CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Significant non-cash transactions in respect of share issues are disclosed within note 11.

The notes that follow are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

1.    General information

Emmerson PLC (the "Company") is a company incorporated and domiciled in the Isle of Man, whose shares were admitted to the Standard Listing segment of the Main market of the London Stock Exchange on 15 February 2017. On 27 April 2021, the Ordinary Shares of the Company were admitted to trading on AIM and the listing of the Company's ordinary shares on the Official List and their trading on the Main Market were cancelled.

The principal activity of the Group is the exploration, development and exploitation of the Khemisset potash project in Morocco.

2.    Basis of preparation

2.1.  General

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"), as adopted by the United Kingdom (UK) in force at the reporting date, and their interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments that are measured at fair value.

2.2.  Functional and presentational currency

The financial information of the Group is presented in US dollars. The functional currency of the Company Emmerson PLC changed on 1 January 2022 from GBP to US$ reflecting the stage in development of activities whereby the cost base of the Group changed from GBP to US$. The effect of a change in functional currency is accounted for prospectively. All items were translated into the new functional currency using the exchange rate at the date of the change.

The individual financial statements of each of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries are prepared in the currency of the primary economic environment in which they operate (functional currency).

2.3.  Change in Presentation Currency

The Group presented its results in US dollars for the first time for the year to 31 December 2021 having previously reported in GBP. This change should help to provide a clearer understanding of the Group's financial position as the future corporate development activity is likely to be US focused.

In order to satisfy the requirements of IAS 21 with respect to a change in presentation currency, the statutory financial information as previously reported in the Group's Annual Reports have been restated from UK Sterling into US Dollars using the procedures outlined below:

·      Assets and liabilities were translated to US Dollars at the closing rates of exchange at each respective balance sheet date.

·      Share capital, share premium and other reserves were translated at the historic rates prevailing at the dates of transactions.

·      Income and expenses were translated to US Dollars at an average rate at each of the respective reporting years. This has been deemed to be a reasonable approximation.

·      Differences resulting from the retranslation were taken to reserves.

·      All exchange rates used were extracted from the Group's underlying financial records.

2.4.  Basis of consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements comprise the financial statements of the Company, Moroccan Salts Limited and Moroccan Salts Limited's subsidiaries (the "MSL Group") following the business combination which took place on 4 June 2018.

Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date of acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtains control. Control is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee.

Generally, there is a presumption that a majority of voting rights result in control. To support this presumption and when the Group has less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of an investee, the Group considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including:

·    The contractual arrangement with the other vote holders of the investee;

·    Rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and

·    The Group's voting rights and potential voting rights

The Group re-assesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases. Assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the period are included in the Group Financial Statements from the date the Group gains control until the date the Group ceases to control the subsidiary.

All intra-group balances, transactions, income and expenses and profits and losses resulting from intra-group transactions that are recognised in assets, are eliminated in full.

All the Group's companies have 31 December as their year-end. Consolidated financial statements are prepared using uniform accounting policies for like transactions.

2.5.  Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Group has not yet earned revenues and is in the pre-construction phase of its business. The operations of the Group are currently financed from funds raised from shareholders and strategic investors. In common with many pre-production entities, the Group will need to raise further funds in order to progress the Group from the feasibility phase into construction and eventually into production of revenues.

The Group had cash and cash equivalents of US$5.0 million at 31 March 2023 and the Directors are of the view this is sufficient to fund the Group's non-discretionary expenditure and maintain good title to the exploration licences over the next 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. The Company will continue to work on advancing the Khemisset project and to commence construction as soon as practicable, however the timing of these activities will be dependent on availability of funds.

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

2.6.  Changes in accounting policies

Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards effective from 1 January 2022

There were no new standards or interpretations effective and adopted for the first time for the year beginning on or after 1 January 2022 that had a significant effect on the Group's or Company's financial statements. These include:

·    Amendments to IAS 16: Property, Plant and Equipment

·    Amendments to IFRS 3: Business Combinations - Reference to the Conceptual Framework

·    Amendments to IAS 37: Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets

·    Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020 Cycle

Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards not yet effective

The Group has not early applied the following new and amendments to IFRSs that have been issued but are not yet effective:

·    IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts - effective 1 January 2023

·    Disclosure of Accounting Policies (Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2) - effective 1 January 2023

·    Definition of Accounting Estimate (Amendments to IAS 8) effective 1 January 2023

·    Deferred Tax Related to Assets and Liabilities Arising from a Single Transaction - Amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes - effective 1 January 2023

·    Initial Application of IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 - Comparative Information (Amendments to IFRS 17) - effective 1 January 2023

·    Classification of liabilities as current or non-current (Amendments to IAS 1) - effective 1 January 2024

·    Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback (Amendments to IFRS 16) - effective 1 January 2024

·    Non-current Liabilities with Covenants (Amendments to IAS 1) - effective 1 January 2024

The Directors anticipate that the application of all new and amendments to IFRSs will have no material impact on the future results of the Group or Company in the foreseeable future. 

2.7.  Segment reporting

A business segment is a group of assets and operations engaged in providing products or services that are subject to risks and returns that are different from those of other business segments. A geographical segment is engaged in providing products or services within a particular economic environment that are subject to risks and returns that are different from those of segments operating in other economic environments.

The Directors are of the opinion that the Group is engaged in a single segment of business being the exploration and development of potash in one geographical area, being Morocco.

2.8.  Financial instruments

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another.

(a) Financial assets

Initial recognition and measurement

Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, and subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income ("OCI"), or fair value through profit and loss.

The classification of financial assets at initial recognition that are debt instruments depends on the financial asset's contractual cash flow characteristics and the Group's business model for managing them. The Group initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs.

In order for a financial asset to be classified and measured at amortised cost or fair value through OCI, it needs to give rise to cash flows that are 'solely payments of principal and interest ("SPPI")' on the principal amount outstanding. This assessment is referred to as the SPPI test and is performed at an instrument level.

The Group's business model for managing financial assets refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate cash flows. The business model determines whether cash flows will result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the financial assets, or both.

Subsequent measurement

For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified in four categories:

·    Financial assets at amortised cost (debt instruments)

·    Financial assets at fair value through OCI with recycling of cumulative gains and losses (debt instruments)

·    Financial assets designated at fair value through OCI with no recycling of cumulative gains and losses upon derecognition (equity instruments)

·    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets at amortised cost (debt instruments)

This category is the most relevant to the Group. The Group measures financial assets at amortised cost if both of the following conditions are met:

·    The financial asset is held within a business model with the objective to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows; and

·    The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest rate ("EIR") method and are subject to impairment. Interest received is recognised as part of finance income in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired. The Group's financial assets at amortised cost include trade receivables (not subject to provisional pricing) and other receivables.

Derecognition

A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily derecognised (i.e., removed from the Group's consolidated statement of financial position) when:

·    The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired; or

·    The Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a 'pass-through' arrangement; and either (a) the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) the Group has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.

Impairment of financial assets

The Group recognises an allowance for expected credit losses ("ECLs") for all debt instruments not held at fair value through the profit and loss. For trade receivables (not subject to provisional pricing) and other receivables due in less than 12 months, the Group applies the simplified approach in calculating ECLs, as permitted by IFRS 9. Therefore, the Group does not track changes in credit risk, but instead, recognises a loss allowance based on the financial asset's lifetime ECL at each reporting date.

The Group considers a financial asset in default when contractual payments are 90 days past due. However, in certain cases, the Group may also consider a financial asset to be in default when internal or external information indicates that the Group is unlikely to receive the outstanding contractual amounts in full before taking into account any credit enhancements held by the Group.

A financial asset is written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovering the contractual cash flows and usually occurs when past due for more than one year and not subject to enforcement activity. At each reporting date, the Group assesses whether financial assets carried at amortised cost are credit-impaired. A financial asset is credit-impaired when one or more events that have a detrimental impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset have occurred.

 (b) Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, loans and borrowings, payables, or as derivatives designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate. All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs. The Group's financial liabilities include trade and other payables and loans.

Subsequent measurement

The measurement of financial liabilities depends on their classification, as described below:

·      Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss. Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are incurred for the purpose of repurchasing in the near term. This category also includes derivative financial instruments entered into by the Group that are not designated as hedging instruments in hedge relationships as defined by IFRS 9. Separated embedded derivatives are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments. Gains or losses on liabilities held for trading are recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.

·      Loans and borrowings and trade and other payables

After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings and trade and other payables are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the EIR method. Gains and losses are recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income when the liabilities are derecognised, as well as through the EIR amortisation process.

Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included as finance costs in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. This category generally applies to trade and other payables.

Derecognition

A financial liability is derecognised when the associated obligation is discharged or cancelled or expires.

When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in profit or loss and other comprehensive income.

(c) Financial liabilities

Liabilities within the scope of IFRS 9 are classified as financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss or other liabilities, as appropriate.

A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires.

Financial liabilities included in trade and other payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost.

2.9.  Taxation

Current taxes are based on the results shown in the financial statements and are calculated according to local tax rules, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements, determined using tax rates that are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset or liability is realised or settled. Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

2.10.      Intangible assets - exploration and evaluation expenditure

Exploration expenditure comprises all costs which are directly attributable to the exploration of a project area. 

When it has been established that a mineral deposit has development potential, all costs (direct and applicable overheads) incurred in connection with the exploration and development of the mineral deposits are capitalised until either production commences, or the project is not considered economically viable.

In the event of production commencing, capitalised costs in respect of the asset are transferred into Tangible Fixed Assets, and are depreciated over the expected life of the mineral reserves on a unit of production basis. Other pre-trading expenses are written off as incurred.  For the purposes of impairment testing, intangible assets are allocated to specific projects with each licence reviewed annually. Where a project is abandoned or is considered to be of no further interest, the related costs are written off.

Intangible assets are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. The recoverability of all exploration costs, licenses and mineral resources is dependent on the ability of the Group to obtain necessary financing to complete the development of reserves and future profitable production, or proceeds from the disposition thereof.

2.11.      Cash and cash equivalents

For the purpose of presentation in the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand and deposits held at call with financial institutions.

2.12.      Foreign currencies

Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into US$ 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 the transaction.  Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating result.

On consolidation of a foreign operation, assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate at the date of the Statement of Financial Position, with the exception of Intangible Assets, which have been translated at cost using the average exchange rate.  Income and expenses for each Statement of Comprehensive Income presented are translated at average exchange rates.  All resulting exchange differences are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity.

2.13.      Share-based payment arrangements

The Group operates equity-settled, share-based compensation plans, under which the entity receives services from employees as consideration for equity instruments (options) of the Group. The fair value of employee services received in exchange for the grant of share options are recognised as an expense. The total expense to be apportioned over the vesting period is determined by reference to the fair value of the options granted:

·       including any market performance conditions;

·       excluding the impact of any service and non-market performance vesting conditions; and

·       including the impact of any non-vesting conditions.

Non-market performance and service conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are expected to vest. The total expense is recognised over the vesting period, which is the period over which all of the specified vesting conditions are to be satisfied. At the end of each reporting period the Group revises its estimate of the number of options that are expected to vest.

The Group recognises the impact of the revision of original estimates, if any, in profit or loss, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

When options are exercised, the Company issues new shares. The proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction costs are credited to share capital (nominal value) and share premium.

The fair value of goods or services received in exchange for shares is recognised as an expense and included within administrative expenses.

2.14.      Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates.  It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies.  The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements, are disclosed below:

a)            Recoverability of intangible assets

The Group tests annually for impairment or more frequently if there are indications that the intangible assets might be impaired.

Determining whether the intangible assets are impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash generating units to which the intangible assets belong.  Where impairment indicators are present, the Group is required to evaluate the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit and the suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value.

The carrying value of Group's exploration and evaluation intangible assets at 31 December 2022 was US$18.6 million (2021: US$13.6 million), which relates to the Khemisset project.

The Directors therefore undertook an assessment of the following areas and circumstances that could indicate the existence of impairment:

·    The Group's right to explore in an area has expired, or will expire in the near future without renewal;

·    No further exploration or evaluation is planned or budgeted for;

·    A decision has been taken by the Board to discontinue exploration and evaluation in an area due to the absence of a commercial level of reserves; or

·    Sufficient data exists to indicate that the book value will not be fully recovered from future development and production.

The Board has reviewed the project for indicators of impairment, and is satisfied that the prospects of deriving economic value are likely to be considerably in excess of the carrying value of the asset in the accounts.

In arriving at this conclusion, the Directors considered the ongoing commitment to the project, the economic metrics of the project as set out in the 2020 Feasibility Study, and the increase in potash prices over the last 12 months.

Following their assessment, the Directors concluded that no impairment charge was necessary for the year ended 31 December 2022.

b)            Share-based payments

The Group has made awards of options on its unissued share capital to certain Directors and employees as part of their remuneration package.

The valuation of these options involved making a number of critical estimates relating to price volatility, future dividend yields, expected life of the options and interest rates.  These assumptions are described in more detail in note 12.

There was a charge to the Statement of Comprehensive Income during the year in relation to share based payments of US$256k (2021: US$33k).

c)            Valuation of warrants

The Group issued 50 million warrants to investors in the year. The fair value assigned to the warrants involved making a number of critical estimates relating to price volatility, future dividend yields and interest rates. The valuation of the warrants was US$283k. These assumptions are described in more detail in note 12.

d)            Going concern

In their assessment of going concern, the Directors have prepared cash flow forecast showing the Group's non-discretionary expenditure obligations, as well as discretionary activities. The discretionary activities relate largely to the project work at Khemisset, which are either uncommitted in nature, or are the subject of contracts which include clauses allowing the Company to suspend activities without penalty.

The Group has sufficient cash reserves to cover non-discretionary expenditure beyond the Going Concern horizon of at least 12 months from the date of this report, and accordingly the Board believe the Going Concern basis to be appropriate for the preparation of the 2022 Financial Statements.

3.    Expenses by nature

4.    Directors' remuneration

Details of Directors' remuneration during the year are as follows:

Graham Clarke, Hayden Locke and Robert Wrixon also received fees for consultancy services which are disclosed within note 14.  In addition, certain Directors received share options and shares as part of their remuneration (see note 12).

5.    Income tax

Reconciliation of income tax                                                                                                                     

The weighted average applicable tax rate was 16.6% (2021: 16.7%). Emmerson PLC is registered for taxation in the United Kingdom, where the corporation tax rate was 19%.  Morocco has a 20% tax rate applicable to mining companies, including Emmerson's Moroccan subsidiaries, while the British Virgin Islands have a tax rate of 0%.

A deferred tax asset has not been recognised in respect of deductible temporary differences relating to certain losses carried forward at the year end, as there is insufficient evidence that taxable profits will be available in the foreseeable future against which the deductible temporary difference can be utilised.

The unrecognised deferred tax asset for the Group was approximately US$1,806k (2021: US$1,456k). The unrecognised deferred tax asset relating to Moroccan tax losses amounted to approximately US$109k (2021: US$144k).

6.    Earnings per share

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data:

The potential number of shares which could be issued following the exercise of options and warrants currently outstanding amounts to 230,804,714 (see note 12). Dilutive earnings per share equals basic earnings per share as, due to the losses incurred, there is no dilutive effect from the existing share options and warrants.

7.    Intangible assets

The intangible assets consist of capitalised exploration and evaluation expenditure in respect of the Company's potash interests in Morocco (the Khemisset project).

Intangible assets are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment. See note 2.14 detailing the Company's judgement in this area.

8.    Trade and other receivables

Other receivables include recoverable VAT and other taxes.

9.    Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the business if longer). If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value, and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Other payables consist of supplier invoices for administration expenses. Included within Accruals are engineering costs of US$65k and bonus accruals of US$43k.

10.  Financial instruments

Categories of financial instruments

Financial risk management objectives and policies

The Company is exposed through its operations to credit risk and liquidity risk. In common with all other businesses, the Company is exposed to risks that arise from its use of financial instruments. This note describes the Company's objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks and the methods used to measure them. Further quantitative information in respect of these risks is presented throughout this financial information.

General objectives, policies and processes

The Directors have overall responsibility for the determination of the Company's risk management objectives and policies. Further details regarding these policies are set out below:

Capital 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 issued capital, reserves and retained earnings. The Directors reviews the capital structure on a semi-annual basis. As a part of this review, the Directors consider the cost of capital, the risks associated with each class of capital and overall capital structure risk management through the new share issues and share buy-backs as well as the issue of new debt or the redemption of existing debt.

The management's strategy remained unchanged from 2021. 

Market price risk

The development and success of any project of the Group will be primarily dependent on the future price of potash. Potash prices are subject to significant fluctuation and are affected by a number of factors which are beyond the control of the Company. Future production from the Khemisset Project is dependent on potash prices that are adequate to make the project economic. Potash prices were volatile during 2022, although by 2023 had returned closer to longer term expected levels at US$400-500 per tonne MOP.

Credit risk

The Company's credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents with banks and financial institutions. For banks and financial institutions, only independently rated parties with minimum rating "A" are accepted.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk arises from the Directors' management of working capital. It is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting its financial obligations as they fall due.

The Directors' policy is to ensure that the Company will always have sufficient cash to allow it to meet its liabilities when they become due. To achieve this aim, the Directors seek to maintain a cash balance sufficient to meet expected requirements.

The Directors have prepared cash flow projections on a monthly basis through to 31 December 2024. At the end of the period under review, these projections indicated that the Group is expected to have sufficient liquid resources to continue in operational existence and meet its obligations under all reasonably expected circumstances.

Foreign exchange risk

The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognised monetary assets and liabilities and net investments in foreign operations. The consolidated accounts use US$ as a presentational currency, and from 1 January 2022, Emmerson PLC (the parent company) determined that US$ was the appropriate functional. The Group's Moroccan entities use MAD as their functional currency.

Net current assets denominated in MAD at the year-end amounted to US$1.1 million and net liability of US$0.44 million respectively.

At 31 December 2022, had the exchange rate between the US$ and MAD increased or decreased by 5% with all other variables held constant, the increase or decrease respectively in net assets would amount to approximately US$0.03k.

The Group does not hedge against foreign exchange movements.

11.  Share capital

The Ordinary Shares issued by the Company have no par value and are  fully paid. Each Ordinary Share carries one vote on a poll vote. The Company does not have a limited amount of authorised capital.

12.  Share-based payments

The following is a summary of the share options and warrants outstanding as at 31 December 2022:

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options and warrants at year-end was 1.73 years.

The options and warrants issued were valued using the Black-Scholes valuation method and the assumptions used are detailed above.  The expected future volatility has been determined by reference to the historical volatility.

The Group operates equity-settled, share-based compensation plans, under which the entity receives services from Directors and employees as consideration for equity instruments (options) of the Group.

During 2022, James Kelly and Rupert Joy received 218,406 and 66,371 shares respectively at a VWAP of 7.1 pence (total value US$25k) as part of their contractual remuneration.

The total share-based payment recognised in the Statement of Changes in Equity during the year was a US$256k (2021: US$33k), in respect of the fair value of employee share options. The 2021 figure included credits of US$14k in respect of cancelled and unvested share options in the year.

There were 53,763,000 (2021: 65,763,000) options at the year-end held by current Directors and employees at year end.  Vesting of the options is subject to the option holder providing continuous service during the vesting period and there are no other performance conditions attached to the options.

13.  Future rental payments

The commitments arising from operating leases are largely rental payments for buildings. The future minimum lease payments (payables) under non-cancellable operating leases are:

14.  Related party transactions

Directors' consultancy fees

Hayden Locke is a Director of the Company and is a Director of Benson Capital Limited, which provides consulting services to the Company. During the year, Benson Capital Limited received total fees of US$95k (2021: US$244k). The amount outstanding as at the year-end is US$9K (2021: US$ nil).

Robert Wrixon is a Director of the Company and also provides consulting services to the Company. During the year, Robert Wrixon received fees of US$71K (2021: US$116k). The amount outstanding as at the year-end is US$ nil (2021: US$ nil).

Graham Clarke is a Director of the Company and is a Director of GCUK Consulting Limited, which provided consulting services to the Company to the value of US$99k during 2021.

Details of Directors' remuneration during the year are given in note 4.

There are no other related party transactions.

15.  Ultimate controlling party

The Directors consider that there is no controlling or ultimate controlling party of the Company.

16.  Events after the reporting date

There were no material events that took place after the reporting date.