Final Results

RNS Number : 3906Q

Vane Minerals PLC

09 April 2009

 



9 April 2009   

VANE Minerals Plc (AIM:VML)

('VANE' or the 'Company')

Unaudited Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2008

Vane Minerals Plc (AIM:VML), today announces its unaudited preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2008.

Highlights

• Optimisation of silver/gold at Diablito

• Wholly-owned 100 tonne/day flotation mill on stream 

• Operational improvements at Diablito implemented in May 2008 resulting in increased production rates to 1,430 tonnes/month or 47 tonnes/day

• 50-50 joint venture (JV) with Uranium One Exploration U.S.A. Inc. ('U1') finalised - 50% ownership of 60-plus breccia pipe projects - northern Arizona    

• Resource-grade mineralization at all three Utah uranium projects

• Yuma King copper project in west central Arizona optioned

• Closing cash balances across the group at year end of £3,308,016

Post year end highlights

• Northern Arizona - High grade results achieved at the Wate breccia pipe - intersections of 30.5 feet of 1.87% eU308, including 12 feet of 3.67% eU308

• Northern Arizona - Mineralisation at the Tank 4½ pipe - 1305.0 to 1311.0 feet and 1683.5 to 1691.5 feet that contained 6.0 feet of 0.07% eU308 and 8.0 feet of 0.07% eU308, respectively

• Northern Arizona - post drilling programme at Tank 4 ½, additional data obtained on several mineralized holes including historic hole FO-9 that reportedly intersected 48.5 feet grading 1.41% eU308 from 1346.0 to 1394.5 feet.

• Utah - Positive results at the Happy Jack mine in Utah - 7 holes reached resource grade, verifying historic data

Steve Van Nort, Chief Executive Officer, commented '2008 proved to be a productive year for VANE Minerals with silver/gold production benefiting from an optimisation programme, and significant exploration work being conducted at our uranium properties in the US that resulted in excellent drilling results. Management's decision to arrange a £6.25 million private placement in November 2007 has provided the Company with a solid financial position which allows VANE to continue to grow and develop its asset portfolio. In addition to shareholder funds, VANE operations are financed by our Diablito mine in Mexico and have provided us with revenues enhanced by favourable precious metal prices'.

For further information, please contact:

VANE Minerals Plc	[phone]
Matthew Idiens
Ambrian Partners Limited	[phone]
Richard Brown
Threadneedle Communications	[phone]
Laurence Read/Beth Harris	[phone]

CEO REPORT

Gold and silver production

The 100 tonne/day flotation mill at, San Dieguito de Arriba (SDA), came on stream in January 2008, resulting in an immediate 50% reduction in milling costs for Diablito ore. The combination of high precious metal prices during the first and second quarters of 2008 and higher grade ore from Diablito, stockpiled during the last half of 2007, in anticipation of the start-up of in-house milling operations, provided favourable smelter returns. Operational improvements at the mine were implemented in May 2008 and resulted in production rates of 1,430 tonnes/month or 47 tonnes/day. At the Diablito Mine, a reorganized and streamlined operations group completed a 20-hole programme of development drilling, which successfully identified and confirmed future mining resources in the area. We will continue to evaluate this in 2009.

We are continuing to evaluate several prospects in Mexico to provide additional feed for the SDA Mill, as it is our plan to strengthen the company further by increasing cash flow.

Uranium assets

On the uranium front a 50-50 joint venture (JV) with Uranium One Exploration U.S.A. Inc. ('U1') was finalized giving VANE a 50% ownership interest and exploration control over an additional 34 breccia pipe properties, one of which has measured uranium resources (non-compliant NI 43-101). The JV now controls over 60 breccia pipe targets with 10 known mineralized pipes. 

Work continues on the Environmental Impact Statement, EIS, that we believe will demonstrate that the effect exploration will have on the area will be minimal and temporary.

In the SE Utah strata-bound district, the results of the drilling projects at the North Wash, Happy Jack, and North Alice Extension properties indicated a number of resource-grade mineralized intercepts that continue to be evaluated.

Copper assets

As well as uranium, silver and gold, management has extensive experience in copper discovery and exploration. With this in mind, we will continue to explore for porphyry copper deposits in south western USA, an area with which we are very familiar.  

Our Yuma King project in west central Arizona (optioned in late 2008), has the potential to be an exciting discovery. Updating the historic NI 43-101 data with mapping and further drilling is planned for 2009 and we look forward to releasing further news on the target. 

Outlook

Despite the favourable progress described above, VANE's share price, along with many other similar mineral resource companies, fell to record lows by the end of 2008. We believe that with our continued commitment to the exploration, development and drilling programmes the share price will readjust to reflect the true value of the company.  

Post the period we were particularly pleased with the significant high grade results reported in January. At the Wate breccia pipe in northern Arizona we reported an intersection of 30.5 feet of 1.87% eU308, including 12 feet of 3.67% eU308. Such high grade results represent the potential to develop high value uranium resources from the breccia pipe portfolio. 

With silver/gold production underpinning our cash flow we are able to continue our exploration programme without continued funding issues thus allowing us to concentrate on operations. In 2009, we hope to increase cash flow from our silver/gold operations in Mexico, increase the value of our uranium breccia pipe portfolio, particularly through advancing the Wate project, and continue to explore and develop our copper projects as well as investigating joint venture and acquisition opportunities. 

We wish to thank our investors for their continued support and look forward to updating shareholders on progress made throughout 2009.

Steven D. Van Nort, CEO

9 April 2009  

  REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Uranium exploration in USA

Exploration activities by VANE Minerals (US) LLC, VANE Minerals plc's wholly-owned uranium subsidiary, including drilling and geophysics, continued in both the northern Arizona breccia pipe and SE Utah strata-bound districts. 2008 was a productive year with the drilling of 149 holes for a total of 54,407 feet (16,587m). The drilling was spread out over 16 projects; 13 of the 60-plus breccia pipe projects in Arizona and three strata-bound projects in Utah. Eleven (11) of these breccia pipe projects warrant further work while two of the projects, CP3 on the south rim and NCP1 on the north rim, will be discontinued. Positive drilling results were achieved from all three Utah projects; North Wash, Happy Jack, and North Alice Extension. However, continued weakening of the uranium price since the economic downturn requires another look at the economics of these lower-grade Utah projects. Priority has now been given to the higher grade breccia pipe projects of northern Arizona which look attractive even at the present uranium spot price (US $42/lb). Detailed analysis of the highlights of the drilling project results can be found in the regulatory announcements issued during 2008 and are available on the Company's website.  

Uranium joint venture - Northern Arizona

The 50-50 Joint Venture (JV) between VANE Minerals (US) LLC, and U1 was signed on the 5th September 2008. This JV strengthened both companies' positions on the south rim by resulting in a combination of over 60 breccia pipe properties which includes 10 known mineralized pipes. While U1 had completed a major airborne geophysical programme prior to signing the JV agreement, no drilling had been completed. To date, VANE has completed drilling on 11 of the 33 pipe targets it contributed to the JV with only one, CP3, having been eliminated. Upon signing the JV, two of the properties U1 contributed, Tank 4½ and Wate Pipes, which had historic drilling results, were re-drilled by year end. Significant intercepts were encountered in the drilling as previously announced, including 30.5ft @ 1.87% eU3O8 at Wate and some limited but detailed historic data was obtained relating to Tank 4½ by Union Pacific Resources on the project in 1990 which revealed several mineralized holes including historic hole FO-9 that reportedly intersected 48.5 feet grading 1.41% eU3O8 from 1346.0 to 1394.5 feet which we intend to investigate further with confirmation drilling. Recent investigations have located detailed data held by a previous unrelated owner of the Wate Pipe that are currently the subject of ongoing negotiations. If these data are obtained and combined with our recent drilling results on the Wate pipe the JV could commence a mining prefeasibility study. The JV continues to progress the project and steps have been taken to proceed as quickly as possible should the data not be available. The JV also secures VANE's access to U1's Ticaboo Mill in Utah, which is in the re-permitting stage, for ore developed on JV properties.

Following completion of the third hole on the Eastern Star target in early 2008, drilling equipment was moved to targets in the Kaibab National Forest for which USFS had approved and issued permits. Drilling commenced on three of the seven targets approved before the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order ('TRO') in response to a lawsuit brought by three environmental groups. VANE believes that this law suit was entirely without merit and that the issuance of a TRO is against well-established permitting procedures. However, in order to alleviate concerns over the environmental impact of the small scale, low impact drilling programmes required to test breccia pipes, we in conjunction with USFS personnel, decided to complete further assessment beyond that which has historically and prudently been required and proved sufficient. The drilling inside the Kaibab National Forest was suspended pending the filing of the EIS and the drill rig was moved to the north rim targets (outside the JV and 100% owned by VANE). Four targets were drilled with favourable pipe characteristics noted in three of the four target areas.

The EIS being completed on projects in the Kaibab National Forest was expanded from 7 to some 25 projects and includes several projects contributed by U1 to the JV. The anticipated completion date for this EIS process is late 2009, but realistically, drilling may not start until after the winter season.

Zonge Engineering and Research Organisation based in Tucson, AZ, completed down-hole time domain electromagnetic surveys on six drill holes on four projects; one at Big Red, two at Miller, one at Miller Southwest, and two at Red Dike. The purpose of the programme is to locate sulfide zones, often associated with uranium mineralization, thus providing data to help position future drill holes therefore improving the chances of discovery. The data interpretation is in progress and preliminary results indicate the technique has detected some zones of interest that will become drilling targets.

The Company continues to place emphasis on the high-grade breccia pipe potential of the Arizona Strip. During 2009, a number of drilling projects will be developed and placed in the pipeline for a long sustained period of drilling. This combined with the favourable prospects for developing an NI 43-101 compliant resource at the Wate Pipe, provides good potential for the future. 

Utah assets

In the SE Utah strata-bound district, the results of the drilling projects on the North Wash, Happy Jack, and North Alice Extension properties intersected a number of resource-grade mineralized intercepts that continue to be evaluated. All of the mineralized intercepts at Happy Jack are proximal to existing workings.  

Also in Utah a large land position, the Abajo project, was acquired by VANE (100%) via federal claims and Utah state leases along the projected southwest trend of the Uravan Mineral Belt (uranium-vanadium). The Uravan Mineral Belt has historic production of 60 million pounds uranium and 400 million pounds vanadium. The land package totals 7,478 acres consisting of 3,678 acres of Utah State Mineral Leases and 3,800 acres of Federal lode claims. The potential for by-product vanadium for which the Belt is known offers added economic benefit during periods of weak uranium prices. 

Diablito mine and milling operations, Nayarit, Mexico

The 100% owned Mexican subsidiary, Minerales VANE SA de CV, performed well during 2008 at its Diablito Mine at Las Lumbres and the San Dieguito de Arriba Mill (SDA) at San Dieguito de Arriba, State of Nayarit, Mexico. 

Diablito mine

Operations at the mine and the mill continue to run smoothly; however, dilution of the ore is causing difficulties due to the width and angle of the vein but management now believes we have done as much as possible to minimize the dilution. Production of Direct Milling Ore (DMO) averaged 1,228 tonnes per month or 14,738 tonnes for the year. This is below our targeted amount of 1,500 tonnes per month or 50 tonnes per day, but improvements were implemented in May which brought the last eight months of the year's production to 1,430 tonnes per month or 47 tonnes per day. In general, DMO is designated as material with precious metals values of +$150 per tonne at prevailing metal prices. Lower grade material designated as Stockpiled Ore (SO), +$75 per tonne, totalled 7,154 tonnes for the year or 596 tonnes per month. Since the mill operating capacity is 100 tonnes per day, the SO grade material mined on a daily basis starting in January 2009 is shipped directly to the mill along with the necessary tonnes from the 15,829 tonnes SO stockpile thus enabling the mill to operate at full capacity.

A 20-hole diamond drill programme was completed during 2008. The programme was designed to upgrade the inferred resources to indicated status in the area south and east of the current workings and determine the ultimate extent of the mineralization to the south. Based on the polygon method of estimating resources 32,200 tonnes of indicated/inferred resource were outlined in the south and 21,500 tonnes in the east. The mineralization apparently weakens to the south therefore limiting our ability to expand the resource estimate in that direction. At the mining rate of 50 tonnes/day, the mine life, main plus east plus south zones, is now estimated to be approximately 4 years, with the ultimate mine life depending on the pillar requirements during the final phases of the operation.  

Other opportunities to find supplemental mill feed within reasonable trucking distance of our SDA mill have been and continue to be investigated. One such property evaluated during 2008 was the Bonanza vein system located 30km southeast of the SDA mill. Six diamond drill holes were completed with visual encouragement observed in the core. This translated into marginally economic once the core and underground sample assays were received. It was decided to discontinue our work programme thereby eliminating our obligation to continue option payments on the property. However, talks continue with the property owner in an attempt to reach an agreement that takes into account the difficult and expensive access issues and the marginal precious metals grades anticipated.

Planned production for 2009 will be at a similar rate to 2008, targeting 1,500 tonnes per month of DMO plus 500 tonnes per month of SO material. 

San Dieguito de Arriba mill

The flotation mill was commissioned on the 14th January 2008, and has been operating as designed. Mill feed during the first nine months of the year came from daily DMO production from the mine and stockpiled DMO that was mined during the last half of 2007. Milled tonnes during 2008 were 27,757 tonnes for a monthly average of 2,313 tonnes. Head grades for the year averaged 302.2 g Ag/tonne and 3.04 g Au/tonne. Recoveries for silver and gold were 85% and 83% respectively. Produced concentrates totalled 514.5 tonnes which were shipped to the Penoles smelter in Torreon. Average precious metal prices received were $13.76 and $860.75 per ounce for silver and gold respectively.

In May 2008, Penoles doubled their smelting and refining fees. In response we have been looking into using Grupo Mexico's smelter in San Luis Potosi as well as evaluating the concept of leaching the concentrates on site at the SDA mill and then shipping the very high grade silver-gold precipitates to a refinery in the USA. The high-grade nature of the precipitates leads to security issues which are being addressed along with the development of the appropriate flow sheet, associated economics and timing for the construction of the 2-4 tonne/day leach plant. 

Plans for 2009 are to operate the mill at maximum economic efficiency utilizing a combination of DMO and SO material with the ultimate tonnes and ratio depending on precious metal prices.

Copper exploration - Southwest USA

Three porphyry copper targets, Sierrita, Mayflower and Headquarters, were drilled during 2008 with unfavourable results. Three holes were drilled, one on each property, for a total of 2,955 feet. Two of the targets were based on finding copper beneath thin post-mineral, volcanic cover and the other was designed to evaluate an IP anomaly below a regional thrust fault along a major porphyry copper trend southwest of Tucson.

It is management's belief that successful discovery of a porphyry copper deposit in the southwest USA depends upon VANE's ability to drill a number of similar type targets, 8-15, over the course of the next 3-5 years. An option to lease agreement signed in late 2008 on the Yuma King property in west central Arizona has the potential to be the next big discovery.

Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources historic production records estimate production from the Yuma King Mine at 8,700 tons at 2.60% copper plus an unknown amount of lapidary grade copper oxides/carbonates.

Exploration by the last lease holder of the Yuma King property consists of detailed mapping and sampling of both surface and extensive underground workings, ground and airborne magnetic surveys and the drilling of 19 surface diamond drill holes. This work has outlined a potential copper oxide resource and intersected porphyry style copper-molybdenum alteration and mineralization in several of the deeper drill holes.

Paraguay exploration

VANE began its work in Paraguay in 2005 with a series of hand dug trenches and hand drilled augur holes to investigate an area delineated by alluvial gold in stream sediment samples. This area is also the site of a regional aeromagnetic high implying an igneous body at depth underlying the area of interest. An exploration license was obtained and a series of 12 diamond drill holes totalling 1,496 metres was started in October, 2008 and completed in February, 2009. The drilling revealed a series of faults and shear zones with the last drill holes indicating possible lateritic gold mineralization. We are awaiting assay results from these drill holes to confirm these conclusions. 

Principal risks and uncertainties

The directors believe that the immediate principal matters which could affect the performance of the Group in the future are:-

• The Company currently generates its only income from the Diablito Mine and so in that respect it is dependent upon its smooth operation. We have an excellent relationship with the mining contractor, and others are available if needed.

• The mill at San Dieguito de Arriba is operating smoothly with supplies readily at hand and spare components, mainly pumps and motors, have been sourced.

• The concentrates are transported and presently sold to a third party smelter and we are therefore subject to commercial charges of those parties and continuity of labour.

• While drill rig availability has historically been tight, VANE has secured rigs to cover all of the ongoing exploration programmes in Mexico, southwestern USA, the Colorado Plateau and Paraguay. 

• Additional drilling permits are under application and the timing on receiving these can vary to a large degree.

• Changes to the US Mining Law of 1872, in legislation currently before the US Congress, may affect future operations in that royalties on minerals obtained from Federal Lands (lode claims) may be imposed.

• Political risk appears low in all our areas of operation. As Paraguay lacks a history of mining, matters related to property acquisition, permitting, bonding, etc. have moved very slowly but are now in place. 

• The dispute between the USFS and various environmental groups may delay the approval of the necessary permits in some of our areas of interest.

• The prices of gold and silver have risen over the last six months and, given the current economic climate, we do not anticipate a precipitous drop in the near future. Uranium oxide prices have fallen from their high of $135 per pound in early 2007, but with world-wide demand for uranium on the increase again, we do not expect a dramatic price change in the near term.

Other important factors that could affect any one of the Group's many operations, including Diablito, are unanticipated mining, milling and other processing problems, accidents that lead to personal injury or property damage, persistent commodity price reductions, changes in political, social or economic circumstances, variance in ore grades, labour relations, adverse weather conditions and other adverse financial market conditions. We continue to monitor all aspects of our programmes with a view to ensuring their continued success.

The full Report and Financial Statements, when published, will set out additional risks and uncertainties to the business.

Relationships

The Group enjoys good relationships with all of its suppliers and professional advisers. The relationship with the Mexican mining contractor, COMINVI SA de CV, the principal drilling contractors in Mexico, Landdrill International Mexico SA de CV and the principal drilling contractors in the USA, Del Rio Drilling and Pump, Bob Beeman Drilling and WDC Exploration & Wells Company, are key to our ongoing operations.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Revenues

Revenues from the Diablito mine during the year have been lower than expected owing to a combination of factors:

• Continued, unpredicted dilution of grades;

• Falling precious metal prices in the middle of the year;

• Increased smelting/refining costs as of May 2008;

• Declining concentrate ratio due to supplementing mill feed (to keep the mill running at 100% capacity) with stockpiled material particularly as some material had oxidized in the pile. That caused our concentrate grades to decrease and our concentrate tonnes to increase resulting in higher transportation costs, with recoveries staying the same.

• Mine production has continued at approximately 1,430 tonnes per month during the year.  

Results for the year

Under its second full year of IFRS reporting, the Group reported a net loss after tax of £1,726,821 or 0.91 pence per share in 2008 (compared with £7,056,889 or 4.58 pence per share as reported in 2007). Of the total net loss for the period, £534,636 was due to the impairment of exploration assets.

	Expenses Written-Off
Uranium Projects	£94,340
Copper Projects	£197,563
Gold/Silver Projects	£242,733
Total	£534,636

Employee recruitment and retention 

Although the company has no quantitative target for the number of employees it needs or retains, this metric is closely monitored. The company has an excellent record of retaining key staff. 

During the year founder member Frank Nelson retired. No new members have been added to the uranium team and none have departed.

Significant equity events

During the year there have been no new shares issued as a result of fund raising or options exercised.

There were a total of 190,108,108 ordinary shares in issue at the year end. During the year share options were granted over a total of 9,400,000 shares to two directors, an employee and one service provider.

Cash position

The Company had closing cash balances across the group at year end totalling £3,308,016.

Key performance indicators 

There are a number of key performance indicators that are reviewed regularly by the Board as set out below in respect of 2008:- 

Item	Actual	Target	Comment
Item	Actual	Target	Comment
Production monthly tonnage	1,362	1,500	The average monthly production for the whole of 2008 was below the target but following improvements the last 8 months of the year averaged 1,430 tonnes per month.
Maintenance of Mineral Grades	3.02g Au 308g Ag	3.50g Au 400g Ag	We continue to experience significant dilution of the anticipated grades and average grades were lower than anticipated for 2008.
Gross Margin per tonne of production	$87	$146	Gross margin per tonne of milled output was much lower than planned owing to the dilution of mined ore with previously stock-piled ore in order to keep the mill running at or near its full capacity, coupled with higher transport and smelting costs and lower metal prices in mid 2008.
Cash balances	£3.308m	£3.622m	Closing cash balances were lower than forecast owing to increased cost of smelting and reduced revenue owing to grade dilution.

Outlook 

The current market conditions have resulted in most, if not all, junior mining companies quoted on AIM having a depressed share price. VANE is no exception and your directors are working diligently to enhance the value of our proven assets and generate cash flow from our operations which, if successful, will place us in a strong position when world stock markets recover. 

Gold and silver prices are still relatively strong at over $870 per ounce for gold and over $12.40 per ounce for silver, which will help to boost revenues from our Mexican gold and silver mining operations.

The Group has a strong cash position which will enable us to continue our exploration and evaluation activities in the Colorado Plateau uranium province, southwestern USA porphyry copper district,, Mexico and Paraguay. We will report any developments in these areas of activity as soon as they occur. 

Your board would like to take this opportunity to thank you, our shareholders, for your continued support.

L Clark Arnold                  Kristopher K Hefton                  Steven D Van Nort

Director of Exploration     COO Vane Minerals (US) LLC    CEO, Vane Minerals plc

  CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (Unaudited)

For the year ended 31 December 2008

	Notes	2008 £		2007 £
Revenue	4	1,710,807		1,370,735
Cost of sales		(2,317,210)		(1,570,849)
Gross loss		(606,403)		(200,114)
Operating and administrative expenses		(1,271,209)		(1,480,114)
Impairment of exploration costs		(534,636)		(7,693,747)
Operating loss		(2,412,248)		(9,373,975)
Income from investments		244,787		40,367
Finance costs		(142,157)		(100,924)
Loss before taxation		(2,309,618)		(9,434,532)
Taxation		582,797		2,377,643
Loss for the year - attributable to equity holders of the parent	4	(1,726,821)		(7,056,889)
All the above group's results relate to continuing operations.
Loss per share
Basic & Diluted	6	(0.91p)		(4.58p)

  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

31 December 2008

	2008 £		2007 £
Non current assets
Investments	213,571		213,571
Intangible assets	2,803,654		925,015
Property, plant and equipment	3,216,525		3,644,707
	6,233,750		4,783,293
Current assets
Inventories	20,157		545,016
Trade and other receivables	497,105		249,263
Cash and cash equivalents	3,308,016		5,813,353
	3,825,278		6,607,632
Total assets	10,059,028		11,390,925
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables	(361,833)		(269,436)
Taxation	(12,518)		(10,358)
	(374,351)		(279,794)
Non current liabilities
Convertible loan notes	(1,406,976)		(1,386,129)
Obligations under finance leases	(2,270)		(6,825)
Deferred tax	(174,993)		(396,892)
Provisions	(37,500)		(37,500)
	(1,621,739)		(1,827,346)
Total liabilities	(1,996,090)		(2,107,140)
Net assets	8,062,938		9,283,785
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
Share capital	19,010,811		19,010,811
Share premium account	2,359,071		2,359,071
Share option reserve	231,210		195,203
Other reserves	261,220		261,220
Cumulative translation reserve	207,281		(262,686)
Retained loss	(14,006,655)		(12,279,834)
Equity	8,062,938		9,283,785

  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited)

For the year ended 31 December 2008

	Share capital	Share Premium	Share Option reserve	Other reserves	Cumulative translation reserves	Retained  loss	Total
	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
Balance at 1 January 2007	14,614,382	-	143,769	79,628	(233,822)	(5,273,325)	9,330,632
Changes in equity for 2007
Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operations	-	-	-	-	(28,864)	-	(28,864)
Loss for the year	-	-	-	-	-	(7,056,889)	(7,056,889)
Total recognised income and expense for the year	-	-	-	-	(28,864)	(7,056,889)	(7,085,753)
Issue of share capital	4,396,429	2,359,071	-	-	-	-	6,755,500
Equity component of convertible loan note	-	-	-	123,216	-	-	123,216
Share based payment	-	-	101,814	-	-	-	101,814
Gain on conversion of convertible loan note	-	-	-	58,376	-	-	58,376
Transfer on share option exercise	-	-	(50,380)	-	-	50,380	-
Balance at 31 December 2007	19,010,811	2,359,071	195,203	261,220	(262,686)	(12,279,834)	9,283,785
Changes in equity for 2008
Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operations	-	-	-	-	879,874	-	879,874
Deferred tax effect of exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operations	-	-	-	-	(409,907)	-	(409,907)
Loss for the year	-	-	-	-	-	(1,726,821)	(1,726,821)
Total recognised income and expense for the year	-	-	-	-	469,967	(1,726,821)	(1,256,854)
Share based payment	-	-	36,007	-	-	-	36,007
Balance at 31 December 2008	19,010,811	2,359,071	231,210	261,220	207,281	(14,006,655)	8,062,938

  CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT (Unaudited)

For the year end 31 December 2008

		2008 £		2007 £
Cash flow from operating activities
Loss before taxation		(2,309,618)		(9,434,532)
Income from investments		(244,787)		(40,367)
Finance costs		142,157		100,924
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment		591,698		537,039
Impairment of intangible assets		534,636		7,693,747
Share based payments		36,007		101,814
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes		370,641		(320)
Operating cash outflow before movements in working capital		(879,266)		(1,041,695)
Decrease in inventories		524,859		34,652
Increase in trade and other receivables		(247,842)		(20,273)
Increase in trade and other payables		90,247		69,999
Cash used in operations		(512,002)		(957,317)
Income tax (paid) / recovered		(16,432)		159
Interest paid		(120,219)		(89,123)
Net cash used in operating activities		(648,653)		(1,046,281)
Cash flow from investing activities
Interest received		244,787		40,367
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(120,559)		(407,132)
Purchase of investments		-		(213,571)
Purchases of intangible assets		(2,116,087)		(804,957)
Net cash used in investment activities		(1,991,859)		(1,385,293)
Cash flow from financing activities
Repayment of obligations under finance leases		(3,496)		(6,374)
Proceeds from the issue of share capital		-		6,510,000
Issue costs paid		-		(379,500)
Proceeds from the issue of convertible loan notes		-		1,500,000
Net cash (used in) / from financing activities		(3,496)		7,624,126
Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents		(2,644,008)		5,192,552
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		5,813,353		624,374
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes		138,671		(3,573)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		3,308,016		5,813,353

  Notes to the Financial Statements

1.     The above financial information does not constitute statutory accounts, as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The above figures for the year ended 31 December 2008 are an abridged version of the Company's accounts which will be reported on by the Company's auditors before dispatch to the shareholders and filing with the Registrar of Companies. 

2.     The consolidated financial information has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement principles of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as endorsed by the European Union (EU). The accounting policies applied in 2008 are consistent with those applied in the Financial Statements for 2007. 

3.     The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2007 have been lodged with the Registrar of Companies. These accounts received an audit report which was unqualified and did not include any reference to matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report or a statement under section 237(2) or section 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985.

4.    SEGMENTAL INFORMATION

For management purposes, the Group is organised into four operating divisions: UK, USA, Paraguay and Mexico. These divisions are the basis on which the Group reports its primary segment information.

Segment information about these divisions is presented below. The tables show the geographic segmentation of the Group. Activities in Mexico are currently concerned with gold and silver mining and exploration. Activities in the USA are split between research for further gold, silver and copper properties, and research and evaluation of potential uranium properties. Activities in Paraguay are concerned with gold and copper exploration. Activities in the United Kingdom are concerned with administration and management of the Group.

		2008 £	2007 £
Revenue
	UK	-	-
	USA	-	-
	Mexico	1,710,807	1,370,735
	Paraguay	-	-
		1,710,807	1,370,735
Segmental results
	UK	(389,054)	(612,125)
	USA	(801,960)	(1,275,920)
	Mexico	(1,118,604)	(7,335,757)
	Paraguay	-	(210,730)
		(2,309,618)	(9,434,532)
	Current and deferred tax	582,797	2,377,643
	Loss after taxation	(1,726,821)	(7,056,889)

Depreciation
	UK	-	-
	USA	5,485	2,542
	Mexico	586,213	534,497
	Paraguay	-	-
		591,698	537,039
Impairment
	UK	-	-
	USA	291,903	1,118,232
	Mexico	242,733	6,493,022
	Paraguay	-	82,493
		534,636	7,693,747

The average number of employees for the year for each of the Group's principal divisions was as follows:

		2008 Number		2007 Number
Employees
	UK	1		2
	USA	5		5
	Mexico	24		24
	Paraguay	4		-
		34		31

		2008 £	2007 £
Balance Sheet
Segment Assets
	UK	3,462,610	5,948,076
	USA	2,355,560	892,841
	Mexico	3,681,618	4,393,017
	Paraguay	559,240	156,991
	Total Assets	10,059,028	11,390,925
Segment Liabilities
	UK	1,490,953	1,541,884
	USA	105,899	41,152
	Mexico	211,727	116,854
	Paraguay	-	-
	Segment Liabilities	1,808,579	1,699,890
	Current and Deferred Tax	187,511	407,250
	Total liabilities	1,996,090	2,107,140
Capital Additions
	UK	-	-
	USA	1,530,751	693,738
	Mexico	361,947	380,179
	Paraguay	343,948	148,480
		2,236,646	1,222,397

Net Assets
	UK	1,971,655	4,406,192
	USA	2,249,661	851,689
	Mexico	3,282,382	3,868,913
	Paraguay	559,240	156,991
		8,062,938	9,283,785

All the assets of the group relate to the mining operations in Mexico, USA and Paraguay or for administration operations to support the mining. The group carries on operations in only one business segment namely the exploration and mining of minerals and so no secondary segment disclosures are given. The business segmentation effectively follows the geographic segmentation given above.

5.    TAXATION

		2008 £	2007 £
Current tax:
	Utilisation of foreign tax losses	(409,907)
	Foreign Tax	18,592	6,092
	Total current tax	391,315	6,092
Deferred tax:
	Origination and reversal of timing differences	(63,600)	(247,420)
	Fair value adjustment on business combinations	(127,882)	(127,882)
	Reversal from impairment review	-	(2,008,433)
		(191,482)	(2,383,735)
Tax on loss for the year		(582,797)	(2,377,643)

The charge for the year can be reconciled to the loss per the income statement as follows:
Loss before tax		(2,309,618)	(9,434,532)
Loss multiplied by the rate of corporation tax for companies of 28.5% (2007: 30.0%)		(658,179)	(2,830,360)
	Effects of:
	Expenses not deductible for tax purposes	62,937	63,044
	Tax relief on share options exercised	-	(38,250)
	Share based payments	10,261	30,544
	Unrelieved tax losses carried forward	(26,434)	310,103
	Other adjustments	16,648	76,913
	Foreign Tax	11,970	10,363
Tax credit for year		(582,797)	(2,377,643)

Unrelieved UK tax losses of £2,100,199 (2007: £2,363,373) carried forward have not been recognised as a deferred tax asset, as there is currently insufficient evidence that the asset will be recoverable in the foreseeable future. The losses must be utilised in relation to the same operations. Tax for other jurisdictions is provided at rates prevailing in those countries.

The income tax charge to equity during the year is:

		2008 £	2007 £
	Foreign tax on exchange gain	409,907	-

6.    LOSS PER ORDINARY SHARE

The calculation of basic and diluted loss per ordinary share is based on the following loss and number of shares.

		2008 £	2007 £
Earnings
Earnings for the purpose of basic loss per share (net loss for the year)		(1,726,821)	(7,056,889)
Number of shares
Weighted average number of shares for the purposes of basic loss per share		190,108,110	154,084,234
Share options in issue
Weighted average number of shares for the purposes of diluted loss per share		190,108,110	156,419,217

As a result of the losses incurred, there is no dilutive effect from the subsisting share options.

7.    Dividends

The directors do not recommend a dividend for the year.

8    Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the company is scheduled to take place on Thursday 14 May 2009.

9.    Full Financial Statements

It is anticipated that full Audited Financial Statements will be posted to shareholders during the week commencing 13 April 2009.

 

END

 

 

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