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Petropavlovsk 2016 Results

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RNS Number : 3605D
Petropavlovsk PLC
26 April 2017
 



26 April 2017

 

Petropavlovsk PLC

 

Annual Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2016

 

Petropavlovsk PLC ("Petropavlovsk" or the "Company" or, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") today issued its audited annual results for the year ended 31 December 2016.

                                      

Peter Hambro, Chairman, comments: "2016 has been a transformative year for Petropavlovsk as we returned to profitability, refinanced our debt with our Russian lenders and proceeded with several major production initiatives, including our POX Hub and underground mining at Pioneer and Malomir. Looking ahead the Group is well positioned to execute on its long term corporate strategy and to create value through organic growth and delivering sustainable cash flow."

 

 

Financial Highlights

§ Underlying EBITDA of US$200.1m, a 16% improvement on 2015 primarily due to contribution from mines as a result of higher realised gold price achieved and improvement in TCC.

§ Group total cash costs (TCC) of US$660/oz, outperformed guidance and was a 12% improvement on 2015, due to cost optimisation measures and positive effect of Rouble depreciation.

§ Group all in sustaining cash costs (AISC) were in line with guidance at US$807/oz, an 8% improvement on 2015.

§ Average realised gold price of US$1,222/oz (including US$(21)/oz effect from hedging), an increase of 4% on 2015. Gold sales of c.400,000oz, 17% lower than 2015. 

§ The Group had forward contracts to sell 50Koz of gold at an average price of US$1,303/oz and 547Koz of gold at an average price of US$1,253/oz as at 31 December 2016 and 26 April 2017, respectively.

§ Net profit of US$31.7m (EPS: US$0.01), compared to a net loss of US$297.5 million for 2015, which reflects improvement in underlying EBITDA, substantially lower losses from IRC Limited (IRC) and deferred tax credit (mostly due to Rouble devaluation).

§ Capital expenditure of US$29.4m, a reduction of 10% from 2015.

§ Successful refinancing of c.US$430 million of the Group's bank debt, including a revised maturity profile until September 2022 subject to certain conditions being satisfied. US$100m commodity linked loan facility remains on schedule for completion of final documentation, effective May 2017.

§ Reduction in the year end Net Debt to US$598.6m vs US$610m as at 31 December 2015. Bringing a 15% improvement in the Net Debt/ EBITDA ratio to 3:1 in comparison with the full year 2015.

 

 

Operational Highlights

§ Gold production of 416,300oz in line with revised 2016 guidance, a 17% reduction from 2015. This was predominantly due to a strategic focus on production of profitable ounces and the impact of extreme weather conditions on the mining schedule.

§ Commenced development of our maiden underground mine at Pioneer's high grade NE Bakhmut in Q2 2016. First production scheduled for Q2 2017.

§ Total of 20.2Moz Mineral Resource, including 8Moz Ore Reserves. Ore Reserves primarily impacted by mining depletion and the strategic disposal of non-core assets, while partially offset by additions of 1Moz reserves from Albyn's Elginskoye deposit and 370koz maiden underground reserve. 

 






units

Year ended 31 Dec 2016

Year ended 31 Dec 2015

Total gold produced (koz)

koz

416.3

504.1

Gold sold (oz)

oz

399.9

481.9

TCC (US$/oz)

US$/oz

660

749

AISC (US$/oz)

US$/oz

807

874

Average realised gold price (US$/oz)

US$/oz

1,222

1,178





Revenue

US$m

540.7

599.9

Underlying EBITDA(1)

US$m

200.1

172.8

Profit/ (loss)

US$m

31.7

(297.5)

Basic earnings/ (loss) per share

US$/share

0.01

(0.09)

Capital expenditure

US$m

29.4

32.6

Net debt(2)

US$m

(598.6)

(610.0)

Notes

(1)   Note 34 to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(2)   Note 29 to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

Development Highlights

§ Pressure Oxidation Hub (POX Hub)

US$430m debt refinancing allows 100% self-funding of the POX Hub from internal cash flow generated by the Group's current non-refractory operations assuming an average US$1250/oz gold price throughout the construction and ramp up phase.

Updated project economics (assuming US$1,200/oz gold and USD:RUR 60)

§ NPV: US$603m (post tax 10%)

§ IRR: 65%

In 2016, key contracts were executed, namely industry leader, Outotec, were reinitiated as the project managers. All orders for long lead items were placed.

POX Hub 65% construction complete, as at 31 December 2016. Full scale construction was resumed in January 2017. Staged commissioning from Q4 2108.

Malomir Flotation Plant (Stage 1: 3.6Mtpa) 90% construction complete. Scheduled to complete and commission from Q4 2017. Production, trucking and stockpiling throughout 2018 ensuring a steady autoclave staged ramp up.

§ Pioneer Underground

Increased underground Mineral Resource and defined first underground Ore Reserve

§ Total 460koz Resource, an increase of 194% from 2015.

§ Including 165koz Reserve @ 4.46 g/t.

NE Bakhmut Underground

§ 100% of the defined 165koz Reserve is within NE Bakhmut, sustaining a viable 6 year life of mine.

§ 2016 drill programme results in a 300% uplift in Mineral Resource to 299Koz

§ Underground potential remains open in multiple directions, offering further potential for high grade mine life expansion.

§ Appointed underground contractor for immediate mobilisation of personnel and equipment.

§ Development and ventilation portals completed in H2 2016, with development decline progressing well, totalling 675m at 31 December 2016. First production schedule for Q2 2017.

§ Malomir (Quartzitovoye) Underground

Increased underground Mineral Resource and defined first underground Ore Reserve

§ Total 283koz @ 6.58 g/t resource including 207koz @ 5.85 g/t reserve, sustaining a viable 6 year life of mine.

§ Orebody remains open in multiple directions, offering further potential for high grade mine life expansion.

Appointed underground contractor for mobilisation of personnel and equipment in Q1 2017. First production scheduled for H2 2017.

 

 

2017 Targets

§ Gold production for 2017 is forecast between 420,000-460,000oz per annum, predominantly from open pit operations as underground production is scheduled to commence at Pioneer and Malomir in Q2 and H2, respectively, and ramp up gradually. 

§ Total cash cost (TCC/oz) guidance of US$600-700/oz and all in sustaining cash costs (AISC/oz) of US$800-900/oz

§ Commence and ramp up underground production at Pioneer's high grade NE Bakhmut, with ongoing development. Further enhance understanding of high grade underground zones with reserve and resource infill and exploration underground drill programme.  

§ Commence and ramp up underground production at Malomir's high grade Quartzitovoye, with ongoing development.

§ Complete construction of Malomir flotation plant (Stage 1) in preparation for refractory concentrate production and stockpiling at the POX Hub throughout 2018, ahead of commissioning in Q4 2018.

§  Capital expenditure for 2017 is expected to be c.US$100m-US$110m including c.US$15-20mln exploration capex and US$85-90mln development and maintenance capex. Development capex is predominantly comprised of POX Hub and Malomir flotation plant expenditures.

 

 

Corporate Strategy

Petropavlovsk remains focused on optimising its current asset base. The Company continues to maximise cash generation from its four operating mines, Pioneer, Albyn, Malomir and Pokrovskiy, while creating value for equity investors by growing sustainable cash flows via expansion due to successful exploration and development of the POX Hub and underground operations at Pioneer and Malomir. It is based on the quality of our assets, our focus on operational and development excellence, and our experience, demonstrated by management's track record of driving meaningful organic growth.

 

 IRC Limited (POG 31.10% equity shareholder)

Petropavlovsk is a shareholder (31.1%) of IRC and is the guarantor of the US$340m project finance facility (US$234m principal outstanding, as at 31 December 2016). IRC is a vertically integrated iron ore producer and developer in the Russian Far East and North Eastern China. IRC is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Ticker: 1029.HK).

IRC Annual Results for the year ended 31 December 2016:

§ Financials

Net loss reduced by 96% to US$18.2 million (31 December 2015: US$509.0 million)

Underlying results excluding impairment charges reduced by 37% to US$18.2 million (31 December 2015: US$28.9 million)

Overall cost reduced by 67% to US$35.2 million (31 December 2015: US$106.7 million)

§ Corporate

Successfully completed equity fundraising of US$25 million with a core investor

Amicable settlement with CNEEC, received cash compensation of US$4.5 million and outstanding construction payment liability reduced by US$3.9 million

§ Operations

K&S began shipments to customers in China - products well received with good market demand

Care and maintenance process satisfactory in Kuranakh, assessing feasibility of re-opening and other options

IRC Q1 for the three months ended 31 March 2017:

§ Produced 316,770 tonnes of iron ore concentrates (Up 120% compared to Q4 2016)

§ Sold 321,886 tonnes of iron ore concentrates (Up 168% compared to Q4 2016)

§ Cash flow positive operations from K&S for the first full quarter

§ Operated at peak of c. 75% plant capacity in March, after repair of ball mill, with steady c.50% capacity achieved

§ Full processing operations now estimated to reach full capacity in 2H 2017.

 

 

Q1 2017 Production Results and Conference Call

Petropavlovsk will be publishing their Q1 2017 Production Results tomorrow, Thursday 27 April 2017, at 0700 BST.

There will be a conference call hosted after the results at 09.00 BST. Please find details below:

 

Call Details

UK toll free number                    0800 368 0649

UK Local number                       020 3059 8125

International participant               + 44 20 3059 8125

 

To join the call, please use:

Participant Password:                Petropavlovsk

 

About Petropavlovsk

 

Petropavlovsk is one of Russia's leading gold mining companies, operating some of the largest gold mines in Russia in terms of gold production, processing capacity and resource base. As at 31 December 2016, the Company had produced approximately 6.3Moz of gold.

 

Petropavlovsk is in the construction phase of a state of the art pressure oxidation facility to process the Company's substantial refractory resource base. The Company's combined 3,600km2 license holding has untapped resource potential. The Company is a leading employer and contributor to the development of the local economy in the Amur region, Russian Far East, where it has operated since 1994.

 

Petropavlovsk is a shareholder (31.1%) of IRC Limited and is the guarantor of the US$340m project finance facility (US$234m principal outstanding, as at 31 December 2016). IRC is a vertically integrated iron ore producer and developer in the Russian Far East and North Eastern China. IRC is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Ticker: 1029.HK).

 

Petropavlovsk is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (Ticker POG.LN)

 

 

Enquiries

 

For more information, please visit www.petropavlovsk.net and www.ircgroup.com.hk or contact:

Petropavlovsk plc                                           

Alexandra Carse

Grace Hanratty

+44 (0) 20 7201 8900

TeamIR@petropavlovsk.net 

 

Maitland

Neil Bennett

James Isola

+44 (0) 20 7379 5151

Petropavlovsk-Maitland@maitland.co.uk 

 

 

Chairman's Statement

 

At the end of another busy year, it is a pleasure to be able to say that Petropavlovsk has achieved in 2016 many of the goals that I set out in my Chairman's Statement for 2015, and a pleasure to introduce you to our 2016 Annual Report and Accounts.  It was, indeed, a transformative year, not least because the Group returned to profitability. Our net profit increased by 111%, much of which was accomplished thanks to a 4th consecutive year of cost reduction in addition to reduction in impairment losses in IRC, and, with IRC becoming an associate to the Group, limiting exposure to their results to our ownership. We must thank the efforts of all concerned to maintain a disciplined focus on cost control, in turn enabling us to maximise the margin on which our success depends, though cost control by itself will not deliver profit. I am pleased to note that production from our established open pit operations was in line with our revised guidance, delivering the sustainable cash flow that my 2015 statement hoped for.

 

Following the 2015 capital restructure, our team began the refinancing process with our Russian lenders.  In this task, we needed to get the banks to extend the maturity profile of their loans to us so that the new maturity profile would match our production.  I am pleased to say that this was achieved successfully and that the banks, understanding the importance of our plans to restart the POX Hub project for the treatment of refractory ore, agreed to encompass the capital expenditure that this would involve in nearby years. This allows us to unlock 100% of the value otherwise encapsulated in the c.4 million ounces of gold reserves in the quartz/sulphur matrix that is refractory ore.  We continue to expect that the cost per ounce to produce this will not be significantly different from those we have seen in our non-refractory operations.

 

The POX Hub remains our core organic growth development project and key value driver for the business.  The bank refinancing, while increasing near term capex for the Company, means that we no longer needed to give away part of the value in the POX Hub. Construction is 65% complete and scheduled for commissioning in Q4 2018.  In 2016, we also took our first steps underground, a natural progression for us as a hitherto open pit operation with a vast refractory reserve and resource base. Both Pioneer and Malomir licenses host sources of high grade ore and the feasibility work supported operations. 

 

Our corporate strategy is to create value for equity investors by growing our sustainable cash flows and to do this by continuing our efficient and successful exploration and development programmes.  It remains our intention to deliver a meaningful share of the cash flow to shareholders as soon as the debt burden is substantially reduced.  The advent of our underground operations in the nearest future and that of our production from the refractory ores is scheduled to do this.  The team needs us to maximise the benefits inherent in our high quality assets - both material and personal, using the excellence and experience that is demonstrated by management's track record.

 

Reserves and Resources, tonnes and grade are the watchwords of the gold mining industry and we have updated you accordingly. 2016 exploration has brought considerable infill success, including a 340% increase in Reserves at the Elginskoye/Albyn complex, approximately a 200% increase in underground Resource at Pioneer, as well as a brand new greenfield discovery between Pokrovskiy and Pioneer.

 

2016 was also a significant year for IRC, the iron ore producer on the Chinese border in which our company holds a 31% stake, and whose borrowings from ICBC we guarantee.  Following a challenging period, I am delighted to say that, as of its first quarter's results, it is now a cash generative operation and our shareholding in IRC is, in my view, is of significant potential value to the Company.  I am very grateful to our team, the financiers at ICBC and Sinosure, and the contractor CNEEC, for the way in which the issues were finally resolved.

 

With the refinancing and rescheduling of our bank debt behind us and the excellent prospects for underground mining, the pressure oxidation of refractory ore and the new discoveries of gold ahead of us, I feel confident about our long term plans; particularly so at today's higher gold prices, even though we have protected ourselves by some 600,000 ounces of price hedging.  Indeed so confident am I that the Board and I have felt it appropriate now to address the succession planning issues that our Board Review has highlighted. 

 

Petropavlovsk is unique in being a British company with a London Board and with all its assets located in the Russian Federation and managed and operated by local people.  Having managed the London end of this business for 23 years, with Pavel Maslovskiy running the Russian end, in good times and in bad, I have a clear understanding of what is involved and realise that passing on the baton will not be an easy task.  As is usual in such matters, the Board has decided that the task of advancing succession matters should be undertaken by the Nomination Committee. This is in progress: Alex Green has joined Andrew Vickerman and Robert Jenkins on this Committee and I will retire from the committee and as its Chairman.

 

I should like to thank Robert Jenkins for taking over the role of Senior Independent Director from Sir Roderic Lyne and also to thank my other colleagues on the Board for the time and effort they have devoted to the company during the year.  In addition, and on behalf of my colleagues, I want to thank the executives, the managers and all the teams that have contributed to the success of 2016. 

 

Peter Hambro,

 

Chairman

 

CEO Statement

 

2016 was a transformational year for Petropavlovsk shaped by the refinancing of our bank debt, enabling the construction ramp up of our landmark POX Hub. The business returned to profitability as supported by a fourth consecutive year of cost reductions, and the operational progression into underground mining as we access the high grade reserve and resource potential that extends below our existing pits, further sustaining our long life of mine.

 

Solid Foundation

Our established, bulk tonnage, open pit non-refractory operations enabled us to deliver total annual production of 416koz, in line with revised guidance. Unexpected weather conditions experienced throughout the year intermittently impaired mining and in particular access to scheduled high grade ore at Andreevskaya. These ounces were deferred to the 2017 mine plan and require increased blending of lower grade stockpile material. This resulted in a 20% reduction in average processed grade from 2015. Cost control and operational efficiencies remain critical to our strategy. Without these we would not have been able to deliver another year of reduced costs:

 

·      TCC of US$660/oz, a 12% reduction on 2015 and below our US$700/oz 2016 guidance

·      AISC of US$807/oz, an 8% reduction on 2015 and in line with 2016 guidance.

This marked the fourth consecutive annual reduction in TCC and AISC representing a 35% reduction since 2013, due to cost optimisation measures and positive effect of Rouble depreciation.

 

In 2016, the Resin-in-Pulp (RIP) plants operated at full capacity with Group throughput of 16.2Mt, a 2% increase on 2015. The responsible optimisation of productivity and operational efficiency remains central to our way of working. As such, following extensive research and testing throughout the year, we implemented a dedicated resin treatment facility at Pokrovskiy designed to improve the processing efficiency of the resin sorption at the Group "RIP" plants. We expect this to significantly reduce the impact of gold in circuit, thereby increasing productivity.

 

In 2016, our solid and stable asset base and operational excellence have allowed us to generate positive operational cash flows and return to profitability. We achieved net profit of US$31.7m, resulted to a large extent from higher profitability of our operations and the reduced impact from IRC. Underlying EBITDA was US$200.1 million, an improvement of 16% on 2015 due to maximised margins.

 

Underpinning our business model is our exploration success in unlocking the abundant gold potential within our 3,600km2 license holding. Our current 20.2Moz Resource, supporting greater than a 15 year life of mine, demonstrates our value in investing our long term sustainability.

 

Targeted exploration on replenishing depleted ounces, resource to reserve conversion and exploring brownfield near term non-refractory potential was very successful in 2016. We converted 1.6Moz of Resources to Reserves of which the majority were at our 100% non-refractory Albyn mine, Elginskoye deposit. Instrumental to our strategic growth objectives, we defined our first underground Reserve of 370koz, underpinning an initial 6 year life of mine at both Pioneer and Malomir. 

 

Building for the Future

It is important to remember that Petropavlovsk's foundations lie at Pokrovskiy, acquired in the early stages of exploration in 1994 and which subsequently became the backbone of the Group. As the mine nears the end of its reserve life, we made the strategic decision to develop it into the base for the POX Hub. Its excellent operational infrastructure, skilled labour, proximity to regional infrastructure and access to naturally occurring limestone drove our decision.

 

The refinancing of our bank debt was paramount to the achievements of 2016 and has opened up our future opportunities. With the agreement that Petropavlovsk retained 100% of the value of our core growth project, the POX Hub, my colleagues and our partners, Sberbank and VTB, successfully extended the debt maturity profile, in line with our production profile, thereby enabling us to fund development out of free cash flows (assuming a prevailing gold price of $1,250/oz). 

 

Unlocking 4Moz refractory Reserves embedded within our existing asset base, equivalent to approximately 50% of our current Ore Reserves, represents meaningful value to Petropavlovsk. Following the refinancing, together with independent consultants, we updated our project economics, giving an IRR of 65% and NPV10 of US$603 million, adding a minimum of 200koz per annum to our production profile at a steady rate.

 

At Malomir, currently producing 57koz in 2016 completing the POX Hub will grow its production profile to make it the largest contributing Group asset by 2019 with a falling cost trajectory in-line with current group operating costs of c.US$700/oz. 

 

Development progresses at full scale and is currently under budget. In 2016, Outotec contracts were reinitiated and orders for long lead items placed. Flotation concentrate production is scheduled to commence at Malomir from H1 2018 for trucking and stockpiling ahead of the POX Hub commissioning from Q4 2018.

 

Expanding our Expertise  

Prior to 2016, Petropavlovsk was an exclusively open pit operation. Following successful feasibility studies development of our first underground mine at Pioneer began in 2016, with development at Malomir scheduled to commence early 2017. First production is scheduled for H2 2017. We have appointed contractors and development is underway, with 675m of decline development completed at Pioneer by year end.

 

By and large, Petropavlovsk has utilised an owner-operator business model. However, given underground is a new mining method, with start-up execution risk, we have utilised well respected local contractors to mitigate this risk during this development growth phase. Notwithstanding, the long history of underground mining in the Amur region, access to highly skilled labour and existing expertise within the Group, we intend to bring the underground operational function in house over time.

 

Our extensive regional experience in gold mining not only within Russia but specifically the Amur region, gives us a competitive edge in a complex marketplace. We have established our presence as a leading employer and contributor to the local economy, nurturing the talent of its people, who in turn have built Petropavlovsk into the business it is today. Senior management, a number of whom have worked for Petropavlovsk for more than a decade, have extensive technical expertise. Together within the larger in house exploration, construction, research, engineering capabilities we have established, our strategic vision of being a fully integrated operating gold miner. 

 

Positioning for Growth

With the development of our POX Hub and underground firmly underway, as we emerge from a period of introspection and optimistically look ahead, 2017 is set to be another pivotal building block towards achieving our vision of being a mid-tier producer of refractory and non-refractory ore from 2019.

 

I would like to thank the Board and our stakeholders for their guidance in 2016. Further, I would like to thank the management team for their commitment, strength of character and ability to effectively navigate the challenges of the last few years enabling us to reach this juncture.

 

We look forward to sharing our key milestones throughout this next phase of growth, while maintaining our devoted commitment to maximising sustainable margins, in 2017.

 

Pavel Maslovskiy,

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

Operational Review

 

Pioneer Mine

 

Pioneer is one of the Group's most prospective assets, providing near term growth from its underground non-refractory exploration and development potential, and its regional exploration potential (Pioneer flanks). Long term growth includes bringing forward the flotation plant (6.0Mtpa) development, currently scheduled for 2021, and the untapped greenfield exploration potential within its 1,375km2 total license area.

 

2016 Progress

§ Maintained total cash costs below US$650/oz.

§ Commenced development of our maiden underground mine at NE Bakhmut in Q3.

§ First ore scheduled to be mined from underground in Q2 2017.

§ Significantly increased existing underground Mineral Resource and defined first Ore Reserve at NE Bakhmut

§ Enhanced understanding of high grade underground zones and continuity of mineralisation at depth

 

2017 Targets

§ Commence mining from underground, ramping up to 200ktpa throughout the year

§ Progress underground development into the deeper NE Bakhmut 3 higher grade main area

§ Ongoing underground reserve and resource drilling

§ Maintain open pit mining and operating excellence. 

§ Reduce Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

 

Pioneer mining operations






Year ended 31-Dec-16 

Year ended 31-Dec-15

Total material moved

m3 '000

17,360 

23,980

Ore mined

t '000

3,266 

6,016

Average grade

g/t

0.95 

1.28

Gold content

koz

 99.4

248.4

Processing operations (Resin-in-pulp plant)




Total milled

t '000

6,700 

6,582

Average grade

g/t

0.74 

1.25

Gold content

koz

159.8 

264.5

Recovery rate

%

85.5% 

85.0%

Gold recovered

koz

136.6 

224.7

Heap leach operations




Ore stacked

t '000

701 

800

Average grade

g/t

0.53 

0.56

Gold content

koz

12.0 

14.5

Recovery rate

%

44.1 %

46.2%

Gold recovered

koz

5.3 

6.7

Total gold recovered

koz

141.9 

231.4

 

 

Operational Performance

Pioneer open pits produced 141.9koz (2015: 231.4koz), representing 34% of the Group consolidated annual gold production. Ore was mined from Alexandra, Bakhmut, Vostochnaya and taken from stockpiles. Following extensive waste stripping throughout the year, high grade ore was expected from Andreevskaya East pit in Q4 2016. However, unusual weather conditions resulted in disruptions and ultimately deferred access to the high grade zone (into 2017) resulting in average grade mined of 0.95g/t, 35% lower than 2015.

Underground development has commenced, with stope mining scheduled to start in Q2 2017. Including the ventilation decline, a total of 675m of decline development was completed in 2016.

The RIP plant processed 6.7Mtpa of ore, a 2% increase on 2015. Metallurgical recovery averaged 85.5%, inline with 2015.

The heap leach operation produced 5.3koz.

The plant performed as expected, delivering on all technological performance indicators.

Total cash costs were US$631/oz, in line with 2015. All-in sustaining costs were US$789/oz, a 5% increase from 2015.

 

2017 Outlook

The 2017 Pioneer production profile is expected to be in line with 2016, underpinned by open pit operations at Alexandra, Yuzhnaya, Promezhutochnaya and NE Bakhmut 4 and 5, in addition to deferred high grade material from Andreevskaya East, as a result of the mining disruptions late in 2016.

Operations are due to begin in 2017 at the maiden underground mine at NE Bakhmut, which is set to provide production upside. High grade underground mining is scheduled to commence in H2 2017. In addition, the underground exploration drilling programme is to begin at the deeper extensions below the defined Resource, where deep surface drilling has intersected high grade mineralisation.

 

 

 

Albyn Mine

 

Albyn is currently the Company's largest producing mine with a 100% non-refractory defined resource base. The highly prospective 1,100km2 license area is largely under explored, presenting potential near term upside from high grade, non-refractory resources to be discovered. The main orebodies at Albyn are open in a down dip direction beyond of the feasible depth of open pit mining, offering longer term growth potential to establish mineral resource and ore reserves for underground mining.

 

2016 Progress

§ Reduced total cash costs and all-in sustaining costs by greater than 20%

§ Significantly increased Ore Reserves at Elginskoye, demonstrating sustainable production and extended life of mine potential.

§ Encouraging initial results showing 3km strike extension at Yasnoye.

§ Completed infill drill programme on the southern end of Unglichikan deposit in preparation for mining to commence in 2017. 

 

2017 Targets

§ Commence mining at Unglichikan to provide additional high grade ore for Albyn plant.

§ Drill deeper targets below Albyn pit to model and assess underground potential.

§ Exploration programme at Unglichikan and Afanasevskoye to further expand Albyn's non-refractory reserve and resource base and subsequent life of mine.

§ Sustain open pit mining and operating excellence. 

 

 

Albyn mining operations






Year ended 31-Dec-16 

Year ended 31-Dec-15



Total material moved

m3 '000

31,763 

36,722

Ore mined

t '000

4,970 

4,906

Average grade

g/t

1.25 

1.15

Gold content

koz

199.5 

181.5

Processing operations (Resin-in-pulp plant)




Total milled

t '000

4,675 

4,600

Average grade

g/t

1.28 

0.89

Gold content

koz

192.5 

168.8

Recovery rate

%

93.5% 

93.3%

Gold recovered

koz

180.0 

157.6

 

Operational Performance

Albyn produced 180.0koz, representing 43% of the Group's consolidated annual gold production. This was a 14% increase on 2015. Ore was mined throughout the year from Eastern and Northern sections of the pit and processed from stockpiles. The average annual mined grade was 1.25 g/t, a 9% increase on 2015, due to reduction in dilution and mining from the thicker main zone.

The RIP plant processed 4.68Mtpa of ore, a 2% increase on 2015. Metallurgical recovery averaged 93.5%, a marginal improvement on 2015.

The plant performed as expected, delivering on all technological performance indicators.

Now the Group's largest producing mine, Albyn has successfully been a key target for cost reduction. Total cash costs of US$581/oz, a 22% improvement on 2015 and all-in sustaining costs of US$719/oz, a 21% improvement on 2015. This was primarily due to higher processed grades and higher operational recoveries.

 

2017 Outlook

The 2017 Albyn production profile continues to be underpinned by open pit operations at Albyn, with a moderate contribution from the Unglichikan deposit, as a new pit.

Based on recent successes extending mine life at Albyn with Elginskoye, the key focus for 2017 is on further exploration at Unglichikan and Afanasevskoye, to expand the non-refractory reserve and resource base and subsequent life of mine.

 

Malomir

 

Malomir is the Group's largest asset by Reserve and Resource with approximately 90% of the reserve base categorised as refractory ore. Completing the POX Hub, which is scheduled for the end of 2018, will unlock material value embedded with the existing defined asset base and extend the expected life of mine to greater than 16 years, with untapped resource potential within the 964km2 license area.

 

2016 Progress

§ Reduced total cash cost by 25%

§ Completed underground feasibility study at Quartzitovoye and appointed underground contractor

§ Increased existing underground Mineral Resource and defined first Ore Reserve at Quartzitovoye.

§ Enhanced understanding of high grade underground zones and continuity of mineralisation at depth.

 

2017 Targets

§ Complete and commission the 3.6Mtpa (Stage 1) flotation plant, with production and stockpiling of refractory concentrate from early 2018 ahead of the POX Hub commissioning.  

§ Commenced underground development at Quartzitovoye. Mining scheduled to start from H2 2017.

§ Prepare underground drill chambers ahead of exploration drill programme to delineate the extent and continuity of the high grade mineralisation

§ Sustain open pit mining and operating excellence. 

§ Reduce LTIFR

 

 

Malomir mining operations






Year ended 31-Dec-16 

Year ended 31-Dec-15

Total material moved

m3 '000

8,115 

8,904

Ore mined

t '000

1,535 

2,105

Average grade

g/t

1.11 

1.01

Gold content

koz

54.9 

68.5

Processing operations (Resin-in-pulp plant)




Total milled

t '000

3,000 

2,937

Average grade

g/t

0.86 

0.93

Gold content

koz

82.5 

88

Recovery rate

%

68.9% 

67.2%

Gold recovered

koz

56.8 

59.1

 

Operational Performance

Malomir produced 56.8koz (2015: 59.1koz), representing 14% of the Group consolidated annual gold production. This was 4% lower than 2015. Ore was mined throughout the year from Quartzitovoye 2, Magnetitovoye, and stockpiles. The average annual mined grade was 1.11g/t, a 10% improvement on 2015. This takes into account waste stripping at Quartzitovoye 1 throughout most of the year, in order to prepare access to ore for 2017.

The RIP plant processed 3.0Mtpa of ore, a 2% increase on 2015. Metallurgical recovery averaged 68.9%, a 3% improvement on 2015. The plant performed as expected in 2016, delivering on all technological performance indicators.

Total cash costs of US$824/oz, a 25% improvement on 2015. All-in sustaining costs of US$1004/oz, a 15% improvement on 2015. 

 

2017 Outlook

The 2017 Malomir production profile is expected to be in line with 2016, with sustainable production upside from underground mining operations commencing in H2 2017.

In Q4 2017, Malomir will begin to transition into the Group's flagship asset in line with the scheduled completion and commissioning of Stage 1 3.6Mtpa flotation plant to process refractory ore. From 2018, Malomir concentrate production and stockpiling will be continue to ensure the POX Hub commissioning, scheduled for Q4 2018, runs smoothly. 

 

Pokrovskiy

 

Pokrovskiy was the license and subsequently the mine which the Group was built. Today, as it nears the end of its mine life having produced c.2.01Moz since 1999, the mine will transition into the POX Hub, currently under full scale construction.  The POX Hub is an integral part of the Group's future plans and Pokrovskiy provides the ideal strategic location, not only due to the excellent onsite and regional infrastructure, but also its close proximity to Pioneer's limestone deposit, lime being a key ingredient for the pressure oxidation process.  

 

2016 Progress

§ Maintained total cash costs

§ In line with our development strategy to transition Pokrovskiy mine into the POX Hub, there was no material exploration in 2016.

§ Completed and implemented resin cleansing facility

 

2017 Targets 

§ Mining at Pokrovka 1 pit

§ Begin transition to the POX Hub

Adapt infrastructure, where appropriate

Staged conversion of the RIP plant.

 

 

Pokrovskiy mining operations






Year ended 31-Dec-16 

Year ended 31-Dec-15

Total material moved

m3 '000

4,709 

5,169

Ore mined

t '000

1,027 

933

Average grade

g/t

0.79 

1.41

Gold content

koz

26.0 

42.2

Processing operations (Resin-in-pulp plant)




Total milled

t '000

1,791 

1,791

Average grade

g/t

0.65 

1.04

Gold content

koz

37.1 

59.7

Recovery rate

%

90.1% 

84.3%

Gold recovered

koz

33.5 

50.4

Heap leach operations




Ore stacked

t '000

440 

541

Average grade

g/t

0.45 

0.53

Gold content

koz

6.3 

9.2

Recovery rate

%

64.8% 

60.6%

Gold recovered

koz

4.1 

5.6

Total gold recovered

koz

37.6 

56

 

Operational Performance

Pokrovskiy produced 37.6koz (56koz) representing 9% of the Group's consolidated annual gold production.  Ore was mined from Pokrovka 1, Pokrovka 2, satellite deposit Zheltunak and from stockpiles.

Despite the unusual weather conditions causing some delays to the heap leach operations, successful scheduling adjustments meant target stacking and production were achieved as planned. The heap leach operation produced 4.1koz.  

The RIP plant processed 1.79Mtpa of ore, unchanged from 2015. Metallurgical recovery at the plant averaged 90.1%, a 7% improvement on 2015, despite 38% decrease in head grade from 1.04 to 0.65 g/t.

The plant performed as expected, delivering on all technological performance indicators.

Total cash costs of US$878/oz, in line with 2015. All-in sustaining costs of US$988/oz, an 8% increase on 2015.

 

Outlook

As Pokrovskiy is coming to the end of its reserves, RIP production is scheduled to stop at the end of 2017. The heap leach will remain operational throughout the 2018, processing remaining stockpiles. The Group is actively developing the POX Hub, which is scheduled to commence producing refractory concentrate from Q4 2018. Pokrovskiy will continue its life as the POX Hub, Petropavlovsk's strategic processing centre for refractory concentrates.

Following the successful debt restructuring in 2016, the Group resumed development of the Pressure Oxidation Facility (POX Hub) at Pokrovskiy. Utilising and adapting existing infrastructure (including the 1.8Mtpa RIP plant) has a beneficial impact on capital costs, with US$90million gross value of for buildings and equipment being incorporated directly into the POX Hub facility.

 

Financial Review

 

      FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 


2016

2015


US$ million

US$ million

Continuing operations



Total attributable gold production ('000oz)

416.3

504.1

Gold sold ('000oz)

399.9

481.9

Group revenue

540.7

599.9

Average realised gold price (US$/oz)

1,222

1,178

Average LBMA gold price afternoon fixing (US$/oz)

1,250

1,160

Total average cash costs (US$/oz) (a)

660

749

All-in sustaining costs (b)

807

874

Underlying EBITDA(c)

200.1

172.8




Profit/(loss) for the period

31.7

(297.5)

From continuing operations

31.7

(190.5)

From discontinued operations

-

(107.0)




Basic profit/(loss) per share

US$0.01

(US$0.09)

From continuing operations

US$0.01

(US$0.07)

From discontinued operations

-

(US$0.02)




Net cash from operating activities

37.0

103.4

From continuing operations

37.0

111.0

From discontinued operations

-

(7.6)

 

(a)   Calculation of total cash costs ("TCC") is set out in the section Hard-rock mines operations below.

(b)   All-in sustaining costs ("AISC") and all-in costs ("AIC") are calculated in accordance with guidelines for reporting all-in sustaining costs and all-in costs published by the World Gold Council. Calculation is set out in the section All-in sustaining costs and all-in costs below.

(c)   Reconciliation of profit/(loss) for the period and underlying EBITDA is set out in note 34 to the consolidated financial statements.

 


31 December 2016

31 December

 2015


US$ million

US$ million

  Cash and cash equivalents

12.6

28.2 (d)

  Loans

(522.8)

(552.8)

  Convertible bonds (e)

(88.4)

(85.5)

  Net Debt

(598.6)

(610.0)

 

 

(d)   Including US$15.1 million received under investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development.

(e)   US$100.0 million convertible bonds due on 18 March 2020 at amortised cost.

 

Note: Figures may not add up due to rounding

 

      Revenue

 



2016

2015



US$ million

US$ million

Revenue from hard-rock mines


490.0

568.7

Revenue from other operations


50.7

31.2



540.7

599.9

 

 

Physical volumes of gold production and sales



 2016

 2015



 oz

 oz

Gold sold from hard-rock mines


399,858

481,884

Movement in gold in circuit and doré-bars


16,442

22,216

Total attributable production


416,300

504,100

 

Group revenue during the period was US$540.7 million, 10% lower than the US$599.9 million achieved in 2015.

 

Revenue from hard-rock mines was US$490.0 million, 14% lower than the US$568.7 million achieved in 2015. Gold remains the key commodity produced and sold by the Group, comprising 90% of total revenue generated in 2016. The physical volume of gold sold from hard-rock mines decreased by 17% from 481,884 ounces in 2015 to 399,858 ounces in 2016. The average realised gold price increased by 4% from US$1,178/oz in 2015 to US$1,222/oz in 2016. Average realised gold price includes US$(21)/oz effect from hedge arrangements (2015: US$20/oz).

 

Hard-rock mines sold 98,231 ounces of silver in 2016 at an average price of US$16/oz, compared to 68,075 ounces in 2015 at an average price of US$15/oz.

 

Revenue generated as a result of third-party work by the Group's in-house service companies was US$50.7 million in 2016, a US$19.5 million increase compared to US$31.2 million in 2015. This revenue is substantially attributable to sales generated by Group's engineering and research institute, Irgiredmet, primarily through engineering services and the procurement of materials, consumables and equipment for third parties, which comprised US$44.8 million in 2016 compared to US$28.6 million in 2015.

 

Cash flow hedge arrangements

 

In order to increase certainty in respect of a significant proportion of its cash flows, the Group has entered into a number of gold forward contracts.

 

Forward contracts to sell an aggregate of 134,545 ounces of gold matured during the year and resulted in US$(8.5) million net cash settlement paid by the Group (2015: US$12.6 million contribution to cash revenue from forward contracts to sell an aggregate of 178,449 ounces of gold).

 

The Group constantly monitors gold price and hedges some portion of production as considered necessary. Forward contracts to sell an aggregate of 50,006 ounces of gold at an average price of US$1,303 per ounce were outstanding as at 31 December 2016. In February - March 2017, the Group entered into forward contracts to sell an aggregate of 549,994 ounces of gold during the years 2017 - 2019 at an average price of US$1,252/oz, thus, satisfying bank debt refinancing conditions. Forward contracts to sell an aggregate of 546,968 ounces of gold at an average price of US$1,253 per ounce are outstanding as at 26 April 2017.

 

      Underlying EBITDA and analysis of operating costs



 


2016


2015


US$ million


US$ million

Profit/(loss) for the period from continuing operations

31.7


(190.5)

Add/(less):




Interest expense

61.0


71.5

Investment income

(0.6)


(1.0)

Other finance gains

(11.9)


(9.1)

Other finance losses

1.5


-

Foreign exchange losses

5.2


12.0

Taxation

(4.7)


48.9

Depreciation

105.3


129.1

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

9.2


37.4

Impairment of ore stockpiles

1.2


17.4

Share of results of associates (a)

2.4


57.0

Underlying EBITDA

200.1


172.8

 

(a)     Group's share of interest expense, investment income, other finance gains and losses, foreign exchange losses, taxation, depreciation and impairment recognised by an associate (IRC)

 

Underlying EBITDA as contributed by business segments is set out below.



 


2016


2015


US$ million


US$ million

Pioneer

79.2


118.6

Pokrovskiy

13.2


16.1

Malomir

22.0


5.7

Albyn

110.4


66.5

Total Hard-rock mines

224.7


206.9

Corporate and other

(24.6)


(34.1)

Underlying EBITDA

200.1


172.8

 

 

Hard-rock mines

 

This period, hard-rock mines generated underlying EBITDA of US$224.7 million compared to US$206.9 million underlying EBITDA in 2015.

 

Total cash costs for hard-rock mines decreased from US$749/oz in 2015 to US$660/oz in 2016, primarily reflecting the effect of cost optimisation measures undertaken by the Group in response to the lower gold price environment as well as the positive effect of Rouble depreciation. The increase in the average realised gold price from US$1,178/oz in 2015 to US$1,222/oz in 2016 and the improved total cash costs had US$53.2 million positive contribution to underlying EBITDA in 2016. This effect was offset by the decrease in physical ounces sold which resulted in a US$35.2 million decrease in underlying EBITDA.

 

The key components of the operating cash expenses are wages, electricity, diesel, chemical reagents and consumables, as set out in the table below. The key cost drivers affecting the operating cash expenses are stripping ratios, production volumes of ore mined and processed, grades of ore processed, recovery rates, cost inflation and fluctuations in the Rouble to US Dollar exchange rate.

 

Compared with 2015 there was no significant inflation of Rouble denominated costs, in particular, electricity costs increased by up to 3% in Rouble terms (decreased by up to 6% in US Dollar terms) while the cost of diesel remained at the same level (decreased by up to 9% in US Dollar terms). The impact of Rouble price inflation was mitigated by the 10% average depreciation of the Rouble against the US Dollar, with the average exchange rate for the period increasing from 61.30 Roubles per US Dollar in 2015 to 67.18 Roubles per US Dollar in 2016.

 

Refinery and transportation costs are variable costs dependent on the production volume. Mining tax is also a variable cost dependent on production volume and the gold price realised. The mining tax rate is 6%. Since the second half of 2016, the Group applies two-year mining tax concession. 

 

 



2016


2015  



US$ million

%


US$ million

%

 

Staff cost


54.7

21


61.8

19

 

Materials


97.4

37


129.9

39

 

Fuel


40.3

15


55.3

17

 

Electricity


23.3

9


25.0

8

 

Other external services


22.1

8


27.4

8

 

Other operating expenses


28.2

10


29.8

9

 



266.0

100


329.2

100

 

Movement in ore stockpiles, work in progress and bullion in process attributable to gold production (a)


(40.5)



(17.8)


 

Total operating cash expenses


225.6



311.4


 

 

(a)   Excluding deferred stripping


Hard-rock mines

2016

2015


Pioneer

Pokrovskiy

Malomir

Albyn

Total

Total


US$

million

US$

 million

US$

million

US$

million

US$

million

US$

million








Revenue







Gold

163.5

46.7

67.1

211.2

488.5

567.6

Silver

1.0

0.3

0.1

0.2

1.5

1.0


164.5

47.0

67.2

211.4

490.0

568.7








Expenses







Operating cash expenses 

77.9

31.9

41.6

74.2

225.6

311.4

Refinery and transportation

0.2

0.1

0.1

0.3

0.7

1.1

Other taxes

1.9

0.5

1.6

2.2

6.3

7.7

Mining tax

5.2

1.3

1.9

6.3

14.7

33.1

Deferred stripping costs

-

-

-

18.0

18.0

8.4

Depreciation

38.8

6.6

13.6

45.7

104.7

127.2

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

-

-

-

9.2

9.2

2.5

Impairment/(reversal of impairment) of ore stockpiles

6.1

1.0

(5.8)

(0.1)

1.2

17.4

Operating expenses

130.2

41.4

53.0

155.7

380.3

508.9

Result of precious metals operations 

34.3

5.6

14.2

55.6

109.7

59.8








Add/(less):







Depreciation

38.8

6.6

13.6

45.7

104.7

127.2

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

-

-

-

9.2

9.2

2.5

Impairment/(reversal of impairment) of ore stockpiles

6.1

1.0

(5.8)

(0.1)

1.2

17.4

Segment EBITDA

79.2

13.2

22.0

110.4

224.7

206.9








Physical volume of gold sold, oz

133,605

38,151

54,760

173,342

399,858

481,884








Cash costs

 







Operating cash expenses 

77.9

31.9

41.6

74.2

225.6

311.4

Refinery and transportation

0.2

0.1

0.1

0.3

0.7

1.1

Other taxes

1.9

0.5

1.6

2.2

6.3

7.7

Mining tax

5.2

1.3

1.9

6.3

14.7

33.1

Deferred stripping costs

-

-

-

18.0

18.0

8.4

Operating cash costs

85.3

33.8

45.2

101.0

265.3

361.8

Deduct: co-product revenue

(1.0)

(0.3)

(0.1)

(0.2)

(1.5)

(1.0)

Total cash costs

84.3

33.5

45.1

100.8

263.7

360.7








Average TCC/oz, US$/oz

631

878

824

581

660

749








 

 

All-in sustaining costs and all-in costs

 

AISC decreased from US$874/oz in 2015 to US$807/oz in 2016, reflecting the reduction in TCC as well as lower sustaining capital expenditure related to the existing mining operations.

 

AIC decreased from US$932/oz in 2015 to US$838/oz in 2016, reflecting the decrease in AISC explained above, reversal of impairment of refractory ore stockpiles due a higher gold price and decrease in exploration expenditure.

 


Hard-rock mines

2016

 

2015

 


Pioneer

Pokrovskiy

Malomir

Albyn

Total

Total


US$

million

US$

 million

US$

million

US$

million

US$

million

US$

million








Physical volume of gold sold, oz

133,605

38,151

54,760

173,342

399,858

481,884








Total cash costs

84.3

33.5

45.1

100.8

263.7

360.7








Average TCC/oz, US$/oz

631

878

824

581

660

749








Impairment/(reversal of impairment) of ore stockpiles

 

6.3

 

1.0

 

(0.0)

 

(0.1)

 

7.2

 

9.2

 

Adjusted operating costs

90.6

34.5

45.1

100.6

270.9

369.9








Central administration expenses

10.9

3.1

4.5

14.1

32.6

30.4

Capitalised stripping at end                  of the period

-

-

3.6

22.6

26.2

18.0

Capitalised stripping at beginning of the period

-

-

-

(18.0)

(18.0)

(8.4)

Close-down and site restoration

0.1

-

-

0.1

0.2

(1.7)

Sustaining capital expenditure

3.9

0.1

1.7

5.2

10.9

12.7

All-in sustaining costs

105.5

37.7

55.0

124.7

322.8

420.9








All-in sustaining costs, US$/oz

789

988

1,004

719

807

874








Exploration expenditure

8.5

0.1

1.9

6.2

16.6

18.9

Capital expenditure

1.0

-

0.8

-

1.9

1.0

(Reversal of impairment)/impairment of ore stockpiles (a)

(0.2)

-

(5.8)

-

(6.0)

8.2

All-in costs

114.8

37.8

51.9

130.8

335.3

449.0








All-in costs, US$/oz

859

990

948

755

838

932








 

(a)   Refractory ore stockpiles to be processed at the POX Hub.

 

Corporate and other

 

The Group has corporate offices in London, Moscow and Blagoveschensk which together represent the central administration function. Central administration expenses increased by US$2.2 million from US$30.4 million in 2015 to US$32.6 million in 2016

 

During 2016, other operations contributed US$(24.6) million to underlying EBITDA vs. US$(34.1) million in 2015. Included in result of corporate in other operations in 2016 is a US$3.6 million share in losses generated by IRC.

 

Impairment review

 

The Group undertook an impairment review of the tangible assets attributable to its gold mining projects, exploration assets adjacent to the existing mines and supporting in-house service companies and concluded no impairment was required as at 31 December 2016, with exception of an individual licence impairment referred to below.

 

The forecast future cash flows are based on the Group's current mining plan that assumes POX Hub completion in the year 2018. The other key assumptions which formed the basis of forecasting future cash flows and the value in use calculation are set out below:

 


Year ended

31 December 2016

Year ended

31 December 2015

Long-term gold price

US$1,200/oz

US$1,150/oz

Discount rate (a)

8%

8%

RUB/US$ exchange rate

RUB60.0/US$

RUB65.0/US$

(a)   Being the post-tax real weighted average cost of capital, equivalent to a nominal pre-tax discount rate of 10.1% (2015: 10.1%)

 

 

Following the decision to suspend exploration at Kharginskoye ore field, an immediate extension of the Albyn deposit, and to surrender the license, a US$9.2 million impairment charges were recorded against associated exploration and evaluation costs previously capitalised within exploration and evaluation assets.  

 

As at 31 December 2016, all exploration and evaluation assets on the balance sheet related to the areas adjacent to the existing mines.

 

Impairment of ore stockpiles

 

The Group assessed the recoverability of the carrying value of ore stockpiles and recorded impairment charges/(reversals) of impairment as set out below:


Year ended 31 December 2016


Year ended 31 December 2015

 

 

Pre-tax impairment charge/

(reversal of impairment)

Taxation

Post-tax impairment charge/

(reversal of impairment)


Pre-tax impairment charge/

(reversal of impairment)

Taxation

Post-tax impairment charge/

(reversal of impairment)


US$ million

US$ million

US$ million


US$ million

US$ million

US$ million

Pokrovskiy

1.0

(0.2)

0.8


(0.9)

0.2

(0.7)

Pioneer

6.1

(1.2)

4.9


11.9

(2.4)

9.6

Malomir

(5.8)

1.2

(4.7)


6.1

(1.2)

4.9

Albyn

(0.1)

-

(0.1)


0.3

(0.1)

0.2


1.2

(0.2)

0.9


17.4

(3.5)

13.9

 

      Interest income and expense

 

  


2016

2015



US$ million

US$ million

Investment income


0.6

1.0

 

The Group earned US$0.6 million interest income on its cash deposits with banks.

 

  


2016

2015



US$ million

US$ million

Interest expense


60.8

71.3

Other


0.2

0.2



61.0

71.5

 

Interest expense for the period was comprised of US$11.9 million effective interest on the Convertible Bonds and US$48.9 million interest on bank facilities (2015: US$13.6 million and US$57.7 million, respectively). There no interest expense was capitalised as part of mine development costs within property, plant and equipment

 

      Other finance gains and losses

 

      Other finance gains for the period comprised US$11.9 million compared to US$9.1 million in 2015. Included in other finance gains is financial guarantee fee of US$4.5 million (2015: US$2.2 million) charged in connection with the ICBC facility and US$7.4 million (2015: US$6.4 million) fair value gain on revaluation of the embedded option for the bondholders to convert into the equity of the Company. The Group also recognised US$1.5 million loss on bank debt refinancing.

 

      Taxation

 



2016

2015



US$ million

US$ million

Tax (credit)/charge


(4.7)

48.9

 

The Group is subject to corporation tax under UK, Russia and Cyprus tax legislation. The average statutory tax rate for 2016 was 20% in the UK and 20% in Russia.

 

The tax charge for the period arises primarily in relation to the Group's gold mining operations and is represented by a current tax charge of US$29.8 million in 2016 (2015: US$31.8 million) and a deferred tax credit, which is a non-cash item, of US$34.5 million (2015: deferred tax charge of US$17.1 million). Included in the deferred tax credit in 2016 is a US$26.0 million foreign exchange effect which primarily arises because the tax base for a significant portion of the future taxable deductions in relation to the Group's property, plant and equipment are denominated in Russian Rouble whilst the future depreciation charges associated with these assets will be based on their US Dollar carrying value.

 

During the period, the Group made corporation tax payments in aggregate of US$35.3 million in Russia (2015: corporation tax payments in aggregate of US$32.9 million in Russia).

 

      Profit/(loss) per share

 


2016

 

2015

 

Profit/(loss) for the period from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of Petropavlovsk PLC

US$33.7 million

(US$190.2 million)

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares

3,302,148,536

2,657,332,030

Basic profit/(loss) per ordinary share from continuing operations

US$0.01

(US$0.07)

 

Basic profit per share for 2016 was US$0.01 compared to US$0.07 basic loss per share for 2015. The key factor affecting the basic profit/(loss) per share was the increase of net profit for the period attributable to equity holders of Petropavlovsk PLC from the net loss of US$190.2 million for 2015 to US$33.7 million net profit for 2016.

 

The total number of Ordinary Shares in issue as at 31 December 2016 was 3,303,768,532 (31 December 2015: 3,300,561,697).

 

The Group has a number of potentially dilutive instruments which were anti-dilutive in the 2015 and 2016 and, accordingly, diluted profit/(loss) per share was not different from the basic profit/(loss) per share.

 

           

      Financial position and cash flows

 


31 December 2016

31 December 2015


US$ million

US$ million

  Cash and cash equivalents

12.6

28.2

  Loans

(522.8)

(552.8)

  Convertible bonds (a)

(88.4)

(85.5)

  Net Debt

(598.6)

(610.0)

 

(a)   US$100.0 million convertible bonds due on 18 March 2020 at amortised cost.

 


2016

30 June 2013

 

2015

30 June 2013

 


US$ million

US$ million

Net cash from operating activities:



Continuing operations

37.0

111.0

Discontinued operations

-

(7.6)


37.0

103.4

Net cash used in investing activities:



Continuing operations

(8.7)(b)

(23.2)

Discontinued operations

-

(43.0)


(8.7)(b)

(66.2)

Net cash used in financing activities:



Continuing operations

(46.8)

(110.6)

Discontinued operations

-

74.2


(46.8)

(36.4)

 

(b)   Including US$29.4 million cash CAPEX and US$19.2 million proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries

 

Key movements in cash and net debt from continuing operations

 

 


Cash

Debt

Net Debt


US$ million

US$ million

US$ million

As at 1 January 2016

28.2 (a)

(638.3)

(610.0)

Net cash generated by operating activities before working capital changes

189.3



Increase in working capital

(63.3)



Income tax paid

(35.3)



Capital expenditure

(12.8)



Exploration expenditure

(16.6)



Amounts repaid under bank loans, net

(27.0)

27.0


Interest accrued


(60.8)


Interest paid

(53.7)

53.7


Transaction costs in connection with bank loans

(4.0)

5.5


Bank debt refinancing


1.5


Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed and net of liabilities settled

19.2



Funds advanced to the Group under investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development

30.8



Funds transferred under investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development

(47.7)

 

 

 


Foreign exchange

2.8

0.2


Other

2.7



As at 31 December 2016

12.6

(611.2)

(598.6)

 

(a)   Including US$15.1 million received under investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development

 

The increase in working capital reflects US$25.8 million increase in trade and other receivables and US$37.7 million reduction in trade and other payables.

 

As at 31 December 2016, there were no undrawn facilities available to the continuing operations.

 

      Capital expenditure

 

The Group invested an aggregate of US$29.4 million on its gold projects compared to US$32.6 million invested in 2015. The key areas of focus this year were on fulfilling existing contractual commitments in relation to the POX Hub project, exploration to support the underground mining at Pioneer, expansion of tailing dams at Pioneer and Albyn and ongoing exploration related to the areas adjacent to the ore bodies of the Group's main mining operations.

 


Exploration expenditure

Development expenditure and other CAPEX (a)

Total

 


US$ million

US$ million

US$ million

POX

-

1.9

1.9

Pokrovskiy and Pioneer (b)

8.6

3.7

12.3

Malomir

1.9

1.6

3.5

Albyn

6.1

4.9

11.0

 

Upgrade of in-house service companies

-

0.6

0.6


16.6

12.8

29.4

(a)   Including US$1.9 million of development expenditure in relation to the POX Hub which is considered to be non-sustaining capital expenditure for the purposes of calculating all-in sustaining costs and all-in costs.

(b)   Including US$5.5 million of exploration expenditure in relation to the underground mining project at Pioneer to be non-sustaining capital expenditure for the purposes of calculating the all-in sustaining costs and all-in costs.

     

      Foreign currency exchange differences

 

The Group's principal subsidiaries have a US Dollar functional currency. Foreign exchange differences arise on translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, which for the principal subsidiaries of the Group are the Russian Rouble and GB Pounds Sterling.

 

The following exchange rates to the US Dollar have been applied to translate monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.

 

 



31 December 2016

 

31 December 2015

 

GB Pounds Sterling (GBP: US$)


0.81

0.68

Russian Rouble (RUB : US$)


60.66

72.88

 

The Rouble recovered by 17% against the US Dollar during 2016, from RUB72.88 : US$1 as at 31 December 2015 to RUB60.66 : US$1 as at 31 December 2016. The average year-on-year depreciation of the Rouble against the US Dollar was approximately 10%, with the average exchange rate for 2016 being RUB67.18 : US$1 compared to RUB61.30 : US$1 for 2015.

 

As a result of the significant volatility of the Russian Rouble, the Group recognised foreign exchange losses of US$5.2 million in 2016 (2015: US$12 million) arising primarily on Rouble denominated net monetary assets.

 

Refinancing of the Group's bank debt

 

In December 2016, the Group refinanced US$430 million outstanding principal of the Group's US$530 million bank debt, including a revised maturity profile and renegotiation of the financial and operational covenants.

 

Results of the bank debt refinancing are set out below.



December 2016



US$ million

Carrying value of liabilities de-recognised


428.2

Fair value of new liabilities recognised:



Bank debt


426.7

Call option over the Company's shares


3.0

Loss on bank debt refinancing


(1.5)

 

Cash settled call option was issued in relation to 3.6 per cent. of the outstanding aggregate ordinary share capital in the Company and is exercisable between December 2019 and March 2023 at strike price of £0.068.

Transaction costs of US$4.9 million were further capitalised.

 

The Group is currently completing the final documentation to refinance the remaining US$100 million bank debt. Once this has been completed, the Group's entire bank debt of US$530 million has been refinanced.

 

      Disposal of subsidiaries

 

The Group entered into agreements to sell its wholly owned subsidiary LLC Ilijnskoye and its associate JSC Verkhnetisskaya Ore Mining Company for an aggregate cash consideration of an equivalent to US$20 million, payable in tranches during 2016, out of which US$19.8 million were attributed to the value of Visokoe asset held by LLC Ilijnskoye and the remainder to JSC Verkhnetisskaya Ore Mining Company. The disposal of LLC Ilijnskoye was completed on 11 May 2016. The Group recognised US$0.5 million net loss on this disposal.

 

      Investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development

 

On 14 December 2015, the Group entered into an investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development (the 'Investment Agreement'). The Investment Agreement involves provision of RUB5.5 billion (an equivalent to c.US$91 million as at 31 December 2016) funding towards the construction of the electricity power line in the North-East of the Amur Region of Russia, where the Group's Albyn and Malomir mines and adjacent licence areas are operated, during the period 2015 - 2019. The funds are advanced to the Group and then should be transferred to the joint-stock company Far East Grid Distribution Company ('DRSK'), who is to engage a contractor to build the relevant power supply infrastructure. The Group's responsibility under the Investment Agreement will be to monitor the progress and to report to the Russian Ministry of Far East Development. The Group will be taking ultimate responsibility for the construction of the power line. Upon completion, the Group will get access to the enhanced capacity of the power supply infrastructure in the region. Under the terms of the Investment Agreement, the Group has certain capital commitments, including further development of Albyn and Malomir mines.

 

As at 31 December 2015, the Group received RUB1.1billion (an equivalent to US$15.1 million) funds under the Investment Agreement. During 2016, the Group received further RUB2.0 billion (an equivalent to US$30.8 million) under the Investment Agreement and transferred an aggregate RUB3.1 billion (an equivalent to US$47.7 million) to DRSK.

Going concern

The Group monitors and manages its liquidity risk on an ongoing basis to ensure that it has access to sufficient funds to meet its obligations. Cash forecasts are prepared regularly based on a number of inputs including, but not limited to, forecast commodity prices and impact of hedging arrangements, the Group's mining plan, forecast expenditure and debt repayment schedules. Sensitivities are run for different scenarios including, but not limited to, changes in commodity prices, cost inflation, different production rates from the Group's producing assets and the timing of expenditure on development projects. This is done to identify risks to liquidity and covenant compliance and enable management to develop appropriate and timely mitigation strategies. The Group meets its capital requirements through a combination of sources including cash generated from operations and external debt.

 

The Group performed an assessment of the forecast cash flows and covenant compliance in relation to bank facilities for the period of 12 months from the date of approval of the 2016 Annual Report and Accounts. As at 31 December 2016, the Group had sufficient liquidity headroom and complied with related financial covenants. Following the successful completion of the bank debt refinancing, the Group is also satisfied that it has sufficient headroom under a base case scenario for the period to May 2018 and expects to comply with related financial covenants. In the meantime, the Group's projections under a reasonable downside scenario indicate that, unless mitigating actions can be taken including accessing deposits not currently in the Group's mining plan, there will be insufficient liquidity and non-compliance with certain financial covenants under a reasonable downside scenario for the relevant period to May 2018. If a missed debt repayment occurs or financial covenant requirements are not met, this would result in events of default which, through cross-defaults and cross-accelerations, could cause all other Group's debt arrangements to become repayable on demand. The Directors are confident that, should it be required, relevant mitigating actions could be successfully implemented.

 

The Group has guaranteed the outstanding amounts IRC owes to ICBC. The outstanding loan principal was US$234 million as at 31 December 2016. The assessment of whether there is any material uncertainty that IRC will be able to repay this facility as it falls due is another key element of the Group's overall going concern assessment. IRC has agreed with ICBC to restructure and reschedule two repayment instalments under the ICBC Facility Agreement, which are originally due for payment on 20 June 2017 and 20 December 2017, with next repayment instalment due on 20 June 2018. IRC also obtained waivers from ICBC in respect of obligations to maintain certain cash deposits with ICBC until 30 June 2018 and obligations to comply with certain financial covenants until 31 December 2017 (inclusive).

 

Having taken into account the aforementioned factors, and after making enquiries and considering the uncertainties described above, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being at least the next 12 months from the date of approval of the 2016 Annual Report and Accounts. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

 

      2017 Outlook

 

The Group is confident to achieve 2017 production guidance of 460Koz. The Group's operating cash expenses are substantially Rouble denominated. The Group expects its total average cash costs of production in 2017 to be c.US$700/oz at current exchange rate. Net debt is expected to decrease to c.US$550 million by the end of 2017, assuming an average gold price of US$1,200/oz for the remainder of 2017.

 

Risk Review

 

Petropavlovsk's principal risks and uncertainties continue to fall with four main categories: operational, financial, health and safety and legal risk.

 

The 2016 review was supported by the robust risk management and internal control systems and procedures outlined within our Annual Report and Accounts. Broadly our principal risks have remained unchanged or improved. 

 

The below list should not be regarded as complete of comprehensive list of all potential risk and uncertainties that the Group may face:

 

§ Production related risk

§ Exploration related risk

§ Project related risks

§ Financial risks

§ Gold price risk

§ Currency risk

§ IRC related risks

§ Health, safety and environmental risk

§ Legal and regulatory risks

 

Further details on the Risks to Our Performance, including internal processes around Risk Management can be found in our 2016 Annual Report and Accounts

 

Reserve & Resources

 

Since 2008 and in accordance with best industry practices, Petropavlovsk has been reporting its Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves in accordance with JORC Code. Following the strategic disposal of the non core projects Visokoye, Yamal and Nimanskaya in 2016, all the Group's remaining mining assets are located in the Amur Region.

 

Total Mineral Resource ounces (including Reserves) as of 31 December 2016 amounted to 20.2Moz, compared to 23.3Moz in 2015, with a total reserve of 7.95Moz compared to 8.41Moz the previous year. The decrease was mainly driven by the disposals of capital intensive non-core assets and to a lesser extent by mine depletion.

 

A total of 1.22Moz of Ore Reserves were disposed of with Visokoye, whilst 3.55Moz of Mineral Resources (including Ore Reserves) were disposed of with the Visokoye and Yamal projects. Full Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve statements for Visokoye and Yamal can be found in the Petropavlovsk Annual Report and Accounts 2015.

 

During 2016, the Group made exceptionally good progress developing reserves at Elginskoye, one of the significant satellite orebodies within the Albyn project area. Successful exploration and a feasibility study resulted in an increase in JORC Ore Reserves at Elginskoye from 0.28 to 1.24Moz (a 340% increase), providing a solid foundation for Albyn's long term production. We also achieved a remarkable 76% increase in Mineral Resources for underground mining from 0.42 to 0.74Moz, and received our first maiden underground Ore Reserve estimate amounted to 0.37Moz.

 

This includes a new Pioneer NE Bakhmut underground Ore Reserve of 0.17Moz @ 4.46g/t, and 0.21Moz @ 5.85g/t at Malomir Quartzitovoe 1. The new Ore Reserve will support 6 year life of mine for both mines with strong potential for resource, reserve and consequent life of mine expansion.

 

Overall, we successfully converted c.1.55Moz of Resources into Reserves during 2016.

 

Pioneer, Albyn, Malomir and Pokrovskiy Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve statements were prepared by Wardell Armstrong International in April 2017 in accordance with JORC Code (2012). A summary of their technical audit can be found on the company web site.

 

The tables below provide a summary and an asset-by-asset breakdown of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.

 

Total Ore Reserves for open pit and underground extraction (as at 31 December 2016, in accordance with JORC Code)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Gold (Moz)

Total

Proven

32,032

0.82

0.84

Probable

229,667

0.96

7.11

Proven+Probable

261,699

0.95

7.95

Non-Refractory

Proven

22,177

0.69

0.49

Probable

95,632

1.10

3.39

Proven+Probable

117,809

1.03

3.88

Refractory

Proven

9,854

1.11

0.35

Probable

134,036

0.86

3.72

Proven+Probable

143,890

0.88

4.07

Note: Figures may not add up due to rounding.

 

Total Ore Reserves for open pit extraction (as at 31 December 2016, in accordance with JORC Code)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Gold (Moz)

Total

Proven

32,032

0.82

0.84

Probable

227,415

0.92

6.74

Proven+Probable

259,446

0.91

7.58

Non-Refractory

Proven

22,177

0.69

0.49

Probable

93,379

1.01

3.02

Proven+Probable

115,557

0.95

3.51

Refractory

Proven

9,854

1.11

0.35

Probable

134,036

0.86

3.72

Proven+Probable

143,890

0.88

4.07

Note: Figures may not add up due to rounding.

 

Total Ore Reserves for underground extraction (as at 31 December 2016) (WAI April 2017, in accordance with JORC Code 2012)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Gold (Moz)

Total

Proven

-

-

-

Probable

2,253

5.14

0.37

Proven+Probable

2,253

5.14

0.37

Non-Refractory

Proven

-

-

-

Probable

2,253

5.14

0.37

Proven+Probable

2,253

5.14

0.37

Refractory

Proven

-

-

-

Probable

-

-

-

Proven+Probable

-

-

-

Note: Figures may not add up due to rounding.

 

Total Mineral Resource for potential open pit and underground extraction (as at 31 December 2016) (in accordance with JORC Code)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade (g/t Au)

Metal (Moz)

Total

Measured

51,859

0.94

1.57

Indicated

418,167

0.89

11.96

Measured + Indicated

470,026

0.90

13.53

Inferred

257,409

0.80

6.63

Non-Refractory

Measured

33,654

0.91

0.99

Indicated

207,117

0.96

6.36

Measured + Indicated

240,771

0.95

7.35

Inferred

115,328

0.96

3.55

Refractory

Measured

18,205

0.99

0.58

Indicated

211,050

0.82

5.60

Measured + Indicated

229,255

0.84

6.18

Inferred

142,081

0.67

3.08

Note: Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Ore Reserves. Figures may not add up due to rounding.

 

 

Total Mineral Resource for potential open pit extraction (as at 31 December 2016) (in accordance with JORC Code)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade (g/t Au)

Metal (Moz)

Total

Measured

51,859

0.94

1.57

Indicated

415,393

0.85

11.37

Measured + Indicated

467,252

0.86

12.94

Inferred

256,155

0.79

6.48

Non-Refractory

Measured

33,654

0.91

0.99

Indicated

204,343

0.88

5.78

Measured + Indicated

237,997

0.88

6.76

Inferred

114,074

0.93

3.40

Refractory

Measured

18,205

0.99

0.58

Indicated

211,050

0.82

5.60

Measured + Indicated

229,255

0.84

6.18

Inferred

142,081

0.67

3.08

Note: Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Ore Reserves. Figures may not add up due to rounding.

 

 

Total Mineral Resource for potential underground extraction (WAI April 2017, as at 31 December 2016) (in accordance with JORC Code 2012)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade (g/t Au)

Metal (Moz)

Total

Measured

-

-

-

Indicated

2,774

6.56

0.59

Measured + Indicated

2,774

6.56

0.59

Inferred

1,254

3.92

0.16

Non-Refractory

Measured

-

-

-

Indicated

2,774

6.56

0.59

Measured + Indicated

2,774

6.56

0.59

Inferred

1,254

3.92

0.16

Refractory

Measured

-

-

-

Indicated

-

-

-

Measured + Indicated

-

-

-

Inferred

-

-

-

Note: Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Ore Reserves. Figures may not add up due to rounding.

 

Summary of Ore Reserves by asset (as at 31 December 2016)

Pioneer

(WAI, April 2017, in accordance with JORC Code 2012)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Gold (Moz)

Total

Proven

15,585

0.68

0.34

Probable

86,876

0.82

2.29

Proven+Probable

102,460

0.80

2.63

Non-Refractory Open Pit

Proven

14,122

0.65

0.30

Probable

30,243

0.73

0.71

Proven+Probable

44,366

0.70

1.00

Non-Refractory Underground

Proven

-

-

-

Probable

1,154

4.46

0.17

Proven+Probable

1,154

4.46

0.17

Subtotal Non-Refractory Open Pit and Underground

Proven

14,122

0.65

0.30

Probable

31,398

0.86

0.87

Proven+Probable

45,520

0.80

1.17

Refractory Open Pit

Proven

1,462

0.87

0.04

Probable

55,478

0.80

1.42

Proven+Probable

56,940

0.80

1.46

Subtotal Non-Refractory and Refractory Open Pit

Proven

15,585

0.68

0.34

Probable

85,721

0.77

2.13

Proven+Probable

101,306

0.76

2.46

 

Albyn

(WAI, April 2017, in accordance with JORC Code 2012)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Gold (Moz)

Total

Proven

4,952

0.51

0.08

Probable

52,302

1.18

1.98

Proven+Probable

57,254

1.12

2.06

Non-Refractory Open Pit

Proven

4,952

0.51

0.08

Probable

52,302

1.18

1.98

Proven+Probable

57,254

1.12

2.06

Refractory Open Pit

Proven

-

-

-

Probable

-

-

-

Proven+Probable

-

-

-

Note: All Albyn Ore Reserve is for open pit extraction.

Malomir

(WAI, April 2017, in accordance with JORC Code 2012)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Gold (Moz)

Total

Proven

8,416

1.15

0.31

Probable

86,755

0.97

2.70

Proven+Probable

95,171

0.98

3.01

Non-Refractory Open Pit

Proven

24

1.16

0.001

Probable

7,100

0.83

0.19

Proven+Probable

7,124

0.83

0.19

Non-Refractory Underground

Proven

-

-

-

Probable

1,098

5.85

0.21

Proven+Probable

1,098

5.85

0.21

Subtotal Non-Refractory Open Pit and Underground

Proven

24

1.16

0.001

Probable

8,198

1.50

0.40

Proven+Probable

8,222

1.50

0.40

Refractory Open Pit

Proven

8,392

1.15

0.31

Probable

78,557

0.91

2.30

Proven+Probable

86,949

0.93

2.61

Subtotal Non-Refractory and Refractory Open Pit

Proven

8,416

1.15

0.31

Probable

85,657

0.90

2.49

Proven+Probable

94,073

0.93

2.80

 

Pokrovskiy & Burinda

(WAI, April 2017, in accordance with JORC Code 2012)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Gold (Moz)

Total

Proven

1,051

0.55

0.02

Probable

1,540

0.74

0.04

Proven+Probable

2,590

0.66

0.06

Non-Refractory Open Pit

Proven

1,051

0.55

0.02

Probable

1,540

0.74

0.04

Proven+Probable

2,590

0.66

0.06

Refractory Open Pit

Proven

-

-

-

Probable

-

-

-

Proven+Probable

-

-

-

Note: All Pokrovskiy&Burinda Ore Reserve is for open pit extraction.

Tokur

(WAI, 2010, in accordance with JORC Code 2004)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade
(g/t Au)

Gold (Moz)

Total

Proven

2,028

1.47

0.10

Probable

2,195

1.44

0.10

Proven+Probable

4,223

1.45

0.20

Non-Refractory Open Pit

Proven

2,028

1.47

0.10

Probable

2,195

1.44

0.10

Proven+Probable

4,223

1.45

0.20

Refractory Open Pit

Proven

-

-

-

Probable

-

-

-

Proven+Probable

-

-

-

Note: All Tokur Ore Reserve is for open pit extraction

 

Notes on Ore Reserve statement: 

(1)   Group Ore Reserves statements are prepared by WAI; Pokrovskiy, Pioneer, Malomir and Albyn reserves are prepared in April 2017 in accordance with JORC Code 2012; Tokur Reserves are prepared in 2010 in accordance with JORC Code 2004

(2)   Pioneer, Malomir Albyn and Pokrovskiy Ore Reserves for open pit extraction are estimated within economical pit shells using a $1,200/oz gold price assumption and applying other modifying factors based on projected performance of these operating mines.  Tokur reserves have been based on a $1,000/oz gold price assumption, together with the operating costs assumptions relevant at the time of the estimate.

(3)   Open Pit Reserve cut-off grade for reporting varies from 0.3 to 0.5g/t Au, depending on the asset and processing method.

(4)   Underground Ore Reserve estimates use mine design with decline access and trackless mining equipment; variants of open stoping with predominantly uncemented back fill are used; Ore Reserve figures have been adjusted for anticipated dilution and mine recovery.

(5)   Underground Reserve cut-off grade for reporting is 1.5g/t Au for Pioneer and 1.7g/t Au for Malomir.

(6)   Figures may not add up due to rounding.

 

Summary of Mineral Resources by asset (as at 31 December 2016)

Pioneer

(WAI, April 2017, in accordance with JORC Code 2012)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade (g/t Au)

Metal (Moz)

Total

Measured

19,520

0.68

0.43

Indicated

160,670

0.75

3.89

Measured + Indicated

180,190

0.74

4.32

Inferred

57,058

0.66

1.20

Non-Refractory Open Pit

Measured

9,842

0.58

0.18

Indicated

64,520

0.63

1.30

Measured + Indicated

74,362

0.62

1.48

Inferred

21,883

0.66

0.46

Non-Refractory Underground

Measured

-

-

-

Indicated

1,924

5.82

0.36

Measured + Indicated

1,924

5.82

0.36

Inferred

765

4.05

0.10

Sub-total Non-Refractory (Open Pit and Underground)

Measured

9,842

0.58

0.18

Indicated

66,444

0.78

1.66

Measured + Indicated

76,286

0.75

1.84

Inferred

22,648

0.77

0.56

Refractory Open Pit

Measured

9,678

0.79

0.25

Indicated

94,226

0.74

2.23

Measured + Indicated

103,904

0.74

2.48

Inferred

34,410

0.58

0.64

Sub-total Open Pit (Refractory and Non-Refractory)

Measured

19,520

0.68

0.43

Indicated

158,746

0.69

3.53

Measured + Indicated

178,266

0.69

3.95

Inferred

56,293

0.61

1.10

 

 

Albyn

(WAI, April 2017, in accordance with JORC Code 2012)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade (g/t Au)

Metal (Moz)

Total

Measured

5,049

0.52

0.09

Indicated

74,025

1.13

2.69

Measured + Indicated

79,074

1.09

2.78

Inferred

60,442

1.02

1.99

Non-Refractory

Measured

5,049

0.52

0.09

Indicated

74,025

1.13

2.69

Measured + Indicated

79,074

1.09

2.78

Inferred

60,442

1.02

1.99

Refractory

Measured

-

-

-

Indicated

-

-

-

Measured + Indicated

-

-

-

Inferred

-

-

-

Note: All Albyn Mineral Resources is for open pit extraction

 

Malomir

(WAI, April 2017, in accordance with JORC Code 2012)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade (g/t Au)

Metal (Moz)

Total

Measured

8,558

1.21

0.33

Indicated

135,865

0.91

3.99

Measured + Indicated

144,423

0.93

4.33

Inferred

118,944

0.71

2.73

Non-Refractory Open Pit

Measured

31

1.19

0.001

Indicated

18,191

0.68

0.40

Measured + Indicated

18,222

0.68

0.40

Inferred

10,784

0.68

0.24

Non-Refractory Underground

Measured

-

-

-

Indicated

850

8.23

0.23

Measured + Indicated

850

8.23

0.23

Inferred

489

3.72

0.06

Sub-total Non-Refractory (Open Pit and Underground)

Measured

31

1.20

0.001

Indicated

19,041

1.02

0.62

Measured + Indicated

19,072

1.02

0.63

Inferred

11,273

0.81

0.29

Refractory Open Pit

Measured

8,527

1.21

0.33

Indicated

116,824

0.90

3.37

Measured + Indicated

125,351

0.92

3.70

Inferred

107,671

0.70

2.44

Sub-total Open Pit (Refractory and Non-Refractory)

Measured

8,558

1.21

0.33

Indicated

135,015

0.87

3.77

Measured + Indicated

143,573

0.89

4.10

Inferred

118,455

0.70

2.68

 

Pokrovka & Burinda

(WAI, April 2017, in accordance with JORC Code 2012)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade (g/t Au)

Metal (Moz)

Total

Measured

6,780

1.01

0.22

Indicated

31,511

0.83

0.84

Measured + Indicated

38,291

0.86

1.06

Inferred

10,259

0.99

0.33

Non-Refractory

Measured

6,780

1.01

0.22

Indicated

31,511

0.83

0.84

Measured + Indicated

38,291

0.86

1.06

Inferred

10,259

0.99

0.33

Refractory

Measured

-

-

-

Indicated

-

-

-

Measured + Indicated

-

-

-

Inferred

-

-

-

Note: All Pokrovka & Burinda Mineral Resources is for open pit extraction

 

Tokur

(WAI, 2010, in accordance with JORC Code 2004)


Category

Tonnage (kt)

Grade (g/t Au)

Metal (Moz)

Total

Measured

11,952

1.30

0.50

Indicated

16,096

1.06

0.55

Measured + Indicated

28,048

1.16

1.05

Inferred

10,706

1.09

0.38

Non-Refractory

Measured

11,952

1.30

0.50

Indicated

16,096

1.06

0.55

Measured + Indicated

28,048

1.16

1.05

Inferred

10,706

1.09

0.38

Refractory

Measured

-

-

-

Indicated

-

-

-

Measured + Indicated

-

-

-

Inferred

-

-

-

Note: All Tokur Mineral Resources is for open pit extraction

 

Notes to Mineral Resource Statement: 

(1)   Mineral Resources include Ore Reserves.

(2)   Mineral Resources for Pokrovskiy, Pioneer, Malomir and Albyn are audited by WAI in accordance with JORC Code 2012 in April 2015 with a further review of changes in April 2016 and April 2017; Mineral Resources for Tokur reviewed by WAI in 2010 in accordance with JORC Code 2004.

(3)   Open Pit Mineral Resources for Pokrovskiy, Pioneer, Malomir and Albyn are constrained by conceptual open-pit shells at a US$1,500/oz long term gold price.; Tokur Mineral Resources have no open pit constraints.

(4)   The cut-off grade for the Mineral Resource for open pit mining varies from 0.30 to 0.4g/t depending on the type of mineralisation and proposed processing method.

(5)   Minimum mining widths dependant on reconciliation have been applied to the open pit Mineral Resource.

(6)   Mineral Resources for potential underground extraction were audited by WAI in accordance with JORC Code 2012 in April 2017.

(7)   Cut-off grade is 1.5g/t is used to report Mineral Resource for potential underground mining.

(8)   Mineral resources are not reserves until they have demonstrated economic viability based on a feasibility or pre-feasibility study.

(9)   Grade represents estimated contained metal in the ground and has not been adjusted for metallurgical recovery.

 

Forward-looking statements

 

This release may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "plans", "projects", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward- looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this release and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Group's intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, the Group's results of operations, financial position, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and expectations of the industry.

 

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances. Forward- looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and the development of the markets and the industry in which the Group operates may differ materially from those described in, or suggested by, any forward- looking statements contained in this release. In addition, even if the development of the markets and the industry in which the Group operates are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this release, those developments may not be indicative of developments in subsequent periods. A number of factors could cause developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, general economic and business conditions, industry trends, competition, commodity prices, changes in law or regulation, currency fluctuations (including the US  dollar  and  Rouble),  the  Group's  ability  to  recover  its  reserves  or  develop  new  reserves,  changes  in  its  business  strategy, political and economic uncertainty. Save as required by the Listing and Disclosure and Transparency Rules, the Company is under no obligation to update the information contained in this release.

 

Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.

 

The content of websites referred to in this announcement does not form part of this announcement.

 

The financial information set out above does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2016 or 2015, but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2015 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2016 will be delivered following the company's annual general meeting. The auditors have reported on those accounts: their reports were unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain statements under s498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

PETROPAVLOVSK PLC

Consolidated Income Statement

For the year ended 31 December 2016

 



2016

2015


note

US$'000

US$'000

Continuing operations




Group revenue

5

540,684

599,914

Operating expenses

6

 (460,103)

(619,635)



80,581

(19,721)

Share of results of associates

14

 (3,581)

(60,422)

Operating profit/(loss)


77,000

(80,143)

Investment income 

9

556

1,018

Interest expense

9

 (60,976)

(71,514)

Other finance gains

9

11,976

9,064

Other finance losses

9

(1,548)

-

Profit/(loss) before taxation


27,008

(141,575)

Taxation

10

                   4,698

(48,879)

Profit/(loss)  for the period from continuing operations


31,706

(190,454)

Discontinued operations (a)




Loss for the period from discontinued operations


-

(107,023)

Profit/(loss) for the period


31,706

(297,477)

Attributable to:




Equity shareholders of Petropavlovsk PLC


33,719

(238,759)

Continuing operations


33,719

(190,155)

Discontinued operations


-

(48,604)

Non-controlling interests


(2,013)

(58,718)

Continuing operations


(2,013)

(299)

Discontinued operations


-

(58,419)









Profit/(loss) per share








Basic profit/(loss) per share

11



From continuing operations


US$0.01

(US$0.07)

From discontinued operations


-

(US$0.02)



US$0.01

(US$0.09)

Diluted profit/(loss) per share

11



From continuing operations


US$0.01

(US$0.07)

From discontinued operations


-

(US$0.02)



US$0.01

(US$0.09)

 

(a)    IRC was presented as a discontinued operation in the income statement for the period from 1 January until 7 August 2015, when it ceased being a subsidiary and became an associate to the Group.

 

 

PETROPAVLOVSK PLC

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 December 2016

 



2016

US$'000

 2015

US$'000

Profit/(loss) for the period


31,706

(297,477)

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:




Revaluation of available-for-sale investments


834

161

Exchange differences:




Exchange differences on translating foreign operations


2,577

(4,121)

Transfer of foreign currency translation reserve to profit or loss on disposal of a foreign operation


-

 

2,601

Share of other comprehensive income of associate


560

-

Cash flow hedges:




Fair value (losses)/gains


(4,940)

7,090

Tax thereon


                   988

(1,418)

Transfer to revenue


                8,494  

(9,436)

Tax thereon


(1,699)  

1,888

Other comprehensive profit/(loss) for the period net of tax


6,814

(3,235)

Total comprehensive profit/(loss) for the period


38,520

(300,712)

Attributable to:




Equity shareholders of Petropavlovsk PLC


40,494

(241,916)

Non-controlling interests


(1,974)

(58,796)



38,520

(300,712)

Total comprehensive profit/(loss) for the period attributable to equity shareholders of Petropavlovsk PLC arises from:




Continuing operations


40,494

(195,360)

Discontinued operations (a)


-

(46,556)



40,494

(241,916)

 

(a)   IRC was presented as a discontinued operation in the income statement for the period from 1 January 2015 until 7 August 2015, when it ceased being a subsidiary and became an associate to the Group.

 

 

PETROPAVLOVSK PLC

Consolidated Balance Sheet

At 31 December 2016

 


note

2016

US$'000

2015

US$'000

Assets




Non-current assets




Exploration and evaluation assets

12

49,270

68,993

Property, plant and equipment

13

953,794

1,038,343

Prepayments for property, plant and equipment


694

1,841

Investments in associates

14

36,140

39,394

Available-for-sale investments


1,105

271

Inventories

15

51,686

51,434

Other non-current assets


2,154

175



1,094,843

 

1,200,451

Current assets




Inventories

15

183,266

175,222

Trade and other receivables

16

89,736

48,096

Derivative financial instruments

18

7,478

3,925

Cash and cash equivalents

17

12,642

28,239



293,122

255,482

Total assets


1,387,965

 

1,455,933

Liabilities




Current liabilities




Trade and other payables

19

(55,638)

(96,567)

Current income tax payable


(2,288)

(4,748)

Borrowings

20

(85,306)

(260,248)



(143,232)

(361,563)

Net current assets/(liabilities)


149,890

(106,081)

Non-current liabilities




Borrowings

20

(525,906)

(378,030)

Derivative financial instruments

18

(10,314)

(14,684)

Deferred tax liabilities

21

(139,728)

(173,499)

Provision for close down and restoration costs

22

(19,152)

(17,184)



(695,100)

(583,397)

Total liabilities


(838,332)

(944,960)

Net assets


549,633

510,973

Equity




Share capital

23

48,920

48,874

Share premium


518,142

518,142

Own shares

24

-

(8,933)

Hedging reserve


5,900

 

3,096

Share based payments reserve


-

280

Other reserves


(17,574)

(20,985)

Retained losses


(22,202)

(47,922)

Equity attributable to the shareholders of Petropavlovsk PLC


533,186

492,552

Non-controlling interests


16,447

18,421

Total equity


549,633

510,973

 

 

 

These consolidated financial statements for Petropavlovsk PLC, registered number 4343841, were approved by the Directors on 26 April 2017 and signed on their behalf by

 

 

 

Peter Hambro                                      Andrey Maruta

Director                                                  Director

 

PETROPAVLOVSK PLC

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 December 2016

 

 

 

 


 

 

Total attributable to equity holders of Petropavlovsk PLC





Share

capital

Share premium

Own shares(a)

Convertible bond

Reserve

Share based payments reserve

Hedging

reserve

Other  reserves(b)

Retained earnings/(losses)

Total

Non-controlling interests

Total equity



US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$' 000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000














Balance

at 1 January 2015


3,041

376,991

(8,925)

48,235

3,283

4,947

(16,709)

137,704

548,567

196,804

745,371

Total comprehensive (loss)/income


-

-

-

-

-

(1,851)

(1,306)

(238,759)

(241,916)

(58,796)

(300,712)

Loss for the period


-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(238,759)

(238,759)

(58,718)

(297,477)

Other comprehensive (loss)/income


-

-

-

-

-

(1,851)

(1,306)

-

(3,157)

(78)

(3,235)

Share based payments


-

-

-

-

17

-

-

-

17

-

17

Deferred share awards


-

-

-

-

280

-

-

-

280

-

280

Right issue and settlement of the Existing Bonds


-

45,833

141,151

(8)

(48,235)

-

-

-

48,235

186,976

-

186,976

Issue of ordinary shares by subsidiaries


-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(2,487)

(2,487)

51,921

49,434

Other transaction with non- controlling interests


-

-

-

-

-

-

866

249

1,115

243

1,358

Disposal of subsidiaries (c)


-

-

-

-

(3,300)

-

(866)

4,166

-

(171,751)

(171,751)

Transfer to retained earnings


-

-

-

-

-

-

(2,970)

2,970

-

-

-

Balance

at 31 December 2015


 

48,874

 

518,142

 

(8,933)

 

-

 

280

 

3,096

 

(20,985)

 

(47,922)

 

492,552

 

18,421 (d)

 

510,973

Total comprehensive income/(loss)


-

-

-

-

-

2,804

3,411

34,279

40,494

(1,974)

38,520

Profit/(loss) for the period


-

-

-

-

-

-

-

33,719

33,719

(2,013)

31,706

Other comprehensive income/(loss)


-

-

-

-

-

2,804

3,411

560

6,775

39

6,814

Deferred share awards


46

-

8,933

-

(280)

-

-

(8,559)

140

-

140

Balance

at 31 December 2016


48,920

 

518,142

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

5,900

 

(17,574)

(22,202)

 

533,186

 

16,447

549,633

 

 

(a)   Own shares represented 1,441,406 Ordinary Shares held by the Company's EBT until they were transferred upon vesting of the Deferred Share Award on 1 May 2016.

(b)   Including translation reserve of US$(15.6) million, 31 December 2015: US$(18.2) million.

(c)   IRC Limited ('IRC') (note 14).

(d)   IRC was the only non-wholly owned subsidiary of the Group that had a material non-controlling interest (note 14). 

 

 

 

PETROPAVLOVSK PLC

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

For the year ended 31 December 2016

 

 


note

 

2016

US$'000

2015 (a)

US$'000

Cash flows from operating activities




Cash generated from operations

25

                126,013

208,841

Interest paid


               (53,708)

(72,174)

Income tax paid


 (35,305)

(33,287)

Net cash from operating activities


37,000

103,380

Cash flows from investing activities




Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed and liabilities settled

27

19,188

 

6,485

Proceeds from disposal of the Group's interests in associates

14

231

1,000

Purchase of property, plant and equipment


 (12,770)

(58,804) (b)

Exploration expenditure


 (16,590)

(18,854) (b)

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment


742

847

Loans granted


-

(47)

Repayment of amounts loaned to other parties


1

42

Interest received


540

2,183

Dividends received from joint venture


-

917

Net cash used in investing activities


 (8,658)

(66,231)

Cash flows from financing activities




Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares capital, net of transaction costs


-

156,163

Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares by IRC, net of transaction costs


-

 

49,434

Proceeds from borrowings


295,250(c)

82,885(d)

Repayments of borrowings


(322,221)(c)

(304,178)(d)

Debt transaction costs paid in connection with bank loans


 (4,031)

(1,896)

Debt transaction costs paid in connection with ICBC facility


-

(72)

Restricted bank deposit placed in connection with ICBC facility


-

(1,000)

Refinancing costs


-

(34,418)

Funds advanced to the Group under investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development

32

 

30,771

 

15,093

Funds transferred under investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development

32

 

(47,665)

 

-

Guarantee fee in connection with ICBC facility


1,126

2,169

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests


-

(536)

Purchase of own shares


-

(8)

Net cash used in financing activities


 (46,770)

(36,364)

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents in the period


 (18,428)

785

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents


2,831

(5,270)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

17

28,239

48,080

Cash and cash equivalents re-classified as assets held for sale

at beginning of the period


-

 

55,459

Cash and cash equivalents re-classified as assets held for sale at disposal


-

 

(70,815)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

17

12,642

28,239

 

(a)   IRC was presented as a discontinued operation in the income statement for the period from 1 January until 7 August 2015, when it ceased being a subsidiary and became an associate to the Group.

(b)    Including US$45.1 million related to discontinued operations for the year ended 31 December 2015.

(c)    Including US$295.25 million in conenction to bank debt refinancing (note 20).

(d)   Including US$62.5 million proceeds from borrowings and US$36.2 million repayments of borrowings for the year ended 31 December 2015 related to discontinued operations.

 

 

PETROPAVLOVSK PLC

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2016

 

1.         General information

 

Petropavlovsk PLC (the 'Company') is a company incorporated and registered in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is 11 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HH.

 

 

2.         Significant accounting policies

 

2.1.     Basis of preparation and presentation

The consolidated financial statements of Petropavlovsk PLC and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') as adopted by the European Union, IFRIC Interpretations and the Companies Act 2006. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of available-for-sale financial investments, financial assets and financial liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through profit or loss. The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented, unless otherwise stated.

 

Going concern

 

The Group monitors and manages its liquidity risk on an ongoing basis to ensure that it has access to sufficient funds to meet its obligations. Cash forecasts are prepared regularly based on a number of inputs including, but not limited to, forecast commodity prices and impact of hedging arrangements, the Group's mining plan, forecast expenditure and debt repayment schedules. Sensitivities are run for different scenarios including, but not limited to, changes in commodity prices, cost inflation, different production rates from the Group's producing assets and the timing of expenditure on development projects. This is done to identify risks to liquidity and covenant compliance and enable management to develop appropriate and timely mitigation strategies. The Group meets its capital requirements through a combination of sources including cash generated from operations and external debt.

 

The Group performed an assessment of the forecast cash flows and covenant compliance in relation to bank facilities for the period of 12 months from the date of approval of the 2016 Annual Report and Accounts. As at 31 December 2016, the Group had sufficient liquidity headroom and complied with related financial covenants. Following the successful completion of the Bank Debt Refinancing, the Group is also satisfied that it has sufficient headroom under a base case scenario for the period to May 2018 and expects to comply with related financial covenants. In the meantime, the Group's projections under a reasonable downside scenario indicate that, unless mitigating actions can be taken including accessing deposits not currently in the Group's mining plan, there will be insufficient liquidity and non-compliance with certain financial covenants under a reasonable downside scenario for the relevant period to May 2018. If a missed debt repayment occurs or financial covenant requirements are not met, this would result in events of default which, through cross-defaults and cross-accelerations, could cause all other Group's debt arrangements to become repayable on demand. The Directors are confident that, should it be required, relevant mitigating actions could be successfully implemented.

 

The Group has guaranteed the outstanding amounts IRC owes to ICBC. The outstanding loan principal was US$234 million as at 31 December 2016. The assessment of whether there is any material uncertainty that IRC will be able to repay this facility as it falls due is another key element of the Group's overall going concern assessment. IRC has agreed with ICBC to restructure and reschedule two repayment instalments under the ICBC Facility Agreement, which are originally due for payment on 20 June 2017 and 20 December 2017, with next repayment instalment due on 20 June 2018. IRC also obtained waivers from ICBC in respect of obligations to maintain certain cash deposits with ICBC until 30 June 2018 and obligations to comply with certain financial covenants until 31 December 2017 (inclusive).

 

Having taken into account the aforementioned factors, and after making enquiries and considering the uncertainties described above, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being at least the next 12 months from the date of approval of the 2016 Annual Report and Accounts. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

 

 2.2.        Adoption of new and revised standards and interpretations

 

New and revised standards and interpretations adopted for the current reporting period

 

The following new and revised Standards and Interpretations that were effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016 and applicable to the Group have been adopted:

 

-      Amendments to IAS 1 'Presentation of Financial Statements';

-      Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 'Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation';

-      Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28 'Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture';

-      Annual improvements to IFRSs: 2012-2014 Cycle

 

These standards, amendments, and interpretations have not had a significant impact on amounts reported, presentation or disclosure in these consolidated financial statements.

 

New standards, amendments and interpretations that are applicable to the Group, issued but not yet effective for the reporting period beginning 1 January 2016 and not early adopted

 

At the date of approval of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations which have not been applied in these consolidated financial statements were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases had not yet been adopted by the EU):

 

-      IFRS 9 'Financial instruments':

The standard addresses the classification, measurement and recognition of financial assets and financial liabilities, introduces new rules for hedge accounting and a new impairment model for financial assets. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning in or after 1 January 2018.

 

Classification and measurement: IFRS 9 establishes a principles-based approach to determining whether a financial asset should be measured at amortised cost or fair value, based on the cash flow characteristics of the asset and the business model in which the asset is held. The Group anticipates that the classification and measurement basis for its financial assets will be largely unchanged under this model.

 

Impairment: The new impairment model requires the recognition of impairment provision based on expected credit losses rather than only incurred credit losses. While the Group has not yet undertaken a detailed assessment of how its impairment provision will be affected by the new model, it may result in an earlier recognition of credit losses.

 

Hedge accounting: The adoption of the new standard would not materially change the amounts recognised in relation to existing hedging arrangements but could provide scope to apply hedge accounting to a broader range of transactions in the future.

 

-      IFRS 15 'Revenue from contracts with customers'

The standard replaces IAS 18 'Revenue' and IAS 11 'Construction Contracts' and related interpretations and is effective for annual periods beginning in or after 1 January 2018.

 

The new standard is based on the principal that revenue is recognised when control of a good or service is transferred to a customer.

 

The Group's revenue is predominantly derived from gold sales, where the point of recognition is dependent on the contract sales terms. As the transfer of risks and rewards generally coincides with the transfer of control at a point in time, the timing and amount of revenue recognised for the sale of gold is unlikely to be materially affected.

 

-      IFRS 16 'Leases'

The standard replaces IAS 17 'Accounting for Leases' and related interpretations and is effective for annual periods beginning in or after 1 January 2019.

 

The standard will affect primarily the change the accounting treatment by lessees of leases currently classified as operating leases. Lease agreements will give rise to the recognition by the lessee of an asset, representing the right to use the leased item, and a related liability for future lease payments. Lease costs will be recognised in the income statement in the form of depreciation of the right-of-use asset over the lease term, and finance charges representing the unwind of the discount on the lease liability. The accounting for lessors will not significantly change.

 

As at the reporting date, the Group has non-cancellable operating lease commitments (note 31). However, the Group has not yet determined to what extent these commitments will result in the recognition of an asset and a liability for future payments and how this will affect the Group's profit and classification of cash flows. Some of the commitments may be covered by the exception for short-term and low-value leases and some commitments may relate to arrangements that will not qualify as leases under IFRS 16. Based on the volume of lease arrangements, the Group's assets and liabilities and profit are unlikely to be materially affected.

 

There are no other standards and amendments that are not yet effective and would be expected to have a significant impact on the Group's financial statements.

 

2.3.         Basis of consolidation

These consolidated financial statements consist of the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as at the balance sheet date. Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has control.

 

Control is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the subsidiary and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the subsidiary. Specifically, the Group controls a subsidiary if, and only if, it has all of the following:

 

-      power over the subsidiary (i.e. existing rights that give it the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the subsidiary);

-      exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the subsidiary; and

-      the ability to use its power over the subsidiary to affect its returns.

 

When the Group has less than a majority of the voting rights of a subsidiary or similar rights of a subsidiary, it considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over the subsidiary including:

 

-      the size of the Group's holding of voting rights relative to the size and dispersion of holdings of the other vote holders;

-      potential voting rights held by the Group, other vote holders or other parties;

-      rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and

-      any additional facts and circumstances that indicate that the Group has, or does not have, the current ability to direct the relevant activities at the time that decisions need to be made, including voting patterns at previous shareholders' meetings.

 

The Company reassesses whether or not it controls a subsidiary if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control listed above.

 

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Group obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Group loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated statement of income and other comprehensive income from the date the Group gains control until the date when the Group ceases to control the subsidiary.

 

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to ensure consistency of accounting policies with the policies adopted by the Group.

 

Non-controlling interests in the net assets of consolidated subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group's equity therein. The interests of non-controlling shareholders may be initially measured at fair value or at the non-controlling interests' proportionate share of the fair value of the acquiree's identifiable net assets. The choice of measurement is made on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis. Subsequent to acquisition, the carrying amount of non-controlling interests is the amount of those interests at initial recognition plus the non-controlling interests' share of subsequent changes in equity. The recognised income and expense are attributed to non-controlling interests even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.

 

2.4.         Non-controlling interests

The Group treats transactions with non-controlling interests as transactions with equity owners. For purchases from non-controlling interests, the difference between any consideration paid and the relevant share acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is recorded in equity. Gains or losses on disposals to non-controlling interests are also recorded in equity.

 

2.5.         Investments in associates

An associate is an entity over which the Group is in a position to exercise significant influence and that is neither a subsidiary nor an interest in a joint venture. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but is not control or joint control over those policies.

 

Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, except when the investment is classified as held for sale, in which case it is accounted for in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. Investments in associates are carried in the balance sheet at cost as adjusted by post-acquisition changes in the Group's share of the net assets of the associate, less any impairment in the value of individual investments. Losses of an associate in excess of the Group's interest in that associate (which includes any long-term interests that, in substance, form part of the Group's net investment in the associate) are recognised only to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.

 

Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group's share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the associate recognised at the date of acquisition is recognised as goodwill. The goodwill is included within the carrying amount of the investment and is assessed for impairment as part of that investment. Any excess of the Group's share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities over the cost of acquisition, after reassessment, is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

 

When a Group entity transacts with an associate of the Group, profits and losses are eliminated to the extent of the Group's interest in the relevant associate. Losses may provide evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred in which case appropriate provision is made for the impairment.

 

2.6.         Foreign currency translation

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group's entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the functional currency). For the purpose of the consolidated financial statements, the results and financial position of each Group company are expressed in US Dollars, which is the Group's presentation currency. The functional currency of the Company is the US Dollar.

 

The rates of exchange used to translate balances from other currencies into US Dollars were as follows (currency per US Dollar):

 


As at
31 December 201
6

Average year ended
31 December 201
6

As at
31 December 201
5

Average year ended
31 December 201
5

GB Pounds Sterling (GBP : US$)

0.81

0.74

 

0.68

 

0.65

Russian Rouble (RUB : US$)

60.66

67.18

72.88

61.30

 

In preparing the financial statements of the individual companies, transactions in currencies other than the entity's functional currency (foreign currencies) are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions or valuation where items are remeasured. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at the year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the income statement. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.

 

For the purpose of presenting consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities of the Group's foreign operations which have a functional currency other than US Dollars are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the year, unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly during that year, in which case the exchange rates at the date of transactions are used. Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognised in other comprehensive income and expenses and accumulated in equity, with share attributed to non-controlling interests as appropriate. On the disposal of a foreign operation, all of the accumulated exchange differences in respect of that operation attributable to the shareholders of the Company are reclassified to profit or loss.

 

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation.

 

2.7.         Intangible assets

 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure and mineral rights acquired

Exploration and evaluation expenditure incurred in relation to those projects where such expenditure is considered likely to be recoverable through future extraction activity or sale, or where the exploration activities have not reached a stage which permits a reasonable assessment of the existence of reserves, are capitalised and recorded on the balance sheet within intangible assets for mining projects at the exploration stage.

 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure comprise costs directly attributable to:

 

-      researching and analysing existing exploration data;

-      conducting geological studies, exploratory drilling and sampling;

-      examining and testing extraction and treatment methods;

-      compiling pre-feasibility and feasibility studies; and

-      costs incurred in acquiring mineral rights, the entry premiums paid to gain access to areas of interest and amounts payable to third parties to acquire interests in existing projects.

 

Mineral rights acquired through a business combination or an asset acquisition are capitalised separately from goodwill if the asset is separable or arises from contractual or legal rights and the fair value can be measured reliably on initial recognition.

 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure capitalised and mining rights acquired are subsequently valued at cost less impairment. In circumstances where a project is abandoned, the cumulative capitalised costs related to the project are written off in the period when such decision is made.

 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure capitalised and mining rights within intangible assets are not depreciated. These assets are transferred to mine development costs within property, plant and equipment when a decision is taken to proceed with the development of the project.

 

2.8.         Property, plant and equipment

 

Mine development costs

Development expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the Group is accumulated separately for each area of interest in which economically recoverable resources have been identified. Such expenditure includes costs directly attributable to the construction of a mine and the related infrastructure. Once a development decision has been taken, the carrying amount of the exploration and evaluation expenditure in respect of the area of interest is aggregated with the development expenditure and classified under non-current assets as 'mine development costs'. Mine development costs are reclassified as 'mining assets' at the end of the commissioning phase, when the mine is capable of operating in the manner intended by management.

 

Mine development costs are not depreciated, except for property plant and equipment used in the development of a mine. Such property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis based on estimated useful lives and depreciation is capitalised as part of mine development costs.

 

Mining assets

Mining assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Mining assets include the cost of acquiring and developing mining assets and mineral rights, buildings, vehicles, plant and machinery and other equipment located on mine sites and used in the mining operations.

 

Mining assets, where economic benefits from the asset are consumed in a pattern which is linked to the production level, are depreciated using a units of production method based on the volume of ore reserves. This results in a depreciation charge proportional to the depletion of reserves. The basis for determining ore reserve estimates is set out in note 3.2. Where the mining plan anticipates future capital expenditure to support the mining activity over the life of the mine, the depreciable amount is adjusted for such estimated future expenditure.

 

Certain property, plant and equipment within mining assets are depreciated based on estimated useful lives, if shorter than the remaining life of the mine or if such property, plant and equipment can be moved to another site subsequent to the mine closure.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

Mining assets related to alluvial gold operations are depreciated on a straight-line basis based on estimated useful lives.

 

Non-mining assets

Non-mining assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Non-mining assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis based on estimated useful lives.

 

Capital construction in progress

Capital construction in progress is stated at cost. On completion, the cost of construction is transferred to the appropriate category of property, plant and equipment. Capital construction in progress is not depreciated.

 

Depreciation

Property, plant and equipment are depreciated using a units of production method as set out above or on a straight-line basis based on estimated useful lives. Estimated useful lives normally vary as set out below.

 


Average life

Number of years

Buildings

15-50

Plant and machinery

3-20

Vehicles

5-7

Office equipment

5-10

Computer equipment

3-5

 

Residual values and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date. Changes to the estimated residual values or useful lives are accounted for prospectively.

 

2.9.         Impairment of non-financial assets

Property, plant and equipment and finite life intangible assets are reviewed by management for impairment if there is any indication that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. This applies to the Group's share of the assets held by the joint ventures as well as the assets held by the Group itself.

 

When a review for impairment is conducted, the recoverable amount is assessed by reference to the higher of 'value in use' (being the net present value of expected future cash flows of the relevant cash generating unit) or 'fair value less costs to sell'. Where there is no binding sale agreement or active market, fair value less costs to sell is based on the best information available to reflect the amount the Group could receive for the cash generating unit in an arm's length transaction. Future cash flows are based on:

 

-      estimates of the quantities of the reserves and mineral resources for which there is a high degree of confidence of economic extraction;

-      future production levels;

-      future commodity prices (assuming the current market prices will revert to the Group's assessment of the long-term average price, generally over a period of up to five years); and

-      future cash costs of production, capital expenditure, environment protection, rehabilitation and closure.

 

IAS 36 'Impairment of assets' includes a number of restrictions on the future cash flows that can be recognised in respect of future restructurings and improvement related capital expenditure. When calculating 'value in use', it also requires that calculations should be based on exchange rates current at the time of the assessment.

 

For operations with a functional currency other than the US Dollar, the impairment review is undertaken in the relevant functional currency. These estimates are based on detailed mine plans and operating budgets, modified as appropriate to meet the requirements of IAS 36 'Impairment of assets'.

 

The discount rate applied is based upon a post-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks associated with the relevant cash flows, to the extent that such risks are not reflected in the forecast cash flows.

 

If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is impaired and an impairment loss is charged to the income statement so as to reduce the carrying amount in the balance sheet to its recoverable amount. A previously recognised impairment loss is reversed if the recoverable amount increases as a result of a reversal of the conditions that originally resulted in the impairment. This reversal is recognised in the income statement and is limited to the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised in prior years.

 

2.10.       Deferred stripping costs

In open pit mining operations, removal of overburden and other waste materials, referred to as stripping, is required to obtain access to the ore body.

 

Stripping costs incurred during the development of the mine are capitalised as part of mine development costs and are subsequently depreciated over the life of a mine on a units of production basis.

 

Stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are deferred as part of cost of inventory and are written off to the income statement in the period over which economic benefits related to the stripping activity are realised where this is the most appropriate basis for matching the costs against the related economic benefits.

 

Where, during the production phase, further development of the mine requires a phase of unusually high overburden removal activity that is similar in nature to pre-production mine development, such stripping costs are considered in a manner consistent with stripping costs incurred during the development of the mine before the commercial production commences.

 

In gold alluvial operations, stripping activity is sometimes undertaken in preparation for the next season. Stripping costs are then deferred as part of cost of inventory and are written off to the income statement in the following year to match related production.

 

2.11.       Provisions for close down and restoration costs

Close down and restoration costs include the dismantling and demolition of infrastructure and the removal of residual materials and remediation of disturbed areas. Close down and restoration costs are provided for in the accounting period when the legal or constructive obligation arising from the related disturbance occurs, whether this occurs during the mine development or during the production phase, based on the net present value of estimated future costs. Provisions for close down and restoration costs do not include any additional obligations which are expected to arise from future disturbance. The costs are estimated on the basis of a closure plan. The cost estimates are calculated annually during the life of the operation to reflect known developments and are subject to formal review at regular intervals.

 

The amortisation or unwinding of the discount applied in establishing the net present value of provisions is charged to the income statement in each accounting period. The amortisation of the discount is shown as a financing cost, rather than as an operating cost. Other movements in the provisions for close down and restoration costs, including those resulting from new disturbance, updated cost estimates, changes to the lives of operations and revisions to discount rates are capitalised within property, plant and equipment. These costs are then depreciated over the lives of the assets to which they relate.

 

Where rehabilitation is conducted systematically over the life of the operation, rather than at the time of closure, provision is made for the outstanding continuous rehabilitation work at each balance sheet date. All other costs of continuous rehabilitation are charged to the income statement as incurred.

 

Changes in the measurement of a liability relating to the decommissioning of plant or other site preparation work (that result from changes in the estimated timing or amount of the cash flow or a change in the discount rate), are added to or deducted from the cost of the related asset in the current period. If a decrease in the liability exceeds the carrying amount of the asset, the excess is recognised immediately in the income statement. If the asset value is increased and there is an indication that the revised carrying value is not recoverable, an impairment test is performed in accordance with the accounting policy set out above.

 

2.12.       Financial instruments

Financial instruments recognised in the balance sheet include cash and cash equivalents, other investments, trade and other receivables, borrowings, derivatives, and trade and other payables.

 

Financial instruments are initially measured at fair value when the Group becomes a party to their contractual arrangements. Transaction costs are included in the initial measurement of financial instruments, except financial instruments classified as at fair value through profit or loss. The subsequent measurement of financial instruments is dealt with below.

 

Financial assets

Financial assets are classified into the following specified categories: 'financial assets at fair value through profit or loss', 'held-to-maturity investments', 'available-for-sale financial assets' and 'loans and receivables'. The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the time of initial recognition. Financial assets are recognised at trade-date, the date on which the Group commits to purchase the asset. The Group does not hold any financial assets which meet the definition of 'held-to-maturity investments'.

 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

This category has two sub-categories: financial assets held for trading, and those designated at fair value through profit or loss at inception. A financial asset is classified in this category if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short term or if so designated by management. Derivatives are also categorised as held for trading unless they are designated as hedges. Assets in this category are classified as current if they are either held for trading or are expected to be realised within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

 

Available-for-sale financial assets

Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivative financial assets that are either designated in this category or not classified in any of the other categories. They are included within non-current assets unless the investment matures or management intends to dispose of them within 12 months of the balance sheet date. Available-for-sale financial assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently carried at fair value. Changes in the carrying amount of available-for-sale financial assets are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated under the heading of other reserve in equity. When the investment is disposed of or is determined to be impaired, the cumulative gain or loss previously accumulated in equity is reclassified to the income statement.

 

Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted on an active market. Loans and receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment. Interest income is recognised by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the recognition of interest would be immaterial.

 

Effective interest method

The effective interest rate method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset and of allocating interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset, or where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term, highly liquid investments readily convertible to known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in value and are measured at cost which is deemed to be fair value as they have a short-term maturity.

 

Trade receivables

Trade receivables are measured on initial recognition at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence as a result of a loss event that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. The amount of the impairment is the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate. The impairment is recognised in the income statement.

 

Other investments

Listed investments and unlisted equity investments, other than investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, are classified as available-for-sale financial assets and subsequently measured at fair value. Fair values for unlisted equity investments are estimated using methods reflecting the economic circumstances of the investee. Equity investments for which fair value cannot be measured reliably are recognised at cost less impairment. Changes in the carrying amount of available-for-sale financial assets are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated under within Other reserves in equity. When the investment is disposed of or is determined to be impaired, the cumulative gain or loss previously accumulated in the investments revaluation reserve is reclassified to the income statement as 'gains and losses from investment securities'.

 

Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities, other than derivatives, are measured on initial recognition at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

Borrowings

Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

 

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

 

Derivative financial instruments

In accordance with IAS 39 the fair value of all derivatives is separately recorded on the balance sheet. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date the derivative contracts are entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at the balance sheet date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in the income statement immediately unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in the income statement depends on the nature of the hedge relationship.

 

Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or non-financial host contracts are treated as separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics are not closely related to their host-contract and the host contract is not carried at fair value. Embedded derivatives are recognised at fair value at inception. Any change to the fair value of the embedded derivatives is recognised in other finance gains or losses within the income statement. Embedded derivatives which are settled net are disclosed in line with the maturity of their host contracts.

 

The fair value of embedded derivatives is determined by using market prices where available. In other cases, fair value will be calculated using quotations from independent financial institutions, or by using appropriate valuation techniques.

 

Hedge accounting

The Group designates certain derivative financial instruments as hedging relationships. For the purposes of hedge accounting, hedging relationships may be of three types:

-      Fair value hedges are hedges of particular risks that may change the fair value of a recognised asset or liability;

-      Cash flow hedges are hedges of particular risks that may change the amount or timing of future cash flows; and

-      Hedges of net investment in a foreign entity are hedges of particular risks that may change the carrying value of the net assets of a foreign entity.

 

Currently the Group only has cash flow hedge relationships.

To qualify for hedge accounting the hedging relationship must meet several strict conditions on documentation, probability of occurrence, hedge effectiveness and reliability of measurement. If these conditions are not met, then the relationship does not qualify for hedge accounting. In this case the hedging instrument and the hedged item are reported independently as if there were no hedging relationship.

The effective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognised in other comprehensive income. The fair value gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

 

Amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in hedging reserve in equity are reclassified to profit or loss in the periods when the hedged item is recognised in profit or loss, in the same line of the income statement as the recognised hedged item.

 

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the Group revokes the hedging relationship, the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. Any gain or loss recognised in other comprehensive income at that time is accumulated in equity and is reclassified to profit or loss when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognised in profit or loss. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the gain or loss accumulated in equity is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

 

Trade payables

Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

 

Equity instruments

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

 

Impairment of financial assets

The Group assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. In the case of equity securities classified as available-for-sale, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost is considered in determining whether the securities are impaired. If any such evidence exists for available-for-sale financial assets, the cumulative loss - measured as the difference between the acquisition cost and the current fair value, less any impairment loss on that financial asset previously recognised in profit or loss - is removed from equity and recognised in the income statement. Impairment losses recognised in the income statement on equity instruments are not reversed.

 

2.13.       Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation, whether legal or constructive, as a result of a past event for which it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

 

Provisions are measured at the present value of management's best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the balance sheet date. The discount rate used to determine the present value reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability.

 

2.14.       Inventories

Inventories include the following major categories:

 

-      stores and spares represent raw materials consumed in the production process as well as spare parts and other maintenance supplies. 

-      construction materials represent materials for use in capital construction and mine development.

-      ore in stockpiles represent material that, at the time of extraction, is expected to be processed into a saleable form and sold at a profit. Ore in stockpiles is valued at the average cost per tonne of mining and stockpiling the ore. Quantities of ore in stockpiles ore are assessed through surveys and assays. Ore in stockpiles is classified between current and non-current inventory based on the expected processing schedule in accordance with the Group's mining plan.

-      work in progress inventory primarily represents gold in processing circuit that has not completed the production process. Work in progress inventory is valued at the average production costs.

-      deferred stripping costs are included in inventories where appropriate, as set out in note 2.10.

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, with cost being determined primarily on a weighted average cost basis.

 

Provisions are recorded to reduce ore in stockpiles, work in process and finished goods inventory to net realisable value where the net realisable value is lower than relevant inventory cost at the balance sheet date. Net realisable value is determined with reference to relevant market prices less estimated costs to complete production and bring the inventory into its saleable form. Provisions are also recorded to reduce mine operating supplies to net realisable value, which is generally determined with reference to salvage or scrap value, when it is determined that the supplies are obsolete. Provisions are reversed to reflect subsequent recoveries in net realisable value where the inventory is still on hand at the balance sheet date.

 

2.15.       Leases

Leases where the lessor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

 

2.16.       Revenue recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, stated at the invoiced value net of discounts and value added tax.

 

Sales of gold and silver

The majority of the Group's revenue is derived from the sale of refined gold and silver, the latter being a by-product of gold production. Revenue from the sale of gold and silver is recognised when:

-      the risks and rewards of ownership as specified in individual contracts are transferred to the buyer;

-      the Group retains neither a continuing involvement nor control over the goods sold;

-      the amount of revenue can be measured reliably; and

-      it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Group.

 

Other revenue

Other revenue is recognised as follows:

-      Engineering and construction contracts: When the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, revenue and costs are recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the balance sheet date. When the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognised to the extent of contract costs incurred where it is probable they will be recoverable. When it is probable that contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised as an expense immediately.

-      Revenue from sales of goods is recognised when the goods are delivered to the buyer and the risks and benefits associated with ownership are transferred to the buyer.

-      Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease

 

2.17.       Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs are generally expensed as incurred except where they relate to the financing of acquisition, construction or development of qualifying assets, which are mining projects under development that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get prepared for their intended use. Such borrowing costs are capitalised and added to mine development costs of the mining project when the decision is made to proceed with the development of the project and until such time when the project is substantially ready for its intended use (which is when commercial production is ready to commence) or if active development is suspended or ceases.

 

To the extent that funds are borrowed to finance a specific mining project, borrowing costs capitalised represent the actual borrowing costs incurred. To the extent that funds are borrowed for the general purpose, borrowing costs capitalised are determined by applying the interest rate applicable to appropriate borrowings outstanding during the period to the average amount of capital expenditure incurred to develop the relevant mining project during the period.

 

2.18.       Taxation

Tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the income statement, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in the statement of comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognised in the statement of comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

 

Current tax is the tax expected to be payable on the taxable income for the year calculated using rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. It includes adjustments for tax expected to be payable or recoverable in respect of previous periods.

 

Full provision is made for deferred taxation on all temporary differences existing at the balance sheet date with certain limited exceptions. Temporary differences are the difference between the carrying value of an asset or liability and its tax base. The main exceptions to this principle are as follows:

 

-      tax payable on the future remittance of the past earnings of subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities is provided for except where the Company is able to control the remittance of profits and it is probable that there will be no remittance in the foreseeable future;

-      deferred tax is not provided on the initial recognition of goodwill or from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that does not affect accounting profit or taxable profit and is not a business combination, such as on the recognition of a provision for close down and restoration costs and the related asset or on the inception of finance lease; and

-      deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is more likely than not that they will be recovered.

 

Deferred tax is provided in respect of fair value adjustments on acquisitions. These adjustments may relate to assets such as mining rights that, in general, are not eligible for income tax allowances. In such cases, the provision for deferred tax is based on the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its nil income tax base.

 

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised using tax rates that have been enacted, or substantively enacted. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt within equity.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set-off current tax assets against current tax liabilities, when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

 

3. Areas of judgement in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

 

When preparing the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the accounting policies as set out in note 2, management necessarily makes judgements and estimates that can have a significant impact on the financial statements. These judgements and estimates are based on management's best knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances and previous experience. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

 

3.1.         Critical accounting judgements

 

Taxation

The Group is subject to income tax in the UK, Russian Federation and Cyprus. Assessing the outcome of uncertain tax positions requires judgements to be made. The Group recognises liabilities for anticipated tax issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due, such estimates are based on the status of ongoing discussions with the relevant tax authorities and advice from independent tax advisers. Details of tax charge for the year are set out in note 10.

 

Deferred tax assets, including those arising from tax losses carried forward for the future tax periods, capital losses and temporary differences, are recognised only where it is considered more likely than not that they will be recovered. The likelihood of such recoverability is dependent on the generation of sufficient future taxable profits which a relevant deferred tax asset can be utilised to offset.

 

Assumptions about the generation of future taxable profits depend on management's estimates of future cash flows. Judgements are also required about the application of income tax legislation. These judgements and assumptions are subject to risk and uncertainty and there is a possibility that changes in circumstances will alter expectations, which may impact the amount of deferred tax assets recognised on the balance sheet and the amount of other tax losses and temporary differences not yet recognised. In such circumstances, the carrying amount of recognised deferred tax assets may require adjustment, resulting in a corresponding charge or credit to the income statement.

 

Details of deferred tax disclosures out in note 21.

               

3.2.         Key sources of estimation uncertainty

 

Ore reserve estimates

The Group estimates its ore reserves and mineral resources based on the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code) and the internally used Russian Classification System, adjusted to conform with the mining activity to be undertaken under the Group mining plan. Both the JORC Code and the Russian Classification System require the use of reasonable investment assumptions when reporting reserves, including future production estimates, expected future commodity prices and production cash costs.

 

Ore reserve estimates are used in the calculation of depreciation of mining assets using a units of production method (note 13), impairment charges (note 6) and for forecasting the timing of the payment of close down and restoration costs (note 22). Also, for the purposes of impairment reviews and the assessment of life of mine for forecasting the timing of the payment of close down and restoration costs, the Group may take into account mineral resources in addition to ore reserves where there is a high degree of confidence that such resources will be extracted. 

 

Ore reserve estimates may change from period to period as additional geological data becomes available during the course of operations or economic assumptions used to estimate reserves change. Such changes in estimated reserves may affect the Group's financial results and financial position in a number of ways, including the following:

 

-      asset carrying values due to changes in estimated future cash flows (note 6);

-      depreciation charged in the income statement where such charges are determined by using a units of production method or where the useful economic lives of assets are determined with reference to the life of the mine;

-      provisions for close down and restoration costs where changes in estimated reserves affect expectations about the timing of the payment of such costs (note 22); and

-      carrying value of deferred tax assets and liabilities (note 21) where changes in estimated reserves affect the carrying value of the relevant assets and liabilities. 

 

Exploration and evaluation costs

The Group's accounting policy for exploration and evaluation expenditure results in exploration and evaluation expenditure being capitalised for those projects where such expenditure is considered likely to be recoverable through future extraction activity or sale or where the exploration activities have not reached a stage which permits a reasonable assessment of the existence of reserves. This policy requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions as to future events and circumstances, in particular whether the Group will proceed with development based on existence of reserves or whether an economically viable extraction operation can be established. Such estimates and assumptions may change from period to period as new information becomes available. If, subsequent to the exploration and evaluation expenditure being capitalised, a judgement is made that recovery of the expenditure is unlikely or the project is to be abandoned, the relevant capitalised amount will be written off to the income statement. Details of exploration and evaluation assets are set out in note 12.

 

Deferred stripping costs

The calculation of deferred stripping costs requires the use of estimates to assess the improved access to the ore to be mined in future periods. Changes to the Group's mining plan and pit design may result in changes to the timing of realisation of the stripping activity. As a result, there could be significant adjustments to the amounts of deferred stripping costs capitalised and their classification between current and non-current assets. Details of deferred stripping costs capitalised are set out in note 15.

 

Impairment and impairment reversals

The Group reviews the carrying values of its tangible and exploration and evaluation assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets are impaired.

 

The recoverable amount of an asset, or cash-generating unit ('CGU'), is measured as the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use.

 

Management necessarily apply their judgement in allocating assets to CGUs as well as in making assumptions to be applied within the value in use calculation. The key assumptions which formed the basis of forecasting future cash flows and the value in use calculation are set out in note 6.

 

Subsequent changes to CGU allocation or estimates and assumptions in the value in use calculation could impact the carrying value of the respective assets. The impairment assessments are sensitive to changes in commodity prices and discount rates. Changes to these assumptions would result in changes to impairment and/or impairment reversal conclusions, which could have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements. Details of impairment and/or impairment reversals are set out in note 6.

 

Close down and restoration costs

Costs associated with restoration and rehabilitation of mining sites are typical for extractive industries and are normally incurred at the end of the life of the mine. Provision is recognised for each mining site for such costs discounted to their net present value, as soon as the obligation to incur such costs arises. The costs are estimated on the basis of the scope of site restoration and rehabilitation activity in accordance with the mine closure plan and represent management's best estimate of the expenditure that will be incurred. Estimates are reviewed annually as new information becomes available.

 

The initial provision for close down and restoration costs together with other movements in the provision, including those resulting from updated cost estimates, changes to the estimated lives of the mines, and revisions to discount rates are capitalised within 'mine development costs' or 'mining assets' of property, plant and equipment. Capitalised costs are depreciated over the life of the mine they relate to and the provision is increased each period via unwinding the discount on the provision. Changes to the estimated future costs are recognised in the balance sheet by adjusting both the asset and the provision.

 

The actual costs may be different from those estimated due to changes in relevant laws and regulations, changes in prices as well as changes to the restoration techniques. The actual timing of cash outflows may be also different from those estimated due to changes in the life of the mine as a result of changes in ore reserves or processing levels. As a result, there could be significant adjustments to the provision for close down and restoration costs established which would affect future financial results.

 

Details of provision for close down and restoration costs are set out in note 22.

 

4.         Segment information

 

The Group's reportable segments under IFRS 8, which are aligned with its operating locations, were determined to be Pokrovskiy, Pioneer, Malomir and Albyn hard-rock gold mines which are engaged in gold and silver production as well as field exploration and mine development.

 

Alluvial operations segment comprised an alluvial gold operation which was engaged in gold production and field exploration. This operation was disposed of on 22 April 2015 and, accordingly, alluvial operations are no longer a reportable segment. 

 

Corporate and Other segment amalgamates corporate administration, in-house geological exploration and construction and engineering expertise, engineering and scientific operations and other supporting in-house functions as well as various gold projects and other activities that do not meet the reportable segment criteria.

 

Reportable operating segments are based on the internal reports provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker ('CODM') to evaluate segment performance, decide how to allocate resources and make other operating decisions and reflect the way the Group's businesses are managed and reported.

 

The financial performance of the segments is principally evaluated with reference to operating profit less foreign exchange impacts.

 

 

2016

Pioneer

Pokrovskiy

Malomir

Albyn

Corporate

and other

Consolidated


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$' 000

Revenue







Gold (a)

163,514

46,692

67,107

211,155

-

488,468

Silver

958

275

101

207

-

1,541

Other external revenue

-

-

-

-

50,675

50,675

Inter-segment revenue

-                        

-

1,233

390

101,032

102,655

Intra-group eliminations

                     -  

-

           (1,233)

               (390)

       (101,032)

       (102,655)

Total Group revenue from external customers

164,472

46,967

67,208

211,362

50,675

540,684








Operating expenses and income







Operating cash costs

          (85,273)

          (33,777)

          (45,243)

        (100,979)

          (48,995)

        (314,267)

Depreciation

          (38,776)

            (6,586)

        (13,632)

         (45,729)

               (529)

        (105,252)

Central administration expenses

-

-

-

-

          (32,623)

          (32,623)

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

-

-

-

(9,155)

-

(9,155)

(Impairment/)reversal of impairment of ore stockpiles

            (6,110)

           (1,002)

              5,826

                123

                     -  

            (1,163)

Gain on disposal of non-trading loans

-

-

-

-

             6,724

              6,724

Gain on disposal of subsidiaries

-

-

-

-

                791

                 791

Total operating expenses (b)

        (130,159)

         (41,365)

         (53,049)

       (155,740)

          (74,632)

        (454,945)








Share of results of associates

-

-

-

-

(3,581)

(3,581)

Segment result

34,313

5,602

            14,159

            55,622

 (27,538)

82,158







          

Foreign exchange losses






(5,158)

Operating profit






77,000

Investment income






556

Interest expense






          (60,976)

Other finance gains






11,976

Other finance losses






(1,548)

Taxation






4,698

Profit for the period from continuing operations






                31,706















Segment assets

444,611

19,724

          402,878

          390,646

124,665

1,382,524

Segment liabilities

 (13,387)

(4,034)

 (8,963)

 (15,975)

 (45,033)

 (87,392)

Deferred tax - net






 (139,728)

Unallocated cash






4,843

Loans given






598

Borrowings






 (611,212)

Net assets






549,633








Other segment information







Additions to non-current assets:







Exploration and evaluation expenditure capitalised  within intangible assets

                 2,219

-

                838

              4,082

                   217

                 7,356

Other additions to intangible assets

                      -  

-

                  -  

                  -  

                     -  

                      -  

Capital expenditure

14,052

96

              2,765

              7,488

1,380

25,781

Other items capitalised (c)

349

177

                389

1,262

                     -  

2,177








Average number of employees

1,658

964

                926

              1,450

3,066

8,064

 

(a)    Including US$(8.5) million net cash settlement paid by the Group under the cash flow hedge.

(b)    Operating expenses less foreign exchange losses (note 6).

(c)    Close down and restoration costs (note 13).  

 

 

2015

Pioneer

Pokrovskiy

Malomir

Albyn

Alluvial

operations

Corporate

and other

Consolidated


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$' 000

Revenue








Gold (d)

253,914

61,002

71,044

181,687

-

-

567,647

Silver

641

168

84

149

-

-

1,042

Other external revenue

-

-

-

-

-

31,225

31,225

Inter-segment revenue

-

-

1,284

433

-

130,042

131,759

Intra-group eliminations

-

-

(1,284)

(433)

-

(130,042)

(131,759)

Total Group revenue from external customers

254,555

61,170

71,128

181,836

-

31,225

599,914









Operating expenses and income








Operating cash costs

(135,926)

 (45,082)

(65,434)

 (115,314)

1,006

 (32,159)

 (392,909)

Depreciation

(45,864)

 (12,344)

(18,195)

 (50,819)

 (1,388)

 (494)

 (129,104)

Central administration expenses

-

-

-

-

-

(30,419)

 (30,419)

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

-

(2,324)

(140)

-

-

(34,978)

(37,442)

Impairment of ore stockpiles

 (11,945)

884

 (6,065)

 (299)

-

-

 (17,425)

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries

-

-

-

-

(384)

-

(384)

Total operating expenses (e)

(193,735)

(58,866)

(89,834)

 (166,432)

(766)

(98,050)

(607,683)









Share of net profit of associates

-

-

-

-

-

(60,422)

 (60,422)

Segment result

60,820

 2,304

(18,706)

15,404

(766)

(127,247)

(68,191)









Foreign exchange losses







(11,952)

Operating loss







(80,143)

Investment income







1,018

Interest expense







(71,514)

Other finance gains







9,064

Taxation







(48,879)

Loss for the period from continuing operations







(190,454)

















Segment assets

 407,004

 40,357

 425,029

447,161

 -

130,690

1,450,241

Segment liabilities

 (21,005)

(6,632)

(10,136)

 (36,459)

 -

(58,951)

 (133,183)

Deferred tax - net







(173,499)

Unallocated cash







5,193

Loans given







499

Borrowings







(638,278)

Net assets







510,973









Other segment information








Additions to non-current assets:








Exploration and evaluation expenditure capitalised  within intangible assets

 450

 44

3,711

3,441

 -

 1,530

 9,176

Other additions to intangible assets

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Capital expenditure

15,171

816

4,520

9,611

 -

 962

31,080

Other items capitalised (f)

 (1,350)

(61)

(836)

 (1,999)

 -

 -

(4,246)









Average number of employees

1,760

989

 937

1,510

 -

 3,273

 8,469

 

(d)    Including US$9.4 million contribution from the cash flow hedge.

(e)    Operating expenses less foreign exchange losses (note 6).

(f)     Close down and restoration costs (note 13).

 

Entity wide disclosures

 

Revenue by geographical location (a)


2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

Russia and CIS

            540,606  

599,686

Other

                 78  

228

  

       540,684  

599,914

(a)   Based on the location to which the product is shipped or in which the services are provided.

 

Non-current assets by location of asset (b)


2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

Russia

1,091,541

1,199,941

Other

43

64

  

         1,091,584  

1,200,005

(b)   Excluding financial instruments and deferred tax assets.

 

 

Information about major customers

During the years ended 31 December 2016 and 2015, the Group generated revenues from the sales of gold to Russian banks for Russian domestic sales of gold. Included in gold sales revenue for the year ended 31 December 2016 are revenues of US$488  million which arose from sales of gold to two banks that individually accounted for more than 10% of the Group's revenue, namely US$292 million to Sberbank of Russia and US$197 million to VTB (2015: US$571 million which arose from sales of gold to two banks that individually accounted for more than 10% of the Group's revenue, namely US$366 million to Sberbank of Russia and US$205  million to VTB). The proportion of Group revenue of each bank may vary from year to year depending on commercial terms agreed with each bank. Management considers there is no major customer concentration risk due to high liquidity inherent to gold as a commodity.

 

 

5.         Revenue

 

Continuing operations

 

 

2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

Sales of goods

522,491

585,643

Engineering and construction contracts

17,531

13,515

Rental income

662

756

  

540,684

599,914

Investment income

556

1,018

  

541,240

600,932

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

2016

Period to

7 August 2015


US$'000

US$'000

Sales of goods

-

49,180

Engineering contracts

-

1,102

  


50,282

Investment income

-

1,163

  


51,445

 

 

6.         Operating expenses and income

 


2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

Net operating expenses (a)

419,519

522,013

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

9,155

37,442

Impairment of ore stockpiles (a)

1,163

17,425

Central administration expenses (a)

32,623

30,419

Foreign exchange losses

5,158

11,952

Gain on disposal of non-trading loans

(6,724)

-

(Gain)/loss on disposal of subsidiaries (b)

(791)

384


                460,103

619,635

 

(a)  As set out below.

(b)  Note 27.

 

Net operating expenses

 


2016


2015


US$'000


US$'000

Depreciation

105,252


129,104

Staff costs

63,022


70,632

Materials

100,638


131,914

Fuel

40,621


55,835

External services

25,619


29,004

Mining tax

14,713


33,138

Electricity

23,305


25,008

Smelting and transportation costs

699


1,079

Movement in ore stockpiles, deferred stripping, work in progress and bullion in process attributable to gold production

(22,475)


 (11,777)

Taxes other than income

6,352


7,928

Insurance

6,409


7,244

Professional fees

877


554

Office costs

324


304

Operating lease rentals

3,173


645

Business travel expenses

1,434


1,541

Provision for impairment of trade and other receivables

282


1,261

Bank charges

205


855

Goods for resale

24,186


12,816

Other operating expenses

25,231


24,514

Other (income) / expenses

(348)


414


419,519


522,013

 

Central administration expenses

 


2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

Staff costs

17,067

18,908

Professional fees

8,214

2,040

Insurance

789

1,191

Operating lease rentals

1,893

1,900

Business travel expenses

881

1,611

Office costs

489

544

Other

3,290

4,225


32,623

30,419

 

Impairment charges

 

Impairment of mining assets and exploration and evaluation assets

 

The Group undertook an impairment review of the tangible assets attributable to its gold mining projects, exploration assets adjacent to the existing mines and supporting in-house service companies and concluded no impairment was required as at 31 December 2016, with exception of an individual licence impairment referred to below.

 

The forecast future cash flows are based on the Group's mining plan that assumes POX Hub completion in the year 2018. The other key assumptions which formed the basis of forecasting future cash flows and the value in use calculation are set out below:

 


Year ended

31 December 2016

Year ended

31 December 2015

Long-term gold price

US$1,200/oz

US$1,150/oz

Discount rate (a)

8%

8%

RUB/US$ exchange rate

RUB60.0/US$

RUB65.0/US$

(a) Being the post-tax real weighted average cost of capital, equivalent to a nominal pre-tax discount rate of 10.1% (2015: 10.1%)

 

 

Following the decision to suspend exploration on the Kharginskoye ore field, an immediate extension of the Albyn deposit, and to surrender the license, a US$9.2 million impairment charges were recorded against associated exploration and evaluation costs previously capitalised within exploration and evaluation assets.  

 

As at 31 December 2016, all exploration and evaluation assets on the balance sheet related to the areas adjacent to the existing mines.

 

 

Impairment of ore stockpiles

 

The Group assessed the recoverability of the carrying value of ore stockpiles and recorded impairment charges/reversals of impairment as set out below:


Year ended 31 December 2016


Year ended 31 December 2015

 

 

Pre-tax impairment charge/

(reversal of impairment)

Taxation

Post-tax impairment charge/

(reversal of impairment)


Pre-tax impairment charge/

(reversal of impairment)

Taxation

Post-tax impairment charge/

(reversal of impairment)


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Pokrovskiy

1,002

 (200)

802


(884)

177

(707)

Pioneer

6,110

 (1,223)

4,887


11,945

(2,390)

9,555

Malomir

 (5,826)

1,165

 (4,661)


6,065

(1,213)

4,852

Albyn

 (123)

25

 (98)


299

(60)

239


1,163

 (233)

930


17,425

(3,486)

13,939

 

 

7.         Auditor's remuneration                   

                                                                                                                   

The Group, including its overseas subsidiaries, obtained the following services from the Company's auditor and their associates:

 


2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

Audit fees and related fees



Fees payable to the Company's auditor for the annual audit of the parent company and consolidated financial statements

577

 

611

Fees payable to the Company's auditor and their associates for other services to the Group:



For the audit of the Company's subsidiaries as part of the audit of the consolidated financial statements

285

 

269

For the audit of subsidiary statutory accounts pursuant to legislation (a)

55

77


917

957

Non-audit fees



Other services pursuant to legislation - interim review

185

342

Fees for reporting accountants services (b)

1,153

231

Tax services

-

45


1,338

618

 

(a)   Including the statutory audit of subsidiaries in the UK and Cyprus.

(b)    Fees payable in relation to the Proposed Acquisition announced on 28 April 2016 (2015: Fees payable in relation to the Refinancing).

 

8.         Staff costs

 

Continuing operations



2016

2015



US$'000

US$'000

Wages and salaries


61,996

69,806

Social security costs


17,732

19,235

Pension costs


221

219

Share-based compensation


140

280



80,089

89,540





Average number of employees


8,064

8,469

 

 

Discontinued operations



 

2016

Period to

7 August 2015



US$'000

US$'000

Wages and salaries


-

12,613

Social security costs


-

3,287

Pension costs


-

158

Share-based compensation


-

17



-

16,075





Average number of employees


-

1,752

 

9.         Financial income and expenses


 


2016


2015


US$'000


US$'000

Investment income




Interest income

556


1,018


556


1,018

Interest expense




Interest on bank loans

(48,934)


(57,731)

Interest on convertible bonds

(11,867)


(13,570)


(60,801)


(71,301)

Unwinding of discount on environmental obligation

(175)


(213)


(60,976)


(71,514)

Other finance gains




Gain on settlement of the Existing Bonds

-


478

Fair value gain on derivative financial instruments (a)

7,434


6,417

Financial guarantee fee (b)

4,542


2,169


11,976


9,064

Other finance losses




Loss on bank debt refinancing (c)

(1,548)


-


(1,548)


-

 

(a)     Result from re-measurement of the conversion option of the New Bonds to fair value (note 20).

(b)     Note 26.

(c)     Note 20.

 

10.      Taxation

 



 


2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

Current tax



Russian current tax

29,788  

31,752


29,788  

31,752

Deferred tax



(Reversal)/origination of timing differences (a)

                  (34,486)  

 

17,127

Total tax (credit)/charge

 (4,698)

48,879

 

(a)   Including effect of foreign exchange movements in respect of deductible temporary differences of US$(26.0) million (year ended 31 December 2015: US$40.3 million) which primarily arises as the tax base for a significant portion of the future taxable deductions in relation to the Group's property, plant and equipment are denominated in Russian Rouble whilst the future depreciation charges associated with these assets will be based on their US Dollar carrying value and reflects the movements in the Russian Rouble to the US Dollar exchange rate.

 

The charge for the year can be reconciled to the loss before tax per the income statement as follows:

 


2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

Profit/(loss) before tax from continuing operations

27,008

(141,575)

Less: share of results of associates

3,581

60,422

Profit/(loss) before tax from continuing operations (excluding associates)

30,589

(81,153)




Tax on profit/loss from continuing operations (excluding associates) at the Russian corporation tax rate of 20% (2015: 20%)

6,118

 

(16,231)

Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions

36

(1,446)

Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes

1,765

9,674

Tax effect of tax losses for which no deferred income tax asset was recognised (b)

14,778

26,583

Utilisation of previously unrecognised tax losses

 (2,574)

(767)

Foreign exchange movements in respect of deductible temporary differences (c)

 (26,025)

40,305

Other adjustments

1,204

(9,239)

Tax (credit)/charge for the period

(4,698)

48,879

 

(b)   Primarily relate to central administration expenses and interest expense incurred in the UK.

(c)   Foreign exchange movements arise as the tax base for a significant portion of the future taxable deductions in relation to the Group's property, plant and equipment are denominated in Russian Rouble whilst the future depreciation charges associated with these assets will be based on their US Dollar carrying value and reflects the movements in the Russian Rouble to the US Dollar exchange rate.

 

Tax legislation is subject to varying interpretations. In addition, there is a risk of tax authorities making arbitrary judgements of business activities. If a particular treatment, based on management's judgement of the Group's business activities, was to be challenged by the tax authorities, the Group may be subject to tax claims and exposures. The Directors do not anticipate that these exposures will have a material adverse effect upon the Group's financial position.

 

11.      Earnings per share

 


2016

US$'000

2015

US$'000

Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to equity holders of Petropavlovsk PLC

33,719

(238,759)

From continuing operations

33,719

(190,155)

From discontinued operations

-

(48,604)

Interest expense on convertible bonds, net of tax (a)

-

-

Profit/(loss)  used to determine diluted earnings per share

33,719

(238,759)

From continuing operations

33,719

(190,155)

From discontinued operations

-

(48,604)


 

No of shares

 

No of shares

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares

3,302,148,536

2,657,332,030

Adjustments for dilutive potential Ordinary Shares (a)

-

-(b)

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares for diluted earnings per share

3,302,148,536

2,657,332,030


US$

US$

Basic profit/(loss) per share

0.01

(0.09)

From continuing operations

0.01

(0.07)

From discontinued operations

-

(0.02)




Diluted profit/(loss) per share

0.01

(0.09)

From continuing operations

0.01

(0.07)

From discontinued operations

-

(0.02)

 

(a)   Convertible bonds which could potentially dilute basic profit/(loss) per ordinary share in the future are not included in the calculation of diluted profit/(loss)  per share because they were anti-dilutive for the year ended 31 December 2016 and 2015.

 

(b)   The Group had a potentially dilutive option issued to International Finance Corporation ('IFC') to subscribe for 1,067,273 Ordinary Shares (note 23) which was anti-dilutive and therefore was not included in the calculation of diluted loss per share for the year ended 31 December 2015.

 

12.      Exploration and evaluation assets

 

 



Visokoe

Flanks of Pokrovskiy

Flanks of

Albyn

 

Other (a)

 

Total



US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

At 1 January 2016


16,251

2,287

39,080

11,375

68,993

Additions


213

2,285

4,082

776

7,356

Impairment (b)


-

-

(9,155)

-

(9,155)

Reallocation and other transfers


-

(269)

(58)

(3)

(330)

Disposal of subsidiary (c)


(16,464)

-

(16,464)

Disposal


-

(1,130)

(1,130)

At 31 December 2016


-

3,173

33,949

12,148

49,270

 

(a)   Represent amounts capitalised in respect of a number of projects in the Amur Region.

(b)   Note 6.

(c)   Note 27.

 

 




Visokoe

Flanks of Pokrovskiy

Flanks of

Albyn

 

Other (d)

 

Total




US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

At 1 January 2015



48,293

4,385

35,639

9,216

97,533

Additions



458

500

3,441

4,777

9,176

Impairment (e)



(32,500)

(2,324)

-

(2,618)

(37,442)

Reallocation and other transfers



-

(274)

-

-

(274)

At 31 December 2015



16,251

2,287

39,080

11,375

68,993

 

(d)   Represent amounts capitalised in respect of a number of projects in the Amur Region and Guyana.

(e)   Note 6.

 

13.      Property, plant and equipment

 


Mining

assets

Non-mining assets

Capital construction in progress (b)

Total


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Cost





At 1 January 2015

1,846,753

206,171

338,564

2,391,488

Additions

20,203

1,012

9,865

31,080

Close down and restoration cost capitalised (note 22)

(4,246)

-

-

(4,246)

Transfers from capital construction in progress (a) 

5,779

961

(6,740)

-

Disposals

(7,091)

(4,633)

(56)

(11,780)

Reallocation and other transfers

493

(141)

(46)

306

Foreign exchange differences

-

(5,672)

-

(5,672)

At 31 December 2015

1,861,891

197,698

341,587

2,401,176

Additions

19,470

885

5,426

25,781

Close down and restoration cost capitalised (note 22)

2,177

-

-

2,177

Transfers from capital construction in progress (a) 

2,523

159

(2,682)

-

Disposals

(19,645)

(6,235)

(77)

(25,957)

Disposal of subsidiaries

(919)

(2,052)

(2,436)

(5,407)

Reallocation and other transfers

9,844

(808)

(8,856)

180

Foreign exchange differences

3,907

3,907

At 31 December 2016

1,875,341

193,554

332,962

2,401,857






Accumulated depreciation and impairment





At 1 January 2015

1,066,050

175,923

6,483

1,248,456

Charge for the year

122,328

6,165

-

128,493

Disposals

(5,680)

(4,183)

-

(9,863)

Reallocation and other transfers

276

28

1

305

Foreign exchange differences

-

(4,558)

-

(4,558)

At 31 December 2015

1,182,974

173,375

6,484

1,362,833

Charge for the year

100,934

5,034

-

105,968

Disposals

(16,748)

(6,036)

-

(22,784)

Disposal of subsidiaries

(1,127)

(1,127)

Reallocation and other transfers

662

(662)

-

-

Foreign exchange differences

-

3,173

-

3,173

At 31 December 2016

1,267,822

173,757

6,484

1,448,063

Net book value





At 31 December 2015 (c)

678,917

24,323

335,103

1,038,343

At 31 December 2016 (c)

607,519

19,797

326,478

953,794

 

 

(a)  Being costs primarily associated with continuous development of Malomir, Albyn and Pioneer projects.

(b)  Including US$200.3 million costs associated with the POX Hub project (31 December 2015: US$197.4 million)

(c)  Property, plant and equipment with a net book value of US$110.0million (31 December 2015: US$125.6 million) have been pledged to secure borrowings of the Group.

 

 

14.      Investments in associates

 

 

 



2016

2015




US$'000

US$'000

IRC Limited ('IRC')



36,140

39,163

JSC Verkhnetisskaya Ore Mining Company (a)



-

231




36,140

39,394

 

(a)   On 27 May 2016 the Group sold its 49% interest in CJSC Verkhnetisskaya Ore Mining Company (note 27).

                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

Summarised financial information for those associates that are material to the Group is set out below.

 


IRC

IRC


 Year ended

31 December 2016

 Year ended

31 December 2015


US$'000

US$'000

Non-current assets



Exploration and evaluation assets

6,966

6,717

Property, plant and equipment

246,191  

199,714

Prepayments for property, plant and equipment

87,499  

88,859

Other non-current assets

4,773  

2,277


345,429  

297,567

Current assets



Cash and cash equivalents

31,342  

56,144

Other current assets

44,184  

55,038


75,526  

111,182

Current liabilities



Borrowings (a)

66,147  

53,050

Other current liabilities

21,414

18,398


87,561  

71,448

Non-current liabilities



Borrowings (a)

177,239  

215,238

Other non-current liabilities

34,431 

12,773


211,670  

228,011

Net assets

121,724  

109,290

 

(a)   On 6 December 2010, KS GOK LLC ('K&S'), a subsidiary of IRC, entered into a US$400 million Engineering Procurement and Construction Contract with China National Electric Engineering Corporation for the construction of the Group's mining operations at K&S. On 13 December 2010, K&S entered into a project finance facility agreement with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited ('ICBC') (the 'ICBC Facility Agreement') pursuant to which ICBC would lend US$340 million to K&S to be used to fund the construction of the Group's mining operations at K&S in time for the start of major construction works in early 2011. Interest under the facility was charged at 2.80% above London Interbank Offering rate ('LIBOR') per annum. The facility is guaranteed by the Company (note 26) and originally was repayable semi-annually in 16 instalments US$21.25 million each, starting from December 2014 and is fully repayable by June 2022. ICBC has agreed to restructure two repayment instalments originally due for payment on 20 June 2017 and 20 December 2017 in an aggregate amount of US$42.5 million evenly into five  subsequent semi-annual repayment instalments as such each of the repayment instalment due on 20 June 2018, 20 December 2018, 20 June 2019, 20 December 2019 and 20 June 2020 is increased by US$8.5 million to an amount equal to US$42.5 million. The outstanding loan principal was US$233.75 million as at 31 December 2016 (31 December 2015: US$276.25 million).The loan is carried at amortised cost with effective interest rate at 6.13% per annum (2015: 5.91%). As at 31 December 2015, US$2.1 million was deposited in a debt service reserve accounts ('DSRA') with ICBC under a security deposit agreement related to the ICBC Facility Agreement. In January 2016, IRC placed US$28.3 million in order to replenish the DSRA level pursuant to the security deposit agreement. In accordance with the waiver and consent letter dated 19 April 2016, which conditions precedent were satisfied on 21 June 2016, ICBC waived the restriction on withdrawing from the DSRA for the repayment of the ICBC loan and related interest and the requirement of IRC to maintain the DSRA until 30 June 2018. Accordingly, balance of US$1.98 million remained in the DSRA as at 31 December 2016 without replenishment. ICBC Facility Agreement contains certain financial covenants to which ICBC has agreed to grant a waiver until 31 December 2017, inclusive. As at 30 June 2016, The Group's entire 31.1% ownership in the issued capital of IRC was pledged to ICBC as security for the obligations of the Company as guarantor and in consideration for the waiver of financial covenants under the ICBC facility (31 December 2015: 521,376,470 ordinary shares (approximately 8.47%) in the issued capital of IRC were pledged to ICBC).

 

 


 

IRC

IRC


Year ended

31 December 2016

US$'000

Period from

 7 August to 31 December 2015
US$'000

Revenue

                     16,467

31,627

Net operating expenses

 (34,503)

(199,081)

including



Depreciation

(1,155)  

(371)

Impairment of mining assets

                            -    

(138,623)

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets

                            -    

(4,475)

Impairment of ore stockpiles

 (841)  

(7,492)

Impairment of investments in joint ventures

(47)  

(5,895)

Foreign exchange losses

(3,440)  

(1,075)

Investment income

                           413

295

Interest expense

(1,189)

(683)

Taxation

                       (315)

(774)

Loss for the period 

 (19,127)

(168,616)

Other comprehensive profit/(loss)

                     1,555  

(1,740)

Total comprehensive loss

 (17,572)

(170,356)

 

 

Following issue of shares by IRC in December 2016 and dilution of Group's interest in IRC (note 35), the Group recognised US$3.3 million gain on deemed disposal on 4.73% interest in IRC.

 

 

15.      Inventories

 




2016

2015




US$'000

US$'000

Current





Construction materials



5,072

6,952

Stores and spares



57,699

66,534

Ore in stockpiles (a), (c)



17,104

17,249

Work in progress



72,782

53,579

Deferred stripping costs



26,187

17,981

Bullion in process



1,189

1,212

Other



3,233

11,715




183,266

175,222

Non-current





Ore in stockpiles (a), (b), (c)



51,686

51,434




51,686

51,434

 

(a)   Note 6.

(b)   Ore in stockpiles that is not planned to be processed within twelve months after the reporting period.

(c)   As at 31 December 2016, ore in stockpiles include balances in the aggregate of US$45.5 million carried at net realisable value (2015: US$63.1 million).

 

 

16.      Trade and other receivables

 




2016

2015




US$'000

US$'000

Current





VAT recoverable



30,265

31,489

Advances to suppliers 



11,394

3,320

Trade receivables (a)



6,160

4,018

Other debtors (b)



41,917

9,269




89,736

48,096

 

(a)   Net of provision for impairment of US$0.2 million (2015: US$0.4 million). Trade receivables are generally due for settlement between three and twelve months.

(b)   Net of provision for impairment of US$1.3 million (2015: US$1.2 million).

 

There is no significant concentration of credit risk with respect to trade and other receivables. The Group has implemented policies that require appropriate credit checks on potential customers before granting credit. The Group has adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties. The Group's exposure and credit ratings of its counterparties are monitored by the Board of Directors. The maximum credit risk of such financial assets is represented by the carrying value of the asset.

 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value.

 

 

17.      Cash and cash equivalents

 




2016

2015




US$'000

US$'000

Cash at bank and in hand



10,284

22,144 (a)

Short-term bank deposits



2,358

6,095




12,642

28,239

 

(a)   Including US$15.1 million received under investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development (note 32).

 

 

18.      Derivative financial instruments

 


31 December 2016



31 December 2015


Assets

Liabilities



Assets

Liabilities


US$'000

US$'000



US$'000

US$'000

Forward gold contracts - cash flow hedge (a), (b), (c)

7,478

-



3,925

-

Call Option over the Company's shares

-

(3,064)



-

-

Conversion option (d), (e)

-

(7,250)



-

(14,684)


7,478
7,478

(10,314)
13,503



3,925

(14,684)

 

(a)   Forward contracts to sell an aggregate of 50,006 ounces of gold at an average price of US$1,303 per ounce are outstanding as at 31 December 2016 (31 December 2015: 71,551 ounces of gold at an average price of US$1,116 per ounce).

 

(b)   Measured at fair value and considered as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy which valuation incorporates the following inputs:

-      gold forward curves observable at quoted intervals; and

-      observable credit spreads.

 

(c)   The hedged forecast transactions are expected to occur at various dates during the next 12 months.

 

Gain and losses recognised in the hedging reserve in equity as at the reporting date will be recognised in the income statement in the periods during which the hedged gold sale transactions affect the income statement.

 

There was no ineffectiveness to be recorded from the cash flow hedge during the years ended 31 December 2016 and 2015.

 

(d)   Note 20.

 

(e)   Measured at fair value and considered as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy which valuation incorporates the following inputs:

-      the Group's credit risk;

-      historic share price volatility;

-      the conversion price;

-      time to maturity; and

-      risk free rate.

 

 

19.      Trade and other payables

 




2016

2015




US$'000

US$'000

Trade payables



25,068

44,263

Advances from customers



2,148

569

Advances received on resale and commission contracts (a)



1,847

12,770

Accruals and other payables



26,575

38,965(b)




55,638

96,567

 

(a)   Amounts included in advances received on resale and commission contracts at 31 December 2016 and 31 December 2015 relate to services performed by the Group's subsidiary, Irgiredmet, in its activity to procure materials such as reagents, consumables and equipment for third parties.

(b)   Including US$15.1 million liability under an investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development (note 32).

 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value.

20.      Borrowings

 



2016

2015



US$'000

US$'000

Borrowings at amortised cost




Convertible bonds (a),(b)


88,369

85,503

Bank loans (c), (d)


522,843

552,775



611,212

638,278





Amount due for settlement within 12 months


85,306 (c)

260,248

Amount due for settlement after 12 months


525,906

378,030



611,212

638,278

 

(a)   Liability component of the US$100 million Convertible Bonds due on 18 March 2020, measured at amortised cost. The interest charged was calculated by applying an effective interest rate of 13.89% to the liability component.

 

The conversion option of the US$100 million Convertible Bonds represents the fair value of the embedded option for the bondholders to convert into the equity of the Company ("the Conversion Right"). As the Company can elect to pay the cash value in lieu of delivering the Ordinary Shares following the exercise of the Conversion Right, the conversion option is a derivative liability. Accordingly, the conversion option is measured at fair value and is presented separately within derivative financial liabilities.

 

(b)   The liability component of the New Bonds was arrived at as set out below.

 


18 March 2015


US$' 000

Par value of the New Bonds

100,000

Fair value uplift of the New Bonds

9,400

Less: Refinancing costs

(5,130)

Less: Conversion option of the New Bonds recognised separately

(21,100)

Liability component of the New Bonds 

83,170

 

The liability component of the New Bonds is measured at amortised cost. The interest charged was calculated by applying an effective interest rate of 13.89% to the liability component.

 

The conversion option of the New Bonds represents the fair value of the embedded option for the bondholders to convert into the equity of the Company ("the Conversion Right"). As the Company can elect to pay the cash value in lieu of delivering the Ordinary Shares following the exercise of the Conversion Right, the conversion option is a derivative liability. Accordingly, the conversion option is measured at fair value and is presented separately within derivative financial liabilities.

 

As at 31 December 2016, the fair value of debt component of the convertible bonds, considered as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, amounted to US$97.3 million (31 December 2015: US$92.8 million). Valuation incorporates the following inputs: the Group's credit risk, time to maturity and risk free rate.

 

As at 31 December 2016, the fair value of the convertible bonds, considered as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy and calculated by applying the market traded price to the convertible bonds outstanding, amounted to  US$103.9 million (31 December 2015: US$106.3 million).

 

(c)   In December 2016, the Group refinanced US$430 million outstanding principal of the Group's US$530 million bank debt, including a revised maturity profile from May 2018 to September 2022 and renegotiation of the financial and operational covenants:

 



December 2016



US$' 000

Carrying value of liabilities de-recognised


428,246

Fair value of new liabilities recognised:



Bank debt


426,730

Call option over the Company's shares


3,064

Loss on bank debt refinancing


(1,548)

 

Cash settled call option was issued in relation to 3.6 per cent. of the outstanding aggregate ordinary share capital in the Company and is exercisable between December 2019 and March 2023 at strike price of £0.068.

 

Transaction costs of US$4.9 million were further capitalised.

 

 

(d)   As at 31 December 2016, US$233.1 million (2015: US$540.0 million) bank loans are secured against certain items of property, plant and equipment of the Group (note 13) and shares in subsidiaries held by Petropavlovsk PLC: 100%  of LLC Albynskiy Rudnik; 89.73% of LLC Malomirskiy Rudnik;  100% of LLC Temi.

 

The weighted average interest rate paid during the year ended 31 December 2016 was 9.0% (2015: 9.1%).

 

The carrying value of the bank loans approximated their fair value at each period end.

 

As at 31 December 2016, bank loans with an aggregate carrying value of US$522.8 million (2015: US$552.8 million) contain certain financial covenants.

 

As at 31 December 2016, the amounts undrawn under the bank loans were US$ nil (2015: US$ nil).

 

The Group is currently completing the final documentation for the remaining US$100 million bank debt. Included in the amounts due for settlement within 12 months are US$75 million, based on facility terms that existed as at 31 December 2017.

 

 

21.      Deferred taxation

 



2016

2015



US$'000

US$'000

At 1 January


                  173,499  

156,814

Deferred tax (credited)/charged to income statement(a)


                  (34,486)  

17,127

Deferred tax charged/(credited) to equity


                          711 

(469)

Transfer to liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale


-

28

Exchange differences


4

(1)

At 31 December


139,728

173,499





Deferred tax assets


-

-

Deferred tax liabilities


(139,728)

(173,499)

Net deferred tax liability


(139,728)

(173,499)

 

(a)     Note 10.

 

 


At 1 January
2016

Charged/

(credited)

to the income statement

Credited

directly to equity


Exchange differences

At 31 December
2016

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000


US$'000

US$'000

Property, plant and equipment

143,374

(24,979)

-


45

118,440

Inventory

16,451

(6,477)

-


-

9,974

Exploration and evaluation assets

2,996

(215)

-


-

2,781

Fair value adjustments

246

(117)

-


-

129

Other temporary  differences

10,432

(2,698)

711


(41)

8,404


173,499

(34,486)

711


4

139,728

 

 


At 1 January
2015

Charged/

(credited)

to the income statement

Charged

directly to

equity

Transfer to liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale

Exchange differences

At 31 December
2015

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Property, plant and equipment

123,344

19,957

-

147

(74)

143,374

Inventory

21,906

(5,367)

-

(88)

-

16,451

Exploration and evaluation assets

3,529

(515)

-

(18)

-

2,996

Fair value adjustments

409

(120)

-

(43)

-

246

Other temporary  differences

7,626

3,172

(469)

30

73

10,432


156,814

17,127

(469)

28

(1)

173,499

 

As at 31 December 2016, the Group did not recognise deferred tax assets in respect of the accumulated tax losses from continuing operations comprising US$620.2 million that can be carried forward against future taxable income (2015: US$528.9 million). Tax losses of US$484.0 million arise primarily in the UK and can be carried forward indefinitely and tax losses of US$136.2million arise in Russia and expire primarily between 2020 and 2026.

               

As at 31 December 2016, the Group did not recognise deferred tax assets of US$0.01 million (2015: US$3.1 million) in respect of temporary differences arising on certain capitalised development costs attributable to continuing operations.

 

The Group has not recorded a deferred tax liability in respect of withholding tax and other taxes that would be payable on the unremitted earnings associated with investments in its subsidiaries and associates and interests in joint ventures as the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of those temporary differences and does not intend to reverse them in the foreseeable future. As at 31 December 2016, statutory unremitted earnings from continuing operations comprised in aggregate US$839.4 million (2015: US$597.0 million).

 

 

22.      Provision for close down and restoration costs

 


2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

At 1 January

17,184

21,217

Unwinding of discount

175

213

Change in estimates(a)

2,177

(4,246)

Disposal of subsidiary

(384)

-

At 31 December

19,152

17,184

 

(a)   Primarily reflects the effect of change in the forecast the Russian Rouble to the US Dollar exchange rate following a significant depreciation of the Russian Rouble against the US Dollar during the year ended 31 December 2015 and subsequent appreciation the Russian Rouble during the year ended 31 December 2016.

 

The Group recognised provisions in relation to close down and restoration costs for the following mining operations:

 

 


2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

Pokrovskiy

         2,842  

2,646

Pioneer

         3,155  

2,754

Malomir

         6,049  

5,610

Albyn

         7,106  

5,790

Yamal

-

384


19,152

17,184

 

The provision recognised represents the present value of the estimated expenditure that will be incurred, which has been arrived at using the long-term risk-free pre-tax cost of borrowing. The expenditure arises at different times over the life of mine. The expected timing of significant cash outflows is between years 2018 and 2032, varying from mine site to mine site.

 

 

23.      Share capital

 


2016


2015


No of shares

US$'000


No of shares

US$'000

Allotted, called up and fully paid






At 1 January

3,300,561,697

48,874


197,638,425

3,041

Issued during the period

3,206,835

46


3,102,923,272

45,833

At 31 December 

3,303,768,532

48,920


3,300,561,697

48,874

 

 

The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.

 

The Company had an option issued to the IFC on 20 April 2009 to subscribe for 1,067,273 Ordinary Shares at an exercise price of £11.84 per share, subject to adjustments. The option expired unexercised on 25 May 2015.

 

24.      Own shares



2016
US$'000

2015
US$'000

At 1 January


8,933

8,925

New shares transferred to the EBT


46

-

Vesting Deferred shares award


(8,979)

-

Rights issue 


-

8

At 31 December


-

8,933 (a)

 

(a)   1,441,406 Ordinary Shares held by the Company's EBT.

 

25.      Notes to the cash flow statement

 

Reconciliation of profit/(loss) before tax to operating cash flow



2016

2015



US$'000

US$'000

Profit/(loss) before tax including discontinued operations


27,008

(248,179)

Adjustments for:




Share of results of joint ventures


-

(588)

Share of results of associate


3,581

60,422

Investment income


(556)

(4,351)

Other finance gains


(11,976)

(6,894)

Other finance losses


1,548

-

Interest expense


60,976

72,703

Share based payments


140

297

Depreciation


105,252

121,599

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets


9,155

37,442

Impairment of ore stockpiles


1,163

17,425

Effect of processing previously impaired stockpiles


(7,536)

(8,535)

Provision for impairment of trade and other receivables


282

1,264

Write-down to adjust the carrying value of IRC's net assets to fair value less costs to sell


-

96,639

Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment


2,431

1,090

(Gain)/loss on disposal of subsidiaries


(791)

384

Foreign exchange losses


5,158

15,237

Gain on disposal of non-trading loans


(6,724)

-

Other non-cash items


177

5,337

Changes in working capital:




(Increase)/ decrease in trade and other receivables


(25,828)

3,621

Decrease in inventories


298

22,675

(Increase)/ decrease in trade and other payables


(37,745)

21,253

Net cash generated from operations


126,013

208,841

 

 

Non-cash transactions

Except for the issue of the Ordinary Shares in exchange for the Existing Bonds, there have been no significant non-cash transactions during the year ended 31 December 2015.

 

There were no significant non-cash transactions during the year ended 31 December 2016.

 

 

26.      Related parties

 

Related parties the Group entered into transactions with during the reporting period

 

PJSC Asian-Pacific Bank ('Asian-Pacific Bank') and LLC Insurance Company Helios Reserve ('Helios') are considered to be related parties as members of key management have an interest in and collectively exercise significant influence over these entities.

 

The Petropavlovsk Foundation for Social Investment (the 'Petropavlovsk Foundation') is considered to be a related party due to the participation of the key management of the Group in the governing board of the Petropavlovsk Foundation and their presence in its board of guardians. 

 

JSC Verkhnetisskaya Ore Mining Company ('Verkhnetisskaya') is an associate to the Group and hence was a related party until 27 May 2016 when the Group disposed its interest in Verkhnetisskaya.

 

CJSC ZRK Omchak and its wholly owned subsidiary LLC Kaurchak ('Omchak') are associates to the Group and hence were related parties until 29 April 2015 when the Group disposed its interest in Omchak.

 

IRC Limited and its subsidiaries (Note 35) are associates to the Group and hence are related parties since 7 August 2015.

 

Transactions with related parties which the Group entered into during the years ended 31 December 2016 and 2015 are set out below.

 

 

 

Trading Transactions

 

 

Related party transactions the Group entered into that relate to the day-to-day operation of the business are set out below.

 


Sales to related parties

Purchases from related parties

 


2016

US$'000

2015

US$'000

2016

US$'000

2015

US$'000

Asian-Pacific Bank





Other

22

575

102

113


22

575

102

113

Trading transactions with other related parties





Insurance arrangements with Helios, rent and other transactions with other entities in which key management have interest and exercises a significant influence or control

66

 

 

1,182

3,514

 

 

5,716

Associates





IRC Limited and its subsidiaries

69

49

1,996

1,152

CJSC ZRK Omchak and its wholly owned subsidiary LLC Kaurchak

-

2

-

-


135

1,233

5,510

6,868

 

During the year ended 31 December 2016, the Group made US$0.2 million charitable donations to the Petropavlovsk Foundation (2015: US$0.4 million).

 

 

The outstanding balances with related parties at 31 December 2016 and 2015 are set out below.

 


Amounts owed by related parties

at 31 December

Amounts owed to related parties

at 31 December

 


2016

US$'000

2015

US$'000

2016

US$'000

2015

US$'000

Helios and other entities in which key management have interest and exercises a significant influence or control

1,383

 

1,328

1

 

450

Asian-Pacific Bank

1


-


IRC Limited and its subsidiaries

14,502(a)

2,023

1,704

1,233


15,886

3,351

1,705

1,683

 

(a)   Including US$12.5 million advanced to IRC in December 2016. This balance was fully repaid in January 2017.

 

Banking arrangements

 

The Group has current and deposit bank accounts with Asian-Pacific Bank.

 

 

The bank balances at 31 December 2016 and 2015 are set out below.

 



2016

US$'000

2015

US$'000

Asian-Pacific Bank


629

3,208

 

-

Financing transactions

 

The Group has charged a fee for the provision of the guarantee to IRC (note 14), equal to 1.75% on the outstanding loan amount under the ICBC Facility Agreement and which amounted to US$4.5 million during the year ended 31 December 2016 (31 December 2015: US$2.2 million). The Guarantee fee principal outstanding amounted to an equivalent of US$3.4 million (31 December 2015:US$nil).

 

The Group had an interest-free unsecured loan issued to Verkhnetisskaya. Loan principal outstanding amounted to an equivalent of US$2.8 million as at 31 December 2015.

 

During the year ended 31 December 2015, the Group received a number of loans from Asian-Pacific Bank. Loan principal outstanding as at 31 December 2016 was US$nil (31 December 2015: an equivalent of US$2.7 million). During the year ended 31 December  2016, interest charged on loans received from Asian-Pacific Bank comprised US$0.03 million (31 December 2015: US$0.5 million).

 

Key management compensation

 

Key management personnel, comprising a group of 15 (2015: 18) individuals, including Executive and Non-Executive Directors of the Company and members of senior management, are those having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group.

 

 


2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

Wages and salaries

6,103

7,231

Pension costs

182

357

Share-based compensation

610

280


6,895

7,868

 

27.      Disposal of subsidiaries

 

During  the year ended 31 December 2016, the Group entered into agreements to sell its wholly owned subsidiary LLC Ilijnskoye and its associate JSC Verkhnetisskaya Ore Mining Company for an aggregate cash consideration of an equivalent to US$20 million, payable in tranches during 2016, out of which US$19.8 million were attributed to the value of Visokoe asset held by LLC Ilijnskoye and the remainder to JSC Verkhnetisskaya Ore Mining Company.The disposal of LLC Ilijnskoye was completed on 11 May 2016.

 

The net assets of LLC Ilijnskoye at the date of disposal are set out below.

 


11 May 2016
US$'000

Exploration and evaluation assets

16,464

Property, plant and equipment

3,361

Inventories

21

Trade and other receivables

80

Cash and cash equivalents

9

Trade and other payables

(156)

Net assets disposed

19,779



Consideration (a)

19,269

Loss on disposal

510



Net cash inflow arising on disposal:


Consideration received in cash and cash equivalents (a)

19,269

Less: cash and cash equivalents disposed of

(9)


19,260

(a)   Net of transaction costs.

 

During the year ended 31 December 2016, the Group disposed its interests in a number of non-core investments. Aggregate cash outflows arising from the aforementioned disposals was US$72 thousand and aggregate gain was US$1.3 million representing net liabilities disposed of. 

 

 

28.      Share based payments

 

On 31 March 2015, the Remuneration Committee approved a bonus of £555,000 to the Chief Executive Officer, of which 50% is payable in cash and 50% in the form of a Deferred Share Award. The number of shares awarded will be based on the market share price at the date of award, being 1 May 2015. The vesting of this award will be subject to Chief Executive Officer's continued service for a 12-month period from the date of award unless he departs the Company as a 'good' leaver.

 

29.      Analysis of net debt

 


 

 

At 1 January 2016

Disposal of subsidiaries

Net cash

Movement

Exchange movement

Non-cash

changes

At 31 December  2016


US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Cash and cash equivalents

28,239 (a)

(99)

(18,329)

2,831

-

12,642

Borrowings

(638,278)

-

84,710

173

(57,817)

(611,212)

Net debt

(610,039)

(99)

66,381

3,004

(57,817) (b)

(598,570)

 

(a)  Including US$15.1 million received under investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development (note 32).

(b)  Being amortisation of borrowings and the effect of the bank debt refinancing (note 20).

 



 

 

At 1 January 2015

Net cash

movement

Exchange movement

Non-cash

changes

 

At 31 December 2015



US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

US$'000

Cash and cash equivalents


48,080

(15,173)

(4,668)

-

28,239 (c)

Borrowings


(977,804)

316,188

(105)

23,443

(638,278)

Net debt


(929,724)

301,015

(4,773)

23,443 (d)

(610,039)

 

(c)   Including US$15.1 million received under investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development (note 32).

(d)   Being amortisation of borrowings and the effect of the Refinancing.

 

           

30.      Financial instruments and financial risk management

 

Capital risk management

The Group's objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group's ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to optimise the weighted average cost of capital and tax efficiency subject to maintaining sufficient financial flexibility to undertake its investment plans.

 

The capital structure of the Group consists of net debt (as detailed in note 29) and equity (comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings). As at 31 December 2016, the capital comprised US$1.2 billion (2015: US$1.2 billion).

 

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt. The Group adopts a modular approach in developing its projects in order to minimise upfront capital expenditure and related funding requirements. The Group manages in detail its funding requirements on a 12 month rolling basis and maintains a five year forecast in order to identify medium-term funding needs.

 

The Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.

 

Significant accounting policies

Details of significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement and the basis on which income and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Categories of financial instruments


2016
US$'000

2015
US$'000

Financial assets



Cash and cash equivalents

12,642

28,239

Derivative financial instruments

7,478

3,925

Loans and receivables

41,102

12,473

Available-for-sale investments

1,105

271

Financial liabilities



Trade and other payables - at amortised cost

43,688

60,642

Borrowings - at amortised cost

611,212

638,278

Derivative financial instruments

10,314

14,684

 

Financial risk management

The Group's activities expose it to interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, risk of change in the commodity prices, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group's overall risk management programme focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group's financial performance.

 

Risk management is carried out by a central finance department and all key risk management decisions are approved by the Board of Directors. The Group identifies and evaluates financial risks in close cooperation with the Group's operating units. The Board provides written principles for overall risk management, as well as guidance covering specific areas, such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, gold price risk, credit risk and investment of excess liquidity.

 

Interest rate risk

The Group's fixed rate borrowings and are carried at amortised cost. They are therefore not subject to interest rate risk as defined in IFRS 7, since neither the carrying amount nor the future cash flows will fluctuate because of a change in market interest rates. The Group does not have borrowings with variable interest rates.

 

Foreign exchange risk

The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from fluctuations in currencies the Group transacts, primarily US Dollars, GB Pounds Sterling and Russian Roubles.

 

Exchange rate risks are mitigated to the extent considered necessary by the Board of Directors, through holding the relevant currencies. At present, the Group does not undertake any foreign currency transaction hedging.

 

The carrying amounts of the Group's foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at period end are set out below.

 


Assets


Liabilities


2016
US$'000

2015
US$'000


2016
US$'000

2015
US$'000

Russian Roubles

39,404  

56,795  


35,675  

56,817  

US Dollars (a)

5,355  

2,875  


4,700  

7,278  

GB Pounds Sterling

2,444  

357


813  

943

EUR

54  

80


18  

42

Other currencies

49  

92


288  

220

(a)        US Dollar denominated monetary assets and liabilities in Group companies with Rouble functional currency.

 

The table set out below illustrates the Group's profit sensitivity to changes in exchange rates by 25% (2015: 25%), representing management's assessment of a reasonably possible change in foreign exchange currency rates. The analysis was applied to monetary assets and liabilities at the reporting dates denominated in respective currencies. 

 


2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

Russian Rouble currency impact

932  

5

US Dollar currency impact

164  

1,101

GB Pounds Sterling currency impact

408  

146

EUR currency impact

9  

10

Other currencies

60  

32

 

 

Credit risk

The Group's principal financial assets are cash and cash equivalents, comprising current accounts, amounts held on deposit with financial institutions and investments in money market and liquidity funds. In the case of deposits and investments in money market and liquidity funds, the Group is exposed to a credit risk, which results from the non-performance of contractual agreements on the part of the contract party. The Group is also exposed to a credit risk in relation to the amounts guaranteed under the ICBC facility (note 14).

 

The credit risk on liquid funds held in current accounts and available on demand is limited because the main counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. Having performed a high level due diligence, management does not consider the credit risk associated with Asian-Pacific Bank and other banks without international credit rating to be high. Asian-Pacific Bank has a wide network of branches in the Amur region and, therefore, is extensively used by the entities of the precious metals segment (note 26).

 

The Group's maximum exposure to credit risk is limited to the carrying amounts of the financial assets recorded in the consolidated financial statements and the outstanding principal and interest under the ICBC facility (note 14).

 

The major financial assets at the balance sheet date are cash and cash equivalents held with the counterparties as set out below.

 

 

Counterparty

Credit rating

Carrying amount at 31 December 2016
US$'000

Carrying amount at 31 December 2015
US$'000

Barclays

A

              4,056  

                           -    

Sberbank

BBB-

              3,936  

                       512  

VTB

BB+

              1,067  

                    3,760  

Alfa-Bank

BB+

                  846  

                           -    

Asian-Pacific Bank

CCC

629    

                    3,208  

Bank of Cyprus

B-

                  365  

                           -    

UBS

A

                  212  

                       173  

Royal Bank of Scotland

BBB+

                      5  

                    4,835  

Treasury of Russian Federation (a)

-

-

15,093  

 

(a)    Funds received under investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development (note 32).

 

 

Commodity price risk

The Group generates most of its revenue from the sale of gold and iron ore concentrate. The Group's policy is to sell its products at the prevailing market price. In 2016 and 2015, the Group has entered into gold forward contracts to protect cash flows from the volatility in the gold price (note 18).

 

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that suitable sources of funding for the Group's business activities may not be available. The Group constantly monitors the level of funding required to meet its short, medium and long term obligations. The Group also monitors compliance with restrictive covenants set out in various loan agreements (note 20) to ensure there is no breach of covenants resulting in associated loans become payable immediately.

 

Effective management of liquidity risk has the objective of ensuring the availability of adequate funding to meet short-term requirements and due obligations as well as the objective of ensuring a sufficient level of flexibility in order to fund the development plans of the Group's businesses.

 

The table below details the Group's remaining contractual maturity for its non-derivative financial liabilities with agreed repayment periods. The amounts disclosed are the contractual undiscounted cash flows and so these balances will not necessarily agree with the amounts disclosed in the balance sheet. The contractual maturity is based on the earliest date on which the Group may be required to pay.  

 

 

 



0 - 3 months
US$'000

 3 months -

1 year
US$'000

 

1 - 2 years
US$'000

 

2 - 3 years
US$'000

 

3 - 6 years

US$'000

2016







Borrowings







 - Convertible bonds


-

-

-


100,000

 - Loans


1,524

83,782 (a)

46,255

86,475

311,759

Future interest payments (b)


13,257

38,670

44,589

40,322

74,730

Trade and other payables


34,658

9,030



49,439

131,482

90,844

126,797

486,489

2015







Borrowings







- Convertible bonds


-

-

-

-

100,000

- Loans


41,744

210,105

288,274

16,817

-

Future interest payments (b)


10,952

34,911

22,786

9,354

11,250

Trade and other payables


28,070

32,572

-

-

-



80,766

277,588

311,060

26,171

111,250

 

(a)     Including US$75 million based on facility contractual terms existing as at 31 December 2016 (note 20).

(b)     Future interest payments have been estimated using interest rates applicable at 31 December. There are no borrowings that are subject to variable interest rates and, therefore, subject to change in line with the market rates.

 

 

31.      Operating lease arrangements

The Group as a Lessee

 

 

2016
US$'000

2015
US$'000

Minimum lease payments under operating leases recognised as an expense in the year

5,057

2,535

At the balance sheet date, the Group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under a non-cancellable operating lease for office premises, which fall due as follows:


2016

2015


US$'000

US$'000

Expiring:



Within one year

319

383

In two to five years

531

1,148


850

1,531

 

The Group as a Lessor

 

The Group earned property rental income from continuing operations during the year of US$0.7 million (2015: US$0.8million) on buildings owned by its subsidiary Irgiredmet.

 

 

32.      Capital commitments

 

At 31 December 2016, the Group had entered into contractual commitments in relation to its continuing operations for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment and mine development costs in relation to POX Hub project amounting to US$3.8 million (31 December 2015: US$1.0 million).

 

Investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development

On 14 December 2015, the Group entered into an investment agreement with the Russian Ministry of Far East Development (the 'Investment Agreement'). The Investment Agreement involves provision of RUB5.5billion (an equivalent to c.US$91 million as at 31 December 2016) funding towards the construction of the electricity power line in the North-East of the Amur Region of Russia, where the Group's Albyn and Malomir mines and adjacent licence areas are operated, during the period 2015 - 2019. The funds are advanced to the Group and then should be transferred to the joint-stock company Far East Grid Distribution Company ('DRSK'), who is to engage a contractor to build the relevant power supply infrastructure. The Group's responsibility under the Investment Agreement will be to monitor the progress and to report to the Russian Ministry of Far East Development. The Group will be taking ultimate responsibility for the construction of the power line. Upon completion, the Group will get access to the enhanced capacity of the power supply infrastructure in the region. Under the terms of the Investment Agreement, the Group has certain capital commitments, including further development of Albyn and Malomir mines.

 

As at 31 December 2015, the Group received RUB1.1billion (an equivalent to US$15.1 million) funds under the Investment Agreement. During 2016, the Group received further RUB2.0 billion (an equivalent to US$30.8 million) under the Investment Agreement and transferred an aggregate RUB3.1 billion (an equivalent to US$47.7 million) to DRSK.

 

33.      Subsequent events

 

Hedging agreements

In February - March 2017, the Group has entered into forward contracts to sell an aggregate of 549,994oz of gold during the years 2017 - 2019 at an average price of US$1,252/oz.

 

34.      Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures (unaudited)

 



2016

US$'000

2015

US$'000

Profit/(loss) for the period from continuing operations


31,706

(190,454)

Add/(less):




Interest expense


60,976

71,514

Investment income


(556)

(1,018)

Other finance gains


(11,976)

(9,064)

Other finance losses


1,548

Foreign exchange losses


5,158

11,952

Taxation


(4,698)

48,879

Depreciation


105,252

129,104

Impairment of exploration and evaluation assets


9,155

37,442

Impairment of ore stockpiles


1,163

17,425

Share of results of associates (a)


2,356

57,009

Underlying EBITDA


200,084

172,789

 

(a)   Group's share of interest expense, investment income, other finance gains and losses, foreign exchange losses, taxation, depreciation and impairment recognised by an associate (note 14).

 

 

35.      Principal subsidiaries and other significant investments 

 

The Group has the following principal subsidiaries and other significant investments, which were consolidated in this financial information.

 

Principal subsidiary, joint venture and associate undertakings

Country of incorporation

Principal activity

Proportion of shares held

by Petropavlovsk PLC


Proportion of shares held by the Group

31 December 2016

31 December

2015


31 December

2016

31 December

2015

Subsidiary








CJSC Management Company Petropavlovsk

Russia

Management company

100%

100%


100%

 

100%

 

Petropavlovsk 2010 Limited

Jersey

Finance company

100%

100%


100%

100%

JSC Pokrovskiy Rudnik

Russia

Gold exploration and production

43.5%

43.5%


98.61%

98.61%

LLC Malomirskiy Rudnik

Russia

Gold exploration and production

-

-


99.86%

99.86%

LLC Albynskiy Rudnik

Russia

Gold exploration and production

-

-


100%

100%

LLC Osipkan

Russia

Gold exploration and production

-

-


100%

100%

LLC Tokurskiy Rudnik

Russia

Gold exploration and production

-

-


100%

100%

LLC Rudoperspektiva

Russia

Gold exploration and production

-

-


100%

100%

JSC YamalZoloto

Russia

Gold exploration and production

-

-


-

100%

LLC Iljinskoye

Russia

Gold exploration and production

-

-


-

100%

LLC Potok

Russia

Gold exploration and production

-

-


-

100%

LLC Temi

Russia

Gold exploration and production

-

-


75%

75%

LLC AGPK

Russia

Gold exploration and production

-

-


98.61%

98.61%

LLC PPOP

Russia

Gold exploration and production

-

-


98.61%

-

Major Miners Inc.

Guyana

Gold exploration and production

-

-


-

100%

Universal Mining Inc.

Guyana

Gold exploration and production

-

-


100%

100%

Cuyuni River Ventures Inc.

Guyana

Gold exploration and production

-

-


-

100%

LLC Kapstroi

Russia

Construction services

-

-


100%

100%

LLC NPGF Regis

Russia

Exploration services

-

-


100%

100%

CJSC ZRK Dalgeologiya

Russia

Exploration services

-

-


98.61%

98.61%

JSC PHM Engineering

Russia

Project and engineering services

-

-


94%

94%

JSC Irgiredmet

Russia

Research services

-

-


99.69%

99.69%

LLC NIC Gydrometallurgia

Russia

Research services

-

-


100%

100%

LLC BMRP

Russia

Repair and maintenance

-

-


100%

100%

LLC AVT-Amur

Russia

Production of explosive materials

-

-


49%

49%

LLC Transit

Russia

Transportation services

-

-


100%

100%

Pokrovskiy Mining College

Russia

Educational institute

-

-


98.61%

98.61%

Associate








JSC Verkhnetisskaya Ore Mining Company

Russia

Gold exploration and production

-

-


-

49%

IRC Limited (a)

HK

Management and holding company

-

-


31.10%

35.83%

 

IRC and its principal subsidiary and joint venture undertakings ('IRC')

IRC Limited

HK

Management and holding company

-

-


31.10%

35.83%

Principal subsidiaries of IRC








LLC Petropavlovsk-Iron Ore

Russia

Management company

-

-


31.10%

35.83%

LLC Olekminsky Rudnik

Russia

Iron ore exploration and production

-

-


31.10%

35.83%

LLC KS GOK

Russia

Iron ore exploration and production

-

-


31.10%

35.83%

LLC Garinsky Mining & Metallurgical Complex

Russia

Iron ore exploration and production

-

-


30.97%

35.83%

LLC Kostenginskiy GOK

Russia

Iron ore exploration and production

-

-


31.10%

35.83%

LLC Orlovo-Sokhatinsky Rudnik

Russia

Iron ore exploration and production

-

-


31.10%

35.83%

JSC Giproruda

Russia

Engineering services

-

-


21.86%

25.18%

LLC SHMTP

Russia

Infrastructure project

-

-


31.10%

35.83%

LLC Amursnab

Russia

Procurement services

-

-


31.07%

35.83%

Heilongjiang Jiatal Titanium Co., Limited

China

Titanium sponge project

-

-


31.10%

35.83%

LLC Uralmining

Russia

Iron ore exploration and production

-

-


31.10%

35.83%

LLC Gorniy Park

Russia

Molybdenym project

-

-


18.75%

17.95%









 

 

 

 

 

Joint ventures of IRC








Heilongjiang Jianlong Vanadium Industries Co., Limited

China

Vanadium project

-

-


14.31%

16.48%

(a)   IRC Limited and its principal subsidiary and joint venture undertakings.

 

 

36.       Related undertakings of the Group

 

The Group consists of the parent company, Petropavlovsk PLC, incorporated in the United Kingdom and its subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures. In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 a full list of related undertakings, the country of incorporation and the effective percentage of equity owned as at 31 December 2016 is disclosed below. The Group's principal subsidiaries and other significant investments are set out in note 35.

 

Name of undertaking

Country of

incorporation

Proportion of shares held by the Group

Registered address

Subsidiaries




Aricom B Finance Plc

UK

100%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Aricom Finance UK Limited

UK

100%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Aricom Treasury UK Limited

UK

100%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Aricom Services Limited

UK

100%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Aricom Roubles Treasury UK Limited

UK

100%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Aricom B Limited

UK

100%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Aricom B Roubles Treasury Limited

UK

100%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Petropavlovsk Rouble UK Limited

UK

98.61%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Eponymousco Limited

UK

100%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Victoria Resources Limited

UK

100%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Peter Hambro Mining Treasury UK Limited

UK

100%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Peter Hambro Mining Rouble Treasury Limited

UK

100%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Petropavlovsk 2010 Limited

Jersey

100%

13-14 Esplanade, St. Helier, JE1 1EE





Petropavlovsk (Jersey) Limited

Jersey

100%

13-14 Esplanade, St. Helier, JE1 1EE

Peter Hambro Mining Group Finance Limited

Guernsey

100%

 

PO Box 409, Elizabeth House, Ruette Braye, St. Peter Port, GY1 3WA

CJSC Management Company Petropavlovsk

Russia

100%

675000, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Lenina Street, 140/1

JSC Pokrovskiy Rudnik

Russia

98.61%

676150, Amur Region, Magdagachinskiy District, Tygda Village, Sovetskaya Street, 17

LLC Malomirskiy Rudnik

Russia

99.86%

675000, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Lenina Street, 140/1

LLC Albynskiy Rudnik

Russia

100%

675000, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Lenina Street, 140/1

LLC Osipkan

Russia

100%

675000, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Lenina Street, 140/1

LLC Tokurskiy Rudnik

Russia

100%

676581, Amur Region, Selemdzhinskiy District, Tokur Village, Vorozhejkina Street, 16

LLC Rudoperspektiva

Russia

100%

675000, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Lenina Street, 140/1

LLC Temi

Russia

75%

675000, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Lenina Street, 140/1

LLC AGPK

Russia

98.61%

675000, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Lenina Street, 140/1

LLC PPOP

Russia

98.61%

675002, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Amurskaya Street, 17

LLC Kapstroi

Russia

100%

675002, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Amurskaya Street, 17

LLC NPGF Regis

Russia

100%

675027, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Western Industrial Hub

CJSC ZRK Dalgeologiya

Russia

98.61%

680041, Khabarovskiy Region, Khabarovsk, Balashovskaya Street, 15

JSC PHM Engineering

Russia

94%

105082, Moscow, Rubtsov Pereulok, 13

JSC Irgiredmet

Russia

99.69%

664025, Irkutsk, Gagarina Boulevard, 38

LLC NIC Gydrometallurgia

Russia

100%

196247, St. Petersburg, Leninskiy Prospekt, 151

LLC BMRP

Russia

100%

675016, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Kalinina Street, 137

LLC AVT-Amur

Russia

49%

675000, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Lenina Street, 140/1

LLC Transit

 

Russia

 

100%

676572, Amur Region, Selemdzhinskiy District, Fevralsk Urban Village, Vysotskogo Street, 1

Pokrovskiy Mining College

Russia

98.61%

676244, Amur Region, Zeya, Zolotogorskoe Shosse, 6

Universal Mining Inc.

Guyana

100%

Lot 8 Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown

Peter Hambro Mining (Cyprus) Limited

Cyprus

100%

14 Souliou Street, Aglantzia, Nicosia, 2102

Malomyrskiy Rudnik (Cyprus) Ltd

Cyprus

100%

14 Souliou Street, Aglantzia, Nicosia, 2102

Voltimand Limited

Cyprus

100%

14 Souliou Street, Aglantzia, Nicosia, 2102

Horatio Limited

Cyprus

100%

14 Souliou Street, Aglantzia, Nicosia, 2102

Sicinius Limited

Cyprus

100%

14 Souliou Street, Aglantzia, Nicosia, 2102

Syncrom High Corporation Ltd

Cyprus

100%

14 Souliou Street, Aglantzia, Nicosia, 2102

Cayiron Limited

Cayman Islands

100%

Clifton House, 75 Fort Street, PO Box 1350, Grand Cayman, KY1-1108





Associates








IRC Limited

HK

31.10%

6H, 9 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

Subsidiaries of IRC




LLC Petropavlovsk- Iron Ore

Russia

31.10%

127055, Moscow, Lesnaya Street, 43, Office 313

LLC Olekminsky Rudnik

Russia

31.10%

676253, Amur Region, Tyndinskiy District, Village Olekma

LLC KS GOK

Russia

31.10%

679000, The Jewish Autonomous  Region, Birobidzhan, 60-Letiya SSSR Street, Building 22B

LLC Garinsky Mining & Metallurgical Complex

Russia

30.97%

675027, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Ignatievskaya Road, 19

LLC Kostenginskiy GOK

Russia

31.10%

679000, The Jewish Autonomous Region, Birobidzhan, 60-Letiya SSSR Street, Building 22B.

LLC Orlovo-Sokhatinsky Rudnik

Russia

31.10%

675027, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Ignatievskaya Road, 19

JSC Giproruda

Russia

21.86%

St. Petersburg, Leninskiy Avenue,151

LLC SHMTP

Russia

31.10%

682818, RF, Khabarovsk Territory, Town Sovetskaya Gavan, Pervomayskaya Street, 48A

LLC Amursnab

Russia

31.07%

127055, Moscow, Lesnaya Street, 43, Office 313

LLC Uralmining

Russia

31.10%

105082, Moscow, Spartakovskaya Square, 14, Building 1

LLC Gorniy Park

Russia

18.75%

101000, Moscow, Pokrovka Street,1/13/6 Building 2, Office 35

LLC Garinskaya Infrastructure

Russia

31.10%

675027, Amur Region, Blagoveshchensk, Ignatievskaya Road, 19

LLC TOK

Russia

31.10%

676282, Amur Region, Tynda, Sovetskaya Street,1A

Lucilius Investments Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Kapucius Services Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Lapwing Limited

Cyprus

30.97%

Themistokli Dervi 12, Palais D' Ivoire, 2nd Floor, 1066 Nicosia

Russian Titan Company Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Brasenose Services Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Tenaviva Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Esimanor Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Metellus Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Dardanius Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Rumier Holdings Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Guiner Enterprises Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Expokom Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Arfin Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Caedmon Limited

Cyprus

18.75%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Thorholdco (Cyprus) Limited

Cyprus

31.10%

Souliou 14, Aglantzia, 2102 Nicosia

Heilongjiang Jiatal Titanium Co., Limited

China

31.10%

668, Songxing Street, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province

Ariti HK Limited

Hong Kong

31.10%

6H, 9 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

Ariva HK Limited

Hong Kong

31.10%

6H, 9 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

Thorrouble Limited

 

Cayman Islands

31.10%

P.O. Box 31119 Grand Pavilion, Hibiscus Way, 802 West Bay Road, Grand Cayman, KY1-1205

Thordollar Limited

 

Cayman Islands

31.10%

P.O. Box 31119 Grand Pavilion, Hibiscus Way, 802 West Bay Road, Grand Cayman, KY1-1205

Thorholdco Limited

 

Cayman Islands

31.10%

P.O. Box 31119 Grand Pavilion, Hibiscus Way, 802 West Bay Road, Grand Cayman, KY1-1205

Aricom UK Limited

UK

31.10%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Aricom Limited

UK

31.10%

11 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HH

Joint ventures of IRC



 

Heilongjiang Jianlong Vanadium Industries Co., Limited

China

14.31%

Building 50, Block12, Advanced Business Park, No. 188.West Road, South Ring 4, Fengtai District, Bejing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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