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RNS Number : 8643O
African Mining & Exploration PLC
26 September 2011
 



AFRICAN MINING & EXPLORATION PLC

("AME" or "the Company")

 

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

African Mining & Exploration plc (AIM: AME), the AIM listed gold exploration company operating in West Africa, announces its interim financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2011.

 

Copies of the Company's interim Financial Statements will be made available to download from the Company's website www.ameplc.co.uk.

 

For further information:

 

African Mining & Exploration Plc

Tel: 020 7499 5293

Mark Jones, Chief Executive

 




Singer Capital Markets Ltd

Tel: 020 3205 7500

James Maxwell




Farm Street Communications Ltd

Simon Robinson

Tel: 020 3176 4249

 



 

CONTENTS OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

 

Page

 

1        Company information

2        Operational highlights

4        Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

5        Consolidated statement of financial position

6        Consolidated statement of changes in equity

7        Consolidated cash flow statement

8        Notes to the consolidated interim financial statements

12      Independent review report to African Mining & Exploration Plc.

 

 


 

COMPANY INFORMATION

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

 

DIRECTORS:                                             S D Oke                  Non-Executive Chairman

                                                                 M C Jones              Chief Executive Officer

                                                                 D D Chikohora        Non-Executive Director

                                                                 R A Williams          Non-Executive Director         

 

SECRETARY:                                             S F Ronaldson

                                                                 55 Gower Street

                                                                 London

                                                                 WC1E 6HQ

 

REGISTERED OFFICE:                               Third Floor

                                                                 55 Gower Street

                                                                 London

                                                                 WC1E 6HQ

 

REGISTERED NUMBER:                           07307107 (England and Wales)

 

AUDITORS:                                              BDO LLP

                                                                 Chartered Accountants

                                                                 & Registered Auditors

                                                                 55 Baker Street

                                                                 London

                                                                 W1U 7EU

 

BANKERS:                                                NatWest Bank Plc.

                                                                 St James' & Piccadilly Branch

                                                                 PO Box 2DG

                                                                 208 Piccadilly

                                                                 London

                                                                 W1A 2DG

 

NOMINATED ADVISORS                         Singer Capital Markets Limited

             & BROKERS:                                             1 Hanover Street

                                                                 London

                                                                 W1S 1YZ

 

SOLICITORS:                                            Memery Crystal LLP

                                                                 44 Southampton Buildings

                                                                 London

                                                                 WC2A 1AP

 

WEBSITE:                                                 www.ameplc.co.uk



 

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

 

Since we last reported in our 2010 Annual Report in May, the Company has continued to make progress through the acquisition of 3 reconnaissance permits and by strengthening the technical team with the appointment of a Head of Exploration.

Around the end of the June interim period, AME announced the acquisition of 3 gold reconnaissance permits in the Siguiri basin in North East Guinea. These permits provide AME with the exclusive rights to search for gold and confirm prospectivity for a period of 6 months from June before deciding if the tenements are prospective enough to apply for full exploration permits. The location of these permits means that they can effectively be managed and progressed from our office in Bamako.

With the appointment of Ebo Bakker as Head of Exploration in July, the Board believes AME is now well equipped to meet its strategic goals. Ebo commenced work in August 2011 and his significant experience in the region has had an immediate positive impact on the exploration team and planning process. A further six target areas have been identified on the Karan property in Southern Mali, and work will commence on these in addition to the two targets that showed enhanced prospectivity from the first drilling campaign.

The Company has already provided details of the initial exploration drilling on the Karan prospect and highlighted the potential to commence a limited RAB drilling programme prior to the beginning of the rainy season at the Diatissan prospect, should an appropriate RAB contractor be available. The ongoing demand for drilling rigs in West Africa has meant that securing acceptable contracts with drilling companies remains a significant challenge, so the Board took the decision to acquire a RAB / auger drilling rig in order to have control over the exploration process in a cost effective manner. Along with the drilling rig, which should be in country and ready for the start of the exploration season towards the end of October, AME has acquired support equipment and utilised experienced advisors to ensure that AME is not reliant on contractors to meet all its early exploration requirements.

West Africa has experienced abnormally high rainfall this year. This has hampered some of the fieldwork, as has the lack of availability of a RAB drilling rig. We are pleased however that the planned work programme on compiling data to a centralised database has continued and the structural analysis, mapping and sampling of our Malian tenements are well underway. The study of geomorphology will be included with structural mapping to better gain an understanding of potential gold sources in assessing the viability of all new permits to ensure we retain only those that provide genuine opportunity.

Our team has also commenced a reconnaissance of other permits areas in the region where we could secure rights through acquisition or joint ventures should the company believe they harbour good opportunity.

 

 

 

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

 

From a financial perspective the Company's cash flow position benefitted significantly, during the 6 month reporting period, from approximately £1.6m funds received from the exercise of some of the 2010 Warrants.  The Company's current cash position as at September 21 2011 was £3.9 million and the Company's overall expenditure plans are expected to be consistent with the budgets outlined at the time of our Admission to AIM.

A detailed exploration programme has been formulated for the forthcoming exploration season. It is planned to commence RAB drilling at Karan on three of the original targets that were covered in the last drilling campaign. Fence lines will be drilled to identify any higher grade mineralisation adjacent to the mineralised zones that were identified previously. Detailed mapping of the artisanal pits on the 6 new targets areas, with a view to generating additional RAB drilling locations, will be undertaken. At Diatissan the previously excavated trenches will be cleaned and re-sampled so that RAB drilling targets can be generated and any resource potential identified. In Guinea the reconnaissance work will be completed so that a decision whether to apply for full exploration permits can be made.

 

Board of Directors

African Mining & Exploration Plc.

Date: 23 September 2011



 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 



Six months to 30 June 2011

Six months to 30 June 2010

Year ended 31 December 2010



£

£

£


Notes

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited






Revenue


-

-

-

Administrative expenses


(638,846)

(276,267)

(761,865)

Operating loss


(638,846)

(276,267)

(761,865)

Finance income


9,446

-

2,090

Loss for the period before tax


(629,400)

(276,267)

(759,775)

Taxation


-

-

-

Loss for the period  attributable to equity owners of the parent


(629,400)

(276,267)

(759,775)

Other comprehensive income





Exchange differences on translating foreign operations


(18,821)

5,467

(10,501)

Other comprehensive income / (expense) for the period


(18,821)

5,467

(10,501)

Total comprehensive expense for the period attributable to the equity owners of the parent


(648,221)

(270,800)

(770,276)






Loss per share attributable to equity owners of the parent expressed in pence per share





Basic and Diluted

2

(0.78)

(2.19)

(2.88)

 



 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30 JUNE 2011

 

 



30 June

30 June

31 December



2011

2010

2010



£

£

£


Notes

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

Assets





Non-current assets





Intangible assets

4

931,520

205,799

281,883

Property, plant and equipment

33,310

3,109

40,885

Total non-current assets


964,830

208,908

322,768

Current assets





Receivables


111,933

-

78,849

Cash and cash equivalents


4,375,321

79,719

4,004,606

Total current assets


4,487,254

79,719

4,083,455

Total assets


5,452,084

288,627

4,406,223

Equity and liabilities

Shareholders' equity





Share capital

5

842,133

199,115

708,115

Share premium


5,117,847

-

3,429,561

Foreign currency reserve


(10,101)

24,687

8,720

Warrant reserve


579,500

-

708,115

Share-based payment reserve


205,586

-

67,771

Merger reserve


572,314

526,024

572,314

Retained earnings


(1,952,571)

(631,548)

(1,323,171)

Total Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent


5,354,708

118,278

4,171,425

Liabilities





Current liabilities





Trade and other payables

97,376

170,349

234,798

Total liabilities


97,376

170,349

234,798

Total equity and liabilities


5,452,084

288,627

4,406,223

 

The interim financial statements on pages 4 to 11 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 23 September 2011 and were signed on its behalf by:

 

 

 

Mark C Jones

Chief Executive Officer

Company number: 07307107

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

 


Share capital

Share premium

Foreign currency reserve

Warrant reserve

Share based payment reserve

Retained earnings

Merger reserve

Total equity


£

£

£

£

£

£

£

£










At 1 January 2010

123,615

-

19,221

-

-

(355,281)

312,116

99,671

Changes in equity









Issue of share capital

75,500

-

-

-

-

-

213,908

289,408

Total comprehensive expense for the period

-

-

5,467

-

-

(276,267)

-

(270,800)

At 30 June 2010

199,115

-

24,688

-

-

(631,548)

526,024

118,279










At 1 January 2010

123,615

-

19,221

-

-

(355,281)

312,116

99,671

Changes in equity









Issue of share capital

584,500

4,000,000

-

500,000

-

-

260,198

5,344,698

Fundraising costs

-

(570,439)

-

-

-

-

-

(570,439)

Bonus issue of warrants

-

-

-

208,115

-

(208,115)

-

-

Total comprehensive expense for the period

-

-

(10,501)

-

-

(759,775)

-

(770,276)

Share based payments

-

-

-

-

67,771

-

-

67,771

At 31 December 2010

708,115

3,429,561

8,720

708,115

67,771

(1,323,171)

572,314

4,171,425










At 31 December 2010

708,115

3,429,561

8,720

708,115

67,771

(1,323,171)

572,314

4,171,425

Changes in equity









Issue of share capital

128,615

1,479,073

-

-

-

-

-

1,607,688

Total comprehensive expense for the period

-

-

(18,821)

-

-

(629,400)

-

(648,221)

Share based payments

5,403

80,597

-

-

137,815

-

-

223,815

Exercise of warrants

-

128,615

-

(128,615)

-

-

-

-

At 30 June 2011

842,133

5,117,847

(10,101)

579,500

205,586

(1,952,571)

572,314

5,354,708









 



CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

 

 


Notes

Jun-11

Jun-10

Dec-10

Cash flows used in operating activities





Loss for the period


(629,400)

(276,268)

(759,775)

Depreciation charges


8,685

584

3,363

Share-based payments charge


223,815

179,040

237,508

Finance income


(9,446)

-

(2,090)

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital


(406,345)

(96,644)

(520,994)

(Increase)/ Decrease in trade and other receivables


(33,084)

29

(78,820)

Increase / (Decrease) in trade and other payables


(137,422)

31,626

114,844

Net cash used in operating activities


(576,851)

(64,989)

(484,970)

Cash flow used in investing activities





Purchase of intangible assets


(649,637)

-

(68,010)

Purchase of property, plant & equipment


-

-

(40,480)

Interest received


9,446

-

2,090

Net cash from investing activities


(640,191)

-

(106,400)

Cash flow from financing activities





Amount advanced by directors


-

8,170

-

Amount repaid to directors


-

-

(10,599)

Issue of IPO shares net of costs


-

-

4,429,561

Issue of other shares


-

112,763

168,053

Exercise of Warrants

5

1,607,688

-

-

Net cash from financing activities


1,607,688

120,933

4,587,015

Increase / (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents


390,646

55,944

3,995,645

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period


4,004,606

4,294

4,294

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents


(19,931)

19,481

4,667

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period


4,375,321

79,719

4,004,606



 



NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

 

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION

 

The financial information set out in this report is based on the consolidated financial statements of African Mining & Exploration Plc and its subsidiary companies (together referred to as the 'Group'). The accounts of the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2011, which are unaudited, were approved by the Board on 23 September 2011. The financial information contained in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined by s435 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the Report and Financial Statements of African Mining & Exploration Plc for the year ended 31 December 2010. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2010 have been filed with the registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or 498 (3) of the Companies Act 2006. These accounts have not been audited by the Company's auditors.

 

The Group financial statements are presented in Pound Sterling.

 

Based upon cash flow projections the Directors are of the view that the Group has sufficient cash to fund overheads for the next 12 months.

 

2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to the ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

 

In accordance with IAS 33 as the Group is reporting a loss for both this and the preceding period the share options are not considered dilutive because the exercise of share options and warrants would have the effect of reducing the loss per share.

 

Reconciliations are set out below:

Six months to 30 June

Six months to  30 June

Year ended 31 December


2011

2010

2010


£

£

£


Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

Loss Per Share:




Loss attributable to ordinary Shareholders

(629,400)

(276,268)

(759,775)

Weighted average number of shares

80,450,410

12,601,279

26,390,952

Basic Loss per Share basic and diluted (pence)

0.78

2.19

2.88




 



NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

 

3.    SHARE OPTIONS AND WARRANTS

 

Upon admission to AIM in 2010, the Company issued 70,811,500 warrants, the '2010 Warrants'. Each warrant was issued as part of a share and warrant 'unit'. Each 2010 Warrant entitles the 2010 warrant holder to subscribe for one Ordinary Share at 12.5 pence at any time from the date of Admission until the second anniversary of Admission. Full terms can be found in the admission document.

 

During the period to 30 June 2011 a total of 12,861,507 (2010: Nil) ordinary shares  were issued for 12.5pence each in exchange for each '2010 Warrants' exercised, for a total cash consideration of £1,607,688

 

In addition to the share and warrant units issued as part of the admission to AIM, African Mining and Exploration Plc also operates an approved share option plan for Directors and employees.

 

During the period the Company issued 700,000 share options (2010: Nil), of which 500,000 share options were issued under Plan B for an exercise price of £0.1612 per share and 200,000 share options were issued under Plan A for an exercise price of £0.10375 per share.

 

4.    INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Group)

 



Exploration and evaluation assets costs

Other

Total



£

£

£

 Cost





 At 1 January 2011


                 280,904

                      979

               281,883

 Additions


                637,399

               12,238

               649,637

 Exchange differences


                     1,425

                        48

1,473

 At 30 June 2011


                919,728

                13,265

               932,993

 Amortisation





 At 1 January 2011


                            -

                           -

                           -

 Charge for period


                            -

                   1,473

                   1,473

 At 30 June 2011


                            -

                   1,473

                   1,473

 Net Book Value





 At 30 June 2011


                919,728

               11,792

       931,520

 At 31 December 2010


                280,904

                      979

               281,883

 



NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

5.    SHARE CAPITAL

 

       Allotted, issued and fully paid

 


Six months to 30 June 2011

Six months to 30 June 2010

Year ended 31 December 2010



£0.01 Ordinary shares numbers

£

£0.01 Ordinary shares numbers

£

£0.01 Ordinary shares numbers

£








At beginning of period

70,811,500

708,115

12,361,500

123,615

12,361,500

123,615

Issued during the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

IPO Issue

-

-

-

-

50,000,000

500,000

Other issue

540,299

5,403

7,550,000

75,500

8,450,000

84,500

Exercise of warrants

12,861,507

128,615

-

-

-

-

At end of period

84,213,306

842,133

19,911,500

199,115

70,811,500

708,115

 

During the period 540,299 (2010: 7,550,000) shares were issued for a total consideration of £86,000 (2010: £112,763) and 12,861,507 (2010: Nil) shares at par value were issued in exchange for each '2010 Warrants' exercised for a total consideration of £1,607,688 (2010: Nil).

 

 

6.    CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 

On commercial discovery or commencement of mining operations, a fee of $1,000,000 and $1,312,000 will be payable to the Mali Government, for the Diatissan and Karan permit areas respectively.  In addition, minimum expenditure on research over the three years following the discovery of 1,065,000,000 CFA and 516,000,000 CFA will be payable for Diatissan and Karan respectively.

 

The below amounts relate to the contingent liabilities detailed above:

 


30 June 2011

30 June 2010

31 December 2010


£

£

£

Deferred consideration payable for strategic investment in future mining and exploration projects

3,498,450

3,431,212

3,688,091

 

The Directors are of the opinion that provisions are not required in respect of these matters, as it is not probable that a future sacrifice of economic benefits will be required or the amount is not capable of reliable measurement.



NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

 

7.    EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE

 

There are no significant events after the reporting date.

 



INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO AFRICAN MINING & EXPLORATION

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

Introduction

 

We have been engaged by the company to review the set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2011 which comprises the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of financial position, consolidated statement of changes in equity, consolidated cash flow statement and related notes.

 

We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

 

Directors' responsibilities

 

The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of and has been approved by the directors.  The directors are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on AIM which require that the half-yearly report be presented and prepared in a form consistent with that which will be adopted in the company's annual accounts having regard to the accounting standards applicable to such annual accounts.

 

Our responsibility

 

Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review.

 

Our report has been prepared in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the company in meeting the requirements of the rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on AIM and for no other purpose.  No person is entitled to rely on this report unless such a person is a person entitled to rely upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of our terms of engagement or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior written consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this report to any other person or for any other purpose and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability

 

Scope of review

 

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, ''Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity'', issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom.  A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures.  A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.



INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO AFRICAN MINING & EXPLORATION

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2011

 

 

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2011 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on AIM.

 

 

BDO LLP

Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors

55 Baker Street

London

W1U 7EU

United Kingdom

 

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127).


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