2022 Annual Results

RNS Number : 7841T
Atalaya Mining PLC
22 March 2023
 

Text Description automatically generated Atalaya Mining Plc

1 Lampousas Street

1095 Nicosia, Cyprus

Tel: +357 22442705

Fax: +357 22442708

www.atalayamining.com

 

22 March 2023

Atalaya Mining Plc.

("Atalaya" or "the Company")

2022 Annual Results

Steady operational performance and improved cost outlook expected for 2023

 

Atalaya Mining Plc (AIM: ATYM) is pleased to announce its audited consolidated results for the year ended 31 December 2022 ("FY2022" or the "Period").

Highlights

· Improved performance in Q4 2022 provides the basis for stronger 2023 outlook

Improved copper production of 14.0 kt at AISC of $3.12/lb Cu

EBITDA of €18.2 million despite elevated input costs

· FY2022 included good operational performance and satisfactory financial results when considering the many external challenges

Copper production of 52.3 kt, partially impacted by the logistics strike in Q1 2022

EBITDA of €55.3 million following a ~€64 million increase in annual electricity costs

Net cash remains strong at €53.1 million after a period of significant investment

· Final Dividend of $ 0.0385 per ordinary share proposed, bringing Full Year Dividend to $ 0.0745 per ordinary share, consistent with dividend policy approved by the Company

· Investments in 2023 will continue to focus on growth, cost reductions and decarbonisation, including exploration, E-LIX Phase I and the 50 MW solar plant

· Improved performance is expected for 2023, due in part to lower forecast electricity prices

2023 guidance: copper production of 53-55 kt at AISC of $3.00-3.20/lb Cu

Q4 2022 and FY2022 Financial Results Summary

Period ended 31 December

 

Q4 2022

Q4 2021

FY2022

FY2021

Revenues from operations

€k

99,893

101,452

361,846

405,717

Operating costs

€k

(81,694)

(50,549)

(306,532)

(206,603)

EBITDA

€k

18,199

50,903

55,314

199,114

Profit for the period

€k

8,039

28,027

30,926

132,226

Basic earnings per share

€ cents/share

6.4

20.8

23.7

96.7

Dividend per share(1)

US$/share

n/a

n/a

0.0745

0.395



 


 


Cash flows from operating activities

€k

20,931

19,629

38,503

148,841

Cash flows used in investing activities(2)

€k

(17,525)

(9,696)

(53,529)

(87,531)

Cash flows from financing activities

€k

19,596

(49,859)

22,411

1,851



 

 

 


Net Cash position(3)

€k

53,085

60,073

53,085

60,073

Working capital surplus

€k

84,047

102,430

84,047

102,430



 


 


Average realised copper price (excluding QPs closed in the Period)

US$/lb

3.70

4.40

3.96

4.22



 


 


Cu concentrate produced

tonnes

68,908

64,695

249,543

270,713

Cu production

tonnes

13,969

13, 872

52,269

56,097

Cash costs

US$/lb payable

2.90

2.24

3.16

2.18

All-In Sustaining Cost ("AISC")

US$/lb payable

3.12

2.46

3.37

2.48

(1)  Consists of 2022 Interim Dividend (paid 20 September 2022) and proposed Final Dividend, which is subject to approval by shareholders at the Company's 2023 Annual General Meeting.

(2)  FY2021 includes €53 million early payment of the Deferred Consideration to Astor.

(3)  Includes restricted cash and bank borrowings at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021.

Alberto Lavandeira, CEO, commented:

"There were many external headwinds in 2022, but our team effectively navigated these challenges and delivered good operating results for much of the year. We enter 2023 with a strong balance sheet and positive outlook for the year ahead.

In 2022, we were impacted by a significant increase in key input costs, especially in relation to electricity, but I am proud of the decisive action we took to enhance the resilience of our operations, including securing a long-term fixed price power purchase agreement that we have benefitted from since the beginning of 2023. Contribution from our 50 MW solar plant will provide additional price stability later this year.

As always, Atalaya remains focused on growing and enhancing its portfolio of copper assets in Spain. We have a unique portfolio of growth options located in regions with modern infrastructure and benefit from the human capital required to bring assets into production. We were pleased to publish the results of the new Riotinto PEA, which demonstrates the scale and potential economics of our processing hub strategy in the Riotinto District. Exploration activities continue at Proyecto Masa Valverde, which could be developed as another satellite deposit, while construction activities continue at our E-LIX Phase I plant, which has the potential to unlock value and reduce costs throughout the Iberian Pyrite Belt.

Finally, we remain committed to developing Proyecto Touro into a modern and sustainable mine that can provide Europe with a new source of domestic copper production. We were pleased that copper was declared a strategic raw material by the EU in its recent Critical Raw Materials Act, given its importance to the energy transition. As a proven Spanish copper producer with a track record of delivery, we are well placed to meet Europe's increasing demand for locally produced copper."

Investor Presentation Reminder

Alberto Lavandeira (CEO) and César Sánchez (CFO) will be holding a live presentation relating to the 2022 Annual Results via the Investor Meet Company platform at 12:00pm GMT today.

To register, please visit the following link and click "Add to Meet" Atalaya via:

https://www.investormeetcompany.com/atalaya-mining-plc/register-investor

Management will also answer questions that have been submitted via the Investor Meet Company dashboard.

Note to Readers

The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2022 and 2021 contained in this document does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021 have been extracted from the consolidated financial statements of Atalaya Mining plc for the year ended 31 December 2022 which have been approved by the directors on 21 March 2023. The auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified.

Q4 2022 and FY2022 Operating Results Summary

Units expressed in accordance with the international system of units (SI)

Unit

Q4 2022

Q4 2021

FY2022

FY2021

Ore mined

t

3,540,155

3,494,222

14,884,361

13,535,470

Waste mined

t

5,329,252

7,287,352

24,661,569

30,533,174

Ore processed

t

3,958,654

3,846,559

15,410,459

15,822,610

Copper ore grade

%

0.41

0.41

0.40

0.41

Copper concentrate grade

%

20.27

21.44

20.95

20.72

Copper recovery rate

%

86.24

87.04

85.84

85.97

Copper concéntrate

t

68,908

64,695

249,543

270,713

Copper contained in concentrate

t

13,969

13,872

52,269

56,097

Payable copper contained in concentrate

t

13,280

13,225

49,773

53,390

Cash cost

US$/lb payable

2.90

2.24

3.16

2.18

All-in sustaining cost

US$/lb payable

3.12

2.46

3.37

2.48

Mining

Ore mined was 3.5 million tonnes in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: 3.5 million tonnes) and 14.9 million tonnes in FY2022 (FY2021: 13.5 million tonnes).

Waste mined was 5.3 million tonnes in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: 7.3 million tonnes) and 24.7 million tonnes in FY2022 (FY2021: 30.5 million tonnes).

Processing

The plant processed ore of 4.0 million tonnes during Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: 3.8 million tonnes) and 15.4 million tonnes in FY2022 (FY2021: 15.8 million tonnes), demonstrating strong plant performance despite the negative impact of the Q1 2022 transport sector strike and related stoppage. The plant continues to highlight its ability to operate above its 15 million tonne per annum nameplate capacity on a consistent basis.

Copper grade was 0.41% in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: 0.41%) and 0.40% in FY2022 (FY2021: 0.41%). Modestly lower grades in FY2022 were the result of blending with lower grade stockpiles during H1 2022 due to pit sequencing.

Copper recoveries were 86.24% in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: 87.04%) and 85.84% in FY2022 (FY2021: 85.97%). Recoveries in certain periods in FY2022 were negatively impacted by the characteristics of the ore processed.

Production

Copper production was 13,969 tonnes in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: 13,872 tonnes) and 52,269 tonnes in FY2022 (FY2021: 56,097 tonnes). Lower production for FY2022 was the result of lower grades (pit sequencing) and lower throughput (including the impact of the Q1 2022 plant maintenance stoppage).

On-site copper concentrate inventories at 31 December 2022 were approximately 3,529 tonnes (31 December 2021: 5,254 tonnes). All concentrate in stock at the beginning of the Period was delivered to the port at Huelva.

Copper contained in concentrates sold was 14,027 tonnes in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: 13,568 tonnes) and 52,323 tonnes in FY2022 (FY2021: 61,662 tonnes).

Cash Costs and AISC Breakdown

$/lb Cu payable

Q4 2022

Q4 2021

FY2022

FY2021

Mining

0.70

0.67

0.79

0.64

Processing

1.11

0.56

1.31

0.61

Other site operating costs

0.59

0.61

0.54

0.54

Total site operating costs

2.40

1.83

2.65

1.79

By-product credits

(0.07)

(0.08)

(0.08)

(0.09)

Freight, treatment charges and other offsite costs

0.57

0.48

0.60

0.49

Total offsite costs

0.50

0.40

0.52

0.39

Cash costs

2.90

2.24

3.16

2.18






Cash costs

2.90

2.24

3.16

2.18

Corporate costs

0.09

0.05

0.08

0.07

Sustaining capital (excluding one-off tailings expansion)

0.06

0.06

0.06

0.06

Capitalised stripping costs

-

0.06

0.01

0.10

Other costs

0.08

0.06

0.06

0.07

Total AISC

3.12

2.46

3.37

2.48

Cash costs were $2.90/lb payable copper in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: $2.24) and $3.16/lb payable copper in FY2022 (FY2021: $2.18/lb), with the increases due to significantly higher costs associated with electricity and other supplies and lower production volumes, partially offset by the weaker Euro.

AISC were $3.12/lb payable copper in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: $2.46/lb) and $3.37/lb payable copper in FY2022 (FY2021: $2.48/lb). The increase in AISC in 2022 was driven by the same factors that increased cash costs, namely significantly higher electricity costs. AISC excludes one-off investments in the tailings dam, consistent with prior reporting.

Q4 2022 and FY2022 Financial Results Highlights

Income Statement

Revenues were €99.9 million in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: €101.5 million) and €361.8 million in FY2022 (FY2021: €405.7 million). Lower revenues were the result of lower copper prices during the 2022 periods, as well as lower copper concentrate volumes sold in FY2022 compared to FY 2021.

The realised copper price (excluding QPs) was $3.70/lb in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: $4.40/lb) and $3.96/lb in FY2022 (FY2021: $4.22/lb).

Operating costs were €81.7 million in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: €50.5 million) and €306.5 million in FY2022 (FY2021: €206.6 million) as a result of significant increases in key input costs such as electricity, diesel, explosives, steel and lime. Compared to the prior periods in 2021, the increase in the cost of electricity in Q4 2022 and FY2022 was approximately €11.3 million and €63.8 million, respectively.

EBITDA was €18.2 million in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: €50.9 million) and €55.3 million in FY2022 (FY2021: positive €199.1 million). The decrease in EBITDA was driven by the combination of lower revenues and significantly higher operating costs compared with the equivalent periods in 2021.

Profit after tax was €8.0 million in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: €28.0 million) or 6.4 cents per basic share (Q4 2021: 20.8 cents per basic share) and €30.9 million in FY2022 (FY2021: €132.2 million) or 23.7 cents per basic share (FY2021: 96.7 cents per basic share).

Cash Flow Statement

Cash flows from operating activities before changes in working capital were positive € 19.9 million in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: positive € 44.2 million) and positive €20.9 million after working capital changes (Q4 2021: positive € 19.6 million). Working capital movements are mainly related to changes in account receivables and payables due to timing differences. For FY2022, cash flows from operating activities before changes in working capital were positive €56.9 million (FY2021: positive €200.3 million) and positive €38.5 million after working capital changes (FY2021: positive €148.8 million).

Cash flows used in investing activities were €17.5 million in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: €9.7 million) and €53.5 million in FY2022 (FY2021: €87.5 million). Major investments in FY2022 included €22.7 million for the 50 MW solar plant ( FY2021: nil ), € 6.2 million in sustaining capex (FY2021: €5.9 million) and € 14.1 million to increase the tailings dam (FY2021: €14.1 million). The FY2021 period included the early payment of the deferred consideration to Astor.

Cash flows from financing activities were positive €19.6 million in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: negative € 49.9 million). Cash flows from financing activities were positive €22.4 million in FY2022 (FY2021: positive €1.9 million). In FY2022, unsecured debt facilities were drawn in order to finance the 50 MW solar plant, while €5.1 million in dividends were paid. In FY2021, unsecured debt facilities were drawn to fund the payment of deferred consideration to Astor, while €47.3 million in dividends were paid.

Balance Sheet

Despite cost inflation and the impact of unprecedented electricity costs in 2022, Atalaya's balance sheet remains strong with consolidated cash and cash equivalents of €126.4 million at 31 December 2022.

Net of current and non-current borrowings of €73.4 million, net cash was €53.1 million as at 31 December 2022, compared with €60.1 million as at 31 December 2021.

Total working capital was €84.0 million at 31 December 2022, compared to €102.4 million as at 31 December 2021.

Electricity Market in Spain

FY2022 Average Prices

During 2022, electricity prices in Spain reached unprecedented levels as a result of the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on the European and global energy markets. Severe spikes in natural gas prices in Europe pushed electricity prices in Spain to over €500/MWh in March 2022 and similar levels in late August and early September 2022.

Electricity prices moderated in Q4 2022, due to the combination of mild weather in Europe, good supplies of LNG into Europe and a strong contribution from wind generation in Spain. As a result, realised electricity prices were approximately €170/MWh in Q4 2022, bringing the annual average realised price to approximately €240/MWh in FY2022. This compares to prices of approximately €65/MWh in FY2021. As previously disclosed, an increase in realised electricity prices of €100/MWh results in an increase to the Company's annual operating costs of around €37 million.

Prices in 2023

So far in 2023, the estimated realised market electricity price in Spain has averaged around €130/MWh, with volatility driven by the relative amount of electricity generated by wind.

Since 1 January 2023, the Company has benefited from its 10-year power purchase agreement ("PPA"), which will provide the Company with approximately 31% of its current electricity requirements at a fixed rate. When including the contribution of the PPA, estimated realised electricity prices for the Company have averaged around €110/MWh so far in 2023.

Renewable Energy Projects

The Company continues to advance construction of its 50 MW solar plant at Riotinto, which is expected to provide approximately 22% of its current electricity needs when fully operational. All major materials are on site and civil works are underway. Start-up of the 50 MW solar plant is now expected to be in late 2023 . Combined, the 50 MW solar plant and long-term PPA will provide over 50% of the Company's current electricity requirements at a rate below historical prices in Spain.

As previously disclosed, the Company continues to evaluate additional renewable power initiatives that could deliver further low cost and carbon-free electricity for its operations at Riotinto, including wind turbines. Following the installation of an evaluation tower in September 2022, new wind measurements are now being compared to the extensive historical ground level data in order to establish confidence in the area's wind characteristics and determine the viability of developing a small wind farm at Riotinto dedicated to self-consumption.

Outlook for 2023

Production

As announced in the Company's Q4 2022 Operations Update, production guidance for 2023 is 53,000 to 55,000 tonnes of copper, which represents an increase over FY2022 production of 52,269 tonnes.

Operating Costs

Inflationary pressures continue to impact the global mining industry. The prices of many key inputs, including diesel, tyres, explosives, grinding media and lime, increased materially in 2022 as a result of higher global energy prices and logistics constraints. Although prices have stabilised for certain items, overall input costs remain well above 2021 levels.

In addition, electricity continues to be a major component of the Company's cost structure due to the elevated market prices in Spain. As a result, the Company is again providing cash cost and AISC guidance that reflects a range of outcomes of potential market electricity prices for 2023.

Accordingly, cash cost and AISC guidance for 2023 are as follows:

  • 2023 cash cost range of $2.80 to $3.00/lb copper payable
  • 2023 AISC range of $3.00 to $3.20/lb copper payable (excluding the one-off project to increase the capacity of the tailing dam; see below for further information)

These cost guidance ranges are based on an assumed market electricity price range of €100 to 150/MWh and also include the benefit of the Company's PPA.

Capital Expenditures

Atalaya continues to focus on growing its production, reducing its cost structure and enhancing the long-term sustainability of its operations.

For 2023, the Company will be making the following non-sustaining capital investments:

  • €12.6 million for the 50 MW solar plant, resulting in a total investment of ~€ 35 million
  • €4 million for the E-LIX Phase I Plant, resulting in a total project investment of ~ €20 million, out of which ~€15 million will be accounted for as loans to Lain Technologies
  • €13 million for expansion of the existing Riotinto tailings facility

Exploration

Atalaya controls large and strategic land packages across Spain, including in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (Riotinto District) and the Ossa Morena Metallogenic Belt (Proyecto Ossa Morena).

Following the promising results from drilling campaigns in 2022, the Company looks forward to continuing and expanding its exploration efforts in the coming year. As a result, Atalaya's exploration budget for 2023 is approximately €10 million and will focus on expanding current resources and making new discoveries at Proyecto Masa Valverde, drill testing priority anomalies at Proyecto Riotinto East, expanding and upgrading current resources at the Alconchel Cu-Au project and continue drill testing new targets at Proyecto Ossa Morena.

2022 Final Dividend

In 2021, Atalaya implemented a dividend policy that seeks to provide capital returns to its shareholders and allows for continued investments in its portfolio of low capital intensity growth projects. The dividend policy consists of an annual pay-out of 30 - 50% of free cash flow generated during the applicable financial year and is payable in two half-yearly instalments.

The Board of Directors has proposed a final dividend for 2022 of US$ 0.0385 per ordinary share ("Final Dividend"), which is equivalent to approximately 3.15 pence per share. Payment of the Final Dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the Company's 2023 Annual General Meeting ("AGM"). Should it be approved, the Final Dividend, together with the Interim Dividend paid in September 2022, would result in a Full Year Dividend of US$0.0745 per ordinary share, which is equivalent to approximately 6.28 pence per share. Further details on the timing of the potential payment of the Final Dividend will be provided ahead of the AGM.

Asset Portfolio Update

Proyecto Riotinto

On 23 February 2023, the Company announced the results of a new preliminary economic assessment for the Cerro Colorado, San Dionisio and San Antonio deposits at Proyecto Riotinto ("Riotinto PEA"). The objective of the Riotinto PEA was to incorporate these deposits into a new integrated mine plan in order to quantify the benefits of the Company's planned processing hub strategy for its 15 Mtpa processing plant.

The Riotinto PEA demonstrated strong potential economic results, including a $1.07 billion after-tax NPV(8%) at $3.50/lb copper (Base Case) and a $1.57 billion after-tax NPV(8%) at $4.03/lb copper (Sensitivity Case). In addition, the Riotinto PEA illustrated the potential uplift in copper equivalent production to ~90 ktpa (2027+) as a result of processing higher grade material, as well as a potential reduction in cash costs.

The Riotinto PEA serves as a foundation for further optimisation and the Company will continue to evaluate opportunities to enhance value, including the potential application of the E-LIX System, considering a revised mining sequence to bring forward the highest value material and studying the refurbishment of existing processing equipment at Riotinto in order to reduce the capital costs associated with plant modifications.

E-LIX Phase I Plant

Construction activities at the E-LIX Phase I plant continue to make good progress. With most equipment on site or in transit, commissioning activities are now expected in H2 2023.

Once operational, the E-LIX plant is expected to produce high purity copper or zinc metals on site, allowing the Company to potentially achieve higher metal recoveries from complex polymetallic ores, lower transportation and concentrate treatment charges and a reduced carbon footprint.

Riotinto District - Proyecto Masa Valverde ("PMV")

Three core rigs continue to be active and are focused on step-out drilling at the Masa Valverde deposit, resource definition drilling at the Campanario Trend and step out drilling around the new discovery made at the Mojarra Trend. A comprehensive update on recent exploration results at these targets was announced in November 2022.

The second hole (MR02) drilled at the Mojarra Trend, in a previously undrilled area, intersected massive sulphides at 434m depth. Assay results returned a main mineralised interval of 18.75m at 0.84% Cu, 0.63% Zn, 0.66% Pb and 76.24 g/t Ag including a higher-grade interval of 6.80m at 1.22% Cu and 101.60 g/t Ag.

Step-out drilling in the westernmost area of the Masa Valverde deposit discovered a new high-grade zinc zone in hole MJ54, including a main mineralised interval of 18.00m at 0.25% Cu, 8.30% Zn, 2.49% Pb, 60.17 g/t Ag and 0.89 g/t Au from 852 meters depth.

Resource definition drilling at the Campanario Trend continues to encounter shallow, massive, and semi-massive sulphides with, in cases, associated high grade intersections. For example, hole CA42 in the western part of the Campanario Trend assayed 7.50m at 0.45% Cu, 1.09 g/t Ag and 6.67 g/t Au from 35m depth.

An airborne gravity gradiometry ("AGG") and magnetic survey covering the entire PMV has been completed and preliminary results already received. AGG is a leading technology in the search for buried mineral deposits, especially those of the size that is typical in the Iberian Pyrite Belt.

Work continues on the PEA which will consider operating PMV as a satellite deposit by processing mined material at Riotinto's 15 Mtpa plant. Further metallurgical testing for the Masa Valverde and Majadales deposits is planned for inclusion in the PEA, which may also include new results from the regional drilling programme. The permitting process for PMV is also ongoing.

Proyecto Touro

Atalaya remains fully committed to the development of the Touro copper project in Galicia, which could become a new source of copper production for Europe.

In March 2023, the European Union announced the Critical Raw Materials Act, which seeks to "address the EU's dependency on imported critical raw materials by diversifying and securing a domestic and sustainable supply of critical raw materials". Copper was added to the list of "Strategic Raw Materials" as a result of the challenges associated with substituting copper metal in electrical applications.

Running parallel with the Touro permitting process, the Company continues to focus on numerous initiatives related to securing the social licence, including engaging with the many stakeholders in the region in advance of its plans to submit a new improved project design. Positive and favourable feedback from numerous meetings with municipalities, farmer and fishermen associations and other industries indicate meaningful support towards the development of a new and modern mining project.

The Company is operating its new water treatment plant at Touro, which is addressing the legacy issues associated with acid water runoff from the historical mine, which closed in 1987. The construction of the treatment plant was contemplated in the original project proposal, but Atalaya volunteered to fix the historical acid water issues prior to the new Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") in order to demonstrate its operating philosophy and the benefits of modern operating systems. The field work carried out by Atalaya has resulted in an immediate and visible improvement of the water systems surrounding the project.

Atalaya continues to be confident that its approach to Touro, which includes fully plastic lined thickened tailings with zero discharge, is consistent with international best practice and will satisfy the most stringent environmental conditions that may be imposed by the authorities prior to the development of the project.

Proyecto Ossa Morena

Two short drilling programmes were completed at the Hinchona and Chaparral copper-gold prospects, which are both located in the central part of the district. A second drilling program at Chaparral is currently in progress. Drilling has been also planned for the Guijarro gold project located immediately west of Chaparral.

At Hinchona, four holes totalling 1,874m were completed, with the initial results previously announced in November 2022. The best results were in the southernmost hole, HIN04, with several mineralised intervals such as 14.95m at 0.29% Cu from 239.35m depth and including two higher-grade intervals of 3.40m at 0.80% Cu, 1.84 g/t Ag and 479 ppm Co and 1.45m at 1.01% Cu and 6.04 g/t Ag.

At Chaparral, four holes totalling 1,185m were completed and results will be published once the exploration campaign is completed. Drilling at the flagship Alconchel-Pallares copper-gold project is expected to commence during Q3 2023.

Proyecto Riotinto East

Drill target definition continues to progress and the first drill testing of selected anomalies is planned to start during Q2 2023.  An airborne gravity gradiometry and magnetic survey covering the entire project was completed and preliminary results expected by the end of March 2023.

 

This announcement contains information which, prior to its publication constituted inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.

Contacts:

SEC Newgate UK

Elisabeth Cowell / Axaule Shukanayeva / Matthew Elliott

+ 44 20 3757 6882

4C Communications

Carina Corbett

+44 20 3170 7973

Canaccord Genuity

(NOMAD and Joint Broker)

Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor / James Asensio / Thomas Diehl

+44 20 7523 8000

BMO Capital Markets

(Joint Broker)

Tom Rider / Andrew Cameron

+44 20 7236 1010

Peel Hunt LLP

(Joint Broker)

Ross Allister / David McKeown

+44 20 7418 8900

 

About Atalaya Mining Plc

Atalaya is an AIM listed mining and development group which produces copper concentrates and silver by-product at its wholly owned Proyecto Riotinto site in southwest Spain. Atalaya's current operations include the Cerro Colorado open pit mine and a modern 15 Mtpa processing plant, which has the potential to become a centralised processing hub for ore sourced from its wholly owned regional projects around Riotinto that include Proyecto Masa Valverde and Proyecto Riotinto East. In addition, the Group has a phased earn-in agreement for up to 80% ownership of Proyecto Touro, a brownfield copper project in the northwest of Spain, as well as a 99.9% interest in Proyecto Ossa Morena. For further information, visit www.atalayamining.com

 

 

 

 

ATALAYA MINING PLC

MANAGEMENT'S REVIEW AND

EXTRACT OF THE AUDITED CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31 December 2022

 

 

 

 

 

ATALAYA MINING PLC

MANAGEMENT'S REVIEW AND

EXTRACT OF THE AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31 December 2022

 

Notice to Reader

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Atalaya Mining Plc have been prepared by and are the responsibility of Atalaya Mining Plc's management.

 

Introduction

This report provides an overview and analysis of the financial results of operations of Atalaya Mining Plc and its subsidiaries ("Atalaya" and/or "Group"), t o enable the reader to assess material changes in the financial position between 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022 and results of operations for the three and twelve months ended 31 December 2022 and 2021.

This report has been prepared as of 21 March 2023. The analysis hereby included is intended to supplement and complement the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto ("Financial Statements") as at and for the period ended 31 December 2022, which will be released together with the Company's 2022 Annual Report.

Atalaya prepares its Annual Financial Statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") as adopted by the EU and its Consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34: Interim Financial Reporting. The currency referred to in this document is the Euro, unless otherwise specified.

Forward-looking statements

This report may include certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterised by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions upon which such forward-looking statements are based include that all required third party regulatory and governmental approvals will be obtained. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Atalaya and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include changes in market conditions and other risk factors discussed or referred to in this report and other documents filed with the applicable securities regulatory authorities. Although Atalaya has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Atalaya undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 

1.  Incorporation and description of the Business

Atalaya Mining Plc (the "Company") was incorporated in Cyprus on 17 September 2004 as a private company with limited liability under the Companies Law, Cap. 113 and was converted to a public limited liability company on 26 January 2005. Its registered office is at 1 Lampousa Street, Nicosia, Cyprus.

The Company was listed on AIM of the London Stock Exchange ("AIM") in May 2005 under the symbol ATYM. The Company continued to be listed on AIM as at 31 December 2022.

Atalaya is a European mining and development company. The strategy is to evaluate and prioritise metal production opportunities in several jurisdictions throughout the well-known belts of base and precious metal mineralisation in Spain, elsewhere in Europe and Latin America.

The Group currently owns four mining projects: Proyecto Riotinto, Proyecto Touro, Proyecto Masa Valverde and Proyecto Ossa Morena. In addition, the Company has an earn-in agreement to acquire three investigation permits at Proyecto Riotinto Este.

Proyecto Riotinto

On 23 February 2023, the Company announced the results of a new preliminary economic assessment for the Cerro Colorado, San Dionisio and San Antonio deposits at Proyecto Riotinto ("Riotinto PEA"). The objective of the Riotinto PEA was to incorporate these deposits into a new integrated mine plan in order to quantify the benefits of the Company's planned processing hub strategy for its 15 Mtpa processing plant.

The Riotinto PEA demonstrated strong potential economic results, including a $1.07 billion after-tax NPV(8%) at $3.50/lb copper (Base Case) and a $1.57 billion after-tax NPV(8%) at $4.03/lb copper (Sensitivity Case). In addition, the Riotinto PEA illustrated the potential uplift in copper equivalent production to ~90 ktpa (2027+) as a result of processing higher grade material, as well as a potential reduction in cash costs.

The Riotinto PEA serves as a foundation for further optimisation and the Company will continue to evaluate opportunities to enhance value, including the potential application of the E-LIX System, considering a revised mining sequence to bring forward the highest value material and studying the refurbishment of existing processing equipment at Riotinto in order to reduce the capital costs associated with plant modifications.

E-LIX Phase I Plant

Construction activities at the E-LIX Phase I plant continue to make good progress. With most equipment on site or in transit, commissioning activities are now expected in H2 2023.

Once operational, the E-LIX plant is expected to produce high purity copper or zinc metals on site, allowing the Company to potentially achieve higher metal recoveries from complex polymetallic ores, lower transportation and concentrate treatment charges and a reduced carbon footprint.

Riotinto District - Proyecto Masa Valverde

Three core rigs continue to be active and are focused on step-out drilling at the Masa Valverde deposit, resource definition drilling at the Campanario Trend and step out drilling around the new discovery made at the Mojarra Trend. A comprehensive update on recent exploration results at these targets was announced in November 2022.

The second hole (MR02) drilled at the Mojarra Trend, in a previously undrilled area, intersected massive sulphides at 434m depth. Assay results returned a main mineralised interval of 18.75m at 0.84% Cu, 0.63% Zn, 0.66% Pb and 76.24 g/t Ag including a higher-grade interval of 6.80m at 1.22% Cu and 101.60 g/t Ag.

Step-out drilling in the westernmost area of the Masa Valverde deposit discovered a new high-grade zinc zone in hole MJ54, including a main mineralised interval of 18.00m at 0.25% Cu, 8.30% Zn, 2.49% Pb, 60.17 g/t Ag and 0.89 g/t Au from 852 meters depth.

Resource definition drilling at the Campanario Trend continues to encounter shallow, massive, and semi-massive sulphides with, in cases, associated high grade intersections. For example, hole CA42 in the western part of the Campanario Trend assayed 7.50m at 0.45% Cu, 1.09 g/t Ag and 6.67 g/t Au from 35m depth.

An airborne gravity gradiometry ("AGG") and magnetic survey covering the entire PMV has been completed and preliminary results already received. AGG is a leading technology in the search for buried mineral deposits, especially those of the size that is typical in the Iberian Pyrite Belt.

Work continues on the PEA which will consider operating PMV as a satellite deposit by processing mined material at Riotinto's 15 Mtpa plant. Further metallurgical testing for the Masa Valverde and Majadales deposits is planned for inclusion in the PEA, which may also include new results from the regional drilling programme. The permitting process for PMV is also ongoing.

Proyecto Touro

Atalaya remains fully committed to the development of the Touro copper project in Galicia, which could become a new source of copper production for Europe.

In March 2023, the European Union announced the Critical Raw Materials Act, which seeks to "address the EU's dependency on imported critical raw materials by diversifying and securing a domestic and sustainable supply of critical raw materials". Copper was added to the list of "Strategic Raw Materials" as a result of the challenges associated with substituting copper metal in electrical applications.

Running parallel with the Touro permitting process, the Company continues to focus on numerous initiatives related to securing the social licence, including engaging with the many stakeholders in the region in advance of its plans to submit a new improved project design. Positive and favourable feedback from numerous meetings with municipalities, farmer and fishermen associations and other industries indicate meaningful support towards the development of a new and modern mining project.

The Company is operating its new water treatment plant at Touro, which is addressing the legacy issues associated with acid water runoff from the historical mine, which closed in 1987. The construction of the treatment plant was contemplated in the original project proposal, but Atalaya volunteered to fix the historical acid water issues prior to the new Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") in order to demonstrate its operating philosophy and the benefits of modern operating systems. The field work carried out by Atalaya has resulted in an immediate and visible improvement of the water systems surrounding the project.

Atalaya continues to be confident that its approach to Touro, which includes fully plastic lined thickened tailings with zero discharge, is consistent with international best practice and will satisfy the most stringent environmental conditions that may be imposed by the authorities prior to the development of the project.

Proyecto Ossa Morena

Two short drilling programmes were completed at the Hinchona and Chaparral copper-gold prospects, which are both located in the central part of the district. A second drilling program at Chaparral is currently in progress. Drilling has been also planned for the Guijarro gold project located immediately west of Chaparral.

At Hinchona, four holes totalling 1,874m were completed, with the initial results previously announced in November 2022. The best results were in the southernmost hole, HIN04, with several mineralised intervals such as 14.95m at 0.29% Cu from 239.35m depth and including two higher-grade intervals of 3.40m at 0.80% Cu, 1.84 g/t Ag and 479 ppm Co and 1.45m at 1.01% Cu and 6.04 g/t Ag.

At Chaparral, four holes totalling 1,185m were completed and results will be published once the exploration campaign is completed. Drilling at the flagship Alconchel-Pallares copper-gold project is expected to commence during Q3 2023.

Riotinto District - Proyecto Riotinto East

Drill target definition continues to progress and the first drill testing of selected anomalies is planned to start during Q2 2023.  An airborne gravity gradiometry and magnetic survey covering the entire project was completed and preliminary results expected by the end of March 2023.

Electricity Market in Spain

FY2022 Average Prices

During 2022, electricity prices in Spain reached unprecedented levels as a result of the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on the European and global energy markets. Severe spikes in natural gas prices in Europe pushed electricity prices in Spain to over €500/MWh in March 2022 and similar levels in late August and early September 2022.

Electricity prices moderated in Q4 2022, due to the combination of mild weather in Europe, good supplies of LNG into Europe and a strong contribution from wind generation in Spain. As a result, realised electricity prices were approximately €170/MWh in Q4 2022, bringing the annual average realised price to approximately €240/MWh in FY2022. This compares to prices of approximately €65/MWh in FY2021. As previously disclosed, an increase in realised electricity prices of €100/MWh results in an increase to the Company's annual operating costs of around €37 million.

Prices in 2023

So far in 2023, the estimated realised market electricity price in Spain has averaged around €130/MWh, with volatility driven by the relative amount of electricity generated by wind.

Since 1 January 2023, the Company has benefited from its 10-year power purchase agreement ("PPA"), which will provide the Company with approximately 31% of its current electricity requirements at a fixed rate. When including the contribution of the PPA, estimated realised electricity prices for the Company have averaged around €110/MWh so far in 2023.

Renewable Energy Projects

The Company continues to advance construction of its 50 MW solar plant at Riotinto, which is expected to provide approximately 22% of its current electricity needs when fully operational. All major materials are on site and civil works are underway. Start-up of the 50 MW solar plant is now expected to be in late 2023. Combined, the 50 MW solar plant and long-term PPA will provide over 50% of the Company's current electricity requirements at a rate below historical prices in Spain.

As previously disclosed, the Company continues to evaluate additional renewable power initiatives that could deliver further low cost and carbon-free electricity for its operations at Riotinto, including wind turbines. Following the installation of an evaluation tower in September 2022, new wind measurements are now being compared to the extensive historical ground level data in order to establish confidence in the area's wind characteristics and determine the viability of developing a small wind farm at Riotinto dedicated to self-consumption.

 

Corporate Updates 2022

As announced on 21 March 2022, the Company received the formal Judgment from the High Court of Justice in relation to the Claim by Astor for residual interest arising out of the payment of €53 million to Astor. On 8 April 2022, the Company transferred €9.6 million to Astor from the trust account already established by Atalaya on 15 July 2021. In addition, €1.1 million were paid on 16 May 2022 to Astor under the Master Agreement.

 

2.  Overview of Operational Results

Proyecto Riotinto

The following table presents a summarised statement of operations of Proyecto Riotinto for the twelve and three month period ended 31 December 2022 and 2021.

Units expressed in accordance with the international system of units (SI)

Unit

Q4 2022

Q4 2021

FY2022

FY2021

Ore mined

t

3,540,155

3,494,222

14,884,361

13,535,470

Waste mined

t

5,329,252

7,287,352

24,661,569

30,533,174

Ore processed

t

3,958,654

3,846,559

15,410,459

15,822,610

Copper ore grade

%

0.41

0.41

0.40

0.41

Copper concentrate grade

%

20.27

21.44

20.95

20.72

Copper recovery rate

%

86.24

87.04

85.84

85.97

Copper concentrate

t

68,908

64,695

249,543

270,713

Copper contained in concentrate

t

13,969

13,872

52,269

56,097

Payable copper contained in concentrate

t

13,280

13,225

49,773

53,390

Cash cost

US$/lb payable

2.90

2.24

3.16

2.18

All-in sustaining cost

US$/lb payable

3.12

2.46

3.37

2.48

There may be slight differences between the numbers in the above table and the figures announced in the quarterly operations updates that are available on Atalaya's website at www.atalayamining.com

 

$/lb Cu payable

Q4 2022

Q4 2021

FY2022

FY2021

Mining

0.70

0.67

0.79

0.64

Processing

1.11

0.56

1.31

0.61

Other site operating costs

0.59

0.61

0.54

0.54

Total site operating costs

2.40

1.83

2.65

1.79

By-product credits

(0.07)

(0.08)

(0.08)

(0.09)

Freight, treatment charges and other offsite costs

0.57

0.48

0.60

0.49

Total offsite costs

0.50

0.40

0.52

0.39

Cash costs

2.90

2.24

3.16

2.18






Cash costs

2.90

2.24

3.16

2.18

Corporate costs

0.09

0.05

0.08

0.07

Sustaining capital (excluding one-off tailings expansion)

0.06

0.06

0.06

0.06

Capitalised stripping costs

-

0.06

0.01

0.10

Other costs

0.08

0.06

0.06

0.07

Total AISC

3.12

2.46

3.37

2.48

 

Mining and Processing

Mining

The amount of ore mined during Q4 2022 was 3.5 million tonnes, which is in line with the same period in 2021. Overall, for the entire fiscal year of 2022 and the amount of ore mined was 14.9 million tonnes, which is an increase from the previous fiscal year, which saw 13.5 million tonnes of ore mined.

Waste mined was 5.3 million tonnes in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: 7.3 million tonnes) and 24.7 million tonnes in FY2022 (FY2021: 30.5 million tonnes).

Processing

The plant processed ore of 4.0 million tonnes during Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: 3.8 million tonnes). Throughput was 15.4 million tonnes in FY2022 (FY2021: 15.8 million tonnes), demonstrating strong plant performance despite the negative impact of the Q1 2022 transport sector strike and related stoppage. The plant continues to demonstrate its ability to operate above its 15 million tonne per annum nameplate capacity.

Copper grade was 0.41% in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: 0.41%). Copper grade was 0.40% in FY2022 (FY2021: 0.41%). Lower grades in FY2022 were the result of blending with lower grade stockpiles during H1 2022 due to pit sequencing.

Copper recoveries were 86.24% in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: 87.04%) and 85.85% in FY2022 (FY2021: 85.97%).

Concentrate production for 2022 was 249,543 tonnes compared to 270,713 tonnes in 2021. Contained copper was 52,269 tonnes compared to 56,097 tonnes in 2021. Copper payable amounted to 49,773 tonnes from 53,390 tonnes in 2021. Lower production for FY2022 was the result of lower grades (pit sequencing) and lower throughput (including the impact of the Q1 2022 plant maintenance stoppage).

On-site concentrate inventories at 31 December 2022 were approximately 3,529 tonnes (5,254 tonnes at 31 December 2021) which have been fully sold in January 2023. All concentrate in stock was delivered to the port at Huelva.

 

3.  Outlook

The forward-looking information contained in this section is subject to the risk factors and assumptions contained in the cautionary statement on forward-looking statements included in the Basis of Reporting. The Company is aware that the geopolitical developments in Ukraine and its impact on energy prices and other supplies may still have further effects or impact how the Company can manage it operations and is accordingly keeping its guidance under regular review. Should the Company consider the current guidance no longer achievable, then the Company will provide a further update.

Proyecto Riotinto operational guidance for 2023 is as follows:

 

 

Unit

Guidance 2023

Ore mined

million tonnes

17.1

Waste mined

million tonnes

24.1

Ore processed

million tonnes

15.3 - 15.8

Copper ore grade

%

0.40 - 0.42

Copper recovery rate

%

84 - 86

Contained copper

tonnes

53,000-55,000

Cash costs

$/lb payable

2.80 - 3.00

All-in sustaining cost

$/lb payable

3.00 - 3.20

 

As announced in the Company's Q4 2022 Operations Update, production guidance for 2023 is 53,000 to 55,000 tonnes of copper, which represents an increase over FY2022 production of 52,269 tonnes.

Inflationary pressures continue to impact the global mining industry. The prices of many key inputs, including diesel, tyres, explosives, grinding media and lime, increased materially in 2022 as a result of higher global energy prices and logistics constraints. Although prices have stabilised for certain items, overall input costs remain well above 2021 levels.

In addition, electricity continues to be a major component of the Company's cost structure due to the elevated market prices in Spain. As a result, the Company is again providing cash cost and AISC guidance that reflects a range of outcomes of potential market electricity prices for 2023.

The cash cost guidance range for 2023 is $2.80 to $3.00/lb copper payable and the AISC guidance range is $3.00 to $3.20/lb copper payable. These cost guidance ranges are based on an assumed market electricity price range of €100 to 150/MWh and also include the benefit of the Company's PPA.

In addition, the Company expects to spend approximately €13.0 million in 2023 as part of the project to increase the capacity of the tailing dam. AISC are presented net of the one-off project to increase the capacity of the tailing dam.

 

4.  Overview of the Financial Results

The following table presents a summarised consolidated income statement for the twelve months period ended 31 December 2022, with comparatives and comparison with the twelve months ended 31 December 2021.

( Euro 000's )

Three month ended 31 Dec 2022

Three month ended 31 Dec 2021

Twelve month ended 31 Dec 2022

Twelve month ended 31 Dec 2021






Revenues from operations

99,893

101,452

361,846

405,717

Cost of sales

(71,797)

(43,835)

(289,554)

(192,972)

Corporate expenses

(4,598)

(4,403)

(9,954)

(9,715)

Exploration expenses

(3,801)

(978)

(4,257)

(1,800)

Care and maintenance expenditure

(1,494)

(1,333)

(3,053)

(2,116)

Other income

(4)

-

286

-

EBITDA

18,199

50,903

55,314

199,114

Depreciation/amortisation

(8,775)

(8,642)

(34,119)

(32,276)

Net foreign exchange gain/(loss)

(4,181)

1,622

11,546

6,589

Net finance cost

1,030

(12,814)

(421)

(13,600)

Tax

1,766

(3,042)

(1,394)

(27,601)

Profit for the year

8,039

28,027

30,926

132,226

 

Three months financial review

Revenues for Q4 2022 amounted to €99.9 million (Q4 2021: €101.5 million). Higher concentrate sold offset lower commodity prices.

Copper concentrate production during Q4 2022 was 68,908 tonnes (Q4 2021: 64,695 tonnes) and 69,727 tonnes of copper concentrate were sold in the same period (Q4 2021: 63,673 tonnes). Higher production levels were mainly the result of slightly higher tonnes processed in the quarter.

Copper contained in concentrates sold was 14,027 tonnes in Q4 2022 (Q4 2021: 13,568 tonnes).

The realised price (excluding QPs) for Q4 2022 was $3.70/lb copper compared to $4.40/lb copper in the same period of 2021.

Cost of sales for Q4 2022 amounted to €71.8 million, compared to €43.8 million in Q4 2021. Unit operating costs in Q4 2022 were significantly higher than in Q4 2021 due to the significantly higher cost of electricity (€49.6 million higher), diesel and other supplies as result of inflation and the geopolitical situation in the Ukraine.

Cash costs of $2.90/lb payable copper for Q4 2022, were higher than $2.24/lb payable copper in the same period last year. Higher cash costs were primarily due to the significantly higher electricity price as well as increased costs for other supplies. The weaker Euro/US Dollar rate in Q4 2022 offset a portion of the higher operating costs. AISC excluding investment in the tailings dam in Q4 2022 were $3.12/lb payable copper compared with $2.46/lb payable copper in Q4 2021.

Sustaining capex for Q4 2022, included in capital expenditure, amounted to €1.6 million (Q4 2021: €1.5 million). Sustaining capex mainly accounted for enhancements in processing systems of the plant. In addition, the Company invested €4.8 million (Q4 2021: €4.6 million) in the project to increase the tailings dam.

Capex associated with the construction of the 50 MW solar plant amounted to €10.7 million in Q4 2022, while investments in the E-LIX Phase I plant totalled €3.9 million, of which €0.6 million was booked as long-term loans to Lain Technologies Ltd.

Corporate costs for Q4 2022 were €4.3 million, compared to €4.4 million for Q4 2021. Corporate costs mainly include the Company's overhead expenses.

Exploration costs related to the Proyecto Riotinto for Q4 2022 amounted to €3.8 million, compared to €1.0 million in the same period last year. Main costs related to exploration works come from Proyecto Masa Valverde and Ossa Morena.

Care and maintenance costs for Q4 2022 amounted to €1.5 million, compared to €1.3 million for Q4 2021. The increase is mainly related to Proyecto Touro and Masa Valverde.

EBITDA for Q4 2022 amounted to €18.2 million, compared to EBITDA of €50.9 million for Q4 2021.

 

Twelve months financial review

Revenues for FY2022 amounted to €361.8 million (FY2021: €405.7 million).

Copper concentrate production during FY2022 was 249,543 tonnes (FY2021: 270,713 tonnes) and 251,268 tonnes of copper concentrate were sold in the same period (FY2021: 277,792 tonnes). Lower production levels were mainly the result of lower ore grades and lower throughput following the transport sector strike in Q1 2022. Inventories of concentrates as at the reporting date were 3,529 tonnes (31 Dec 2021: 5,254 tonnes).

Copper contained in concentrates sold was 55,323 tonnes in FY2022 (FY2021: 61,662 tonnes).

The realised price (excluding QPs) for the twelve-months period in 2022 was $3.96/lb copper compared to $4.22/lb copper in the same period of 2021. Concentrates were sold under offtake agreements in place. The Company did not enter into any hedging agreements in either 2022 or 2021.

Cost of sales for FY2022 amounted to €289.6 million, compared to €193.0 million in FY2021. Unit operating costs in FY2022 were significantly higher than in FY2021 due to the significantly higher cost of electricity (circa. €63.8 million higher), diesel and other supplies as result of inflation and the geopolitical situation in the Ukraine.

Cash costs of $3.16/lb payable copper for FY2022, were higher than $2.18/lb payable copper in the same period last year. Higher cash costs were primarily due to the significantly higher electricity price as well as increased costs for other supplies. The stronger US Dollar/Euro rate in FY2022 offset a portion of the higher operating costs. AISC excluding investment in the tailings dam in FY2022 were $3.37/lb payable copper compared with $2.48/lb payable copper in FY2021. The increase is mainly attributable to the higher cash costs despite lower capitalised stripping costs, which amounted to €0.7 million in FY2022 compared with €9.8 million invested in FY2021.

Sustaining capex for FY2022, included in capital expenditure, amounted to €6.2 million (FY2021: €5.9 million). Sustaining capex mainly accounted for enhancements in processing systems of the plant. In addition, the Company invested €14.1 million (FY2021: €14.1 million) in the project to increase the tailings dam.

Capex associated with the construction of the 50 MW solar plant amounted to €22.7 million in FY2022, while investments in the E-LIX Phase I plant totalled €16.8 million, of which €10.9 million was booked as long-term loans to Lain Technologies Ltd.

Corporate costs for FY2022 were €9.7 million, compared to €9.7 million for FY2021. Corporate costs mainly include the Company's overhead expenses.

Exploration costs related to the Proyecto Riotinto for FY2022 amounted to €4.3 million, compared to €1.8 million in the same period last year. Main costs related to exploration works come from Proyecto Masa Valverde and Ossa Morena.

Care and maintenance costs for FY2022 amounted to €3.1 million, compared to €2.1 million for FY2021. The increase is mainly related to Proyecto Touro and Masa Valverde.

EBITDA for FY2022 amounted to €55.3 million, compared to EBITDA of €199.1 million for FY2021. The decrease is mainly attributed to lower concentrate sold and commodity prices in addition to higher cash costs.

Depreciation and amortisation amounted to €34.1 million for FY2022 (FY2021: €32.3 million), as a result of the higher level of assets subject to depreciation following the completion of assets previously under construction.

Net finance costs for FY2022 amounted to negative €0.4 million (FY2021: negative €13.6 million). Net finance costs decreased mainly due to the accrual recognised in 2021 for the interest related to Astor case amounted to €11.8m.

 

Copper prices

The average realised copper price excluding QPs decreased by 6.0% from $4.22 per pound in FY2021 to $3.96 per pound in FY2022.

The average prices of copper for 2022 and 2021 were:

$/lb


2022

2021

Realised copper price (excluding QPs)

$/lb

3.96

4.22

Market copper price per lb (period average)

$/lb

4.00

4.23

 

Realised copper prices for the reporting period noted above have been calculated using payable copper and excluding both provisional invoices and final settlements of quotation periods ("QPs") together. The realised price during the year, including the QP, was approximately $4.06/lb.

 

5.  Non-GAAP Measures

Atalaya has included certain non-IFRS measures including "EBITDA", "Cash Cost per pound of payable copper", "All-In Sustaining Costs" ("AISC") and "realised prices" in this report. Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardised meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for indicators prepared in accordance with IFRS.

EBITDA includes gross sales net of penalties and discounts and all operating costs, excluding finance, tax, impairment, depreciation and amortisation expenses.

Cash Cost per pound of payable copper includes cash operating costs, including treatment and refining charges ("TC/RC"), freight and distribution costs net of by-product credits. Cash Cost per pound of payable copper is consistent with the widely accepted industry standard established by Wood Mackenzie and is also known as the C1 cash cost.

AISC per pound of payable copper includes C1 Cash Costs plus royalties and agency fees, expenditures on rehabilitation, capitalised stripping costs, exploration and geology costs, corporate costs and recurring sustaining capital expenditures but excludes one-off sustaining capital projects, such as the tailings dam project.

Realised price per pound of payable copper is the value of the copper payable included in the concentrate produced including the discounts and other features governed by the offtake agreements of the Group and all discounts or premiums provided in commodity hedge agreements with financial institutions if any, expressed in USD per pound of payable copper and before silver credits, TC/RCs, penalties freights and other cost items included in the sales invoices and booked as revenues. Realised price is consistent with the widely accepted industry standard definition.

 

6.  Liquidity and Capital Resources

Atalaya monitors factors that could impact its liquidity as part of the Company's overall capital management strategy. Factors that are monitored include, but are not limited to, the market price of copper, foreign currency rates, production levels, operating costs, capital and administrative costs.

The following is a summary of Atalaya's cash position as at 31 December 2022 and 2021, and cash flows for the twelve months ended 31 December 2022 and 2021.

 

Liquidity Information

( Euro 000's )

31 Dec 2022

31 Dec 2021

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at Group level

108,550

48,375

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at Operation level

17,567

43,722

Restricted cash and cash equivalents at Operation level

331

15,420

Consolidated cash and cash equivalents

126,448

107,517

Net cash position (1)

53,085

60,073

Working capital surplus

84,047

102,430

 

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December 2022 increased to €126.4 million from €92.1 million at 31 December 2021. The increase in cash balances is due to the cash flows generated during 2022. Cash balances are unrestricted and include balances at operational and corporate level. Restricted cash of €0.3 million represented the amount in escrow out of which the Company has paid interest of €9.6 million on 7 and 8 April 2022 (following the trial in February and March 2022) and €1.1 million on 16 May 2022 to Astor under the Master Agreement. Following the payment made in May 2022, the balance (less an amount representing £280,000, or~€350k being the remaining potential liability to Astor on costs) reverted to the Company and it has been classified as unrestricted cash.

As of 31 December 2022, Atalaya reported a working capital surplus of €84.0 million, compared with a working capital surplus of €102.4 million at 31 December 2021. The situation in 2022 is that the decrease in working capital surplus relates to the increase in current liabilities. Cash increased compared to previous year. At 31 December 2022, trade payables have increased by 36.0% compared with the same period last year, mainly attributed to inflation and also timing differences.

The Directors consider current net cash position as well as the existing levels of the commodity prices and the current liquidity position to mitigate any potential financial risks linked to the liquidity position of the Company.

 

Overview of the Group's Cash Flows

( Euro 000's )

Twelve month ended 31 Dec 2022

Twelve month ended 31 Dec 2021

Cash flows from operating activities

38,503

148,841

Cash flows used in investing activities

(53,529)

(87,531)

Cash flows from financing activities

22,411

1,851

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

7,385

63,161

Net foreign exchange differences

11,546

6,589

Total net cash flow for the period

18,931

69,750

 

Cash and cash equivalents increased by €18.9 million in the twelve months period ended 31 December 2022. This increase was due to cash from operating activities amounting to €38.5 million, cash used in investing activities amounting to €53.5 million and cash generated by financing activities totalling €22.4 million, and net foreign exchange of €11.5 million.

Cash generated from operating activities before working capital changes was €56.9 million in line with EBITDA of €55.3 million. Atalaya increased its trade receivables by €24.5 million and its inventory levels by €14.1 million and trade payables increased in the period by € 24.7 million. Corporate tax paid during the period was €3.3 million.

Investing activities in 2022 amounted to €53.5 million, and the capitalised expenditure relating to the tailings dam project and continuous enhancements to the processing systems of the plant.

Financing activities in 2022 amounted to €22.4 million. The Company increased its financing by €22.4 million mainly due to the use of existing unsecured credit facilities to pay the Solar Plant. The payment was financed by unsecured credit lines by four major Spanish banks having a three-year tenure and an average annual interest rate of approximately two per cent . This was offset by the payment of dividends of €5.1 million.

 

Foreign exchange

In FY2022, Atalaya recognised a foreign exchange gain of €11.5 million (FY2021 gain: €6.6 million). The foreign exchange gain mainly related to variances in EUR and USD conversion rates during the period as all sales are settled and occasionally held in USD.

The following table summarises the movement in key currencies versus the EUR:

 

 

 

 



 

Twelve months ended

31 Dec 2022

Twelve months ended

31 Dec 2021

Average rates for the periods

 



 

 


GBP - EUR

 



 

0.8528

0.8596

USD - EUR

 



 

1.0530

1.1827

Spot rates as at

 



 

 


GBP - EUR

 



 

0.8869

0.8403

USD - EUR

 



 

1.0666

1.1326

 

During 2022 and 2021, Atalaya did not have any currency hedging agreements.

 

7.  Risk Factors

Due to the nature of Atalaya's business in the mining industry, the Group is subject to various risks that could materially impact the future operating results and could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements relating to Atalaya. Readers are encouraged to read and consider the risk factors detailed in Atalaya's audited, consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

The Company continues to monitor the principal risks and uncertainties that could materially impact the Company's results and operations, including the areas of increasing uncertainty such as inflationary pressure on goods and services required for the business and geopolitical developments worldwide.

 

8.  Critical accounting policies, estimates, judgements, assumptions and accounting changes

The preparation of Atalaya's Financial Statements in accordance with IFRS required management to made estimates and assumptions that affected amounts reported in the Financial Statements and accompanying notes. There is a full discussion and description of Atalaya's critical accounting estimates and judgements in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

 

9.  Other Information

Additional information about Atalaya Mining Plc. is available at www.sedar.com and at www.atalayamining.com

Consolidated financial statements on subsequent pages  

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

Consolidated and Company Statements of Comprehensive Income

(All amounts in Euro thousands unless otherwise stated)

For the period ended 31 December 2022 and 2021

 

 



The Group

The Company

The Group

The Company

(Euro 000's)

Note

2022

2022

2021

2021







Revenue

5

361,846

57,756

405,717

65,849

Operating costs and mine site administrative expenses

(288,275)

-

(192,073)

-

Mine site depreciation, amortisation and impairment

13,14

(34,119)

-

(32,276)

-

Gross profit

 

39,452

57,756

181,368

65,849

Administration and other expenses


(9,954)

(3,601)

(9,715)

(2,422)

Share based benefits

23

(1,279)

-

(899)

-

Exploration expenses


(4,257)

-

(1,800)

-

Care and maintenance expenditure


(3,053)

-

(2,116)

-

Other income


286

286

-

-

Operating profit

6

21,195

54,441

166,838

63,427

Net foreign exchange gain

4

11,546

3,439

6,589

1,450

Interest income from financial assets at fair value through profit and loss

8

-

9,157

-

12,854

Interest income from financial assets at amortised cost

8

624

3,779

57

2,398

Finance costs

9

(1,045)

-

(13,657)

-

Profit before tax

 

32,320

70,816

159,827

80,129

Tax

10

(1,394)

(617)

(27,601)

(862)

Profit for the year

 

30,926

70,199

132,226

79,267







Profit for the year attributable to:






-  Owners of the parent


33,155

70,199

133,644

79,267

-  Non-controlling interests


(2,229)

-

(1,418)

-



30,926

70,199

132,226

79,267







Earnings per share from operations attributable to equity holders of the parent during the year:

Basic earnings per share (EUR cents per share)

11

23.7

-

96.7

-

Diluted earnings per share (EUR cents per share)

11

23.2

-

94.4

-







Profit for the year

 

30,926

70,199

132,226

79,267

Other comprehensive income:


-

-

-

-







Other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods (net of tax):

Change in fair value of financial assets through other comprehensive income 'OCI'


(6)

(6)

(47)

(47)

Total comprehensive income for the year

20

30,920

70,193

132,179

79,220







Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to:

33,148

70,193

133,597

79,220

-  Owners of the parent


(2,229)

-

(1,418)

-

-  Non-controlling interests


30,920

70,193

132,179

79,220

 

The notes on subsequent pages are an integral part of these consolidated and company financial statements.

 

 

Consolidated and Company Statements of Financial Position

(All amounts in Euro thousands unless otherwise stated)

As at 31 December 2022 and 2021

 

 



31 Dec 2022

31 Dec 2022

31 Dec 2021

31 Dec 2021

(Euro 000's)

Note

The Group

The Company

The Group

The Company

Assets

 





Non-current assets

 





Property, plant and equipment

13

354,908

-

333,096

-

Intangible assets

14

53,830

-

57,368

-

Investment in subsidiaries

15

-

74,911

-

64,171

Trade and other receivables

19

16,362

259,904

5,330

245,744

Non-current financial asset

20

1,101

-

1,101

-

Deferred tax asset

17

7,293

-

5,564

-



433,494

334,815

402,459

309,915

Current assets

 





Inventories

18

38,841

-

24,781

-

Trade and other receivables

19

64,155

48,831

50,128

2,415

Tax refundable


100

-

483

-

Other financial assets

20

33

33

39

39

Cash and cash equivalents

21

126,448

39,472

107,517

37,270



229,577

88,336

182,948

39,724

Total assets

 

663,071

423,151

585,407

349,639







Equity and liabilities

 





Equity attributable to owners of the parent

 





Share capital

22

13,596

13,596

13,447

13,447

Share premium

22

319,411

319,411

315,916

315,916

Other reserves

23

69,805

9,419

52,690

8,146

Accumulated profit


70,483

75,216

58,754

10,116



473,295

417,642

440,807

347,625

Non-controlling interests

24

(6,998)

-

(4,909)

-

Total equity

 

466,297

417,642

435,898

347,625

Liabilities

 





Non-current liabilities

 





Trade and other payables

25

2,015

-

3,450

-

Provisions

26

24,083

-

26,578

-

Lease liability

27

4,378

-

4,913

-

Borrowings

28

20,768

-

34,050

-



51,244

-

68,991

-

Current liabilities

 





Trade and other payables

25

90,022

5,402

66,191

2,014

Lease liability

27

536

-

597

-

Current tax liabilities

10

1,425

107

336

-

Current provisions

26

952

-

-

-

Borrowings

28

52,595

-

13,394

-



145,530

5,509

80,518

2,014

Total liabilities

 

196,774

5,509

149,509

2,014

Total equity and liabilities

 

663,071

423,151

585,407

349,639

The notes on subsequent pages are an integral part of these consolidated and company financial statements.

The consolidated and company financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 21 March 2023 and were signed on its behalf.

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(All amounts in Euro thousands unless otherwise stated)

For the period ended 31 December 2022 and 2021

 

(Euro 000's)

Note

Share capital

Share premium (2)

Other reserves (1)

Accum. Profits

Total

NCI

Total equity

1 Jan 2022

 

13,447

315,916

52,690

58,754

440,807

(4,909)

435,898

Adjustment prior year


-

-

-

(53)

(53)

-

(53)

Opening balance adjusted

 

13,447

315,916

52,690

58,701

440,754

(4,909)

435,845

Profit/(loss) for the period


-

-

-

33,155

33,155

(2,229)

30,926

Change in fair value of financial assets through OCI


-

-

(6)

-

(6)

-

(6)

Total comprehensive (loss)/ income


-

-

(6)

33,155

33,149

(2,229)

30,920

Issuance of share capital

22

149

3,495

-

-

3,644

-

3,644

Recognition of depletion factor

23

-

-

12,800

(12,800)

-

-

-

Recognition of share-based payments

23

-

-

1,279

-

1,279

-

1,279

Recognition of non-distributable reserve

23

-

-

316

(316)

-

-

-

Recognition of distributable reserve

23

-

-

2,726

(2,726)

-

-

-

Other changes in equity


-

-

-

(432)

(432)

140

(292)

Dividends paid


-

-

-

(5,099)

(5,099)

-

(5,099)

31 Dec 2022

 

13,596

319,411

69,805

70,483

473,295

(6,998)

466,297

 









(Euro 000's)

Note

Share capital

Share premium (2)

Other reserves (1)

Accum. Profits

Total

NCI

Total equity

1 Jan 2021

 

13,439

315,714

40,049

(15,512)

353,690

(3,491)

350,199

Profit/(loss) for the period


-

-

-

133,644

133,644

(1,418)

132,226

Change in fair value of financial assets through OCI


-

-

(47)

-

(47)

-

(47)

Total comprehensive (loss)/income


-

-

(47)

133,644

133,597

(1,418)

132,179

Issuance of share capital

22

8

202

-

-

210

-

210

Recognition of depletion factor

23

-

-

6,100

(6,100)

-

-

-

Recognition of share-based payments

23

-

-

899

-

899

-

899

Recognition of non-distributable reserve  23

-

-

2,372

(2,372)

-

-

-

Recognition of distributable reserve

23

-

-

3,317

(3,317)

-

-

-

Other changes in equity


-

-

-

(299)

(299)

-

(299)

Dividends paid


-

-

-

(47,290)

(47,290)

-

(47,290)

31 Dec 2021

 

13,447

315,916

52,690

58,754

440,807

(4,909)

435,898

 

(1) Refer to Note 23

(2) The share premium reserve is not available for distribution.

 

 

The notes on subsequent pages are an integral part of these consolidated and company financial statements.

 

 

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

(All amounts in Euro thousands unless otherwise stated)

For the period ended 31 December 2022 and 2021

 

 

(Euro 000's)

Note

Share capital

Share premium (1)

Other reserves

Accum. Profits

Total

1 Jan 2021

 

13,439

315,714

7,294

(21,861)

314,586

Profit for the year


-

-

-

79,267

79,267

Change in fair value of financial assets through OCI

20

-

-

(47)

-

(47)

Total comprehensive income


-

-

(47)

79,267

79,220

Issuance of share capital

22

8

202

-

-

210

Recognition of share-based payments

23

-

-

899

-

899

Dividends paid


-

-

-

(47,290)

(47,290)

31 Dec 2021/1 Jan 2022

 

13,447

315,916

8,146

10,116

347,625

Profit for the period


-

-

-

70,199

70,199

Change in fair value of financial assets through OCI

20

-

-

(6)

-

(6)

Total comprehensive income


-

-

(6)

70,199

70,193

Transactions with owners

 





 

Issuance of share capital

22

149

3,495

-

-

3,644

Recognition of share-based payments

23

-

-

1,279

-

1,279

Dividends paid


-

-

-

(5,099)

(5,099)

31 Dec 2022

 

13,596

319,411

9,419

75,216

417,642

 

(1) Refer to Note 23

(2) The share premium reserve is not available for distribution.

 

 

The notes on subsequent pages are an integral part of these consolidated and company financial statements.

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(All amounts in Euro thousands unless otherwise stated)

For the period ended 31 December 2022 and 2021

 

(Euro 000's)

Note

2022

2021

Cash flows from operating activities

 



Profit before tax

 

32,320

159,827

Adjustments for:




Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

13

29,637

27,680

Amortisation of intangible assets

14

4,482

4,596

Recognition of share‑based payments

23

1,279

899

Interest income

8

(244)

(57)

Interest expense

9

1,025

846

Unwinding of discounting

9

-

1,063

Finance provisions

9

-

11,737

Other provisions


-

417

Legal provisions

26

(43)

(61)

Net foreign exchange differences


(11,546)

(6,692)

Unrealised foreign exchange loss on financing activities


25

-

Cash inflows from operating activities before working capital changes

56,934

200,255

Changes in working capital:

 



Inventories

18

(14,060)

(1,205)

Trade and other receivables

19

(24,471)

(8,807)

Trade and other payables

25

24,662

(14,400)

Provisions

26

(91)

(343)

Cash flows from operations

 

42,975

175,500

Interest expense on lease liabilities

27

(20)

(11)

Interest paid


(1,025)

(846)

Tax paid


(3,427)

(25,802)

Net cash from operating activities

 

38,503

148,841

Cash flows from investing activities

 



Purchases of property, plant and equipment

13

(52,650)

(32,440)

Purchases of intangible assets

14

(944)

(2,148)

Payment of deferred consideration


-

(53,000)

Interest received

8

65

57

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(53,529)

(87,531)

Cash flows from financing activities

 



Lease payment

27

(617)

(463)

Net proceeds from borrowings


24,484

49,446

Proceeds from issue of share capital


3,643

158

Dividends paid


(5,099)

(47,290)

Net cash from financing activities

 

22,411

1,851





Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

7,385

63,161

Net foreign exchange difference


11,546

6,589

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 


At beginning of the year

21

107,517

37,767

At end of the year

21

126,448

107,517

 

 

 

The notes on subsequent pages are an integral part of these consolidated and company financial statements.

 

Company Statement of Cash Flows

(All amounts in Euro thousands unless otherwise stated)

For the period ended 31 December 2022 and 2021

 

(Euro 000's)

Note

2022

2021

Cash flows from operating activities

 



Profit before tax

 

70,816

80,129

Adjustments for:




Interest income

8

(36)

-

Interest income from interest-bearing intercompany loans

8

(12,900)

(15,252)

Net foreign exchange difference


(3,439)

-

Unrealised foreign exchange loss on financing activities


(63)

-

Cash inflows from operating activities before working capital changes

54,378

64,877

Changes in working capital:

 



Trade and other receivables

19

(61,273)

81,713

Trade and other payables

25

3,950

(20,103)

Cash flows from operations

 

(2,945)

126,487

Tax paid


(311)

(1,614)

Net cash from/(used in) operating activities

 

(3,256)

124,873

Cash flows from investing activities

 



Investment in subsidiaries

15

(9,461)

(57,824)

Interest received


36

-

Interest income from interest-bearing intercompany loans

8

12,900

15,252

Net cash (used in)/from investing activities

 

3,475

(42,572)

Cash flows from financing activities

 



Proceeds from issue of share capital

22

3,643

210

Dividends paid

12

(5,099)

(47,290)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(1,456)

(47,080)





Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(1,237)

35,221

Net foreign exchange difference


3,439

-

Cash and cash equivalents:

 



At beginning of the year

21

37,270

2,049

At end of the year

21

39,472

37,270

 

 

The notes on subsequent pages are an integral part of these consolidated and company financial statements.

 

 

1. Incorporation and summary of business

Atalaya Mining Plc (the "Company") was incorporated in Cyprus on 17 September 2004 as a private company with limited liability under the Companies Law, Cap. 113 and was converted to a public limited liability company on 26 January 2005. Its registered office is at 1 Lampousa Street, Nicosia, Cyprus.

The Company was listed on AIM of the London Stock Exchange in May 2005 under the symbol ATYM. The Company continued to be listed on AIM as at 31 December 2022.

On 20 February 2023, Atalaya announced that applied a voluntary delisting of its ordinary shares from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") with effective date of the closing of trading on 7 March 2023. Ordinary shares in the Company continue to trade on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol "ATYM". Delisting from TSX took effect at the close of trading on 20 March 2023.

Additional information about Atalaya Mining Plc is available at www.atalayamining.com as per requirement of AIM rule 26.

Change of name and share consolidation

Following the Company's Extraordinary General Meeting ("EGM") on 13 October 2015, the change of name from EMED Mining Public Limited to Atalaya Mining Plc became effective on 21 October 2015. On the same day, the consolidation of ordinary shares came into effect, whereby all shareholders received one new ordinary share of nominal value Stg £0.075 for every 30 existing ordinary shares of nominal value Stg £0.0025.

Principal activities

Atalaya is a European mining and development company. The strategy is to evaluate and prioritise metal production opportunities in several jurisdictions throughout the well-known belts of base and precious metal mineralisation in Spain, elsewhere in European and Latin America.

The Group currently owns four mining projects: Proyecto Riotinto, Proyecto Touro, Proyecto Masa Valverde and Proyecto Ossa Morena. In addition, the Company has an earn-in agreement to acquire three investigation permits at Proyecto Riotinto Este.

Proyecto Riotinto

The Company owns and operates through a wholly owned subsidiary, "Proyecto Riotinto", an open-pit copper mine located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, in the Andalusia region of Spain, approximately 65 km northwest of Seville. A brownfield expansion of this mine was completed in 2019 and successfully commissioned by Q1 2020.

Proyecto Touro

The Group has an initial 10% stake in Cobre San Rafael, S.L., the owner of Proyecto Touro, as part of an earn-in agreement which will enable the Group to acquire up to 80% of the copper project. Proyecto Touro is located in Galicia, north-west Spain. Proyecto Touro is currently in the permitting process.

In November 2019, Atalaya executed the option to acquire 12.5% of Explotaciones Gallegas del Cobre, S.L. the exploration property around Touro, with known additional reserves, which will provide high potential to the Proyecto Touro.

Proyecto Masa Valverde

On 21 October 2020, the Company announced that it entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Cambridge Mineria España, S.L. (since renamed Atalaya Masa Valverde, S.L.U.), a Spanish company which fully owns the Masa Valverde polymetallic project located in Huelva (Spain). Under the terms of the agreement Atalaya will make an aggregate €1.4 million cash payment in two instalments of approximately the same amount. The first payment is to be executed once the project is permitted and second and final payment when first production is achieved from the concession. Proyecto Masa Valverde is currently in the permitting process.

Proyecto Ossa Morena

In December 2021, Atalaya announced the acquisition of a 51% interest in Rio Narcea Nickel, S.L., which owns 9 investigation permits. The acquisition also provided a 100% interest in three investigation permits that are also located along the Ossa- Morena Metallogenic Belt. In Q3 2022, Atalaya increased its ownership interest in POM to 99.9%, up from 51%, following completion of a capital increase that will fund exploration activities. During 2022 Atalaya rejected 8 investigation permits.

Atalaya will pay a total of €2.5 million in cash in three instalments and grant a 1% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty over all acquired permits. The first payment of €0.5 million will be made following execution of the purchase agreement. The second and third instalments of €1 million each will be made once the environmental impact statement ("EIS") and the final mining permits for any project within any of the investigation permits acquired under the Transaction are secured.

Proyecto Riotinto Este

In December 2020, Atalaya entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with a local private Spanish company to acquire a 100% beneficial interest in three investigation permits (known as Peñas Blancas, Cerro Negro and Herreros investigation permits), which cover approximately 12,368 hectares and are located immediately east of Proyecto Riotinto.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated and company financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

2.1 Basis of preparation

(a) Overview

The financial statements of Atalaya Mining Plc have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). IFRS comprise the standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB").

The financial statements are presented in € and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand (€'000), except where otherwise indicated.

Additionally, the financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with the IFRS as adopted by the European Union and the requirements of the Cyprus Companies Law, Cap.113. For the year ending 31 December 2022, the standards applicable for IFRS's as adopted by the EU are aligned with the IFRS's as issued by the IASB.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments that are measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period, as explained below and in note 3.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgment 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 financial statements are disclosed in Note 3.3.

(b) Going concern

The Directors have considered and debated different possible scenarios on the Company's operations, financial position and forecast for a period of at least 12 months since the approval of these financial statements. Possible scenarios range from (i) disruption in Proyecto Riotinto; (ii) market volatility in commodity and electricity prices; and (iii) availability of existing credit facilities.

The Directors, after reviewing these scenarios, the current cash resources, forecasts and budgets, timing of cash flows, borrowing facilities, sensitivity analyses and considering the associated uncertainties to the Group's operations have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue operating in the foreseeable future.

Accordingly, these financial statements have been prepared based on accounting principles applicable to a going concern which assumes that the Group and the Company will realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. Management has carried out an assessment of the going concern assumption and has concluded that the Group and the Company will generate sufficient cash and cash equivalents to continue operating for the next twelve months since the approval of these consolidated financial statements.

Management continues to monitor the impact of geopolitical developments. Currently no significant impact is expected in the operations of the Group.

 

2.2 New standards, interpretations and amendments adopted by the Group

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Group's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021, except for the adoption of new standards effective as of 1 January 2022.

The Group has adopted all the new and revised IFRSs and International Accounting Standards (IASs) which are relevant to its operations and are effective for accounting periods commencing on 1 January 2022.

Several other amendments and interpretations apply for the first time in 2022, but do not have a significant impact on the financial statements of the Group. The Group has not early adopted any standards, interpretations or amendments that have been issued but are not yet effective.

IFRS 3 Business Combinations; IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment; IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets as well as Annual Improvements 2018-2020 (Amendments)

The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022 with earlier application permitted. The IASB has issued narrow-scope amendments to the IFRS Standards as follows:

IFRS 3 Business Combinations (Amendments) update a reference in IFRS 3 to the previous version of the IASB's Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting to the current version issued in 2018 without significantly changing the accounting requirements for business combinations.

IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment (Amendments) prohibit a company from deducting from the cost of property, plant and equipment any proceeds from the sale of items produced while bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Instead, a company recognizes such sales proceeds and related cost in profit or loss.

IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets (Amendments) specify which costs a company includes in determining the cost of fulfilling a contract for the purpose of assessing whether a contract is onerous. The amendments clarify, the costs that relate directly to a contract to provide goods or services include both incremental costs and an allocation of costs directly related to the contract activities. 

Annual Improvements 2018-2020 make minor amendments to IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, IAS 41 Agriculture and the Illustrative Examples accompanying IFRS 16 Leases.

These amendments had no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.

IFRS 16 Leases-C o vid 19 Related Rent Concessions beyond 30 June 2021 (Amendment)

The Amendment applies to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2021, with earlier application permitted, including in financial statements not yet authorized for issue at the date the amendment is issued. In March 2021, the Board amended the conditions of the practical expedient in IFRS 16 that provides relief to lessees from applying the IFRS 16 guidance on lease modifications to rent concessions arising as a direct consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. Following the amendment, the practical expedient now applies to rent concessions for which any reduction in lease payments affects only payments originally due on or before 30 June 2022, provided the other conditions for applying the practical expedient are met.

The Group has not received Covid-19-related rent concessions.

 

2.3 Fair value estimation

The fair values of the Group's financial assets and liabilities approximate their carrying amounts at the reporting date.

The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets, such as publicly traded trading and other financial assets is based on quoted market prices at the reporting date. The quoted market price used for financial assets held by the Group is the current bid price. The appropriate quoted market price for financial liabilities is the current ask price.

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market is determined by using valuation techniques. The Group uses a variety of methods, such as estimated discounted cash flows, and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at the reporting date.

Fair value measurements recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position

The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, Grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable.

· Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

· Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

· Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

 

THE GROUP

 (Euro 000's)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

31 December 2022





Other current financial assets





Financial assets at FV through OCI

33

-

1,101

1,134

Trade and other receivables

 

 

 

 

Receivables (subject to provisional pricing)

-

27,557

-

27,557

Total

33

27,557

1,101

28,691

31 December 2021

 

 

 

 

Other current financial assets





Financial assets at FV through OCI

39

-

1,101

1,140

Trade and other receivables





Receivables (subject to provisional pricing)

-

29,148

-

29,148

Total

39

29,148

1,101

30,288

 

THE COMPANY

(Euro 000's)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

31 December 2022





Non-current receivables





Financial assets at FV through profit and loss (note 30.4)

-

-

14,247

14,247

Other current financial assets

 

 

 

 

Financial assets at FV through OCI

33

-

-

33

Total

33

-

14,247

14,280

31 December 2021

 

 

 

 

Non-current receivables





Financial assets at FV through profit and loss (note 30.4)

-

-

176,292

176,292

Other current financial assets





Financial assets at FV through OCI

39

-

-

39

Total

39

-

176,292

176,331

 

2.4 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements require management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the accompanying disclosures, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are continually evaluated and are based on management's experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets or liabilities affected in future periods.

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate of the amount can be made. If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. Where discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as a finance cost.

A full analysis of critical accounting estimates and judgements is set out in Note 3.3 to the 2022 audited financial statements.

3.  Business and geographical segments

Business segments

The Group has only one distinct business segment, being that of mining operations, which include mineral exploration and development.

Copper concentrates produced by the Group are sold to three off-takers as per the relevant offtake agreements. In addition, the Group has spot agreements for the concentrates not committed to off-takers.

Geographical segments

The Group's mining activities are located in Spain. The commercialisation of the copper concentrates produced in Spain is carried out through Cyprus. Sales transactions to related parties are on arm's length basis in a similar manner to transaction with third parties. Accounting policies used by the Group in different locations are the same as those contained in Note 2.

 

(Euro 000's)

Cyprus

Spain

Other

Total

2022

 



 

Revenue - from external customers

30,662

331,184

-

361,846

Earnings/(loss)before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation

19,714

35,867

(267)

55,314

Depreciation/amortisation charge

-

(34,119)

-

(34,119)

Net foreign exchange gain

5,368

6,178

-

11,546

Finance income

36

588

-

624

Finance cost

(1)

(1,044)

-

(1,045)

Profit/(loss) before tax

25,117

7,470

(267)

32,320

Tax

(3,352)

1,958

-

(1,394)

Profit/(loss) for the period

21,765

9,428

(267)

30,926

 





Total assets

108,486

528,829

25,756

663,071

Total liabilities

(3,772)

(193,002)

-

(196,774)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

-

29,637

-

29,637

Amortisation of intangible assets

-

4,482

-

4,482

Total net additions of non-current assets

-

74,695

-

74,695

 





(Euro 000's)

Cyprus

Spain

Other

Total

2021

 



 

Revenue

40,827

364,890

-

405,717

Earnings/(loss)before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation

30,284

168,880

(50)

199,114

Depreciation/amortisation charge

-

(32,276)

-

(32,276)

Net foreign exchange gain

2,301

4,285

3

6,589

Finance income

-

57

-

57

Finance cost

-

(13,657)

-

(13,657)

Profit/(loss) before tax

32,585

127,289

(47)

159,827

Tax

(3,776)

(23,825)

-

(27,601)

Profit for the year

28,809

103,464

(47)

132,226






Total assets

77,750

506,523

1,134

585,407

Total liabilities

(1,934)

(147,567)

(8)

(149,509)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

-

27,680

-

27,680

Amortisation of intangible assets

-

4,596

-

4,596

Total additions of non-current assets

-

41,040

-

41,040

 

 

4. Business and geographical segments

Revenue represents the sales value of goods supplied to customers; net of value added tax. The following table summarises sales to customers with whom transactions have individually exceeded 10.0% of the Group's revenues.

 

(Euro 000's)

2022

2021


Segment

€'000

Segment

€'000






Offtaker 1

Copper

71,839

Copper

130,642

Offtaker 2

Copper

108,158

Copper

91,651

Offtaker 3

Copper

181,822

Copper

173,904

 

5. Revenue

THE GROUP

 

(Euro 000's)

2022

2021

Revenue from contracts with customers (1)

371,303

399,966

Fair value gain relating to provisional pricing within sales (2)

(9,457)

5,751

Total revenue

361,846

405,717

 

All revenue from copper concentrate is recognised at a point in time when the control is transferred. Revenue from freight services is recognised over time as the services are provided.

 

(1)  Included within 2022 revenue there is a transaction price of €7.6 million (€2.8 million in 2021) related to the freight services provided by the Group to the customers arising from the sales of copper concentrate under CIF incoterm.

 

(2)  Provisional pricing impact represented the change in fair value of the embedded derivative arising on sales of concentrate.

 

THE COMPANY

(Euro 000's)

2022

2021

Sales of services to related companies (Note 30.3)

2,756

1,849

Dividends

55,000

64,000

Other income

286

-

 

58,042

65,849

 

6. Expenses by nature

THE GROUP

 

(Euro 000's)

2022

2021

Operating costs

246,840

150,954

Rents (Note 27)

5,678

5,752

Care and maintenance expenditure

15,603

13,720

Exploration expenses

3,723

1,800

Employee benefit expense (Note 7)

24,556

23,793

Compensation of key management personnel

2,189

2,335

Auditors' remuneration - audit

345

283

Other accountants' remuneration

138

86

Consultants' remuneration

1,087

921

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (Note 13)

29,637

27,680

Amortisation of intangible assets (Note 14)

4,482

4,596

Travel costs

282

105

Share option-based employee benefits

1,279

899

Shareholders' communication expense

305

251

On-going listing costs

533

352

Legal costs

1,469

1,086

Public relations and communication development

1,035

650

Insurances

83

90

Other expenses and provisions

1,673

3,526

Total

340,937

238,879

 

THE COMPANY

(Euro 000's )

2022

2021

Key management remuneration

540

547

Auditors' remuneration - audit

139

146

Other accountants' remuneration

57

42

Consultants' remuneration

224

222

Management fees (Note 30.3)

66

61

Travel costs

2

3

Shareholders' communication expense

305

251

On-going listing costs

533

352

Legal costs

1,258

667

Insurances

84

91

Other expenses and provisions

393

40

Total

3,600

2,422

 

7. Employee benefit expense 

THE GROUP

(Euro 000's )

2022

2021

Wages and salaries

18,438

17,652

Social security and social contributions

5,659

5,583

Employees' other allowances

16

17

Bonus to employees

443

541


24,556

23,793

 

The average number of employees and the number of employees at year end by office are:


Average

 

At year end

Number of employees

2022

2021

 

2022

2021

Spain - Full time

473

406

 

462

422

Spain - Part time

4

91

 

3

81

Cyprus - Full time

1

1

 

1

1

Cyprus - Part time

2

2

 

2

2

Total

480

500

 

468

506

 

THE COMPANY

The company had no employees during the year ended 31 December 2022 and 2021.

 

8. Finance income

 THE GROUP

(Euro 000's )

2022

2021

Interest income

244

57

Unwinding of discount on mine rehabilitation provision (Note 26)

380

-


624

57

THE COMPANY

(Euro 000's )

2022

2021




Interest income from interest-bearing intercompany loans at fair value through profit and loss (Note 30.3)

9,157

12,854

Interest income from interest-bearing intercompany loans at amortised cost (Note 30.3)

3,743

2,398

Other interest income

36

-


12,936

15,252

 

Interest income relates to interest received on bank balances.

 

9. Finance costs

THE GROUP

(Euro 000's )

2022

2021

Interest expense:

 


Other interest

1,025

846

Interest expense on lease liabilities

20

11

Other finance expenses

-

11,737

Unwinding of discount on mine rehabilitation provision (Note 26)

-

1,063


1,045

13,657

Other finance expense is related to the interest calculation proposed by Astor.

 

10. Tax

THE GROUP

(Euro 000's)

2022

2021

Current income tax charge

3,123

24,359

Deferred tax related to utilization of losses for the year (Note 17)

-

3,856

Deferred tax income relating to the origination of temporary differences (Note 17)

(4,544)

(2,986)

Deferred tax expense relating to reversal of temporary differences (Note 17)

2,815

2,372


1,394

27,601

The tax on the Group's results before tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the applicable tax rates as follows:

(Euro 000's)

2022

2021


 


Accounting profit before tax

32,318

159,827

Tax calculated at the applicable tax rates of the Company - 12.5%

4,040

19,978

Tax effect of expenses not deductible for tax purposes

1,029

2,743

Tax effect of tax loss for the year

3,819

359

Tax effect of allowances and income not subject to tax

(7,857)

(2,629)

Effect of higher tax rates in other jurisdictions of the group

2,092

7,764

Tax effect of tax losses brought forward

-

(3,856)

Deferred tax (Note 17)

(1,729)

3,242

Tax charge

1,394

27,601

 

THE COMPANY

(Euro 000's)

2022

2021


 


Current income tax charge

617

862


617

862

 

Tax losses carried forward

As at 31 December 2022, the Group had tax losses carried forward amounting to €0.2 million from the Spanish subsidiaries for the period 2008 to 2015 and €4.1 million for the period 2022.

Cyprus

The corporation tax rate is 12.5%. Under certain conditions interest income may be subject to defence contribution at the rate of 30%. In such cases this interest will be exempt from corporation tax. In certain cases, dividends received from abroad may be subject to defence contribution at the rate of 17% for 2014 and thereafter. Under current legislation, tax losses may be carried forward and be set off against taxable income of the five succeeding years.

Companies which do not distribute 70% of their profits after tax, as defined by the relevant tax law, within two years after the end of the relevant tax year, will be deemed to have distributed as dividends 70% of these profits. Special contribution for defence at 20% for the tax years 2012 and 2013 and 17% for 2014 and thereafter will be payable on such deemed dividends to the extent that the shareholders (companies and individuals) are Cyprus tax residents and Cyprus domiciled. The amount of deemed distribution is reduced by any actual dividends paid out of the profits of the relevant year at any time. This special contribution for defence is payable by the Company for the account of the shareholders.

Spain

The corporation tax rate for 2022 and 2021 is 25%. The Spanish tax reform approved in 2014 reduced the general corporation tax rate from 30% to 28% in 2015 and to 25% in 2016, and introduced, among other changes, a 10% reduction in the tax base subject to equity increase and other requirements. Under current legislation, tax losses may be carried forward and be set off against taxable income with no limitation.

 

11. Earnings per share

The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the Company is based on the following data:

(Euro 000's)

2022

2021

Parent company

(676)

(1,773)

Subsidiaries

33,831

135,417

Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent

33,155

133,644




Weighted number of ordinary shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share ('000)

139,757

138,196

Basic profit per share (EUR cents/share)

23.7

96.7




Weighted number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share ('000)



142,834

141,526

 Diluted profit per share (EUR cents/share)

23.2

94.4

 

At 31 December 2022, there are 3,543,500 options (Note 23) and nil warrants (Note 22) (At 31 December 2021: 3,841,750 options and nil warrants) which have been included when calculating the weighted average number of shares for FY2022.

12. Dividends paid

Cash dividends declared and paid during the year:

(Euro 000's)

31 Dec 2022

31 Dec 2021

Inaugural dividend

-

47,290

Interim dividend

5,099

-

Total cash dividends paid in the year to ordinary shareholders

5,099

47,290

 

The Board of Directors has proposed a final dividend for 2022 of US$0.0385 per ordinary share, which is equivalent to approximately 3.15 pence per share totalling €5.0 million. Payment of the Final Dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the Company's 2023 Annual General Meeting.

Fully paid ordinary shares carry one vote per share and carry the right to dividends.

Dividend Policy

Following the expansion of Proyecto Riotinto's processing capacity to 15 Mtpa, Atalaya has been generating robust cash flow as a result of the plant consistently operating above nameplate capacity, coupled with the strong copper price environment.

Accordingly, on 27 October 2021, Atalaya initiated a sustainable dividend policy that will allow for continued investments in its portfolio of low capital intensity growth projects, such as the San Dionisio deposit, Proyecto Masa Valverde and Proyecto Touro.

Consistent with its strategy to create and deliver shareholder value, the Company approved a Dividend Policy that will make an annual pay-out of between 30% and 50% of free cash flow generated during the applicable financial year.

The Dividend Policy took effect during the 2022 financial year. The annual Ordinary Dividend will be paid in two half-yearly instalments and announced in conjunction with interim and full year results.

The declaration and payment of all future dividends under the new policy will remain subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

 

13. Property, plant and equipment

 

(Euro 000's)

Land and buildings

Right of use assets(5)

Plant and equipment

Assets under construction (3)

Deferred mining costs (2)

Other assets (1)

Total

2022

 







Cost

 







At 1 January 2022

65,003

7,076

283,346

22,860

51,667

801

430,753

Additions

2,383

-

1,262

49,473

691

-

53,809

Increase in rehab. provision

1,727

-

-

-

-

-

1,727

Reclassifications(4)

15,300

-

6,727

(22,098)

-

71

-

Advances

103

-

-

-

-

-

103

Write-off

(4,190)

-

-

-

-

-

(4,190)

At 31 December 2022

80,326

7,076

291,335

50,235

52,358

872

482,202

Depreciation

 







At 1 January 2022

16,026

1,546

67,991

-

11,380

714

97,657

Charge for the year

4,428

452

21,191

-

3,541

25

29,637

At 31 December 2022

20,454

1,998

89,182

-

14,921

739

127,294

Net book value at 31 December 2022

59,872

5,078

202,153

50,235

37,437

133

354,908

 








2021








Cost








At 1 January 2021

64,034

6,569

268,051

15,828

41,868

801

397,151

Additions

270

507

1,941

20,386

9,799

-

32,903

Increase in rehab. provision

655

-

-

-

-

-

655

Reclassifications

-

-

13,354

(13,354)

-

-

-

Advances

44

-

-

-

-

-

44

At 31 December 2021

65,003

7,076

283,346

22,860

51,667

801

430,753

Depreciation








At 1 January 2021

11,671

956

48,134

-

8,528

688

69,977

Charge for the year

4,355

590

19,857

-

2,852

26

27,680

At 31 December 2021

16,026

1,546

67,991

-

11,380

714

97,657

Net book value at 31 December 2021

 

48,977

 

5,530

 

215,355

 

22,860

 

40,287

 

87

 

333,096

 

(1) Includes motor vehicles, furniture, fixtures and office equipment which are depreciated over 5-10 years.

(2) Stripping costs

(3) Assets under construction at 31 December 2022 amounted to €50.2 million (2021: €22.9 million). It includes the capitalisation of costs related sustaining capital expenses (€6.3 million), tailing dams (€14.1 million) and solar plant (€22.8m).

(4) Transfers related to sustaining Capex (€6.8 million) and the Tailing Dam Project (€15.3 million) which were finalised works.

(5) See leases in Note 27.

The Group

The above fixed assets are mainly located in Spain.

 

THE COMPANY

(Euro 000's )



Other

assets (1)

 

Total

2022





Cost

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2022

 

 

15

15

At 31 December 2022

 

 

15

15

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2022



15

15

Charge for the year



-

-

At 31 December 2022



15

15

Net book value at 31 December 2022

 

 

-

-

2021

 

 

 

 

Cost





At 1 January 2021



15

15

At 31 December 2021



15

15

Depreciation





At 1 January 2021



15

15

Charge for the year



-

-

At 31 December 2021



15

15

Net book value at 31 December 2021



-

-

(1)  Includes furniture, fixtures and office equipment which were depreciated over 5-10 years.

 

14. Intangible assets

The Group

(Euro 000's )

 

Permits (1)

Licences, R&D and  Software

 

Total

2022

 



Cost

 



On 1 January 2022

80,358

8,595

88,953

Additions

897

47

944

At 31 December 2022

81,255

8,642

89,897

Amortisation

 


 

On 1 January 2022

23,214

8,371

31,585

Charge for the year

4,413

69

4,482

At 31 December 2022

27,627

8,440

36,067

Net book value at 31 December 2022

53,628

202

53,830

 




2021




Cost

 



On 1 January 2021

78,210

8,595

86,805

Additions

2,148

-

2,148

At 31 December 2021

80,358

8,595

88,953

Amortisation

 



On 1 January 2021

18,683

8,306

26,989

Charge for the year

4,531

65

4,596

At 31 December 2021

23,214

8,371

31,585

Net book value at 31 December 2021

57,144

224

57,368

 

(1)  Permits include the mining rights of Proyecto Touro, Masa Valverde and Ossa Morena

 

The ultimate recovery of balances carried forward in relation to areas of interest or all such assets including intangibles is dependent on successful development, and commercial exploitation, or alternatively the sale of the respective areas.

The Group conducts impairment testing in case there is an indicator of impairment. Atalaya assessed its assets concluding that there are no indicators of impairment for either Proyecto Riotinto or any other as of 31 December 2022.

 

15. Investment in subsidiaries

(Euro 000's )

2022


2021

The Company

 



Opening amount at cost minus provision for impairment

64,171


5,448

Increase of investment (2)

10,739


58,723

Closing amount at cost less provision for impairment

74,910


64,171


 



The directly owned subsidiaries of the Group, the percentage of equity owned and the main country of operation are set out below. These interests are consolidated within these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

Subsidiary companies

 

 

Date of incorporation/

acquisition

 

 

Principal activity

 

 

Country of incorporation

Effective proportion of shares held in 2022 (3)

Effective proportion of shares held in 2021 (3)

Atalaya Touro (UK) Ltd

10 March 2017

Holding

United Kingdom

100%

100%

Atalaya Minasderiotinto Project (UK) Ltd(1)

 

10 Sep 2008

 

Holding

United Kingdom

 

100%

 

100%

EMED Marketing Ltd

08 Sep 2008

Trading

Cyprus

100%

100%

EMED Mining Spain SLU(2)

12 April 2007

Exploration

Spain

-

100%

Atalaya Financing Ltd

16 Sep 2020

Financing

Cyprus

100%

100%

 

(1) The increase of €10.8 million related to a share capital increase of Atalaya Minasderiotinto Project (UK) Ltd. amounting to €9.5 million and share-based payment expense of €1.3 million (2021: €0.9 million).

(2) EMED Mining Spain, S.L. was disposed on 4 January 2022

(3) The effective proportion of shares held as at 31 December 2022 and 2021 remained unchanged.

 

16. Investment in joint venture

 

C ompany name

 

Principal activities

Country of incorporation

Effective proportion of shares

held at 31 December 2015

Recursos Cuenca Minera S.L.

Exploitation of tailing dams and waste areas resources

Spain

50%

In 2012 ARM entered into a 50/50 joint venture with Rumbo to evaluate and exploit the potential of the class B resources in the tailings dam and waste areas at The Proyecto Riotinto. Under the joint venture agreement, ARM will be the operator of the joint venture and will reimburse Rumbo for the costs associated with the application for classification of the Class B resources. ARM will fund the initial expenditure of a feasibility study up to a maximum of €2.0 million. Costs are then borne by the joint venture partners in accordance with their respective ownership interests.

 

The Group's significant aggregate amounts in respect of the joint venture are as follows:

(Euro 000's )

2022


2021

Intangible assets

94


94

Trade and other receivables

2


2

Cash and cash equivalents

21


21

Trade and other payables

(115)


(115)

Net assets

2

 

2

Revenue

-


-

Expenses

-


-

Net profit/(loss) after tax

-

 

-

 

17. Deferred tax

 

Consolidated statement of financial position

Consolidated income statement

(Euro 000's)

2022

2021

2022

2021

The Group

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax asset

 


 


At 1 January

5,564

8,805

-

-

Deferred tax related to utilization of losses for the year (Note 10)

 

-

 

(3,856)

 

-

 

3,856

Deferred tax income relating to the origination of temporary differences (Note 10)

 

4,544

 

2,986

 

(4,544)

 

(2,986)

Deferred tax expense relating to reversal of temporary differences (Note 10)

 

(2,815)

 

(2,371)

 

2,815

 

2,371

At 31 December

7,293

5,564

 



 


 


Deferred tax (expense)/income (Note 10 )

 


(1,729)

3,241

 

Deferred tax assets are recognised for the carry-forward of unused tax losses and unused tax credits to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available in the future against which the unused tax losses/credits can be utilised. The Company held tax losses amounted to €4.4 million in Spain.

 

18. Inventories

(Euro 000's)

2022


2021

The Group

 

 

 

Finished products

4,547


5,185

Materials and supplies

31,330


18,216

Work in progress

2,964


1,380


38,841

 

24,781

 

As at 31 December 2022, copper concentrate produced and not sold amounted to 3,529 tonnes (FY2021: 5,254 tonnes). Accordingly, the inventory for copper concentrate was €4.5 million (FY2021: €5.2 million). During the year 2022 the Group recorded cost of sales amounting to €289.0 million (FY2021: €192.1 million).

Materials and supplies relate mainly to machinery spare parts. Work in progress represents ore stockpiles, which is ore that has been extracted and is available for further processing.

 

19. Trade and other receivables

(Euro 000's)

2022

2021

THE GROUP

 


Non-current trade and other receivables

 

 

Deposits

256

303

Loans

12,865

2,332

Other non-current receivables

3,241

2,695


16,362

5,330

Current trade and other receivables

 

 

Trade receivables at fair value - subject to provisional pricing

14,757

8,865

Trade receivables from shareholders at fair value - subject to provisional pricing (Note 30.5)

12,800

20,283

Other receivables from related parties at amortised cost (Note 30.3)

56

56

Deposits

37

21

VAT receivable

28,856

17,300

Tax advances

9

-

Prepayments

5,845

3,303

Other current assets

1,795

300


64,155

50,128

Allowance for expected credit losses

-

-

Total trade and other receivables

80,517

55,458




(Euro 000's)

2022

2021

THE COMPANY

 


Non-current trade and other receivables

 

 

Receivables from own subsidiaries at amortised cost (Note 30.4)

245,657

69,452

Receivables from own subsidiaries at fair value through profit and loss (Note 30.4)

14,247

176,292


259,904

245,744

Current trade and other receivables

 

 

Tax advances CIT

-

279

Receivables from own subsidiaries at amortised cost (Note 30.4)

48,774

2,084

Other receivables

57

52

Total current trade and other receivables

48,831

2,415

 

Trade receivables are shown net of any interest applied to prepayments. Payment terms are aligned with offtake agreements and market standards and generally are 7 days on 90% of the invoice and the remaining 10% at the settlement date which can vary between 1 to 5 months. The fair value of trade and other receivables approximate their book values.

Non-current deposits included €250k (YTD 2021: €250k) as a collateral for bank guarantees, which was recorded as restricted cash (or deposit). Restricted cash related to the collateral was reclassified to non-current trade and other receivables since the deposit is considered to be long term.

Loans are related to an agreement entered by the Group and Lain Technologies Ltd in relation to the construction of the pilot plan to develop the E-LIX System. The Loan is secured with the pilot plant, has a grace period of up to four years and repayment terms depending on future investments on the system. Amounts drawn down bear interest at 2%. The increase is resulted from the drawdowns withdraw required for the pilot plant construction.

 

20. Other Financial assets at FVOCI

The Group

(Euro 000's )

2022


2021

 

 



Financial asset at fair value through OCI (see (a)) below)

1,134


1,140

Total current

33

 

39

Total non-current

1,101

 

1,101

 

 

THE COMPANY

(Euro 000's )

2022


2021

 

 



Financial asset at fair value through OCI (see (a)) below)

33


39

Total current

33

 

39

 

  a) Financial assets at fair value through OCI

The Group

(Euro 000's )

2022


2021

At 1 January (1)

1,140


1,187

Fair value change recorded in equity (Note 23)

(6)


(47)

At 31 December

1,134

 

1,140

 

THE COMPANY

(Euro 000's )

2022


2021

At 1 January (1)

39


86

Fair value change recorded in equity (Note 23)

(6)


(47)

At 31 December

33

 

39

 

 

 

C ompany name

 

Principal activities

Country of incorporation

Effective proportion of shares

held at 31 December 2022

Explotaciones Gallegas del Cobre SL

Exploration company

Spain

12.5%

KEFI Minerals Plc

Exploration and development mining company listed on AIM

UK

0.19%

Prospech Limited

Exploration company

Australia

0.53%

 

(1) The Group decided to recognise changes in the fair value through other comprehensive income ('OCI'), as explained in Note 2.12.

 

21. Cash and cash equivalents

The Group

( Euro 000's )

31 Dec 2022

31 Dec 2021

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at Group level

108,550

48,375

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at Operation level

17,567

43,722

Restricted cash and cash equivalents at Operation level

331

15,420

Consolidated cash and cash equivalents

126,448

107,517

 

As at 31 December 2022, the Group's operating subsidiary held restricted cash of €0.3 million of a provision for legal costs related to Astor.

 

Cash and cash equivalents denominated in the following currencies:

 

(Euro 000's)

2022

2021

Euro - functional and presentation currency

84,146

30,145

Great Britain Pound

895

36

United States Dollar

41,407

77,336


126,448

107,517

The Company

(Euro 000's)

2022

 

2021

Cash at bank and on hand

39,472

 

37,270

 

Cash and cash equivalents denominated in the following currencies:


 



Euro - functional and presentation currency

38,496


22

Great Britain Pound

879


36

United States Dollar

97


37,212


39,472

 

37,270

 

22. Share capital




Nr.

Share

Share

 

 



of Shares

capital

Premium

Total

 


Authorised

'000's

£ 000's

£ 000's

£ 000's

 


Ordinary shares of £0.075 each

200,000

15,000

-

15,000











 

 

 

 

 


Issued and fully paid

000's

Euro 000's

Euro 000's

Euro 000's

1 January 2021

 


138,141

13,439

315,714

329,153

Issue Date

Price (£)

Details





12-Feb-21

2.015

Exercised share options(c)

41

4

91

95

18-May-21

2.015

Exercised share options(d)

20

1

45

46

18-May-21

1.475

Exercised share options(d)

10

1

15

16

15 Dec 2021

1.475

Exercised share options(e)

9

2

43

45

15 Dec 2021

2.015

Exercised share options(e)

15

-

8

8

31 December 2021/1 January 2022

138,236

13,447

315,916

329,363

22 Jan 2022

1.44

Exercised share options(b)

314

28

512

540

22 Jan 2022

2.015

Exercised share options(b)

321

29

746

775

22 Jan 2022

2.045

Exercised share options(b)

400

36

941

977

22 Jan 2022

1.475

Exercised share options(b)

451

42

754

796

22 Jan 2022

3.09

Exercised share options(b)

135

12

505

517

23 June 2022

1.475

Exercised share options(a)

23

2

37

39

31 December 2022

 


139,880

13,596

319,411

333,007

 

The Company´s share capital at 31 December 2022 is 139,879,209 ordinary shares (138,235,959 in 2021) of Stg £0.075 each.

Authorised capital

The Company's authorised share capital is 200,000,000 ordinary shares of £0.075 each.

Issued capital

 

a)  On 23 June 2022, the Company announced that it has issued 22,500 ordinary shares of 7.5p in the Company ("Option Shares") pursuant to an exercise of share options by an employee.

b)  On 26 January 2022, the Company announced that is was notified that PDMRs exercised a total of 1,350,000 options. Further details (including details of sales of shares following the exercise of options) are given in Note 23.

c)  On 12 February 2021, the Company was notified that certain employees exercised options over 40,750 ordinary shares of £0.075 at a price of £2.015, thus creating a share premium of €91k.

d)  On 18 May 2021, the Company was notified that certain employees exercised options over 30,000 ordinary shares of £0.075 at a price between £1.475 and £2.015, thus creating a share premium of €61k.

e)  On 15 December 2021, the Company was notified that certain employees exercised options over 24,500 ordinary shares of £0.075 at a price between £1.475 and £2.015, thus creating a share premium of €50k.

 

Details of share options outstanding as at 31 December 2022:

 Grant date

Expiry date

Exercise price £

Share options

29 May 2019

28-May-2024

2.015

666,500

30 June 2020

29 June 2030

1.475

516,000

24 June 2021

23 June 2031

3.090

1,016,000

26 January 2022

25 January 2032

4.160

120,000

22 June 2022

30 June 2027

3.575

1,225,000

Total

3,543,500

 

 

 

 

 


Weighted average

exercise price £

Share options

 

At 1 January 2022

2.154

3,841,750

 

Granted options during the year

3.627

1,345,000

 

Options executed during the year

1.844

(1,643,250)

 

31 December 2022

2.857

3,543,500








 

23. Other reserves

THE GROUP

 

(Euro 000's)

Share option

Bonus share

Depletion factor (1)

FV reserve of financial assets at FVOCI (2)

Non-distributable reserve (3)

Distributable reserve(4)

Total

At 1 January 2021

8,187

208

25,033

(1,100)

5,628

2,093

40,049

Recognition of depletion factor

-

-

(55)

-

-

6,155

6,100

Recognition of non-distributable reserve

-

-

-

-

2,372

-

2,372

Recognition of distributable reserve

-

-

-

-

-

3,317

3,317

Recognition of share based payments

899

-

-

-

-

-

899

Change in fair value of financial assets at fair value through OCI (Note 20)

-

-

-

(47)

-

-

(47)

Other changes in reserves

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

At 31 December 2021

9,086

208

24,978

(1,147)

8,000

11,565

52,690

Recognition of depletion factor

-

-

12,800

-

-

-

12,800

Recognition of non-distributable reserve

-

-

-

-

316

-

316

Recognition of distributable reserve

-

-

-

-

-

2,726

2,726

Recognition of share based payments

1,279

-

-

-

-

-

1,279

Change in fair value of financial assets at fair value through OCI (Note 20)

-

-

-

(6)

-

-

(6)

Other changes in reserves

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

At 31 December 2022

10,365

208

37,778

(1,153)

8,316

14,291

69,805

 

the Company

 

 

Share option

Bonus share

Fair value reserve of financial assets at FVOCI (2)

Total

(Euro 000's)

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2021

8,187

208

(1,100)

7,295

Adjustment for initial application of IFRS 9

-

-

-

-

Recognition of share based payments

899

-

-

899

Change in fair value of financial assets at fair value through OCI (Note 20)

-

-

(47)

(47)

At 31 December 2021

9,086

208

(1,147)

8,147

Recognition of share based payments

1,278

-

-

1,278

Change in fair value of financial assets at fair value through OCI (Note 20)

-

-

(6)

(6)

At 31 December 2022

10,364

208

(1,153)

9,419

 

(1)  Depletion factor reserve

During the twelve month period ended 31 December 2022, the Group has increase €12.8 million (FY2021: disposal of €6.1 million) as a depletion factor reserve as per the Spanish Corporate Tax Act.

(2)  Fair value reserve of financial assets at FVOCI

The Group decided to recognise changes in the fair value of certain investments in equity securities in OCI. These changes are accumulated within the FVOCI reserve under equity. The Group transfers amounts from this reserve to retained earnings when the relevant equity securities are derecognised.

(3)  Non-distributable reserve

As required by the Spanish Corporate Tax Act, the Group classified a non-distributable reserve of 10% of the profits generated by the Spanish subsidiaries until the reserve is 20% of share capital of the subsidiary.

 

(4)  Distributable reserve

As result of the 2018 profit generated in ARM, the Group decided to record a distributable reserve in order to comply with the Spanish Corporate Tax Act.

 

 

In general, option agreements contain provisions adjusting the exercise price in certain circumstances including the allotment of fully paid ordinary shares by way of a capitalisation of the Company's reserves, a subdivision or consolidation of the ordinary shares, a reduction of share capital and offers or invitations (whether by way of rights issue or otherwise) to the holders of ordinary shares.

The estimated fair values of the options were calculated using the Black Scholes option pricing model. The inputs into the model and the results are as follows:

Grant

Date

Weighted average share price £

Weighted average exercise price £

Expected volatility

Expected life

(years)

Risk

Free

rate

Expected dividend yield

Estimated Fair Value £

 

23 Feb 2017

1.440

1.440

51.8%

5

0.6%

Nil

0.666

29 May 2019

2.015

2.015

46.9%

5

0.8%

Nil

0.66

8 July 2019

2.045

2.045

46.9%

5

0.8%

Nil

0.66

30 June 2020

1.475

1.475

50.32%

10

0.3%

Nil

0.60

23 June 2021

3.090

3.090

50.91%

10

0.7%

Nil

0.81

26 January 2022

4.160

4.160

49.18%

10

1.149%

Nil

1.12

22 June 2022

3.575

3.575

34.12%

5

2.748%

Nil

0.71















The volatility has been estimated based on the underlying volatility of the price of the Company's shares in the preceding twelve months.

 

24. Non-controlling interest

(Euro 000's )

2022


2021

Opening balance

(4,909)


(3,491)

On acquisition of a subsidiary

140


-

Share of total comprehensive income for the year

(2,229)


(1,418)

Closing balance

(6,998)


(4,909)

 

The Group has a 10% interest in Cobre San Rafael, S.L. acquired in July 2017 while the remaining 90% is held by a non-controlling interest (Note 2.3 (b) (1)). The significant financial information with respect to the subsidiary before intercompany eliminations as at and for the twelve month period ended 31 December 2022 is as follows:

 

 

(Euro 000's )

2022

 

2021

Non-current assets

6,976

 

5,155

Current assets

551

 

315

Non-current liabilities

14,478

 

-

Current liabilities

824

 

9,481

Equity

(7,776)

 

(5,299)

Revenue

-

 

-

Loss for the year and total comprehensive income

(2,477)

 

(1,420)

Cobre San Rafael, S.L. was established on 13 June 2016.

* 10% interest in Cobre San Rafael, S.L. was acquired by the Group in July 2017.

 

25. Trade and other payables

 

THE GROUP

 


(Euro 000's)

2022

2021

Non-current trade and other payables

 

 

Other non-current payables

2,000

3,435

Government grant

15

15


2,015

3,450

Current trade and other payables

 

 

Trade payables

85,038

49,712

Accruals

3,322

16,267

VAT payable

259

74

Other

1,403

138


90,022

66,191

THE COMPANY

 


(Euro 000's)

2022

2021

Current trade and other payables

 

 

Suppliers

284

47

Accruals

1,034

1,259

Payable to own subsidiaries (Note 30.4)

3,825

634

VAT payable

259

74


5,402

2,014

 

Other non-current payables are related with the acquisition of Atalaya Masa Valverde formerly Cambridge Minería España, SL and Atalaya Ossa Morena formerly Rio Narcea Nickel, SL (see Note 29).

Trade payables are mainly for the acquisition of materials, supplies and other services. These payables do not accrue interest and no guarantees have been granted. The fair value of trade and other payables approximate their book values.

The Group's exposure to currency and liquidity risk related to liabilities is disclosed in Note 3.

Trade payables are non-interest-bearing and are normally settled on 60-day terms.

 

26. Provisions

 

(Euro 000's)

Other provisions

Legal costs

Rehabilitation costs

Total costs

At 1 January 2021

-

626

24,638

25,264

Additions

-

26

655

681

Used of provision

-

(286)

(57)

(343)

Reversal of provision

-

(87)

-

(87)

Finance cost (Note 9)

-

-

1,063

1,063

At 31 December 2021

-

279

26,299

26,578

Additions

-

30

1,033

1,063

Reclassification

1,435

-

-

1,435

Used of provision

-

(10)

(81)

(91)

Reversal of provision

-

(73)

(3,497)

(3,570)

Finance income (Note 9)

-

-

(380)

(380)

At 31 December 2022

1,435

226

23,374

25,035

 

 (Euro 000's )

2022

 

2021

Non-Current

24,083

 

Current

952

 

-

Total

25,035

 

26,578

Rehabilitation provision

Rehabilitation provision represents the estimated cost required for adequate restoration and rehabilitation upon the completion of production activities. These amounts will be settled when rehabilitation is undertaken, generally over the project's life.

During 2020, Management engaged an independent consultant to review and update the rehabilitation liability. The updated estimation includes the expanded capacity of the plant and its impact on the mining project.

The discount rate used in the calculation of the net present value of the liability as at 31 December 2022 was 3.41% (2021: 1.12 %), which is the 15-year Spain Government Bond rate for 2022. An inflation rate of 1%-5.70% (2021: 1%-1.96%) is applied on annual basis.

In June 2021, the Company announced a new independent reserve estimate for Cerro Colorado open pit at Proyecto Riotinto. Cerro Colorado open pit reserve of 186 Mt at 0.38% and the life of mine over 12 years.

The expected payments for the rehabilitation work are as follows:

(Euro 000 's)

Between

1 - 5 Years

Between

6 - 10 Years

More than 10 years


 


 

Expected payments for rehabilitation of the mining site, discounted

 

7,843

2,685

12,847

Legal provision

The Group has been named as defendant in several legal actions in Spain, the outcome of which is not determinable as at 31 December 2022. Management has reviewed individually each case and made a provision of €226k (€279k in 2021) for these claims, which has been reflected in these consolidated financial statements.

Other provisions

Other provisions are related with the called-up equity holdings of Atalaya Masa Valverde S.L.

 

27. Leases

(Euro 000's)

31 Dec 2022

 

31 Dec 2021

Non-current

 

 


Leases

4,378


4,913

 

4,378

 

4,913

Current

 

 


Leases

536


597

 

536

 

597

The Group entered into lease arrangements for the renting of land, laboratory equipment, a building and vehicles which are subject to the adoption of all requirements of IFRS 16 Leases (Note 2.2). The Group has elected not to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets.

 

Amounts recognised in the statement of financial position and profit or loss

Set out below are the carrying amounts of the Group's right-of-use assets and lease liabilities and the movements during the period:

 

Right - of-use assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Euro 000's)

 

Lands and buildings

 

Vehicles

Laboratory equipment

 

Total

 

Lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1 January 2022

5,417

14

99

5,530

 

5,510

Additions

-

-

-

-


-

Depreciation expense

(369)

(14)

(69)

(452)


-

Interest expense

-

-

-

-


20

Payments

-

-

-

-


(616)

As at 31 December 2022

5,048

-

30

5,078

 

4,914














 

The amounts recognised in profit or loss, are set out below:

 

 

 

(Euro 000's)

Twelve month ended

31 Dec

2022

Twelve month ended

31 Dec

2021

 

 

 

As at 31 December

 

 

Depreciation expense of right-of-use assets

(452)

(590)

Interest expense on lease liabilities

(20)

(11)

Total amounts recognised in profit or loss

(472)

(601)





The Group recognised rent expense from short-term leases (Note 6).

 

Depreciation expense regarding leases amounts to €0.5 million (2021: €0.6) for the twelve month period ended 31 December 2022.

The duration of the land and building lease is for a period of twelve years. Payments are due at the beginning of the month escalating annually on average by 1.5%. At 31 December 2022, the remaining term of this lease is eleven years. (Note 2)

The duration of the motor vehicle and laboratory equipment lease is for a period of four years, payments are due at the beginning of the month escalating annually on average by 1.5%. At 31 December 2022, the remaining term of laboratory equipment lease is a half year.

 

(Euro 000's)

31 Dec 2022

31 Dec 2021

Minimum lease payments due:



 

Within one year

536

597

 

Two to five years

1,957

2,014

 

Over five years

2,421

2,899

 

Less future finance charges

-

-

 

Present value of minimum lease payments due

4,914

5,510

 


 


 

Present value of minimum lease payments due:

 


 

Within one year

536

597

 

Two to five years

1,957

2,014

 

Over five years

2,421

2,899

 


4,914

5,510

 







 

 

(Euro 000's)

Lease liability

Balance 1 January 2022

5,510

Additions

-

Interest expense

20

Lease payments

(616)

Balance at 31 Dec 2022

4,914


 

Balance at 31 Dec 2022

 

Non-current liabilities

4,378

Current liabilities

536


4,914

28. Borrowings

(Euro 000's)

31 Dec 2022

31 Dec 2021

Non-current borrowings

 

 

Credit facilities

20,768

34,050

 

20,768

34,050

Current borrowings

 


Credit facilities

52,595

13,394


52,595

13,394

 

The Group had uncommitted credit facilities totalling €119.3 million (€111.0 million at 31 December 2021). During 2022, Atalaya drawn down some of its existing credit facilities to financing the construction of 50 MW solar plant (payable amount of €19.5 million at 31 December 2022) and in 2021 to pay the Deferred Consideration. Interest rates for existing credit facilities, including facilities used to pay the Deferred Consideration, range from 1.10% to 2.45% and the average interest rate on all facilities used and unused is 1.69%. The maximum term of the facilities is six years. All borrowings are unsecured.

At 31 December 2022, the Group had used €73.4 million of its facilities and had undrawn facilities of €46.0 million.

 

29. Acquisition, incorporation and disposals of subsidiaries

2022

Acquisition and incorporation of subsidiaries

On 31 January 2022, Atalaya established a new entity, Iberian Polimetal S.L.U.

Disposals of subsidiaries

On 4 January 2022, the subsidiary EMED Mining Spain, S.L. was wound up.

 

2021

Acquisition and incorporation of subsidiaries

On 21 December 2021 Atalaya announced the acquisition of a 51% interest in Río Narcea Nickel, S.L., which owns 17 investigation permits.

Disposals of subsidiaries

There were no disposals of subsidiaries during the year.

Wind-up of subsidiaries

There were no operations wound-up during the year.

30. Group information and related party disclosures

30.1 Information about subsidiaries

These audited consolidated financial statements include:

 

 

 

Subsidiary companies

 

 

Parent

 

 

Principal activity

 

 

Country of incorporation

Effective proportion of shares held

Atalaya Touro (UK) Ltd

Atalaya Mining Plc

Holding

United Kingdom

100%

Atalaya Financing Limited

Atalaya Mining Plc

Financing

Cyprus

100%

Atalaya MinasdeRiotinto Project (UK) Limited

Atalaya Mining Plc

Holding

United Kingdom

100%

EMED Marketing Ltd

Atalaya Mining Plc

Trading

Cyprus

100%

ARM  S.L.U.

Atalaya MinasdeRiotinto Project (UK) Limited

Production

Spain

100%

Eastern Mediterranean Exploration and Development S.L.U.

Atalaya MinasdeRiotinto Project (UK) Limited

Dormant

Spain

100%

Cobre San Rafael, S.L. (1)

Atalaya Touro (UK) Limited

Exploration

Spain

10%

Recursos Cuenca Minera S.L.U.

ARM  SLU

Dormant

Spain

J-V

Fundacion ARM

ARM  SLU

Trust

Spain

100%

Atalaya Servicios Mineros, S.L.U.

Atalaya MinasdeRiotinto Project (UK) Limited

Holding

Spain

100%

Atalaya Masa Valverde S.L.U. (2)

Atalaya Servicios Mineros, S.L.U.

Exploration

Spain

100%

Atalaya Ossa Morena S.L. (3)

Atalaya Servicios Mineros, S.L.U.

Exploration

Spain

99.9%

Iberian Polimetal S.L.U.

Atalaya Servicios Mineros, S.L.U.

Dormant

Spain

100%

 

(1) Cobre San Rafael, S.L. is the entity which holds the mining rights of Proyecto Touro. The Group has control in the management of Cobre San Rafael, S.L., including one of the two Directors, management of the financial books and the capacity of appointment the key personnel (Note 2.3 (b) (1)).

(2) Cambridge Mineria Espana, S.L.U. changed its name to Atalaya Masa Valverde, S.L.U on 28 November 2020.

(3) Rio Narcea Nickel, S.L.U. changed its name to Atalaya Ossa Morena, S.L.U on 31 January 2022. In July 2022, Atalaya increased its ownership interest in Proyecto Ossa Morena to 99.9%, up from 51%, following completion of a capital increase that will fund exploration activities.

 

The following transactions were carried out with related parties:

30.2 Compensation of key management personnel

The total remuneration and fees of Directors (including executive Directors) and other key management personnel was as follows:


The Group


The Company

 

(Euro 000's )

2022

2021

 

2022

2021

Directors' remuneration and fees

1,028

1,019

 

540

547

Director's bonus (1)

357

438

 

-

-

Share option-based benefits to Directors

426

321

 

-

-

Key management personnel remuneration (2)

571

522

 

-

-

Key management bonus (1)

239

265

 

-

-

Share option-based and other benefits to key management personnel

417

327

 

-

-


3,038

2,892

 

540

547








 

(1) These amounts related to the approved performance bonus for 2021 by the Board of Directors following the proposal of the Remuneration Committee. The 2022 estimates recorded are not included in the table above as this is yet to be approved by the Board of Directors. There is no certainty or guarantee that the Board of Directors will approve a similar amount for 2022 performance.

(2) Includes wages and salaries of key management personnel of €551k (2021: €505k) and other benefits of €20k (2021: €17k).

At 31 December 2022 amounts due to Directors, as from the Group, are €nil (€nil at 31 December 2021) and €nil (€nil at 31 December 2021) to key management.

At 31 December 2022 amounts due to Directors, as from the Company, are €nil (€nil at 31 December 2021) and €nil (€nil at 31 December 2021) to key management.

 

Share-based benefits

In 2022, 1,345,000 options (2021: 1,150,000 options) were granted at a price of 357.5 pence, of which 800,000 (2021: 800,000 options) were granted to Directors and key management personnel (see note 23).

During 2022 the Directors and key management personnel have not been granted any bonus shares (2021: nil).

30.3 Transactions with shareholders and related parties

THE GROUP

(Euro 000's )

2022

 

2021

Trafigura - Revenue from contracts

77,005

 

125,912

Freight services

-

 

-


77,005

 

125,912

Gains/(losses) relating provisional pricing within sales

(5,165)

 

4,730

Trafigura - Total revenue from contracts

71,840

 

130,642


71,840

 

130,642

 

THE COMPANY

(Euro 000's )

2022

 

2021

Sales of services (Note 5):

 

 


· EMED Marketing Limited

1,404

 

978

· ARM  SLU

1,352

 

-

· Atalaya Minasderiotinto Project (UK) Limited

-

 

871


2,756

 

1,849


 

 


Purchase of services (Note 6):

 

 


· ARM  SLU

(66)

 

(61)

Other services (Note 6)

 

 


· ARM  SLU

· EMED Marketing Limited

-

-

 

208

208

Finance income (Note 8):

 

 


Atalaya Minasderiotinto Project (UK) Limited - Finance income from interest-bearing loan:

 

 

 

 

· Credit agreement - at amortised cost

989

 

941

· Participative loan - at fair value through profit and loss

9,157

 

12,854

· Credit facility - at amortised cost

1,465

 

1,457

· Restructuring loan - at amortised cost

1,289

 

-


12,900

 

15,252

THE GROUP

(Euro 000's )

2022

 

2021

 

Current assets - Receivable from related parties (Note 19):

 

 


 

Recursos Cuenca Minera S.L.

56

 

56


56

 

56

 

The above balances bear no interest and are repayable on demand.

30.4 Year-end balances with related parties

 

THE COMPANY

(Euro 000's )

2022

 

2021

Non-current assets - Loan from related parties at FV through profit and loss (Note 19):

 

 


Atalaya MinasdeRiotinto Project (UK) Limited - Participative Loan PRT(1)

-

 

173,930

Atalaya MinasdeRiotinto Project (UK) Limited - Eastern Loan (5)

-

 

12

Atalaya Masa Valverde SL - Participative Loan (6)

6,150

 

1,850

Atalaya Ossa Morena SL - Participative Loan (6)

3,100

 

500

Touro Project - Participative Loan (4)

4,997

 

-


14,247

 

176,292

Non-current assets - Loans and receivables from related parties at amortised cost (Note 19):

 

 


Atalaya MinasdeRiotinto Project (UK) Limited - Restructuring loan (1)

245,258

 

-

Atalaya MinasdeRiotinto Project (UK) Limited - Credit Expansion Loan (2)

-

 

41,535

Atalaya MinasdeRiotinto Project (UK) Limited - Credit Agreement (3)

-

 

26,354

EMED Marketing Limited (4)

-

 

1,164

Atalaya MinasdeRiotinto Project (UK) Limited- Group cost sharing (4)

399

 

399

Total

245,657

 

69,452


 

 


Current assets - Loans and receivables from related parties at amortised cost (Note 19):

 

 


ARM  SLU (4)

1,352

 

208

EMED Marketing Limited (4)

664

 

208

Atalaya Touro (UK) Limited (4)

1,650

 

1,634

Atalaya MinasdeRiotinto Project (UK) Limited

45,000

 


Atalaya Financing Ltd

108

 

34

Total

48,774

 

2,084

(1)  This balance bears interest of EURIBOR 12month plus 3.50% . The Participative loan was cancelled on 30 November 2022. The Group signed on 1 December 2022 a new Loan Restructuring Agreement for the amount due of the Participative Loan bearing a EURIBOR 12month plus 3.50% interest and maturing on 30 November 2028.

(2)  This balance bears interest of EURIBOR 6month plus 4% (2021: LIBOR 6month + 4.00%).

(3)  This balance bears interest of EURIBOR 12month plus 4% (2021: 12month plus 4%). The Note Facility Agreement expired on 29 September 2019. The Group signed on 30 September 2019 a new Credit Agreement for the amount due of the Note Facility Agreement bearing a EURIBOR 12month plus 4% interest and maturing on 30 September 2024

(4)  These receivables bear no interest. These balances are repayable on demand. However, management will not claim any repayment in the following twelve months period after the release of the current consolidated financial statements.

(5)  This balance bears interest of 3.00% (2021: 3.00%).

(6)  This balance bears no interest.

 

THE COMPANY

(Euro 000's )

2022

 

2021

 

Payable to related party (Note 25):

 

 


 

EMED Marketing Limited

3,825

 

-

EMED Mining Spain S.L.

-

 

262

ARM  S.L.U.

-

 

372


3,825

 

634

The above balances bear no interest and are repayable on demand.

30.5 Year-end balances with shareholders

(Euro 000's )

2022

 

2021

Receivable from shareholders (Note 19):

 

 


Trafigura - Debtor balance -subject to provisional pricing

12,800

 

20,283


12,800

 

20,283

The above debtor balance arising from the pre-commissioning sales of goods bear no interest and is repayable on demand.

31. Contingent liabilities

Judicial and administrative cases

In the normal course of business, the Group may be involved in legal proceedings, claims and assessments. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties, and outcomes are not predictable with assurance. Legal fees for such matters are expensed as incurred and the Group accrues for adverse outcomes as they become probable and estimable.

 

32. Commitments

There are no minimum exploration requirements at Proyecto Riotinto. However, the Group is obliged to pay local land taxes which currently are approximately €235,000 per year in Spain and the Group is required to maintain the Riotinto site in compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.

In 2012, ARM entered into a 50/50 joint venture with Rumbo to evaluate and exploit the potential of the class B resources in the tailings dam and waste areas at Proyecto Riotinto (mainly residual gold and silver in the old gossan tailings). Under the joint venture agreement, ARM will be the operator of the joint venture, will reimburse Rumbo for the costs associated with the application for classification of the Class B resources and will fund the initial expenditure of a feasibility study up to a maximum of €2.0 million. Costs are then borne by the joint venture partners in accordance with their respective ownership interests.

 

33. Significant events

The events in Ukraine from 24 February 2022 are impacting the global economy but cannot yet be predicted in full. The main concern now is the rising prices for energy, fuel and other raw materials and rising inflation, which may affect household incomes and business operating costs. The financial effect of the current crisis on the global economy and overall business activities cannot be estimated with reasonable certainty at this stage.

The main significant events disclosed during the nine months ended 30 September 2022 were:

· On 4 January 2022 the subsidiary EMED Mining Spain, S.L. was winded down (refer to Note 21).

· On 6 January 2022, the Company announced the approval of the construction of the first phase of an industrial scale plant ("Phase I") that utilises the E-LIX System ("E-LIX"), which will produce high value copper and zinc metals from the complex sulphide concentrates sourced from Proyecto Riotinto.

· Through the year, the Company announced share dealings from persons discharging managerial responsibilities ("PDMR") as follows

On 26 January 2022, executed certain options by PDMRs;.

On 22 February 2022, certain PDMRs had sold ordinary shares of the Company;

On 25 August 2022, purchased of 65,000 ordinary shares in Atalaya by a PDMR.

· On 27 January 2022, Atalaya announced that, in accordance with the Company's Long Term Inventive Plan 2020, it had granted 120,000 share options. Further, on 24 June 2022, it was announced the Company has granted 1,225,000 share options to PDMRs and other employees.

· On 3 February 2022, the Company announced the results of five additional drill holes from its ongoing resource definition drilling programme at Proyecto Masa Valverde.

· On 24 March 2022, Atalaya announced that Mr. Harry Liu has stepped down as a Non-Executive Director of the Company with immediate effect.

· On 4 April 2022, funds managed by Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd. acquired 5.08% of voting rights.

· The Company has been notified on the following transaction by Allianz Global Investors GmbH ("Allianz"):

On 4 April 2022, increased its % of voting rights from below 3% to 3.92%;

On 4 May 2022, increased its % of voting rights from 3.92% to 4.07%;

On 23 August 2022, increased its % of voting rights from 4.07% to 5.09%; and

On 29 September 2022, decreased its share of voting rights from 5.09% to 4.93%.

On 10 November 2022, decreased its share of voting rights from 4.93% to 3.98%.

· On 5 April 2022, Atalaya announced a new Mineral Resource Estimate, prepared in accordance with CIM guidelines and disclosure requirements of NI 43-101, for its 100% owned Proyecto Masa Valverde.

· On 7 April 2022, the Company noted the announcement on 1 April 2022 by ICBC Standard Bank Plc ("ICBCS") confirming the sale of the entire holding of Yanggu Xiangguang Copper Co. Ltd ("XGC") (via its subsidiary, Hong Kong Xiangguang International Holdings Ltd), in Atalaya.

· On 8 April 2022 and 9 May 2022, the Company transferred €9.6 million and €1.2 million to Astor from the trust account already established by Atalaya on 15 July 2021 (refer to Note 13).

· On 13 April 2022, Atalaya announced new Mineral Resource Estimates, prepared in accordance with CIM guidelines and disclosure requirements of NI 43-101, for its San Dionisio and San Antonio deposits.

· On 25 April 2022, the Company announced the publication of its inaugural Sustainability Report for the year ended 31 December 2021.

· On 19 May 2022 the Board of Directors appointed Kate Harcourt as an independent Non-Executive Director of the Company.

· On 22 June 2022, the 2022 Annual General Meeting was held, and all the resolutions proposed were dully passed.

· On 23 June 2022, the Company has issued 22,500 ordinary shares of 7.5p in the Company pursuant to an exercise of share options by an employee.

· In July 2022, Atalaya increased its ownership interest in Proyecto Ossa Morena to 99.9%, up from 51%, following completion of a capital increase that will fund exploration activities.

· On 1 November 2022, the Company announced that the Company's Board of Directors established a Sustainability Committee.

· The Company has been notified on the following transaction by BlackRock Inc ("BlackRock") On 9 November 2022, increased its % of voting rights to 4.03%;

· The Company announced that it was notified on 9 November 2022, that Enrique Delgado, a person discharging managerial responsibilities ("PDMR"), had sold 300,000 ordinary shares in Atalaya, respectively, at a price of 272.25 pence per share.

· On 24 November 2022, the Company provided an update on its ongoing exploration programme at its southern Spain projects, including Proyecto Masa Valverde ("PMV"), Proyecto Ossa Morena ("POM"), and Proyecto Riotinto East ("PRE"). Currently, there are four rigs active, three at PMV and one at POM.

Dividends

The Company's Board of Directors elected to declare an interim dividend for H1 2022 of US$0.036 per ordinary share, which was equivalent to 3.13 pence per share and amounted to €5.1 million.

The interim dividend was paid on 20 September 2022.

The Board of Directors has proposed a final dividend for 2022 of US$0.0385 per ordinary share, which is equivalent to approximately 3.15 pence per share totalling €5.0 million. Payment of the Final Dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the Company's 2023 Annual General Meeting. Should it be approved, the Final Dividend, together with the Interim Dividend paid in September 2022, would result in a Full Year Dividend of US$0.0745 per ordinary share, which is equivalent to approximately 6.28 pence per share. Further details on the timing of the potential payment of the Final Dividend will be provided ahead of the AGM.

Further details are given in Note 12.

 

34. Events after the reporting period

· On 12 January 2023, the Company was notified that Allianz Global Investors GmbH decreased its share of voting rights from 4.93% to 3.98%.

· On 20 February 2023, Atalaya announced that applied a voluntary delisting of its ordinary shares from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") with effective date of the closing of trading on 7 March 2023. Ordinary shares in the Company continue to trade on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol "ATYM".

· On 23 February 2023, Atalaya announced the results from a new preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") for the Cerro Colorado, San Dionisio and San Antonio deposits at its Proyecto Riotinto ("Riotinto") operation in Spain.

· Delisting from TSX took effect at the close of trading on 20 March 2023.

· On 21 March 2023, the Company's Board of Directors proposed a Final Dividend of $0.0385 per ordinary share, which is subject to approval by shareholders at the Company's 2023 Annual General Meeting. Should it be approved, the Final Dividend, together with the Interim Dividend paid in September 2022, would result in a Full Year Dividend of US$0.0745 per ordinary share, which is equivalent to approximately 6.28 pence per share.

 

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