Half-year Report

RNS Number : 8519P
Blencowe Resources PLC
23 June 2022
 

Date: 23 June 2022

 

("Blencowe" or the "Company")

 

 

 

The Company is pleased to announce its Interim Results for the six-month period to 31 March 2022.

 

Electronic copies of the report will be available at the Company's website www.blencoweresourcesplc.com

For further information please contact:

 

Blencowe Resources

Sam Quinn

 

www.blencoweresourcesplc.com

Tel: +44 (0) 1624 681 250

info@blencoweresourcesplc.com

 

Investor Enquiries

Sasha Sethi

Tel: +44 (0) 7891 677 441

sasha@flowcomms.com

 

Tavira Securities Limited

Jonathan Evans

Tel: +44 (0)203 192 1733

jonathan.evans@tavirasecurities.com

 

First Equity Limited

Jason Robertson

Tel: +44 (0)20 7330 1883

jasonrobertson@firstequitylimited.com

 

Interim Management Report

The past six months (and subsequent events to 31 March 2022) have seen excellent progress at the Orom-Cross graphite project, and the Company's profile in Uganda as a whole.

 

An internally generated Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") was delivered in October 2021 which highlighted a low cost, high margin mining operation with strong Net Present Value and other key performance indicators.  This PEA will be augmented by a Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") which is due mid-2022.

 

An extensive second diamond drilling programme at Orom-Cross in 2H 2021 delivered an updated JORC Standard Mineral Resource of 24.5Mt at 6.0% graphite, which was a 50% increment to the maiden JORC Resource delivered in 2021.  Furthermore, the high quantum of Indicated and Measured Resources within this total means that Blencowe has enough graphite for first 20 years life of mine, to be included within the PFS.  All necessary resource definition drilling for first production is now completed.

 

The Company has been working continuously with graphite technical experts SGS Lakeside in Canada to complete metallurgical test work showing what quality of concentrate may be delivered at Orom-Cross and results for this work have been outstanding.  The 96-97% LOI concentrate will be a premium grade product, and the specific attributes within this should ensure the end products are attractive to a wide range of end users.  Technical Data Sheets are being prepared right now to send to prospective end users across various industry sectors to gauge their initial interest for various Orom-Cross products.

 

During the period Blencowe engaged leading Sustainability consultants ERM to undergo a first stage program of working with the Company to ensure that Orom-Cross delivers strong ESG (environmental, social and governance) and sustainability credentials.  This is seen as a very important aspect moving forward and the Company is particularly keen to get this right from the start, to deliver as green an end product from as life cycle sustainable a project as possible.  Significant progress has already been made but this is an ongoing exercise that will continue forward as the project moves towards first production in 2023.

 

In 1Q 2022 the Company announced an earn-in agreement to complement the Orom-Cross graphite project with the highly prospective Akelikongo nickel project, also located in northern Uganda.  This is a synergistic exploration project located approximately 150kms from Orom-Cross that previous owners SIPA Resources and Rio Tinto had spent US$15 million on early stage development, including 19,000m of drilling.  There is already an 800m mineralised zone with both disseminated and massive nickel sulphides and Blencowe will look to add value to Akelikongo via extending this mineralised zone.  An airborne electromagnetic survey is underway to locate additional drill targets and, if successful, these will be drilled in 2H 2022.  Nickel is another key battery metal with forecast future high demand, similar to graphite.  Both projects will be managed via the same in-country team within Uganda.

 

Finally, in April 2022 Blencowe announced the first significant institutional investor on the register, with highly recognised and sought-after mining and resources fund RAB Capital taking a 10% stake in the Company by investing a further £800,000.  Their support is appreciated and Blencowe hopes for further market recognition once the PFS is delivered and the market is better able to appreciate the value within the Company's emerging portfolio of resource assets.

 

Despite Covid and the challenges this has presented, particularly to travel, the Company has made substantial progress in this period and will continue to do so ahead as further milestones are delivered.

 

 

Mike Ralston

Chief Executive Officer

 

Responsibility Statement of the Directors in respect of the Interim Report

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Interim Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. In addition, the Directors have elected to prepare the Interim Financial Statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"), as adopted by the United Kingdom ("UK").

 

The Interim Financial Statements are required to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period.

In preparing these Interim Financial Statements, the Directors are required to:

· select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

· present information and make judgements that are reasonable, prudent and provides relevant, comparable and understandable information;

· provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRS is insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particulars transactions, other events and conditions on the entity's financial position and financial performance; and

· make an assessment of the Group's ability to continue as a going concern.

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position of the Group to enable them ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and Interim Financial Statements.  Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of Interim Financial Statements may differ from one jurisdiction to another.

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

· the Interim Financial Statements, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the UK, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group for the period;

· the Director's report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the group, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face; and

· the annual report and financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the group's performance, business model and strategy.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income  for the six month period ended 31 March 2022



6 months ended

31 Mar 2022

6 months ended

31 Mar 2021

12 months ended

30 Sep 2021



(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)


Notes

GBP

GBP

GBP



 

 

 

Exploration costs


(2,744)

(1,999)

(11,690)

Administrative fees and other expenses

5

(331,617)

(304,238)

(815,415)

Adjustments to Liability to Land Owners


-

-

117,639

Operating loss

 

(334,361)

(306,237)

(649,466)

 

 

 



Finance costs


(21,974)

(23,444)

(45,260)

Loss before tax

 

(356,336)

(629,681)

(694,726)

 

 

 



Income tax


-

-

-

 

 

 



Loss after tax

 

(356,336)

(329,681)

(694,726)

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operation

 

(2,061)

-

3,662

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

(2,061)

-

3,662

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive loss

 

(358,397)

(329,681)

(691,064)

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per share (pence)

9

(0.27)

(0.01)

(0.61)

 

There was no other comprehensive income for the period ended on 31 March 2022.

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as at 31 March 2022


 

As at

31 Mar 2022

As at

31 Mar 2021

As at

30 Sept 2021


 

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)


Notes

GBP

GBP

GBP

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Current Assets

 

5,815,114

4,390,956

5,296,289


 

 

 

 

Current assets





Trade and other receivables

6

248,413

84,717

52,580

Cash and cash equivalents


968,693

611,231

93,288

Total current assets

 

1,217,106

695,948

145,868






Total assets


7,032,220

5,086,904

5,442,157






Current liabilities





Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year


282,217

377,415

280,071

Total current liabilities

 

282,217

377,415

280,071






Non-current liabilities





Surface liabilities


924,359

764,494

887,560






Total liabilities


1,206,576

1,141,909

1,167,631






Net assets

 

5,825,644

3,944,995

4,274,526






Equity





Share capital


1,101,316

878,258

901,316

Share premium


6,841,596

4,884,146

5,132,081

Warrants reserves


317,876

164,601

317,876

Translation reserve


1,601

-

3,662

Retained earnings


(2,436,745)

(1,982,010)

(2,080,409)

Total equity

 

5,825,644

3,944,995

4,274,526

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the six month period ended 31 March 2022

 

Share capital

Share premium

Share option reserves

Retained earnings

Translation reserve

Total equity


GBP

GBP

GBP

GBP

GBP

GBP

Balance as at 30 Sep 2020

783,333

3,876,650

100,471

(1,453,551)

-

3,306,903








Total comprehensive loss for 6 months

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for the period

-

-

-

(329,681)

-

(329,681)

Total comprehensive loss

-

-

-

(329,681)

-

(329,681)

Contributions from equity holders







New shares issued

94,925

1,093,992

-

-

-

1,188,917

Share issue costs

-

(86,496)

-

-

-

(86,496)

Issue of warrants

-

-

77,194

-

-

77,194

Warrants exercised

-

-

(13,064)

13,064

-

-

Total contributions from equity holders

94,925

1,007,496

64,130

13,064

-

1,178,615








Balance as at 31 Mar 2021

878,258

4,884,146

164,601

(1,770,168)

-

4,156,837








Total comprehensive loss for 6 months

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for the period

-

-

-

(365,045)

-

(365,045)

Total comprehensive loss

-

-

-

(365,045)

-

(365,045)

Contributions from equity holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

New shares issued

23,058

250,308

-

-

-

273,366

Share issue costs

-

(2,373)

-

-

-

(2,373)

Issue of warrants

-

-

208,079

-

-

208,079

Warrants exercised



(54,804)

54,804

-

-

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

-

-

-

-

3,662

3,662

Total contributions from equity holders

23,058

247,935

153,275

54,804

3,662

482,734


 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at 30 Sep 2021

901,316

5,132,081

317,876

(2,080,409)

3,662

4,274,526

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive loss for 6 months

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for the period

-

-

-

(356,336)

-

(356,336)

Total comprehensive loss

-

-

-

(356,336)

-

(356,336)

Contributions from equity holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

New shares issued

200,000

1,800,000

-

-

-

2,000,000

Share issued costs

-

(90,485)

-

-

-

(90,485)

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

-

-

-

-

(2,061)

(2,061)

Total contributions from equity holders

200,000

1,709,515

-

-

(2,061)

1,907,454

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 Mar 2022

1,101,316

6,841,596

317,876

(2,436,745)

1,601

5,825,644

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six month period ended 31 March 2022



As at

31 Mar 2022

As at

31 Mar 2021

As at

30 Sept 2020



(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)


Notes

GBP

GBP

GBP

Operating activities

 


 

 

Loss after tax

5

(356,336)

(329,681)

(694,726)

Amortisation


-

1,349

-

Finance costs


21,974

23,444

45,260

Adjustment to Surface Liability


-

-

(177,639)

Share issue/warrant cost


-

64,130

285,273

Unrealised currency translation


(61,217)

-

55,785

Changes in working capital





Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables


(195,833)

(12,697)

19,441

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables


38,945

(229,635)

(9,494)

Net cash flows from operating activities


(552,467)

(483,090)

(476,100)






Cash flows from financing activities





Investment in exploration assets


(481,643)

(213,956)

(976,084)

Net cash flows from investment activities


(481,643)

(213,956)

(976,084)






Financing activities

 




Shares issued


2,000,000

1,188,917

-33,798

Shares issued (cost)


(90,485)

(86,496)

1,373,414

Net cash flows from financing activities


1,909,515

1,102,421

1,339,616






Increase in cash and short-term deposits


875,404

405,375

(112,568)






Cash and short-term deposits brought forward


93,288

205,856

205,856






Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

968,692

611,231

93,288

 

Notes to the Financial Statements for the six month period ended 31 March 2022

1.  General

Blencowe Resources Plc (the "Company") is a public limited company incorporated and registered in England and Wales on 18 September 2017 with registered company number 10966847 and its registered office situated in England and Wales at 25 Bilton Road, Rugby, CV22 7AG.

The Group did not earn any trading income during the period under review but incurred expenditure in developing its principal assets.

The Consolidated Interim Financial Statements of the Company for the six month period ended 31 March 2022 comprise the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the "Group").

2.  Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The Interim Financial Statements of the Group are unaudited condensed financial statements for the 6 month period ended 31 March 2022.

The accounting policies applied by the Group in these Interim Financial Statements, are the same as those applied by the Group in its consolidated financial statements, and have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies applied for the financial year to 30 September 2021 which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by UK for. The Group Financial Statements have been prepared using the measurement bases specified by IFRS each type of asset, liability, income and expense.

The Group Financial Statements are presented in £, which is the Group's functional currency. All amounts have been rounded to the nearest pound, unless otherwise stated.

Comparative figures

The comparative figures have been presented as the Group Financial Statements cover the 6 month period ended 31 March 2021 and the 12 month period ended 30 September 2021.

3.  Critical accounting estimates and judgments

In preparing the Group 's Interim Financial Statements, the Directors have to make judgments on how to apply the Group's accounting policies and make estimates about the future. The Directors do not consider there to be any critical judgments that have been made in arriving at the amounts recognised in the Group Financial Statements.

4.  Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the annual financial statements of Blencowe Resources Plc for the year ended 30 September 2021.  A copy of these financial statements is available on the Group website at https://blencoweresourcesplc.com/

5.  Administrative fee and other expenses

 

6 months ended

 31 Mar 2022

6 months ended

31 Mar 2021

12 Months ended

30 Sep 2021

 

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

 

GBP

GBP

GBP

Directors' remuneration

70,046

68,741

138,787

Professional fees

130,655

47,627

100,256

Salaries

60,000

18,000

58,000

Listing fees

19,783

19,593

42,535

Audit fees

4,375

12,500

25,000

Share issue/warrant cost

-

77,194

285,273

Administration fees

23,500

28,500

52,000

Broker fees

29,542

3,244

48,990

Travelling expenses

-

971

1,529

Miscellaneous fees

(6,284)

27,868

63,045

Total

331,617

304,238

815,415

 

The Group did not employ any staff during the period other than Directors. The Directors are the only members of key management and their remuneration related solely to short term employee benefits.

6.  Trade and other receivables

 

6 months ended

 31 Mar 2022

6 months ended

31 Mar 2021

12 Months ended

30 Sep 2021

 

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

 

GBP

GBP

GBP

Other receivables

37,997

22,002

8,752

Prepayments

210,416

62,715

43,828

Total

248,413

84,717

52,580

 

7.  Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

 

6 months ended

 31 Mar 2022

6 months ended

31 Mar 2021

12 Months ended

30 Sep 2022

 

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

 

GBP

GBP

GBP

Payables

268,067

131,138

238,614

Land Owners Liability

-

233,049

-

Accruals and provision

14,150

13,228

41,457

Total

282,217

377,415

280,071

8.  Creditors: Amounts falling after one year

CARU, the Company's subsidiary entered into an agreement for surface rights over the land in the mineral area of the licence. The land owners granted CARU a 49 year lease over an area. The liability to the land owners is to be paid in 10 instalments on a section basis as the project progresses. The progress on each section is not limited to any time frames and is at the Group's discretion.

 

6 months ended

 31 Mar 2022

6 months ended

31 Mar 2021

12 Months ended

30 Sep 2021

 

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

 

GBP

GBP

GBP

Total payable at the beginning of the period

887,560

1,024,737

1,024,737

Change in estimate

-

-

(177,639)

Interest charged during the period

21,975

22,685

45,260

Exchange loss on valuation

14,825

(49,879)

(4,798)

Total payable as at period end

924,359

997,543

887,560

 

 

 

 

Analysis between current and non-current liability

 

 

 

Payable within 12 months

-

-

-

Payable after 12 months

924,359

997,543

887,560

 

924,359

997,543

887,560

 

The value of the lease is measured at the present value of the contractual payments due to the lessor

over the lease term, with the discount rate of 5%.

9.  Loss per share

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


6 months ended

 31 Mar 2022

6 months ended

31 Mar 2021

12 Months ended

30 Sep 2021


(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

Earnings

GBP

GBP

GBP

Loss from continuing operations for the period attributable to the equity holders of the Group

(353,336)

(329,681)

(694,726)

Number of shares




Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares for the purpose of basic and diluted earnings per share




133,655,997

98,345,650

114,070,173

Basic and diluted loss per share (pence)

(0.27)

(0.34)

(0.61)

 

There are no potentially dilutive shares in issue.

10. Related party transactions

The are no related party transactions during the period except for the Directors' remuneration, which have been disclosed in note 5.

 

Sam Quinn is a director and shareholder of the Company and a Director of Lionshead Consultants Limited.  During the period, Lionshead Consultants Limited charged fees for consultancy fees of £26,400 (31 March 2021: £12,000 and 30 Sep 2021: £24,000).

11. Events after the reporting date

On 16 April 2022, the Company issued 16,000,000 new ordinary shares of 0.06p at a price of 5p per new ordinary share. In addition, the holder of these share will receive 1 warrant per 2 placing shares, exercisable at 8p for 3 years from admission.

 

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