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Polymetal International plc — Earnings Release 2017
Dec 31, 2017
6455_rns_2017-12-31_88d258ed-f53c-401c-babd-73c256a87601.pdf
Earnings Release
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Release time IMMEDIATE Date 12 March 2018
Polymetal International plc
Preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2017
Polymetal International plc (LSE, MOEX: POLY, ADR: AUCOY) (together with its subsidiaries – "Polymetal", the "Company", or the "Group") is pleased to announce the Group's preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2017.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- In 2017, revenue increased by 15% over 2016 to US\$ 1,815 million, primarily driven by gold equivalent (GE) production growth of 13%. Gold sales were 1,090 Koz, up 24% year-on-year, while silver sales were down 14% to 26.5 Moz, in line with production volume dynamics. Average realised gold and silver prices remained largely unchanged from 2016 at US\$ 1,247/oz and US\$ 16.1/oz respectively.
- Group Total cash costs 1 ("TCC") were US\$ 658/GE oz for the year, up 15% from 2016 levels and at the lower end of the Company's updated guidance of US\$ 650-675/GE oz. The increase in TCC was predominantly driven by the strengthening of the Russian Rouble (by 15% from an average rate of 67.1 RUB/USD in 2016 to 58.3 RUB/USD in 2017) on the back of the recent oil price rally and stabilising macroeconomic conditions in Russia. All-in sustaining cash costs1 ("AISC") amounted to US\$ 893/GE oz, also within the Company's updated guidance, an increase of 15% year-on-year, driven mostly by the same factors, as well as significantly increased exploration spending across the portfolio.
- Adjusted EBITDA1 was US\$ 745 million, down 2% compared to 2016, as increased costs incurred due to a stronger Russian Rouble largely offset the production growth. The Adjusted EBITDA margin was at 41% compared to 48% in 2016.
- Net earnings2 were US\$ 354 million versus US\$ 395 million in the prior year, reflecting the decrease in EBITDA and the impact of foreign exchange gains on 2016 earnings. Underlying net earnings1 were US\$ 376 million (2016: US\$ 382 million).
- Capital expenditure came in at US\$ 383 million3 , up 41% compared to 2016 due to accelerated pre-stripping and construction at Kyzyl, as well as an increased brownfield exploration spend across the operating assets portfolio . The Group is on track with the commissioning of Kyzyl and the ramp up of the debottlenecked POX plant in the second half of 2018.
- Net debt1 increased to US\$ 1,420 million during the period (31 December 2016: US\$ 1,330 million), representing a Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.91x. Despite intensive construction activities at Kyzyl in the course of 2017, the Company continued to generate meaningful free cash flow1 that amounted to US\$ 143 million (2016: US\$ 257 million), while maintaining stable net cash operating inflow of US\$ 533 million (2016: US\$ 530 million).
- A final dividend of US\$ 0.30 per share (approx. US\$ 129 million) representing 50% of the Group's underlying net earnings for 2H 2017 has been proposed by the Board in accordance with the revised dividend policy and in compliance with the hard ceiling of Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio below 2.5x. This will bring the total dividend declared for the period to US\$ 189 million.
1 The financial performance reported by the Group contains certain Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) disclosed to compliment measures that are defined or specified under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). For more information on the APMs used by the Group, including justification for their use, please refer to the "Alternative performance measures" section below. The definition and calculation of non-IFRS APMs used in this report, including Adjusted EBITDA, Total cash costs, All-in sustaining cash costs, Underlying net earnings, Net debt and Free cash flow are explained in the "Financial Review " section below .
2 Profit for the financial period.
3 On a cash basis, representing cash outflow on purchases of property, plant and equipment in the statement of consolidated cash flows. Total capital expenditure including loans advanced on capital spending at Nezhda and Prognoz joint ventures comprised US\$ 435 million.
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
- Polymetal delivered a strong operational performance in 2017: total GE production increased 13% year-on-year to 1,433 Koz, 2% above our initial production guidance of 1,400 Koz. The strong finish to 2017 was driven by contributions from the fully ramped-up Svetloye heap leach (Okhotsk hub), as well as a strong performance at Komar (Varvara hub), Omolon and Amursk/Albazino.
- Full year gold production totalled 1,075 Koz, a 21% increase year-on-year. Gold sales generally followed production dynamics. Silver production was down 8% to 26.8 Moz compared to 2016.
- Polymetal has increased production materially over the 20 years since the Company's inception, delivering a compound annual growth rate of 24%
- Polymetal regrettably reports two fatal accidents in 2017. While the total number of fatalities for the year has halved compared to 2016, we view this result as unsatisfactory. The Company has commenced implementing additional safety measures in 2018 with a particular focus on smaller operating units, especially those in remote locations.
- The Company reiterates its production guidance for 2018 and 2019 of 1.55 Moz and 1.7 Moz of gold equivalent, respectively. As in prior years, production in both years will be skewed towards the 2H due to seasonality.
- TCC in 2018 are expected to be in the range of US\$ 650-700/GE oz while AISC are expected at US\$ 875-925/GE oz. The anticipated increase in costs comes on the back of rising domestic diesel prices and further potential strengthening of the Russian Rouble. Cost guidance remains contingent on the Rouble/Dollar exchange rate dynamic which has a significant effect on the Group's operating costs.
"I am delighted to report strong operational delivery and robust earnings for the year", said Vitaly Nesis, Group CEO of Polymetal, commenting on the results. "While we have reached peak capital expenditure during 2017 ahead of the launch of the Kyzyl project in Q3 2018, the Group continued to deliver positive free cash flow and generate meaningful cash returns to our shareholders".
| FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS1 | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue, US\$m | 1,815 | 1,583 | +15% |
| Total cash cost, US\$ /GE oz | 658 | 570 | +15% |
| All-in sustaining cash cost, US\$ /GE oz | 893 | 776 | +15% |
| Adjusted EBITDA, US\$m | 745 | 759 | -2% |
| Average realised gold price, US\$ /oz | 1,247 | 1,216 | +3% |
| Average realised silver price, US\$ /oz | 16.1 | 16.3 | -1% |
| Net earnings, US\$m | 354 | 395 | -10% |
| Underlying net earnings, US\$m | 376 | 382 | -1% |
| Return on Assets, % | 18% | 26% | -8% |
| Return on Equity (underlying), % | 16% | 18% | -2% |
| Basic EPS, US\$ /share | 0.82 | 0.93 | -12% |
| Underlying EPS, US\$ /share | 0.88 | 0.90 | -3% |
| Dividend declared during the period, US\$ /share2 | 0.32 | 0.37 | -14% |
| Dividend proposed for the period, US\$ /share3 | 0.44 | 0.42 | +5% |
1 Totals may not correspond to the sum of the separate figures due to rounding. % changes can be different from zero even when absolute amounts are unchanged because of rounding. Likew ise, % changes can be equal to zero w hen absolute amounts differ due to the same reas on. This note applies to all tables in this release.
2 FY 2017: final dividend for FY 2016 declared in May 2017 and interim dividend for the 1H 2017 declared in September 2017.
FY 2016: final dividend for FY 2015 declared in May 2016, interim dividend for the 1H 2016 declared in September 2016, and special dividend declared in December 2016.
3 FY 2017: interim and final dividend for FY2017. FY 2016: interim, final and special dividend for FY2016.
| FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS1 | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net debt, US\$m | 1,420 | 1,330 | +7% |
| Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA | 1.91 | 1.75 | +9% |
| Net operating cash flow, US\$m | 533 | 530 | +1% |
| Capital expenditure, US\$m | 383 | 271 | +41% |
| Free cash flow2 , US\$m |
143 | 257 | -44% |
1Totals may not correspond to the sum of the separate figures due to rounding. % changes can be different from zero even when absolute amounts are unchanged because of rounding. Likew ise, % changes can be equal to zero w hen absolute amounts differ due to the same reas on. This note applies to all tables in this release.
2 Net cash flow s from operating activities less cash flow s used in investing activities excluding acquisition costs in business combinations and investments in associates and joint ventures.
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
Polymetal will hold a conference call and webcast on Monday, 12 March 2018 at 09:00 London time (12:00 Moscow time).
To participate in the call, please dial: 8 10 800 500 98 63 access code 50622354# (free from Russia), or +44 20 3009 2483 (free from the UK), or +1 646 722 4912 (free from the US), or
or follow the link: http://www.audio-webcast.com/cgi-bin/visitors.ssp?fn=visitor&id=5403
Please be prepared to introduce yourself to the moderator or register.
Webcast replay will be available on Polymetal's website (www.polymetalinternational.com) and at http://www.audiowebcast.com/cgi-bin/visitors.ssp?fn=visitor&id=5403. A recording of the call will be available immediately after the call at +44 20 3364 5147 (from within the UK), +1 646 722 4969 (USA Toll Free) and +7 495 249 16 71 (from within Russia), access code 418742254#, from 12:30 Moscow time Monday, 12 March, till 12:30 Moscow time Monday, 19 March, 2018.
Enquiries
| Media | Investor Relations | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| FTI Consulting Leonid Fink Viktor Pomichal |
+44 20 3727 1000 | Polymetal Evgenia Onuschenko Maryana Nesis Michael Vasiliev |
[email protected] +44 20 7016 9505 (UK) +7 812 334 3666 (Russia) |
| Joint Corporate Brokers | |||
| Morgan Stanley Andrew Foster Richard Brown |
+44 20 7425 8000 | RBC Europe Limited Tristan Lovegrove Marcus Jackson |
+44 20 7653 4000 |
| Panmure Gordon Adam James |
+44 20 7886 2500 |
James Stearns
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
THIS RELEASE MAY INCLUDE STATEMENTS THAT ARE, OR MAY BE DEEMED TO BE, "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS". THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS SPEAK ONLY AS AT THE DATE OF THIS RELEASE. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE USE OF FORWARD-LOOKING TERMINOLOGY, INCLUDING THE WORDS "TARGETS", "BELIEVES", "EXPECTS", "AIMS", "INTENDS", "WILL", "MAY", "ANTICIPATES", "WOULD", "COULD" OR "SHOULD" OR SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS OR, IN EACH CASE THEIR NEGATIVE OR OTHER VARIATIONS OR BY DISCUSSION OF STRATEGIES, PLANS, OBJECTIVES, GOALS, FUTURE EVENTS OR INTENTIONS. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ALL INCLUDE MATTERS THAT ARE NOT HISTORICAL FACTS. BY THEIR NATURE, SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS BEYOND THE COMPANY'S CONTROL THAT COULD CAUSE THE ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COMPANY TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM FUTURE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON NUMEROUS ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING THE COMPANY'S PRESENT AND FUTURE BUSINESS STRATEGIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE COMPANY WILL OPERATE IN THE FUTURE. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE NOT GUARANTEES OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE. THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE EXPRESSED IN SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY OBLIGATION OR UNDERTAKING TO DISSEMINATE ANY UPDATES OR REVISIONS TO ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN TO REFLECT ANY CHANGE IN THE COMPANY'S EXPECTATIONS WITH REGARD THERETO OR ANY CHANGE IN EVENTS, CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES ON WHICH ANY SUCH STATEMENTS ARE BASED
| Chairman's statement 6 |
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|---|---|
| Group CEO statement7 | |
| Operating review 9 |
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| Financial review14 | |
| Principal risks and uncertainties 25 |
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| Financial Statements27 |
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
In March 2018, we celebrate 20 years since the foundation of Polymetal. During that time, we have consistently delivered a strong operating performance and made good on our promises to our shareholders, employees, communities and other stakeholders.
Dear fellow stakeholders
In 2018, Polymetal celebrates its 20th anniversary; perhaps still youthful by global metrics but, nevertheless, a respectable milestone for a business built from the ground up in an emerging market. During that time, the Company has delivered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24% in production, 16 mines developed from scratch, 6.7 Moz of gold equivalent and 9.5 Moz of palladium equivalent in newly discovered resources, over US\$ 1 billion in dividends and attained industry leadership in processing refractory gold. We have expanded our operations within three mining jurisdictions in the former Soviet Union (Russia, Kazakhstan and Armenia) and have achieved a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2011.
Playing to our strengths
Over the last 20 years, we have built on our core competencies: using a hub-based system (Dukat, Omolon and Okhotsk); mastering POX technology and trading refractory gold concentrates (Kyzyl, Albazino, Mayskoye); operating successfully in difficult climatic conditions at locations with little or no existing infrastructure (five operations in the Russian Far East). Consistently focusing on high-grade assets has also ensured that we have delivered superior returns on capital.
Financial prudence pays dividends
Adherence to strong capital discipline has been the foundation of our strategy – in careful project selection with a preference for high grade and low-capital-intensity, in value-accretive M&As, as well as in our dividend policy. From free cash flow for 2012-2017 totalling US\$ 1.3 billion, Polymetal paid out US\$ 1 billion in dividends, providing tangible returns to shareholders with a sector-leading three-year TSR1 of 61%.
Leading by example
At the same time, Polymetal recognises its duty of care for its entire stakeholder base, as evidenced by its practice of good governance and sustainable development in the regions in which we operate. The Board and management are fully committed to a sustainability agenda with a renewed focus on health and safety. In other areas, Polymetal's position as an industry leader in sustainability is acknowledged both by local communities and by an increasing number of international rating agencies, most recently the World Wildlife Fund and Sustainalytics. We are also signatories to the International Cyanide Management Code.
Polymetal is at the start of another dynamic stage in its history. Our investment in new projects – Kyzyl, and potentially into Nezhda, Prognoz and a second Amursk POX line - is expected to enable Polymetal to deliver superior shareholder returns and industry leadership over the long term. I look forward to making this journey , along with the Company's stakeholders.
Bobby Godsell Chairman
1 Total shareholder return.
GROUP CEO STATEMENT
We have made significant progress in 2017 on existing operations and new projects, and 2018 looks set to be a transformational year for Polymetal.
A successful and eventful year
2017 has been an exciting year for Polymetal, with significant progress made on the Kyzyl construction and the Amursk POX expansion. Both projects are on track and will launch within a few months. We further advanced our growth pipeline with the initial resource and reserve estimate on Nezhda joint venture reaffirming the economic attractiveness of the asset and justifying our development approach; we have also secured an option to consolidate our ownership. During the year, we invested in Prognoz, the largest undeveloped silver asset in Russia and progressed with pilot plant testing at Viksha, our first platinum group metals (PGM) project.
We have substantially increased our resources this year. Reserves at Nezhda1 were confirmed as 2.0 Moz of GE at 4.0 g/t with an exploration upside of 8.9 Moz of additional resources at 5.0 g/t. At Prognoz, where we have begun drilling, according to historical estimates there is a high-grade resource of 292 Moz of silver1 at 586 g/t with excellent exploration potential. An updated reserve estimate at the Komar gold deposit reported an increase of 535 Koz of gold with the grade stable at 1.8 g/t. We are now planning to transport more than 2 million tonnes of ore from Komar to our Varvara processing site, doubling the anticipated production rate.
Operationally, we met the production guidance comfortably, growing GE production 13% year-on-year to 1.43 Moz. Just one year after launch, Svetloye delivered superior results while Komar provided strong support to our Varvara operations. Other mature mines generally performed in line with expectations, with the exception of Mayskoye where open-pit production has been delayed until 2018 in order to rectify recovery issues. By the end of the year we also achieved a record 97.2% recovery at our flagship Amursk POX hub.
Full-year gold production of 1,075 Koz, a 21% increase year-on-year, allowed Polymetal to join the prestigious 1Moz club, the second premium-listed London Stock Exchange gold company to achieve this impressive milestone.
Robust financial performance
Despite peak capital spending at Kyzyl and the Amursk POX expansion, in addition to our investment in new development projects, Polymetal delivered meaningful free cash flow, totalling US\$ 143 million in 2017. There were some cost pressures during the year due to the significant 15% appreciation of the Russian Rouble, driven by the rebound in oil prices, which pushed TCC up to US\$ 658/GE oz in 2017 (2016: US\$ 570/GE oz). However, this was partially offset by the best performance in gold prices since 2010, with 13% annual growth.
This enabled us to deliver a net profit for the year of US\$354 million. In line with the new dividend policy, the pay-out ratio for regular dividends has been increased to 50%. In 2017, dividends of US\$ 138 million (US\$ 0.32 per share) were paid out and a final dividend of US\$ 129 million (US\$ 0.30 per share) is proposed.
Health and safety still a key focus
Although there has been some improvement in our health and safety performance, there is no room for complacency since, sadly, we have to report the death of two employees in 2017. We continue to view this as unacceptable and remain committed to our zero-fatalities target, as our enhanced critical risk management system gains traction.
At the same time, we have received wide-spread recognition for our sustainability initiatives, both here in our home market and internationally. Most recently we were awarded a top ranking for environmental responsibility among Russian metals and mining companies by the World Wildlife Fund; Sustainalytics positioned Polymetal as an outperformer in the metals and mining industry, ranking it first among its peers and fourth among the 44 mining companies included in the report; our performance on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index was accessed as above industry average and up 28% over the previous year. We were also awarded the highest score for Corporate Governance and Anti-Corruption in the FTSE4Good Index.
1 On a 100% basis
Polymetal International plc 7
Anticipating the future
2018 looks set to become another transformational year for Polymetal. The launch of the Kyzyl project is scheduled for the third quarter and is much anticipated both within the Company and by all our stakeholders. This, in turn, should allow us to move closer to finalising decisions on two further investments by the end of 2018, namely the construction plans for Nezhda and the feasibility study for a second POX line at Amursk. We expect further production growth in 2018, with this predominantly driven by Kyzyl but also from Komar's ramp-up to 2.2 Mtpa and from our existing mines continuing to deliver stable performances.
Last, but by no means least, I wish to thank our employees for all their commitment and professionalism. It is their efforts that have helped to shape the Company over the last 20 years and should be celebrated, along with the anniversary itself. I am optimistically looking forward to the next decade in our history and to us all playing our parts in this new chapter of Polymetal's story.
Vitaly Nesis Group CEO
OPERATING REVIEW
A record-breaking year
In 2017, Polymetal delivered a strong operational performance with a record gold equivalent production of 1,433 Koz, a 13% increase year-on-year, meeting our initial production guidance for the sixth consecutive year. The robust finish to the year was driven by contributions from the fully ramped-up Svetloye heap leach (Okhotsk hub), as well as a solid performance at Komar (Varvara hub), Omolon and Amursk-Albazino.
Gold production totalled 1,075 Koz, a 21% increase year-on-year, allowing Polymetal to join the prestigious 1 Moz club, the second premium-listed gold company on the London Stock Exchange to achieve this important milestone. Silver production was down 8% to 26.8 Moz, due to the planned grade decline at the Dukat and Lunnoye underground mines.
Gold sales were 1,090 Koz, up 24% year-on-year, while silver sales were down 14% year-on-year at 26.5 Moz, generally in line with production dynamics and volume.
Key operating highlights
| 2017 | 2016 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripping, Mt | 114.0 | 82.1 | +39% |
| Underground development, km | 115.4 | 92.2 | +25% |
| Ore mined, Kt | 12,589 | 13,380 | -6% |
| Open-pit | 8,241 | 9,506 | -13% |
| Underground | 4,347 | 3,874 | +12% |
| Ore processed, Kt | 13,037 | 11,417 | +14% |
| Average grade in ore processed (gold equivalent, g/t) | 3.9 | 4.0 | -4% |
| Production | |||
| Gold, Koz | 1,075 | 890 | +21% |
| Silver, Moz | 26.8 | 29.2 | -8% |
| Copper, Kt | 2.7 | 1.5 | +87% |
| Zinc, Kt | 4.8 | 2.900 | +66% |
| Gold equivalent, Koz1 | 1,433 | 1,269 | +13% |
| Sales | |||
| Gold, Koz | 1,090 | 880 | +24% |
| Silver, Moz | 26.5 | 30.7 | -14% |
| Copper, Kt | 2.6 | 1.6 | +57% |
| Zinc, Kt | 4.7 | 2.800 | +68% |
| Gold equivalent, Koz2 | 1,456 | 1,301 | +12% |
| Average headcount | 10,953 | 10,813 | +1% |
| Health and safety | |||
| Fatalities | 2 | 4 | -50% |
| LTIFR | 0.15 | 0.19 | -21% |
Analysis of production results
Mining
Stripping volumes in 2017 grew by 39% to 114 Mt of rock moved, driven mostly by drill-and-blast pre-stripping at Kyzyl and the removal of historic waste stockpiles at Komar.
Underground development increased by a further 25% to 115 km (2016: 92.2 km), with increased capacity to match processing volumes at Kapan underground mine, as well as underground development for new brownfield extensions at an active pace at Omolon hub (Birkachan and Olcha) and at Dukat hub (Perevalnoye and Terem). At Olcha, first ore stopes were extracted at the underground mine, where development is in full swing. Underground development at Perevalnoye and Terem is making good progress with both ore sources expected to make significant contributions to the feed at the Omsukchan concentrator in 2018.
Ore mined decreased by 6% year-on-year to 12.6 Mt (2016: 13.4 Mt), mainly as a result of the completion of open-pit mining at Oroch and a temporary suspension at Birkachan (where sufficient historic ore stockpiles are available).
1 Based on 1:80 Ag/Au, 5:1 Cu/Au and 2:1 Zn/Au conversion ratios.
2 Based on actual realised prices.
Processing
Ore processed increased by 14% to 13.0 Mt (2016: 11.4 Mt), mainly on the back of the resumption of the Birkachan heap leach project and the ramp-up of Svetloye.
As expected, the average gold equivalent grade in ore processed decreased slightly from 4.0 g/t to 3.9 g/t, while remaining close to average reserve grade. The decline came mostly from mature operations: the normalisation of the grade profile at the Dukat and Lunnoye mines; a scheduled slight decline in average grades at the Voro heap leach facility; and a lower gold average grade at the Omolon's Kubaka plant due to a change in the feedstock mix.
Production and sales
In 2017, Polymetal continued to deliver solid production results, producing 1.4 Moz of gold equivalent, up 13% yearon-year. Key drivers behind this performance were Svetloye (Okhotsk hub), Komar (Varvara hub), Omolon and Amursk-Albazino.
At Okhotsk operations, Svetloye heap leach was ramped up to full capacity, making a significant contribution to the Group's strong performance and delivering superior results: GE production was 106 Koz compared with 23 Koz in 2016. Komar provided valuable support to the Varvara operations: almost 2 Mt of Komar ore was mined and railed to the Varvara hub, resulting in a record GE production of 130 Koz, up 54% year-on-year. At Kapan, GE production almost doubled: a good operational performance was driven by increased processing volumes and improved head grades on the back of ongoing measures to debottleneck the underground mine and improve recovery levels. Albazino/Amursk achieved record gold production of 269 Koz, up 10% year-on-year, driven by higher productivity and recovery levels, as well as a significant improvement in head grades. At Dukat, there was a 13% decline in GE production, where higher processing volumes and improved recoveries failed to offset declining grades. This is partially due to a reduct ion in cut-off grades, which take into account lower mining costs, lower treatment charges and higher recoveries .
Metal sales in 2017 were 1,456 Koz of gold equivalent, up 12% compared with 2016, broadly following the production dynamics. While most of the sales are comprised of refined metals, we continue to sell concentrates from Dukat (gold/silver), Varvara (gold/copper), Kapan (gold/copper and gold/zinc) and Mayskoye (refractory gold) to different offtakers worldwide. Offtake allows us to maximise our margins and achieve an optimal combination of transportation costs and treatment charges/recoveries, this being one of our core competencies. In February 2018, Polymetal also secured its first offtake contract for Kyzyl concentrate.
| 2017 | 2016 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dukat | 322 | 369 | -13% |
| Albazino/Amursk | 269 | 244 | +10% |
| Mayskoye | 124 | 116 | +7% |
| Omolon | 202 | 170 | +19% |
| Voro | 120 | 129 | -7% |
| Varvara | 130 | 85 | +54% |
| Okhotsk | 217 | 131 | +65% |
| Kapan | 50 | 26 | +94% |
| TOTAL | 1,433 | 1,269 | +13% |
Gold equivalent production by mine (Koz)
Exploration
Greenfield and brownfield exploration is a core element in our strategy for driving long-term growth and has proved to be one of the most efficient growth sources for Polymetal historically. Both extending mine life through near-mine exploration at existing operations and new discoveries from greenfield exploration contribute to the Company's long term development prospects. Our exploration activities are focused on six regions in Russia – Khabarovsk, Magadan, Karelia, Yakutia, Chukotka and Urals – as well as on Kazakhstan and Armenia.
4 new licences were obtained over the course of 2017, bringing the total number to 82, of which 60 are currently involved in active exploration activities.
Our key exploration objectives in 2017 included:
- Brownfield exploration and resource-to-reserve conversions and resource upgrades at our brownfield projects with particular focus mature assets: Omolon (Irbychan and Yolochka); Voro (Saum) and Okhotsk (Levoberezhny, Gyrbykan, and Kundumi);
-
Comprehensive exploration campaign at Dukat (the deeper levels of Lunnoye deposit, Primorskoye and Perevalnoye) with a goal to extend the scope of resource estimates;
-
Initial JORC reserve and resource estimate at Nezhda JV's Zone 1 and further drilling on smaller, potentially mineralised zones;
- 37 km of diamond drilling at the Prognoz silver deposit to confirm the resources of Main and Swamp ore zones;
- JORC-compliant reserve estimate and a combined LOM plan for Kapan and Lichkvaz;
- 30 km of step-out drilling at Komar and update of the reserve and resource estimates for the deposit;
- Continuing step-out and deep-level drilling at Kyzyl.
In 2017, Polymetal succeeded in extending life-of-mine at producing assets and continued to invest in the next leg of our growth. Polymetal completed 421 km of exploration drilling in 2017, up 48% year-on-year as the scope of exploration expanded to include new assets, mostly Prognoz and Nezhda, in addition to continued exploration efforts at existing operations. The total capital expenditure on exploration was US\$ 58 million, up 43% compared to 2016.
As a result of our exploration efforts, meaningful resource-to-reserve conversions were achieved during the year, along with new reserve and resource estimates completed for several projects, including:
- At Albazino, the initial ore reserve estimate for Farida open pit (169 Koz GE) and Anfisa underground (47 Koz GE);
- Significant ore reserves increase of 524 Koz of gold (+49%) at Komar;
- An initial JORC-compliant reserve estimate at Kapan, which comprises 558 Koz GE at an average grade of 4.3 g/t. Additional mineral resources were estimated at 1,632 Koz GE at an average grade of 6.1 g/t;
- An initial JORC-compliant reserve estimate at Lichkvaz comprised 134 Koz GE at 3.9 g/t, while additional mineral resources amounted to 257 Koz GE at 5.0 g/t;
- At Nezhda, an initial JORC-compliant ore reserve estimate for open pit mining at ore zone 1 that comprised (on a 100% ownership basis) 15.5 Mt of ore with an average grade of 4.0 g/t GE containing 2.0 Moz of GE1 . Additional mineral resources for Nezhda were estimated at 55.9 Mt of ore with an average grade of GE 5.0 g/t, containing 8.9 Moz of GE2 .
In 2018, Polymetal will continue to invest in exploration with the goal to expand the pace and scope of drilling, as well as prospect evaluation. The key objectives are as follows:
- To achieve resource-to-reserve conversions at existing operations with relatively shorter LOM;
- Polymetal aims to complete initial ore reserves estimates for the following deposits in 2018: Irbychan and Yolochka at Omolon; Saum and Pesherny at Voro; Levoberezhny and Kundumi at Okhotsk; Primorskoye and Perevalnoye (revaluation) at Dukat;
- To prepare an updated mineral resource estimate and achieve resource-to-reserve conversion at Nezhda to include the southern flank of ore zone 1 and smaller mineralised zones;
- To compete an audited JORC-compliant resource estimate for Prognoz largest ore zones, Main and Swamp;
- To prepare an updated mineral resources estimate for Viksha based on new drilling data and metallurgical studies;
- To continue step-out and in-fill drilling at Kyzyl to increase reserves for open pit mining.
Reserves and resources
In 2017, the Company increased its Ore Reserves by 5% to 20.9 Moz of gold equivalent (GE) on the back of successful exploration at Albazino, Komar and Dukat, as well as initial reserve estimates at Kapan and Nezhda. Gold reserves were up 5% at 18.4 Moz, while silver reserves decreased 3% to 158 Moz. At the same time, copper reserves grew 25% to 82 Kt.
Mineral Resources (in addition to Ore Reserves) increased by 10% to 18.2 Moz of GE, mainly driven by initial resource estimates for the Pesherniy and Nezhda deposits, as well as resource additions at the deeper levels of Mayskoye and Dukat.
1 350 Koz pro rata to Polymetal's current ow nership of 17.7% 2
1,576 Koz of GE pro rata to Polymetal's current ow nership of 17.7%
The average grade in Ore Reserves was stable year-on-year at 3.9 g/t of GE and remains one of the highest in the sector. At the same time, the average grade in Mineral Resources increased by 11 % to 4.7 g/t of GE due to highgrade resource additions at new projects.
We expect 2018 to result in further significant extensions of our reserves and resources.
Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources summary1
| 1 January 2018 | 1 January 2017 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ore Reserves (Proved + Probable), gold equivalent Moz | 20.9 | 19.8 | 5% |
| Gold, Moz | 18.4 | 17.6 | 5% |
| Silver, Moz | 158.0 | 163.0 | -3% |
| Copper, Kt | 81.6 | 65.4 | 25% |
| Zinc, Kt2 | 85.8 | NA | NA |
| Average reserve grade, g/t | 3.9 | 3.8 | +1% |
| Mineral Resources (Measured + Indicated + Inferred), gold | |||
| equivalent Moz | 18.2 | 16.5 | +10% |
| Gold, Moz | 15.7 | 14.4 | +9% |
| Silver, Moz | 109.1 | 87.5 | +25% |
| Copper, Kt | 147.9 | 206.7 | -28% |
| Zinc, Kt2 | 221.8 | NA | NA |
| Average resource grade, g/t | 4.7 | 4.2 | +11% |
Ore Reserves reconciliation, GE Moz
| Ore Reserves, 01.01.2017 | Gold/silver price ratio change |
Depletion | Revaluation | Initial reserve estimates |
Ore Reserves, 01.01.2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19.8 | 0.05 | -1.6 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 20.9 |
Outlook for 2018
Going into 2018, we have an important year ahead of us with the first production from Kyzyl, which is set to deliver free cash flow soon after ramp up. This will pave the way for further investment decisions by the end of the year: the construction plans for Nezhda and the feasibility study for a second POX line at Amursk. In the meantime, we will continue to focus on sustaining robust operating performance at mature operations and advancing our long-term project pipeline, including Prognoz and Viksha.
We expect further production growth in 2018, coming mainly from Kyzyl but also from Komar's (Varvara hub) full ramp up to 2.2 Mtpa and our existing mines continuing to deliver stable performances. At Mayskoye, a combined float-leach circuit with flotation will commence operation in May 2018, while open-pit mining will resume in Q1 2018.
The launch of the Kyzyl project is scheduled for the Q3 2018 and is much anticipated both within the Company and by all our stakeholders. At the processing facility, construction activities will be focused on the installation of smaller technological equipment. In Q1 to Q3 2018, we will commission the accommodation camp, engineering networks and facilities, warehouse facilities, and heat and power complex, as well as the tailing dump and the main concentrator complex. Kyzyl remains on track to produce the first concentrate in Q3 2018. In January 2018, the first ore was mined from the open-pit ahead of schedule. Polymetal is on track to ramp up the debottlenecked POX plant in the second half of 2018, in time to take feed from the Kyzyl concentrator.
We will also focus on our new projects that will drive growth beyond launch of Kyzyl. We plan to advance the feasibility studies for Nezhda and POX-2 projects, and continue the drilling campaign at the Prognoz silver project, with an updated resource estimate scheduled for Q4 2018.
The Company reiterates its production guidance for 2018 and 2019 of 1.55 Moz and 1.7 Moz of gold equivalent, respectively. The main growth drivers will be the ramp-up of Kyzyl, re-commissioning of the oxide circuit at Mayskoye
1 Mineral Resources are additional to Ore Reserves. Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves of Lead are not presented due to the immateriality and are not included in the calculation of the gold equivalent. PGM Mineral Resources are presented separately and are not included in the calculation of the gold equivalent. Differences are due to rounding.
2 Zinc w as not included in the calculation of the gold equivalent for the Ore Reserves and Mineral Resource statement as at 01.01.2017 due to immateriality
and incremental improvements at Varvara and Kapan. This should offset anticipated grade declines at Khakanja and Voro. As previously, production in both years will be weighted towards the second of the year due to seasonality.
Our focus remains on health and safety, where we are yet to achieve our principal goal of zero fatalities at all operations. In 2018, we will continue implementing a geomechanical management system that will help eliminate accidents related to mining processes.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
MARKET SUMMARY
Precious metals
For the second year in a row, gold is one of the best performing assets after consecutive price declines in 2013-2015. The price of gold grew by 13.5% - its biggest annual gain since 2010 - outperforming all major asset classes other than equities. The positive price momentum was primarily supported by a weakened US dollar, as well as heightened investor uncertainty on the back of geopolitical instability and a potential pullback on increased P/E ratios and expensive stock valuations that fuelled investor flows into gold.
However, gold demand remained under pressure in 2017, down 7% to 4,0721 tonnes over 2016. The decline was driven by substantially lower retail investment demand and lagging ETFs that added only one-third of 2016's inflows. On the other hand, buying from central banks recorded a substantial gain of 36% year-on-year as Russia and Turkey continued to bolster gold reserves. Technology demand recorded its first year of growth as the use of gold in smartphones and vehicles continues to increase, ending a six-year downtrend. Physical demand remained relatively flat over the previous year, while jewellery demand posted its first annual increase since 2013, but remains weak in historical context.
Although gold traded within a narrow range of US\$ 1,200–1,300/oz for most of the year, it closed at US\$ 1,297/oz vs US\$ 1,159/oz in 2016, averaging US\$ 1,257 for the year and recording a year-high of US\$ 1,351 in the third quarter. Silver underperformed gold ending the year on par with its 2016 average of US\$ 17.0/oz. The spot price at 31 December 2017 comprised US\$ 16.9/oz, up 4% compared to 1 January 2017.
Foreign exchange
The Group's revenues and the majority of its borrowings are denominated in US Dollars, while the majority of the Group's operating costs are denominated in Russian Roubles. As a result, changes in exchange rates affect its financial results and performance.
For the Russian economy as a whole, 2017 proved to be a year of moderate improvement as oil continued the positive price momentum it gained in 2016, finishing the year at US\$ 60 per barrel. At the same time, the Russian Rouble appreciated 15% year-on-year from an average of 67.1 RUB/USD in 2016 to 58.3 RUB/USD in 2017, while the spot rate as at 31 December 2017 appreciated by 5% to 57.6 RUB/USD compared to 31 December 2016. However, this trend had a negative impact on the mining sector, resulting in increased Dollar value of the Group's Roubledenominated operating costs and lower Adjusted EBITDA margins in the reported period.
The economics of Kazakh gold mining operations were also impacted by a moderate strengthening of the Kazakh tenge (up 5% year-on-year, from 342 KZT/USD in 2016 to 326 KZT/USD in 2017). The Armenian dram remains the most stable currency in the CIS region with an average exchange rate of 484 AMD/USD in 2017 (2016: 480 AMD/USD).
REVENUE
| 2017 | 2016 | Change, % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales volumes | ||||
| Gold | Koz | 1,090 | 880 | +24% |
| Silver | Moz | 26.5 | 30.7 | -14% |
| Copper | Kt | 2.6 | 1.63 | +57% |
| Zinc | Kt | 4.7 | 2.80 | +67% |
| Gold equivalent sold2 | Koz | 1,456 | 1,301 | +12% |
| Sales by metal (US\$m unless otherwise stated) |
2017 | 2016 | Change, % | Volume variance, US\$m |
Price variance, US\$m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 1,359 | 1,070 | +27% | 256 | 33 | |
| Average realised price | US\$ /oz | 1,247 | 1,216 | +3% | ||
| Average LBMA closing price | US\$ /oz | 1,258 | 1,250 | +1% | ||
| Share of revenues | % | 75% | 68% | |||
| Silver | 426 | 500 | -15% | (68) | (6) |
1 Gold Demand Trends Full Year 2017 published by World Gold Council
2 Based on actual realised prices
| Average realised price | US\$ /oz | 16.1 | 16.3 | -1% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average LBMA closing price | US\$ /oz | 17.0 | 17.1 | -1% | ||
| Share of revenues | % | 23% | 32% | |||
| Other metals | 30 | 13 | +131% | |||
| Share of revenues | % | 2% | 1% | |||
| Total revenue | 1,815 | 1,583 | +15% | 188 | 44 |
In 2017, revenues grew by 15% over 2016 to US\$ 1,815 million, primarily driven by gold equivalent production growth of 13%. The average realised gold and silver prices were largely unchanged compared to the prior year period. Gold sales volumes increased by 24% year-on-year, while silver sales volumes decreased by 14% in line with the production dynamics.
The average realised price of gold was US\$ 1,247/oz in 2017, up 3% from US\$ 1,216/oz in 2016, and slightly below the average market price of US\$ 1,258/oz. The average realised silver price was US\$ 16.1/oz, down 1% year-on-year and 6% below the average market price of US\$ 17.0/oz as the bulk of Polymetal's sales were recorded in 2H 2017 when the silver market prices were lower.
The share of gold sales as a percentage of total revenue increased from 68% in 2016 to 75% in 2017, driven by sales volume movements.
| Analysis by segment/operation | Revenue, US\$m |
Gold equivalent sold, | Koz (silver equivalent for Dukat, Moz) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment | Operation | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
| Dukat | 405 | 497 | -19% | 25,415 | 30,771 | -17% | |
| Magadan | Omolon | 266 | 207 | +29% | 211 | 168 | +26% |
| Mayskoye | 139 | 119 | +17% | 124 | 114 | +8% | |
| Total Magadan | 810 | 823 | -2% | 654 | 683 | -4% | |
| Albazino/Amursk | 350 | 294 | +19% | 277 | 234 | +18% | |
| Khabarovsk | Okhotsk | 142 | 149 | -5% | 111 | 122 | -9% |
| Svetloye | 138 | 30 | +360% | 107 | 23 | +360% | |
| Total Khabarovsk | 630 | 473 | +33% | 496 | 380 | +31% | |
| Ural | Voro | 155 | 157 | -1% | 123 | 125 | -2% |
| Kazakhstan | Varvara | 154 | 101 | +52% | 123 | 82 | +50% |
| Armenia | Kapan | 66 | 29 | +128% | 55 | 27 | +104% |
| Total revenue | 1,815 | 1,583 | +15% | 1,456 | 1,301 | +12% |
Sales at all operating mines were broadly in line with planned production dynamics.
COST OF SALES
| Cost of sales | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (US\$m) | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
| On-mine costs | 414 | 320 | +29% |
| Smelting costs | 316 | 259 | +22% |
| Purchase of ore and concentrates from third and related parties | 92 | 38 | +142% |
| Mining tax | 88 | 82 | +7% |
| Total cash operating costs | 910 | 699 | +30% |
| Depreciation and depletion of operating assets | 193 | 162 | +19% |
| Rehabilitation expenses | - | 1 | -100% |
| Total costs of production | 1,103 | 862 | +28% |
| Increase in metal inventories | (26) | (51) | -49% |
| Write-down of metal inventories to net realisable value | 16 | 21 | -24% |
| Total change in metal inventories | (10) | (30) | -67% |
| Write-down of non-metal inventories to net realisable value | 3 | 6 | -50% |
| Idle capacities and abnormal production costs | 10 | 8 | +25% |
| Total cost of sales | 1,106 | 846 | +31% |
| Cash operating cost structure | 2017, US\$m |
2017, % of total |
2016, US\$m |
2016, % of total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Services | 308 | 34% | 232 | 33% |
| Consumables and spare parts | 233 | 26% | 193 | 28% |
| Labour | 183 | 20% | 147 | 21% |
| Purchase of ore and concentrates from third and related parties | 92 | 10% | 38 | 5% |
| Mining tax | 88 | 10% | 82 | 12% |
| Other expenses | 6 | 1% | 7 | 1% |
| Total | 910 | 100% | 699 | 100% |
The total cost of sales increased by 31% in 2017 to US\$ 1,106 million, mainly on the back of a negative effect from the Russian Rouble appreciating 15% compared to 2016, combined with a volume-based increase in production and sales (13% and 12% year-on-year in gold equivalent terms, respectively), as well as a significant increase in purchases of third-party ore and concentrate at Varvara and Amursk.
Compared to 2016, the cost of services and the cost of consumables and spare parts increased by 33% and 21%, respectively, driven by the higher gold equivalent production coupled with a stronger Russian Rouble.
The total cost of labour within cash operating costs in 2017 was US\$ 183 million, a 24% increase over 2016, mainly stemming from additional labour costs at the new Kapan, Komar and Svetloye operations and annual salary increases (tracking domestic CPI inflation).
Mining tax increased by 7% year-on-year to US\$ 88 million as production increased by 13%, and was mainly driven by regional tax incentives introduced in the Russian Far East and utilised at Dukat, Omolon and Svetloye.
Depreciation and depletion was US\$ 193 million, up 19% year-on-year and largely driven by the negative effect of a stronger Russian Rouble and a specific increase attributable to Varvara where depreciation of mineral rights for the new Komar asset has started.
In 2017, a net metal inventory increase of US\$ 26 million was recorded (excluding write-downs to net realisable value) mainly represented by gold and silver concentrate produced but not yet sold at Dukat and Albazino. In the second half of the year, the Company successfully completed scheduled stockpile reductions, with total gold equivalent sales exceeding production by 42 Koz. De-stockpiling was mainly driven by concentrate shipments from Mayskoye and seasonal destockpiling at Svetloye.
GENERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND SELLING EXPENSES
| (US\$m) | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | 116 | 87 | +33% |
| Services | 11 | 10 | +10% |
| Share based compensation | 10 | 7 | +43% |
| Depreciation | 4 | 3 | +33% |
| Other | 17 | 13 | +31% |
| Total | 158 | 120 | +32% |
General, administrative and selling expenses increased by 32% year-on-year from US\$ 120 million to US\$ 158 million on the back of Russian Rouble appreciation against 2016, as well as increased labour costs due to newly acquired operations, increased personnel at stand-alone exploration projects and regular salary reviews.
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES
| (US\$m) | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exploration expenses | 18 | 10 | +80% |
| Social payments | 15 | 10 | +50% |
| Provision for investment in Special economic zone | 12 | 14 | -14% |
| Taxes, other than income tax | 11 | 11 | - |
| Housing and communal services | 4 | 4 | - |
| Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 1 | 1 | - |
| Change in estimate of environmental obligations Additional mining taxes and VAT exposures, penalties and accrued |
(4) | (5) | -20% |
| interest, net | (8) | (12) | -33% |
Polymetal International plc 16
| Other expenses | (5) | 3 | NM1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 44 | 36 | +22% |
Other operating expenses increased by 22% from US\$ 36 million in 2016 to US\$ 44 million in 2017. Written off exploration expenses during the period increased by 80% to US\$ 18 million. Cash-based exploration expenses in 2017 were US\$ 16 million (2016: US\$ 11 million).
Social payments totalled US\$ 15 million, up 50% year-on-year. The increase was mostly attributable to financing of social and infrastructure development projects at Kyzyl and the start of a social development programme at Kapan.
During 2017, the Group had released US\$ 6 million of accrued penalties and interest due to settlements with tax authorities at Kapan and paid US\$ 6 million in relation to royalty provisions identified as of 31 December 2016. There were no other significant changes in tax provisions. For more information refer to Note 12 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
TOTAL CASH COSTS
| Total cash costs per gold equivalent ounce 2 Cash cost per GE ounce, US\$ /oz |
Gold equivalent sold, Koz (silver for Dukat) |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment | Operation | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
| Okhotsk | 702 | 648 | +8% | 111 | 122 | -9% | |
| Svetloye | 313 | 419 | -25% | 107 | 23 | +360% | |
| Khabarovsk | Albazino/Amursk | 676 | 529 | +28% | 277 | 234 | +18% |
| Total Khabarovsk | 603 | 710 | -15% | 496 | 380 | +31% | |
| Dukat (SE oz) 3 | 8.2 | 6.4 | +28% | 25,415 | 30,771 | -17% | |
| Magadan | Omolon | 652 | 503 | +30% | 211 | 168 | +26% |
| Mayskoye | 1,040 | 1,011 | +3% | 124 | 114 | +8% | |
| Total Magadan | 726 | 581 | +25% | 654 | 683 | -4% | |
| Ural | Voro | 383 | 322 | +19% | 123 | 125 | -2% |
| Kazakhstan | Varvara | 701 | 780 | -10% | 123 | 82 | +50% |
| Armenia | Kapan | 871 | 900 | -3% | 55 | 27 | +104% |
| Total Group | 658 | 570 | +15% | 1,456 | 1,301 | +12% |
In 2017, total cash costs per gold equivalent ounce sold ("TCC") were US\$ 658/GE oz, up 15% year-on-year. The continuing appreciation of the Russian Rouble against the US dollar had a negative impact on cost levels reported in US dollars, which was partially offset by the robust operating performance at Varvara (Komar), Svetloye and Kapan.
The table below summarises major factors that have affected the Group's TCC dynamics year-on-year:
| Reconciliation of TCC and AISC movements | TCC, US\$ / oz | Change, % | AISC, US\$ / oz | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per gold equivalent ounce – 2016 | 570 | 776 | ||
| USD rate change | 77 | 14% | 108 | 14% |
| Domestic inflation | 13 | 2% | 18 | 2% |
| Change in average grade processed by mines | 8 | 1% | 8 | 1% |
| Change in sales structure | 7 | 1% | 7 | 1% |
| Au/Ag ratio change | 3 | 1% | 3 | 0% |
| Mining tax change - Au&Ag price | 1 | 0% | 1 | 0% |
| Other | (21) | -4% | (27) | -4% |
| Cost per gold equivalent ounce – 2017 | 658 | 15% | 893 | 15% |
1 NM – not meaningful.
2 Total cash costs comprise cost of sales of the operating assets (adjusted for depreciation expense, rehabilitation expenses and w rite-down of inventory to net realisable value and certain other adjustments) and general, administrative and selling expenses of the operating assets. Gold equivalent sales volume is calculated based on average realised metal prices in the relevant period. Total cash cost per gold equivalent ounce sold is calculated as Total cash costs divided by total gold equivalent unit ounces sold.
3 Dukat's total cash cost per gold equivalent w as US\$ 646/GE oz (2016: US\$ 494/GE oz) and w as included in the Group TCC calculation.
Total cash cost by operation:
- Dukat's total cash cost per silver equivalent ounce sold ("SE oz") increased by 28% year-on-year to US\$ 8.2/SE oz. In addition to Russian Rouble appreciation, the cost increase is attributable to the planned silver grade decline at the Dukat and Lunnoye underground mines.
- At Voro, TCC increased by 19% year-on-year to US\$ 383/GE oz, which is largely attributable to a stronger Russian Rouble. At the same time, the heap leach facility and CIP plant continued to deliver a stable performance in line with the mine plan.
- At Okhotsk, TCC was US\$ 702/GE oz, an 8% increase year-on-year, which is below the Russian Rouble appreciation during the year that was offset by third-party ore with better metallurgical properties that was introduced to the feed at the Khakanja plant in 2017.
- Svetloye was the lowest cost operation in 2017, with TCC of US\$ 313/GE oz, 25% lower than in 2016 as it ramped up to full capacity and achieved positive mine-to-model grade reconciliations.
- At Varvara, TCC was US\$ 701/GE oz, declining by 10% year-on-year. The decrease mainly stemmed from significantly improved head grades at the leaching circuit enabled by the quick ramp-up in ore railed from Komar that is displacing lower grade ore from Varvara.
- At Omolon, TCC amounted to US\$ 652/GE oz, a 30% increase year-on-year, driven by strengthening of the Russian Rouble. The costs in 2H 2016 were also positively impacted by processing high-grade ore from Oroch.
- At Albazino/Amursk, TCC was US\$ 676/GE oz, up 28% compared to 2016. The cost increase was mostly attributable to a 7-week maintenance and retrofit shutdown in May including an additional 15-day maintenance shutdown in Q4, as well as processing of higher cost third-party concentrate.
- Total cash costs at Mayskoye were US\$ 1,040/GE oz, a 3% increase year-on-year and below the Russian Rouble appreciation, as the underground operation ramped up and the production profile was supported by the crown pillar open pit project.
- Kapan's total cash costs were US\$ 871/GE oz, improved by 3% year-on year thanks to the operational and financial turnaround and the ongoing improvement measures to debottleneck the underground mine, while there were purchases of higher cost third-party material in order to utilise available capacity at the processing plant.
| Total cash costs per gold equivalent ounce | Cash cost per GE ounce, US\$ /oz | Gold equivalent sold, Koz (silver for Dukat, Koz) |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment | Operation | 2H 2017 | 1H 2017 | Change, % |
2H 2017 | 1H 2017 | Change, % |
| Okhotsk | 637 | 892 | -29% | 84 | 28 | +203% | |
| Khabarovsk | Svetloye | 267 | 520 | -49% | 87 | 19 | +349% |
| Albazino/Amursk | 689 | 656 | +5% | 170 | 107 | +60% | |
| Total Khabarovsk | 568 | 681 | -17% | 342 | 154 | +123% | |
| Dukat | 8.1 | 8.3 | -3% | 12,816 | 12,598 | +2% | |
| Magadan | Omolon | 626 | 683 | -8% | 113 | 98 | +14% |
| Mayskoye | 1,021 | 1,330 | -23% | 116 | 8 | NM | |
| Total Magadan | 759 | 675 | +12% | 385 | 270 | +43% | |
| Ural | Voro | 379 | 387 | -2% | 62 | 61 | +1% |
| Kazakhstan | Varvara | 663 | 758 | -12% | 74 | 49 | +52% |
| Armenia | Kapan | 904 | 795 | +14% | 38 | 17 | +130% |
| Total Group | 659 | 656 | +0% | 917 | 551 | +66% |
Analysis of 2H 2017 versus 1H 2017 performance:
In 2H 2017, total cash costs remained almost flat compared to 1H 2017 at US\$ 659/GE oz. The performance was driven by contribution of high-cost operations at Kapan and processing of third-party concentrate at Amursk POX as well as sales from Mayskoye with higher than Group-average cost levels. This was to a significant extent offset by strong operational delivery at Okhotsk, Svetloye and Varvara. During 2H 2017, the Russian Rouble remained stable against the US Dollar (average rate of 58.7 RUB/USD in 2H 2017 compared to 58.0 RUB/USD in 1H 2017) and did not have any further negative effect on cost performance.
Total cash cost by operation:
- At Dukat and Voro, total cash costs remained almost unchanged half-on-half on the back of stable operating performances during the period.
- At Okhotsk, TCC was US\$ 637/GE oz and decreased by 29% half-on-half as the seasonally higher share of Avlayakan ore was shipped to Okhotsk and processed in the second half of the year.
- Svetloye heap leach operation enjoyed positive mine-to-model grade reconciliation resulting in a notable decrease of TCC by 49% half-on-half to US\$ 267/GE oz.
- Varvara experienced positive input of processing high-grade ore railed from Komar, resulting in TCC of US\$ 663/GE oz, a 12% decrease half-on-half.
- At Omolon, cash costs decreased by 8% compared to 1H 2017 to US\$ 626/GE oz on the back of improved gold grades and recovery levels at the Kubaka processing plant as the share of higher-grade ore from the Tsokol and Birkachan underground mines increased.
- At Albazino/Amursk, TCC was US\$ 689/ GE oz, up 5% half-on-half due to larger volumes of high-cost third-party concentrate processed at Amursk POX during 2H 2017.
- There were no meaningful sales at Mayskoye during 1H 2017, hence the total cash costs for the period are considered unrepresentative of the underlying performance. TCC for 2H 2017 comprised US\$ 1,021/GE oz.
- Decline of gold and silver grades and lower recoveries at Kapan due to purchases of third-party material resulted in TCC increasing by 14% to US\$ 904/GE oz half-on-half. These purchases, however, allowed the project to utilise available capacity at the processing plant and increase total production and profits .
| Total, US\$m | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2016 | Change, % | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % | |
| Total cash costs | 955 | 738 | +29% | 658 | 570 | +15% |
| SG&A and other operating expenses not included in TCC Capital expenditure excluding |
112 | 98 | +14% | 77 | 76 | +2% |
| new projects Exploration expenditure (capital |
141 | 120 | +18% | 97 | 93 | +5% |
| and current) | 87 | 47 | +85% | 60 | 36 | +65% |
| All-in sustaining cash costs1 | 1,295 | 1,004 | +29% | 893 | 776 | +15% |
| Finance cost | 63 | 63 | - | 43 | 49 | -11% |
| Capitalised interest | 8 | 5 | +60% | 6 | 4 | +43% |
| Income tax expense | 89 | 169 | -47% | 61 | 131 | -53% |
| After-tax All-in cash costs | 1,455 | 1,241 | +17% | 1,003 | 959 | +5% |
| Development capital SG&A and other expenses for |
170 | 121 | +40% | 117 | 94 | +25% |
| development assets | 20 | 14 | +43% | 14 | 11 | +27% |
| All-in costs | 1,645 | 1,376 | +20% | 1,134 | 1,063 | +7% |
ALL-IN CASH COSTS
All-in sustaining cash costs amounted to US\$ 893/GE oz in 2017 and increased by 15% year-on-year, driven mostly by the increase in total cash costs as a result of continued Russian Rouble strengthening, as well as increased exploration spending across the portfolio.
All-in sustaining cash costs by mines were represented as follows:
1 All-in sustaining cash costs comprise total cash costs, all selling, general and administrative expenses for operating mines and head office not included in TCC (mainly represented by head office SG&A), other expenses (excluding write-offs and non-cash items, in line w ith the methodology used for calculation of Adjusted EBITDA), and current period capex for operating mines (i.e. excluding new project capex ("Development capital"), but including all exploration expenditure (both expensed and capitalised in the period) and minor brow nfield expansions).
All-in sustaining cash cost by segment/operation, US\$ /GE oz Segment Operation 2017 2016 Change, % Khabarovsk Okhotsk 869 750 +16% Svetloye 426 752 -43% Albazino/Amursk 846 684 +24% Total Khabarovsk 760 710 +7% Magadan Dukat 10.4 8.0 +30% Omolon 858 675 +27% Mayskoye 1,236 1,242 -1% Total Magadan 914 734 +25% Ural Voro 532 419 +27% Kazakhstan Varvara 952 975 -2% Armenia Kapan 1,292 1,264 +2% Total 893 776 +15%
All-in sustaining cash costs followed total cash cost dynamics - driven by the exchange rate - and increased year-onyear across all operating mines, except for Svetloye and Mayskoye where strong operating performances outweighed the effect of other factors resulting in decreased AISC.
ADJUSTED EBITDA AND EBITDA MARGIN1
| Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (US\$m) | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
| Profit for the year | 354 | 395 | -10% |
| Finance cost (net) | 59 | 60 | -2% |
| Income tax expense | 89 | 169 | -47% |
| Depreciation and depletion | 214 | 155 | +38% |
| EBITDA | 716 | 779 | -8% |
| Write-down of metal inventory to net realisable value | 16 | 21 | -24% |
| Write-down of non-metal inventory to net realisable value | 3 | 6 | -50% |
| Share based compensation | 10 | 7 | +43% |
| Net foreign exchange losses/(gain) | 10 | (65) | NM |
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability | (2) | 22 | NM |
| Rehabilitation costs | - | 1 | -100% |
| Additional mining taxes, VAT, penalties and accrued interest | (8) | (12) | -33% |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 745 | 759 | -2% |
1 Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure of the Company's operating performance and cash generation capacity (excluding impact of financing, depreciation and tax) and a key industry benchmark allow ing to perform peer comparison. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes the impact of certain accounting adjustments (mainly non-cash items) that can mask underlying changes in core operating performance.
The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA (a non-IFRS measure) as profit for the period adjusted for depreciation and amortisation, w rite-downs and reversals of inventory to net realisable value, share-based compensation expenses, rehabilitation expenses, bad debt allow ance, foreign exchange gains or losses, changes in fair value of contingent consideration, finance income, finance costs, income tax ex pense and other tax exposures accrued w ithin other operating expenses. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue.
| Segment | Operation | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dukat | 180 | 283 | -36% | |
| Magadan | Omolon | 120 | 116 | +3% |
| Mayskoye | 20 | 13 | +54% | |
| Total Magadan | 320 | 412 | -22% | |
| Khabarovsk | Albazino/Amursk | 157 | 167 | -6% |
| Svetloye | 101 | 18 | +461% | |
| Okhotsk | 58 | 71 | -18% | |
| Total Khabarovsk | 316 | 256 | +23% | |
| Ural | Voro | 97 | 113 | -14% |
| Varvara | 68 | 36 | +89% | |
| Kazakhstan | Kyzyl | (13) | (8) | +63% |
| Total Kazakhstan | 55 | 28 | +96 | |
| Armenia | Kapan | 20 | 6 | +233% |
| Corporate and other and intersegment operations |
(63) | (56) | +13% | |
| Total | 745 | 759 | -2% |
Adjusted EBITDA by segment/operation (US\$m)
In 2017, Adjusted EBITDA was US\$ 745 million, down 2% year-on-year, resulting in an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 41%. The decrease was mainly driven by a 15% increase in TCC, which was to a large extent offset by 13% growth in GE production. At Omolon, Svetloye, Varvara, Mayskoye and Kapan, Adjusted EBITDA increased on the back of a strong operating performance, offsetting the negative impact of an appreciating Russian Rouble. Across other operating mines, Adjusted EBITDA declined year-on-year.
OTHER INCOME STATEMENT ITEMS
Polymetal recorded a net foreign exchange loss in 2017 of US\$ 10 million compared to a gain of US\$ 65 million in 2016. These unrealised non-cash forex gains and losses recorded in both periods are mainly comprised of the revaluation of US Dollar denominated borrowings of Russian operating companies where the functional currency is the Russian Rouble. The Group's average gross debt during 2017 was US\$ 1,417 million, mostly denominated in US Dollars, while the RUB/USD exchange rate decreased from 60.7 RUB/USD as at 31 December 2016 to 57.6 RUB/USD as at 31 December 2017.
The Company does not use any hedging instruments for managing foreign exchange risk, other than a natural hedge arising from the fact that the majority of the Group's revenue is denominated or calculated in US Dollars. Though income statement volatility may arise in the financial reporting, Polymetal believes that the underlying matching of revenue cash flows against debt repayments and related interest represents an economically effective hedging strategy.
Income tax expense for 2017 was US\$ 89 million compared to US\$ 169 million in 2016. The decrease was mainly attributable to the effect of regional tax incentives applied by operations in the Russian Far East, most notably Svetloye, Dukat and Omolon. For details refer to Note 13 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
NET EARNINGS, EARNINGS PER SHARE AND DIVIDENDS
The Group recorded a net income of US\$ 354 million in 2017 versus US\$ 395 million in 2016. Underlying net earnings (excluding after-tax impact of write-down of metal inventory to net realisable value, foreign exchange gains/losses and change in fair value of contingent consideration liability) were US\$ 376 million, compared to US\$ 382 million in 2016.
Reconciliation of underlying net earnings1
| (US\$m) | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profit for the financial year | |||
| 354 | 395 | -10% | |
| Write-down of metal inventory to net realisable value | 16 | 21 | -24% |
| Tax effect on write-down of metal inventory to net realisable value | (3) | (4) | -24% |
| Foreign exchange loss/(gain) | 10 | (65) | NM |
| Tax effect on foreign exchange loss/(gain) | 2 | 14 | -84% |
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability | (2) | 22 | NM |
| Tax effect on change in fair value of contingent consideration | (1) | - | NM |
| Underlying net earnings | 376 | 382 | -2% |
Basic earnings per share were US\$ 0.82 per share compared to US\$ 0.93 per share in 2016. Underlying basic EPS2 was US\$ 0.88 per share, compared to US\$ 0.90 per share in 2016.
In accordance with the Company's revised dividend policy, the Board is proposing to pay a final dividend of US\$ 0.30 per share (giving a total expected dividend of US\$ 129 million) representing 50% of the Group's underlying net earnings for the period. During 2017, Polymetal paid a total of US\$ 138 million in dividends, representing final dividends for FY 2016 and interim dividends for the 1H 2017.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE3
| (US\$m) | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyzyl | 116 | 86 | +34% |
| Albazino/Amursk | 62 | 34 | +82% |
| Dukat | 28 | 27 | +4% |
| Kapan | 24 | 13 | +85% |
| Varvara | 19 | 6 | +217% |
| Mayskoye | 18 | 19 | -5% |
| Omolon | 12 | 11 | +9% |
| Svetloye | 9 | 15 | -40% |
| Okhotsk | 3 | 2 | +50% |
| Voro | 3 | 3 | - |
| Corporate and other | 3 | 7 | -57% |
| Exploration | 58 | 37 | +56% |
| Capitalised stripping | 28 | 10 | +169% |
| Total | 383 | 271 | +41% |
In 2017, total capital expenditure was US\$ 3834 million, up 41% year-on-year mainly due to investments in construction and pre-stripping at Kyzyl and increased brownfield exploration spending across the operating assets portfolio. Capital expenditure excluding capitalised stripping costs was US\$ 355 million in 2017 (2016: US\$ 261 million).
The major capital expenditure items in 2017 were as follows:
- At all operating mines except for Albazino/Amursk, Kapan and Varvara, capital expenditures declined or remained almost unchanged year-on-year beyond the effect of Russian Rouble appreciation, and were mainly represented by routine mining fleet upgrades/replacements and maintenance expenditure at processing facilities;
- Capital expenditure at Albazino/Amursk was US\$ 62 million, almost a two-fold increase year-on-year, mostly related to the POX debottlenecking project in the amount of US\$ 40 million during 2017 (planned to reach full expanded capacity in the second half of 2018), underground engineering and other technical re-equipment, as well as construction of the second tailings storage.
- US\$ 24 million was invested at Kapan, mostly related to purchases of underground mining equipment and nearmine exploration, including drilling at Lichkvaz, as well as a number of initiatives to improve safety and reduce
1 Underlying net earnings represent net profit for the year excluding the impact of key items that can mask underlying changes in core performance. 2 Underlying basic EPS are calculated based on underlying net earnings.
3 On a cash basis.
4 On accrual basis, capital expenditure w as US\$ 432 million in 2017 (2016: US\$ 288 million).
environmental footprint of operations (centralized mine ventilation, tailings storage facility upgrade, water treatment and recycling facilities).
- At Varvara, the increased capital expenditure is mainly related to debottlenecking of the railway station for cargo acceptance and purchases of railway carriages to allow transportation of larger volumes of ores from Komar and third parties, technical re-equipment and reconstruction of the tailing storage.
- At Kyzyl, capital expenditure in 2017 comprised US\$ 116 million, mainly representing the main concentrator building, ore-preparation complex (the crusher, conveyor gallery and apron feeder), tailings storage facility, electric shovels, mechanical and repair shop and purchases of mining machinery, as well as capitalised pre-stripping of US\$ 31 million.
- The Company invests in standalone exploration projects. Capital expenditures for exploration in 2017 was US\$ 58 million compared to US\$ 37 million in 2016.
- Capitalised stripping costs totalled US\$ 28 million in 2017 (2016: US\$ 10 million) and are attributable to operations with stripping ratios exceeding their life of mine ("LOM") averages during the period, including most importantly Albazino (US\$ 9 million), Varvara (US\$ 6 million) and Omolon (US\$ 6 million).
CASH FLOWS
| (US\$m) | 2017 | 2016 | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating cash flows before changes in working capital | 601 | 557 | +8% |
| Changes in working capital | (68) | (27) | +152% |
| Total operating cash flows | 533 | 530 | +1% |
| Capital expenditure Acquisition costs in business combinations and investments in |
(383) | (271) | +41% |
| associates and joint ventures | (87) | (128) | -32% |
| Other | (7) | (2) | +250% |
| Investing cash flows | (477) | (401) | +19% |
| Financing cash flows | |||
| Net increase in borrowings | 76 | 26 | +192% |
| Dividends paid | (138) | (158) | -13% |
| Contingent consideration payment | (5) | (2) | +150% |
| Total financing cash flows | (67) | (134) | -50% |
| Net decrease/increase in cash and cash equivalents | (11) | (5) | +120% |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | 48 | 52 | -8% |
| Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash | |||
| equivalents | (1) | 1 | NM |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | 36 | 48 | -25% |
Total operating cash flows in 2017 remained stable compared to the prior year. Operating cash flows before changes in working capital grew by 8% year-on-year to US\$ 601 million mainly as a result of a decrease in cash tax payments. Net operating cash flows were US\$ 533 million, compared to US\$ 530 million in 2016. This was also affected by an increase in working capital in 2017 of US\$ 68 million.
Total cash and cash equivalents decreased by 25% compared to 2016 and comprised US\$ 36 million, with the following items affecting the cash position of the Group:
- Operating cash flows of US\$ 533 million;
- Investment cash outflows totalled US\$ 477 million, up 19% year-on-year and mainly represented by capital expenditure (up 41% year-on-year to US\$ 383 million), cash investments in new assets (namely, Nezhda US\$ 20 million, Prognoz US\$ 5 million, Kapan US\$ 5 million) and loans advanced on capital expenditure at growth projects (Nezhda and Prognoz totalling US\$ 52 million);
- Payment of regular dividends for 2016 and 1H 2017 amounting to US\$ 138 million; and
The net increase in borrowings of US\$ 76 million.
BALANCE SHEET, LIQUIDITY AND FUNDING
| Net debt | 31-Dec-17 | 31-Dec-16 | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt | 26 | 98 | -73% |
| Long-term debt | 1,430 | 1,280 | +12% |
| Gross debt | 1,456 | 1,378 | +6% |
| Less: cash and cash equivalents | 36 | 48 | -25% |
| Net debt | 1,420 | 1,330 | +7% |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 745 | 759 | -2% |
| Net debt / Adjusted EBITDA | 1.91 | 1.75 | +9% |
The Group's net debt increased to US\$ 1,420 million as of 31 December 2017, representing a Net debt / Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.91x.
The proportion of long-term borrowings comprised 98% as at 31 December 2017 (93% as at 31 December 2016). In addition, as at 31 December 2017 the Group had US\$ 1.4 billion (31 December 2016: US\$ 1.0 billion) of available undrawn facilities, of which US\$ 1.3 billion is committed from a wide range of lenders that maintain its operational flexibility in the current environment.
The average cost of debt remained low at 3.96% in 2017 (2016: 4.33%), supported by low base interest rates and the ability to negotiate competitive margins given the solid financial position of the Company and its excellent credit history. The Group is confident in its ability to repay its existing borrowings as they fall due.
2018 OUTLOOK
While we recognise that our financial performance remains contingent on commodity prices and the Rouble/Dollar exchange rate dynamic which has a significant effect on the Group's operating costs, Polymetal expects to deliver a robust financial and operating performance in our first year of production from Kyzyl:
- The Company reconfirms its production guidance for 2018 and 2019 of 1.55 Moz and 1.7 Moz of gold equivalent, respectively.
- TCC in 2018 are expected to be in the range of US\$ 650-700/ GE oz while AISC are expected to average US\$ 875-925/ GE oz on the back of anticipated rising domestic diesel prices and expected strengthening of the Russian Rouble.
- The capital expenditure in 2018 is expected to be slightly lower compared to 2017 at roughly US\$ 400 million. Significant investments will be directed towards completion of the Kyzyl and POX debottlenecking projects. The Company also plans to advance feasibility studies for Nezhda and POX-2 projects. Exploration spending is expected to stay elevated as Polymetal will continue its aggressive drilling campaign at the Prognoz silver project.
- As a result, the Company expects to continue to deliver positive free cash flow and prioritise dividends in our capital allocation process in 2018.
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
There are a number of potential risks and uncertainties which could have a material impact on the Group's performance and could cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results.
The principal risks and uncertainties of the Group are listed below:
- Market risk;
- Production risks;
- Construction and development risk;
- Tax risks;
- Exploration risks;
- Health and safety risk;
- Environmental risks;
- Legal risk;
- Political risk;
- Currency risk;
- Liquidity risk;
- Interest rate risk.
A detailed explanation of these risks and uncertainties can be found on pages 66 to 69 of the 2016 annual report which is available at www.polymetalinternational.com. Further updates will be presented in the full annual financial report for 2017.
GOING CONCERN
In assessing its going concern status, the Group has taken account of its financial position, anticipated future trading performance, its borrowings and other available credit facilities, and its forecast compliance with covenants on those borrowings and its capital expenditure commitments and plans. As at 31 December 2017, the Group held US\$ 36 million of cash and had net debt of US\$ 1,420 million, with US\$ 1,361 million of additional undrawn facilities of which US\$ 1,266 million are considered committed. Debt of US\$ 26 million is due for payment within one year. The Group's cash generation and liquidity remains strong and the Group believes it will be able to operate within existing facilities, but could secure additional financing if and when needed.
The Board is satisfied that the Group's forecasts and projections, having taken account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next 12 months from the date of this report and that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017.
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
The Directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and 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 are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted for use in the European Union (IFRS). The financial statements are required by law to be properly prepared in accordance with the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991. International Accounting Standard 1 requires that financial statements present fairly for each financial year the Group's financial position, financial performance and cash flows. This requires the faithful representation of the effects of transactions, other events and conditions in accordance with the definitions and recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, income and expenses set out in the International Accounting Standards Board's 'Framework for the preparation and presentation of financial statements'.
In virtually all circumstances, a fair presentation will be achieved by compliance with all applicable IFRSs. However, the Directors are also required to:
- properly select and apply accounting policies;
- present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information;
- provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity's financial position and financial performance; and
- make an assessment of the Company's ability to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the reasonably reliable lookout period of three years.
The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company's website. Legislation in the UK and Jersey governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Responsibility statement
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
- the financial statements, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and
- the management report, which is incorporated into the strategic report, includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.
By order of the Board,
Bobby Godsell
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Vitaly Nesis Group Chief Executive Officer 9 March 2018
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
| Notes | Year ended 31 December 2017 US\$m |
Year ended 31 December 2016 US\$m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 4 | 1,815 | 1,583 |
| Cost of sales | 5 | (1,106) | (846) |
| Gross profit | 709 | 737 | |
| General, administrative and selling expenses | 9 | (158) | (120) |
| Other operating expenses, net | 10 | (44) | (36) |
| Share of profit of associates and joint ventures | 16 | 3 | - |
| Operating profit | 510 | 581 | |
| Foreign exchange (loss)/gain, net | (10) | 65 | |
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability | 21 | 2 | (22) |
| Finance income | 4 | 3 | |
| Finance costs | 12 | (63) | (63) |
| Profit before income tax | 443 | 564 | |
| Income tax expense | 13 | (89) | (169) |
| Profit for the financial period | 354 | 395 | |
| Profit for the financial period attributable to: | |||
| Equity shareholders of the Parent | 354 | 395 | |
| 354 | 395 | ||
| Earnings per share (US\$) | |||
| Basic | 22 | 0.82 | 0.93 |
| Diluted | 22 | 0.81 | 0.93 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
| Year ended 31 December 2017 |
Year ended 31 December 2016 |
|
|---|---|---|
| US\$m | US\$m | |
| Profit for the period Items that may be reclassified to profit and loss |
354 | 395 |
| Exchange differences on translating foreign operations Currency exchange differences on intercompany loans forming |
113 | 280 |
| net investment in foreign operations, net of income tax | (23) | (56) |
| Total comprehensive income for the period | 444 | 619 |
| Total comprehensive income for period attributable to: | ||
| Equity shareholders of the Parent | 444 | 619 |
| 444 | 619 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
| Property, plant and equipment 15 2,054 1,805 Goodwill 18 17 Investments in associates and joint ventures 16 96 25 Non-current loans and receivables 15 10 Deferred tax asset 13 61 38 Non-current inventories 17 123 113 Total non-current assets 2,367 2,008 Current inventories 17 514 493 VAT receivable 96 61 Trade receivables and other financial instruments 18 71 70 Prepayments to suppliers 38 31 Income tax prepaid 6 18 Cash and cash equivalents 36 48 Total current assets 761 721 Total assets 3,128 2,729 Liabilities and shareholders' equity Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (135) (133) Current borrowings 19 (26) (98) Income tax payable (10) (8) Other taxes payable (38) (34) Current portion of contingent consideration liability 21 (5) (14) Total current liabilities (214) (287) Non-current borrowings 19 (1,430) (1,280) Contingent consideration liability 21 (57) (62) Deferred tax liability 13 (77) (78) Environmental obligations (39) (37) Other non-current liabilities (4) (4) Total non-current liabilities (1,607) (1,461) Total liabilities (1,821) (1,748) NET ASSETS 1,307 981 Stated capital account 22 2,031 2,010 Share based compensation reserve 21 12 Translation reserve (1,151) (1,241) Retained earnings 406 200 |
Assets | Notes | 31 December 2017 US\$m |
31 December 2016 US\$m |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total equity | 1,307 | 981 |
Notes on pages 32 to 57 form part of these financial statements. These financial statements are approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 9 March 2018 and signed on its behalf by:
Vitaly Nesis
Group Chief Executive
Bobby Godsell
Chairman of the Board of Directors
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
| Notes | Year ended 31 December 2017 US\$m |
Year ended 31 December 2016 US\$m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash generated by operating activities | 24 | 533 | 530 |
| Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of property, plant and equipment Acquisitions of joint ventures and associate Loans forming part of the net investment in joint ventures Nezhda call option premium paid Acquisitions of subsidiaries* Loans advanced Receipt of repayment of loans provided |
15 16 16 16 2 |
(383) (16) (52) (12) (7) (18) 11 |
(271) (21) - - (107) (4) 2 |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (477) | (401) | |
| Cash flows from financing activities Borrowings obtained Repayments of borrowings Dividends paid Contingent consideration paid |
19 19 14 21 |
3,108 (3,032) (138) (5) |
1,436 (1,410) (158) (2) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (67) | (134) | |
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
(11) 48 (1) |
(5) 52 1 |
|
| Net cash generated by financing activities | 36 | 48 |
*Includes US\$5 million outstanding as of 31 December 2016, paid during year ended 31 December 2017 for Kapan acquisition
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
| Number of shares outstanding |
Stated capital | Share based compensation |
Translation | Retained | Total equity attributable to |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | (unaudited) | account | reserve | reserve | earnings | the parent | Total equity | |
| Balance at 1 January 2016 | 424,650,138 | 1,969 | 6 | (1,465) | (23) | 487 | 487 | |
| Profit for the financial year | - | - | - | - | 395 | 395 | 395 | |
| Other comprehensive income, net of income tax | - | - | - | 224 | - | 224 | 224 | |
| Share based compensation | - | - | 7 | - | - | 7 | 7 | |
| Shares allotted to employees |
110,850 | 1 | (1) | - | - | |||
| Issue of shares to acquire non-controlling interest | 22 | 898,875 | 14 | - | - | (14) | - | - |
| Issue of shares in exchange for asset acquisitions | 2 | 1,120,690 | 11 | - | - | - | 11 | 11 |
| Issue of shares for business acquisition | 2 | 1,481,785 | 15 | - | - | - | 15 | 15 |
| Dividends | 14 | - | - | - | - | (158) | (158) | (158) |
| Balance at 31 December 2016 | 428,262,338 | 2,010 | 12 | (1,241) | 200 | 981 | 981 | |
| Profit for the financial year | - | - | - | - | 354 | 354 | 354 | |
| Other comprehensive income, net of income tax | - | - | - | 90 | - | 90 | 90 | |
| Share based compensation | - | - | 10 | - | - | 10 | 10 | |
| Shares allotted to employees | 144,219 | 1 | (1) | - | - | - | - | |
| Issue of shares to acquire non-controlling interest | 22 | 893,575 | 10 | - | - | (10) | - | - |
| Issue of shares for contingent consideration | 815,348 | 10 | - | - | - | 10 | 10 | |
| Dividends | 14 | - | - | - | - | (138) | (138) | (138) |
| Balance at 31 December 2017 | 430,115,480 | 2,031 | 21 | (1,151) | 406 | 1,307 | 1,307 |
1. GENERAL
Corporate information
Polymetal Group (the Group) is a leading gold and silver mining group, operating in Russia, Kazakhstan and Armenia.
Polymetal International plc (the Company) is the ultimate parent entity of Polymetal Group. The Company was incorporated in 2010 as a public limited company under Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 and has its place of business in Cyprus. Its shares are traded on the London and Moscow stock exchanges.
The Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 included in this announcement were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors on 9 March 2018.
The preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2017 have been extracted from audited accounts which have not been delivered to the Jersey Registrar of companies. The Financial statements included in this announcement do not constitute statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2017 or 31 December 2016. The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2016 is extracted from the statutory accounts from that year. The report of the auditors on the statutory accounts for both 2017 and 2016 was unqualified.
Significant subsidiaries
As at 31 December 2017 the Company held the following significant mining and production subsidiaries:
Effective interest held, %
| Name of subsidiary | Deposits and production facilities |
Segment | Country of incorporation |
31 December 2017 |
31 December 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold of Northern Urals CJSC | Vorontsovskoye | Ural | Russia | 100 | 100 |
| Okhotskaya Mining and Exploration | Avlayakan | Khabarovsk | Russia | ||
| CompanyLLC | Khakanja plant | 100 | 100 | ||
| Svetloye LLC | Svetloye | Khabarovsk | Russia | 100 | 100 |
| Magadan Silver JSC | Dukat Lunnoe Arylakh |
Magadan | Russia | ||
| Goltsovoye | 100 | 100 | |||
| Mayskoye Gold Mining Company LLC | Mayskoye | Magadan | Russia | 100 | 100 |
| Omolon Gold Mining Company LLC | Birkachan Tsokol Dalneye Sopka Kvartsevaya Olcha |
Magadan | Russia | 100 | 100 |
| Albazino Resources Ltd | Albazino | Khabarovsk | Russia | 100 | 100 |
| Amur Hydrometallurgical Plant LLC | AGMK Plant | Khabarovsk | Russia | 100 | 100 |
| Varvarinskoye JSC | Varvarinskoye | Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan | 100 | 100 |
| Bakyrchik Mining Venture LLC | Bakyrchik | Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan | 100 | 100 |
| Inter Gold Capital LLC | Bolshevik | Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan | 100 | 100 |
| Komarovskoye Mining CompanyLLC | Komarovskoye | Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan | 100 | 100 |
| Kapan MPC CJSC | Kapan | Armenia | Armenia | 100 | 100 |
Going concern
In assessing its going concern status, the Group has taken account of its financial position, anticipated future trading performance, its borrowings and other available credit facilities, and its forecast compliance with covenants on those borrowings and its capital expenditure commitments and plans. As at 31 December 2017, the Group held US\$ 36 million of cash and had net debt of US\$ 1,420 million, with US\$ 1,361 million of additional undrawn facilities of which US\$ 1,266 million are considered committed. Debt of US\$ 26 million is due for payment within one year. The Group's cash generation and liquidity remains strong and the Group believes it will be able to operate within existing facilities, but could secure additional financing if and when needed.
The Board is satisfied that the Group's forecasts and projections, having taken account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next 12 months from the date of this report and that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017.
Basis of presentation
The accounting policies applied in these condensed financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 are consistent with those of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2016, as described in these Financial Statements, with the exception of standards, amendments and interpretations effective in 2017 and other presentational changes.
Amended accounting standards adopted by the Group
The following amendments to IFRSs became mandatory effective during the year ended 31 December 2017. The amendments generally require full retrospective application, with some amendments requiring prospective application.
- Amendments to IAS 7 Disclosure Initiative;
- Amendments to IAS 7 Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses;
- Amendments to IFRS 12 included in Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2014-2016 Cycle.
The Group has determined these amendments do not have significant impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
New accounting standards issued but not yet effective
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("IFRS 15"), which covers principles that an entity shall apply to report information to users of financial statements about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cas h flows arising from a contract with a customer. Application of the standard is mandatory for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, with earlier application permitted. The Group has determined the impact of IFRS 15 on its consolidated financial statements with the primary focus being understanding those sales contracts where the timing and amount of revenue recognised could differ under IFRS 15, which may occur for example if contracts with customers incorporate performance obligations not currently recognised separately, or where such contracts incorporate variable consideration.
The Group's revenue is primarily derived from commodity sales, for which the point of recognition is dependent on the contract sales terms, known as the international commercial terms (Incoterms). As the transfer of risks and rewards generally coincides with the transfer of control at a point in time under incoterms, the timing and amount of revenue recognised by the Group for the sale of commodities is not materially affected.
For the Incoterms Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) and Cost and Freight (CFR) the seller must contract for and pay the costs and freight necessary to bring the goods to the named port of destination. Consequently, the freight service on export commodity contracts with CIF/CFR incoterms represents a separate performance obligation as defined under the new standard, and a portion of the revenue earned under these contracts, representing the obligation to perform the freight service, is deferred and recognised over time as this obligation is fulfilled, along with the associated costs.
The impact of applying the change during the year ended 31 December 2017 would be to reduce revenue and operating costs respectively by US\$ 9 million with no impact on profit. There would be no effect on current assets and current liabilities as at 31 December 2017.
The Group plans to use the modified approach, so the cumulative effect of initially applying IFRS 15 will be recognised as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of 1 January 2018.
IFRS 9 Financial instruments. In July 2014, the IASB issued the final version of IFRS 9 Financial instruments ("IFRS 9"). This standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, and permits early adoption. IFRS 9 provides a revised model for recognition, measurement and impairment of financial instruments. IFRS 9 also includes a substantially reformed approach to hedge accounting. The Group has determined the impact of IFRS 9 on its consolidated financial statements with the primary focus being on the application of the "expected credit loss" model under which an entity calculates the allowance for credit losses by considering on a discounted basis the cash shortfalls it would incur in various default scenarios for prescribed future periods and multiplying the shortfalls by the probability of each scenario occurring.
The impacts of adopting IFRS 9 on the Group results for the year ended 31 December 2017 are as follows:
Impairment: The impact of the introduction of an 'expected credit loss' model for the assessment of impairment of financial assets held under amortised cost would be to increase the Group's operating costs by US\$ 4 million and decrease the Group's profit before tax by US\$ 4 million for the year ended 31 December 2017, and to reduce current assets by US\$ 4 million at 31 December 2017.
- Classification and measurement: The measurement and accounting treatment of the Group's financial assets is unchanged on application of the new standard.
- Hedge accounting: no impact as the Group does not elect to use hedge accounting.
As these effects are considered immaterial to the Group, the Group has elected not to restate prior period on adoption of the new standard in 2018.
IFRS 16 Leases. IFRS 16 replaces the following standards and interpretations: IAS 17 Leases and IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement contains a Lease. The new standard provides a single lessee accounting model for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases. IFRS 16 applies to all leases including subleases and requires lessees to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases, unless the lease term is 12 months or less, or the underlying asset has a low value. Lessors continue to classify leases as operating or finance. Application of the standard is mandatory for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019, with earlier application permitted. The Group is in the process of determining the impact of IFRS 16 on its consolidated financial statements.
Amendments to IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and IAS 28 Joint Ventures: Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture remove an inconsistency between the two standards on the accounting treatment for gains and losses arising on the sale or contribution of assets by an investor to its associate or joint venture. Following the amendment, such gains and losses may only be recognised to the extent of the unrelated investor's interest, except where the transaction involves assets that constitute a business. In December 2015, the IASB has postponed the effective date of this amendment indefinitely pending the outcome of its research project on the equity method accounting. The Group doesn't expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
The following standards and interpretations were in issue but not yet effective as of reporting date and are not applicable or have no effect to the Group:
- Amendments to IAS 40 Investment Property, effective for annual period beginning on or after 1 January 2018;
- Amendments to IAS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, effective for annual period beginning on or after 1 January 2018;
- Amendments to IFRS 2 Share-based payments, effective for annual period beginning on or after 1 January 2018;
- IFRIC 22 Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration, effective for annual period beginning on or after 1 January 2018;
- IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatment, effective for annual period beginning on or after 1 January 2019.
2. ACQUISITIONS
(a) Year ended 31 December 2017
Primorskaya GGK LLC
In May 2017 Polymetal purchased a 100% interest in Primorskaya GGK LLC, a company holding several licences for the silver-gold properties located in the Primorskiy region of Russia, from an unrelated party for a cash consideration of US\$ 2 million.
The company does not meet the definition of a business pursuant to IFRS 3 and thus it was accounted for as an acquisition of a group of assets. The Group has purchased mineral rights of US\$ 2 million.
(b) Year ended 31 December 2016
Kapan
In March 2016 Polymetal entered into binding agreements with Dundee Precious Metals Inc (Dundee) for the acquisition of CJSC Dundee Precious Metals Kapan ("DPMK"), the holding company for the Kapan Gold Mine ("Kapan") in the Republic of Armenia.
On 28 April 2016 the Group acquired 100 per cent of the shares of DPMK.
The asset comprises a fully mechanised underground mine and a conventional 750 ktpa flotation concentrator and various infrastructure facilities. The mine produces gold, copper, silver and zinc concentrates sold to international markets.
Kapan meets the definition of a business pursuant to IFRS 3 and thus was accounted for at fair value using the acquisition method.
Consideration transferred
The total consideration for the shares at completion comprised US\$ 38 million consisting of US\$ 14 million payable in cash (including post-closing working capital adjustment amounting to US\$ 5 million) and US\$ 15 million paid through the issue of 1,481,785 new ordinary shares of the Company. In addition, Dundee receives a 2% NSR (Net Smelter Return) royalty on the future production from the Kapan Gold Mine capped at US\$ 25 million.
The fair value of the 1,481,785 ordinary shares issued as part of the consideration paid for Kapan was determined based on spot price as of acquisition date, being US\$ 10.28, and amounts to US\$ 15 million.
The net smelter return royalty described above meets the definition of contingent consideration. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined based on the life-of-mine model of the Kapan mine by discounting projected cash flows to the acquisition date. The following metal price assumptions, consistent with the assumptions adopted for the long-term planning at the time of acquisition, were used for the fair value calculation: Au – US\$ 1,250/oz, Ag – US\$ 17/oz, Cu – US\$ 4,500/tonne, Zinc – US\$ 1,800/tonne, real post-tax discount rate of 9.04%. At the acquisition date, the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration amounted to US\$ 9 million.
Assets acquired and liabilities recognised at the date of acquisition
As of date of finalisation of the interim consolidated financial statements for the period ended 30 June 2016 the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities recognised at the date of acquisition was provisionally accounted for, as well as the amount of the post-closing working capital adjustment. A post-closing working capital adjustment of US\$ 5 million was outstanding as of 31 December 2016 and was included in account payable. The amount was paid during the year ended 31 December 2017.
The amounts recognised in respect of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed and its reconciliation to the provisionally accounting are set out in the table below:
| Provisional accounting US\$m |
Fair value adjustments US\$m |
Final accounting US\$m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Assets acquired and liabilities recognised at the date of acquisition | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1 | - | 1 |
| Mineral rights | 17 | (17) | - |
| Property, plant and equipment | 4 | 17 | 21 |
| Inventories | 11 | 5 | 16 |
| Account receivable | 12 | - | 12 |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (8) | - | (8) |
| Taxes payable | (12) | - | (12) |
| Environmental obligations | (1) | - | (1) |
| Deferred taxes | 9 | - | 9 |
| Net assets acquired | 33 | 5 | 38 |
| Consideration transferred | |||
| Cash | 9 | 5 | 14 |
| Fair value of shares issued | 15 | - | 15 |
| Contingent consideration | 9 | - | 9 |
| Total consideration | 33 | 5 | 38 |
| Net cash outflow on acquisition | 8 | - | 8 |
| Cash consideration payable as of 31 December 2016 | - | - | 5 |
No significant financial assets were acquired in business combination. The fair value of the accounts receivable approximates to its carrying value.
Komarovskoye
On 4 April 2016 Polymetal entered into a binding agreement with Kazzinc LTD, a subsidiary of Glencore International plc, for the acquisition of Orion Minerals LLC, the holding company for the Komarovskoye Gold Deposit ("Komarovskoye") in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The asset comprises an active open pit mine and a 500 ktpa heap leach facility with grid power available on site. Polymetal aims to mine, deliver by rail and process at Varvara up to 2 Mtpa of ore with potential to increase Varvara's annual production at lower cash costs.
The acquisition of the Komarovskoye was completed on 1 August 2016, following receipt of all required regulatory approvals.
Management considers that the control over the Komarovskoye was obtained on the date of the deal completion.
Komarovskoye meets the definition of a business pursuant to IFRS 3 thus it was accounted for at fair value using the acquisition method.
The total consideration for Komarovskoye was US\$ 100 million payable in cash. In addition, a deferred consideration contingent upon future production levels and gold price performance, will be paid to Kazzinc LTD. The royalty is calculated on a quarterly basis, based on contained gold in ore mined per relevant quarter and is payable at gold prices above US\$ 1,250 per ounce. The royalty is capped at a total consideration of US\$ 80 million.
Consideration transferred
Deferred consideration described above meets definition of the contingent consideration. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined based on the life-of-mine model of the Komarovskoye mine and calculated using Monte Carlo modelling. Projected cash flows were discounted to the acquisition date at a disc ount rate of 9.04%. Gold price volatility was assessed at 18.08%, average gold price for one quarter to the valuation date was 1,291 USD/ounce. As at acquisition date the estimated contingent consideration amounts to US\$ 20 million.
Assets acquired and liabilities recognised at the date of acquisition
As at 31 December 2016, purchase price allocation for the acquisition of Komarovskoye was not completed and mineral rights and environmental obligations were accounted for on a provisional basis. The Group c ompleted the purchase price allocation review during the year ended 31 December 2017 and made no adjustments to the provisional calculation.
The management believes that this business acquisition does not give rise to goodwill and excess of consideration over identifiable net asset assets of the acquiree should be fully attributed the mineral rights. The amount recognised in respect of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are set out in the table below:
| US\$m | |
|---|---|
| Assets acquired and liabilities recognised at the date of acquisition Cash and cash equivalents Property, plant & equipment |
1 140 |
| Inventories Accounts receivable Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
7 1 (2) |
| Environmental obligations Deferred income taxes Other liabilities |
(1) (25) (1) |
| Net assets acquired | 120 |
| Consideration transferred Cash Contingent consideration |
100 20 |
| Total consideration | 120 |
| Net cash out flow on acquisition | 99 |
No significant financial assets were acquired in business combination. No significant acquisition-related costs were incurred.
Saum Mining Company LLC
On 2 December 2016 Polymetal International plc acquired an 80% stake in Saum Mining Company LLC, a licence holder for the Saum polymetallic deposit ("Saum"). Polymetal issued 1,120,690 new Company shares ("Consideration shares"), representing 0.26% of Polymetal's total increased share capital in connection with the acquisition of an 80% stake in Saum from an unrelated party. The total transaction value is approximately US\$ 10. 7 million.
The Saum licence covers an area of 34.2 km2 in Russia's Sverdlovsk region in the Ural Mountains and is located and approximately 240 km from Polymetal's Voro processing plant. Polymetal plans to prepare an Ore Reserves estimate in Q4 2017. Further drilling is planned on the property in 2017 and 2018.
Saum does not meet the definition of a business pursuant to IFRS 3, as it represents acquisition of mining license through a non-operating corporate entity, and thus it is accounted for as an acquisition of a group of assets. The Group purchased mineral rights of US\$ 10 million and other current assets of US\$ 1 million.
3. SEGMENT INFORMATION
During the year ended 31 December 2017 management has reviewed the segmental presentation of financial information it requires to assess performance and allocate resources. It now considers a more geographic -focused reporting format based on the location of operating activities to be more meaningful from a management and forecasting perspective, as well as aligned to the management structure, reporting and practices.
The Group has identified five reportable segments:
- Magadan (Omolon Gold Mining Company LLC, Magadan Silver JSC, Mayskoye Gold Mining Company LLC);
- Ural (Gold of Northern Urals CJSC);
- Khabarovsk (Albazino Resources Ltd, Amur Hydrometallurgical Plant LLC; Okhotskaya Mining and Exploration Company LLC; Svetloye LLC);
- Kazakhstan (Varvarinskoye JSC; Komarovskoye Mining Company LLC; Bakyrchik Mining Venture LLC, Inter Gold Capital LLC);
- Armenia (Kapan MPC CJSC, Lichkvaz CJSC).
Reportable segments are determined based on the Group's internal management reports, which are separated based on the Group's geographical structure. Minor companies and activities (management, exploration, purchasing and other companies) which do not meet the reportable segment criteria are disclosed within corporate and other segment. Each segment is engaged in gold, silver or copper mining and related activities, including exploration, extraction, processing and reclamation. The Group's segments are based in the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Armenia.
The measure which management and the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the CODM) use to evaluate the performance of the Group is segment Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as profit for the period adjusted for depreciation and amortisation, write-downs and reversals of inventory to net realisable value, share-based compensation expenses, rehabilitation expenses, bad debt allowance, gains or losses arising on acquisition or disposal of subsidiaries, foreign exchange gains or losses, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration, finance income, finance costs, income tax expenses and tax exposure accrued within other operating expenses. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with those of the Group's accounting policies under IFRS.
Revenue shown as corporate and other comprises, principally, intersegment revenue relating to the supply of inventories, spare parts and fixed assets, and rendering management services to the Group's production entities. Intersegment revenue is recognised based on costs incurred plus a fixed margin basis. External revenue shown within corporate and other represents revenue from services provided to third parties by the Group's non-mining subsidiaries.
Business segment current assets and liabilities, other than current inventory, are not reviewed by the CODM and therefore are not disclosed in these condensed consolidated financial statements. The segment adjusted EBITDA reconciles to the profit before income tax as follows:
The segment adjusted EBITDA reconciles to the profit before income tax as follows:
| Period ended 31 December 2017 (US\$m) | MAGAD AN | KHABAROVSK | URAL | KAZAKHSTAN | ARMENIA | Total reportable segments |
Corporate and other |
Intersegment operations and balances |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rev enue f rom external customers | 810 | 630 | 155 | 154 | 66 | 1,815 | - | - | 1,815 |
| Intersegment rev enue | - | 14 | 1 | 6 | - | 21 | 218 | (239) | - |
| Cost of sales, excluding depreciation, depletion and write | |||||||||
| down of inv entory to net realisable v alue | 437 | 301 | 43 | 83 | 39 | 903 | 141 | (167) | 877 |
| Cost of sales | 540 | 371 | 56 | 114 | 51 | 1,132 | 141 | (167) | 1,106 |
| Depreciation included in Cost of sales | (94) | (65) | (13) | (29) | (9) | (210) | - | - | (210) |
| Write-down of metal inv entory to net realisable v alue | (12) | (3) | - | (1) | - | (16) | - | - | (16) |
| Write-down of non-metal inv entory to net realisable v alue | 3 | (2) | - | (1) | (3) | (3) | - | - | (3) |
| General, administrativ e and selling expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and share |
|||||||||
| based compensation | 29 | 18 | 5 | 13 | 5 | 70 | 89 | (15) | 144 |
| General, administrativ e and selling expenses | 53 | 35 | 12 | 17 | 5 | 122 | 102 | (66) | 158 |
| Intercompany management serv ices | (23) | (16) | (7) | (3) | - | (49) | (2) | 51 | - |
| Depreciation included in SGA | (1) | (1) | - | (1) | - | (3) | (1) | - | (4) |
| Share based compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | (10) | - | (10) |
| Other operating expenses excluding additional tax | |||||||||
| charges | 24 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 2 - | 56 | 6 | (10) | 52 |
| Other operating expenses | 21 | 11 | 9 | 9 | (4) | 46 | 8 | (10) | 44 |
| Additional mining taxes and VAT exposures, | |||||||||
| penalties and accrued interest | 3 | (1) | 2 | - | 6 | 10 | (2) | - | 8 |
| Share of income of associates and joint v entures | - | 3 | - | 3 | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 320 | 315 | 97 | 55 | 20 | 807 | (15) | (47) | 745 |
| Depreciation expense | 95 | 66 | 13 | 30 | 9 | 213 | 1 | - | 214 |
| Rehabilitation expenses | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Write-down of non-metal inv entory to net realisable v alue | (3) | 2 | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | - | - | 3 |
| Write-down of metal inv entory to net realisable v alue | 12 | 3 | - | 1 | - | 16 | - | - | 16 |
| Share-based compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | 10 | - | 10 |
| Additional mining taxes and VAT exposures, penalties | |||||||||
| and accrued interest | (3) | 1 | (2) | - | (6) | (10) | 2 | - | (8) |
| Operating profit / (loss) Net f oreign exchange gains |
219 | 243 | 86 | 23 | 14 | 585 | (28) | (47) | 510 |
| Change in f air v alue of contingent consideration liability | (10) | ||||||||
| Finance income | 2 4 |
||||||||
| Finance costs | (63) | ||||||||
| Profit before tax | 443 | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | (89) | ||||||||
| Profit for the financial period | 354 | ||||||||
| Current metal inv entories | 130 | 125 | 42 | 30 | 6 | 333 | - | (5) | 328 |
| Current non-metal inv entories | 99 | 48 | 6 | 21 | 4 | 178 | 17 | (9) | 186 |
| Non-current segment assets: | |||||||||
| Property , plant and equipment, net | 469 | 443 | 46 | 892 | 66 | 1,916 | 138 | - | 2,054 |
| Goodwill | 18 | - | - | - | - | 18 | - | - | 18 |
| Non-current inv entory | 86 | 13 | 2 | 23 | 1 | 125 | - | (2) | 123 |
| Inv estments in associates | - | - | - | - | - | - | 96 | - | 96 |
| Total segment assets | 802 | 629 | 96 | 966 | 77 | 2,570 | 251 | (16) | 2,805 |
| Additions to non-current assets: | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Property , plant and equipment | 106 | 114 | 9 | 165 | 24 | 418 | 13 | - | 431 |
| Acquisition of group of assets | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | 2 |
Polymetal International plc 38
| Period ended 31 December 2016 (US\$m) | MAGAD AN | KHABAROVSK | URAL | KAZAKHSTAN | ARMENIA | Total reportable segments |
Corporate and other |
Intersegment operations and balances |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rev enue f rom external customers | 823 | 473 | 157 | 101 | 29 | 1 583 | - | - | 1 583 |
| Intersegment rev enue | - | 6 | - | - | - | 6 | 196 | (202) | - |
| Cost of sales, excluding depreciation, depletion and write | |||||||||
| down of inv entory to net realisable v alue | 362 | 203 | 36 | 61 | 19 | 681 | 134 | (149) | 666 |
| Cost of sales | 461 | 258 | 47 | 72 | 23 | 861 | 134 | (149) | 846 |
| Write-down of metal inv entory to net realisable v alue | (16) | (5) | - | - | - | (21) | - | - | (21) |
| Depreciation included in cost of sales | (79) | (47) | (11) | (11) | (4) | (152) | - | - | (152) |
| Write-down of non-metal inv entory to net realisable v alue | (3) | (3) | - | - | - | (6) | - | - | (6) |
| Rehabilitation expenses | (1) | - | - | - | - | (1) | - | - | (1) |
| General, administrativ e and selling expenses, | |||||||||
| excluding depreciation, amortization and share | 23 | 14 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 53 | 69 | (12) | 110 |
| based compensation | |||||||||
| General, administrativ e and selling expenses | 41 | 27 | 10 | 11 | 3 | 92 | 79 | (51) | 120 |
| Intercompany management serv ices | (18) | (12) | (6) | (1) | - | (37) | (2) | 39 | - |
| Depreciation included in SGA | - | (1) | - | (1) | - | (2) | (1) | - | (3) |
| Share based compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | (7) | - | (7) |
| Other operating expenses excluding additional tax charges | 26 - | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 - | 40 | 10 | (2) | 48 |
| Other operating expenses | 11 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 28 | 10 | (2) | 36 |
| Bad debt allowance | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Additional mining taxes and VAT exposures, penalties and | |||||||||
| accrued interest | 15 | - | (1) | - | (2) | 12 | - | - | 12 |
| Share of income of associates and joint v entures | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 815 | - | ||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA Depreciation expense |
412 79 |
256 48 |
113 11 |
28 12 |
6 4 |
154 | (17) 1 |
(39) - |
759 |
| Rehabilitation expenses | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | 155 |
| 1 | |||||||||
| Write-down of non-metal inv entory to net realisable v alue | 3 | 3 | - | - | - | 6 | - | - | 6 |
| Write-down of metal inv entory to net realisable v alue Share-based compensation |
16 - |
5 - |
- - |
- - |
- - |
21 - |
- 7 |
- - |
21 |
| Bad debt allowance | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7 |
| Additional mining taxes and VAT exposures, penalties and | - | ||||||||
| accrued interest | (15) | - | 1 | - | 2 | (12) | - | - | (12) |
| Operating profit / (loss) | 328 | 200 | 101 | 16 | - | 645 | (25) | (39) | 581 |
| Net f oreign exchange gains | 65 | ||||||||
| Change in f air v alue of contingent consideration liability | (22) | ||||||||
| Finance income | 3 | ||||||||
| Finance costs | (63) | ||||||||
| Profit before tax | 564 | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | (169) | ||||||||
| Profit for the financial period | 395 | ||||||||
| Current metal inv entories | 130 | 105 | 38 | 43 | 6 | 322 | - | (7) | 315 |
| Current non-metal inv entories | 86 | 50 | 5 | 16 | 7 | 164 | 23 | (9) | 178 |
| Non-current segment assets: | |||||||||
| Property , plant and equipment, net | 436 | 377 | 49 | 773 | 50 | 1 685 | 144 | (24) | 1 805 |
| Goodwill Non-current inv entory |
17 94 |
- 13 |
- 2 |
- 4 |
- 1 |
17 114 |
- - |
- (1) |
17 |
| 113 | |||||||||
| Inv estments in associates | - | - | - | - | - | - | 25 | - | 25 |
| Total segment assets | 763 | 545 | 94 | 836 | 64 | 2 302 | 192 | (41) | 2 453 |
| Additions to non-current assets: | |||||||||
| Property , plant and equipment | 78 | 73 | 7 | 108 | 13 | 279 | 9 | - | 288 |
| Acquisition of group of assets | - | - | - | 140 | 21 | 161 | 10 | - | 171 |
4. REVENUE
Revenue analysed by geographical regions of customers is presented below:
| Year ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |||
| US\$m | US\$m | |||
| Sales within the Russian Federation | 1,090 | 899 | ||
| Sales to Kazakhstan | 301 | 295 | ||
| Sales to Europe | 224 | 205 | ||
| Sales to East Asia | 200 | 184 | ||
| Total | 1,815 | 1,583 |
Included in revenues for the year ended 31 December 2017 are revenues which arose from sales of the Group's largest customers, those share in revenue exceeds 10% of the total, amounting to US\$ 610 million, US\$ 200 million, US\$ 167 and US\$ 136 million, respectively (2016: US\$ 416 million, US\$ 281 million and US\$ 206 million, respectively). Presented below is an analysis of revenue from gold, silver, zinc and copper sales:
| Year ended 31 December 2017 | Year ended 31 December 2016 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thousand ounces/ tonnes shipped |
Thousand ounces/ tonnes payable |
Average price (US Dollar per troy ounce/tonne payable) |
US\$m | Thousand ounces/ tonnes (unaudited) shipped |
Thousand ounces/ tonnes (unaudited) payable |
Average price (US Dollar per troy ounce/tonne payable) (unaudited) |
US\$m | |
| Gold (thousand ounces) | 1,105 | 1,090 | 1,247 | 1,359 | 882 | 880 | 1,216 | 1,070 |
| Silver (thousand ounces) | 26,888 | 26,469 | 16.1 | 426 | 31,099 | 30,666 | 16.3 | 500 |
| Copper (tonnes) | 2,717 | 2,573 | 6,607 | 17 | 1,689 | 1,634 | 4,896 | 8 |
| Zinc (tonnes) | 5,466 | 4,679 | 2,779 | 13 | 3,246 | 2,800 | 1,786 | 5 |
| Total | 1,815 | 1,583 |
5. COST OF SALES
| Year ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |||
| US\$m | US\$m | |||
| Cash operating costs | ||||
| On-mine costs (Note 6) | 414 | 320 | ||
| Smelting costs (Note 7) | 316 | 259 | ||
| Purchase of ore and concentrates from third parties | 54 | 27 | ||
| Purchase of ore from related parties (Note 23) | 38 | 11 | ||
| Mining tax | 88 | 82 | ||
| Total cash operating costs | 910 | 699 | ||
| Depreciation and depletion of operating assets (Note 8) | 193 | 162 | ||
| Rehabilitation expenses | - | 1 | ||
| Total costs of production | 1,103 | 862 | ||
| Increase in metal inventories | (26) | (51) | ||
| Write-down of metal inventories to net realisable value (Note 17) Write-down of non-metal inventories to net realisable value (Note |
16 | 21 | ||
| 17) | 3 | 6 | ||
| Idle capacities and abnormal production costs | 10 | 8 | ||
| Total | 1,106 | 846 |
Mining tax includes royalties payable in Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Armenia. Mining tax in Russian Federation and Kazakhstan is calculated based on the value of the precious metals extracted in the period. This value is usually determined based on the realised selling price of precious metals or, in case if there were no sales during the period, cost of production of metals extracted (Russian Federation) or the average market price (Kazakhstan) during the period. The royalty payable in Armenia is calculated as a percentage of actual sales during the reporting period.
Mining tax in respect of the metal inventories produced or sold during the year is recognised within cost of sales, while the additional mining tax accruals in respect of various disputes with tax authorities are recognised within other expenses (see Note 10).
Idle capacities and abnormal production costs were expensed as incurred and relate to idle capacities when processing plants are stopped for general maintenance.
6. ON-MINE COSTS
| Year ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |
| US\$m | US\$m | |
| Services | 192 | 139 |
| Labour | 118 | 97 |
| Consumables and spare parts | 101 | 79 |
| Other expenses | 3 | 5 |
| Total (Note 5) | 414 | 320 |
7. SMELTING COSTS
| Year ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |
| US\$m | US\$m | |
| Consumables and spare parts | 132 | 114 |
| Services | 116 | 93 |
| Labour | 65 | 50 |
| Other expenses | 3 | 2 |
| Total (Note 5) | 316 | 259 |
8. DEPLETION AND DEPRECIATION OF OPERATING ASSETS
| Year ended | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | ||||
| US\$m | US\$m | ||||
| On-mine | 137 | 117 | |||
| Smelting | 56 | 45 | |||
| Total (Note 5) | 193 | 162 |
Depreciation of operating assets excludes depreciation relating to non-operating assets (included in general, administrative and selling expenses) and depreciation related to assets employed in development projects where the charge is capitalised. Depreciation expense, which is excluded from the Group's calculation of Adjusted EBITDA (see Note 3), also excludes amounts absorbed into unsold metal inventory balances.
9. GENERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND SELLING EXPENSES
| Year ended | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | ||||
| US\$m | US\$m | ||||
| Labour | 116 | 87 | |||
| Services | 11 | 10 | |||
| Share based compensation | 10 | 7 | |||
| Depreciation | 4 | 3 | |||
| Other | 17 | 13 | |||
| Total | 158 | 120 | |||
10. OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES, NET
| Year ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | ||
| US\$m | US\$m | ||
| Additional mining taxes and VAT exposures, penalties and accrued | |||
| interest, net | (8) | (12) | |
| Exploration expenses | 18 | 10 | |
| Social payments | 15 | 10 | |
| Provision for investment in Special Economic Zone | 12 | 14 | |
| Taxes, other than income tax | 11 | 11 | |
| Housing and communal services | 4 | 4 | |
| Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 1 | 1 | |
| Change in estimate of environmental obligations | (4) | (5) | |
| Other expenses | (5) | 3 | |
| Total | 44 | 36 |
From 1 January 2017 Omolon Gold Mining Company LLC and Magadan Silver JSC are entitled to the decreased statutory income tax rate of 17% (2016: 18%) for the operations held in the Special Economic Zone of the Russian Far East, as well as decreased mining tax rate (paying at 60% of the standard mining tax rates). In return for obtaining this tax relief the members of the regional free economic zone are obliged to invest 50% of their tax savings each year in the Special Economic Zone Development Programme, amounting to US\$ 12 million in the reporting year (2016: US\$ 14 million).
Additional mining taxes, VAT, penalties and accrued interest have been accrued in respect of various disputes with the Russian and Armenian tax authorities.
Total provision for additional property taxes, mining taxes and VAT exposures, penalties and accrued interest as of 31 December 2017 is US\$ 7 million (2016: 31 December 2016: US\$ 14 million). During the year ended 31 December 2017 the Group has paid US\$ 6 million related to royalty provisions identified as of 31 December 2016 and released US\$ 6 million of accrued penalties and interest due to settlement with tax authorities at Kapan. There were no other individually significant movement in tax provisions.
During the year ended 31 December 2016 following the favourable court decisions the Group has recognised the reversal of the previously recognised and paid additional mining tax charge at Magadan Silver JSC amounting to US\$ 14 million. There were no other individually significant movement in tax provisions during the year ended 31 December 2016.
Exploration expenses include write downs of US\$ 2 million (2016: US\$ 1 million) recognised within Exploration and Development assets (Note 15). Operating cash flow spent on exploration activities amounts to US\$ 16 million (2016: US\$ 11 million).
11. EMPLOYEE COSTS
| Year ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |||
| US\$m | US\$m | |||
| Wages and salaries | 275 | 215 | ||
| Social security costs | 78 | 51 | ||
| Share-based compensation | 10 | 7 | ||
| Total payroll costs | 363 | 273 | ||
| Reconciliation: | ||||
| (Less): employee costs capitalised | (40) | (26) | ||
| Add/(Less): employee costs absorbed into unsold metal | ||||
| inventory balances | 12 | (5) | ||
| Employee costs included in operating costs | 335 | 242 | ||
The weighted average number of employees during the year ended 31 December 2017 and year ended 31 December 2016 was:
| Year ended | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | ||||
| Magadan | 3,554 | 3,564 | |||
| Khabarovsk | 2,529 | 2,619 | |||
| Kazakhstan | 1,634 | 1,517 | |||
| Armenia | 1,007 | 770 | |||
| Ural | 810 | 878 | |||
| Corporate and other | 1,419 | 1,465 | |||
| Total | 10,953 | 10,813 |
Compensation of key management personnel is disclosed within Note 23.
12. FINANCE COSTS
| Year ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |||
| US\$m | US\$m | |||
| Interest expense on borrowings | 57 | 58 | ||
| Unwinding of discount on environmental obligations | 3 | 4 | ||
| Unwinding of discount on contingent considerations | 3 | 1 | ||
| Total | 63 | 63 |
Interest expense on borrowings excludes borrowing costs capitalised in the cost of qualifying assets of US\$ 8 million and US\$ 5 million during the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016, respectively. These amounts were calculated based on the Group's general borrowing pool and by applying an effective interest rate of 3.96% and 4.33%, respectively, to cumulative expenditure on such assets.
13. INCOME TAX
The amount of income tax expense for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016 recognised in profit and loss is as follows:
| Year ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |||
| US\$m | US\$m | |||
| Current income taxes | 111 | 139 | ||
| Deferred income taxes | (22) | 30 | ||
| Total | 89 | 169 |
A reconciliation between the reported amounts of income tax expense attributable to income before income tax is as follows:
| Year ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | ||
| US\$m | US\$m | ||
| Profit before income tax | 443 | 564 | |
| Theoretical income tax expense at the tax rate of 20% | 89 | 113 | |
| Effect of Special Economic Zone and Regional Investment project decreased tax | |||
| rates | (25) | (10) | |
| Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions | 5 | 6 | |
| Current year losses not recognized and losses previously recognised written-off | 9 | 7 | |
| Non-deductible interest expense | 5 | 14 | |
| Effect of dissolution of the subsidiary | - | 25 | |
| Other non-taxable income and non-deductible expenses | 6 | 14 | |
| Total income tax expense | 89 | 169 |
The actual tax expense differs from the amount which would have been determined by applying the statutory rate of 20% for the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Armenia to profit before income tax as a result of the application of relevant jurisdictional tax regulations, which disallow certain deductions which are included in the determination of accounting profit. These deductions include share-based payment expenses, social related expenditures and other non-production costs, certain general and administrative expenses, financing expenses, foreign exchange related and other costs.
As from 1 January 2017 Omolon Gold Mining Company LLC and Magadan Silver JSC are entitled to the decreased statutory income tax rate of 17% for the operations held in the Special Economic Zone of the Russian Far East (2016: 18%), the rate of 17% was used in calculation of income tax provision and deferred tax positions for those entities. From 1 January 2017 Svetloye LLC has received tax relief as Regional Investment Project and is entitled to the statutory income tax rate of 0% up to 2021.
In the normal course of business, the Group is subject to examination by the tax authorities throughout the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Armenia. Of the large operating companies of the Group, the tax authorities have audited Okhotskaya Mining and Exploration Company LLC up to 2014, Omolon Gold Mining Company LLC up to 2013, Gold of Northern Urals CJSC and Magadan Silver JSC up to 2012, Mayskoye Gold Mining Company LLC up to 2010, and Varvarinskoye JSC for the period up to 2010. According to Russian, Kazakhstan and Armenian tax legislation, previously completed audits do not fully preclude subsequent claims relating to the audited period.
Tax exposures recognised in income tax
During the year ended 31 December 2017 and the year ended 31 December 2016 no individual significant exposures were identified as probable and provided for. Management has identified a total exposure (covering taxes and related interest and penalties) of approximately US\$ 5 million in respect of uncertain tax positions (31 December 2016: US\$ 4 million) which relate to income tax.
Income tax amounts included in other comprehensive income
An analysis of tax by individual item presented in the condensed consolidates statement of comprehensive income is presented below:
| Year ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |||
| US\$m | US\$m | |||
| Net foreign exchange gains/(losses) on net investment in foreign operation | ||||
| Current tax expense | (2) | (6) | ||
| Deferred tax expense | (3) | (1) | ||
| Total income tax recognised in other comprehensive income | (5) | (7) |
Current and deferred tax assets recognised within other comprehensive income relates to the tax losses originated by foreign currency exchange losses, allowable for tax purposes and generated by monetary items that forms part of the intragroup net investment in the foreign operation. These foreign currency exchange losses are recognised in the condensed consolidated financial statements within foreign currency translation reserve.
Deferred taxation
Deferred taxation is attributable to the temporary differences that exist between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the reporting period.
| Environmental obligation US\$m |
Inventories US\$m |
Property, plant, and equipment and other non current assets US\$m |
Trade and other payables Tax losses US\$m |
US\$m | Long-term loans and payables US\$m |
Intercompany loans US\$m |
Other current assets US\$m |
Total US\$m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 January 2016 | 6 | (14) | (127) | 6 | 130 | 2 | - | 4 | 7 |
| Charge to income statement | (1) | 6 | 7 1 |
(37) | - | (6) | - | (30) | |
| Acquisition (Note 2) | - 1 |
(21) | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | (16) | |
| Recognised in other comprehensiv e income |
- | - | - | - 1 |
- | - | - | 1 | |
| Exchange dif f erences | 2 | (3) | (12) | 1 | 9 | - | - | 1 | (2) |
| At 31 December 2016 | 7 | (10) | (153) | 10 | 105 | 2 | (6) | 5 | (40) |
| Charge to income statement Recognised in other |
- | 12 | (3) | (2) | 18 | (1) | (1) | (1) | 22 |
| comprehensiv e income | - | - | - | - - |
- | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Exchange dif f erences | - | (1) | (3) | - 3 |
- | - | - | (1) | |
| At 31 December 2017 | 7 | 1 | (159) | 8 | 126 | 1 | (4) | 4 | (16) |
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the Group has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following analysis shows deferred tax balances presented for financial reporting purposes:
| Year ended | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | ||||
| US\$m | US\$m | ||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | (77) | (78) | |||
| Deferred tax assets | 61 | 38 | |||
| (16) | (40) |
The Group believes that recoverability of the recognised deferred tax asset (DTA) of US\$ 126 million at 31 December 2017 is more likely than not based upon expectations of future taxable income in the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan and available tax planning strategies.
Effective from 1 January 2017 there are changes introduced to the Russian Federation tax law regarding loss carryforwards. Loss carryforwards will be limited to 50% of taxable profit in tax years 2017 through 2020. From 2021 the limitation will expire and it will be possible to fully utilise loss carryforwards against the corporate tax base in a given year. In addition to the above, the 10-year carryforward period for losses is eliminated, meaning that losses incurred from 2007 can be carried forward for an indefinite period until fully utilised.
Losses incurred in certain taxable entities in recent years have created a history of losses as of 31 December 2017. The Group has concluded that there is sufficient evidence to overcome the recent history of losses based on forecasts of sufficient taxable income in the carry-forward period.
Tax losses carried forward represent amounts available for offset against future taxable income generated by Mayskoye Gold Mining Company LLC, Varvarinskoye JSC and Bakyrchik Mining Venture LLC. Each legal entity within the Group represents a separate tax-paying component for income tax purposes. The tax losses of one entity cannot be used to reduce taxable income of other entities of the Group. Tax losses carried forward of US\$ 448 million (2016: US\$ 435 million) recognised in Varvarinskoye JSC and Bakyrchik Mining Venture LLC are available during the period up to 2026, with the most significant portion expiring in 2025.
The Group's estimate of future taxable income is based on established proven and probable reserves which can be economically developed. The related detailed mine plans and forecasts provide sufficient supporting evidence that the Group will generate taxable earnings to be able to fully realise its net DTA even under various stressed scenarios. The amount of the DTA considered realisable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period are reduced due to delays in production start dates, decreases in ore reserve estimates, increases in environmental obligations, or reductions in precious metal prices.
No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of US\$ 90 million (2016: US\$ 96 million) as it is not considered probable that there will be future taxable profits against which the losses can be utilised. No deferred tax was recognised in relation to Svetloye tax losses, accumulated by 1 January 2016, were the entity has received tax relief as Regional Investment Project and is entitled to the statutory income tax rate of 0% up to 2021, thus will not be able to utilise accumulated losses. Included in unrecognised tax losses are losses of US\$ 30 million that mainly expire in 2025. Other losses may be carried forward indefinitely in accordance with enacted changes to Russian Federation legislation described above.
The deferred tax liabilities for taxes that would be payable on the unremitted earnings of certain of the Group subsidiaries have not been recognised as the Group has determined that the undistributed profit of its subsidiaries will not be distributed in the foreseeable future. The temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, for which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised, amount to US\$ 2,737 million (2016: US\$ 2,147 million).
14. DIVIDENDS
Dividends recognised during the years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016 are detailed in the below:
| Dividends | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cents per share |
US\$m | deducted from the equity during the period |
proposed in relation to the period |
Paid in | ||
| Final dividend 2015 | 13 | 56 | May 2016 | 2015 | May 2016 | |
| Interim dividend 2016 | 9 | 38 | September 2016 | 2016 | September 2016 | |
| Special dividend 2016 | 15 | 64 | December 2016 | 2016 | December 2016 | |
| Final dividend 2016 | 18 | 78 | March 2017 | 2016 | May 2017 | |
| Interim dividend 2017 | 14 | 60 | September 2017 | 2017 | September 2017 | |
| Final dividend 2017 | 30 | 129 | n/a | 2017 | n/a | |
| Total dividends for the year ended 31 December 2016 |
158 | 180 | 158 | |||
| Total dividends for the year ended 31 December 2017 |
138 | 189 | 138 |
15. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
| Development assets |
Exploration assets |
Mining assets |
Non-mining assets |
Capital construction in-progress |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | |
| Cost | ||||||
| Balance at 31 December 2015 | 518 | 98 | 1,174 | 44 | 104 | 1,938 |
| Additions | 39 | 26 | 143 | 7 | 73 | 288 |
| Transfers | (28) | - | 73 | (2) | (43) | - |
| Change in decommissioning liabilities | - | - | (3) | - | - | (3) |
| Acquisitions (Note 2) | - | 10 | 152 | 9 | - | 171 |
| Disposals and write-offs including fully | ||||||
| depleted mines | - | (1) | (23) | (2) | (1) | (27) |
| Translation to presentation currency | 35 | 7 | 234 | 9 | 17 | 302 |
| Balance at 31 December 2016 | 564 | 140 | 1,750 | 65 | 150 | 2,669 |
| Additions | 77 | 35 | 141 | 4 | 174 | 431 |
| Transfers | 4 | (29) | 89 | (9) | (55) | - |
| Change in decommissioning liabilities | - | - | - | - | 3 | 3 |
| Acquisitions (Note 2) | - | 2 | - | - | - | 2 |
| Disposals and write-offs including fully | ||||||
| depleted mines | - | (2) | (32) | (1) | (1) | (36) |
| Translation to presentation currency | 10 | 4 | 76 | 2 | 5 | 97 |
| Balance at 31 December 2017 | 655 | 150 | 2,024 | 61 | 276 | 3,166 |
| Development assets |
Exploration assets |
Mining assets |
Non-mining assets |
Capital construction in-progress |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | |
| Accumulated depreciation, amortisation Charge for the period Disposals and write-offs including fully |
- - |
- - |
(560) (182) |
(18) (5) |
- - |
(578) (187) |
| depleted mines | - | - | 18 | 1 | - | 19 |
| Translation to presentation currency Balance at 31 December 2016 Charge for the period |
- - - |
- - - |
(115) (839) (227) |
(3) (25) (5) |
- - - |
(118) (864) (232) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disposals and write-offs including fully depleted mines Translation to presentation currency Balance at 31 December 2017 |
- - - |
- - - |
28 (43) (1,081) |
- (1) (31) |
- - - |
28 (44) (1,112) |
| Net book value 31 December 2016 31 December 2017 |
564 655 |
140 150 |
911 943 |
40 30 |
150 276 |
1,805 2,054 |
Mining assets, exploration and development assets at 31 December 2017 included mineral rights with net book value which amounted to US\$ 735 million (31 December 2016: US\$ 756 million) and capitalised stripping costs with net book value of US\$ 50 million (31 December 2016: US\$ 32 million). Mineral rights of the Group comprise assets acquired upon acquisition of subsidiaries and asset acquisitions.
No property, plant and equipment was pledged as collateral at 31 December 2017 or at 31 December 2016.
16. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voting power % | Carrying Value | Voting power % | Carrying Value | |
| US\$m | US\$m | |||
| Interests in associates and joint ventures | ||||
| JSC South-Verkhoyansk Mining Company (Nezhda) | 17.66 | 28 | 17.66 | 21 |
| GRK Amikan | 42.65 | 7 | 42.65 | 2 |
| Prognoz Serebro LLC | 5 | 5 | n/a | - |
| Proeks LLC | 30 | 2 | 24.9 | 2 |
| Aktogai Mys LLC | 50 | 2 | 25 | - |
| Total | 44 | 25 | ||
| Loans forming part of the net investment in joint ventures | ||||
| JSC South-Verkhoyansk Mining Company (Nezhda) | 39 | - | ||
| Prognoz Serebro LLC | 13 | - | ||
| 52 | 0 | |||
| Total investments in associates and joint ventures | 96 | 25 |
JSC South-Verkhoyansk Mining Company
In December 2015 Polymetal International plc entered into a joint arrangement, under which Polymetal participates in advancing the development of the Nezhdaninskoye gold deposit (Nezhda) in Yakutia, Russia. On 19 January 2016 Polymetal obtained a 15.3% interest in the joint venture entity holding the 100% of the Company for the total cash consideration of US\$ 18 million. It was determined that the arrangement meets definition of a joint arrangement as per IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements, as joint control of two investors was established. As the arrangement is structured thorough the separate vehicle and the investors have rights for their share in net assets of the joint arrangement, it was concluded that joint arrangement meets definition of the joint venture and should be accounted for using equity method of accounting.
In November 2016 Polymetal increased its share in JSC South-Verkhoyansk Mining Company (Nezhda) to 17.66% for cash consideration of US\$ 3 million.
In July 2017 Polymetal has agreed to acquire an additional 7% in the JSC South-Verkhoyansk Mining Company (Nezhda) for a cash consideration of US\$ 8 million, from its joint venture partner, Ivan Kulakov. Simultaneously, Polymetal has acquired an option to buy out the remaining 75.3% in Nezhda (the "Call option"). The Call Option premium comprised US\$ 12 million (Note 18) in cash payable upfront and is exercisable based on the following terms:
Following the preparation of the initial JORC-compliant ore reserve estimate for the open-pittable reserves, Polymetal will have the option to acquire the remaining stake for US\$ 100 per ounce of attributable gold reserves (equivalent to US\$ 75.3/oz multiplied by total reserve ounces). The total consideration shall not be
less than US\$ 105 million and not more than US\$ 180 million. US\$ 10 million of the consideration will be paid in cash, and the remaining amount will be paid in the Polymetal's shares;
- The Call Option is exercisable between 1 February and 1 June 2018 entirely at Polymetal's discretion;
- Should Polymetal decide not to proceed with the exercise of the Call Option, Polymetal will have a put option to sell its 24.7% stake to Mr. Kulakov's investment vehicle, Pallavicino Holdings Ltd, an unrelated party, at a notional cost of EUR 1 thousand;
- As of the reporting date, the completion of the sale and purchase of the additional 7% share in the JV and exercise of the Call Option are subject to approval by the Russian Federal Government's Commission on Foreign Investments into Companies of Strategic Importance. The exercise of the Call Option is also subject to approval by the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service.
The Group has determined that the increase in shareholding does not represent a significant change in circumstances that indicate a change in joint control and Nezhda continues to meet the definition of a joint venture. Cash consideration of US\$ 8 million paid for the additional stake is accounted for as part of the net investment in the joint venture. The Group has a legal right to recovery of this \$8 million in the event that the associated transaction does not receive the required approvals. The Group has performed a fair value valuation of the Call Option at origination date and as of 31 December 2017 (Note 21) and has determined that its fair value approximates to its cost of US\$ 12 million (Note 18).
The directors are confident that the necessary approvals will be received before the option expires, and also believe that they will be able to extend the option by taking other mitigating actions if required. However, there remains a risk that the Group will not be able to exercise the option, in which case the management will reassess the recoverability of the investment which could lead to a material impairment charge.
Prognoz Serebro LLC
In January 2017 the Group entered into an agreement with Polar Acquisition Ltd (PAL), under which Polymetal will participate in the development of the Prognoz silver deposit in Yakutia, Russia ("Prognoz"). Under the agreement, Polymetal acquired a 5% interest in Prognoz for US\$ 5 million (including US\$ 2 million of related expenses) in cash through the purchase of 10% of Polar Silver Resources' share capital, the entity holding a 50% interest in Prognoz, with the remaining 50% owned by a group of private investors. The arrangement allows Polymetal to acquire from PAL their remaining 45% interest in Prognoz for a consideration based on the JORC compliant reserves estimate upon completion of the technical study. The Group has determined that Prognoz constitutes a joint venture under IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements and therefore the investment was accounted for using the equity method.
GRK Amikan
GRK Amikan is a production company which holds 100% interest in Veduga gold deposit in the Krasnoyarsk region of the Russian Federation. During the year ended 31 December 2017 the Group has purchased ore from GRK Amikan for the total amount of US\$ 35 million (2016: US\$ 11 million) (Note 23) and eliminated unrealised profit on inventories not yet processed against its share of net profit in GRK Amikan.
Aktogai Mys LLC
In June 2015 Polymetal purchased a 25% stake in the company Aktogai Mys LLC that owns Dolinnoye exploration licence in Kazakhstan Republic (including part of intracompany loan) from the unrelated party. At the same time Polymetal has also entered into an agreement to finance, organize and ensure execution of exploration activities: to obtain permission and approvals for drilling from competent authorities, to perform no more than 20 km of exploration drilling, technical research as well as JORC feasibility study in exchange for a right to increase its share in the project up to 50% after the completion of these tasks.
By 2017 the earn-in conditions have been satisfied by extensive exploration and the preparation of a JORC-compliant reserve estimate for the property. In June 2017 the earn-in arrangement between Polymetal and its partner was completed and Polymetal has acquired an additional 25% interest in the Aktogai Mys LLC for a net consideration of US\$ 1 million. In September 2017 Polymetal contributed US\$ 2 million to Aktogai Mys charter capital.
The Group has determined that Aktogai Mys LLC continues to constitute a joint venture under IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements and the investment is accounted for using the equity method.
During the year ended 31 December 2017 the Group has purchased ore from Aktogai Mys LLC for the total amount of US\$ 3 million (2016: nil) (Note 23) and eliminated unrealised profit on inventories not yet processed against its share of net profit in Aktogai Mys LLC.
Proeks LLC
In November 2015 the Group acquire a 24.9% share in a diamond exploration project located in North-West of Russian Federation for the cash consideration of a US\$ 2 million. During the year ended 31 December 2017 the Group has increased its share in Proeks LLC to 30% for the consideration of US\$ 1 million. The Group determined that it has significant influence in the entity and the investment is accounted for using the equity method.
Prognoz Serebro LLC, Aktogai Mys LLC and Proeks LLC do not represent equity method investments that are individually material.
The following table summarises the aggregate financial position and the Group's share of net profit/(losses) of the investments:
| Non-significant | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nezhda | Amikan | Total | Total | |||||||
| 31 December 2017 31 December 2017 31 December 2017 | investments | 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |||||||
| US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | ||||||
| Non-current assets | 77 | 40 | 46 | 163 | 99 | |||||
| Current assets | 18 | 41 | 15 | 74 | 59 | |||||
| Non-current liabilities | (45) | (39) | (63) | (147) | (87) | |||||
| Current liabilities | (6) | (3) | (6) | (15) | (9) | |||||
| Net assets | 44 | 39 | (8 ) | 75 | 62 | |||||
| Revenue | - | 36 | 3 | 39 | 41 | |||||
| (Loss)/ profit for financial period Group's share in investment net |
(5) | 11 | (3) | 3 | 10 | |||||
| income/(loss) less prior year unrecognised losses Share of profit recognised for the |
(1) | 5 | (1) | 3 | 2 | |||||
| year less inventories unrealised profit eliminations |
(1) | 6 | (2) | 3 | - |
17. INVENTORIES
| Year ended | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | ||||
| US\$m | US\$m | ||||
| Inventories expected to be recovered after twelve months | |||||
| Ore stock piles | 86 | 80 | |||
| Consumables and spare parts | 37 | 33 | |||
| Total non-current inventories | 123 | 113 | |||
| Inventories expected to be recovered in the next twelve months | |||||
| Сopper, gold and silver concentrate | 103 | 95 | |||
| Ore stock piles | 144 | 157 | |||
| Work in-process | 57 | 42 | |||
| Doré | 13 | 12 | |||
| Refined metals | 2 | 3 | |||
| Metal for refining | 9 | 6 | |||
| Total metal inventories | 328 | 315 | |||
| Consumables and spare parts | 186 | 178 | |||
| Total | 514 | 493 |
Write-downs of metal inventories to net realisable value
The Group recognised the following (write-downs)/reversals to net realisable value of its metal inventories:
| Year ended 31 December 2017 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khabarovsk US\$m |
Magadan US\$m |
Kazakhstan US\$m |
Total operating segments US\$m |
December 2016 Total operating segments US\$m |
||||
| Ore stock piles Ore in heap leach piles Сopper, gold and silver concentrate |
(3) - - |
(11) (3) 2 |
(1) - - |
(15) (3) 2 |
(14) (5) (2) |
|||
| Total | (3) | (12) | (1) | (16) | (21) |
The key assumptions used as at 31 December 2017 in determining net realisable value of inventories (including the commodity price assumptions for long-term stockpiles) were consistent with those used in the goodwill impairment review. For short-term metal inventories applicable forward prices as of 31 December 2017 were used.
During the year ended 31 December 2017 the Group provided for obsolete consumables and spare parts inventory in the amount of US\$ 3 million (year ended 31 December 2016: write-down of US\$ 6 million).
The amount of inventories held at net realisable value at 31 December 2017 is US\$ 60 million (31 December 2016: US\$ 45 million).
18. TRADE RECIEVABLES AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
| Year ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |||
| US\$m | US\$m | |||
| Receivables from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales | 26 | 35 | ||
| Other receivables | 15 | 25 | ||
| Аccounts receivable from related parties (Note 23) | 8 | - | ||
| Less: Allowance for doubtful debts | (2) | (3) | ||
| Total trade and other receivables | 47 | 57 | ||
| Call option related to the Nezhda acquisition (Note 16) | 12 | - | ||
| Short-term loans provided to related parties (Note 23) | 7 | 7 | ||
| Short-term loans provided to third parties | 5 | 6 | ||
| Total other short-term financial instruments | 24 | 13 | ||
| Total | 71 | 70 |
The average credit period on sales of copper, gold and silver concentrate at 31 December 2017 was 20 days (2016: 20 days). No interest is charged on trade receivables. The Group's allowance for doubtful debt relates to its non-trade receivables. There are no trade receivables either past due or impaired as at 31 December 2017 (31 December 2016: US\$ nil).
19. BORROWINGS
Borrowings at amortised cost:
| Actual interest rate at | 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of rate | 31 Dec 2017 31 Dec 2016 Current Non-current | Total | Current Non-current | Total | |||||
| US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | ||||
| Secured loans from third parties | |||||||||
| U.S. Dollar denominated | floating | 3.85% | - | - | - | 98 | 638 | 736 | |
| U.S. Dollar denominated | fixed | 4.10% | 4.10% | - | 436 | 436 | - | 61 | 61 |
| Total | - | 436 | 436 | 98 | 699 | 797 | |||
| Unsecured loans from third parties | |||||||||
| U.S. Dollar denominated | floating | 3.73% | 3.96% | - | 834 | 834 | - | 500 | 500 |
| U.S. Dollar denominated | fixed | 6.17% | 7.50% | 26 | 152 | 178 | - | 78 | 78 |
| Euro denominated | fixed | 2.85% | 2.85% | - | 8 | 8 | - | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 26 | 994 | 1,020 | - | 581 | 581 | |||
| 26 | 1,430 | 1,456 | 98 | 1,280 | 1,378 |
Bank loans
The Group has a number of borrowing arrangements with various lenders. These borrowings consist of unsecured and secured loans and credit facilities denominated in U.S. Dollars. Where security is provided it is in form of a pledge of revenue from certain sales agreements.
Movements in borrowings are reconciled as follows:
| 1 January US\$m |
Borrowings obtained US\$m |
Repayments of borrowings US\$m |
Net foreign exchange losses US\$m |
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations US\$m |
Arrangement fee amortisation US\$m |
31 December US\$m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended 31 December 2016 |
1,350 | 1,436 | (1,410) | (108) | 108 | 2 | 1,378 |
| Year ended 31 December 2017 |
1,378 | 3,108 | (3,033) | (14) | 14 | 3 | 1,456 |
At 31 December 2017, the Group had undrawn borrowing facilities of US\$ 1,361 million (31 December 2016: US\$ 998 million). The Group complied with its debt covenants throughout 2017 and 2016.
The table below summarises maturities of borrowings:
| Year ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |||
| US\$m | US\$m | |||
| Year ended, 31 December 2017 | - | 98 | ||
| 31 December 2018 | 26 | 632 | ||
| 31 December 2019 | 105 | 538 | ||
| 31 December 2020 | 248 | 110 | ||
| 31 December 2021 | 513 | - | ||
| 31 December 2022 | 414 | - | ||
| 31 December 2023 | 100 | - | ||
| 31 December 2024 | 50 | - | ||
| Total | 1,456 | 1,378 |
20. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Commitments
Capital commitments
The Group's budgeted capital expenditure commitments as at 31 December 2017 amounted to US\$ 46 million (2016: US\$ 64 million).
Social and infrastructure commitments
During the year ended 31 December 2016 the Group signed a memorandum with East-Kazakhstan Oblast Administration (local Kazakhstan government), where the Group (namely its subsidiaries Bakyrchik Mining Venture LLC and Inter Gold Capital LLC) agrees to participate in financing of certain social and infrastructure development project of the region. During the year ended 31 December 2017 the Group paid US\$ 2 million (2016: US\$ 2 million) under this programme and the total social expense commitment as at 31 December 2017 amounts to US\$ 28 million, payable in the future periods as follows:
| 31 December 2017 | |
|---|---|
| US\$m | |
| Within one year | 2 |
| From one to five years | 22 |
| Thereafter | 4 |
| Total | 28 |
Forward sale commitments
The Group has certain physical gold and silver forward sale commitments which are priced at the prevailing market price, calculated with reference to the LBMA or LME gold price, which are accounted for as executed as the Group expects to and has historically physically delivered into these contracts.
Operating leases: Group as a lessee
During the year ended 31 December 2017 the Group recognised US\$ 7 million as operating lease expenses (2016: US\$ 5 million).
The land in the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan on which the Group's production facilities are located is owned by the state. The Group leases this land through operating lease agreements, which expire in various years through to 2058.
Future minimum lease payments due under non-cancellable operating lease agreements at the end of the period were as follows:
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |
|---|---|---|
| US\$m | US\$m | |
| Within one year | 3 | 2 |
| From one to five years | 5 | 3 |
| Thereafter | 4 | 2 |
| Total | 12 | 7 |
Contingencies
Operating environment
Emerging markets such as Russia and Kazakhstan are subject to different risks than more developed markets, including economic, political and social, and legal and legislative risks. Laws and regulations affecting businesses in Russia continue to change rapidly, tax and regulatory frameworks are subject to varying interpretations. The future economic direction of Russia and Kazakhstan is heavily influenced by the fiscal and monetary policies adopted by the government, together with developments in the legal, regulatory, and political environment.
Taxation
Russian tax, currency and customs legislation is subject to varying interpretations, and changes, which can occur frequently. Management's interpretation of such legislation as applied to the transaction and activity of the companies of the Group may be challenged by the relevant regional and federal authorities and as a result, significant additional taxes, penalties and interest may be assessed. Fiscal periods remain open to review by the authorities in respect of taxes for three calendar years preceding the year of review. Under certain circumstances reviews may cover longer periods.
During 2017 and 2016 the Group has been involved in a number of litigations in Russia, Kazakhstan and Armenia. Management has identified a total exposure (covering taxes and related interest and penalties) of US\$ 7 million in respect of contingent liabilities (2016: US\$ 13 million), including US\$ 5 million related to income tax (2016: US\$ 4 million).
21. FAIR VALUE ACCOUNTING
The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable as follows:
Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).
At 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016, the Group held the following financial instruments:
| 31 December 2017 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 US\$m |
Level 2 US\$m |
Level 3 US\$m |
Total US\$m |
||||
| Receivables from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales |
- | 26 | 26 | ||||
| Nezhda option | - | - | 12 | 12 | |||
| Contingent consideration liability | - | - | (62) | (62) | |||
| - | 26 | (50) | (24) |
| 31 December 2016 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 US\$m |
Level 2 US\$m |
Level 3 US\$m |
Total US\$m |
||||
| Receivables from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales |
- | 35 | - | 35 | |||
| Contingent consideration liability | - | - | (76) | (76) | |||
| - | 35 | (76) | (41) |
During the reporting periods, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, trade and other payables and shortterm debt recorded at amortised cost approximate to their fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments. The estimated fair value of the Group's debt, calculated using the market interest rate available to the Group as at 31 December 2017, is US\$ 1,233 million, and the carrying value as at 31 December 2017 is US\$ 1,456 million (see Note 19). Carrying values of the other long-term loans provided to related parties as at 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016 approximated to their fair values.
Receivables from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales
The fair value of receivables arising from copper, gold and silver concentrate sales contracts that contain provisional pricing mechanisms is determined using the appropriate quoted forward price from the exchange that is the principal active market for the particular metal. As such, these receivables are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Contingent consideration liabilities
The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Group's Level 3 financial liabilities for the year ended 31 December 2017:
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omolon Kyzyl |
Primorskoye Lichkvaz | Kapan | Komar | Total | Total | |||
| US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | US\$m | |
| Opening balance | 15 | 19 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 76 | 26 |
| Additions | - | - | - | - | - | - | 29 | |
| Change in fair value, included in profit or | ||||||||
| loss | (1) | (7) | 2 | (5) | 2 | 7 | (2) | 22 |
| Unw inding of discount (Note 12) | 1 | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | 3 | 1 |
| Settlement though issue of shares (Note 17) | - | - | (10) | - | - | - | (10) | - |
| Cash settlement | (4) | - | - | - | (1) | - | (5) | (2) |
| Total contingent consideration | 11 | 12 | - | 3 | 11 | 25 | 62 | 76 |
| less current portion of contingent | ||||||||
| consideration liability | (4) | - | - | - | (1) | - | (5) | (14) |
| 7 | 12 | - | 3 | 10 | 25 | 57 | 62 |
Omolon
In 2008, the Group recorded a contingent consideration liability related to the acquisition of 98.1% of the shares in JSC Omolon Gold Mining Company LLC (Omolon). The fair value of the contingent consideration liability was determined using a valuation model which simulates expected production of gold and silver at the Kubaka mine and future gold and silver prices to estimate future revenues of Omolon. This liability is revalued at each reporting date based on 2% of the life-of-mine revenues with the resulting gain or loss recognised in the condensed consolidated income statement. The liability recognised as at 31 December 2017 was US\$ 11 million, including current portion of US\$ 4 million.
Kyzyl
During the year ended 31 December 2014 the Group completed the acquisition of the Kyzyl gold project in Kazakhstan. The fair value of the related contingent consideration liability was estimated using the Monte Carlo model. The liability was revalued at the 31 December 2017 using the same method with updated inputs as of reporting date and amounts to US\$ 12 million (2016: US\$ 19 million).
Primorskoye
During the year ended 31 December 2015 the Group recorded a contingent consideration liability related to the acquisition of 100% interest in Primorskoye. Deferred conditional cash consideration, which is determined as the highest of US\$ 13,333 per tonne of contained silver equivalent (translating into US\$ 0.415 per silver equivalent ounce) based on the audited reserves estimate of the deposit, and US\$ 8 million, was revalued at 31 December 2016 at US\$ 8 million. Following the determination of the mineral resource estimate at March 2017, the deferred consideration was calculated at US\$ 9.7 million and settled by 815,348 newly issued Polymetal International shares (Note 22).
Lichkvaz
During the year ended 31 December 2015 the Group completed the acquisition of Lichkvaz CJSC (Lichkvaz), the company owning the Lichkvaz exploration licence in Armenia (Note 2). The fair value of the related contingent consideration liability is calculated using a valuation model which simulates expected production of metals and future gold, silver and copper prices to estimate future value of the metals in the actually extracted ore. The liability recognised at 31 December 2017 was US\$ 3 million.
Kapan
During the year ended 31 December 2016 the Group completed the acquisition of DPMK, the company owning the Kapan mine and processing plant in Armenia (Note 2). The seller is entitled to receive a 2% NSR (Net Smelter Return) royalty on future production from the Kapan Gold Mine capped at US\$ 25 million. At the 31 December 2017, the fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated at US\$ 11 million, including current portion of US\$ 1 million.
Komar
On 1 August 2016 the Group completed the acquisition of Orion Minerals LLP, the holding company for the Komarovskoye Gold Deposit ("Komar") in the Republic of Kazakhstan (Note 2). The seller is entitled to the contingent consideration that was determined based on the LOM model of the Komarovskoye mine and calculated using Monte Carlo modelling. At the 31 December 2017, the fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated at US\$ 25 million (2016: US\$ 18 million), with increase due to growth in ore reserves and change in mine plan.
Assumptions used in the valuation of the Omolon, Kapan and Lichkvaz are consistent with those used in goodwill impairment test, such as long-term metal prices and discount rates. Estimated production volumes are based on life of mine plans and are approved by management as part of the long-term planning process.
Monte-Carlo modelling for Kyzyl and Komarovskoye contingent consideration liabilities was performed with following inputs:
- Gold price volatility: 16.19% 19.58% (2016: 16.23% 18.23%)
- Share price volatility: 40.5% (2016: 41.9%)
- Constant correlation between gold and share price: 86% (2016: 90%)
- Dividend yield: 2%.
Nezhda Call Option
The Group has valued the Nezhda Call Option (Note 16) using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, with share price volatility assumption approximating to 30%. Exercise price of the option was assessed based on the project NPV, calculated using Nezhda JORC ore reserves and mineral resources available and gold price and discount rates consistent with assumptions used for the goodwill impairment testing. The fair value of the option approximates to its cost of US\$ 12 million as of 31 December 2017.
The Directors consider that a reasonably possible change in a valuation assumption would not have a material impact on the financial statements for contingent considerations payable.
Commodity forward contracts
The Group enters into forward contracts for the physical delivery of metals which will be priced according to the prevailing London Bullion Market Association or London Metal Exchange index. The Group's policy is not to enter into fixed priced contracts. The forward sales contracts qualify for the normal purchase/sales or "own use" exemption for accounting purposes and are outside the scope of IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.
22. STATED CAPITAL ACCOUNT AND RETAINED EARNINGS
As at 31 December 2017, the Company's issued share capital consisted of 430,115,480 ordinary shares (2016: 428,262,338 ordinary shares) of no par value, each carrying one vote. The Company does not hold any shares in treasury (2016: none). The ordinary shares reflect 100% of the total issued share capital of the Company.
The movements in the Stated Capital account in the year were as follows:
| Stated capital account | Stated capital account | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| no. of shares | US\$m | ||
| Balance at 31 December 2015 | 424,650,138 | 1,969 | |
| Issue of shares in accordance with Deferred Share Awards plan | 110,850 | 1 | |
| Issue of shares for Kapan (Note 2) | 1,481,785 | 15 | |
| Issue of shares to acquire an additional 25% interest in Tarutin | 898,875 | 14 | |
| Issue of shares for Saum Mining Company LLC (Note 2) | 1,120,690 | 11 | |
| Balance at 31 December 2016 | 428,262,338 | 2,010 | |
| Issue of shares for Tarutin | 893,575 | 10 | |
| Issue of shares for Primorskoye contingent consideration (Note 21) | 815,348 | 10 | |
| Issue of shares in accordance with Deferred Share Awards plan | 144,219 | 1 | |
| Balance at 31 December 2017 | 430,115,480 | 2,031 |
In January 2017 the Group increased its interest in Vostochny Basis LLC (holder of the licence for the Tarutinskoye copper deposit (Tarutin) by 25% (from 75% to 100%). The Group purchased the additional 25% from an unrelated party for a consideration of US\$ 10 million, payable through the issue of 893,575 new Polymetal International plc shares. The Group has previously determined that Vostochny Basis LLC meets the definition of a subsidiary and therefore it was consolidated from the date of the 25% share acquisition. The increase in interest in Tarutin was recognised as an acquisition of the non-controlling interest and recognised interest within equity. As of 31 December 2017 and during the years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016 Tarutin did not give rise to a significant non-controlling interest to be presented within equity, income statement and statement of comprehensive income.
Reserves available for distribution to shareholders are based on the available cash in the Company under Jersey law. As Russian, Kazakh and Armenian legislation identifies the basis of distribution of the dividends as accumulated profit, the ability to distribute cash up to the Company from the Russian, Kazakh and Armenian operating companies will be based on the statutory historical information of each stand-alone entity. Statutory financial statements in the Russian Federation are prepared in accordance with Russian accounting standards which differs from IFRS, while Kazakhstan and Armenia have adopted IFRS from 1 January 2006 and 1 January 2011, respectively. However, current legislation and other statutory regulations dealing with distribution rights are open to legal interpretation; consequently, actual distributable reserves may differ from the amount of accumulated profit in accordance with statutory financial statements.
Weighted average number of shares: Diluted earnings per share
Both basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated by dividing profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares before/after dilution respectively. The calculation of the weighted average number of outstanding common shares after dilution is as follows:
| Year ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |
| Weighted average number of outstanding common shares | 429,880,907 | 426,135,182 |
| Dilutive effect of share appreciation plan | 5,830,775 | 259,452 |
| Weighted average number of outstanding common shares after dilution |
435,711,682 | 426,394,634 |
There were no adjustments required to earnings for the purposes of calculating the diluted earnings per share during the year ended 31 December 2017 the current financial year (year ended 31 December 2016: nil).
At 31 December 2017 the outstanding LTIP awards issued under 2014-2017 tranches represent dilutive potential ordinary shares with respect to earnings per share from continuing operations as these are in the money as of reporting date (31 December 2016: all tranches represent anti-dilutive potential ordinary shares as these were out of money).
The awards issued under management bonus deferral award plan are dilutive as of 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016 being contingently issued shares and are included in the calculation of diluted EPS based on the weighted average number of shares that would be issuable if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period.
23. RELATED PARTIES
| Year ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | ||
| US\$m | US\$m | ||
| Transactions with related parties | |||
| Purchases of ore from equity method investments (Note 16) | 38 | 11 | |
| Other sales recognised in other operating expenses, net | 12 | 2 | |
| Year ended | |||
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | ||
| US\$m | US\$m | ||
| Balances outstanding as of end of reporting period | |||
| Loans accounted for as a part of net investment in joint venture | 52 | - | |
| Short-term loans provided to equity method investments | 8 | 7 | |
| Long-term loans provided to equity method investments | 6 | 1 | |
| Accounts receivable from equity method investments | 8 | - | |
| Interest receivable from equity method investments | 2 | 1 | |
| Accounts payable to equity method investments | 7 | (4) | |
| 83 | 5 |
Related parties are considered to include shareholders, affiliates, associates, joint ventures and entities under common ownership and control with the Group and members of key management personnel.
During the year ended the Group has purchased ore from its associate GRK Amikan (Note 16) for the amount of US\$ 35 million (2016: US\$ 11 million) and its joint venture Aktogai Mys for the amount of US\$ 3 million (2016: nil). Other sales recognised within other operating expenses are mainly represented by sales of machinery and equipment.
Carrying values of other long-term loans provided to related parties as at 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016 approximate their fair values.
The amounts outstanding at the balance sheet dates are unsecured and expected to be settled in cash. No expense has been recognised in the reporting period for bad or doubtful debts in respect of the amounts owed by related parties.
The remuneration of directors and other members of key management personnel during the periods was as follows:
| Year ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2017 | 31 December 2016 | |
| US\$m | US\$m | |
| Share-based payments | 2 | 2 |
| Short-term benefits of board members | 2 | 2 |
| Short-term employee benefits | 2 | 1 |
24. NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
| Notes | Year ended 31 December 2017 US\$m |
Year ended 31 December 2016 US\$m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Profit before tax | 443 | 564 | |
| Adjustments for: | |||
| Depreciation and depletion recognised in the statement of | |||
| comprehensive income Write-down of exploration assets and construction in |
214 | 155 | |
| progress | 15 | 3 | 2 |
| Write-down of metal inventories to net realisable value | 17 | 16 | 21 |
| Write-down of non-metal inventories to net realisable value Additional mining taxes and VAT exposures, penalties and |
17 | 3 | 6 |
| accrued interest, net | (8) | (12) | |
| Provision for investment in Special Economic Zone | 12 | 14 | |
| Share-based compensation | 9 | 10 | 7 |
| Finance costs | 12 | 63 | 63 |
| Finance income Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
10 | (4) 1 |
(3) 1 |
| Rehabilitation expenses | - | 1 | |
| Change in contingent consideration liability | 21 | (2) | 22 |
| Share of loss of associates and joint ventures | 16 | (3) | - |
| Foreign exchange gain | 10 | (65) | |
| Change in estimate of environmental obligations | (4) | (5) | |
| Other non-cash expenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Movements in working capital | |||
| Increase in inventories | (35) | (50) | |
| (Increase)/Decrease in VAT receivable | (31) | 14 | |
| (Increase)/Decrease in trade and other receivables | 14 | (4) | |
| (Increase)/Decrease in prepayments to suppliers | (6) | 2 | |
| (Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables | (20) | 17 | |
| Increase/(Decrease) in other taxes payable | 10 | (6) | |
| Cash generated from operations Interest paid |
690 (63) |
745 (61) |
|
| Interest received | 1 | 1 | |
| Income tax paid | (95) | (155) | |
| Net cash generated by operating activities | 533 | 530 | |
Significant non-cash transactions during the year ended 31 December 2017 represent the issuance of shares to settle Primorskoye contingent consideration of US\$ 10 million and the issuance of shares to acquire Tarutin non-controlling interest of US\$ 10 million (2016: the issuance of shares amounting to US\$ 40 million in respect of the business combinations, the acquisition of assets and acquisition of non-controlling interest).
Cash flows related to exploration amounted to US\$ 33 million for the year ended 31 December 2017 (2016: US\$ 56 million). During the year ended 31 December 2017, the capital expenditure, related to the new projects, increasing the operating capacity amounts to US\$ 173 million (2016: US\$ 121 million).
25. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In February 2018 the Group has entered into a legally binding agreement to increase its stake in the Prognoz Serebro LLC (Note 10) from 5% to 50% through the acquisition of a further 45% ownership in the asset from Polar Acquisition Limited (PAL) for a total consideration of US\$ 72 million to be paid in Polymetal shares. 90% of the consideration shares will be subject to a lock-up period of 180 days. Additionally Polymetal commits to pay PAL a net smelter return ("NSR") royalty of between 2 and 4% (pro rated by the 45% stake being acquired), which will be dependent on the applicable statutory mineral extraction tax rate at the time when the asset enters commercial production. The royalty agreement is subject to an agreed cap. The transaction is expected to close in first quarter 2018, subject to receipt of the required regulatory approvals.
ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Introduction
The financial performance reported by the Group contains certain Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) disclosed to compliment measures that are defined or specified under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). APMs should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance, financial position or cash flows reported in accordance with IFRS.
The Company believes that these measures, together with measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide the readers with valuable information and an improved understanding of the underlying performance of the business.
APMs are not uniformly defined by all companies, including those in the Group's industry. Therefore, the APMs used by the Group may not be comparable to similar measures and disclosures made by other companies.
Purpose
APMs used by the Group represent financial KPIs for clarifying the true financial performance of the Company and measuring it against strategic objectives, given the following background:
- Widely used by the investor and analyst community in mining sector and, together with IFRS measures, APMs provide a holistic view of the Company;
- Applied by investors to assess earnings quality, facilitate period to period trend analysis and forecasting of future earnings, understand performance through eyes of management;
- Highlight key value drivers within the business that may not be obvious in the financial statements;
- Ensure comparability of information between reporting periods and operating segments by adjusting for uncontrollable or one-off factors which impact upon IFRS measures;
- Used internally by management to assess financial performance of the Group and its operating segments;
- Used in the Group's dividend policy;
- Certain APMs are used in setting directors and management remuneration.
APMs and justification for their use
| Group APM | Closest equivalent IFRS measure |
Adjustments made to IFRS measure |
Rationale for adjustments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Underlying net earnings |
Profit/(loss) for the financial period attributable to equity shareholders of the Company |
Write-down of metal inventory to net realisable value (post-tax) Foreign exchange (gain)/loss (post-tax) Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability (post-tax) |
Exclude the impact of key significant one-off non-recurring items and significant non-cash items (other than depreciation) that can mask underlying changes in core performance. |
| Adjusted EBITDA | Profit/(loss) before income tax |
Finance cost (net) Depreciation and depletion Write-down of metal and non-metal inventory to net realisable value Share based compensation Bad debt allowance Net foreign exchange losses |
Exclude the impact of certain non cash element, either recurring or non recurring, that can mask underlying changes in core operating performance, to be a proxy for operating cash flow generation. |
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability Rehabilitation costs Additional mining taxes, VAT, penalties and accrued interest |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Net debt | Net total of current and non-current borrowings cash and cash equivalents |
n/a |
Measures the Group's net indebtedness that provides an indicator of the overall balance sheet strength. Used by creditors in bank covenants. |
| Net debt/EBITDA ratio |
No equivalent |
n/a |
Used by creditors, credit rating agencies and other stakeholders. |
| Free cash flow | Cash flows from operating activity less free cash flow from investing activities |
Less cash flows used in investing activities, excluding acquisition costs in business combinations and investments in associates and joint ventures |
Reflect cash generating from operations after meeting existing capital expenditure commitments. Measures the success of the Company in turning profit into cash through the strong management of working capital and capital expenditure. |
| Total cash costs (TCC) |
Total cash operating costs General, administrative & selling expenses |
Depreciation expense Rehabilitation expenses Write-down of inventory to net realisable value Intersegment unrealized profit elimination Idle capacities and abnormal production costs Exclude Corporate and Other segment and development assets |
Calculated according to common mining industry practice using the provisions of Gold Institute Production Cost Standard. Give a picture of a Company's current ability to extract its resources at a reasonable cost and generate earnings and cash flows for use in investing and other activities. |
| All-in sustaining cash costs (AISC) |
Total cash operating costs General, administrative & selling expenses |
AISC is based on total cash costs, and adds items relevant to sustaining production. |
Include the components identified in World Gold Council's Guidance Note on Non‐GAAP Metrics – All‐In Sustaining Costs and All‐In Costs (June 2013), which is a non‐IFRS financial measure. Provide investors with better visibility into the true cost of production. |