Half-Yearly Report 2016

26 May 2016

 

TERTIARY MINERALS PLC

(the "Company")

 

 

HALF-YEARLY REPORT 2016

 

Tertiary Minerals plc, the AIM-traded company building a strategic position in the fluorspar sector, announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2016.

 

Operational Highlights

MB Fluorspar Project, Nevada, USA:

·      Phase 4 drilling programme completed - 4 holes for a total of 1,553 metres drilled

·      Thick intersections of fluorspar mineralisation encountered in step-out drilling - remains open at depth and along strike

·      Hole 15TMBRC036 located west of the Western Area:

o  89.91m grading 12.02% CaF₂ from 120.40m depth (total of 8 significant fluorspar intersections), including 31.99m grading 16.74% CaF₂ from 150.88m (total of 6 higher grade intersections above 15% CaF₂)

·      Hole 15TMBRC038 located to the north of the Western Area:

o  22.86m grading 11.47% CaF₂ from 74.68m depth

·      Hole 15TMBRC039 located to the north of the Western Area:

o  137.16m grading 11.54% CaF₂ from 53.34m depth (total of 16 significant fluorspar intersections), including 32.00m grading 15.81% CaF₂ from 185.93m (total of 5 higher grade intersections above 15% CaF₂)

·      Ore-grade molybdenum (Mo) encountered in the base of hole 15TMBRC036 provides future exploration target

 

Storuman Fluorspar Project, Sweden:

·      Exploitation (Mining) Permit approved by the Swedish Mining Inspectorate

·      The Exploitation Permit is valid for 25 years from 18 February 2016

·      Two appeals have been lodged against the Exploitation (Mine) Permit:

o  Sami Reindeer Husbandry Community

o  Urbergsgruppen, a Swedish environmental action group who oppose all mining activities throughout Sweden

·      The appeals will be decided by the Swedish Government

 

Financial Results - Summary:

 

·      Operating Loss for the six month period of £219,962 (six months to 31 March 2015: £223,050) comprises:

o  Revenue of £84,568; less

o  Administration costs of £297,169 (which includes non-cash share based payments of £17,188), and

o  Pre-licence and reconnaissance exploration costs totalling £7,361

 

·      Total Group Loss of £300,136 is after charging:

o  Impairment of available for sale investment of £81,142

o  Interest income of £968

 

·      28,986,059 Ordinary Shares were issued during the reporting period as follows:

o  Placing of 28,888,889 shares at 2.25p per share on 6 October 2015 to raise £650,000 before expenses

o  Issue of 97,170 shares to a non-executive director in lieu of fees at a price of 1.4p per share

 

 

 

 

Enquiries   Tertiary Minerals plc Patrick Cheetham, Executive Chairman  Richard Clemmey, Managing Director	+44 (0)1625 838 679
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker Ewan Leggat / Tercel Moore	+44 (0) 20 3470 0470
Beaufort Securities Ltd Joint Broker Elliot Hance	+44 (0)20 7382 8300

 

 

 

Chairman's Statement

 

I am pleased to present our Interim Report for the six month period ended 31 March 2016.

 

A major milestone was reached in this reporting period when, in February this year, the Swedish Mining Inspectorate granted the Exploitation (Mine) Concession for our advanced Storuman Fluorspar Deposit.  The Exploitation Concession secures our rights to the Storuman deposit for the next 25 years and was granted after consideration of numerous stakeholder submissions. All but one of these submissions were supportive of the project. Unfortunately, and despite the Mining Inspectorate having stated that reindeer herding and mining activity can sensibly coexist in the concession area, the local Sami Reindeer Husbandry Community has appealed the Mining Inspectorate's decision to the Government alongside Urbergsgruppen, a Swedish environmental action group which opposes all mining activities in Sweden. Because of the overwhelming local stakeholder support, the potential economic benefits and the 'National Interest' status given to the project by the Government, we expect the appeals to be rejected but it is nevertheless frustrating that the time frame in which the Swedish government must deal with the appeals is not fixed.

 

In Nevada, our MB Fluorspar Project continues to deliver outstanding results with the completion of a further phase of drilling (Phase 4). This has further expanded the known area of mineralisation and suggests that the already large Mineral Resource Estimate - some 86 million tonnes grading 10.7% fluorspar (CaF₂) - can be significantly increased.  Notable thick intersections of fluorspar mineralisation were announced as extensions of the Western Area of the deposit - for example an aggregate 89.91m grading 12.02% CaF₂ from 120.40m depth in hole 15TMBRC036. Intriguingly, potential ore-grade molybdenum values were encountered at the base of the same hole indicating a future exploration target. The Company is now moving on to development studies for the MB Project to include metallurgical testing, economic modelling and scoping studies as well as mine permit planning.

 

We continue to maintain our interest in the Lassedalen Fluorspar Project in Norway where we have previously defined a modest higher-grade deposit of fluorspar. The project has good potential for future development if projected extensions to the known deposit can be confirmed. A programme of geophysics has recently been undertaken by the Norwegian Geological Survey on the western extensions with results expected to assist the placing of future drill holes.

 

Fluorspar markets and prices have continued to be negatively affected by slow demand during this reporting period. We consider that current low prices are not sustainable in the medium-term and in the past few years we have seen material taken off the market through mine closures and this should lead to improved prices. Indeed, increased demand and prices for acid-grade fluorspar in China have recently been reported.

 

Outside of fluorspar, we continue to hold two legacy gold projects and one tantalum project in Finland and have recently received third party expressions of interest which we are currently negotiating.

 

The cyclical mining share markets appear to have bottomed in the reporting period and we are now seeing a strengthening of some commodity prices and the share prices of many mining companies. This is being led by the gold sector but, based on historical patterns, we expect this to flow on more widely to the rest of the mining sector. We have continued to increase our interest in Sunrise Resources plc through the capitalisation of shared management costs and the Company's interest in Sunrise now stands at 11.8%.

 

I would like to thank shareholders for their patient support in these difficult markets. My personal view is that the worst may be behind us and we look forward to reporting on progress at our fluorspar projects as we advance these towards production.

 

 

 

 

Patrick L Cheetham                

Executive Chairman

26 May 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Income Statement

for the six months to 31 March 2016

 

	Six months to 31 March 2016 Unaudited		Six months to 31 March 2015 Unaudited		Twelve months  to 30 September 2015 Audited
	£		£		£
Revenue	84,568		85,937		181,598
Administration costs	(297,169)		(295,167)		(569,515)
Pre-licence and other exploration costs	(7,361)		(1,640)		(23,869)
Impairment of deferred exploration costs	-		(12,180)		(4,522)
Operating loss	(219,962)		(223,050)		(416,308)
Impairment of available for sale investment	(81,142)		-		(260,997)
Interest receivable	968		1,474		2,314
Loss before income tax	(300,136)		(221,576)		(674,991)
Income tax	-		-		-
Loss for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent	(300,136)		(221,576)		(674,991)
Loss per share - basic and diluted (pence) (note 2)	(0.14)		(0.13)		(0.37)

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the six months to 31 March 2016

 

	Six months to 31 March 2016 Unaudited		Six months to 31 March 2015 Unaudited		Twelve months to 30 September 2015 Audited
	£		£		£
Loss for the period	(300,136)		(221,576)		(674,991)
Other comprehensive income
Items that could be reclassified subsequently to the Income Statement:
Foreign exchange translation differences on foreign currency net investments in subsidiaries	217,075		(39,406)		(59,439)
	217,075		(39,406)		(59,439)
Items that have been reclassified subsequently to the Income Statement:
Fair value movement on available for sale investment	-		(112,702)		(112,702)
Transfer from available for sale investment reserve on impairment of available for sale investment	-		-		260,997
	-		(112,702)		148,295
Total comprehensive loss for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent	(83,061)		(373,684)		(586,135)

 

 

 

 

Company Registration Number 03821411

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

at 31 March 2016

 

	As at 31 March 2016 Unaudited		As at 31 March 2015 Unaudited		As at 30 September 2015 Audited
	£		£		£
Non-current assets
Intangible assets	4,038,021		3,370,694		3,536,609
Property, plant & equipment	13,147		7,584		7,296
Available for sale investment	153,353		148,222		148,222
	4,204,521		3,526,500		3,692,127
Current assets
Receivables	104,578		430,626		90,309
Cash and cash equivalents	286,773		339,793		309,815
	391,351		770,419		400,124
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables	(78,501)		(124,556)		(102,780)
Net current assets	312,850		645,863		297,344
Net assets	4,517,371		4,172,363		3,989,471
Equity
Called up share capital	2,168,453		1,877,810		1,878,592
Share premium account	9,116,364		8,810,794		8,812,452
Merger reserve	131,096		131,096		131,096
Share option reserve	370,269		416,693		443,813
Available for sale investment reserve	-		(260,997)		-
Foreign currency reserve	132,895		(64,147)		(84,180)
Accumulated losses	(7,401,706)		(6,738,886)		(7,192,302)
Equity attributable to the owners of the parent	4,517,371		4,172,363		3,989,471

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

	Share Capital	Share Premium Account	Merger Reserve	Share Option Reserve	Available for Sale Revaluation Reserve	Foreign Currency Reserve	Accumulated Losses	Total
	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
At 30 September 2014	1,743,020	8,622,974	131,096	426,721	(148,295)	(24,741)	(6,563,497)	4,187,278
Loss for the period	-	-	-	-	-	-	(221,576)	(221,576)
Change in fair value	-	-	-	-	(112,702)	-	-	(112,702)
Exchange differences	-	-	-	-	-	(39,406)	-	(39,406)
Total comprehensive loss for the period	-	-	-	-	(112,702)	(39,406)	(221,576)	(373,684)
Share issue	134,790	187,820	-	-	-	-	-	322,610
Share based payments expense	-	-	-	36,159	-	-	-	36,159
Transfer of expired options	-	-	-	(46,187)	-	-	46,187	-
At 31 March 2015	1,877,810	8,810,794	131,096	416,693	(260,997)	(64,147)	(6,738,886)	4,172,363
Loss for the period							(192,419)	(192,419)
Transfer of impairment to income statement	-	-	-	-	260,997	-	(260,997)	-
Exchange differences	-	-	-	-	-	(20,033)	-	(20,033)
Total comprehensive loss for the period	-	-	-	-	260,997	(20,033)	(453,416)	(212,452)
Share issue	782	1,658	-	-	-	-	-	2,440
Share based payments expense	-	-	-	27,120	-	-	-	27,120
At 30 September 2015	1,878,592	8,812,452	131,096	443,813	-	(84,180)	(7,192,302)	3,989,471
Loss for the period	-	-	-	-	-	-	(218,994)	(218,994)
Impairment of available for sale investment	-	-	-	-	-	-	(81,142)	(81,142)
Exchange differences	-	-	-	-	-	217,075	-	217,075
Total comprehensive loss for the period	-	-	-	-	-	217,075	(300,136)	(83,061)
Share issue	289,861	303,912	-	-	-	-	-	593,773
Share based payments expense	-	-	-	17,188	-	-	-	17,188
Transfer of expired options	-	-	-	(90,732)	-	-	90,732	-
At 31 March 2016	2,168,453	9,116,364	131,096	370,269	-	132,895	(7,401,706)	4,517,371

                                     

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

for the six months to 31 March 2016

 

	Six months to 31 March 2016 Unaudited		Six months to 31 March 2015 Unaudited		Twelve months to 30 September 2015 Audited
	£		£		£
Operating activity
Total loss after tax	(301,104)		(223,050)		(677,305)
Depreciation charge	3,471		2,268		4,600
Shares issued in lieu of net fees	1,361		2,860		5,300
Impairment charge - exploration	-		12,180		4,522
Impairment charge - available for sale investment	81,142		-		260,997
Share based payment charge	17,188		36,159		63,278
Non-cash additions to available for sale investment	(86,272)		(21,298)		(21,298)
(Increase)/decrease in receivables	(14,269)		(314,894)		25,423
Increase/(decrease) in payables	(24,279)		(46,994)		(68,770)
Net cash outflow from operating activity	(322,762)		(552,769)		(403,253)
Investing activity
Interest received	968		1,474		2,314
Purchase of intangible assets	(292,326)		(383,886)		(560,250)
Purchase of property, plant & equipment	(9,322)		(996)		(3,040)
Net cash outflow from investing activity	(300,680)		(383,408)		(560,976)
Financing activity
Issue of share capital (net of expenses)	592,412		319,750		319,750
Net cash inflow from financing activity	592,412		319,750		319,750
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents	(31,030)		(616,427)		(644,479)
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period	309,815		942,890		942,890
Exchange differences	7,988		13,330		11,404
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	286,773		339,793		309,815

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to the Interim Statement

 

1.       Basis of preparation

 

The consolidated interim financial information has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies that are expected to be adopted in the Group's full financial statements for the year ending 30 September 2016 which are not expected to be significantly different to those set out in Note 1 of the Group's audited financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2015. These are based on the recognition and measurement principles of IFRS in issue as adopted by the European Union (EU) or that are expected to be adopted and effective at 30 September 2016.  The financial information has not been prepared (and is not required to be prepared) in accordance with IAS 34. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the Group for the purposes of preparation of this financial information.

 

The financial information in this statement relating to the six months ended 31 March 2016 and the six months ended 31 March 2015 has neither been audited nor reviewed by the Auditors, pursuant to guidance issued by the Auditing Practices Board. The financial information presented for the year ended 30 September 2015 does not constitute the full statutory accounts for that period.  The Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2015 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The Independent Auditors' Report on the Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 30 September 2015 was unqualified, although did draw attention to  matters by way of emphasis in relation to going concern, and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

          The directors prepare annual budgets and cash flow projections that extend beyond 12 months from the date of this report. These projections include the proceeds of future fundraising necessary within the next 12 months to meet the Company's and Group's planned discretionary project expenditures and to maintain the Company and Group as a going concern. Although the Company has been successful in raising finance in the past, there is no assurance that it will obtain adequate finance in the future. This represents a material uncertainty related to events or conditions which may cast significant doubt on the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and, therefore, that it may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. However, the directors have a reasonable expectation that they will secure additional funding when required to continue meeting corporate overheads and exploration costs for the foreseeable future and therefore believe that the going concern basis is appropriate for the preparation of the financial statements.

 

2.       Loss per share

     

Loss per share has been calculated on the attributable loss for the period and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period.

 

	Six months to 31 March 2016 Unaudited	Six months to 31 March 2015 Unaudited	Twelve months to 30 September 2015 Audited
Loss for the period (£)	(300,136)	(221,576)	(674,991)
Weighted average shares in issue (No.)	215,811,549	174,341,529	181,090,346
Basic loss per share (pence)	(0.14)	(0.13)	(0.37)

 

The loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares used for the purpose of calculating diluted earnings per share are identical to those used to calculate the basic earnings per ordinary share. This is because the exercise of share warrants would have the effect of reducing the loss per ordinary share and is therefore not dilutive under the terms of IAS33.

 

 

3.       Share capital  

 

During the six months to 31 March 2016 the following share issues took place:

 

An issue of 28,888,889 1.0p ordinary shares at 2.25p per share, by way of placing, for a total consideration of £592,412 net of expenses (6 October 2015).

 

An issue of 97,170 1.0p ordinary shares at 1.4p per share to a director, in satisfaction of directors fees, for a total consideration of £1,361 (11 March 2016).

 

 

4.       Interim report

 

Copies of this interim report are available from Tertiary Minerals plc, Silk Point, Queens Avenue, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 2BB, United Kingdom.  It is also available on the Company's website at www.tertiaryminerals.com.