Preliminary Results

RNS Number : 7414B

Chaarat Gold Holdings Ltd

21 June 2016

 

Chaarat Gold Holdings Limited

("Chaarat" or "the Company")

PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015

Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (21 June 2016)

Chaarat (AIM - CGH), the AIM quoted exploration and development company with assets in the Kyrgyz Republic, today publishes its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2015.

Highlights for the year

·     Optimised Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) shows NPV of USD 615m and IRR of 25%

·     Average gold production of 211k ounces per year

·     Low all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of USD 605 per ounce

·     Heap leach project in Tulkubash likely to be first stage development - public hearing process successfully completed

·     Time scale to submit development plans for the Chaarat Project to the government extended to 2018 allowing flexibility in the development strategy for potential joint venture partners

Dekel Golan, CEO of Chaarat, commented:

"The publication of the DFS in early 2016 has provided a benchmark to underpin the value of the Chaarat Project and generated an increase in the level of interest shown by potential industry partners. We have maintained our twin track strategy of talking to potential acquirers or joint venture partners whilst working on our own staged development plans. 

The agreement of the Kyrgyz government to extend to the end of 2018 our deadline to submit development proposals increases our opportunities for collaboration.  We appreciate the support of our shareholders and local communities as we work on the stage one development plan for the Chaarat deposit."

Enquiries:  

Chaarat Gold Holdings Limited	+ 44 20 7499 2612
c/o Central Asia Services Limited	[e-mail]
Dekel Golan   CEO                   Linda Naylor  FD
Numis Securities Limited	[phone]
John Prior, Paul Gillam (NOMAD) James Black (Broker)

Chairman's report

This report is being written against a backdrop of a gold price that has shown a gradual  advance. Confidence amongst gold production and development companies has been bolstered and, as a consequence, there has been an increase in deal flow as well as in capital raisings.

The company took the decision three years ago to sit-out a downturn within the mining industry, cutting back on expenditure and engaging in a feasibility study for the whole project aimed at putting a benchmark value on what we perceived to be, in terms of scale and grade, one of the best deposits in the world.

The optimised study demonstrates a present value for the project in excess of 20 times our current market capitalisation.

Increasing numbers of "non-western" companies are interested in Central Asia and its resources and they are not deterred by the real or mostly imagined difficulties associated with the region. We would expect these companies, being Chinese or from elsewhere within that region, to be comfortable with our study, especially one that has been put together by a credible company.

Chaarat is diligently working on evaluating a preferred development approach. It will involve the preparation of a ' starter ' mining and production plan that can balance a modest initial outlay of capital yielding an acceptable return whilst enabling the development of a scaled up project later on. Choices are being examined as to how such a plan can be financed.

I would like to record my thanks to our staff, advisers and shareholders for their patience and active support, particularly in the case of our largest shareholder.

Christopher Palmer- Tomkinson

Chairman

Chief Executive Officer's Report

Our work in 2015 (as the lull in the mining industry continued) was dominated by finalisation of the Feasibility Study, the results of which were announced in early 2016.  Although later than originally planned, the timing of its publication coincides with an upturn in interest in gold projects and a stabilisation of the gold price.

The credentials of the Chaarat Project as a world class, high grade and low cost of production asset are summarised in the table below which shows the results of the DFS and the work we undertook on its optimisation:

Description	Unit	NERIN FS	Optimised FS
Total production over planned life of mine	Moz	3.65	3.65
Life of Mine (LOM)	Years	18	18
Milling rate per annum	Mt	4.1	4.1
Initial Project Capital Cost	US$M	665	451
Working Capital	US$M	18.8	18.8
Annual average gold production	Koz	211	211
All-in sustaining cost (AISC)	US$/oz	635.2	605.0
Operating cost per ounce of gold produced	US$/oz	536.9	506.7
All in cost per ounce of gold produced	US$/oz	817.9	734.3
NPV (US$1,250/oz @ 8% discount rate)	US$M	351	615
IRR	%	15.3	24.82

The optimisation reflected above relates only to identified improvements in the layout of the project with the consequent reduction of earthworks and the inclusion of updated quotes and operating costs.  The optimisation is progressing to improve the recoveries to concentrate from the Chaarat ore. 

Going forward

With the increased interest in gold projects we are pursuing our twin track strategy of keeping the door open for an acquirer or JV partner while adding value to the Chaarat deposit by developing a realistic profitable option to get into production.

The FS envisages a one-stage development of the project assuming capital requirements and funding were not limiting factors.  This maximises the potential of the deposit but may not be the optimal practical approach given the scope of the project. 

A number of options for a staged development strategy are therefore now being considered.  We are aiming to identify a first stage project which requires a low capital outlay whilst generating a high return and which capitalises upon the investment in infrastructure we have already made: roads, bridge, camps, workshop and fuel tank farm. The stage one development will be scalable and not impede any future developments.

We have selectively strengthened our team in Bishkek to assist in the evaluation of options as to mining and metallurgy.

The government has approved our application to extend the time in which regulatory approvals for the project's development have to be obtained from December 2016 to December 2018.  This has meant that we have more time for discussion with potential joint venture partners and by taking their contribution into consideration we will maintain flexibility in the development strategy.

We have also been successful in 2015 in securing our licence to operate the Tulkubash heap leach project which is likely to be the first stage development.  To do so we arranged a visit for representatives from the local communities to the Copler mine - a large heap leach operation in Turkey.  As a result we were very pleased that the public hearings process held subsequently in the nearby villages resulted in approval of the Project from all the local communities.

We are required to "sterilise" the alluvial gold from all areas on site which are to be built over. This process was completed in 2015.

Our range  of development options has been enhanced by the Kyrgyz government awarding a tender which included the requirement to construct a smelter a short distance from Chaarat. This would open up the choice for building a project based on the refractory ore in the Main and Contact zones, by generating a smeltable concentrate. This would simplify the process and lower the capital cost as it would eliminate, at least at the outset, the need to build an expensive oxidation unit.  

In 2015 there were two important changes affecting the economics of the Project. The first was the fall in the oil price which impacts many of the consumables used for mining such as fuel and explosives. The second, which accentuated the first, was a large devaluation of currencies in the Russian speaking world, first in Russia, as a result of the falling oil price combined with western sanctions and later in Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic.  There has also been a reduction in the taxes affecting mining companies with the abolition of VAT on fuel and sales tax.   

The Kyrgyz Republic joined the Eurasian Economic Union in August 2015.  The Union includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia and Belarus and enables free movement of goods and people between these countries. This is a positive development as it improves access to and the competitiveness of the Russian and Belarusian mining equipment manufacturers. That will enable local operators to have a larger pool of staff available to them and to source equipment with which they are familiar.

There are now eight active gold projects in the country of which six are in production.

We remain very disciplined on costs and are funded to the end of 2016.   We are actively pursuing a number of options to fulfil our strategy, including any required funding.

I reported last year that we had taken a decision to fully impair our other exploration projects. We continue to seek ways to raise value from these projects and on this I am pleased to confirm that in March 2016 we sold our interest in the greenfield Kyzil Ompul licence for USD 200k.   

Armed with a robust FS, an improving gold price and more flexible markets for equipment, we are now hopeful that we can feed the growing interest in our project from potential partners and deliver value to shareholders and stakeholders in the local communities.

Dekel Golan

Chief Executive Officer

Consolidated income statement
For the years ended 31 December
		2015	2014
		USD	USD
Exploration expenses		(2,115,164)	(4,251,623)
Impairment of assets		-	(6,023,622)
Administrative expenses - other		(2,551,262)	(3,868,516)
Administrative expenses - share options expense		(90,869)	(256,613)
Administrative expenses - foreign exchange gain		20,187	(126,499)
Total administrative expenses		(2,621,944)	(4,251,628)
Operating loss		(4,737,108)	(14,526,873)
Finance income		132,752	476,536
Taxation		-	486,875
Loss for the year, attributable to equity shareholders of the parent	§	(4,604,356)	(13,563,462)
Loss per share (basic and diluted) - USD cents		(1.69)	(5.40)

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the years ended 31 December
		2015	2014
		USD	USD
Loss for the year, attributable to equity shareholders of the parent		(4,604,356)	(13,563,462)
Other comprehensive income: Items which may subsequently be reclassified to profit and loss
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations		(7,708,129)	(8,302,919)
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax		(7,708,129)	(8,302,919)
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity shareholders of the parent		(12,312,485)	(21,866,381)

Consolidated Balance Sheet
At 31 December
		2015 USD	2014 USD
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets		29,505	50,197
Mining exploration assets		-	-
Mine properties		19,797,277	22,653,950
Property, plant and equipment		2,174,678	3,622,423
Assets in construction		9,259,089	12,339,224
Other receivables		-	-
		31,260,549	38,665,794
Current assets
Inventories		306,111	847,818
Trade and other receivables		212,845	726,386
Cash and cash equivalents		2,839,159	7,608,865
		3,358,115	9,183,069
Total assets		34,618,664	47,848,863
Equity and liabilities
Equity attributable to shareholders
Share capital		2,729,353	2,729,353
Share premium		132,108,746	132,108,746
Share warrant reserve		1,358,351	1,358,351
Other reserves		14,952,340	15,205,510
Translation reserve		(18,528,856)	(10,820,727)
Accumulated  losses		(98,405,125)	(94,144,808)
Total equity		34,214,809	46,436,425
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables		176,641	561,916
Accrued liabilities		227,214	850,522
		403,855	1,412,438
Total liabilities		403,855	1,412,438
Total liabilities and equity		34,618,664	47,848,863

			Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
		For the Years Ended 31 December
					Share Capital USD		Share Premium USD	Share warrant reserve USD	Accumulated Losses USD		Other Reserves USD	Translation Reserve USD	Total USD
Balance at 31 December 2013					2,504,778		128,551,662	-	(80,646,255)	15,013,806		(2,517,808)		62,906,183
Currency translation					-	-		-	-	-		(8,302,919)		(8,302,919)
Other comprehensive income					-	-		-	-	-		(8,302,919)		(8,302,919)
Loss for the year ended 31 December 2014					-	-		-	(13,563,462)	-		-		(13,563,462)
Total comprehensive income for the year					-	-		-	(13,563,462)	-		(8,302,919)		(21,866,381)
Share options lapsed					-	-		-	64,909	(64,909)		-
Share options expense					-	-		-	-	256,613				256,613
Warrant expense					-	-		1,358,351	-	-		-		1,358,351
Issuance of shares for cash					224,575	3,672,495		-	-	-		-		3,897,070
Share issue costs					-	(115,411)		-	-	-		-		(115,411)
Balance at 31 December 2014					2,729,353	132,108,746		1,358,351	(94,144,808)	15,205,510		(10,820,727)		46,436,425
Currency translation					-	-		-	-	-		(7,708,129)		(7,708,129)
Other comprehensive income					-	-		-	-	-		(7,708,129)		(7,708,129)
Loss for the year ended 31 December 2015					-	-		-	(4,604,356)	-		-		(4,604,356)
Total comprehensive income for the year					-	-		-	(4,604,356)	-		(7,708,129)		(12,312,485)
Share options lapsed					-	-		-	344,039	(344,039)		-
Share options expense					-	-		-	-	90,869		-		90,869
Balance at 31 December 2015					2,729,353	132,108,746		1,358,351	(98,405,125)	14,952,340		(18,528,856)		34,214,809

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the Years Ended 31 December
	Note	2015 USD	2014 USD
Operating activities
Loss for the year		(4,604,356)	(13,563,462)
Adjustments:
Amortisation expense - intangible assets	8	11,400	45,230
Depreciation expense - property, plant and equipment	4/11	578,096	1,622,409
(Gain)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment	4/11	(86,580)	500,319
Impairment of assets	4/9	-	6,023,622
Provision for inventories	14	268,692	-
Finance income	7	(132,752)	(476,536)
Share based payments	4	90,869	256,613
Decrease in inventories		147,538	905,984
Decrease in accounts receivable		153,680	131,517
(Decrease) in accounts payable		(322,778)	(578,714)
Net cash flow used in operations		(3,896,191)	(5,133,018)
Investing activities
Purchase of computer software	8	-	(6,777)
Purchase of tangible fixed assets	11	(220,711)	(32,864)
Capitalisation of development activities	10/12	(1,213,724)	(4,865,186)
Proceeds from sale of equipment	4	449,801	1,029,472
Interest received	7	132,752	476,536
Net cash used in investing activities		(851,882)	(3,398,819)
Financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital		-	5,255,420
Issue costs		-	(115,411)
Net cash from financing activities		-	5,140,009
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(4,748,073)	(3,391,828)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year		7,608,865	11,163,079
Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates		(21,633)	(162,386)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	16	2,839,159	7,608,865

Notes:

1. Preparation of accounts

The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute the Company's annual accounts for the years ended 31 December 2015 or 2014.

The consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2015, the consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of changes in equity, consolidated cash flow statement and associated notes for the year then ended have been extracted from the Group's 2015 annual financial statements upon which the auditors' opinion is unqualified.

2. Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies and presentation followed in the preparation of these final results have been consistently applied to all periods in these financial statements and are the same as those applied by the Group in the preparation of its annual accounts for the year ended 31 December 2014. 

Going concern and project funding requirements

The Group had cash and cash equivalents of USD 2.8 million and no borrowings at 31 December 2015.  The Board has completed the optimisation of the Feasibility Study prepared by NERIN and is now reviewing strategies to reach production as well as continuing discussions with investors and potential acquirers.

The Board has reviewed the Group's cash flow forecast for the period to 30 June 2017. It is satisfied that there are sufficient funds to maintain the Group as a going concern until the end of 2016. After that date, and in order to maintain the Group as a going concern for a period of over twelve months from the date of signing the annual report and accounts, it will be necessary to secure additional funds. These could be made available from existing and new shareholders, selling equipment and other assets of the Group, cutting discretionary expenditure, reducing headcount, reviewing the timing of other expenditure and pursuing other fund raising options.  The Board has a reasonable expectation that additional funds will be made available from these sources. 

However, in the absence of such arrangements being in place these conditions indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt over the Group's ability to continue as a going concern and, therefore, that it may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group was unable to continue as a going concern.

Once the stage one development strategy has been selected, further funding will be required to bring the Chaarat Project into production.  The timeframe and costs of so doing, as well as securing finance for the Project, are difficult to estimate. 

If this funding cannot be secured the Group may not be able to fully develop the Project and the carrying values of the mine properties, related plant and equipment and assets in construction, which at 31 December 2015 amounted to approximately USD 31 million, may become impaired.        

3. Loss per share

Loss per share is calculated by reference to the loss for the year of USD 4,604,356 (2014: USD 13,563,462) and the weighted number of shares in issue during the year of 272,935,389 (2014: 251,297,444). There is no dilutive effect of share options.

4. Timetable and distribution of accounts

The Annual General Meeting will be held at 12 pm on 21 July 2016 at the offices of BDO, 55 Baker Street, London W1U 7EU.

Copies of the Annual Report and Notice of the Annual General Meeting will be sent to shareholders by 28 June 2016.

Additional copies of the Annual Report and Accounts will be available, free of charge, from Central Asia Services Limited, 12 West Links, Tollgate, Chandler's Ford, SO53 3TG, for a period of 14 days from the date of posting and will be available on the Company's website - www.chaarat.com

Note to Editors:

About Chaarat Gold

Chaarat Gold is an exploration and development company operating in the Kyrgyz Republic with a large, high grade resource - the Chaarat Gold Project. The Company's key objective is to become a low cost gold producer generating significant production from the development of the Chaarat Gold Project. Chaarat is engaged in an active community engagement programme to optimise the value of the Chaarat investment proposition. 

Chaarat aims to create value for its shareholders, employees and communities from its high quality gold and mineral deposits in the Kyrgyz Republic by building relationships based on trust and operating to the best environmental, social and employment standards.

Further information is available at www.chaarat.com

 

END

 

 

FR EASKEADFKEFF