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Half Yearly Report

19th Sep 2012 07:00

RNS Number : 5827M
Paragon Diamonds Limited
19 September 2012
 



19 September 2012

Paragon Diamonds Limited

("Paragon" or the "Company")

(AIM: PRG)

 

Interim accounts for the six months to 30 June 2012

 

Paragon Diamonds, the AIM quoted, African focused diamond production and development company, today announces its unaudited interim results for the six month ending 30 June 2012.

 

A copy of the report is being posted to shareholders shortly and will be available from the Company's website - www.paragondiamonds.com

 

 

For further information:

 

Paragon Diamonds Limited

Francesco Scolaro - Chairman

Simon Retter - Finance Director

www.paragondiamonds.com

+44 (0) 20 7099 1940

 

 

 

Fox-Davies Capital Ltd (Nomad and Broker)

Jonathan Evans

Simon Leathers

+44 (0) 20 3463 5010

 

 

 

Chairman's statement

 

I am pleased to present the interim financial statements for Paragon Diamonds Limited (the "Company" or the "Group") for the six month period to 30 June 2012 and report on the developments of the Group during what has been an exciting period. The Group has focussed on continuing the bulk sampling programme at its flagship Lemphane Kimberlite in Lesotho whilst simultaneously conducting a rapid exploration programme at its newly awarded Motete Dyke Licence in close proximity to Lemphane.

 

Lemphane - Lesotho

The bulk sampling on the Lemphane Kimberlite has been progressed steadily over the period with only a temporary break whilst the plant was reconfigured to process the sample from the Motete Dyke. The sampling programme at Lemphane has restarted again since conclusion of the Motete activities and will continue over the coming weeks and months. A total of over 4,700 tonnes of kimberlite has been processed to date and a grade of 2.20 cpht recovered. Seven diamonds ranging from 2.0-6.3 carats and twenty two diamonds greater than one carat in weight have been recovered. A provisional diamond size distribution indicates that 56% of carats are present in stones of 1 carat or greater, 34% of carats are present in stones of 2 carats or greater and 14% of carats are in stones of 5 carats or greater. The results at Lemphane are significant as they correlate closely with the results seen at other prominent Lesotho kimberlites at the same exploration-development stage. Relatively low grades but exceptionally large diamond sizes are encountered at both Letšeng-la-Terae and Mothae diamond mines, where the overall value is highly influenced by the presence of large, high value stones.

 

Motete - Lesotho

Since the Motete Dyke licence was awarded in December 2011, the Group has embarked on a rapid exploration programme to evaluate the property. The Group has undertaken a large microdiamond sampling programme; predicting a modelled grade of 90 cpht at the smallest screen size. In subsequent bulk sampling a recovered grade of 55 cpht was observed using the existing Lemphane plant that was not configured to recover the numerous smaller stones. The tailings are being sent to a laboratory to confirm the presence of smaller stones which will ultimately be taken in to consideration when determining the proposed make up of the final plant. Drilling has been undertaken which confirms the width of the dyke to be consistently in the order of 1.4m wide at depth which will greatly facilitate underground mining. It also confirmed the presence of approximately 1.1 Mt of kimberlite with the potential for more should further drilling be undertaken. A scoping study is underway which is expected to be completed over the coming weeks along with a maiden resource statement for the Dyke. The Company has submitted four new applications for exploration licences covering 100km2 over what it deems to be highly prospective ground surrounding the existing Motete licence. A memorandum of understanding has been agreed for the 15% shareholder of the Lesotho subsidiaries to provide up to $10 million to project finance the Dyke, which is expected to be sufficient to bring it into production. The mine plan for the Dyke involves underground mining with the majority of the kimberlite to be mined by overhead tunnelling.

 

Sierra Leone

The Group's operations in Sierra Leone have remained on care and maintenance since August 2011, with a minimal cost base in order to protect the assets and the few remaining staff in country.

 

Financial Results

The Group reported a loss of £1.4 million for the period (2011restated: £2.2 million) which comprised mainly administration costs and depreciation. Excluding depreciation the Group reported a £1.1 million loss for the first six months of the year. The net assets of the Group were £35.8 million at the period end (2011 restated: £45.5 million) which included £3.5 million attributable to minority interest (2011: £3.8 million). The exploration portfolio is £41.3 million (2011 restated: £38.9 million) and fixed assets comprising the plant and equipment and the mine in Sierra Leone £4.9 million (2011:£15.0 million). The Group completed a fund raising of £1.7 million during the period by issuing 5,948,275 new ordinary shares at a price of 29 pence per share. The Group completed the acquisition of the remaining 1.5% interest in International Diamond Consultants during the period and issued 970,588 new ordinary shares as consideration. Paragon held cash balances of £1.6 million at the period end (2011: £3.7 million). The capital expenditure on the dyke project will not commence until the scoping study, resource statement, mining licence and $10 million project financing are all in place.

 

Outlook

The Company is at an exciting point in its development with its maiden resource statement and scoping study due at Motete in the near future. The continuing results from the Lemphane bulk sampling programme are also important to the Group and I look forward to reporting the progress made in these areas over the coming months.

 

Francesco Scolaro

Chairman

 

18 September 2012

 

 

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Six Months to

30 June

Six Months to

30 June

Year to 31 December

Notes

2012

(Unaudited)

 

2011

(Unaudited) Restated

2011

(Audited)

 

£000

£000

£000

Revenue

-

687

731

Operating expenses

(216)

(1,465)

(1,610)

OPERATING LOSS

(216)

(778)

(879)

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

6

-

(4,410)

(14,704)

Administration costs

(852)

(575)

(1,571)

Gain on acquisition of subsidiary

-

4,192

4,186

Depreciation

6

(263)

(605)

(1,029)

Finance income

-

3

4

Finance costs

(21)

(24)

(51)

LOSS BEFORE TAXATION

(1,352)

(2,197)

(14,044)

Taxation

-

-

-

LOSS FOR THE PERIOD

(1,352)

(2,197)

(14,044)

Attributable to:

Owners of the parent

(1,352)

(2,197)

(13,950)

Non-controlling interest

-

-

(94)

(1,352)

(2,197)

(14,044)

Other comprehensive income:

Exchange differences on translation of

foreign operations

 

(317)

(480)

1,184

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD

 

(1,669)

(2,677)

(12,860)

Attributable to:

Owners of the parent

(1,621)

(2,677)

(12,945)

Non-controlling interest

(48)

-

85

(1,669)

(2,677)

(12,860)

LOSS PER SHARE

Basic and diluted (pence)

4

(0.70)

(1.38)

(8.11)

The loss arises from the Group's continuing operations.

 

 

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

 

Share capital

Share premium

Foreign exchange reserve

Share based payment reserve

Retained deficit

Total

Non-controlling Interests

Total equity

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

At 1 january 2011

1,427

27,955

646

20

(1,138)

28,910

-

28,910

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(2,197)

(2,197)

-

(2,197)

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

-

-

(480)

 

-

-

(480)

-

(480)

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

(480)

 

-

(2,197)

(2,677)

-

(2,677)

Issue of shares

455

15,014

-

-

-

15,469

-

15,469

Expenses on issue of shares

-

(25)

-

-

-

(25)

-

(25)

Share based payment

-

-

-

48

-

48

-

48

Acquisition of subsidiary

-

-

-

-

-

-

3,782

3,782

At 30 JUNE 2011 (RESTATED)

1,882

42,944

166

68

(3,335)

41,725

3,782

45,507

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(11,753)

(11,753)

(94)

(11,847)

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

-

-

1,485

 

-

-

1,485

 

179

1,664

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

1,485

 

-

(11,753)

(10,268)

 

85

10,183

Share based payment

-

-

-

248

-

248

-

248

At 31 december 2011

1,882

42,944

1,651

316

(15,088)

31,705

3,867

35,572

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(1,352)

(1,352)

-

(1,352)

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

-

-

(269)

 

-

-

(269)

 

(49)

(318)

Total comprehensive income for the period

(269)

 

-

-

(1,621)

 

(49)

(1,670)

Issue of shares

69

1,938

-

-

-

2,007

-

2,007

Share based payment

-

-

-

163

-

163

-

163

Acquisition of minority interest

-

-

-

-

81

81

(354)

(273)

Transfer of share based payment charge on cancelled options

-

-

-

 

(13)

13

-

 

-

-

At 30 june 2012

1,951

44,882

1,382

466

(16,346)

32,335

3,464

35,799

 

 

Condensed consolidated statement of financial position

30 June

2012

(Unaudited)

30 June

2011

(Unaudited) Restated

31 December

2011

(Audited)

Notes

£000

£000

£000

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Intangible exploration and evaluation assets

5

41,256

38,919

41,147

Property, plant and equipment

6

4,903

15,022

5,337

Total non-current assets

46,159

53,941

46,484

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

14

31

30

Inventory

66

9

67

Cash and cash equivalents

1,586

3,653

1,238

Total current assets

1,666

3,693

1,335

TOTAL ASSETS

47,825

57,634

47,819

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

(173)

(542)

(180)

Loans

(1,944)

(2,067)

(2,048)

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

(2,117)

(2,609)

(2,228)

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Site restoration provision

(461)

(406)

(469)

Deferred tax liability

(9,448)

(9,112)

(9,550)

Total non-current liabilities

(9,909)

(9,518)

(10,019)

TOTAL LIABILITIES

(12,026)

(12,127)

(12,247)

NET ASSETS

35,799

45,507

35,572

EQUITY

Share capital

7

1,951

1,882

1,882

Share premium

8

44,882

42,944

42,944

Foreign exchange reserve

1,382

166

1,651

Share based payment reserve

466

68

316

Retained deficit

(16,346)

(3,335)

(15,088)

Equity attributable to the owners of the parent

32,335

41,725

31,705

Non-controlling interests

3,464

3,782

3,867

TOTAL EQUITY

35,799

45,507

35,572

 

 

Approved by the board and authorised for issue on 18 September 2012

 

 

 

 

Francesco Scolaro Simon Retter

Executive Chairman Finance Director

 

 

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

 

Six months to June 2012

Unaudited

Six months to June 2011

Unaudited Restated

Year ended December 2011

£000

£000

£000

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Loss before taxation

(1,352)

(2,197)

(14,044)

Adjustment for:

Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

-

-

(15)

Gain on acquisition of subsidiary

-

(4,192)

(4,186)

Depreciation of plant and equipment

263

605

1,029

Impairment

-

4,410

14,704

Interest expense

21

24

51

Foreign exchange losses

23

123

7

Share based payment charge

163

48

296

Decrease in trade and other receivables

16

324

325

Decrease in inventory

1

188

130

(Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables

(9)

(125)

(159)

NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM OPERATIONS

(874)

(792)

(1,862)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(35)

(200)

(584)

Purchase of investments

-

(124)

(121)

Expenditure on mining licences

(354)

(94)

(719)

Proceeds of disposal of property, plant and equipment

-

-

95

Net cash outflow from investing activities

(389)

(418)

(1,329)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from issue of share capital

1,725

2,890

2,890

Expenses of issue of share capital

-

(25)

(25)

Repayment of loan from parent

(114)

22

(428)

Net cash inflow from financing activities

1,611

2,887

2,437

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

348

1,677

(754)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

1,238

1,989

1,989

Effects of foreign exchange

-

(13)

3

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT end of period

1,586

3,653

1,238

 

 

 

Notes to the interim financial statements

 

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION

 

The interim financial statements of Paragon Diamonds Limited are unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months to 30 June 2012. These include unaudited comparatives for the six month period to 30 June 2011 and those audited for the year ended 31 December 2011. The prior year comparatives for the six month period to 30 June 2011 have been restated to reflect subsequent changes to the fair value of assets acquired and associated gain on acquisition of the subsidiary that was completed in May 2011.

 

2. significant accounting policies

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention. The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those found in the preparation of the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011.

 

3. SEGMENTAL REPORTING

 

The operations of the Group are located in Lesotho, Zambia, Botswana, Sierra Leone and Tanzania. Head office costs are incurred in Guernsey.

 

The Group's primary reporting segments are geographical segments, being West Africa and Southern and East Africa.

 

The following tables show the segment analysis of the Group's loss before tax for the period, net assets and other segment information:

 

Six months ended 30 June 2012

Production -

West Africa

Exploration - South and East Africa

Total

£000

£000

£000

Income statement

Revenue

-

-

-

Administration expenses

-

(25)

(25)

Operating expenses

(216)

-

(216)

Depreciation

(263)

-

(263)

Segmental result

(480)

(25)

(525)

Head office administration costs

(826)

Interest income

(21)

Loss after tax

(1,352)

NET ASSETS

Assets

4,305

41,972

46,277

Liabilities

(1,986)

(9,995)

(11,981)

Segment net assets

2,319

31,977

34,297

Unallocated assets

1,548

Unallocated liabilities

(45)

Net assets

35,800

 

Other segment information

Capital expenditure:

Property, plant and equipment

-

35

35

Intangible exploration and evaluation assets

-

470

470

 

 

Six months ended 30 June 2011

Production -

Sierra Leone

Exploration - Tanzania

Exploration - Southern Africa

Total

£000

£000

£000

£000

Income statement

Revenue

687

-

-

687

Operating expenses

(1,465)

-

-

(1,465)

Depreciation

(605)

-

-

(605)

Impairment

(4,410)

-

-

(4,410)

Interest expense

(24)

-

-

(24)

Segmental result

(5,817)

-

-

(5,817)

Head office administration costs

(575)

Gain on acquisition of subsidiary

4,192

Interest income

3

Loss after tax

(2,197)

NET ASSETS

Assets

14,921

2,438

36,725

54,084

Liabilities

(2,636)

-

(346)

(2,982)

Deferred tax liability

-

-

(9,112)

(9,112)

Segment net assets

12,285

2,438

27,267

41,990

Unallocated assets

3,550

Unallocated liabilities

(33)

Net assets

45,507

 

Other segment information

Capital expenditure:

Property, plant and equipment

-

-

124

124

Intangible exploration and evaluation assets

 

-

-

36,215*

36,215

* includes intangible assets acquired as part of the acquisition of International Diamonds Consultants.

 

 

Year ended 31 December 2011

Production -West Africa

Exploration - South and East Africa

Total

£000

£000

£000

Income statement

Revenue

731

-

731

Administration expenses

(162)

(542)

(704)

Operating expenses

(1,610)

-

(1,610)

Impairment

(14,704)

-

(14,704)

Depreciation

(1,029)

-

(1,029)

Segmental result

(16,774)

(542)

(17,316)

Head office administration costs

-

-

(867)

Interest expense

-

-

(51)

Interest income

-

-

4

Profit on acquisition of subsidiary

-

-

4,186

Loss after tax

(14,044)

NET ASSETS

Assets

4,615

41,971

46,586

Liabilities

(2,083)

(10,086)

(12,169)

Segment net assets

2,532

31,885

34,417

Unallocated assets

1,233

Unallocated liabilities

(78)

Net assets

35,572

 

Other Segment information

Capital expenditure:

Property, plant and equipment

-

676

676

Intangible exploration and evaluation assets

 

-

36,949

36,949

 

 

4. LOSS PER SHARE

 

Basic loss per share is based on the net loss for the period of £1,352,000 (2011: £2,197,000) attributable to equity holders of the parent divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period of 193,462,871 (2011: 158,925,808).

 

 

5. INTANGIBLE EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

 

Exploration licences

£000

Cost and book value at 1 JANUARY 2011

2,524

Acquisition of subsidiary

36,166

Exploration costs capitalised

94

Foreign exchange differences

185

Cost and book value at 30 June 2011

38,919

Exploration costs capitalised

739

Foreign exchange differences

1,489

Cost and book value at 31 december 2011

41,147

Exploration costs capitalised

470

Foreign exchange differences

(361)

Cost and book value at 30 june 2012

41,256

 

The above value of intangible assets represents the cash and non-cash consideration paid by the Group at the time of acquisition.

 

Impairment

 

The Directors have considered the following factors when undertaking their impairment review of the intangible assets:

 

a) Geology and lithology on each licence as outlined in the most recent CPRs (independent Competent Person's Reports)

b) The expected useful lives of the licenses and the ability to retain the license interests at renewal

c) Comparable information for large mining and exploration companies in the vicinity of each of the licences

d) History of exploration success in the regions being explored

e) Local infrastructure

f) Climatic and logistical issues

g) Geopolitical environment

 

After considering these factors, the Directors have not made any impairment for the period to 30 June 2012.

 

6. PROPERTY, plant and equipment

 

Camp buildings

Motor vehicles

Mining equipment

Mine

Total

Cost

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

At 1 january 2011

73

45

1,996

18,697

20,811

Additions in period

-

-

200

-

200

Acquired with subsidiary

88

-

4

-

92

Foreign exchange differences

(3)

(2)

(72)

(635)

(711)

At 30 JUNE 2011

158

43

2,128

18,061

20,391

Additions in period

47

-

337

-

384

Disposals in period

-

-

(143)

-

(143)

Foreign exchange differences

(5)

2

74

658

729

AT 31 DECEMBER 2011

200

45

2,396

18,720

21,361

Additions in period

35

-

-

-

35

Foreign exchange differences

(7)

-

(45)

(38)

(90)

AT 30 JUNE 2012

228

45

2,351

18,682

21,306

Depreciation

At 1 january 2011

(3)

(3)

(133)

(215)

(354)

Charge for the period

(8)

(9)

(382)

(206)

(605)

Impairment

-

-

-

(4,410)

(4,410)

At 30 JUNE 2011

(11)

(13)

(515)

(4,831)

(5,369)

Charge for the period

(8)

(10)

(367)

(39)

(424)

Impairment

-

-

-

(10,294)

(10,294)

Disposals

-

-

63

-

63

AT 31 DECEMBER 2011

(19)

(22)

(819)

(15,164)

(16,024)

Charge for the period

(53)

(10)

(316)

-

(379)

Impairment

-

-

-

-

-

Disposals

-

-

-

-

-

AT 30 JUNE 2012

(72)

(32)

(1,135)

(15,164)

(16,403)

Net book value

At 1 JANUARY 2011

70

42

1,863

18,482

20,457

At 30 June 2011

148

31

1,612

13,231

15,022

At 31 December 2011

181

23

1,577

3,556

5,337

At 30 June 2012

156

13

1,216

3,518

4,903

 

Impairment

 

The Directors have considered the following factors when undertaking their impairment review of the tangible mining assets:

 

a) Geology and lithology on each licence as outlined in the most recent CPRs (independent Competent Person's Reports)

b) The expected useful lives of the licenses and the ability to retain the license interests at renewal

c) Comparable information for large mining and exploration companies in the vicinity of each of the licences

d) History of exploration success in the regions being explored

e) Local infrastructure

f) Climatic and logistical issues

g) Geopolitical environment

 

 

After considering these factors, the Directors have not made any impairment for the period to 30 June 2012.

 

 

7. SHARE CAPITAL

 

Number

£000

Authorised:

Ordinary shares of £0.01 each

Unlimited

Unlimited

Allotted, issued and fully paid ordinary shares of £0.01 each:

AT 1 JANUARY 2011

142,682,819

1,427

Issued in the period

45,494,235

455

AT 30 JUNE 2011

188,177,054

1,882

Issued in the period

-

-

AT 31 DECEMBER 2011

188,177,054

1,882

Issued in the period

6,918,863

69

AT 30 JUNE 2012

195,095,917

1,951

Fully paid ordinary shares carry one vote per share and carry rights to dividends.

 

On 25 January 2012 the Company issued 5,948,275 new ordinary shares in the Company at a price of 29 pence per share raising gross proceeds of £1,725,000.

 

On 25 April 2012 the Company issued 970,588 new ordinary shares in the Company at a price of 34 pence per share as consideration for the acquisition of the remaining interest in International Diamond Consultants.

 

8. SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT

 

£000

At 1 JANUARY 2011

27,955

Premium on issue of shares

15,013

Expenses on issue of shares

(25)

At 30 JUNE 2011

42,944

Premium on issue of shares

-

Expenses on issue of shares

-

AT 31 DECEMBER 2011

42,944

Premium on issue of shares (see note 7)

1,938

Expenses on issue of shares

-

AT 30 JUNE 2012

44,882

 

 

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

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