Preliminary Results
Eurasia Mining PLC
28 June 2000
* REPORT AND RESULTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 1999
* CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS ON PLATINUM AND PALLADIUM ASSETS
* BALANCE SHEET SIGNIFICANTLY STRENGTHENED IN APRIL 2000
* TARGETING FIRST PRODUCTION OF PALLADIUM BY END OF YEAR
* INCREASING WORLD DEMAND FOR PGM's AND NEW POLITICAL STABILITY IN RUSSIA
PROMISES ENCOURAGING FUTURE FOR EURASIA SHAREHOLDERS
Mr J A Mitchell, Chairman, Eurasia Mining PLC, in his statement to
shareholders in the Annual report for the year to 31 December 1999 says:
'During 1999 Eurasia achieved considerable progress on its platinum and
palladium assets and was actively involved in an important funding and debt
restructuring exercise to enable it to take those assets towards production'.
Mr Mitchell reported that the company raised £2 million in April 2000, and
converted 60% of the Framlington Russian Investment Fund debt into equity. He
also stated that the company is targeting the first production of Palladium by
the end of the year at the Baronskoye Palladium project, and that this is
expected to be the first stage of developing production to in excess of
100,000 oz. of PGM's per annum.
Mr Mitchell welcomed both Invesco and Gartmore as two new leading
institutional shareholders and made note of the joint venture agreement with
Anglo American Platinum Corporation (Amplats), for a programme to define and
assess large-scale alluvials and tailings resources in the Urals.
In his statement Mr Mitchell also drew attention to the sustained growth in
demand for PGM's, particularly for fuel cell technology, and to the new
political stability in Russia. He said: '...I believe your company is
particularly well positioned to take full advantage of these developments'.
Mr Andrew Counsell, Managing Director, reviews the progress at the main
operational sites at Baronskoye, and at Soloviev Hill/Vissim, and announces
excellent sampling results, encouraging geochemical surveys, and high assay
grades. He reports on the acquisition of a fully portable hydraulic diamond
drill which will permit the completion of the summer drilling programme at a
cost well under the budget, whilst also being available for future additional
drilling programmes.
Andrew Counsell also reports that the company is actively evaluating other PGM
opportunities throughout the Urals, both in association with present joint
venture partners and also independently, particularly through strong
collaboration with various academic and research institutions throughout the
region. He concludes 'with a considerably improved position in terms of cash,
debt, assets and potential production/cashflow, the company and its employees
have the opportunity to create a highly profitable long-term business with
commensurate high investment returns to Shareholders'.
The company reported for the year to 31 December 1999 a significantly reduced
net loss, in comparison to 1998, of £582,670 ( 1998 £1,346,954), together with
an increase in shareholders' funds of £249,913 to £2,734,865, after the
raising of additional share capital during the year of £907,758. A complete
copy of the Preliminary Announcement of the company's 1999 results is attached
hereto.
Listing: Alternative Investment Market, London Stock Exchange
Code: EUA
Web Site: www.eurasia-mining.plc.uk
Email: info@eurasia-mining.plc.uk
For further information please contact:
Andrew Counsell, Managing Director Tel: +44 20 7976 1222
Paddy Manning, The Paddy Manning Company Tel: +44 20 7930 0777
28 June 2000
14-16 REGENT STREET, LONDON SW1Y 4PH
TEL: 44 171 976 1222 FAX: 44 171 976 1422
HEAD OFFICE AND REGISTERED OFFICE COMPANY NO: 3010091
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
During 1999 Eurasia achieved considerable progress on its platinum and
palladium assets and was actively involved in an important funding and debt
restructuring exercise to enable it to take those assets towards production.
The Company's funding exercise, completed in April 2000, raised £2 million and
was coupled with the conversion of 60% of the debt to Framlington Russian
Investment Fund into equity, thus substantially strengthening the Company's
balance sheet. The funds raised will be used over the next twelve months to
advance the Company's projects, to pay down debt and to provide working
capital. In particular the Company is targeting the first production of
palladium by the end of the year at the Baronskoye Palladium project. This is
expected to be the first stage of developing production to in excess of
100,000 oz Platinum Group Metals ('PGM') per annum, for which additional debt
and/or equity funding will be required. Further, much progress is expected at
the Soloviev Hill and Vissim platinum licence areas.
The funding also bought in two new leading institutional shareholders, Invesco
and Gartmore, to join Framlington and we welcome them and other new
shareholders. It is indeed encouraging to see confidence in the company's
prospects supported by significant investment names.
In addition, the Company succeeded in concluding a joint venture agreement in
1999 with Anglo American Platinum Corporation Limited ('Amplats'), the world's
leading producer of platinum. Amplats is funding a joint works programme with
the Company, with the objective of assessing the potential for commercial
application of alternative technologies to define and exploit large-scale
alluvials and tailings resources in the Urals. Our close working relationship
with Amplats bodes well for a bright future.
The rising world demand for both platinum and palladium has led me to conclude
that our company is well poised to benefit from the increases in the world
prices of these two important metals, which we expect to be maintained for the
foreseeable future.
One particular area of potential significant and sustained growth in demand
for Platinum Group Metals is fuel cell technology. Strict legislation on
emissions policy has focused attention on this alternative automotive power
source. With companies such as Johnson Matthey and Ballard Power teaming up
with the likes of Ford, Daimler Chrysler, General Motors, Toyota and Exxon to
develop this technology, it becomes clear that fuel cells are indeed the
frontrunners of the leading alternatives. It is estimated that by the year
2010 around 10% of all US cars will be powered by fuel cells.
In Russia the recently elected President Putin appears determined to boost the
economy (already assisted by low inflation, high oil prices and internal
demand), to cut bureaucracy and to push through the changes in tax law and
investment conditions called for by Western investors. The new political
stability is already restoring confidence to inward investment and provides us
with added opportunities to enlarge our exploration programmes.
Thus I believe your company is particularly well-positioned to take full
advantage of these developments.
In conclusion I would personally like to thank management and staff for all
their hard work and believe that their efforts will help provide shareholders
a confident and prosperous future.
J A Mitchell
Chairman
28 June 2000
CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
For the year ended 31 December 1999
1999 1998
£ £
Administrative expenses (741,254) (764,408)
Other operating income - 35,088
Loss from continuing activities (741,254) (729,320)
before interest
Profit on partial disposal of a subsidiary 70,835 -
Interest receivable & similar items 90,113 5,719
Interest payable & similar charges (2,364) (622,993)
Loss from continuing activities (582,670) (1,346,594)
before taxation
Taxation - -
Loss on continuing activities (582,670) (1,346,594)
after tax
Minority interest (20,451) -
Retained loss for the financial year (603,121) (1,346,594)
Loss per share (6.01)p (36.14)p
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
At 31 December 1999
1999 1998
£ £
Fixed assets
Intangible - Exploration, development 1,649,706 1,649,706
and production interests
Tangible - Exploration, development 3,694,368 3,440,535
and production interests
Tangible - Other 275,870 296,468
Investments 61,762 59,878
Total fixed assets 5,681,706 5,446,587
Current assets
Debtors 61,959 183,576
Cash at bank 21,710 50,036
Total current assets 83,669 233,612
Creditors - amounts falling due within
one year (3,009,715)(3,194,984)
Net current liabilities (2,926,046)(2,961,372)
Total assets less current liabilities (2,755,660) 2,485,215
Net assets 2,755,660 2,485,215
Capital and reserves
Called-up share capital 4,167,556 3,726,217
Share premium 3,246,336 2,779,917
Reserves (4,679,027)(4,021,182)
Equity shareholders' funds 2,734,865 2,484,952
Minority interests 20,795 263
2,755,660 2,485,215
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
For the year ended 31 December 1999
1999 1998
£ £
Cash flow from operating activities (495,722) (524,249)
Returns on investments and servicing of (419) 3,355
finance
Capital expenditure and (244,732) (619,573)
financial investment
Acquisitions and disposals 36,847 -
disposals
Cash outflow before use of liquid (704,026)(1,140,467)
resources and financing
Financing
Issue of convertible loans - 1,006,027
Issue of ordinary shares 675,700 -
Decrease in cash in period (28,326) (134,440)
Reconciliation of net cash flow to
movement in net debt
Decrease in cash in the period (28,326) (134,440)
Cash inflow from increase in debt - (1,006,027)
Change in net debt resulting from cash flows (28,326)(1,140,467)
Translation difference (49,829) 30,935
Non cash movement 144,161 -
Movement in net debt in period 66,006 (1,109,532)
Net debt at 1 January 1999 (2,521,751)(1,412,219)
Net debt at 31 December 1999 (2,455,745)(2,521,751)
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost
convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
The Group has implemented the new accounting standards FRS 13 (Financial
Instruments and Derivatives) and FRS 15 (Fixed Assets). Neither
Financial Reporting Standard has resulted in adjustment to previously
published figures.
The Group is in an early stage of development and it does not at present
generate sufficient revenues from operations in order to meet operating
expenditures, capital requirements and commitments. In order for the
Group to finance planned extraction and achieve expanded production the
Group is dependent upon securing additional debt and or equity financing.
On 25 April 2000 the Group completed a private placement of £2.0 million
(£1.8 million, after deducing costs of £0.2 million) which the Directors
estimate will provide sufficient finance to enable the Group to commence
small scale commercial production. Further debt and or equity financing
must then be secured to finance the next stage of development.
Concurrent with the fund raising £482,065 and US$1,442,063 (£1,394,994
million in total) of secured convertible loan stock held by Framlington
Russian Investment Fund ('FRIF') was converted into Shares of the Company
to take FRIF's shareholding to 29.9% of the Company. The terms of the
agreement provided that FRIF would undertake not to exercise any of its
conversion rights if this would increase its shareholding in excess of
29.9% of the issued share capital of the Company and that the remaining
balance of US$1,420,937 be converted or repaid by 24 April 2001. In the
circumstances that either FRIF is unable to convert the remaining balance
into Shares of the Company by 24 April 2001, the remaining loan stock of
US$1,420,937 would be repayable by the Company. Unless agreement was
reached with the loan stockholder or additional funding negotiated, the
Company will not be able to meet its obligations as they fall due.
In the event that the Company is unable to secure such further funding,
the Company may be unable to continue as a going concern. The financial
statements do not include any adjustments, particulary in respect of
tangible fixed assets, stocks, investments, loans and provisions for the
costs of winding up, that would result from the Company and the Group, or
any of its subsidiary undertakings, ceasing to operate as a going concern.
2 Basis of consolidation
Details of principal subsidiaries and associated undertakings are given in
note 12. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the
financial statements of the Company and all subsidiary undertakings and
also include the Group's share of the results of associated undertakings.
Each company in the Group and each associated undertaking has prepared
financial statements for the period ended 31 December 1999 which have been
adjusted where necessary to conform with the Group's accounting policies.
3 Exploration and development interests
The Group adopts the 'successful efforts' accounting policy for mineral
expenditure. This requires the immediate write-off of exploration and
development expenditure which the Directors do not consider to be
supported by the existence of commercial reserves; expenditure to bring
successful prospects to production is capitalised and depleted on a unit
of production method over mineral reserves on a mine by mine basis.
Provision is made for any anticipated site restoration or abandonment
costs over the life of the mines on a unit of production basis.
4 Other tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is calculated to write off office furniture, equipment and
vehicles on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives, which
range from three to five years.
5 Intangible assets
Intangible assets represent the cost of acquisition by the Group of
rights, licences and know how. Such expenditure requires the immediate
write-off of exploration and development expenditure that the Directors do
not consider to be supported by the existence of commercial reserves.
Otherwise expenditure is capitalised and depleted on a unit of production
method over mineral reserves on a mine by mine basis.
6 Deferred taxation
Provision is made for deferred taxation on timing differences only where
these are expected to give rise to a tax liability in the foreseeable
future.
7 Foreign currencies
The financial statements of overseas subsidiaries are generally translated
at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date with the
exception of the year's profit and loss account, which is translated at
the average exchange rates for the period of activity.
The exchange differences arising on the retranslation of opening net
assets and on the retranslation of the profit and loss account to closing
rates of exchange are taken directly to reserves. All other translation
differences are taken to the profit and loss account.
Notes
1. The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company's
statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 1999 or 1998 but is
derived from these accounts. Statutory accounts for 1998 have been
delivered to the registrar of companies, and those for 1999 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 section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.
2. Reconciliation of operating loss to operating cash flows
1999 1998
£000 £000
Operating Loss (741) (729)
Depreciation and impairment 93 40
charges
Decrease in debtors 122 (17)
Increase in creditors 31 182
Net Cash outflow from operating (496) (524)
activities
3. Copies of this announcement and the Annual Report and Accounts for the
year ended 31 December 1999 will be mailed to the shareholders on 28 June
1999 and will be available, free of charge from the Company's registered
office at 14-16 Regent Street, London SW1Y 4PH for a period of 14 days from
the date thereof.