Final Results
Anglo Asian Mining PLC
19 March 2007
For release at 7.00 a.m. on 19 March 2007
AIM:AAZ
ANGLO ASIAN MINING PLC
('Anglo Asian' or 'the Company' together with its subsidiaries 'the Group')
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006
Highlights for the year
• Drilling commenced in Q1 2006 at Gedabek
• Selective exploration work carried out Gosha and Ordubad
• Graham Mascall appointed as Chairman on 13 March 2006
• Gordon Lewis appointed as Chief Executive on 1 July 2006
• CIL plant dismantled, containerised and shipped to Singapore in September
2006
• JORC compliant resource estimate for Gedabek announced in December 2006
Subsequent events
• Head office relocated from London to Baku, Azerbaijan in January 2007
• Scoping study for Gedabek was completed in February 2007 and determined
that the optimal processing methods include open pit mining and heap
leaching
• Decision made to sell CIL gold processing plant as Gedabek amenable to
heap leaching
• Notice of Discovery and its Commerciality for Gedabek submitted to
Azerbaijan government in February 2007 initiating the Development and
Production period
Graham Mascall, Chairman of Anglo Asian, commented: 'Significant progress was
made during 2006 after what was a difficult start for Anglo Asian following the
IPO. Exploration was concentrated at the Gedabek property which culminated in a
JORC compliant resource of 702,000oz of gold plus copper and silver credits.
The subsequent Scoping Study confirmed Gedabek's amenability to low cost heap
leaching, also clearing the path to sell the CIL plant. The proceeds of the
sale of the plant should provide a large proportion of the required capital cost
at Gedabek.'
Mr Mascall continued 'The loss for the year was US$4.4 million, incorporating
administration expenses of $5.2 million, offset by an exchange gain of $0.4
million and interest receivable of $0.6 million. Cash in the bank at the end of
the year was $6.4 million with the CIL plant fully paid for. A cost reduction
programme was initiated towards the end of the year reducing the average monthly
spend to approximately $0.4 million. The appointment of Gordon Lewis in the
middle of the year added considerable mining expertise to the Board, ensuring
the progress of the Gedabek project.'
Enquiries:
Anglo Asian Mining PLC Numis Securities Limited Parkgreen Communications
Gordon Lewis, Chief Executive John Harrison Justine Howarth
Richard Round, Finance Director Victoria Thomas
T: +994 12 4993350 T: +44 20 7776 1590 T: +44 20 7 851 7480
T: + 44 1525 211988
www.aamining.com
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006
Chairman's statement
General
2006 has been a significant year for Anglo Asian with strategic focus shifting
from the Ordubad region to the Gedabek project in the West of Azerbaijan which
was considered to be the best prospect for early production. In addition, the
Board and the management team have been strengthened with individuals who have a
combination of both mining and Former Soviet Union experience. This recruitment
and the retention of SRK Consulting have led to a more focused approach to the
Group's activities and prospects. The decision to primarily concentrate on
Gedabek has been rewarded with an upgraded resource estimate and a scoping study
confirming the economic viability of the property.
Gedebek and Gosha
Drilling commenced early in 2006 initially using three rigs but increasing up to
five at the peak. One rig now remains on site investigating extensions to the
ore body. The drilling programme progressed well and a JORC compliant resource
was announced in December, which was based on 15,507 metres of drilling in 129
diamond core and reverse circulation drillholes. Metallurgical testwork
confirmed that the optimal treatment for Gedabek ore is a combination of open
pit mining and heap leaching. This was a very positive outcome for the Company
as heap leaching requires lower capital expenditure and operating costs than the
originally proposed conventional CIL (Carbon-in Leach) technology.
The Gedabek project will now move to feasibility which is expected to be
completed in Q2 2007 with construction targeted to begin in the summer. On 26
February 2007 the Company submitted a Notice of Discovery and its Commerciality
for the Gedabek property, to the Azerbaijan Ministry of Ecology and Natural
Resources. Under the terms of the Production Sharing Agreement ('PSA'), the
submission of the Notice of Discovery will initiate the 15 year Development and
Production Period, with the potential for two five year extensions.
The local population and government of Gedabek continue to be very supportive of
the Company's activities. An underground copper mine was operated by Siemens
Brothers between 1849 and 1917.
The Gedabek deposit remains open in a number of directions and drilling is
continuing to further expand the resource. The current resource does not
include the dump areas created during the previous mining operations.
Limited adit sampling has been carried out at Gosha, confirming the presence a
large vein-like structure which contain grades and thicknesses in line with the
Soviet data. Assessment of this resource will continue through a combination of
further sampling, geological modelling and drilling as required. Gosha is
approximately 60 kilometres from Gedabek which would allow the ore at Gosha to
be treated at Gedabek after being transported via truck from Gosha.
Ordubad
The drilling programme at Piyazbashi was completed in March of this year. The
results of the drilling and the adit sampling provided confirmation of gold
grade in the veins broadly in line with the Soviet data. The final resource
modelling and assessment need to be completed and the classification is expected
to improve. However, the Company's consultants, SRK Consulting have advised
that the greater potential of the Gedabek property meant that focus for a first
feasibility study should be switched to there. As previously announced
Piyazbashi will therefore not be a first priority for a feasibility study and
progression towards early production as was envisaged in the Admission Document.
On completion of the drilling at Piyazbashi a diamond drill rig was moved to
Shakardara. Shortly after a short drilling campaign there, it was considered
that the rig would be better utilised by speeding up the programme at Gedabek
and it was therefore moved to that property.
The drilling and assessment programme at Ordubad is now effectively on hold,
with further work being required in order to obtain a full assessment of its
potential.
CIL plant and financing
The contract to dismantle, containerise and store the CIL plant within the close
proximity of the Mackay port in Australia was completed in the year and the
plant was subsequently transported to Singapore.
Confirmation that the optimal treatment for the Gedabek ore is heap leaching
allows the Group to sell the plant and use the proceeds for the capital
requirement of the heap leaching facility. The Directors believe that given the
current buoyant state of the gold mining sector, the sale of the plant will be
profitable in relation to the original cost of the plant (circa US$10 million).
The proceeds from this sale will be used to finance a large proportion of the
required capital cost of developing Gedabek. Local or international banks will
be targeted to source the balance of the funding requirement. The total capital
costs for the Gedabek project are not expected to exceed $25 million.
Financial results
The Group reported an audited loss for the year of $4,428,073 (Eleven months
ended 31 December 2005: $2,644,333). The operating loss resulted from the
charging of administrative expenses of $5,186,053 (2005:$3,457,520), an
impairment provision against the exploration expenses incurred at Shakardara of
$185,103 (2005:$nil) and crediting an exchange gain of $361,957 (2005:$208,112).
The administrative expenses incorporate a charge for the cost of share based
payments of $776,668 being the issue of options to directors and management and
the prior period results were restated to include a comparative charge of
$589,569, following the first time adoption of FRS 20. The comparative period
was eleven months and included just five months post the IPO, at which point
activity increased substantially.
The net interest credit in the period of $581,152 (2005:$613,400) arose from
interest received on deposits.
Exploration and evaluation expenditure of $6,017,138 (2005:$1,626,651) was
capitalised in the year, although a provision was raised for $185,103 (2005:
$nil) against capitalised exploration expenditure at the Shakardara property as
the Directors at this stage are unable to foresee that this property will enter
commercial production. Further payments made to acquire, dismantle and
containerise the CIL plant in Australia amounting to $5,923,887 (2005:
$4,350,000) were capitalised in 2006.
At the year end the Group retained cash balances of $6,354,102 (2005:
$21,345,703) and an asset with significant value in the CIL plant with the
dismantling and containerisation complete and paid for.
Board and management
Anglo Asian continued to strengthen the Board with individuals who possess
significant experience in the mining sector. I joined the Group in March 2006
as Chairman and Gordon Lewis joined as Chief Executive in July 2006. Gordon has
a depth of operating experience in various locations throughout the world, where
he has taken gold mining projects through from feasibility to construction and
production. Gordon has continued to put in place an experienced management team
based in Azerbaijan to continue the push towards early production at Gedabek.
The Group has recruited in Azerbaijan a Chief Geologist, Financial Controller,
Construction Manager and Procurement Manager. As part of our drive to secure
further efficiencies, the Head Office was relocated in January 2007 from London
to Baku, Azerbaijan.
During the year Robert Jeffcock and Charles Hancock resigned from the Board. I
would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their contribution to
Anglo Asian.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our employees for
their hard work and dedication during the year which has put the Group in a much
stronger position.
Strategy
It continues to be our aim to bring Gedabek to early production and then
complete the exploration and development programme on our other properties. We
have made great progress in this strategy and are well placed with an
experienced team to achieve that goal.
I look forward to updating the shareholders with further progress through 2007.
Graham Mascall
Chairman
16 March 2007
Consolidated profit and loss account
Restated
(Note 2)
period from
1 Feb 2005
Year ended to
31 Dec 2006 31 Dec 2005
Note US$ US$
------------- ----------- ---------- ----------- --------- -------- ------------------ --- -------------------
TURNOVER - -
Provision for impairment of capitalised exploration and
evaluation expenditure (185,103) -
Administration expenses (5,186,053) (3,457,520)
Exchange gain 361,957 208,112
------------- ----------- ---------- ----------- --------- -------- ------------------ --- -------------------
OPERATING LOSS (5,009,199) (3,249,408)
Interest receivable and similar income 581,152 613,400
Interest payable and similar charges (26) (8,325)
------------- ----------- ---------- ----------- --------- -------- ------------------ --- -------------------
LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION 3 (4,428,073) (2,644,333)
Tax on loss on ordinary activities - -
------------- ----------- ---------- ----------- --------- -------- ------------------ --- -------------------
LOSS FOR THE YEAR/PERIOD (4,428,073) (2,644,333)
------------- ----------- ---------- ----------- --------- -------- ------------------ --- -------------------
Statutory basic and diluted loss per ordinary share
(cents) 3 (4.47) (4.09)
Pro forma basic and diluted loss per ordinary share
(cents) (4.47) (2.67)
There is no difference between the loss on ordinary activities before taxation and the loss for the financial
year/period stated above and their historical cost equivalents.
All results above are derived from continuing operations.
Consolidated Statement of total recognised gains and losses
Restated
(Note 2)
Period from
1 Feb 2005
Year ended to
31 Dec 2006 31 Dec 2005
US$ US$
--------------------------------------------- ------ ---- --- ------ ------------------ ---- ---------------------
Loss for the year/period (2,054,764)
Share-based payment charge (589,569)
Loss for the year/period restated (4,428,073) (2,644,333)
Exchange difference (175,616) (69,184)
-------------------- ------------ ----------- --------------- ------ ------------------ ---- ---------------------
TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES (4,603,689) (2,713,517)
-------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ ---- ---------------------
Consolidated balance sheet
Restated
As at as at
31 Dec 2006 31 Dec 2005
US$ US$
Note
-------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------------ ----------- -----------------
FIXED ASSETS
Intangible assets 4 54,383,948 48,551,913
Tangible assets 11,303,637 453,184
-------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------------ ----------- -----------------
TOTAL FIXED ASSETS 65,687,585 49,005,097
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors - amounts falling due within one year 170,607 5,246,275
Cash at bank 6,354,102 21,345,703
-------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------------ ----------- -----------------
6,524,709 26,591,978
CREDITORS - AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR (1,240,453) (798,213)
-------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------------ ----------- -----------------
NET CURRENT ASSETS 5,284,256 25,793,765
-------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------------ ----------- -----------------
NET ASSETS 70,971,841 74,798,862
-------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------------ ----------- -----------------
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Called up share capital 1,782,605 1,782,605
Share premium account 5 30,279,301 30,279,301
Merger reserve 5 46,206,390 46,206,390
Profit and loss account 5 (7,296,455) (3,469,434)
-------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------------------ ----------- -----------------
CAPITAL EMPLOYED 70,971,841 74,798,862
-------------------------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------------ ----------- -----------------
Consolidated cash flow statement
Period from
1 Feb 2005
Year ended to
31 Dec 2006 31 Dec 2005
Note US$ US$
--------------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------------------- --- -------------------
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 6 (2,906,521) (7,461,090)
RETURNS ON INVESTMENTS AND SERVICING OF FINANCE
Interest received 581,152 613,400
Interest paid (26) (8,325)
--------------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------------------- --- -------------------
NET CASH INFLOW FROM RETURNS ON INVESTMENTS AND
SERVICING OF FINANCE 581,126 605,075
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (6,649,068) (486,097)
Exploration and evaluation expenditure (6,017,138) (1,626,651)
Purchase of subsidiary undertaking - (2,000,000)
--------------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------------------- --- -------------------
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND FINANCIAL
INVESTMENTS (12,666,206) (4,112,748)
NET CASH OUTFLOW BEFORE USE OF LIQUID RESOURCES AND FINANCING (14,991,601) (10,968,763)
FINANCING
Issue of ordinary shares, net of expenses - 30,736,901
Shares issued for cash in subsidiary - 663,539
Repayment of loans - (58,280)
--------------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------------------- --- -------------------
(DECREASE)/INCREASE IN CASH FOR THE YEAR/PERIOD (14,991,601) 20,373,397
--------------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------------------- --- -------------------
RECONCILIATION OF CASH BALANCES
Cash at start of year/period 21,345,703 972,306
(Decrease)/increase in cash for the year/period (14,991,601) 20,373,397
--------------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------------------- --- -------------------
CASH AT END OF THE YEAR/PERIOD 6,354,102 21,345,703
--------------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------------------- --- -------------------
Notes to the financial statements
1.
Basis of preparation
Anglo Asian Mining PLC ('Anglo Asian' or the 'Company') was incorporated on 9
September 2004 and its Ordinary Shares were admitted to trading on the AIM
market of the London Stock Exchange on 29 July 2005 (the 'Admission') having
become the new parent company of Anglo Asian Operations Limited Group on 24 June
2005. Anglo Asian Operations Limited was incorporated on 5 February 2004.
The Directors believe that it is necessary to prepare results on the basis that
the Anglo Asian Group had existed from the date of incorporation of Anglo Asian
Operation Limited. The Directors believe that this information reflects the
ongoing operations of the Group more clearly. The combination of Anglo Asian
with the Anglo Asian Operations Group has been accounted for as a group
reconstruction under the provisions of FRS 6 ('Mergers and Acquisitions') and is
presented as if the Company had been the holding company and intermediate
holding company, respectively, of the Group for each period presented.
The financial information set out above does not constitute the company's
statutory accounts for the years or periods ended 31 December 2006 or 2005, but
is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2005 have been delivered
to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2006 will be delivered following the
company's annual general meeting. The auditors have reported on those accounts;
their reports were unqualified and did not contain statements under s.237(2) or
(3) Companies Act 1985.
The consolidated financial information for the Group has been prepared under the
historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable United Kingdom
accounting standards.
2.
Accounting policies and basis of consolidation
(a) Accounting policies
The accounting policies are consistent with those disclosed in the Annual Report
and Accounts for 2005, other than:
Depreciation
The depreciation policy was changed in the year to bring the charge into line
with the method prescribed in the Production Sharing Agreement. The prior
period was based on straight line and the current year is on a decreasing
balance method. If the Group had continued to use the straight line method the
charge would have been $11,442 greater. This change has not been applied
retrospectively.
Share-based payments
The Group has applied the requirements of FRS 20 Share-based Payment from 1
January 2006. In accordance with the transitional provisions, FRS 20 has been
applied to all grants of equity instruments after 7 November 2002 that were
unvested as of 1 January 2006. This has resulted in a charge of $589,569 to the
loss for the prior period. The impact of this standard in the year 2006 was a
charge of $776,668 to the profit and loss. The adoption of FRS 20 has had no
impact on total reserves as there is a corresponding entry to retained earnings.
The Group issues equity-settled share based payments to certain employees.
Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value at the date of
grant. The fair value determined at the date of the equity-settled share-based
payments is expensed on a straight line basis over the vesting period, based on
the Group's estimate of shares that will eventually vest. Fair value is
measured by use of the Black-Scholes pricing model. The expected lives used in
the model have been adjusted, based on management's best estimate, for the
effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural
considerations.
(b) Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial information incorporates the financial statements of
the Company and all of its subsidiaries, being the companies that it controls.
This control is normally evidenced when the Group is able to govern a company's
financial and operating policies so as to benefit from its activities or where
the Group owns, either directly or indirectly, the majority of a company's
equity voting rights.
The results of subsidiaries acquired or sold during the period are consolidated
for the periods from, or to, the date on which control passed. Acquisitions are
accounted for under the acquisition method.
3.
Loss per share
The statutory loss per share ('EPS') calculation has been based on the weighted
average number of shares in issue of 99,171,800 (2005:64,674,982).
The pro forma loss per share ('EPS') calculation, has assumed that the number of
ordinary shares in issue immediately after Admission (being 99,171,800) had been
issue from 5 February 2004. The Directors believe that this pro forma EPS
provides a more meaningful comparison of the Group's ongoing business than using
the statutory EPS which would only reflect shares issued at the date of
Admission. Basic and dilutive EPS are the same because the only outstanding
share options are anti-dilutive as the Group has made a loss.
4.
Intangible fixed assets
Exploration
and
Mining evaluation
rights expenditure Total
US$ US$ US$
Cost
------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- --------------------- ----------------
As at 1 January 2006 46,925,262 1,626,651 48,551,913
Additions during the period - 6,017,138 6,017,138
Provision for impairment on Shakardara - (185,103) (185,103)
------------------------------------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- --------------------- ----------------
As at 31 December 2006 46,925,262 7,458,686 54,383,948
------------------------------------- ---------- ----------- ---------------- --------------------- ----------------
5.
Statement of reserves
Share Profit
Merger Premium and loss
reserve account account Total
US$ US$ US$ US$
Group
---------------------------------------------- --- --- --- ----------------- ----------------- --------------- ---------
1 January 2006 46,206,390 30,279,301 (3,469,434) 73,016,257
Share-based payment charge - - (589,569) (589,569)
Recognition of share options - - 589,569 589,569
1 January 2006 restated 46,206,390 30,279,301 (3,469,434) 73,016,257
Loss for the year - - (4,428,073)(4,428,073)
Exchange differences - - (175,616) (175,616)
Share-based payment charge - - 776,668 776,668
--------------------------------------------- --- --- --- ----------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------
31 December 2006 46,206,390 30,279,301 (7,296,455) 69,189,236
--------------------------------------------- --- --- --- ----------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------
6.
Reconciliation of operating loss to net cash flow from operating activities
Restated
(Note 2)
Period from
1 Feb 2005
Year ended To
31 Dec 2006 31 Dec 2005
US$ US$
------------- ----------- ----------------- ----- ------------------------ ------------------ ------ -------------------
Operating loss (5,009,199) (3,249,408)
Depreciation 148,615 38,004
Provision for impairment of capitalised exploration and evaluation
expenditure 185,103 -
Decrease/(increase) in debtors and prepayments 725,668 (5,245,136)
Increase in creditors and accruals 442,240 475,065
Share based payment charge 776,668 589,569
Exchange differences (175,616) (69,184)
------------- ------------------------- --- ----- ------------------------ ------------------ ------ -------------------
Net cash outflow from operating activities (2,906,521) (7,461,090)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------ -------------------
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