Final Results

Pathfinder Minerals Plc
25 May 2023
 

25 May 2023

 

Pathfinder Minerals Plc

("Pathfinder" the "Company")

 

Final Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

 

Pathfinder reports its audited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2022. The full annual report including, all notes to the accounts, will be posted to shareholders on 26 May 2023, and is available on the Company's website at www.pathfinderminerals.com.

 

Dennis Edmonds, Chairman, commented:

 

"Following the completion of the disposal of IM Minerals Limited, which the Company expects imminently, Acumen Advisory Group LLC will have a binding agreement with the Company to progress the claim against the Government of Mozambique. If the claim is successful, Pathfinder stands to receive a substantial contingent payment. While that process is underway, assuming completion of the disposal, Pathfinder will be well funded to pursue other opportunities to achieve value creation for shareholders."

 

Enquiries:

Pathfinder Minerals Plc

Peter Taylor, Chief Executive Officer

Tel. +44 (0)20 3143 6748

 

Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated & Financial Adviser and Broker)

James Spinney / Ritchie Balmer / Abigail Wennington

Tel. +44 (0)20 7409 3494

 

Vigo Consulting (Public Relations)

Ben Simons / Kate Kilgallen

Tel. +44 (0)20 7390 0234

Email pathfinderminerals@vigoconsulting.com

 

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR").

 

 

Chairman's Statement

for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

Introduction and principal activities

The Group's activities during 2022 continued to focus on preparing the Company to bring a claim against the Government of Mozambique, under the Mozambique-United Kingdom Bilateral Investment Treaty (2004) (the "Treaty"), for its role in facilitating the expropriation of Mining Concession 4623C (the "Licence") from the Company in 2011 through a transfer which the Board believes was unlawful (the "Claim"). This culminated in the signing in September 2022 of an option agreement for the sale of IM Minerals Limited ("IMM"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pathfinder, and, with it, the rights to bring the Claim.

 

Alongside this, the Board has continued to review additional commercial opportunities across several minerals and geographies which, if pursued, would offer shareholders multiple avenues for potential value creation.

 

Preparations to bring or monetise a claim

Since the receipt in December 2020 of a legal opinion that, subject to the interpretation of the facts and applicable laws as they are currently known to the Board and Counsel, there is a 55-60 percent prospect of establishing liability on the part of the Government of Mozambique in a BIT claim under Article 2(2) and 2(3) of the Treaty, the Board had set about undertaking the various workstreams to prepare to bring or monetise the Claim.

 

As part of the Company's preparatory procedures, the Board commissioned, during 2021, Versant Partners LLC ("Versant") to undertake an analysis of the valuation of Pathfinder's potential claim. Whilst the detail behind the valuation remains legally privileged, the Versant analysis assesses a range of successful scenarios with valuation ranges from a minimum of US$110m for an ex-ante damages award through to US$1,500m for an ex-post damages award. The Versant valuation supports the US$621.3m of estimated losses, detailed in the Company's 12 April 2021 announcement, that has been notified to the government of Mozambique.

 

In September 2022, the Company entered into an option agreement with Acumen Advisory Group LLC ("Acumen" or "AAG"), an asset recovery specialist incorporated in Delaware, USA, with a track record of international claim enforcement, under which the Company granted Acumen an exclusive option to acquire IMM and therefore the rights to bring the Claim.

 

Following the end of the financial year, on 1 February 2023, Pathfinder announced that Acumen had sought to exercise its rights under the Option and, at a general meeting of shareholders of the Company held on 11 May 2023, shareholders voted to proceed with the disposal of IMM and therefore the Claim (the "Disposal"). Under the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement (the "SPA") entered into with Acumen, the Company expects to receive imminently, an initial cash payment of £2 million and subsequently a further payment being the greater of US$24 million or 20% of the aggregate amount (including deferred or conditional payments) subject to, and payable on, settlement or determination of the Claim, less expenses. Further details on the Disposal, including the payment mechanism, and associated risk factors, are detailed in the circular posted to shareholders on 21 April 2023.

 

Company strategy

Following the completion of the Disposal, the Company will cease to own, control, or conduct all, or substantially all, of its existing business activities or assets. Accordingly, upon completion of the Disposal, the Company will be classified as an AIM Rule 15 cash shell and, as such, will be required to make an acquisition or acquisitions which constitute a reverse takeover under AIM Rule 14 (or seek re-admission as an investing company (as defined under the AIM Rules)), on or before the date falling six months from completion of the Disposal, failing which the Company's Ordinary Shares would be suspended from trading on AIM pursuant to AIM Rule 40. Admission of the Company's Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM would be cancelled six months from the date of suspension should the Company not complete such a transaction during this time.

 

Until such time as the £2 million has been received by the Company, the Disposal will not complete and the Company will not be classified as an AIM Rule 15 cash shell.

 

The Board is continuing to evaluate opportunities in the sectors it considers appropriate, seeking to identify one or more projects or assets suitable for acquisition from which the Board believes it can unlock unrealised value for shareholders in the near-term.

 

Any reverse takeover transaction will require the publication of an AIM Rules compliant admission document and will be subject to shareholder approval at a further general meeting of the Company to be convened at the appropriate time.

 

Financial results and current financial position

The audited financial statements of the Pathfinder Group for the year ended 31 December 2022 follow later in this report.

 

The Income Statement for the period ended 31 December 2022 reflects a loss of £376k (period ended 31 December 2021: £367k). The Group's Statement of Financial Position shows total assets at 31 December 2022 of £59k (31 December 2021: £384k); the assets were held largely in the form of cash deposits of £46k (31 December 2021: £365k).

 

Board changes

Jonathan Summers retired as a non-executive director of the Company on 30 June 2022. The Board is grateful to Mr Summers for his contribution to the Company.

 

Outlook

Following the completion of the Disposal, which the Company expects imminently, Acumen will have a binding agreement with the Company to progress the Claim. If the Claim is successful, the Company stands to receive a substantial contingent payment. While that process is underway, assuming completion of the Disposal, Pathfinder will be well funded and able to pursue other opportunities which offer shareholders multiple avenues for value creation.

 

Dennis Edmonds

Chair

25 May 2023

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

 

 

 

Note

Year ended
31 December 2022

Year ended
31 December 2021

 

 

£'000

£'000

 

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

 

 

Revenue

 

-

-

Administrative expenses

3, 4

(376)

(367)


 

 


OPERATING LOSS

 

(376)

(367)

 

 

 


LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX

 

(376)

(367)

Income tax

5

-

-

 

 

 

 

LOSS FOR THE YEAR

 

(376)

(367)

Total comprehensive loss for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent

 

(376)

(367)


 

 


Loss per share from continuing operations in pence per share:

7

 

 

Basic and diluted


(0.07)

(0.07)

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

for the Year Ended 31 December 2022


Note

Year ended
31 December 2022

Year ended
31 December 2021

 

 

£'000

£'000

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

Investments

8

-

-

 


 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

9

13

19

Cash and cash equivalents

10

46

365

 


 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

59

384

 


 

 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Company:

 

 

 

Share capital

11

18,717

18,716

Share premium

11

14,239

14,234

Share based payment reserve

 

162

199

Warrant reserve

 

104

255

Accumulated deficit

 

(33,357)

(33,169)

TOTAL EQUITY

 

(135)

235

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

12

114

149

Borrowings

13

80

-

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

194

149

 

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

 

59

384

 

 

The financial statements were approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 25 May 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:

 

Dennis Edmonds

Director

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

 

 

 

Called up share capital

Share premium

Share based payment reserve

Warrant reserve

Accumulated
deficit

Total
equity

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Balance at 1 January 2021 as previously stated

18,584

13,685

184

253

(32,831)

(125)

Prior year adjustment

-

-

-

-

-

-

Balance at 1 January 2021 as restated

18,584

13,685

184

253

(32,831)

(125)

Loss for the year

-

-

-

-

(367)

(367)

Total comprehensive loss for the year

-

-

-

-

(367)

(367)

Issue of share capital

132

599

-

-

-

731

Cost of share issue

-

(41)

-

-

-

(41)

Share based payments

-

(9)

15

2

29

37

Balance at 31 December 2021

18,716

14,234

199

255

(33,169)

235

Loss for the year

-

-

-

-

(376)

(376)

Total comprehensive loss for the year

-

-

-

-

(376)

(376)

Issue of share capital

1

5

-

-

-

6

Cost of share issue

-

-

-

-

-

-

Share based payments

-

-

(37)

(151)

188

-

Balance at 31 December 2022

18,717

14,239

162

104

(33,357)

(135)

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

 


Note

Year ended
31 December 2022

Year ended
31 December 2021

 

 

£'000

£'000

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

Loss before tax

 

(376)

(367)

 


 

 

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

Share-based payments

 

-

35

PAYE/NI provision written back

 

-

(140)

Net cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital

 

(376)

(472)

 


 

 

Changes in working capital:

 

 

 

Decrease in trade and other receivables

9

6

15

Decrease in trade and other payables

12

(35)

(61)

Net cash flow used in operating activities

 

(405)

(518)

 


 

 

Cash flow from financing activities

 

 

 

Proceeds arising as a result of the issue of ordinary shares

 

6

720

Costs related to issue of ordinary share capital

 

-

(28)

Proceeds of borrowings

13

80

-

Net cash flow from financing activities

 

86

692

 


 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year

 

(319)

174

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

 

365

191

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

 

46

365

 

Details of material non-cash transactions are set out in note 17.

 

 

Company Statement of Financial Position

for the Year Ended 31 December 2022


Note

Year ended
31 December 2022

Year ended
31 December 2021

 

 

£'000

£'000

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

Investments

8

-

-

 


 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

9

13

19

Cash and cash equivalents

10

46

365

 


 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

59

384

 


 

 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Company:

 

 

 

Share capital

11

18,717

18,716

Share premium

11

14,239

14,234

Share based payment reserve

 

162

199

Warrant reserve

 

104

252

Accumulated deficit

 

(33,357)

(33,169)

TOTAL EQUITY

 

(135)

235

 


 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

12

114

149

Borrowings

13

80

-

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

194

149

 


 

 

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

 

59

384

 

The Company has taken exemptions allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own profit and loss account in these financial statements. The loss after tax of the parent Company for the year was £376k (2021: £367k).

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 25 May 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:

 

Dennis Edmonds
Director

 

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

 

 

Called up share capital

Share premium

Share based payment reserve

Warrant reserve

Accumulated
deficit

Total
equity

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Balance at 1 January 2021 as previously stated

18,584

13,685

184

253

(32,831)

(125)

Prior year adjustment

-

-

-

-

-

-

Balance at 1 January 2021 as restated

18,584

13,685

184

253

(32,831)

(125)

Loss for the year

-

-

-

-

(367)

(367)

Total comprehensive loss for the year

-

-

-

-

(367)

(367)

Issue of share capital

132

599

-

-

-

731

Cost of share issue

-

(41)

-

-

-

(41)

Share based payments

-

(9)

15

2

29

37

Balance at 31 December 2021

18,716

14,234

199

255

(33,169)

235

Loss for the year

-

-

-

-

(376)

(376)

Total comprehensive loss for the year

 

 

 

 

(376)

(376)

Issue of share capital

1

5

-

-

-

6

Share based payments

-

-

(37)

(151)

188

-

Balance at 31 December 2022

18,717

14,239

162

104

(33,357)

(135)

 

 

Company Statement of Cash Flows

for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

 


Note

Year ended
31 December 2022

Year ended
31 December 2021

 

 

£'000

£'000

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

Loss before tax

 

(376)

(367)

 


 

 

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

Share-based payments

 

-

35

PAYE/NI provision written back

 

-

(140)

Net cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital

 

(376)

(472)

 


 

 

Changes in working capital:

 

 

 

Decrease in trade and other receivables

9

6

15

Decrease in trade and other payables

12

(35)

(61)

Net cash flow used in operating activities

 

(405)

(518)

 


 

 

Cash flow from financing activities

 

 

 

Proceeds arising as a result of the issue of ordinary shares

 

6

720

Costs related to issue of ordinary share capital

 

-

(28)

Proceeds of borrowings

13

80

-

Net cash flow from financing activities

 

86

692

 


 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year

 

(319)

174

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

 

365

191

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

 

46

365

 

 

 

Details of material non-cash transactions are set out in note 17.

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

 

1.            ACCOUNTING POLICIES

General information

Pathfinder Minerals Plc is a public limited company, quoted on AIM and is incorporated, registered and domiciled in England.

The Company's registered office is 35 Berkeley Square, London, England, W1J 5BF.

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and Interpretations (collectively IASs) and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IASs. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The functional and presentational currency of the Company is Pound Sterling.

 

New standards, amendments and interpretations adopted by the Company

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following standards and interpretations relevant to the Company and which have not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue but were not yet effective.

 

Standard

Effective date, annual period beginning on or after

IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements

1 January 2023

IFRS 17 - Insurance Contracts

1 January 2023

IAS 8 amendments - Definition of accounting estimates

1 January 2023

Amendments to IAS 12 - Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction

1 January 2023

Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-Current: Amendments to IAS 1

1 January 2023

 

The adoption of these standards is not expected to have any material impact on the financial statements of the Company.

 

Going concern

The Directors maintain cash flow forecasts looking ahead for periods not less than 12 months. As at the reporting date, the Company's cash balance was £46k (2021: £365k).

 

As at the date of approval of the financial statements, the cash flow forecast indicates that the Company has sufficient financial resources for at least the next 12 months, however, this is predicated on the receipt of £2 million consideration from AAG in respect of the disposal of the Company's 100%-owned subsidiary, IM Minerals Limited. The Board therefore considers that this is a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the Group's and the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Taking into consideration the Board's expectation that these funds will be received imminently, the Group's merits and the Board's track record in raising additional funding, the Board, has a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the next 12 months. Based on the Group's current expenditure plans, in the absence of receipt of the £2 million consideration from AAG, and without further funding being raised, the Group is funded up to October 2023.

 

The Board considers this period of assessment to be appropriate because it contextualises the Company's financial position, business model and strategy.

 

Notwithstanding the above, the directors consider the Group and the Company to be a going concern and therefore have prepared these financial statements on a going concern basis.

 

Basis of consolidation

Although the Company's direct subsidiary as at 31 December 2022, IM Minerals Limited holds 99.9% of the issued share capital of Companhia Mineira de Naburi SARL, which in turn holds 99.8% of the issued share capital of Sociedade Geral de Mineracao de Moçambique SARL, events in 2011 indicated that the Company does not control either of these Moçambique-domiciled companies group companies; neither has it been possible to obtain the statutory registers or audited accounts for them; accordingly, these financial statements consolidate the financial statements of IM Minerals Limited only. IM Minerals Limited is a dormant intermediate holding company registered in England & Wales.

 

Foreign currencies

Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the statement of financial position date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of transaction. Exchange differences are considered in arriving at the operating result.

 

Employee benefit costs

The Group makes available a defined contribution pension scheme to eligible employees. Any contributions paid to the Group's pension scheme are charged to the income statement in the period to which they relate.

 

Equity instruments and reserves description

An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Company after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received net of direct issue costs.

 

Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

 

Deferred shares are classified as equity but have restricted rights such that they have no economic value.

 

Share capital account represents the nominal value of the ordinary and deferred shares issued.

 

The share premium account represents premiums received on the initial issuing of the share capital. Any transaction costs associated with the issuing of shares are deducted from share premium, net of any related income tax benefits.

 

Share based payment reserve represents equity-settled share-based employee remuneration until such share options are exercised.

 

Warrant reserve represents equity-settled share-based payments until such share warrants are exercised.

 

Share-based payments

Where equity settled share options or warrants are awarded, the fair value of the options at the date of grant is charged to the statement of comprehensive income over the vesting period.  Non-market vesting conditions are considered by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each balance sheet date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of options that eventually vest.

  

Financial instruments

 

Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables are measured at initial recognition at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Trade and other receivables are accounted for at original invoice amount less any provisions for doubtful debts.  Provisions are made where there is evidence of a risk of non-payment, considering the age of the debt, historical experience and general economic conditions.  If a trade debt is determined to be uncollectable, it is written off, firstly against any provisions already held and then to the statement of comprehensive income.  Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously provided for are credited to the statement of comprehensive income.

 

Appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts are recognised in profit or loss in accordance with the expected credit loss model under IFRS 9. For trade and other receivables which do not contain a significant financing component, the Company applies the simplified approach. This approach requires the allowance for expected credit losses to be recognised at an amount equal to lifetime expected credit losses. For other debt financial assets, the Company applies the general approach to providing for expected credit losses as prescribed by IFRS 9, which permits for the recognition of an allowance for the estimated expected loss resulting from default in the subsequent 12-month period. Exposure to credit loss is monitored on a continual basis and, where material, the allowance for expected credit losses is adjusted to reflect the risk of default during the lifetime of the financial asset should a significant change in credit risk be identified.

 

The majority of the Company's financial assets are expected to have a low risk of default. A review of the historical occurrence of credit losses indicates that credit losses are insignificant due to the size of the Company's clients and the nature of its activities. The outlook for the natural resources industry is not expected to result in a significant change in the Company's exposure to credit losses. As lifetime expected credit losses are not expected to be significant the Company has opted not to adopt the practical expedient available under IFRS 9 to utilise a provision matrix for the recognition of lifetime expected credit losses on trade receivables. Allowances are calculated on a case-by-case basis based on the credit risk applicable to individual counterparties.

 

Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are held at amortised cost which equates to nominal value.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, current balances with banks and similar institutions and liquid investments generally with maturities of 3 months or less.  They are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and have an insignificant risk of changes in values.

 

Taxation

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

 

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the period.  Taxable profit differs from the net profit as reported in the income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other periods and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible.  The Company's liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

 

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Company has a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Company will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.  The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation.

 

Critical accounting estimates  and judgements

The preparation of financial information in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice, in the case of the Group using IFRSs, requires the directors to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, income and expenditure and the disclosures made in the financial statements. Such estimates and judgements must be continually evaluated based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events.

 

Details of accounting estimates and judgements that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements have been disclosed under the relevant note or accounting policy for each area where disclosure is required.

 

Valuation of share-based payments to employees

The Company estimates the expected value of share-based payments to employees and this is charged through the income statement over the vesting period.  The fair value is estimated using the Black Scholes valuation model which requires a number of assumptions to be made such as level of share vesting, time of exercise, expected length of service and employee turnover and share price volatility.  This method of estimating the value of share-based payments is intended to ensure that the actual value transferred to employees is provided for by the time such payments are made.

 

2.            SEGMENTAL REPORTING

The Group has one activity only. The whole of the value of the Group's and the Company's net assets in their respective financial statements at 31 December 2022 and 2021 was attributable to UK assets and liabilities.

 

3.            OPERATING LOSS

Group and Company


2022

2021


£'000

£'000

Loss from operations has been arrived at after charging:

 


       Directors' Remuneration

124

102

       Share based payment charge

-

36

       Legal Fees

4

38

       Nomad Fees

50

83

       Fees payable to the Company's auditor for the audit of the Group and Company's financial statements

22

27

4.            EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS

The average number of persons employed by the Company in the financial year (including directors that receive remuneration) was 5 (2021: 5).

 

The highest paid director during the year received £62,000 (2021: 57,000).

 

The following tables set out and analyse the remuneration of directors for the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021.

 

For the year ended 31 December 2022:

 

Salary

Fees

Total emoluments

Contribution to Pension schemes

 Share Based Payments

Total remuneration

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Dennis Edmonds

30

-

30

-

-

30

Peter Taylor

60

-

60

2

-

62

Mark Gasson

-

25

25

-

-

25

Jonathan Summers

7

-

7

-

-

7

 

97

25

122

2

-

124

 

For the year ended 31 December 2021:


Salary

Fees

Total emoluments

Contribution to Pension schemes

 Share Based Payments

Total remuneration

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

John Taylor

6

-

6

-

-

6

Dennis Edmonds

30

-

30

-

-

30

Peter Taylor

51

-

51

1

5

57

Mark Gasson

-

15

15

-

8

23

Jonathan Summers

-

-

-

-

11

11

 

87

15

102

1

24

127

 

No share options were exercised by the directors, and no shares were received or receivable by any director in respect of qualifying services under a long-term incentive scheme.

 

5.            INCOME TAX

 

The charge for the year is made up as follows:


2022

2021

 

£'000

£'000

Current tax

-

-

Tax charge for the year

-

-

 

Analysis of tax expense

No liability to UK corporation tax arose for the year ended 31 December 2022 nor for the year ended 31 December 2021. No deferred tax asset has been recorded on tax losses carried forward.

 

Factors affecting the tax expense

The tax assessed for the year is higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The difference is explained below:


2022

2021

 

£'000

£'000

Loss on ordinary activities before tax

(376)

(367)

Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2021: 19%)

(71)

(70)

Effects of:

 

 

       Non-deductible expenses

-

-

       Income not chargeable to tax

-

-

       Unrelieved tax losses carried forward

71

70

Tax expense

-

-

 

6.            LOSS OF PARENT COMPANY

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the income statement of the parent company is not presented as part of these financial statements. The parent company's loss for the financial year was £376k (2021: £367k).

 

7.            LOSS PER SHARE

Basic loss per share is calculated, as set out in the tables below, by dividing the loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

 

In accordance with IAS 33, as the Group is reporting a loss for both this and the preceding year the share options and warrants are not considered dilutive because the exercise of these would have the effect of reducing the loss per share.

 

As at 31 December 2022:

 

 

 

 

Loss

£'000

Weighted average number of shares

Per-share amount, pence

Basic loss attributable to the ordinary shareholders

376

532,094,193

0.07p

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December 2021:

 




Loss

£'000

Weighted average number of shares

Per-share amount, pence

Basic loss attributable to the ordinary shareholders

367

494,687,905

0.07p

8.            INVESTMENTS

 

Parent company

Shares in group undertakings

£'000

COST

 

At 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022

34,806

 

 

PROVISION FOR IMPAIRMENT

 

At 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022

(34,806)

 

 

NET BOOK VALUE

 

At 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022

-

 

Subsidiaries

Pathfinder Battery Commodities Ltd

Registered office:            35 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 5BF, United Kingdom

Nature of business:        Holding company

Class of shares:                 Ordinary

Holding:                               100.00%

 

I M Minerals Limited

Registered office:            35 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 5BF, United Kingdom

Nature of business:        Holding company

Class of shares:                 Ordinary

Holding:                               100.00%

 

Companhia Mineira de Naburi SARL

Registered office:  Mozambique

Nature of business:        Mining

Nature of business:        Non-trading

Class of shares:                Ordinary

Ordinary                             99.9%

 

Sociedade Geral de Mineracao de Moçambique SARL

Registered office:           Mozambique

Nature of business:       Non-trading

Class of shares:                Ordinary

Ordinary                             99.8%

 

IM Minerals Limited held the shares in Companhia Mineira de Naburi SARL ("CMdN") which held titanium dioxide mining concessions in the Republic of Mozambique. In November 2011, the original vendors of IM Minerals' subsidiary, CMdN, advised the Company that they had procured the cancellation of IM Minerals Ltd's shares in CMdN and the transfer of its assets (the mining licences) to another company controlled by them. Whilst the Company is taking legal and other action in order to recover the shares and the licences, the Company, in the interest of accounting prudence, made full provision in the 2011 financial statements against the cost of its investment in IM Minerals Ltd. As a consequence of the situation regarding the Company's legal claims, the Company has been unable to verify the current registered office addresses for the Mozambique-domiciled companies, CMdN and Sociedade Geral de Mineracao de Moçambique SARL. Furthermore, whilst the Company believes these companies to be non-trading, the Company has been unable to verify their trading statuses.

 

 

9.            TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES


Group

 

Parent Company

 

2022

2021

 

2022

2021

 

£'000

£'000

 

£'000

£'000

Other debtors

8

8

 

8

8

VAT

5

4

 

5

4

Prepayments and accrued income

-

7

 

-

7

 

13

19

 

13

19

 

10.          CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS


Group

 

Parent Company

 

2022

2021

 

2022

2021

 

£'000

£'000

 

£'000

£'000

 






Bank accounts

46

365

 

46

365

 

11.          SHARE CAPITAL

 

a)  Called up, allotted, issued and fully paid share capital

 

 

No. Ordinary shares of 0.1p each

Deferred shares of 9.9p each

Allotment price

(£s)

Share

Capital

£'000

Share Premium

£'000

Total as at 31 December 2021

531,328,168

183,688,116

 

18,716

14,234

6 May 2022

1,166,666

-

0.005

1

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total as at 31 December 2022

532,494,834

183,688,116

 

18,717

14,239

 

b)  Share options & warrants in issue

 

Share options

Exercise Price

Grant Date

Expiry Date

At 1 January 2022

Issued / (lapsed)

At 31 December 2022

2.50p

10 April 2019

9 April 2022

7,500,000

(7,500,000)

-

1.25p(1)

11 May 2020

11 May 2022

19,000,000

(9,000,000)

10,000,000

1.25p(1)

4 August 2020

31 May 2023

6,000,000

-

6,000,000

 

1.75p

21 September 2018

20 September 2023

18,750,000

-

18,750,000

0.55p

17 March 2021

16 March 2023

6,000,000

-

6,000,000

1.25p

1 April 2021

31 March 2023

6,000,000

-

6,000,000

1.25p

9 June 2021

8 June 2023

6,000,000

-

6,000,000

1.25p

23 June 2021

22 June 2023

3,000,000

-

3,000,000

1.25p

4 October 2021

3 October 2023

5,000,000

-

5,000,000

 

 

 

77,250,000

(16,500,000)

60,750,000

 

 

 

(1)   On 6 May 2022, the following amendments were made to certain of the above share options:

·    10,000,000 of the 19,000,000 1.25p options that were otherwise due to expire on 11 May 2022 were extended so as to lapse on 11 May 2023

·    6,000,000 options with an exercise price of 1.25p and an expiry date of 11 May 2022, were extended so as to expire on 31 May 2023.

 

Share warrants

Exercise Price

Expiry Date

At 1 January 2022

Issued/(lapsed)

At 31 December 2022

0.50p(1)

11 May 2022

1,166,666

(1,166,666)

-

3.50p

17 June 2022

10,703,018

(10,703,018)

-

1.50p

11 May 2022

38,769,230

(38,769,230)

-

1.25p

2 November 2022

2,500,000

(2,500,000)

-

0.50p(2) (3)

31 May 2023

11,666,668

-

11,666,668

1.50p(3)

31 May 2023

3,076,923

-

3,076,923

0.60p

29 April 2024

3,500,000

-

3,500,000

 

 

71,382,505

(53,138,914)

18,243,591

(1)   On 6 May 2022, 1,166,666 warrants over Ordinary shares were exercised at a price of 0.5p per share.

(2)   On 19 February 2021, in accordance with the terms of the 11 May 2020 warrant instrument, the warrants subsisting thereunder were repriced from 0.60p to 0.50p each.

(3)   On 6 May 2022, 11,666,668 warrants with an exercise price of 0.50p and 3,076,923 warrants with an exercise price of 1.50p, all with an expiry date of 11 May 2022, were extended so as to expire on 31 May 2023.

 

12.          TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES


Group

 

Parent Company

 

2022

2021

 

2022

2021

 

£'000

£'000

 

£'000

£'000

Trade creditors

4

-

 

4

-

Social security and other taxes

43

86

 

43

86

Other creditors

42

42

 

42

42

Accruals and deferred income

25

21

 

25

21

 

114

149

 

113

149

 

13.          BORROWINGS

On 29 September 2022 and 28 December 2022, the Company announced it has entered into a loan agreement whereby an FCA authorised financial institution has arranged for the provision to the Company by an individual, of an unsecured loan facility of up to £120,000 (the "Loan") for working capital purposes. The Loan carried a simple fixed interest of 5.0 percent on any amounts drawn down and had issue costs of £5,000. The Loan was designed to provide the Company with access to additional working capital, should it be required. As at 31 December 2022 £80,000 had been drawn down.

The Loan was repaid in full together with accrued interest and the issue costs on 1 February 2023.

 

14.          CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

As part of the agreement for the purchase of the shares in its subsidiary, Companhia Mineira de Naburi SARL (CMdN), the Company's subsidiary, IM Minerals Limited, agreed to pay the vendors a further sum of US$9,900,000 if, following further exploration and appraisal, an agreement is reached for the construction of a facility for the processing of ore extracted from the Naburi mineral sands deposit. This sum has since been reduced by advances of £90,083, made by IM Minerals Limited, and £75,933, made by the Company, to one of the vendors, Mr Diogo Cavaco.

Similarly, as part of its agreement for the purchase of the whole of the issued share capital of Sociedade Geral de Mineracao de Moçambique SARL, CMdN has agreed to pay the vendors, BHP Billiton, a further sum of US$9,500,000 if, following further exploration and appraisal, an agreement is reached for the construction of a facility for the processing of ore extracted from the Moebase mineral sands deposit. This obligation is guaranteed by IM Minerals Limited.


In July 2021, the Company engaged Travers Smith LLP to act for the Company in connection with its ongoing work to secure the return of Mining Licence 4623C (the "Licence"), or compensation in relation thereto. The fees payable to Travers Smith LLP are payable on a contingent basis subject to a minimum pre-claim amount; in February 2022, the cap was increased from £100,000 to £200,000; in November 2022, the cap was further increased to £250,000. Following the year-end, the Company and Travers Smith LLP agreed a pre-claim fee of approximately £226k, including disbursements, in respect of the ongoing work to secure the return of Mining Licence 4623C or compensation in relation thereto.

 

15.          RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

Details of directors' remuneration are given in note 4 above.

 

16.          SHARE BASED PAYMENTS

The fair values of the share options and warrants at the date of grant have been measured using the Black- Scholes pricing model, which takes into account factors such as the option life, share price volatility and the risk-free rate.

 

Each share option and warrant vested and was exercisable immediately upon grant. The share-based expense relating to each share option and share warrant was recognised in full on the date of grant.

 

Share options

Date of grant

Share price

Exercise

price

Risk Free

Rate(1)

Expected life

of options

Expected yield

Expected volatility(2)

Fair value per option

21 September 2018

1.45p

1.75p

0.70%

5 years

0%

55%

£0.00609

10 April 2019

1.35p

2.50p

0.71%

3 years

0%

55%

£0.00264

11 May 2020

0.93p

1.25p(3)

0.07%

2 years

0%

55%

£0.00190

4 August 2020

0.43p

1.25p(3)

0.06%

2 years

0%

55%

£0.00022

17 March 2021

0.53p

0.55p

0.05%

2 years

0%

55%

£0.00151

1 April 2021

0.53p

1.25p

0.05%

2 years

0%

55%

£0.00040

9 June 2021

0.79p

1.25p(3)

0.05%

2 years

0%

55%

£0.00127

23 June 2021

0.75p

1.25p(3)

0.05%

2 years

0%

55%

£0.00111

4 October 2021

0.73p

1.25p(3)

0.05%

2 years

0%

55%

£0.00101

 

(1) Daily sterling overnight index average (SONIA) rate at the date of grant was adopted as the effective risk-free rate.

(2) Expected volatility is based on management's estimate of the expected volatility

(3) Repriced to 0.75p following the year-end, on 27 April 2023.

Share warrants

Date of grant

Share price

Exercise

price

Risk Free

Rate

Expected life

of warrants

Expected yield

Expected volatility

Fair value per option

4 June 2019

2.75p

3.50p

0.71%

3 years

0%

55%

£0.00827

11 May 2020(1)

0.93p

0.60p

0.07%

2 years

0%

55%

£0.00426

11 May 2020

0.93p

1.50p

0.07%

2 years

0%

55%

£0.00144

2 November 2020

0.68p

1.25p

0.05%

2 years

0%

55%

£0.00083

21 May 2021

0.68p

0.6p

0.05%

2.9 years

0%

55%

£0.00271

(1) On 19 February 2021, in accordance with the terms of the relevant warrant instrument, the warrants subsisting thereunder were repriced from 0.60p to 0.50p each.

 

On 6 May 2022, the Company extended the expiry date of certain directors' share options and share warrants issued to a related party. The details are as follows:

 

Director

Date of Grant

No. Options

Exercise Price

Original Expiry Date

New Expiry Date

Dennis Edmonds

11/05/2020

10,000,000

£0.0125

11/05/2022

11/05/2023

Peter Taylor

04/08/2020

6,000,000

£0.0125

30/08/2022

30/08/2023

 

Warrant Holder

Date of Grant

No. Warrants

Exercise Price

Original Expiry Date

New Expiry Date

Richard Jennings

11/05/2020

11,666,668

£0.005

11/05/2022

11/05/2023

Richard Jennings

11/05/2020

3,076,923

£0.015

11/05/2022

11/05/2023

 

The extension of share options and warrants did not result in a change to the fair value that was determined on initial recognition.

 

In addition, following the year-end, the exercise price and expiry date of the aforementioned options was changed. See note 19.

The directors' interests in the share options and warrants of the Company as at 31 December 2022 are as follows:

 

Director

Number of options

Number of warrants

Exercise price per share

Latest exercise date

D. Edmonds

10,000,000

-

1.25p

11 May 2023

 

 

 

 

 

P. Taylor

6,000,000

-

1.25p

30 August 2023

P. Taylor

5,000,000

-

1.25p

3 October 2023

 

 

 

 

 

M Gasson

6,000,000

-

1.25p

8 June 2023

 

The total share-based payment expense in the year for the Company was £nil in relation to options (2021: £27k) and £nil in relation to warrants (2021: £8.5k).

 

17.          NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS

 

2022

£'000

2021

£'000

Settlement of broker commissions

-

11

 

-

11

 

18.          FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company's principal financial instruments comprise cash and cash equivalents and other receivables/payables. The Company's accounting policies and method adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis on which income and expenses are recognised in respect of each class of financial assets, financial liability and equity instrument are set out in note 1. The Company does not use financial instruments for speculative purposes.

 

The principal financial instruments used by the Company, from which financial instrument risk arises, are as follows:


Group

Parent Company

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

Financial assets at amortised cost

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Cash and cash equivalents

46

365

46

365

Prepayments and accrued income

-

7

-

7

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

 

 

 

 

Trade payables and accruals

114

149

114

149

 

a)    Financial risk management objectives and policies

The Company's major financial instruments include bank balances and amounts payable to suppliers. The risks associated with these financial instruments and the policies on how to mitigate these risks are set out below. The Directors manage and monitor these exposures to ensure appropriate measures are implemented on a timely and effective manner.

 

b)    Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk arises from the Company's management of working capital.

 

The Company regularly reviews its major funding positions to ensure that it has adequate financial resources in meeting its financial obligations. The Directors have considered the liquidity risk as part of their going concern assessment (see note 1). Controls over expenditure are carefully managed in order to maintain its cash reserves whilst it targets a suitable transaction. Financial liabilities are all due within one year.

 

c)    Credit risk

The Company's credit risk is wholly attributable to its cash balance. The credit risk from its cash and cash equivalents is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings and have not experienced any losses in such accounts.

 

d)    Interest risk

The Company's exposure to interest rate risk is the interest received on the cash held, which is immaterial.

 

e)    Capital risk management

The Company's objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure. The Company has no borrowings. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, or issue new shares.

 

f)     Fair value of financial assets and liabilities

There are no material differences between the fair value of the Company's financial assets and liabilities and their carrying values in the financial information.

19.          EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

On 1 February 2023, the Company announced the issue and allotment of 100,000,000 new ordinary shares of 0.1 pence per share to raise £0.5m before expenses.

 

On 28 April 2023, the expiry date and exercise price of share options which were granted to certain Directors and an employee were amended as set out below. The revised exercise price represents a premium of approximately 50 percent to the closing share price on 27 April 2023.

 

Name

Position

No. Options

Original Exercise Price

Date of Grant

Original Expiry Date

Revised Exercise Price

Revised Expiry Date

Dennis Edmonds

Director

10,000,000

£0.0125

11/05/2020

11/05/2023

£0.0075

30/06/2025









Peter Taylor

Director

6,000,000

£0.0125

04/08/2020

30/08/2023

£0.0075

30/06/2025

5,000,000

£0.0125

04/10/2021

03/10/2023

£0.0075

30/06/2025









Mark Gasson

Director

6,000,000

£0.0125

09/06/2021

08/06/2023

£0.0075

30/06/2025









Employee

Employee

3,000,000

£0.0125

23/06/2021

22/06/2023

£0.0075

30/06/2025

 

On 11 May 2023, shareholders voted to approve the disposal of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, IM Minerals Limited as explained further, in the Chairman's Statement on page 2.

 

20.          ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

                The directors believe there is no ultimate controlling party.

 

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