Tertiary Minerals Regulatory News (TYM)

21 May 2009 12:21



Tertiary Minerals plc

Interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2009

Chairman's Statement

I am pleased to report the Company's progress and unaudited interim results for the six month period ended 31 March 2009. 

Review of Activities 

The past six months have seen a deepening of the economic recession and the financial environment for mineral exploration and development companies remains difficult. However, our Company has no debt (other than normal trade and other payables) and no unavoidable exploration or development commitments. The steps we have taken to reduce administrative costs and discretionary expenditure spending are helping to preserve capital and this was supplemented by a small placing of shares in February 2009 which was made to long term supporters of the Company.

Storuman Fluorspar Scoping Study Continuing

At the same time it is important that we continue to advance the Company's interests and so evaluation work is continuing on the Storuman fluorspar project, albeit at a slower pace. Some components of the Scoping Study are complete and metallurgical testwork is progressing satisfactorily. Despite the recession, prices for fluorspar remain firm. Spot prices remain firm and contract prices are largely unaffected and have increased in some cases. This reflects continuing shortages of traditional supplies from China as domestic production is diverted towards production of added-value fluorine-based refrigerants and where demand continues to grow, enhanced by the Government's current fiscal stimulus.

Inmet Continues Exploration at Vähäjoki 

In March this year we signed a full joint venture agreement with Inmet Mining Corporation on the Vähäjoki copper-gold project in northern Finland, expanding the heads of terms contained in the agreement announced on 6 September 2007. Magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical surveys have defined a large target area believed to have high potential for iron-oxide-copper-gold ("IOCG") mineralisation. Inmet recently flew an airborne gravity survey at Vähäjoki and drilling is scheduled to commence this month subject to interpretation of the results of the airborne survey.

The Kolari iron project exploration licence in Finland was recently renewed until the end October 2010 although work on this project, and on other exploration projects in Finland, has been deferred for the time being to reduce outgoings. In Saudi Arabia we continue to await the issue of the revised exploration licence for the Ghurayyah tantalum, niobium zircon rare-earth deposit. 

Results

The Group is reporting a loss for the six month period of £156,506 (six months to 31 March 2008: £170,709). This loss comprises administration costs of £138,159 (which includes share based payments of £17,933) pre-licence (reconnaissance) costs totalling £23,216, impairments to net assets of £1,296 and interest income of £6,165. The impairments relate to mineral projects no longer held or where no further exploration is justified.

I look forward to reporting further progress in the coming months.

Patrick L Cheetham 

Executive Chairman

21 May 2009

For further information contact:

  Consolidated Income Statement

for the six months to 31 March 2009

Consolidated Statement of Total Recognised Income and Expense

for the six months to 31 March 2009

Consolidated Balance Sheet

as at 31 March 2009

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

for the six months to 31 March 2009

Notes to the Interim Statement

1. Basis of preparation

The interim financial statement has been prepared on the basis of the recognition and measurement requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU), and their interpretations adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The accounting policies used in the preparation of the interim financial information are the same as those used in the Group's audited financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2008.

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 financing will be required.

The Directors are satisfied that the Group has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the "going concern" basis for preparing the financial statements. The interim statement has been approved by the Directors and is unaudited.

2. Loss per share

 Loss per share has been calculated on the attributable loss for the period and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period.

The loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares used for the purpose of calculating diluted earnings per share, are identical to those used to calculate the basic earnings per ordinary share. This is because the exercise of share warrants would have the effect of reducing the loss per ordinary share and is therefore not dilutive under the terms of IAS33.

3. Share capital

On 30 January 2009, an issue of 510,080 ordinary shares of 1.0p each was made at 1.75p to the Executive Chairman and one of the non-executive Directors for a consideration of £8,926, in satisfaction of Directors Fees.

On 13 February 2009, an issue of 12,000,000 ordinary shares of 1.0p each was made at 1.25p, by way of placing, for a consideration of £150,000.

4. Interim report

Copies of this interim report will be sent to all shareholders and are available from Tertiary Minerals plc, Sunrise House, Hulley Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 2LP, United Kingdom. It is also available on the Company's website at www.tertiaryminerals.com