Source - LSE Regulatory
RNS Number : 0815M
Kore Potash PLC
12 September 2023
 

12 September 2023

Kore Potash Plc

("Kore Potash" or the "Company")

(The "Group" refers to Kore Potash Plc and its subsidiaries)

 

Financial Results for Half Year Ended 30 June 2023

 

Kore Potash, the potash development company with 97%-ownership of the Kola and DX Potash Projects in the Sintoukola Basin, located within the Republic of Congo ("RoC"), today reports its unaudited financial results and operational highlights for the half year ended 30 June 2023 ("the Period").

 

The full financial report is available online at the Company's website at https://korepotash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/20230911-Half-Year-Interim-Report-2023.pdf The financial statements contained within this announcement should be read in conjunction with the notes contained within the full financial report.

 

Highlights

·    Discussions continue towards finalising terms for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction ("EPC") contract at the Kola Project.

·    PowerChina International Group Limited ("PowerChina") and SEPCO Electric Power Construction Corporation ("SEPCO") have commenced work to support the provision of guarantees regarding an EPC contract for Kola.

·     Summit Consortium has confirmed that the financing proposal for the full capital cost of Kola will be provided within six weeks of finalisation of EPC contract terms.

·     On 24 January 2023, the Company announced an update of the JORC (2012) compliant Mineral Resource, Ore Reserve, Pre Feasibility Study ("PFS") information and Production Target at the DX Project. The updated Mineral Resource incorporates the most recent drilling results and interpretation of the geophysical data.

·      Cash and cash equivalents, at 30 June 2023 was USD 2,555,254.

·    The exploration and evaluation assets at 30 June 2023 was USD 167,201,357, an increase of USD 4,472,163 from USD 162,729,194 at 31 December 2022. During the Period the Company capitalised USD 1,882,884 in exploration and evaluation expenditure and the expenditure increased by USD 2,589,279 as a result of the weakening of the USD against the currency of the RoC.

·      Despite the on-going Russian/Ukraine conflict and increasing fuel prices, the Group's operations have not been materially impacted during the Period.

 

Kola Potash Project

Kore Potash signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Summit Consortium in April 2021 for the Optimisation of Kola, the provision of an EPC contract proposal and to provide a debt and royalty financing proposal for the full construction cost of Kola.

 

The results of the Optimisation Study announced on 27 June 2022 supported moving to the next phase of Kola's development.

 

On 28 June 2022, the Company announced that it had signed a Head of Agreement ("HoA") for the construction of Kola with SEPCO.

 

Under the HoA, SEPCO undertook to continue negotiations with Kore Potash towards an EPC contract for the construction of Kola. Importantly, the HoA recognises the outcomes of the Optimisation Study, and confirmed the capital cost of Kola, the construction period and related EPC contract terms.

 

Discussions with SEPCO to finalise key EPC terms continue.

 

Recognising the world-class scale of Kola, the length of the proposed construction period and the total financing requirement, Kore Potash has requested that SEPCO's parent company, PowerChina, provides the typically required EPC contract guarantees, including performance and retention bonds supporting the completion of construction and the operating performance of Kola.

 

PowerChina is now actively involved in the process to finalise the EPC contract terms. As part of this process, PowerChina is reviewing aspects of the Kola design and the planned construction schedule and has had direct communications with the management of Kore Potash.

 

PowerChina's review has generated a number of potential design improvements to the Kola Project that identify potential opportunities to further reduce the capital cost and the construction schedule. Discussions on incorporating these design improvements into the EPC contract continue.

 

PowerChina has engaged a number of external experts to support its review of the Kola design and they require completion of this review to support the provision of the required EPC contract guarantees.

 

Kore Potash continues to work with the Summit Consortium to provide financing for the full construction cost of Kola which is intended to be based on royalty and debt finance.

 

The successful outcomes of the Optimisation Study were in line with the Consortium's requirements and supported the ongoing financing discussions. The financing parties of the Consortium have again reinforced their ongoing strong interest in financing Kola and await finalisation of the EPC contract terms.

 

The Consortium has advised that the financing proposal for the full construction cost of Kola will be provided to the Company within six weeks of EPC terms being finalised.

 

Kore Potash continues to hold the view that the members of the Consortium have the capability to provide the required financing to commit to the construction of Kola and that pursuing this financing opportunity currently remains the best strategy for Kore Potash's shareholders.

 

Key members of the Kore Potash Board and the Summit Consortium, including SEPCO and PowerChina, met with the Ministry of Mines during the period. The Ministry of Mines feedback from the visit was positive and that it improved the Ministry's understanding of the financing process.

Dougou Extension ("DX") Sylvinite Defined Feasibility Study Phase 1

The DX Project update of the JORC (2012) compliant Mineral Resource, Ore Reserve, PFS information and Production Target was announced on the 24 January 2023. The updated Mineral Resource incorporates the most recent drilling results and interpretation of the geophysical data. A summary of the results is presented below:

 

Production Target of 15.5Mt sylvinite at a grade of 30.63 % KCl demonstrates initial project life of 12 years at a production rate of 400,000 tpa Muriate of Potash ("MoP").

Production Target based on Proven and Probable Ore Reserves and 13% of the Inferred Mineral Resources that represents 30% of the life of project MoP production.

NPV10 (real) of USD 275 million and 27% IRR on a real post tax basis at life of project average granular MoP price of USD 450/t.

Approximately 2.9 years post-tax payback period from first production.

Proven and Probable Ore Reserve of 9.31 Mt sylvinite at an average grade of 35.7% KCl.

Mineral Resource of 129 Mt at an average grade of 24.8% KCl.

Higher confidence in the distribution of Sylvinite within the Top Seams and improved understanding of the Sylvinite/Carnallite boundary within the Hanging Wall Seam.

 

The updated information confirms that the DX Project is a financially attractive, low capital cost project with a shorter construction period than Kola.

 

At present, the Company remains focused on completing the financing of Kola and moving forward to construction of Kola as soon as possible. The Company is now exploring what strategic options are available for the DX project.

 

The financial statements below should be read in conjunction with the notes contained within the full financial report which is available online at the Company's website at https://korepotash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/20230911-Half-Year-Interim-Report-2023.pdf



 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

 


6 months ended


6 months ended


Year ended

30 June 2023


30 June 2022


31 Dec 2022

USD


USD


USD


 

Unaudited


Unaudited


Audited

Directors' remuneration


(151,769)


(198,521)


(418,962)

Equity compensation benefits


-


(8,523)


(9,412)

Salaries, employee benefits and consultancy expense


(95,704)


(207,766)


(293,292)

Administration expenses


(273,020)


(222,798)


(546,507)

Interest income


51,348


17,029


66,956

Interest and finance expenses


(1,395)


(2,182)


(3,935)

 Net realised and unrealised foreign exchange gain (loss)


 

5,557


 

(280,449)


 

(308,801)

Loss before income tax expense


(464,983)

 

(903,210)

 

(1,513,953)

Income tax income/(expense)


-


-


-

Loss for the period


(464,983)

 

(903,210)

 

(1,513,953)

 

Other comprehensive income/(loss)







Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Exchange differences gain/(loss) on translating







operations


2,540,490


(11,887,165)


(8,660,408)

Other comprehensive profit/(loss) for the period


2,540,490

 

(11,887,165)

 

(8,660,408)

Total comprehensive profit/(loss) for the period


2,075,507

 

(12,790,375)

 

(10,174,361)

 

 Loss attributable to:







Owners of the Company


(464,474)


  (903,210)


(1,513,822)

Non-controlling interest


(509)


          -


(131)



(464,983)

 

  (903,210)

 

(1,513,953)

Total comprehensive profit/(loss) attributable to:







Owners of the Company


2,076,016


(12,790,375)


(10,174,230)

Non-controlling interest


(509)


          -


(131)



2,075,507

 

(12,790,375)

 

(10,174,361)

Loss per share







Basic and diluted loss per share (cents per share)


(0.01)


(0.03)


(0.04)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2023

 



30 June 2023

USD


30 June 2022

USD


31 Dec 2022

USD

 

Unaudited


Unaudited


Audited

ASSETS







Current Assets







Cash and cash equivalents


2,555,254


7,628,417


5,046,629

Trade and other receivables


140,479


145,458


200,251

Total Current Assets


2,695,733

 

7,773,875

 

5,246,880

 

Non-Current Assets


 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables


39,218


99,562


38,597

Property, plant and equipment


373,633


433,385


385,103

Exploration and evaluation expenditure


167,201,357


157,518,638


162,729,194

Total Non-Current Assets


167,614,208

 

158,051,585

 

163,152,894

TOTAL ASSETS


170,309,941

 

165,825,460

 

168,399,774

 

LIABILITIES







Current Liabilities







Trade and other payables


572,417


803,064


749,469

Derivative financial liability


26


26


26

Total Current Liabilities


572,443

 

803,090

 

749,495

 

Non-Current Liabilities







Total Non-Current Liabilities


-


-


-

TOTAL LIABILITIES


572,443

 

803,090

 

749,495








NET ASSETS


169,737,498

 

165,022,370

 

167,650,279

 

EQUITY







Issued share capital - Ordinary Shares


3,421,937


3,420,177


3,420,177

Reserves


223,948,269


218,347,816


221,586,467

Accumulated losses


(57,069,485)


(56,183,040)


(56,793,651)

Equity attributable to the shareholders of

Kore Potash plc


 

170,300,721

 

 

165,584,953

 

   

168,212,993

Non-controlling interests


(563,223)


(562,583)


(562,714)

TOTAL EQUITY


169,737,498

 

165,022,370

 

167,650,279

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2023

 

 


Ordinary Shares

Share Premium Reserve

Merger Reserve

Accumulated

Option Reserve

Foreign Currency

Owners of the Parent

Non- controlling Interest

Total Equity

USD

USD

USD

Losses

USD

Translation Reserve

USD

USD

USD




USD


USD




Balance as at 1 Jan 2023

 

3,420,177

 

44,537,309

 

203,738,800

 

(56,793,651)

 

734,259

 

(27,423,901)

 

168,212,993

 

(562,714)

 

167,650,279

Loss for the period

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(464,474)

 

-

 

-

 

(464,474)

 

(509)

 

(464,983)

 

Other Comprehensive (loss)/gain

 






 


 

-

-

-

-

-

2,540,490

2,540,490

-

2,540,490

Total Comprehensive (loss)/gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

-

-

(464,474)

-

2,540,490

2,076,016

(509)

2,075,507

Transactions with owners:







 


 

Issue of Shares

1,760

-

-

-

-

-

1,760

-

1,760

Conversion of performance rights

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

188,640

 

(188,640)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Share Based payments

-

-

-

-

9,952

-

9,952

-

9,952

Balance at 30 June 2023

3,421,937

44,537,309

203,738,800

(57,069,485)

555,571

(24,883,411)

170,300,721

(563,223)

169,737,498

 































Ordinary Shares

Share Premium Reserve

Merger Reserve

Accumulated

Option Reserve

Foreign Currency

Owners of the Parent

Non- controlling Interest

Total Equity

USD

USD

USD

Losses

USD

Translation Reserve

USD

USD

USD




USD


USD




Balance as at 1 Jan 2022

 

3,375,494

 

44,205,971

 

203,738,800

 

(55,422,779)

 

708,486

 

(18,623,503)

 

177,982,470

 

(562,583)

 

177,419,887

Loss for the period

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(903,210)

 

-

 

-

 

(903,210)

 

-

 

(903,210)

Other Comprehensive (loss)/gain

 






 


 

-

-

-

-

-

(11,887,165)

(11,887,165)

-

(11,887,165)

Total Comprehensive (loss)/gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

-

-

(903,210)

-

(11,887,165)

(12,790,375)

-

(12,790,375)

 







 


 

Kore Potash Ltd Southt Africa wound down

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

138,500

 

-

 

(139,989)

 

(1,489)

 

-

 

(1,489)

 







 


 

Transactions with owners:







 


 

Issue of Shares

44,683

331,338

-

-

-

-

376,021

-

376,021

Conversion of performance rights

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

4,449

 

(4,449)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Share Based payments

-

-

-

-

18,327

-

18,327

-

18,327

Balance at 30 June 2022

3,420,177

44,537,309

203,738,800

(56,183,040)

722,364

(30,650,657)

165,584,953

(562,583)

165,022,370

 










 





















Ordinary Shares

Share Premium Reserve

Merger Reserve

Accumulated Losses

Option Reserve

Foreign Currency

Owners of the Parent

Non- controlling Interest

Total Equity

Losses

Translation Reserve

 

USD

USD

USD

USD

USD

USD

USD

USD

USD

Balance at 1 Jan 2022

 

3,375,494

 

44,205,971

 

203,738,800

 

(55,422,779)

 

708,486

 

(18,623,503)

 

177,982,470

 

(562,583)

 

177,419,887











Loss for the period:

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(1,513,822)

 

-

 

.-

 

(1,513,822)

 

(131)

 

(1,513,953)

Other comprehensive (loss)/gain

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(8,660,408)

 

(8,660,408)

 

-

 

(8,660,408)

Total comprehensive (loss)/gain

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(1,513,822)

 

-

 

(8,660,408)

 

(10,174,230)

 

(131)

 

(10,174,361)

 










Kore Potash Ltd SA Divestment

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

138,501

 

-

 

(139,989)

 

(1,488)

 

-

 

(1,488)

 










Transactions with owners:










Conversion of performance rights

 

-

-

-

4,449

(4,449)

-

-

-

-

Share issues

44,683

331,338

-

-

-

-

376,021

-

376,021

Share issue costs

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

11,895

 

-

 

11,895

 

-

 

11,895

Share based payments

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

18,327

 

-

 

18,327

 

-

 

18,327

 










Balance at 31 Dec 2022

3,420,177

44,537,309

203,738,800

(56,793,651)

734,259

(27,423,901)

168,212,993

(562,714)

167,650,279

 



 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 203

 


6 months ended

30 June 2023


6 months ended

30 June 2022


Year ended

31 Dec 2022

USD


USD


USD


 

Unaudited


Unaudited


Audited

Cash Flows from Operating Activities







Payments to suppliers and employees


(577,006)


(697,416)


(1,236,245)

Net cash flows (used in) operating activities


(577,006)


(697,416)


(1,236,245)

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities




 

 


 

 

Payments for plant and equipment


-


(658)


(633)

Payments for exploration and evaluation


(1,984,021)


(2,497,533)


(4,574,363)

Interest received


51,348


17,029


66,956

Net cash flows (used in) investing activities


(1,932,673)


(2,481,162)


(4,508,040)

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities







Proceeds from issue of shares


1,760


550


550

Net cash flows generated from







financing activities


1,760


550


550

 

Net decrease in cash and cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equivalents

 

(2,507,919)

 

(3,178,028)

 

(5,743,735)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of

period


 

5,046,629


 

11,092,509


 

11,092,509

Foreign currency differences


16,544


(286,064)


(302,145)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Period End


2,555,254


7,628,417


5,046,629

 

 

Market Abuse Regulation

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

 

This announcement has been approved for release by the Board of Kore Potash.

 

END

 



 

For further information, please visit www.korepotash.com or contact:

Kore Potash

Brad Sampson - CEO


Tel: +27 84 603 6238

Tavistock Communications

Nick Elwes

Adam Baynes


Tel: +44 (0) 20 7920 3150

SP Angel Corporate Finance - Nomad and Joint Broker

Ewan Leggat

Charlie Bouverat


Tel: +44 (0) 20 7470 0470

Shore Capital - Joint Broker

Toby Gibbs

James Thomas


Tel: +44 (0) 20 7408 4050

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain statements that are "forward-looking" with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, projects and business of the Company and certain plans and objectives of the management of the Company. Forward-looking statements include those containing words such as: "anticipate", "believe", "expect," "forecast", "potential", "intends," "estimate," "will", "plan", "could", "may", "project", "target", "likely" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. By their very nature forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which are subject to change without notice and may involve significant elements of subjective judgement and assumptions as to future events which may or may not be correct, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of our forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance.

 

Neither the Company, nor any other person, gives any representation, warranty, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement will occur.  Except as required by law, and only to the extent so required, none of the Company, its subsidiaries or its or their directors, officers, employees, advisors or agents or any other person shall in any way be liable to any person or body for any loss, claim, demand, damages, costs or expenses of whatever nature arising in any way out of, or in connection with, the information contained in this document.

 

In particular, statements in this release regarding the Company's business or proposed business, which are not historical facts, are "forward-looking" statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as Mineral Resource estimates market prices of potash, capital and operating costs, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Shareholders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company as at the date of this release. Except as required by law or regulation (including the ASX Listing Rules), the Company is under no obligation to provide any additional or updated information whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise.

 

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