Interim Statement

RNS Number : 4697O
Connemara Mining Company plc
20 September 2013
 



 

20 September 2013

 

Connemara Mining Company plc

("Connemara" or the "Company")

 

Interim Statement for the period ended 30 June 2013

 

 

 

The Great Recession is ending.  Stock Exchange Indices are at all time highs.  It is only a matter of time before interest returns to the bombed out junior resources sector.  When it does early investors will look very good.

 

Connemara is an explorer focused on zinc and gold in Ireland.  The company has three active exploration programmes in Oldcastle, Meath and Stonepark, Limerick for zinc and in the Wicklow/Wexford hills for gold.  The two zinc projects are joint ventures with Teck, one of the world's largest zinc producers.  The gold project is joint ventured with Hendrick Resources a private Canadian company controlled by Dale Hendrick.  Teck have to spend €1.35m to earn a 75% interest in the Oldcastle licences.  To date they, as operator, have spent less than half of that.  Operator of the Stonepark project, consisting of six licences, Teck, have spent about €6.2 million while Connemara have spent €1.32 million.  Currently Teck own 76.2%; if Connemara does not contribute to spending its interest is diluted.  The gold joint venture is at an earlier stage.  Hendrick can earn a 51% interest in the licences by spending €500,000 and a 75% interest by spending a further €500,000.  They have spent about €150,000. 

 

Gold in Wicklow/Wexford is looking very good.  Work done by Hendricks confirms their belief in a significant trend running down the Wicklow hills.  The five Connemara licences in the area show excellent potential.  Our ground at Tombreen and Knocknalour has been shown to be part of a more extensive mineralised system extending across a 10 KM length.  Earlier work by Connemara produced gold results including 19.9 g/t over 0.4 metre.  Recent soil and outcrop sampling including one outcrop sample of 7.5 g/t, extends the zone east and west.  Drilling will commence in months.  There is also a possibility of some corporate activity on these licences. 

 

Ireland is one of the best places in the world to find zinc.  Connemara has, we believe, good ground.  Teck, our partner, is one of the best, if not the best, zinc miner in the world.  We have been geologically successful in Stonepark and we are optimistic about Oldcastle.  Joint ventures with multinationals have the advantages of access to the best technology while stretching scarce funds.  There are also disadvantages.  Large multinationals have timescales far longer than junior explorers.  They spend money in ways a junior would rarely contemplate while their approach and programmes might not be in the best interest of the shareholders of the junior partner.  Oldcastle exploration is part of a much larger midlands regional programme involving Reflection Seismic plus the use of a new technique called Adrok Virtual Drilling.  It is expected that drill targets will be identified on our block for drilling in late 2013 or 2014.  These targets will be deep.  Teck is currently earning in so there is no cost to Connemara.  Stonepark is essentially on hold.  The ground is being maintained in good standing while options are being reviewed.  Stonepark continues to have significant potential for Connemara.


Our joint ventures mean that Connemara has active exploration programmes without any fixed financial commitments.  The importance of this in the current markets cannot be overestimated.  There is almost no retail buying interest in the Resource Sector of the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).  Good news announcements are opportunities to sell.  Raising new money, which is the life blood of explorers, is virtually non existent.  Funds have no investment interest while private investors are scared.  The result is that directors, family and friends are the principal sources of new money.  So it is with Connemara.  We raised £451,000 in early 2013, mainly from directors and family with one significant outside investor.  The funds are being used to meet liabilities and to fund the on-going costs of maintaining a listed company.

 

Conclusion

 

To take full advantage of the future turnaround in the fortunes of junior explorers requires projects, funding and patience.  Connemara has the projects.  We believe gold and zinc have excellent potential.  Gold will remain a store of value while emerging market demand ensures significant growth for zinc.  Ireland is good for zinc and gold is at an early stage of renaissance.  We have good ground and good results.

 

 

John Teeling

Chairman

 

 

 

20 September 2013

 

 

 

 

Enquiries:

 

Connemara Mining Company Plc

John Teeling, Chairman                                                                                              +353 (0) 1 833 2833

Jim Finn, Director

 

Blythe Weigh Communications                                                                                 +44 (0)20 7138 3204

Tim Blythe                                                                                                                          +44 (0) 7816 924626

Eleanor Parry                                                                                                                     +44 (0) 7551 293620

Halimah Hussain                                                                                                              +44 (0) 7725 978141

 

Westhouse Securities Limited

Richard Baty                                                                                                                       +44 (0) 20 7601 6100

David Coaten

 

Optiva Securities Ltd

Jeremy King                                                                                                                       +44 (0) 203 137 1904

 

Pembroke Communications

David O'Siochain                                                                                                             +353 (0) 1 649 6486

 

www.connemaramining.com

 

 

Connemara Mining Company plc


Financial Information (Unaudited)



















Six Months Ended


Year Ended







30 June 13


30 June12


31 Dec 12







unaudited


unaudited


audited

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income


€'000


€'000


€'000












Continuing Operations











Administrative expenses






(191)


(177)


(324)












OPERATING LOSS






(191)


(177)


(324)

Investment revenue






1


1


1












LOSS BEFORE TAXATION






(190)


(176)


(323)

Income tax expense






-


-


-












LOSS FOR THE PERIOD






(190)


(176)


(323)












LOSS PER SHARE - basic and diluted






(0.64c)


(0.69c)


(1.26c)


































Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet






30 June 13


30 June12


31 Dec 12







unaudited


unaudited


audited







€'000


€'000


€'000

NON-CURRENT ASSETS











Intangible Assets






2,273


2,253


2,253












CURRENT ASSETS











Other receivables






13


31


23

Cash and cash equivalents






409


252


165







422


283


188












TOTAL ASSETS






2,695


2,536


2,441












LIABILITIES











CURRENT LIABILITIES











Trade and other payables






(337)


(361)


(413)

NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES)






85


(78)


(225)












NET ASSETS






2,358


2,175


2,028












EQUITY











Share Capital






357


257


257

Share Premium






4,525


4,105


4,105

Reserves






(2,524)


(2,187)


(2,334)












TOTAL EQUITY






2,358


2,175


2,028















































 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders Equity




















Called-up




Share Based







Share


Share


Payment


Retained





Capital


Premium


Reserves


Deficit


Total



€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000












As at 1 January 2012


257


4,105


56


(2,067)


2,351

Loss for the period








(176)


(176)

As at 30 June 2012


257


4,105


56


(2,243)


2,175












Loss for the period








(147)


(147)

As at 31 December 2012


257


4,105


56


(2,390)


2,028












Shares issued


100


438


-


-


538

Share issue expenses


-


(18)






(18)

Loss for the period


-


-


-


(190)


(190)

As at 30 June 2013


357


4,525


56


(2,580)


2,358





























Six Months Ended


Year Ended







30 June 13


30 June12


31 Dec 12

Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow






unaudited


Unaudited


audited







€'000


€'000


€'000

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES











Loss for the year






(190)


(176)


(323)

Investment revenue






(1)


(1)


(1)

Exchange movements






2


(8)


(6)







(189)


(185)


(330)












Movements in working capital






(66)


(79)


(19)

CASH USED BY OPERATIONS






(255)


(264)


(349)












Investment revenue






1


1


1

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES






(254)


(263)


(348)












CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES











Payments for exploration and evaluation






(20)


(155)


(155)







-


-


-

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES






(20)


(155)


(155)












FINANCING ACTIVITIES











Proceeds from issue of equity shares






538


-


-

Share issue costs






(18)


-


-

NET CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES






520


-


-












NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS




246


(418)


(503)












Cash and Cash Equivalents at beginning of the period




165


662


662

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash held in foreign currencies


(2)


8


6

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE PERIOD




409


252


165












 

Notes:

 

1.     INFORMATION

The financial information for the six months ended June 30th, 2013 and the comparative amounts for the June 30th, 2012 are unaudited. The financial information above does not constitute full statutory accounts within the meaning of section 148 of the Companies Act 1963.

The interim financial report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the European Union. The accounting policies and methods of computation used in the preparation of the interim financial statements are consistent with those used in the Group 2012 Annual Report, which is available at www.connemaramining.com

The interim financial statements have not been audited or reviewed by the auditors of the Group pursuant to the Auditing Practices board guidance on Review of Interim Financial Information.

 

 

2.     No dividend is proposed in respect of the period.

 

 

3.     LOSS PER SHARE


30 June 13


30 June 12


31 Dec 12




Loss per share - Basic and Diluted

(0.64c)


(0.69c)


(1.26c)







Basic loss per share






The earnings and weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic loss per share are as follows:

 

Loss for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent

 

(190,457)


 

(176,374)


 

(322,988)







Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic earnings per share

 

29,578,588


 

25,709,711


 

25,709,711



















Basic and diluted loss per share are the same as the effect of the outstanding share options is anti-dilutive.

 

4.     INTANGIBLE ASSETS


30 June 13


30 June 12


31 Dec 12

Exploration and evaluation assets:

€'000


€'000


€'000

Cost at 1 January

2,253


2,098


2,098

Additions

20


155


155

Closing Balance

2,273


2,253


2,253




 



 

               The above represents expenditure on projects in Ireland. Included in the Group intangible assets is €5,000 (2012: €22,800) of directors' remuneration which was capitalised during the year.

 

                In 2007 the Group entered into an agreement with Teck Cominco which gave Teck Cominco the option to earn a 75% interest in a number of licences held by the Group.  Teck Cominco had to spend CAD$3m to earn the interest. During 2012 the relevant licences were transferred to a new company, TILZ Minerals Limited, which is owned 23.8% by Connemara Mining Company plc and 76.2% by Teck Cominco.                                                              The Group's share of

                expenditure on the licences continues to be capitalised as an exploration and evaluation asset.

 

 

               The realisation of the intangible asset is dependent on the successful development of economic reserves which is subject to a number of risks as outlined below.  Should this prove unsuccessful the value included in the balance sheet would be written off to the statement of comprehensive income.

 

               The group's activities are subject to a number of significant potential risks including;

               - Geological, development and operational risks;

               - Compliance with licence obligations;

               -Liquidity risks; and

               - Going concern risks.

                                                                                                                                                                      

               The directors are aware that by its nature there is an inherent uncertainty in such exploration and evaluation expenditure as to the value of the asset.  Having reviewed the deferred development expenditure at 30 June 2013, the directors are satisfied that the value of the intangible asset is not less than carrying value.

 

 

 5.            SHARE CAPITAL AND SHARE PREMIUM


30 June 13


30 June 12


31 Dec 12


€'000


€'000


€'000

Authorised:






200,000,000 ordinary shares of €0.01 each

2,000


2,000


2,000













Allotted, Called Up and Fully Paid:

 

Number


Share Capital

€'000


Share Premium

€'000

Balance at 1 January 2012

25,709,711


257


4,105


-


-


-

Balance at 30 June 2012

25,709,711


257


4,105








-


-


-

Balance at 31 December 2012

25,709,711


257


4,105







Issued during period

10,030,000


100


438

Less share issue expenses

-


-


(18)

Balance at 30 June 2013

35,739,711


357


4,525







 

               On 8 April 2013, 1,000,000 options were exercised at a price of 1 cent per share.

 

               On 22 April 2013, 9,030,000 shares were issued at a price of 5p per share to provide additional working capital and fund development costs.

 

 

6.    The Interim Report for the six months to June 30th 2013, was approved by the Directors on 19 September 2013.

 

 

7.    Copies of the interim report will be sent to shareholders and will be available for inspection at the Companies Registered Office at 162 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3, Ireland. The Interim Report will also shortly be available for viewing on Connemara Mining Company Plc's website at www.connemaramining.com

 

 


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
IR BUGDCXUBBGXC
UK 100