Interim Results

Kenmare Resources PLC 12 September 2003 KENMARE RESOURCES PLC ('Kenmare') Chairman's Statement and Results for Six Months Ended 30 June, 2003 Since I last reported to you, a project definition phase has been completed on the Moma Titanium Mineral Sands project. This comprised the development of project designs to the level where sub contractors could bid for elements of the overall project. This is now complete and Kenmare has received outline proposals from two main contractors to build the project on a basis where the maximum price is fixed. One of these proposals will be expanded into a full development contract for the building, commissioning and transfer of facilities at Moma which, subject to detailed agreement, is expected to be presented to the group of potential lenders to the project for their approval within the next month. The amount of zircon which the project expects to produce has been increased significantly during the definition phase. This change in predicted output is the result of extensive research on further bulk samples taken from various points in the orebody, with results confirmed by independent laboratory analyses. Zircon, which commands high prices, is in strong demand and this has allowed us to readily place the extra production in the market. During the definition phase, there were several changes to the scope of the project in order to increase its operational robustness. These changes include a switch from one large mining dredge to two smaller units. One of the dredges will be used to recover material from the pond which is not captured by the leading dredge, a process which is expected to increase recoveries. In addition, the change ensures that, in the event of a breakdown of one dredge, mining operations can continue. We have also changed the slimes thickening process from a capital and energy intensive method of mechanical thickening to in-pond thickening. This will result in a reduction in capital costs, lower energy costs and less operational complexity. Further design work on the self-propelled load-out barge has shown that a barge can be designed with the same deadweight capacity of 4,000 tonnes, but with a shallower draft. This has allowed us to reduce the length of the jetty by circa 50% while maintaining the same under hull clearance for the barge. As was announced on 1 July, 2003, Kenmare has signed a further multi-year off-take contract for the sale of ilmenite and rutile production from Moma. This is the second major ilmenite sale under contract and brings total annual ilmenite sales to over 50% of planned ilmenite production. The rutile portion of the contract brings the annual rutile sales to 100% of planned rutile production. Kenmare believes that it has now entered into off-take contracts covering a sufficient amount of product to satisfy the lenders' proposed marketing requirement for initial drawdown of debt finance. In May 2003, Kenmare received notification of Board level loan approvals from both the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank for €55 million and US$40 million respectively. These loan approvals, which represent a substantial component of the Moma debt funding requirement, are subject to completion of full loan documentation and certain outstanding conditions, including their being satisfied with the development contract which Kenmare expects to negotiate during the next few weeks. In addition, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), a member of the World Bank Group, has issued guarantees of US$20.8 million in aggregate to Kenmare and Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW) for proposed equity and loan investments in the Moma Titanium Minerals Project in Mozambique. The other members of the Moma Project Lender Group are expected to complete their internal loan approval processes when satisfactory development contract terms have been agreed. The Minerals Separation Plant acquired by Kenmare in 2001 is scheduled to be dismantled and removed from its site at Beenup in Western Australia by 30 November, 2003. We have contracted Ryad Engineering to perform this task under Kenmare supervision and the cost of this dismantling, which is included in the overall project capital cost, will be funded from the proceeds of the placing of US$6.4 million, separately announced today. The balance of the placing proceeds will be used to meet ongoing administrative and operating costs associated with advancing the Moma Project. The next step is the presentation of the negotiated development contract to the Lender Group for approval and a decision to move forward. This is an important step. We are hopeful of a positive decision which will allow us to secure the outstanding lender approvals, complete the detailed loan agreements, raise the equity component of project financing and commence construction. During the six months ended 30 June, 2003 we have reported a loss of US$221,766. This loss arises primarily from a foreign exchange loss on Australian dollar denominated commitments and Kenmare's corporate operating costs, net of interest earned. CHARLES CARVILL Chairman 12 September, 2003 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REVIEW REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF KENMARE RESOURCES PLC Interim Financial Information - Six months ended 30 June, 2003 Introduction We have been instructed by the Company to review the financial information for the six months ended 30 June, 2003 which comprises the Consolidated Profit and Loss Account, the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Group Cash Flow Statement, the Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses and Reconciliation of Movement in Shareholders' Funds and related notes 1 to 6. We have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. This report is made solely to the company in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the company in meeting the requirements of the Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange and of the UK Listing Authority. Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company for our review work, for this report or for the conclusions we have reached. Directors' responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange and of the UK Listing Authority which require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed. Review work performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. A review consists principally of making enquiries of management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with Auditing Standards and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. Review conclusion On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 30 June, 2003. Deloitte & Touche Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors Deloitte & Touche House Earlsfort Terrace Dublin 2 12 September, 2003 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE, 2003 6 Months 6 Months 12 Months 30/06/2003 30/06/2002 31/12/2002 Unaudited Unaudited Audited US$ US$ US$ Turnover - - - Operating (Expenses)/Income (323,647) 470,825 707,037 Operating (Loss)/Profit (323,647) 470,825 707,037 Interest Receivable 101,881 71,733 261,483 (Loss)/Profit On Ordinary Activities Before Taxation (221,766) 542,558 968,520 Taxation - - - (Loss)/Profit On Ordinary Activities After Taxation (221,766) 542,558 968,520 (Loss)/Earnings per share: Basic (0.85)c 0.25c 0.41c (Loss)/Earnings per share: Diluted (0.85)c 0.22c 0.36c CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 JUNE, 2003 6 Months 6 Months 12 Months 30/06/2003 30/06/2002 31/12/2002 Unaudited Unaudited Audited US$ US$ US$ Fixed Assets Mineral Interests 24,468,280 13,317,651 18,618,309 Tangible Assets 41,626,625 41,634,992 41,630,810 66,094,905 54,952,643 60,249,119 Current Assets Debtors 132,400 84,879 95,473 Investment in Shares 158,505 - - Cash at Bank and In Hand 3,442,389 12,615,452 8,040,751 3,733,294 12,700,331 8,136,224 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (2,493,995) (1,171,149) (1,453,021) Net Current Assets 1,239,299 11,529,182 6,683,203 Total Assets Less Current Liabilities 67,334,204 66,481,825 66,932,322 Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year (1,543,551) (1,408,720) (1,431,903) Provision for liabilities and charges (3,338,000) (2,817,500) (2,826,000) 62,452,653 62,255,605 62,674,419 Capital and Reserves Called Up Share Capital 24,556,528 24,556,528 24,556,528 Share Premium Account 25,592,896 25,600,044 25,592,896 Profit and Loss Account - (Deficit) (22,234,044) (22,438,240) (22,012,278) Revaluation Reserve 30,141,002 30,141,002 30,141,002 Other Reserve 3,642,080 3,642,080 3,642,080 Capital Conversion Reserve Fund 754,191 754,191 754,191 Shareholders' Funds 62,452,653 62,255,605 62,674,419 GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE, 2003 6 Months 6 Months 12 Months 30/06/2003 30/06/2002 31/12/2002 Unaudited Unaudited Audited US$ US$ US$ Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,038,113 1,316,303 3,357,291 Returns on investment and servicing of finance Interest received 101,881 71,733 261,483 Net cash inflow from returns on investment & servicing of finance 101,881 71,733 261,483 Capital expenditure & financial investment Addition of Mineral Interests (5,849,971) (2,180,522) (7,583,927) Addition of Tangible Assets - - (1,408,750) Net cash outflow from capital expenditure & financial investment (5,849,971) (2,180,522) (8,992,677) Net cash outflow before use of liquid resources & financing (4,709,977) (792,486) 5,373,903 Financing: Issue of Ordinary Share Capital - 14,530,720 14,530,686 Cost of share issue - (1,362,274) (1,369,388) Finance Lease (2,254) (7,296) (15,690) Increase/(Decrease) in debt due within a year 2,221 (1,027,020) (1,027,945) Increase in debt due beyond a year 111,648 34,278 57,461 Net cash inflow from financing 111,615 12,168,408 12,175,124 (Decrease)/Increase in cash (4,598,362) 11,375,922 6,801,221 STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE, 2003 6 Months 6 Months 12 Months 30/06/2003 30/06/2002 31/12/2002 Unaudited Unaudited Audited US$ US$ US$ (Loss)/Income attributable to Group shareholders (221,766) 542,558 968,520 Movement in Revaluation Reserve - (1,408,750) (1,408,750) Total Recognised (Losses) for the period (221,766) (866,192) (440,230) RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE, 2003 6 Months 6 Months 12 Months 30/06/2003 30/06/2002 31/12/2002 Unaudited Unaudited Audited US$ US$ US$ Total Recognised (Losses) for the period (221,766) (866,192) (440,230) Issue of Shares - at par - 3,872,024 3,872,024 Share Premium, net of costs - 9,296,422 9,289,274 Net Change in Shareholders' funds (221,766) 12,302,254 12,721,068 Opening Shareholders' funds 62,674,419 49,953,351 49,953,351 Closing Shareholders' funds 62,452,653 62,255,605 62,674,419 NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE, 2003 1. Basis of Preparation of Interim Financial Statements The Interim Statement has been prepared on the going concern basis applying the accounting policies set out on page 23 of the 2002 Annual Report and Accounts. The unaudited interim financial information in this statement has been reviewed by the auditors in respect of the six months ended 30 June, 2003 only and their Report to the Directors is set out on page 4. 2. Loss and Fully Diluted Loss per Share The calculation of the loss and fully diluted loss per share is based on the loss after taxation of US$221,766 (2002: Profit US$542,558) and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the six months ended 30 June, 2003 of 262,209,123 shares (2002: 214,728,068 shares). The calculation of fully diluted earnings per share for 2002 is based on the profit for the period after taxation as for basic earnings per share. The number of shares is adjusted to show the potential dilution if share options and share warrants are converted into ordinary shares. The weighted average number of shares in issue is increased to 243,306,384. 3. Mineral Interests The recovery of deferred development expenditure is dependent upon the successful development of economic ore reserves, which in turn depends on the availability of adequate funding from financial institutions, a joint venture party or other source. The Directors are satisfied that deferred expenditure is worth not less than cost less any amounts written off and that the exploration projects have the potential to achieve mine production and positive cash flows. 4. Tangible Assets Tangible Assets are stated at cost or valuation less accumulated depreciation. GRD Minproc Limited, an independent Australian engineering group, has appraised the Mining and Processing Plant on a depreciated replacement cost basis of valuation as at 30 June, 2000. An inspection of the Mining and Processing Plant was carried out by GRD Minproc Limited in March 2002 concluding that no material alteration to the plants had taken place. Confirmation of the existence of the Processing Plant and the Mining Plant at the year end was provided by Aker Kvaerner, an international engineering group. The recovery of this amount is dependent upon the successful development of the Moma Titanium Minerals Project, which in turn depends on the availability of adequate funding from financial institutions, a joint venture party or other source. The historical cost net book value of these assets at 30 June, 2003 is US$11,473,067. The surplus arising on revaluation amounts to US$30,141,002. 5. Non-Consolidation of Subsidiary Undertaking As set out in detail in Note 7 of 2002 Annual Report, Grafites de Ancuabe, S.A.R.L., a subsidiary company, has been excluded from consolidation from 31st December 1999. 6. Approval of Interim Financial Statements The interim financial statements were approved by the Board on 12 September, 2003. 12 September, 2003 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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