Final Results

RNS Number : 4716X

Griffin Mining Ld

30 April 2019

 

Griffin Mining Limited

Royal Trust House, 54 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6LX, United Kingdom

Telephone: + 44 (0)20 7629 7772 Facsimile:  + 44 (0)20 7629 7773

E mail: [e-mail]

30^th April 2019

Results for 2018 and Annual Report and Accounts

Griffin Mining Limited ("Griffin" or the "Company") has today published its annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018 which are available on the Company's web site wwww.griffinmining.com.

In 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries (together the "Group") recorded;

·     Revenues of $99,067,000 (2017: $126,657,000);

·     Operating profits of $35,555,000 (2017: $63,773,000);

·     Profit before tax of $34,798,000 (2017: $60,877,000);

·     Profit after tax of $25,477,000 (2017: $43,321,000); and

·     Earnings of 14.83 cents per share (2017: 24.63 cents).

Profits were impacted by falling zinc metal prices, higher treatment charges and lower concentrate production.

Zinc metal in concentrate sales before royalties and resource taxes in 2018 amounted to $78,821,000 (2017: $99,886,000). Lead and precious metal in concentrate sales amounted to $24,920,000 (2017: $32,758,000).

In 2018, metal in concentrate sales were:

·     Zinc 36,672 tonnes (2017: 43,342 tonnes);

·     Gold 16,206 ounces (2017: 20,489 ounces);

·     Silver 279,632 ounces (2017: 310,611 ounces); and

·     Lead 1,027 tonnes (2017: 1,421 tonnes).

Average prices achieved in 2018 were:

·     Zinc metal per tonne of $2,149 (2017: $2,305);

·     Gold metal per ounce of $1,173 (2017: $1,183);

·     Silver metal per ounce of $12.60 (2017: $13.50); and

·     Lead metal per tonne of $2,250 (2017: $2,242).

Cost of sales of $45,798,000 in 2018 were up 3.2% on that incurred in 2017 of $44,360,000. This increase may be attributed to inflation in China with consequent wage increases, higher costs incurred extracting ore from greater depth, higher costs incurred backfilling waste material and tailings to minimise surface storage of tailings, higher power charges and changes in the recoverability of Chinese VAT inputs.

Administration expenses (including those of the Caijiaying Mine) have fallen 4.4% to $17,714,000 from $18,524,000 in 2017. This reduction was mainly due to lower service fees paid to Hebei Hua Ao's Chinese shareholder, Zhangjiakou Yuanrun Enterprise Management Consulting Services Company Limited, of $3,732,000 in 2018 compared with $5,900,000 in 2017. Otherwise, administration costs were up reflecting inflationary pressures in China, expenses incurred in applying for the new mining licence over Zone II and the expansion of China Zinc Limited activities in investigating potential ventures elsewhere in China. Central Company costs incurred outside China have been reduced. 

Foreign exchange gains of $42,000 (2017: $87,000) were recorded in 2018.

Following the repayment of all bank loans in 2017, bank deposit interest of $223,000 (2017: $143,000) was received.

Income taxes of $9,321,000 (2017: $17,556,000) have been charged in 2018. This includes a deferred taxation credit of $343,000 (2017: charge $95,000).

Basic earnings in 2018 were 14.83 cents per share (2017: 24.63 cents) and diluted earnings were 13.35 cents per share (2017: 22.97 cents).

Cash generated from operations have been used to reduce liabilities resulting in net cash flow from operating activities of $20,439,000, $16,884,000 of which has been expended in further development of the Caijiaying Mine including equipment and exploration. In addition, 540,000 shares in the Company were bought in at a cost of $917,000.

Attributable net assets per share at 31st December 2018 was $1.22 (2017: $1.13).

Chairman's Statement:

By the measure of almost any other mining company, 2018 would be considered a monumentally, outstanding success.  $3 billion of in situ metal was added to the resource base, an operating profit of $36 million and a net profit after tax of $25.5 million was generated, major above and below ground capital developments were undertaken to position the Caijiaying Mine operationally for the next 10 years and all this whilst remaining debt free and self-funding from operations.

In terms of long term value added to the Company, over 3 million tonnes of zinc metal and 1.16 million ounces of gold have been defined by the Company since the start of mining in 2005 emphasizing the success of the Company's exploration efforts and the extraordinary size and nature of the orebody contained within  the Caijiaying Mine.

Nevertheless, and reversing a well known proverb, perhaps every silver lining has a cloud, with the mining licence over Zone II still failing to be granted.  In effect, this means constructed and commissioned infrastructure lies idle waiting for this new source of ore to be mined and processed to substantially increase the Company's metal production.  I am not sure I have any remaining credibility in crystal ball gazing and my days as a seer may well and truly be over, but I sincerely believe the new mining licence will be granted in 2019.

The stand-out achievement of the year was the Company increasing its resource base by 78.5%, all from Zone III, including adding 807,000 tonnes of zinc metal, 311,000 ounces of gold and 13.6 million ounces of silver.  Modelling of the other "zones" at the Caijiaying Mine has been progressing well with all concerned very excited on the possible size of the revised Zone II resource model as well as the maiden estimate for Zone VIII, both expected by the end of the northern summer.

Financially, the Company and its subsidiaries had a good year in light of falling zinc metal prices, higher treatment charges and lower concentrate production.  Revenues of $99 million were recorded with an Operating Profit of $35.6 million, Profit before Tax of $34.8 million, Profit after Tax of $25.5 million and Earnings of 14.83 cents per share.

Operationally, ore mined amounted to 872,069 tonnes whilst ore processed was  930,472 tonnes amounting to metal in concentrate produced of 37,112 tonnes of zinc,  16,230 ounces of gold, 280,712 ounces of silver and 1,030 tonnes of lead.

With the development of Zone II awaiting the new mining licence, the decision was taken to institute a programme to further modernise the Caijiaying Mine.  Underground development work was primarily focused on developing future stoping horizons between the 1175 metre and 1000 metre level, a much larger development than previously undertaken at the Caijiaying Mine.  A twin boom electric hydraulic development drill and three 20 tonne, fully enclosed cabin, haulage trucks were added to the fleet by the contractor allowing more material being hauled from deeper in the Caijiaying Mine with less truck movements and greater reliability.  Further fleet upgrades continue on an ongoing basis.

As a responsible citizen of both China and Planet Earth, the Company continues to maintain and further implement best practices regarding the protection of the environment and has invested heavily in the local community. The Company believes these to be moral, humane, community and planetary obligations. I would urge you to read of our practices and contributions in this Annual Report and obtain the sense of pride from the contributions the Company has made in this area. 

In spite of all the above achievements, the Company does not rest on its laurels. In the words of Mark Twain, "To stand still is to fall behind." Firstly, it continues to explore areas surrounding the Caijiaying Mine, including the prospective Sangongdi area.  The scope of that work can be deemed in the Exploration section of this Annual Report.  Secondly, in 2018, the Company expanded the scope and activities of its wholly owned subsidiary China Zinc Limited to create a data base of the geology, exploration and mining activities in China to search for potential acquisitions of base metals projects that meet the Company's pre-set economic criteria.  Any such projects found not to meet this criteria will be either ignored, or if seemingly of value, sold, joint ventured or offered in a separate vehicle to existing Griffin shareholders.  Thirdly, the Company continues to investigate potential mining projects located outside of China on the same objective investment basis as historically has been the case.

Further information

Griffin Mining Limited

Mladen Ninkov - Chairman  Telephone: [phone]

Roger Goodwin - Finance Director

Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited                                    Telephone: [phone]

               Dominic Morley

Griffin Mining Limited's shares are quoted on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange (symbol GFM).

The Company's news releases are available on the Company's web site: www.griffinmining.com

The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No.596/2014.

 

Griffin Mining Limited

Summarised Consolidated Income Statement

For the year ended 31 December 2018

(expressed in thousands US dollars)

	2018		2017
	Audited		Audited
	$000		$000
Revenue	99,067		126,657
Cost of sales	(45,798)		(44,360)
Gross profit	53,269		82,297
Administration expenses	(17,714)		(18,524)
Profit from operations	35,555		63,773
Losses on disposal of plant and equipment	(939)		(1,067)
Foreign exchange gains	42		87
Finance income	223		143
Finance costs	(283)		(2,219)
Other income	200		160
Profit before tax	34,798		60,877
Income tax  expense	(9,321)		(17,556)
Profit for the year	25,477		43,321
Basic earnings per share (cents)	14.83		24.63
Diluted earnings per share (cents)	13.35		22.97

Griffin Mining Limited

Summarised Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 December 2018

(expressed in thousands US dollars)

 

		2018		2017
		Audited		Audited
		$000		$000
Profit for the year		25,477		43,321
Other comprehensive (expenses) / income that will be reclassified to profit or loss
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations		(5,856)		5,004
Other comprehensive (expenses) / income for the year, net of tax		(5,856)		5,004
Total comprehensive income for the year		19,621		48,325

 

Griffin Mining Limited

Summarised Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 31 December 2018

(expressed in thousands US dollars)

	2018		2017
	Audited		Audited
	$000		$000
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment	213,140		214,695
Intangible assets - exploration interests	2,016		2,035
	215,156		216,730
Current assets
Inventories	4,951		5,868
Receivables and other current assets	2,819		4,374
Cash and cash equivalents	28,452		26,518
	36,222		36,760
Total assets	251,378		253,490
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
Share capital	1,727		1,700
Share premium	68,442		67,295
Contributing surplus	3,690		3,690
Share based payments	2,072		2,072
Shares held in treasury	(917)		-
Chinese statutory re-investment reserve	2,386		2,204
Other reserve on acquisition of non controlling interests	(29,346)		(29,346)
Foreign exchange reserve	4,027		9,777
Profit and loss reserve	159,161		133,972
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent	211,242		191,364
Non-current liabilities
Long-term provisions	2,302		2,418
Deferred taxation	2,393		2,865
Finance lease	258		712
	4,953		5,995
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables	33,632		52,437
Finance lease	1,551		3,694
Total current liabilities	35,183		56,131
Total equities and liabilities	251,378		253,490
Attributable net asset value per share to equity holders of parent	$1.22		$1.13

Griffin Mining Limited

Summarised Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.

For the year ended 31 December 2018

(expressed in thousands US dollars)

	Share	Share	Contributing	Share	Shares	Chinese	Other	Foreign	Profit	Total
	Capital	premium	surplus	Based	held in	Re-investment	reserve on	Exchange	and loss	attributable to
				Payments	Treasury	Reserve	acquisition of	Reserve	reserve	equity holders
							non-controlling			of parent
							interests
	$000	$000	$000	$000	$000	$000	$000	$000	$000	$000
At 31 December 2016	1,790	71,310	3,690	2,072	(3,875)	1,583	(29,346)	4,871	91,174	143,269
Regulatory transfer for future investment	-	-	-	-	-	523	-	-	(523)	-
Purchase of shares held in treasury	-	-	-	-	(230)	-	-	-	-	(230)
Cancellation of shares held in treasury	(90)	(4,015)	-	-	4,105	-	-	-	-	-
Transaction with owners	(90)	(4,015)	-	-	3,875	523	-	-	(523)	(230)
Profit for the year	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	43,321	43,321
Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on translating foreign   operations	-	-	-	-	-	98	-	4,906	-	5,004
Total comprehensive income	-	-	-	-	-	98	-	4,906	43,321	48,325
At 31 December 2017	1,700	67,295	3,690	2,072	-	2,204	(29,346)	9,777	133,972	191,364
Regulatory transfer for future investment	-	-	-	-	-	288			(288)	-
Issue of shares on exercise of options	27	1,147	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1,174
Purchase of shares held in treasury	-	-	-	-	(917)	-	-	-	-	(917)
Transaction with owners	27	1,147	-	-	(917)	288	-	-	(288)	257
Profit for the year	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	25,477	25,477
Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations	-	-	-	-	-	(106)	-	(5,750)	-	(5,856)
Total comprehensive income	-	-	-	-	-	(106)	-	(5,750)	25,477	19,621
At 31 December 2018	1,727	68,442	3,690	2,072	(917)	2,386	(29,346)	4,027	159,161	211,242

Griffin Mining Limited

Summarised Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

For the year ended 31 December 2018

(expressed in thousands US dollars)

	2018		2017
	Audited		Audited
	$000		$000
Net cash flows from operating activities
Profit  before taxation	34,798		60,877
Foreign exchange gains	(42)		(87)
Finance income	(223)		(143)
Finance costs	283		2,219
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation	10,328		9,783
Losses on disposal of equipment	939		1,067
Decrease in inventories	917		280
(Increase) / decrease in receivables and other current assets	(1,059)		3,928
(Decrease) / increase in trade and other payables	(12,917)		7,621
Taxation paid	(12,585)		(8,108)
Net cash inflow from operating activities	20,439		77,437
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received	223		143
Proceeds on disposal of equipment	351		184
Payments to acquire - mineral interests	(10,669)		(9,330)
Payments to acquire - plant and equipment	(6,134)		(4,125)
Payments to acquire - office equipment	-		(2)
Payments to acquire intangible fixed assets - exploration interests	(81)		(128)
Net cash outflow from investing activities	(16,310)		(13,258)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issue of ordinary shares on exercise of options	1,174		-
Purchase of shares for treasury	(917)		(230)
Interest paid	-		(1,773)
Finance lease repayments	(2,728)		(2,943)
Repayment of bank loans	-		(46,024)
Net cash outflow from financing activities	(2,471)		(50,970)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,658		13,209
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	26,518		13,218
Effects of exchange rates	276		91
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	28,452		26,518
Cash and cash equivalents comprise bank deposits.
Bank deposits	28,452		26,518

Included within net cash flows of $1,658,000 (2017 $13,209,000) are foreign exchange gains of $42,000 (2017 gains $87,000) which have been treated as realised.

Notes:

1.     This statement has been prepared using accounting policies and presentation consistent with those applied in the preparation of the statutory financial statements of the Company.

2.   The summary financial statements set out above do not constitute statutory financial statements as defined by Section 84 of the Bermuda Companies Act 1981 or Section 435 of the UK Companies Act 2006.  The Summarised Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at 31 December 2018 and the Summarised Consolidated Income Statement, Summarised Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Summarised Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and the Summarised Consolidated Cash Flow statement for the year then ended have been extracted from the Group's audited 2018 statutory financial statements.

3.   The annual report and accounts for 2018 are being sent by post to all registered shareholders.  Additional copies of the annual report and accounts are available from the Company's London office, 8^th Floor, 54 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6LX.

4.   The Group has one business segment, the Caijiaying zinc gold mine in the People's Republic of China ("PRC").  All sales and costs of sales in 2018 and 2017 were derived from the Caijiaying zinc gold mine.

	2018		2017
	$000		$000
REVENUES
China	99,067		126,657
Zinc concentrate sales	78,821		99,886
Lead and precious metals concentrate sales	24,920		32,758
Royalties and resource taxes	(4,674)		(5,987)
	99,067		126,657
COST OF SALES
Mining costs	16,680		16,630
Haulage costs	8,374		8,130
Processing costs	10,423		9,681
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation (excluding that in administration costs)	9,652		9,182
Stock movements	669		737
	45,798		44,360
ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES
China	13,122		13,819
Australia	442		434
European Union	4,150		4,271
	17,714		18,524

All revenues, cost of sales and operating expenses charged to profit relate to continuing operations.

Notes (continued):

TOTAL ASSETS	2018		2017
	$000		$000
China	245,505		250,809
Australia	924		641
UK / Bermuda	4,949		2,040
	251,378		253,490
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE	2018		2017
	$000		$000
China	16,884		13,583
UK / Bermuda	-		2
	16,884		13,585

FINANCE INCOME	2018		2017
	$000		$000
Interest on bank deposits	223		143

FINANCE COSTS	2018		2017
	$000		$000
Interest payable on short term bank loans	-		1,772
Finance lease interest	283		447
	283		2,219

OTHER INCOME	2018		2017
	$000		$000
Scrap and sundry other sales	200		160

INCOME TAX EXPENSE	2018		2017
	$000		$000
Profit for the year before tax	34,798		60,877
Expected tax expense at a standard rate of PRC income tax of 25% (2017 25%)	8,699		15,219
Adjustment for tax exempt items:
- Income and expenses outside the PRC not subject to tax	629		854
Adjustments for short term timing differences:
- In respect of accounting differences	(704)		(490)
- Other	-		162
Adjustments for permanent timing differences re prior year adjustments	(185)		-
Adjustments for permanent timing differences other	1,154		1,678
Withholding tax on intercompany dividends and charges	71		38
Current taxation expense	9,664		17,461
Deferred taxation (credit) / expense
Correction of provision brought forward	(674)		-
Origination and reversal of temporary timing differences	331		95
	(343)		95
Total tax expense	9,321		17,556

Notes (continued):

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (continued)

The parent company is not resident in the United Kingdom for taxation purposes.  Hebei Hua-Ao paid income tax in the PRC at a rate of 25% in 2018 (25% in 2017) based upon the profits calculated under Chinese generally accepted accounting principles (Chinese "GAAP").

The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the basic earnings per share on the assumed conversion of all dilutive options and other dilutive potential ordinary shares.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Reconciliation of the earnings and weighted average number of shares used in the calculations are set out below:

				2018						2017
	Earnings $000			Weighted Average number of shares		Per share amount (cents)		Earnings $000		Weighted Average number of shares		Per share amount (cents)
Basic earnings per share
Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders	25,477			171,842,166		14.83		43,321		175,894,007		24.63
Dilutive effect of securities
Options	-			16,494,541		(1.48)		-		12,703,367		(1.66)
Diluted earnings per share	25,477			188,336,707		13.35		43,321		188,597,374		22.97

Property, plant and equipment

	Mineral Interests		Mill and mobile mine equipment		Office furniture & equipment		Total
	$000		$000		$000		$000
At 31 December 2016	158,144		46,238		109		204,491
Foreign exchange adjustments	4,976		2,805		-		7,781
Additions during the year	9,330		4,125		2		13,457
Disposals	-		(1,250)		(1)		(1,251)
Depreciation charge for the year	(5,404)		(4,351)		(28)		(9,783)
At 31 December 2017	167,046		47,567		82		214,695
Foreign exchange adjustments	(4,450)		(2,291)		-		(6,741)
Additions during the year	10,669		6,134		-		16,803
Disposals	-		(1,289)		-		(1,289)
Depreciation charge for the year	(5,927)		(4,374)		(27)		(10,328)
At 31 December 2018	167,338		45,747		55		213,140
Property, plant and equipment (continued)
	Mineral Interests		Mill and mobile mine equipment		Office furniture & equipment		Total
	$000		$000		$000		$000
At 31 December 2016
Cost	185,252		67,009		133		252,394
Accumulated depreciation	(27,108)		(20,771)		(24)		(47,903)
Net carrying amount	158,144		46,238		109		204,491
At 31 December 2017
Cost	200,708		72,366		134		273,208
Accumulated depreciation	(33,662)		(24,799)		(52)		(58,513)
Net carrying amount	167,046		47,567		82		214,695
At 31 December 2018
Cost	205,840		72,028		134		278,002
Accumulated depreciation	(38,502)		(26,281)		(79)		(64,862)
Net carrying amount	167,338		45,747		55		213,140

Mineral interests comprise the Group's interest in the Caijiaying ore bodies including costs on acquisition, plus subsequent expenditure on licences, concessions, exploration, appraisal and construction of the Caijiaying mine including expenditure for the initial establishment of access to mineral reserves, commissioning expenditure, and direct overhead expenses prior to commencement of commercial production and together with the end of life restoration costs.

Property, plant and equipment includes $15,034,000 (2017: $13,170,000) of assets under construction yet to be depreciated.

The office furniture and equipment disclosed above relates solely to the fixed assets of the Company and China Zinc Pty Limited.

During 2013 plant and equipment with a deemed value of $12,880,000 were acquired under a finance lease, upon which depreciation of $4,035,000 (2017: $3,428,000) has been provided. At 31 December 2018 the net carrying amount of this equipment was $7,534,000 (2017: $8,723,000).

The Group assesses the carrying value of the mineral interests, mill and mobile mine equipment at least annually, and more frequently in the event of any indications of impairment, by reference to discounted cash flow forecasts of future revenue and expenditure for each business segment. These forecasts are based upon both past and expected future performance, available resources and expectations for future markets.

The directors have reassessed the net carrying value of capitalised costs at 31 December 2018 and in estimating the discounted future cash flows from the continuing operations at the Caijiaying mine the following principal assumptions were made:

•       Future market prices for zinc of $2,700 per tonne and gold of $1,300 per troy ounce;

•       Future production from Zone III at Caijiaying to end of the business licence in 2037 with ore mined and processed rising to 1.5 million tonnes of ore per annum;

•       Costs based upon past performance and that budgeted for 2019;

•       Discount interest rate of 10%; and

•       Continued maintenance and grant of applicable licences and permits.

 

END

 

 

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