Proposed Placing and Interim Results

RNS Number : 2511J
Tower Resources PLC
08 September 2016
 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A BREACH OF THE RELEVANT SECURITIES LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or offering memorandum or an offer in respect of any securities and is not intended to provide the basis for any decision in respect of Tower Resources plc or other evaluation of any securities of Tower Resources plc or any other entity and should not be considered as a recommendation that any investor should subscribe for or purchase any such securities.

 

8 September 2016

 

Tower Resources plc

Proposed Placing for up to £1.03 million

Intended Open Offer for up to £0.56 million 

Operational Update and Interim Results to 30 June 2016

 

Tower Resources plc (the "Company" or "Tower" (TRP.L, TRP LN)), the AIM listed Africa focussed oil and gas exploration company announces today its intention to raise gross proceeds of approximately £1.03 million (US$1.35 million), through a non-brokered subscription for approximately 45.9 million new Ordinary Shares (the "Placing Shares") at a placing price of 2.25 pence per Ordinary share (the "Placing Price") (the "Placing").

In addition, in order to provide shareholders the opportunity to subscribe for Ordinary Shares at the Placing Price, the Company intends to make an Open Offer to all qualifying UK shareholders shortly following Admission to raise up to £0.56 million (US$0.73 million) (the "Open Offer") at the Placing Price. The Placing is not conditional upon the Open Offer. The Open Offer will be subject to shareholder approval. A circular concerning the Open Offer and Notice of EGM will shortly be sent to Shareholders and will also be made available on the Company's website www.towerresources.co.uk.

It is expected that Admission of the Placing Shares will become effective and that dealings will commence in the Placing Shares by 8.00 a.m. on 13 September 2016.

The Company also announces its interim results for the period to 30 June 2016 and provides an operational update.

 

Jeremey Asher, Chairman of Tower Resources, said:

"Market conditions for exploration companies continue to be difficult, however Tower is fortunate in having generally low forward licence commitments and we are focusing the major part of our activity on our 100% owned Thali licence in Cameroon. This licence offers genuinely low risk and near-term appraisal and development opportunities.

We are proceeding with the farm-out of Thali as planned and we now have interest from several parties. We are hoping to bring those discussions to a conclusion quickly. Our objective is naturally to achieve the best value, and we believe that this is likely to come from obtaining the maximum possible level of forward funding for the licence, including for the seismic programme planned to be acquired in early-mid 2017, with the best strategic partner.

We have reduced our cost base further and will continue to do so, but we still require a modest amount of further working capital to extend cash reserves into the first quarter of 2017 as we proceed through the farmout process. We anticipate the support of the majority of our long-standing core shareholders in the proposed Placing, but we know that sentiment in the market for funding exploration remains poor and therefore the proposed Placing must be competitively priced in order to be attractive to as many of our shareholders as possible. So we are proposing a heavily discounted placing to investors including some of our major shareholders and Directors, and inviting the rest of our UK shareholders to take up shares at the same price, if they wish, via a planned Open Offer."

 

Contacts

Tower Resources plc

Jeremy Asher (Chairman)

Graeme Thomson (CEO)
Andrew Matharu (VP - Corporate Affairs)
+44 20 7253 6639

 

Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser and Broker)

Richard Crichton/Ross Allister
+44 20 7418 8900

Vigo Communications

Chris McMahon/Richard De Pencier
+44 20 7830 9700

 

Notes

In accordance with the guidelines for the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, Nigel Quinton, BA, MA, FGS, Director of Exploration for Tower Resources plc, who has over 30 years' experience in the oil & gas industry, is the qualified person that has reviewed and approved the technical content of this announcement and assessment of the Company's estimate of its resource potential.

Regulatory

 

The Market Abuse Regulation EU 596/2014 ("MAR") became effective from 3 July 2016. Market soundings, as defined in MAR, were taken in respect of the Placing with the result that certain persons became aware of inside information, as permitted by MAR. That inside information is set out in this announcement and has been disclosed as soon as possible in accordance with paragraph 7 of article 17 of MAR. Therefore, those persons that received inside information in a market sounding are no longer in possession of inside information relating to the Company and its securities.

 

Note regarding forward-looking statements:

 

 

DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED PLACING AND INTENDED OPEN OFFER

 

The Company proposes to place 45,919,084 new Ordinary Shares (the "Placing Shares") with certain investors including some of our shareholders and Directors at the Placing Price to raise gross proceeds of approximately £1.03 million (US$1.35 million). The Placing Price represents a discount of approximately 59 per cent. to the closing mid-market price of 5.50 pence per Ordinary Share on 7 September 2016 being the last dealing day immediately prior to the release of this announcement.

Approximately £0.6 million of the Placing Shares will be placed by the Company by way of a cash box placing in order to shorten the timetable for receipt of funds and increase the certainty for the Company and the placees. This structure permits the Company to issue Placing Shares free from pre-emption rights and has the advantage of allowing the Company to secure financing without the added time, expense and uncertainty of convening a general meeting for shareholder approval.  The Company will allot and issue the Placing Shares to the relevant placees in consideration for them transferring their holdings of redeemable preference shares in Tower Resources (UK) Limited to the Company. Accordingly, instead of receiving cash as consideration for the issue of the relevant Placing Shares, at the conclusion of the Placing, the Company will own the entire issued share capital of Tower Resources (UK) Limited whose only asset will be its cash reserves in an amount approximately equal to £0.6 million. 

The Placing Shares will total approximately 45.9 million new Ordinary Shares and represent 60.6% of the enlarged share capital of the Company.  

The Placing Shares, when issued, will rank pari passu in all respects with the Existing Issued Ordinary Share Capital. 

The Board is grateful for the continued support received from Shareholders and has therefore decided to offer all Shareholders the opportunity to participate in a further issue of new equity in the Company by making an Open Offer to all UK Shareholders at the Placing Price. The Board proposes to raise up to £0.56 million (US$0.73 million) through the Open Offer.

Further details of the Open Offer including the Excess Application Facility will be set out in a circular and a notice of EGM to seek shareholder approval for the Open Offer, which will be sent to shareholders in due course.

 

BACKGROUND TO AND REASONS FOR THE PLACING AND OPEN OFFER

Tower continues to seek a partner for the Thali licence ("Thali"), offshore Cameroon, to fund the costs of a 3D seismic programme in early-mid 2017 and to provide additional technical input. The Company has undertaken a formal farm-out process in order to identify suitable potential industry partners and is in discussions with several counterparties who could meet our criteria as potential joint-venture partners both on Thali and possibly more widely within Cameroon, although this process is taking longer than originally anticipated due to industry conditions.

The proceeds of the proposed Placing and intended Open Offer will be used, primarily, to provide the working capital to progress the farm-out of Thali and secure a suitable partner and for other corporate uses.

   

OPERATIONAL UPDATE

Tower's strategy of shifting its portfolio towards lower risk assets in proven and emerging basins is presently focused on the Company's Thali licence (Tower: 100%, Operated) which already has  existing discoveries. It is located in the shallow water Rio de Rey basin, a proven producing sub-basin of the petroliferous Niger Delta, offshore Cameroon. The Thali PSC covers an area of 119.2 km2, with water depths ranging from 8 to 48 metres. The Rio del Rey basin has, to date, produced over one billion barrels of oil and has estimated remaining recoverable reserves of 1.2 billion boe (Source: Wood Mackenzie), primarily within water depths of less than 50 metres.

 

 

 

CAMEROON

Tower's entry into Cameroon commenced on 15 September 2015 after signing the Thali PSC with the Government of Cameroon.  Tower has a 100% interest in the Thali block which already has discoveries that are estimated to contain 15mmbbls of recoverable oil. Tower is currently in the Initial 3 year Exploration Period of the PSC. 

With existing discoveries on the block, near-term shallow appraisal opportunities and deeper exploration potential, Thali provides a cornerstone asset with low-risk, yet high potential. Tower believes that the Thali Block could offer four hydrocarbon play systems, including the proven one in which three discovery wells have already been drilled on the block.  The other play systems are all successfully commercialised within the Gulf of Guinea, and in analogous petroleum systems, such as the Gulf of Mexico.  The next key step to unlocking the block's potential is the acquisition of modern 3D seismic to significantly improve subsurface imaging and resolution, as the existing seismic data is 25 years old.  Once improved quality seismic data has been obtained Tower sees both the potential to add incremental oil reserves to existing discoveries to achieve commerciality, plus significant exploration prospectivity in the other plays, which are in shallow water and most with target depths no greater than 2,500 metres, in both structural and stratigraphic traps.

A small in-country office staffed with local professionals has been established in Douala and is currently preparing for an operational campaign to acquire a minimum of 100km2 of 3D seismic.  To this end Tower has completed the lengthy ESIA (Environmental and Social Impact Assessment) and successfully applied for and has recently been granted a Certificate of Environmental Conformity (CEC) by the Cameroon Ministry of Environment permitting the acquisition of seismic over the Thali Block.  Tower is engaging with seismic contractors and survey design modelling has been conducted to optimise acquisition parameters to ensure a high quality seismic volume is acquired for processing and interpretation.

Current depressed market conditions have had brought a benefit in the form of lower costs and competitive financing terms in the seismic and drilling sector. Tower is seeking a partner to cover these costs and the timing of operations will reflect these factors.

 

SOUTH AFRICA

In September 2015, approval was received to enter the First Renewal Period of the Algoa-Gamtoos Exploration Right (Tower 50%, New Age 50% - Operator), offshore South Africa, which will run for two years until at least September 2017. At present, uncertainty about the new Mining legislation and its impact on the oil exploration sector in South Africa has reduced industry activity to minor levels; it is hoped that this process will be brought to a conclusion in the next few months and provide greater certainty for investors.

The Algoa-Gamtoos licence includes three basins, the Algoa, Gamtoos and deep water Outeniqua basins. Leads have been defined on 2D and 3D seismic data across the basins and the Joint Venture 2016 work programme has developed some positive exploration play types from the merged seismic volumes. The prospectivity evaluation is in progress and due to be completed before the end of 2016.  Tower will seek a partner for the next programme of operational activity. 

On 16 February 2016 Tower announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Rift Petroleum Limited (50% interest) and its partner, New African Global Energy SA (Pty) Ltd ("New Age", 50% interest, operator), agreed not to proceed with an application to convert the deep-water frontier SW Orange Basin Technical Co-operation Permit (TCP) into an exploration right. Consequently, New Age reimbursed Rift the sum of US$500,000, which was paid by Rift as part of its original farm-in agreement in 2013, which was also terminated.

Tower's exit from this high cost deep-water frontier basin is consistent with its move towards a more balanced portfolio of proven and emerging basins and enables the Company to focus its efforts in South Africa on the Algoa-Gamtoos Exploration Right, which offers greater near-term potential.

 

ZAMBIA

Tower is the Operator of Blocks 40 and 41 with a 100% interest. The blocks are located within the frontier mid-Zambesi basin, onshore Zambia, where virtually no oil & gas exploration activity has been conducted, no modern seismic exists over the blocks and no wells have been drilled. In fact, only two petroleum wells have been drilled in the entire country.

Despite the lack of prior exploration, the results of the fieldwork Tower has conducted in 2014 and 2015 have indicated that all elements for a working petroleum system are present: the presence of source rock, reservoir and seal is now established. These geological studies have met all of Tower's commitments to date.

Future work commitments over the next two years potentially include airborne gravity/magnetic data acquisition and interpretation, and a 2D seismic programme. The licences can be relinquished at the end of each licence year if results are discouraging, so commitments are low and proportionate to prospectivity.

The Government of Zambia is currently working towards a new petroleum code which will further define the fiscal regime and give new entrants to the Zambian oil & gas sector greater clarity with respect to the investments they make in the country. Tower will engage with the appropriate government ministries once a new cabinet is formed and parliament re-called following nationwide elections held recently.

Tower will actively seek a partner for Blocks 40 and 41 so it is carried into the more expensive parts of the work programme and to re-coup an appropriate part of its investment.   

 

WESTERN SAHARA (SADR)

SADR is the territory known as Western Sahara, and has been occupied by Morocco since 1975. The sovereignty of the territory remains in dispute, despite being recognised by the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory and by the African Union. 

Tower holds a 50% interest in the offshore Guelta and Imlili blocks and the onshore Bojador block in the SADR which are operated by Hague and London Oil plc ("HALO", 50%). There are no remaining work commitments on the licences.

 

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 2016

During the six months to 30 June 2016, the Group capitalised exploration and evaluation costs totalling US$1.2 million, US$1.1 million of which related to the Thali PSC in Cameroon. 

The loss for the period was US$1.9 million (H1 2015: loss US$5.4 million) as detailed in the Interim Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.  The loss in H1 2015 included impairments totalling US$2.8 million. The consolidated financial statements for the Interim Results for the six months to 30 June 2016 are set out in Appendix I in this announcement.

Included within trade and other receivables is US$1 million (£747k) of VAT due to the Company from HMRC. As noted in the 2015 Annual Report, HMRC has withheld VAT repayments pending the completion of an ongoing review. It remains the firm opinion of the Company that it has and continues to meet the relevant VAT criteria, has complied with all relevant VAT legislation and has submitted valid reclaims in accordance with existing VAT legislation. Full details are included in note 5.

 

CONTRACTUAL ISSUE OF EQUITY

A total of 860,483 New Ordinary Shares have today been issued to P.D.F Limited ("P.D.F"), the Company's Outsourced Exploration Department (OExD®), a company owned by Dr. Mark Enfield, Managing Director, in part payment for services for the period covering 1 October 2015 to 30 June 2016. P.D.F now holds a total of 1,588,688 Ordinary Shares, including 69,401 Ordinary Shares in Tower owned by Dr. Mark Enfield.

 

P.D.F Shareholding prior to issue

Q4 2015 Shares Issued at 26.8500p

Q1 2016 Shares Issued at 20.1635p

Q2 2016 Shares Issued at 9.6750p

P.D.F Shareholding after issue

728,205

176,798

272,550

411,135

1,588,688

 

In addition, and pursuant to contractual arrangements, Tower intends to issue an additional tranche of 1,795,382 New Ordinary Shares to its Directors and a former Director as part payment for services covering the period 1 October 2015 to 30 June 2016 and to certain Directors in lieu of fees.

Application has been made to the London Stock Exchange for the contractual issue of New Ordinary Shares to P.D.F. to be admitted to trading on AIM. The shares will rank pari passu in all respects with the Company's existing Ordinary Shares. It is expected that the admission will become effective and that trading in the New Ordinary Shares will commence at 8.00 a.m. on or around 13 September 2016.

 

SHARE CAPITAL REORGANISATION

At the Company's AGM, held on 6 April 2016, shareholder approval was sought and resolutions passed for the consolidation and sub-division of the Company's share capital. Following the passing of the Share Capital Reorganisation resolutions, every 250 existing ordinary shares of 0.1p each were consolidated into one new ordinary share of 1.0 pence each, being 27,228,472 Ordinary Shares.  All existing options and warrants were also consolidated on the same 250-to-1 basis.

 

DIRECTORATE CHANGE

Mr Peter Blakey, Non-Executive Director, retired from the Board following the AGM held in April 2016. Mr Blakey, aged 75, was a founding Director of Tower in 2005 and has been influential in the start-up and development of a number of successful publicly listed and private companies in the oil & gas sector. 

 

 IMPORTANT NOTICE

This announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase, or otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell, otherwise dispose of or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to sell, otherwise dispose of, issue, purchase, otherwise acquire or subscribe for, any security in the capital of the Company in any jurisdiction.

The information contained in this announcement is not to be released, published, distributed or transmitted by any means or media, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States or to any US Person. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States or to any US Person. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent: (i) registration under the Securities Act; or (ii) an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act. The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act and will not be offered to the public in the United States.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to buy or to subscribe for, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for, Ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company or any other security in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The securities mentioned herein have not been, and the Ordinary Shares will not be, qualified for sale under the laws of any of Canada, Australia, the Republic of South Africa or Japan and may not be offered or sold in Canada, Australia, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or to any national, resident or citizen of Canada, Australia, the Republic of South Africa or Japan. Neither this announcement nor any copy of it may be sent to or taken into the United States, Canada, Australia, the Republic of South Africa or Japan. In addition, the securities to which this announcement relates must not be marketed into any jurisdiction where to do so would be unlawful.

This announcement has been issued by and is the sole responsibility of the Company.

Peel Hunt LLP is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and is advising the Company and no one else in connection with the Placing (whether or not a recipient of this announcement). Peel Hunt will not be responsible to any person other than the Company for providing the regulatory and legal protections afforded to customers of Peel Hunt nor for providing advice in relation to the contents of this announcement or any matter, transaction or arrangement referred to in it. The responsibilities of Peel Hunt, as nominated adviser under the AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to London Stock Exchange and are not owed to the Company or to any Director or Shareholder or to any other person in respect of their decision to acquire Ordinary Shares in reliance on any part of this announcement.

 

 

 

APPENDIX I:

 

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

 

Six months ended
30 June 2016
(unaudited)

 

Six months ended
30 June 2015
(unaudited)

 

Note

$

 

$

Revenue

 

-

 

-

Cost of sales

 

-

 

-

Gross profit

 

-

 

-

Other administrative expenses

 

(1,527,268)

 

(1,047,275)

Pre-licence expenditures

 

(457,476)

 

(1,511,445)

Reversal / impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

4

85,044

 

(2,841,308)

Total administrative expenses

 

(1,899,700)

 

(5,400,028)

Group operating loss

 

(1,899,700)

 

(5,400,028)

Finance income

 

175

 

1,436

Finance expense

 

(3,348)

 

(5,781)

Loss for the year before taxation

 

(1,902,873)

 

(5,404,373)

Taxation

 

-

 

-

Loss for the year after taxation

 

(1,902,873)

 

(5,404,373)

Other comprehensive income

 

-

 

-

Total comprehensive expense for the period

 

(1,902,873)

 

(5,404,373)

 

 

 

 

 

Basic loss per share (USc) as restated

3

(6.99c)

 

(35.42c)

Diluted loss per share (USc) as restated

3

(6.99c)

 

(35.42c)

 

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

 

30 June 2016
(unaudited)

31 December 2015
(audited)

 

Note

$

$

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

63,977

72,226

Exploration and evaluation assets

4

38,285,902

36,982,467

 

 

38,349,879

37,054,693

Current assets

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

5

2,220,778

2,202,055

Cash and cash equivalents

 

756,922

3,494,083

 

 

2,977,700

5,696,138

Total assets

 

41,327,579

42,750,831

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

6

1,912,916

1,576,165

Total liabilities

 

1,912,916

1,576,165

Net assets

 

39,414,663

41,174,666

Equity

 

 

 

Share capital

7

11,024,090

11,024,090

Share premium

 

141,289,445

141,289,445

Retained losses

 

(112,898,872)

(111,138,869)

Total shareholders' equity

 

39,414,663

41,174,666

 

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

Share
capital

Share
premium

1 Share-based
payments
reserve

Retained
losses

Total

 

$

$

$

$

$

At 1 January 2015

6,346,538

137,554,592

3,576,682

(107,273,954)

40,203,858

Shares issued for cash net of costs

5,516

15,500

-

-

21,016

Shares issued on settlement of third party fees

32,497

132,986

-

-

165,483

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

1,013,976

(5,404,373)

(4,390,397)

At 30 June 2015

6,384,551

137,703,078

4,590,658

(112,678,327)

35,999,960

Shares issued for cash net of costs

4,540,321

3,498,322

-

-

8,038,643

Shares issued on settlement of third party fees

99,218

88,045

-

-

187,263

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

1,336,596

(4,387,796)

(3,051,200)

At 31 December 2015

11,024,090

141,289,445

5,927,254

(117,066,123)

41,174,666

Shares issued for cash net of costs

-

-

-

-

-

Shares issued on settlement of third party fees

-

-

-

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

142,870

(1,902,873)

(1,760,003)

At 30 June 2016

11,024,090

141,289,445

6,070,124

(118,968,996)

39,414,663

1 The share-based payment reserve has been included within the retained loss reserve and is a non-distributable reserve.

 

 

 

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

Six months
ended 30 June
2016 (unaudited)

Six months
ended 30 June
2015 (unaudited)

 

Note

$

$

Cash outflow from operating activities

 

 

 

Group operating loss for the period

 

(1,899,700)

(5,400,028)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

 

8,505

826

Share-based payments

8

142,870

1,013,976

(Reversal) / impairment of intangible exploration and evaluation assets

4

(85,044)

2,841,308

Operating cash flow before changes in working capital

 

(1,833,369)

(1,543,918)

Increase in receivables and prepayments

 

(18,723)

(309,352)

Increase / (decrease) in trade and other payables

336,751

(1,201,537)

Cash used in operations

 

(1,515,341)

(3,054,807)

Interest received

 

175

1,436

Cash used in operating activities

 

(1,515,166)

(3,053,371)

Investing activities

 

 

 

Exploration and evaluation costs

4

(1,218,391)

(3,671,646)

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

(256)

(4,241)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(1,218,647)

(3,675,887)

Financing activities

 

 

 

Cash proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital net of issue costs

7

-

21,016

Finance costs

 

(3,348)

(5,781)

Net cash (used in) /  from financing activities

 

(3,348)

15,235

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(2,737,161)

(6,714,023)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

3,494,083

7,941,833

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

756,922

1,227,810

               

 

NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

1.            Accounting policies

a)         Basis of preparation

This interim financial report, which includes a condensed set of financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings ("the Group"), has been prepared using the historical cost convention and based on International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") including IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' and IFRS 6 'Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Reserves', as adopted by the European Union ("EU").

The condensed set of financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2016 is unaudited and does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. They have been prepared using accounting bases and policies consistent with those used in the preparation of the audited financial statements of the Company and the Group for the year ended 31 December 2015 and those to be used for the year ending 31 December 2016. The comparative figures for the half year ended 30 June 2015 are unaudited. The comparative figures for the year ended 31 December 2015 are not the Company's full statutory accounts but have been extracted from the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015 which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and the auditors' report thereon was unqualified and did not contain a statement under sections 498 (2) and 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

This half-yearly financial report was approved by the Board of Directors on 7 September 2016.

b)        Going concern

The Group's business activities, future development, financial performance and position are discussed in the Overview and Operational Update.

At 30 June 2016 the Group had cash balances of $757k. The operations of the Group are currently being financed by funds raised from private and public placings of shares and the Directors recognise that the Group will need to raise additional finance within the next few months sufficient to meet its committed capital expenditure programme for at least the next 12 months and are confident of the Company's ability to do so within this timeframe. As a consequence, the Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks and have a reasonable expectation of it continuing in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Directors therefore continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the interim report and accounts.

2.            Operating segments

The Group has two reportable operating segments: Africa and Head Office. Non-current assets and operating liabilities are located in Africa, whilst the majority of current assets are carried at Head Office. The Group has not yet commenced production and therefore has no revenue. Each reportable segment adopts the same accounting policies. In compliance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' the following table reconciles the operational loss and the assets and liabilities of each reportable segment with the consolidated figures presented in these Financial Statements, together with comparative figures for the period-ended 30 June 2015.

 

Africa

Head Office

Total

 

Six months
ended
30 June 2016

Six months
ended
30 June 2015

Six months
ended
30 June 2016

Six months
ended
30 June 2015

Six months
ended
30 June 2016

Six months
ended
30 June 2015

 

$

$

$

$

$

$

Loss by reportable segment

35,644

3,089,774

1,867,229

2,314,599

1,902,873

5,404,373

Total assets by reportable segment 1

39,444,261

36,870,172

1,883,318

1,821,213

41,327,579

38,691,385

Total liabilities by reportable segment 2

(1,001,396)

(2,112,333)

(911,520)

(579,092)

(1,912,916)

(2,691,425)

 

1 Carrying amounts of segment assets exclude investments in subsidiaries.

2 Carrying amounts of segment liabilities exclude intra-group financing.

3.            Loss per ordinary share

 

 

Basic & Diluted

 

 

30 June 2016

30 June 2015
(restated)

 

 

$

$

Loss for the period

 

1,902,873

5,404,373

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period

27,228,472

15,257,812

Dilutive effect of share options outstanding

 

-

-

Fully diluted average number of ordinary shares during the period

27,228,472

15,257,812

Loss per share (Usc)

 

6.99c

35.42c

At the Company's AGM held on 6 April 2016, shareholders approved the consolidation of 6,807,118,052 ordinary shares of £0.001 each to 27,228,472 ordinary shares of £0.01 each. The comparative figures at 30 June 2015 have been restated to reflect the consolidated balances as they would have been at that time had the consolidation already have taken place. Full details of the consolidation can be found in note 7.

4.            Intangible Exploration and Evaluation (E&E) assets

 

 

Exploration and evaluation assets

Goodwill

Total

Period-ended 30 June 2016

 

$

$

$

Cost

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2016

 

121,285,504

8,023,292

129,308,796

Additions during the period

 

1,218,391

-

1,218,391

At 30 June 2016

 

122,503,895

8,023,292

130,527,187

Amortisation and impairment

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2016

 

(84,346,827)

(7,979,502)

(92,326,329)

Impairment reversal during the period

 

85,044

-

85,044

At 30 June 2016

 

(84,261,783)

(7,979,502)

(92,241,285)

Net book value

 

 

 

 

At 30 June 2016

 

38,242,112

43,790

38,285,902

At 31 December 2015

 

36,938,677

43,790

36,982,467

During the period the Group reversed impaired assets totalling $85k in accordance with IAS 36 "Impairment of Assets" following the final withdrawal in Kenya from the Block 2B licence and finalisation of joint-venture costs. Of the $1.2 million capitalised with respect to exploration and evaluation assets, $1.1 million related to Cameroon with the majority of the remaining balance relating to Zambia.

5.            Trade and other receivables

 

30 June 2016
 (unaudited)

31 December 2015
  (audited)

 

$

$

Trade and other receivables

2,220,778

2,202,055

 

Included within trade and other receivables is $1 million (£747k) of VAT due to the company from HMRC. As noted in the 2015 Annual Report, HMRC has withheld VAT repayments totalling £613k pending the completion of an ongoing review. A further £134k has accrued in the 6 months to 30 June 2016. Whilst the review process remains on-going, and in order to preserve their rights over the maximum period, HMRC has since issued further assessments totalling £843k excluding interest and penalties, in respect of which the Company continues to take professional advice.

Following a detailed review by advisers, and as part of the review process, the Company has identified that certain suppliers have incorrectly charged UK VAT on their fees. VAT incorrectly charged to the Company totals £903k. The suppliers concerned have filed letters disclosing this error with HMRC and are seeking reimbursement from HMRC. The benefit and the handling of these claims have been assigned to the Company. Settlement of these reclaims in full would mean that the Company would be owed a net sum over and above the value of VAT repayments being withheld by HMRC, although there can be no certainty of the quantum of the repayment resulting from these reclaims until this part of the consultation has been concluded.

A summary of the current position is noted below:

 

 

 

30 June 2016
(unaudited)

30 June 2016
(unaudited)

 

 

 

£

$

Assessments raised by HMRC

 

 

(1,456,019)

(1,949,580)

UK VAT incorrectly charged to the Compamy by suppliers

 

902,577

1,208,533

Repayment due to the Company from HMRC (excluding interest and penalties)

(59,728)

(79,975)

UK VAT Repayments claimed but withheld by HMRC

 

613,170

821,022

UK VAT Repayments accrued but withheld by HMRC

 

134,299

179,824

Total UK VAT receivable

 

 

747,469

1,000,846

 

It remains the firm opinion of the Company that it has and continues to meet the VAT registration criteria, has complied with all relevant VAT legislation and has submitted valid reclaims in accordance with existing VAT legislation. The Directors therefore consider the $1 million receivable to be recoverable in full from HMRC. The Company also notes the fast rising number of disputes with respect to UK holding companies and VAT, in the energy and mining sectors and more widely, and that new guidance meant to clarify the position in light of case law developments in this area remains unpublished by HMRC despite these rises.

6.            Trade and other payables

 

30 June 2016
  (unaudited)

31 December 2015
(audited)

 

$

$

Trade and other payables

1,690,157

1,407,354

Accruals

222,759

168,811

 

1,912,916

1,576,165

 

7.            Share capital

 

 

30 June
 2016
   (unaudited)

31 December 
2015
(audited)

 

 

$

$

Authorised, called up, allotted and fully paid

 

 

 

27,228,472 (2015: 15,257,8121) ordinary shares of 1p

 

11,024,090

11,024,090

653,483,333 (2015: nil) deferred shares of 0.004p

 

-

-

 

1 share capital of 3,814,453,006 adjusted for share consolidation approved by shareholders on 6 April 2016.

The share capital issues during the period are summarised below:

 

Number of shares

Share capital at nominal value

Share premium

 Ordinary shares

 

$

$

 At 1 January 2016

6,807,118,052

11,024,090

141,289,445

 Shares consolidated in period

(6,779,889,580)

-

-

 At 30 June 2016

27,228,472

11,024,090

141,289,445

 Deferred shares

 

 

 

 At 1 January 2016

-

-

-

 Shares issued on consolidation

163,370,833,248

-

-

 Shares consolidated in period

(162,717,349,915)

-

-

 At 30 June 2016

653,483,333

-

-

 

At the Company's AGM held on 6 April 2016, shareholders approved the consolidation of 6,807,118,052 ordinary shares of £0.001 each to 27,228,472 ordinary shares of £0.01 each. For every share in issue on at that date, 24 interim deferred shares and 1 interim ordinary share was created. For every 250 interim ordinary and interim deferred shares in issue at that time, a single consolidated share in the Company was issued. The ordinary shares carry full voting rights, however, the deferred shares carry no voting rights and only such limited other rights that no value has been ascribed to them.

There were no other share capital issues during the period.

8.            Share-based payments

 

 

Six months ended 30 June 2016
 (unaudited)

Six months ended 30 June 2015
 (unaudited)

 

 

$

$

In the Statement of Comprehensive Income the Group recognised the following charge in respect of its share based payment plan:

142,870

544,006

 

Options

Details of share options outstanding at 30 June 2016 are as follows:

 

 

 

Number in issue
(restated)

At 1 January 2016

 

 

794,800

Granted during the period

 

 

537,600

At 30 June 2016

 

 

1,332,400

 

Following the share consolidation outlined in note 7, all options outstanding at that date were consolidated pari-passu. Prior to the consolidation there were 333,100,000 share options in issue with a weighted average exercise price of 0.31p and a weighted average contractual life of 4.6 years. Subsequent to the consolidation there were 1,332,400 share options in issue with a weighted average exercise price of 77.6p and a weighted average contractual life of 4.6 years.

Date of grant

Number in issue
(restated)

 

Option price (p)
(restated)

Latest           exercise date

27 Dec 14

314,800

1

175.000

27 Dec 19

09 Dec 15

480,000

1

47.500

09 Dec 20

16 Mar 16

537,600

1

47.500

16 Mar 21

 

1,332,400

 

 

 

 

1 These options vest in the beneficiaries in equal tranches on the first, second and third anniversaries of grant.

Warrants

Details of warrants outstanding at 30 June 2016 are as follows:

 

 

 

Number in issue
(restated)

At 1 January 2016

 

 

143,767

Lapsed during the period

 

 

(6,865)

At 30 June 2016

 

 

136,902

 

Following the share consolidation outlined in note 7, all warrants outstanding at that date were consolidated pari-passu. Prior to the consolidation there were 35,944,363 share warrants in issue with a weighted average exercise price of 1.99p and a weighted average contractual life of 1.9 years. Subsequent to the consolidation there were 143,767 share warrants in issue with a weighted average exercise price of 496.2p and a weighted average contractual life of 1.9 years.

Date of grant

Number in issue
(restated)

 

Warrant price (p)
(restated)

Latest           exercise date

30 Jul 12

40,054

 

806.250

30 Jul 17

26 Jul 13

96,848

 

306.250

26 Jul 18

 

136,902

 

 

 

 

These warrants vest in the beneficiaries on the first anniversary of grant.

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This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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