RNS Number : 2771G
Premier African Minerals Limited
30 September 2024
 

30 September 2024

 

Premier African Minerals Limited
('Premier' or 'the Company')

 

Unaudited Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2024

 

Chief Executive Statement

 

Dear Shareholders,

 

I am loath to predict a formal date for profitable production at Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project ("Zulu") following the disappointments related to the poor recoveries and grade of SC6 the plant has achieved to date. Despite this, there are important positives to come out of the work undertaken during 2024. These include the facts that we are consistently able to produce at grade and at target recoveries in both our site laboratory and in other independent test work. This includes test floats for spodumene conducted in Zimbabwe at other plants using more conventional float cell design.

 

Unfortunately, the poor design of the comminution circuit prevented Zulu from commencement of commissioning of the float plant section until the comminution issues had been dealt with. In effect, Zulu was only able to undertake commissioning of the float plant from March 2024, a year later than was expected. At this time, the mica recovery section of the float plant is fully operational however the spodumene section not so. The Original Equipment Manufacturer ("OEM") for the float plant has now provided different parameters for the operation of the spodumene section and has identified the significant difference between laboratory test work and plant operating protocols that see a substantially reduced residence time in laboratory work as opposed to the operation of the cleaner cells in the plant.

 

Premier is now following a multi option approach on how best to move the Zulu forward, which includes a possible sale of Zulu, either in its entirety, partially or as a joint venture, or the potential installation of an additional spodumene float plant based on self-funding and retention of ownership. The Company has been in discussions with a Chinese Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management ("EPCM Contractor"), which has built floatation plants internationally with one of these plants currently in operation within Zimbabwe and which has processed ore similar to that at Zulu. An additional floatation plant is available, and Premier would need to fund the purchase price and civils and integration costs that are estimated at US$400,000 and three months from date of order to operation.

 

In terms of funding, Zulu has incurred significant debt and whilst much of this could be structured over a period, a recommencement of operations will require further funding. In the Board's opinion, recommencing production should be seriously considered if the alternative strategic options for Zulu under investigation and negotiation fail.

 

Also at Group level, we have significant creditors which need to be dealt with now and therefore we plan to utilise the remainder of our existing disapplication authorities to deal with these immediate requirements to provide us with a breathing space to progress the strategic options outlined above. In addition, to meet our longer-term requirements and settle creditors at Zulu, the Company will need additional funding and therefore we are proposing to seek additional disapplication authorities at a General Meeting to be convened shortly. Whilst disapplication will be sought, it should be clear that these authorities will only be used to the extent necessary pending the outcome of the strategic alternatives.

 

The first six months activity of 2024 (the "Period") has been extensively reported as post financial year end events in our annual financial statements that were released just a few months ago.

 

Our interim financial statements for the period to 30 June 2024 are set out below.

 

Financial and Statutory Information

 

The Group incurred an operating loss of US$12.027 million for the six months ended 30 June 2024. The loss was principally due to the on-going overheads and administration costs associated with the construction, installation and optimisation of the Zulu Lithium mine in Zimbabwe. Cash at hand on 30 June 2024 was $0.243 million.

 

Premier received continued financial support from its shareholders throughout the period.

 

These interim statements to 30 June 2024 have not been reviewed by the auditors.

 

Mr. George Roach
Chief Executive Officer
30 September 2024

 

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 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The person who arranged the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was George Roach.

 

For further information please visit www.premierafricanminerals.com or contact the following:

 

George Roach

Premier African Minerals Limited

Tel: +27 (0) 100 201 281

Michael Cornish / Roland Cornish

Beaumont Cornish Limited

(Nominated Adviser)

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7628 3396

Douglas Crippen

CMC Markets UK Plc

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3003 8632

Toby Gibbs/Rachel Goldstein

Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7408 4090

 

Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont Cornish") is the Company's Nominated Adviser and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish's responsibilities as the Company's Nominated Adviser, including a responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and will not be responsible to any other persons for providing protections afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to the proposed arrangements described in this announcement or any matter referred to in it.

 

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "believe", "could", "should", "envisage", "estimate", "intend", "may", "plan", "will" or the negative of those, variations, or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital, and other expenditures (including the amount, nature, and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and underinsured losses, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward looking statements.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS

 



 Six months to

 Six months to

2023

EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS

 

 30 June 2024

 30 June 2023

 (Audited)

 

Notes

 $ 000

 $ 000

 $ 000

ASSETS

 




Non-current assets

 




Intangible assets

4

4,686

5,031

4,686

Investments

5

501

501

501

Property, plant and equipment

6

55,194

43,390

53,234

Loans receivable

7

275

243

232



60,656

49,165

58,653

Current assets

 




Inventories


775

1,039

936

Trade and other receivables


5,998

728

5,001

Cash and cash equivalents


243

231

542



7,016

1,998

6,479

TOTAL ASSETS

 

67,672

51,163

65,132






LIABILITIES

 




Non-current liabilities

 




Provisions - rehabilitation


360

362

360



360

362

360

Current liabilities

 




Trade and other payables


54,651

38,152

50,063

Borrowings

8

180

196

180



54,831

38,348

50,243

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

55,191

38,710

50,603






NET ASSETS

 

12,481

12,453

14,529






EQUITY

 




Share capital

9

104,550

78,984

94,000

Share based payment and warrant reserve


3,532

3,708

3,532

Revaluation reserve


711

711

711

Foreign currency translation reserve


(13,150)

(13,288)

(13,150)

Accumulated loss


(63,713)

(40,041)

(51,902)

Total equity attributed to the owners of the parent company


31,930

30,074

33,191

Non-controlling interest


(13,371)

(12,942)

(13,155)






TOTAL EQUITY

 

18,559

17,132

20,036

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS

 





31 December

 


 Six months to

 Six months to

2023

Continuing operations

Notes

 30 June 2024

 30 June 2023

 (Audited)

EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS

 

 $ 000

 $ 000

 $ 000

 





Revenue


-

-

-

Cost of sales excluding depreciation and amortisation expense


(7,747)

-

(3,805)

Gross profit / (loss)

 

(7,747)

-

(3,805)






Administrative expenses


(1,738)

(7,166)

(10,645)

Operating profit / (loss)

 

(9,485)

(7,166)

(14,450)






Depreciation and amortisation

6

(70)

(141)

(371)

Other Income

9

-

(11)

137

Finance charges


(2,472)

(231)

(5,818)

Impairment of investments


-

-

(311)



(2,542)

(383)

(6,363)






Profit / (Loss) before income tax

 

(12,027)

(7,549)

(20,813)

Income tax expense

10

-

-

-

Profit / (Loss) from continuing operations

 

(12,027)

(7,549)

(20,813)






Profit / (Loss) for the year

 

(12,027)

(7,549)

(20,813)

Other comprehensive income:

 




Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:





Foreign exchange loss on translation


-

(141)

-

Fair Value adjustment on investments


-

-

(499)



-

(141)

(499)

Total comprehensive income for the year

 

(12,027)

(7,690)

(21,312)






Loss attributable to:

 




Owners of the Company


(11,811)

(7,328)

(19,876)

Non-controlling interests


(216)

(221)

(438)



(12,027)

(7,549)

(20,314)






Total comprehensive income attributable to:

 




Owners of the Company


(11,811)

(7,465)

(20,874)

Non-controlling interests


(216)

(225)

(438)






Total comprehensive income for the year

 

(12,027)

(7,690)

(21,312)






Loss per share attributable to owners of the parent (expressed in US cents)

 

Basic loss per share

11

(0.043)

(0.032)

(0.084)

Diluted loss per share

11

(0.043)

(0.032)

(0.084)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS

 

 


Share capital

Share option and warrant reserve

Revaluation reserve

Foreign currency translation reserve

Retained earnings

Total attributable to owners of parent

Non-controlling interest("NCI")

Total equity

 

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

At 1 January 2023

70,951

3,708

711

(13,150)

(32,713)

29,507

(12,717)

16,790

Loss for the period

(7,328)

(7,328)

(221)

(7,549)

Other comprehensive income for the period

(138)

(138)

(4)

(142)

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

-

(138)

(7,328)

(7,466)

(225)

(7,691)

Transactions with Owners

 








Issue of equity shares

3,770

3,770

3,770

Share issue costs

(416)

(416)

(416)

At 30 June 2023

74,305

3,708

711

(13,288)

(40,041)

25,395

(12,942)

12,453

Loss for the period

(13,047)

(13,047)

(217)

(13,264)

Other comprehensive income for the period

138

(499)

(361)

4

(357)

Total comprehensive income for the period

138

(13,546)

(13,408)

(213)

(13,621)

Transactions with Owners

 








Issue of equity shares

15,016

15,016

15,016

Share issue costs

(828)

(828)

(828)

Share options expired

(1,685)

1,685

Share based payments

1,509

1,509

1,509

At 31 December 2023

88,493

3,532

711

(13,150)

(51,902)

27,684

(13,155)

14,529

Profit / (Loss) for the period

(11,811)

(11,811)

(216)

(12,027)

Other comprehensive income for the period

Total comprehensive income for the period

-

-

-

-

(11,811)

(11,811)

(216)

(12,027)

Transactions with Owners

 








Issue of equity shares

10,550

10,550

10,550

Share issue costs

(572)

(572)

(572)

At 30 June 2024

98,471

3,532

711

(13,150)

(63,713)

25,851

(13,371)

12,480

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS

 

 




31 December

 

 Six months to

 Six months to

2023

 

 30 June 2024

 30 June 2023

 (Audited)

 

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

 




Net cash outflow from operating activities

(8,203)

(936)

(8,030)





Investing activities

 







Acquisition of property plant and equipment

(2,031)

(11,295)

(17,608)

Expenditure on intangible assets

-

(292)

(446)

Loans advanced

(43)

(243)

(543)





Net cash used in investing activities

(2,074)

(11,830)

(18,597)





Financing activities

 



Proceeds from borrowings granted

-

16

-

Net proceeds from issue of share capital

9,978

3,354

17,542





Net cash from financing activities

9,978

3,370

17,542





Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(299)

(9,396)

(9,085)





Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

542

9,627

9,627

Net cash and cash equivalents at end of year

243

231

542

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.    GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Premier African Minerals Limited ("Premier" or "the Company"), together with its subsidiaries (the "Group"), was incorporated and domiciled in the Territory of the British Virgin Islands under the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004. The address of the registered office is Craigmuir Chambers, PO Box 71, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Premier's shares were admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market on 10 December 2012.

 

The Group's operations and principal activities are the mining, development and exploration of mineral reserves, primarily on the African continent. The presentational currency of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements is US Dollars ("$").

 

2.    BASIS OF PREPARATION

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2024 were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 30 September 2024.

 

These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement principles of the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as endorsed by the UK. 

 

The accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated interim financial statements are consistent with the accounting policies applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

 

The figures for the six months ended 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2024 are unaudited and do not constitute full accounts. The comparative figures for the year ended 31 December 2023 are extracts from the 2023 audited accounts. The independent auditor's report on the 2023 accounts was unqualified.

 

Going Concern

 

These consolidated financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis. The going concern basis assumes that the Group will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.

 

The Directors have prepared cash flow forecasts for the next 12 months, taking into account working capital, limited revenue from Zulu and expenditure forecasts for the rest of the Group including reduced overheads and very limited exploration costs.

 

At the reporting date of 30 June 2024, the Group's total assets exceeded the total liabilities by $12.481 million and its current liabilities exceeded its current assets by $47.815 million. The major component of the current liability excess is the $42.8 million received from the Group's offtake partner as an advance receipt. This advance receipt will be settled from proceeds from the sale of SC6 to the offtake partner from production at Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project ("Zulu") or alternatively through the issue of shares into Zulu based on market valuation of US$200 million if not repaid by 1 April 2025.

 

The forecast that forms the basis of the Going Concern has been made on the following key assumptions:

 

·   The calling of a Special General Meeting to increase the number of shares free from pre-emptive rights to ensure, based on the prevailing share price the day before the notice of meeting, that Premier has access to up to US$5 million;

·    Payment terms with certain creditors at the Zulu project; and

·    Implementing one of the following key options regarding the Zulu project, collectively herein referred to as the "Investments":

 

Ø The possible sale of Zulu in its entirety,

Ø Secure an investment partner into Zulu via a partial sale;

Ø Enter into a Joint Venture; or

Ø The installation of the additional spodumene float plant based on self-funding and retention of ownership.

 

The Board continues to believe that it has a valuable asset in Zulu, with an estimated fair value in accordance with the prepayment and offtake agreement is US$200 million.

 

In the event that none of the Investments conclude or Premier doesn't receive the required support from shareholders at the proposed Special General Meeting and if the Company is unable to obtain additional finance for the Group's working capital and capital expenditure requirements, a material uncertainty may exist which could cast significant doubt on the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern and therefore be unable to realise its assets and settle its liabilities in the normal course of business.

 

3.    SEGMENTAL REPORTING

 

Segmental information is presented in respect of the information reported to the Directors. The segmental information reports the revenue generating segments of RHA Tungsten Private Limited ("RHA"), that operates the RHA Tungsten Mine, and Zulu Lithium Private Limited ("Zulu"). The RHA segment derives income primarily from the production and sale of wolframite concentrate. All other segments are primarily focused on exploration and on administrative and financing segments. Segmental results, assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis.

 

As at the reporting date, the company has significant holdings in Zimbabwe. As indicated in the audited annual financial statements, the Zimbabwean government mandated that with effect of 1 March 2019 the only functional currency is the RTGS Dollar. Since the introduction of RTGS Dollars the Zimbabwean inflation rate has gone into hyperinflationary percentages. Hyperinflationary accounting requires a restatement of the local currency assets and liabilities to reflect the effect of the hyperinflation before translating the local currency to the reporting currency. Refer to the audited annual financial statements of 31 December 2023 for more detailed information.

 

By operating segment

Unallocated Corporate

RHA Tungsten Mine Zimbabwe and RHA Mauritius*

Exploration Zulu Lithium Zimbabwe and Zulu Mauritius

Total continued operations

June 2024

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

 





Result

 




Revenue

-

-

-

-

Operating loss / (income)

396

28

9,130

9,554

Other income

-

-

-

-

Finance charges

2,469

-

3

2,472

Impairment of investments and
loans receivable

-

-

-

-

Loss before taxation

2,866

28

9,132

12,026

Assets

 




Exploration and evaluation assets

123

-

4,563

4,686

Investments

501

-

-

501

Property, plant and equipment

68

-

55,126

55,194

Loans receivable

275

-

-

275

Inventories

-

-

775

775

Trade and other receivables

3,607

9

2,080

5,696

Cash

141

15

87

243

Total assets

4,715

24

62,631

67,370

Liabilities

 




Other financial liabilities

-

-

-

-

Borrowings

(180)

-

-

(180)

Trade and other payables

(50,326)

(4)

(4,321)

(54,651)

Provisions

-

(360)

-

(360)

Total liabilities

(50,506)

(364)

(4,321)

(55,191)

Net assets

(45,791)

(340)

58,310

12,179






Other information

 




Depreciation and amortisation

10

-

60

70

Property plant and equipment additions

-

-

2,030

2,030

Costs capitalised to intangible assets

-

-

-

-

 

By operating segment

Unallocated Corporate

RHA Tungsten Mine Zimbabwe and RHA Mauritius*

Exploration Zulu Lithium Zimbabwe and Zulu Mauritius

Total continuing operations

June 2023

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

 





Result





Revenue

-

-

6

-

Other income

-

-

5

5

Finance charges

232

-

-

232

Impairment of investments and
loans receivable

-

-

-

-

Loss before taxation

1,575

46

6,066

7,687

Assets

 




Exploration and evaluation assets

468

-

4,563

5,031

Investments

501

-

-

501

Property, plant and equipment

84

-

43,306

43,390

Loans receivable

243

-

-

243

Inventories

-

-

1,039

1,039

Trade and other receivables

4

5

719

728

Cash

137

6

88

231

Total assets

1,437

11

49,715

51,163

Liabilities

 




Other financial liabilities

-

-

-

-

Borrowings

(196)

-

-

(196)

Trade and other payables

(37,729)

(7)

(416)

(38,152)

Provisions

-

(362)

-

(362)

Total liabilities

(37,925)

(369)

(416)

(38,710)

Net (liabilities) /assets

(36,488)

(358)

49,299

12,453






Other information

 




Depreciation and amortisation

5

-

136

141

Property plant and equipment additions

70

-

35,981

36,051

Costs capitalised to intangible assets

345

-

-

345

 

Result

 




Revenue

-

-

-

-

Operating loss / (income)

7,118

64

7,640

14,822

Other income

-

-

(137)

(137)

Finance charges

5,818

-

-

5,818

Impairment of investments and
loans receivable

311

-

-

311

Loss before taxation

13,248

64

7,501

20,813

Assets

 




Exploration and evaluation assets

123

-

4,563

4,686

Investments

                    501

                        -  

                        -  

                    501

Property, plant and equipment

77

-

53,157

53,234

Loans receivable

232

-

-

232

Inventories

-

-

936

936

Trade and other receivables

3,647

8

1,346

5,001

Cash

507

23

12

542

Total assets

5,087

31

60,014

65,132

Liabilities

 




Other financial liabilities

-

-

-

-

Borrowings

(180)

-

-

(180)

Trade and other payables

(47,892)

-

(2,171)

(50,063)

Provisions

-

(360)

-

(360)

Total liabilities

(48,072)

(360)

(2,171)

(50,603)

Net assets

(42,985)

(329)

57,843

14,529






Other information

 




Depreciation and amortisation

19

-

352

371

Property plant and equipment additions

35

-

17,573

17,608

Costs capitalised to intangible assets

446

-

-

446

  

* Represents 100% of the results and financial position of RHA whereas the Group owns 49%.

 

4.    INTANGIBLE EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

 



Exploration & Evaluation assets

 Total

 


$ 000

$ 000

 




Opening carrying value 1 January 2023

 

4,739

4,739

Expenditure on Exploration and evaluation


Reversal of Impairment


Closing carrying value 30 June 2023

 

5,031

4,739

Impairment of Exploration and evaluation assets


(499)

(499)

Expenditure on Exploration and evaluation


446

446

Closing carrying value 31 December 2023

 

4,686

4,686

Expenditure on Exploration and evaluation


Closing carrying value 30 June 2024

 

4,686

4,686

 

 5.    INVESTMENTS

 


Vortex Limited

Manganese

Total

 


Namibian

 



Holdings

 


$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

Available-for-sale:

 



Opening carrying value 1 January 2023

501

-

501

Shares acquired

-

-

-

Closing carrying 30 June 2023

501

-

501

Shares acquired

-

-

-

Impairment of investments

-

-

-

Closing carrying 31 December 2023

501

-

501

Shares acquired

-

-

-

Closing carrying 30 June 2024

501

-

501









Reconciliation of movements in investments

 



Opening carrying value 1 January 2023

501

-

501

Acquisition at fair value

-

-

-

Carrying value at 30 June 2023

501

-

501

Acquisition at fair value

-

-

-

Impairment of investments

-

-

-

Carrying value at 31 December 2023 and 30 June 2024

501

-

501

 

Premier's investment in Vortex is classified as FVOCI and as such is required to be measured at fair value at each reporting date. As Vortex is unlisted there are no quoted market prices. The fair value of the Circum shares held by Vortex was derived using the previous issue price and validating it against the most recent placing price on 30 December 2022.

The shares are considered to be level 3 financial assets under the IFRS 13 categorisation of fair value measurements. Premier continues to hold 5 010 333 shares in Vortex currently valued in total at $0.501 million.

Premier's investment in MN Holdings Limited ('MNH') is classified as an FVOCI as such is required to be measured at fair value at the reporting date. As MNH is unlisted there are no quoted market prices. The Fair value of the MNH shares as at 30 June 2024 and 31 December 2023 was based on most recent unaudited financial statements of MNH. These financial statements showed significant operating losses. Accordingly, Premier's investment in MNH has been fully impaired as at 31 December 2022.

 6.    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 


Mine Development

Plant and Equipment

Land and Buildings

Capital Work-in-Progress

Total

 

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

Cost

 





At 1 January 2023

773

3,457

275

34,956

39,461

Foreign Currency Translation effect

8,140

3,711

1,394

13,245

Additions

4,328

6,967

11,295

At 30 June 2023

8,913

11,496

1,669

41,923

64,001

Foreign Currency Translation effect

(491)

4,208

9

3,726

Additions

490

(3,685)

168

9,340

6,313

At 31 December 2023

8,912

12,019

1,846

51,263

74,040

Foreign Currency Translation effect

Additions

22

50

1,959

2,031

At 30 June 2024

8,934

12,069

1,846

53,222

76,071







Accumulated Depreciation and Impairment Losses

 





At 1 January 2023

773

2,677

14

3,464

Foreign Currency Translation effect

8,140

7,577

1,430

17,147

Charge for the year

At 30 June 2023

8,913

10,254

1,444

20,611

Exchange differences

(491)

341

(26)

(176)

Charge for the year

303

68

371

At 31 December 2023

8,422

10,898

1,486

20,806

Foreign Currency Translation effect

Charge for the year

63

8

71

At 30 June 2024

8,422

10,961

1,494

20,877







Net Book Value

 





At 30 June 2023

1,242

225

41,923

43,390

At 31 December 2023

490

1,121

360

51,263

53,234

At 30 June 2024

512

1,108

352

53,222

55,194

 

 7.    LOANS RECEIVABLE

  




31 December

 

 Six months to

 Six months to

2023

 

 30 June 2024

 30 June 2023

 (Audited)

 

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

 




Li3 Lithium Corp

275

232


275

232

 

During six months to 30 June 2024, the Group advanced $0.043 million (2023: $0.311 million) to the Group's joint venture with Li3 Lithium Corp to develop the Licomex claims. The loan value represents the amount due by Li3 Lithium Corp's in excess of their share of the expenses incurred on this project.

 

8.    BORROWINGS

 




31 December

 

 Six months to

 Six months to

2023

 

 30 June 2024

 30 June 2023

 (Audited)

 

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

 




Loan - joint venture partner - Li3 Lithium Corp

16

Loan - Neil Herbert

180

180

180


180

196

180

 




31 December

 

 Six months to

 Six months to

2023

 

 30 June 2024

 30 June 2023

 (Audited)

 

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

 




Reconciliation of movement in borrowings

 



As at 1 January

180

180

180

Investment by joint venture partner - Li3 Lithium Corp

16

Loans received

Accrued interest

Total

180

196

180





Current

180

196

180

Non-current


180

196

180

 

Borrowings comprise loans from a related party and a non-related party.

Neil Herbert, a former director of the Company, made available a loan of US$180,000 to the Company in August 2021. Under the terms of the Director Loan, the loan is both unsecured and will not attract any interest and is repayable in full by the Company on the signing of a new off-take agreement at Otjozondu. The purpose of the Director Loan was to provide funding to Premier to allow an amendment to the Otjozondu Loan while Premier, acting collectively with Otjozondu, looked to secure the best possible off-take funding package.

At 30 June 2024 the off-take funding had not been secured and Mr. Herbert has agreed to the deferment of the repayment of the loan until such off-take agreement has been secured.

Premier entered into a joint venture agreement with Li3 Lithium Corp (Li3) for the purpose of prospecting for additional lithium bearing ore in Zimbabwe. The net investment by Li3 represents the net amount due to Li3 after apportioning all expenses and amounts invested by both Premier and Li3.

9.    SHARE CAPITAL

 

Authorised share capital

 

The total number of voting rights in the Company on the 30 June 2024 was 31,381,688,211.

 

Issued share capital

 



Number of Shares

Value

 


 '000

$ 000

As at 1 January 2023

 

22,418,009

75,214

 




Exercise of options


161,877

688

Shares issued for direct Investment


256,163

3,082

As at 30 June 2023

 

22,836,049

78,984

 




Shares issued for direct Investment


1,106,285

4,848

Shares issued on conversion of loan


36,571

153

Shares issued on conversion of fees


183,500

741

Shares issued under subscription agreement


2,472,050

9,274

As at 31 December 2023

 

26,634,455

94,000

 




Shares issued for direct Investment


1,182,126

3,854

Shares issued for direct Investment


2,581,607

5,391

Shares issued for direct Investment


983,500

1,305





As at 30 June 2024

 

31,381,688

104,550

 

 

Reconciliation to balances as stated in the consolidated statement of financial position

 






 Issued

 Share Issue

 Share Capital

 

 Share Capital

 Costs

 (Net of Costs)

 

 $ '000

 $ '000

 $ '000

 




As at 31 December 2022 - Audited

75,214

(4,263)

70,951

Shares issued

3,770

(416)

3,354

As at 30 June 2023

78,984

(4,679)

74,305

Shares issued

15,016

(828)

14,188

As at 31 December 2023 - Audited

94,000

(5,507)

88,493

Shares issued

10,550

(572)

9,978

As at 30 June 2024

104,550

(6,079)

98,471

  

10.  OTHER INCOME

 




31 December

 

 Six months to

 Six months to

2023

 

 30 June 2024

 30 June 2023

 (Audited)

 

$ 000

$ 000

$ 000

 




(Loss) / Profit on disposal of PPE

(11)

Prescribed debt

137


(11)

137

 

 

11.  TAXATION

 

There is no taxation charge for the period ended 30 June 2024 (30 June 2023 and 31 December 2023: Nil) because the Group is registered in the British Virgin Islands where no corporate taxes or capital gains tax are charged. However, the Group may be liable for taxes in the jurisdictions of the underlying operations.

The Group has incurred tax losses in Zimbabwe; however, a deferred tax asset has not been recognised in the accounts due to the unpredictability of future profit streams. 

The Group operates across different geographical regions and is required to comply with tax legislation in various jurisdictions. The determination of the Group's tax is based on interpretations applied in terms of the respective tax legislations and may be subject to periodic challenges by tax authorities which may give rise to tax exposures.

12.  LOSS PER SHARE

 




31 December

 

 Six months to

 Six months to

2023

 

 30 June 2024

 30 June 2023

 (Audited)

 

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

 





$ '000

$ '000

$ '000

 




Net profit / (loss) attributable to owners of the company ($'000)

(11,811)

(7,328)

(19,876)





Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in calculating



basic earnings per share ('000)

27,524,297

22,836,049

23,538,638





Basic earnings / (loss) per share (US cents)

(0.043)

(0.032)

(0.084)

 

The calculation of loss per share is based on the loss after taxation attributable to the owners of the parent divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during each period.

  

As the Group incurred a loss for the period, there is no dilutive effect from the share options and warrants in issue or the shares issued after the reporting date.

 

13.  EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE

 

Funding

 

In the period 1 July 2024 to 30 September 2024, the Group issued a total of 2,900 million shares. The proceeds raised from these issues were used to settle certain liabilities of the group.

 

ENDS

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