The Company is pleased to announce its final results for the year ended 31 December 2017. A copy of full results will be made available on the Company’s website from today at http://www.cadenceminerals.com/

For further information, please contact:
Cadence Minerals plc	+44 (0) 207 440 0647
Andrew Suckling
Kiran Morzaria
WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD & Broker)	+44 (0) 207 220 1666
James Joyce
James Sinclair-Ford
Hannam & Partners LLP (Joint Broker)	+44 (0) 207 907 8500
Neil Passmore
Giles Fitzpatrick
Square1 Consulting	+44 (0) 207 929 5599
David Bick

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

For the year ended 31 December 2017

STRONG ASSET GROWTH AND RETURN ON EQUITY

The rise in electric vehicle usage is fast approaching and with that the demand for batteries is increasing. More and more governments are committing to phasing out vehicles burning oil products and investment in new battery technologies continues apace For example China’s New Energy Vehicle Mandate Policy of Sept 2017 and California’s ZEV ( Zero emission vehicle). Recent significant announcements from the world’s major automakers to boost production of hybrid and fully electric vehicles complement this global drive to legislate for more rapid and intensive take up of emissions-free transportation.

Cobalt, lithium , Nickel along with rare earth elements have been identified as key strategic minerals in this rapidly expanding market. Supply of each must be increased substantially over the coming years to match predicted demand.

This is precisely where Cadence is focused, particularly on mining projects that are both low-cost and scalable. We have witnessed continued consolidation in the Lithium space , along with institutional and strategic involvement in a number of assets and projects Cadence was early to identify. Lithium’s importance has been highlighted at the political and legislative level globally.

Our principal investments now include stakes in Bacanora Minerals, European Metals Holdings, Macarthur Minerals, Yangibana North Project , Clancy , San Luis stakes in Argentina and Auroch Minerals.

The sale of part of our stake in Bacanora was a strategic decision centered on reinvestment. Cadence will redeploy some of the profits in other early-stage mineral exploration companies where we can both hold larger stakes and add our considerable mining and financial management expertise. This will provide us with an opportunity to achieve returns of a similarly high level to those made on our Bacanora investment to date.

Cadence continues to have great confidence in Bacanora Minerals and its management team, and we look forward to being a supportive shareholder and joint-venture partner in the development of the Sonora Lithium Project. We believe that Sonora has the potential to be a significant producer of battery-grade lithium carbonate, forming an important part of the global lithium-compound supply chain in the coming years.

The board and Cadence’s strategy have evolved significantly since the company took a stake in Bacanora four years ago. We have begun to take an active role in management of the companies in which we invest.

Cadence’s future prospects are growing and are very exciting. We will continue to support our investee companies and identify new areas for expansion that offer the potential for superior returns on capital.

Our strategy for delivering material value to shareholders rests on three pillars:

–       Supporting existing projects through to production.

–       Identifying new strategic investments which principally will be lithium exploration assets demonstrating a high probability of entering into commercial production

–       Evaluation of the  investment potential in other key metals used widely in the rapidly expanding energy-storage sector, such as cobalt, copper and nickel.

In this regard, we see added value in acquiring stakes in assets that are currently unlisted but fit our investment criteria, an approach which has to date delivered excellent returns. In this way we will provide our shareholders access to assets that have the same fundamentals as prior investments offerring potentially higher returns.

We continue to view the medium and long term prospects for the Company with confidence.

The directors would like to take this opportunity to thank our shareholders, staff and consultants for their continued support.

Andrew Suckling

Executive Chairman

25 May 2018

 

STRATEGIC REPORT

Our focus in 2017  was to continue our investment strategy, that is, to identify, invest and play an active role in the development and progress in assets and companies that have unique access to projects that have the right chemistry, are low cost and represent a value investment.

Cadence typically invests at the early stage of the resource development cycle. This can be as early as target delineation and up to scoping study level. The risk associated with investing in any resource projects at an early stage is high particularly within the lithium sector, which is not commoditised and the success or failure of a project is highly dependent on the metallurgical risks.

Our approach to mitigate this risk is to obtain a deep fundamental understanding of the resource, its chemistry and management team. By doing so we can eliminate the many potential investments that we review during the year and fund projects that we believe will come to production and deliver value to our shareholders. Importantly we also take an active approach to our investments by either being part of the management team or, if not, assisting incumbent management in their endeavours.

This approach has led to good absolute return figures which at the end of the financial year stood at 119% for our public listed investments and around 121% inclusive of our non listed investments. The mark market valutions of all our investments, inclusive of our portions of joint ventrures stood at some £33 million, while the valution of our public assets stood at £24.8 million (table 1).

Table 1: Absolute Return Figures

 

	31/12/2015	31/12/2016	31/12/2017
Book Value	9,876	17,689	11,345
Mark to Market Equity Value (GB£ ,000)	14,232	24,152	24,869
Absolute Return on Equity (%)	44%	36%	119%

 

LITHIUM MARKET REVIEW

The primary driver for the increasing demand in lithium and lithium compounds is the penetration of electric vehicles (“EV”). 2017 was the year that dramatically changed the EV industry. Several prominent countries announced mandatory EV adoption rates. Many car companies from the U.S. to China to Europe announced new EV cars or at times introduced plans to electrify their entire fleet. Examples of this include, GM’s commitment of at least 20 new EVs by 2023, Mercedes announcing that it will electrify its entire line up by 2022, VW announcing to invest $84 billion to bring 300 new EV models to the market by 2030 and the most aggressive target by Volvo who announced that all of their new models will be EV by 2019.

Looking back at how lithium prices performed in 2017, it’s clear that prices remained strong throughout the year with CIF in Asia for 99% Lithium Carbonate increasing from US$15,500 per tonne at the beginning of the year to US$20,750 at the end of the year.  This was a surprise to a lot of commentators, however given the positive moves from the demand curve and the disappointments in the supply curve it became inevitable that we would see upward movement in prices.

In the early part of 2018 we saw several negative forecasts for pricing, based erroneously on the “wave” of supply from SQM and several other assets forecast to come online, these analysts still fail to understand the industry. In making this forecast they have applied some of the most optimistic factors to construction and commissioning and applied a linear approach to growth curves, which for a disruptive technology such as EV’s is inappropriate.

Our forecast suggests that there could be up to 800kt lithium compound demand by 2025. The big caveat to this is that supply comes online in time and projects gett financed. It is the latter point that Cadence sees as the largest constraint to EV adoption. In essence there is a pipeline of project which would allow the penetration of EV’s of 25%, however the large majority of these do not have financing in place, by our estimates there is some US$8 billion to be invested to hit production targets and in addition given the timelines to production it seems unlikely that there will be enough supply to deliver 800kt of lithium per annum by 2025, which will mean continued supply constraints.

We continue to see plenty of evidence demand growth, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence is now tracking 26 battery mega-factories, up from just three back in 2014. The combined planned capacity of these plants is 344.5 GWh. To put that into perspective, total lithium-ion cell demand in 2017 is estimated at 100 GWh.

Looking ahead to 2018, supply constraints look set to continue as the lithium demand forecast rises. In terms of demand, analysts agree that the lithium space will be led by battery production.

Cadence still maintains its belief that lithium prices will remain strong and anticipates that this pattern will continue for the foreseeable future. We believe that the assets that we have invested in will form part of the medium-term lithium supply chain from 2020 onwards.

INVESTMENT REVIEW

Bacanora Lithium Plc

Cadence holds an interest in Bacanora through a direct equity holding of approximately 8%, and a 30% stake in the joint venture interests in each of Mexalit S.A. de CV and Megalit S.A. de CV. Mexalit forms part of the Sonora Lithium Project. Bacanora is a London-listed lithium asset developer and explorer (AIM: BCN).

Bacanora’s has two key projects under development. The first is the Sonora Lithium Project in Northern Mexico and the second is the Zinnwald Lithium Project in southern Saxony, Germany.

Sonora Lithium Project

The Sonora Lithium Project consists of ten contiguous concessions covering 97,389 hectares. Two of the concessions (La Ventana, La Ventana 1) are owned 100% by Bacanora through its wholly-owned subsidiary Minera Sonora Borax S.A de C.V. (“MSB”). El Sauz, El Sauz 1, El Sauz 2, Fleur and Fleur 1 concessions are owned by, Mexilit S.A. de C.V. (“Mexilit”) (which is owned 70% by Bacanora and 30% by Cadence). These concessions are located approximately 190 kilometres northeast of the city of Hermosillo, in Sonora State, Mexico. They are roughly 170 kilometres south of the border with Arizona, USA. The San Gabriel and Buenavista concessions are owned by Minera Megalit S.A. de C.V. (“Megalit”) (which is owned 70% by Bacanora and 30% by Cadence)

Key Operational Highlights on the Sonora Project are as follows:

• On April 10th, 2017, Bacanora announced that it had entered into a strategic partnership with Hanwa Co. Ltd. (“Hanwa”), a leading Japan-based global trading company and one of the larger traders of battery chemicals in Japan, with reported net sales of more than ¥1,000 billion in 2016. Hanwa was awarded an off-take agreement for up to 100% of Bacanora’s stage 1 production of the lithium carbonate (“Li2CO3”) produced at the Sonora Lithium Project at market price at the time. Hanwa also acquired a 10% equity stake in Bacanora by purchasing 12,333,261 of the Company’s common shares and has an option to increase its interest up to 19.9%.
• On October 20th, 2017, Bacanora announced that the Environmental Impact Statement, the Manifestacion de Impacto Ambiental (“MIA”), for its flagship Sonora project has been approved by SEMARNAT, the Environment Ministry of Mexico. The approval represents a major milestone for Bacanora as it grants Bacanora the governments’ approval to construct an open pit mine and a large-scale beneficiation processing facility at Sonora.
• On December 12th, 2017, Bacanora announced the results of the Feasibility Study (“FS”) for Sonora prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). The results of the FS confirm the positive economics and favourable operating costs of a 35,000 tonnes per annum (“tpa”) battery grade lithium carbonate (“Li2CO3”) operation.

o  The FS estimates a pre-tax project Net Present Value (“NPV”) of US$1.253 billion at an 8% discount rate and

o  an Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) of 26.1%, and

o  Life of Mine (“LOM”) operating costs of US$3,910/t Li2CO3.

Both the equity stake in Bacanora and our ownership in the Mexalit joint venture could represent a substantial return for Cadence in the form of cash flow from the Sonora Lithium Project.

Zinnwald Lithium Project

On 21 February 2017 Bacanora announced the acquisition of a 50% interest in, and joint operational control of, the Zinnwald Lithium Project in southern Saxony, Germany from SolarWorld AG.

Bacanora holds 50% interest in a jointly controlled entity, Deutsche Lithium GmbH, which operates the Zinnwald Project located in southern Saxony, Germany, adjacent to the border of the Czech Republic and within 5 kilometres of the towns of Altenberg and Freiberg. The Company acquired its interest in February 2017 for a cash consideration of €5 million and an undertaking to contribute up to €5 million toward the costs of completion of a feasibility study, which is anticipated to be completed during the second quarter of 2019.

Bacanora has an option to acquire the remaining 50% of the jointly controlled entity, alone or together with any reasonably acceptable third party within a 24-month period for €30 million. In the event that Bacanora does not exercise this right within the above stated timeframe, then SolarWorld has the right but not the obligation to purchase the Company’s 50% interest for €1.

Deutsche Lithium represents a strategic asset located in close proximity to a thriving market for lithium and energy products, which is being fuelled by Germany’s electric automotive industry and the rise of renewable energy storage. Zinnwald is located in a world-class granite hosted Sn/W/Li belt that has been mined historically for tin, tungsten and lithium at different times over the past 300 years.

The project has a historical resource estimate which was reported in accordance with the PERC Code1, comprised of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources. A Qualified Person (under NI 43-101) has not done sufficient work to confirm the historical estimate; hence the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves. demonstrates its potential for economic extraction of lithium products, as well as potential by-products of tin, tantalum and SOP. Bacanora’s investment and expertise will facilitate further development in order to achieve higher-value, downstream lithium products which command higher prices in the market.

A resource infill drilling programme to upgrade the existing resource model in accordance with NI 41-101 has now been completed. Collection of a 100 tonne bulk ore sample from the legacy mine at Zinnwald to provide samples for metallurgical testwork has also been completed. On completion of the concentration testwork, hydrometallurgical testwork for downstream processing will be undertaken, focusing on the production of higher value lithium battery chemical products.

Deutsche Lithium has been granted a mining licence covering 256.5 hectares of the Zinnwald project.The 30 year mining licence has been issued by the Saxony State Mining Authority.

Subsequent to the transaction SolarWorld filed for bankruptcy protection in Germany due to ongoing pricing pressures in its core solar markets. The Company is confident that the SolarWorld insolvency process will have no material impact on the Company’s interest in Deutsche Lithium and the Zinnwald project.

 

Details of Cadence’s ownership

Cadence owns approximately 8% of Bacanora. The Sonora Lithium Project is comprised of the following lithium properties.

• La Ventana, La Ventana 1, and Megalit concessions, which are 100 percent owned by Minera Sonora Borax S.A. de C.V.(“MSB”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bacanora; Cadence, through its approximate direct interest of 8% of Bacanora, has an indirect interest in these concessions of 8%.
• El Sauz, El Sauz 1, El Sauz 2, Fleur and Fleur 1 concessions, which are held by Mexilit S.A. de C.V. (“Mexilit”). Cadence has a 30% direct interest in Mexalit through its Joint Venture with Bacanora, and when combined with Cadence’s direct interest of approximately 8% in Bacanora, has a total economic interest in Mexalit of 35%.

Cadence also owns a 30% direct interest in The Megalit, Buenavista, and San Gabriel concessions, which are held by Megalit S.A de C.V (“Megalit”) which when combined with Cadences’ direct interest of approximately 8% in Bacanora, has a total economic interest in Megalit of 35%.These areas are not part of the mining plans of the Sonora Lithium Project and have not been assessed in sufficient detail to provide a 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate.

 

European Metals Holdings Limited (European Metals)

Cadence has been investing in EMH since June 2015 and continued to do so during the period. It currently owns approximately 20% in the Cinovec deposit in the Czech Republic through a direct holding in the share capital of European Metals Holdings Limited that owns 100 per cent of the exploration rights to the Cinovec lithium/tin deposit. The Cinovec lithium and tin deposit is located in the Krusne Hory mountain range. The deposit that straddles the border between Germany and the Czech Republic and in Germany, it is known as the Zinnwald deposit (50% owned by Bacanora). The district has an extensive mining history, with various metals having been extracted since the 14th Century.

Summary of Activities

European Metals made significant progress during the year.  With the Company’s efforts focusing on the completion of a pre-feasibility study (“PFS”). This was announced in April 2017 and confirmed the potential that the Cinovec deposit could be developed into a low-cost producer of lithium products.

Highlights of the PFS include:

 

·    Net overall cost of production –	·    US$3,483 /tonne Li2CO3
·    Net Present Value (NPV) –	·    US$540 M (post tax, 8%)
·    Internal Rate of Return (IRR) –	·    21 % (post tax)
·    Total Capital Cost –	·    US$393 M
·    Annual production of Battery Grade Lithium Carbonate –	·    20,800 tonnes

Project development for the year was centered on a significant drilling program embarked upon by the Company. There were numerous updates to this program released to the market during the period. Overall, results from the program either confirmed or exceeded expectations with respect of both lithium content and width of mineralisation.

In November 2016, the Company announced a significant increase in the indicated resource at Cinovec. This upgrade was a result of the drilling program to that point and increased the indicated resource by approximately 420%.

Highlights from the Mineral Resource Estimate include:

• Lithium Indicated Resource increased 420% to 2.6 Mt LCE, contained in 232.8 Mt @ 0.45% Li2O (0.1% Li cutoff)
• Lithium total resource increased 11.8% to 6.46 Mt LCE, contained in 606.8 Mt @ 0.43% Li2O (0.1% Li cutoff)
• Tin Indicated Resource increased by 64% to 28.6 Mt @ 0.23% Sn, 0.54% Li2O (0.1% Sn cutoff) for 65.8 kt Sn, 0.38 Mt LCE
• Lithium exploration target remains 350 to 450 Mt @ 0.39% to 0.47% for 3.4 Mt to 5.3 Mt of LCE

In June 2017, and based on the PFS taken on the Cinovec Project, European Metals declared a maiden Probable Ore Reserve of 34.5 Mt @0.65% Li2O.

This drilling program provided important data to the Company’s Preliminary Feasibility Study (“PFS”) which was ongoing throughout the period. The Company released various updates with regards to this study throughout the year, and the completion at the end of March 2017.

Highlights of the work program for the PFS included a significant reduction of pre-production capital costs and outstanding recoveries, and the successful manufacture of >99.5% pure lithium carbonate using an industry proven, sodium sulphate roast-based flow-sheet.

Since the completion of the PFS European Metals has been embarking on elements of the Definitive Feasibility Study, including the appointments a DFS manager, further optimisation testwork on the metallurgy and further increases in indicated resource figures.

European Metals is now progressing its permits, environmental studies and the BFS and we look forward to 2018 and the progress that will be made to bring this asset into production.

 

Details of Cadence’s ownership

Cadence owns a direct interest of approximately 20% of European Metals.

San Luis Lithium Project, Argentina

In December 2017 Cadence Minerals announced that it had executed binding investment agreements wto acquire up to 100% of six prospective hard rock lithium assets in Argentina.

These transactions mark the start of the Company’s strategic shift to earn in to early stage lithium assets in well-known lithium jurisdictions where we see the potential to deliver shareholder value by investing in projects that have shorter development timeline to cashflow than a typical lithium carbonate producer.

The San Luis Project Consist of claims over 55,773 hectares for six exploration permits within the known spodumene bearing pegmatite fields in San Luis Province, Central Argentina. The pegmatite fields of San Luis have an important past record of producing mica, beryl, spodumene, tantalite (tantalum oxide), columbite (niobium oxide), and recently potassium feldspar, albite and quartz. Historic mines outside of the claims have produced lithium oxide (“Li2O”) at grades ranging from 4.5% to 6.5%.

On grant of the exploration permits Cadence will acquire up to 49% by spending £1.1m on exploration and drilling, and by issuing £0.4 million of new ordinary shares in Cadence to The Vendors. Cadence has an option to acquire up to 100% by issuing a further £1.75m of new ordinary shares in Cadence.

Subsequent to the year-end, remote exploration has begun on the assets, including geophysical, remote mapping and historic data collection. We anticipate publishing these results over the coming weeks. Once the exploration licenses are granted we can progress with the field mapping and drilling with the aim of delivering a maiden ore resource.

Clancy Exploration Limited

In September 2017 Cadence announced that Clancy’s investigations into its tenure determined that there were 28 overlapping licences out of Clancy’s 200 licences that were preceding priority claimants (‘Preceding Claims’). These Preceding Claims cover a total area of approximately 12km2 and included the historical Nockelberg and Leogang mines. Clancy continues to have priority over the balance of the project area, being 172 licences covering approximately 68km2 (‘Remaining Licenses’).

Prior to the investigations, Cadence acquired a 10% interest (refer to ASX release dated 3 July 2017) in all 200 licences held by Clancy, and the parties entered into a joint venture. Cadence was subsequently made aware of the licensing situation and we agreed with Clancy to continue to evaluate the Remaining Licenses, in which Cadence holds 10%.

Furthermore. the board of Clancy, in discussions with Cadence, have considered it appropriate to issue Cadence 140,000,000 fully paid ordinary shares at a deemed price of $0.003 (‘Clancy Shares’) as compensation for the discovery of third party priority over the 28 overlapping licenses (including the historical Nockelberg and Leogang mines).

Yangibana Project (Australia)

Since December 2011 Cadence has owned a 30% interest in the Yangibana rare earth project situated in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. Cadence’s interest is free carried up to the commencement of the bankable feasibility study on Yangibana.

Summary of Activities

Hastings Technology Metals Limited is the manager of the Project and holds a 70% interest. Hastings continued to explore and develop the Yangibana project during the year.

Hastings continued to develop the Yangibana project as a whole (inclusive or areas outside our interest) with the publictions of the Yangibana Definitive Feasibility Study published in November 2017. This study did not include any material mined from the joint venture with Hastings.

Discussions with management have determined that given the mineralogy of the deposit on the joint venture areas, processing of the ore prior to the ten years contemplated in the Definitive Feasibility Study would reduce the economics of the project as a whole there it has been excluded, it has yet to be determined if the joint venture areas would form part of the twenty year mine plan.

Macarthur Minerals Limited

In March 2016 Cadence Minerals made a strategic investment in Macarthur (TSX-V: MMS) and now currently holds approximately 15% of Macarthur.

Summary of Activities

Macarthur has made progress on several fronts during the year.

 

Western Australia Gold Prospects

During the period Macarthur has been active in the development of its Gold exploration business. Securing options over or applications over several prospective gold properties in Western Australia. The most significant of which appears to be the Hillside Gold Project.

The Hillside Gold Project encompasses Exploration Licence Applications E45/4824, E45/4708 and E45/4709 held by Macarthur Lithium Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Macarthur Minerals. Macarthur has also entered into an option agreement to acquire Exploration Licence E45/4685, which immediately adjoins the tenements of the Hillside Gold Project. This group of tenements are located approximately 185 kilometres (“km”) South East of Port Hedland and 50 km South West of Marble Bar (the “Hillside Gold Project”).

The Hillside Gold Project is highly prospective for gold and copper. The area has previously been explored by various companies for gold, copper, zinc and lead but limited drilling exists. Historical rock chip sampling by Great Southern Mines in 1998 returned 37 samples grading above one gram per tonne (g/t) up to a maximum of 447 g/t Au.

These tenements surround the mining lease of the historic Edelwiess gold mine. A limited drilling program consisting of six rotary percussion (“RC”) holes conducted by Metana Minerals N.L in 1980 intersected gold mineralisation associated with quartz veins. Gold was recorded in three holes with an average grade of approximately 12 g/t Au and a maximum of 25.83 Au g/t. In addition, sampling along a discontinuous outcropping gossan over a strike of 18 km, showed high potential for copper mineralisation. A total of 20 results yielded above 1,000 ppm Cu to a maximum of 7.8% Cu.

Macarthur recently conducted a reconnaissance field trip to the Hillside Gold Project to investigate further the highly anomalous gold results previously reported. This trip confirmed the potential for high grade gold on the Hillside Gold Project.

 

Western Australian Lithium Projects

Macarthur Minerals has 11 Exploration Licenses and 5 Exploration License Applications in the Pilbara covering a total area of approximately 1,312 km2.

In prior years Macarthur completed two heliborne reconnaissance field trips across a portion of its tenements in the Pilbara region. Sampling across several pegmatites yielded encouraging results warranting further exploration. The best lithium results are from a swarm of pegmatites within Exploration Licence application E45/4702 exploited in the past for tin and tantalum. A sample of lithium muscovite from one old working returned 0.2% Li2O and elevated tantalum and tin values confirming the rare element character of this pegmatite. A feldspar-quartz-muscovite pegmatite within Exploration Licence E45/4711 also returned 111 parts per million (“ppm”) lithium (“Li”). In addition to the reconnaissance sampling, historical results of the Geological Society of WA (“GSWA”) include the Tambourah North lithium pegmatite located in Exploration Licence Application E45/4848. A rock sample collected by Fortescue Metals Group Ltd in 2012 on the western edge of Exploration Licence E45/4702 returned a result of 876 ppm Li (0.19% Li2O).

Nevada Brine Project

On June 15, 2017 Macarthur announced that it had staked 210 new unpatented placer mining claims at its new Reynolds Springs Lithium Brine Project in the Railroad Valley, Nevada.

The new claims are located near the town of Currant, in Nye County, Nevada. The Reynolds Springs Project is located approximately 180 miles (300 km) North of Las Vegas, Nevada.  A total of 206 soil samples were collected across the full extent of the Reynolds Springs Project. Lithium values in the soil samples ranged from a low of 39.3 ppm to a high of 405 ppm Li. Samples were consistently high averaging 168.3 ppm Li with 85% of samples recording over 100 ppm Li and 19% greater than 200 ppm Li.

These results are considered high in comparison to the majority of non-lithium producing playas and amongst the highest we have seen outside of the Clayton Valley.

 

Western Australian Iron Ore Projects

Macarthur Minerals’ Iron Ore Projects are located on mining tenements covering approximately 62 km2 located 175 km northwest of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. Within the tenements, at least 33 km strike extent of outcropping banded iron formation (“BIF”) occurs as low ridges, surrounded by intensely weathered and mostly unexposed granites, basalts and ultramafic rocks.

The Iron Ore Projects are situated in the Yilgarn Region of south-western, Western Australia. The Yilgarn Region is a host to many significant mineral deposits that have been or are being mined for iron ore. The tenements cover the Yeriligee greenstone belt which is some 80 km in length and lies within the Southern Cross Province of the Yilgarn.

The Iron Ore Projects are approximately 107 km from the existing Eastern Goldfields Railway (located near the township of Menzies) that has a direct connection to the Port of Esperance in Western Australia, where it is intended that ore from the Projects will be shipped. Export is subject to capacity becoming available, which is not certain.

The Ularring Hematite Project’s Mineral Resources are comprised of Indicated Mineral Resources of approximately 54.5 Mt @ 47.2% Fe and approximately 26Mt @ 45.4% Fe Inferred resources.

The Mineral Resource estimates were prepared by CSA Global on behalf of Macarthur Minerals (N143-101 Technical Report, 20123) and reported in accordance with the JORC Code. Macarthur Minerals’ Iron Ore Projects are located on mining tenements covering approximately 62 km2 located 175 km northwest of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. Within the tenements, at least 33 km strike extent of outcropping banded iron formation (“BIF”) occurs as low ridges, surrounded by intensely weathered and mostly unexposed granites, basalts and ultramafic rocks.

 

Auroch Minerals Ltd

Cadence owns a direct interest of approximately 7% of Auroch.

Auroch is an Australian ASX listed company which during the year focused on the development of three prospective, lithium, copper and cobalt assets. After the year-end Auroch terminated or decided not to pursue these projects further.

Auroch has instead completed the acquisition of 90% of the tenement known as the Arden Zinc Project (Arden Project) and 100% of the tenement known as the Bonaventura Zinc Project. Highlights form both projects are outlined below

• The Arden Zinc Project (Arden) has the potential to host large-scale zinc, lead, copper and cobalt stratiform sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) deposits

o Large 710km² Exploration Licence (EL) already granted with several key mineralised targets already identified within the tenure

o Multiple assays of between 9-10% zinc and 0.1% cobalt in historic trench-sampling at the Arden target over a strike length of 1.5km, with a total strike length of the prospective geological unit of over 10km

o Up to 2.5% cobalt¹ from recent sampling at the Kanyaka target within the Arden Project

o The Arden Project is supported by excellent infrastructure including rail, sealed roads and grid power

• The Bonaventura Zinc Project (Bonaventura) covers highly prospective geology and historic mines along 30km of strike of the regional-scale Cygnet-Snelling Fault

o Previous drilling at Bonaventura hit high-grade zinc intersections, including:

▪    16m @ 3.4% Zn and 0.7% Pb from 52m (including 6m @ 6.3% Zn)

▪    11m @ 3.1% Zn and 1.5% Pb from 26m (including 1m @ 8.0% Zn)

o Samples from the historic Kohinoor gold mine returned grades up to 28 g/t Au

o The Bonaventura Project has several high-grade zinc (base-metal) and gold targets that are drill-ready.

 

Greenland Rare Earth Projects

During the year Cadence reduced it licenses’ exposure to 1 in Greenland, of which it owns 100%. This licenses abuts the northern and eastern boundaries of Greenland Minerals and Energy Limited’s ‘GGG’ licences that encompass the world-class Kvanefjeld, Sørenson, Zone 3 and Steenstrupfjeld Rare Earth Element (REE) deposits.

An extensive exploration programme was carried out on all of Cadence’s exploration licences in south Greenland from June to August 2014. We have continued to review these licenses on an annual basis. We will continue to review these licenses on an annual basis, and will monitor the progress that GGG makes over the coming year as it progresses the Kvanefjeld REE deposits.

 

FINANCIAL REVIEW

During the period the Group made an operating profit of £2.51 million (2016: £2.84 million). This slight decrease was due to a £300,000 impairment on our Greenland investment (2016: nil).

Total comprehensive profit for the year attributable to equity holders was £1.88m (2016: £0.13m). This increase is mainly due to reduced finance costs (approximately£1m reduction for the period) and favourable foreign exchange (approximately £1m increase for the period).

Diluted earnings per share were 0.013p (2016 : 0.007p).).

Administrative costs decreased by approximately 30% for the period to £1.80m (2016: £2.22m). We anticipate to be able to deliver further cost savings in the coming year. Subsequent to the year end, Directors cash remuneration reduced on average by some 28%.

The net assets of the Group increased to £26.72 million at 31 December 2017 (2016: £24.53 million). This was driven by the part repayment of the convertible loan note and the increase in value of available for sale investments.

During the period our net cash outflow from operating activities was £2.06 million (2016: £1.83m). We had a net inflow from our investing activities of £6.29m, associated with the sale of part of our available sale investments, in particular our sale of just under 50% of our stake in Bacanora Minerals. These receipts were used to pay back some of the convertible loan notes, which resulted in a net cash outflow from financing activities of £6.34 million. As a result of the above we had a net reduction in cash and cash equivalents of £2.16 million for the period and cash equivalents of £2.04 million at the end of the period.

Kiran Morzaria

Chief Executive Officer

25 May 2018

 

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

For the year ended 31 December 2017

The Directors present their annual report together with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group and the Company for the Year Ended 31 December 2017.

 

Principal activity

The principal activity of the Group and the Company is that of the identification, investment and development of Lithium and rare earth assets.  The Group is also exploring other mining related opportunities.

 

Domicile and principal place of business

Cadence Minerals plc is domiciled in the United Kingdom, which is also its principal place of business.

Business review

The results of the Group are shown on in this report.  The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend.

A review of the performance of the Group and its future prospects is included in the Chairman’s Statement and the Strategic Report within this report.

 

Key Performance Indicators

Due to the current status of the Group, the Board has not identified any performance indicators as key.

 

Principal risks and uncertainties

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group involve the ability to raise funding in order to finance the acquisition and exploitation of mining opportunities and the exposure to fluctuating commodity prices.

In addition, the amount and quality of minerals available and the related costs of extraction and production represent a significant risk to the group.

 

Financial risk management objectives and policies

The Group’s principal financial instruments are available for sale assets, trade receivables, trade payables, loans and cash at bank.  The main purpose of these financial instruments are to fund the Group’s operations.

It is, and has been throughout the period under review, the Group’s policy that no trading in financial instruments shall be undertaken.  The main risks arising from the Group’s financial instruments are liquidity risk and interest rate risk.  The board reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks and they are summarised below.

 

Liquidity risk

The Group’s objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of equity and its cash resources.  Further details of this are provided in the principal accounting policies, headed ‘going concern’ and note 17 to the financial statements.

Interest rate risk

The Group only has borrowings at a fixed coupon rate of 10% and therefore minimal interest rate risk, as this is deemed its only material exposure thereto.  The Group seeks the highest rate of interest receivable on its cash deposits whilst minimising risk.

 

Market risk

The Group is subject to market risk in relation to its investments in listed Companies held as available for sale assets.

Directors

The membership of the Board is set out below.  All directors served throughout the period unless otherwise stated.

 

Andrew Suckling

Kiran Morzaria

Don Strang

Adrian Fairbourn

 

Substantial shareholdings

Interests in excess of 3% of the issued share capital of the Company which had been notified as at 10 May 2018 were as follows:

 

		Ordinary shares held Number	Percentage of capital %
Barclays Direct Investing Nominees Limited		866,101,816.00	11.03%
Hargreaves Lansdown (Nominees) Limited Des:CLIENT1		866,044,049.00	11.03%
Interactive Investor Services Nominees Limited Des:SMKTNOMS		612,438,459.00	7.80%
Interactive Investor Services Nominees Limited Des:SMKTISAS		540,102,200.00	6.88%
Hargreaves Lansdown (Nominees) Limited Des:VRA		497,246,751.00	6.33%
HSDL Nominees Limited Des:MAXI		437,264,827.00	5.57%
Hargreaves Lansdown (Nominees) Limited Des:HLNOM		408,295,871.00	5.20%
HSDL Nominees Limited		338,309,489.00	4.31%
HSBC Client Holdings Nominee (UK) Limited		285,249,689.00	3.63%
Forest Nominees Limited		277,646,000.00	3.54%

 

Payment to suppliers

It is the Group’s policy to agree appropriate terms and conditions for its transactions with suppliers by means ranging from standard terms and conditions to individually negotiated contracts and to pay suppliers according to agreed terms and conditions, provided that the supplier meets those terms and conditions.  The Group does not have a standard or code dealing specifically with the payment of suppliers.

Trade payables at the year end all relate to sundry administrative overheads and disclosure of the number of days purchases represented by year end payables is therefore not meaningful.

 

Events after the Reporting Period

Events after the Reporting Period are outlined in Note 20 to the Financial Statements.

 

Going concern

The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts for the period ending 31 May 2019 which take account of the current cost and operational structure of the Group.

The cost structure of the Group comprises a high proportion of discretionary spend and therefore in the event that cash flows become constrained, costs can be quickly reduced to enable the Group to operate within its available funding.

These forecasts demonstrate that the Group has sufficient cash funds available to allow it to continue in business for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements.  Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

Directors’ responsibilities statement

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual 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 financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union  (IFRSs).  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 and profit or loss of the group for that period.  In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

–     select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

–     make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

–     state whether applicable IFRSs have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

–     prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.  They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as each of the Directors are aware:

• there is no relevant audit information of which the Group’s auditors are unaware; and
• the Directors have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Auditors

Chapman Davis LLP, offer themselves for re-appointment as auditor in accordance with Section 489 of the Companies Act 2006.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Kiran Morzaria

Director

Date: 25 May 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

For the year ended 31 December 2017

Directors

The Group supports the concept of an effective board leading and controlling the Group.  The Board is responsible for approving Group policy and strategy.  It meets on a regular basis and has a schedule of matters specifically reserved to it for decision.  Management supply the Board with appropriate and timely information and the Directors are free to seek any further information they consider necessary.  All Directors have access to advice from the Company Secretary and independent professional advice at the Group’s expense.

The Board consists of four Directors, who hold the key operational positions in the Company.  The Chairman of the Board is Andrew Suckling and the Group’s business is run by the Chief Executive, Kiran Morzaria.

Relations with shareholders

The Company values the views of its shareholders and recognises their interest in the Group’s strategy and performance.  The Annual General Meeting will be used to communicate with private investors and they are encouraged to participate.  The Directors will be available to answer questions.  Separate resolutions will be proposed on each issue so that they can be given proper consideration and there will be a resolution to approve the annual report and financial statements.

Internal control

The Board is responsible for maintaining a strong system of internal control to safeguard shareholders’ investments and the Group’s assets.  The system of internal financial control is designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The Board has considered the need for an internal audit function but has decided the size of the Group does not justify it at present.  However, it will keep the decision under annual review.

Board Committees

Audit and Remuneration Committees have been established. The Audit committee comprises Adrian Fairbourn (Chairman), Donald Strang, and Andrew Suckling, and the Remuneration Committee comprises Adrian Fairbourn (Chairman) and Andrew Suckling.

The role of the Remuneration Committee is to review the performance of the executive Directors and to set the scale and structure of their remuneration, including bonus arrangements. The Remuneration Committee also administers and establishes performance targets for the Group’s employee share schemes and executive incentive schemes for key management. In exercising this role, the terms of reference of the Remuneration Committee require it to comply with the Code of Best Practice published in the Combined Code.

The Audit Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board on the appointment of the auditors and the audit fee, and received and reviews reports from management and the Company’s auditors on the internal control systems in use throughout the Group and its accounting policies.

REPORT ON REMUNERATION

For the year ended 31 December 2017

Directors’ remuneration

The Board recognises that Directors’ remuneration is of legitimate concern to the shareholders.  The Group operates within a competitive environment, performance depends on the individual contributions of the Directors and employees and it believes in rewarding vision and innovation.

Policy on executive Directors’ remuneration

The policy of the Board is to provide executive remuneration packages designed to attract, motivate and retain Directors of the calibre necessary to maintain the Group’s position and to reward them for enhancing shareholder value and return.  It aims to provide sufficient levels of remuneration to do this, but to avoid paying more than is necessary.  The remuneration will also reflect the Directors’ responsibilities and contain incentives to deliver the Group’s objectives.

The remuneration of the Directors was as follows:

	A Fairbourn		A Suckling		K Morzaria		D Strang		Total
	£		£		£		£		£
Short-term employment benefits:
Year to  31 December 2017
Salary and fees	–		–		150,000		28,800		178,800
Consulting fees	85,000		150,000		–		121,200		356,200
Share based payments (1)	283		654		654		654		2,245
Total	85,283		150,654		150,654		150,654		537,245
Year to 31 December 2016
Salary and fees	6,000		6,000		150,000		12,000		174,000
Consulting fees	42,000		144,000		–		138,000		324,000
Share based payments (1)	143,280		286,560		143,280		143,280		716,400
Total	191,280		436,560		293,280		293,280		1,214,400

(1)           Share based payments represent a Black and Scholes valuation of the incentive options granted to the directors during the year. Options are used to incentivise directors and are a non-cash form of remuneration.

At 31 December 2017 the following amount was outstanding in fees to directors; £138,000 (2016: £150,000).

Pensions

The company only operates a basic pension scheme for its directors and employees as required by UK legislation.

Benefits in kind

No benefits in kind were paid during the year to 31 December 2017 or the year ended 31 December 2016.

Bonuses
No amounts were payable for bonuses in respect of the Year ended 31 December 2017 or the year ended 31 December 2016.

Notice periods

Andrew Suckling, Kiran Morzaria, Don Strang and Adrian Fairbourn, each have a 12 month rolling notice period.

Share option incentives

At 31 December 2017 the following options were held by the Directors:

 

	Date of grant	Exercise price	Number of options	Note
K Morzaria	21 May 2014	0.48p	60,000,000
K Morzaria	29 August 2017	0p	6,032,608	1
K Morzaria	29 August 2017	0p	7,994,506	2
K Morzaria	29 August 2017	0p	33,302,753	3
			107,329,867
A Fairbourn	13 December 2012	0.06p	20,000,000
A Fairbourn	21 May 2014	0.48p	40,000,000
A Fairbourn	29 August 2017	0p	5,570,652	1
A Fairbourn	29 August 2017	0p	7,760,989	2
A Fairbourn	29 August 2017	0p	32,522,936	3
			105,854,577
D Strang	21 May 2014	0.48p	60,000,000
D Strang	29 August 2017	0p	6,032,608	1
D Strang	29 August 2017	0p	7,994,506	2
D Strang	29 August 2017	0p	33,302,753	3
			107,329,867
A Suckling	29 August 2017	0p	11,250,000	1
A Suckling	29 August 2017	0p	15,576,923	2
A Suckling	29 August 2017	0p	65,229,358	3
			92,056,281
Note 1 – Only vest if VWAP is greater or equal to 0.92p on vesting date
Note 2 – Only vest if VWAP is greater or equal to 1.82p on vesting date
Note 3 – Only vest if VWAP is greater or equal to 2.18p on vesting date
Additionally the option holder must have made market purchases of ordinary shares equal to a total of one third of the Option Holders’s annual salary or particpated in a Company share purchase programme for a period of at least six months prior to the grant date.

 

All options are exercisable between 18 months and ten years from the date of grant.

The high and low share price for the year were 0.60p and 0.249p respectively (year ended 31 December 2016: 0.925p and 0.404p). The share price at 31 December 2017 was 0.315p (31 December 2016: 0.5p).

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF
CADENCE MINERALS PLC

OPINION

We have audited the financial statements of Cadence Minerals Plc (the ‘Parent Company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) for the year ended 31 December 2017 which comprise the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated and company statements of financial position, the consolidated and company statements of changes in equity, the consolidated and company statements of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the company financial statements is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union.

In our opinion:

• the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2017 and of the Group’s losses for the year then ended;
• the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;
• the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and
• the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

 

BASIS FOR OPINION

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law.  Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report.  We are independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.  We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO GOING CONCERN

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

• the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or
• the directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the Group’s or the parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

KEY AUDIT MATTERS

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit. Our audit procedures in relation to these matters were designed in the context of our audit opinion as a whole. They were not designed to enable us to express an opinion on these matters individually and we express no such opinion.

We have determined the matters described below to be the key audit matters to be communicated in our report.

CARRYING VALUE OF AVAILABLE FOR SALE INVESTMENTS

The Group’s Available for Sale Investment assets (‘AFS assets’) represents one of the most significant asset on its statement of financial position totalling £13.5m as at 31 December 2017, all of which includes listed investments.

The carrying value of AFS assets represents significant assets of the Group and Parent Company, and assessing whether facts or circumstances exist to suggest that impairment indicators were present, and if present, whether the carrying amount of these asset may exceed its recoverable amount was considered key to the audit.  This assessment involves significant judgement applied by management to the Group and Parent Company’s listed investments.

We considered it necessary to assess whether facts and circumstances existed to suggest that impairment indicators were present, and if present, whether the carrying amount of these assets may exceed its recoverable amount.

How the Matter was addressed in the Audit

The procedures included, but were not limited to, assessing and evaluating management’s assessment of whether any impairment indicators have been identified across the Group and Parent Company’s AFS assets, the indicators being:

• Expiring, or imminently expiring, rights to licences or assets held by the investee Companies.
• A lack of flow of information in regards to the investee companies exploration activities and/or production, trading or strategic advancement.
• Discontinuation of, or a plan to discontinue, exploration activities in the areas, or cessation or delays in trading of interest by the Investee Companies.
• Sufficient data exists to suggest carrying value of exploration and evaluation assets is unlikely be recovered in full through successful development or sale by the Investee Companies.
• Updates on trading activities by Investee Companies.

We also reviewed Stock Exchange RNS announcements and Board meeting minutes for the year and subsequent to year end for activity to identify any indicators of impairment.

We also assessed the disclosures included in the financial statements and our results found the carrying value for AFS assets to be acceptable.

MATERIALITY

In planning and performing our audit we applied the concept of materiality. An item is considered material if it could reasonably be expected to change the economic decisions of a user of the financial statements. We used the concept of materiality to both focus our testing and to evaluate the impact of misstatements identified.  Based on professional judgement, we determined overall materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole to be £310,000, based on a 1% percentage consideration of the Group’s total assets.

OTHER INFORMATION

The Directors are responsible for the other information.  The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon.  Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.  If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information.  If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.  We have nothing to report in this regard.

OPINIONS ON OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
• the Strategic Report and the Directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

 

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Parent Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic report or the Directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
• the Parent Company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
• certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS

As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group and Parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to liquidate the Group or Parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion.  Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.  This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

USE OF OUR REPORT

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006.  Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Keith Fulton

(Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of Chapman Davis LLP, Statutory Auditor

London

Chapman Davis LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC306037).

25 May 2018

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the year ended 31 December 2017

 

		Year ended		Year ended
	Note	31 December 2017		31 December 2016
		£’000		£’000
Income
Unrealised profit on available for sale assets	9	1,353		5,701
Realised profit/(loss) on available for sale assets	9	3,118		(107)
Other income	1	145		189
		4,616		5,783
Share based payments		(2)		(717)
Impairment of intangible assets	6	(300)		–
Other administrative expenses		(1,800)		(2,223)
Total administrative expenses		(2,102)		(2,940)
Operating profit	1	2,514		2,843
Share of associates losses	8	(339)		(200)
Finance cost	3	(986)		(2,027)
Profit before taxation		1,189		616
Taxation	4	–		–
Profit attributable to the equity holders of the Company		1,189		616
Other comprehensive income
Foreign exchange		686		(484)
Total other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax		686		(484)
Total comprehensive profit for the year, attributable to the equity holders of the company		1,875		132
Earnings per ordinary share
Basic earnings per share (pence)	5	0.015		0.008
Diluted earnings per share (pence)	5	0.013		0.007

 

The accompanying principal accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITITON

As at 31 December 2017

 

		31 December 2017		31 December 2016
ASSETS	Note	£’000		£’000
Non-current
Intangible assets	6	1,887		1,909
Investment in associates	8	12,988		12,982
		14,875		14,891
Current
Trade and other receivables	10	722		402
Available for resale assets	9	13,534		15,967
Cash and cash equivalents		2,037		4,192
Total current assets		16,293		20,561
Total assets		31,168		35,452
LIABILITIES
Current
Trade and other payables	11	262		603
Borrowings	12	4,182		10,324
Total current liabilities		4,444		10,927
Total liabilities		4,444		10,927
EQUITY
Issued share capital	13	1,202		1,192
Share premium		27,552		27,145
Share based premium reserve		3,178		4,410
Equity loan and exchange reserve		337		(254)
Retained earnings		(5,545)		(7,968)
Equity attributable		26,724		24,525
to equity holders of the Company
Total equity and liabilities		31,168		35,452

 

The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board on 25 May 2018, and signed on their behalf by;

Kiran Morzaria                                                                              Don Strang
Director                                                                                          Director

Company number 05234262

 

The accompanying principal accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

As at 31 December 2017

 

		Share capital	Share premium	Share based payment reserves	Equity loan and exchange reserve	Retained earnings	Total equity
		£’000	£’000	£’000	£’000	£’000	£’000
Balance at 31 December 2015		1,098	22,161	2,783	(277)	(8,826)	16,939
Share based payments		–	–	717	–	–	717
Warrants issued		–	–	1,152	–	–	1,152
Transfer on lapse of options		–	–	(80)	–	80	–
Transfer on exercise of options		–	–	(162)	–	162	–
Equity component on issue of loan notes		–	–	–	507	–	507
Share issue		94	5,123	–	–	–	5,217
Share placing costs		–	(139)	–	–	–	(139)
Transactions with owners		94	4,984	1,627	507	242	7,454
Foreign exchange		–	–	–	(484)	–	(484)
Profit for the period		–	–	–	–	616	616
Total comprehensive income for the period		–	–	–	(484)	616	132
Balance at 31 December 2016		1,192	27,145	4,410	(254)	(7,968)	24,525
Share based payments		–	–	2	–	–	2
Transfer on lapse of warrants		–	–	(681)	–	681	–
Transfer on cancellation of options		–	–	(553)	–	553	–
On issue of loan notes		–	–	–	412	–	412
On settlement of loan notes		–	–	–	(507)	–	(507)
Share issue		10	407	–	–	–	417
Transactions with owners		10	407	(1,232)	(95)	1,234	324
Foreign exchange		–	–	–	686	–	686
Profit for the period		–	–	–	–	1,189	1,189
Total comprehensive income for the period		–	–	–	686	1,189	1,875
Balance at 31 December 2017		1,202	27,552	3,178	337	(5,545)	26,724

The accompanying principal accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the year ended 31 December 2017

 

		Year ended		Year ended
		31 December 2017		31 December 2016
		£’000		£’000
Cash flow from operating activities
Continuing operations
Operating profit		2,514		2,843
Net realised/unrealised profit on AFSA		(4,471)		(5,594)
Impairment of intangible assets		300		–
Equity settled share-based payments		2		717
(Increase) in trade and other receivables		(320)		(173)
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables		(83)		373
Net cash outflow from operating activities from continuing operations		(2,058)		(1,834)
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment in exploration costs		(270)		(105)
Payments for investments in associates		(345)		–
Payments for investments in AFS assets		(214)		(7,847)
Receipts on sale of AFS assets		7,118		1,040
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities		6,289		(6,912)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital		–		3,728
Share issue costs		–		(139)
Net borrowings		(5,400)		9,331
Finance costs		(986)		(875)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities		(6,386)		12,045
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(2,155)		3,299
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		4,192		893
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		2,037		4,192

 

The accompanying principal accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.