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RNS Number : 1122L
Connemara Mining Company plc
29 September 2016
 

29th September 2016

 

Connemara Mining Company plc ("Connemara")

Interim Statement for the period ended 30 June 2016


 

Connemara Mining holds 34 licences in Ireland focused on gold and zinc.  Principal activity at present is on a block of 5 licences on the Inishowen peninsula in Donegal, where drilling has found interesting gold results.  Our team has recently cleared and sampled a former silver/lead mine on the licence.  The geology looks attractive.  Results are awaited.

 

As well as our own 100 per cent owned activities we have three joint ventures, two with Teck of Canada on eleven zinc licences, 6 in Limerick and 5 in Meath, and one with Hendrick of Canada on 5 licences in Wexford/Wicklow which are prospective for gold.

 

Teck has a long and illustrious history in zinc, ranking among the top five producers in the world.  We are delighted to have them as partners and operators on the ground.  But the ravages inflicted by the commodity collapse of recent years has decimated exploration budgets.  Teck Ireland, the local operating subsidiary has struggled to get funding.  Current plans for the block of 6 licences in Limerick is to maintain them in good standing, but not to do any significant exploration.  A total of 135 holes have been drilled but more work needs to be done.  There is a substantial ore body outlined in three pods.  Given the rise in the zinc price to over $2,300 per tonne we are hopeful of interest from other mineral companies.  On the Oldcastle block of 5 licences in Meath,  where Teck need to spend significant money to increase their stake to 75% ownership, there are plans for a couple of holes in 2017 and possibly one in late 2016.  Holes in the Oldcastle area are targeting deep mineralisation, 800 metres and more, so they are very expensive.

 

Five licences held by Connemara in Wexford/Wicklow are prospective for gold.  We joint ventured the ground with Hendrick, an experienced Canadian gold prospector.  Hendrick have to spend €1 million to earn a 75% interest.  Work done by Connemara and others had earlier identified targets on the block.  Hendrick did their own work and confirmed our targets, as well as identifying others.  Knocknalour and Tombreen, in the northern part of our block, are the two priority targets.  Ongoing fundraising by Hendrick should allow drilling by end 2016.

 

Our work on Inishowen in Donegal is very exciting.  Sampling and two small drilling programmes have identified gold veins extending over distance and at depth.  More drilling is needed.  At the same time sampling around an old mine on the licence produced good grades of base metals and silver.  A team have worked to clear the old adits and shafts and make access safe.  They then sampled the area.  Visual observation suggests veins up to 2 metres wide but laboratory results are awaited on contained grades.

 

The ground in Donegal has similar geological characteristics to the big Dalradian gold orebody in Tyrone where a feasibility study is nearing completion, Gold at $1,300 an ounce is attractive to explorers.

Connemara holds ten licences in Raphoe, Co. Donegal where we have traces of gold, a zinc licence in Rapla, Co. Tipperary near the closed Lisheen mine, and two new zinc licences around a former barite mine in Co. Cork.  The Connemara team has extensive experience of exploring in Ireland.  We believe that we can identify prospective ground.  We acquire the ground when possible, work it, and then seek to joint venture it to larger mining companies.  We are funded for our current plans.

 

 

 

 

John Teeling

Chairman

 

28th September 2016

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation 596/2014.


 

Enquiries:

 

Connemara Mining Company Plc


John Teeling, Chairman

+353 (0) 1 833 2833

Jim Finn, Director


Northland Capital Partners Limited


William Vandyk/Gerry Beaney

+44 (0) 203 861 6625

John Howes


Dowgate Capital Stockbrokers Limited


Jason Robertson

+44 (0) 129 351 7744

Blytheweigh

+44 (0) 207 138 3204

Tim Blythe

+44 (0) 781 692 4626

Camilla Horsfall

+44 (0) 781 784 1793

Nick Elwes

+44 (0) 783 185 1855

Rachael Brooks


Jonathan Garfield


PSG Plus


Colm Heatley

+353 (0) 1 661 4055

Alan Tyrrell

+353 (0) 1 661 4055

 

www.connemaramining.com


 

Connemara Mining Company plc


Financial Information (Unaudited)



















Six Months Ended


Year Ended







30 June 16


30 June 15


31 Dec 15







unaudited


unaudited


audited

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income


€'000


€'000


€'000












Continuing Operations











Administrative expenses






(96)


(89)


(204)












OPERATING LOSS






(96)


(89)


(204)

Investment revenue






-


1


1












LOSS BEFORE TAXATION






(96)


(88)


(203)

Income tax expense






-


-


-












LOSS FOR THE PERIOD AND TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME


(96)


(88)


(203)












LOSS PER SHARE - basic and diluted






(0.16c)


(0.16c)


(0.36c)


































Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

















30 June 16


30 June 15


31 Dec 15







unaudited


unaudited


Audited







€'000


€'000


€'000

NON-CURRENT ASSETS











Intangible Assets






2,583


2,399


2,451












CURRENT ASSETS











Other receivables






25


80


28

Cash and cash equivalents






495


244


120







520


324


148












TOTAL ASSETS






3,103


2,723


2,599












LIABILITIES











CURRENT LIABILITIES











Trade and other payables






(570)


(434)


(425)

NET CURRENT LIABILITIES






(50)


(110)


(277)












NET ASSETS






2,533


2,289


2,174












EQUITY











Share Capital






758


558


558

Share Premium






5,044


4,809


4,809

Share Based Payment Reserve






20


-


-

Reserves






(3,289)


(3,078)


(3,193)












TOTAL EQUITY






2,533


2,289


2,174














































Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders Equity




















Called-up




Share Based







Share


Share


Payment


Retained





Capital


Premium


Reserves


Deficit


Total



€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000












As at 1 January 2015


558


4,809


-


(2,990)


2,377

Loss for the period








(88)


(88)

As at 30 June 2015


558


4,809


-


(3,078)


2,289












Loss for the period








(115)


(115)

As at 31 December 2015


558


4,809


-


(3,193)


2,174












Issue of shares


200


279






479

Share issue expenses




(24)






(24)

Warrants issued




(20)


20




-

Loss for the period








(96)


(96)

As at 30 June 2016


758


5,044


20


(3,289)


2,533


















Six Months Ended


Year Ended







30 June 16


30 June 15


31 Dec 15

Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow






Unaudited


unaudited


audited







€'000


€'000


€'000

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES











Loss for the year






(96)


(88)


(203)

Investment revenue






-


(1)


(1)

Exchange movements






-


(21)


(16)







(96)


(110)


(220)












Movements in working capital






148


(33)


10

CASH USED BY OPERATIONS






52


(143)


(210)












Investment revenue






-


1


1

NET CASH GENERATED/(USED) IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES




52


(142)


(209)












CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES











Payments for exploration and evaluation






(132)


(20)


(72)

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES






(132)


(20)


(72)












CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES











Issue of shares






479


-


-

Share issue expenses






(24)


-


-

NET CASH GENERATED FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES




455


-


-












NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS


375


(162)


(281)












Cash and Cash Equivalents at beginning of the period




120


385


385












Effects of exchange rate changes on cash held in foreign currencies


-


21


16

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE PERIOD




495


244


120



 

Notes:

 

1.     INFORMATION

The financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2016 and the comparative amounts for the six months ended 30 June 2015 are unaudited.

The interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the European Union. The interim financial statements have been prepared applying the accounting policies and methods of computation used in the preparation of the published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015.

The interim financial statements do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2015, which are available on the Company's website www.connemaramining.com   

 

The interim financial statements have not been audited or reviewed by the auditors of the Group pursuant to the Auditing Practices board guidance on Review of Interim Financial Information.

 

 

2.     No dividend is proposed in respect of the period.

 

 

3.     LOSS PER SHARE

 


30 June 16


30 June 15


31 Dec 15




Loss per share - Basic and Diluted

(0.16c)


(0.16c)


(0.36c)







Basic loss per share






The earnings and weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic loss per share are as follows:

 

Loss for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent

 

(96,428)


 

(87,846)


 

(202,961)







Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic earnings per share

 

61,042,615


 

55,779,711


 

55,779,711



















Basic and diluted loss per share are the same as the effect of the outstanding share options is anti-dilutive.

 

 

4.     INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 


30 June 16


30 June 15


31 Dec 15

Exploration and evaluation assets:

€'000


€'000


€'000

Cost at 1 January

2,451


2,379


2,379

Additions

132


20


72

Closing Balance

2,583


2,399


2,451




 



 

               The above represents expenditure on projects in Ireland. Included in the Group intangible assets is €Nil (Dec 2015: €10,000) of directors' remuneration which was capitalised during the period.

 

In 2012 the Group entered into an agreement with Teck Ireland Limited ("Teck"), a subsidiary of Teck Resources Limited, which gives Teck the option of earning a 75% interest in licences held by the Group in Cavan/Meath. Teck have to spend €1.35 million on the licences by 2018 in order to earn the option to acquire the total 75% interest. As per the agreement the licences have been transferred into a new company, Oldcastle Zinc Limited. As at 31 December 2015 Teck had completed €897,725 worth of expenditure. As per the agreement upon Teck completing €550,000 of expenditure 343,500 ordinary shares in Oldcastle Zinc Limited were to be issued to Teck. The shares were issued on 20 February 2015 giving Teck a 51% interest in the company.

 

                In 2007 the Group entered into an agreement with Teck Cominco which gave Teck Cominco the option to earn a 75% interest in a number of other licences held by the Group.  Teck Cominco had to spend CAD$3m to earn the interest. During 2012 the relevant licences were transferred to a new company, TILZ Minerals Limited, which at 30 June 2016 was owned 23.44% (31 December 2015: 23.44%) by Limerick Zinc Limited and 76.56% (31 December 2015: 76.56%) by Teck Ireland Limited. The Group's share of expenditure on the licences continues to be capitalised as an exploration and evaluation asset. The Group is subject to cash calls from Teck Ireland Limited in respect of the financing of the ongoing exploration and evaluation of these licences. In the event that the Group decides not to meet these cash calls its interest in TILZ Minerals Limited may be diluted accordingly.

 

               The realisation of the intangible asset is dependent on the successful development of economic reserves which is subject to a number of risks as outlined below.  Should this prove unsuccessful the value included in the balance sheet would be written off to the statement of comprehensive income.

 

               The group's activities are subject to a number of significant potential risks including;

               - Uncertainties over development and operational risks;

               - Compliance with licence obligations;

               -Liquidity risks; and

               - Going concern risks.

                                                                                                                                                                      

               The directors are aware that by its nature there is an inherent uncertainty in such exploration and evaluation expenditure as to the value of the asset.  Having reviewed the deferred development expenditure at 30 June 2015, the directors are satisfied that the value of the intangible asset is not less than carrying value.

 

 

5.     SHARE CAPITAL AND SHARE PREMIUM

 


30 June 16


30 June 15


31 Dec 15


€'000


€'000


€'000

Authorised:






200,000,000 ordinary shares of €0.01 each

2,000


2,000


2,000













Allotted, Called Up and Fully Paid:

 

Number


Share Capital

€'000


Share Premium

€'000

Balance at 1 January 2015

55,779,711


558


4,809

Issued during the period

-


-


-

Balance at 30 June 2015

55,779,711


558


4,809

Issued during the period

-


-


-

Balance at 31 December 2015

55,779,711


558


4,809

 Issued during the period

20,010,000


200


279

Share issue expenses

-


-


(24)

Issue of warrants

-


-


(20)

Balance at 30 June 2016

75,789,711


758


5,044







 

                                                                                                                                                                      

               On 13 May 2016, a total of 20,010,000 shares were issued at a price of 2p per share to provide additional working capital and fund the drilling programme on the Donegal gold licences. For each placing share subscribed for, the investors received one warrant to subscribe for an additional ordinary share at a price of 5p per share at any time until 26 May 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.             SHARE BASED PAYMENT RESERVE

 




Number of Warrants


Weighted average exercise price in pence

At 1 January 2016



-


-

Issued during the period



20,010,000


5

At 30 June 2016



20,010,000


5

 

Outstanding at 30 June 2016



 

20,010,000


 

5







 

 

On 13 May 2016 the company granted a total of 20,010,000 warrants as part of the share placing. The warrants each have the right to subscribe for one new ordinary share at a price of 5p at any time until 26 May 2018.

 

The warrants were granted with a fair value of €19,728.28 (£16,488.24). The fair value was calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. 

 

 

The inputs into the Black-Scholes valuation model were as follows:

 

                Grant 13 May 2016

                                Weighted average share price at date of grant (in pence)                                 2p

Weighted average exercise price (in pence)                                                         5p

Expected volatility                                                                                                  48%

Expected life                                                                                                       2 years

Risk free rate                                                                                                           0.5%

Expected dividends                                                                                                none

 

 

Expected volatility was determined by the movement in share prices over the years.

 

 

7.    The Interim Report for the six months to June 30th 2016 was approved by the Directors on 28th September 2016.

 

 

8.    The Interim Report will be available on Connemara Mining Company Plc's website www.connemaramining.com

 


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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