LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwire) -- 09/26/12 -- Alexander Mining plc ("Alexander", the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:AXD)(AIM:AXM), the AIM and TSXV-listed mining and mineral processing technologies company, announces its results for the six months ended 30 June 2012.
The Company's objective is to become a low cost, highly profitable and diversified mining technology company. This will be achieved by the commercialisation of its proprietary mineral processing technologies, partnerships in producing mines and the acquisition of equity positions in advanced projects.
Highlights
-- Continued strong interest from companies in using AmmLeach® for
copper, cobalt and zinc oxide/non-sulphide projects
-- Agreement with Metalvalue Limited
-- Altona Mining to evaluate the mining and treatment of several of its
deposits containing native copper ores for heap leaching using
AmmLeach®
-- Several important new patents granted
Chairman's Review
I am pleased to report on Alexander Mining plc's results for the six months ended 30 June 2012.
Although the world economy's travails mean that these are testing times for the mining industry, we remain resolute about the value and benefits of our mineral processing technology and its commercial adoption. Our progress during the period has been steady, with several significant developments.
Notably, Alexander announced an agreement (the 'Agreement') with Metalvalue Limited ('Metalvalue') for the use of the Company's mineral processing technology ('Leaching Technology'). Metalvalue is a successful private business focused on the commercialisation of leading edge technologies in the natural resources industry. Under the Agreement, Metalvalue has been granted a non-exclusive and non-transferable licence to use and sub-licence the Leaching Technology. It is the intention that Metalvalue will identify new targets for the Leaching Technology and will assist in bringing these into production, using the Leaching Technology, thereby creating a new royalty stream for Alexander.
The agreement with Metalvalue is a significant step for Alexander as it gives the Company the opportunity to capitalise on Alain Honnart's (Metalvalue's Managing Director), extensive industry expertise and a proven record in commercialising intellectual property. In addition, we have been able to pursue introductions to his worldwide contacts at the highest executive level and we continue to work on significant opportunities with Metalvalue in three countries.
The Democratic Republic of Congo ('DRC') continues to be a core target area for our AmmLeach® technology, given the clear competitive advantage offered for the production of cobalt through to metal cathode as well as offering a way to treat high-acid-consuming carbonate copper ores that hitherto have been uneconomic to treat. As such, the commissioning of our AmmLeach® copper/cobalt demonstration pilot plant in South Africa, leading to the successful production of copper and cobalt cathode metal, has been invaluable in advancing discussions with third parties about a commercial scale AmmLeach® operation in the country.
In Australia, initial AmmLeach® testwork for Altona Mining Limited ('Altona') on certain native copper samples from the Roseby Project gave excellent recoveries. Subsequently, Altona has announced that an options study will be undertaken to evaluate the mining and treatment of several of its deposits containing native copper ores and that potential options for treatment include heap leaching using AmmLeach®.
We have reported favourable AmmLeach® amenability testwork results for the recovery of zinc from samples provided by Red Crescent Resources Limited ('RCR') from its Hakkari Zinc Project in south-east Turkey. The Hakkari testwork has shown that zinc recoveries of at least 80% should be possible once the pre-treatment and leaching conditions are optimised. The findings of this testwork and next steps are being considered by RCR.
The Company's core asset is its intellectual property ('IP') and know-how. In my last statement, I said that we expected regular news about our suite of patents as specific applications progressed. Pleasingly, there has been a steady flow of patents granted or approved, encompassing copper, cobalt and zinc. The most recent being a patent granted in Australia for a Method for leaching cobalt from a non-lateritic oxidised cobalt ore, and for a Method for extracting zinc from aqueous ammoniacal solutions granted in Australia and approved in the USA.
Financial
The company has sustained expenditures on research and development whilst working on new patent applications to protect and broaden its IP. Management has completed a comprehensive review of costs to reduce overheads and cut back non-essential expenditure. Following discussions with potential industry partners, funding requirements are under consideration to commercialise our technology at a number of projects. In addition to the previously announced put option with Metalvalue Limited, in recognition of corporate funding requirements, management is currently reviewing a number of non-dilutive financing options.
Outlook
Mining and base metals markets have been subdued, reflecting uncertainties in the world economy. Nevertheless, the inherent challenges that the industry faces in replenishing resources, or optimising the economics of existing mining operations, remain to the fore. Within this environment, Alexander is highly optimistic about the value of its breakthrough mineral processing technologies and achieving the commercial potential therein. Recent progress has been significant, especially in securing patent protection for our IP, and we are hopeful about material developments for several advanced business opportunities in different parts of the world for copper, cobalt and zinc.
As always, I would like to thank the Company's shareholders for their continuing support and our employees, directors, consultants and advisors for their commitment.
Matt Sutcliffe, Executive Chairman
26 September 2012
Consolidated income statement
Six months Six months
ended 30 June ended 30 June Year ended 31
2012 2011 December 2011
GBP '000 GBP '000 GBP '000
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Continuing operations
Revenue 23 - 20
Cost of sales - - -
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Gross profit 23 - 20
Administrative expenses (655) (789) (1,386)
Research and development expenses (291) (230) (464)
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Operating loss (923) (1,019) (1,830)
Finance income 26 48 150
Finance cost (7) (26) -
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Loss before taxation (904) (997) (1,680)
Income tax expense - - -
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Loss for the period from
continuing operations (904) (997) (1,680)
Profit / (loss) for the period
from discontinued operations -
Note 2 - 1,487 1,487
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Profit / (loss) for the period (904) 490 (193)
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Basic and diluted profit / (loss)
per share (pence):from continuing
operations (0.66p) (0.73p) (1.24p)
from continuing and discontinued
operations (0.66p) 0.36p (0.14p)
from discontinued operations - 1.09p 1.10p
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All components of profit or loss are attributable to equity holders of the
parent.
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Six months Six months
ended 30 June ended 30 June Year ended 31
2012 2011 December 2011
GBP '000 GBP '000 GBP '000
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Profit / (loss) for the period (904) 490 (193)
Other comprehensive income:
Exchange differences on
translating foreign operations - (11) -
Exchange differences realised on
disposal of subsidiary - (1,403) (1,403)
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Total comprehensive profit /
(loss) for the period
attributable to equity holders of
the parent (904) (924) (1,596)
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Consolidated balance sheet
As at 30 June As at 30 June As at 31
2012 2011 December 2011
GBP '000 GBP '000 GBP '000
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Assets
Property, plant & equipment 22 36 29
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Total non-current assets 22 36 29
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Trade and other receivables 474 908 661
Cash and cash equivalents 557 1,655 1,257
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Total current assets 1,031 2,563 1,918
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Total assets 1,053 2,599 1,947
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Equity attributable to owners of
the parent
Issued share capital 13,599 13,599 13,599
Share premium 11,850 11,850 11,850
Share option reserve 552 590 535
Translation reserve (60) (71) (60)
Accumulated losses (25,004) (23,482) (24,100)
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Total equity 937 2,486 1,824
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Liabilities
Total Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 116 113 123
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Total liabilities 116 113 123
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Total equity and liabilities 1,053 2,599 1,947
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Consolidated statement of cash flows
Six months Six months
ended 30 June ended 30 June Year ended 31
2012 2011 December 2011
GBP '000 GBP '000
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Cash flows from operating
activities
Operating loss - continuing
operations (923) (1,019) (1,830)
Depreciation and amortisation
charge 7 1 8
Decrease in trade and other
receivables 17 (9) 60
(Decrease) in trade and other
payables (7) (166) (229)
Expenses settled through issue of
equity - 50 50
Share option charge 17 27 37
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Net cash outflow from operating
activities (889) (1,116) (1,904)
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Cash flows from investing
activities
Interest received 3 3 5
Acquisition of Property, Plant and
Equipment - (37) (37)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary 192 388 736
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Net cash inflow / (outflow) from
investing activities 195 354 704
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Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents (694) (762) (1,200)
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 1,257 2,454 2,454
Exchange differences (6) (37) 3
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Cash and cash equivalents at end
of period 557 1,655 1,257
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Consolidated statement of changes in equity
Share
Share Share Merger option
capital premium reserve reserve
GBP '000 GBP '000 GBP '000 GBP '000
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At 1 January 2011 13,549 11,850 (2,487) 563
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Retained loss for
period - - - -
Realisation of foreign
exchange gains upon
sale of subsidiary - - - -
Exchange difference on
translating foreign
operations - - - -
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Total comprehensive
income for the period
attributable to equity
holders of the parent - - - -
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Share option costs - - - 27
Shares issued 50 - - -
Transfer between
reserves - - 2,487 -
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At 30 June 2011 13,599 11,850 - 590
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Retained loss for
period - - - -
Exchange difference on
translating foreign
operations - - - -
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Total comprehensive
income for the period
attributable to equity
holders of the parent - - - -
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Share option costs - - - 14
Share options cancelled
in period - - - (69)
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At 31 December 2011 13,599 11,850 - 535
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Retained loss for
period - - - -
Exchange difference on
translating foreign
operations - - - -
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Total comprehensive
income for the period
attributable to equity
holders of the parent - - - -
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Share option costs - - - 17
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At 30 June 2012 13,599 11,850 - 552
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Trans-
lation Accumulated Total
reserve losses equity
GBP '000 GBP '000 GBP '000
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At 1 January 2011 1,343 (21,485) 3,333
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Retained loss for
period (913) (913)
Realisation of foreign
exchange gains upon
sale of subsidiary (1,403) 1403 -
Exchange difference on
translating foreign
operations (11) - (11)
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Total comprehensive
income for the period
attributable to equity
holders of the parent (1,414) 490 (924)
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Share option costs - - 27
Shares issued - - 50
Transfer between
reserves - (2,487) -
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At 30 June 2011 (71) (23,482) 2,486
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Retained loss for
period - (687) (687)
Exchange difference on
translating foreign
operations 11 - 11
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Total comprehensive
income for the period
attributable to equity
holders of the parent 11 (687) (676)
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Share option costs - - 14
Share options cancelled
in period - 69 -
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At 31 December 2011 (60) (24,100) 1,824
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Retained loss for
period - (904) (904)
Exchange difference on
translating foreign
operations - - -
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Total comprehensive
income for the period
attributable to equity
holders of the parent - (904) (904)
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Share option costs - - 17
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At 30 June 2012 (60) (25,004) 937
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Notes to the interim financial information
1. Basis of preparation
The interim financial information has been prepared on the basis of the recognition and measurement requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU) and implemented in the UK. The accounting policies, methods of computation and presentation used in the preparation of the interim financial information are the same as those used in the Group's audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011.
The financial information in this statement does not constitute full statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the six months ended 30 June 2012 and 30 June 2011 is unaudited. The comparative information for the year ended 31 December 2011 was derived from the Group's audited financial statements for that period as filed with the Registrar of Companies. It does not constitute the financial statements for that period. Those accounts received an unqualified audit report.
2. Discontinued operations
Components of discontinued operations in the Income Statement and Balance Sheet are in respect of the Company's subsidiary Alexander Gold Group Limited, sold during 2011, as follows:
Six months Six months
ended 30 June ended 30 June Year ended 31
Income Statement: 2012 2011 December 2011
Gain on disposal of
discontinued operation - 84 84
Realisation of translation
reserve, transferred to Income
Statement on disposal of the
subsidiary (IAS 21). - 1,403 1,403
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Profit for the period from
discontinued operation - 1,487 1,487
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Balance Sheet:
Other receivables at 30 June 2012 includes GBP 365,000 (June 2011: GBP 780,000 and December 2011: GBP 534,000) in respect of the remaining instalments due from the sale of Alexander Gold Group Limited.
3. Loss per share
The calculation of loss per share is based on the weighted average number of shares in issue in the six months to 30 June 2012 of 135,986,542 (six months to 30 June 2011: 135,605,327 and year to 31 December 2011: 135,797,501) and computed on the respective profit and loss figures as follows:
6 months 2012 6 Months 2011 Full year 2011
GBP '000 Per share GBP '000 Per share GBP '000 Per share
(Loss) - continuing
operations (904) (0.66)p (997) (0.73)p (1,680) (1.24)p
Profit / (Loss) -
continuing and
discontinued
operations (904) (0.66)p 490 0.36p (193) (0.14)p
Profit -
discontinued
operations - - 1,487 1.09p 1,487 1.10p
There is no difference between the diluted loss per share and the basic loss per share presented. Share options granted to employees could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future, but were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share as they are anti-dilutive for the period presented.
At 30 June 2012 there were 10,175,000 (30 June 2011: 10,225,000; at 31 December 2011: 10,175,000) share options in issue that could have a potentially dilutive effect on the basic earnings per share in the future.
4. Share Capital
In June 2012, at a General Meeting of the Company, shareholders approved capital restructure proposals whereby each of the existing issued shares of 10p each in the capital of the Company were subdivided and converted into one new ordinary share of 0.1 p and one deferred share of 9.9p.
The new ordinary shares have the same rights and benefits of the previously existing ordinary shares. The number of new ordinary shares in issue following the capital re-organisation was unchanged from the number of existing ordinary shares in issue immediately prior to the capital re-organisation.
The deferred shares will not be admitted to trading on AIM, have only very limited rights on a return of capital and are effectively valueless and non-transferable. The Directors consider that the deferred shares have no effect on the respective economic interests of the shareholders. No share certificates have been issued for the deferred shares.
The change in the Company's share capital structure during the reporting period occurred as follows:
Number of
Ordinary shares shares Share Share
capital premium
GBP GBP
Balance at 01 January 2012 135,986,542 13,598,654 11,849,590
Value transferred to deferred
share capital - (13,462,667) -
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Balance at 30 June 2012 135,986,542 135,987 11,849,590
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Number of Deferred share
Deferred shares deferred shares capital
GBP
Balance at 01 January 2012 - -
Transferred from share capital
account 135,986,542 13,462,667
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Balance at 30 June 2012 135,986,542 13,462,667
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Copies of this announcement are available to view at the Company's website at www.alexandermining.com.
Disclaimers
This news release may contain forward looking statements, being statements which are not historical facts, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, exploration results, resource or reserve estimates, anticipated production or results, sales, revenues, costs, "best-efforts" financings or discussions of future plans and objectives. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove accurate. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are in Company documents filed from time to time with the TSX Venture Exchange and provincial securities regulators, most of which are available at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update such statements unless required by law.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
