PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007
6 May 2008
African Eagle Resources plc (“African Eagle” or “the Company”, ticker AIM: AFE, AltX: AEA) today announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2007. The Company’s annual consolidated financial statements have, for the first time, been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) AS adopted by the European Union. The information in this preliminary announcement has been extracted from the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2007 and as such, does not contain all of the information required to be disclosed in the financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Company will publish its full Annual Report and Financial Statements to shareholders in May.
It has been a most significant year for African Eagle on a number of fronts and one which I believe will be recognised in years to come as having been a landmark one for the Company. We have continued our development as a diversified, experienced exploration and emerging mining company, with a competitive base in stable and highly prospective countries in eastern and southern Africa. Highlights of the year included:
In March this year we announced that TWP Finance, a subsidiary of JSE-listed South African consulting engineering company, TWP Holdings, an EPCM (Engineering Procurement Construction Management) company, had acquired a strategic stake in African Eagle, which TWP expect to increase from the current 5% level. TWP has skills, capabilities and assets which complement our own and we see TWP, as our relationship with them grows, as a preferred partner, through project development partnerships or via the provision of services by TWP Consulting. As this relationship develops we will also seek new joint initiatives.
Our listing on the JSE was indeed well timed and beneficial to the Company. While new shareholders may not yet have seen the benefit of this, our share price having fallen since August in line with our peers’, I am positive that in the longer-term they will reap the benefits afforded by the injection of capital that will give us the ability to weather the current storm in the global markets. Moreover, our substantial cash position will ensure that we are well-placed to take advantage of acquisition and joint venture opportunities that are likely to arise in a cash-strapped exploration sector over the next year or so.
We have always encouraged investors to take a longer-term view as we develop and deliver projects, as we believe that the market will ultimately recognize the value of the Company. We consider, however, that our share price performance has not reflected either the commodity price rally or the significant progress we have made in augmenting and developing our portfolio during the year. In respect of the former, while the major gold and copper companies have benefited to some degree from the gold price rise, this has not flowed through to exploration companies as yet, in an apparent disconnect between the value above and the value below the ground. There appears, too, to be a widespread lack of understanding of exploration companies and their importance in the development and production processes that culminate in the generation of the cash flow so favoured by the market. We recognise that there is a need for us to deliver near-term cash flow and that is something that we are addressing.
Our policy of partnerships remains important to the Company and will continue to deliver significant intrinsic value. By engaging with companies which are well-placed in terms of skills and experience, financial support and local knowledge, we exert significant leverage to our larger projects, bringing them to fruition on an accelerated time scale. We will continue to develop partnerships with such as those already signed with Freeport McMoRan, CGA Mining and Randgold Resources.
I alluded earlier to the Board’s recent review of our broad strategy, which came to the conclusion that there is also significant value to be attained through the development, in-house, of high quality, near-to-production projects from our portfolio. This is particularly so given the skills within our own company and the fortunate position that we are in, with our partners funding the exploration and development of the larger projects. Thus, we are currently looking closely at bringing one of our unencumbered projects into production on our own. Whilst it is still early days and no firm decision has been taken, the Mokambo, Rupa and Igurubi projects may have the ability to deliver substantial returns. Their value is also currently overlooked by the market in our resource base.
Combined with our own operations, we can also look forward to taking a significant step towards production at Mkushi in November/December 2008 at the conclusion of the bankable feasibility study, with production expected by the second quarter of 2010. We have no reason to believe that the project is not viable and, in anticipation of this, are looking to order or confirm key long-lead items to ensure a rapid ramp up once the go-ahead decision has been taken.
Two of African Eagle's big advantages are, firstly, the established and experienced team that we have on the ground in the countries in which we operate and, secondly, the fact that the countries in which we are based - Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique - generally have good infrastructure and relatively mining-friendly investment regimes. One of the benefits from the former is the number of opportunities which are brought to us because our teams have long-standing relationships in, and knowledge of, the area.
We place a great deal of emphasis on the professional development of our locally-recruited people, not only to mitigate the global shortage of mining and exploration skills, but also because we have a real interest in the development of the countries in which we operate. That said, we are well-resourced with both geological and technical skills and are fortunate that many of our employees have developed a great loyalty to the group over a long period of time.
Much has been made in some quarters about the recent increase of royalties and introduction of windfall taxes in Zambia. In respect of the former, we are firmly of the view that the countries and communities that are host to our operations need to benefit from the mineral wealth of their countries. The royalties that are being imposed in Zambia are not out of line with progressive mining economies elsewhere in the world. In respect of windfall taxes, this is something that still needs to pan out.
While our operations are currently confined to Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique, we have always said that we are interested in new projects in some other SADC countries, particularly if we can acquire on-the-ground skills at the same time. We are also conscious of the desirability of increasing our market capitalisation to a level that will get us onto the radar screen of institutional investors whose market capitalisation criteria for investee companies means that they will not consider us now. Our involvement with TWP, as it grows, may well be the catalyst for just such an expansion of our operating and corporate foci.
Looking to the year ahead, our shareholders should continue to see significant developments from African Eagle. Key among these are likely to be:
In conclusion, I would like to thank shareholders, new and old, for their support during the year, our partners for their diligent execution of exploration and development work on our key joint ventures, and our employees for their ongoing contribution and loyalty to the Company.
John Park
Chairman
African Eagle Resources plc
| Note | Year to 31 December 2007 | Year to 31 December 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Depreciation expense | (83,023) | (68,895) | |
| Employee benefits expense | (622,395) | (501,011) | |
| Impairment of deferred exploration expenditure | (131,668) | (215,201) | |
| Other expenses | (534,542) | (351,708) | |
| Operating loss | (1,371,628) | (1,136,815) | |
| Finance costs: | |||
| Bank interest receivable | 216,623 | 101,266 | |
| Foreign exchange gain/(loss) | 28,137 | (263,378) | |
| Loss before tax | (1,126,868) | (1,298,927) | |
| Income tax expense | - | - | |
| Loss for the year | (1,126,868) | (1,298,927) | |
| Loss per share: | |||
| Basic loss per share from total and continuing operations | 1 | (0.7p) | (1.0p) |
| Diluted loss per share from total and continuing operations | 1 | (0.7p) | (1.0p) |
| Headline loss per share from total and continuing operations | 1 | (0.6p) | (0.8p) |
| Diluted headline loss per share from total and continuing operations | 1 | (0.6p) | (0.8p) |
| Note | Year to 31 December 2007 | Year to 31 December 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| ASSETS | |||
| Non-current assets | |||
| Property, plant and equipment | 156,337 | 153,495 | |
| Goodwill | 2 | 103,188 | 106,188 |
| Available for sale investments | 6,462 | 10,117 | |
| Investment in Associates | 3 | 1,809,901 | - |
| Deferred exploration costs | 2 | 8,441,854 | 7,172,869 |
| Total non-current assets | 10,517,742 | 7,442,669 | |
| Current assets | |||
| Other receivables | 383,339 | 240,466 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 7,051,744 | 2,516,712 | |
| Total current assets | 7,435,083 | 2,757,178 | |
| Total assets | 17,952,825 | 10,199,847 | |
| LIABILITIES | |||
| Current liabilities | |||
| Other payables | (392,628) | (180,820) | |
| Total liabilities | (392,628) | (180,820) | |
| Net assets | 17,560,197 | 10,019,027 | |
| EQUITY | |||
| Equity attributable to equity holders of parent | |||
| Share capital | 2,123,402 | 1,478,249 | |
| Share premium account | 19,311,622 | 11,803,913 | |
| Merger reserve | 705,723 | 705,723 | |
| Available for sale revaluation reserve | (9,199) | (7,929) | |
| Foreign currency reserve | (1,189,274) | (1,471,535) | |
| Retained losses | (3,382,077) | (2,489,394) | |
| Total equity | 17,560,197 | 10,019,027 |
| Note | Year to 31 December 2007 | Year to 31 December 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Cash flows from operating activities | |||
| Loss after taxation | (1,126,868) | (1,298,927) | |
| Adjustments for: | |||
| Depreciation | 83,023 | 68,895 | |
| Exchange loss | (25) | - | |
| Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment | (516) | (1,615) | |
| Interest received | (216,623) | (101,266) | |
| Impairment of deferred exploration expenditure | 131,668 | 215,201 | |
| Share based payments | 234,185 | 199,584 | |
| MCJV – Group share of the loss | 4,118 | - | |
| Impairment of investments for resale | 2,335 | - | |
| Impairment of goodwill | 3,000 | - | |
| Increase in other receivables | (135,999) | (92,970) | |
| Increase in other payables | 32,068 | 12,801 | |
| Net cash used in operating activities | (989,634) | (998,297) | |
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||
| Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment | (78,280) | (20,977) | |
| Payments for deferred exploration expenditure | (2,775,401) | (1,834,550) | |
| Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | 516 | 1,615 | |
| Interest received | 216,623 | 101,266 | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (2,636,542) | (1,752,646) | |
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||
| Proceeds from issue of share capital | 8,152,862 | 4,198,644 | |
| Net cash used from financing activities | 8,152,862 | 4,198,644 | |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 4,526,686 | 1,447,701 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 2,516,712 | 1,097,881 | |
| Exchange gain/(loss) | 8,346 | (28,870) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 7,051,744 | 2,516,712 |
Basic Loss Per Share
The calculation of basic loss per share is based on the loss for the period divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. In calculating the diluted loss per share potential ordinary shares such as share options and warrants have not been included as they would have the effect of decreasing the loss per share. Decreasing the loss per share would be antidilutive.
| 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Loss for the period | (1,126,868) | (1,298,927) |
| Weighted average number of shares in issue | 172,383,883 | 135,728,466 |
| Basic & diluted loss per share | (0.7p) | (1.0p) |
Headline loss per share has been calculated in accordance with the Institute of Investment Management and Research’s (“IIMR”) Statement of Investment Practice No. 1 entitled ‘The Definition of Headline Earnings’ and The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants Circular 8/2007 entitled ‘Headline Earnings’. The calculation of headline loss per share is based on the headline loss for the period of £1,028,443 (2006: £1,149,417) divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. No diluted headline loss per share has been calculated as it would be antidilutive by reducing the headline loss per share.
| 2007 | 2006 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Gross | Net | Gross | Net | |
| Loss for the period | (1,126,868) | (1,298,927) | ||
| Adjusted for: | ||||
| Less profit on sale of fixed assets | (516) | (361) | (1615) | (1,131) |
| Plus impairment of exploration assets | 131668 | 92,168 | 215,201 | 150,641 |
| Plus Group share of associate loss | 4,118 | 2,883 | - | |
| Plus impairment of Goodwill | 3,000 | 2,100 | - | |
| Plus impairment of available for sale financial assets | 2,335 | 1,635 | - | |
| Headline loss for the period | (1,028,443) | (1,149,417) | ||
| Weighted average number of shares in issue | 172,383,883 | 135,728,466 | ||
| Basic & diluted headline loss per share | (0.6p) | (0.8p) | ||
| Net is after the deduction of tax at the UK prevailing rate of 30%. | ||||
| Goodwill on Consolidation | Purchased goodwill | Deferred Exploration costs | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost: | ||||
| At 1 January 2007 | 103,188 | 3,000 | 7,172,869 | 7,279,057 |
| Foreign currency exchange differences | - | - | 260,330 | 260,330 |
| Additions | - | - | 2,954,342 | 2,954,342 |
| Transfer to investment in associates | (1,814,019) | (1,814,019) | ||
| Impairment costs | - | (3,000) | (131,668) | (134,668) |
| At 31 December 2007 | 103,188 | - | 8,441,854 | 8,545,042 |
| Goodwill on Consolidation | Purchased goodwill | Deferred Exploration costs | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost: | ||||
| At 1 January 2006 | 103,188 | 3,000 | 7,169,287 | 7,275,475 |
| Foreign currency exchange differences | - | - | (1,414,516) | (1,414,516) |
| Additions | - | - | 1,633,299 | 1,633,299 |
| Transfers | - | - | - | - |
| Impairment costs | - | - | (215,201) | (215,201) |
| At 31 December 2006 | 103,188 | 3,000 | 7,172,869 | 7,279,057 |
Goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment or when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Goodwill on consolidation relates to the acquisition of Katanga Resources Ltd in 2002. The goodwill is linked to the recovery of the deferred exploration costs on the Katanga mineral licences. The directors have reviewed the Katanga deferred exploration costs by licence in conjunction with the goodwill on consolidation and believe the goodwill to be fairly valued.
Following the incorporation of Mkushi Copper Joint Ventures Ltd the Mkushi exploration licences were transferred to the joint venture company. The Mkushi intangible asset was transferred to investments under non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet.
During the year Mkushi Copper Joint Ventures Ltd (MCJV) was created in Zambia. This company was established with CGA Mining as part of the Joint Venture agreement on the Mkushi copper project. Katanga Resources Ltd a fully owned subsidiary of the Group holds 49% of the ordinary shares and Seringa Mining Ltd a fully owned subsidiary of CGA Mining owns 51% of the ordinary shares. MCJV has been treated as an associate company for purposes of the Group consolidation as the Group has a significant influence over the financial and operating policy decisions but not control or joint control over those policies.
| 2007 | |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Total non-current assets | 2, 2,354,968 |
| Total current assets | 35,065 |
| Total current liabilities | - |
| Total non-current liabilities | (2,394,151) |
| Group share of associate net assets | (4,118) |
| Group share of associate Loss for the year | (4,118) |
The fair value of the investment in MCJV at the balance sheet date is £1,809,901 as detailed below. The Group did not have any contingent liabilities in MCJV.
| Investment in Associates | |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Cost: | |
| At 1 January 2007 | - |
| Transfer from deferred exploration costs | 1,814,019 |
| MCJV – Group share of loss | (4,118) |
| Carrying amount at 31 December 2007 | 1,809,901 |
The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2007 or 2006 as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act 1985.
The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2006 is derived from the statutory accounts for that year which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, as subsequently restated under IFRS. The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under s.237(2) or (3) Companies Act 1985.
The consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2007, the consolidated income statement, consolidated cash flow statement and associated notes for the year then ended have been extracted from the Group's 2007 statutory financial statements upon which the auditors' opinion is unqualified.
Copies of the Annual Report will be sent to shareholders in May and will be available from the Company at 2nd Floor, 6-7 Queen Street, London, EC4N 1SP. The full financial statements will be made available on the Company's website www.africaneagle.co.uk at the same time they are mailed to shareholders.
For further information, see the Company’s web site www.africaneagle.co.uk or contact one of the following:
African Eagle
Bevan Metcalf
+44 20 7248 6059
Seymour Pierce
Nicola Marrin
+44 20 7107 8000