The information contained within
this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as
stipulated under the retained EU law version of the Market Abuse
Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (the "UK MAR") which is part of UK law by
virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The information
is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under
Article 17 of the UK MAR. Upon the publication of this
announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in
the public domain.
30 September 2024
Kropz Plc
("Kropz" or the
"Company")
Final Audited
Results for the
period ended 31 March 2024
and
Notice of General
Meeting
Kropz plc (AIM: KRPZ), an emerging
African phosphate producer, is pleased to announce its
Final Audited Results for the 15-month period
ended 31 March 2024 and the publication of the Company's Annual
Report and Accounts.
The full financial report will be
available online immediately on the Company's website at
www.kropz.com and will be posted to shareholders that have elected to
receive printed copies today. Printed copies will, therefore,
be available to shareholders who have elected to receive them
during the course of the week.
The Company will hold a General
Meeting for the purposes of approving the Annual Report which will
be held at the offices of Memery Crystal at 165 Fleet Street,
London EC4A 2DY on 4 November 20224 at 12:30 p.m.
Highlights
Key developments during the financial period ended 31 March
2024
Corporate
·
Kropz plc ("Kropz'' or the "Company'') changed
its accounting reference date from 31 December to 31 March in
November 2023. Accordingly, these financial statements cover the 15
months from 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2024. Comparative amounts
are for the year ended 31 December 2022.
· As
announced on 16 January 2023, Kropz appointed Louis
Loubser to the board of the Company as Chief Executive Officer
("CEO") and executive director.
· Michelle Lawrence resigned as Chief Operating Officer of
Kropz and as an executive director of Kropz Elandsfontein with
effect from 1 January 2023. Mark Maynard was appointed Chief
Operating Officer with effect from 1 January 2023.
· PKF
Littlejohn LLP has been appointed as the group auditors for the
financial period to 31 March 2024.
· The
third, fourth and final fifth drawdown on the ZAR 550
million Equity Facility with the ARC Fund occurred during the
financial period.
· As
announced on 14 March 2023, Kropz Elandsfontein and ARC Fund agreed
to a further ZAR 285 million (approximately US$ 15.5 million) of
bridge loan facility ("Loan 1") to meet immediate cash requirements
at Kropz Elandsfontein. The full loan was drawn down at 31
March 2024.
· As
announced on 14 September 2023, Kropz Elandsfontein and ARC
Fund ("ARC") agreed to a further ZAR 250
million (approximately US$ 13.2 million) of bridge
loan facility ("Loan 2") to meet immediate cash requirements at
Kropz Elandsfontein. The full loan was drawn down at 31 March
2024.
· As
announced on 15 December 2023, Kropz Elandsfontein and
ARC Fund ("ARC") agreed to a ZAR 115
million (approximately US$ 6 million) of bridge loan
facility ("Loan 3") to meet immediate cash requirements at Kropz
Elandsfontein. The full loan was drawn down at 31 March
2024.
· As
announced on 27 March 2024, Kropz Elandsfontein and ARC
Fund ("ARC") agreed to a ZAR 170
million (approximately US$ 9 million) of bridge loan
facility (the "Loan 4") to meet immediate cash requirements at
Kropz Elandsfontein. The full loan was drawn down at 31 March
2024.
Elandsfontein
· The
focus at the Elandsfontein project continued to be the production
ramp-up of the mine and beneficiation plant.
· The
first bulk shipments and trial sales have been recorded with a
total of 343,366 tonnes of phosphate concentrate sales over the 15
months ending 31 March 2024 from
Elandsfontein.
· Sales volumes are below expectations due to the lack of
available stock on hand. Production has been negatively impacted by
unprecedented seasonal rains during the period under review and
continued ore variability. While the Company is still ramping up to
steady state production a gross loss has been recognised in the
period due to discounted sales prices as a new market entrant and
operating below full production level resulting in a cost per tonne
higher than would be expected once in full production.
· During the financial period, further
delays were experienced in the commissioning ramp up of operations
at Elandsfontein resulting in further funding shortfalls due
to:
· The
requirement to re-engineer parts of the fine flotation circuit as
proposed by the vendor;
· The
lack of operator expertise and experience;
· Mining rates and associated delivery of ore to the plant
being compromised due to the presence of competent banks of hard
material within the orebody, that were previously unknown.
Subsequently, the vendor has provided design changes which were
implemented at the plant, additional operator training was
conducted and new equipment was brought to site to facilitate
mechanical breaking which has been effective to date, but
alternative methods are being considered;
· The
Western Cape has experienced unprecedented rain this season which
has led to severely wet mining conditions and has hindered ore
delivery to the plant and concentrate production during the period.
This is being addressed by increased drainage, and
· Production throughput is also being limited by the nature of
slimes material and, the Company is investing in new equipment to
seek to overcome this and aims to increase production
throughput.
· To
quantify and assess the impact of the hard material on the future
mine plan, an infill drilling programme was undertaken.
· Independent geological consultants were commissioned which
provided an updated JORC (2012) compliant Mineral Resource Estimate
("MRE"):
· The
2023 Reserve estimate was positively affected by the completed
infill and exploration drilling, which significantly improved the
total declared Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources. The Ore
Reserves are stated at 30 September 2023, and account for the
pit depletions up until the end of September
2023;
· Total Measured and Indicated resource tonnage has increased
by approximately 72%, while the total resource tonnage has reduced
by 30%;
· Decrease in total phosphate resources at Elandsfontein to
74.23 million tonnes ("Mt") from 106.58 million tonnes in
2022; and
· Total Reserves are estimated at 26.63 Mt at
a P2O5 grade of 9.38%
of which 16.56 Mt is Proven at
10.25% P2O5, this compares to the
previous estimate of 17.42 Mt at
9.19% P2O5.
Hinda
· The
Company is still in the process of identifying potential funding
solutions for the development of Hinda.
· Engagement is ongoing with local government regarding project
development and progress.
· A
reduced-sized project is being assessed to propose a
fit-for-purpose low capex project to prove the concept of producing
phosphate concentrate in the Congo and exporting it.
Key developments post the financial period
end
Corporate
·
As more fully described in Note 34 Material
Subsequent Events, in September 2024, the Group announced a
restructuring of its debt obligations ("Restructuring") and a
fundraising that was conditional on shareholders' approval . and
approval by the South African Reserve Bank ("SARB").. As a result
of the Restructuring, Kropz Elandsfontein (Pty Ltd
and Kropz Elandsfontein Land Holdings (Pty) Ltd
(the "Elandsfontein Subsidiaries") will
extinguish their debt obligations to ARC. Kropz will have
convertible debt of £88.9 million (including accumulated interest)
outstanding with ARC, being the aggregate of a new Convertible Loan Note ("CLN") and existing equity
facilities (the "Existing Equity Facilities"). Additionally, , Kropz will
complete a fundraising of £8.9 million from ARC and other
shareholders before expenses through the issue of new Ordinary
Shares an Issue Price of 1.387 pence per new Ordinary Share in the
capital of the Company (the "Fundraising").. The Issue Price
represents a discount of approximately 5 per cent. to the 30-day
volume weighted average share price per existing Ordinary Share to
23 August 2024. In aggregate, 643,873,018 new Ordinary Shares will
be allotted and issued pursuant to the Fundraising.
· The
Company previously announced on 3 April 2024 that BNP had
extended its waiver to allow compliance
for the period to 30 June 2024. BNP
have also extended the waiver to 30 September 2024,
the latest waiver expiry date coincides with the
final payment date.
· As
announced on 11 July 2024, Kropz Elandsfontein and ARC
Fund ("ARC") agreed to a ZAR 140
million (approximately US$ 8 million) bridge loan
facility (the "Loan") to meet immediate cash requirements at Kropz
Elandsfontein. The loan was fully drawn at 22 August
2024.
Elandsfontein
·
Elandsfontein achieved production of
132,706 tonnes of phosphate concentrate and sales of
112,752 tonnes of phosphate concentrate from April 2024
to August 2024.
·
Kropz had started building its customer base over the 15 months ending
31 March 2024. The Company's rock phosphate has been qualified at
customers in South Korea, Australia, New Zealand
and Brazil at both single superphosphate ('SSP")
and Phosphoric acid producers.
·
Since the start of the 2024 calendar year,
Kropz's core customer base was narrowed down to focus on South
Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil,
where the special properties of Kropz Rock Phosphate (Low Cadmium,
- toxic metals, - moisture, - odour and - CaO levels) are
complementary to country rules dictating the final product
properties.
·
Management expects there to be more than
sufficient demand for Elandsfontein's Rock Phosphate forecast
production to the end of 2025. Two shipments have been planned for
qualification trials in both India and Europe to further diversify
the customer base.
Hinda
· The reduced sized project continues to be assessed to propose
a fit-for-purpose low capex project to prove the concept of
producing phosphate concentrate in the Congo and exporting it. The
update of the project feasibility is ongoing. Cominco has
engaged with two engineering firms and local
contractors.
· The Company continues to invest in and prioritise ongoing
community projects.
For further information visit www.kropz.com or
contact:
Kropz Plc
|
Via Tavistock
|
Louis Loubser (CEO)
|
+44 (0) 207 920
3150
|
|
|
Grant Thornton UK LLP
|
Nominated Adviser
|
Samantha Harrison
Harrison Clarke
Ciara Donnelly
|
+44 (0) 20 7383 5100
|
|
|
Hannam & Partners
|
Broker
|
Andrew Chubb
Ernest Bell
|
+44 (0) 20 7907 8500
|
|
|
Tavistock
|
Financial PR & IR (UK)
|
Nick Elwes
Jos Simson
|
+44 (0) 207 920 3150
kropz@tavistock.co.uk
|
|
|
R&A Strategic Communications
|
PR (South Africa)
|
Charmane Russell
Marion Brower
|
+27 (0) 11 880 3924
charmane@rasc.co.za
marion@rasc.co.za
|
About Kropz Plc
Kropz is an emerging African
phosphate producer and developer with projects in South Africa and
in the Republic of Congo. The vision of the Group is to become a
leading independent phosphate rock producer and to develop into an
integrated, mine-to-market plant nutrient company focusing on
sub-Saharan Africa.
Chairman's Statement
Dear shareholder,
Since early 2023, the management
team have achieved substantially increased production at
Elandsfontein, though not yet to planned levels. We have been
pleased to announce our first overseas sales of phosphate rock. But
much higher production levels and an improvement in phosphate grade
still are required to achieve our goals. Thanks to our major
shareholder, African Rainbow Capital ("ARC"), additional funding
has been provided to help to meet these challenges.
On 03 September 2024, we announced
a restructuring of the Group's financing arrangements (the
"Restructuring"), including a simplification of the Group's
Financial structure.
The Board thanks all the members
of the executive team, management, the teams on the ground,
contractors, auditors and advisers for all their efforts and
assistance during the period. Particular thanks also are due to our
major shareholder for their further commitment and continued
support.
Lord Robin William Renwick of Clifton
Non-executive Chairman
30 September 2024
Strategic Report for the period ended 31 March
2024
Market
overview
Global phosphate rock demand has
shown growth compared to 2022. Demand early in 2024 was
particularly strong in Asia, driven by Chinese import increases
Already rebounding from the 2022 drop. Global demand is expected to
exceed its previous high in 2021 by 2025, as the slower recovery in
Brazil and Europe is offset by large import increases for
China.
Elandsfontein rock concentrate is
expected to be able to enjoy a slight premium in pricing due to its
low cadmium, low calcium and P2O5 ratio as
well as advantageous freight rates to Asia, Australia, Brazil and
New Zealand.
Significant
changes in the state of affairs
Share issues
The issued share capital at
31 March 2024 was 923,718,223
ordinary shares (2022: 923,718,223). There were no new
share issues during the period. Since the period-end, the Company
will issue 643,873,018 new Ordinary Shares, to increase its issued
share capital to 1,567,591,241 Ordinary Shares through a
fundraising. The Company will also complete a Restructuring of the
debt obligations of Kropz Elandsfontein such that the Elandsfontein
Subsidiaries will no longer have any debt obligations to
ARC.
Projects
Elandsfontein overview
Elandsfontein hosts the second
largest phosphate deposit in South Africa, after Foskor's operation
at Phalaborwa. Elandsfontein has been developed with the
capacity to produce circa one million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa") of
phosphate rock concentrate from a shallow mineral resource which is
expected to be sold on both local and international markets. The
Company owns 74% of the issued share capital of Kropz
Elandsfontein, the company which owns the Elandsfontein
project.
Elandsfontein's geographic
location and proximity to logistics infrastructure are advantageous
and allow for easy access to both local and international
markets.
Prior to the current financial
period, in excess of US$ 150 million was spent at
Elandsfontein on project capital expenditure to construct the
original and optimisation phases of the processing plant and
infrastructure, initial mining and capitalised working capital.
Following a suspended commissioning process in 2017, Kropz
Elandsfontein conducted further geological drilling and a
metallurgical test programme to define a robust process circuit, to
cater for the increased variability of ore present within the
Elandsfontein resource. As a result of competent banks of
hard material encountered in the pit, further drilling was
conducted in the current financial period and consequently a
revised mineral resource estimate was produced as further discussed
below.
Activity for the period ended 31 March
2024
The first trial sales revenues
(US$40 million) have been recognised by Kropz Elandsfontein
(Pty) Ltd during the period ended 31 March 2024.
During the financial period, the
plant moved from the commissioning phase to the ongoing production
ramp up phase.
As the Group is still ramping up
to steady-state production, a gross loss has been recognised in the
period of US$ 7.06 million. The loss was largely due to
Elandsfontein having to discount its sales prices as a new market
entrant and to consider lower grades being achieved as part of the
ramp-up process, coupled with higher production costs per tonne.
With Elandsfontein operating below planned production levels
operational cost per tonne remains elevated.
The production ramp-up has been
delayed due to the need to re-engineer parts of the fine flotation
circuit based on actual particle size distribution ("PSD") observed
in the ore body. Mining and processing have also been affected by
early, unpredicted ore variability which led to implementation of
more complex mining processes and challenged limited operator
experience in these changing conditions. Kropz Elandsfontein is in
the process of analysing the hard bank and other challenging ore
variants identified with high phosphate content, within the ore
body to select the appropriate method of mining and processing to
extract phosphate. The mine is in the process of deploying pilot
scale milling and flotation equipment as part of the plan to
address the ore variability and to assist with the redesign of
internal plant components.
During June to August 2023, the
Western Cape experienced unprecedented rain which resulted in
severely wet mining conditions during the period under review; this
additionally hindered ore delivery to the plant and concentrate
production. This is being addressed by increased in-pit
drainage, intermediate ore stockpiling and has yielded good
results.
Production throughput is also
being limited by the nature and excessive amount of slimes material
encountered in the ore deposit. Management believes that most of
the issues related to the high slimes content ore will be addressed
through the recently installed centrifuge unit.
Management is intently focused on
addressing the various challenges.
Mining and geology
The significant write-down in
declared Ore Reserves from 2018 to 2022 has been partially reversed
in the 2023 Ore Reserve estimate, largely due to the additional
infill drilling which was completed in 2023.
It is expected that the future
drilling campaigns will continue to improve the Mineral Resource
estimates from Inferred to Measured or Indicated categories and
will enable improved conversion of the Mineral Resources to
Reserves.
While both the declared Reserve
tonnes and grade have increased, the grade and tonnage estimate of
the Resource has decreased. This aligns to the improved confidence
in the grade estimation of the deposit and reflects the declining
grade of the deposit over its life.
Based on the current mining
conditions, on-site learnings and revised geological
interpretations, it was considered prudent that the mineral
resource be reclassified.
The updated Elandsfontein resource
is defined below, on a total (gross) and net attributable
basis.
ELANDSFONTEIN RESOURCE
STATEMENT AS OF 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
|
CLASS
|
TONNES
(Mt)
|
P2O5
(%)
|
SiO2
(%)
|
Al2O3
(%)
|
MgO
(%)
|
Fe2O3 (%)
|
CaO
(%)
|
CON-TAINED
P2O5
(Mt)
|
Measured
|
19.96
|
10.25
|
63.86
|
1.22
|
0.15
|
0.79
|
14.68
|
2.05
|
Indicated
|
12.78
|
7.68
|
64.30
|
1.30
|
0.15
|
0.88
|
11.30
|
0.98
|
Total Measured & Indicated
|
32.74
|
9.24
|
64.03
|
1.25
|
0.15
|
0.83
|
13.36
|
3.03
|
Inferred
|
41.49
|
6.30
|
66.26
|
1.39
|
0.15
|
0.86
|
9.52
|
2.61
|
Total Resources
|
74.23
|
7.60
|
65.28
|
1.33
|
0.15
|
0.85
|
11.21
|
5.64
|
NETT ATTRIBUTABLE (74% TO THE
COMPANY)
|
Measured
|
14.77
|
10.25
|
63.86
|
1.22
|
0.15
|
0.79
|
14.68
|
1.51
|
Indicated
|
9.45
|
7.68
|
64.30
|
1.30
|
0.15
|
0.88
|
11.30
|
0.73
|
Total Measured & Indicated
|
24.23
|
9.24
|
64.03
|
1.25
|
0.15
|
0.83
|
13.36
|
2.24
|
Inferred
|
30.70
|
6.30
|
66.26
|
1.39
|
0.15
|
0.86
|
9.52
|
1.93
|
Total Resources
|
54.93
|
7.60
|
65.28
|
1.33
|
0.15
|
0.85
|
11.21
|
4.17
|
Note: All numbers are reported to two decimals places.
Rounding may cause minor discrepancies to the numbers reported in
this table.
|
The 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate
(MRE) for Elandsfontein reflects significant changes compared to
2022 and was notably affected by the completed infill and
exploration drilling. The total Measured and Indicated resources
have increased by approximately 72%, rising from 19.02 Mt in 2022
to 32.74 Mt in 2023, despite a slight decrease in the
P2O5 grade from 9.54% to 9.24%.
Conversely, the total Inferred resources have decreased
substantially from 87.56 Mt in 2022 to 41.49 Mt in 2023,
accompanied by a decline in the
P2O5 grade from 7.68% to 6.30%. This
reduction in Inferred resources and the simultaneous increase in
Measured and Indicated resources indicate improved confidence in
the resource estimates due to the successful infill drilling
program. These changes highlight the enhanced accuracy in
predicting the spatial distribution and grade of the ore body,
leading to a more reliable reserve estimate and better strategic
planning for future mining operations.
DIFFERENCE 2023 VS 2022
RESOURCE DECLARATION
|
CLASS
|
TONNES
(Mt)
|
P2O5
(%)
|
SiO2
(%)
|
Al2O3
(%)
|
MgO
(%)
|
Fe2O3
(%)
|
CaO
(%)
|
CON-TAINED
P2O5
(Mt)
|
Total Measured and Indicated
2023
|
32.74
|
9.24
|
64.03
|
1.25
|
0.15
|
0.83
|
13.36
|
3.03
|
Total Measured and Indicated
2022
|
19.02
|
9.54
|
70.45
|
1.15
|
0.14
|
0.88
|
13.64
|
1.81
|
Difference Measured and
Indicated
|
13.72
|
-0.30
|
-6.42
|
0.10
|
0.01
|
-0.05
|
-0.28
|
1.22
|
Inferred 2023
|
41.49
|
6.30
|
66.26
|
1.39
|
0.15
|
0.86
|
9.52
|
2.61
|
Inferred 2022
|
87.56
|
7.68
|
73.92
|
1.20
|
0.16
|
1.03
|
11.15
|
6.72
|
Difference
Inferred
|
-46.07
|
-1.38
|
-7.66
|
0.19
|
-0.01
|
-0.17
|
-1.63
|
-4.11
|
Note: All numbers are reported to
two decimal places. Rounding may cause minor discrepancies to the
numbers reported in this table.
|
The 2023 reserve statement for
Elandsfontein reflects significant improvements compared to the
2022 estimates, driven by changes in the resource base and a better
understanding of the modifying factors to be applied.
The combined total of proven and
probable reserves has risen from 17.42 Mt at a
P2O5 grade of 9.19% in 2022 to 26.63 Mt
at a grade of 9.38% in 2023.
ELANDSFONTEIN RESERVE
STATEMENT AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
|
CLASSIFICATION
|
TONNES
(Mt)
|
P2O5
(%)
|
CONTAINED
P2O5
(Mt)
|
Proven
|
16.56
|
10.25
|
1.70
|
Probable
|
10.07
|
8.01
|
0.81
|
Total Reserve
|
26.63
|
9.38
|
2.50
|
NETT ATTRIBUTABLE (74% TO THE
COMPANY)
|
Proven
|
12.26
|
10.25
|
1.26
|
Probable
|
7.45
|
8.01
|
0.60
|
Total Reserve
|
19.70
|
9.38
|
1.85
|
There is a 9 Mt difference between
the 2022 and 2023 estimates, as shown in the table below.
These changes are largely attributable to the
successful completion of infill and exploration drilling, which
significantly improved the total declared Measured and Indicated
Mineral Resources.
DIFFERENCE 2023 VS 2022 RESERVE DECLARATION
|
RESOURCE CLASSIFICATION
|
TONNES
(Mt)
|
P2O5
(%)
|
CONTAINED
P2O5
(Mt)
|
Total Proven 2023
|
16.56
|
10.25
|
1.70
|
Total Proven 2022
|
7.31
|
10.71
|
0.78
|
Total Probable 2023
|
10.07
|
8.01
|
0.81
|
Total Probable 2022
|
10.11
|
8.09
|
0.82
|
Total Proven and Probable
2023
|
26.63
|
9.38
|
2.50
|
Total Proven and Probable
2022
|
17.42
|
9.19
|
1.60
|
Difference Proven and Probable
|
9.21
|
0.19
|
0.9
|
Note: All numbers are reported to
two decimal places. Rounding may cause minor discrepancies to the numbers
reported in this table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plant and processing
Plant stability was difficult to
achieve due to the influence of varying quantities of ultra fine
material contained in the ore and poor flotation
conditioning.
Despite power generation issues in
South Africa causing intermittent load shedding, we were able to
mitigate the adverse effects on our production by utilizing
emergency backup generators on several occasions. However, it
is important to note that this has led to increased operating
costs. Following May 2024 load shedding has stopped and resulted in
increased stability in power supply. The current outlook is
positive and in the near future could possibly be the end of load
shedding.
Safety, health, environment and community
As at 31 March 2024, the Lost Time
Injury Frequency Rate ("LTIFR"), per 200,000 man hours, was nil
(compared to 0.87 in March 2023), with zero LTIs incurred for the
reporting period. Commitment and focus on the forward energy
model contributed mostly to the achievement of this significant
milestone.
No major environmental incidents
were reported during the period and the external biennial
Environmental Management Programme ("EMPr") performance assessment
and Water Use License ("WUL") audits were conducted with no major
non-conformances. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and
the Environment, issued the permanent Atmospheric Emissions License
("AEL").
The annual closure costing was
updated, and financial provision submitted and accepted by the
Department of Mineral Resource and Energy ("DMRW).
Social and Labour plan ("SLP") and Corporate social
responsibility ("CSR")
The second generation (2022-2026)
Social and Labour Plan ("SLP") was approved by the DMRE, and Kropz
commenced with the execution, aligned with the 2018 South African
Mining Charter.
The following strategic focus
areas have been identified:
· Education and skills development;
· Social wellbeing;
· Local economic development ("LED"); and
· Urban reconstruction and infrastructure upgrades.
Through collaboration, and inputs
from various stakeholders, the execution of community development
projects continued during the period. The Saldanha Bay Municipality
("SBM") confirmed alignment with their Infrastructure Development
Plan ("IDP") and has endorsement of the various SLP
projects.
SLP and LED Projects
Educational support (Education and skills
development)
During the period Kropz
Elandsfontein continued to support the Hopefield Primary School
teacher's programme. For the 2022-2026 SLP, education will
remain a key focus area.
Hopefield Thusong community centre upgrade
(Skills development and infrastructure upgrades)
The infrastructure upgrade of the
community centre included the addition of two new rooms, a kitchen
and bathroom facilities. An E-learning centre has been established
in one of the new rooms. It has been equipped with 12 computer
cubicles and laptops have been acquired. The launch of the
E-learning centre took place in July 2024, providing a much-needed
facility to the community of Hopefield.
Human resource development
As per our commitment in the SLP,
Kropz awarded two undergraduate and one postgraduate
bursaries.
Ad-Hoc CSR Projects
Through engagements with various
stakeholders, Kropz Elandsfontein supported the following
initiatives and organizations:
1) Youth Connect (Skills development program for youths 16-27
years old)
2) Kids in Park and initiative from San Parks
3) Mandela day celebration
4) Eskom Expo for Young Scientists
Stakeholder Engagement
Kropz Elandsfontein continues to
engage with the relevant stakeholders on a regular basis and hosted
its first annual open day during April 2024. A newsletter was also
issued to the community and other stakeholders to keep them updated
on the business as well as various initiatives and
projects.
Post reporting period events
Transport and logistics
As announced on 23 November 2021,
Transnet provided Kropz Elandsfontein with
a draft port access agreement to support the long-term export of
Elandsfontein's phosphate rock through the port of Saldanha. Final
contract negotiations are still underway and the agreement has not yet been signed. An interim agreement, with tariffs and a forecast of export
quantities, is in place while the agreement is being
finalised.
Sales
Elandsfontein achieved production
of 132,706 tonnes of phosphate concentrate and sales of
112,752 tonnes of phosphate concentrate from April 2024
to August 2024. These exports occurred
through the port of Saldanha.
Hinda
The Hinda project, currently 100%
owned by Cominco S.A., is believed to be one of the world's largest
undeveloped phosphate reserves. Ownership is expected to be diluted
to 90% through the participation of the Republic of Congo ("RoC")
government. Hinda consists of a sedimentary hosted phosphate
deposit located approximately 40 km northeast of the city of
Pointe-Noire. The project is fully permitted.
Prior to acquisition by Kropz,
more than US$ 40 million was spent on project development,
including drilling, metallurgical test work and feasibility
studies. Since its acquisition by Kropz, a further US$ 10
million has been spent.
Activity for the period ended 31 March
2024
Kropz has been reviewing the Hinda
Updated Feasibility Study ("Updated FS") and the financial model as
prepared by Hatch.
Highlights of the Updated FS
· The
phased approach studied will initially deliver 1 Mtpa phosphate
rock concentrate through the existing Port of Pointe-Noire ("Phase
1"), expanding to 2 Mtpa phosphate rock concentrate through a new
port facility at Pointe Indienne ("Phase 2");
· The
phased approach is intended to reduce up-front execution capital
requirements by making use of existing port facilities, thus
limiting the first phase to 1 Mtpa phosphate rock
concentrate;
· The
Hinda Updated FS demonstrates low technical and mining risk and
attractive project economics;
· The
mineral resource is unchanged from the 2018 Competent Persons
Report, with 201 million tonnes of measured mineral resource at
11.6% P2O5 and 381 million tonnes of
indicated mineral resource at 9.8%
P2O5;
· The
Hinda Updated FS delivers a
minimum 28-year life of
mine ("LOM"), extracting 31 million tonnes
of ore in Phase 1 and 214 million tonnes of ore in Phase
2;
· Estimated Phase 1 capital cost is US$ 355 million, Phase
2 capital cost is US$ 310 million (in real 2021 terms), with a
nominal, peak funding requirement of US$ 392 million, as the
first phase cash flows supports the subsequent Phase 2 expansion capital
expenditure;
· Phase 1 operating cost on a free-on-board
("FOB") basis is US$ 63 per
tonne phosphate rock concentrate, and
Phase 2 operating cost is US$ 70 per tonne phosphate
rock concentrate, inclusive of mining
royalties;
· Using a December 2021 price forecast received from CRU on a
FOB Pointe-Noire basis, the real LOM earnings before interest and
taxation margin is US$ 65 per tonne of phosphate rock concentrate;
· There is an estimated three-year execution schedule;
and
· Base
case, nominal internal rate of return ("IRR") of 19.2%
and base case, ungeared, nominal net present value
("NPV") (at 11.1%
discount rate) of US$ 397 million.
The Hinda Updated FS included
detailed engineering of the open pit mine, associated mine
dewatering and surface water management, the beneficiation plant
and all associated infrastructure, tailings storage facilities and
water storage dam, a gas fired power plant and gas supply pipeline,
a 30 kV overhead line ("OHL") to support construction and
early works, mine access roads, an accommodation camp and port
infrastructure. Costs and schedules associated with procurement,
construction management and commissioning are also
included.
Hatch delivered a robust execution
strategy, which provides high confidence in achieving execution
success. The beneficiation plant employs standard and proven
technologies, and the design is based on extensive laboratory and
pilot-scale test work completed between 2013 and 2016.
Further Opportunities
A mine plan was run scheduling the
immediate commencement of Phase 2 production, i.e. 2 Mtpa of
phosphate rock concentrate to be exported through
a new port facility. This opportunity led to a
conservative increase in ungeared NPV (at 11.1% discount rate) to
US$ 543 million with an IRR of 21%. The estimated capital cost
for the immediate commencement of Phase 2 is US$ 618 million,
based on the study work completed. If this option is studied
further, it will be possible to further optimise both capital and
operating costs. Collaboration with other market players to share
in costs of infrastructure such as port, power and roads are also
an opportunity to consider.
Further opportunities also exist
to enter into a long-term power purchase agreement with one of
several companies already established in-country. The capital cost
of the gas fired power plant would therefore be removed from the
estimate, although this would be offset by an increase in power
costs.
A number of other capital cost
optimisation initiatives have been identified for investigation
ahead of detailed design which should further improve project
economics.
Environmental Social Impact Assessment
("ESIA")
The project has an approved
environmental compliance certificate issued in April 2020, valid
for 25 years. As a result of the modifications to the project in
the Hinda Updated FS, the ESIA has been updated to comply with
local regulations. The RoC Ministry of Environment has approved the
updated ESIA and the project has a valid environmental compliance
certificate.
Mining Investment Agreement ("MIA")
The MIA,
which sets out the legal and fiscal framework under which Cominco
S.A. would invest and operate within the RoC was signed by all
parties on 10 July 2018 and ratified by the RoC Government on 27
December 2021.
Déclaration d'Utilité Publique ("DUP")
The Ministry of Land Affairs and
Public Domain is responsible for managing land tenure and legal
land rights in RoC. The main declaration of public utility (DUP)
process for the Hinda Project has covered an area of
30 km2. Public consultations were organized by
Cominco and Cabinet Management et Etudes
Environnementales SARL("CM2E"). A land
commission has evaluated the land usage requirements of the Hinda
Project and liaises with legal property owners and traditional land
users to determine, based on the legislation, a baseline for land
use to be used for compensation and relocation. Land surveys were
carried out from end of November 2020 until mid-January 2021,
followed by an optimisation session in line with the Updated FS.
Cominco has not received the final reportThe MIA states that
expropriation costs and compensations are to be borne by the
government of the RoC and that Cominco can prefinance some or all
the costs.
A letter has been sent in October
2023 to the Minister of Land Affairs and Public Domain to request
the extension of the validity period, followed by a letter dated 21
August 2024 to the State Minister of mining industries and geology
reminding of this (as requested).
A letter dated 30 August 2024 has
been sent to the State Minister of mining industries and geology to
request that the State starts the compensation on an initial
footprint of 123 ha covering the plant site, the base camp, the
construction laydown area and the village of PK Mbili that will be
relocated.
Mineral resources
The Hinda resource is defined
below, on a total (gross) and net attributable
basis. No additional drilling was
conducted in the period to 31 March 2024.
Mineral Resource Statement, as declared by SRK on 31 August
2018
Class
|
Quantity (Mt)
|
Grade
(%P2O5)
|
Grade
(%Al2O3)
|
Grade (%MgO)
|
Grade
(%Fe2O3)
|
Grade (%CaO)
|
Grade
(%SiO2)
|
Contained P2O5
(Mt)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Measured
|
200.5
|
11.6
|
3.7
|
3.8
|
1.4
|
21.8
|
42.7
|
23.3
|
|
|
|
Indicated
|
380.9
|
9.8
|
5.0
|
3.3
|
1.8
|
17.6
|
48.5
|
37.3
|
|
|
|
Inferred
|
94.4
|
7.5
|
4.8
|
3.6
|
1.7
|
15.8
|
52.2
|
7.1
|
|
|
|
Total
|
675.8
|
10.0
|
4.6
|
3.5
|
1.7
|
18.6
|
47.3
|
67.7
|
|
|
|
Net Attributable (90% attributable to
the Company)
|
|
|
Measured
|
180.5
|
11.6
|
3.7
|
3.8
|
1.4
|
21.8
|
42.7
|
20.9
|
|
|
|
Indicated
|
342.8
|
9.8
|
5.0
|
3.3
|
1.8
|
17.6
|
48.5
|
33.6
|
|
|
|
Inferred
|
85.0
|
7.5
|
4.8
|
3.6
|
1.7
|
15.8
|
52.2
|
6.4
|
|
|
|
Total
|
608.3
|
10.0
|
4.6
|
3.5
|
1.7
|
18.6
|
47.3
|
60.9
|
|
|
|
Safety, health and environment
No environmental or safety
incidents were reported during the period.
Sustainability
In line with the MIA and its
commitments, Cominco S.A. continued its interactions with the local
communities associated with the Hinda project. On-going projects
include the usage of project site manpower, the funding of teachers
at local schools, educational support for vulnerable children,
specific projects for woman, water boreholes and food security
projects through the establishment of orchards, vegetable gardens
and small-scale agriculture projects.
Post reporting period events
Prior to commencing Phase 1, a
reduced sized test project is currently being assessed to propose a
fit-for-purpose low capex project to prove the concept of producing
phosphate concentrate in the Congo and exporting it. The project
will focus on the mining and processing the section of the
resource which does not require
flotation.
Strategy
The Company's long-term strategy
is to build a portfolio of high-quality phosphate mines and to be a
major player within the sub-Saharan African plant nutrient sector.
Its priority is to bring Elandsfontein to steady-state production
and profitability whereafter the development of Hinda will be
prioritised.
Business
model
The Company's business model is to
source high-quality resources and to bring them into production to
contribute to the Company's strategic competitiveness and
profitability.
Once production has commenced at
Elandsfontein and Hinda, the Company may consider acquiring
additional assets and/or adding downstream beneficiation
opportunities, where the Board believes shareholder value could be
increased.
Objectives
and outlook for the year ahead
Objectives
Kropz
Kropz's overriding objective is to
deliver strong shareholder and stakeholder returns over the long
term.
Elandsfontein
The primary focus of the year
ahead will be to further increase the ramp-up of
operations to achieve steady state while optimising process
recoveries and mining costs.
Hinda
Further to the completion of the
Hinda Updated FS in December 2021, management is working to secure
funding to commence with project development in accordance with the
MIA.
Outlook
Kropz's Elandsfontein project
delivered first production in early 2022 and the first trial sales
in January 2023. The Company is confident in the inherent value
contained within each of its core assets. Global phosphate rock
demand and pricing is robust, and the work being carried out will
provide Kropz with direction for the next phase of its development,
subject to short-term challenges being managed. The year ahead
should provide the Company with a solid foundation for its future
development and moving towards steady state operations.
Financial
review for the period ended 31 March 2024
Summary of key financial
indicators for the period:
· Impairment reversal in the value of mine property, plant and
equipment and inventory at Kropz Elandsfontein of US$ 19
million;
· Cash
and cash equivalents of US$ 1 million (2022: US$ 2 million);
· Various debt raises as set out in "Highlights" on page
1;
· Trade and other payables of US$ 10
million (2022: US$ 7 million);
and
· Property, plant, equipment and development and exploration
assets, after the impairment reversal above, of
US$ 129 million
(2022: US$ 111 million).
Key
performance indicators
The Company is a mining and
development entity whose assets comprise a mine and plant in the
ramp-up phase in South Africa and an exploration asset in the
RoC. As the Company entered the new
financial period it started with the first trial sales being
recorded from the trial production phase. The key performance indicators for the Company will be
achieving steady state production and the advancement of the Hinda
project.
Principal
risks and uncertainties
The Company and its subsidiaries
("the Group") are subject to various risks relating to political,
economic, legal, social, industry, business and financial
conditions. The following risk factors, which are not presented in
any order of priority, do not purport to be a complete list or
explanation of all the risks involved in the Company or the Group's
activities.
Access to financing
The ramp up at Elandsfontein, the
capital expenditure plans of the Group and the further development
and exploration of mineral properties in which the Group holds
interests or which the Group may acquire, may depend upon the
Group's ability to obtain additional financing through joint
ventures, debt financing, equity financing or other means. The
Group is in process of Restructuring and Fundraising in September
2024, as described in Note 34. However, no assurance can be given
that the Group will be successful in obtaining any additional
financing that may be required as and when needed on acceptable
terms or at all, which could prevent the Group from further
development and exploration or additional acquisitions.
Failure to obtain additional
financing on a commercial and timely basis may cause the Group to
postpone its capital expenditure plans, forfeit its rights in
properties or reduce or terminate operations. Reduced liquidity or
difficulty in obtaining future financing could have a material
adverse effect on the Group's business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects.
The Group's Projects may require
greater investment than currently expected or suffer delays or
interruptions, which could cause cost overruns. Any such delay,
interruption or cost overruns in implementing the Group's planned
capital investments could result in the Group failing to complete
the Projects and a reduction in future production volumes, which
could have a material adverse effect on the Group's business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In
addition, the Projects may not prove to be commercially viable upon
completion.
The Group's ability to obtain
future financing will depend in part on its ability to achieve
positive cash flows from its current operations within time and
budget, an extended commissioning ramp-up period will have an
adverse impact on the business and financial performance of the
Group. Refer to note 2a to the Group financial statements which
explains that the Group is reliant on revenue from production ramp
up and whilst have almost successfully completed a Restructuring
and Fundraising it may still require additional financing, and a
material uncertainty exists may that cast significant doubt on the
Group's ability as a going concern.
Dependence on maintenance of good relationship with
regulatory and governmental departments
The Group relies on the
maintenance of good relationships with regulatory and governmental
departments in South Africa and the RoC. Failure to maintain these
relationships may adversely impact the Group's performance.
Continual engagements with regulatory and governmental departments
are maintained and compliancy is upheld and monitored by the
group.
Ramp-up of Elandsfontein
The Elandsfontein project may
require further funding to achieve steady state operations. Any
delays in securing of additional funding will have an adverse
impact on the business and financial performance of the operation.
There can be no guarantee that implementation of the recently
completed modifications identified by the Company and its technical
consultants will result in a successful long-term operation of the
mine. Failure to achieve ramp-up of the Elandsfontein project, or a
significant delay in the completion of ramp-up, could result in a
material adverse impact on the business, and the financial
performance and position of the Group. Management is intently focused on addressing any challenges
and adjustments that might be required.
Access to infrastructure
Mining, processing, development
and exploration activities depend, to a significant degree, on
adequate infrastructure. In the course of developing Hinda, the
Group may need to construct and support the construction of
infrastructure, which includes permanent water supplies, tailings
storage facilities, power, logistics services and access
roads.
Reliable roads, power sources and
water supply are important determinants, which affect capital and
operating costs. Unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage,
government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of
such infrastructure could materially adversely affect the Group's
operations, financial condition and results of operations. Any such
issues arising in respect of the supporting infrastructure or on
the Group's sites could materially adversely affect the Group's
results of operations or financial condition.
Furthermore, any failure or
unavailability of the Group's operational infrastructure (for
example, through equipment failure, disruption to its
transportation arrangements or reduced port capacity) could
materially adversely affect the production output from its mines or
development of a mine or project.
Limited or reduced port capacity
at the Port of Saldanha, as well as the associated cost increase
for procuring alternative logistics could have an adverse impact on
the business and financial performance of the Group. There are
alternatives to the Port of Saldanha that have been identified,
however at increased operating cost.
Operational targets
The financial performance of the
Group is subject to its ability to achieve a target concentrate
specification and production efficiency at its Elandsfontein
project, according to its pre-determined budget. Failure to do this
may result in failure to achieve operational targets with a
consequent material adverse impact on the business, operations and
financial performance of the Group.
Excessive overburden stripping,
non-economical mining of ore, ore losses and the dilution of feed
grade to the processing facility could all have an adverse impact
on the processing operations. Furthermore, high variability in the
daily feed grades could also have an adverse impact on operations
and financial performance of the Group.
Any further unscheduled
interruptions in the Group's operations due to mechanical,
electrical or other failures or industrial relations related issues
or problems or issues with the supply of goods or services could
have a serious impact on the financial performance of those
operations. Furthermore, any interruption or disruption in the
supply chain of key production chemicals sourced from international
suppliers could materially adversely affect the production output
from the mine.
New entrant risk
Kropz Elandsfontein is a new
entrant in the global phosphate rock market, selling its products
into a globally competitive and established market.
There can be no guarantee that the
sales estimates set by Kropz Elandsfontein will be achieved until a
successful track record has been achieved. Not achieving
appropriate selling prices for its commercial grade products, would
have a material adverse effect on the business, operations and
financial performance of the Group.
Mining and mineral processing risks
The business of mining and mineral
processing involves a number of risks and hazards, including
industrial accidents, labour disputes, community conflicts,
activist campaigns, unusual or unexpected geological conditions,
geotechnical risks, ore variability, equipment failure, changes in
the regulatory environment, environmental hazards, ground water and
weather and other natural phenomena such as earthquakes and floods.
The Group may experience material mine or plant shutdowns or
periods of reduced production as a result of any of the above
factors. Such occurrences could result in material damage to, or
the destruction of, mineral properties or production facilities,
human exposure to pollution, personal injury or death,
environmental and natural resource damage, delays in mining,
monetary losses and possible legal liability, and may result in
actual production differing, potentially materially, from estimates
of production, whether expressly or by implication. There can be no
assurance that the realisation of operating risks and the costs
associated with them will not materially adversely affect the
results of operations or financial conditions of the
Group.
Geotechnical, ore variability,
geological and hydrogeological risks could have a material adverse
impact on the safety, business and financial performance of the
Group's operation.
Failure to successfully dewater
the mining area and maintain water levels in the mining area at the
Elandsfontein project could have a material adverse impact on the
operational performance, financial performance and financial
condition of the Group. This is being
addressed by increased drainage and has yielded good
results.
Enforcement of contractual rights in the
RoC
The legal system in the RoC is
based on the French civil law system (the Civil Code of the former
French Equatorial Africa), which has enacted the Uniform Act to
harmonise business law in Africa in order to guarantee legal and
judicial security for investors and companies in its member states,
as well as a Uniform Act on Arbitration Law, allowing recourse to a
standard arbitration mechanism for the settlement of contractual
disputes arising from civil or commercial contracts concluded in
the RoC as an alternative to RoC courts for legal proceedings
relating to contracts.
Under Congolese law, parties may
enter into private contracts in the language of their choice,
however, a French translation is always required for them to be
used before any constituted authority in the RoC. In addition,
enforcement of contracts concluded outside of Congo before an RoC
court, administrations and other constituted authorities, requires
their prior registration with the Office for Registration and Stamp
Duties and, in the absence of a specific exemption, payment of the
applicable registration fees and stamp duties.
Certain contracts concluded in the
RoC (such as leases) must also be presented for registration with
the Office for Registration and Stamp Duties, due to their nature
and listing in the General Tax Code, Volume 2. Moreover, certain
contracts (such as commercial leases) must also be notarised or
authenticated by a notary if concluded as private deeds, prior
being registered as described above.
If any of these processes are not
strictly followed, the RoC courts and administrations may disregard
the concerned contract and, as regards the requirement to register
certain contracts with the Office for Registration and Stamp
Duties, the tax administration may apply fines of 100% of the
amount of registration fees due. Further, the tax administration
tends to disregard any payment convention exemption for the purpose
of applying these fines.
If any of the Group's contracts
are deemed unenforceable, this could have a material adverse effect
on the operations and financial results of the Group.
Commodity pricing
The future profitability and
viability of the Group's operations will be dependent upon the
market price of phosphate rock to be sold by the Group. Mineral
prices fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond
the control of the Company. The level of interest rates, the rate
of inflation, the world supply of mineral commodities, the global
level of demand from consumers and the stability of exchange rates
can all cause significant fluctuations in prices. Such external
economic factors are in turn influenced by changes in international
investment patterns, monetary systems and political developments.
Commodity prices have fluctuated widely in recent years, and future
price declines could cause commercial production to be
impracticable, thereby having a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
A significant or sustained downturn in commodity prices would
adversely affect the Group's available cash and liquidity and could
have a material adverse effect on the business, results of
operations and financial condition of the Group in the longer
term.
In addition to adversely affecting
the Group's reserve estimates and its financial condition,
declining commodity prices can impact operations by requiring a
reassessment of the feasibility of a particular project. Such a
reassessment may be the result of a management decision or may be
required under financing arrangements related to a particular
project. Even if the Elandsfontein project and the Hinda project
are ultimately determined to be economically viable, the need to
conduct such a reassessment may cause substantial delays or may
interrupt operations until the reassessment can be
completed.
Environmental regulation and environmental
compliance
Mining operations have inherent
risks and liabilities associated with damage to the environment and
the disposal of waste products occurring as a result of mineral
exploration and production. Environmental and safety legislation
and regulation (e.g. in relation to reclamation, disposal of waste
products, pollution and protection of the environment, protection
of wildlife and otherwise relating to environmental protection) is
frequently changing and is generally becoming more restrictive with
a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their
directors and employees and more stringent enforcement of existing
laws and regulations. Future changes could impose significant costs
and burdens on the Group (the extent of which cannot be predicted)
both in terms of compliance and potential penalties, liabilities
and remediation.
Breach of any environmental
obligations could result in penalties and civil liabilities and/or
suspension of operations, any of which could adversely affect the
Group. Further, approval may be required for any material plant
modifications or additional land clearing and for ground disturbing
activities. Delays in obtaining such approvals could result in the
delay to anticipated exploration programmes or mining
activities.
There may also be unforeseen
environmental liabilities resulting from mining activities, which
may be costly to remedy. If the Group is unable to fully remedy an
environmental problem, it may be required to stop or suspend
operations or enter into interim compliance measures pending
completion of the required remedy. The potential exposure may be
significant and could have a material adverse effect on the Group.
The Group has not purchased insurance for environmental risks
(including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a
result of the disposal of waste products occurring from exploration
and production) as it is not generally available at a price which
the Group regards as reasonable.
In South Africa, the Regulations
Pertaining to the Financial Provision for Prospecting, Exploration,
Mining or Production Operations 2015 (R1147 of 20 Nov 2015)
provides that the holder of a mining right must provide for
rehabilitation and remediation costs, with particular reference to
when the mine is decommissioned at the end of mining, or production
operations. It is expected that mining operations at Elandsfontein
will cease in year 2032. The under-provision of such a
rehabilitation liability could result in future liabilities being
payable, which could have a material adverse impact on the
financial condition of the Group.
Government regulation and political risk
The Group's operating activities
are subject to laws and regulations governing expropriation of
property, health and worker safety, employment standards, waste
disposal, protection of the environment, mine development, land and
water use, prospecting, mineral production, exports, taxes, labour
standards, occupational health standards, toxic wastes, the
protection of endangered and protected species and other matters.
While the Directors believe that the Group is in compliance with
all material current laws and regulations affecting its activities,
future changes in applicable laws, regulations, agreements or
changes in their enforcement or regulatory interpretation could
result in changes in legal requirements or in the terms of existing
permits and agreements applicable to the Group or its properties,
which could have a material adverse impact on the Group's current
operations or planned development projects. Where required,
obtaining necessary permits and licences can be a complex,
time-consuming process and the Group cannot assure whether any
necessary permits will be obtainable on acceptable terms, in a
timely manner or at all.
The costs and delays associated
with obtaining necessary permits and complying with these permits
and applicable laws and regulations could stop or materially delay
or restrict the Group from proceeding with any future exploration
or development of its properties. Any failure to comply with
applicable laws and regulations or permits, even if inadvertent,
could result in interruption or closure of exploration, development
or mining operations or material fines, penalties or other
liabilities.
The Group has operations located
in South Africa and the RoC and the Group's activities may be
affected in varying degrees by political stability and governmental
regulations. Any changes in regulations or shifts in political
attitudes in South Africa and the RoC are beyond the control of the
Group and may adversely affect its operations.
Adverse sovereign action
The Group is exposed to the risk
of adverse sovereign action by the governments of South Africa and
RoC. The mining industry is important to the economies of these
countries and thus can be expected to be the focus of continuing
attention and debate. In similar circumstances in other developing
countries, mining companies have faced the risks of expropriation
and/or renationalisation, breach or abrogation of project
agreements, application to such companies of laws and regulations
from which they were intended to be exempt, denials of required
permits and approvals, increases in royalty rates and taxes that
were intended to be stable, application of exchange or capital
controls, and other risks.
Environmental, social and governance ("ESG") and climate
change
As the focus on ESG increases,
there are increasing environmental, social and governance risks
that may affect the Group's ability to raise capital; obtain
permits; work with communities, regulators and Non-Governmental
Organisations ("NGOs") and/or protect its assets from
impairments.
At Kropz, we acknowledge that our
business activities affect the society and environment around us,
and that we have an opportunity and an implicit duty to ensure this
impact is positive. We also believe that efficient and sustainable
operations are a necessity for long-term value creation.
We are committed to taking
responsibility when conducting our business by integrating ESG
factors into our investment decisions and operational processes.
Given the stage of development of Kropz, social initiatives have
been limited to those outlined above at Elandsfontein.
Climate change could potentially
affect the demand for fertilisers by impacting global agricultural
activity. This in turn could affect the demand for fertiliser
feed materials and could cause events such as prolonged droughts
that could reduce the availability of water at the different
project sites.
As the Kropz operations develop,
more initiatives will be undertaken on the ESG front and progress
on these will be reported on in the next annual report.
Governance
The Board considers sound
governance as a critical component of the Group's success and the
highest priority. The Company has an effective and engaged Board,
with a strong non-executive presence from diverse backgrounds, and
well-functioning governance committees. Through the Group's
compensation policies and variable components of employee
remuneration, the Remuneration and Nomination Committee
("Remuneration Committee") of the Board seeks to ensure that the
Company's values are reinforced in employee behaviour and that
effective risk management is promoted.
More information on our corporate
governance can be found in the Corporate Governance Report on pages
43 to 55.
Directors' section 172 statement
The following disclosure describes
how the Directors have had regard to the matters set out in section
172 and forms the Directors' statement required under section
414CZA of The Companies Act 2006. This reporting requirement is
made in accordance with the corporate governance requirements
identified in The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations
2018, which apply to company reporting on financial years starting
on or after 1 January 2019.
The matters set out in section
172(1) (a) to (f) are that a Director must act in the way they
consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the
success of the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole,
and in doing so have regard (amongst other matters) to:
a. the likely
consequences of any decision in the long term;
b. the interests of
the Company's employees;
c. the need to foster
the Company's business relationships with suppliers, customers and
others;
d. the impact of the
Company's operations on the community and the
environment;
e. the desirability of
the Company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business
conduct; and
f. the need to
act fairly between members of the Company.
The analysis is divided into two
sections, the first to address stakeholder engagement, which
provides information on stakeholders, issues and methods of
engagement. The second section addresses principal decisions made
by the Board and focuses on how the regard for stakeholders
influenced decision-making.
Section 1: Stakeholder mapping and engagement activities
within the reporting period
The Company continuously interacts
with a variety of stakeholders important to its success, such as
equity investors, joint venture partners, debt providers,
employees, government bodies, local community and vendor partners.
The Company works within the limitations of what can be disclosed
to the various stakeholders with regards to maintaining
confidentiality of market and/or commercially sensitive
information.
Who are the key stakeholder
groups
|
Why is it important to engage
this group of stakeholders
|
How did Kropz engage with the
stakeholder group
|
What resulted from the
engagement
|
Equity investors and equity partners
All substantial shareholders that
own more than 3% of the Company's shares are listed on page 37 of
the Directors' Report.
The Company owns 74% of Kropz
Elandsfontein, the owner of the Elandsfontein project in South
Africa. 26% is owned by ARC.
The Company owns 70% of
Elandsfontein Land Holdings (Pty) Ltd ("ELH"), the owner of the
Elandsfontein mining property in South Africa. 30% is owned by
ARC.
Kropz Elandsfontein may require
further funding to complete the ramp up at Elandsfontein. Cominco
Resources requires further funding to develop Hinda.
As such, existing equity investors
and potential investment partners are important
stakeholders.
|
Access to capital is of vital
importance to the long-term success of the business to enable the
development of Hinda. Equity partner involvement is vital to the
success of the development of these projects, without which the
Company cannot create value for its shareholders by producing
phosphate rock concentrate and therefore a return on the
investment.
Through selected engagement
activities, the Company strives to obtain investor buy-in into its
strategic objectives detailed on page 13 and the execution
thereof.
The Company seeks to promote an
investor base that is interested in a long-term holding in the
Company and will support the Company in achieving its strategic
objectives.
During the course of the period
ended 31 March 2024, the percentage of shares held in public hands
remained the same and the overall daily volume of shares traded
decreased.
|
The key mechanisms of engagement
included:
Substantial shareholders
· Both ARC and Kropz International have appointed Directors to
the Board of Kropz; and
· The other existing substantial shareholders have regular
meetings and interactions with the Chairman and/or CEO.
Investment and equity partners
· ARC have representatives on the Kropz Elandsfontein and ELH
Boards of Directors in terms of the respective shareholder's
agreements; and
· Regular Board meetings are held.
Prospective and existing investors
· The AGM and Annual and Interim Reports;
· Investor roadshows and presentations;
· One on one investor meetings with the Chairman and/or
CEO;
· Access to the Company's broker and advisers;
· Regular news and project updates; and
· Social media accounts e.g. X @Kropzplc;
· Site visits for potential cornerstone investors.
|
The Company engaged with investors
on topics of strategy, governance, project updates and
performance.
Please see "Dialogue with
shareholders" section of the Directors' report on page
37.
The CEO presented at a number of
investor roadshows, conferences and one on one meetings.
In terms of the ZAR 927 Million
Equity Facilities, ARC will potentially be able to acquire a total
further 8.3% interest in the Company, eventually taking its 83.2%
interest at March 2024, to 91.5%.
At the Company's AGM held on 30
June 2023 all resolutions were duly passed.
At the Company's general meeting
held on 1 September 2023 all resolutions were duly passed with 100%
of the votes cast in favour of resolutions proposed.
|
Funding providers
Kropz Elandsfontein has a US$30
million, fully utilised, debt facility with BNP that commenced in
September 2016.
|
Access to funding is of vital
importance to the long-term success of the business to be able to
complete the Elandsfontein project. The debt facility was utilised
in the construction of Elandsfontein.
Various contractual conditions of
the debt finance require regular updates on ongoing
progress.
Ongoing support from potential new
debt providers is required to achieve the construction of
Hinda.
|
· One on one meetings with the CEO and/or COO;
· Regular reporting on project progress;
· Ad hoc discussions with management, as required;
and
· Tripartite discussions between Kropz Elandsfontein, ARC and
management to ensure there are no compliance matters outstanding in
relation to the facility.
|
In May 2020, the amended facility
agreement was signed between Kropz Elandsfontein and BNP, thereby
moving the first principal debt repayment to 31 December 2022. All
payments have been made with the last repayment of $3,750,000 due
on 30 September 2024
|
Employees
The Company has 15 South African,
2 UK and 5 RoC employees, including its Directors.
Two of the Directors are UK
residents, 1 Monegasque, 1 American and 2 are South African
resident Directors.
The CEO during the period under
review was South Africa-based.
|
The majority of its employees
going forward will be based in South Africa and the Directors
consider workforce issues holistically for the Group as a
whole.
The Company's long-term success is
predicated on the commitment of its workforce to its vision and the
demonstration of its values on a daily basis.
The Board have identified that
reliance on key personnel is a known risk.
|
General employees
· The Company maintains an open line of communication between
its employees, senior management and the Board.
• The CEO reports
regularly to the Board;
· Key members of the executive team are invited to some of the
audit and risk committee meetings;
· There is a formalised employee induction into the Company's
corporate governance policies and procedures; and
· There is an HR function in the UK.
South African employees
· There is an HR function in South Africa;
· Senior management regularly visit the operations in South
Africa and engage with its employees through one on one and staff
meetings, employee events, project updates, etc; and
· Staff safety committees continue to operate.
Congo employees
· Senior management regularly visit the operations in RoC and
engage with its employees through one on one and staff meetings,
employee events, project updates, etc.
|
Employees
The Board met with management to
discuss the long-term remuneration strategy.
Advisors were appointed to do the
independent party review to examine non-executive Director and
executive team remuneration in 2018 at the time of the AIM
IPO.
Board reporting has been optimised
to include sections on engagement with employees.
South African and Congo employees
The team were trained in aspects
of corporate policies and procedures to engender positive corporate
culture aligned with the Company code of conduct.
Meetings were held with staff to
provide project updates and ongoing business objectives.
|
Governmental bodies
The Company is impacted by
national, regional and local governmental organisations in South
Africa and the RoC.
|
Regular engagement with organs of
state at national, regional and local levels is required to keep
stakeholders informed and supportive of project
developments.
|
The Company provides general
corporate presentations regarding the Elandsfontein project
development as part of ongoing stakeholder engagement with the
South African government, Western Cape provincial government and
local municipal government. The Company maintained its good
relations with the respective government bodies and frequently
communicated progress.
The Company engages with the
relevant departments of the RoC government in order to progress the
development of Hinda.
|
Meetings have been held with
various representatives of the national, regional and local
government bodies, to discuss ongoing compliance and other
regulatory matters relating to mining.
The Company has received its South
African requisite environmental and land use
permits.
In addition, the Company has
received the required permits to develop Hinda, subject to securing
funding for these activities.
|
Community
The local communities adjacent to
Elandsfontein in South Africa and Hinda in the RoC.
|
The Company engages with the local
community to obtain acceptance for future development
plans.
Community engagement will inform
better understanding and decision making.
The local community in Hopefield
and the greater Saldanha Bay municipal area provides employees for
Elandsfontein and its contractors for operations.
Similarly, the communities
surrounding Hinda will provide employees to the project and
contractors during construction and operation.
The Company will have a social and
economic impact on the local communities. The Company is committed
to ensuring sustainable growth, minimising adverse impacts. The
Company will engage these stakeholders as is
appropriate.
|
· The Company has community liaison officers in South Africa
and RoC;
· The Company has identified all key stakeholders within the
local community in the reporting period;
· Elandsfontein management has open dialogue with the local
government and community leaders regarding the project
development;
· Similarly, Hinda management are actively engaging with local
government and communities directly impacted by the Hinda project;
and
· The Company has existing Corporate Social Responsibility
policies and management structure at corporate level. The Company
will expand on these policies and structures at a local project
level as the Company moves into production.
|
The Company has ongoing
engagements with the local community as part of its sustainability
initiatives.
Stakeholder identification has
enabled the Company to ensure that representatives of all
stakeholder groups may participate in the community engagement
programme.
|
Suppliers
During the Elandsfontein
operations phase, the Company has be using key suppliers under
commercial contracts for the operations of mine, plant, road and
port logistic operators and laboratory service providers, all of
whom are reputable and established service providers.
The Company also relies on a
number of supply and maintenance contracts to ensure ongoing
operations.
At a community level, the Company
has also partnered with a number of SMME companies.
|
Kropz's contractors and suppliers
are fundamental
to ensuring that the Company can
meet the ramp-up and steady state operating objectives.
Using quality suppliers ensures
that as a
business, the high
performance targets can be
met.
|
· Management continues to work closely with appointed
contractors, consultants and suppliers to manage and optimise
deliverables; and
· One on
one meetings between management and suppliers;
· Vendor
site visits and facility audits to ensure supplier is able to meet
requirements; and
· Contact
with procurement department and accounts payable.
|
See page 10 of the strategic
report for an update on the potential transport and logistics
uncertainties facing the Group.
Smaller local vendors were engaged
at a broader level to better align with company
objectives.
|
Section 2: Principal decisions by the Board
Principal decisions are defined as
both those that have long-term strategic impact and are material to
the Group, but also those that are significant to key stakeholder
groups. In making the following principal decisions, the Board
considered the outcome from its stakeholder engagement, the need to
maintain a reputation for high standards of business conduct and
the need to act fairly between the members of the
Company.
During the financial period ending 31 March
2024
Convertible loan facility for ZAR 550 million from ARC,
entered into on 14 November 2022
A third drawdown of ZAR 60 million
(approximately US$ 3.5 million) of the ZAR 550 Million Equity
Facility was made on 25 January 2023, a fourth drawdown of ZAR 40
million (approximately US$ 2.2 million) on 27 February 2023
and the final draw down
of ZAR 7.5 million was made 8 December
2023.
Bridge loan facilities of ZAR 285 million entered into
on 14 March 2023
As announced on 14 March 2023,
Kropz Elandsfontein and ARC Fund agreed to a further ZAR 285
million (approximately US$ 15.5 million) of bridge loan facility
("Loan 1") to meet immediate cash requirements at Kropz
Elandsfontein.
Loan 1 is unsecured, repayable on
demand, with no fixed repayment terms and is repayable by Kropz
Elandsfontein on no less than two business days' notice. Interest
is payable on Loan 1 at the South African prime overdraft interest
rate plus 6%, nominal per annum and compounded monthly.
The first draw down on the Loan
for an amount of ZAR 25 million was made
on 14 March 2023, a second draw down on the Loan for an
amount of ZAR 90 million was made on 28 March
2023, a third drawdown was made for an amount of ZAR 30
million on 25 April 2023, a fourth draw down on the Loan
for an amount of ZAR 80 million was made on 23
June 2023 and the final draw down of ZAR 60
million was made 18 August 2023.
Bridge loan facilities of ZAR 250 million entered into
on 14 September 2023
As announced on 14 September
2023, Kropz Elandsfontein and ARC Fund ("ARC") agreed to a
further ZAR 250
million (approximately US$ 13.2 million) of bridge
loan facility ("Loan 2") to meet immediate cash requirements at
Kropz Elandsfontein. The loan is unsecured, repayable on demand, with no fixed
repayment terms and is repayable by Kropz Elandsfontein on no less
than two business days' notice. Interest is payable at the South
African prime overdraft interest rate plus 6%, nominal per annum
and compounded monthly. In the event that any amounts are
outstanding under the loan, together with interest thereon, are not
repaid within 6 months from the first utilisation date, the
interest rate will be increased by an additional 2%.
The first draw down of the Loan
for an amount of ZAR 155 million was made on 18 September
2023, a second draw down on the Loan for an amount
of ZAR 75 million was made on 20 October 2023
and the final draw down of ZAR 20 million was made
on 8 December 2023.
Bridge loan facilities of ZAR 115 million entered into
on 15 December 2023
As announced on 15 December
2023, Kropz Elandsfontein and ARC Fund ("ARC") agreed to
a ZAR 115 million (approximately US$ 6 million)
of bridge loan facility ("Loan 3") to meet immediate cash
requirements at Kropz Elandsfontein.
The Loan is unsecured. Interest is
payable on the Loan at the South African prime overdraft interest
rate plus 6%, nominal per annum and compounded monthly. In the
event that any amounts outstanding under the Loan, together with
interest thereon, is not repaid within 6 months from the first
utilisation date, the interest rate will be increased by an
additional 2%.
The first draw down of the Loan
for an amount of ZAR 62.5 million was made on 15 December
2023 and the final draw down on the Loan for an amount
of ZAR 52.5 million was made on 17 January
2024.
Bridge loan facilities of ZAR 170 million entered into
on 27 March 2024
As announced on 27 March
2024, Kropz Elandsfontein and ARC Fund ("ARC") agreed to
a ZAR 170 million (approximately US$ 9 million)
of bridge loan facility (the "Loan 4") to meet immediate cash
requirements at Kropz Elandsfontein.
The Loan is unsecured. Interest is
payable on the Loan at the South African prime overdraft interest
rate plus 6%, nominal per annum and compounded monthly. In the
event that any amounts outstanding under the Loan, together with
interest thereon, is not repaid within 6 months from the first
utilisation date, the interest rate will be increased by an
additional 2%.
The first draw down of the Loan
for an amount of ZAR 60 million was made on 28 March
2024, a second draw down on the Loan for an amount
of ZAR 73 million was made on 2 April 2024 and
the final draw down of ZAR 37 million was made 22
April 2024.
Post 31 March 2024
As announced on 11 July
2024, Kropz Elandsfontein and ARC Fund ("ARC") agreed to
a ZAR 140 million (approximately US$ 8 million)
bridge loan facility (the "Loan") to meet immediate cash
requirements at Kropz Elandsfontein.
The first draw down on the Loan
for an amount of ZAR 80 million was made on 4 July
2024, a second and final draw down on the Loan for an amount
of ZAR 60 million was made on 22 August
2024.
As more fully described in Note 34
Material Subsequent Events, the Group is in the process of
completing a Fundraising and Restructuring. As a result of the Restructuring, the Elandsfontein
Subsidiaries will extinguish their debt obligations to ARC. Kropz
will have convertible debt of £88.9 million (including accumulated
interest) outstanding with ARC, being the aggregate of the new CLN
and the Existing Equity Facilities. Additionally, Kropz is in the
process of completing a Fundraising of £8.9 million from ARC and
other shareholders before expenses through the issue of new
Ordinary shares an Issue Price of 1.387 pence per new Ordinary
Share in the capital of the Company. The Issue Price represents a
discount of approximately 5 per cent. to the 30-day volume weighted
average share price per existing Ordinary Share to 23 August 2024.
In aggregate, 643,873,018 new Ordinary Shares will be allotted and
issued pursuant to the Fundraising.
This Strategic Report was approved
by the Board of Directors.
Louis Loubser
Chief Executive Officer
30 September 2024
Consolidated Statement of Financial
Position
As at 31 March 2024
|
Notes
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Non-current assets
Property, plant, equipment and
mine development
|
4
|
85,411
|
68,965
|
Exploration assets
|
5
|
43,172
|
42,415
|
Other financial assets
|
7
|
1,527
|
860
|
Inventories
|
8
|
955
|
-
|
|
|
131,065
|
112,240
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
8
|
5,775
|
3,273
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
9
|
6,913
|
1,857
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
10
|
968
|
2,120
|
|
|
13,656
|
7,250
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
144,721
|
119,490
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Trade and other
payables
|
17
|
9,516
|
7,284
|
Shareholder loans and
derivative
|
13
|
94,434
|
-
|
Other financial
liabilities
|
15
|
11,722
|
26,808
|
Current taxation
|
26
|
650
|
597
|
|
|
116,322
|
34,689
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Shareholder loans and
derivative
|
13
|
-
|
55,102
|
Provisions
|
16
|
1,375
|
2,697
|
|
|
1,375
|
57,799
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES
|
|
117,697
|
92,488
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS
|
|
27,024
|
27,002
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
11
|
1,212
|
1,212
|
Share premium
|
11 /
12
|
194,063
|
194,063
|
Merger reserve
|
11 /
12
|
(20,523)
|
(20,523)
|
Foreign exchange translation
reserve
|
12
|
(12,132)
|
(11,195)
|
Share-based payment
reserve
|
12
|
295
|
271
|
Accumulated losses
|
|
(108,577)
|
(116,972)
|
Total equity attributable to the
owners of the Company
|
|
54,338
|
46,856
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
33
|
(27,314)
|
(19,854)
|
|
|
27,024
|
27,002
|
The notes on pages 74 to 127 form
an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements. The
Financial Statements on pages 61 to 127 were approved and
authorised for issue by the Board of Directors and signed on its
behalf by:
Louis Loubser
Chief Executive Officer
30 September 2024
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive
Income
For the period ended 31 March 2024
|
|
For the period
ended
31 March
|
For the year
ended
31
December
|
|
Notes
|
2024
US$'000
|
2022
US$'000
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
19
|
40,087
|
-
|
Cost of sales
|
20
|
(47,148)
|
-
|
Gross loss
|
|
(7,061)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income
|
|
43
|
116
|
Selling and distribution
expenses
|
22
|
(5,309)
|
-
|
Operating expenses
|
22
|
(5,336)
|
(5,808)
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss
|
|
(17,663)
|
(5,692)
|
|
|
|
|
Finance income
|
21
|
265
|
136
|
Finance expense
|
24
|
(21,866)
|
(9,812)
|
Fair value gain / (loss) from
derivative liability
|
30
|
20,601
|
10,807
|
Impairment reversal
/(losses)
|
25
|
19,033
|
(92,661)
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(Loss) before taxation
|
|
370
|
(97,222)
|
|
|
|
|
Taxation
|
26
|
(27)
|
(602)
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(Loss) after taxation
|
|
343
|
(97,824)
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(Loss) attributable to:
|
|
|
|
Owners of the Company
|
|
8,866
|
(66,639)
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
|
(8,523)
|
(31,185)
|
|
|
343
|
(97,824)
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(Loss) for the period/year
|
|
343
|
(97,824)
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or
loss
|
|
|
|
·
Exchange differences on translating foreign
operations
|
|
(345)
|
(3,246)
|
Total comprehensive loss
|
|
(2)
|
(101,070)
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
Owners of the Company
|
|
7,929
|
(70,027)
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
|
(7,931)
|
(31,043)
|
|
|
(2)
|
(101,070)
|
|
|
|
|
Loss per share attributable to owners of the
Company:
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted (US
cents)
|
27
|
0.96
|
(7.23)
|
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the period ended 31 March 2024
|
Share
capital
|
Share
premium
|
Merger
reserve
|
Foreign currency translation
reserve
|
Share-based payment
reserve
|
Retained
earnings
|
Total
|
Non-controlling
interest
|
Total
equity
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
Balance at 1 January 2022
|
1,194
|
193,524
|
(20,523)
|
(7,807)
|
1,197
|
(45,626)
|
121,959
|
5,778
|
127,737
|
Total comprehensive
loss
for the year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3,388)
|
-
|
(66,639)
|
(70,027)
|
(31,043)
|
(101,070)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issue of shares
|
18
|
539
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
557
|
-
|
557
|
Share options exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(694)
|
694
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Share based payment
credit
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(222)
|
-
|
(222)
|
-
|
(222)
|
Lapsed warrants
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(10)
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Investment in non-redeemable
preference shares of Kropz Elandsfontein
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(5,411)
|
(5,411)
|
5,411
|
-
|
Transactions with owners
|
18
|
539
|
-
|
-
|
(926)
|
(4,707)
|
(5,076)
|
5,411
|
335
|
Balance at 31 December 2022
|
1,212
|
194,063
|
(20,523)
|
(11,195)
|
271
|
(116,972)
|
46,856
|
(19,854)
|
27,002
|
Total comprehensive
loss
for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(937)
|
-
|
8,866
|
7,929
|
(7,931)
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share based payment
credit
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
70
|
-
|
70
|
-
|
70
|
Share options forfeited
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(46)
|
-
|
(46)
|
-
|
(46)
|
Investment in non-redeemable
preference shares of Kropz Elandsfontein
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(471)
|
(471)
|
471
|
-
|
Transactions with owners
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
--
|
24
|
(471)
|
(447)
|
471
|
24
|
Balance at 31 March 2024
|
1,212
|
194,063
|
(20,523)
|
(12,132)
|
295
|
(108,577)
|
54,338
|
(27,314)
|
27,024
|
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the period ended 31 March 2024
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
For the period
ended
31 March
2024
|
For the year
ended
31 December
2022
|
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
Profit / (loss) before
taxation
|
|
370
|
(97,222)
|
Adjustments for:
|
|
|
|
Depreciation of property, plant
and equipment
|
4
|
921
|
821
|
Amortisation of right-of-use
assets
|
6
|
-
|
5
|
Impairment (reversal) /
losses
|
25
|
(19,034)
|
92,661
|
Share-based payment
credit
|
12
|
6
|
(222)
|
Finance income
|
21
|
(265)
|
(136)
|
Finance costs
|
24
|
18,489
|
6,496
|
Fair value gain on derivative
liability
|
30
|
(20,601)
|
(10,807)
|
Debt modification present value
adjustment
|
24
|
(257)
|
(233)
|
Foreign currency exchange
differences
|
|
2,302
|
3,550
|
Fair value (gain) / loss on game
animals
|
4
|
(74)
|
21
|
Operating cash flows before working capital
changes
|
|
(18,143)
|
(5,066)
|
Increase in trade and other
receivables
|
28
|
(5,191)
|
(471)
|
Increase in inventories
|
28
|
(3,431)
|
(3,453)
|
Increase / (Decrease) in trade and
other payables
|
28
|
3,811
|
(172)
|
Net cash flows used in operating activities
|
|
(22,954)
|
(9,162)
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows used in investing activities
|
|
|
|
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment
|
4
|
(6,006)
|
(29,215)
|
Disposal of property, plant and
equipment
|
|
8
|
|
Exploration and evaluation
expenditure
|
5
|
(628)
|
(346)
|
Other financial asset
|
28
|
(766)
|
427
|
Finance income received
|
21
|
265
|
136
|
Transfer from restricted
cash
|
10
|
-
|
4,727
|
Net cash flows used in investing activities
|
|
(7,127)
|
(24,271)
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
Finance costs paid
|
24
|
(2,727)
|
(2,586)
|
Shareholder loan
received
|
13
|
46,614
|
38,727
|
Repayment of lease
liabilities
|
14
|
-
|
(6)
|
Other financial
liabilities
|
28
|
(14,970)
|
(3,712)
|
Issue of ordinary share
capital
|
11
|
-
|
557
|
Net cash flows from financing activities
|
|
28,917
|
32,980
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
(1,164)
|
(453)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of the period
|
|
2,120
|
2,461
|
Foreign currency exchange gains on
cash
|
|
12
|
112
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the
period
|
|
968
|
2,120
|
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the period
ended 31 March 2024
(1) General
information
Kropz is an emerging plant
nutrient producer and developer with an advanced stage phosphate
mining project in South Africa and an exploration phosphate project
in the Republic of Congo
("RoC"). The principal activity of the
Company is that of a holding company for the Group, as well as
performing all administrative, corporate finance, strategic and
governance functions of the Group.
The Company was incorporated on 10
January 2018 and is a public limited company, with its ordinary
shares admitted to the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange on
30 November 2018 trading under the symbol, "KRPZ". The Company is
domiciled in England and incorporated and registered in England and
Wales. The address of its registered office is 35 Verulam Road,
Hitchin, SG5 1QE. The registered number of the Company is
11143400.
The Company changed its accounting
reference date from 31 December to 31 March in November 2023.
Accordingly, these financial statements cover the
15 months from 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2024. Comparative amounts
are for the year ended 31 December 2022.
(2) Summary of significant
accounting policies
The principal accounting policies
applied in the preparation of these Consolidated Financial
Statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently
applied unless otherwise stated.
(a) Basis of
preparation
The Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company have been prepared in prepared in accordance with UK adopted international
accounting standards and the Companies Act
2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The Consolidated
Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost
convention, as modified for any financial assets, financial
liabilities and game animals which are stated at fair value through
profit or loss. The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented
in United States Dollars, the presentation currency of the Company
and figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.
Going concern
During the period ended 31 March
2024, the Group incurred a net profit/(loss) of US$ 0.3
million (twelve months ended 31 December 2022: loss of US$ (97.8)
million) and experienced net cash outflows from operating
activities. Cash and cash equivalents totalled US$ 0.97
million at 31 March 2024 (31 December 2022: US$ 2.1
million).
Elandsfontein is currently the
Group's only operating asset and source of revenue. As
Elandsfontein is still busy ramping up its operations and yet to
achieve break-even production levels, an operating loss is also
expected in the year following the date of these accounts. The
Group is consequently dependent on future fundraisings to meet any
production costs, overheads, future development and exploration
requirements and quarterly repayments on the BNP loan that cannot
be met from existing cash resources and sales revenue.
The Company did not reach project
completion as stipulated in the BNP facility agreement by
31 December 2022. The Company also failed to fund the debt
service reserve account as required. BNP has waived these
requirements, preventing the Company from falling into default on
its loan terms, by means of several waivers since December 2022 to
30 September 2024.
At the end of the waiver period
the bank has the contractual right to request the immediate
repayment of the outstanding loan amount of US$ 3,750,000.
However, the latest waiver expiry date coincides with the final
payment date.
Elandsfontein's forecast cashflows
were estimated using market-based commodity prices, exchange rate
assumptions, estimated quantities of recoverable minerals,
production levels, operating costs and capital requirements over an
18-month period. As with the impairment assessment, the going
concern assessment only considered Elandsfontein's resources
defined as "measured" and "indicated" per the updated MRE. The
resource classified as "inferred" was not considered part of the
mine plan for purposes of the going concern and impairment
assessments. However, it is expected that as mining and drilling
activities progress, progressively more of the total resource will
be reclassified from inferred to measured and indicated. In the
current period of assessment, the measured and indicated portions
increased by 72% based on updated drilling and statistical
estimation.
The 18-month forecast assumed
fundraising described in Note 34 will be concluded by the end of
September 2024. The short-term cash flow needs of the Group depend
on the successful conclusion of the restructuring and fundraising
transaction.
The critical estimates in the LOM
plan and forecast cashflows expected to be generated can be
summarised as follows:
·
Phosphate rock prices and grade;
·
Phosphate recoveries;
·
Operating costs;
·
Foreign exchange rates; and
·
Discount rates.
The going concern assessment and
forecast cashflows are highly sensitive to these
estimates.
Phosphate rock prices and grade: Forecast phosphate rock prices are based on management's
estimates of quality of production and selling price and are
derived from forward price curves and long-term views of global
supply and demand in a changing environment, particularly with
respect to climate risk, building on past experience of the
industry and consistent with external sources.
In total Elandsfontein managed to
achieve trial production sales totalling US$40 million during the
current period (Twelve months ended 31 December 2022: US$ nil).
Since 31 March 2024 and the date of the financial statements, an
additional US$13 million production sales were achieved.
Kropz is a new entrant to the
phosphate market and has to date sold its shipments at a discount
to prevailing market prices. The discount was taken into account in
the going concern and impairment testing models. The discount is,
however, expected to unwind as Elandsfontein builds its reputation,
establishes itself in the global market and improves its production
quality and stability. As modification are planned and efficiency
improvements are implemented at Elandsfontein, Elandsfontein should
see a gradual improvement in both grade and quality, some of which
have already materialised.
Phosphate recoveries: Estimated production volumes are based on detailed LOM plans
of the measured and indicated resource as defined in the MRE and
take into account development plans for the mine agreed upon by
management as part of the long-term planning process. Production
volumes are dependent on a number of variables, such as: the
recoverable quantities; the production profile; the cost of the
development of the infrastructure necessary to extract the
reserves; the production costs; the contractual duration of mining
rights; and the selling price of the commodities
extracted.
Estimated production volumes are
subject to significant uncertainty given the ongoing ramp-up. The
production ramp-up has been delayed largely by the need to
re-engineer parts of the fine flotation circuit proposed by the
vendor. Mining and processing have also been affected by early
unpredicted ore variability and lack of operator experience. The
Company is in the process of analysing the hard bank and pink ore
material to identify the appropriate method of mining and
processing to improve production yield. The Western Cape has
experienced unprecedented rain this season which has led to
severely wet mining conditions and has hindered ore delivery to the
plant and concentrate production during the period This is being
addressed by increased drainage. Production throughput is also
being limited by the nature of slimes material and, the Company is
investing in new equipment to seek to overcome this and aims to
increase production throughput.
Reserves and resources: The
LOM plan includes only the measured and indicated resources as
defined in the MRE which represents only around 8 years of forecast
production. There was a significant increase in the measured and
indicated resources in the MRE issued in March 2024 (an increase of
72%) compared to the MRE issued in December 2022 as set out in the
Strategic report. The Directors believe that the inferred resources
in the MRE are capable of being accessed giving a mine life of
around 12 years, but this has not been taken into account in the
discounted cashflows.
Exchange rates: Foreign
exchange rates are estimated with reference to external market
forecasts. The assumed long-term US dollar/ZAR exchange rate are
based on a consensus for the period to year 2028. Future years'
exchange rates were estimated using the prevailing inflation and
interest rate differential between USD and ZAR.
Operating cost: Operating
costs are estimated with reference to contractual and actual
current costs adjusted for inflation. Key operating cost estimates
are mine and plant operating costs and transportation and port
costs. The forecast mine and plant costs were based on the
contracted rates with the current mine and plant operators.
Production cost per tonne currently is higher than sales per tonne
as full production has not been reached to date, leading to a gross
loss per tonne. The forecast assumes that as production volumes
increase the average cost per tonne of phosphate will decrease with
economies of scale and further efficiency gains.
Mine and plant operating costs: The forecast mine and plant costs were based on the
contracted rates with the current mine and plant
operators.
Port costs: The Group has a
draft port access agreement with Transnet for Saldanha port but
this has not yet been signed. The Group has paid guest port charges
(the higher rates were used in the forecast) for Saldanha for the
shipments in 2023 and 2024 to date.
Discount rates: A discount
rate of 14.05% was applied to the discounted cash flows used in the
LOM plan. This discount rate is derived from the Group's post-tax
weighted average cost of capital (WACC), with appropriate
adjustments made to reflect the risks specific to the CGU and to
determine the pre-tax rate. The WACC takes into account both debt
and equity. The cost of equity is derived from the expected return
on investment by the Group's investors. The cost of debt is based
on the interest-bearing borrowings the Group is obliged to service
and the expected cost of any incremental debt. Specific risk is
incorporated by applying beta factors.
There is a risk that revenue
remains subdued and below operating costs and as a result the
expected improvement in operating margin included in the discounted
cashflows, may not materialise. In such a scenario the recoverable
amount from the Elandsfontein mine will be lower than the
discounted cashflows and subsequently impact the impairment
assessment conclusion. Please also see Note 25
Impairment losses for sensitivity analysis.
Funding
The Group is dependent on future
fundraisings to meet production costs, overheads, future
development, exploration requirements and quarterly repayments on
the BNP loan that cannot be met from existing cash resources and
sales revenue alone.
The ARC Fund, on various occasions
in the past, provided funding to support the Group's operations.
During the 2024 financial period,
Kropz, Kropz Elandsfontein and ARC Fund agreed to
further funding totalling ZAR 820 million (approximately US$ 44.2
million) bridge loan facilities ("Loan") to meet immediate cash
requirements at Kropz Elandsfontein. Subsequent to the year end,
Kropz, Kropz Elandsfontein and ARC Fund agreed to a further ZAR 140
million (approximately US$ 8 million) bridge loan facilities ("New
Loan"). The loan is now fully drawn. Kropz is completing a
Restructuring and Fundraising transaction is more fully described
in Note 34.
Management engages frequently with
BNP regarding the capital repayment and refinancing of the BNP debt
facility. The Company did not reach project completion as
stipulated in the BNP facility agreement by 31 December 2022.
Considering the delay in achieving sales, the Company also failed
to fund the debt service reserve account as required. BNP have,
waived these requirements, preventing the Company from falling in
default of its loan terms. Kropz Elandsfontein has made all the
capital and interest payments to BNP as required to the date of
this report. Remaining balances as at 31
March 2024 US$ 11 250 000.00.
Management has successfully raised
money in the past from its supportive major shareholder, but there
is no guarantee that any additional funds that might be required
will be available if needed in the future. Management engages
frequently with BNP regarding the capital repayment and refinancing
of the BNP debt facility.
Going concern basis
Based on the Group's current
available reserves, recent operational performance, forecast
production and sales coupled with Management's track record to
successfully raise additional funds as and when required, to meet
its working capital and capital expenditure requirements, the Board
have concluded that they have a reasonable expectation that the
Group will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable
future and at least for a period of 18 months from the date of
approval of these financial statements.
As more fully described in Note 34
Material Subsequent Events, the Group has entered into a
Restructuring of its debt obligations and a Fundraising
transaction. As a result of the Restructuring, Elandsfontein
Subsidiaries will extinguish its debt obligations to the ARC Fund.
Kropz will have convertible debt of totalling £88.9 million
(including accumulated interest) outstanding to the ARC Fund, being
the aggregate of the new CLN and the Existing Equity Facilities.
Additionally, in September 2024, Kropz is completing a Fundraising
of £8.9 million from ARC and other shareholders before expenses
through the issue of new Ordinary shares an Issue Price of 1.387
pence per new Ordinary Share in the capital of the Company. The
Issue Price represents a discount of approximately 5 per cent. to
the 30-day volume weighted average share price per existing
Ordinary Share to 23 August 2024. In aggregate, 643,873,018 new
Ordinary Shares will be allotted and issued pursuant to the
Fundraising.
For these reasons, the financial
statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, which
contemplates the continuity of normal business activities and the
realisation of assets and discharge of liabilities in the normal
course of business.
As there can be no guarantee that
any additional funding that might be required can be raised in the
necessary timeframe, a material uncertainty exists that may cast
significant doubt on the Group's ability to continue as a going
concern and therefore it may be unable to realise its assets and
discharge its liabilities in the normal course of
business.
The financial statements do not
include adjustments relating to the recoverability and
classification of recorded asset amounts or to the amounts and
classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the
Group not continue as a going concern.
Operational cash flows and impairment
An impairment reversal of
US$ 19 million has been recognised as at 31 March 2024 in
relation to the Elandsfontein mine based on the latest life of mine
(LOM) plans following the updated mineral resource estimate as
announced on 20 June 2024 and set out in the Strategic report.
Please refer to Note 25 for some key assumptions and
sensitivity analysis of the impairment assessment performed. The
recoverable amount of the Elandsfontein mine was estimated based on
discounted cash flows expected to be generated from the continued
use of the cash generating unit (CGU) using market-based commodity
prices and exchange rate assumptions, estimated quantities of
recoverable minerals, production levels, operating costs, capital
requirements and its eventual disposal based on the CGU's latest
LOM plans. These calculations include a number of estimates which
if the actual outcome were different could have a significant
impact on the impairment assessment, financial outcome of the
Elandsfontein mine operations and the Group's funding
needs.
Functional and presentational currencies
The Consolidated Financial
Statements are presented in US Dollars.
The functional currency of Kropz
plc is Pounds Sterling and its presentation currency is US Dollars,
due to the fact that US Dollars is the recognised reporting
currency for most listed mining resource companies on
AIM.
The functional currency of Kropz
SA and its subsidiaries (as shown below) is South African Rand,
being the currency in which the majority of the companies'
transactions are denominated.
The functional currencies of
Cominco Resources and its subsidiaries are Euros, Pounds Sterling
and Central African Francs being the currency in which the majority
of the companies' transactions are denominated. Its presentation
currency is US Dollars.
In preparing the financial
statements of the individual entities, transactions in currencies
other than the entity's functional currency are recorded at the
rate of exchange prevailing on the date of the
transaction.
At the end of each financial
period, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are
retranslated at the rates prevailing as of the end of the financial
period. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates
prevailing on the date when the fair value was determined.
Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in
a foreign currency are not retranslated.
Exchange differences arising on
the settlement of monetary items, and on retranslation of monetary
items are included in profit or loss for the period. Exchange
differences arising on the retranslation of non-monetary items
carried at fair value are included in profit or loss for the period
except for differences arising on the retranslation of non-monetary
items in respect of which gains and losses are recognised directly
in equity. For such non-monetary items, any exchange component of
that gain or loss is also recognised directly in equity.
In order to satisfy the
requirements of IAS 21 with respect to presentation currency, the
consolidated financial statements have been translated into US
Dollars using the procedures outlined below:
· Assets and liabilities where the functional currency is other
than US Dollars were translated into US Dollars at the relevant
closing rates of exchange;
· Non-US Dollar trading results were translated into US Dollars
at the relevant average rates of exchange;
· Differences arising from the retranslation of the opening net
assets and the results for the period have been taken to the
foreign currency translation reserve;
· Share capital has been translated at the historical rates
prevailing at the dates of transactions; and
· Exchange differences arising on the net investment in
subsidiaries are recognised in other comprehensive
income.
Changes in accounting policies
(i) New
standards, interpretations and amendments adopted from 1 January
2023
The following amendments are
effective for the period beginning 1 January 2023:
|
Effect annual periods beginning before or
after
|
IFRS 17 Insurance
Contracts
|
1st January
2023
|
Disclosure of Accounting Policies
- Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2
|
1st January
2023
|
Definition of Accounting Estimates
- Amendments to IAS 8
|
1st January
2023
|
Deferred tax relating to Assets
and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction - Amendments to
IAS 12
|
1st January
2023
|
International Tax Reform - Pillar
Two Model Rules - Amendments to IAS 12
|
1st January
2023
|
The Group has considered the above
new standards and amendments and has concluded that they are either
not relevant to the Group or they do not have a significant impact
on the Group's consolidated financial statements.
(ii) New
standards, interpretations and amendments not yet
effective
At the date of authorisation of
these consolidated Group financial statements, the following
standards and interpretations, which have not been applied in these
financial statements, were in issue but not yet effective.
Management is currently assessing the impact of these new standards
on the Group.
|
Effect annual periods beginning before or
after
|
Classification of Liabilities as
Current or Non-current - Amendments to IAS 1
|
1st January
2024
|
Non-current Liabilities with
Covenants - Amendments to IAS 1
|
1st January
2024
|
Lease Liability in a Sale and
Leaseback (Amendments to IFRS 16
|
1st January
2024
|
Supplier Finance Arrangements -
Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7
|
1st January
2024
|
Lack of Exchangeability
(Amendments to IAS 21)
|
1st January
2025
|
With the exception of IAS 1
presentation of financial statements (amendment - classification of
liabilities as current or non-current), the Group does not believe
that the amendments will have a significant impact.
On implementation of IAS 1
presentation of financial statements (amendment - classification of
liabilities as current or non-current), the Group will present its
convertible loan liabilities as current liabilities as opposed to
non-current liabilities which is the presentation in these
financial statements.
(b) Basis of
consolidation
The Consolidated Financial
Statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its
subsidiaries listed in Note 3.
A subsidiary is defined as an
entity over which the Group has control. The Group controls an
entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable
returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to
affect those returns through its power over the entity.
Specifically, the Group controls an investee if, and only if, the
Group has all of the following:
a) Power over the
investee (i.e. existing rights that give it the current ability to
direct the relevant activities of the investee);
b) Exposure, or
rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee;
and
c) The ability to use
its power over the investee to affect its returns.
Generally, there is a presumption
that a majority of voting rights results in control. When the Group
has less than a majority of the voting, or similar, rights of an
investee, it considers all relevant facts and circumstances in
assessing whether it has power over an investee,
including:
· The
contractual arrangements with the other vote holders of the
investee;
· Rights arising from other contractual arrangements;
and
· The
Group's voting rights and potential voting rights.
Subsidiaries are fully
consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the
Group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control
ceases.
Intra-group transactions, balances
and unrealised gains on transactions are eliminated; unrealised
losses are also eliminated unless cost cannot be recovered. Where
necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of
subsidiaries to ensure consistency of accounting policies with
those of the Group.
The total comprehensive income of
non-wholly owned subsidiaries is attributed to owners of the parent
and to the non-controlling interests in proportion to their
relative ownership interests.
Accounting for asset acquisition within a corporate
structure
Acquisitions of mineral assets
through acquisition of non-operational corporate structures that do
not represent a business, and therefore do not meet the definition
of a business combination, are accounted for as the acquisition of
an asset and recognised at the fair value of the
consideration.
Non-controlling interests
The Group initially recognised any
non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the non-controlling
interest's proportionate share of the acquiree's net assets. The
total comprehensive income of non-wholly owned subsidiaries is
attributed to owners of the parent and to the non-controlling
interests in proportion to their relative ownership interests. The
benefit accruing to the non-controlling interests arising from
their proportionate share of the portion of the non-redeemable and
non-participating preference share investment by Kropz plc into
Kropz Elandsfontein is attributed to the non-controlling interests
in proportion to their relative ownership interests.
Merger relief
The issue of shares by the Company
is accounted for at the fair value of the consideration received.
Any excess over the nominal value of the shares issued is credited
to the share premium account other than in a business combination
where the consideration for shares in another company includes the
issue of shares, and on completion of the transaction, the Company
has secured at least a 90% equity holding in the other company. In
such circumstances the credit is applied to the merger relief
reserve. In the case of the Company's acquisition of Cominco
Resources, where shares were acquired on a share for share basis,
then merger relief has been applied to those shares issued in
exchange for shares in Cominco Resources.
(c) Property, plant, equipment
and mine development
Property, plant, equipment and
mine development includes buildings and infrastructure, machinery,
plant and equipment, site preparation and development and essential
spare parts that are held to minimise delays arising from plant
breakdowns, that are expected to be used during more than one
period.
Assets that are in the process of
being constructed are measured at cost less accumulated impairment
and are not depreciated. All other classes of property, plant and
equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated
depreciation and accumulated impairment. Land is depreciated over
the life of the mine.
Historical cost includes
expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the
items, including:
· The
estimated costs of decommissioning the assets and site
rehabilitation costs to the extent that they related to the
asset;
· Capitalised borrowing costs;
· Capitalised pre-production expenditure; and
· Topsoil and overburden stripping costs.
The cost of items of property,
plant and equipment are capitalised into its various components
where the useful life of the components differs from the main item
of property, plant and equipment to which the component can be
logically assigned. Expenditure incurred to replace a significant
component of property, plant and equipment is capitalised and any
remaining carrying value of the component replaced is written off
as an expense in the income statement.
Direct costs incurred on major
projects during the period of development or construction are
capitalised. Subsequent expenditure on property, plant and
equipment is capitalised only when the expenditure enhances the
value or output of the asset beyond original expectations, it is
probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will
flow to the entity and the cost of the item can be measured
reliably. Costs incurred on repairing and maintaining assets are
recognised in the income statement in the period in which they are
incurred.
Gains and losses on disposals are
determined by comparing proceeds with carrying amount. These are
included in profit or loss.
Depreciation
All items of property, plant and
equipment are depreciated on either a straight-line method or unit
of production method at cost less estimated residual values over
their useful lives as follows:
Item
|
|
Depreciation method
|
|
Average useful life
|
Buildings and infrastructure
|
|
|
|
|
Buildings
|
|
Units of production
|
|
Life of mine*
|
Roads
|
|
Straight-line
|
|
15 years
|
Electrical sub-station
|
|
Straight-line
|
|
15 years
|
|
|
|
|
|
Machinery, Plant and Equipment
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed plant and
equipment
|
|
Units of production
|
|
Life of mine*
|
Water treatment plant
|
|
Units of production
|
|
Life of mine*
|
Critical spare parts
|
|
Straight-line
|
|
2-15 years
|
Furniture and fittings
|
|
Straight-line
|
|
6 years
|
Motor vehicles
|
|
Straight-line
|
|
5 years
|
Computer equipment
|
|
Straight-line
|
|
3 years
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mineral exploration site preparation
|
|
Units of production
|
|
Life of mine*
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stripping activity
|
|
Units of production
|
|
Life of mine*
|
* Depreciation of mining assets is
computed principally by the units-of-production method over
life-of-identified ore based on estimated quantities of
economically recoverable proved and probable reserves, which can be
recovered in future from known mineral deposits.
Useful lives and residual values
The asset's useful lives and
residual values are reviewed and adjusted if appropriate, at each
reporting date.
Stripping activity asset
The costs of stripping activity
which provides a benefit in the form of improved access to ore is
capitalised as a non-current asset until ore is exposed where the
following criteria are met:
· it
is probable that future economic benefit in the form of improved
access to the ore body will flow to the entity;
· the
component of the ore body for which access has been improved can be
identified; and
· the
cost of the stripping activity can be reliably measured.
The stripping activity is
initially measured at cost and subsequently carried at cost less
depreciation and impairment losses.
(d) Mineral exploration and
evaluation costs
All costs incurred prior to
obtaining the legal right to undertake exploration and evaluation
activities on a project are written off as incurred. Following the
granting of a prospecting right, general administration and
overhead costs directly attributable to exploration and evaluation
activities are expensed and all other costs are capitalised and
recorded at cost on initial recognition.
The following expenditures are
included in the initial and subsequent measurement of the
exploration and evaluation assets:
· Acquisition of rights to explore;
· Topographical, geological, geochemical or geographical
studies;
· Exploratory drilling;
· Trenching;
· Sampling;
· Activities in relation to the evaluation of both the
technical feasibility and the commercial viability of extracting
minerals;
· Exploration staff related costs; and
· Equipment and infrastructure.
Exploration and evaluation costs
that have been capitalised are classified as either tangible or
intangible according to the nature of the assets acquired and this
classification is consistently applied.
If commercial reserves are
developed, the related deferred exploration and evaluation costs
are then reclassified as development and production assets within
property, plant and equipment.
All capitalised exploration and
evaluation expenditure is monitored for indications of impairment
in accordance with IFRS 6. One or more of
the following facts and circumstances indicate that an entity
should test exploration and
evaluation assets for
impairment:
· The
period for which the entity has the right to explore in the
specific area has expired during the period or will expire in the
near future and is not expected to be renewed
· Substantive expenditure on further exploration for and
evaluation of mineral resources in the specific area is neither
budgeted nor planned.
· Exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources in the
specific area have not led to the discovery of commercially viable
quantities of mineral resources and the entity has decided to
discontinue such activities in the specific area; or
· Sufficient data exist to indicate that, although a
development in the specific area is likely to proceed, the carrying
amount of the exploration and evaluation asset is unlikely to be
recovered in full from successful development or by
sale.
(e)
Leases
All leases are accounted for by
recognising a right-of-use asset and a lease liability except
for:
· Leases of low value assets; and
· Leases with a duration of 12 months or less.
Identifying Leases
The Group accounts for a contract,
or a portion of a contract, as a lease when it conveys the right to
use an asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.
Leases are those contracts that satisfy the following
criteria:
(a) There is an identified
asset;
(b) The Group obtains
substantially all the economic benefits from use of the asset;
and
(c) The Group has the right to
direct use of the asset.
The Group considers whether the
supplier has substantive substitution rights. If the supplier does
have those rights, the contract is not identified as giving rise to
a lease.
In determining whether the Group
obtains substantially all the economic benefits from use of the
asset, the Group considers only the economic benefits that arise
from use of the asset, not those incidental to legal ownership or
other potential benefits.
In determining whether the Group
has the right to direct use of the asset, the Group considers
whether it directs how and for what purpose the asset is used
throughout the period of use. If there are no significant decisions
to be made because they are pre-determined due to the nature of the
asset, the Group considers whether it was involved in the design of
the asset in a way that predetermines how and for what purpose the
asset will be used throughout the period of use. If the contract or
portion of a contract does not satisfy these criteria, the Group
applies other applicable IFRSs rather than IFRS 16.
Lease liabilities are measured at
the present value of the contractual payments due to the lessor
over the lease term, with the discount rate determined by reference
to the rate inherent in the lease unless (as is typically the case)
this is not readily determinable, in which case the Group's
incremental borrowing rate on commencement of the lease is
used.
The discount rate is the rate
implicit in the lease, if readily determinable. If not, the
Company's incremental borrowing rate is used which the Company has
assessed to be 7.22%, being an average SOFR plus 3%, being an
appropriate level of risk to the risk-free rate of
borrowing.
Variable lease payments are only
included in the measurement of the lease liability if they depend
on an index or rate. In such cases, the initial measurement
of the lease liability assumes the variable element will remain
unchanged throughout the lease term. Other variable lease payments
are expensed in the period to which they relate.
On initial recognition, the
carrying value of the lease liability also includes:
· amounts expected to be payable under any residual value
guarantee;
· the
exercise price of any purchase option granted in favour of the
Group if it is reasonably certain to assess that option;
and
· any
penalties payable for terminating the lease, if the term of the
lease has been estimated on the basis of termination option being
exercised.
Right of use assets are initially
measured at the amount of the lease liability, reduced for any
lease incentives received, and increased for:
· lease payments made at or before commencement of the
lease;
· initial direct costs incurred; and
· the
amount of any provision recognised where the Group is contractually
required to dismantle, remove or restore the leased asset
(typically leasehold dilapidations).
Subsequent to initial measurement
lease liabilities increase as a result of interest charged at a
constant rate on the balance outstanding and are reduced for lease
payments made. Right-of-use assets are amortised on a
straight-line basis over the remaining term of the lease or over
the remaining economic life of the asset if, rarely, this is judged
to be shorter than the lease term.
When the Group revises its
estimate of the term of any lease (because, for example, it
re-assesses the probability of a lessee extension or termination
option being exercised), it adjusts the carrying amount of the
lease liability to reflect the payments to make over the revised
term, which are discounted at the same discount rate that applied
on lease commencement. The carrying value of lease
liabilities is similarly revised when the variable element of
future lease payments dependent on a rate or index is
revised. In both cases an equivalent adjustment is made to
the carrying value of the right-of-use asset, with the revised
carrying amount being amortised over the remaining (revised) lease
term.
(f) Game
animals
Game animals are wild animals that
occur on the farm properties owned by the Group. The animals are
owned by Elandsfontein Land Holdings and held within the
approximately 5,000 hectares of farmland owned by Elandsfontein
Land Holdings. The property is appropriately fenced with game
specific fencing. These animals are managed in terms of a game
management plan and excess animals are either sold as live animals
or harvested as and when required based on estimated stocking
levels and vegetation conditions. Law in South Africa specifies
that wild animals are the property of the owner of the land that
they occupy.
Game animals are measured at their
fair value less estimated point-of-sale costs, fair value being
determined upon the age and size of the animals and relevant market
prices. Market price is determined on the basis that the animal is
either to be sold to be slaughtered or realised through sale to
customers at fair market value.
Fair market value of game animals
is determined by using average live game animal selling prices
achieved at live game animal auctions during the relevant period
and published from time to time on game animal auctioneering
websites.
(g)
Financial instruments
Classification and
measurement
The Group classifies its financial
instruments into the following categories:
· Financial assets measured at amortised cost;
· Financial assets measured at fair value through profit and
loss;
· Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost;
and
· Derivative financial instruments accounted for at fair value
through profit and loss.
Classification of financial assets
depends on the business model for managing the financial assets and
the contractual terms of the cash flows. Management determines the
classification of financial assets at initial recognition. Generally,
the Group does not acquire financial assets for the purpose of
selling in the short term. The Group's business model is primarily
that of "hold to collect" (where assets are held in order to
collect contractual cash flows).
Financial assets held at
amortised cost
This classification applies to debt
instruments which are held under a hold to collect business model
and which have cash flows that meet the "solely payments of
principal and interest" ("SPPI") criteria.
At initial recognition, trade and
other receivables that do not have a significant financing component
are recognised at their transaction price. Other financial assets
are initially recognised at fair value plus related transaction
costs. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the
effective interest method. Any gain or loss on de-recognition or
modification of a financial asset held at amortised cost is
recognised in the income statement.
Financial assets and
liabilities held at fair value through profit or
loss
Financial assets and liabilities
at fair value through profit or loss are carried in the statement
of financial position at fair value with net changes in fair value
recognised in the statement of profit or loss. Assets and
liabilities in this category are classified as current if they are
expected to be settled within twelve months, otherwise they are
classified as non-current.
Call options in the Company's own
equity are recorded at fair value and change in fair value recorded
through income statement.
Undrawn facilities with a
conversion option, for which the terms give rise to a derivative,
are revalued for changes in the share price prior to draw down with
a resulting loss for revaluation booked to Profit and Loss and the
remaining receivable extinguished through equity based on the
relative draw down percentage of undrawn facilities at each
reporting period.
Impairment of financial
assets
A forward-looking expected credit
loss ("ECL") review is required for debt instruments measured at
amortised cost or held at fair value through other comprehensive
income, financial guarantees not measured at fair value through
profit or loss and other receivables that give rise to an
unconditional right to consideration.
As permitted by IFRS 9, the Group
applies the "simplified approach" to trade receivables, contract
assets and lease receivables and the "general approach" to all
other financial assets. The general approach incorporates a review
for any significant increase in counterparty credit risk since
inception. The ECL reviews include assumptions about the risk of
default and expected loss rates.
Cash and cash
equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise
cash on hand and demand deposits, and other short-term highly
liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount
of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in
value. These are classified as financial assets at amortised
cost.
Trade and other
payables
Trade and other payables are
classified as financial liabilities at amortised cost.
Interest bearing
borrowings
Borrowings are recognised
initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred.
Borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost; any
difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the
redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the
period of the borrowings using the effective interest
method.
Fees paid on the establishment of
loan facilities are recognised as transaction costs of the loan to
the extent that it is probable that some or all of the facility
will be drawn down. In this case, the fee is deferred until the
draw down occurs. To the extent there is no evidence that it is
probable that some or all of the facility will be drawn down, the
fee is capitalised as a pre-payment for liquidity services and
amortised over the period of the facility to which it
relates.
Modification of debt instruments
When the contractual terms of a
financial liability are substantially modified, it is accounted for
as an extinguishment of the original debt instrument and the
recognition of a new financial liability. The new debt instrument
is recorded at fair value and any difference from the carrying
amount of the extinguished liability, including any non-cash
consideration transferred, is recorded in profit or loss. Any costs
or fees incurred are generally included in profit or loss,
too.
If a modification to the terms of
a financial liability is not substantial, then the amortised cost
of the liability is recalculated as the present value of the
estimated future contractual cash flows, discounted at the original
effective interest rate. The resulting gains or losses are
recognised in profit or loss. Any costs or fees incurred adjust the
carrying amount of the modified financial liability and are
amortised over its term. The periodic re-estimation of cash flows
to reflect movements in market rates of interest will change the
effective interest rate of a floating-rate financial
liability.
To determine whether a
modification of terms is substantial, the Company performs a
quantitative assessment. If the difference in the present values of
the cash flows is less than 10 percent, then the Company performs a
qualitative assessment to identify substantial differences in terms
that by their nature are not captured by the quantitative
assessment. Performing a qualitative assessment may require a high
degree of judgement based on the facts and
circumstances.
(h) Taxation
Current tax assets and
liabilities
Current tax for current and prior
periods is, to the extent unpaid, recognised as a liability. If the
amount already paid in respect of current and prior periods exceeds
the amount due for those periods, the excess is recognised as an
asset.
Deferred tax assets and
liabilities
Deferred tax is provided using the
liability method on temporary differences between the tax bases of
assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial
reporting purposes at the reporting date.
A deferred tax liability is
recognised for all taxable temporary differences, except to the
extent that the deferred tax liability arises from the initial
recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which at the
time of the transaction, affects neither accounting profit nor
taxable profit and differences relating to investments in
subsidiaries to the extent they are controlled and probably will
not reverse in the foreseeable future.
A deferred tax asset is recognised
for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is
probable that taxable profit will be available against which the
deductible temporary difference can be utilised. A deferred tax
asset is not recognised when it arises from the initial recognition
of an asset or liability in a transaction at the time of the
transaction, affects neither accounting profit nor taxable
profit.
Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to
apply to the period when the asset is realised or the liability is
settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted
or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting
period.
Deferred tax assets and deferred
tax liabilities are offset if a legally enforceable right exists to
set off current tax assets against current income tax liabilities
and the deferred taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the
same taxation authority.
Tax
expense
Tax expense is recognised in the
same component of total comprehensive income (i.e. continuing
operations, discontinued operations, or other comprehensive income)
or equity as the transaction or other event that resulted in the
tax expense.
(i)
Impairment of non-financial assets
The Group assesses at each
reporting date whether there is any indication that an asset may be
impaired. If any such indication exists, the Group estimates the
recoverable amount of the asset.
If there is any indication that an
asset may be impaired, the recoverable amount is estimated for the
individual asset. If it is not possible to estimate the recoverable
amount of the individual asset, the recoverable amount of the
cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs is
determined.
The recoverable amount of an asset
or a cash-generating unit ('CGU') is the higher of its fair value
less costs to of disposal ('FVLCD') and its value in use
('VIU').
If the recoverable amount of an
asset is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the
asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. That reduction is an
impairment loss.
An impairment loss, of assets
carried at cost less any accumulated depreciation or amortisation,
is recognised immediately in profit or loss.
The increased carrying amount of
an asset other than goodwill attributable to a reversal of an
impairment loss does not exceed the carrying amount that would have
been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the
asset in prior periods.
A reversal of an impairment loss
of assets carried at cost less accumulated depreciation or
amortisation other than goodwill is recognised immediately in profit
or loss. Any reversal of an impairment loss of a revalued asset is
treated as a revaluation increase.
(j)
Inventories
Inventories are measured at the
lower of cost and net realisable value.
Plant spares and consumables
stores are capitalised to the balance sheet and expensed to the
income statement as they are utilised.
Spares and consumables are valued
at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined
using the weighted average method.
Obsolete, redundant and
slow-moving items of spares and consumables are identified on a
regular basis and written down to their net realisable
value.
Inventories are included in
current assets, unless the inventory will not be used within 12
months after the end of the reporting period.
(k)
Provisions and contingencies
Environmental
rehabilitation
The provision for environmental
rehabilitation is recognised as and when an obligation to incur
rehabilitation and mine closure costs arises from environmental
disturbance caused by the development or ongoing production of a
mining property. Estimated long-term environmental rehabilitation
provisions are measured based on the Group's environmental policy
taking into account current technological, environmental and
regulatory requirements. Any subsequent changes to the carrying
amount of the provision resulting from changes to the assumptions
as to the timing of the rehabilitation applied in estimating the
obligation are recognised in property, plant and
equipment.
The provisions are based on the
net present value of the estimated cost of restoring the
environmental disturbance that has occurred up to the reporting
date, using the risk-free rate and the risk adjusted cash flows that
reflect current market assessments and the risks specific to the
provisions. Increases due to the additional environmental
disturbances are capitalised and amortised over the remaining life
of the mine.
Decommissioning
provision
The estimated present value of
costs relating to the future decommissioning of plant or other site
preparation work, taking into account current environmental and
regulatory requirements, is capitalised as part of property, plant
and equipment, to the extent that it relates to the construction of
an asset, and the related provisions are raised in the statement of
financial position, as soon as the obligation to incur such costs
arises.
These estimates are reviewed at
least annually and changes in the measurement of the provision that
result from the subsequent changes in the timing of costs and the
risk-free rate, are added to, or deducted from, the cost of the
related asset in the current period. Other changes are charged to
profit or loss. If a decrease in the liability exceeds the carrying
amount of the asset, the excess is recognised immediately in the
income statement. If the asset value is increased and there is an
indication that the revised carrying value is not recoverable, an
impairment test is performed in accordance with the accounting
policy on impairment of non-financial assets above.
(l) Share capital and
equity
Ordinary shares are classified as
equity and are recorded at the proceeds received net of issue
costs.
(m) Convertible
debt
The proceeds received on issue of
the Group's convertible debt which fail the fixed-for-fixed
criterion under IFRS are allocated into their liability and
derivative liability components. The derivative liability is
measured at fair value with subsequent changes recognised in profit
or loss The debt component is accounted for as a financial
liability measured at amortised cost until extinguished on
conversion or maturity of the debt.
(n) Borrowing
costs
Interest on borrowings directly
related to the financing of qualifying capital projects under
development is added to the capitalised cost of those projects
during the development phase, until such time as the assets are
substantially ready for their intended use or sale which, in the
case of mining properties, is when they are capable of commercial
production. Where funds have been borrowed specifically to finance
the project, the amount capitalised represents the actual borrowing
costs incurred. Where the funds used to finance a project forming
part of general borrowings, the amount capitalised is calculated
using a weighted average of rates applicable to relevant general
borrowings of the Group during the period.
Qualifying assets are assets that
necessarily take a substantial period of time (more than 12 months)
to get ready for their intended use or sale. Borrowing costs are
added to the cost of these assets, until the assets are
substantially ready for their intended use or sale.
Capitalisation is suspended during
extended periods in which active development is
interrupted.
Capitalisation ceases when
substantially all the activities necessary to prepare the
qualifying asset for its intended use or sale are
complete.
All other borrowing costs are
recognised in the income statement in the period in which they are
incurred.
(o) Employee
benefits
The cost of short-term employee
benefits, such as leave pay and sick leave, bonuses, and
non-monetary benefits such as medical care, are recognised in the
period in which the service is rendered and are not
discounted.
(p) Intangible
assets
All intangible assets are stated
at cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated
impairment losses.
(q) Finance
income
Interest income is recognised as
other income on an accrual basis based on the effective yield on
the investment.
(r) Share-based payment
arrangements
Equity-settled share-based
payments to employees are measured at the fair value of the equity
instruments at the grant date. Equity-settled share-based payments
to non-employees are measured at the fair value of services
received, or if this cannot be measured, at the fair value of the
equity instruments granted at the date that the Group obtains the
goods or counterparty renders the service.
The fair value determined at the
grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed
on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the
Group's estimate of equity instruments that will eventually vest,
with a corresponding increase in equity.
Where there are no vesting
conditions, the expense and equity reserve arising from share-based
payment transactions is recognised in full immediately on
grant.
At the end of each reporting
period, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity
instruments expected to vest. The impact of the revision of the
original estimates, if any, is recognised in profit or loss such
that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimate, with a
corresponding adjustment to other reserves.
Details regarding the
determination of the fair value of equity-settled share-based
transactions are set out in the Directors' Report and Note 11 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(s) Revenue from contracts with
customers
IFRS 15 establishes a
comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when
income is recognised. Under IFRS 15, income is recognised at an
amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects
to be entitled for transferring goods or services to a customer.
Income is measured based on the consideration specified in a
contract with a customer and excludes amounts collected on behalf
of third parties. The Group recognises income when it transfers
control over a product or services to a customer.
Revenue comprises the fair value
of the consideration received or receivable from the sale of
products or services rendered in the ordinary course of the Group's
activities. Revenue is recognised when it is probable that the
economic benefits associated with a transaction will flow to the
Group and the amount of income, and associated costs incurred or to
be incurred can be measured reliably.
The Group recognises revenue from
the following major sources:
Phosphate income
Revenue from contracts with
customers is recognised when control of the goods or services is
transferred to the customer at an amount that reflects the
consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in
exchange for those goods.
Rock phosphate sales are generally
physically delivered to customers in the period in which it is
produced, with the sales price based on contractual agreement. The
price applied will be the prevailing rate at the point of revenue
recognition. The agreed price is adjusted if the grade, tonnage or
moisture content of the rock phosphate differs from that guaranteed
by the Group.
As the transfer of risks and
rewards is at a point in time under IFRS 15, the key judgements in
reaching this conclusion are that the control of all goods and
services (transferred to the customer under a sales contract) is
satisfied at the point in time when loading at port is complete and
there are no materially distinct performance
obligations.
Most export sales are free
on-board origin (FOB) whereby the buyer assumes all risk once the
Group has loaded the product on board the vessel.
All the Group's sales are
wholesale.
Payment of the transaction price
is typically made on presentation of Bills of Lading and the issue
of Certificates of Quality and Quantity issued by an independent
surveyor. At this point in time, the Group's performance
obligations are complete, and revenues are recognised in full
immediately, i.e. when control of the goods or services underlying
the particular performance obligation is transferred to the
customer. The full consideration is allocated to the performance
obligation per the contract which is the sale of the phosphate
concentrate.
The Group has concluded that it is
the principal in its revenue contracts because it typically
controls the goods or services before transferring them to the
customer.
A receivable is recognised by the
Group when the goods are shipped to the customer as this represents
the point in time at which the right to consideration becomes
unconditional, as only the passage of time is required before
payment is due.
(t) Cost of
sales
When inventories are sold, the
carrying amount of those inventories is recognised as an expense in
the period in which the related revenue is recognised. The amount
of any write-down of inventories to net realisable value and all
losses of inventories are recognised as an expense in the period
the write-down or loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of any
write-down of inventories, arising from an increase in net
realisable value, is recognised as a reduction in the amount of
inventories recognised as an expense in the period in which the
reversal occurs.
(u) Critical accounting
estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with IFRS requires management, from time
to time, to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect
the application of policies and reported amounts of assets,
liabilities, income and expenses. These estimates and associated
assumptions are based on experience and various other factors that
are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. 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
estimates are revised and in any future periods
affected.
The critical judgements made by
management in applying accounting policies, apart from those
involving estimations, that have the most significant effect on the
amounts recognised in the financial statements, are outlined as
follows:
(i)
Exploration and evaluation assets (Note 5)
The application of the Group's
accounting policy for exploration and evaluation assets requires
judgement in determining whether it is likely that costs incurred
will be recovered through successful development or sale of the
asset under review when assessing impairment. Estimates and
assumptions made may change if new information becomes available.
If, after expenditures are capitalised, information becomes
available suggesting that the recovery of expenditures is unlikely,
the amount capitalised is written off in the net profit or loss in
the period when the new information becomes available. In
situations where indicators of impairment are present for the
Group's exploration and evaluation assets, estimates of recoverable
amount must be determined as the higher of the estimated VIU or the
estimated FVLCD.
(ii)
Functional currency
The Group transacts in multiple
currencies. The assessment of the functional currency of each
entity within the consolidated Group involves the use of judgement
in determining the primary economic environment each entity
operates in. The Group first considers the currency that mainly
influences sales prices for goods and services, and the currency
that mainly influences labour, material and other costs of
providing goods or services. In determining functional currency,
the Group also considers the currency from which funds from
financing activities are generated, and the currency in which
receipts from operating activities are usually retained. See Note
31 for sensitivity analysis of foreign exchange risk.
(iii)
Decommissioning and rehabilitation provisions (Note
16)
Quantifying the future costs of
these obligations is complex and requires various estimates and
judgements to be made, as well as interpretations of and decisions
regarding regulatory requirements, particularly with respect to the
degree of rehabilitation required, with reference to the
sensitivity of the environmental area surrounding the sites.
Consequently, the guidelines issued for quantifying the future
rehabilitation cost of a site, as issued by the South African
Department of Mineral Resources, have been used to estimate future
rehabilitation costs. The Group appointed Braaf Environmental
Practitioners to conduct an independent specialist update of the
decommissioning and rehabilitation provision.
(iv) Other
financial assets
The Group has given guarantees to
a number of third parties as described in Note 7 and lodged funds
as security.
The amounts are recoverable
subject to satisfactory performance of certain conditions which
requires judgement as to the likelihood of the return of such
guarantees. At the balance sheet date the Directors make judgements
on the amounts expected to be returned and consider that all
amounts are recoverable.
(v)
Taxation
Judgement is required in
determining the provision for income taxes due to the complexity of
legislation. There are many transactions and calculations for which
the ultimate tax determination is uncertain during the ordinary
course of business.
The Group recognises the net
future tax benefit related to deferred income tax assets to the
extent that it is probable that the deductible temporary
differences will reverse in the foreseeable future. Assessing the
recoverability of deferred income tax assets requires the Group to
make significant estimates related to expectations of future taxable
income. Estimates of future taxable income are based on forecast
cash flows from operations and the application of existing tax laws
in each jurisdiction. To the extent that future cash flows and
taxable income differ significantly from estimates, the ability of
the Group to realise the net deferred tax assets recorded at the
end of the reporting period could be impacted.
Management's judgement is that due
to the mine not being at steady state production it is premature to
recognise a deferred tax asset for the accumulated tax
losses.
(vi) Fair value of
financial instruments
The judgements and estimates made
by the Group in determining the fair values of the financial
instruments are described in Note 13 and 30 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
(vii) Impairment
indicator assessment
The Group reviews and tests the
carrying value of assets when events or changes in circumstances
("impairment indicators") suggest that the carrying amount may not
be recoverable. At 31 March 2024 and a calculation of
recoverable amount was performed and an impairment reversal of US$
19 million is recorded (refer to Note 25).
As part of the impairment indicator assessment, management evaluate
the life of mine plan discounted cash flow model. These
calculations require the use of estimates and assumptions. The key
estimates made include discount rates, being the Group's weighted
average cost of capital, future prices of phosphate rock, mine
production levels and foreign currency exchange rates.
(v) Key sources of estimation
uncertainty
Property, plant and equipment
The depreciable amount of
property, plant and equipment is allocated on a systematic basis
over its useful life. In determining the depreciable amount
management makes certain assumptions with regard to the residual
value of assets based on the expected estimated amount that the
Group would currently obtain from disposal of the asset, after
deducting the estimated cost of disposal, if the asset were already
of the age and in the condition expected at the end of its useful
life. If an asset is expected to be abandoned the residual value is
estimated at zero.
In determining the useful lives of
property, plant and equipment that is depreciated, management
considers the expected usage of assets, expected physical wear and
tear, legal or similar limits of assets such as mineral rights as
well as obsolescence.
This estimate is further impacted
by management's best estimation of proved and probable phosphate
ore reserves and the expected future life of each of the mines
within the Group. The forecast production could be different from
the actual phosphate mined. This would generally result from
significant changes in the factors or assumptions used in estimating
phosphate reserves. These factors include:
· changes in proved and probable ore reserves;
· differences between achieved ore prices and
assumptions;
· adverse movements in foreign exchange;
· unforeseen operational issues at mine sites; and
· changes in capital, operating, mining, processing,
reclamation and logistics costs, discount rates and foreign
exchange rates.
Any change in management's
estimate of the useful lives and residual values of assets would
impact the depreciation charge. Any change in management's estimate
of the total expected future life of each of the mines would impact
the depreciation charge as well as the estimated rehabilitation and
decommissioning provisions.
In determining the FVLCD for
purposes of the impairment consideration, the value is most
sensitive to the following assumptions:
· Phosphate rock prices;
· Phosphate recoveries;
· Foreign exchange rates; and
· Operating costs.
Refer to Note 25 for further details.
Life of mine
Life of mine is defined as the
remaining years of production, based on proposed production rates
and ore reserves and will be assessed as soon as additional
exploration drilling has been performed and further reserves proven
based on additional test results.
Fair value of derivative instruments
Information about the specific
techniques, assumptions and inputs is disclosed in Note 13 and 30
to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The key
estimates associated with the fair value of the derivative
liability include volatility and the assumptions regarding
conversion timing.
(3) Subsidiaries of the
Group
The subsidiaries of the Group, all
of which are private companies limited by shares, as at
31 March 2024, are as follows:
Company
|
Country of Registration or Incorporation
|
Registered Office
|
Principal Activity
|
Percentage of ordinary shares held by
Company
|
Kropz SA (Pty) Limited
|
South Africa
|
1st Floor
43 Plein Street
Stellenbosch, 7600
1st Floor
43 Plein Street
Stellenbosch, 7600
1st Floor
43 Plein Street
Stellenbosch, 7600
1st Floor
43 Plein Street
Stellenbosch, 7600
1st Floor
43 Plein Street
Stellenbosch, 7600
|
Intermediate holding
company
|
100%
|
Elandsfontein Land Holdings (Pty)
Ltd
|
South Africa
|
Property owner
|
70%
*
|
Kropz Elandsfontein (Pty)
Ltd
|
South Africa
|
Phosphate exploration and
mining
|
74%
**
|
West Coast Fertilisers (Pty)
Ltd
|
South Africa
|
Phosphoric acid
production
|
70%
|
|
|
|
|
Xsando (Pty) Ltd
|
South Africa
|
Sand sales
|
70%
|
Cominco Resources
Limited
|
BVI
|
Woodbourne Hall,
PO Box 3162, Road Town,
Tortola, British Virgin
Islands
|
Intermediate holding
company
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
Cominco S.A.
|
RoC
|
Woodbourne Hall,
PO Box 3162, Road Town,
Tortola, British Virgin
Islands
|
Development
|
100%
***
|
Cominco Resources (UK)
Ltd
|
England and Wales
|
35 Verulam Road
Hitchin
SG5 1QE
|
Service company
|
100%
***
|
* 46.67% held
indirectly
** 38.18% held
indirectly
*** held indirectly
|
The accounting reference date of
each of the subsidiaries is coterminous with that of the Company
except of Cominco SA Being 31 December as regulated in the
RoC.
(4) Tangible assets - Property,
plant, equipment and mine development
|
31 Mar
2024
|
31 Mar
2024
|
31 Mar
2024
|
31 Dec
2022
|
31 Dec
2022
|
31 Dec
2022
|
|
Cost
|
Accumulated
Depreciation and
Impairment
|
Carrying
value
|
Cost
|
Accumulated
Depreciation and
Impairment
|
Carrying
value
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
Buildings and infrastructure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land
|
1,278
|
(615)
|
663
|
1,418
|
(795)
|
623
|
Buildings
|
9,379
|
(3,949)
|
5,430
|
9,840
|
(5,597)
|
4,243
|
Capitalised road costs
|
6,853
|
(4,906)
|
1,947
|
7,600
|
(5,709)
|
1,891
|
Capitalised electrical sub-station
costs
|
2,973
|
(2,090)
|
883
|
3,297
|
(2,445)
|
852
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Machinery, plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Critical spare parts
|
1,824
|
(755)
|
1,069
|
1,786
|
(1,002)
|
784
|
Plant and machinery
|
86,837
|
(36,243)
|
50,594
|
95,061
|
(53,486)
|
41,575
|
Water treatment plant
|
2,941
|
(1,222)
|
1,719
|
2,333
|
(1,308)
|
1,025
|
Furniture and fittings
|
51
|
(40)
|
11
|
56
|
(41)
|
15
|
Geological equipment
|
71
|
(52)
|
19
|
79
|
(48)
|
31
|
Office equipment
|
130
|
(125)
|
5
|
30
|
(28)
|
2
|
Other fixed assets
|
1
|
(1)
|
-
|
1
|
(1)
|
-
|
Motor vehicles
|
252
|
(93)
|
159
|
93
|
(93)
|
-
|
Computer equipment
|
138
|
(121)
|
17
|
79
|
(45)
|
34
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine development
|
17,762
|
(7,148)
|
10,614
|
17,724
|
(9,788)
|
7,936
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stripping activity costs
|
20,536
|
(8,492)
|
12,044
|
22,257
|
(12,485)
|
9,772
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Game animals
|
237
|
-
|
237
|
182
|
-
|
182
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
151,263
|
(65,852)
|
85,411
|
161,836
|
(92,871)
|
68,965
|
Reconciliation of property, plant, equipment and mine
development - Period ended 31 March 2024
|
|
Opening
Balance
US$'000
|
Additions
US$'000
|
Disposals
US$'000
|
Fair value gain/
(loss)
US$'000
|
Impair-ment*
US$'000
|
Depreciation
charge
US$'000
|
Foreign exchange
loss
US$'000
|
Closing
balance
US$'000
|
|
Buildings and infrastructure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land
|
623
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
337
|
-
|
(297)
|
663
|
|
Buildings
|
4,243
|
516
|
-
|
(1)
|
1,109
|
(37)
|
(400)
|
5,430
|
|
Capitalised road costs
|
1,891
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
800
|
(582)
|
(162)
|
1,947
|
|
Capitalised electrical sub-station
costs
|
852
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
356
|
(252)
|
(73)
|
883
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Machinery, plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Critical spare parts
|
784
|
218
|
-
|
-
|
138
|
-
|
(71)
|
1,069
|
|
Plant and machinery
|
41,575
|
1,186
|
-
|
(42)
|
11,768
|
(202)
|
(3,691)
|
50,594
|
|
Water treatment plant
|
1,025
|
853
|
-
|
-
|
(60)
|
-
|
(99)
|
1,719
|
|
Furniture and fittings
|
15
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(4)
|
-
|
11
|
Geological
equipment
|
31
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(9)
|
(3)
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office equipment
|
2
|
129
|
-
|
(27)
|
-
|
(99)
|
-
|
5
|
|
Other fixed assets
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Motor vehicles
|
-
|
127
|
-
|
56
|
-
|
(24)
|
-
|
159
|
|
Computer equipment
|
34
|
70
|
(2)
|
-
|
-
|
(81)
|
(4)
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine development
|
7,936
|
1,812
|
-
|
-
|
1,570
|
-
|
(704)
|
10,614
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stripping activity costs
|
9,772
|
474
|
-
|
-
|
2,665
|
-
|
(867)
|
12,044
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Game animals
|
182
|
-
|
-
|
74
|
-
|
-
|
(19)
|
237
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
68,965
|
5,385
|
(2)
|
60
|
18,683
|
(1,290)
|
(6,390)
|
85,411
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Refer to Note
25.
Reconciliation of property, plant, equipment and mine
development - Year ended 31 December 2022
|
Opening
Balance
US$'000
|
Additions
US$'000
|
Fair value
loss
US$'000
|
Impair-ment*
US$'000
|
Depreciation
charge
US$'000
|
Foreign exchange
loss
US$'000
|
Closing
balance
US$'000
|
Buildings and infrastructure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land
|
1,515
|
-
|
-
|
(795)
|
-
|
(97)
|
623
|
Buildings
|
10,458
|
-
|
-
|
(5,747)
|
(33)
|
(435)
|
4,243
|
Capitalised road costs
|
5,143
|
-
|
-
|
(2,522)
|
(527)
|
(203)
|
1,891
|
Capitalised electrical sub-station
costs
|
2,310
|
-
|
-
|
(1,137)
|
(229)
|
(92)
|
852
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Machinery, plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Critical spare parts
|
1,713
|
190
|
-
|
(1,046)
|
-
|
(73)
|
784
|
Plant and machinery
|
86,180
|
14,911
|
-
|
(55,775)
|
(1)
|
(3,740)
|
41,575
|
Water treatment plant
|
2,435
|
56
|
-
|
(1,366)
|
-
|
(100)
|
1,025
|
Furniture and fittings
|
9
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
(4)
|
-
|
15
|
Geological equipment
|
20
|
18
|
-
|
-
|
(6)
|
(1)
|
31
|
Office equipment
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(9)
|
-
|
2
|
Other fixed assets
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Motor vehicles
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Computer equipment
|
24
|
24
|
-
|
-
|
(12)
|
(2)
|
34
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine development
|
18,938
|
-
|
-
|
(10,227)
|
-
|
(775)
|
7,936
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stripping activity costs
|
6,126
|
17,178
|
-
|
(13,035)
|
-
|
(497)
|
9,772
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Game animals
|
217
|
-
|
(21)
|
-
|
-
|
(14)
|
182
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
135,099
|
32,387
|
(21)
|
(91,650)
|
(821)
|
(6,029)
|
68,965
|
Game animals
Game animal assets are carried at
fair value. The different levels are defined as follows:
· Level 1: Quoted unadjusted prices in active markets for
identical assets or liabilities that the Group can access as
measurement date.
· Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1
that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or
indirectly.
· Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or
liability.
Levels of fair value measurements
- Level 3.
Kropz Elandsfontein has a fully
drawn down project financing facility with BNP Paribas for
US$ 30 million (see Note 15), the outstanding balance as at
period end was US$ 11,262,000. BNP has an extensive security
package over all the assets of Kropz Elandsfontein and
Elandsfontein Land Holdings (Pty) Ltd ("Elandsfontein Land
Holdings") as well as the share investments in those respective
companies owned by Kropz SA (Pty) Ltd ("Kropz SA").
(5) Intangible assets -
Exploration and evaluation costs
|
31 March
2024
|
31 March
2024
|
31 March
2024
|
31 Dec
2022
|
31 Dec
2022
|
31 Dec
2022
|
|
Cost
|
Amort-
isation
|
Carrying
value
|
Cost
|
Amort-
isation
|
Carrying
value
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
Capitalised costs
|
43,172
|
-
|
43,172
|
42,415
|
-
|
42,415
|
The costs of mineral resources
acquired and associated exploration and evaluation costs are not
subject to amortisation until they are included in the
life-of-the-mine plan and production has commenced.
Where assets are dedicated to a
mine, the useful lives are subject to the lesser of the asset
category's useful life and the life of the mine, unless those
assets are readily transferable to another productive mine.
In accordance with the requirements of IFRS 6, the Directors
assessed whether there were any indicators of impairment. No
indicators were identified.
Reconciliation of exploration assets
|
Opening
Balance
US$'000
|
Additions
US$'000
|
Disposals
US$'000
|
Foreign exchange
loss
US$'000
|
Closing
balance
US$'000
|
Period ended 31 March 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalised exploration
costs
|
42,415
|
393
|
-
|
364
|
43,172
|
|
Opening
Balance
US$'000
|
Additions
US$'000
|
Disposals
US$'000
|
Foreign exchange
loss
US$'000
|
Closing
balance
US$'000
|
Year ended 31 December 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalised exploration
costs
|
44,631
|
346
|
-
|
(2,562)
|
42,415
|
(6) Right-of-use
assets
|
Period
ended
|
Year ended
|
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Cost
|
|
|
Brought forward
|
103
|
110
|
Right-of-use asset
derecognised
|
(42)
|
|
Foreign exchange
differences
|
(4)
|
(7)
|
As at 31 December
|
57
|
103
|
|
|
|
Amortisation
|
|
|
Brought forward
|
103
|
103
|
Charge for the period
|
-
|
5
|
Right-of-use asset
derecognised
|
(42)
|
|
Foreign exchange
differences
|
(4)
|
(5)
|
As at 31 December
|
(57)
|
103
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
-
|
-
|
(7) Other financial
assets
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Eskom guarantee (1)
|
279
|
309
|
Eskom guarantee (2)
|
283
|
313
|
Eskom guarantee (3)
|
243
|
-
|
Centriq insurance DMR
guarantee
|
455
|
238
|
Margin Account
|
267
|
-
|
Total
|
1,527
|
860
|
(1) Eskom guarantee
Guarantee issued to Eskom Holdings
SOC Limited in the amount of ZAR 5,235,712 in respect of "supply
agreement (early termination) guarantee".
(2) Eskom guarantee
Guarantee issued to Eskom Holdings
SOC Limited in the amount of ZAR 5,305,333 in respect of an
"electricity accounts guarantee".
(3) Eskom guarantee
Guarantee issued to Eskom Holdings
SOC Limited in the amount of ZAR4,458,954 in respect of an
"electricity accounts guarantee".
Centriq insurance DMR guarantee
Guarantee in favour of Department
of Mineral Resources of ZAR 50 million in respect of a "financial
guarantee for the rehabilitation of land disturbed by
prospecting/mining" under an insurance policy. An additional annual
premium is due on 1 November 2024.
Margin Account
Cash collateral balance held with
a reputable financial institution of high credit
standing.
Fair value of other financial assets
The carrying value of other
financial assets approximate their fair value.
(8)
Inventories
Non-current:
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Stockpile
Current:
Concentrate*
|
955
1,003
|
-
790
|
Consumables
|
4,772
|
2,483
|
Total
|
6,730
|
3,273
|
* Phosphate rock produced by Kropz
Elandsfontein.
Inventories classified as
'non-current assets' relate to the phosphate stockpiles. The
Company is in process of analysing and testing the various ore
types being stockpiled to identify and refine the appropriate
method of mining and processing to drive efficiencies. The
stockpile ore is unlikely to be processed within the next 12 months
and has therefore been classified as non-current.
(9) Trade and other
receivables
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Trade receivables
Prepayments and accrued
income
|
4,293
170
|
-
209
|
Deposits
|
40
|
41
|
VAT
|
1,890
|
1,294
|
Other receivables
|
332
|
313
|
Forward exchange
contract
|
188
|
-
|
Total
|
6,913
|
1,857
|
Credit quality of trade and other
receivables
The credit quality of trade and
other receivables are considered recoverable due to management's
assessment of debtors' ability to repay the outstanding
amount.
Credit risk
The maximum exposure to credit
risk at the reporting date is the fair value of each class of
receivable mentioned above.
Trade and other receivables past due but not
impaired
None of the trade and other
receivables were past due at the end of the reporting
dates.
Trade and other receivables impaired
None of the trade and other
receivables were considered impaired. Trade and other receivables
have not been discounted as the impact of discounting is considered
to be insignificant.
Fair value of trade and other receivables
The carrying value of trade and
other receivables approximate their fair value.
Expected credit losses
There are no current receivable
balances lifetime expected credit losses in the current
period.
(10) Cash and cash
equivalents
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Bank balances
|
968
|
2,120
|
Total
|
968
|
2,120
|
Credit quality of cash at bank and short-term
deposits
The Group only deposits cash and
cash equivalents with reputable banks with good credit
ratings.
Fair value of cash at bank
Due to the short-term nature of
cash and cash equivalents the carrying amount is deemed to
approximate the fair value.
(11) Share capital
Each shareholder has the right to
one vote per ordinary share in general meeting. Any distributable
profit remaining after payment of distributions is available for
distribution to the shareholders of the Company in equal amounts
per share. Shares were issued as set out below:
|
Number of
|
Share capital
|
Share premium
|
Merger reserve
|
Total
|
|
shares
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
At 1 January
2022
|
909,571,975
|
1,194
|
193,524
|
(20,523)
|
174,195
|
Share options exercised
|
6,700,000
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
Shares issued in settlement of guarantee
fees
|
3,971,712
|
4
|
307
|
-
|
311
|
Convertible loan - issue of shares
|
3,474,536
|
5
|
232
|
-
|
237
|
As at
31 December 2022
|
923,718,223
|
1,212
|
194,063
|
(20,523)
|
174,752
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible loan - issue of shares
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
At
31 March 2024
|
923,718,223
|
1,212
|
194,063
|
(20,523)
|
174,752
|
Issue of share capital in the period ended 31 March
2024:
The were no changes to the issued
share capital of the Company between 1 January 2023 and
31 March 2024.
Subsequent to the period-end, the
Company will issue 643,873,018 new
Ordinary Shares and the Company's issued share capital will then be
1,567,591,241 Ordinary Shares.
Convertible loan facility
Please refer to Note
13.
Share based payment arrangements
Employee Share Option Plan
and Long-Term Incentive Plan
As more fully described in the
Directors' Report, the Company operates an ownership-based scheme
for executives and senior employees of the Group. In accordance
with the provisions of the plans, executives and senior employees
may be granted options to purchase parcels of ordinary shares at an
exercise price determined by the Board based on a recommendation by
the Remuneration Committee.
The following plans have been
adopted by the Company:
· an
executive share option plan used to grant awards on Admission of
the Company to AIM and following Admission (the "ESOP Awards") - a
performance and service-related plan pursuant to which nominal-cost
options can be granted; and
· an
executive long-term incentive plan (the "LTIP Awards") - a
performance and service-related plan pursuant to which conditional
share awards, nominal-cost options and market value options can be
granted, (together, the ''Incentive Plans'').
An option-holder has no voting or
dividend rights in the Company before the exercise of a share
option.
ESOP Awards
ESOP Awards were issued at the
time of the Admission of the Company's shares to the AIM market of
the London Stock Exchange in November 2018.
The ESOP Awards will vest as to
performance as follows:
· 20%
of the award shall vest for growth in share price of 100% from the
Admission placing price (40 pence);
· a
further 20% of the award shall vest for growth in share price of
250% from the Admission placing price;
· a
further 30% of the award shall vest for growth in share price of
350% from the Admission placing price; and
· a
further 30% of the award shall vest for growth in share price of
500% from the Admission placing price.
The value of the options was
calculated by way of a Monte Carlo Simulation using the following
assumptions.
ESOP Award assumptions at issue date
|
|
|
Share price
|
|
GBP 0.40
|
Exercise price
|
|
GBP 0.40
|
Expected volatility
|
|
40%
|
Expected dividends
|
|
0%
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
2.1%
|
Option life
|
|
10
years
|
The expected volatility is based
on the historic volatility. Options are stated in UK Pounds
Sterling as the Company is listed on the AIM market of the London
Stock Exchange.
As announced on 20 July 2022, Mark
Summers expressed his intention to leave the Company and he
resigned as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Executive Director
of the Company in January 2023 and the 3,362,609 ESOP options
awarded to him lapsed and expired. Michelle Lawrence resigned on 31
December 2022 and the 1,465,137 ESOP options awarded to her lapsed
and expired on that date. There were therefore nil ESOP options
remaining at 31 March 2024.
LTIP Awards
A total of 6,700,000 LTIP Awards
were issued to a Director and senior management in August 2020
which were fully exercised in January 2022.
In July 2021, 7,800,000 LTIP
Awards were awarded to key members of the executive management
team, including certain Persons Discharging Managerial
Responsibilities ("PDMRs"). Of this total, 4,800,000 lapsed in
December 2022. No further LTIP Awards were made in the period
ended 31 March 2024 and none of these LTIP Awards were exercised or
lapsed in this period. Accordingly, 3,000,000 Awards remained
outstanding as at 31 March 2024. These LTIP Awards vest on or
before 31 December 2024, subject to the terms of the LTIP Plan
Rules, including financial and non-financial performance
conditions.
These performance conditions are
aligned to implementing the Company's strategic plans, including
appropriate weightings on the successful commissioning and ramp-up
of the Elandsfontein project, completion of the development plan,
fund raising and construction of the Hinda project.
The LTIP Awards are £0.001 priced
options over a total of 3,000,000 ordinary shares and represent
0.23% of the Company's issued share capital as at 31 March
2024.
Participants of the LTIP Awards
need to remain employed by Kropz in order to exercise
awards.
The Remuneration Committee will
determine whether the performance conditions have been met and to
the extent performance conditions have not been achieved on or
before the fifth anniversary of the date of grant.
LTIP Awards were valued using a
Monte Carlo simulation model and are to be expensed over the
respective vesting periods, being 17 months for LTIP
Awards.
The value of the options was
calculated by using the Black-Scholes model, using the following
assumptions.
LTIP Award assumptions at issue date
|
|
|
Share price
|
|
GBP 0.055
|
Exercise price
|
|
GBP 0.001
|
Expected volatility
|
|
30%
|
Expected dividends
|
|
0%
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
1.3%
|
Option life
|
|
7
years
|
Equity warrants
As part of the equity facility and
fundraising in August 2020 the Company granted 121,837 warrants
over the ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each in the Company,
exercisable at 6.75 pence per Ordinary Share for a period of two
years from issue. As they had not been exercised, these
options lapsed during the 2022 financial year and no equity
warrants remain in place.
(12) Reserves
Nature and purpose of reserves
Foreign exchange translation reserve
The foreign exchange translation
reserve comprises all foreign currency differences arising from the
translation of the assets, liabilities and equity of the entities
included in these consolidated financial statements from their
functional currencies to the presentational currency. A decrease in
the reserve of US$ 937,000 (2022: US$ 3,388,000) was recorded
due to changes in the foreign currencies used to translate assets,
liabilities and equity at consolidation.
Share premium
The share premium account
represents the amount received on the issue of ordinary shares by
the Company, other than those recognised in the merger reserve
described below, in excess of their nominal value and is
non-distributable.
Merger reserve
The merger reserve represents the
amount received on the issue of ordinary shares by the Company in
excess of their nominal value on acquisition of subsidiaries where
merger relief under section 612 of the Companies Act 2006 applies.
The merger reserve consists of the merger relief on the issue of
shares to acquire Kropz SA on 27 November 2018 and Cominco
Resources on 30 November 2018. The merger
reserve also includes differences between the book value of assets
and liabilities acquired and the consideration for the business
acquired under common control.
Share-based payment reserve
The share-based payment reserve
arises from the requirement to value share options and warrants in
existence at fair value (see Note 11).
(13) Shareholder loans and
derivative
|
31
March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Shareholder loans - ARC
|
18,826
|
17,010
|
Demand Loan Facility -
ARC
Convertible debt - ARC
|
41,745
27,387
|
-
15,055
|
Derivative liability (refer to
Note 30)
|
6,476
|
23,037
|
|
94,434
|
55,102
|
Maturity
Non-current
|
-
|
55,102
|
Current
|
94,434
|
-
|
|
94,434
|
55,102
|
Shareholders loans - ARC
The loans are: (i) US$
denominated, but any repayments will be made in ZAR at the then
prevailing ZAR/US$ exchange rate; (ii) carry interest at monthly US
LIBOR plus 3%; and (iii) are repayable by no later than
1 January 2035 (or such earlier date as agreed between the
parties to the shareholder agreements).
Demand Loan facility - ARC Fund
The loans are unsecured, repayable
on demand, and interest accruing at SA prime overdraft rate plus
6%, if not repaid within 6 months from first utilisation date rate
increases by 2%. ARC have no intention to call any outstanding
loans over the next 12 months for cash repayment.
Convertible debt - ARC
On 20 October 2021, the Company
entered into a new convertible equity facility of up to ZAR 200
million ("ZAR 200 Million Equity Facility") with ARC, the Company's
major shareholder. Interest is payable at 14% nominal, compounded
monthly. At any time during the term of the ZAR 200 Million Equity
Facility, repayment of the ZAR 200 Million Equity Facility capital
amount will, at the election of ARC, either be in the form of the
conversion into ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each ("Ordinary
Shares") in the Company and issued to ARC, at a conversion price of
4.5058 pence per Ordinary Share each, representing the 30-day
Volume Weighted Average Price ("VWAP") on 21 September 2021,
and at fixed exchange rate of GBP 1 = ZAR 20.24 ("Conversion"), or
payable in cash by the Company at the end of the term of the ZAR
200 Million Equity Facility which is 27 October 2026. The
Company made a drawdown of ZAR 90 million of the ZAR 200 Million
Equity Facility on 26 October 2021 and a further ZAR 37 million on
9 December 2021. Two further draw downs were made in
2022, one on 25 March 2022 for ZAR 40 million and ZAR 33 million on
26 April 2022. The ZAR 200 Million Equity Facility is fully
drawn at the date of this
report.
As announced on 11 May 2022, the
Company entered into a new conditional convertible equity facility
of up to ZAR 177 million ("ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility") with
ARC. Interest is payable at 14% nominal, compounded monthly.
At any time during the term of the ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility,
repayment of the ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility capital amount
will, at the election of ARC, either be in the form of the
conversion into Ordinary Shares in the Company and issued to ARC,
at a conversion price of 9.256 pence per Ordinary Share each,
representing the 30-day Volume Weighted Average Price ("VWAP") on
4 May 2022, and at fixed exchange rate of ZAR 1 = GBP 0.0504
("Conversion"), or payable in cash by the Company
at the end of the term of the ZAR 177 Million
Equity Facility which is 2 June 2027. The first drawdown on the ZAR 177 Million Equity
Facility occurred on 2 June 2022 for ZAR 103.5 million. The second
drawdown on the ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility was made on 7 July
2022 for ZAR 60 million. On 9 August 2022, a final drawdown on the
ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility was made for ZAR 13.5 million.
The ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility is fully
drawn at the date of this report.
As announced on 14 November 2022,
the Company entered into a new conditional convertible equity
facility of up to ZAR 550 million ("ZAR 550 Million Equity
Facility") with ARC. Interest is payable at the South African prime
overdraft interest rate plus 6%, nominal per annum and compounded
monthly. At any time during the term of the ZAR 550 Million Equity
Facility, repayment of the ZAR 550 Million Equity Facility
capital amount will, at the election of ARC, either be in the form
of the conversion into Ordinary Shares in the Company and issued to
ARC, at a conversion price of 4.579 pence per Ordinary Share each,
representing the 30-day Volume Weighted Average Price ("VWAP") on
21 October 2022 and at fixed exchange rate of ZAR 1 = GBP 0.048824
("Conversion"), or payable in cash by the Company at the end of the
term of the ZAR 550 Million Equity Facility which is
30 November 2027. The Company drew down a further ZAR 107.5
million during the 15-month period and was
fully drawn as at 31 March 2024.
Derivative liability
It was determined that the
conversion option embedded in the convertible debt equity facility
be accounted for separately as a derivative liability.
Although the amount to be settled is fixed in ZAR, when converted
back to Kropz's functional currency will result in a variable
amount of cash based on the exchange rate at the date of
conversion. The value of the liability component and the derivative
conversion component were determined at the date of draw down using
a Monte Carlo simulation. The debt host liability was bifurcated
based on the determined value of the option. Subsequently,
the embedded derivative liability is adjusted to reflect fair value
at each period end with changes in fair value recorded in profit
and loss (refer to Note 30).
Fair value of shareholder loans
The carrying value of the loans
approximates their fair value.
(14) Finance lease
liabilities
|
Period
ended
31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31
December
2022
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
In respect of right-of-use assets
|
|
|
Balance brought forward
|
-
|
7
|
Repayments during the
period
|
-
|
(6)
|
Foreign exchange
differences
|
-
|
(1)
|
Lease liabilities at end of period
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
Maturity
|
|
|
Current
|
-
|
-
|
Non-current
|
-
|
-
|
Total lease liabilities
|
-
|
-
|
(15) Other financial
liabilities
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
BNP
|
11,262
|
26,298
|
Greenheart Foundation
|
460
|
510
|
Total
|
11,722
|
26,808
|
Maturity
|
|
|
Non-current
|
-
|
-
|
Current
|
11,722
|
26,808
|
Total
|
11,722
|
26,808
|
BNP
A US$ 30,000,000 facility was made
available by BNP Paribas to Kropz Elandsfontein in September
2016.
In May 2020, Kropz Elandsfontein
and BNP Paribas agreed to amend and restate the term loan facility
agreement entered into on or about 13 September 2016 (as amended
from time to time). The BNP Paribas facility amendment agreement
extends inter alia the final capital repayment date to Q3 2024,
with eight equal capital repayments to commence in Q4 2022 and an
interest rate of 6.5% plus US LIBOR, up to project completion and
4.5% plus US LIBOR thereafter.
BNP Paribas has an extensive
security package over all the assets of Kropz Elandsfontein and
Elandsfontein Land Holdings as well as the share investments in
those respective companies owned by Kropz SA.
The BNP loan is subject to
covenant clauses. Kropz Elandsfontein did not reach project
completion as stipulated in the agreement to be 31 December 2022
and failed to fund the Debt Service Reserve Account, however BNP
Paribas has provided, a waiver to 30 September 2024. The
outstanding balance is therefore presented as a current liability
as at 31 March 2024. However, the latest
waiver expiry date coincides with the final payment
date.
Greenheart Foundation
A loan has been made to the Group
by Greenheart Foundation which is interest-free and repayable on
demand. Louis Loubser, a Director of Kropz plc, is a Director of
Greenheart Foundation.
Fair value of other financial liabilities
The carrying value of the loans
approximate their fair value.
(16) Provisions
Reconciliation of provisions - Period ended 31 March
2024
|
Opening
Balance
US$'000
|
Additions/
Adjustments
US$'000
|
Foreign exchange
gains
US$'000
|
Closing
balance
US$'000
|
Provision for dismantling
costs
|
973
|
(614)
|
(84)
|
275
|
Provisions for
rehabilitation
|
1,724
|
(462)
|
(162)
|
1,100
|
Total
|
2,697
|
(1,076)
|
(246)
|
1,375
|
Reconciliation of provisions - Year ended 31 December
2022
|
Opening
Balance
US$'000
|
Additions/
Adjustments
US$'000
|
Foreign exchange
gain
US$'000
|
Closing
balance
US$'000
|
Provision for dismantling
costs
|
2,241
|
(1,367)
|
99
|
973
|
Provisions for
rehabilitation
|
1,792
|
(185)
|
117
|
1,724
|
Total
|
4,033
|
(1,552)
|
216
|
2,697
|
Dismantling and rehabilitation provisions
Prior to 2015, financial
provisioning and rehabilitation were governed by the Mineral and
Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002)
("MPRDA") and the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act
No. 107 of 1998) ("NEMA"). As such the previous financial
provisioning was based on the quantum of the financial provision
under regulations 53 and 54 of the MPRDA and the guideline document
published by the Department of Mineral Resources (now "Department
of Mineral Resources and Energy") (DMR 2005 Guideline Document for
the Evaluation of the Quantum of Closure-Related Financial
Provision Provided by a Mine) and assessed according to the
guideline.
The Kropz Elandsfontein Mine was
placed on Care and Maintenance Phase from August 2017 to September
2020 due to flaws in the design of the production process. This was
followed by an Optimisation Phase from September 2020 to September
2021 which related to plant modifications to meet optimal
operational requirements to allow the mine to go into production.
At this time, Kropz Elandsfontein updated their EMPr to include the
optimisation phase. As such the DMRE issued updated conditions,
which stated that the holder of the EMPr must annually assess the
environmental liabilities of the operation by using the master
rates in line with the applicable Consumer Price Index ("CPI") at
the time and address the shortfall on the financial provision
submitted in terms of section 24P of NEMA. To comply with the
requirements, Kropz Elandsfontein commissioned Braaf Environmental
Practitioners SA (Pty) Ltd to update the provision in 2021, which
was done under the 2015 Regulations (GNR 1147) and approved by the
DMRE.
Kropz Elandsfontein commissioned
Braaf Environmental Practitioners SA (Pty) Ltd to update the
provision the 2024 provision and was done in accordance to
Section 41(3) of the MPRDA, the DMRE, as well as
Regulations 53 and 54 promulgated in terms of the MPRDA, requires
the holder of a prospecting right, mining right or mining permit to
annually assess his or her environmental liability and increase his
or her financial provision to the satisfaction of the
Minister.
The expected timing of any
outflows of these provisions will be on the closure of the
respective mines. Estimates are based on costs that are reviewed
regularly and adjusted as appropriate for new circumstances. Future
cash flows are appropriately discounted. A discount rate of 15.26%
(2022: 5.52%) was used.
(17) Trade and other
payables
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Trade payables
|
9,149
|
6,605
|
Other payables
|
133
|
10
|
Accruals
|
234
|
669
|
Total
|
9,516
|
7,284
|
Fair value of trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are
carried at amortised cost, with their carrying value approximating
their fair value.
(18) Directors' remuneration, interests and
transactions
The Directors of the Company and
the two executives of Kropz Elandsfontein and Cominco Resources are
considered to be the Key Management Personnel ("KMP") of the Group.
Details of the Directors' remuneration, Key Management Personnel
remuneration which totalled US$ 1,074,489 (2022:
US$ 747,329) (including notional option cost and social
security contributions) and Directors' interests in the share
capital of the Company are disclosed in the Directors' Report on
page 33. Amounts reflected relate to short-term employee benefits
and were converted to US$ at the 31 March 2024 GBP exchange
rate of 0.801 and ZAR exchange rate of ZAR 18.538.
The highest paid Director in the
period received remuneration, excluding notional gains on share
options, of US$ 372,567 (2022: US$ 330,340). Refer to
page 33 to 34 for further details.
(19) Revenue
|
Period
ended
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
Year ended
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Phosphate concentrate
|
40,087
|
-
|
Total
|
40,087
|
-
|
Timing of transfer of Goods
Delivery to port of
departure
|
40,087
|
-
|
Total
|
40,087
|
-
|
All revenue from phosphate
concentrate is trial revenue. Revenue from phosphate is recognised
at a point in time when control transfers.
(20) Cost of sales
|
Period
ended
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
Year ended
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Production costs
Fuel and diesel
Electricity
Consumables and spares
|
23,645
6,470
5,415
10,592
|
-
-
-
-
|
Wages and salaries
|
1,026
|
-
|
Total
|
47,148
|
-
|
(21) Finance income
|
Period
ended
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
Year ended
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Interest income
|
265
|
136
|
Total
|
265
|
136
|
(22) Operating expenses
|
Period
ended
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
Year ended
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Fair value loss / (gain) on game
animals
|
(74)
|
22
|
Selling and distribution
expenses
|
5,309
|
-
|
Amortisation of right of use
asset
|
-
|
5
|
Depreciation of property, plant
and machinery
|
912
|
821
|
Employee costs (excluding share
option cost)
|
775
|
1,133
|
Share option (credit) /
cost
|
6
|
(222)
|
Electricity and water - mine
operations
|
434
|
928
|
Mining costs*
|
-
|
54
|
Plant operating costs and
recoveries
|
318
|
216
|
Professional and other
services
|
1,275
|
667
|
Auditor's remuneration
in respect of audit of the Group and
parent
|
104
|
136
|
Auditor's remuneration
in respect of audit of the Cominco
Group
|
64
|
52
|
Component auditor's remuneration
in respect of audit of South African controlled entities
|
79
|
71
|
Other expenses
|
1,443
|
1,925
|
Total
|
10,645
|
5,808
|
(23) Staff costs
|
Period
ended
31 March
|
Year ended 31
December
|
|
2024
|
2022
|
|
No.
|
No.
|
The average monthly number of
employees was:
|
|
|
Operations
|
12
|
10
|
Finance and
administration
|
8
|
6
|
Management
|
3
|
3
|
|
23
|
19
|
|
Period
ended
31 March
|
Year ended
31
December
|
|
2024
|
2022
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
Aggregate remuneration (including
Directors):
|
|
|
Wages and salaries (including
bonuses)
|
1,708
|
1,003
|
Social security costs
|
88
|
127
|
Share-based payments (credit) /
cost
|
6
|
(222)
|
Pension costs
|
5
|
3
|
|
1,807
|
911
|
(24) Finance expense
|
Period
ended
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
Year ended
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Shareholder loans
|
15,350
|
3,407
|
Foreign exchange losses
|
3,634
|
3,550
|
Bank debt
|
2,705
|
2,576
|
BNP - debt modification present
value adjustment amortisation
|
(257)
|
(233)
|
BNP amendment fee
amortisation
|
226
|
205
|
Other
|
208
|
307
|
Total
|
21,866
|
9,812
|
(25) Impairment
reversal/losses
As a result of the recoverable
amount analysis performed at the period end, the following
impairment reversal / (loss) was recognised:
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Mine property
|
18,525
|
(91,650)
|
Inventory
|
508
|
(1,011)
|
|
19,033
|
(92,661)
|
The impairment reversal / (loss)
was recognised in relation to the Elandsfontein mine. The triggers
for the impairment test in the period were primarily due to the
results from the updated MRE increasing in the measured and
indicated resource. The recoverable amount of the Elandsfontein
mine was based on management's estimate of FVLCD and is estimated
based on discounted future cash flows expected to be generated from
the continued use of the CGU using market-based commodity prices
and exchange assumptions, estimated quantities of recoverable
minerals, production levels, operating costs and capital
requirements and latest life of mine (LOM) plans following the
updated MRE as announced on 20 June 2024. The impairment test
only considered the section of the mineral resource classified as
measured and indicated. The inferred resource classification was
disregarded for impairment testing purposes.
Key assumptions
The determination of FVLCD is most
sensitive to the following assumptions:
· Phosphate rock prices;
· Phosphate recoveries;
· Foreign exchange rates;
· Operating costs.
Phosphate rock prices:
Forecast phosphate rock prices are based on management's estimates
and are derived from forward price curves and long-term views of
global supply and demand in a changing environment, particularly
with respect to climate risk, building on past experience of the
industry and consistent with external sources. These prices are
reviewed semi-annually. Estimated long-term phosphate rock prices
for the current period that have been used to estimate future
revenues, are as follows:
Assumptions
|
2025
|
2026
|
Long term (2027+)
|
Phosphate rock per
tonne
|
$130
|
$145
|
$150
|
Phosphate recoveries: The
production volumes incorporated into the cash flow model were 4.9
million tonnes of phosphate rock. Estimated production volumes are
based on detailed life-of-mine plans, of the measured and indicated
resourced as defined in the MRE and take into account development
plans for the mine agreed by management as part of the long-term
planning process. Production volumes are dependent on a number of
variables, such as: the recoverable quantities; the production
profile; the cost of the development of the infrastructure
necessary to extract the reserves; the production costs; the
contractual duration of mining rights; and the selling price of the
commodities extracted.
Exchange rates:
Foreign exchange rates are estimated with
reference to external market forecasts. The assumed long-term US
dollar/ZAR exchange rate are based on a consensus for the period to
year 2028. Future years' exchange rates were estimated using the
prevailing inflation and interest rate differential between USD and
ZAR.
Operating cost: Operating
costs are estimated with reference to contractual and actual
current cost and adjusted for inflation.
Discount rates:
A discount rate of 14.05% was applied to the
discounted cash flows used in the LOM plan. This discount rate is
derived from the Group's post-tax weighted average cost of capital
(WACC), with appropriate adjustments made to reflect the risks
specific to the CGU and to determine the pre-tax rate. The WACC
takes into account both debt and equity. The cost of equity is
derived from the expected return on investment by the Group's
investors. The cost of debt is based on the interest-bearing
borrowings the Group is obliged to service and the expected cost of
any incremental debt
Sensitivity analysis
The following table summarises the
potential impact of changes in the key estimates and assumptions on
the quantum of impairment (assessed independently of each
other):
|
|
Reversal of / (increase in)
impairment
US$
million
|
|
|
|
Impact if discount rate
|
Increased by 2%
|
(7.6)
|
|
reduced
by 2%
|
8.5
|
|
|
|
Impact if selling
prices
|
increased by 10%
|
43.5
|
|
reduced
by 10%
|
-43.5
|
|
|
|
Impact if production
tonnes
|
increased by 10%
|
26.68
|
|
reduced
by 10%
|
(29.68)
|
|
|
|
Impact if foreign exchange
rates
|
increased by 10%
|
6.2
|
|
reduced
by 10%
|
(6.5)
|
|
|
|
Impact if operating
costs:
|
increased by 10%
|
(35.0)
|
|
reduced
by 10%
|
35.0
|
(26) Taxation
Major components of tax charge
|
Period
ended
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
Year ended
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Deferred
|
|
|
Originating and reversing
temporary differences
|
-
|
-
|
Current tax
|
|
|
Local income tax
|
(27)
|
(602)
|
Total
|
(27)
|
(602)
|
The tax charge arose predominantly
due to the devaluation of GBP against US$ and the recorded
unrealised foreign exchange gains being taxable in the
UK.
Reconciliation of tax charge
|
Period ended 31
March
2024
US$'000
|
Year ended 31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Profit/(Loss) before
tax
|
370
|
(97,222)
|
|
|
|
Applicable UK tax rate
|
23.8%
|
19%
|
Tax at applicable tax
rate
|
88
|
(18,472)
|
Adjustments for different tax
rates in the Group
|
(1,798)
|
(12,031)
|
Disallowable
expenditure
|
(3,493)
|
23,744
|
Losses carried forward not
recognised
|
5,230
|
7,361
|
Tax charge
|
27
|
602
|
The movement in tax liabilities is
summarised below:
|
Period ended 31
March
2024
US$'000
|
Year ended 31
December
2022
US$'000
|
|
|
|
Balance brought forward
|
597
|
-
|
Current period charge
|
27
|
602
|
Interest
|
-
|
6
|
Tax paid
|
-
|
-
|
Foreign exchange
differences
|
26
|
(11)
|
Balance carried forward
|
650
|
597
|
The Group had losses for tax
purposes of approximately US$ 74.5 million as at 31 March
2024 (2022: US$ 57.5 million) which, subject to agreement with
taxation authorities, are available to carry forward against future
profits. They can be carried forward indefinitely.
A net deferred tax asset of
approximately US$ 15.1 million (2022: US$ 16.1 million),
after set off of accelerated depreciation allowances in respect of
fixed assets of US$ 38.3 million (2022: US$ 41.1
million), arises in respect of these losses. It has not been
recognised as steady state production has not been reached. The
deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability relate to income tax
in the same jurisdiction and the law permits set off.
(27) Earnings per share
The calculations of basic and
diluted loss per share have been based on the following
profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders and weighted
average number of ordinary shares outstanding:
|
Period
ended
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
Year ended
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Profit/(Loss) attributable to
ordinary shareholders
|
8,866
|
(66,639)
|
Weighted average number of
ordinary shares used in basic loss per share
|
926,718,223
|
921,908,785
|
Share options and
warrants
|
-
|
-
|
Weighted average number of
ordinary shares used in diluted loss per share
|
926,718,223
|
921,908,785
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted profit / (loss) per share (US$
cents)
|
0.96
|
(7.23)
|
(28) Notes to the statement of cash
flows
Issue of shares
Period ended 31 March 2024
|
Non-cash
consideration
|
Cash
consideration
|
Total
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
As at 31 March 2024
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Year ended 31 December 2022
|
Non-cash
consideration
|
Cash
consideration
|
Total
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
Share options exercised
|
-
|
9
|
9
|
Shares issued in settlement of
guarantee fees
|
-
|
311
|
311
|
Equity facility - issue of
shares
|
-
|
237
|
237
|
As at 31 December 2022
|
-
|
557
|
557
|
Net debt reconciliation
Period ended 31 March 2024
|
Opening
Balance
US$'000
|
Accrued
interest
US$'000
|
Fair value
movements
US$'000
|
Cash
movements
US$'000
|
Non-Cash
movements
US$'000
|
Foreign exchange
gain/(loss)
US$'000
|
Closing
balance
US$'000
|
Other financial assets
|
-
|
(11)
|
-
|
766
|
0
|
(88)
|
1,527
|
Shareholder loan payable and
derivative
|
(55,102)
|
(15,351)
|
20,601
|
(46,614)
|
-
|
2,032
|
(94,434)
|
Other financial
liabilities
|
(26,808)
|
-
|
-
|
14,970
|
31
|
85
|
(11,722)
|
Total
|
(81,050)
|
(15,361)
|
20,601
|
(30,878)
|
31
|
2,029
|
(104,629)
|
Year ended 31 December 2022
|
Opening
Balance
US$'000
|
Accrued
interest
US$'000
|
Fair value
movements
US$'000
|
Cash
movements
US$'000
|
Non-Cash
movements
US$'000
|
Foreign exchange
gain/(loss)
US$'000
|
Closing
balance
US$'000
|
Other financial assets
|
1,357
|
-
|
-
|
(427)
|
-
|
(70)
|
860
|
Shareholder loan payable and
derivative
|
(25,043)
|
(3,791)
|
8,671
|
(38,727)
|
-
|
1,135
|
(57,755)
|
Other financial
liabilities
|
(30,586)
|
28
|
-
|
3,712
|
-
|
(38)
|
(26,808)
|
Finance leases
|
(7)
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
Total
|
(54,279)
|
(3,763)
|
8,671
|
(35,436)
|
-
|
1,028
|
(83,703)
|
Reconciliation of working capital items:
Period ended 31 March 2024
|
Opening
Balance
US$'000
|
Cash
movements
US$'000
|
Capital
allocated
US$'000
|
Foreign exchange
gain/(loss)
US$'000
|
Closing
balance
US$'000
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
1,857
|
5,191
|
-
|
(135)
|
6,913
|
Inventories
|
3,273
|
3,431
|
-
|
26
|
6,730
|
Trade and other
payables
|
(7,284)
|
(3,811)
|
-
|
1,579
|
(9,516)
|
Total
|
(2,154)
|
4,811
|
-
|
1,470
|
4,127
|
Year ended 31 December 2022
|
Opening
Balance
US$'000
|
Cash
movements
US$'000
|
Capital
allocated
US$'000
|
Foreign exchange
gain/(loss)
US$'000
|
Closing
balance
US$'000
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
1,511
|
471
|
-
|
(125)
|
1,857
|
Inventories
|
1,025
|
3,453
|
-
|
(197)
|
4,281
|
Trade and other
payables
|
(3,543)
|
172
|
(4,588)
|
675
|
(7,284)
|
Total
|
(1,007)
|
4,096
|
(4,588)
|
353
|
(1,146)
|
(29) Related parties
Kropz plc and its subsidiaries
The following parties are related
to Kropz plc:
Name
|
Relationship
|
Mark Summers
|
Director
|
Louis Loubser
|
Director
|
Mike Nunn
|
Director
|
Linda Beal
|
Director
|
Mike Daigle
|
Director
|
Lord Robin William
Renwick
|
Director
|
Gerrit Jacobus Duminy
|
Director
|
Kropz SA (Pty) Ltd
|
Subsidiary
|
Elandsfontein Land Holdings (Pty)
Ltd ("ELH")
|
Subsidiary
|
Kropz Elandsfontein (Pty)
Ltd
|
Subsidiary
|
West Coast Fertilisers (Pty)
Ltd
|
Subsidiary
|
Xsando (Pty) Ltd
|
Subsidiary
|
Cominco Resources
Limited
|
Subsidiary
|
Cominco S.A.
|
Subsidiary
|
Cominco Resources (UK)
Ltd
|
Subsidiary
|
Kropz International
|
Shareholder
|
The ARC Fund ("ARC")
|
Shareholder
|
Details of remuneration to KMP are
contained in Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
The Consolidated Financial
Statements, the following transactions were carried out with
related parties:
Related party balances
Loan accounts - owed to related parties
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Shareholder loans - ARC
|
18,826
|
17,010
|
Demand Loan Facility -
ARC
|
41,745
|
-
|
Convertible debt - ARC
|
27,387
|
15,055
|
Derivative liability (refer Note
13)
|
6,476
|
23,037
|
Greenheart Foundation (refer Note
15)
|
460
|
510
|
Total
|
94,894
|
55,612
|
Related party balances
Interest accrued to related parties
|
Period ended 31
March
2024
US$'000
|
Year ended 31
December
2022
US$'000
|
ARC
|
15,528
|
3,407
|
Total
|
15,528
|
3,407
|
Convertible loan facilities
As described in Note 11 and 13,
the Company made drawdowns totalling US$ 43.6 million (2022:
US$ 39.2 million) under its convertible loan facilities from
ARC.
The related party transactions
were made on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm's length
transactions only when such terms can be substantiated.
(30) Categories of financial
instrument
Financial assets and liabilities by
category
The accounting policies for
financial instruments have been applied to the line items
below:
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Financial assets at amortised cost
|
|
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
5,023
|
563
|
Other financial assets
|
1,527
|
860
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
968
|
2,120
|
Total
|
7,518
|
3,543
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities at amortised cost
|
|
|
Trade and other
payables
|
9,515
|
7,284
|
Shareholder loans
|
87,958
|
32,065
|
Other financial
liabilities
|
11,722
|
26,808
|
Total
|
109,195
|
66,157
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities at fair value
|
|
|
Derivative liability
|
6,476
|
23,037
|
Recognised fair value measurements
The net fair value and carrying
amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities are disclosed
in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and in the
notes to the Consolidated Statement of Financial
Position.
This note provides an update on
the judgements and estimates made by the Group in determining the
fair values of the financial instruments.
(i) Financial
instruments Measured at Fair Value
The financial instruments
recognised at fair value in the Statement of Financial Position
have been analysed and classified using a fair value hierarchy
reflecting the significance of the inputs used in making the
measurements. At the reporting date, the Group had a
convertible loan facility with ARC. The ZAR amount of the
facility is convertible into ordinary shares of the parent entity
(Note 13).
(ii) Fair
value hierarchy
The fair value hierarchy consists
of the following levels
· Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and
liabilities (Level 1);
· Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that
are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (as
prices) or indirectly (derived from prices) (Level 2);
and
· Inputs for the asset and liability that are not based on
observable market date (unobservable inputs) (Level 3).
|
Level 1
US$'000
|
Level 2
US$'000
|
Level 3
US$'000
|
Total
US$'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative liability
|
-
|
-
|
6,476
|
6,476
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative liability
|
-
|
-
|
23,037
|
23,037
|
There were no transfers between
levels for recurring fair value measurements during the
period. The Group's policy is to recognise transfers into and
transfers out of fair value hierarchy levels as at the end of the
reporting period.
(iii)
Reconciliation: Level 3 fair value measurement
|
Period
ended
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
Year
ended
31 December
2022
US$'000
|
Derivative liability
|
|
|
Opening balance
|
(23,037)
|
(2,656)
|
Fair value at initial
recognition
|
(3,235)
|
(31,852)
|
Fair value gain/(loss) recognised
in profit and loss
|
20,601
|
10,807
|
Foreign exchange
|
(805)
|
664
|
Closing balance
|
(6,476)
|
(23,037)
|
(iv) Valuation
technique used to determine fair value
Derivative liability:
The fair value is calculated with
reference to market rates using industry valuation techniques and
appropriate models from a third-party provider. The Monte-Carlo
model utilised includes a high level of complexity and the main
inputs are share price volatility, risk margin, foreign exchange
volatility and UK risk-free rate. A number of factors are
considered in determining these inputs, including assessing
historical experience but also considering future expectations. The
determined fair value of the option is multiplied by the number of
shares available for issue pursuant to the ZAR 200 Million Equity
Facility, ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility and the ZAR 550 Million
Equity Facility (refer to Note 13).
Valuation results (as at 31
March 2024)
|
Total loan amount
|
Value
per
|
Number
of
|
Total Value
|
Facility
|
(ZAR)
|
share (p)
|
Shares
|
(GBP)
|
ZAR200m facility
|
200,000,000
|
0.41
|
219,272,939
|
898,952
|
ZAR177m facility
|
177,000,000
|
0.29
|
96,378,567
|
277,317
|
ZAR550m facility
|
550,000,000
|
0.67
|
586,442,458
|
3,953,437
|
Total
|
|
|
902,093,964
|
5,129,706
|
Sensitivity Valuation
results (as at 31 March 2024) - Volatility
|
Total Value (GBP) -
|
Total Value
|
Base
|
(GBP) - 75%
|
|
Base volatility
|
assumption
|
historical
|
Facility
|
assumption
|
|
volatility (65%)
|
ZAR200m facility
|
86.06%
|
898,952
|
342,399
|
ZAR177m facility
|
86.06%
|
277,317
|
71,099
|
ZAR550m facility
|
86.06%
|
3,953,437
|
1,700,255
|
Total
|
|
5,129,706
|
2,113,753
|
Sensitivity Valuation
results (as at 31 March 2024) - Risk Margin
|
|
Total Value
|
Total Value
|
Base risk margin
|
(GBP) - 7%
|
(GBP) - 3%
|
Facility
|
assumption
|
risk margin
|
risk
margin
|
ZAR200m facility
|
5%
|
901,200
|
896,584
|
ZAR177m facility
|
5%
|
278,116
|
276,472
|
ZAR550m facility
|
5%
|
3,970,547
|
3,935,272
|
Total
|
|
5,149,863
|
5,108,328
|
Sensitivity Valuation
results (as at 31 March 2022) - FX volatility
|
Total Value
|
Total Value
|
(GBP) - 20%
|
(GBP) -
10%
|
Facility
|
Base FX volatility
|
FX volatility
|
FX
volatility
|
ZAR200m facility
|
13.78%
|
785,902
|
969,697
|
ZAR177m facility
|
13.78%
|
230,609
|
306,900
|
ZAR550m facility
|
13.78%
|
3,508,506
|
4,232,886
|
Total
|
|
4,525,017
|
5,509,483
|
Sensitivity Valuation
results (as at 31 March 2024) - UK risk-free rate
|
Total Value
|
Total Value
|
(GBP) - UK rf
|
(GBP) - UK
rf
|
Facility
|
Base UK risk-free
rate
|
+ 2%
|
-2%
|
ZAR200m facility
|
3.6%
|
856,285
|
943,716
|
ZAR177m facility
|
3.6%
|
260,625
|
295,080
|
zAR550m facility
|
3.6%
|
3,696,977
|
4,227,654
|
Total
|
|
4,813,888
|
5,466,450
|
(31) Financial risk management
objectives
Capital risk management:
The Group's objectives when
managing capital are to safeguard the Group's ability to continue
as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and
benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital
structure to reduce the cost of capital.
The capital structure of the Group
consists of shareholder and external debt, which includes loans and
borrowings (excluding derivative financial liabilities) disclosed in
Notes 13 and 15 and equity as disclosed in the Statement of
Financial Position.
Shareholder and external
third-party loans from foreign entities to South African companies
are subject to the foreign exchange controls as imposed by the
South African Reserve Bank ("SARB"). All inward loans into South
Africa require approval by the SARB and all loans in the current
capital structure have been approved by the SARB and all entities
in the Group are compliant with the SARB approvals relevant to the
entity concerned and the approvals granted by the SARB.
Liquidity risk:
Prudent liquidity risk management
implies maintaining sufficient cash and marketable securities, the
availability of funding through an adequate amount of committed
credit facilities and the ability to close out market positions.
Due to the dynamic nature of the underlying businesses, Group
treasury maintains flexibility in funding by maintaining
availability under committed credit lines.
The Group's risk to liquidity is a
result of obligations associated with financial liabilities of the
Group and the availability of funds to meet those obligations. The
Group manages liquidity risk through an ongoing review of future
commitments and credit facilities.
The table below analyses the
Group's financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based
on the remaining period at the statement of financial position to
the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table
are the contractual undiscounted cash flows. Balances due within 12
months equal their carrying balances as the impact of discounting
is not significant.
|
Less than
one year
US$'000
|
Between
one
and
two years
US$'000
|
Between
two and
five years
US$'000
|
Over five
years
US$'000
|
At 31 March 2024
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder loans
payable
|
106,052
|
-
|
97,630
|
-
|
Trade and other
payables
|
9,515
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Other financial
liabilities
|
11,940
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Total
|
127,507
|
-
|
97,630
|
-
|
|
Less than one
year
US$'000
|
Between one and two
years
US$'000
|
Between two and five
years
US$'000
|
Over five
years
US$'000
|
At 31 December 2022
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder loans
payable
|
-
|
-
|
152,099
|
-
|
Trade and other
payables
|
7,283
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Finance leases
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Other financial
liabilities
|
17,233
|
11,747
|
-
|
-
|
Total
|
24,516
|
11,747
|
152,099
|
-
|
Credit risk:
Credit risk refers to the risk
that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations
resulting in financial loss to the Group. The Group's financial
assets include trade and other receivables, loans receivable, other
financial assets and cash and cash equivalents.
Ongoing credit evaluation is
performed on the financial conditions of the counterparties to the
trade and other receivables, loans receivable and other financial
assets. The Group only deposits cash with major banks with high
quality credit standing and limits exposure to any one
counterparty. No credit limits were exceeded during the reporting
period, and management does not expect any losses from
non-performance by these counterparties.
Interest rate risk:
As the Group has significant
interest-bearing assets, the Group's income and operating cash flows
are substantially dependent on changes in market interest rates. At
31 March 2024, if interest rates on the shareholder and BNP
loans (denominated in US$) had been 1% higher/lower with all other
variables held constant, post-tax profit and equity for the period
would have been approximately US$ 234,000 (2022:
US$ 769,000) higher/lower respectively.
Foreign currency risk:
Foreign currency risk is the risk
that the fair value of future cash flows of an exposure will
fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. The Group's
exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates relates
primarily to the Group's financing activities (when financial
liabilities and cash are denominated other than in a company's
functional currency).
Most of the Group's transactions
are carried out in South African Rand. Foreign currency risk is
monitored closely on an ongoing basis to ensure that the net
exposure is at an acceptable level.
The Group maintains a natural
hedge whenever possible, by matching the cash inflows (revenue
stream) and cash outflows used for purposes such as capital and
operational expenditure in the respective
currencies.
The Group's net exposure to
foreign exchange risk was as follows:
|
|
Functional
currency
|
|
|
South African
Rand
|
British
Pound
|
Total
|
As at 31 March 2024
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities denominated in US$
|
|
(30,076)
|
-
|
(30,076)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net foreign currency exposure
|
|
(30,076)
|
-
|
(30,076)
|
|
|
Functional
currency
|
|
|
South African
Rand
|
British
Pound
|
Total
|
As at 31 December 2022
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial assets denominated in US$
|
|
-
|
28
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities denominated in US$
|
|
(43,260)
|
-
|
(43,260)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net foreign currency exposure
|
|
(43,260)
|
28
|
(43,232)
|
Foreign currency sensitivity analysis:
The following tables demonstrate
the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in South African
Rand and GBP exchange rates, with all other variables held
constant.
The impact on the Group's profit
before tax is due to changes in the fair value of monetary assets
and liabilities. The Group's exposure to foreign currency changes
for all other currencies is not material.
A 10% movement in the Rand and
Pound against the US Dollar would increase/(decrease) net assets by
the amounts shown below. This analysis assumes that all other
variables, in particular interest rates, remain
constant.
|
As at
31 March
2024
|
As at
31 December
2022
|
|
Increase/
(Decrease)
|
Increase/
(Decrease)
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
Effects on net assets
|
|
|
Rand:
|
|
|
- strengthened by
10%
|
(3,341)
|
(5,832)
|
- weakened by 10%
|
3,341
|
5,832
|
Effects on net assets
|
|
|
GBP:
|
|
|
- strengthened by
10%
|
(1,353)
|
(1,296)
|
- weakened by 10%
|
1,353
|
1,296
|
(32) Segment information
Operating segments
The Board of Directors consider
that the Group has one operating segment, being that of phosphate
mining and exploration. Accordingly, all revenues, operating
results, assets and liabilities are allocated to this
activity.
Geographical segments
The Group operates in two
principal geographical areas - South Africa and the RoC.
The Group's revenues and
non-current assets by location of assets are detailed
below.
31 March 2024
|
|
Revenues
US$'000
|
Non-Current
Assets
US$'000
|
|
|
|
|
South Africa
|
|
40,087
|
87,685
|
Republic of Congo
|
|
-
|
43,380
|
|
|
40,087
|
131,065
|
31 December 2022
|
|
Revenues
US$'000
|
Non-Current
Assets
US$'000
|
|
|
-
|
|
South Africa
|
|
-
|
69,795
|
Republic of Congo
|
|
-
|
42,415
|
|
|
-
|
112,240
|
(33) Non-controlling
interests
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
As at beginning of period
|
(19,854)
|
5,778
|
Share of losses for the
period
|
(8,523)
|
(31,185)
|
Share of other comprehensive
income
|
592
|
142
|
Kropz plc's investment in
non-redeemable preference shares of Kropz Elandsfontein
attributable to non-controlling interest
|
471
|
5,411
|
As at end of the period
|
(27,314)
|
(19,854)
|
(34) Material subsequent
events
Restructuring and fundraising
The Company has undertaken a
fundraising to provide Kropz Elandsfontein (Pty) Ltd ("Kropz
Elandsfontein") with additional funds to progress the ramp-up of
operations at the Company's Elandsfontein phosphate project in
South Africa ("Elandsfontein Project"), further funding to Cominco
SA which owns the Hinda project in the Republic of the Congo
("Hinda Project"), financing the remaining repayment of the BNP
Facility, partial repayment of accumulated accrued interest on the
CLN by Kropz as well as working capital for the Company for general
corporate purposes. The fundraising was conducted at an issue price
of 1.387 pence per new ordinary share in the Company by way of a
conditional subscription with ARC (the "Subscription") and a retail
offer ("REX Retail Offer") via the REX platform ("REX Platform") to
raise in aggregate £8.9 million, before expenses (together, the
"Fundraising").
The REX Retail Offer provided
minority shareholders in the Company with the opportunity to
participate in the fundraising, on the same economic terms and at
the same price as ARC.
ARC agreed to subscribe for a
minimum of 515,098,414 new ordinary shares (the "Subscription
Shares") and agreed to underwrite, pursuant to an underwriting
agreement entered into with the Company, an amount equal to the REX
Retail Offer to ensure that the entire amount of the Fundraising
would equate to approximately £8.9 million (before expenses).
Retail investors subscribed in the REX Retail Offer for a total of
243,118 ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each in the capital of the
Company ("Ordinary Shares"). ARC subsequently subscribed for
643,629,900 Subscription Shares. The Restructuring, the issue of
the CLNs, the Subscription and the REX Retail Offer were
conditional on shareholder approval of certain resolutions passed
at a general meeting held on 20 September 2024.
In addition, the Company will concludet a
restructuring of the Group's financing arrangements (the
"Restructuring"). As part of the restructuring exercise,
intercompany debt and certain loans between the Company and its
subsidiaries and the ARC Fund ("ARC") will be simplified and new
convertible loan notes issued (the "Convertible Loan Notes" or
"CLNs").
The Restructuring, the issue of
the CLNs, and the Fundraising were also conditional on approval
from the South African Reserve Bank ("Exchange Control Approval")
under the South African Exchange Control Regulations,
1961.
The resolutions were duly passed
at the general meeting and subject to, inter alia, Exchange Control
Approval being granted, 643,873,018 new Ordinary Shares in the
capital of the Company are to be allotted and issued pursuant to
the Fundraising, representing approximately 41 per cent. of the
enlarged issued share capital of the Company immediately following
completion of the Fundraising.
Details of the Restructuring
The restructuring sought to
simplify the intra-group arrangements. In order to achieve this,
the Company plans to under
takethe following:
· cancel all non-redeemable preference shares between Kropz and
its subsidiary, Kropz Elandsfontein. Given the accumulated losses
and debt burden in Kropz Elandsfontein, these had no
value;
· convert £28.2 million (US$ 37.2 million, ZAR 659.3 million)
of debt held by ARC in Kropz Elandsfontein and other South African
subsidiaries to equity;
· convert all existing intercompany debt between Kropz Plc,
Kropz Elandsfontein, Kropz SA and Elandsfontein Land Holdings to
equity; and
· settle £35.1 million (US$ 46.3 million, ZAR 821.3 million) of
the debt from Kropz Elandsfontein and other South African
subsidiaries to ARC through the issue of new CLNs by
Kropz.
These steps will eliminate all the
debt accumulated within the subsidiaries and simplify the Group's
corporate structure. The Company commissioned an independent third
party to produce an independent valuation of both Kropz
Elandsfontein and Elandsfontein Land Holdings (Pty) Ltd
("Elandsfontein Land") (together, the "Elandsfontein Subsidiaries")
for the purposes of the Restructuring (the "Independent Valuation")
to ensure that the restructuring is implemented at arm's length
using fair value estimates for the Elandsfontein
Subsidiaries.
The Restructuring will result in
Kropz's direct and indirect holding moving to 70 per cent. in Kropz
Elandsfontein and 66 per cent. in Elandsfontein Land respectively,
with ARC having a direct holding in each of the South African
subsidiaries, for compliance with the South African Black Economic
Empowerment requirements. The Company's ownership of Hinda is not
affected by the Restructuring and remains at 100 per cent (the
Company's effective interest being 90 per cent., after taking into
account the dilutionary interest of the government of the Republic
of Congo).
The detailed steps of the above
were as follows:
1. Cancellation of
non-redeemable preference shares
The Group cancels all of the
non-redeemable preference shares held by Kropz in Kropz
Elandsfontein. These are valued at nil and will be fully written
down in the accounts of Kropz.
2. Debt for equity
swap between Kropz and the Elandsfontein Subsidiaries
The Elandsfontein Subsidiaries
issues new shares to Kropz in proportion to current debt balances
owed. The cumulative debt balance owed by the Elandsfontein
Subsidiaries to Kropz was £29.2 million (US$ 38.6 million, ZAR
683.7 million).
Kropz will subscribe for new
shares in Kropz Elandsfontein for a total of £28.5 million (US$
37.7 million, ZAR 667.7 million) and in Elandsfontein Land for a
total of £0.7 million (US$0.9 million ZAR 16 million) The
subscriptions will be done at a subscription price based on an
Independent Valuation of each of the Elandsfontein Subsidiaries.
The Elandsfontein Subsidiaries utilise the proceeds from the new
share issue to repay the total debt balances owed to
Kropz.
The resultant balance of
intercompany debt between Kropz and the Elandsfontein Subsidiaries
will be £ nil (US$ nil ZAR nil).
3. Debt for equity
swap between Kropz and Kropz SA
Kropz subscribes for shares in Kropz SA
for £2.1 million (US$ 2.7 million, ZAR
48.5 million), the proceeds of which Kropz
SA utilised to repay £2.1 million (US$
2.7, million ZAR 48.5 million) of debt
owed to Kropz. The resultant balance of intercompany debt between
Kropz and Kropz SA will be nil.
4. Debt for equity swap between ARC and the
Elandsfontein Subsidiaries
The Elandsfontein
Subsidiaries issues new shares to ARC. The cumulative debt balance owed by the
Elandsfontein Subsidiaries to ARC was £63.3 million
(US$ 83.5 million, ZAR 1.5
billion). ARC subscribes
for new shares in Kropz Elandsfontein for a total
of £27.4 million (US$ 36.2 million, ZAR
641.1 million) and in Elandsfontein Land
for a total of £0.8 million (US$ 1.0
million, ZAR 18.2 million). The
subscriptions will be done at a subscription price based on an Independent
Valuation of each of the Elandsfontein Subsidiaries. The
Elandsfontein Subsidiaries then utilises the proceeds from the new
share issue to repay £28.2 million (US$
37.2 million, ZAR 659.3 million) of the debt balance owed to ARC. The resultant balance of debt
between ARC and the Elandsfontein Subsidiaries will be £35.1 million
(US$ 46.3 million, ZAR 821.3
million).
Kropz also has approximately £54.9
million remaining (US$ 72.5 million, ZAR
1.3 billion) of existing convertible debt
(the "Existing Equity Facilities") with ARC (including accumulated
interest) which will not be settled as part of these arrangements.
These will be amended to extend the repayment terms from being 1 year after repayment of the BNP
loan facility (which will occur by no later than 30 September 2024)
to being 3 years from the date of issue of the new CLN, or such
later date as confirmed by ARC in writing.
5. New Convertible Loan Note
issue
To raise the capital required to
settle the remaining balance of the unconverted bridge loans for
the Restructuring, Kropz issues
a CLN instrument to ARC for £35.1 million
(US$ 46.3 million ZAR 821.3
million). The terms of the CLN will
be:
· the
CLN will be repayable after 5 years or
such later date as confirmed by ARC in writing;
· the
interest rate will be the South African prime rate plus 6% (six
percent); and
· the
CLN will be convertible, at the lender's discretion, to additional
Kropz shares at the prevailing 30-day volume weighted average price
(VWAP) of 1.46 pence
Kropz utilises the proceeds of the CLN to
subscribe for new ordinary shares in Kropz Elandsfontein. Kropz
Elandsfontein in turn applies
the proceeds from the share subscription to repay
the outstanding portion of the bridge loans to ARC, being £35.1
million (US$ 46.3 million, ZAR 821.3 million), resulting in these
being reduced to nil.
As a result of the Restructuring,
the Elandsfontein Subsidiaries will no longer have any debt
obligations to ARC post the transaction date. Kropz
will have convertible
debt of £88.9 million (including accumulated interest) outstanding
with ARC, being the aggregate of the new CLN and the Existing
Equity Facilities.
Bridge Loan Facility
On 11 July 2024, Kropz
Elandsfontein and ARC Fund ("ARC") agreed to a ZAR 140
million (approximately US$ 8 million) bridge loan
facility (the "Loan") to meet immediate cash requirements at Kropz
Elandsfontein. The loan has been fully drawn by 22 August
2024
(35) Ultimate controlling
party
The Directors consider
Ubuntu-Botho Commercial Enterprises Proprietary Limited to be the
ultimate controlling party of the Company.
Company Statement of Financial Position
(Registered number: 11143400)
As at 31 March 2024
|
Notes
|
31 March
2024
US$'000
|
31
December
2022
US$'000
|
Fixed assets
|
|
|
|
Investment in
subsidiaries
|
3
|
40,205
|
40,183
|
Amounts due from
subsidiaries
|
|
7,906
|
7,211
|
|
|
48,111
|
47,394
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
Debtors
|
4
|
153
|
115
|
Cash and bank balances
|
|
562
|
420
|
|
|
715
|
535
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Amounts falling due within one
year
|
7
|
(196)
|
(320)
|
Shareholder loans and
derivative
|
8
|
(33,863)
|
-
|
Current taxation
|
|
(623)
|
(597)
|
|
|
(34,682)
|
(917)
|
|
|
|
|
Net current liabilities
|
|
(33,967)
|
(382)
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Shareholder loans and
derivative
|
8
|
(-)
|
(38,092)
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets
|
|
14,144
|
8,920
|
|
|
|
|
Capital and Reserves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
5
|
1,212
|
1,212
|
Share premium account
|
|
194,757
|
194,757
|
Merger reserve
|
|
14,878
|
14,878
|
Foreign currency translation
reserve
|
|
(1,380)
|
58
|
Share-based payment
reserve
|
|
305
|
281
|
Retained losses
|
|
(195,628)
|
(202,266)
|
|
|
14,144
|
8,920
|
The Company has elected to take
the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, to not
present the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Capital and reserves
include profit for the period of the parent company of
US$ 6,638,000 (2022: US$ (137,716,000)).
The notes on pages 130 to 135 form
an integral part of these Financial Statements.
The Financial Statements on pages
128 to 135 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of
Directors and were signed on its behalf by:
Louis Loubser, Chief Executive Officer
30 September 2024
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
For the period ended 31 March 2024
|
Share
capital
|
Share
premium
|
Merger
reserve
|
Foreign currency translation
reserve
|
Share-
based
payment
reserve
|
Retained
losses
|
Total
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At
1 January 2022
|
1,194
|
193,524
|
14,878
|
3,548
|
1,197
|
(64,550)
|
149,791
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss for the year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(137,716)
|
(137,716)
|
Other comprehensive loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3,490)
|
-
|
-
|
(3,490)
|
Total comprehensive loss for the year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3,490)
|
-
|
(137,716)
|
(141,206)
|
Issue of shares
|
18
|
539
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
557
|
Share options exercised
|
-
|
694
|
-
|
-
|
(694)
|
-
|
-
|
Share-based payment
credit
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(222)
|
-
|
(222)
|
Transactions with owners
|
18
|
1,233
|
-
|
-
|
(916)
|
-
|
335
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At
31 December 2022
|
1,212
|
194,757
|
14,878
|
58
|
281
|
(202,266)
|
8,920
|
Profit for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6,638
|
6,638
|
Other comprehensive
(loss)/income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,438)
|
-
|
-
|
(1,425)
|
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the
period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,438)
|
-
|
6,638
|
5,213
|
Share-based payment
credit
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
70
|
-
|
70
|
Share options forfeited
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(46)
|
-
|
(46)
|
Transactions with owners
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
24
|
-
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At
31 March 2024
|
1,212
|
194,757
|
14,878
|
(1,380)
|
305
|
(195,628)
|
14,144
|
Notes to the Company Financial Statements for the period
ended 31 March 2024
1. General
information
The Company was incorporated on 10
January 2018 and is a public limited company limited by shares,
with its ordinary shares admitted to the AIM Market of the London
Stock Exchange on 30 November 2018 trading under the symbol,
"KRPZ". The Company is domiciled in England and incorporated and
registered in England and Wales. The address of its registered
office is 35 Verulam Road, Hitchin, SG5 1QE. The registered number
of the Company is 11143400.
2. Summary of significant
accounting policies
(a) Basis of preparation
The Company's Financial Statements
have been prepared in accordance with applicable law and accounting
standards in the United Kingdom and under the historical cost
accounting rules (Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in the
United Kingdom).
The Directors have assessed the
Company's ability to continue in operational existence for the
foreseeable future in accordance with the FRC guidance on the going
concern basis of accounting and reporting on solvency and liquidity
risks (April 2016). It is considered appropriate to continue to
prepare the Financial Statements on a going concern basis.
Disclosures in relation to going concern are shown in Note 2 (a) to
the Consolidated Financial Statements.
These financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom
accounting standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 -
"The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom
and Republic of Ireland" ("FRS 102"), and with the Companies Act
2006. The financial statements have been prepared on the historical
cost basis.
The Company has taken advantage of
Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not included a Profit
and Loss account in these separate Financial Statements. The loss
attributable to members of the Company for the period ended
31 March is US$ 6,638,000 (2022:
US$ 137,716,000).
The Company has taken advantage of
the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial
statements, as permitted by FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting
Standard applicable in the UK":
· the
requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows
· the
requirements of Section 11 Financial Instruments
Going concern
Cash and cash equivalents totalled
US$ 0.6 million as at 31 March 2024 (2022: US$ 0.4
million). Apart from revenue generated at Kropz Elandsfontein, the
Company has no other current source of operating revenue and the
ramp up of Elandsfontein is still in progress. Therefore, the
Company is dependent on future fund raisings to meet any production
costs, overheads and future development and exploration
requirements and quarterly repayments on the BNP loan that cannot
be met from existing cash resources and sales revenue. Also refer
to the going concern note on page 75 to 79.
Going concern basis
Based on the Company's current
available reserves, recent operational performance, forecast
production and sales at Kropz Elandsfontein coupled with
Managements' track record to successfully raised additional funds
as and when required, to meet its working capital and capital
expenditure requirements, the Board have concluded that they have a
reasonable expectation that the Company will continue in
operational existence for the foreseeable future
and at least for a period of 12 months from
the date of approval of these financial statements.
For these reasons the financial
statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, which
contemplates continuity of normal business activities and the
realisation of assets and discharge of liabilities in the normal
course of business.
As there can be no guarantee that
the required future funding can be raised in the necessary
timeframe, a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant
doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and
therefore it may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its
liabilities in the normal course of business.
The financial report does not
include adjustments relating to the recoverability and
classification of recorded asset amounts or to the amounts and
classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the
Company not continue as a going concern.
(b) Interest revenue
Interest revenue is accrued on a
time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and the
effective interest rate.
(c) Fixed asset investments
Fixed asset investments in Group
undertakings are carried at cost less any provision for
impairment.
(d) Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies
are recorded using the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the
transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies are translated using the contracted rate or the rate of
exchange ruling at the balance sheet date and the gains or losses
on translation are included in the profit and loss
account.
Exchange differences arising on
the translation of the Company's results and net assets from its
functional currency of GBP to the presentational currency of US$
are taken to the foreign currency translation reserve.
(e) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise
cash in hand, bank balances, deposits with financial institutions
and short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily
convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an
insignificant risk of change in value.
(f) Share-based payment
arrangements
The policy for the Company's
share-based payment arrangements can be found in Note 2(r) of the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
(g) Derivative assets / liabilities
Derivatives that are embedded in a
host contract are accounted for separately as derivatives if they
are not closely related to the host contract, unless the hybrid
(combined) instrument is measured at fair value with changes in
fair value recognised directly in the income statement.
Embedded derivatives are measured
at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in profit or
loss.
A derivative is a financial
instrument that changes in value in response to an underlying price
and creates the rights and obligations that usually have the effect
of transferring between parties to the instrument one or more of
the financial risks inherent in an underlying instrument. A key
characteristic of derivatives is that they require little or no
initial net investment and will be settled at a future
date.
Separable embedded derivatives are
measured at fair value with all changes in fair value recognised in
the income statement.
3. Investment in
subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
31 March
|
31
December
|
|
|
2024
|
2022
|
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
Cost / recoverable amount
|
|
|
|
|
At beginning of the
year
|
|
40,183
|
108,650
|
|
Purchase of non-redeemable
preference shares in Kropz Elandsfontein
|
|
5,000
|
41,000
|
|
Impairment of non-redeemable
preference shares in Kropz Elandsfontein
|
|
(7,214)
|
(56,104)
|
|
Preference shares paid in
excess
|
|
2,214
|
(2,316)
|
|
Preference dividends due from
subsidiary - Kropz Elandsfontein
|
|
14,619
|
5,046
|
|
Impairment of preference dividends
due from subsidiary - Kropz Elandsfontein
|
|
(14,619)
|
(10,304)
|
|
Share-based payment transaction
with subsidiaries
|
|
(21)
|
57
|
|
Impairment of investment in
subsidiaries
|
|
-
|
(45,846)
|
|
Functional currency translation
adjustment
|
|
43
|
-
|
|
At end of period
|
|
40,205
|
40,183
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Details of the Company's
subsidiaries as at 31 March 2024 are set out in Note 3 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company has invested, in
aggregate, US$ 127 million (2022: US$ 122 million) in
non-redeemable preference shares of Kropz Elandsfontein. As
described in Note 34 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the
Group is cancelling all of these non-redeemable preference shares
and these are fully written down in the Company's
accounts.
4. Debtors
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
March
|
31
December
|
|
|
2024
|
2022
|
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
VAT recoverable
|
|
19
|
22
|
Other debtors
|
|
134
|
93
|
|
|
153
|
115
|
5. Share
capital
Details of the Company's
authorised, called-up and fully paid share capital are set out in
Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The ordinary shares of the Company
carry one vote per share and an equal right to any dividends
declared.
6.
Reserves
Foreign exchange translation reserve
The foreign exchange translation
reserve comprises all foreign currency differences arising from the
translation of the assets, liabilities and equity of the entities
included in these financial statements from their functional
currencies to the presentational currency.
Share premium
The share premium account
represents the amount received on the issue of ordinary shares by
the Company, other than those recognised in the merger reserve
described below, in excess of their nominal value and is
non-distributable.
Merger reserve
The merger reserve represents the
amount received on the issue of ordinary shares by the Company in
excess of their nominal value on acquisition of subsidiaries where
merger relief under section 612 of the Companies Act 2006 applies.
The merger reserve consists of the merger relief on the issue of
shares to acquire Kropz SA on 27 November 2018 and Cominco
Resources on 30 November 2018.
Share-based payment reserve
The share-based payment reserve
arises from the requirement to value share options and warrants in
existence at the period end at fair value (see Note 11 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements).
7. Creditors: amounts
falling due within one year
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
March
|
31
December
|
|
|
2024
|
2022
|
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
Trade creditors
|
|
89
|
176
|
Other creditors and
accruals
|
|
107
|
144
|
|
|
196
|
320
|
8. Shareholder loans and
derivative liability
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
March
|
31
December
|
|
|
2024
|
2022
|
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
Convertible debt - ARC
|
|
27,387
|
15,055
|
Derivative liability
|
|
6,476
|
23,037
|
|
|
33,863
|
38,092
|
Maturity
Non-current
|
-
|
38,092
|
Current
|
33,863
|
-
|
|
33,863
|
38,092
|
Convertible debt - ARC
On 20 October 2021, the Company
entered into a new convertible equity facility of up to ZAR 200
million ("ZAR 200 Million Equity Facility") with ARC, the Company's
major shareholder. Interest is payable at 14% nominal, compounded
monthly. At any time during the term of the ZAR 200 Million Equity
Facility, repayment of the ZAR 200 Million Equity Facility capital
amount will, at the election of ARC, either be in the form of the
conversion into ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each ("Ordinary
Shares") in the Company and issued to ARC, at a conversion price of
4.5058 pence per Ordinary Share each, representing the 30-day
Volume Weighted Average Price ("VWAP") on 21 September 2021,
and at fixed exchange rate of GBP 1 = ZAR 20.24 ("Conversion"), or
payable in cash by the Company at the end of the term of the ZAR
200 Million Equity Facility which is 27 October 2026. The
Company made a drawdown of ZAR 90 million of the ZAR 200 Million
Equity Facility on 26 October 2021 and a further ZAR 37 million on
9 December 2021. Two further draw downs were made in 2022,
one on 25 March 2022 for ZAR 40 million and ZAR 33 million on 26
April 2022. The ZAR 200 Million Equity Facility is fully
drawn at the date of this
report.
As announced on 11 May 2022, the
Company entered into a new conditional convertible equity facility
of up to ZAR 177 million ("ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility") with
ARC. Interest is payable at 14% nominal, compounded monthly.
At any time during the term of the ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility,
repayment of the ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility capital amount
will, at the election of ARC, either be in the form of the
conversion into Ordinary Shares in the Company and issued to ARC,
at a conversion price of 9.256 pence per Ordinary Share each,
representing the 30-day Volume Weighted Average Price ("VWAP") on
4 May 2022, and at fixed exchange rate of ZAR 1 = GBP 0.0504
("Conversion"), or payable in cash by the Company
at the end of the term of the ZAR 177 Million
Equity Facility which is 2 June 2027. The first drawdown on the ZAR 177 Million Equity
Facility occurred on 2 June 2022 for ZAR 103.5 million. The second
drawdown on the ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility was made on 7 July
2022 for ZAR 60 million. On 9 August 2022, a final drawdown on the
ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility was made for ZAR 13.5 million.
The ZAR 177 Million Equity Facility is fully
drawn at the date of this report.
As announced on 14 November 2022,
the Company entered into a new conditional convertible equity
facility of up to ZAR 550 million ("ZAR 550 Million Equity
Facility") with ARC. Interest is payable at the South African prime
overdraft interest rate plus 6%, nominal per annum and compounded
monthly. At any time during the term of the ZAR 550 Million Equity
Facility, repayment of the ZAR 550 Million Equity Facility
capital amount will, at the election of ARC, either be in the form
of the conversion into Ordinary Shares in the Company and issued to
ARC, at a conversion price of 4.579 pence per Ordinary Share each,
representing the 30-day Volume Weighted Average Price ("VWAP") on
21 October 2022 and at fixed exchange rate of ZAR 1 = GBP 0.048824
("Conversion"), or payable in cash by the Company at the end of the
term of the ZAR 550 Million Equity Facility which is
30 November 2027. The Company drew down a further ZAR 107.5
million during the 15-month period and is fully drawn as at 31
March 2024.
These liabilities will be amended
to extend the repayment terms from being 1 year after repayment of
the BNP loan facility (which will occur by no later than 30
September 2024) to being 3 years from the date of issue of the new
CLN, or such later date as confirmed by ARC in writing.
Convertible liability
It was determined that the
conversion option embedded in the convertible debt equity facility
be accounted for separately as a derivative liability.
Although the amount to be settled is fixed in ZAR, when converted
back to Kropz's functional currency, will result in a variable
amount of cash based on the exchange rate
at the date of conversion. The value of the liability component and
the derivative conversion component were determined at the date of
draw down using a Monte Carlo simulation. The debt host liability
was bifurcated based on the determined value of the option.
Subsequently, the embedded derivative liability is adjusted to
reflect fair value at each period end with changes in fair value
recorded in profit and loss (refer to Note 30 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements).
9. Related party
transactions
The only key management personnel
of the Company are the Directors. Details of their remuneration are
contained in Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
The following transactions and
balances with subsidiaries occurred in the period:
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
March
|
31
December
|
|
|
2024
|
2022
|
|
|
US$'000
|
US$'000
|
Opening balance
|
|
7,211
|
49,904
|
Loans advanced
|
|
695
|
612
|
Loans repaid
|
|
(937)
|
(877)
|
Reversal/(Impairment) of loans to
subsidiaries
|
|
937
|
(42,428)
|
|
|
7,906
|
7,211
|
10. Subsequent
events
Disclosures in relation to events
after 31 March 2024 are shown in Note 34 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Company information
Current Directors
Lord Robin William Renwick of
Clifton, Non-executive Chairman
Louis Ronald Loubser, Chief
Executive Officer
Gerrit Jacobus Duminy,
Non-executive Director
Linda Janice Beal, Independent
Non-executive Director
Michael Daigle, Non-executive
Director
Company secretary
Fusion Corporate Secretarial
Service (Pty) Ltd
Company number
11143400
Registered address
35 Verulam Road
Hitchin
SG5 1QE
Independent auditors
PKF Littlejohn LLP
15 Westferry Circus
Canary Wharf
London
E14 4HD
Nominated adviser
Grant Thornton UK LLP
30 Finsbury Square
London EC2A 1AG
Broker
H&P Advisory
Limited
2 Park Street
Mayfair
London W1K 2HX
Legal advisers as to English Law
Memery Crystal Limited
165 Fleet Street
London EC4A 2DY
Legal advisers as to South African Law
Werksmans Attorneys
The Central, 96 Rivonia
Road
Sandton 2196
Johannesburg
South Africa
Bowmans
22 Bree Street
Cape Town 8000
South Africa
Legal advisers as to the laws of Republic of
Congo
PricewaterhouseCoopers Tax &
Legal
88 Avenue du General de
Gaulle
B.P. 1306
Pointe-Noire
Congo
Legal advisers as to the laws of the British Virgin
Islands
Harney Westwood & Riegels
LP
Craigmuir Chambers
PO Box 71,
Road Town
Tortola VG1110
British Virgin Islands
Registrars
Computershare Investor Services
PLC
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol
BS13 8AE
Principal bankers
Barclays
One Churchill Place
London E14 5HP
BNP Paribas
11 Crescent Place
Melrose Arch
Johannesburg 2196
South Africa
Financial PR
Tavistock Communications
Limited
1 Cornhill
London EC3V 3ND
Market consultant
CRU Consulting
Chancery House
53-64 Chancery Lane
London WC2A 1QS
Company's website: www.kropz.com