Annual Report • Dec 31, 2010
Annual Report
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Investing in royalties
P.M. Boycott (Chairman) A.C. Orchard (Chief Investment Officer) M.J. Tack (Finance Director) J. Theobald (Chief Executive Officer) B.M. Wides (Director of International Business Development)
M.H. Atkinson (Senior Independent Director) J.G. Whellock A.H. Yadgaroff
M.J. Tack
17 Hill Street, London W1J 5NZ
17 Hill Street, London W1J 5NZ Registered in England No. 897608
Grant Thornton UK LLP Grant Thornton House, Melton Street, London NW1 2EP
Barclays Bank PLC Business Banking Larger Business 27th Floor Churchill Place London E14 5HP
Equiniti Registrars Limited Aspect House Spencer Road Lancing West Sussex BN99 6DA
Liberum Capital Limited Ropemaker Place 12th Floor 25 Ropemaker Street London EC2Y 9LY
London Stock Exchange Full Listing Symbol APF
Toronto Stock Exchange Secondary Listing Symbol APY
www.anglopacificgroup.com
The descriptions of the royalties in this Annual Report have been simplified for presentation purposes. This Annual Report contains forward-looking information, which is subject to change and risk and should not be relied upon. This Annual Report should be considered along with the additional supporting detail, assumptions and risks regarding the use of forward-looking information outlined on page [16] of this Annual Report and in the Anglo Pacific Group PLC (the "Group") Annual Information Form, which is available on www.sedar.com and on the website at www.anglopacificgroup.com. As a royalty holder, the Group often has limited, if any, access to technical information or is subject to confidentiality provisions. For this Annual Report and the Annual Information Form, the Group has generally relied on the public disclosure of the owners and operators of the royalty properties. More current information may be available in subsequent disclosure and on the Group website. The Group's royalties often cover less than 100% and sometimes only a portion of the publicly reported reserves, resources and production of the property. This Annual Report also contains references to past prices of and/or yields on the Group's shares. Readers are reminded that past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.
We are a royalty company specialising in royalties derived from the mining of natural resources. Within this sector we have a diverse portfolio that spans different commodities including coal and a variety of metals.
We also invest internationally from the Americas to Europe and Australasia and our portfolio includes both producing mines and development projects.
Our objective is simple – to continually build a diverse portfolio of royalties that will generate growing, long-term returns for our shareholders.
Combined Group Assets
£415m

▶ How we performed page 4
"During the year the Group has substantially expanded its royalty portfolio and further increased its total assets to record levels."
Peter Boycott Chairman
Chairman's review page 6
We are developing our portfolio through three primary routes:

▶ Read more in Operational review page 10
A royalty is an entitlement to an agreed percentage of a project's sales revenue, without any liability for production costs or capital expenditure. There are different reasons why one might own a royalty ranging from land ownership to exploration rights; however, as a royalty company, our entitlement comes through purchasing existing royalty agreements or as a result of direct financial investment.
In the mining industry, most royalties endure for the life of the resource and are paid on a regular basis. Historically there have been different terms for royalties including Gross Revenue or Net Smelter Return Royalties, which are based on the gross sale price of the actual mineral. Our model is based around Gross Revenue or Net Smelter Return Royalties as they provide the best and clearest return.
Our new royalty agreements tend to come from providing financing to mining operations, usually to help them progress a mine into production. We also make equity investments, which provide opportunities to create new royalty agreements.
In this case we buy existing royalty agreements, such as those owned by exploration companies who may have retained an interest in a mine they helped discover. Once acquired, royalty companies rarely sell their agreements.



For more details go to Operational review page 10

Kestrel Mine, located 40 km north east of Emerald in central Queensland, is an underground operation supplying world markets with up to 4.2 million tonnes of coking and thermal coal per annum.
The mine is currently constructing the US\$1.1 billion Kestrel Mine extension, a project to access the mine's existing resources more efficiently. The extension is due for completion in 2012.
During 2010, the efforts made by our team have resulted in record results and the addition of significant new royalties.





| Objective | Progress 2010 |
2009 |
|---|---|---|
| • Value of new royalties To expand, strengthen and diversify the royalty portfolio with royalties from long-life, low cost projects. | £35.6m 189% | £18.8m |
| • Net asset value To consistently grow the Group's net asset value. | £345.9m 133% | £260.0m |
| • Earnings per share To maximise returns to shareholders. | 51.99p 1173% | 19.07р |
| • Dividends per share To maintain a progressive dividend policy. | 9.05p 18.4% | 8.35p |
Diversification of the Group's royalties portfolio continues
Acquisition of two substantial iron ore royalties
Market demand for mining finance continues to be strong
Initial NI 43-101 and JORC compliant resource announced for the Panorama Coal Project in British Columbia, Canada.
Increase in value of quoted and unquoted strategic interests
Group's ordinary shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) from July 9, 2010 under symbol APY
In the year under review, I am pleased to report that the Group has substantially expanded its royalty portfolio and further increased its total assets to record levels. After realising substantial profits from the sale of non-core mining interests and receiving record royalty cash flows, the Board will again be recommending an increased final dividend.
During the year, continuing demand for raw materials from the emerging Asian economies has led to substantially higher commodity prices. The increase in economic activity has resulted in greater demand for key commodities, which produced firmer metallurgical coal, iron ore and uranium prices. This has been beneficial for the Group's royalty and mining interests in these sectors. Furthermore, due to the ongoing efforts to counter sluggish growth rates and an uncertain outlook for Western economies, concerns over inflation and currency stability have persisted during the year. This led to stronger gold and precious metal markets where the Group has substantial exposure.
These price rises have been further accentuated by a number of natural disasters and production setbacks which have themselves produced buoyant conditions throughout the mining sector. Strong junior quoted mining markets have enabled the Group to dispose of a number of mature equity interests where opportunities for the acquisition of royalties were no longer possible. Together with strong coking coal royalty receipts this has produced record earnings for the Group.
The Group's strategy remains focused on securing new royalties by acquisition and through investment in its mining interests in order to generate strong cash flows and continue to pay dividends to its shareholders. Anglo Pacific Group remains committed to a progressive dividend policy.
During 2010 the Group acquired a number of new royalties including two major iron ore royalties and a smaller chrome royalty. In addition, the Group obtained an option to acquire a substantial nickel royalty. Together with the Group's active management of its mining interests this has produced a further substantial rise in the value of the Group's total assets. The Group now owns a total of fifteen royalty interests of which three are currently in production.
The new royalties announced during the year were:
Report of the Directors 7
chromite project in Albania. These funds will enable Empire Mining Corporation to advance project exploration and development with the aim of moving towards production.
• Nickel (Brazil): In May 2010 the Group agreed, subject to contract and due diligence, to pay to Horizonte Minerals PLC the sum of US\$0.5 million in exchange for an option to acquire for US\$12.5 million a 1.5% net smelter return royalty on all revenue from the Araguaia nickel project in Brazil. Horizonte Minerals PLC acquired this nickel laterite project from Teck Resources Limited of Canada in exchange for a 50% equity stake in Horizonte Minerals PLC. The Group completed the purchase of this option on January 12, 2011.
These acquisitions have broadened and diversified the Group's portfolio of royalties, and when combined with the record earnings and balance sheet valuations represent an outstanding outcome for the year. Once again the Group's management of its balance sheet and its conservative approach to the evaluation of mining projects have produced strong results.
During the year the Group continued its strategy of taking equity stakes in strategic opportunities with the prospect of potential royalties. This has allowed the Group to develop a detailed understanding of project risks and form working relationships with management. Where royalties cease to be a financing option the Group will seek to dispose of the particular equity investment in a manner that is profitable to the Group, while minimising disruption to the investee company. This approach has proven extremely successful over the last five years with the Group realising significant gains for shareholders while generating numerous royalty opportunities. This remains an integral part of the Group's strategy.
On July 9, 2010 the Group's ordinary shares were listed and posted for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the symbol APY. In the last few months the Board has been exploring ways of expanding the Canadian share register and increasing its reach within the North American investing community. The TSX listing increases the profile of the Group in a market where royalty financing is well established and has a high profile with investors.
On October 6, 2010 Mr John Theobald was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Group replacing Mr Brian Wides who, on the same day, became Director of International Business Development. I welcome John's transition to Chief Executive and am confident that he will continue to drive the Group's growth in future years. Mr Brian Wides has been integral to the growth of the Group over many years, and it is encouraging for both the Board and shareholders that Brian will continue to be involved in the Group's future business development.
During the year the Group recruited a legal counsel to coordinate the contractual and duediligence processes involved in royalty acquisitions and also to assist the Group on compliance issues. The management team has increased to eight people in recent years, primarily to reflect the number of new royalty and investment opportunities being seen by the Group, but also to reduce the cost and number of external consultants required on any given acquisition. The Group remains a small organisation with a flat management structure. This allows management to use their experience and multi-disciplinary skills to implement the Group's growth strategy.
With recent strong mining equity markets, the raising of mining finance from conventional lenders or equity issues has become more accessible for junior mining companies. Despite this the Group continues to identify royalty opportunities. With its cash resources, strong royalty revenues and pro-active management, the Group will continue to make the acquisition of new royalties its principal strategic focus.
Finally I would like to thank my Board colleagues and staff for their application and hard work in achieving these record results.

P.M. Boycott Chairman February 23, 2011

| +33% |
|---|
| +17% |
| +92% |

68% of Group Royalties
The Group holds half of the private royalty entitlement on the Kestrel and Crinum underground mines in Queensland, Australia, operated by Rio Tinto Limited and BHP Billiton Limited respectively. The royalty is calculated on a two tier royalty rate of 7% of the invoiced value of coal sold below A\$100 per tonne and 10% of the invoiced value of coal above A\$100 per tonne.
Rio Tinto Limited BHP Billiton Limited

16% of Group Royalties
1% Gross Revenue Royalty ("GRR") on the Amapa Iron Ore System in Brazil, operated by Anglo American PLC.
2% Net Smelter Return Royalty ("NSR") on the Jogjakarta Iron Sands project in Indonesia, operated by Indo Mines Limited.
1.5% GRR on the Railway project exploration licences in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, owned by BHP Billiton Limited.
Anglo American PLC Indo Mines Limited BHP Billiton Limited

7% of Group Royalties
1% NSR over the Beverley Four Mile uranium project in South Australia. 1% NSR over the Salamanca uranium project in Spain, operated by Berkeley Resources Limited.
The royalty rights to several mineral exploration tenures in the Athabasca Basin region of Canada.
Quasar Resources / Alliance Resources JV Berkeley Resources Limited

8% of Group Royalties
2.5% NSR, escalating to 3% for gold prices in excess of US\$1,100 per ounce, on the El Valle deposit in Spain, being developed by Orvana Minerals Corp. 2.5% NSR on the Engenho gold project in Brazil, operated by Mundo Minerals Limited.
2.5% NSR, escalating to 2.75% for gold prices in excess of US\$1,250 per ounce, on the Midway-McKenzie Break properties in Quebec, Canada. An option to acquire a 2% NSR on Creso Exploration Inc's Duggan gold property in Ontario, Canada.
Orvana Minerals
Mundo Minerals Limited Creso Exploration Inc

1% of Group Royalties
3% GRR on the Bulqiza chromite project in Albania, operated by Empire Mining Corp.
An option to acquire a 1.5% NSR on the Araguaia nickel project in Brazil, owned by Horizonte Minerals PLC.
An option to acquire a 1% NSR on the Highbank Lake and Eastbank properties in Ontario, Canada, owned by Northern Shield Resources Inc.
Empire Mining Corporation Horizonte Minerals PLC Northern Shield Resources Inc

£2m (at cost)
Mineral licences in the Groundhog (Panorama and Discovery) and Peace River (Trefi) coal deposits in British Columbia, Canada.
Anglo Pacific Group PLC

Coal 7% Copper 12% Gold 24% Iron Ore 12% Zinc 5% Uranium 25% Platinum Group Metals 8% Other 7%
At December 31, 2010 the Group owned a number of strategic mining and exploration interests held for the purpose of generating additional royalty opportunities including a number of quoted and unquoted coal, uranium, gold, base metals and platinum mining projects.
Berkeley Resources Limited Mantra Resources Limited Maudore Minerals Limited Indo Mines Limited African Eagle Resources PLC
The directors submit their report and the financial statements of Anglo Pacific Group PLC for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Anglo Pacific Group PLC is a public limited company, incorporated in England, and listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol APF and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol APY.
Anglo Pacific Group PLC's strategy, conducted through the holding company (the "Company") and its subsidiary undertakings (together, the "Group"), is to secure new royalties by acquisition and through investment in its mining interests in order to generate strong cash flows and continue to pay dividends to its shareholders. The Group remains committed to a progressive dividend policy.
The activities of the Group are summarised below: -
The Group holds half of the private royalty entitlement on the Kestrel and Crinum underground mines in Queensland, Australia, operated by Rio Tinto Limited and BHP Billiton Limited respectively. The royalty is calculated on a two tier royalty rate of 7% of the invoiced value of coal sold below A\$100 per tonne and 10% of the invoiced value of coal above A\$100 per tonne.
1% Gross Revenue Royalty ("GRR") on the Amapa Iron Ore System in Brazil, operated by Anglo American PLC.
2% Net Smelter Royalty ("NSR") on the Jogjakarta Iron Sands project in Indonesia, operated by Indo Mines Limited.
1.5% GRR on the Railway project exploration licences in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, owned by BHP Billiton Limited.
1% NSR over the Beverley Four Mile uranium project in South Australia.
1% NSR over the Salamanca uranium project in Spain, operated by Berkeley Resources Limited.
The royalty rights to several mineral exploration tenures in the Athabasca Basin region of Canada.
2.5% NSR, escalating to 3% for gold prices in excess of US\$1,100 per ounce, on the El Valle deposit in Spain, being developed by Orvana Minerals Corp.
2.5% NSR on the Engenho gold project in Brazil, operated by Mundo Minerals Limited.
2.5% NSR, escalating to 2.75% for gold prices in excess of US\$1,250 per ounce, on the Midway-McKenzie Break properties in Quebec, Canada.
An option to acquire a 2% NSR on Creso Exploration Inc's Duggan gold property in Ontario, Canada.
3% GRR on the Bulqiza chromite project in Albania, operated by Empire Mining Corp.
An option to acquire a 1.5% NSR on the Araguaia nickel project in Brazil, owned by Horizonte Minerals PLC.
An option to acquire a 1% NSR on the Highbank Lake and Eastbank properties in Ontario, Canada, owned by Northern Shield Resources Inc.
Mineral licences in the Groundhog (Panorama and Discovery) and Peace River (Trefi) coal deposits in British Columbia, Canada.
At December 31, 2010 the Group owned a number of strategic mining and exploration interests held for the purpose of generating additional royalty opportunities including a number of quoted and unquoted coal, uranium, gold, base metals and platinum mining projects
The consolidated income statement is set out on page 28 of the financial statements.
The Group profit after tax increased by 173% to £56.3 million (2009: £20.6 million).
The Directors recommend a final dividend of 5.10p per share for the year ended December 31, 2010 which, with the interim dividend of 3.95p per share paid on January 12, 2011, will make total dividends for 2010 of 9.05p per share (2009: 8.35p per share). The final dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting to be held on April 13, 2011. The Board proposes to pay the final dividend on July 6, 2011 to shareholders on the Company's share register at the close of business on May 6, 2011. As with previous dividends, depending on the share price at the time the Board will consider whether shareholders will be given the opportunity to elect to receive new shares instead of cash.
This business review comprises the sections on pages 2 to 4. entitled "Who we are", "Where we operate", "How we performed", together with the Chairman's Review on pages 6 to 7 and the Financial and Operational Reviews set out below. The Key Performance Indicators on pages 5 and 12 and the Principal Risks and Uncertainties laid out on page 12 also form part of this review.
Group royalty revenue for the year ended December 31, 2010 was £30.1 million compared to £20.3 million for the previous year. When this is combined with cash flows from royalty debentures during the year of £0.9 million (2009: £0.3 million) total royalty cash flow per share increased by 50% to 28.65p from 19.10p in 2009.
Realised gains on disposal of mining and exploration interests were £41.0 million (2009: £6.4 million). These substantial gains were the result of the disposal in strong equity markets of some of the Group's mature mining interests where the acquisition of royalties was unlikely. Overall the Group's profit before tax for the year increased by 154% to £65.8 million (2009: £25.9 million) and Group earnings per share for the year increased by 173% to 51.99p (2009: 19.07p).
Group administrative expenses increased from £2.8 million to £3.3 million during the year, largely as a result of expenses associated with the Group's Toronto Stock Exchange listing and increased employee costs of £1.9 million (2009: £1.5 million).
At December 31, 2010 the Group's Australian coal royalty interests have been independently valued at £177.1 million (2009: £149.9 million). The Group's royalty instruments following fair value adjustments were valued at £28.1 million at the December 31, 2010 (2009: £22.0 million). The change in valuation of the embedded derivatives associated with these royalty instruments of £0.8 million has been debited to Group profits (2009: £0.1 million credited).
The total cost of royalties treated as intangibles has increased to £42.1 million at December 31, 2010 (2009: £5.3 million). As part of the annual impairment review a directors' valuation of these royalties has been undertaken using a discounted cash flow valuation model which uses forecast commodity prices and management's best estimate of an appropriate discount rate taking into account project-specific risk factors. At December 31, 2010 the directors' valuation of these assets was £54.2 million (2009: £12.2 million).
| Coal royalties £'000 |
Royalty Instruments £'000 |
Royalty Intangibles £'000 |
Royalty Options £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | |||||
| Number | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 14 |
| Cost | 166 | 12,493 | 42,130 | 406 | 55,195 |
| Valuation | 177,130 | 28,061 | 54,155 | 406 | 259,752 |
| 2009 | |||||
| Number | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| Cost | 145 | 12,493 | 5,326 | 1,168 | 19,132 |
| Valuation | 149,896 | 21,979 | 12,159 | 1,168 | 185,202 |
The Group's quoted and unquoted equity investments, including royalty options and any investments in associates, were valued at £128.5 million at December 31, 2010 (2009: £113.5 million). The private equity interests and royalty options remain accounted for at cost.
The Group's work on the Trefi and Panorama coal projects in British Columbia, Canada continues to be included in the accounts at cost, and the cost of property acquisition, tenure maintenance and deferred exploration totalled £2.0 million at December 31, 2010 (2009: £1.6 million).
At December 31, 2010 the Group had cash of £28.3 million compared to £14.2 million at December 31, 2009, with no borrowings or hedging. When combined with royalty and trade receivables, total cash and receivables at December 31, 2010 was £37.1 million (2009: £19.3 million). The Group has limited capital expenditure requirements other than for the acquisition of additional royalties. Management believe that the Group's current cash resources and future cash flows will be sufficient to cover the cost of general and administrative expenses, income taxes and dividend payments. The Group remains debt free and its liquid resources are held in a spread of currencies and financial institutions. The Group's mining interests and royalty revenues are mainly denominated in Australian and Canadian dollars.
The Group's total assets at December 31, 2010 were £415.6 million, a 33% increase from £312.5 million at December 31, 2009. This does not include any increase in value over cost that may be attributable to the Group's royalty intangibles or the Panorama and Trefi coal projects.
In Australia, coal royalty receipts from the Kestrel and Crinum coal mines, operated by Rio Tinto Limited and BHP Billiton Limited respectively, were £29.9 million (2009: £20.3 million). This increase was due to a steady rise in the prices of Australian thermal and
metallurgical coal in 2010 as a result of continuing Asian demand for seaborne coal. For most of the year the price of coking coal was approximately US\$200 per tonne.
The coal royalties from the Kestrel and Crinum mines are paid on coal mined under private subterranean rights and the royalty rate is prescribed by the Queensland Mineral Resources Act Regulations. These regulations provide that a royalty rate of 7% applies to the value of coal sold below A\$100 per tonne and a rate of 10% applies to the value of coal sold above A\$100 per tonne. The Group owns 50% of the private subterranean rights.
The independent valuation of these interests at December 31, 2010 was £177.1 million (A\$270.3 million) compared to £149.9 million (A\$269.7 million) at December 31, 2009. The valuation is based on the net present value of the pre-tax cash flows discounted at a rate of 7% and the net royalty income is taxed in Australia at a rate of 30%.
During the year the Group acquired a 1% GRR covering iron ore within the Amapá Iron Ore System, operated by Anglo American PLC, in the Amapá region of northern Brazil. The Amapá Iron Ore System is majority owned by Anglo American PLC (70%), with Cliff Natural Resources Inc. owning the remaining 30%. Based on Anglo American PLC's public disclosure the Amapá Iron Ore System commenced initial production in 2008 and started commercial production on January 1, 2010. Anglo American PLC expects to produce 4.0 million tonnes ("Mt") of sinter feed and pellet feed in 2010 from the Amapá Iron Ore System and could increase production to 6.5Mt per annum with further capital investment. The Group also acquired a 1% GRR on iron ore on Beadell Resources Limited's adjacent mining concessions and exploration tenements which cover approximately 2,500 square kilometers and are considered prospective by the Group for iron ore.
In 2010 the Group also acquired a 1.5% GRR covering three exploration licences in the central Pilbara region of Western Australia. The tenements, covering 263 square kilometres, are owned by a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP Billiton Limited and host a number of known iron occurrences, the most significant being the Railway deposit. The tenements are supported by extensive rail infrastructure including the rail lines from Rio Tinto Limited's West Angelas and Yandicoogina mines and BHP Billiton Limited's rail line serving its current operations at Mining Area C, which lies immediately to the east of the Railway deposit. United Minerals Corporation NL explored the tenements during the period between 2007 to 2010 and subsequent to the announcement of a resource was acquired by BHP Billiton Limited.
The Group owns a 2% NSR interest in the developmental Jogjakarta Iron Sands project, located in Indonesia and operated by Indo Mines Limited. On March 23, 2009 Indo Mines Limited announced the results of a scoping study conducted by ProMet Engineers Proprietary Limited and announced that a feasibility study had been commenced. On January 11, 2011 the company announced that it had received the Government Environmental and Social Approval required to complete the feasibility study.
The Group owns a 1% NSR interest in the developmental Salamanca uranium project located in Spain and operated by Berkeley Resources Limited. This company released a resource statement for the deposits on February 26, 2010 and confirmed that a scoping study had shown the project to be technically and economically viable. Berkeley Resources Limited has reported that a definitive feasibility study is currently underway.
The Group owns a 1% NSR interest in the developing Four Mile uranium project located in South Australia and operated by a joint venture between Quasar Resources Proprietary Limited (75% owner) Report of the Directors 11
and Alliance Resources Limited (25% owner). Approval for the mine was granted by the Australian government in July 2009; however, the joint venture parties are currently in dispute over a number of matters and development of the mine has been placed on hold until these are resolved. On July 28, 2010 Alliance Resources Limited reported that a scoping study indicated that the Four Mile project offers a significantly greater return if developed as a standalone project with a production rate of approximately 5 million pounds per annum. This contrasts with the initial proposed production rate of 3 million pounds per annum.
In addition, the Group holds the royalty rights to a number of mineral exploration tenures in the Athabasca Basin region of Canada. The Athabasca Basin region is considered by management of the Group to be highly prospective for uranium exploration and production and currently hosts large, high grade uranium mines and deposits. The properties covered by the royalty interests are operated by Magnum Uranium Corp. and Bayswater Ventures Corp.
The Group owns a 2.5% NSR, escalating to 3% for gold prices in excess of US\$1,100 per ounce, on the El Valle and Carles gold and copper mines located in Spain and operated by Orvana Minerals Corp. Orvana Minerals Corp. recently announced that production is currently scheduled to commence at El Valle during spring of 2011 and that the mine is expected to have a life of seven years with average production of 105,000 ounces of gold and 3,900 tonnes of copper per annum.
The Group holds a 2.5% NSR on the Engenho gold project in Brazil, operated by Mundo Minerals Limited. During the year receipts relating to the NSR on the Engenho gold project totalled £0.4 million (2009: £0.3 million). These receipts consisted of repayments of the debenture instrument and also included £0.1 million interest (2009: £0.2 million).
The Group owns a 2.5% escalating NSR on the Midway-McKenzie Break project. The project is located in Quebec, Canada, and was recently operated by Northern Star Mining Corp. Northern Star Mining Corp announced their first gold pour from the project on February 5, 2010, however, on January 25, 2011 the company announced that it had been deemed to have filed assignments in bankruptcy. The Group has registered its royalty interests against the Midway-McKenzie Break tenures and will pursue its rights with the receiver to ensure that the royalty remains attached to the property in the event of any disposal. In the interim the Group has created a full provision against the royalty instrument.
The Group also owns an option to acquire a 2% NSR on Creso Exploration Inc's Duggan gold property in Ontario, Canada. Exploration work at this property is ongoing.
During the year the Group acquired a 3% GRR over the output from Empire Mining Corp's Bulqiza chromite project in Albania. Empire Mining Corp's Bulqiza licence surrounds and extends from the past producing Bulqiza and Batra Mines and includes the eastern and western extensions of the Bulqiza-Batra chromite deposit. Empire Mining Corp recently announced that it intends to convert exploration licences to mining licences as soon as practical with the aim of accelerating development within chromite mineralisation, utilising a plan to increase production incrementally in conjunction with exploration and development from existing infrastructure where possible.
During 2010 the Group also purchased an option to acquire for US\$12.5 million a 1.5% NSR on the Araguaia nickel project which is located in the Carajas Mineral District of Northern Brazil and is owned by Horizonte Minerals PLC. Horizonte Minerals PLC acquired the Araguaia nickel project from Teck Resources Limited, which resulted in Teck Resources Limited controlling approximately 50% of the Horizonte Mineral PLC's outstanding share capital. The Araguaia nickel project comprises 11 licence applications across 73,000 hectares with eight significant mineralised zones.
The Group also owns an option to acquire a 1% NSR on the Highbank Lake and Eastbank properties in Ontario, Canada, owned by Northern Shield Resources Inc. A planned drill program for Highbank Lake was recently announced by this company.
During the year the Group progressed work on both the Panorama and Discovery coal projects in the Groundhog Coalfield, northern British Columbia, Canada and the Trefi coal project in the Peace River Coalfield, northwest British Columbia, Canada.
At the Trefi coal project, the Group commissioned a drilling programme and announced the following mineral resources, each of which is compliant with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Minerals Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101") and the standards prescribed by the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee ("JORC"): a measured and indicated mineral resource of 39.35 Mt of weak coking coal (comprised of a measured mineral resource of 14.25 Mt of weak coking coal and an indicated mineral resource of 25.1 Mt of weak coking coal) and an inferred mineral resource of 51.6 Mt of weak coking coal.
A scoping study on this project has been completed and the permitting process for additional drilling is in progress. The Group is currently reviewing options for development that could result in a royalty.
At the Panorama coal project the Group announced the following mineral resources, each of which is compliant with the NI 43-101 and JORC: an indicated mineral resource of 13.7 Mt of semi-anthracite to anthracite coal and an inferred mineral resource 24.1 Mt of semi-anthracite to anthracite coal. The Group is now examining possible methods of monetising its interest in Panorama while retaining a royalty.
The Group's equity investments in both listed and unlisted mineral exploration and development companies continued to generate opportunities for royalty acquisitions during the year. The Group's equity investments remained focused on precious metals and uranium at December 31, 2010; however, opportunities also arose in coal and iron ore during the year. Some royalty opportunities were no longer identifiable within investee companies and as a result the Group disposed of these investments. Given the strong equity market conditions during the year the majority of these disposals resulted in significant realised profits for the Group. The Group's shareholding in Mantra Resources Limited was significantly reduced during the year; although, the Group still retained an equity interest at December 31, 2010 and awaits the completion of the recently announced agreed takeover bid.
Pricing mechanisms for most bulk commodities, including metallurgical coal, are moving from fixed annual contracts to more variable, shorter-term pricing arrangements. During the year spot coking coal prices were approximately US\$200 per tonne.
Due to the floods in Queensland in January 2011 output at both the Kestrel and Crinum mines was disrupted and spot coking coal prices moved above US\$300 per tonne. Neither mine was flooded but infrastructure road and rail links to and from the mines were affected. In the short term therefore disruption of production will have an impact on Group cash flows although, when full production resumes, the Group expects to benefit from the higher prices achieved for both coking and thermal coal. Some production still continues from the private ground at Crinum.
With recent strong mining equity markets, the raising of mining finance from conventional lenders or equity issues has become more accessible for junior mining companies. Despite this the Group continues to identify royalty opportunities.
With its cash resources, strong royalty revenues and pro-active management, the Group will continue to make the acquisition of new royalties its principal strategic focus.
The Board has identified four main key performance indicators, all of which are financial:
In addition to these financial KPIs, the Board also considers nonfinancial factors such as the Group's compliance with Corporate Governance Standards and environmental considerations relevant to some of the Group's mining interests. These factors cannot be efficiently measured so do not form part of the Group's KPIs.
In addition to normal business risks, the Board has identified, inter alia, four main macro-economic risks that could affect the Group's performance:-
Measures taken by the Board to manage these risks include:-
The Board is also aware of the need for succession planning and the associated risks to the Group are under constant review. Further appointments will be made to the Board as required.
The Company's principal treasury objective is to provide sufficient liquidity to meet operational cash flow and dividend requirements and to allow the Group to take advantage of new growth opportunities whilst maximising shareholder value. The Company operates controlled treasury policies which are monitored by the Board to ensure that the needs of the Company are met as they evolve. The impact of the risks required to be discussed in accordance with IFRS 7 are summarised below, while detailed discussion and sensitivity analysis relating to these risks is contained in note 3 to these accounts.
The objective of the Company in managing funding risk is to ensure that it can meet its financial obligations as and when they fall due. At the year end there was no debt outstanding. The Company has a strong credit rating and has good access to capital markets, if required.
The Group's principal financial assets are bank balances, trade and other receivables and investments. These represent the Group's maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.
The Group's credit risk is primarily attributable to its other receivables, including royalty receivables. It is the policy of the Group to present the amounts in the balance sheet net of allowances for doubtful receivables, estimated by the Group's management based on prior experience and the current economic environment. There are no doubtful receivables in this period. In relation to the three royalties acquired during the year, in the event of non-payment the Group have registered its interests against mining title where possible. In addition, the Group is generally entitled to full reconciliations of amounts paid and retains the right to audit the royalty returns and verify the calculations.
The credit risk on cash at bank is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers.
In 2007 the Group created a derivative financial instrument to provide finance to an unlisted mining development company, which has subsequently listed (note 18). This instrument is convertible into equity in the company or royalties over the company's properties at the Group's option for a period of up to five years. In the event of default the instrument becomes repayable and the Group would rank equally with the company's other unsecured creditors. The Group undertakes detailed analysis of factors which mitigate the risk of default to the Group on a regular basis.
The Group's transactional foreign exchange exposure arises from income, expenditure and purchase and sale of assets denominated in foreign currencies. As each material commitment is made, the risk in relation to currency fluctuations is assessed by the Board and regularly reviewed. The Group does not consider it necessary to have a hedging programme in place at this time.
The tables below show the extent to which the Group has residual financial assets and liabilities in currencies other than sterling. Foreign exchange differences on retranslation of these assets and liabilities are taken to the income statement of the Group.
| AUD CAD USD Functional £'000 £'000 £'000 |
Euro £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|---|---|---|
| currency of operation |
||
| 2010 | ||
| Sterling 61,321 37,273 350 |
12 | 98,956 |
| 2009 | ||
| Sterling 55,628 46,294 29 |
18 | 101,969 |
The Group has no borrowings or debt and the Group's financial instruments have limited exposure to fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. This is regularly reviewed by management.
The Group's mining and exploration interests are held for the purposes of generating additional royalties and are considered long-term, strategic investments. This strategy is unaffected by fluctuations in prices for mining and exploration equities; however, changes in market conditions may affect the value and recoverability of the amounts
Report of the Directors 13
invested. The Group has detailed investment review processes in place to manage this risk to the greatest extent possible.
The royalties acquired during the year expose the Group to other price risk through fluctuations in commodity prices, particularly the price of iron ore, which may affect the future cash flows received from these royalties.
The Group's directors have extensive experience in the mining industry, with backgrounds in corporate finance, equity markets and mining operations. This combination of skills continues to deliver new royalties from low-cost, long-life mining assets to grow returns for shareholders.
The following directors have held office since January 1, 2010:
Executive:
P.M. Boycott (Chairman)
A.C. Orchard (Chief Investment Officer)
M.J. Tack (Finance Director) J. Theobald (Chief Executive Officer)
B.M. Wides (Director of International Business Development)
Non Executive:
M.H. Atkinson (Senior Independent Director and Nomination
Committee Chairman)
J.G. Whellock (Audit Committee Chairman)
A.H. Yadgaroff (Remuneration Committee Chairman)
On October 6, 2010 Mr John Theobald was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Group replacing Mr Brian Wides who, on the same day, became Director of International Business Development.
Peter M. Boycott was appointed to the Board in May 1997 and as Chairman in June 1997. He has a MA in Mechanical Sciences from the University of Cambridge and is a Chartered Accountant. During his career he has been involved as Finance Director and substantial shareholder in a number of private investment and property groups including engineering and manufacturing companies supplying thermal processing systems to major mining groups. He has been a director of several public companies quoted in Australia and Canada.
Chris Orchard joined the Group as Chief Investment Officer in December 2007 and was appointed to the Board in June 2009. He has a BSc Honours in Mining from the University of Leeds and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities Investment. After graduating he worked in the South African mining industry and on returning to the UK spent twenty years as an investment banker in the City specialising in the resources sector. He was Managing Director of Hambros Equity UK, a Director of RBC Dominion Securities and prior to joining the Group managed the investment operations of a private wealth management firm. He has been a director of several public companies quoted in Canada and Australia.
Matthew J. Tack joined the Group as Company Secretary in 2004 and was appointed to the Board as Finance Director in July 2006. He has Bachelors degrees in Commerce and Economics from the University of Queensland, is a Chartered Accountant (Australia) and a Member of the Institute of Directors. Prior to joining the Group he worked for a number of companies in Australia and the UK including PricewaterhouseCoopers.
John Theobald joined the Group as Chief Operating Officer in April 2008, joined the Board in June 2009 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer on October 6, 2010. He is a Chartered Engineer with a BSc Honours in Geology from the University of Nottingham. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society and Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. Prior to joining the Group he held senior operational and new business positions with the major industrial minerals group SCR-Sibelco; he has also worked in the junior resource sector and for major companies such as Anglo American, Phelps Dodge and Iscor covering a wide range of metals, coal and industrial minerals. He has been a director of several public companies quoted in Canada.
Brian M. Wides joined the Board in June 1997 and was appointed Finance Director in September 1997. In July 2006 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer and on October 6, 2010 was appointed Director of International Business Development after standing down as Chief Executive Officer. He has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Witswatersrand and is a Chartered Accountant (South Africa). His specialist experience includes corporate finance, management consultancy and creating shareholder value for a large spectrum of private and public companies in the UK, Australia and Canada.
Mike H. Atkinson was appointed director in February 2006 and is currently the Group's Senior Independent Director. He also chairs the Nomination Committee. He has an MA in History from the University of Cambridge and is a qualified management accountant. He worked for the National Coal Board as a capital investment analyst before joining the UK Department of Energy (later the Department of Trade and Industry). He was a senior civil servant for nearly twenty years until his retirement in 2004, and held a range of financial, management and policy posts including Director of Coal and Chairman of British Coal.
Dr. John G. Whellock, was appointed director in March 2003 and currently chairs the Audit Committee. He has a BSc and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Birmingham and is a member of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. He has over thirty years of experience in the development and implementation of extractive metallurgy, mineral and chemical plants. He is the founder of JW Technologies providing innovative technology and thermal processing equipment for the metals, minerals and chemical industries. Prior to this he worked for Minproc Technology Inc and was founder and Vice-President of Tolltreck International Ltd.
Anthony H. Yadgaroff was appointed director in March 2003 and currently chairs the Group's Remuneration Committee. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, and has specialised in investment research and management consultancy during a forty year City career. Allenbridge Group, which he founded in 1984 to provide advisory services to private and institutional investors, was acquired by Close Brothers in February 2011. He is Chairman of AllenbridgeEpic Ltd, which advises major UK pension funds with assets exceeding £25 billion. He serves on the boards of several charities and non-profit organisations.
The directors who are due to retire by rotation at the next Annual General Meeting are Mr M.H. Atkinson, Mr J.G. Whellock and Mr A.H. Yadgaroff, each of whom, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.
The Group maintains insurance for its directors and officers against certain liabilities in relation to the Group.
The beneficial interests of the directors and their connected persons in the issued share capital of the Company were:
| Ordinary shares of £0.02 each | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | December 31, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
| 2,736,947 | 2,736,947 | 2,676,983 |
| 264,202 | 264,202 | 64,634 |
| 281,931 | 281,931 | 54,126 |
| 204,919 | 204,919 | 17,134 |
| 2,926,153 | 2,926,153 | 2,903,295 |
| M.H. Atkinson (Non-Executive Director) 3,922 |
3,922 | 3,803 |
| J.G. Whellock (Non-Executive Director) 13,084 |
13,084 | 13,084 |
| A.H. Yadgaroff (Non-Executive Director) 161,198 |
161,198 | 180,372 |
| February 15, |
The Remuneration Report on pages 21 to 23 forms part of the Directors' report and includes details of the nature and amount of each element of the remuneration (including share options) of each of the directors.
The 2010 Remuneration Report will be proposed for approval at the Annual General Meeting to be held on April 13, 2011. In accordance with the Companies Act 2006 (United Kingdom) no entitlement of a person to remuneration is conditional upon the passing of the resolution.
The 2009 Remuneration Report was approved by shareholders at the Group's prior annual general meeting in April 2010.
A full report on corporate governance can be found on pages 18 to 20 and forms part of this Directors' report.
The Group has a policy whereby any employee may contact the Chairman of the Board or the members of the Audit Committee at any time in relation to any concerns regarding conduct that is contrary to the values of the Group. Such matters may include unethical practices in accounting, internal accounting controls, financial reporting or auditing matters, or any other legal or ethical concern. By virtue of the size of the Group all employees are in regular contact with the members of the Board, and any concerns are treated in the strictest confidence.
It is a continuing policy of the Group not to make political or charitable donations. The Group's directors and employees support philanthropic efforts generally using their own personal resources. The Group's philosophy is that charity is a decision best made by shareholders with their own resources, rather than management using the Group's resources to make this decision on their behalf. The Group aims to increase dividends and the value of the Group's shares so that shareholders can make their own charitable decisions. In addition, employees are encouraged to support their chosen charities utilising the Give As You Earn payroll contribution scheme.
No donations were made to charities during the year (2009: nil).
No political donations were made during the year (2009: nil).
The Company's policy with regard to the payment of suppliers is to:
• agree terms of payment at the start of business with each supplier;
During the year to December 31, 2010 the Company took an average of 23 days to settle its bills with suppliers (2009: 33 days). The Company acknowledges the importance of paying invoices promptly, especially those of small businesses.
The Group remains committed to an Environmental Policy of collaborating fully with statutory authorities, local communities and special interest groups to minimise the effects of its activities on the natural and human environments associated with its operations, where appropriate. The Group complies with all relevant environmental legislation on its private coal interests in British Columbia, Canada and is assisted in this regard by a team of experienced Canadian consultants.
The Group acknowledges that it has the ability to positively influence the environmental practices and policies of companies it conducts business with. Management discussions necessarily address common environmental policy ideals, and the Board remains committed to working with its fellow mining companies to ensure that the environmental impact of mineral exploration and development activities is minimised as much as possible. The Board has access to consultants with requisite mining and environmental expertise to ensure the Group's partners meet their covenants in this regard.
The Group has 8 employees, 5 of whom are executive directors. More information regarding the Group's employees can be found on pages 13 to 14.
The Group acknowledges that, while its activities have little direct contact with communities, it can positively influence the social practices and policies of companies it conducts business with. Positive social and community relationships are essential to profitable and successful mineral extraction activities, and the Group endeavours to ensure that companies it works with have appropriate procedures in place to facilitate this. The Group also consults with local community groups where it believes its activities could have an impact to provide these potentially impacted groups with the opportunity to engage at the planning stage. With respect to its private coal interests in British Columbia, Canada the Group has engaged with First Nations and will continue to engage and consult as the projects advance.
The Group has a number of members of staff, who due to their knowledge of the Group and its intellectual property, are essential to the continued smooth running of the business. The Group reviews its employment policies on an annual basis, including a review of its performance-related pay policies, so as to ensure these members of staff continue to remain incentivised and their goals remain congruent with those of the Group. All employee contracts contain non-compete agreements and also stipulate that all intellectual property remains that of the Group.
The structure of the Company's ordinary capital at March 8, 2011 is as follows:
| Nominal value | % of total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issued No. | per share £ | £ | capital | |
| Ordinary shares |
108,771,332 | 0.02 | 2,175,427 | 100% |
Report of the Directors 15
The £0.02 ordinary shares carry the right to dividends determined at the discretion of the Board.
The £0.02 ordinary shares carry the right to one vote per share.
There are no restrictions on the transfer of the Company's shares. There are no known agreements between holders of the Company's shares that may result in restrictions on the transfer of shares or voting rights.
None of the shares carry any special control rights. There are no known agreements that take effect, alter or terminate upon a change of control of the Company following a takeover bid.
No shares are currently held in treasury by the Company.
The Company has been notified of the following interests of 3% or more in the share capital of the Company at February 15, 2011.
| Ordinary Shares of 2p each |
Representing | |
|---|---|---|
| Ransomes Dock Ltd | 8,949,904 | 8.23% |
| Legal and General Group PLC | 5,109,104 | 4.70% |
| AXA Investment Managers UK | 4,844,190 | 4.45% |
| Rathbones Brothers PLC | 3,693,110 | 3.40% |
The directors who were in office on the date of approval of these financial statements have confirmed that, as far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditors are unaware. Each of the directors have confirmed that they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been communicated to the auditors.
Grant Thornton UK LLP, have expressed willingness to continue in office. In accordance with section 489(4) of the Companies Act 2006 (United Kingdom) a resolution to reappoint Grant Thornton UK LLP will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting to be held on April 13, 2011.
The notice of the Annual General Meeting (refer to page 68) contains ordinary and special resolutions detailed below.
Resolution 8 seeks to renew the authority taken at last year's Annual General Meeting to offer shareholders the option to take dividends in ordinary shares instead of cash.
Resolution 9 seeks a new authority, to replace the present authority and be effective until the earlier of April 13, 2016 and the conclusion of the annual general meeting held in 2016, to authorise the directors to allot relevant securities up to a maximum nominal amount of £725,142 representing about 33.33 per cent of the issued ordinary share capital at the date of this report. The directors have no present intention of exercising this authority.
Resolution 10 seeks a waiver of the pre-emption rights of existing shareholders, but only for new securities or shares (if any) held in treasury up to a maximum aggregate nominal value of £217,542 (10% of the issued share capital at the date of this report) or, if less, 10% of the Company's issued share capital from time to time. The directors also seek authority to make appropriate exclusions from any rights issue, because it may not be possible to issue new shares to some shareholders (for example, those resident in foreign jurisdictions where regulatory difficulties might arise). The directors will be able to use this authority, if granted, to allot new securities or issue shares held in treasury without further reference to shareholders. However, the directors have no plans at present to make such an allotment and the proposed authority, if granted, will expire at the earlier of the next annual general meeting of the Company or on June 30, 2012. No shares are currently held in treasury by the Company.
The authority sought under this resolution provides the Group with the ability to continue to make acquisitions of royalties on low-cost, long-life mining assets.
Resolution 11 gives authority for the Company to purchase its own shares and specifies the maximum number of shares which may be acquired (10,877,133, being approximately 10% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital as at the date of this report) and the maximum (the higher of 105% of the 5 day average middle market price and the last independent trade or bid) and minimum (the nominal value) prices at which shares may be bought. The directors intend to exercise this power only if, in the light of market conditions prevailing at the time, they believe that the effect of such purchases will be to increase earnings per share. They will also have regard to whether, at the time, this represents the best use of the Company's resources and is in the best interests of the shareholders generally. Other investment opportunities, appropriate gearing levels and the overall position of the Company will be taken into account in reaching such a decision. Any shares purchased in this way will either be cancelled and the number of shares in issue reduced accordingly, or else held in treasury. In total there are options outstanding over 60,120 ordinary shares; they represent 0.06% of the current issued share capital and would represent 0.06% of the issued share capital if the full buy back authority was used and the shares so acquired cancelled. The proposed authority, if granted, will expire at the earlier of the next annual general meeting of the Company or eighteen months from the date of passing of the resolution. At December 31, 2010 the Company still had authority to acquire 10,743,946 shares under Resolution 15 passed at the last Annual General Meeting.
The Articles of Association of the Company were previously amended in 2008 in order to reflect the implementation of the initial provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (United Kingdom). Since then, the final provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (United Kingdom) have come into force, as have the Companies (Shareholders' Rights) Regulations 2009. These provisions continue the developments relating to the constitutional documents of UK companies and best practice for UK listed companies. Accordingly, the Board considers it prudent to replace the Company's existing Articles of Association with new Articles (the "New Articles"), which take account of those developments, and to put Resolution 12 to the meeting in order to effect the changes. A summary of the material changes brought about by the proposed adoption of the New Articles is set out in the Appendix to the Notice of Annual General Meeting on pages 68 to 72 of this document.
The directors believe that all of the resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting are in the best interests of the Group and its shareholders as a whole and the directors unanimously recommend that shareholders vote in favour of all of the resolutions.
The ordinary shares of the Company were listed and posted for trading on the TSX on July 9, 2010, at which time the Company became a "reporting issuer" in the Province of Ontario, Canada. However, in accordance with National Instrument 71-102 – Continuous Disclosure and Other Exemptions Relating to Foreign Issuers of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 71-102"), the Company is a "designated foreign issuer" (as is defined in NI 71-102). As such, the Company is not subject to the same ongoing reporting requirements as most other reporting issuers in Canada. Generally, the Company will be in compliance with Canadian ongoing reporting requirements if it complies with the UK Financial Services Authority in its capacity as the competent authority for the purposes of Part VI of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (United Kingdom), as amended from time to time, and the applicable laws of England and Wales (the UK Rules) and files on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com any documents required to be filed or furnished pursuant to the UK Rules.
The scientific and technical information in this Annual Report relating to the Kestrel mine was derived from the technical report entitled "A 43-101 Technical Report on the Kestrel Coal Mine Royalty, Queensland, Commonwealth of Australia" dated March 31, 2010 (the "Kestrel Report"), which was prepared by Dr Iestyn Humphreys, Corporate Consultant, and Mr Paul Bright, Corporate Consultant, of SRK Consulting (UK) Limited. Each of Messrs Humphreys and Bright is a "qualified person" for the purposes of NI 43-101 and is independent of the Company. The Kestrel Report is available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
The scientific and technical information in this Annual Report relating to the Panorama coal project and the Trefi coal project was derived, respectively, from the technical report entitled "Resource Estimate for the Discovery and Panorama Coal Properties" dated July 12, 2010 (the "Panorama and Discovery Report") and the technical report entitled "Resource Estimate for the Trefi Coal Property" dated March 18, 2010 (the "Trefi Report"), each of which was prepared by Mr Robert J. Morris, Principal Geologist, and Mr Robert F. Engler, Principal, Moose Mountain Technical Services. Each of Messrs Morris and Engler is a "qualified person" for the purposes of NI 43-101 and is independent of the Company. Each of the Panorama and Discover Report and the Trefi Report is available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
Certain statements in this Annual Report, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements based on certain assumptions and reflect the Group's expectations and views of future events. Forward-looking statements (which include the phrase "forward-looking information") are provided for the purposes of assisting the reader in understanding the Group's financial position and results of operations as at and for the periods ended on certain dates, and to present information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements may not be appropriate for other purposes than outlined in this Annual Report. These statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, cash flow,
requirement for and terms of additional financing, performance, prospects, opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, objectives, strategies, growth and outlook of the Group including the outlook for the markets and economies in which the Group operates, costs and timing of acquiring new royalties, mineral reserve and resources estimates, estimates of future production, production costs and revenue, future demand for and prices of precious and base metals and other commodities, for the current fiscal year and subsequent periods. In addition, statements relating to "reserves" or "resources" are forward looking statements, as they involve implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the resources and reserves described can be profitably produced in the future.
Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or include words such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "believes", "estimates", "seeks", "intends", "targets", "projects", "forecasts", or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "may", "will", "should", "would" and "could". Forward-looking statements are based upon certain material factors that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including assumptions and analyses made by the Group in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. The material factors and assumptions upon which such forward-looking statements are based include: the general economy is stable; local governments are stable; interest rates are relatively stable; equity and debt markets continue to provide access to capital; the ongoing operations of the properties underlying the Group's portfolio of royalties by the owners or operators of such properties in a manner consistent with past practice; the accuracy of reserve and resource estimates, grades, mine life and cash cost estimates; the accuracy of public statements and disclosures made by the owners or operators of such underlying properties; no material adverse change in the market price of the commodities that underlie the Group's portfolio of royalties and investment interests; no adverse development in respect of any significant property in which the Group holds a royalty or other interest; the successful completion of new development projects; the accuracy of publicly disclosed expectations for the development of underlying properties that are not yet in production; planned expansions or other projects within the timelines anticipated and at anticipated production levels; and title to mineral properties. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended in the forward-looking statements.
By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate; that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. A variety of material factors, many of which are beyond the Group's control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Group, its businesses and investments, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by any forwardlooking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to current global financial conditions, commodity hedging, royalty portfolio and associated risk, adverse development risk, financial viability and operational effectiveness of owners and operators of the relevant royalty portfolio properties, royalties subject to other rights, contractual terms may not be honoured and the other risks noted under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Annual Information Form. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect the Group's business, financial condition or results of operations.
The reader is cautioned that the list of factors noted in the section herein entitled "Risk and uncertainties" is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Group's forward-looking statements. The reader is also cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forwardlooking statements.
This Annual Report also contains forward-looking information contained and derived from publicly available information regarding properties and mining operations owned by third parties. The Group's management relies upon this forward-looking information in its estimates, projections, plans, and analysis. Although the forwardlooking statements contained in this Annual Report are based upon what the Group believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forwardlooking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made and, except as specifically required by applicable laws, listing rules and other regulations, the Group undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
The directors confirm that they are satisfied that the Company and Group have adequate resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Registered Office By Order of the Board
17 Hill Street M.J. Tack C.A. London Company Secretary W1J 5NZ March 8, 2011
The Group's Board appreciates the value of good corporate governance not only in the areas of accountability and risk management but also as a positive contribution to business prosperity. The Board believes that corporate governance involves more than a simple "box ticking" approach to establish whether the Group has met the requirements of a number of specific rules and regulations. Rather the issue is one of applying corporate governance principles (including those set out in Section 1 of the Principles of Good Governance and Code of Best Practice ("the Combined Code") published by the Financial Reporting Council) in a sensible and pragmatic fashion having regard to the individual circumstances of the Group's business. The key objective is to enhance and protect shareholder value.
The Board currently comprises the Executive Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Finance Director, two executive directors and three independent non executive directors. A statement of directors' responsibilities in respect of the financial statements is set out on page 24. Non-executive directors have a particular responsibility to ensure that the strategies proposed by the executive directors are fully considered. The day to day management of the Group is delegated to the executive directors including the Chairman, save for certain matters reserved for consideration by the Board. There is a specific list of matters reserved for the Board's consideration which is provided to the Board as guidance. However it is the policy of the Group for the executive directors to report and refer to the Board at regular intervals on all matters relating to the running of the Group. The Board meets at least six times a year. Prior to each meeting, directors are sent an agenda and backup papers on individual agenda items where applicable. Directors may request additional Board papers on any topic.
The Group's directors have a wide range of expertise as well as experience in financial, commercial and mining activities. Individual directors, in conjunction with other Board members, may take training tailored to their own requirements. During the year directors attended, inter alia, workshops and briefings on mining industry developments, changes in taxation rules and updates to accounting standards. To enable the Board to discharge its duties, directors are able to take both independent professional advice and appropriate training at the Group's expense.
New director appointments are considered formally by the Board following recommendations from the Nomination Committee. All directors are subject to election by shareholders at the first opportunity after their appointment. Under the terms of the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association, all directors are required to retire and seek re-appointment by shareholders at an annual general meeting on the third anniversary of their appointment. Non-executive directors are not subject to specified terms as all directors are subject to the three year re-election requirement. The Board considers this appropriate but will review the situation at regular intervals.
The Board has eight directors, three of whom are non-executive. While the Group is a "smaller company" as defined by the Combined Code and is not required to have an equal split of non–executive and executive directors, the Group recognises that such a split is considered good practice. It should be noted that the Board considers the current ratio of executive directors to non-executive directors to be transitional in nature and expects that additional non-executive directors will be appointed at the appropriate time to create a balance that reflects best practice.
The Company notes that the UK Corporate Governance Code recommends that the directors of FTSE 350 companies be subjected to annual re-election by shareholders. Following consultation with shareholders on this matter, and in response to concerns as to the potential risks of such an approach to the continuity and stability of the ongoing management of the Group, the Board has decided not to adopt the recommendation at this time.
The following committees, which have written terms of reference, deal with specific aspects of the Group's affairs.
The Executive Committee, comprising the executive directors of the Group, is responsible for reaching and implementing decisions on matters not reserved for the full Board. The committee is chaired by Mr P.M. Boycott. Minutes of Executive Committee meetings are presented at the next full Board meeting for approval.
The Remuneration Committee, comprising solely the independent non-executive directors, is responsible for making recommendations to the Board on the Group's framework of executive remuneration and its cost. The committee determines the contract terms, remuneration and other benefits for each of the executive directors, including performance related bonus schemes, pension rights and compensation payments. It is chaired by Mr A.H. Yadgaroff and has access to recruitment consultants when required. The Board itself determines the remuneration of the non-executive directors. The Directors' Remuneration Report is set out on pages 21 to 23.
The Audit Committee comprises solely the independent non-executive directors and is chaired by Dr J.G. Whellock. Its prime tasks are to review the scope of internal and external audit, to receive regular reports from Grant Thornton UK LLP and to review the half-yearly and annual accounts before they are presented to the Board, focusing in particular on accounting policies and areas of management judgment and estimation. The committee is responsible for monitoring the controls which are in force to ensure the integrity of the information reported to the shareholders. The committee acts as a forum for discussion of internal control issues and contributes to the Board's review of the effectiveness of the Group's internal control and risk management systems and processes. The committee also considers whether a need for an internal audit function is present. It advises the Board on the appointment of external auditors and on their remuneration for both audit and non-audit work, and discusses the nature and scope of the audit with the external auditors. The committee reviews annually the objectivity and independence of the external auditors.
The committee, which meets at least twice a year, provides a forum for reporting by the Group's external auditors. Meetings may also be attended, by invitation, by the Executive Chairman, the Chief Executive and the Finance Director.
The Audit Committee has considered the Group's circumstances and due to the close involvement of the executive directors in operational, financial and risk management and control, and in view of the Group's size, it believes that shareholders would not benefit from the implementation of an internal audit function at this time. This will continue to be reviewed annually.
The Nomination Committee comprises solely the independent nonexecutive directors and is responsible for identifying and nominating candidates for the approval of the Board to fill Board vacancies as they arise. The committee also reviews the structure, size and composition required of the Board compared to its current position and makes recommendations to the Board with regard to any changes. It is
Governance 19
chaired by Mr M.H. Atkinson and is authorised to utilise external legal or professional services when required. Meetings are held as and when required for the purposes of filling Board vacancies and considering Board structure. The committee held one meeting during the period.
The post of Chairman continues to remain an executive role. The Board believes that, with eight directors (three of whom are non-executive) and only three non-director employees, the appointment of a separate non-executive Chairman would not enhance either the performance or the effectiveness of the Group in creating value for shareholders. The Board feels that, with three independent non-executive directors on the Board and annual strategy meetings involving all Group employees, the Corporate Governance of the Group is not adversely affected by the combination of these roles. The executive Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer have distinct roles with a clear and documented division of responsibilities agreed by the Board.
Mr M.H. Atkinson is the Group's Senior Independent Director ("SID"). The role of the SID is to be available to shareholders to discuss any concerns they may have about the running of the Group where the normal channels of communication are not appropriate. The SID is not required to seek meetings with shareholders; however, he is available to do so if required in order to understand shareholder concerns and take them to the Board for discussion. The SID is also required to lead discussions at meetings of non-executive directors.
The Board does not currently have a formal system in place for evaluating the performance of individual directors and committees. The presence of an open environment where feedback is continually sought provides an informal process that enables the continual improvement of directors and committees. The Board believes that this system is effective given the current size of the Board and the increasing executive requirements placed upon the Group's limited resources. The Board will consider the implementation of a formal evaluation process each year as appropriate.
Directors' attendance at Board and Committee meetings during 2010 was as follows:
| General Executive Audit Remuneration Nomination | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total meetings held: |
13 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| Attendance: | |||||
| P.M. Boycott | 13 | 1 | – | 1 | |
| A.C. Orchard | 13 | – | – | – | |
| M.J. Tack | 9 | – | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| J. Theobald | 12 | – | – | – | |
| B.M. Wides | 12 | 1 | – | – | |
| M.H. Atkinson | 11 | – | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| J.G. Whellock | 12 | – | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| A.H. Yadgaroff | 12 | – | 6 | 2 | 1 |
The directors are responsible for the Group's system of internal control and reviewing its effectiveness.
The Board has designed the Group's system of internal control in order to provide the directors with reasonable assurance that its assets are safeguarded, that transactions are authorised and properly recorded and that material errors and irregularities are either prevented or would be detected within a timely period. However, no system of internal control can eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives or provide absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.
The key elements of the control system in operation are:
The Audit Committee receives reports from external auditors on a regular basis and from the executive directors of the Group. During the period, the Audit Committee has reviewed the effectiveness of the system of internal control as described above. The Board receives periodic reports from all committees.
There are no significant issues disclosed in the report and financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 and up to the date of approval of the report and financial statements that have required the Board to deal with any related material internal control issues.
The directors confirm that the Board has reviewed the effectiveness of the system of internal control as described during the period.
The Group values its dialogue with both institutional and private investors. Effective two-way communication with fund managers, institutional investors and analysts is actively pursued and this encompasses issues such as performance, policy and strategy. During the year the directors had a number of meetings with institutional investors whose combined shareholdings represented over 50% of the total issued share capital of the Company.
In the last few months the Board has been exploring ways of expanding the Canadian share register and increasing its reach within the North American investing community.
Private investors are encouraged to participate in the Annual General Meeting at which the Board will present a review of the Group's results for 2010 and comments on current business activity. It is anticipated that the chairmen of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees will be available at the Annual General Meeting to answer any shareholder questions.
This year's Annual General Meeting will be held on April 13, 2011. The Notice of the Annual General Meeting may be found on page 68.
The Group's capital structure is disclosed in the Directors' Report on page 14.
The Company confirms that it complies with the provisions set out in Section 1 of the Combined Code, except where disclosed below:
Governance 21
A.H. Yadgaroff (Chairman)
M.H. Atkinson
J.G. Whellock
All the members of the Remuneration Committee are non-executive directors and are considered to be independent.
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for determining the Group's policy on remuneration of its executive directors, including service contracts and compensation in the event of early termination. The terms of reference of the Remuneration Committee are available on the Group's website at www.anglopacificgroup.com.
During the year, Kepler Associates were appointed by the Remuneration Committee to provide advice that materially assisted the Remuneration Committee. Kepler Associates provided no other services to the Group.
The Remuneration Committee's policy is to attract, retain and motivate full-time high quality executive directors with a competitive salary package which comprises a fixed monthly basic salary and a significant performance-related bonus award that is strongly aligned with the interests of shareholders.
In determining remuneration, consideration will be given to reward levels throughout the Group as well as in the external employment market. The remuneration committee aim to reward all employees fairly based on their role, their performance and salary levels in the wider market.
(i) Basic salary
The basic salary component is low relative to that paid by companies of a similar size and nature, and the Committee's aim over time is to achieve an appropriate balance between basic salary and performance-related pay which provides a strong incentive for high performance.
(ii) Performance-Related Bonus
A performance-related bonus scheme has been established which creates a pool divisible between all executive directors at the discretion of the Committee from time to time. The Committee consider the performance of the directors against a number of criteria, including the movement in the Group's share price and the four main key performance indicators outlined on page 12. A proportion of this bonus is payable in shares to align the directors' interests with shareholders.
(iii) Share schemes
The Group operates a HMRC approved Company Share Option Plan (the "CSOP").
The options of the directors at December 31, 2010 under the CSOP were as undernoted for which nil has been paid.
| No. of | Exercisable | Exercise | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Options | between | price | |
| A.C. Orchard | |||
| As at January 1, 2010 | 18,250 | 07/04/11 – 07/04/18 | 164.375p |
| – Surrendered | 18,250 | 07/04/11 – 07/04/18 | 164.375p |
| – Granted | 12,024 | 20/05/13 – 20/05/20 | 249.50p |
| As at December 31, 2010 | 12,024 | 20/05/13 – 20/05/20 | 249.50p |
| M.J. Tack | |||
| As at January 1, 2010 | 36,923 | 04/10/07 – 04/10/14 | 81.25p |
| – Exercised | 36,923 | 04/10/07 – 04/10/14 | 81.25p |
| – Granted | 12,024 | 20/05/13 – 20/05/20 | 249.50p |
| As at December 31, 2010 | 12,024 | 20/05/13 – 20/05/20 | 249.50p |
| J. Theobald | |||
| As at January 1, 2010 | 16,194 | 15/07/11 – 15/07/18 | 185.25p |
| – Surrendered | 16,194 | 15/07/11 – 15/07/18 | 185.25p |
| – Granted | 12,024 | 20/05/13 – 20/05/20 | 249.50p |
| As at December 31, 2010 | 12,024 | 20/05/13 – 20/05/20 | 249.50p |
There was no difference in the market price and the exercise price on the date the share options were granted.
The vesting period for the option plan is three years and, if an option remains unexercised after a period of 10 years from the date of grant, the option will lapse. The exercise condition of the option plan stipulates that the Group's Earnings per Share (EPS) must grow at a rate of 3% in excess of the UK Retail Price Index (RPI) over the vesting period.
The market price of the shares at December 31, 2010 was 360p and the range during the year was 223p to 360p.
The market price when Mr M.J. Tack exercised his share options was 251.5p.
Under the Company's Joint Share Ownership Plan (the "JSOP"), the Remuneration Committee invites selected employees to enter into an agreement with the Anglo Pacific Group Employee Benefit Trust (the "Co-owner") to acquire a number of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company. The shares are held in the name of the Co-owner; however, the selected employees maintain a beneficial interest in these shares.
The beneficial interests of the directors at December 31, 2010 under the JSOP were as undernoted for which nil has been paid.
| No. of Shares |
Exercisable between |
Grant price |
Hurdle price |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.C. Orchard | ||||
| As at January 1, 2010 | – | – | – | – |
| – Granted | 169,350 | 20/05/13 – 20/05/14 |
248.00p | 315.00p |
| – Settled | – | – | – | – |
| As at December 31, 2010 | 169,350 | 20/05/13 – 20/05/14 |
248.00p | 315.00p |
| M.J. Tack | ||||
| As at January 1, 2010 | – | – | – | – |
| – Granted | 169,350 | 20/05/13 – 20/05/14 |
248.00p | 315.00p |
| – Settled | – | – | – | – |
| As at December 31, 2010 | 169,350 | 20/05/13 – 20/05/14 |
248.00p | 315.00p |
| J. Theobald | ||||
| As at January 1, 2010 | – | – | – | – |
| – Granted | 169,350 | 20/05/13 – 20/05/14 |
248.00p | 315.00p |
| – Settled | – | – | – | – |
| As at December 31, 2010 | 169,350 | 20/05/13 – 20/05/14 |
248.00p | 315.00p |
Awards under the JSOP are conditional on the employee completing three years' service (the vesting period) and the Group's absolute total shareholder return growing at an annual rate (not compounded) of 3% in excess of the UK Retail Price Index over the three year vesting period. In addition the Company's share price must reach a hurdle price during the three year vesting period as determined by the Remuneration Committee at the time of making the award.
Upon satisfying the performance targets and service requirements, the beneficial interest conferred will entitle the employee to receive a proportion of the proceeds of sale of the ordinary shares. Their entitlement will be to receive the equivalent of all sales proceeds in excess of the threshold amount, settled in ordinary shares of the Company. The threshold amount is fixed by the Remuneration Committee and will not be set less than the market value of the ordinary shares of the Company, at the time the JSOP award is made.
The Company operates a Money Purchase Group Personal Pension Scheme which all employees and executive directors are eligible to join. Pension scheme assets are held by Standard Life. During the year the Group paid pension contributions in respect of directors as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| A.C. Orchard | 10,500 | 3,500 |
| M.J. Tack | 10,500 | 5,583 |
| J. Theobald | 8,000 | 3,500 |
In the event of early termination, the executive directors' service contracts provide for compensation of payment in lieu of notice plus a termination payment equivalent to six months' basic salary. There are no agreements between the Group and its directors
resulting in compensation for loss of office or employment that may occur as a result of a takeover bid. The Board considers that this provision is appropriate in a competitive market place.
The fees of non-executive directors are determined by the Board having regard to the commitment of time required and the level of fees in similar companies. Non-executive directors are not eligible to participate in the Company's bonus plan, share option schemes or pension scheme.
It remains the Group's policy that all earnings from non-executive directorships held by the Group's executive directors be retained by the Group.
It is the Group's policy that executive directors' service contracts have a notice period of not more than one year.
The Group's non executive directors are employed on rolling contracts with a 30 day notice period by either party.
The details of the service contracts of the directors in office at December 31, 2010 are as follows:
| Contract date | Notice period | |
|---|---|---|
| Executive directors | ||
| P.M. Boycott | November 1, 2010 | 6 months |
| A.C. Orchard | March 26, 2010 | 6 months |
| M.J. Tack | March 9, 2009 | 6 months |
| J. Theobald | March 26, 2010 | 6 months |
| B.M. Wides | October 1, 2010 | 6 months |
| Non-executive directors | ||
| M.H. Atkinson | February 9, 2006 | 30 days |
| J.G. Whellock | May 19, 2003 | 30 days |
| A.H. Yadgaroff | May 19, 2003 | 30 days |

This graph plots the movement for the ordinary share price of Anglo Pacific Group plc for the last five years against the FTSE Small Cap Index and the FTSE 250 Index, which have been rebased to Anglo Pacific Group PLC's share price at the start of the period in order to provide a graphical measure of comparative performance. The FTSE Small Cap Index has been selected as a comparable index because it is the nearest relevant index appropriate to the Group. The Group was admitted to the FTSE Small Cap Index in December 2004.
| 2010 | 2009 £ |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | |||||
| Salaries and benefits | 502,317 | 471,500 | |||
| Performance–Related Bonus | 690,375 | 447,000 | |||
| Fees | 210,750 | 148,000 | |||
| 1,403,442 | 1,066,500 | ||||
| The remuneration of the directors was as follows:– | |||||
| Performance –related | 2010 | 2009 | |||
| Salary | Bonus | Fees | Total | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| P.M. Boycott | 142,317 | 120,000 | – | 262,317 | 222,333 |
| A.C. Orchard | 120,000 | 185,625 | – | 305,625 | 169,000 |
| M.J. Tack | 120,000 | 120,000 | – | 240,000 | 210,667 |
| J. Theobald | 120,000 | 164,750 | – | 284,750 | 169,000 |
| B.M. Wides | – | – | 202,750 | 202,750 | 196,500 |
| M.H. Atkinson | – | – | 36,000 | 36,000 | 33,000 |
| J.G. Whellock | – | – | 36,000 | 36,000 | 33,000 |
| A.H. Yadgaroff | – | – | 36,000 | 36,000 | 33,000 |
| 502,317 | 590,3751 | 310,750 | 1,403,442 | 1,066,5002 |
1. An aggregate of £120,000 was paid in shares, see note 25.
Under section 421 of the Companies Act 2006 (United Kingdom) the directors' emoluments and compensation, and items (iii) and (iv) of the Directors' Remuneration Report have been audited.
This report was approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on February 21, 2011 and signed on its behalf by:
M.J. Tack C.A. Company Secretary
March 8, 2011
2. Mr A.C. Orchard and Mr J. Theobald were appointed to the Board on June 22, 2009.
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The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, the Directors' Remuneration Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the Group and parent Company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union (EU). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group and the Company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and the Group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the directors' remuneration report comply with the Companies Act 2006 (United Kingdom) and, as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as each of the directors is aware:
The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Group's website, www.anglopacificgroup.com. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed in the management section of the Directors' Report confirm that, to the best of each person's knowledge and belief:
By order of the Board
M.J. Tack C.A. Company Secretary
March 8, 2011
We have audited the financial statements of Anglo Pacific Group PLC for the year ended December 31, 2010 which comprise the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated and company balance sheets, the consolidated and company statements of changes in equity, the consolidated and company cash flow statements and the related notes 1 to 33. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and, as regards the parent company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.
This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities Statement set out on page 24, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board's (APB's) Ethical Standards for Auditors.
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the APB's website at www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/private.cfm.
In our opinion:
In our opinion:
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
Under the Listing Rules, we are required to review:
Senior Statutory Auditor for and on behalf of
Grant Thornton UK LLP Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants
Grant Thornton UK LLP Grant Thornton House Melton Street, Euston Square LONDON NW1 2EP
March 8, 2011
In accordance with the requirement contained in National Instrument 52–107 we report below on the compatibility of Canadian Generally Accepted Auditing Standards ("Canadian GAAS") and International Standard on Auditing (UK and Ireland) (ISAs).
We conducted our audits of the Group's financial statements for each of the two years ended December 31, 2010 in accordance with ISAs. If we had been required to conduct the audits of the Group's financial statements for each of the two years ended December 31, 2010 in accordance with Canadian GAAS there would have been no material differences in the form or content of our audit reports.
Furthermore an auditors' report prepared in accordance with reporting standards under Canadian GAAS on the aforementioned consolidated financial statements would not contain a qualification.
Grant Thornton UK LLP Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants Grant Thornton UK LLP Grant Thornton House Melton Street, Euston Square LONDON NW1 2EP
March 8, 2011
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| 2010 | 2009 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Royalty income | 5 | 30,133 | 20,334 |
| Gain on sale of mining and exploration interests | 5 | 41,025 | 6,367 |
| Finance income | 8 | 1,170 | 796 |
| Other operating income | 33 | 13 | |
| Total income | 72,361 | 27,510 | |
| Share of profit of associates | 19b | 265 | 515 |
| Other (losses)/gains – net | 9 | (3,416) | 614 |
| Amortisation | 17 | (85) | – |
| Administrative expenses | 6a | (3,276) | (2,756) |
| Profit before tax | 65,849 | 25,883 | |
| Income tax expense | 10 | (9,566) | (5,252) |
| Profit attributable to equity holders | 56,283 | 20,631 | |
| Total and continuing earnings per share | |||
| Basic earnings per share | 11 | 51.99p | 19.07p |
| Diluted earnings per share | 11 | 51.99p | 19.07p |
The notes on pages 35 to 66 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The company has elected to take the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 (United Kingdom) not to present the parent company profit and loss account.
The profit for the parent company for the year was £43,527,000 (2009: £37,813,000).
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| 2010 | 2009 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Profit for the year | 56,283 | 20,631 | |
| Other comprehensive income: | |||
| Net gain on revaluation to coal royalties | 15 | 355 | 42,916 |
| Net gain on revaluation of available for sale investments | 48,227 | 63,737 | |
| Net exchange gain on translation of foreign operations | 28,873 | 15,585 | |
| Share of other comprehensive income of associates | 19b | (40) | (65) |
| Deferred tax | 22 | (14,651) | (21,770) |
| Net income recognised directly in equity | 119,047 | 121,034 | |
| Transferred to income statement disposal of available for sale investments | (26,651) | 322 | |
| Total transferred from equity | (26,651) | 322 | |
| Total comprehensive income for the year | 92,396 | 121,356 |
| Group | Company | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
|
| Non–current assets | |||||
| Property plant and equipment | 14 | 2,144 | 1,742 | 882 | 896 |
| Coal royalties | 15 | 177,130 | 149,896 | – | – |
| Royalty instruments | 16 | 28,061 | 21,979 | 28,061 | 21,979 |
| Intangibles | 17 | 42,741 | 6,095 | 3,997 | 2,296 |
| Mining and exploration interests | 18 | 128,479 | 109,695 | 108,113 | 102,910 |
| Investments in subsidiaries | 19a | – | – | 18,312 | 5,665 |
| Investments in associates | 19b | – | 3,771 | – | – |
| Other receivables | 20 | – | – | 41,284 | 5,018 |
| 378,555 | 293,178 | 200,649 | 138,764 | ||
| Current assets | |||||
| Trade and other receivables | 20 | 8,813 | 5,082 | 522 | 1,347 |
| Cash at bank | 21 | 28,258 | 14,195 | 3,986 | 6,624 |
| 37,071 | 19,277 | 4,508 | 7,971 | ||
| Total assets | 415,626 | 312,455 | 205,157 | 146,735 | |
| Non–current liabilities | |||||
| Deferred tax | 22 | 63,838 | 47,883 | 9,479 | 3,189 |
| 63,838 | 47,883 | 9,479 | 3,189 | ||
| Current liabilities | |||||
| Taxation | 23 | 5,351 | 4,146 | 364 | 226 |
| Trade and other payables | 23 | 549 | 390 | 495 | 337 |
| 5,900 | 4,536 | 859 | 563 | ||
| Total liabilities | 69,738 | 52,419 | 10,338 | 3,752 | |
| Capital and reserves attributable to shareholders | |||||
| Share capital | 24 | 2,175 | 2,149 | 2,175 | 2,149 |
| Share premium | 24 | 24,207 | 20,718 | 24,207 | 20,718 |
| Coal royalty revaluation reserve | 88,883 | 88,582 | – | – | |
| Investment revaluation reserve | 51,780 | 36,850 | 50,403 | 36,845 | |
| Share based payment reserve | 65 | 78 | 65 | 78 | |
| Foreign currency translation reserve | 39,686 | 18,804 | 82 | 82 | |
| Special reserve | 26 | 632 | 632 | 632 | 632 |
| Investment in own shares | (1,295) | – | – | – | |
| Retained Earnings | 27 | 139,755 | 92,223 | 117,254 | 82,479 |
| 345,888 | 260,036 | 194,818 | 142,983 | ||
| Total equity and liabilities | 415,626 | 312,455 | 205,156 | 146,735 | |
The notes on pages 35 to 66 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The financial statements of Anglo Pacific Group PLC (registered number: 897608) on pages 28 to 66 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on February 28, 2011 and are signed on its behalf by:
Peter Boycott Chairman John Theobald Chief Executive Officer Matthew Tack Finance Director
for the two years ended December 31, 2010
| Share capital £'000 |
Share premium £'000 |
Coal royalty revaluation reserve £'000 |
Investment revaluation reserve £'000 |
Share based payment reserve £'000 |
Foreign currency translation reserve £'000 |
Special reserve £'000 |
Investment in Own Shares £'000 |
Retained earnings £'000 |
Total equity £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at January 1, 2009 | 2,123 | 18,604 | 58,430 | (22,149) | 78 | 7,230 | 632 | – | 80,894 | 145,842 |
| Profit for the year | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 20,631 | 20,631 |
| Other comprehensive income: | ||||||||||
| Coal Royalties: | ||||||||||
| Royalties valuation movement taken to equity |
– | – | 42,916 | – | – | 13,633 | – | – | – | 56,549 |
| Deferred tax on valuation | – | – | (12,764) | – | – | (4,007) | – | – | – | (16,771) |
| Available–for–sale investments: |
||||||||||
| Valuation movement taken to equity |
– | – | – | 63,791 | – | 8 | – | – | – | 63,799 |
| Deferred tax on valuation | – | – | – | (5,060) | – | 61 | – | – | – | (4,999) |
| Transferred to income statement on disposal |
– | – | – | 322 | – | – | – | – | – | 322 |
| Reclassification as investment in associate |
– | – | – | (54) | – | – | – | – | – | (54) |
| Share of comprehensive income of associates |
– | – | – | – | – | (65) | – | – | – | (65) |
| Foreign currency translation | – | – | – | – | – | 1,944 | – | – | – | 1,944 |
| Other comprehensive income |
– | – | 30,152 | 58,999 | – | 11,574 | – | – | – | 100,725 |
| Total comprehensive income |
– | – | 30,152 | 58,999 | – | 11,574 | – | – | 20,631 | 121,356 |
| Dividends paid | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (7,312) | (7,312) |
| Scrip Dividend | 24 | 1,966 | – | – | – | – | – | – | (1,990) | – |
| Issue of share capital under share–based payment |
2 | 148 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 150 |
| Transactions with owners | 26 | 2,114 | – | – | – | – | – | – | (9,302) | (7,162) |
| Balance at December 31, 2009 |
2,149 | 20,718 | 88,582 | 36,850 | 78 | 18,804 | 632 | – | 92,223 | 260,036 |
for the two years ended December 31, 2010
| Coal | Share | Foreign | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share capital £'000 |
Share premium £'000 |
royalty revaluation reserve £'000 |
Investment revaluation reserve £'000 |
based payment reserve £'000 |
currency translation reserve £'000 |
Special reserve £'000 |
Investment in Own Shares £'000 |
Retained earnings £'000 |
Total equity £'000 |
|
| Balance at January 1, 2010 | 2,149 | 20,718 | 88,582 | 36,850 | 78 | 18,804 | 632 | – | 92,223 | 260,036 |
| Profit for the period | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 56,283 | 56,283 |
| Other comprehensive income: |
||||||||||
| Coal Royalties: | ||||||||||
| Royalties valuation movement taken to equity |
– | – | 355 | – | – | 26,879 | – | – | – | 27,234 |
| Deferred tax on valuation | – | – | (54) | – | – | (7,928) | – | – | – | (7,982) |
| Available–for–sale investments: |
||||||||||
| Valuation movement taken to equity |
– | – | – | 48,227 | – | 524 | – | – | – | 48,751 |
| Deferred tax on valuation | – | – | – | (6,646) | – | (24) | – | – | – | (6,670) |
| Transferred to income statement on disposal |
– | – | – | (26,651) | – | – | – | – | – | (26,651) |
| Reclassification as investment in associate |
– | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Share of comprehensive income of associates |
– | – | – | – | – | (40) | – | – | – | (40) |
| Foreign currency translation | – | – | – | – | – | 1,471 | – | – | – | 1,471 |
| Other comprehensive income |
– | – | 301 | 14,930 | – | 20,882 | – | – | – | 36,113 |
| Total comprehensive income |
– | – | 301 | 14,930 | – | 20,882 | – | – | 56,283 | 92,396 |
| Dividends paid | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (6,725) | (6,725) |
| Scrip Dividend | 14 | 2,025 | – | – | – | – | – | – | (2,039) | – |
| Issue of share capital under share–based payment |
12 | 1,464 | – | – | (13) | – | – | (1,295) | 13 | 181 |
| Transactions with owners | 26 | 3,489 | – | – | (13) | – | – | (1,295) | (8,751) | (6,544) |
| Balance at December 31, 2010 |
2,175 | 24,207 | 88,883 | 51,780 | 65 | 39,686 | 632 | (1,295) | 139,755 | 345,888 |
for the two years ended December 31, 2010
| Share capital £'000 |
Share premium £'000 |
Investment revaluation reserve £'000 |
Share based payment reserve £'000 |
Foreign currency translation reserve £'000 |
Special reserve £'000 |
Retained earnings £'000 |
Total equity £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at January 1, 2009 | 2,123 | 18,604 | (21,733) | 78 | 82 | 632 | 53,968 | 53,754 |
| Changes in equity for 2009 | ||||||||
| Available–for–sale investments: | ||||||||
| Valuation movement taken to equity | – | – | 63,168 | – | – | – | – | 63,168 |
| Deferred tax on valuation | – | – | (4,792) | – | – | – | – | (4,792) |
| Transferred to income statement on disposal | – | – | 202 | – | – | – | – | 202 |
| Net income recognised direct into equity | – | – | 58,578 | – | – | – | – | 58,578 |
| Profit for the period | – | – | – | – | – | – | 37,813 | 37,813 |
| Total recognised income and expenses | – | – | 58,578 | – | – | – | 37,813 | 96,391 |
| Dividends paid | – | – | – | – | – | – | (7,312) | (7,312) |
| Scrip Dividend | 24 | 1,966 | – | – | – | – | (1,990) | – |
| Issue of share capital | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Issue of share capital under share–based payment |
2 | 148 | – | – | – | – | – | 150 |
| Balance at December 31, 2009 | 2,149 | 20,718 | 36,845 | 78 | 82 | 632 | 82,479 | 142,983 |
| Changes in equity for 2010 | ||||||||
| Available–for–sale investments: | ||||||||
| Valuation movement taken to equity | – | – | 46,569 | – | – | – | – | 46,569 |
| Deferred tax on valuation | – | – | (6,290) | – | – | – | – | (6,290) |
| Transferred to income statement on disposal | – | – | (26,721) | – | – | – | – | (26,721) |
| Net income recognised direct into equity | – | – | 13,558 | – | – | – | – | 13,558 |
| Profit for the period | – | – | – | – | – | – | 43,527 | 43,527 |
| Total recognised income and expenses | – | – | 13,558 | – | – | – | 43,527 | 57,085 |
| Dividends paid | – | – | – | – | – | – | (6,725) | (6,725) |
| Scrip Dividend | 14 | 2,025 | – | – | – | – | (2,039) | – |
| Issue of share capital | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Issue of share capital under share–based payment |
12 | 1,464 | – | (13) | – | – | 13 | 1,476 |
| Balance at December 31, 2010 | 2,175 | 24,207 | 50,403 | 65 | 82 | 632 | 117,255 | 194,819 |
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| Group | Company | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
|
| Cash flows from operating activities | |||||
| Profit before taxation | 65,849 | 25,883 | 45,290 | 37,903 | |
| Adjustments for: | |||||
| Interest received | 8 | (1,170) | (796) | (1,787) | (593) |
| Unrealised foreign currency loss | 980 | 1,562 | – | – | |
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 14 | 19 | 12 | 19 | 12 |
| Amortisation of Intangibles – royalties | 17 | 85 | – | – | – |
| Gain on disposal of mining and exploration interests | (41,025) | (6,367) | (41,185) | (6,701) | |
| Loss/(Gain) on revaluation of assets held as fair value through profit or loss | 16 | 810 | (130) | 810 | (130) |
| Royalty instrument provision | 16 | 4,194 | – | 4,194 | – |
| Loss on writedown of assets | – | 410 | – | 410 | |
| Inter–company dividends | – | – | (7,500) | (30,500) | |
| Share of associates profit | 19b | (265) | (515) | – | – |
| Gain on derecognition of associate | 19b | (539) | – | – | – |
| Share based payments | 25 | 185 | 150 | 185 | 150 |
| 29,123 | 20,209 | 26 | 551 | ||
| (Increase)/Decrease in trade and other receivables excluding amounts due from subsidiary companies |
(3,731) | 6,493 | 1,093 | (1,071) | |
| Increase/(Decrease) in trade and other payables | 159 | (459) | 296 | 115 | |
| Receipts from royalty instruments | 881 | – | 881 | – | |
| Cash generated from operations | 26,432 | 26,243 | 2,296 | (405) | |
| Income taxes paid | (7,058) | (4,727) | (2,031) | 553 | |
| Net cash flows from operating activities | 19,374 | 21,516 | 265 | 148 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||||
| Proceeds on disposal of mining and exploration interests | 85,664 | 25,391 | 84,414 | 22,384 | |
| Purchases of mining and exploration interests | (47,665) | (29,195) | (35,564) | (26,511) | |
| Purchases of royalty interests | (36,804) | (12,245) | (1,701) | (9,215) | |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (329) | (80) | (5) | (80) | |
| Exploration and evaluation expenditure | (19) | (513) | – | – | |
| Interest received | 525 | 796 | 1,142 | 593 | |
| Acquisition of associates | – | (1,331) | – | – | |
| Investment in subsidiaries | – | – | (17,000) | – | |
| Net cash flows from investing activities | 1,372 | (17,177) | 31,286 | (12,829) | |
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||||
| Proceeds from issue of share capital | – | – | 1,260 | – | |
| Dividends paid | (6,683) | (7,280) | (6,683) | (7,280) | |
| Net financing of related entities | – | – | (28,766) | 26,484 | |
| Net cash flows from financing activities | (6,683) | (7,280) | (34,189) | 19,204 | |
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 14,063 | (2,941) | (2,638) | 6,523 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 14,195 | 17,136 | 6,624 | 101 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 21 | 28,258 | 14,195 | 3,986 | 6,624 |
for the year ended December 31, 2010
Anglo Pacific Group PLC ('the Company') and its subsidiaries (together, 'the Group') secure natural resources royalties by acquisition and through investment in mining and exploration interests. The Group has royalties and investments in mining and exploration interests primarily in Australia, North and South America and Africa, with a diversified exposure to commodities that is strongly represented by coal, iron ore, gold and uranium.
The Company is a public limited company, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange and incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The address of its registered office is 17 Hill Street, London, W1J 5NZ, United Kingdom (registered number: 897608).
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 the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
The consolidated financial statements of Anglo Pacific Group PLC have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU), IFRIC interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 (United Kingdom) applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of coal royalties, available-for-sale financial assets, and financial assets and financial liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through profit or loss.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in note 4.
(a) New and amended standards adopted by the Group
The Group has adopted the following new and amended IFRSs as of January 1, 2010:
The following standards and amendments to existing standards have been published and are mandatory for the Group's accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2010 or later periods, but the Group has not early adopted them.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
The directors anticipate that the adoption of these Standards and Interpretations in future periods will have no material impact on the financial statements of the Group. The Group does not intend to apply any of these pronouncements early.
Subsidiaries are all entities (including special purpose entities) over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies generally accompanying a shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights. The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered when assessing whether the Group controls another entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.
Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for in the parent company at cost less impairment. Cost is adjusted to reflect changes in consideration arising from contingent consideration amendments. Cost also includes direct attributable costs of investment.
Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.
Associates are all entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control, generally accompanying a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognised at cost. The Group's investment in associates includes goodwill identified on acquisition, net of any accumulated impairment loss.
The Group's share of its associates' post-acquisition profits or losses is recognised in the income statement, and its share of post-acquisition movements in other comprehensive income is recognised in other comprehensive income. The cumulative post-acquisition movements are adjusted against the carrying amount of the investment. When the Group's share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the associate, including any other unsecured receivables, the Group does not recognise further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.
Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group's interest in the associates. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of the associates have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.
Dilution gains and losses arising in investments in associates are recognised in the income statement.
A joint venture is an entity in which the Group holds an interest on a long-term basis and which is jointly controlled by the Group and one or more other partners under a contractual arrangement.
The results and assets and liabilities of joint ventures are incorporated in these financial statements using the proportionate consolidation method of accounting. The Group's share of the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the joint ventures are incorporated with the similar items, line by line, in its financial statements.
Where a Group company transacts with a joint venture of the Group, profits and losses are eliminated to the extent of the Group's interest in the relevant joint venture. Losses may provide evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred in which case appropriate provision is made for impairment.
Where necessary, adjustments are made to the results of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures to bring their accounting policies into line with those used by the Group.
When the Group ceases to have control or significant influence, any retained interest in the entity is remeasured to its fair value, with the change in carrying amount recognised in profit or loss. The fair value is the initial carrying amount for the purposes of subsequently accounting for the retained interest as an associate, joint venture or financial asset. In additional, any amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income in respect of that entity are accounted for as if the Group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities. This may mean that amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss.
If the ownership interest in an associate is reduced but significant influence is retained, only a proportionate share of the amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss where appropriate.
The Group has changed its accounting policy for the accounting for loss of control or significant influence from January 1, 2010 when revised IAS 27, 'Consolidated and separate financial statements', became effective. The revision to IAS 27 contained consequential amendments to IAS 28, 'Investments in associates', and IAS 31, 'Interest in joint ventures'.
Previously, when the Group ceased to have control or significant influence over an entity, the carrying amount of the investment at the date of control or significant influence became its cost for the purposes of subsequently accounting for the retained interests as associates, jointly controlled entity or financial assets.
The Group has applied the new policy prospectively to transactions occurring on or after January 1, 2010. As a consequence, no adjustments were necessary to any of the amounts previously recognised in the financial statements.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group's operating segments, has been identified as the Executive and Investment committees who combined make the strategic decisions for the Group.
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'). The consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling, which is the Company's functional and the Group's presentation currency.
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency of the respective Group entity, using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions (spot exchange rate). Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the remeasurement of monetary items at year-end exchange rates are recognised in profit or loss. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost are translated using the exchange rates at the date of the transaction (not retranslated). Non-monetary items measured at fair value are translated using the exchange rates at the date when fair value was determined.
The results and financial position of all the Group entities that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency as follow:
On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign operations, and of borrowings are taken to the currency translation reserve in equity. When a foreign operation is partially disposed of or sold, exchange differences that were recorded in equity are recognised in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on sale.
Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the closing rate.
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. The cost of property, plant and equipment comprises its purchase price, any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Once a mining project has been established as commercially viable, expenditure other than that on land, buildings, plant and equipment is capitalised under 'Producing assets' together with any amount transferred from 'Exploration and evaluation costs'.
Property, plant and equipment is depreciated over its useful life, or over the remaining life of the mine if shorter. The major categories of property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a units of production and/or straight line basis as follows:
Producing assets Units of production Coal Tenures Units of production Fixtures and equipment 4 to 10 years
The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in income.
The Group owns a royalty entitlement to the output from the Kestrel and Crinum underground mines in Queensland, excluding the output from Crown areas. As the Group owns the physical right to the minerals this entitlement is treated in the consolidated financial statements as a tangible fixed asset under IAS 16 Property Plant and Equipment and the Group has adopted the revaluation method accordingly. The coal royalties are valued at fair value based on future discounted cash flows calculated on a quarterly basis by an independent external consultant. Management consider the valuation on a quarterly basis for any indications of possible impairment considering factors such as pricing and production forecasts.
Any movement in the valuation of the royalties is recognised in the coal royalty revaluation reserve, excluding the effects of foreign currency changes and net of deferred taxation in accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes.
(a) Exploration and evaluation costs
Exploration and evaluation expenditure comprises costs that are directly attributable to:
for the year ended December 31, 2010
Exploration expenditure relates to the initial search for deposits with economic potential. Evaluation expenditure arises from a detailed assessment of deposits or other projects that have been identified as having economic potential.
Expenditure on exploration and evaluation activities is capitalised when there is a high degree of confidence in the project's viability and hence it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the Group.
The carrying values of capitalised amounts are reviewed twice per annum by management and the results of these reviews are reported to the Audit Committee. In the case of undeveloped projects there may be only inferred resources to form a basis for the impairment review. The review is based on a status report regarding the Group's intentions for development of the undeveloped project.
Subsequent recovery of the resulting carrying value depends on successful development or sale of the undeveloped project. If a project does not prove viable, all irrecoverable costs associated with the project net of any related impairment provisions are written off.
Royalty interests represent the net smelter royalties acquired on the Four Mile Project in South Australia, the Salamanca Uranium Project in Spain and a number of tenements in the Athabasca Basin in Canada, together with the gross revenue royalties on the DFD Rhodes Group iron ore deposits in Western Australia, and the Amapá iron ore deposits in Brazil.
The Group does not own the physical rights to the minerals contained within these deposits, rather it is entitled to the royalty payments from these projects arising from contractual rights. It is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the Group, however, such benefits can not be reliably measured and as there is no active market for royalties for the determination of fair value the royalty interests are recorded at cost less accumulated amortisation.
The useful life of the royalty interests will be determined by reference to planned mine life on commencement of mining and the cost of the royalty contract amortised on a systematic basis over this useful life once the asset is available for use. Amortisation rates are adjusted on a prospective basis for all changes to estimates of the life of mine. Acquisition costs of royalty interests on feasibility stage projects are not amortised. Amortisation will stop when the royalty is classified as held for sale or derecognised.
Intangible assets are tested for impairment at least at each reporting date and the assessment includes variables such as the production profiles, commodity prices and management representations. Property, plant and equipment are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of fair value less costs to sell OR value-in-use. To determine the value-in-use, management estimates expected future cash flows from each asset and determines a suitable interest rate in order to calculate the present value of those cash flows. The data used for impairment testing procedures are directly linked to the Group's latest forecasts. Discount factors are determined individually for each asset and reflect their respective risk profiles as assessed by management. Impairment losses for business combinations reduce first the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to that business combination. Any remaining impairment loss is charged to the investment in subsidiary or associate. With the exception of goodwill, all assets are subsequently reassessed for indications that an impairment loss previously recognised may no longer exist. An impairment charge is reversed if the asset's recoverable amount exceeds its carrying amount.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Group's balance sheet when the Group has become a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, together with other short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. On initial recognition loans and receivables are stated at their fair value. After initial recognition these are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The Group's trade and most other receivables fall into this category of financial instruments.
Individually significant receivables are considered for impairment when they are past due or when other objective evidence is received that a specific counterparty will default. Receivables that are not considered to be individually impaired are reviewed for impairment in groups, which are determined by reference to the industry and region of a counterparty and other available features of shared credit risk characteristics. The percentage of the write down is then based on recent historical counterparty default rates for each identified group. Impairment of trade receivables are presented within 'other expenses'.
Mining and exploration interests are recognised and derecognised on a trade date where a purchase or sale of an investment is under a contract whose terms require delivery of the investment within the timeframe established by the market concerned, and are initially measured at fair value, including transaction costs.
Mining and exploration interests are classified upon initial recognition as either available-for-sale or as assets at fair value through profit or loss, depending on the characteristics of the particular instrument and its purpose.
Accounts 39
for the year ended December 31, 2010
Interests classified as available-for-sale are measured at subsequent reporting dates at their fair value. For available-for-sale investments, gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognised directly in equity within the investment revaluation reserve, until the security is disposed of or is determined to be impaired, at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in equity is included in the profit or loss for the period. Unquoted investments are initially recognised using cost as the best evidence of fair value.
In the absence of an active market for these securities, the Group considers each unquoted security to ensure there has been no material change in the fair value since initial recognition. When a market price can be established the investments are revalued accordingly.
For mining and exploration interests classified as assets at fair value through profit or loss, gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognised directly in the income statement. The fair values of such instruments are assessed with reference to the relevant factors, which include, inter alia, equity prices in active markets, commodity prices, production profiles and management representations. These assets are reviewed regularly to ensure that the initial classification remains correct given the asset characteristics and the Group's investment policies. These assets may be initially recognised using cost as the best evidence of fair value at acquisition (see note 18).
All mining and exploration interests held as available for sale are assessed for impairment at least at each reporting date and the assessment includes variables such as the instrument's valuation in active markets, the company's underlying assets as well as any potential for economic mineral development within the relevant company's licences.
Royalty instruments are recognised or derecognised on completion date where a purchase or sale of the royalty is under a contract, and are initially measured at fair value, including transaction costs.
Royalty instruments are classified upon initial recognition as available-for-sale or as assets at fair value through profit or loss, depending on the characteristics of the particular instrument and its purpose. The Group assesses each royalty with reference to whether it would meet the applicable criteria for a derivative, and if the entire royalty contract meets the criteria it is classified as fair value through profit or loss. Some royalty contracts include clauses relating to the possibility of conversion to equity in the company granting the royalty. These clauses are treated as embedded derivatives and are classified as fair value through profit or loss.
Royalty instruments classified as available-for-sale are measured at subsequent reporting dates at their fair value. For royalties classified in this manner gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognised directly in equity within the investment revaluation reserve, until the royalty is disposed of or is determined to be impaired, at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in equity is included in the profit or loss for the period.
For royalty instruments or embedded derivatives classified as assets at fair value through profit or loss, gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognised directly in the income statement. The fair values of such instruments are assessed with reference to the relevant factors, which include, inter alia, equity prices in active markets, production profiles, commodity prices and management representations. These assets are reviewed regularly to ensure that the initial classification remains correct given the asset characteristics and the Group's investment policies. These assets may be initially recognised using cost as the best evidence of fair value at acquisition; however, embedded derivatives are valued at acquisition and this fair value is separated from the balance of the royalty instrument (see note 16).
All royalty instruments are assessed for impairment at least at each reporting date and the assessment includes variables such as the instrument's valuation in active markets, production profiles, commodity prices and management representations.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities.
Trade payables are not interest bearing and are stated at their fair value on initial recognition. After initial recognition these are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group's liability for current tax is calculated by using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary differences arise from initial recognition of goodwill on business combinations.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realised or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.
The Group operates a number of equity-settled, share-based compensation plans, under which the entity receives services from employees as consideration for equity instruments (options and jointly-owned shares) of the Group. The fair value of the employee services received in exchange for the grant of the options is recognised as an expense. The total amount to be expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the options granted:
Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options and jointly-owned shares that are expected to vest. The total expense is recognised over the vesting period, which is the period over which all of the specified vesting conditions are to be satisfied. At the end of each reporting period, the entity revises its estimates of the number of options and jointly-owned shares that are expected to vest based on the non-market vesting conditions. It recognises the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, in the income statement, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.
When options are exercised, the Company issues new shares. The proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction costs are credited to share capital and share premium when the options are exercised.
The grant by the company of options over its equity instruments to employees of subsidiary undertakings in the Group is treated as a capital contribution. The fair value of employee services received, measured by reference to the grant date fair value, is recognised over the vesting period as an increase to investment in subsidiary undertakings, with a corresponding credit to equity.
Equity comprises the following:
The revenue of the Group comprises royalty income and amounts receivable from external customers for services excluding value added tax and other sales related taxes. It is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. The royalty income becomes receivable on extraction and sale of the relevant minerals, at which point the revenue is recognised.
Disposals of mining and exploration interests are disclosed net of any commissions and foreign exchange.
Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset's net carrying amount.
Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholders' rights to receive payment have been established.
Rentals payable under operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership are not transferred to the lessee are charged against profits on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.
Dividend distribution to the Company's shareholders is recognised as a liability in the Group's financial statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the Company's shareholders.
The Group's principal treasury objective is to provide sufficient liquidity to meet operational cash flow requirements and to allow the Group to take advantage of new growth opportunities whilst maximising shareholder value. The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks including liquidity risk, credit risk, foreign exchange risk, price risk and interest rate risk. The Group manages these risks by operating controlled treasury policies which are monitored by the Board to ensure that the needs of the Group are met while minimising potential adverse effects of unpredictability of financial markets on the Group's financial performance.
Accounts 41
for the year ended December 31, 2010
The objective of the Group in managing funding risk is to ensure that it can meet its financial obligations as and when they fall due. At the year end there was no debt outstanding. The Group has a strong credit rating and has good access to capital markets, if required.
The Group's principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables and investments, which represent the Group's maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.
The Group's credit risk is primarily attributable to its other receivables. It is the policy of the Group to present the amounts in the balance sheet net of allowances for doubtful receivables, estimated by the Group's management based on prior experience and the current economic environment. There are no doubtful receivables this period.
The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers.
The Group acquired three royalties and one royalty option during the year. In the event of non-payment of royalties, the Group has registered its interests against mining title where possible. In addition, the Group is generally entitled to full reconciliations of amounts paid and retains the right to audit the royalty returns and verify the calculations.
A derivative financial instrument to provide finance to a listed mining development company is currently held by the Group (note 18). This instrument is convertible into equity in the company or royalties over the company's properties at the Group's option for the period to November 2012. In the event of default the instrument becomes repayable and the Group would rank equally with the company's other unsecured creditors in this regard. The Group undertakes detailed analysis of factors which mitigate the risk of default to the Group.
The Group's transactional foreign exchange exposure arises from income, expenditure and purchase and sale of assets denominated in foreign currencies. As each material commitment is made, the risk in relation to currency fluctuations is assessed by the Board and regularly reviewed. The Group does not have a hedging programme in place at this time.
Foreign currency denominated financial assets and liabilities, translated into Sterling at the closing rate, are as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GBP | AUD | CAD | USD | Euro | GBP | AUD | CAD | USD | Euro | ||
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Financial assets | 3,501 | 61,321 | 37,273 | 350 | 12 | 1,005 | 55,628 | 46,294 | 29 | 18 | |
| Financial liabilities | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Short term exposure | 3,501 | 61,321 | 37,273 | 350 | 12 | 1,005 | 55,628 | 46,294 | 29 | 18 |
The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the net result for the year and equity in regards to the Group's financial assets and financial liabilities and the Australian Dollar – Sterling and the Canadian Dollar – Sterling exchange rate.
It assumes a +/- 10% change of the Sterling / Australian Dollar exchange rate for the year ended December 31, 2010 (2009: 10%). A +/- 10% is considered for the Sterling / Canadian Dollar exchange rate (2009: 10%). The sensitivity analysis is based on the Group's foreign currency financial instruments held at balance sheet date.
If Sterling had weakened against the Australian Dollar and the Canadian Dollar by 10% this would have had the following impact:
| 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GBP | AUD | CAD | USD | Euro | GBP | AUD | CAD | USD | Euro | |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Net result for the year | (1) | 3,233 | 1,578 | – | – | – | 772 | (76) | – | – |
| Equity | 350 | 6,132 | 3,727 | 35 | 1 | 101 | 5,563 | 4,629 | 3 | 2 |
If Sterling had strengthened against the Australian Dollar and the Canadian Dollar by 10% this would have had the following impact:
| 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GBP | AUD | CAD | USD | Euro | GBP | AUD | CAD | USD | Euro | |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Net result for the year | 1 | (3,233) | (1,578) | – | – | – | (772) | 76 | – | – |
| Equity | (350) | (6,132) | (3,727) | (35) | (1) | (101) | (5,563) | (4,629) | (3) | (2) |
Exposures to foreign exchange rates vary during the year depending on the volume of overseas transactions. Nonetheless, the analysis above is considered to be representative of the Group's exposure to currency risk.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
The Group is exposed to other price risk in respect of its mining and exploration interests which include listed and unlisted equity securities and any convertible instruments.
A sensitivity analysis based on a 15% increase or decrease in listed equity prices has been performed (2009: 10%). If the quoted stock price for these securities had increased or decreased by this percentage the net result for the year would have been increased / reduced by £12.9 million (2009: £2.5 million). Equity would have changed by £18.3 million (2009: £10.0 million).
The royalties acquired during the year (note 17) expose the Group to other price risk through fluctuations in commodity prices, particularly the prices of iron ore, gold and uranium. As the directors obtain independent commodity price forecasts, the generation of which takes into account fluctuations in prices, no detailed analysis of the impact of fluctuations on the valuations of the royalties has been undertaken.
The Group is exposed to other price risk through its convertible instruments (note 16) that can be converted into equity or royalties. The underlying value of the equity may change resulting in an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument. As the equity is currently unlisted it is not possible to quantify this risk at this stage.
The Group's mining and exploration interests are held for the purposes of generating additional royalties and are considered long-term, strategic investments. This strategy is unaffected by recent fluctuations in prices for mining and exploration equities; however, interests are continually monitored for indicators that may suggest problems for these companies raising capital or continuing their day-to-day business activities to ensure remedial action can be taken if necessary.
No specific hedging activities are undertaken in relation to these interests and the voting rights arising from these equity instruments are utilised in the Group's favour.
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk in respect of the cash balances held with banks and other highly rated counterparties. If the interest rates the Group received had increased by one percent during the year, the net result for the year would have been increased by £1,215,000 (2009: £796,000). If the interest rates the Group received had decreased by one percent during the year, the net result for the year would have been reduced by £486,000 (2009: £796,000). There would have been no impact on equity.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| Weighted average effective interest rate |
Fixed interest rate £'000 |
Non interest bearing £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||||
| Assets | ||||
| Cash | 0.40% | 24,603 | 3,655 | 28,258 |
| Trade receivables | – | – | – | |
| Other receivables | – | 8,425 | 8,425 | |
| Total Financial Assets | 24,603 | 12,080 | 36,683 | |
| Financial Liabilities | ||||
| Trade payables | – | 131 | 131 | |
| Other payables | – | 244 | 244 | |
| Total Financial Liabilities | – | 375 | 375 | |
| Net Financial Assets | 24,603 | 11,705 | 36,308 | |
| Weighted average effective interest rate |
Fixed interest rate £'000 |
Non interest bearing £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
| 2009 | ||||
| Assets | ||||
| Cash | 1.00% | 8,154 | 6,041 | 14,195 |
| Trade receivables | – | – | – | |
| Other receivables | 8.50% | 1,112 | 3,896 | 5,008 |
| Total Financial Assets | 9,266 | 9,937 | 19,203 | |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Trade payables | – | 125 | 125 | |
| Other payables | – | 210 | 210 | |
| Total Financial Liabilities | – | 335 | 335 | |
| Net Financial Assets | 9,266 | 9,602 | 18,868 |
The Group and Company held the following investments in financial assets:
| 2010 | 2009 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
|
| Available–for–sale | ||||
| Other royalties | 28,061 | 28,061 | 21,169 | 21,169 |
| Mining and exploration interests | 128,231 | 107,865 | 108,685 | 101,900 |
| Fair value through profit or loss | ||||
| Other royalties | - | - | 810 | 810 |
| Mining and exploration interests | 248 | 248 | 1,010 | 1,010 |
| Loans and receivables | ||||
| Trade and other receivables | 8,425 | 41,432 | 5,008 | 6,298 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 28,258 | 3,986 | 14,195 | 6,624 |
Cash at bank and in hand comprise cash and short-term deposits held by the Group treasury function. The carrying amount of these assets is approximately their fair value.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
The following table presents financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the statement of financial position in accordance with the fair value hierarchy: This hierarchy groups financial assets and liabilities into three levels based on the significance of inputs used in measuring the fair value of the financial assets and liabilities. The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:
The level within which the financial asset or liability is classified is determined based on the lowest level of significant input to the fair value measurement.
The following tables present the Group's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
| 2010 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Assets |
Note | Level 1 £'000 |
Level 2 £'000 |
Level 3 £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|||||
| Royalty instruments | (a) | – | – | 28,061 | 28,061 | |||||
| Mining and exploration interests – quoted | (b) | 121,863 | – | – | 121,863 | |||||
| Mining and exploration interests – unquoted | (c) | – | 6,210 | – | 6,210 | |||||
| Royalty options | (d) | – | 406 | – | 406 | |||||
| Total | 121,863 | 6,616 | 28,061 | 156,540 | ||||||
| Net fair value | 121,863 | 6,616 | 28,061 | 156,540 |
| 2009 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Assets |
Note | Level 1 £'000 |
Level 2 £'000 |
Level 3 £'000 |
Total £'000 |
| Royalty instruments | (a) | – | – | 21,979 | 21,979 |
| Mining and exploration interests – quoted | (b) | 99,543 | – | – | 99,543 |
| Mining and exploration interests – unquoted | (c) | – | 8,984 | – | 8,984 |
| Royalty options | (d) | – | 1,168 | – | 1,168 |
| Total | 99,543 | 10,152 | 21,979 | 131,674 | |
| Net fair value | 99,543 | 10,152 | 21,979 | 131,674 |
The following tables present the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
| 2010 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company Assets |
Note | Level 1 £'000 |
Level 2 £'000 |
Level 3 £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|||
| Royalty instruments | (a) | – | – | 28,061 | 28,061 | |||
| Mining and exploration interests – quoted | (b) | 101,983 | – | – | 101,983 | |||
| Mining and exploration interests – unquoted | (c) | – | 5,724 | – | 5,724 | |||
| Royalty options | (d) | – | 406 | – | 406 | |||
| Total | 101,983 | 6,130 | 28,061 | 136,174 | ||||
| Net fair value | 101,983 | 6,130 | 28,061 | 136,174 |
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| 2009 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company Assets |
Note | Level 1 £'000 |
Level 2 £'000 |
Level 3 £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|||
| Royalty instruments | (a) | – | – | 21,979 | 21,979 | |||
| Mining and exploration interests – quoted | (b) | 97,597 | – | – | 97,597 | |||
| Mining and exploration interests – unquoted | (c) | – | 4,145 | – | 4,145 | |||
| Royalty options | (d) | – | 1,168 | – | 1,168 | |||
| Total | 97,597 | 5,313 | 21,979 | 124,889 | ||||
| Net fair value | 97,597 | 5,313 | 21,979 | 124,889 |
There have been no significant transfers between levels 1 and 2 in the reporting period.
The methods and valuation techniques used for the purposes of measuring fair value are unchanged compared to the previous reporting period.
The Group's royalty streams arising from its four royalty instruments have been classified as available for sale, with value on initial recognition being calculated as the total cost of the agreement less the valuation of the option to convert to shares. At reporting date the royalty streams have been valued on the net present value of the pre-tax cash flows discounted at a rate management considers reflects the risk associated with each of the projects. Note 16 details the discount rates used.
The option to convert to shares has been treated as fair value through profit and loss as designated on initial recognition at the date of acquisition and has been valued at December 31, 2010 utilising an option model. The key assumptions, in addition to those utilised in the royalty stream valuations such as mine life and expected cash flows, include the price, volatility of the projects listed equity and where applicable the conversion price and redemption value of redeemable shares.
All the quoted mining and exploration interests have been issued by publicly traded companies in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Luxembourg. Fair values for these securities have been determined by reference to their quoted bid prices at the reporting date.
All the unquoted mining and exploration interests are initially recognised using cost as the best evidence of fair value. In the absence of an active market for these securities, the Group considers each unquoted security to ensure there has been no material change in the fair value since initial recognition.
All the royalty options are initially recognised using cost as the best evidence of fair value. The Group considers the progress of the projects related to each of the royalty options to ensure there has been no material change in the fair value since initial recognition.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
The Group's financial assets classified in Level 3 uses valuation techniques based on significant inputs that are not based on observable market data.
The following table presents the changes in Level 3 instruments for the year ended December 31, 2010.
| Note | Available–for– sale financial assets |
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net smelter return royalty |
Optionality to convert debenture |
Total | ||
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||
| At January 1, 2010 | 21,169 | 810 | 21,979 | |
| Gains or losses recognised in: | ||||
| Profit and loss | (a) | – | (810) | (810) |
| Other comprehensive income | 11,086 | – | 11,086 | |
| Additions | – | – | – | |
| Disposals | – | – | – | |
| Royalty instrument provision | (4,194) | – | (4,194) | |
| Transfers into level 3 | – | – | – | |
| Transfers out of level 3 | – | – | – | |
| At December 31, 2010 | 28,061 | – | 28,061 |
The following table presents the changes in Level 3 instruments for the year ended December 31, 2009.
| Note | Available–for– sale financial assets |
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net smelter return royalty |
Optionality to convert debenture |
Total | ||
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||
| At January 1, 2009 | 7,426 | 357 | 7,783 | |
| Gains or losses recognised in: | ||||
| Profit and loss | (a) | – | 130 | 130 |
| Other comprehensive income | 7,147 | – | 7,147 | |
| Additions | 6,596 | 323 | 6,919 | |
| Disposals | – | – | – | |
| Transfers into level 3 | – | – | – | |
| Transfers out of level 3 | – | – | – | |
| At December 31, 2009 | 21,169 | 810 | 21,979 |
(a) Gains and losses on the optionality to convert debentures are presented in 'net operating expenses'.
There have been no transfers into or out of level 3 in the reporting period under review.
The Group measures its entitlement to the royalty streams and the optionality embedded in the royalty instruments using discounted cash flow models. In determining the discount rate to be applied, management consider the country and sovereign risk associated with the projects, together with the time horizon to the commencement of production and the success or failure of projects of a similar nature.
Management have not undertaken detailed analysis of the impact of using alternative discount rates on the fair value of the royalty streams or the optionality embedded in the royalty instruments, as the rates used reflect the risks inherent in the four projects and the use of alternative rates would be unjustified.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
Estimates and judgements are regularly evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are addressed below:
Areas of judgement that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are:
The Directors review the nature of those royalty agreements to determine which class of asset they fall under. For those royalties acquired which give the Group a straight royalty with no conversion rights to shares for example, these are classified as a royalty interest within intangibles – note 2.7(b) and note 17.
Where an agreement has a convertible option within it, the contracts are reviewed to determine whether the option is closely related or not to the host contract. This will determine whether the assets should be classified as a derivative at fair value through profit and loss or an available for sale financial asset with an embedded derivative – note 2.9 and note 16.
Management has determined the operating segments based on the reports reviewed by the Executive and Investment committees that are used to make strategic decisions.
The committees consider the Group's undertakings from a business perspective. This has resulted in the Group being organised into two operating segments – royalties and mining and exploration interests.
The royalties segment encompasses all Group activities relating directly to the royalties received from mining operations. The mining and exploration interests segment encompasses all Group activities relating directly to the acquisition, disposal and continued monitoring of the Group's investments in listed and unlisted entities operating in mining and mineral exploration. The segment information provided to the Executive and Investment committees for the reportable segments for the year ended December 31, 2010 is as follows:
| Australia | Americas | Europe | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty £'000 |
Mining Interests £'000 |
Royalty £'000 |
Mining Interests £'000 |
Royalty £'000 |
Mining Interests £'000 |
All other segments £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
| Total segment income | 29,930 | 31,581 | 203 | 12,255 | – | (2,811) | 1,203 | 72,361 |
| Profit before tax | 29,930 | 32,385 | (4,686) | 12,255 | – | (2,811) | (1,224) | 65,849 |
| Amortisation | – | – | (85) | – | – | – | – | (85) |
| Income tax expense | (7,803) | – | – | – | – | – | (1,763) | (9,566) |
| Total assets | 201,890 | 75,280 | 27,650 | 35,122 | 19,590 | 17,671 | 38,423 | 415,626 |
| Total assets include: | ||||||||
| Investments in associates | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Additions to non–current assets (other than financial instruments and deferred tax assets) |
13,664 | – | 20,351 | – | 3,997 | – | – | 38,012 |
| Total liabilities | 56,669 | – | 855 | – | 2,716 | – | 9,498 | 69,738 |
for the year ended December 31, 2010
The segment information for the year ended December 31, 2009 is as follows:
| Australia | Americas | Europe | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty £'000 |
Mining Interests £'000 |
Royalty £'000 |
Mining Interests £'000 |
Royalty £'000 |
Mining Interests £'000 |
All other segments £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
| Total segment income | 20,334 | 7,043 | - | (418) | – | (258) | 809 | 27,510 |
| Profit before tax | 20,334 | 7,558 | (2) | (418) | (24) | (258) | (1,307) | 25,883 |
| Amortisation | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Income tax expense | (5,159) | – | – | – | – | – | (93) | (5,252) |
| Total assets | 156,638 | 60,148 | 15,892 | 44,987 | 10,164 | 2,811 | 21,815 | 312,455 |
| Total assets include: | ||||||||
| Investments in associates | – | 3,771 | – | – | – | – | – | 3,771 |
| Additions to non–current assets (other than financial instruments and deferred tax assets) |
3,030 | – | 4,473 | – | – | – | 2,402 | 9,905 |
| Total liabilities | 47,622 | – | 1,068 | – | 1,154 | – | 2,575 | 52,419 |
The amounts provided to the Executive and Investment committees with respect to total assets are measured in a manner consistent with that of the financial statements. These assets are allocated based on the operations of the segment and the physical location of the asset.
Investments in mining and exploration interests (classified as available-for-sale financial assets or financial assets at fair value through profit or loss) held by the Group are classified by geographic segment by reference to the country of the investee's primary listing for quoted investments or the country of operations for unquoted investments.
The amounts provided to the Executive and Investment committees with respect to total liabilities are measured in a manner consistent with that of the financial statements. These liabilities are allocated based on the operations of the segment.
Royalty income of £29,930,000 (2009: £20,334,000) is derived from a single royalty. This income is attributable to the Australian royalty segment.
| 2009 £'000 |
|
|---|---|
| £'000 | |
| 1,896 | 1,459 |
| 249 | 135 |
| 144 | 146 |
| 987 | 1,016 |
| 2010 |
| 2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Group | ||
| Fees payable to Company's auditor for the audit of parent company and consolidated financial statements |
48 | 39 |
| Fees payable to the Company's auditor and its associates for other services: | ||
| – The audit of Company's subsidiaries pursuant to legislation | 3 | – |
| – Other services pursuant to legislations | 11 | 11 |
| – Tax and other services | 75 | 10 |
| 137 | 60 |
<-- PDF CHUNK SEPARATOR -->
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| Group | Company | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
||
| Wages and salaries | 1,511 | 1,151 | 1,356 | 951 | |
| Share–based awards to directors and employees | 185 | 150 | 185 | 150 | |
| Social security costs | 166 | 121 | 166 | 121 | |
| Other pension costs | 34 | 37 | 34 | 37 | |
| 1,896 | 1,459 | 1,741 | 1,259 |
The Group operates a money purchase group personal pension scheme. Under this scheme the Group makes contributions to personal pension plans of individual employees. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Group to these plans in respect of the year.
The total cost charged to income of £34,000 (2009: £37,000) represents contributions payable to these schemes by the Group at rates specified in the rules of the schemes. As at December 31, 2010, contributions of £15,000 (2009: £5,000) due in respect of the current reporting period had not been paid over to the schemes.
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | ||
| Number of employees | 8 | 7 |
| 2010 | 2009 | |
| Group | ||
| Average number of people (including executive directors employed: | ||
| Executive directors | 5 | 5 |
| Administration | 3 | 2 |
| 8 | 7 |
The average number of administration staff employed by the Company during the year, including executive directors was 8 (2009: 7).
Directors' salaries are shown in the Directors' Remuneration Report on pages 21 to 23, including the highest paid director.
| 2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Group | ||
| Interest on bank deposits | 486 | 431 |
| Interest on royalty instruments | 684 | 365 |
| 1,170 | 796 |
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| Group | ||
| Gain on derecognition of associate | 539 | – |
| (Loss)/gain on financial asset at fair value through profit and loss | (810) | 130 |
| Net foreign exchange gain | 1,049 | 893 |
| Loss on permanent write down of royalty instrument | (4,194) | – |
| Loss on permanent write down of mining and exploration interests | – | (409) |
| (3,416) | 614 | |
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| Group | ||
| Total corporation tax charge | 8,565 | 8,239 |
| Deferred tax charged/(credited) to income – current year (note 22) | 1,001 | (2,987) |
| Tax on profit on ordinary activities | 9,566 | 5,252 |
| 2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
|
| Group | ||
| Factors affecting the tax charge for the year: | ||
| Profit on activities before tax | 65,849 | 25,883 |
| Prima facie tax payable at UK rate of 28% (2009: 28%) and Australian rate of 30% (2009: 30%) | 19,128 | 7,744 |
| Adjustment for tax exempt income | (10,475) | (1,841) |
| Utilisation of losses brought forward | 213 | 108 |
| Adjustment for foreign taxed income | 29 | (342) |
| Non–deductible expenses | 671 | (417) |
| Total income tax expense | 9,566 | 5,252 |
Refer to note 22 for information regarding the Group's deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Earnings per ordinary share is calculated on the Group's profit after tax of £56,283,000 (2009: £20,631,000) and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year of 108,257,718 (2009: 108,189,719).
The diluted earnings per ordinary share is calculated on a profit after tax of £56,283,000 (2009: £20,631,000) and 108,266,665 shares (2009: 108,209,561). The numbers used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share are restated below:
| Net profit attributable to shareholders | 2010 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| Earnings—basic | 56,283 | 20,631 |
| Earnings—diluted | 56,283 | 20,631 |
| 2010 | 2009 | |
| Weighted average number of shares in issue | ||
| Ordinary shares in issue | 108,257,718 | 108,189,719 |
| Employee Share Option Scheme | 8,947 | 19,842 |
| 108,266,665 | 108,209,561 |
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | ||
| Basic royalty cash flow per share | 28.65p | 19.10p |
| Diluted royalty cash flow per share | 28.65p | 19.10p |
The Group's management considers royalty cash flow per share to be a useful measure of the performance of the Group's assets. Changes in equity market conditions lead to annual fluctuations in gains on sale of mining and exploration interests, and while these gains can be significantly value accretive for shareholders, the Group's management focus remains on increasing the Group's cash flows from royalties. In addition, the classification of the Group's royalty instruments as repayable debentures results in cash flows which are classified as repayments until the principal and interest are repaid. As a result, the combination of royalty income and cash received from the debenture repayments during the year form the numerator for this metric. Both of these components are calculated before tax.
The numbers used in calculating the basic and diluted royalty cash flow per share are stated below:
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| Royalty income | 30,133 | 20,334 |
| Receipts from royalty instruments | 881 | 335 |
| Total Royalty cash flow | 31,014 | 20,669 |
| 2010 | 2009 | |
| Weighted average number of shares in issue | ||
| Ordinary shares in issue | 108,257,718 | 108,189,719 |
| Employee Share Option Scheme | 8,947 | 19,842 |
| 108,266,665 | 108,209,561 |
On January 13, 2010 an interim dividend of 3.70 pence per share was paid to shareholders in respect of the year ended December 31, 2009. On July 7, 2010 a final dividend of 4.65 pence per share was paid to shareholders to make a total dividend for the year of 8.35 pence per share.
On January 12, 2011 an interim dividend of 3.95 pence per share was paid to shareholders in respect of the year ended December 31, 2010. This dividend has not been included as a liability in these financial statements. The directors propose that a final dividend of 5.10 pence per share be paid to shareholders on July 6, 2011, to make a total dividend for the year of 9.05 pence per share. This dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and has not been included as a liability in these financial statements.
The proposed final dividend for 2010 is payable to all shareholders on the Register of Members on May 6, 2011. The total estimated dividend to be paid is £5.5 million. This will be reduced to the extent that shareholders elect to receive scrip instead of cash under any scrip dividend alternative. The Board will consider whether shareholders will again be given the opportunity to elect to receive a scrip dividend instead of cash depending on the share price at the time.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| Equipment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Producing | Coal | and | ||
| assets | Tenures | Fixtures | Total | |
| Group | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Gross carrying amount | ||||
| At January 1, 2010 | 821 | 846 | 156 | 1,823 |
| Additions | – | 324 | 5 | 329 |
| Reclassification from exploration and evaluation costs | – | 92 | – | 92 |
| Disposals | – | – | – | – |
| At December 31, 2010 | 821 | 1,262 | 161 | 2,244 |
| Depreciation and impairment | ||||
| At January 1, 2010 | (2) | – | (79) | (81) |
| Disposals | – | – | – | – |
| Depreciation | – | – | (19) | (19) |
| At December 31, 2010 | (2) | – | (98) | (100) |
| Carrying amount December 31, 2010 | 819 | 1,262 | 63 | 2,144 |
| Equipment | ||||
| Producing assets |
Coal Tenures |
and Fixtures |
Total | |
| Group | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Gross carrying amount | ||||
| At January 1, 2009 | 821 | – | 150 | 971 |
| Additions | – | 88 | 80 | 168 |
| Reclassification from mining and exploration interests | – | 758 | – | 758 |
| Disposals | – | – | (74) | (74) |
| At December 31, 2009 | 821 | 846 | 156 | 1,823 |
| Depreciation and impairment | ||||
| At January 1, 2009 | (2) | – | (140) | (142) |
| Disposals | – | – | 73 | 73 |
| Depreciation | – | – | (12) | (12) |
| At 31 December 2009 | (2) | – | (79) | (81) |
| Carrying amount December 31, 2009 | 819 | 846 | 77 | 1,742 |
Coal tenures relate to the Trefi and Panorama coal projects in British Columbia, Canada. As both projects are not yet in production there was no depreciation during the period.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| Equipment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Producing | Coal | and | ||
| assets | Tenures | Fixtures | Total | |
| Company | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Gross carrying amount | ||||
| At January 1, 2010 | 821 | – | 156 | 977 |
| Additions | – | – | 5 | 5 |
| Reclassification from mining and exploration interests | – | – | – | – |
| Disposals | – | – | – | – |
| At December 31, 2010 | 821 | – | 161 | 982 |
| Depreciation and impairment | ||||
| At January 1, 2010 | (2) | – | (79) | (81) |
| Disposals | – | – | – | – |
| Depreciation | – | – | (19) | (19) |
| At December 31, 2010 | (2) | – | (98) | (100) |
| Carrying amount December 31, 2010 | 819 | – | 63 | 882 |
| Equipment | ||||
| Producing | Coal | and | ||
| assets | Tenures | Fixtures | Total | |
| Company | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Gross carrying amount | ||||
| At January 1, 2009 | 821 | – | 150 | 971 |
| Additions | – | – | 80 | 80 |
| Reclassification from mining and exploration interests | – | – | – | – |
At December 31, 2009 (2) – (79) (81) Carrying amount December 31, 2009 819 – 77 896 The Group's property plant and equipment are carried at cost less depreciation with the exception of leases relating to the talc deposit on Shetland held by the parent company. The producing asset on Shetland is included at a directors' valuation of £0.8 million (2009: £0.8 million)
plus additions which are carried at cost. This valuation was carried out on March 26, 2001. At the date of transition to IFRS, the Group elected
Disposals – – (74) (74) At December 31, 2009 821 – 156 977
At January 1, 2009 (2) – (140) (142) Disposals – – 73 73 Depreciation – – (12) (12)
to use this valuation as deemed cost at that date.
Depreciation and impairment
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| At January 1, 2009 | 93,347 | – |
| Revaluation adjustment | 42,916 | – |
| Foreign currency translation | 13,633 | – |
| At December 31, 2009 | 149,896 | – |
| Revaluation adjustment | 355 | – |
| Foreign currency translation | 26,879 | – |
| At December 31, 2010 | 177,130 | – |
The Group's coal royalty entitlements comprise the Kestrel and Crinum coal royalties.
The coal royalty was valued during December 2010 at £177.1 million (A\$270.3 million) by VCoal Pty Limited, coal industry advisors, on a net present value of the pre-tax cash flow discounted at a rate of 7%. The net royalty income from this investment is currently taxed in Australia at a rate of 30%. This valuation is incorporated in the accounts and the above revaluation amount represents the difference between the opening carrying value and the external valuation, excluding the effects of foreign currency changes. Were the coal royalty to be realised at the revalued amount there are £3.1 million (A\$4.8 million) of capital losses potentially available to offset against taxable gains. These losses have been included in the deferred tax calculation (note 22). The Directors do not presently have any intention to dispose of the coal royalty.
The Group's royalty instruments are represented by four convertible debentures which entitle the Group to the repayment of principal and a net smelter return ("NSR") royalty for the life of the mine. Until such time as the principal is repaid the Group retains the option to convert the outstanding balance into the common shares of the grantor. Details of the Group's royalty instruments are summarised below:
| Project | Commodity | Cost '000 |
Royalty Rate |
Escalation | Option Price |
Discount Rate |
Royalty Valuation £'000 |
Option Valuation £'000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engenho | Gold | A\$4,000 | 2.50% | – | A\$0.35 | 10% | 5,890 | – |
| El Valle | Gold | C\$7,500 | 2.50% | 3% >US\$1,100/oz |
C\$0.958 | 12.5% | 15,592 | – |
| Jogjakarta Iron Sands |
Iron Sands | A\$5,000 | 2.00%1 | – | A\$0.10 – A\$0.50 |
15% | 6,579 | – |
| Midway–McKenzie Break2 |
Gold | C\$8,000 | 2.50% | 2.75% >US\$1,250/oz |
C\$0.70 | 12% | – | – |
| 28,061 | – |
1 Jogjakarta Iron Sands royalty rate decreases to 1% following repayment of principal, unless liquid iron prices exceed US\$700/t.
2 Midway–McKenzie Break royalty instrument has been fully provided for as at December 31, 2010 refer to note 16(a).
for the year ended December 31, 2010
The Group's entitlement to the repayment of the principal and the NSR royalty have been classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value. Any gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognised directly in equity with the investment revaluation reserve as detailed below:
| £'000 7,426 |
£'000 7,426 |
|---|---|
| 6,596 | 6,596 |
| – | – |
| 7,147 | 7,147 |
| 21,169 | 21,169 |
| – | – |
| – | – |
| 11,086 | 11,086 |
| 32,255 | 32,255 |
| (4,194) | (4,194) |
| 28,061 | 28,061 |
The royalty instrument provision relates to the Group's convertible debenture with Northern Star Mining Corp. which gives rise to the royalty over the Midway-McKenzie Break project. On January 25, 2011 Northern Star Mining Corp. announced that it had been deemed to have filed assignments in bankruptcy. The Group has registered its royalty interests against the Midway-McKenzie Break tenures and will pursue its rights with the receiver to ensure that the royalty remains attached to the property in the event of any disposal. Given the inherent uncertainty over the Group's ability to retain the royalty through the bankruptcy, a provision against the royalty instrument has been made.
The Group's option to convert the outstanding balance of the debentures into common shares of the grantors is an embedded derivative requiring a separate valuation to the NSR royalty. The options are classified as fair value through profit and loss, with gains and losses arising from changes in fair value directly recognised in the income statement as detailed below:
| Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Fair Value | ||
| At January 1, 2009 | 357 | 357 |
| Additions | 323 | 323 |
| Disposals | – | – |
| Revaluation adjustment | 130 | 130 |
| At December 31, 2009 | 810 | 810 |
| Additions | – | – |
| Disposals | – | – |
| Revaluation adjustment | (810) | (810) |
| At December 31, 2010 | – | – |
| 2010 | 2009 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
||
| Total royalty instruments | 28,061 | 28,061 | 21,979 | 21,979 |
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| Exploration and | Royalty | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Evaluation Costs £'000 |
Interests £'000 |
Total £'000 |
| Gross carrying amount | |||
| At January 1, 2010 | 769 | 5,326 | 6,095 |
| Additions | 19 | 36,804 | 36,823 |
| Reclassification to property, plant and equipment | (92) | – | (92) |
| At December 31, 2010 | 696 | 42,130 | 42,826 |
| Amortisation and impairment | |||
| At January 1, 2010 | – | – | – |
| Impairment charge | – | – | – |
| Amortisation charge | – | (85) | (85) |
| At December 31, 2010 | – | (85) | (85) |
| Carrying amount December 31, 2010 | 696 | 42,045 | 42,741 |
| Exploration and Evaluation Costs |
Royalty Interests |
Total | |
| Group | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
| Gross carrying amount | |||
| At January 1, 2009 | – | – | – |
| Additions | 367 | 5,326 | 5,693 |
| Reclassification from mining and exploration interests | 402 | – | 402 |
| At December 31, 2009 | 769 | 5,326 | 6,095 |
| Amortisation and impairment | |||
| At January 1, 2009 | – | – | – |
| Impairment charge | – | – | – |
| Amortisation charge | – | – | – |
| At December 31, 2009 | – | – | – |
| Carrying amount December 31, 2009 | 769 | 5,326 | 6,095 |
| Royalty | |||
| Interests | Total | ||
| Company | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Gross carrying amount | |||
| At January 1, 2010 | 2,296 | 2,296 | |
| Additions | 1,701 | 1,701 | |
| Reclassification from mining and exploration interests | – | – | |
| At December 31, 2010 | 3,997 | 3,997 | |
| Amortisation and impairment | |||
| At January 1, 2010 | – | – | |
| Impairment charge | – | – | |
| Amortisation charge | – | – | |
| At December 31, 2010 | – | – | |
| Carrying amount December 31, 2010 | 3,997 | 3,997 |
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| Royalty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Interests | Total | |
| Company | £'000 | £'000 |
| Gross carrying amount | ||
| At January 1, 2009 | – | – |
| Additions | 2,296 | 2,296 |
| Reclassification from mining and exploration interests | – | – |
| At December 31, 2009 | 2,296 | 2,296 |
| Amortisation and impairment | ||
| At January 1, 2009 | – | – |
| Impairment charge | – | – |
| Amortisation charge | – | – |
| At December 31, 2009 | – | – |
| Carrying amount December 31, 2009 | 2,296 | 2,296 |
The Group's intangibles comprise capitalised exploration and evaluation costs and royalty interests.
The exploration and evaluation costs comprise expenditure that is directly attributable to the Trefi and Panorama coal projects in British Columbia, Canada.
Royalty interests represent the net smelter royalties acquired on the Four Mile project in South Australia, the Salamanca uranium project in Spain and a number of tenements in the Athabasca Basin region of Canada, together with the gross revenue royalties on the DFD Rhodes Group iron ore deposits in Western Australia and the Amapá Iron Ore System in Brazil.
All amortisation and impairment charges (or reversals if any) are included within 'depreciation, amortisation and impairment of non-financial assets'. The Amapá royalty interest is the only producing interest and therefore, subject to amortisation. Amortisation of the remaining interests will commence once they begin commercial production. No intangible assets have been pledged as security for liabilities.
| Group | Company |
|---|---|
| £'000 | |
| 44,745 | 35,085 |
| 29,730 | 26,081 |
| (19,181) | (15,777) |
| (3,321) | – |
| (953) | – |
| 57,657 | 56,511 |
| 8 | – |
| 108,685 | 101,900 |
| 46,958 | 34,968 |
| (69,589) | (64,846) |
| 4,151 | – |
| 37,502 | 35,843 |
| 524 | – |
| 128,231 | 107,865 |
| £'000 |
The Group's investments are acquired as part of the Group's strategy to acquire new royalties and are not held for the purpose of trading. Gains may be realised where it is deemed appropriate by the Investment Committee. The fair values of listed securities are based on quoted market prices. Unquoted investments and royalty options are initially recognised using cost as the best evidence of fair value. In the absence of an active market for these securities, the Group considers each unquoted security to ensure there has been no material change in the fair value since initial recognition. Further guidance on fair value measurement is provided in note 3.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| (b) Fair value through profit and loss Fair value At January 1, 2009 Additions Disposals |
£'000 1,010 |
£'000 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,010 | ||
| – | – | |
| – | – | |
| Revaluation adjustment | – | – |
| At December 31, 2009 | 1,010 | 1,010 |
| Additions | – | – |
| Disposals | (762) | (762) |
| Revaluation adjustment | – | – |
| At December 31, 2010 | 248 | 248 |
A non-repayable convertible instrument was created by the Group in 2007. This convertible instrument was created to provide finance to a listed mining development company and is convertible into equity in the company or royalties over the company's properties at the Group's option for a period of up to five years. The instrument was initially recognised using cost as the best evidence of fair value. The Group considers that there had been no material change in the fair value of the instrument at the reporting date, and this will be re-examined on a regular basis considering factors such as the presence of an active market for the equity and valuations of the potential royalty streams. The Group has no present intention of exercising the conversion of the instrument in the next 12 months. Further guidance on fair value measurement is provided in note 3.
The Group's total mining and exploration interests are represented by 40 (2009: 46) investments held at December 31, as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
|
| Quoted investments | 121,863 | 101,983 | 99,543 | 97,597 |
| Unquoted investments | 6,210 | 5,724 | 8,984 | 4,145 |
| Royalty Options | 406 | 406 | 1,168 | 1,168 |
| Total mining and exploration interests | 128,479 | 108,113 | 109,695 | 102,910 |
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| Investments in subsidiaries |
|
|---|---|
| £'000 | |
| Company | |
| Cost: | |
| At January 1, 2009 | 6,963 |
| Additions | – |
| Investment reclassified as an intercompany loan | (953) |
| At December 31, 2009 | 6,010 |
| Additions | 17,000 |
| Disposals | (4,353) |
| Investment reclassified as an intercompany loan | – |
| At December 31, 2010 | 18,657 |
| Provisions: | |
| At January 1, 2009 | 345 |
| Additions | – |
| At December 31, 2009 | 345 |
| Additions | – |
| At December 31, 2010 | 345 |
| Net book value: | |
| At January 1, 2009 | 6,618 |
| At December 31, 2009 | 5,665 |
| At December 31, 2010 | 18,312 |
The Group's full listing of subsidiaries is provided in note 31.
| Investments in | |
|---|---|
| associates | |
| £'000 | |
| Group | |
| At January 1, 2009 | – |
| Additions – cost | 3,321 |
| Share of profits | 515 |
| Share of other comprehensive income | (65) |
| At December 31, 2009 | 3,771 |
| Additions – cost | 109 |
| Return of capital by associate | (949) |
| Share of profits | 265 |
| Share of other comprehensive income | 110 |
| Reclassification to mining and exploration interests | (3,306) |
| At December 31, 2010 | – |
Investments in associates at December 31, 2009 include goodwill of £587,000.
As at September 30, 2010, the Group concluded it had lost significant influence over Royalco Resources Limited ("Royalco") despite maintaining a 32.03% equity interest and having a common director. This conclusion was reached following the Group's inability to influence significant financial and operation policy decisions made by Royalco, together with losing its ability to obtain timely financial information.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
On losing significant influence over Royalco, the Group's 32.03% equity interest was remeasured to its fair value of £4,151,000 being the closing market price of Royalco's shares quoted on the Australian Stock Exchange as at September 30, 2010. The remeasurement to fair value resulted in a gain of £498,000 being recognised in the profit and loss. In addition a gain of £40,000 previously recognised in other comprehensive income was reclassified to profit and loss.
The Group's investment in Royalco is included in available-for-sale mining and exploration interests as at December 31, 2010 (note 18).
The Group has a 50% equity shareholding (and voting rights) in a joint venture established in Australia between Jandale Pty Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) and Core Coal Holdings Pty Ltd for the purpose of exploration and development.
The following amounts are included in the Group's financial statements using proportionate consolidation:
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| Non–current assets | – | – |
| Current assets | 4 | 2 |
| Non–current liabilities | – | – |
| Current liabilities | 7 | 1 |
| Income | – | – |
| Expenses | 41 | 48 |
The Group has no contingent liabilities or any capital commitments under this joint venture.
| 2010 | 2009 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
|
| Current | ||||
| Income tax receivable | 268 | 268 | – | – |
| Trade receivables | – | – | – | – |
| Other receivables (including royalties receivable) | 8,425 | 148 | 5,008 | 1,280 |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 120 | 106 | 74 | 67 |
| 8,813 | 522 | 5,082 | 1,347 | |
| Non–current | ||||
| Amounts due from subsidiaries | – | 41,284 | – | 5,018 |
| 8,813 | 41,806 | 5,082 | 6,365 |
Trade and other receivables principally comprise amounts relating to royalties receivable for the quarter October 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables is approximately their fair value. Amounts due from subsidiaries, are considered long term loans. All other amounts are considered short term and none are past due.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
Cash and cash equivalents include the following for the purposes of the statement of cash flows:
| 2010 | 2009 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
|
| Cash at bank and on hand | 19,311 | 3,547 | 10,784 | 5,423 |
| Trading deposits with brokers | 8,947 | 439 | 3,411 | 1,201 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 28,258 | 3,986 | 14,195 | 6,624 |
The movement in the year in the Group's net deferred tax position was as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
|
| At January 1 | 47,883 | 3,189 | 28,857 | (1,603) |
| Charged/(Released) to income for the year | 1,001 | – | (2,987) | – |
| Charged to equity for the year | 6,700 | 6,290 | 17,824 | 4,792 |
| Foreign currency translation | 8,254 | – | 4,189 | – |
| At December 31 | 63,838 | 9,479 | 47,883 | 3,189 |
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities/(assets) recognised by the Group and the movements thereon during the period:
| Group | Coal royalties | Available–for sale–investments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revaluation of coal royalty £'000 |
Effects of Tax losses £'000 |
Revaluation of royalty instruments £'000 |
Revaluation of mining interests £'000 |
Accrual of royalty receivable £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
| At January 1, 2009 | 27,491 | (563) | 994 | (2,918) | 3,853 | 28,857 |
| Released to income for the year (note 10) | – | – | – | – | (2,987) | (2,987) |
| Charged/(Released) to equity for the year | 12,875 | (111) | 1,671 | 3,389 | – | 17,824 |
| Foreign currency translation | 4,090 | (83) | – | (61) | 243 | 4,189 |
| At December 31, 2009 | 44,456 | (757) | 2,665 | 410 | 1,109 | 47,883 |
| Charged to income for the year (note 10) | – | – | – | – | 1,001 | 1,001 |
| Charged/(Released) to equity for the year | 106 | (52) | 2,230 | 4,416 | – | 6,700 |
| Foreign currency translation | 8,064 | (136) | – | 23 | 303 | 8,254 |
| At December 31, 2010 | 52,626 | (945) | 4,895 | 4,849 | 2,413 | 63,838 |
This provision represents the Group's full potential liability to deferred taxation. This may be reduced by tax losses available to the Group. Australian capital losses are disclosed in note 15. Temporary differences arising in connection with interests in associates and joint ventures are insignificant.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities recognised by the Company and the movements thereon during the period:
| Available–for sale–investments | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revaluation of royalty instruments £'000 |
Revaluation of mining interests £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|||
| At January 1, 2009 | 994 | (2,597) | (1,603) | ||
| Charged to equity for the year | 1,671 | 3,121 | 4,792 | ||
| At December 31, 2009 | 2,665 | 524 | 3,189 | ||
| Charged to equity for the year | 2,230 | 4,060 | 6,290 | ||
| At December 31, 2010 | 4,895 | 4,584 | 9,479 |
for the year ended December 31, 2010
| 2010 | 2009 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
|
| Income tax payable | 4,987 | – | 3,920 | – |
| Other taxation and social security payable | 364 | 364 | 226 | 226 |
| Trade payables | 131 | 120 | 125 | 90 |
| Other payables | 244 | 223 | 210 | 192 |
| Accruals and deferred income | 174 | 152 | 55 | 55 |
| 5,900 | 859 | 4,536 | 563 |
Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for taxation, investment purchases and ongoing costs. The average credit period taken for trade purchases is 23 days. The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables is approximately their fair value. All amounts are considered short term and none are past due.
| Number of shares |
Share capital £'000 |
Share premium £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group and Company | ||||
| At January 1, 2009 | 106,172,139 | 2,123 | 18,604 | 20,727 |
| Scrip dividends | 1,201,250 | 24 | 1,966 | 1,990 |
| Issue of share capital under share–based payment | 66,074 | 2 | 148 | 150 |
| At December 31, 2009 | 107,439,463 | 2,149 | 20,718 | 22,867 |
| Scrip dividends | 750,256 | 14 | 2,025 | 2,039 |
| Issue of share capital under share–based payment | 581,613 | 12 | 1,464 | 1,476 |
| At December 31, 2010 | 108,771,332 | 2,175 | 24,207 | 26,382 |
Following the approval at the 2010 Annual General Meeting, the Group operates two equity-settled share-based compensation plans as follows:
(a) Company Share Ownership Plan
Under the CSOP, share options are granted to directors and to selected employees. The exercise price of the granted options is equal to the average mid market closing price of an ordinary share for the three days before the grant. The options are conditional on the employee completing three years' service (the vesting period). The options are exercisable starting three years from the grant date, subject to the Group achieving its target growth in absolute total shareholder return over the period of 3% per annum (not compounded) in excess of the UK Retail Price Index; the options have a contractual option term of ten years. The Group has no legal or constructive obligation to repurchase or settle the options in cash.
Prior to the approval of the CSOP, the Group operated an Inland Revenue approved option plan that provided for options to be granted at a price equal to the quoted market price of the Group's shares on the date of grant. The vesting period for options granted under this plan was three years and subject to the exercise condition of the Group's Earnings per share growing at a rate of 2% in excess of the UK Retail Price Index over the vesting period. All options granted under this plan were either exercised or surrendered during the period to December 31, 2010.
Accounts 63
for the year ended December 31, 2010
Movements in the number of share options outstanding and their related weighted average exercise prices are as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Options | Weighted average exercise price (£) |
Options | Weighted average exercise price (£) |
||
| Outstanding at 1 January | 71,367 | 1.2611 | 91,039 | 1.3181 | |
| Granted during the year | 60,120 | 2.4950 | – | – | |
| Exercised during the year | (36,923) | 0.8125 | – | – | |
| Surrendered during the year | (34,444) | 1.7419 | (19,672) | 1.5250 | |
| Outstanding at 31 December | 60,120 | 2.4950 | 71,367 | 1.2611 |
Out of the 60,120 outstanding options (2009: 71,367), nil options (2009: 36,923) were exercisable. Options exercised in 2010 resulted in 36,923 shares (2009: nil) being issued at a weighted average price of £0.8125 each (2009: nil each). The related weighted average price at the time of exercise was £2.515 (2009: nil) per share. There were no related transaction costs.
Share options outstanding at the end of the year have the following expiry date and exercise prices:
| Shares | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Expiry date | Exercise price in £ per share |
2010 | 2009 |
| 2010 | 0.8125 | - | 36,923 |
| 2011 | – | – | – |
| 2012 | – | – | – |
| 2013 | – | – | – |
| 2014 | – | – | – |
| 2015 | – | – | – |
| 2016 | – | – | – |
| 2017 | – | – | – |
| 2018 | – | – | – |
| 2019 | 2.4950 | 60,120 | – |
| 60,120 | 36,923 |
The weighted average fair value of options granted during the period determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model was £1.326 per option (2009: nil). The significant inputs into the model were weighted average share price of £2.495 (2009: nil) at the grant date, exercise price shown above, volatility of 40% (2009: nil), expected option life of three years (2009: nil) and an annual risk-free interest rate of 2.3% (2009: nil). See note 7a for the total expense recognised in the income statement for share options granted to directors and employees.
Under the JSOP, the Remuneration Committee invites selected employees to enter into an agreement with the Anglo Pacific Group Employee Benefit Trust (the 'Co-owner') to acquire a number of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company. The shares are held in the name of the Co-owner, however, the selected employees maintain a beneficial interest in these shares.
Awards under the JSOP are conditional on the employee completing three years' service (the vesting period) and the Group's absolute total shareholder return growing at an annual rate (not compounded) of 3% in excess of the UK Retail Price Index over the three year vesting period. In addition the Company's share price must reach a hurdle price during the three year vesting period as determined by the Remuneration Committee at the time of making the award.
Upon satisfying the performance targets and service requirements, the beneficial interest conferred will entitle the employee to receive a proportion of the proceeds of sale of the ordinary shares. Their entitlement will be to receive the equivalent of all sales proceeds in excess of the threshold amount, settled in ordinary shares of the Company. The threshold amount is fixed by the Remuneration Committee and will not be set less than the market value of the ordinary shares of the Company at the time the JSOP award is made.
for the year ended December 31, 2010
JSOP awards made during the year are as follows:
| Shares | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant price in \$ per share |
Hurdle price in £ per share |
2010 | 2009 | Expiry Date | |
| Outstanding at 1 January | – | – | |||
| Awarded during the year | 2.480 | 3.150 | 508,050 | – | 2014 |
| Awards settled during the year | – | – | |||
| Outstanding at 31 December | 508,050 | – |
The weighted average fair value of shares awarded during the period determined using the Monte Carlo valuation model was £0.58 per share. The significant inputs into the model were weighted average share price of £2.48 at the grant date, share price hurdle £3.15, volatility of 40%, expected option life of four years and an annual risk-free interest rate of 2.3%. See note 7a for the total expense recognised in the income statement for share options granted to directors and employees.
Awards under the JSOP previously met the definition of cash-settled share-based payments under IFRS 2 'Share-based Payments'. As such the Group measured the awards under the JSOP and the corresponding liability incurred at the fair value of the liability. Until the liability was settled, the Group was required to remeasure the fair value of the liability at the end of each reporting period and at the date of settlement, with any changes in value recognised in the income statement for the period.
The Anglo Pacific Group Employee Benefit Trust and the participating employees agreed to amend their existing JSOP award agreements such that the awards may only be settled in ordinary shares of the Company. These amendments were made with retrospective effect to the initial awards made on May 20, 2010 resulting in the awards being accounted for as equity-settled share-based payments from grant date.
On December 8, 2010 following the recommendation of the Remuneration Committee, the Group issued 36,640 (2009: 66,074) Ordinary Shares of 2p each in the Company at a price of 327.5p (2009: 225.5p) per share to the Executive Directors as part of their remuneration.
As part of the capital reduction in 2002, a special reserve was created, which represents the level of profit attributable to the Group for the period ended June 30, 2002. At December 31, 2010, this reserve remains unavailable for distribution.
| Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| At January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 | 632 | 632 |
| Group £'000 |
Company £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Balance at January 1, 2009 | 80,894 | 53,968 |
| Surrender of options from share-based payment | - | - |
| Dividends paid | (9,302) | (9,302) |
| Profit for the year | 20,631 | 37,813 |
| Balance at December 31, 2009 | 92,223 | 82,479 |
| Surrender of options from share-based payment | 13 | 13 |
| Dividends paid | (8,764) | (8,764) |
| Profit for the year | 56,283 | 43,527 |
| Balance at December 31, 2010 | 139,755 | 117,255 |
for the year ended December 31, 2010
At the balance sheet date, the Group had outstanding commitments under non-cancellable operating leases. The total commitments due under these leases are shown according to the scheduled expiry dates of the leases as follows:
| 2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
|---|---|
| 168 | 148 |
| 557 | 592 |
| 175 | 225 |
| 900 | 965 |
The annual commitments for leases expiring after five years total £50,000 per annum.
At the year end the Group had capital commitments of £1,199,000 (2009: £2,365,000) in respect of purchases of quoted investments. The Group's share of capital commitments of joint ventures at the balance sheet date amounted to £nil (2009: £nil).
Subsidiary undertakings have commitments as detailed below:
A bond was granted to Shetland Islands Council for £10,000 in respect of the installation of a Talc processing plant at Broonies Taing, Sandwick and the extraction of talc magnesite rock at Catpund, Cunningsburgh.
During the year, Group companies entered into the following transactions with subsidiaries:
| Subsidiaries | Associates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
||
| Funding transactions | (28,766) | 26,484 | – | – | |
| Management fee | 2,209 | (1,504) | 23 | 10 | |
| Amounts owed by related parties at year end | 41,284 | 5,018 | – | 3 |
All transactions were made in the course of funding the Group's continuing activities.
The remuneration of the key management personnel of the Group is set out below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures. Further information about the remuneration of individual directors is provided in the audited part of the Directors' Remuneration Report on pages 21 to 23.
| 2010 £'000 |
2009 £'000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Short–term employee benefits | 1,456 | 1,179 |
| Post–employment benefits | 29 | 34 |
| Share–based payment | 185 | 150 |
| 1,670 | 1,363 |
Related party transactions in the year ended December 31, 2010 were payments of £8,000 to Allenbridge Group PLC, a company in which Mr A.H. Yadgaroff, a non-executive director, is both a director and shareholder, for the provision of office support services (2009: £8,000). At December 31, 2010 a total of £nil was owing to Allenbridge Group plc (2009: £nil).
for the year ended December 31, 2010
The Group's investment in Northern Star Mining Corp has been fully provided for subsequent to year end, as a result of Northern Star Mining Corp's shares being suspended from trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange on January 25, 2011 following the announcement of its filing for bankruptcy. The Group, through Anglo Pacific Finance Ltd, held 6,521,000 shares in Northern Star Mining Corp as at December 31, 2010 with a market value of £147,420. The Group ranks equally with all other shareholders and will pursue the recovery of its share of funds to be returned to shareholders by the trustee in bankruptcy.
| Country of registration and operation |
Principal activity | Proportion of shares held at December 31, 2010 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Starmont Holdings Pty Ltd | Australia | Intermediate holding company | 100% |
| Indian Ocean Resources Ltd | Australia | Investments | 100%† |
| Argo Royalties Pty Ltd | Australia | Investments | 100%† |
| Starmont Ventures Pty Ltd | Australia | Investments | 100%† |
| Alkormy Pty Ltd | Australia | Investments | 100%† |
| Gordon Resources Ltd | Australia | Owner of coal royalty | 100%† |
| Jandale Pty Ltd | Australia | Joint venture company | 100%† |
| Centaurus Royalties Ltd | England | Owner of iron ore royalties | 100% |
| Southern Cross Royalties Ltd | England | Owner of uranium royalties | 100% |
| Shetland Talc Ltd | Scotland | Mineral exploration | 100% |
| Anglo Pacific Group Employee Benefit Trust | Guernsey | Administering Group incentive plans | 100% |
| Anglo Pacific Finance Ltd | Ireland | Group treasury | 100% |
| Advance Royalty Corporation | Canada | Owner of uranium royalties | 100%† |
| Panorama Coal Corporation | Canada | Holder of coal tenures | 100% |
| Trefi Coal Corporation | Canada | Holder of coal tenures | 100% |
† Denotes held by a subsidiary company.
(a) Size of Holding (at February 15, 2011)
| Category UK and Australia |
Number of Shareholders |
% | Number of Shares |
% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 1,000 | 665 | 29.45 | 359,831 | 0.33 |
| 1,001 – 5,000 | 916 | 40.57 | 2,250,700 | 2.07 |
| 5,001 – 10,000 | 225 | 9.96 | 1,682,490 | 1.55 |
| 10,001 – and over | 452 | 20.02 | 104,478,311 | 96.05 |
| 2,258 | 100.00 | 108,771,332 | 100.00 |
(b) The percentage of total shares held by or on behalf of the twenty largest shareholders as at February 15, 2011 was 44.46%.
This document is important and requires your immediate attention. If you are in any doubt as to what action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own financial advice from your stockbroker, solicitor, accountant or other independent professional adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 immediately. If you have sold or otherwise transferred all of your shares in Anglo Pacific Group PLC, please forward this document, together with the accompanying documents, as soon as possible to the purchaser or transferee or to the stockbroker, bank or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected for transmission to the purchaser or transferee.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of Anglo Pacific Group PLC (the "Company") will be held at the Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG, UK on Wednesday April 13, 2011 at 11.00 am to consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions of which resolutions 1 to 9 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions and resolutions 10 to 12 will be proposed as special resolutions:-
(i) 105 per cent of the average of the middle market quotations for an Ordinary Share as derived from the London Stock Exchange's Daily Official List for the five business days immediately preceding the day on which the Ordinary Share is purchased, and
(ii) the higher of the price of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid on the trading venue where the purchase is carried out,
Registered Office By Order of the Board
W1J 5NZ
17 Hill Street M.J. Tack C.A. London Company Secretary
March 8, 2011
The New Articles reflect the implementation of the final provisions of the Act and the changes required as a result of the coming into force of the Companies (Shareholders' Rights) Regulations 2009 (the "Shareholders' Rights Regulations). The material differences between the Current Articles and the New Articles are summarised below.
The provisions regulating the operations of the Company are currently set out in the Memorandum and Current Articles. The Memorandum contains, among other things, the objects clause, which sets out the scope of the activities that the Company is authorised to undertake. This is drafted to give a broad scope. The Act significantly reduces the importance of a company's memorandum of association, providing that it will simply record the names of the subscribers and the number of shares each subscriber has agreed to take in a company. Under the Act, the objects clause and all other provisions that were contained in a company's memorandum of association have been deemed to be contained in a company's articles of association as from October 1, 2009. However, a company can remove these provisions from its articles of association by special resolution.
Further, the Act states that, unless a company's articles of association provide otherwise, a company's objects are unrestricted. Therefore, there is no longer a requirement for an objects clause. Consequently, the Company is proposing to remove its objects clause, together with all other provisions of its Memorandum (except for the limited liability clause) which, by virtue of the Act, have been treated as forming part of the Current Articles. Resolution 12 confirms the removal of these provisions. As the objects clause in the Current Articles is of such a broad scope, if resolution 12 is passed, there will be no significant broadening of the permitted operations of the Company, although the Company would be operating under unrestricted objects.
As the effect of resolution 12 will be to remove the statement regarding limited liability in the Memorandum, the New Articles include an express statement regarding the limited liability of the shareholders.
The Act abolishes the requirement for a company to have an authorised share capital and the New Articles reflect this. Directors will still be limited as to the number of shares they can allot at any time, as authority to allot is still required under the Act, save in respect of employee share schemes.
Under the Companies Act 1985, a company required specific enabling provisions in its articles of association in order to purchase its own shares, consolidate or sub-divide its shares and reduce its share capital or other undistributable reserves, as well as shareholder authority to undertake the relevant action. The Current Articles include these enabling provisions. Under the Act, a company only requires shareholder authority to do any of these things and it is only necessary for articles of association to contain provisions if it is considered preferable to exclude or restrict the exercise of the powers available to the Company under the relevant sections of the Act. The Directors do not consider it necessary to restrict the Company in this way.
The Current Articles permit the Directors to suspend the registration of share transfers. Under the Act, share transfers must be registered as soon as practicable. Accordingly, the New Articles do not contain the power to suspend registration.
Under the Companies Act 1985 and the Current Articles, the Directors could decline to register a transfer of shares without giving any reason for so doing. The position has changed under the Act so that reasons for refusal must be given within certain timescales. Accordingly, this has been reflected in the New Articles.
Under the Act, a company may have a common seal, but need not have one. Accordingly, the New Articles allow for the Directors to dispense with the requirement to have a seal and also provide alternative methods for documents to be executed by the Company which would otherwise have required a seal.
Guidelines from the Association of British Insurers (the "ABI Guidelines") require that a company's articles of association contain a monetary cap on the aggregate fees payable to non-executive directors. The Current Articles contain a cap on the fees payable to each non-executive director. In order to more closely comply with the ABI Guidelines, the New Articles provide that non-executive directors shall not receive, in aggregate, more than £400,000 per annum (excluding amounts paid for special services performed outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a director), which is consistent with current market practice. Any increase in this figure will need to be approved by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders.
The Shareholders' Rights Regulations have amended the Act so that it now provides that each proxy appointed by a shareholder has one vote on a show of hands, unless the proxy is appointed by more than one shareholder, in which case the proxy has one vote for and one vote against if the proxy has been instructed by one or more shareholders to vote for the resolution and by one or more shareholders to vote against the resolution, or to vote has he decides. The New Articles reflect these changes and are in line with the recommendations of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.
Under the Act, as amended by the Shareholders' Rights Regulations, proxies are required to vote in accordance with instructions given by the appointing shareholder. The New Articles provide that the Company is not required to confirm that a proxy has followed his instructions and that a failure to vote as instructed does not invalidate the proceedings on the resolution.
The Shareholders' Rights Regulations have amended the Act in order to enable multiple representatives appointed by the same corporate shareholder to vote in different ways on a show of hands and a poll. The New Articles contain provisions which reflect these amendments.
The New Articles do not contain the provision giving the Chairman a casting vote in the event of an equality of votes on a members' resolution, as this is no longer permitted under the Act.
The Shareholders' Rights Regulations have amended the Act so as to provide that general meetings adjourned for lack of quorum must be held at least 10 days after the original meeting. The New Articles reflect this requirement.

| I/We | ||
|---|---|---|
| of | ||
| being (a) member(s) of Anglo Pacific Group PLC ("the Company") hereby appoint the Chairman of the meeting, or, | ||
| as my/our proxy to attend, speak and vote for me/us and on my/our behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held at 11.00a.m. on Wednesday April 13, 2011 at the Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG, UK and any adjournment thereof. |
||
| Date | Signature(s) | |
| Please tick here if this proxy appointment is one of multiple appointments being made. For the appointment of more than one proxy please refer to Note 1 overleaf. |
||
| I/We direct my/our proxy to vote on the following resolutions as I/we have indicated by marking the appropriate box with an "X". |
If no indication is given, my/our proxy will vote or abstain from voting at his or her discretion and I/we authorise my/our proxy to vote (or abstain from voting) as he or she thinks fit in relation to any other matter which is put before the meeting.
| Resolution | For | Against | Withheld | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary 1. | Resolution to receive the 2010 Accounts. | |||
| Ordinary 2. | Resolution to approve the Directors' Remuneration Report. | |||
| Ordinary 3. | Resolution to declare a final dividend of 5.10p per Ordinary Share. | |||
| Ordinary 4. | Resolution to re-elect M.H. Atkinson as a director. | |||
| Ordinary 5. | Resolution to re-elect J.G. Whellock as a director. | |||
| Ordinary 6. | Resolution to re-elect A.H. Yadgaroff as a director. | |||
| Ordinary 7. | Resolution to re-appoint Messrs. Grant Thornton UK LLP as auditors and authorise the directors to fix their remuneration. |
|||
| Ordinary 8. | Resolution to authorise scrip dividends. | |||
| Ordinary 9. | Resolution that the directors be authorised to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot relevant securities up to an aggregate nominal amount of £725,142. |
|||
| Special 10. | Resolution that the directors be authorised to allot treasury shares or new equity securities for cash up to an aggregate nominal amount of £217,542 free from statutory pre-emption rights. |
|||
| Special 11. | Resolution that the Company be authorised to make one or more market purchases of up to 10,877,133 Ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company, subject to certain restrictions and provisions, including the maximum and minimum price at which such shares may be purchased. |
|||
| Special 12. | Resolution that the Company adopt new Articles of Association. |
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Anglo Pacific Group PLC 17 Hill Street, Mayfair London W1J 5NZ United Kingdom
T +44 (0) 20 7318 6360 F +44 (0) 20 7629 0370
[email protected] www.anglopacificgroup.com
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