Final Results

Petra Diamonds Ld 05 December 2003 5th December 2003 PETRA DIAMONDS LIMITED PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2003 Highlights of 2003 • Exploration operations recommenced in Angola and three further diamondiferous kimberlites discovered on the Alto Cuilo concession • The Petra-led consortium selected as a short-listed bidder in the Alexkor privatisation process • Option agreement signed with Rio Tinto on the Limpopo properties; prospecting underway by Rio Tinto and kimberlitic indicator minerals found • Acquisition of Pakwe (formerly Falcon) kimberlite exploration project in South Africa • Raising of £2m of debt finance to finance development of Alto Cuilo Adonis Pouroulis, Chairman, said; 'Petra Diamonds is now poised for growth and I believe that we are in a position to extract maximum value out of our existing asset base for our shareholders. At the same time, the Company is now well placed to strengthen its existing portfolio by acquiring income producing assets.' Summary of Results - unaudited 2003 2002 Loss for the year £875,370 £2,282,696 Loss per share - pence 1.81p 5.21p For further information, please contact: Justine Howarth / Cathy Malins Parkgreen Communications Tel: 020 7287 5544 Chairman's Statement Dear Shareholder, I am proud to present the annual results for Petra's sixth year of operation. The overriding objectives of the Company are completion of the exploration and evaluation programmes on its existing projects and maturing them to realise a positive cash flow as well as the acquisition of a successful revenue-producing diamond mine. Results The loss for the year amounted to £875,370 (2002 £2,282,696) equating to a loss per share of 1.81 pence (2002 5.21 pence). The Group operating loss stated before net financing costs was £1,755,114 (2002 £729,502), this increase being due to the recommencement of operations in Angola and the costs of preparing the Alexkor bid. Net financing revenues of £879,744 (2002 loss of £1,553,194) occurred due to the strengthening of the rand during the year relating to the borrowings between Petra Diamonds Limited and its overseas subsidiaries. Strategy The priorities for the next twenty four months are to achieve rapid progress on the Alto Cuilo concession and on the South African exploration properties whilst actively looking for suitable acquisition opportunities. The Company has been preparing itself for some time to move beyond pure exploration to include production of diamonds and, where appropriate, of precious metals with a specific focus on platinum and gold. While pursuing organic growth, the Company is also actively investigating the acquisition of new projects which are either in or near positive cash flow. During the period under review considerable time and effort was spent both on the process of tendering for a 51% shareholding in the South African state-owned diamond mine, Alexkor Limited, and on looking at other existing mining operations in the diamond sector. Several such opportunities are under review at the date of this statement. None of the projects on which analysis has been completed has fully met Petra's investment criteria, although the Board is confident that these activities will eventually bear fruit. Angola The Company's primary focus in the past year has been on our concessions in North Eastern Angola, and in particular Alto Cuilo, on which we discovered a kimberlite shortly before the declaration of force majeure in 1998 forced us to suspend operations. Within weeks of returning to the concession in May this year, we discovered three further diamondiferous kimberlites in close proximity to the original discovery. The new discoveries have since been verified by independent consultants and a drilling programme will commence in December 2003. A trial mining and bulk sampling work programme has been scheduled for the coming year, commencing in the first quarter of 2004. I would like to thank Endiama, the Angolan Government diamonds agency, and Moyoweno, our Angolan partner, for their support during Petra's first year back in Angola following the end of hostilities and look forward to working with them in achieving our common goals over the next few years. I believe Alto Cuilo offers the Company a very strong possibility of proving up a large and successful diamond resource in the short-term. It is too early to determine the size and magnitude of such a diamond resource, but indications at this time are that any future operation on Alto Cuilo has the potential of being of significant size. Alexkor Your Company, with its consortium partners, continues to pursue its bid to become a 51% shareholder in the Alexkor diamond mine in South Africa. The privatisation of Alexkor by the South African Government, which was due to be completed during the period under review, has unfortunately been delayed. We are currently awaiting the outcome of the Land Claim Court and the conclusion of negotiations between the Richtersveld community and the South African Government. Privatisation remains a realistic prospect, however, and Petra retains its commitment to securing the 51% shareholding on offer. Alexkor is a large producer of gemstone quality diamonds and I believe that with further investment in proving up new diamond reserves, Alexkor can have a long and profitable future. Nabera Petra is a 29.5% shareholder in Nabera Mining (Pty) Ltd ('Nabera'), which managed the Alexkor diamond mine between 1999 and 2001. In terms of the management agreement under which Nabera managed the mine, Nabera is entitled to one third of the 'value added' to the mine during its management period. The opening and closing valuation reports have been completed by Snowden Mining Industry Consultants in accordance with the principles contained in the management agreement and have been submitted to Alexkor, Nabera and the South African Government. It is Petra's objective that the Nabera value-add claim be finalised with the Government and Alexkor in the financial year ending 30 June 2004 . It should be noted that the Government has the right to elect to satisfy Nabera's value add payment either in cash or in the form of shares in Alexkor Limited. Exploration in South Africa During the year under review, the Company continued its exploration activities in South Africa, submitting new prospecting permits for the Syferfontein and Pakwe kimberlites. Bulk sampling and drilling are planned for both kimberlites as soon as the prospecting permits are issued. On the Limpopo properties, Rio Tinto commenced exploration in terms of the option agreement with Petra. By July 2003 kimberlitic indicator minerals had been successfully recovered from three of the seven properties under licence. Petra also made its first excursion out of the diamond arena by applying for a prospecting permit over an area known to host platinum group metals. Funding In August this year the Company secured debt funding of £2 million which is largely being applied to the development of the Alto Cuilo concession. In addition, the Company continues to have access to the equity line of credit from Cornell Capital. The cost of developing a project such as Alto Cuilo is substantial and therefore the Company is considering other funding alternatives best suited to its needs. Corporate Governance As noted in my Chairman's Statement that accompanied the 2002 Report, it is the stated objective of the Board that the roles of Chairman and CEO be held by different individuals, not only to take account of accepted corporate governance good practice but also to ensure that the group is properly structured with the best individuals to ensure that it delivers on its projects and opportunities. Whilst interviews have been held with candidates for the role of CEO during the year, a suitable individual has not yet been identified. The search process will continue and the Board, taking account of input from its advisers, will move forward to meet the stated objective. People The rapid developments in Petra's Angolan projects more than offset the frustration felt over the delays in the Alexkor privatisation process. The Petra team has remained totally committed and focused for which I am grateful and thank them. I am pleased to welcome David Abery as the new finance director. During David's short time with us he has already added significant value and his presence on the Board is most welcome Conclusion I also wish to thank all shareholders who have supported the company and continue to believe in what we are aiming to achieve. The Company is well placed for growth from its existing projects and through the future acquisition of income producing assets. Adonis Pouroulis Chairman 5 December 2003 Petra Diamonds Limited Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended 30 June 2003 2003 2002 £ £ Other operating income 2,739 127,395 Other operating charges (1,757,853) (856,897) Group operating loss (1,755,114) (729,502) Net financing revenue/(costs) 879,744 (1,553,194) Loss before and after taxation for the financial year (875,370) (2,282,696) Basic loss per share - pence (1.81) (5.21) The Group's income and expenses all relate to continuing operations in the current and previous year. Consolidated Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses for the year ended 30 June 2003 2003 2002 £ £ Loss for the financial year (875,370) (2,282,696) Exchange adjustments on translation of subsidiary and (541,295) 1,527,619 branch undertakings recognised directly in equity Total recognised gains and losses relating to the financial (1,416,665) (755,077) year Petra Diamonds Limited Consolidated Balance Sheet at 30 June 2003 2003 2002 £ £ Assets Property, plant and equipment 130,319 12,972 Intangible assets 77,341 55,479 Investment in associates - 27,542 Total non-current assets 207,660 95,993 Other receivables 166,983 473,246 Cash at bank and in hand 263,949 139,615 Total current assets 430,932 612,861 Total assets 638,592 708,854 Equity and liabilities Equity Issued capital 5,163,849 4,623,561 Share premium account 12,878,603 12,347,332 Foreign currency translation reserve 1,485,984 2,027,279 Accumulated loss (19,358,262) (18,482,892) Total equity 170,174 515,280 Minority interests - - Liabilities Trade and other payables 90,210 - Total non-current liabilities - 90,210 Trade and other payables 378,208 193,574 Total current liabilities 378,208 193,574 Total liabilities 468,418 193,574 Total equity, minority interests and liabilities 638,592 708,854 Petra Diamonds Limited Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 30 June 2003 2003 2002 £ £ Loss before and after taxation for the financial year (875,370) (2,282,696) Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 9,775 9,323 Amortisation of intangible assets 5,290 3,733 Loss on sale of fixed assets 1,396 70,428 Provision for write down of investment in associates 27,542 - Write down of minority interests - (2,211) Foreign exchange (gain)/loss (560,313) 1,541,694 Interest received (785) (9,479) Interest paid 11,870 9,478 Operating loss before working capital changes (1,380,595) (659,730) Decrease / (increase) in debtors 306,263 (383,753) Increase / (decrease) in creditors 274,844 (640,302) Cash utilised in operations (799,488) (1,683,785) Interest paid (11,870) (9,478) Net cash utilised by operating activities (811,358) (1,693,263) Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of property, plant and equipment (128,694) (7,672) Purchase of intangible assets (10,122) - Additions to investments - (1) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 2,164 - Interest received 785 9,479 Net cash (utilised by) / generated from investing activities (135,867) 1,806 Cash flows from financing activities Net proceeds from the issue of share capital 1,071,559 1,728,198 Net cash generated from financing activities 1,071,559 1,728,198 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 124,334 36,741 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 139,615 102,874 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year 263,949 139,615 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2003 1. Other operating charges 2003 2002 £ £ Auditors' remuneration - audit services 46,510 48,634 - other services 3,138 3/4 Amortisation of mineral rights 5,290 3,733 Depreciation of tangible assets 9,775 9,323 Operating lease rentals 59,727 21,913 Staff costs 611,690 338,979 Bid expenditure (Alexkor / Dimeng) 282,030 19,829 Provision for potentially irrecoverable loan to associate 27,542 5,250 Other charges 712,151 409,236 1,757,853 856,897 2. Net financing revenue/(costs) £ £ On bank loans and overdrafts (315) (755) Other debt finance costs (11,555) (8,723) Interest paid (11,870) (9,478) Foreign exchange gains /(losses) 890,829 (1,553,195) Interest received 785 9,479 879,744 (1,553,194) 3. Loss per share The calculation of basic loss per share is based on the loss for the financial year of £875,370 (2002: loss of £2,282,696) and on a weighted average of 48,405,126 (2002: 43,809,493) ordinary shares of 10p each in issue during the year. £ £ Loss for the financial year 875,370 2,282,696 Shares Shares Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue 48,405,126 43,809,493 Pence Pence Basic loss per share - pence (1.81) (5.21) Due the Company's loss for the year the diluted loss per share is the same as the basic loss per share. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings