 |
| 3,051,724 | 248,482 | 3,300,206 |
Current assets |
|
|
|
Receivables | - | 115,732 | 115,732 |
Cash and cash equivalents | - | 942,890 | 942,890 |
Restricted cash | - | - | - |
| - | 1,058,622 | 1,058,622 |
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
Trade and other payables | (79,918) | (91,632) | (171,550) |
Equity swap | - | - | - |
| (79,918) | (91,632) | (171,550) |
Net current assets | (79,918) | 966,990 | 887,072 |
Net assets | 2,971,806 | 1,215,472 | 4,187,278 |
Other data |
|
|
|
Deferred exploration additions | 788,482 | - | 788,482 |
Exchange rate adjustments to deferred exploration costs | - | 154,451 | 154,451 |
2013 | Exploration Projects £ | Head Office £ | Total £ |
Consolidated Income Statement |
|
|
|
Impairment of deferred exploration costs | (7,140) | - | (7,140) |
Pre-licence exploration costs | - | (32,131) | (32,131) |
Share based payments | - | (88,506) | (88,506) |
Other expenses | - | (329,051) | (329,051) |
Operating Loss | (7,140) | (449,688) | (456,828) |
Bank interest received | - | 5,668 | 5,668 |
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation | (7,140) | (444,020) | (451,160) |
Tax on loss on ordinary activities | - | - | - |
Loss for the year attributable to equity holders | (7,140) | (444,020) | (451,160) |
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
Intangible assets: |
|
|
|
Deferred exploration costs: |
|
|
|
Kaaresselkä Gold Project, Finland | 277,809 | - | 277,809 |
Kiekerömaa Gold Project, Finland | 123,449 | - | 123,449 |
Lassedalen Fluorspar Project, Norway | 341,365 | - | 341,365 |
Storuman Fluorspar Project, Sweden | 1,316,345 | - | 1,316,345 |
MB Fluorspar Project, USA | 361,979 | - | 361,979 |
| 2,420,947 | - | 2,420,947 |
Property, plant & equipment | - | 8,605 | 8,605 |
Investment in subsidiaries | - | - | - |
Available for sale investment | - | 230,251 | 230,251 |
| 2,420,947 | 238,856 | 2,659,803 |
Current assets |
|
|
|
Receivables | - | 81,490 | 81,490 |
Cash and cash equivalents | - | 1,187,612 | 1,187,612 |
Restricted cash | - | 366,007 | 366,007 |
| - | 1,635,109 | 1,635,109 |
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
Trade and other payables | (149,815) | (84,066) | (233,881) |
Equity swap | - | (102,381) | (102,381) |
| (149,815) | (186,447) | (336,262) |
Net current assets | (149,815) | 1,448,662 | 1,298,847 |
Net assets | 2,271,132 | 1,687,518 | 3,958,650 |
Other data |
|
|
|
Deferred exploration additions | 561,077 | - | 561,077 |
Exchange rate adjustments to deferred exploration costs | - | (23,661) | (23,661) |
3. Loss on ordinary activities before taxation
| 2014 £ | 2013 £ |
The operating loss is stated after charging |
|
|
Operating lease rentals - land and buildings | 18,644 | 18,206 |
Fees payable to the Group's Auditor for: |
|
|
The audit of the Group's annual accounts | 6,500 | 6,210
|
Fees payable to the Group's Auditor and its associates for other services: |
|
|
The audit of the Group's subsidiaries, pursuant to legislation | 3,500 | 3,200 |
Other services relating to taxation | - | - |
Other services
| 1,250 | 1,050 |
Depreciation - owned assets | 6,925 | 8,293 |
4. Directors' emoluments
| 2014 £ | 2013 £ |
Remuneration in respect of directors was as follows: |
|
|
P L Cheetham (salary) | 32,531 | 53,343 |
R H Clemmey (salary) | 79,037 | 70,925 |
D A R McAlister (salary) | 14,667 | 12,000 |
D Whitehead (fees) | 14,667 | 12,000 |
P L Cheetham (benefit in kind on exercise of share options) | 56,250 | - |
D A R McAlister (benefit in kind on exercise of share options) | - | 17,715 |
| 197,152 | 165,983 |
The directors are also the key management personnel.
The above remuneration amounts are net of the recharges to Sunrise Resources plc as set out in Note 17. They do not include non-cash share based payments charged in these financial statements in respect of warrants issued to the directors in the year amounting to £45,970 (2013: £68,072) or Employer's National Insurance contributions of £22,720 (2013: £16,137).
There were no pension contributions made during the year on behalf of Directors (2013: nil).
5. Staff costs
| 2014 £ | 2013 £ |
Staff costs for Group and Company, including directors, were as follows: |
|
|
Wages and salaries | 182,487 | 206,261 |
Social security costs | 28,247 | 21,876 |
Share based payments | 63,360 | 81,681 |
| 274,094 | 309,818 |
The average monthly number of employees, including directors, employed by the Group and Company during the year was as follows:
| 2014 Number | 2013 Number |
Technical employees | 3 | 3 |
Administration employees (including non-executive directors) | 4 | 4 |
| 7 | 7 |
The cost of employing technical and administrative employees is shared with Sunrise Resources plc as set out in Note 17.
6. Loss per share
Loss per share has been calculated using the loss for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.
| 2014 | 2013 |
Loss (£) | (358,807) | (451,160) |
Weighted average shares in issue (No.) | 165,522,417 | 143,365,584 |
Basic and diluted loss per share (pence) | (0.22) | (0.31) |
|
|
|
The loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of calculating the diluted earnings per ordinary share are identical to those used for the basic earnings per ordinary share. This is because the exercise of share warrants and options would have the effect of reducing the loss per ordinary share and is therefore anti-dilutive.
7. Taxation on ordinary activities
No liability to corporation tax arises for the year due to the Group recording a taxable loss (2013: £nil).
The tax credit for the period is lower than the credit resulting from the loss before tax at the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK - 21% (2013: 23%). The differences are explained below.
| 2014 £ | 2013 £ |
Tax reconciliation |
|
|
Loss on ordinary activities before tax | (358,807) | (451,160) |
Tax at hybrid rate 22% (2013: 23%) | (78,938) | (103,767) |
Differences between capital allowances and depreciation | (1,280) | 3,865 |
Pre-trading expenditure no longer deductible for tax purposes | 548,413 | 302,192 |
Tax effect at 22% (2013: 23%) | 120,369 | 70,393 |
Unrelieved tax losses carried forward | (41,431) | 33,374 |
Tax recognised on loss from ordinary activities | - | - |
Total losses carried forward for tax purposes | (4,409,816) | (4,598,142) |
Factors that may affect future tax charges
The Group has total losses carried forward of £4,409,816 (2013: £4,598,142). This amount would be charged to tax if sufficient profits were made in the future. The deferred tax asset has not been recognised as the future recovery is uncertain given the exploration status of the Group. The carried tax loss is adjusted each year for amounts that can no longer be carried forward.
8. Intangible assets
Group | Deferred exploration expenditure 2014 £ | Deferred exploration expenditure 2013 £ |
Cost At start of year | 3,675,649 | 3,090,911 |
Additions | 788,482 | 561,077 |
Exchange adjustments | (154,451) | 23,661 |
At 30 September | 4,309,680 | 3,675,649 |
Impairment losses At start of year | (1,254,702) | (1,247,562) |
Charge during year | (3,254) | (7,140) |
At 30 September | (1,257,956) | (1,254,702) |
Carrying amounts |
|
|
At 30 September | 3,051,724 | 2,420,947 |
At start of year | 2,420,947 | 1,843,349 |
9. Property, plant & equipment
| Group fixtures and fittings 2014 £ | Company fixtures and fittings 2014 £ | Group fixtures and fittings 2013 £ | Company fixtures and fittings 2013 £ |
Cost At start of year | 63,082 | 32,508 | 61,456 | 31,204 |
Additions | 7,176 | 6,761 | 1,626 | 1,304 |
Disposals | (19,714) | (6,263) | - | - |
At 30 September | 50,544 | 33,006 | 63,082 | 32,508 |
Depreciation At start of year | (54,477) | (25,669) | (46,184) | (18,434) |
Charge for the year | (6,925) | (5,796) | (8,293) | (7,235) |
Disposals | 19,714 | 6,263 | - | - |
At 30 September | (41,688) | (25,202) | (54,477) | (25,669) |
Net Book Value |
|
|
|
|
At 30 September | 8,856 | 7,804 | 8,605 | 6,839 |
At start of year | 8,605 | 6,839 | 15,272 | 12,770 |
10. Investments
Subsidiary undertakings
Company | Country of incorporation/ registration | Type and percentage of shares held at 30 September 2014 | Principal activity |
Tertiary Gold Limited | England & Wales | 100% of ordinary shares | Mineral exploration |
Tertiary (Middle East) Limited | England & Wales | 100% of ordinary shares | Mineral exploration |
Tertiary Minerals US Inc. | Nevada, USA | 100% of ordinary shares | Mineral exploration |
Investment in subsidiary undertakings | Company 2014 £ | Reclassified Company 2013 £ |
Ordinary shares - Tertiary (Middle East) Limited | 1 | 1 |
Ordinary shares - Tertiary Gold Limited | 224,888 | 224,888 |
Ordinary shares - Tertiary Minerals US Inc. | 1 | 1 |
Loan - Tertiary (Middle East) Limited | 680,135 | 679,683 |
Less - Provision for impairment | (680,135) | (679,683) |
Loan - Tertiary Gold Limited | 4,858,599 | 4,323,807 |
Loan - Tertiary Minerals US Inc. | 715,414 | 348,199 |
At 30 September | 5,798,903 | 4,896,896 |
Available for sale investment
Company | Country of incorporation/ registration | Type and percentage of shares held at 30 September 2014 | Principal activity |
Sunrise Resources plc | England & Wales | 9.52% of ordinary shares | Mineral exploration |
Available for sale investment | Group 2014 £ | Company 2014 £ | Group 2013 £ | Company 2013 £ |
Value at start of year | 230,251 | 230,251 | 355,375 | 355,375 |
Additions to available for sale investment | 71,271 | 71,271 | 33,921 | 33,921 |
Movement in valuation of available for sale investment | (61,896) | (61,896) | (159,045) | (159,045) |
At 30 September | 239,626 | 239,626 | 230,251 | 230,251 |
The additions to available for sale investment are shares issued in lieu of a payment for management fees.
The fair value of the available for sale investment is equal to the market value of the shares in Sunrise Resources plc at 30 September 2014, based on the closing mid-market price of shares on the AIM Market.
These are level one inputs for the purpose of the IFRS 7 fair value hierarchy.
11. Receivables
| Group 2014 £ | Company 2014 £ | Group 2013 £ | Company 2013 £ |
Trade receivables | 50,062 | 50,062 | 43,173 | 43,173 |
Other receivables | 43,025 | 28,388 | 16,497 | 1,195 |
Prepayments | 22,645 | 17,568 | 21,820 | 17,367 |
| 115,732 | 96,018 | 81,490 | 61,735 |
The Group aged analysis of trade receivables is as follows:
| Not impaired
£ | 30 days or less
£ | Over 30 days
£ | Total carrying amount £ |
2014 Trade receivables | 50,062 | 50,062 | - | 50,062 |
2013 Trade receivables | 43,173 | 43,173 | - | 43,173 |
12. Cash and cash equivalents
| Group 2014 £ | Company 2014 £ | Group 2013 £ | Company 2013 £ |
Cash at bank and in hand | 97,370 | 27,806 | 160,003 | 83,283 |
Short-term bank deposits | 845,520 | 845,520 | 1,027,609 | 1,027,609 |
| 942,890 | 873,326 | 1,187,612 | 1,110,892 |
Restricted cash
In order to satisfy any payments under the equity swap agreement (Note 14), the Company deposited £400,000 in an escrow account in May 2013. At 30 September 2014 the amount held in escrow was nil (2013: £366,007).
13. Trade and other payables
| Group 2014 £ | Company 2014 £ | Group 2013 £ | Company 2013 £ |
Trade payables | 54,962 | 23,890 | 125,042 | 20,274 |
Other taxes and social security costs | 45,960 | 45,960 | 10,516 | 10,516 |
Accruals | 64,469 | 23,211 | 95,822 | 38,977 |
Other payables | 6,159 | 6,159 | 2,501 | 2,501 |
| 171,550 | 99,220 | 233,881 | 72,268 |
14. Share capital
| 2014 No. | 2014 £ | 2013 No. | 2013 £ |
Allotted, called up and fully paid |
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares of 1p each | 174,302,034 | 1,743,020 | 161,766,214 | 1,617,662 |
| 174,302,034 | 1,743,020 | 161,766,214 | 1,617,662 |
During the year to 30 September 2014 the following share issues took place:
An issue of 200,000 1.0p ordinary shares at 2.375p per share, being a share warrant exercise, for a total consideration of £4,750 (14 January 2014).
An issue of 2,000,000 1.0p ordinary shares at 7.5p per share, being a share warrant exercise, for a total consideration of £150,000 (25 February 2014).
An issue of 1,490,000 1.0p ordinary shares at 12p per share, being a drawdown under the Equity Finance Facility (Note 15), for a total consideration of £167,178 net of expenses (15 April 2014).
An issue of 7,304,348 1.0p ordinary shares at 5.75p per share, by way of placing, for a total consideration of £378,000 net of expenses (11 July 2014).
An issue of 41,472 1.0p ordinary shares at 5.75p per share to two directors, in satisfaction of directors fees, for a total consideration of £2,385 (19 August 2014).
An issue of 1,500,000 1.0p ordinary shares at 2.375p per share, being a share warrant exercise by a director, for a total consideration of £35,625 (9 September 2014).
During the year to 30 September 2013 a total of 31,180,000 1.0p ordinary shares were issued, at an average price of 5.731p, for a total consideration of £1,616,986 net of expenses.
The total amount of transaction fees debited to the Share Premium account in the year was £53,622 (2013: £160,638).
In the year to 30 September 2014 the Company made a transfer from Share Option Reserve to Accumulated Losses of £48,921 (2013: Nil) in recognition of a reversal of previous charges arising from expired unexercised warrants.
Equity Swap
On 23 May 2013 the Company entered into funding arrangements with YA Global Master SPV ("YAGM") whereby, in addition to the issue of 26,000,000 ordinary shares to YAGM under a subscription agreement, the Company and YAGM entered into an equity swap agreement over a notional 11,818,176 ordinary shares in the Company. Under the terms of the equity swap, upon each of 12 monthly settlement dates an average market price of the Company's shares was to be calculated and compared to a benchmark price of 5.78p per share. If the average market price exceeded the benchmark price then a sum became payable to the Company by YAGM, if the average market price was less than the benchmark price then a sum became payable to YAGM by the Company, depending on the amount by which the average market price exceeded or fell short of the benchmark price.
On 8 November 2013, the Equity Swap Agreement (Note 14) between the Company and YA Global Master SPV Ltd ("YAGM") was settled. The parties agreed that all remaining monthly settlements were to be accelerated and included in a new settlement date at a price of 5.5p per share. On that settlement date, the remaining escrow funds of £366,666 were distributed between the Company (£336,333) and YAGM (£30,333) with no further liability. For comparison at 30 September 2013 the Company's liability to YAGM was £102,381.
15. Warrants and options granted
Unexercised warrants Issue date | Exercise price | Number | Exercisable | Expiry dates |
09/12/08 | 2.375p | 200,000 | Any time before expiry | 09/03/15 |
09/12/08 | 2.375p | 200,000 | Any time before expiry | 09/03/15 |
07/12/09 | 4.375p | 2,300,000 | Any time before expiry | 07/03/15 |
07/12/09 | 4.375p | 600,000 | Any time before expiry | 07/03/15 |
17/12/10 | 6.25p | 2,300,000 | Any time before expiry | 17/03/16 |
17/12/10 | 6.25p | 200,000 | Any time before expiry | 31/12/15 |
17/12/10 | 6.25p | 400,000 | Any time before expiry | 17/03/16 |
01/09/11 | 6.75p | 250,000 | Any time before expiry | 01/09/16 |
01/09/11 | 6.75p | 250,000 | Any time before expiry | 01/09/16 |
01/09/11 | 11.00p | 250,000 | Any time before expiry | 01/09/16 |
01/09/11 | 11.00p | 250,000 | Any time after 01/09/2015 | 01/09/16 |
26/01/12 | 9.75p | 2,300,000 | Any time before expiry | 26/01/17 |
26/01/12 | 9.75p | 200,000 | Any time before expiry | 31/12/15 |
26/01/12 | 9.75p | 200,000 | Any time before expiry | 26/01/17 |
10/01/13 | 7.63p | 1,700,000 | Any time before expiry | 10/01/18 |
10/01/13 | 7.63p | 200,000 | Any time before expiry | 31/12/15 |
10/01/13 | 7.63p | 300,000 | Any time before expiry | 10/01/18 |
14/01/14 | 11.25p | 1,050,000 | Any time after 14/01/2015 | 14/01/19 |
14/01/14 | 11.25p | 200,000 | Any time after 14/01/2015 | 31/12/15 |
14/01/14 | 11.25p | 300,000 | Any time after 14/01/2015 | 14/01/19 |
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised options Issue date | Exercise price | Number | Exercisable | Expiry Dates |
31/01/05 | 10.0p | 50,000 | Any time before expiry | 31/01/15 |
Warrants and options are issued for nil consideration and are exercisable as disclosed above. They are exchangeable on a one for one basis for each ordinary share of 1.0p at the exercise price on the date of conversion.
On 15 June 2012 the Company entered into a three year Equity Financing Facility ("EFF") with Darwin Strategic Limited ("Darwin"). The agreement provides the Company with the facility to draw down up to £10 million, by issuing subscription notices requiring Darwin to subscribe for ordinary shares of the Company on certain terms and conditions.
In conjunction with the EFF agreement the Company entered into a warrant agreement allowing Darwin to subscribe for up to 2,000,000 new Ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company at 7.5p per share, exercisable at any time before 15 June 2015. All of these warrants were exercised on 20 February 2014.
Share based payments
The Company has an Inland Revenue approved share option scheme for all employees. Options are exercisable at a price equal to the market price of the Company's shares on the date of grant.
The vesting period is three years. If the options remain unexercised after a period of ten years from the date of grant the options expire. Options may be forfeited if the employee leaves the Company.
In addition, the Company issues warrants to directors and employees, outside of the approved scheme, on varying terms and conditions.
On 16 September 2014 the Company extended the warrant expiry dates by three months of unexercised warrants issued in years 2008 to 2011 due to the proximity of a Close Period to the original expiry date. Certain of these warrants have an earlier expiry date due to employees' termination of employment.
Details of the share warrants and options outstanding during the year are as follows:
| 2014 | 2013 | ||
| Number of warrants and share options
| Weighted average exercise price Pence | Number of warrants and share options
| Weighted average exercise price Pence |
Outstanding at start of year | 17,410,000 | 6.738 | 15,710,000 | 6.470 |
Granted during the year | 1,550,000 | 11.25 | 2,200,000 | 7.630 |
Exercised during the year | (3,700,000) | 5.145 | (500,000) | 2.375 |
Forfeited during the year | - | - | - | - |
Expired during the year | (1,560,000) | - | - | - |
Outstanding at 30 September | 13,700,000 | 7.422 | 17,410,000 | 6.738 |
Exercisable at 30 September | 11,900,000 | 6.849 | 15,210,000 | 6.326 |
The warrants and options outstanding at 30 September 2014 had a weighted average exercise price of £0.07 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2 years.
In the year ended 30 September 2014, warrants were granted on 14 January 2014. The aggregate of the estimated fair values of the warrants granted on these dates is £66,740. In the year ended30 September 2013, warrants were granted on 10 January 2013. The aggregate of the estimated fair values of the warrants granted on these dates is £64,364.
No options were granted in the year ended 30 September 2014 or the year ended 30 September 2013.
The inputs into the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing Model are as follows:
| 2014 | 2013 |
Weighted average share price | 9.00p | 6.10p |
Weighted average exercise price | 11.25p | 7.63p |
Expected volatility | 80% | 80% |
Expected life | 4 years | 4 years |
Risk-free rate | 1.88% | 1.12% |
Expected dividend yield | 0% | 0% |
Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company's share price over the previous four years. The expected life used in the model has been adjusted based on management's best estimate for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.
The Company recognised total expenses of £71,448 and £88,506 related to equity-settled share based payment transactions in 2014 and 2013 respectively.
16. Operating lease commitments
The Company rents office premises under an operating lease agreement. The current lease term is for one year, expiring on 30 November 2014. No contingent rent is payable. The lease is eligible for renewal on expiry.
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are:
| 2014 Land & buildings £ | 2013 Land & buildings £ |
Office accommodation: |
|
|
Within one year | 3,120 | 3,044 |
The Company does not sub-lease any of its leased premises.
Lease payments recognised in loss for the period amounted to £18,644 (2013: £18,206).
17. Related party transactions
Key management personnel
The directors holding office in the period and their beneficial interests in the share capital of the Company are:
| At 30 September 2014 | At 30 September 2013 | ||||
|
| Warrants |
|
| ||
| Shares Number | Number | Exercise price | Expiry date | Shares Number | Warrants Number |
P L Cheetham* | 11,876,913 | 1,500,000 | 4.375p | 07/03/2015 | 10,376,913 | 7,500,000 |
|
| 1,500,000 | 6.250p | 17/03/2016 |
|
|
|
| 1,500,000 | 9.750p | 26/01/2017 |
|
|
|
| 500,000 | 7.630p | 10/01/2018 |
|
|
|
| 500,000 | 11.250p | 14/01/2019 |
|
|
D A R McAlister | 494,048 | 300,000 | 4.375p | 07/03/2015 | 481,579 | 1,000,000 |
|
| 300,000 | 6.250p | 17/03/2016 |
|
|
|
| 300,000 | 9.750p | 26/01/2017 |
|
|
D Whitehead | 29,003 | 300,000 | 4.375p | 07/03/2015 | - | 1,000,000 |
|
| 300,000 | 6.250p | 17/03/2016 |
|
|
|
| 300,000 | 9.750p | 26/01/2017 |
|
|
R H Clemmey | 6,333 | 250,000 | 6.750p | 01/09/2016 | 6,333 | 2,000,000 |
|
| 250,000 | 6.750p | 01/09/2016 |
|
|
|
| 250,000 | 11.000p | 01/09/2016 |
|
|
|
| 250,000 | 11.000p | 01/09/2016 |
|
|
|
| 1,000,000 | 7.630p | 10/01/2018 |
|
|
|
| 350,000 | 11.250p | 14/01/2019 |
|
|
* Includes 2,843,625 shares held by K E Cheetham, wife of P L Cheetham.
The directors have no beneficial interests in the shares of the Company's subsidiary undertakings as at 30 September 2014. The directors of the Company are the directors of all Group companies.
Details of the parent company's investment in subsidiary undertakings are shown in Note 10.
Sunrise Resources plc
During the year the Company recharged costs of £163,136 (2013: £134,277) to Sunrise Resources plc being shared overheads of £23,671 (2013: £22,977), costs paid on behalf of Sunrise Resources plc of
£11,816 (2013: £5,802), staff salary costs of £44,207 (2013: £52,583) and directors' salary costs of
£ 83,442 (2013: £52,915). The salary costs in Notes 4 and 5 are shown net of these recharges.
At the balance sheet date an amount of £50,050 (2013: £43,157) was due from Sunrise Resources plc, which was repaid in November 2014.
P L Cheetham, a director of Tertiary Minerals plc, is also a director of Sunrise Resources plc.
Shares and warrants held in Sunrise Resources plc by the Tertiary Minerals plc directors are as follows:
| At 30 September 2013 | At 30 September 2012 | ||||
|
| Warrants |
|
| ||
| Shares Number | Number | Exercise price | Expiry date | Shares Number | Warrants Number |
P L Cheetham* | 19,355,675 | 2,000,000 | 0.575p | 08/03/2015 | 12,942,462 | 10,500,000 |
|
| 2,000,000 | 0.850p | 07/03/2015 |
|
|
|
| 2,000,000 | 2.500p | 07/03/2016 |
|
|
|
| 2,000,000 | 1.250p | 24/02/2017 |
|
|
|
| 2,000,000 | 0.850p | 19/03/2018 |
|
|
|
| 2,000,000 | 0.550p | 14/01/2019 |
|
|
|
| 2,222,222 | 0.600p | 31/03/2016 |
|
|
D A R McAlister | 550,000 | - | - | - | 550,000 | - |
D Whitehead | - | - | - | - | - | - |
R H Clemmey | - | 500,000 | 1.250p | 24/02/2017 | - | - |
|
| 500,000 | 0.850p | 19/03/2018 |
|
|
|
| 500,000 | 0.550p | 14/01/2019 |
|
|
* Includes 5,500,000 shares held by K E Cheetham, wife of P L Cheetham.
18. Post Balance Sheet Event
Subsequent to the year-end, on 1 October 2014, 3,000,000 warrants were issued to Richard Clemmey, the Managing Director, exercisable after year one, at prices between 9p and 21p, with vesting periods from 1 to 4 years.
19. Capital management
The Group's capital requirements are dictated by its project and overhead funding requirements from time to time. Capital requirements are reviewed by the Board on a regular basis.
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities within the Group will be able to continue as going concerns, to increase the value of the assets of the business and to provide an adequate return to shareholders in the future when exploration assets are taken into production.
The Group manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in the light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of its assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure the possibilities open to the Group in future include issuing new shares, consolidating shares, returning capital to shareholders, taking on debt, selling assets and adjusting the amount of dividends paid to the shareholders.
20. Financial instruments
At 30 September 2014, the Group's and Company's financial assets consisted of available for sale investments, trade receivables and cash and cash equivalents. At the same date, the Group and Company had no financial liabilities other than trade and other payables due within one year and had no agreed borrowing facilities as at this date. There is no material difference between the carrying and fair values of the Group and Company's financial assets and liabilities.
The carrying amounts for each category of financial instruments held at 30 September 2014, as defined in IAS 39, are as follows:
| Group 2014 £ | Company 2014 £ | Group 2013 £ | Company 2013 £ |
Loans & receivables | 1,035,976 | 951,776 | 1,613,949 | 1,521,927 |
Available for sale investments | 239,626 | 239,626 | 230,251 | 230,251 |
Financial liabilities at amortised cost | 125,589 | 53,260 | 223,365 | 61,752 |
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss | - | - | 102,381 | 102,381 |
Risk management
The principal risks faced by the Group and Company resulting from financial instruments are liquidity risk, foreign currency risk and, to a lesser extent, interest rate risk and credit risk. The directors review and agree policies for managing each of these risks as summarised below. The policies have remained unchanged from previous periods as these risks remain unchanged.
Liquidity risk
The Group currently holds cash balances in Sterling, US Dollars, Swedish Krona, Euros, Canadian Dollars and Saudi Riyals to provide funding for exploration and evaluation activity, whilst the Company holds cash balances in Sterling and US Dollars. The Group and Company are dependent on equity fundraising through private placings which the directors regard as the most cost-effective method of fundraising. The directors monitor cash flow in the context of their expectations for the business to ensure sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs.
Currency risk
The Group's financial risk management objective is broadly to seek to make neither profit nor loss from exposure to currency risks. The Group is exposed to transactional foreign exchange risk and takes profits and losses as they arise, as in the opinion of the directors, the cost of hedging against fluctuations would be greater than the related benefit from doing so. Where a material order is made in a different currency, funds are converted to that currency at prevailing rates and held on short term treasury deposits at prevailing fixed interest rates pending payment.
Bank and cash balances, including the Group's share of funds in the Ghurayyah joint arrangement, were held in the following denominations:
| Group | Company | ||
| 2014 £ | 2013 £ | 2014 £ | 2013 £ |
United Kingdom Sterling | 855,269 | 1,064,527 | 854,478 | 1,062,153 |
United States Dollar | 69,016 | 113,509 | 18,848 | 48,739 |
Swedish Krona | 9,011 | 7,730 | - | - |
European Euro | 9,296 | 1,791 | - | - |
Canadian Dollar | 263 | 49 | - | - |
Saudi Riyal | 35 | 6 | - | - |
| 942,890 | 1,187,612 | 873,326 | 1,110,892 |
Surplus funds in all currencies are placed with NatWest bank on a number of short term treasury deposits at varying fixed rates of interest, but the Group held only one US Dollar treasury deposit at 30 September 2014.
The Company and the Group are exposed to changes in the US Dollar/UK Sterling exchange rate mainly in the Sterling value of US Dollar denominated financial assets and any profit or loss arising from such changes reports to equity.
Sensitivity analysis shows that the Sterling value of its US Dollar denominated financial assets at 30 September 2014 would increase or decrease by £3,451 for each 5% increase or decrease in the value of Sterling against the Dollar.
Neither the Company nor the Group is exposed to material transactional currency risk.
Interest rate risk
The Group and Company finance their operations through equity fundraising and therefore do not carry borrowings.
Fluctuating interest rates have the potential to affect the loss and equity of the Group and the Company insofar as they affect the interest paid on financial instruments held for the benefit of the Group. The directors do not consider the effects to be material to the reported loss or equity of the Group or the Company presented in the financial statements.
Credit risk
The Company has exposure to credit risk through receivables such as VAT refunds, invoices issued to related parties and its joint arrangements for management charges. The amounts outstanding from time to time are not material other than for VAT refunds which are considered by the directors to be low risk.
The Company has exposure to credit risk in respect of its cash deposits with NatWest bank and this exposure is considered by the directors to be low.
Company Information
Tertiary Minerals plc (AIM - EPIC: TYM)
Company No. 03821411
Head Office Silk Point Queens Avenue Macclesfield Cheshire SK10 2BB United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)845 868 4580 Fax: +44 (0)1625 838 559 | Registered Office Sunrise House Hulley Road Macclesfield Cheshire SK10 2LP United Kingdom
Company website: www.tertiaryminerals.com |
Auditor Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP 3rd Floor The Lexicon Mount Street Manchester M2 5NT United Kingdom
| Bankers National Westminster Bank plc 2 Spring Gardens Buxton Derbyshire SK17 6DG United Kingdom
|
Nominated Adviser & Broker SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP Prince Frederick House 35-39 Maddox Street London W1S 2PP United Kingdom
| Joint Broker Beaufort Securities Limited 131 Finsbury Pavement London EC2A 1NT United Kingdom |
Registrars Capita Asset Services The Registry 34 Beckenham Road Beckenham Kent BR3 4TU United Kingdom | Solicitors Gowlings (UK) LLP 15th Floor 125 Old Broad Street London EC2N 1AR United Kingdom
|