For immediate release
14 August 2017
Serabi Gold plc
("Serabi" or the "Company")
Unaudited Interim Financial Results for the three and six month periods to 30 June 2017 and Management's Discussion and Analysis
Serabi Gold (AIM:SRB, TSX:SBI), the Brazilian focused gold mining and development company, today releases its unaudited interim financial results for the three and six month periods ending 30 June 2017 and at the same time has published its Management's Discussion and Analysis for the same period.
Key Financial Information
SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDING 30 JUNE 2017 | ||||
3 months to 30 June 2017 US$ | 6 months to 30 June 2017 US$ | 3 months to 30 June 2016 US$ | 6 months to 30 June 2016 US$ | |
Revenue | 10,142,676 | 23,316,260 | 14,232,086 | 25,911,175 |
Cost of Sales | (6,849,960) | (16,862,310) | (8,923,316) | (15,612,822) |
Depreciation and amortisation charges | (2,710,157) | (4,610,861) | (2,428,213) | (3,644,940) |
Gross profit | 582,559 | 1,843,089 | 2,880,557 | 6,653,413 |
Profit / (loss) before tax | (794,176) | (827,667) | 60,924 | 1,562,228 |
Profit after tax | (891,637) | (1,005,680) | (341,483) | 1,006,182 |
Earnings per ordinary share (basic) | (0.13c) | (0.15c) | (0.05c) | 0.15c |
Average gold price received | US$1,221 | US$1,216 | ||
As at 30 June 2017 | As at 31 Dec 2016 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | 3,832,218 | 4,160,923 | ||
Net assets | 61,894,630 | 63,378,973 | ||
Cash Cost and All-In Sustaining Cost ("AISC") | ||||
6 months to 30 June 2017 | 6 months to 30 June 2016 | |||
Gold production for cash cost and AISC purposes | 18,009 | 19,667 | ||
Total Cash Cost of production (per ounce) | US$819 | US$763 | ||
Total AISC of production (per ounce) | US$1,072 | US$945 |
Key Operational Information
SUMMARY PRODUCTION STATISTICS FOR THE TWO QUARTERS TO 30 JUNE 2017 | ||||||||||
Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Year to Date | Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4 | Total | |||
2017 | 2017 | 2017 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | |||
Horizontal development - Total | Metres | 2,251 | 1,855 | 4,106 | 2,925 | 2,941 | 2,649 | 2,694 | 11,209 | |
Mined ore - Total | Tonnes | 36,918 | 42,075 | 78,993 | 37,546 | 33,606 | 43,133 | 44,579 | 158,864 | |
Gold grade (g/t) | 10.12 | 7.80 | 8.89 | 11.02 | 9.56 | 9.61 | 8.94 | 9.74 | ||
Milled ore | Tonnes | 46,663 | 43,905 | 90,568 | 36,615 | 39,402 | 42,464 | 40,485 | 158,966 | |
Gold grade (g/t) | 7.09 | 6.26 | 6.69 | 8.58 | 8.17 | 8.08 | 7.60 | 8.11 | ||
Gold production (1) (2) | Ounces | 9,861 | 8,148 | 18,009 | 9,771 | 9,896 | 10,310 | 9,413 | 39,390 |
Financial Highlights
2017 Guidance
Operational Highlights
SERABI GOLD PLC
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the three months ended 30 June | For the six months ended 30 June | ||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||
(expressed in US$) | Notes | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) |
CONTINUING OPERATIONS | |||||
Revenue | 10,142,676 | 14,232,086 | 23,316,260 | 25,911,175 | |
Cost of sales | (6,849,960) | (8,923,316) | (16,642,310) | (15,612,822) | |
Provision for Impairment of Inventory | - | - | (220,000) | - | |
Depreciation of plant and equipment | (2,710,157) | (2,428,213) | (4,610,861) | (3,644,940) | |
Gross profit | 582,559 | 2,880,557 | 1,843,089 | 6,653,413 | |
Administration expenses | (1,178,903) | (1,412,120) | (2,420,358) | (2,544,320) | |
Share based payments | (112,412) | (25,640) | (178,032) | (148,756) | |
Gain on disposal of assets | 115,975 | 24,401 | 115,975 | 26,969 | |
Operating profit | (592,781) | 1,467,198 | (639,326) | 3,987,306 | |
Foreign exchange loss | (167,236) | (31,609) | (120,399) | (72,408) | |
Finance expense | (34,194) | (1,374,699) | (68,011) | (2,352,739) | |
Finance income | 35 | 34 | 69 | 69 | |
(Loss) / profit before taxation | (794,176) | 60,924 | (827,667) | 1,562,228 | |
Income tax expense | (97,461) | (402,407) | (178,013) | (556,046) | |
(Loss) / profit for the period from continuing operations (1) (2) | (891,637) | (341,483) | (1,005,680) | 1,006,182 | |
Other comprehensive income (net of tax) Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss | |||||
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations | (2,124,542) | 5,349,439 | (656,695) | 9,629,568 | |
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period (2) | (3,016,179) | 5,017,956 | (1,662,375) | 10,635,750 | |
(Loss) / profit per ordinary share (basic) (1) | 3 | (0.13c) | (0.05c) | (0.15c) | 0.15c |
(Loss) / profit per ordinary share (diluted) (1) | 3 | (0.13c) | (0.05c) | (0.15c) | 0.14c |
(1) All revenue and expenses arise from continuing operations.
SERABI GOLD PLC
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at | As at | As at | |||
30 June | 30 June | 31 December | |||
2017 | 2016 | 2016 | |||
(expressed in US$) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||
Non-current assets | |||||
Deferred exploration costs | 9,868,205 | 9,550,074 | 9,990,789 | ||
Property, plant and equipment | 43,557,012 | 46,927,210 | 45,396,140 | ||
Deferred taxation | 3,133,428 | - | 3,253,630 | ||
Total non-current assets | 56,558,645 | 56,477,284 | 58,640,559 | ||
Current assets | |||||
Inventories | 6,844,757 | 9,520,851 | 8,110,373 | ||
Trade and other receivables | 2,865,877 | 7,783,763 | 1,233,049 | ||
Prepayments and accrued income | 5,166,612 | 4,348,014 | 3,696,550 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 3,832,218 | 4,774,537 | 4,160,923 | ||
Total current assets | 18,709,464 | 26,427,165 | 17,200,895 | ||
Current liabilities | |||||
Trade and other payables | 5,330,772 | 6,480,142 | 4,722,139 | ||
Interest bearing loan | 1,371,489 | 2,516,667 | 1,371,489 | ||
Convertible loan facility | - | 1,892,624 | - | ||
Trade and asset finance facilities | 1,338,475 | 7,608,526 | 1,592,568 | ||
Derivative financial liabilities | 650,000 | 1,577,832 | - | ||
Accruals | 512,649 | 443,601 | 635,446 | ||
Total current liabilities | 9,203,385 | 20,519,392 | 8,321,642 | ||
Net current assets | 9,506,079 | 5,907,773 | 8,879,253 | ||
Total assets less current liabilities | 66,064,724 | 62,385,057 | 67,519,812 | ||
Non-current liabilities | |||||
Trade and other payables | 2,133,294 | 2,298,786 | 2,211,078 | ||
Provisions | 1,824,472 | 2,309,908 | 1,851,963 | ||
Interest bearing liabilities | 212,328 | 208,212 | 77,798 | ||
Total non-current liabilities | 4,170,094 | 4,816,906 | 4,140,839 | ||
Net assets | 61,894,630 | 57,568,151 | 63,378,973 | ||
Equity | |||||
Share capital | 5,540,960 | 5,263,182 | 5,540,960 | ||
Share premium reserve | 1,722,222 | - | 1,722,222 | ||
Option reserve | 1,332,578 | 1,136,509 | 1,338,652 | ||
Other reserves | 3,404,624 | 361,461 | 3,051,862 | ||
Translation reserve | (31,264,543) | (29,596,967) | (30,607,848) | ||
Retained earnings | 81,158,789 | 80,403,966 | 82,333,125 | ||
Equity shareholders' funds | 61,894,630 | 57,568,151 | 63,378,973 |
The interim financial information has not been audited and does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Whilst the financial information included in this announcement has been compiled in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") this announcement itself does not contain sufficient financial information to comply with IFRS. The Group statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2016 prepared under IFRS as adopted in the EU and with IFRS and their interpretations adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board will be filed with the Registrar of Companies following their adoption by shareholders at the next Annual General Meeting. The auditor's report on these accounts was unqualified but did contain an Emphasis of Matter with respect to the Company and the Group regarding Going Concern. The auditor's report did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or 498 (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
SERABI GOLD PLC
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
(expressed in US$) | Share | Share | Share option | Other | Translation | Accumulated | |
capital | premium | reserve | reserves (1) | reserve | loss | Total equity | |
Equity shareholders' funds at 31 December 2015 (audited) | 5,263,182 | - | 2,747,415 | 450,262 | (39,226,535) | 77,549,321 | 46,783,645 |
Foreign currency adjustments | - | - | - | - | 9,629,568 | - | 9,629,568 |
Profit for the period | - | - | - | - | - | 1,006,182 | 1,006,182 |
Total comprehensive income for the period | - | - | - | - | 9,629,568 | 1,006,182 | 10,635,750 |
Warrants lapsed | - | - | - | (88,801) | - | 88,801 | - |
Share options lapsed in period | - | - | (1,759,662) | - | - | 1,759,662 | - |
Share option expense | - | - | 148,756 | - | - | - | 148,756 |
Equity shareholders' funds at 30 June 2016 (unaudited) | 5,263,182 | - | 1,136,509 | 361,461 | (29,596,967) | 80,403,966 | 57,568,151 |
Foreign currency adjustments | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Loss for the period | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Total comprehensive income for the period | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Transfer to taxation reserve | - | - | - | 2,690,401 | - | (2,690,401) | - |
Shares Issued in period | 277,778 | 1,722,222 | - | - | - | - | 2,000,000 |
Release of fair value provision on convertible loan | - | - | - | - | - | 1,195,450 | 1,195,450 |
Share option expense | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Equity shareholders' funds at 31 December 2016 (audited) | 5,540,960 | 1,722,222 | 1,338,652 | 3,051,862 | (30,607,848) | 82,333,125 | 63,378,973 |
Foreign currency adjustments | - | - | - | - | (656,695) | - | (656,695) |
Loss for the period | - | - | - | - | - | (1,005,680) | (1,005,680) |
Total comprehensive income for the period | - | - | - | - | (656,695) | (1,005,680) | (1,662,375) |
Transfer to taxation reserve | - | - | - | 352,762 | - | (352,762) | - |
Share options lapsed in period | - | - | (184,106) | - | - | 184,106 | - |
Share option expense | - | - | 178,032 | - | - | - | 178,032 |
Equity shareholders' funds at 30 June 2017 (unaudited) | 5,540,960 | 1,722,222 | 1,332,578 | 3,404,624 | (31,264,543) | 81,158,789 | 61,894,630 |
SERABI GOLD PLC
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statements
For the three months ended 30 June | For the six months ended 30 June | |||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||
(expressed in US$) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | ||
Operating activities | ||||||
Operating (loss)/profit | (891,637) | (341,483) | (1,005,680) | 1,006,182 | ||
Depreciation - plant, equipment and mining properties | 2,710,157 | 2,428,213 | 4,610,861 | 3,644,940 | ||
Net financial expense | 201,395 | 1,406,273 | 188,341 | 2,425,077 | ||
Provision for impairment of inventory | - | - | 220,000 | - | ||
Provision for Taxation | 97,461 | 402,407 | 178,013 | 556,046 | ||
Share-based payments | 112,412 | 25,639 | 178,032 | 148,756 | ||
Foreign exchange (loss) / gain | (84,778) | (302,227) | 40,560 | 169,676 | ||
Changes in working capital | ||||||
(Increase)/decrease in inventories | (483,319) | 1,189,635 | 987,364 | (780,741) | ||
(Increase) in receivables, prepayments and accrued income | (333,475) | (2,073,657) | (2,577,285) | (2,764,970) | ||
Increase/(decrease) in payables, accruals and provisions | 894,832 | (22,698) | 3,589 | 1,479,848 | ||
Net cash inflow from operations | 2,223,048 | 2,712,102 | 2,823,795 | 5,884,814 | ||
Investing activities | ||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and projects in construction | (815,924) | (1,463,710) | (1,083,839) | (2,127,671) | ||
Mine development expenditures | (877,530) | (729,010) | (1,964,320) | (1,249,151) | ||
Exploration and other development expenditure | 21 | - | (2,500) | - | ||
Proceeds from sale of assets | 115,975 | 24,401 | 115,975 | 26,969 | ||
Interest received | 35 | 34 | 69 | 69 | ||
Net cash outflow on investing activities | (1,577,423) | (2,168,285) | (2,934,615) | (3,349,784) | ||
Financing activities | ||||||
Repayment of short-term secured loan | - | (1,333,333) | - | (1,333,333) | ||
Draw-down of short-term convertible loan facility | - | - | - | 2,000,000 | ||
Receipts from short-term trade finance | - | 6,750,809 | - | 11,901,098 | ||
Repayment of short-term trade finance | - | (5,194,131) | - | (11,509,875) | ||
Payment of finance lease liabilities | (132,164) | (169,793) | (132,164) | (381,521) | ||
Interest paid and other finance costs | (55,807) | (272,937) | (67,455) | (498,332) | ||
Net cash (outflow)/ inflow from financing activities | (187,971) | (219,385) | (199,619) | 178,037 | ||
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 457,654 | 324,432 | (310,439) | 2,713,068 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 3,407,117 | 4,410,589 | 4,160,923 | 2,191,759 | ||
Exchange difference on cash | (32,553) | 39,516 | (18,266) | (130,289) | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 3,832,218 | 4,774,537 | 3,832,218 | 4,774,537 |
Notes
1. General Information
The financial information set out above does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Whilst the financial information included in this announcement has been compiled in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") this announcement itself does not contain sufficient financial information to comply with IFRS. A copy of the statutory accounts for 2016 has been filed with the Registrar of Companies following their adoption by shareholders at the last Annual General Meeting. The full audited financial statements, for the year end 31 December 2016, do comply with IFRS.
2. Basis of Preparation
These interim condensed consolidated financial statements are for the three and six month periods ended 30 June 2017. Comparative information has been provided for the unaudited three and six month periods ended 30 June 2016 and, where applicable, the audited twelve month period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the disclosures that would otherwise be required in a complete set of financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the 2016 annual report.
The condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" and the accounting policies are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 and those envisaged for the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2017. The Group has not adopted any standards or interpretation in advance of the required implementation dates. It is not anticipated that the adoption in the future of the new or revised standards or interpretations that have been issued by the International Accounting Standards Board will have a material impact on the Group's earnings or shareholders' funds.
These financial statements do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.
On 1 February 2016, the Group announced that, with effect from 1 January 2016, the Sao Chico Mine had achieved Commercial Production. The Palito Mine has been in Commercial Production since 1 July 2014.
The Directors anticipate the Group now has access to sufficient funding for its immediate projected needs. The Group expects to have sufficient cash flow from its forecast production to finance its on-going operational requirements, to repay its secured loan facilities and to, at least in part, fund exploration and development activity on its other gold properties. The secured loan facility was repayable by 31 August 2017 and at 31 June 2017, the amount outstanding under this facility was US$1.37 million (31 December 2016: US$1.37 million). On 30 June the Group completed a re-negotiation of an increased secured loan facility of US$5 million (including the existing loan to US$1.37 million). The new facility is repayable by 31 December 2019 and the incremental funds were received by the Company on 5 July 2017.
The Directors consider that the Group's operations are performing at the levels that they anticipate, but the Group remains a small scale gold producer with limited cash resources to support any unplanned interruption or reduction in gold production, unforeseen reductions in the gold price, or appreciation of the Brazilian currency, all of which could adversely affect the level of free cash flow that the Group can generate on a monthly basis. In the event that the Group is unable to generate sufficient free cash flow to meet its financial obligations as they fall due, or to allow it to finance exploration and development activity on its other gold properties, additional sources of finance may be required. Should additional working capital be required the Directors consider that further sources of finance could be secured within the required timescale.
On this basis, the Directors have therefore concluded that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. However, there is no certainty that such additional funds either for working capital or for future development will be forthcoming and 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 condensed consolidated financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group was unable to continue as a going concern.
(ii) Use of estimates and judgements
There have been no material revisions to the nature and amount of changes in estimates of amounts reported in the 2016 annual financial statements.
(iii) Impairment
At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its property, plant and equipment and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered impairment. Prior to carrying out of impairment reviews, the significant cash generating units are assessed to determine whether they should be reviewed under the requirements of IFRS 6 - Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources or IAS 36 - Impairment of Assets. Such determination is by reference to the stage of development of the project and the level of reliability and surety of information used in calculating value in use or fair value less costs to sell. Impairment reviews performed under IFRS 6 are carried out on a project by project basis, with each project representing a potential single cash generating unit. An impairment review is undertaken when indicators of impairment arise; typically when one of the following circumstances applies:
(i) sufficient data exists that render the resource uneconomic and unlikely to be developed
(ii) title to the asset is compromised
(iii) budgeted or planned expenditure is not expected in the foreseeable future
(iv) insufficient discovery of commercially viable resources leading to the discontinuation of activities
Impairment reviews performed under IAS 36 are carried out when there is an indication that the carrying value may be impaired. Such key indicators (though not exhaustive) to the industry include:
(i) a significant deterioration in the spot price of gold
(ii) a significant increase in production costs
(iii) a significant revision to, and reduction in, the life of mine plan
If any indication of impairment exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated, being the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. Such impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss for the year.
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss for the year.
3. Earnings per share
3 months ended 30 June 2017 US$ (unaudited) | 3 months ended 30 June 2016 US$ (unaudited) | 6 months ended 30 June 2017 US$ (unaudited) | 6 months ended 30 June 2016 US$ (unaudited) | |
(Loss)/profit attributable to ordinary shareholders (US$) | (891,637) | (341,483) | (1,005,680) | 1,006,182 |
Weighted average ordinary shares in issue | 698,701,772 | 656,389,204 | 698,701,772 | 656,389,204 |
Basic (loss)/profit per share (US cents) | (0.13) | (0.05) | (0.14) | 0.15 |
Diluted ordinary shares in issue(1) | 698,701,772 | 656,389,204 | 698,701,772 | 706,299,204 |
Diluted (loss)/profit per share (US cents) | (0.13)(2) | (0.05)(2) | (0.14)(2) | 0.14 |
4. Post balance sheet events
On 30 June 2017 the Company entered into a new secured loan agreement with Sprott Resource Lending Partnership for US$5.0 million (to include the amount of US$1.37 million outstanding as at that date), repayable on or before 31 December 2019. Whilst the documentation was signed on 30 June 2017, the additional funds were not send or received until 5 July 2017 and accordingly no liability for the increased level of the loan was recognized in these financial statements.
Other than as set out above between the end of the financial period and the date of this management discussion and analysis, there has been no item, transaction or event of a material or unusual nature likely, in the opinion of the Directors of the Group, to affect significantly the continuing operations of the entity, the results of these operations, or the state of affairs of the entity in future financial periods.
Enquiries:
Serabi Gold plc | |
Michael Hodgson | Tel: +44 (0)20 7246 6830 |
Chief Executive | Mobile: +44 (0)7799 473621 |
Clive Line | Tel: +44 (0)20 7246 6830 |
Finance Director | Mobile: +44 (0)7710 151692 |
Email: contact@serabigold.com | |
Website: www.serabigold.com | |
Beaumont Cornish Limited Nominated Adviser and Financial Adviser | |
Roland Cornish | Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 3396 |
Michael Cornish | Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 3396 |
Peel Hunt LLP UK Broker | |
Matthew Armitt | Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 9000 |
Ross Allister | Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 9000 |
Blytheweigh Public Relations | |
Tim Blythe | Tel: +44 (0)20 7138 3204 |
Camilla Horsfall | Tel: +44 (0)20 7138 3224 |
Copies of this announcement are available from the Company's website at www.serabigold.com.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any other securities regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved of the contents of this announcement.
The Company will, in compliance with Canadian regulatory requirements, post the Unaudited Interim Financial Statements and the Management Discussion and Analysis for the three month period ended 31 March 2017 on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These documents will also available from the Company's website - www.serabigold.com.
Serabi's Directors Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 together the Chairman's Statement and the Management Discussion and Analysis, are available from the Company's website - www.serabigold.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
This announcement is inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation 596/2014.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following is a glossary of technical terms:
"Au" means gold.
"assay" in economic geology, means to analyse the proportions of metal in a rock or overburden sample; to test an ore or mineral for composition, purity, weight or other properties of commercial interest.
"development" - excavations used to establish access to the mineralised rock and other workings.
"doré - a semi-pure alloy of gold silver and other metals produced by the smelting process at a mine that will be subject to further refining.
"DNPM" is the Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral.
"grade" is the concentration of mineral within the host rock typically quoted as grams per tonne (g/t), parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb).
"g/t" means grams per tonne.
"granodiorite" is an igneous intrusive rock similar to granite.
"igneous" is a rock that has solidified from molten material or magma.
"Intrusive" is a body of igneous rock that invades older rocks.
"on-lode development" - Development that is undertaken in and following the direction of the Vein.
"mRL" - depth in metres measured relative to a fixed point - in the case of Palito and Sao Chico this is sea-level. The mine entrance at Palito is at 250mRL.
"saprolite" is a weathered or decomposed clay-rich rock.
"stoping blocks" - a discrete area of mineralised rock established for planning and scheduling purposes that will be mined using one of the various stoping methods.
"Vein" is a generic term to describe an occurrence of mineralised rock within an area of non-mineralised rock.
Qualified Persons Statement
The scientific and technical information contained within this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Michael Hodgson, a Director of the Company. Mr Hodgson is an Economic Geologist by training with over 26 years' experience in the mining industry. He holds a BSc (Hons) Geology, University of London, a MSc Mining Geology, University of Leicester and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and a Chartered Engineer of the Engineering Council of UK, recognising him as both a Qualified Person for the purposes of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and by the AIM Guidance Note on Mining and Oil & Gas Companies dated June 2009.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ''believe'', ''could'', "should" ''envisage'', ''estimate'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''plan'', ''will'' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward looking statements.
ENDS