Serabi Gold plc ("Serabi" or the "Company") Unaudited Interim Financial Results for the three and six month periods to 30 June 2015 and Management's Discussion and Analysis


LONDON, Aug. 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Serabi Gold (AIM:SRB, TSX:SBI), the Brazilian focused gold mining and development company, today releases its unaudited interim financial results for the three month and six periods ending 30 June 2015 and at the same time has published its Management's Discussion and Analysis for the same period.

Key Financial Information

  3 months to 30
June 2015

US$
6 months to 30
June 2015

US$
3 months to 30
June 2014
US$
6 months to 30
June 2014
US$
Revenue 11,194,178 18,678,393
Cost of Sales (1) (8,188,141) (13,048,050)
Depreciation and amortisation charges (1,614,514) (2,732,234)
Gross profit 1,391,523 2,898,109
         
(Loss)/profit before and after tax (114,501) 76,897 (1,668,737) (2,926,358)
(Loss)/profit per ordinary share (basic) (0.02c) 0.01c (0.25c) (0.50c)
         
    As at 30
June 2015
  As at 31
December 2014
Cash and cash equivalents   4,481,970   9,813,602
Net assets   58,010,152   66,918,551
         
         
Cash Costs and All-In Sustaining Costs        
        6 months to 30
June 2015
Gold ounces produced       15,626
Gold production from Sao Chico       (783)
Gold production for cash costs and AISC purposes     14,843
         
Total Cash Cost of production (per ounce)     US$767
Total All-In Sustaining Cost of production (per ounce)     US$967

(1)     During the second quarter of 2015, the Group has revised the basis on which it calculates the value of inventories of work in progress and finished products in particular the allocation of site overhead costs to each stage of production. The overall effect has been to reduce the value ascribed to each unit of inventory of copper/concentrate which comprises 40% of the inventory valuation at 31 March and 41% as at 30 June. Had the same basis of valuation been adopted at 31 March 2015 the Group estimates that inventories of work in progress and finished goods would have reduced by approximately US$1.08 million. The Group is not restating its previously published results for the first quarter of 2015 and this additional expense is therefore being recognised in the 3 month period to 30 June 2015.

Key Operational Information

 
SUMMARY PRODUCTION STATISTICS FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDING 30 JUNE 2015 
 
      Quarter 1 Quarter 2 6 months to 30
June 2015
Horizontal development Metres   1,491 2,078 3,569
           
Mined ore Tonnes   25,812 31,488 57,300
  Gold grade (g/t)   10.90 9.18 9.95
           
Milled ore Tonnes   31,412 33,279 64,691
  Gold grade (g/t)   8.52 8.28 8.40
           
Gold production (1) Ounces   7,389 8,237 15,626

(1)    Gold production figures are subject to amendment pending final agreed assays of the gold content of the copper/gold concentrate and gold dore that is delivered to the refineries. Amendments when realised are applied retrospectively to the relevant month of production and therefore figures reported for past periods are subject to change.

Financial Highlights

  • All-In Sustaining Costs of US$967 for the year to date with cash costs of US$767.
  • Cash holdings of US$4.48 million at 30 June 2015.
  • At 30 June 2015, the Brazilian Real to US Dollar exchange rate had weakened by approximately 17% compared against 31 December 2014 and by 31% as at 12 August 2015. 
  • Average gold price of US$1,182 received on gold sales in the second quarter of 2015 and US$1,186 for the year to date.
  • Inflation in Brazil as of July 2015 was 9.56%.

Operational Highlights

  • Gold production for the quarter totaled 8,237 ounces(1); 7,141 ounces from the processing of Palito run of mine ore and surface stockpiles, 783 ounces from Sao Chico ore, with the balance from processing of some of 2014 flotation tailings.   
  • Quarterly Mill production combined for both Palito and Sao Chico ore totalled 33,279 tonnes.
  • Quarterly Mine production for Palito and Sao Chico ore totalled 29,052 tonnes @ 9.56 g/t gold, and 2,436 tonnes @ 4.58 g/t gold respectively. 
  • Current forecast for gold production in 2015 remains at approximately 35,000 ounces with All-In Sustaining Costs ("AISC") of between US$900 and US$950 per ounce.

(1)   Gold production figures are subject to amendment pending final agreed assays of the gold content of the copper/gold concentrate and gold dore that is delivered to the refineries.

Palito development

  • Quarterly mine development at Palito totalled 1,608 metres, exceeding plan by 6%.

Sao Chico development

  • Quarterly mine development total was 470 metres.    
  • By the end of the quarter, the first production stope was underway at Sao Chico, with 2,800 tonnes broken and stockpiled in the stope.  
  • The main ramp at Sao Chico has now reached the next planned development level, 182mRL, with the ore zone intersected as expected in early July.
  • At the end of the second quarter, surface stockpiles at Palito and Sao Chico totaled 11,392 tonnes @ 3.50 g/t gold. 
  • By the end of June, over 4,300 metres had been completed of the planned 5,000 metre Sao Chico surface drill programme.

Mike Hodgson, CEO of Serabi commented,  

"As I reported on 28 July 2015, when the Company issued its second quarter operational update, this was our best quarter to date from Palito and was boosted further by initial gold production from Sao Chico. We anticipate an increased contribution to our gold production from Sao Chico in the coming months. 

"Palito is operating very well and this is reflected by the gross profit from operations of US$2.9 million for the first six months of 2015. The direct mining and development costs at Sao Chico have been capitalised during the period and the revenues generated from gold production have been set off against these costs but this does mean that Palito production is carrying all of our current overhead and general mine site costs. As production from Sao Chico steps up and these overheads and general site costs can be spread over a larger revenue and production base I anticipate improvement in our margins.

"The recent unexpected fall in the gold price as with all other producers directly impacts on our short term cash generation and we continue to look closely at our cost base. However, with Sao Chico still in a ramp-up phase opportunities for cost reductions in the short term are limited. We are benefitting from the devaluation of the Brazilian Real but this is countered by inflationary pressures and the inflation rate in Brazil for July 2015 had reached 9.6%, its highest level since 2003.

"We remain on target to meet our 2015 production guidance of approximately 35,000 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of US$900 to US$950 per ounce." 

An interview with Clive Line, Finance Director of Serabi, can be accessed using the following link

http://brrmedia.co.uk/event/140078?popup=true

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the three and six month periods ended 30 June 2015

           
    For the three months ended
 30 June
For the six months ended
30 June
   
    2015 2014 2015 2014
(expressed in US$)   (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited)
CONTINUING OPERATIONS          
Revenue   11,194,178 18,678,393
Operating expenses (1)   (8,188,141) (13,048,050)
Depreciation of plant and equipment   (1,614,514) (2,732,234)
Gross Profit / (loss)   1,391,523 2,898,109
Administration expenses   (1,248,013) (1,482,040) (2,153,518) (2,394,018)
Share based payments   (101,018)  (43,840) (202,037) (73,428)
Depreciation of plant and equipment   (140,322) (266,305)
Operating Profit / (loss)   42,492 (1,666,202) 542,554 (2,733,751)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)   (35,032) 18,794 193,631 8,876
Finance expense   (408,378) (25,802) (972,179) (205,956)
Investment income   286,417 4,473 312,891 4,473
(Loss) / Profit before taxation   (114,501) (1,668,737) 76,897 (2,926,358)
Income tax expense  
(Loss) / Profit for the period from continuing operations (2) (3)   (114,501) (1,668,737) 76,897 (2,926,358)
           
Other comprehensive income (net of tax)
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations   1,826,193 1,797,215 (9,187,333) 3,717,965
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period (3)   1,711,692 128,478 (9,110,436) 791,607
           
(Loss) / profit per ordinary share (basic) (2)   (0.02c) (0.25c) 0.01c (0.50c)
(Loss) / profit per ordinary share (diluted) (2)   (0.02c) (0.25c) 0.01c (0.50c)

(1) During the second quarter of 2015, the Group has revised the basis on which it calculates the value of inventories of work in progress and finished products in particular the allocation of site overhead costs to each stage of production. The overall effect has been to reduce the value ascribed to each unit of inventory of copper/concentrate which comprises 40% of the inventory valuation at 31 March and 41% as at 30 June. Had the same methodology basis of valuation been adopted at 31 March 2015 the Group estimates that inventories of work in progress and finished goods would have reduced by approximately US$1.08 million. The Group is not restating its previously published results for the first quarter of 2015 and this additional expense is therefore being recognised in the 3 month period to 30 June 2015.

(2) All revenue and expenses arise from continuing operations.

(3) The Group has no non-controlling interests and all losses are attributable to the equity holders of the Parent Company.       

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

         
    As at As at As at
    30 June 30 June 31 December
    2015 2014 2014
(expressed in US$)   (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
Non-current assets        
Deferred exploration costs   10,857,942 26,508,924 11,799,271
Property, plant and equipment   48,840,812 43,412,368 54,103,898
Total non-current assets   59,698,754 69,921,292 65,903,169
Current assets        
Inventories   8,625,790 4,482,101 8,070,215
Trade and other receivables   8,429,901 5,278,884 6,772,046
Prepayments and accrued income   1,876,494 2,358,282 2,503,877
Cash and cash equivalents   4,481,970 5,920,963 9,813,602
Total current assets   23,414,155 18,040,230 27,159,740
Current liabilities        
Trade and other payables   5,607,205 3,675,731 4,601,337
Interest bearing liabilities   14,376,286 4,241,523 16,228,220
Derivative financial liabilities   544,374 528,503
Accruals   177,340 137,739 167,377
Total current liabilities   20,705,205 8,054,993 21,525,437
Net current assets   2,708,950 9,985,237 5,634,303
Total assets less current liabilities   62,407,704 79,906,529 71,537,472
Non-current liabilities        
Trade and other payables   1,773,567 456,979 1,424,798
Provisions   2,422,365 1,574,875 2,829,468
Interest bearing liabilities   201,620 527,168 364,655
Total non-current liabilities   4,397,552 2,559,022 4,618,921
Net assets   58,010,152 77,347,507 66,918,551
         
Equity        
Share capital   61,668,212 61,668,212 61,668,212
Share premium   67,656,848 69,119,848 67,656,848
Option reserve   2,545,378 2,214,909 2,400,080
Other reserves   450,262 931,144 450,262
Translation reserve   (27,923,625) (7,053,208) (18,736,292)
Accumulated loss   (46,386,923) (49,533,398) (46,520,559)
Equity shareholders' funds   58,010,152 77,347,507 66,918,551

The interim financial information has not been audited and does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Whilst the financial information included in this announcement has been compiled in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") this announcement itself does not contain sufficient financial information to comply with IFRS. The Group statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2014 prepared under IFRS as adopted in the EU and with IFRS and their interpretations adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board have been filed with the Registrar of Companies following their adoption by shareholders at the last Annual General Meeting. The auditor's report on these accounts was unqualified but did contain an Emphasis of Matter with respect to the Company and the Group regarding Going Concern. The auditor's report did not contain a statement under Section 498 (2) or 498 (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

               
(expressed in US$) Share Share Share option Other Translation Accumulated  
(unaudited) capital premium reserve reserves (1) reserve loss Total equity
Equity shareholders' funds at 31 December 
2013
60,003,212 54,479,151 2,330,789 789,076 (10,771,173) (46,796,348) 60,034,707
Foreign currency adjustments 3,717,965 3,717,965
Loss for the period (2,926,358) (2,926,358)
Total comprehensive income for the period 3,717,965 (2,926,358) 791,607
Issue of new ordinary shares for acquisition 1,665,000 14,765,000 220,000 16,650,000
Costs associated with issue of new ordinary shares for cash (202,235) (202,235)
Warrants lapsed in period 77,932 (77,932)
Share options lapsed in period (189,308) 189,308
Share option expense 73,428 73,428
Equity shareholders' funds at 30 June
2014
61,668,212 69,119,848 2,214,909 931,144 (7,053,208) (49,533,398) 77,347,507
Foreign currency adjustments (11,683,084) (11,683,084)
Profit for the period 2,751,957 2,751,957
Total comprehensive income for the period (11,683,084) 2,751,957 (8,931,127)
Correction relating to treatment of warrants (1,463,000) (220,000) (1,683,000)
Convertible Loan Stock Repaid (260,882) 260,882
Share option expense 185,171 185,171
Equity shareholders' funds at 31 December
2014
61,668,212 67,656,848 2,400,080 450,262 (18,736,292) (46,520,559) 66,918,551
Foreign currency adjustments (9,187,333) (9,187,333)
Profit for the period 76,897 76,897
Total comprehensive income for the period (9,187,333) 76,897 (9,110,436)
Share options lapsed in period (56,739) 56,739
Share option expense 202,037 202,037
Equity shareholders' funds at 30 June
 2015
61,668,212 67,656,848 2,545,378 450,262 (27,923,625) (46,386,923) 58,010,152

Other reserves comprise a merger reserve of US$361,461 (2014: US$ 361,461) and a warrant reserve of US$88,801 (December 2014: US$88,801).

Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statements

     
  For the three months
ended
30 June
For the six months
 ended
30 June
  2015 2014 2015 2014
(expressed in US$) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited)
Operating activities        
Operating (loss)/profit (114,501) (1,668,737) 76,897 (2,926,358)
Depreciation – plant, and equipment 1,614,514 140,322 2,732,234 266,305
Net financial expense 156,993 2,535 465,657  192,605
Option costs 101,018 43,840 202,037 73,428
Interest paid (335,703) 5,155 (769,870) (154,753)
Foreign exchange loss 89,410 (148,425) 164,488 4,024
Changes in working capital        
  Decrease/(increase) in inventories 468,303 1,426,974 (1,448,480) (330,233)
  (Increase) in receivables, prepayments and accrued income (1,919,140) (5,106,354) (1,566,516) (6,164,899)
  Increase in payables, accruals and provisions 805,971 442,743 1,640,918 495,381
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operations 866,865 (4,861,947) 1,497,365 (8,544,500)
         
Investing activities        
Sales revenues recognised to date 927,091 4,566,868 927,091 5,220,713
Capitalised pre-operating costs (667,208) (6,619,822) (667,208) (8,132,926)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and projects in construction (1,684,187) (1,531,155) (3,287,895) (2,291,845)
Other development expenditures (434,246) (24,207) (797,832) (38,160)
Exploration and development expenditure (462,235) (724,508) (462,235) (724,508)
Interest received 66 841
Net cash outflow on investing activities (2,320,719) (3,957,865) (4,287,238) (5,966,726)
         
Financing activities        
Issue of ordinary share capital 16,650,000
Payment of share issue costs (202,235)
Repayment of short-term secured loan (2,000,000) (5,500,000)
Draw-down of short-term secured loan 2,750,000
Receipts from short-term trade finance 5,266,690 3,188,178 10,687,449 3,188,178
Repayment of short-term trade finance (5,023,755) (10,863,935)
Payment of finance lease liabilities (110,585) (109,350) (267,065) (255,150)
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities 132,350 3,078,828 (2,443,551) 16,630,793
         
Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents (1,321,504) (5,740,984) (5,233,424) 2,119,567
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 5,794,982 11,616,469 9,813,602 3,789,263
Exchange difference on cash 8,492 45,478 (98,208) 12,133
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 4,481,970 5,920,963 4,481,970 5,920,963

Notes

1.             General Information

The financial information set out above does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Whilst the financial information included in this announcement has been compiled in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") this announcement itself does not contain sufficient financial information to comply with IFRS. A copy of the statutory accounts for 2014 has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The full audited financial statements for the years end 31 December 2014 do comply with IFRS.

2.             Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") in force at the reporting date and their interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") as adopted for use within the European Union and with IFRS and their interpretations issued by the IASB. The consolidated financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The financial statements do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.

It is not anticipated that the adoption in the future of the new or revised standards or interpretations that have been issued by the International Accounting Standards Board but are not yet effective will have a material impact on the Group's earnings or shareholders' funds. The Company has not adopted any new standards in advance of the effective dates.

Going concern and availability of project finance

The Group commenced gold production operations at the Palito Mine at the start of 2014 having completed the first phase construction of the gold recovery plant in December 2013. The operations during the first six months of 2014 were in a re-commissioning and ramp-up phase. On 23 July 2014 the Group announced that with effect from 1 July 2014 the Palito mine had achieved Commercial Production.   During the 3 months ended 30 September 2014, the Group completed work and commissioned the Carbon in Pulp ("CIP") leaching circuit allowing the Group to maximise the potential recovery of gold from the ore processed. The first "gold pour" of gold recovered from the CIP operations took place in October 2014. During the first six months of 2015 the Group has been undertaking the initial development of its Sao Chico operation and thereafter during 2015 plans to steadily increase the production of ore from Sao Chico for processing using the Palito gold process plant.  The Group began processing of ore from its Sao Chico operation during April 2015.

On 3 March 2014 the Group completed a share placement raising gross proceeds of UK£10 million which provided additional working capital to the Group during the start–up phase of production at Palito and also to fund the initial development and further evaluation of the Sao Chico gold project. On 26 September 2014 the Group also entered into a US$8 million secured loan facility which is required to be repaid in full on or before 31 March 2016 with the Sprott Resource Lending Partnership ("the Facility") providing additional working and development capital. The first tranche of US$3 million of this Facility was drawdown on 26 September 2014 with the remaining tranches drawn down in full on 28 December 2014. The Group also makes use of a borrowing facility of US$7.5 million to provide advance payment on sales of copper/gold concentrate. This current facility extends to 31 December 2015.

The Directors anticipate the Group now has access to sufficient funding for its immediate projected needs. The Group expects to have sufficient cash flow from its forecast production to finance its on-going operational requirements and to, at least in part, fund exploration and development activity on its other gold properties. However the forecasted cash flow projections for the next twelve months include a significant contribution arising from the Sao Chico development. As noted above, whilst development has commenced commercial production has yet to be declared. There are risks associated with the commencement of any new mining operation whereby unforeseen technical and logistical events result in additional time being required for commissioning or additional costs needing to be incurred, giving rise to the possibility that additional working capital may be required to fund these delays or additional capital requirements. Should additional working capital be required the Directors consider that further sources of finance could be secured within the required timescale. On this basis the Directors have therefore concluded that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. However there is no certainty that such additional funds either for working capital or for future development will be forthcoming and these conditions indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt over the Group's ability to continue as a going concern and therefore that it may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group was unable to continue as a going concern.

3.             Earnings per Share

  3 months
ended 30
June 2015
3 months
ended 30
June 2014
6 months
ended 30
June 2015
6 months
ended 30
June 2014
12 months
ended 31
 Dec 2014
(Loss) / profit attributable to ordinary shareholders (US$) (114,501) (1,668,737) 76,897 (2,926,358) (174,401)
Weighted average ordinary shares in issue 656,389,204 656,389,204 656,389,204 588,985,889 656,389,204
Basic and diluted loss per share (US cents) (0.02) (0.25) 0.01 (0.50) (0.03)
Diluted ordinary shares in issue (1) 656,389,204 656,389,204 792,202,164 588,985,889 656,389,204
Diluted profit /(loss) per share (US cents) (0.02)(2) (0.25)(2) 0.01 (0.50)(2) (0.03)(2)

(1)      Assumes exercise of 100,000,000 warrants and 35,812,960 options that have vested as of 30 June 2015.

(2)      As the effect of dilution is to reduce the loss per share the diluted loss per share is considered to be the same as the basic loss per share.

4.             Post balance sheet events

At the Annual General Meeting of Serabi Gold plc held on 11 June 2015, shareholders of the Company approved resolutions, subject to the confirmation of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales (the "Court"), that the amount standing to the credit of the share premium account of the Company be cancelled and that the issued share capital of the Company be reduced by cancelling and extinguishing all of the issued deferred shares of 4.5p each and 9.5p each in the capital of the Company ("Deferred Shares").

On 29 July 2015, the Court issued an order (the "Order") confirming the cancellation of both the share premium account and the Deferred Shares and the Company received confirmation from the Registrar of Companies of the registration of the Order.

As a result of the cancellation of the Company's share premium account and the Deferred Shares, the Company has eliminated all of its accumulated losses to date and established reserves, based on the financial statements of the Company as at 31 December 2014, of approximately US$82 million that could in the future be distributed to shareholders of the Company through the payment of dividends.

Between the end of the financial period and the date that these unaudited interim financial statements were approved by the Board, the Brazilian Real, the national currency of Brazil, has reduced in value in comparison to the United States dollar, the reporting currency of the Group by approximately 8%.   On 31 December 2014 the exchange rate for US$1.00 was BrR$2.6556. As at 30 June 2015 the exchange rate for US$1.00 was BrR$3.1019. As at 12 August 2015 the exchange rate for US$1.00 was BrR$3.4802. Many of the Group's assets and liabilities and in particular the value attributed to non-current assets are recorded in Brazilian Reais. The value of the Group's net assets and liabilities were significantly impacted by the devaluation of the Brazilian Real during the first quarter of 2015 as at 31 March 2015 the exchange rate for US$1.00 was BrR$3.2074. The Group sources the majority of its operational consumables in Brazilian Reais and salaries of all its Brazilian employees are denominated and paid in Brazilian Reais and therefore the Group's operating costs are subject to variation as a result of movements in the exchange rate between the United States Dollar and the Brazilian Real. 

Other than as set out above, between the end of the financial period and the date that the financial statements were approved by the board of directors there has been no item, transaction or event of a material or unusual nature likely, in the opinion of the directors of the company, to affect significantly the continuing operations of the company, the results of these operations, or the state of affairs of the company in future financial periods.

Enquiries:

Serabi Gold plc  
Michael Hodgson Tel: +44 (0)20 7246 6830
Chief Executive Mobile: +44 (0)7799 473621
   
Clive Line Tel: +44 (0)20 7246 6830
Finance Director Mobile: +44 (0)7710 151692
   
Email: contact@serabigold.com  
Website: www.serabigold.com  
   
Beaumont Cornish Limited
Nominated Adviser and Financial Adviser
 
Roland Cornish Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 3396
Michael Cornish Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 3396
   
Peel Hunt LLP
UK Broker
 
Matthew Armitt Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 9000
Ross Allister Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 9000
   
Blytheweigh
Public Relations
 
Tim Blythe Tel: +44 (0)20 7138 3204
Mobile: +44 7816 924626
Halimah Hussain Tel: +44 (0)20 7138 3203
Mobile: +44 7725 978141

Copies of this announcement are available from the Company's website at www.serabigold.com.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any other securities regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved of the contents of this announcement.

The Company will, in compliance with Canadian regulatory requirements, post the Unaudited Interim Financial Statements and the Management Discussion and Analysis for the three month and the six month periods ended 30 June 2015 on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These documents will also available from the Company's website – www.serabigold.com.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following is a glossary of technical terms:

 "Au" means gold.

 "assay" in economic geology, means to analyze the proportions of metal in a rock or overburden sample; to test an ore or mineral for composition, purity, weight or other properties of commercial interest.

"DNPM" is the Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral.

"grade" is the concentration of mineral within the host rock typically quoted as grams per tonne (g/t), parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb).

"g/t" means grams per tonne.

"granodiorite" is an igneous intrusive rock similar to granite.

"igneous" is a rock that has solidified from molten material or magma.

"Intrusive" is a body of igneous rock that invades older rocks.

"mRL" – depth in metres measured relative to a fixed point – in the case of Palito and Sao Chico this is sea-level. The mine entrance at Palito is at 250mRL.

"saprolite" is a weathered or decomposed clay‐rich rock.

"Vein" is a generic term to describe an occurrence of mineralised rock within an area of non-mineralised rock.

Qualified Persons Statement

The scientific and technical information contained within this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Michael Hodgson, a Director of the Company. Mr Hodgson is an Economic Geologist by training with over 26 years' experience in the mining industry. He holds a BSc (Hons) Geology, University of London, a MSc Mining Geology, University of Leicester and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and a Chartered Engineer of the Engineering Council of UK, recognising him as both a Qualified Person for the purposes of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and by the AIM Guidance Note on Mining and Oil & Gas Companies dated June 2009.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ''believe'', ''could'', "should" ''envisage'', ''estimate'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''plan'', ''will'' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward looking statements.