25 May 2023
Pathfinder Minerals Plc
("Pathfinder" the "Company")
Final Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
Pathfinder reports its audited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2022. The full annual report including, all notes to the accounts, will be posted to shareholders on 26 May 2023, and is available on the Company's website at www.pathfinderminerals.com.
Dennis Edmonds, Chairman, commented:
"Following the completion of the disposal of IM Minerals Limited, which the Company expects imminently, Acumen Advisory Group LLC will have a binding agreement with the Company to progress the claim against the Government of Mozambique. If the claim is successful, Pathfinder stands to receive a substantial contingent payment. While that process is underway, assuming completion of the disposal, Pathfinder will be well funded to pursue other opportunities to achieve value creation for shareholders."
Enquiries:
Pathfinder Minerals Plc
Peter Taylor, Chief Executive Officer
Tel. +44 (0)20 3143 6748
Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated & Financial Adviser and Broker)
James Spinney / Ritchie Balmer / Abigail Wennington
Tel. +44 (0)20 7409 3494
Vigo Consulting (Public Relations)
Ben Simons / Kate Kilgallen
Tel. +44 (0)20 7390 0234
Email pathfinderminerals@vigoconsulting.com
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR").
Chairman's Statement
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
Introduction and principal activities
The Group's activities during 2022 continued to focus on preparing the Company to bring a claim against the Government of Mozambique, under the Mozambique-United Kingdom Bilateral Investment Treaty (2004) (the "Treaty"), for its role in facilitating the expropriation of Mining Concession 4623C (the "Licence") from the Company in 2011 through a transfer which the Board believes was unlawful (the "Claim"). This culminated in the signing in September 2022 of an option agreement for the sale of IM Minerals Limited ("IMM"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pathfinder, and, with it, the rights to bring the Claim.
Alongside this, the Board has continued to review additional commercial opportunities across several minerals and geographies which, if pursued, would offer shareholders multiple avenues for potential value creation.
Preparations to bring or monetise a claim
Since the receipt in December 2020 of a legal opinion that, subject to the interpretation of the facts and applicable laws as they are currently known to the Board and Counsel, there is a 55-60 percent prospect of establishing liability on the part of the Government of Mozambique in a BIT claim under Article 2(2) and 2(3) of the Treaty, the Board had set about undertaking the various workstreams to prepare to bring or monetise the Claim.
As part of the Company's preparatory procedures, the Board commissioned, during 2021, Versant Partners LLC ("Versant") to undertake an analysis of the valuation of Pathfinder's potential claim. Whilst the detail behind the valuation remains legally privileged, the Versant analysis assesses a range of successful scenarios with valuation ranges from a minimum of US$110m for an ex-ante damages award through to US$1,500m for an ex-post damages award. The Versant valuation supports the US$621.3m of estimated losses, detailed in the Company's 12 April 2021 announcement, that has been notified to the government of Mozambique.
In September 2022, the Company entered into an option agreement with Acumen Advisory Group LLC ("Acumen" or "AAG"), an asset recovery specialist incorporated in Delaware, USA, with a track record of international claim enforcement, under which the Company granted Acumen an exclusive option to acquire IMM and therefore the rights to bring the Claim.
Following the end of the financial year, on 1 February 2023, Pathfinder announced that Acumen had sought to exercise its rights under the Option and, at a general meeting of shareholders of the Company held on 11 May 2023, shareholders voted to proceed with the disposal of IMM and therefore the Claim (the "Disposal"). Under the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement (the "SPA") entered into with Acumen, the Company expects to receive imminently, an initial cash payment of £2 million and subsequently a further payment being the greater of US$24 million or 20% of the aggregate amount (including deferred or conditional payments) subject to, and payable on, settlement or determination of the Claim, less expenses. Further details on the Disposal, including the payment mechanism, and associated risk factors, are detailed in the circular posted to shareholders on 21 April 2023.
Company strategy
Following the completion of the Disposal, the Company will cease to own, control, or conduct all, or substantially all, of its existing business activities or assets. Accordingly, upon completion of the Disposal, the Company will be classified as an AIM Rule 15 cash shell and, as such, will be required to make an acquisition or acquisitions which constitute a reverse takeover under AIM Rule 14 (or seek re-admission as an investing company (as defined under the AIM Rules)), on or before the date falling six months from completion of the Disposal, failing which the Company's Ordinary Shares would be suspended from trading on AIM pursuant to AIM Rule 40. Admission of the Company's Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM would be cancelled six months from the date of suspension should the Company not complete such a transaction during this time.
Until such time as the £2 million has been received by the Company, the Disposal will not complete and the Company will not be classified as an AIM Rule 15 cash shell.
The Board is continuing to evaluate opportunities in the sectors it considers appropriate, seeking to identify one or more projects or assets suitable for acquisition from which the Board believes it can unlock unrealised value for shareholders in the near-term.
Any reverse takeover transaction will require the publication of an AIM Rules compliant admission document and will be subject to shareholder approval at a further general meeting of the Company to be convened at the appropriate time.
Financial results and current financial position
The audited financial statements of the Pathfinder Group for the year ended 31 December 2022 follow later in this report.
The Income Statement for the period ended 31 December 2022 reflects a loss of £376k (period ended 31 December 2021: £367k). The Group's Statement of Financial Position shows total assets at 31 December 2022 of £59k (31 December 2021: £384k); the assets were held largely in the form of cash deposits of £46k (31 December 2021: £365k).
Board changes
Jonathan Summers retired as a non-executive director of the Company on 30 June 2022. The Board is grateful to Mr Summers for his contribution to the Company.
Outlook
Following the completion of the Disposal, which the Company expects imminently, Acumen will have a binding agreement with the Company to progress the Claim. If the Claim is successful, the Company stands to receive a substantial contingent payment. While that process is underway, assuming completion of the Disposal, Pathfinder will be well funded and able to pursue other opportunities which offer shareholders multiple avenues for value creation.
Dennis Edmonds
Chair
25 May 2023
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
| Note | Year ended | Year ended |
|
| £'000 | £'000 |
CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
|
|
|
Revenue |
| - | - |
Administrative expenses | 3, 4 | (376) | (367) |
|
|
| |
OPERATING LOSS |
| (376) | (367) |
|
|
| |
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX |
| (376) | (367) |
Income tax | 5 | - | - |
|
|
|
|
LOSS FOR THE YEAR |
| (376) | (367) |
Total comprehensive loss for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent |
| (376) | (367) |
|
|
| |
Loss per share from continuing operations in pence per share: | 7 |
|
|
Basic and diluted | | (0.07) | (0.07) |
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
| Note | Year ended | Year ended |
|
| £'000 | £'000 |
NON-CURRENT ASSETS |
|
|
|
Investments | 8 | - | - |
| |
|
|
CURRENT ASSETS |
|
|
|
Trade and other receivables | 9 | 13 | 19 |
Cash and cash equivalents | 10 | 46 | 365 |
| |
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
| 59 | 384 |
| |
|
|
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Company: |
|
|
|
Share capital | 11 | 18,717 | 18,716 |
Share premium | 11 | 14,239 | 14,234 |
Share based payment reserve |
| 162 | 199 |
Warrant reserve |
| 104 | 255 |
Accumulated deficit |
| (33,357) | (33,169) |
TOTAL EQUITY |
| (135) | 235 |
|
|
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
Trade and other payables | 12 | 114 | 149 |
Borrowings | 13 | 80 | - |
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
| 194 | 149 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES |
| 59 | 384 |
The financial statements were approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 25 May 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:
Dennis Edmonds
Director
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
| Called up share capital | Share premium | Share based payment reserve | Warrant reserve | Accumulated | Total |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
Balance at 1 January 2021 as previously stated | 18,584 | 13,685 | 184 | 253 | (32,831) | (125) |
Prior year adjustment | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Balance at 1 January 2021 as restated | 18,584 | 13,685 | 184 | 253 | (32,831) | (125) |
Loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (367) | (367) |
Total comprehensive loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (367) | (367) |
Issue of share capital | 132 | 599 | - | - | - | 731 |
Cost of share issue | - | (41) | - | - | - | (41) |
Share based payments | - | (9) | 15 | 2 | 29 | 37 |
Balance at 31 December 2021 | 18,716 | 14,234 | 199 | 255 | (33,169) | 235 |
Loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (376) | (376) |
Total comprehensive loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (376) | (376) |
Issue of share capital | 1 | 5 | - | - | - | 6 |
Cost of share issue | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Share based payments | - | - | (37) | (151) | 188 | - |
Balance at 31 December 2022 | 18,717 | 14,239 | 162 | 104 | (33,357) | (135) |
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
| Note | Year ended | Year ended |
|
| £'000 | £'000 |
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
Loss before tax |
| (376) | (367) |
| |
|
|
Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
Share-based payments |
| - | 35 |
PAYE/NI provision written back |
| - | (140) |
Net cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital |
| (376) | (472) |
| |
|
|
Changes in working capital: |
|
|
|
Decrease in trade and other receivables | 9 | 6 | 15 |
Decrease in trade and other payables | 12 | (35) | (61) |
Net cash flow used in operating activities |
| (405) | (518) |
| |
|
|
Cash flow from financing activities |
|
|
|
Proceeds arising as a result of the issue of ordinary shares |
| 6 | 720 |
Costs related to issue of ordinary share capital |
| - | (28) |
Proceeds of borrowings | 13 | 80 | - |
Net cash flow from financing activities |
| 86 | 692 |
| |
|
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year |
| (319) | 174 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year |
| 365 | 191 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year |
| 46 | 365 |
Details of material non-cash transactions are set out in note 17.
Company Statement of Financial Position
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
| Note | Year ended | Year ended |
|
| £'000 | £'000 |
NON-CURRENT ASSETS |
|
|
|
Investments | 8 | - | - |
| |
|
|
CURRENT ASSETS |
|
|
|
Trade and other receivables | 9 | 13 | 19 |
Cash and cash equivalents | 10 | 46 | 365 |
| |
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
| 59 | 384 |
| |
|
|
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Company: |
|
|
|
Share capital | 11 | 18,717 | 18,716 |
Share premium | 11 | 14,239 | 14,234 |
Share based payment reserve |
| 162 | 199 |
Warrant reserve |
| 104 | 252 |
Accumulated deficit |
| (33,357) | (33,169) |
TOTAL EQUITY |
| (135) | 235 |
| |
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
Trade and other payables | 12 | 114 | 149 |
Borrowings | 13 | 80 | - |
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
| 194 | 149 |
| |
|
|
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES |
| 59 | 384 |
The Company has taken exemptions allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own profit and loss account in these financial statements. The loss after tax of the parent Company for the year was £376k (2021: £367k).
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 25 May 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:
Dennis Edmonds
Director
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
| Called up share capital | Share premium | Share based payment reserve | Warrant reserve | Accumulated | Total |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
Balance at 1 January 2021 as previously stated | 18,584 | 13,685 | 184 | 253 | (32,831) | (125) |
Prior year adjustment | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Balance at 1 January 2021 as restated | 18,584 | 13,685 | 184 | 253 | (32,831) | (125) |
Loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (367) | (367) |
Total comprehensive loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (367) | (367) |
Issue of share capital | 132 | 599 | - | - | - | 731 |
Cost of share issue | - | (41) | - | - | - | (41) |
Share based payments | - | (9) | 15 | 2 | 29 | 37 |
Balance at 31 December 2021 | 18,716 | 14,234 | 199 | 255 | (33,169) | 235 |
Loss for the year | - | - | - | - | (376) | (376) |
Total comprehensive loss for the year |
|
|
|
| (376) | (376) |
Issue of share capital | 1 | 5 | - | - | - | 6 |
Share based payments | - | - | (37) | (151) | 188 | - |
Balance at 31 December 2022 | 18,717 | 14,239 | 162 | 104 | (33,357) | (135) |
Company Statement of Cash Flows
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
| Note | Year ended | Year ended |
|
| £'000 | £'000 |
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
Loss before tax |
| (376) | (367) |
| |
|
|
Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
Share-based payments |
| - | 35 |
PAYE/NI provision written back |
| - | (140) |
Net cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital |
| (376) | (472) |
| |
|
|
Changes in working capital: |
|
|
|
Decrease in trade and other receivables | 9 | 6 | 15 |
Decrease in trade and other payables | 12 | (35) | (61) |
Net cash flow used in operating activities |
| (405) | (518) |
| |
|
|
Cash flow from financing activities |
|
|
|
Proceeds arising as a result of the issue of ordinary shares |
| 6 | 720 |
Costs related to issue of ordinary share capital |
| - | (28) |
Proceeds of borrowings | 13 | 80 | - |
Net cash flow from financing activities |
| 86 | 692 |
| |
|
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year |
| (319) | 174 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year |
| 365 | 191 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year |
| 46 | 365 |
Details of material non-cash transactions are set out in note 17.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
General information
Pathfinder Minerals Plc is a public limited company, quoted on AIM and is incorporated, registered and domiciled in England.
The Company's registered office is 35 Berkeley Square, London, England, W1J 5BF.
Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and Interpretations (collectively IASs) and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IASs. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The functional and presentational currency of the Company is Pound Sterling.
New standards, amendments and interpretations adopted by the Company
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following standards and interpretations relevant to the Company and which have not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue but were not yet effective.
Standard | Effective date, annual period beginning on or after |
IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements | 1 January 2023 |
IFRS 17 - Insurance Contracts | 1 January 2023 |
IAS 8 amendments - Definition of accounting estimates | 1 January 2023 |
Amendments to IAS 12 - Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction | 1 January 2023 |
Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-Current: Amendments to IAS 1 | 1 January 2023 |
The adoption of these standards is not expected to have any material impact on the financial statements of the Company.
Going concern
The Directors maintain cash flow forecasts looking ahead for periods not less than 12 months. As at the reporting date, the Company's cash balance was £46k (2021: £365k).
As at the date of approval of the financial statements, the cash flow forecast indicates that the Company has sufficient financial resources for at least the next 12 months, however, this is predicated on the receipt of £2 million consideration from AAG in respect of the disposal of the Company's 100%-owned subsidiary, IM Minerals Limited. The Board therefore considers that this is a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the Group's and the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Taking into consideration the Board's expectation that these funds will be received imminently, the Group's merits and the Board's track record in raising additional funding, the Board, has a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the next 12 months. Based on the Group's current expenditure plans, in the absence of receipt of the £2 million consideration from AAG, and without further funding being raised, the Group is funded up to October 2023.
The Board considers this period of assessment to be appropriate because it contextualises the Company's financial position, business model and strategy.
Notwithstanding the above, the directors consider the Group and the Company to be a going concern and therefore have prepared these financial statements on a going concern basis.
Basis of consolidation
Although the Company's direct subsidiary as at 31 December 2022, IM Minerals Limited holds 99.9% of the issued share capital of Companhia Mineira de Naburi SARL, which in turn holds 99.8% of the issued share capital of Sociedade Geral de Mineracao de Moçambique SARL, events in 2011 indicated that the Company does not control either of these Moçambique-domiciled companies group companies; neither has it been possible to obtain the statutory registers or audited accounts for them; accordingly, these financial statements consolidate the financial statements of IM Minerals Limited only. IM Minerals Limited is a dormant intermediate holding company registered in England & Wales.
Foreign currencies
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the statement of financial position date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of transaction. Exchange differences are considered in arriving at the operating result.
Employee benefit costs
The Group makes available a defined contribution pension scheme to eligible employees. Any contributions paid to the Group's pension scheme are charged to the income statement in the period to which they relate.
Equity instruments and reserves description
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Company after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received net of direct issue costs.
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.
Deferred shares are classified as equity but have restricted rights such that they have no economic value.
Share capital account represents the nominal value of the ordinary and deferred shares issued.
The share premium account represents premiums received on the initial issuing of the share capital. Any transaction costs associated with the issuing of shares are deducted from share premium, net of any related income tax benefits.
Share based payment reserve represents equity-settled share-based employee remuneration until such share options are exercised.
Warrant reserve represents equity-settled share-based payments until such share warrants are exercised.
Share-based payments
Where equity settled share options or warrants are awarded, the fair value of the options at the date of grant is charged to the statement of comprehensive income over the vesting period. Non-market vesting conditions are considered by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each balance sheet date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of options that eventually vest.
Financial instruments
Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are measured at initial recognition at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Trade and other receivables are accounted for at original invoice amount less any provisions for doubtful debts. Provisions are made where there is evidence of a risk of non-payment, considering the age of the debt, historical experience and general economic conditions. If a trade debt is determined to be uncollectable, it is written off, firstly against any provisions already held and then to the statement of comprehensive income. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously provided for are credited to the statement of comprehensive income.
Appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts are recognised in profit or loss in accordance with the expected credit loss model under IFRS 9. For trade and other receivables which do not contain a significant financing component, the Company applies the simplified approach. This approach requires the allowance for expected credit losses to be recognised at an amount equal to lifetime expected credit losses. For other debt financial assets, the Company applies the general approach to providing for expected credit losses as prescribed by IFRS 9, which permits for the recognition of an allowance for the estimated expected loss resulting from default in the subsequent 12-month period. Exposure to credit loss is monitored on a continual basis and, where material, the allowance for expected credit losses is adjusted to reflect the risk of default during the lifetime of the financial asset should a significant change in credit risk be identified.
The majority of the Company's financial assets are expected to have a low risk of default. A review of the historical occurrence of credit losses indicates that credit losses are insignificant due to the size of the Company's clients and the nature of its activities. The outlook for the natural resources industry is not expected to result in a significant change in the Company's exposure to credit losses. As lifetime expected credit losses are not expected to be significant the Company has opted not to adopt the practical expedient available under IFRS 9 to utilise a provision matrix for the recognition of lifetime expected credit losses on trade receivables. Allowances are calculated on a case-by-case basis based on the credit risk applicable to individual counterparties.
Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are held at amortised cost which equates to nominal value.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, current balances with banks and similar institutions and liquid investments generally with maturities of 3 months or less. They are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and have an insignificant risk of changes in values.
Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the period. Taxable profit differs from the net profit as reported in the income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other periods and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Company's liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Company has a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Company will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation.
Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial information in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice, in the case of the Group using IFRSs, requires the directors to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, income and expenditure and the disclosures made in the financial statements. Such estimates and judgements must be continually evaluated based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events.
Details of accounting estimates and judgements that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements have been disclosed under the relevant note or accounting policy for each area where disclosure is required.
Valuation of share-based payments to employees
The Company estimates the expected value of share-based payments to employees and this is charged through the income statement over the vesting period. The fair value is estimated using the Black Scholes valuation model which requires a number of assumptions to be made such as level of share vesting, time of exercise, expected length of service and employee turnover and share price volatility. This method of estimating the value of share-based payments is intended to ensure that the actual value transferred to employees is provided for by the time such payments are made.
2. SEGMENTAL REPORTING
The Group has one activity only. The whole of the value of the Group's and the Company's net assets in their respective financial statements at 31 December 2022 and 2021 was attributable to UK assets and liabilities.
3. OPERATING LOSS
Group and Company
| 2022 | 2021 |
| £'000 | £'000 |
Loss from operations has been arrived at after charging: |
| |
Directors' Remuneration | 124 | 102 |
Share based payment charge | - | 36 |
Legal Fees | 4 | 38 |
Nomad Fees | 50 | 83 |
Fees payable to the Company's auditor for the audit of the Group and Company's financial statements | 22 | 27 |
4. EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS
The average number of persons employed by the Company in the financial year (including directors that receive remuneration) was 5 (2021: 5).
The highest paid director during the year received £62,000 (2021: 57,000).
The following tables set out and analyse the remuneration of directors for the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021.
For the year ended 31 December 2022:
| Salary | Fees | Total emoluments | Contribution to Pension schemes | Share Based Payments | Total remuneration |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
Dennis Edmonds | 30 | - | 30 | - | - | 30 |
Peter Taylor | 60 | - | 60 | 2 | - | 62 |
Mark Gasson | - | 25 | 25 | - | - | 25 |
Jonathan Summers | 7 | - | 7 | - | - | 7 |
| 97 | 25 | 122 | 2 | - | 124 |
For the year ended 31 December 2021:
| Salary | Fees | Total emoluments | Contribution to Pension schemes | Share Based Payments | Total remuneration |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
John Taylor | 6 | - | 6 | - | - | 6 |
Dennis Edmonds | 30 | - | 30 | - | - | 30 |
Peter Taylor | 51 | - | 51 | 1 | 5 | 57 |
Mark Gasson | - | 15 | 15 | - | 8 | 23 |
Jonathan Summers | - | - | - | - | 11 | 11 |
| 87 | 15 | 102 | 1 | 24 | 127 |
No share options were exercised by the directors, and no shares were received or receivable by any director in respect of qualifying services under a long-term incentive scheme.
5. INCOME TAX
The charge for the year is made up as follows:
| 2022 | 2021 |
| £'000 | £'000 |
Current tax | - | - |
Tax charge for the year | - | - |
Analysis of tax expense
No liability to UK corporation tax arose for the year ended 31 December 2022 nor for the year ended 31 December 2021. No deferred tax asset has been recorded on tax losses carried forward.
Factors affecting the tax expense
The tax assessed for the year is higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The difference is explained below:
| 2022 | 2021 |
| £'000 | £'000 |
Loss on ordinary activities before tax | (376) | (367) |
Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2021: 19%) | (71) | (70) |
Effects of: |
|
|
Non-deductible expenses | - | - |
Income not chargeable to tax | - | - |
Unrelieved tax losses carried forward | 71 | 70 |
Tax expense | - | - |
6. LOSS OF PARENT COMPANY
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the income statement of the parent company is not presented as part of these financial statements. The parent company's loss for the financial year was £376k (2021: £367k).
7. LOSS PER SHARE
Basic loss per share is calculated, as set out in the tables below, by dividing the loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.
In accordance with IAS 33, as the Group is reporting a loss for both this and the preceding year the share options and warrants are not considered dilutive because the exercise of these would have the effect of reducing the loss per share.
As at 31 December 2022: |
|
|
|
| Loss £'000 | Weighted average number of shares | Per-share amount, pence |
Basic loss attributable to the ordinary shareholders | 376 | 532,094,193 | 0.07p |
|
|
|
|
As at 31 December 2021: |
| | |
| Loss £'000 | Weighted average number of shares | Per-share amount, pence |
Basic loss attributable to the ordinary shareholders | 367 | 494,687,905 | 0.07p |
8. INVESTMENTS
Parent company | Shares in group undertakings £'000 |
COST |
|
At 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022 | 34,806 |
|
|
PROVISION FOR IMPAIRMENT |
|
At 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022 | (34,806) |
|
|
NET BOOK VALUE |
|
At 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022 | - |
Subsidiaries
Pathfinder Battery Commodities Ltd
Registered office: 35 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 5BF, United Kingdom
Nature of business: Holding company
Class of shares: Ordinary
Holding: 100.00%
I M Minerals Limited
Registered office: 35 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 5BF, United Kingdom
Nature of business: Holding company
Class of shares: Ordinary
Holding: 100.00%
Companhia Mineira de Naburi SARL
Registered office: Mozambique
Nature of business: Mining
Nature of business: Non-trading
Class of shares: Ordinary
Ordinary 99.9%
Sociedade Geral de Mineracao de Moçambique SARL
Registered office: Mozambique
Nature of business: Non-trading
Class of shares: Ordinary
Ordinary 99.8%
IM Minerals Limited held the shares in Companhia Mineira de Naburi SARL ("CMdN") which held titanium dioxide mining concessions in the Republic of Mozambique. In November 2011, the original vendors of IM Minerals' subsidiary, CMdN, advised the Company that they had procured the cancellation of IM Minerals Ltd's shares in CMdN and the transfer of its assets (the mining licences) to another company controlled by them. Whilst the Company is taking legal and other action in order to recover the shares and the licences, the Company, in the interest of accounting prudence, made full provision in the 2011 financial statements against the cost of its investment in IM Minerals Ltd. As a consequence of the situation regarding the Company's legal claims, the Company has been unable to verify the current registered office addresses for the Mozambique-domiciled companies, CMdN and Sociedade Geral de Mineracao de Moçambique SARL. Furthermore, whilst the Company believes these companies to be non-trading, the Company has been unable to verify their trading statuses.
9. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
| Group |
| Parent Company | ||
| 2022 | 2021 |
| 2022 | 2021 |
| £'000 | £'000 |
| £'000 | £'000 |
Other debtors | 8 | 8 |
| 8 | 8 |
VAT | 5 | 4 |
| 5 | 4 |
Prepayments and accrued income | - | 7 |
| - | 7 |
| 13 | 19 |
| 13 | 19 |
10. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
| Group |
| Parent Company | ||
| 2022 | 2021 |
| 2022 | 2021 |
| £'000 | £'000 |
| £'000 | £'000 |
| | | | | |
Bank accounts | 46 | 365 |
| 46 | 365 |
11. SHARE CAPITAL
a) Called up, allotted, issued and fully paid share capital
| No. Ordinary shares of 0.1p each | Deferred shares of 9.9p each | Allotment price (£s) | Share Capital £'000 | Share Premium £'000 |
Total as at 31 December 2021 | 531,328,168 | 183,688,116 |
| 18,716 | 14,234 |
6 May 2022 | 1,166,666 | - | 0.005 | 1 | 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total as at 31 December 2022 | 532,494,834 | 183,688,116 |
| 18,717 | 14,239 |
b) Share options & warrants in issue
Share options
Exercise Price | Grant Date | Expiry Date | At 1 January 2022 | Issued / (lapsed) | At 31 December 2022 |
2.50p | 10 April 2019 | 9 April 2022 | 7,500,000 | (7,500,000) | - |
1.25p(1) | 11 May 2020 | 11 May 2022 | 19,000,000 | (9,000,000) | 10,000,000 |
1.25p(1) | 4 August 2020 | 31 May 2023 | 6,000,000 | - | 6,000,000
|
1.75p | 21 September 2018 | 20 September 2023 | 18,750,000 | - | 18,750,000 |
0.55p | 17 March 2021 | 16 March 2023 | 6,000,000 | - | 6,000,000 |
1.25p | 1 April 2021 | 31 March 2023 | 6,000,000 | - | 6,000,000 |
1.25p | 9 June 2021 | 8 June 2023 | 6,000,000 | - | 6,000,000 |
1.25p | 23 June 2021 | 22 June 2023 | 3,000,000 | - | 3,000,000 |
1.25p | 4 October 2021 | 3 October 2023 | 5,000,000 | - | 5,000,000 |
|
|
| 77,250,000 | (16,500,000) | 60,750,000 |
(1) On 6 May 2022, the following amendments were made to certain of the above share options:
· 10,000,000 of the 19,000,000 1.25p options that were otherwise due to expire on 11 May 2022 were extended so as to lapse on 11 May 2023
· 6,000,000 options with an exercise price of 1.25p and an expiry date of 11 May 2022, were extended so as to expire on 31 May 2023.
Share warrants
Exercise Price | Expiry Date | At 1 January 2022 | Issued/(lapsed) | At 31 December 2022 |
0.50p(1) | 11 May 2022 | 1,166,666 | (1,166,666) | - |
3.50p | 17 June 2022 | 10,703,018 | (10,703,018) | - |
1.50p | 11 May 2022 | 38,769,230 | (38,769,230) | - |
1.25p | 2 November 2022 | 2,500,000 | (2,500,000) | - |
0.50p(2) (3) | 31 May 2023 | 11,666,668 | - | 11,666,668 |
1.50p(3) | 31 May 2023 | 3,076,923 | - | 3,076,923 |
0.60p | 29 April 2024 | 3,500,000 | - | 3,500,000 |
|
| 71,382,505 | (53,138,914) | 18,243,591 |
(1) On 6 May 2022, 1,166,666 warrants over Ordinary shares were exercised at a price of 0.5p per share.
(2) On 19 February 2021, in accordance with the terms of the 11 May 2020 warrant instrument, the warrants subsisting thereunder were repriced from 0.60p to 0.50p each.
(3) On 6 May 2022, 11,666,668 warrants with an exercise price of 0.50p and 3,076,923 warrants with an exercise price of 1.50p, all with an expiry date of 11 May 2022, were extended so as to expire on 31 May 2023.
12. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
| Group |
| Parent Company | ||
| 2022 | 2021 |
| 2022 | 2021 |
| £'000 | £'000 |
| £'000 | £'000 |
Trade creditors | 4 | - |
| 4 | - |
Social security and other taxes | 43 | 86 |
| 43 | 86 |
Other creditors | 42 | 42 |
| 42 | 42 |
Accruals and deferred income | 25 | 21 |
| 25 | 21 |
| 114 | 149 |
| 113 | 149 |
13. BORROWINGS
On 29 September 2022 and 28 December 2022, the Company announced it has entered into a loan agreement whereby an FCA authorised financial institution has arranged for the provision to the Company by an individual, of an unsecured loan facility of up to £120,000 (the "Loan") for working capital purposes. The Loan carried a simple fixed interest of 5.0 percent on any amounts drawn down and had issue costs of £5,000. The Loan was designed to provide the Company with access to additional working capital, should it be required. As at 31 December 2022 £80,000 had been drawn down.
The Loan was repaid in full together with accrued interest and the issue costs on 1 February 2023.
14. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
As part of the agreement for the purchase of the shares in its subsidiary, Companhia Mineira de Naburi SARL (CMdN), the Company's subsidiary, IM Minerals Limited, agreed to pay the vendors a further sum of US$9,900,000 if, following further exploration and appraisal, an agreement is reached for the construction of a facility for the processing of ore extracted from the Naburi mineral sands deposit. This sum has since been reduced by advances of £90,083, made by IM Minerals Limited, and £75,933, made by the Company, to one of the vendors, Mr Diogo Cavaco.
Similarly, as part of its agreement for the purchase of the whole of the issued share capital of Sociedade Geral de Mineracao de Moçambique SARL, CMdN has agreed to pay the vendors, BHP Billiton, a further sum of US$9,500,000 if, following further exploration and appraisal, an agreement is reached for the construction of a facility for the processing of ore extracted from the Moebase mineral sands deposit. This obligation is guaranteed by IM Minerals Limited.
In July 2021, the Company engaged Travers Smith LLP to act for the Company in connection with its ongoing work to secure the return of Mining Licence 4623C (the "Licence"), or compensation in relation thereto. The fees payable to Travers Smith LLP are payable on a contingent basis subject to a minimum pre-claim amount; in February 2022, the cap was increased from £100,000 to £200,000; in November 2022, the cap was further increased to £250,000. Following the year-end, the Company and Travers Smith LLP agreed a pre-claim fee of approximately £226k, including disbursements, in respect of the ongoing work to secure the return of Mining Licence 4623C or compensation in relation thereto.
15. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
Details of directors' remuneration are given in note 4 above.
16. SHARE BASED PAYMENTS
The fair values of the share options and warrants at the date of grant have been measured using the Black- Scholes pricing model, which takes into account factors such as the option life, share price volatility and the risk-free rate.
Each share option and warrant vested and was exercisable immediately upon grant. The share-based expense relating to each share option and share warrant was recognised in full on the date of grant.
Share options
Date of grant | Share price | Exercise price | Risk Free Rate(1) | Expected life of options | Expected yield | Expected volatility(2) | Fair value per option |
21 September 2018 | 1.45p | 1.75p | 0.70% | 5 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00609 |
10 April 2019 | 1.35p | 2.50p | 0.71% | 3 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00264 |
11 May 2020 | 0.93p | 1.25p(3) | 0.07% | 2 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00190 |
4 August 2020 | 0.43p | 1.25p(3) | 0.06% | 2 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00022 |
17 March 2021 | 0.53p | 0.55p | 0.05% | 2 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00151 |
1 April 2021 | 0.53p | 1.25p | 0.05% | 2 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00040 |
9 June 2021 | 0.79p | 1.25p(3) | 0.05% | 2 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00127 |
23 June 2021 | 0.75p | 1.25p(3) | 0.05% | 2 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00111 |
4 October 2021 | 0.73p | 1.25p(3) | 0.05% | 2 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00101 |
(1) Daily sterling overnight index average (SONIA) rate at the date of grant was adopted as the effective risk-free rate.
(2) Expected volatility is based on management's estimate of the expected volatility
(3) Repriced to 0.75p following the year-end, on 27 April 2023.
Share warrants
Date of grant | Share price | Exercise price | Risk Free Rate | Expected life of warrants | Expected yield | Expected volatility | Fair value per option |
4 June 2019 | 2.75p | 3.50p | 0.71% | 3 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00827 |
11 May 2020(1) | 0.93p | 0.60p | 0.07% | 2 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00426 |
11 May 2020 | 0.93p | 1.50p | 0.07% | 2 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00144 |
2 November 2020 | 0.68p | 1.25p | 0.05% | 2 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00083 |
21 May 2021 | 0.68p | 0.6p | 0.05% | 2.9 years | 0% | 55% | £0.00271 |
(1) On 19 February 2021, in accordance with the terms of the relevant warrant instrument, the warrants subsisting thereunder were repriced from 0.60p to 0.50p each.
On 6 May 2022, the Company extended the expiry date of certain directors' share options and share warrants issued to a related party. The details are as follows:
Director | Date of Grant | No. Options | Exercise Price | Original Expiry Date | New Expiry Date |
Dennis Edmonds | 11/05/2020 | 10,000,000 | £0.0125 | 11/05/2022 | 11/05/2023 |
Peter Taylor | 04/08/2020 | 6,000,000 | £0.0125 | 30/08/2022 | 30/08/2023 |
Warrant Holder | Date of Grant | No. Warrants | Exercise Price | Original Expiry Date | New Expiry Date |
Richard Jennings | 11/05/2020 | 11,666,668 | £0.005 | 11/05/2022 | 11/05/2023 |
Richard Jennings | 11/05/2020 | 3,076,923 | £0.015 | 11/05/2022 | 11/05/2023 |
The extension of share options and warrants did not result in a change to the fair value that was determined on initial recognition.
In addition, following the year-end, the exercise price and expiry date of the aforementioned options was changed. See note 19.
The directors' interests in the share options and warrants of the Company as at 31 December 2022 are as follows:
Director | Number of options | Number of warrants | Exercise price per share | Latest exercise date |
D. Edmonds | 10,000,000 | - | 1.25p | 11 May 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
P. Taylor | 6,000,000 | - | 1.25p | 30 August 2023 |
P. Taylor | 5,000,000 | - | 1.25p | 3 October 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
M Gasson | 6,000,000 | - | 1.25p | 8 June 2023 |
The total share-based payment expense in the year for the Company was £nil in relation to options (2021: £27k) and £nil in relation to warrants (2021: £8.5k).
17. NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS
| 2022 £'000 | 2021 £'000 |
Settlement of broker commissions | - | 11 |
| - | 11 |
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company's principal financial instruments comprise cash and cash equivalents and other receivables/payables. The Company's accounting policies and method adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis on which income and expenses are recognised in respect of each class of financial assets, financial liability and equity instrument are set out in note 1. The Company does not use financial instruments for speculative purposes.
The principal financial instruments used by the Company, from which financial instrument risk arises, are as follows:
| Group | Parent Company | ||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 |
Financial assets at amortised cost | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
Cash and cash equivalents | 46 | 365 | 46 | 365 |
Prepayments and accrued income | - | 7 | - | 7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities at amortised cost |
|
|
|
|
Trade payables and accruals | 114 | 149 | 114 | 149 |
a) Financial risk management objectives and policies
The Company's major financial instruments include bank balances and amounts payable to suppliers. The risks associated with these financial instruments and the policies on how to mitigate these risks are set out below. The Directors manage and monitor these exposures to ensure appropriate measures are implemented on a timely and effective manner.
b) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk arises from the Company's management of working capital.
The Company regularly reviews its major funding positions to ensure that it has adequate financial resources in meeting its financial obligations. The Directors have considered the liquidity risk as part of their going concern assessment (see note 1). Controls over expenditure are carefully managed in order to maintain its cash reserves whilst it targets a suitable transaction. Financial liabilities are all due within one year.
c) Credit risk
The Company's credit risk is wholly attributable to its cash balance. The credit risk from its cash and cash equivalents is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings and have not experienced any losses in such accounts.
d) Interest risk
The Company's exposure to interest rate risk is the interest received on the cash held, which is immaterial.
e) Capital risk management
The Company's objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company'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. The Company has no borrowings. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, or issue new shares.
f) Fair value of financial assets and liabilities
There are no material differences between the fair value of the Company's financial assets and liabilities and their carrying values in the financial information.
19. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
On 1 February 2023, the Company announced the issue and allotment of 100,000,000 new ordinary shares of 0.1 pence per share to raise £0.5m before expenses.
On 28 April 2023, the expiry date and exercise price of share options which were granted to certain Directors and an employee were amended as set out below. The revised exercise price represents a premium of approximately 50 percent to the closing share price on 27 April 2023.
Name | Position | No. Options | Original Exercise Price | Date of Grant | Original Expiry Date | Revised Exercise Price | Revised Expiry Date |
Dennis Edmonds | Director | 10,000,000 | £0.0125 | 11/05/2020 | 11/05/2023 | £0.0075 | 30/06/2025 |
| | | | | | | |
Peter Taylor | Director | 6,000,000 | £0.0125 | 04/08/2020 | 30/08/2023 | £0.0075 | 30/06/2025 |
5,000,000 | £0.0125 | 04/10/2021 | 03/10/2023 | £0.0075 | 30/06/2025 | ||
| | | | | | | |
Mark Gasson | Director | 6,000,000 | £0.0125 | 09/06/2021 | 08/06/2023 | £0.0075 | 30/06/2025 |
| | | | | | | |
Employee | Employee | 3,000,000 | £0.0125 | 23/06/2021 | 22/06/2023 | £0.0075 | 30/06/2025 |
On 11 May 2023, shareholders voted to approve the disposal of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, IM Minerals Limited as explained further, in the Chairman's Statement on page 2.
20. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY
The directors believe there is no ultimate controlling party.
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