30th May 2019 07:00
Altus Strategies Plc / Index (EPIC): AIM (ALS) & TSX-V (ALTS) / Sector: Mining
30 May 2019
Altus Strategies Plc
("Altus" or the "Company")
Quarterly Report & Financial Statements
Altus Strategies Plc (AIM: ALS & TSX-V: ALTS), the Africa focused project and royalty generator, announces that it has published its unaudited financial results and Management Discussion & Analysis for the quarter ended 31 March 2019. These documents have been posted on the Company's website www.altus-strategies.com and are also available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure
Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement.
For further information you are invited to visit the Company's website www.altus-strategies.com or contact:
Altus Strategies Plc Steven Poulton, Chief Executive | Tel: +44 (0) 1235 511 767 |
SP Angel (Nominated Adviser) Richard Morrison / Soltan Tagiev |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
SP Angel (Broker) Richard Parlons / Jonathan Williams |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0471 |
Blytheweigh (Financial PR) Tim Blythe / Camilla Horsfall |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7138 3204 |
About Altus Strategies Plc
Altus is a London (AIM: ALS) and Toronto (TSX-V: ALTS) listed project and royalty generator in the mining sector with a focus on Africa. Our team creates value by making mineral discoveries across multiple licences. We enter joint ventures with respected groups and our partners earn interest in these discoveries by advancing them toward production. Project milestone payments we receive are reinvested to extend our portfolio, accelerating our growth. The portfolio model reduces risk as our interests are diversified by commodity and by country. The royalties generated from our portfolio of projects are designed to yield sustainable long term income. We engage constructively with all our stakeholders, working diligently to minimise our environmental impact and to promote positive economic and social outcomes in the communities where we operate.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release contain forward-looking information. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include without limitation the completion of planned expenditures, the ability to complete exploration programs on schedule and the success of exploration programs. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking information, which speak only as of the date of this news release.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
**END**
ALTUS STRATEGIES PLC
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
THREE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2019
Company Registration No. 10746796 (England and Wales)
As approved for issue on 22 May 2019
ALTUS STRATEGIES PLC
MANAGEMENT'S DICSUSSION AND ANALYSIS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019
GENERAL
This management discussion and analysis ("MD&A") of financial position and results of operations is prepared as at 22 May 2019 and should be read in conjunction with the interim unaudited condensed financial statements for the three month period ended 31 March 2019 and the annual audited consolidated financial statements of Altus Strategies plc (the "Company", or "Altus" and together with its subsidiaries "the Group") for the year ended 31 December 2018.
The Group's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and IFRS interpretations committee (IFRS IC) interpretations as adopted for use in the European Union and with IFRS and their interpretations issued by the IASB. The consolidated financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS, (except as otherwise stated).
The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, as modified by the financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. The financial statements are prepared in British Pounds Sterling (£), which is the functional currency of the Company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest whole pound.
Additional information on the Company's activities can be found on the Company's website at www.altus-strategies.com and at https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/ and www.sedar.com.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Altus is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. The Company's shares have been listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange ("AIM") under the symbol "ALS" since 10 August 2017 and on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") under the symbol "ALTS" since 6 June 2018.
The principal activity of the Group and Company is that of a project and royalty generator in the field of mineral exploration with a focus on Africa. Our business model is to make and monetise mineral discoveries. We proactively seek joint venture partners to finance the exploration and development of the projects we have generated, in return for a share in their ownership and the payment of future royalties to Altus. Our goal is to create shareholder value by participating in the potentially substantial and long term returns on capital that can be made by making economic mineral discoveries. Risk diversification is at the heart of our philosophy, and we enact this by exploring for a variety of minerals across several jurisdictions. At the end of the quarter the Group had a diversified portfolio of seventeen projects, exploring for six different commodities across six countries. This diversification means that the Company's portfolio is constantly evolving: new licences are added, licences that are not considered to be a good prospect are relinquished and those for which exploration, remote sensing and sample analysis indicate that a potentially economic discovery can be made are actively marketed. Licences that are under JV partnerships will be drilled, and the successful of these will result in mines being built and royalties accruing to Altus on the mineral assets produced.
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
This MD&A may contain "forward-looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. When used in this MD&A, words such as "estimate", "intend", "expect", "anticipate" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company's future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause Altus's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project and other factors.
The operating plan is also dependent on being able to raise new equity funds as required to ensure there are sufficient capital resources to acquire and explore new properties. Other factors which affect Altus' operating plan are gaining access to exploration properties by concluding agreements with local communities, and commodity prices. If any of these factors are affected negatively, such as joint venture partners being unable to raise sufficient capital to complete option agreements or if the Company is unable to raise sufficient capital of its own, there will be a significant impact on the Company's operating plan and on any forward-looking statements contained herein.
Any references made in this report to historical information, including historical geological and technical information cannot be verified. A qualified person ("Qualified Person") under the AIM rules and National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101") has not verified the sampling, analytical, and test data underlying any such historical information. The Company has obtained historical information from sources that it believes to be reliable, and assumes it is accurate and complete in all material aspects. While the Company has carefully reviewed the available historical information, it cannot guarantee its accuracy and completeness. The forward looking information and statements included in this announcement are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company on the date of this announcement. Except as required by securities laws the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this MD&A or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified above and elsewhere in this MD&A, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by securities law.
HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights for the three months ended 31 March 2019 and to the date of this report are as follows.
Corporate highlights:
· Bauxite JV Termination and Sale Agreements signed with Canyon Resources Ltd ("Canyon") in return for up to 30,000,000 new shares in Canyon and a US$1.50/t production royalty on Cameroon bauxite project
· JV Term Sheet signed with ASX-listed Indiana Resources Ltd ("Indiana") on the Lakanfla and Tabakorole gold projects in western and southern Mali
· Letter of Intent terminated with Raptor Resources Ltd in respect to Morocco focussed subsidiary
Operational highlights:
· Drill targets defined at Diba gold project, western Mali
Financial highlights:
· Balance of cash and marketable securities of £1.1m / C$1.9m (cash balance of £0.4m / C$0.7m and listed equity holdings of £0.7m / C$1.2m as at 31 March 2019)
· Cash outflow for operating activities of £0.3m / C$0.6m for 3 months ending 31 March 2019
Post period:
· Drill targets defined at Tabakorole gold project, southern Mali
· New prospect defined at Diba gold project, western Mali
· Royalty and JV Terms Sheet signed with Corben Resources Ltd ("Corben") on Zolowo and Laboum gold projects, in Liberia and Cameroon
· Extension to due diligence period granted to Indiana Resources Ltd
· Two-year extension to JV with Resolute Mining Ltd on Pitiangoma Est project, southern Mali
· Exploration update on Agdz copper-silver project, Morocco
OPERATIONS REPORT
Altus is a project and royalty generator which is focused on Africa. The Company's business model is to make mineral discoveries, prior to undertaking joint ventures with third parties who can earn up to a 100% equity interest in our projects by financing the next stages of exploration, making milestone payments to the Company and entering a royalty agreement with the Company on future production.
Due to its large size, many parts of Africa remain under-explored or not explored at all. Altus believes that significant economic deposits can still to be discovered at or close to surface. Importantly, this means that in Africa the speed of discovery can potentially be faster and the cost of discovery can potentially be lower for shareholders, when compared to more mature mining jurisdictions.
At the time of writing, Altus has a diversified portfolio of seventeen precious metal (gold and silver) and base metal (copper, zinc, bauxite and iron ore) exploration projects across six African countries (Morocco, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire and Mali). The Company has two active joint ventures, with both its partners being listed on the Australian Stock Exchange ("ASX"). The Company's current partners are Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) on the Company's Pitiangoma Est gold project in southern Mali, and Canyon Resources Ltd (ASX: CAY) on the Company's Birsok & Mandoum bauxite project in central Cameroon. The Company has agreed to terminate the latter JV in return for equity in Canyon and to vend the licences to Canyon for further equity in Canyon and a $1.50/t royalty (subject to the grant of a mining licence). At the time of writing the Company was ensuring various conditions precedent as detailed in the final agreements had been met. During the period Altus announced a Terms Sheet with ASX-listed Indiana Resources Ltd in respect of two of the Company's gold projects in Mali. The Company also announced a Terms Sheet with unlisted Australian company Corben Resources Ltd in respect of the Company's gold projects in Liberia and Cameroon.
During the quarter ending 31 March 2019, the Company's technical team has undertaken an extensive review of historical data on its existing projects, as well as examining new potential opportunities to be fed into the project generation pipeline.
The following is a review of the Company's activities by jurisdiction and project during the period.
Mali Operations
Altus holds six projects in the Republic of Mali. The projects are held through the Company's 100% owned subsidiary, LGN Holdings (BVI) Inc., which became part of the Group in January 2018 through a plan of arrangement with Legend Gold Corp. ("Legend"), which was previously listed on the TSX-V. Four of the projects (Korali Sud/Diba, Lakanfla, Djelimangara and Sebessounkoto Sud) are located in the Kayes region of western Mali, approximately 450km northwest of the capital city of Bamako; two projects (Tabakorole and Pitiangoma Est) are located in southern Mali.
Korali Sud (Diba) Gold Project (83.1 km2), Western Mali
Korali Sud ("Diba") is located 13km southwest of the Sadiola gold mine, which is operated by AngloGold Ashanti (JSE: ANG, NYSE: AU, ASX: AGG), IAMGOLD (TSX: IMG, NYSE: IAG) and the Malian government. Both Sadiola and Korali Sud are situated on the Senegal-Malian shear corridor within the world renowned 'Kenieba window'.
Korali Sud hosts the Diba historical resource (see Table 1 below), as prepared for Legend by AMEC Americas Limited ("Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate Diba Badiazila Gold Property Mali, West Africa", 30 June 2013) and filed on SEDAR by Legend on 20 September 2013. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify this historical estimate as current mineral resources and Altus is not, therefore, treating this historical estimate as a current mineral resource. However, it remains relevant to the Project and Altus believes it is also reliable. To verify this historical estimate so that the resource can be considered current, Altus would be required to contract a qualified and independent consultant to review historical drilling data and prepare a resource estimate in accordance with NI 43-101. The resource comprises stacked lenses which dip approximately 35-40 degrees ESE within the oxide zone.
Table 1: Diba project historical mineral resource | |||
Category | Tonnes (t) | Grade (g/t Au) | Metal (oz Au) |
Indicated | 6,348,000 | 1.35 | 275,200 |
Inferred | 720,000 | 1.40 | 32,500 |
Notes: Applying a 0.5g/t cut-off grade and a US$1,200/oz gold price as reported in 2013 NI 43-101 technical report.
Historical drill results from the Diba prospect (unverified by the Group) include 12m at 20.66 g/t Au and 32m at 2.06 g/t Au. Diba has a potentially low mining strip ratio with relatively limited overburden and a high proportion of the potential ore is in the oxide zone. Deeper drilling at Diba targeting the sulphide zone has intersected 1.32 g/t Au over 45m (from 93m). The sulphide zone remains open at depth.
Oxide gold mineralisation at Diba is mainly found in saprolite that is within 50m of the surface, across a compact 1,200m² area drilled to date. The deposit is controlled by a number of structures, with gold occurring as fine grained disseminations and localised high grade calcite-quartz veinlets.
During the quarter the Company undertook an extensive review of the historical data on the project. This work resulted in the definition of a number of drill targets, which, when tested, have the potential to increase the existing historical resource. One of the targets, at Diba Northwest, is located within a 2.6km2 soil anomaly which is immediately along strike and northwest of the current historic Diba resource. Systematic historic air core drilling of this area only tested to an average depth of 14.7m. However, a number of the holes terminated in gold mineralisation. Diba East is a second new target which is approximately 2km2 in size and located immediately to the east of the historic Diba resource. The target is defined by historical geophysical, air core and reverse circulation drill data. The Company has prepared a phase one exploration programme for Diba, which incorporates an initial 5,000m of drilling.
Following the period, the Company announced the discovery of a new prospect at Diba WNW, located approximately 1.5km from the Diba historical resource. This prospect is approximately 650m by 400m in size and remains open to the north and west. It was discovered by the Company's systematic termite mound sampling programme.
Lakanfla Gold Project (24 km2), Western Mali
Lakanfla is located 5km east of Korali Sud and 6.5km from (and considered to be geologically analogous to) the karst-type FE3 and FE4 open pits that form part of the Sadiola gold mine. It is also considered to be geologically analogous to the Yatela karst-type gold deposit, which was mined between 2001 and 2015, located 35km to the northwest.
The project hosts a significant number of active and historical artisanal gold workings which are coincident with major geochemical and gravity anomalies surrounding a granodiorite intrusion. Historical drilling (unverified by the Group) has returned encouraging intersections including 9.78 g/t Au over 12m and 5.20 g/t Au over 16m. Historical drilling targeted breccia mineralisation of the granodiorite, and intersected low grade gold mineralisation in limestones, voids and lose sands at depth, features which are indicative of a karst. A low gravity geophysical anomaly and corresponding surface slumps features, are also considered to be significant indicators. The karst targets remain to be drill tested.
During the quarter, the Company signed a Term Sheet for a Joint Venture with ASX-listed Indiana Resources Ltd (ASX: IDA), whereby Indiana may earn up to 85% of the Company's Lakanfla and Tabakorole gold projects, subject to staged payments being made to Altus in cash and equity, in addition to Altus retaining a 2.5% Net Smelter Return royalty on the projects. The due diligence process by Indiana is underway at the time of writing. Details of the agreement are available at the Group's website (www.altus-strategies.com/news, entry dated 7 February, 2019). On 13 March 2019, the Company announced that it had granted Indiana an extension to the due diligence so as to end on 6 May 2019. Subsequent to the reporting period the Company announced on 3 May 2019, that the due diligence period had been further extended to 14 June 2019, in light of the considerable historical data on the projects.
Djelimangara Gold Project (55 km2), Western Mali
Djelimangara is located 3km southeast from Korali Sud, and comprises four priority prospects: Sourounkoto, Kamana, Woyanda and Manankoto. These are characterised by gold-in-soil anomalies of up to 2.5km in length, coincident with hard rock gold workings in fine metasediments. Historical drilling (unverified by the Group) has reportedly returned encouraging intersections including 1.34 g/t Au over 30m.
During the quarter, the Company received results from 487 termite mound samples that were collected as part of a programme that was completed in 2018. The results defined a number of geochemical anomalies, including one priority area approximately 0.5km by 0.5km in size and which remains open to the north and south.
The Company also undertook an extensive review of the historical data on the project in order to define further targets. The next phase of work is expected to include infill termite mound sampling, trenching and infill auger sampling, to generate priority drill targets. Altus is seeking a JV partner to undertake auger drilling over priority targets to be followed up with trenching and drilling.
Sebessounkoto Sud Gold Project (28 km2), Western Mali
Sebessounkoto is located 15km southeast from Korali Sud. Historical trenching (unverified by the Group) undertaken by Barrick (formerly Randgold Resources) has reportedly returned up to 0.68 g/t Au over 61m. During 2018 the Group defined the Soa gold prospect covering a 2.7km long gold-in-soil anomaly, identified from mapping artisanal workings, and sampling spoil and termite mounds. Spoil samples returned up to 5.18 g/t Au, 3.98 g/t Au and 2.4 g/t Au.
During the quarter, the Company undertook an extensive review of the historical data on the project in order to define further targets. Altus is seeking a JV partner to undertake auger drilling over priority targets to be followed up with trenching and drilling.
Tabakorole Gold Project (100 km2), Southern Mali
Tabakorole is located 280km south of the capital city of Bamako and sits on the Massagui Belt, which hosts the Morila gold mine operated by Barrick. Exploration to date has identified a 2.7km long shear zone which is up to 200m wide and hosts a historical mineral resource, see table 2 below. The resource was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 by H. Andrew Daniels, Consulting Geologist, P.Geo in a report entitled "Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Update, June 2007 FT Project Mali, West Africa", dated July 27, 2007 and filed on SEDAR on July 27, 2007 by North Atlantic Resources Ltd. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify this historical estimate as current mineral resources and Altus is not, therefore, treating this historical estimate as a current mineral resource. However, it remains relevant to the Project and Altus believes it is also reliable. To verify this historical estimate so that the resource can be considered current, Altus would be required to contract a qualified and independent consultant to review historical drilling data and prepare a resource estimate in accordance with NI 43-101.
Historical drilling (unverified by the Group) has returned encouraging intersections including 16m at 9.31 g/t Au, 14m at 9.84 g/t Au and 60m at 2.91 g/t Au.
Table 2: Tabakorole project historical mineral resource
| ||||
Category | Tonnes (t) | Grade (g/t Au) | Metal (Oz Au) | |
Oxide | Indicated | 1,040,000 | 1.01 | 34,000 |
Inferred | 960,000 | 1.114 | 35,000 | |
Sulphide | Indicated | 6,840,000 | 0.94 | 207,000 |
Inferred | 9,590,000 | 1.03 | 318,000 |
The project is incorporated in the Term Sheet signed with Indiana (see Operations in Mali, Lakanfla project).
Subsequent to the reporting period, the Company announced that following an extensive review of the historical data on the Tabakorole project a number of priority drill targets had bene defined, which when tested have the potential to expand the FT prospect as well as define new prospects.
Pitiangoma Est Gold Project (106 km2), Southern Mali
Pitiangoma Est is located 300km southeast of the capital city of Bamako. The licence is subject to a joint venture with ASX-listed Resolute Mining Limited and is located on the Syama shear zone, 15km from the Tabakoroni deposit and 40km from the Syama gold mine (both owned by Resolute). Resolute can earn up to a 70% interest in the project by funding US$3million in exploration and completing a feasibility study. Thereafter Altus may elect to co-fund its 30% interest on a pro rata basis, or exchange its interest for a 2% Net Smelter Return royalty.
Prior to the JV with Resolute, exploration at Pitiangoma Est included regolith sampling (6,930 soil and 1,230 auger samples), lithological mapping, airborne VTEM geophysics, BLEG stream sediment sampling and RC drilling (2,160m) as well as diamond drilling (6,450m). These work programmes were completed by Endeavour Mining Corporation who held the project prior to it being acquired by Legend Gold Corporation ("Legend"). Since the commencement of the JV, Resolute has reportedly completed a gradient array IP survey, 329 air core drill holes for a total of 14,193m and 7 RC drill holes for a total of 708m.
Following the reporting period the Company announced on 8 May 2019 that it had signed a two year extension to the joint venture with Resolute until May 2021. At the time of writing drilling is reportedly underway by Resolute, following up anomalies generated by air core drilling.
Cameroon Operations
Altus holds three projects in the Republic of Cameroon including the Laboum gold project, held through the Company's 99% owned subsidiary, Auramin Ltd, and the Birsok & Mandoum bauxite project and the Bikoula & Ndjele iron ore project that are held though the Company's 97.3% owned subsidiary, Aluvance Ltd.
Laboum Gold Project (189 km2), Northern Cameroon
Laboum is located 600km northeast of the capital city of Yaoundé. The licence hosts a major Pan-African age, regional shear zone which is up to 5km wide and which comprises highly prospective Birimian metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks. Results of a ground magnetic survey and regional soil sampling programme completed by the Company have defined numerous anomalies that are coincident with structural targets. Dilational and fold structures are considered to be excellent targets for potentially economic gold deposits. Rock chip sampling by the Company has produced grades including 24.50 g/t Au, 16.15 g/t Au from quartz veins and 6.86 g/t Au from sheared and silicified metasediments. No material exploration was undertaken on the project during the quarter.
Following the reporting period, on 24 April 2019 Altus signed a Terms Sheet for a royalty and JV agreement with Corben Resources Ltd, an unlisted Australian company. Under the proposed terms, Altus will vend its Zolowo gold project in Liberia into Corben and Corben can earn up to a 100% interest in the Laboum project through a joint venture. Details of the agreement are available on the Company's website (www.altus-strategies.com/news, entry dated 24 April 2019).
Birsok (198 km2) & Mandoum (174 km2) Bauxite Project, Central Cameroon
The Birsok and Mandoum licences are located 370km northeast of the capital city of Yaoundé. From 2013 to October 2018 they were under a joint venture with ASX-listed Canyon Resources Ltd. The project is contiguous with Canyon's Minim-Martap potentially world class bauxite project.
During the quarter the Company announced that it had signed a Termination Agreement and a Sale and Purchase agreement with Canyon to terminate the JV in return for 25 million Canyon shares and to vend the JV licences into Canyon for an additional 5 million Canyon shares and a US$1.50/t royalty on the licences (subject to Canyon receiving a mining licence). Details of the agreement with Canyon are available on the Group's website (www.altus-strategies.com/news, entries dated 11 February 2019). Completion of the agreement is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent.
Bikoula (200 km2) & Ndjele (200 km2) Iron Ore Project, Southern Cameroon
The Bikoula and Ndjele licences are located 150km south of the capital city of Yaoundé. The licences are on the western geological strike of the Nkout iron ore deposit and 160km west of the Mbalam iron ore deposit. The licences are adjacent to the road linking to the deep water port at Kribi and are 30km north of the proposed trans-Cameroon east-west iron ore rail line.
The Group has defined a maiden JORC-compliant Inferred Mineral Resource of 46 Mt at 44% Fe. The resource statement is not in accordance with NI 43-101. The independent resource report was prepared by Coffey Mining South Africa (Pty) Ltd and entitled 'Mineral Resource Estimation and Classification of the Bikoula Iron Ore Project in Cameroon' and dated April 2014. The non-43-101 resource was calculated on less than 25% of the strike of a 17km-long Libi Hills airborne geophysical target. To date 48 drill holes have been completed at Bikoula. During 2018, Altus pitted a large airborne magnetic anomaly at the Nkout North prospect. This work discovered further supergene haematite within reddish clayey soils. The Group considers this prospect and the undrilled remainder of the Libi Hills prospect to represent excellent targets for the definition of further high grade iron ore resources. No material exploration was undertaken on the project during the quarter.
Altus is seeking a partner to advance the project with drilling and the preparation of an independent NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate.
Morocco Operations
Altus holds four projects in the Kingdom of Morocco through its 100% owned subsidiary, Aterian Resources Ltd, targeting copper, lead, zinc, silver and gold.
A letter of intent, signed with Raptor Resources Ltd in September 2018 to earn up to a 100% interest in the Moroccan projects, was subsequently terminated by mutual consent in February 2019. Altus continues to advance discussions with other third parties.
Agdz Copper-Silver Project (60 km2), Central Morocco
Agdz comprises four contiguous permits in the Anti-Atlas Mountains, 350km south of the capital city Rabat and 14km from the Bouskour copper mine which is operated by Managem, the Moroccan state mining group.
Altus has carried out geological mapping, surface outcrop sampling, reconnaissance trenching and ground magnetic surveys. This work has defined strongly mineralised and altered zones and a clear structural context. Three main prospects have been identified to date at Makarn, Amzwaro and Minière from which rock-chip samples have returned assay results up to 26.5% Cu and 448 g/t Ag and an initial rock-chip channel sample returned 1.25% Cu and 96 g/t Ag over 9.3m, with grades up to 2.26% Cu and 223 g/t Ag. Rock-chip and spoil samples from the Minière prospect, which hosts multiple underground workings that exploit a series of sub-parallel alteration zones, have returned 13.0% Cu, 6.0% Cu and 5.0% Cu. Mapped alteration in the Makarn prospect is analogous to that of the Bouskour mine over a 0.5km strike length mapped to date. No material exploration was undertaken on the project during the quarter.
Following the reporting period, on 9 May 2019 the Company announced results from a rock chip sampling programme on the licence. These included 2.22% Cu, 52 g/t Ag and 2.96 g/t Au. The Company also announced the discovery of further copper mineralisation within an approximately 1km long and 0.5km wide northeast trending elongate rhyolite dome, located between the Amzwaro and Makarn Prospects. The Company is planning a 50 line kilometre Induced Polarisation programme across the northern portion of the Agdz licence.
Takzim Copper-Zinc Project (72 km2), Central Morocco
Takzim comprises five permits located 35km northeast of the city of Marrakech and 7km east of the historical Bir-n-Hass copper mine. No material exploration was undertaken on the project during the quarter.
Zaer Copper Project (96 km2), Central Morocco
Zaer comprises six permits located 80km south of the capital city of Rabat in the Hercynian Massif, which contains three large granitic plutons that have been intruded into a sequence of sediments. The region hosts active and historical mines for copper, tin, tungsten, lead and zinc. Zaer is strategically located covering a 20km strike length of metamorphic aureole along a granite-metasediment contact. No further work was conducted during the quarter. No material exploration was undertaken on the project during the quarter.
Ammas Zinc-Lead Project (32 km2), Central Morocco
Ammas is comprised of two permits, located 30km south of the city of Marrakech. The project is 3km southeast and along strike of Managem's Hajjar Zn-Pb-Cu VMS mine. The Hajjar mine exploits a number of buried and folded massive sulphide lenses. No material exploration was undertaken on the project during the quarter.
Ethiopia Operations
Altus holds two projects in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia at Tigray-Afar and Daro. Both projects are held by the Company's 100% owned subsidiary, Altau Resources Ltd.
Daro Copper-Gold Project (411 km2), Northern Ethiopia
Daro is located 570km north of Ethiopia's capital city, Addis Ababa and 95km west of the Company's Tigray-Afar Cu-Ag project. The project targets potential Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide ("VMS") copper and gold deposits. It is situated in the Neo-Proterozoic Nakfa Terrane, which hosts a number of significant VMS base metal and gold deposits and mines.
Prospecting and regional mapping has identified key geological markers for a VMS deposit type setting. These include the presence of bimodal volcanics, extensive chert horizons and associated metasediments, which conform to an ophiolite complex of ancient oceanic crust and seafloor sediments.
To date, four priority prospects: Keren, Teklil, Wedihazo and Simret have been defined by the Company on the licence. The Keren prospect strikes for 2km with grab and outcrop samples returning up to 37 g/t Au and 10.35 g/t Au. At the 2.5km long Teklil prospect, located within an ophiolite complex, rock chip and grab samples have returned 24% Cu, 6.51 g/t Au and 203 g/t Ag. Rock chip and grab sample results at the 0.5km long Wedihazo prospect, have returned up to 22.3% Cu and 0.24 g/t Au. At the Simret prospect, grab samples have returned up to 944 g/t Ag, 3.55 g/t Au and 2.72% Pb and discovered Au-Ag-Cu-Pb-Zn bearing quartz veins and gossanous float.
During the quarter the Company undertook reconnaissance sampling and mapping across the project, including ground verification of satellite-borne (Sentinel) remote sensing targets. This work has generated a new gold prospect at Wedi Keshi. Results from the programme are expected in the second quarter of 2019.
Altus is actively seeking a JV partner for Daro to conduct trenching and a geophysical gravity survey with the aim of defining targets for a maiden drill programme.
Tigray-Afar Copper-Silver Project (242 km2), Northern Ethiopia
Tigray-Afar is located 580km north of Ethiopia's capital city, Addis Ababa and 95km east of the Company's Daro Cu-Au project. An evaluation of previous exploration data, has identified a potential sediment hosted copper target within a 5km long VTEM conductor. The zone hosts gossans at surface, which are interpreted to overlay a potential copper sulphide source which has yet to be drill tested. No further work was undertaken during the quarter. The next steps for the project will be to conduct a 2,000m 5-hole programme to test the presence of sedimentary hosted copper mineralisation. Altus is actively seeking a JV partner for Tigray-Afar. No material exploration was undertaken on the project during the quarter.
Liberia Operations
Altus holds one licence, Zolowo, in the Republic of Liberia through its 100% owned subsidiary, Auramin Ltd, targeting orogenic lode gold deposits within the Man Shield, which forms part of the West African Craton.
Zolowo Gold Project (466 km2), Western Liberia
Zolowo is located 190km northeast of the capital city of Monrovia. The licence targets a significant 33km-long Archaean-age greenstone belt on the West African Craton. No material exploration was undertaken on the project during the quarter.
Subsequent to the reporting period, on 24 April 2019, the Company announced that a Terms Sheet had been signed with Corben Resources which incorporated the Zolowo project (see Operations in Cameroon, Laboum project).
Côte d'Ivoire Operations
Altus holds one granted licence, Prikro, and two licence applications in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. The licence and applications are held through the Company's 100% owned subsidiary, Aeos Gold Ltd.
Prikro Gold Project (369.5 km2), Southwestern Côte d'Ivoire
Prikro is located 240km southeast of the city of Abidjan. The project targets a favourable folded and sheared Birimian-aged greenstone sequence intruded by felsic plutons, and hosts historical Au, Cu, Zn and Mo mineral occurrences. No material exploration was undertaken on the project during the quarter.
Qualified Person
The technical disclosure in this MD&A has been read and approved by Steven Poulton, Chief Executive of Altus. He has not verified the historical data disclosed in this regulatory announcement but has no reason to question its accuracy. A graduate of the University of Southampton in Geology (Hons), Steven Poulton also holds a Master's degree from the Camborne School of Mines (Exeter University) in Mining Geology. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and has over 20 years of experience in mineral exploration and is a Qualified Person under the AIM rules and National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
OUTLOOK
The Company's strategy for the next twelve months will be to:
· Close the agreements with Canyon on the JV termination and transfer of the Birsok and Mandoum project in Cameroon
· Facilitate the completion of due diligence by Indiana in respect of the Lakanfla and Tabakorole gold projects in Mali
· Facilitate the completion of due diligence by Corben in respect of the Zolowo and Laboum gold projects in Liberia and Cameroon respectively
· Develop new joint venture and or royalty agreements with third parties on the Company's remaining projects
· Undertake exploration to generate new projects within its current countries of operation; and
· Evaluate early to advance stage project and royalty acquisition opportunities, which may exist privately or within listed companies
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended 31 March 2019
Income
Income from recharging costs to JV partners of £6,000 was lower than in the comparative quarter of 2018 (£34,000), although there was no change to the nature of the revenue, reflecting mainly recharges of costs relating to the JV arrangement with Canyon on the Birsok and Mandoum licences in central Cameroon.
Expenses
Exploration costs in the quarter of £116,000 were comparable to 2018 Q1 (£131,000), reflecting a steady state of operations across the portfolio. The team has remained the same size, and the level of activity is similar, although costs on specific projects have varied and these are detailed in note 3 and in the Operations Report on pages 3 to 12.
The largest area of operations by spend was Cameroon at £35,000 for the quarter (2018 Q1: £54,000). Approximately £20,000 was spent in each of Ethiopia, Mali and Morocco, which in total was similar to the comparative quarter. In the 2018 results the costs of geologists' salaries were classified as Administrative expenses in note 3; these have been reclassified in 2019 as Operational expenses. This reclassification accounts for the reduction in Administrative expenses from £109,000 in 2018 Q1 to £67,000. The reclassification was made as geologists' salaries are more closely aligned to site costs and costs of sample and data analysis than to office costs and overheads.
Administrative costs were higher in the quarter at £318,000 compared to £252,000 in 2018 Q1. The main change was in legal and professional costs, which partly reflects the increased costs of being dual listed in the UK and Canada, but also includes a catch up of some 2018 costs in the quarter. Employee costs of £185,000 were higher than recorded costs of £153,000 in 2018 Q1, but this was due to under accrual in 2018 Q1 of deferred directors' salaries, which was corrected later in the year. Contracted remuneration of directors is as in 2018.
The fair value loss on investments of £74,000 (2018 Q1: £119,000) was in respect of the Company's holding in ASX-listed Canyon Resources Limited, which is denominated in Australian dollars.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The net assets of the Group reduced from £5,266,000 (2018 Q4) to £4,734,000, which, allowing for fluctuations in current assets and liabilities, reflected mainly a lower cash balance and a reduction in investments.
There was a small increase in the value of the group's intangible assets, reflecting costs of £13,000 capitalised in the quarter. Pursuant to the Company's policy, the carrying balances of all intangible assets were reviewed by the management team for impairment and presented to the board. No impairments were made in the quarter.
The cash balance decreased from £725,000 in 2018 Q4 to £402,000, reflecting a quarter of operating expenses with minimal revenue, offset in part by the sale of a portion of the Company's investment in Canyon worth £127,000. The value of the investment was also affected by a reduction in the recorded price of Canyon shares from A$0.20 as at 31 December to A$0.18 as at 31 March 2019.
The directors are confident, based on the experience of raising finance in 2017 and 2018, the liquidity profile of Canyon and the signing of a Letter of Intent for a JV with an ASX-listed company during the quarter, that the necessary finance will be forthcoming, and have prepared the financial statements accordingly on a going concern basis.
An increase in the value of payables from £487,000 (2018 Q4) to £646,000 was due partly to the continued deferral of board fees by non-executive directors and the partial deferral of salaries and pensions by executive directors which was outlined in detail in the 2018 Annual Report and Accounts (see www.altus-strategies.com/investors/financials/). The value of deferred remuneration during the quarter was £55,000.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
| 2019 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
Quarter Ended | 31 Mar | 31 Dec | 30 Sep | 30 Jun |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
Costs recovered from JV partners | 5,951 | 44,231 | 4,122 | 6,831 |
Exploration costs | (116,120) | (103,455) | (199,036) | (271,531) |
Administration costs | (317,500) | (404,635) | (292,732) | (197,042) |
IPO, acquisition and JV costs | (39,291) | (3,027) | - | (60,456) |
Net profit/(loss) from operations | (466,960) | (466,886) | (487,646) | (522,198) |
Investment income | 5 | 32 | 17 | 7 |
Other operating income | (2,217) | (30,974) | 10,440 | 22,171 |
Fair value gain/(loss) on investments | (74,194) | (47,011) | 494,883 | (46,383) |
Loss before taxation | (543,366) | (544,839) | 17,694 | (546,403) |
Taxation | - | - | - | - |
Income/(loss) for the quarter | (543,366) | (544,839) | 17,694 | (546,403) |
Income/(loss) per share - basic and diluted | (0.00) | (0.00) | (0.00) | (0.00) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2018 | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 |
Quarter Ended | 31 Mar | 31 Dec | 30 Sep | 30 Jun |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
Costs recovered from JV partners | 34,494 | 13,241 | 4,761 | 16,956 |
Exploration costs | (131,369) | 358,640 | (134,562) | (612,867) |
Administration costs | (252,213) | (766,007) | (221,441) | (134,507) |
IPO and acquisition costs | (47,777) | 28,979 | (212,047) | (188,354) |
Net profit/(loss) from operations | (396,865) | (365,147) | (563,289) | (918,772) |
Investment income | 6 | 3,658 | 12 | (3,624) |
Other operating income | 340 | 13,362 | 88 | 20,138 |
Fair value gain/(loss) on investments | (119,262) | 227,200 | 43,563 | (159,994) |
Loss before taxation | (515,781) | (120,927) | (519,626) | (1,062,252) |
Taxation | - | - | - | (548) |
Income/(loss) for the quarter | (515,781) | (120,927) | (519,626) | (1,062,800) |
Income/(loss) per share - basic and diluted | (0.00) | (0.01) | (0.50) | (0.00) |
There has not been a material change in the underlying costs of the business during 2018 and the first quarter of 2019 as the scope of operations, and the size of the team have remained largely the same since the completion of the Plan of Arrangement with Legend in January 2018, which brought in the six Mali gold exploration licences.
There was an increase in overheads from 2017 to 2018 due to the requirements relating to the Company's listing on the TSX-V since June 2018, and also due to the company receiving its first licence grant in Côte d'Ivoire in March 2018.
The variable costs that have resulted in the main quarterly fluctuations in the table above are as follows.
The main variations in Exploration costs are due to changes in the level of onsite activity, with additional costs to transport geologists to site including flying UK geologists to Africa, equipment rentals and maintenance and use of causal labour. The most significant cost is for assaying samples including the transport of samples to the assaying labs. Other costs which causes variations between quarters are licence renewals, annual audit costs and local taxes. Exploration licences and land rents, although a significant cost to the business, are capitalised in line with the Company's accounting policies and do not generally affect the quarterly results.
IPO and acquisition costs, and to a lesser extent Administration costs, were impacted by the recording of non-capitalised costs in relation to the listing of the Company's shares on the AIM in London in August 2017, the dual listing of the Company on the TSX-V in Toronto in June 2018 and the Plan of Arrangement with Legend in January 2018. From 2019 Q1, the costs of executing JV and other partnering agreements have been included with IPO and acquisition costs.
The change in the Fair value gain on investment is derived from the value of shares in Canyon (ASX: CAY), which varied in price between A$0.09 and A$0.29 during 2018 and were at A$0.18 at 31 March 2019, and which are subject to further fluctuation as they are denominated in Australian dollars.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company entered into a number of transactions with key management personnel. The remuneration of key management personnel includes those persons having the authority and responsibility for the planning, directing and controlling of the activities of the Company are as follows.
Three months ended 31 March 2019 |
| Remuneration | Pension Contribution | Total |
|
| £ | £ | £ |
Executive Directors |
|
|
|
|
Steven Poulton |
| 31,250 | 3,125 | 34,375 |
Matthew Grainger |
| 25,000 | 2,500 | 27,500 |
Non-executive Directors |
|
|
|
|
David Netherway |
| 8,750 | - | 8,750 |
Robert Milroy |
| 6,250 | - | 6,250 |
Michael Winn |
| 5,000 | - | 5,000 |
Total |
| 76,250 | 5,625 | 81,875 |
Paid in cash |
|
|
| 26,500 |
Deferred |
|
|
| 55,375 |
The above payments for director compensation are payments made in the normal course of business. The amounts paid for these services are negotiated in good faith by both parties and fall within normal market ranges. The Remuneration Committee reviews executive compensation annually. The Board of Directors considers any changes recommended by the Remuneration Committee and approves these changes if appropriate.
In each year directors may choose to defer some of their remuneration, whether this is salary or company pension contributions, until such time as the Company has either the headroom to be able to allot further shares to its directors, or has the liquid resources available to be able to settle the deferred amounts in cash. Deferred remuneration is recorded in the accounts by way of an accrual. The value of remuneration deferred by the directors in respect of 2019 Q1 was £55,375.
The following are the related party balances at 31 March 2019 and 31 March 2018.
| 31 March | 31 March |
Related party current assets/(liabilities) | 2019 | 2018 |
| £ | £ |
Canyon Resources Ltd | 43,501 | 23,043 |
Seabord Services Corp. | (48,071) | (46,788) |
Aegis Asset Management Ltd | 360 | 130 |
| (4,210) | (23,615) |
Canyon Resources Ltd
David Netherway is a director and shareholder of the Company. He is also a director of Canyon which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Altus has a joint venture arrangement with Canyon in relation to the Birsok and Mandoum projects in central Cameroon. Altus incurs project expenses and recharges them to Canyon. As at 31 March 2019, the balance due to Altus was £43,501 (31 March 2018: £23,043).
Seabord Services Corp.
Michael Winn is a director and shareholder of the Company. He is also the controlling party of Seabord Services Corporation ("Seaboard"). Seabord has an agreement with Altus to provide Chief Financial Officer services and administrative support to Altus. As at 31 March 2019, the balance due from Altus was £48,071 (31 March 2018: £46,788).
Aegis Asset Management Ltd
Three of the directors and shareholders of the Company (David Netherway, Steven Poulton and Matthew Grainger) are also directors of Aegis Asset Management Ltd ("Aegis"), which was formerly a subsidiary of the Company. Altus incurs some incidental costs which it recharges to Aegis. As at 31 March 2019, the balance due to Altus was £360 (31 March 2018: £130).
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS
In the application of the Group's accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are outlined below.
Critical Judgments
Share based payments
Estimating fair value for share based payment transactions requires determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which depends on the terms and conditions of the grant. For issues of shares in respect of debt the Company values the shares based on the lower of the closing price on the AIM or TSX-V of the shares on the prior day or on the volume weighted average for a reasonable period determined by management. For the grant of share options or share warrants, the Company uses the Black Scholes Model. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of any share option or appreciation right, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them.
Stability of Joint Venture Partners
The stability of the Group's joint venture partners is periodically reviewed in determining the likelihood of future funding for related projects.
Impairment of Deferred Exploration Costs
Deferred exploration costs had a carrying value as at 31 March of £4,084,576 (2018 Q4: £4,071,870). Management tests quarterly whether deferred exploration costs have a carrying value in accordance with the accounting policy stated in note 16 in the annual audited consolidated financial statements of Altus Strategies plc. Each exploration project is subject to a quarterly review either by a consultant or a senior Company geologist to determine if the exploration results returned to date warrant further exploration expenditure and have the potential to result in an economic discovery. This review takes into consideration long-term metal prices, anticipated resource volumes and grades, permitting and infrastructure, external factors affecting the project, as well as the likelihood of on-going funding from current or potential joint venture partners. In the event that a project does not represent an economic exploration target and results indicate that there is no additional upside, or that future funding from joint venture partners is unlikely, a decision will be made to discontinue exploration. A further review of the recommendations of the consultant or senior Company geologist is then performed by management. The Directors have reviewed the estimated value of each project prepared by management and do not consider any further impairment necessary.
Finance leases
The Company adopted IFRS 16 Leases as at 1 January 2019. At that date it had no assets that fell under the regime of the new standard, however, during the quarter it signed one new lease for office premises in the UK and has accounted for this applying IFRS 16. To determine the split between principal and interest in the lease the Company applied an estimate of the interest it would have to pay in order to finance payments under the new lease. This method was adopted as the Company was not able to ascertain the implied interest rate and does not have borrowings to use as a benchmark. The impact of the estimate is currently considered to be immaterial to the financial statements, but the Directors will review this approach as appropriate.
FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
Altus's strategy with respect to cash is to safeguard this asset by investing any excess cash in very low risk financial instruments such as term deposits or by holding funds in the highest yielding savings accounts with major United Kingdom banks. By using this strategy, the Company preserves its cash resources and can marginally increase these resources through the yields on these investments. The Company's financial instruments are exposed to certain financial risks, which include currency risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk.
Currency Risk
The Company's functional currency is the Pound Sterling, and major purchases are transacted in Pounds Sterling, US Dollars, Canadian Dollars, West African Francs, Ethiopian Birrs, Moroccan Dirhams and Liberian Dollars. The Company's head office expenditures are mainly incurred in Pounds Sterling and the majority of its exploration costs are incurred in the local African currencies. Some of the Company's subsidiaries have functional currencies other than Pounds Sterling. The Company is therefore exposed to unrealised foreign currency on the translation of the subsidiary's net assets. Management believes the foreign exchange risk derived from currency conversions is not significant to its operations, and therefore does not hedge its foreign exchange risk. For the three months ended 31 March 2019, the Company had an exchange loss of £15,437 (2018 Q1: £6,675) which was not material to its operations and an unrealised loss on retranslation of net assets of its subsidiaries of £nil (2018 Q1: £61,201).
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in the market interest rates. When the Company has sufficient cash, it is invested in term deposits which can be reinvested without penalty after thirty days should interest rates rise. As at 31 March 2019 the Company did not have any interest-bearing loans. Accordingly, the Company does not have significant interest rate risk.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that one party will cause a financial loss for another party by failing to discharge an obligation. The Company's credit risk is primarily attributable to receivables. The Company has no significant concentration of credit risk arising from operations. Financial instruments included in receivables consist of trade receivables and amounts due from associates.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company's objective is to ensure that there are sufficient committed financial resources to meet its current obligations and its future business requirements for a minimum of twelve months. As at 31 March 2019 the Company had a balance of cash and marketable securities of £1.1m. Based on this balance, along with the ability of the Company to raise finance that has been demonstrated in the last two years, and the possibility of reducing some discretionary costs, the Directors believe the Company has the means to continue its operations for a further twelve months and have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Group adopted IFRS 9 Financial Instruments in the comparative quarter, 2018 Q1, which did not result in any changes to the Group and Company's financial statements.
Fair Values
The Company's financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, investments, and trade and other payables. Financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value with subsequent measurement depending on classification as described below. Classification of financial instruments depends on the purpose for which the financial instruments were acquired or issued, their characteristics, and the Company's designation of such instruments. The Company has classified its financial instruments as follows:
| Investments | Amortised |
|
As at 31 March 2019 | at FVTPL £ | Cost £ | Total £ |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents | - | 401,656 | 401,656 |
Trade and other receivables | - | 123,443 | 123,443 |
Non-current investments | 682,671 | - | 682,671 |
Trade and other payables | - | (645,603) | (645,603) |
|
|
|
|
| 682,671 | (120,504) | 562,167 |
Financial instruments measured at fair value on the statement of financial position are summarized into the following fair value hierarchy levels.
a) Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
b) Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).
c) Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).
OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA
As of the reporting date of this MD&A, the Company had 177,899,659 ordinary shares issued and outstanding. There were also 28,603,477 share purchase warrants outstanding as follows.
Warrants outstanding | Exercise price* | Issue date | Expiry date |
300,000 | C$0.083 (£0.048) | 30 January 2018 | 8 September 2019 |
911,861 | C$0.225 (£0.129) | 18 April 2018 | 17 April 2021 |
27,391,616 | C$0.300 (£0.172) | 18 April 2018 | 17 April 2023 |
* Exercise prices in GBP are determined by reference to the underlying Canadian Dollar price and the exchange rate as at 31 March 2019.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
· No Assurance of Titles or Borders
The acquisition of the right to exploit mineral properties is a very detailed and time-consuming process. There can be no guarantee that the Company has acquired title to any such surface or mineral rights or that those rights will be obtained in the future. To the extent they are obtained, titles to the Company's surface rights or mineral properties may be challenged or impugned and title insurance is generally not available. The Company's mineral properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims and title may be affected by, among other things, undetected defects. Such third-party claims could have a material adverse impact on the Company's operations.
Mineral Property Exploration and Mining Risks
The business of mineral deposit exploration and extraction involves a high degree of risk. Few properties that are explored ultimately become producing mines. At present, none of the Company's properties has a known commercial ore deposit. The main responses to operating risks include: ensuring ownership of and access to mineral properties by confirmation that option agreements, claims and leases are in good standing and obtaining permits for drilling and other exploration activities. There can be additional risks involved in some countries where pending applications for claims or licenses can be affected by government changes to application procedures.
Some of the Company's mineral properties are located within or near local communities. In these areas, it may be necessary as a practical matter to negotiate surface access with these local communities. There can be no guarantee that, despite having the legal right to access a mineral property and carry on exploration activities, that the Company will be able to negotiate a satisfactory agreement with the existing land owners or communities for this access. Therefore, the Company or one of its joint venture partners may be unable to carry out exploration activities on a property. In those circumstances where access has been denied by a local community or land owner, the Company may need to rely on the assistance of local officials or the courts to gain access or it may be forced to abandon the property.
Altus may acquire properties through option agreements in the future. Acquisition of title to the properties under these kinds of agreements is only completed when all the option conditions have been met. These conditions generally include making property payments, incurring exploration expenditures on the properties and can include the satisfactory completion of pre-feasibility studies. If the Company does not satisfactorily complete these option conditions in the time frame laid out in the option agreements, the Company's title to the related property will not vest and the Company will have to write-off the previously capitalized costs related to that property.
Joint Venture Funding Risk
When appropriate, Altus seeks partners through joint ventures or option agreements to fund exploration and project development and the Company seeks to retain a royalty interest in its projects as well as receive milestone based payments. The main risk of this strategy is that funding partners may not be able to raise sufficient capital to satisfy exploration and other expenditure terms in a particular option agreement. As a result, exploration and development of one or more of the Company's property interests may be delayed depending on whether Altus can find another partner or has enough capital resources to fund the exploration and development on its own.
Commodity Price Risk
Altus is exposed to commodity price risk. Declines in the market prices of gold, base metals and other minerals may adversely affect its ability to raise capital or attract joint venture partners to fund exploration on its mineral properties. Commodity price declines could also reduce the amount the Company would receive on the disposition of one of its mineral properties to a third party.
Financing and Share Price Fluctuation Risks
Altus has limited financial resources, has no reliable source of operating cash flow and has no assurance that additional funding will be available to it for further exploration and development of its projects. Further exploration and development of one or more of the Company's projects may be dependent upon the Company's ability to obtain financing through equity issues, debt financing or the sale of some of its exploration properties. Failure to obtain this financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration and development of its projects which could result in the loss of one or more of its properties.
Securities markets often experience a high degree of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies, particularly those considered to be development stage companies such as Altus, have experienced wide fluctuations in share prices which have not necessarily been related to their operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to attract additional capital or whether share prices will be strong to enough to make private placements advisable.
Political and Currency Risks
The Company is operating in African countries, where there is a higher risk of political uncertainty and instability. The Company regularly monitors the political situation in each country in which it operates. Changing political situations may affect the manner the Company operates. The Company's equity financings are sourced in Pounds Sterling and Canadian Dollars but it incurs a significant portion of its expenditures in US Dollars and West African Francs, Ethiopian Birr and Moroccan Dirham. There are no currency hedges in place. Therefore, a weakening of its funding currencies against the US Dollar, West African Franc, Ethiopian Birr and Moroccan Dirham could have an adverse impact on the amount of exploration conducted.
Insured and Uninsured Risks
During exploration, development and production on mineral properties, the Company is subject to many risks and hazards in general, including adverse environmental conditions, operational accidents, labour disputes, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, changes in the regulatory environment and natural phenomena such as inclement weather, floods, and earthquakes. Such occurrences could result in damage to the Company's property or facilities and equipment, personal injury or death, environmental damage to properties of the Company or others, delays, monetary losses and possible legal liability.
Although the Company may maintain insurance to protect itself against certain risks in such amounts as it considers reasonable, its insurance may not cover all the potential risks associated with its operations. The Company may also be unable to maintain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums or for other reasons. Should such liabilities arise, they could reduce or eliminate future profitability and result in increased costs, have a material adverse effect on the Company's results and cause a decline in the value of the Company's securities. Some work is carried out through independent consultants and the Company requires that all consultants carry their own insurance to cover any potential liabilities because of their work on a project.
Environmental Risks and Hazards
The activities of the Company are subject to environmental regulations issued and enforced by government agencies. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner that will require stricter standards and enforcement and involve increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects, and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. There can be no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation will not adversely affect Altus's operations. Environmental hazards may exist on properties in which the Company holds interests which are unknown to the Company at present.
Conflicts of Interest
The Company's directors and officers may serve as directors or officers of other companies or have significant shareholdings in other resource companies and to the extent that such other companies may participate in ventures in which the Company may participate, some directors of the Company may have a conflict of interest in negotiating and concluding terms respecting the extent of such participation. If such a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the Company's directors, a director who has such a conflict will abstain from voting for or against the approval of such participation or such terms. In accordance with best practice and the laws of British Columbia, the directors of the Company are required to act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. In determining whether the Company will participate in a program and the interest therein to be acquired by it, the directors will primarily consider the degree of risk to which the Company may be exposed and its financial position at that time.
Key Personnel Risk
The Company's success is dependent upon the performance of key personnel working in management and administrative capacities. The loss of the services of any senior management or key personnel could have a material and adverse effect on the Company, its business and results of operations.
Competition
The Company will compete with many companies and individuals that have substantially greater financial and technical resources than the Company for the acquisition and development of its projects as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified consultants and employees.
Company Registration No. 10746796
(England and Wales)
ALTUS STRATEGIES PLC
INTERIM UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2019
NOTICE
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared by management and approved by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have not been reviewed by the Company's external auditors.
ALTUS STRATEGIES PLC
INTERIM UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 31 MACRH 2019
CONDENSED CONSOLDIATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
|
|
|
|
|
| For the three months ended31 March |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| 2019 |
| 2018 | |
| Notes |
|
|
|
| £ |
| £ | |
Continuing operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Management fees and costs recovered from joint venture partners |
|
|
|
|
| 5,951 |
| 34,494 | |
Exploration costs expensed | 3 |
|
|
|
| (116,120) |
| (131,369) | |
Administrative expenses | 4 |
|
|
|
| (330,085) |
| (252,213) | |
IPO, listing, acquisition and JV agreement related costs |
|
|
|
|
| (26,706) |
| (47,777) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Loss from operations |
|
|
|
|
| (466,960) |
| (396,865) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Investment receivable |
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
| 6 | |
Other operating costs |
|
|
|
|
| (2,217) |
| 340 | |
Fair value (loss)/gain on investments |
|
|
|
|
| (74,194) |
| (119,262) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Loss before taxation |
|
|
|
|
| (543,366) |
| (515,781) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Taxation |
|
|
|
|
| - |
| - | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Loss for the quarter |
|
|
|
|
| (543,366) |
| (515,781) | |
Exchange differences on retranslation of net assets of subsidiaries |
|
|
|
|
| - |
| (61,201) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Total comprehensive loss for the quarter |
|
|
|
|
| (543,366) |
| (576,982) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Loss for the quarter attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
- Owners of the parent company |
|
|
|
|
| (543,654) |
| (513,451) | |
- Non-controlling interest |
|
|
|
|
| 288 |
| (2,330) | |
|
|
|
|
|
| (543,366) |
| (515,781) | |
Total comprehensive loss for the quarter attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
- Owners of the parent company |
|
|
|
|
| (543,654) |
| (574,652) | |
- Non-controlling interest |
|
|
|
|
| 288 |
| (2,330) | |
|
|
|
|
|
| (543,366) |
| (576,982) | |
Basic earnings per share (pence) attributable to the owners of the parent |
|
|
|
|
| (0.31) |
| (0.38) | |
Diluted earnings per share (pence) attributable to the owners of the parent |
|
|
|
|
| (0.31) |
| (0.38) | |
ALTUS STRATEGIES PLC (CO. NUMBER: 10746796)
INTERIM UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2019
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
|
|
|
|
|
| As at31 March 2019 |
| As at31 December 2018 |
| Notes |
|
|
|
| £ |
| £ |
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible assets | 5 |
|
|
|
| 4,084,576 |
| 4,071,870 |
Property, plant and equipment |
|
|
|
|
| 6,522 |
| 7,932 |
Investments |
|
|
|
|
| 682,671 |
| 883,763 |
Leased assets |
|
|
|
|
| 95,310 |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4,869,079 |
| 4,963,565 |
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other receivables |
|
|
|
|
| 123,446 |
| 79,292 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
| 401,656 |
| 724,785 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 525,102 |
| 804,077 |
Total assets |
|
|
|
|
| 5,394,181 |
| 5,767,642 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables |
|
|
|
|
| (565,982) |
| (486,934) |
Provisions |
|
|
|
|
| (15,000) |
| (15,000) |
|
|
|
|
|
| (580,982) |
| (501,934) |
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long term lease liabilities |
|
|
|
|
| (79,621) |
| - |
Total liabilities |
|
|
|
|
| (660,603) |
| (501,934) |
Net assets |
|
|
|
|
| 4,733,578 |
| 5,265,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital | 6 |
|
|
|
| 1,778,996 |
| 1,777,827 |
Share premium | 6 |
|
|
|
| 6,028,889 |
| 6,018,822 |
Translation reserve |
|
|
|
|
| (76,992) |
| (76,992) |
Other reserves |
|
|
|
|
| 5,770,070 |
| 5,770,070 |
Retained earnings |
|
|
|
|
| (8,695,181) |
| (8,151,527) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity attributable to owners of the parent |
|
|
|
|
| 4,805,782 |
| 5,338,200 |
Non-controlling interest |
|
|
|
|
| (72,204) |
| (72,492) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity |
|
|
|
|
| 4,733,578 |
| 5,265,708 |
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 22 May 2019 and are signed on its behalf by:
…........................... |
|
Steven Poulton |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
ALTUS STRATEGIES PLC
INTERIM UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2019
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
Quarter ended 31 March 2018: | Share capital | Share premium account | Translation reserve | Other reserves | Retained earnings | Total equity | Non-controlling interest | Total |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
Balance at 1 January 2018 | 1,076,808 | 999,000 | - | 5,727,614 | (6,656,664) | 1,146,758 | (70,003) | 1,076,755 |
Loss for the period | - | - | - | - | (513,451) | (513,451) | (2,330) | (515,781) |
Other comprehensive loss for the period | - | - | (61,201) | - | - | (61,201) | - | (61,201) |
Loss and total comprehensive loss for the period | - | - | (61,201) | - | (513,451) | (574,652) | (2,330) | (576,982) |
Issue of share capital for Legend acquisition | 410,603 | 3,079,519 | - | - | - | 3,490,122 | - | 3,490,122 |
Warrants acquired as part of the Legend acquisition |
| - | - | 100,000 | - | 100,000 | - | 100,000 |
Total transactions with owners, recognised directly in equity | 410,603 | 3,079,519 | - | 100,000 | - | 3,590,122 | - | 3,590,122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 31 March 2018 | 1,487,411 | 4,078,519 | (61,201) | 5,827,614 | (7,170,115) | 4,162,228 | (72,333) | 4,089,895 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended 31 March 2019: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as at 1 January 2019 | 1,777,827 | 6,018,822 | (76,992) | 5,770,070 | (8,151,527) | 5,338,200 | (72,492) | 5,265,708 |
Loss for the period | - | - | - | - | (543,654) | (543,654) | 288 | (543,366) |
Other comprehensive loss for the period | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Loss and total comprehensive loss for the period | - | - | - | - | (543,654) | (543,654) | 288 | (468,892) |
Issues of shares | 1,169 | 10,067 | - | - | - | 11,236 | - | 11,236 |
Total transactions with owners, recognised directly in equity | 1,169 | 10,067 | - | - | - | 11,236 | - | 11,236 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 31 March 2019 | 1,778,996 | 6,028,889 | (76,992) | 5,770,070 | (8,695,181) | 4,805,782 | (72,204) | 4,733,578 |
ALTUS STRATEGIES PLC
INTERIM UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2019
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
| For the three months ended31 March | ||
|
|
|
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
|
|
|
| £ |
| £ |
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss for the quarter after taxation |
|
|
| (543,366) |
| (515,781) |
Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest paid |
|
|
| 2,212 |
| (6) |
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment |
|
|
| 6,509 |
| 1,911 |
Fair value (gain)/loss on investments |
|
|
| 74,194 |
| - |
Other gains and losses |
|
|
| 13,889 |
| 119,262 |
Movements in working capital: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables |
|
|
| (66,199) |
| (53,093) |
Increase in trade and other payables |
|
|
| 82,752 |
| 197,813 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows (used in)/ generated from operating activities |
|
|
| (430,010) |
| (249,894) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of intangible assets |
|
|
| (12,706) |
| - |
Purchase of property plant and equipment |
|
|
| (5,099) |
| (5,454) |
Purchase of subsidiary net of cash acquired |
|
|
| - |
| (124,777) |
Sale of investment |
|
|
| 126,898 |
| - |
Net interest paid |
|
|
| (2,212) |
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
| 106,881 |
| (130,225) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issue of shares |
|
|
| - |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from financing activities |
|
|
| - |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
| (323,129) |
| (380,119) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period |
|
|
| 724,785 |
| 523,344 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange gains and losses |
|
|
| - |
| 10,043 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period |
|
|
| 401,656 |
| 153,268 |
ALTUS STRATEGIES PLC
INTERIM UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2019
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Accounting policies
General information
Altus Strategies plc ("the Company") is a public company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 14 Station Road, The Orchard Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7LL. The principal activity of the Company and its subsidiaries (together the "Group") is that of a mineral exploration project and royalty generator.
The Company's shares are listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange ("AIM") and the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). The Company's shares were admitted to trading on the AIM on 10 August 2017 and the TSXV on 6 June 2018.
Basis of preparation
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting ("IAS 34") using accounting policies consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and IFRS interpretations committee (IFRS IC) interpretations as adopted for use in the European Union and IFRS and their interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). These financial statements do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in the Companies Act 2006.
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with the same accounting policies and methods of application as the most recent audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018, and those envisaged for the year ended 31 December 2019, except for the new policies outlined below. The Group has not adopted any standards or interpretation in advance of the required implementation dates. It is not anticipated that the future adoption of any new or revised standards or interpretations issued by the IASB will have a material impact on the Group's earnings or shareholder's funds. The effect of the adoption of IFRS 16 is outlined below.
These condensed interim financial statements are for the three month period ended 31 March 2019. Comparative information has been provided for the unaudited three month period ended 31 March 2018, and where applicable the audited twelve month period ended 31 December 2018.
The financial statements are prepared in British Pounds Sterling (£), which is the functional currency of the Company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest whole pound.
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the valuation of investments at fair value through profit or loss.
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have not been audited or reviewed by the Company's external auditors, PKF Littlejohn.
Basis of consolidation
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements comprise the accounts of the parent company, and its subsidiaries, after the elimination of all material intercompany balances and transactions.
Going concern
The Directors have at the time of approving these condensed consolidated financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Group and Company have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. In common with many junior resource investment and exploration companies, the Group and Company raise funds in discrete tranches from existing shareholders and /or new investors. The Directors and management are using funds for the evaluation of resource investment and exploration opportunities. The current funds are forecast to provide sufficient working capital through the next financial year and additional funds will be raised as and when required. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Risks and uncertainties
The Directors continuously assesses and monitors the key risks of the business. The key risks that could affect the Group's medium term performance and the factors that mitigate those risks have not substantially changed from those set out in the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2018, a copy of which is available on the Group's website, www.altus-strategies.com, and on SEDAR, www.sedar.com. The key financial risks are liquidity risk, commodity risk, foreign exchange risk and credit risk.
Critical accounting estimates
The preparation of condensed consolidated interim financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the end of the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates are set out in Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2018. The nature and amounts of such estimates have not changed significantly during the interim periods.
The Group has one lease under the rules of the newly-adopted IFRS 16, which was signed during the period.
Foreign exchange gains and losses on consolidation
On consolidation, the results of overseas operations measured using a different functional currency to British Pounds Sterling, are translated into British Pounds Sterling at rates approximating to those ruling when the transactions took place. All assets and liabilities of these overseas operations are translated at the rate of the reporting date. Exchange differences arising on translating the opening net assets at opening rate and the results of overseas operations at actual rate are recognised in other comprehensive income.
Valuation of equity units issued in private placements
The Company has adopted a residual value method with respect to the measurement of shares and warrants issued as private placement units. The residual value method first allocated value to the more easily measurable component based on fair value and then the residual value, if any, to the less easily measurable component.
The fair value of the ordinary shares issued in private placements are determined to be the more easily measurable component and were valued at their fair value, as determined by the closing quoted bid price on the day of issuance of the ordinary shares. The balance, if any, was allocated to the attached warrants. Any fair value attributed to the warrants is recorded in other reserves.
Adoption of IFRS 16
On 1 January 2019, the Group adopted all of the requirements of IFRS 16 - Leases. IFRS 16 Leases was issued in January 2016 and provides a single lessee accounting model, requiring lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases unless the lease term is 12 months or less or the underlying asset has a low value.
At 1 January 2019 the Group had no leases with a lease term greater than 12 months. Consequently, the adoption of the standard resulted in no impact to the opening financial statements. Periodic payments made in respect of mineral exploration site licences are capitalised under the rules of IFRS 6.
One new lease was signed during the period. In the Statement of Financial Position the right-of-use asset is recorded in Non-current assets and the lease liability is split between Current liabilities for the portion due within 12 months (£16,797) and Non-current liabilities for the remainder (£79,621).
To determine the split between principal and interest in the lease the Company applied an estimate of the interest it would have to pay in order to finance payments under the new lease. This method was adopted as the Company was not able to ascertain the implied interest rate and does not have borrowings to use as a benchmark. The impact of the estimate is currently considered to be immaterial to the financial statements, but the Directors will review this approach as appropriate.
The figures brought into the Statement of Financial Position represent 2% of Non-current assets, 3% of Current liabilities and 100% of Non-current liabilities. The net effect on Net Assets is a reduction of £1,108. Expensed lease costs relating to low value assets was £8,421. Cash outflow in the period for lease payments was £14,546.
2. Segmental Analysis
The Group operates principally in the UK, Canada and Africa, with operations managed on a project by project basis within each geographical area. Activities in the UK and Canada are mainly administrative in nature whilst the activities in Africa relate to exploration and evaluation work.
| For the three months ended 31 March | |||||
UK & Canada | Africa | Total | UK & Canada | Africa | Total | |
| 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
Management fees and costs recovered from joint venture partners | - | 5,951 | 5,951 | - | 34,494 | 34,494 |
Loss from operations | (346,223) | (121,634) | (467,856) | (207,458) | (189,407) | (396,865) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reportable segment assets | 1,173,934 | 4,199,410 | 5,373,343 | 638,027 | 4,144,161 | 4,782,188 |
Reportable segment liabilities | (481,913) | (81,929) | (563,842) | (466,690) | (225,603) | (692,293) |
3. Exploration Expenses | For the three months ended 31 March |
| |||||||
Location and licence | Administrative expenses | Operational expenses | Travel expenses | Total | Administrative expenses | Operational expenses | Travel expenses | Total | |
| 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
Cameroon - Bikoula & Ndjele | - | - | - | - | 5,504 | 19 | - | 5,523 | |
Cameroon - Birsok & Mandoum | - | 281 | - | 281 | 9,902 | - | - | 9,902 | |
Cameroon - Laboum | - | - | - | - | 5,481 | 34 | - | 5,515 | |
Cameroon - General | 26,708 | 7,772 | - | 34,480 | 31,213 | 608 | 1,212 | 33,033 | |
Ethiopia - Daro | 413 | 439 | 3,107 | 3,959 | 372 | 11,032 | 616 | 12,020 | |
Ethiopia - Tigray-Afar | - | - | - | - | 2,534 | 232 | 50 | 2,816 | |
Ethiopia - General | 5,704 | 8,230 | 2,557 | 16,491 | 10,788 | 886 | 1,459 | 13,133 | |
Ivory Coast - Prikro | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Ivory Coast - General | 7,015 | 13 | - | 7,028 | 30 | - | - | 30 | |
Liberia - Zolowo | 27 | - | - | 27 | 2,104 | 1,135 | 2,388 | 5,627 | |
Liberia - General | 564 | 10,995 | 105 | 11,664 | 7,914 | - | - | 7,914 | |
Mali - Korali Sud (Diba) | 162 | - | - | 162 | 2,616 | - | - | 2,616 | |
Mali - Djelimangara | 143 | 6 | 985 | 1,134 | 186 | - | - | 186 | |
Mali - Lakanfla | 278 | - | - | 278 | 458 | 103 | - | 561 | |
Mali - Pitiangoma Est | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Mali - Sebessounkoto Sud | 36 | - | - | 36 | 190 | - | - | 190 | |
Mali - Tabakorole | 442 | - | - | 442 | 12,975 | - | - | 12,975 | |
Mali - General | 13,895 | 5,159 | 1,580 | 20,634 | - | - | - | - | |
Morocco - Agdz | 616 | 2,060 | 35 | 2,711 | 1,699 | 1,128 | 224 | 3,051 | |
Morocco - Ammas | - | (325) | - | (325) | - | - | - | - | |
Morocco - Takzim | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Morocco - Zaer | - | 10 | 884 | 894 | - | - | - | - | |
Morocco - General | 10,787 | 4,833 | 604 | 16,224 | 15,069 | 1,126 | 82 | 16,277 | |
Total | 66,790 | 39,473 | 9,857 | 116,120 | 109,035 | 16,303 | 6,031 | 131,369 | |
|
|
| |||||||
4. Administrative expenses
Administrative expenses include the following balances |
| |
| 2019 | 2018 |
| £ | £ |
Employee costs | 185,165 | 153,038 |
Costs incurred on behalf of joint venture partners | 1,986 | - |
Legal and professional expenses | 37,105 | 6,550 |
Audit and accounting expenses | 19,222 | 10,568 |
Costs relating to stock exchange listings | 33,450 | - |
Corporate travel expenses | 16,619 | 15,024 |
Premises expenses | 6,609 | 19,573 |
Exchange losses/(gains) | 15,437 | 6,675 |
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 1,493 | 1,911 |
Depreciation of leased assets | 5,016 | - |
Other expenses | 7,983 | 38,874 |
| 330,085 | 252,213 |
5. Intangible Assets
Licence | Country | At 1 January 2019 | Additions | FX adjustment |
| At 31 March 2019 |
Warrant exercise | ||||||
|
| £ | £ | £ |
| £ |
Korali Sud (Diba) | Mali | 1,373,508 | - | (2,555) | (29,591) | 1,341,362 |
Lakanfla | Mali | 599,233 | - | (1,115) | (12,910) | 585,208 |
Djelimangara | Mali | 390,476 | - | (726) | (8,413) | 381,337 |
Sebessounkoto Sud | Mali | 403,970 | - | (751) | (8,703) | 394,516 |
Tabakorole | Mali | 592,447 | - | (1,102) | (12,764) | 578,581 |
Pitiangoma Est | Mali | 585,712 | - | (1,089) | (12,619) | 572,004 |
Adjustment |
| (85,000) | - | - | 85,000 | - |
Laboum | Cameroon | 38,043 | 8,402 | - |
| 46,445 |
Bikoula | Cameroon | 35,130 | 7,926 | - |
| 43,056 |
Ndjele | Cameroon | 6,327 | 1,985 | - |
| 8,312 |
Birsok | Cameroon | 65,130 | - | - |
| 65,130 |
Mandoum | Cameroon | 39,210 | - | - |
| 39,210 |
Tigray-Afar | Ethiopia | 15,752 | - | - |
| 15,752 |
Daro | Ethiopia | - | - | - |
| - |
Agdz | Morocco | 4,706 | 1,731 | - |
| 6,437 |
Takzim | Morocco | 616 | - | - |
| 616 |
Zaer | Morocco | - | - | - |
| - |
Prikro | Ivory Coast | 1,474 | - | - |
| 1,474 |
Zenoula (application) | Ivory Coast | - | - | - |
| - |
Toura (application) | Ivory Coast | 1,338 | - | - |
| 1,338 |
Zolowo | Liberia | 3,798 | - | - |
| 3,798 |
|
| 4,071,870 | 20,044 | (7,338) | (85,000) | 4,084,576 |
The 2018 adjustment of £85,000 to the value of the licences brought onto the Company's balance sheet by the Plan of Arrangement with Legend Gold Corp. resulting from the exercise of warrants existing at the date of the Plan of Arrangement was allocated across the Mali licences during the period in proportion to their carrying value.
6. Share Capital
|
| Number of shares |
| Share capital |
| Share premium | Total | |
|
|
| £ |
| £ |
| £ | |
At 1 January 2019 |
| 177,782,676 |
| 1,777,827 |
| 6,018,822 |
| 7,796,649 |
Shares issued in period |
| 116,973 |
| 1,169 |
| 10,067 |
| 11,236 |
At 31 March 2019 |
| 177,899,649 |
| 1,778,996 |
| 6,028,889 |
| 7,807,885 |
On 4 March 2019 the Company issued 116,973 Ordinary shares of £0.01 nominal value in accordance with a Finder Agreement dated 28 March 2017.
7. Share warrants
1 Exercise prices are determined by reference to the underlying Canadian Dollar price and the exchange rate as at 31 March 2019.
The approximate weighted average exercise price of outstanding warrants is £0.170.
Warrants issued on 30 January 2018 represent outstanding warrants of Legend which were replaced by the Company when it acquired Legend.
|
8. Share Options
The Company does not presently operate a share option plan.
9. Earnings per share
The calculation of the basic loss per share of 0.26 pence for the three months ended 31 March 2019 (2018: loss of 0.38 pence) is based on the profit attributable to the equity holders of the Company of £467,784 for the three month period ended 31 March 2019 (2018: loss of £517,565) divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period of 177,817,768 (2018: 107,782,686).
The basic and diluted profit per share are the same, as the warrants in issue were not dilutive at 31 March 2019.
Details of warrants that could potentially dilute earnings per share in future periods are disclosed in note 7 above.
10. Dividends
No dividend has been declared or paid by the Company during the three months ended 31 March 2019 (£nil).
11. Related party transactions
Directors' contracted remuneration for the three month period ending 31 March 2019 was £81,875 (2018: £69,367), although only £26,500 of this was paid, with the rest being deferred.
For the three months ended 31 March 2019, the Group incurred expenses of £16,317 (2018: £3,317) for services provided by Seabord Services Corp. ("Seabord"), a company controlled by one of the directors, Michael Winn. Seabord is a management services company that provides the services of a Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") and administrative support to the Group. At 31 March 2019 £48,071 was due to Seabord (at 31 March 2018: £46,788).
For the three months ended 31 March 2019 the Group recharged £5,951 (2018: £34,493) of costs to Canyon Resources Ltd ("Canyon") with respect to the Birsok & Mandoum project joint venture between Canyon and Altus. Canyon is a company with a mutual director, David Netherway. At 31 March 2019 £43,501 was due from Canyon (at 31 March 2018: £23,043).
For the three months ended 31 March 2019 the Group recharged £nil (2017: £ni) of costs to Aegis Asset Management Limited ("Aegis"). Aegis is a company with three mutual directors, David Netherway, Steven Poulton and Matthew Grainger. At 31 March 2019 £360 was due from Aegis (at 31 March 2018: £130).
12. Ultimate controlling party
The Directors believe there to be no ultimate controlling party.
13. Approval of financial statements
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements were authorised for issue by the board of directors on
22 May 2019.
Related Shares:
ALS.L