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Afarak Group

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FY2014 Annual Report · Afarak Group
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A n n u A l   R e p o R t

2 0 1 4

Afarak is a growing, integrated chrome producer supplying specialist products 

to the expanding steel and stainless steel industries. The Group is focused 

on utilising its experience and technological advantages to deliver profitable 

and sustainable growth.

CONTENTS

04    2014 Highlights
05    Our Business Model
08    Our Operation
10    Our Business Ethics
11    Our Strategy
12    Letter from the CEO
14    Our Resource Base

24    Corporate Governance Statement
27    Board of Directors
35    Executive Management Team
40    Remuneration Report

45    The Board of Directors Report
46    Review of 2014

63    Group’s Key Financial Figures
66    Formulas for Calculation
67    Consolidated income statement and comprehensive
        income
69    Consolidated statement of financial position
70    Consolidated statement of cash flows
72    Consolidated statement of changes in equity
73    Notes to the Financial Statements

138    Income Statements (FAS)
139    Balance Sheet (FAS)
141    Statement of Cash Flow (FAS)
143    Notes to the Financial Statements of the parent 

 company

155    Signatures to the Board of Directors Report and 
          Financial Statements
156    Auditor’s Report  

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3

Overview 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Zero Harm 

continues being 

a key focus, with 

zero fatality rate 

in 2014 .

The granulation 

and converter 

plant at Mogale 

Alloys was 

commissioned in 

December 2014 

and allowed the 

production of 

medium carbon 

ferrochrome, 

which will 

affects positively 

the profitability 

of Mogale Alloys 

in 2015

4

PRODUCTION

Mining-38.7%

Mining activity negatively affected by local unrest and 
strike

Processing+53.3%

Processing increased substantially in both segments 
during 2014

RESULTS

Revenue+27.4%

Sales volumes of processed material increased in both 
segments and growth in trading operations
and growth in trading operations

EBITDA €8.4 million

EBITDA was negatively affected by weak US Dollar, 
increase in production costs and writedowns in joint 
venture operation

EBIT+€1.7 million

The Company achieved positive EBIT for the first time 
since entering the mineral business

Profit €2.2 million

The profit was positively affected by the sales of part of 
the saw mill equipment the Company acquired in 2008

2014 HIGHLIGHTSAFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

the Group’s chrome operations are split into two businesses:  Speciality 
Alloys  in Europe and FerroAlloys in southern Africa.  Speciality Alloys 
consists of the Turkish mining operation TMS and the German processing 
plant, EWW.  FerroAlloys  consists of the Stellite mining operation, the 
Mecklenburg mining operation and the alloy processing plant, Mogale 
Alloys..

Afarak exports raw chrome ore directly to China through it’s business 
partners and through its centralised sales and marketing arm RCS, sells 
a diverse range of chrome products to customers worldwide, operating 
in the stainless steel and steel sectors, including the automotive, 
aerospace and power generation industries.

M I N I N G

P R O C E S S I N G

P R O D U C T S

Speciality Alloys

TMS (Turkey)

EWW (Germany)

Chome Ore
low Carbon Ferrochrome
ultra low Carbon Ferrochrome
Speciallity low Carbon 
Ferrochrome

RCS (Malta)
Sales & Marketing

FerroAlloys

Synergy Afriva Group (JV)
Stellite Mine (South Africa) 
Mecklenburg Mine (South Africa)

Moglae Alloys (South Africa)

Chrome Ore
Plasma Charge Ferrochrome 
Medium Carbon Ferrochrome 
Silico Manganese

5

OUR BUSINESS MODELOverview AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Finland
OM:AFAGR

Turkey
Kavak & Tavash mines

Malta
GroupHQ
RCS, sales & marketing

UK
LSE: AFRK

Germany
EWW processing plant

South Africa
Stellite mine,
Mecklenburg
Mogale processing plant

mine,

USA
Speciality Super Alloys,
sales & marketing

aNNUaL
CaPaCITy

FerroAlloys Segment
Mogale 110,000MT
Stellite mine 240,000MT
Meckleburg mine 240,000MT

Speciality Alloys Segment
TMS 71,000MT
EWW 36,000MT

2014

MINING

PROCESSING

SAleS & MARKetinG

FerroAlloys
Segment

Production

268,351MT

EMPLOYEES

56

ENERGY

Production

72,677MT

EMPLOYEES

280

ENERGY

Revenue

euR 74.8m

Sales Volumes

247,591MT

EBITDA

3,684,569 KWh

372,383,160 KWh

euR 3.1m

Speciality Alloys
Segment

Production

35,848MT

EMPLOYEES

219

ENERGY

Production

28,784MT 

EMPLOYEES

123

ENERGY

Revenue

euR 97.8m 

Sales Volumes

42,956MT 

EBITDA

8,723,589 KWh

95,568,210 KWh  

euR 7.9m

6

OUR BUSINESS MODEL 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Sales	
  Mix	
  -­‐	
  2014	
  

 Other	
  
9%	
  

 SiMn	
  
14%	
  

SSA	
  
0%	
  

 ChCr	
  
8%	
  

LC/ULC	
  FeCr	
  
9%	
  

 CrOre	
  
(Turkey)	
  
4%	
  

Revenues	
  from	
  external	
  customers	
  2014	
  

Non-­‐Current	
  assets	
  2014	
  

Other	
  countries	
  

12%	
  

Other	
  countries	
  

14%	
  

Finland	
  

4%	
  

Africa	
  

14%	
  

China	
  

2%	
  

United	
  States	
  

24%	
  

EU	
  countries	
  

8%	
  

Africa	
  

79%	
  

CrOre	
  (SA)	
  
56%	
  

Other	
  EU	
  countries	
  

45%	
  

Ferrochrome is a material 
that is essential to produce 
stainless steel and other 
specialty steels. In addition 
to chromium content, carbon 
level is commonly used 
to determining the price 
differential between the 
various ferrochrome grades

Ferrochrome from southern 
Africa is known as ‘charge 
chrome’ and it is the most 
widely used ferrochrome 
type for the production of 
stainless and alloy steels. 
Our  material Plasma 
Ferrochrome is with ultra 
low  P content in respect 
with standard Charge 
Chrome.

Low and ultra low carbon 
ferrochrome produced by 
EWW is used for in specialist 
applications such as engineering 
steels where low carbon 
content,   high chromium to iron 
ratio and minimum levels of 
other elements such as sulfur, 
phosphorus and titanium are 
important.

Afarak’s product range supplies global customers

S
T
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U
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O
R
P

S
R
E
M
O
T
S
U
C

R
E
S
U
D
N
E

Chrome Ore

Plasma Charge Chrome
Stainless Steel Alloy

Silico Manganese

Ferrochrome smelters

Stainless steel smelters

Carbon steem mills

Stainless steel smelters

Cutlery
Automotive
Appliances
Construction
Architectural
Rail
Chemical applications

Automotive
Construction
Infrastructure
Housing
Appliance
Shipping
Industrial machinery

Medium Carbon
low Carbon
ultra low Carbon
Speciality low Carbon
Ferrochrome

Tool and high speed 
steels
Engineering steel
High stenght low alloy 
steel
Carbon steel mills

Areospace
Automotive
Engineering
Plastics
Machinery
Yellow goods
(mining equipment)
Structural applications
Nuclear power plant
tubing/pipes

7

Overview	
  
	
  
	
  
 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Our Operations

Speciality Alloys 

Afarak’s Speciality Alloys business produces niche low Carbon and ultralow Carbon Ferrochrome 
products and comprises a vertically integrated business consisting of the turkish mining operation, 
TMS and the German processing plant, EWW.

Turk Maadin Sirketi (“TMS”)

turk Maadin Sirketi was first established in March 1918 in İstanbul under the title “osmanlı–Alman 
Maadin Şirketi”, (ottoman-German Mining Co). Afarak acquired the company in 2008. the production 
facilities are located in Kavak, in the eskisehir province, and in tavas, in the Denizli province, both in 
Turkey. The operations consist of open pit and underground operations and processing facilities. 

The chrome ore is processed into special grade, highly concentrated chromite concentrate and delivered 
for further processing to the Group’s processing operations, eWW in Germany for the production of low 
Carbon and ultralow Carbon Ferrochrome. the lumpy chrome ore produced at tMS is mainly supplied 
directly to stainless steel manufacturers in China and India.

Reserves and resources

Annual production capacity

2014 production

7,116,460 MT

71,000 MT

35,848 MT

Elektrowerk Weisweiler  (“EWW”)

elektrowerk Weisweiler was established in 1917 and is located at eschweiler-Weisweiler, Germany. 
Afarak acquired the company in 2012 with a transaction that completed the vertical integration of the 
Specialty Alloys business: processing of the chromite concentrate produced by tMS in turkey is carried 
out at EWW. 
EWW is a highly specialised smelting operation, producing a range of specialist products, such as 
specialised low Carbon and ultralow Carbon Ferrochrome which are then sold internationally to 
customers in the automotive, aerospace and power generation industries, by RCS, the Group’s sales 
and marketing division.

Annual production capacity

2014 production

36,000 MT

28,784 MT

8

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

FerroAlloys

Afarak’s FerroAlloys business is located in southern Africa and consists of the Stellite chrome mine, the 
Mecklenburg mine and the Mogale Alloys processing plant in South Africa.

The Stellite Mine

The Stellite mine was acquired in late 2010, as part of the Chromex joint-venture acquisition that is 51 
% owned by Afarak.  Stellite the primary ore supply to Mogale Alloys, thereby integrating the FerroAlloys 
business. excess lumpy chrome ore mined at Stellite is exported directly to China. Stellite is located on 
the western limb of the Bushveld complex in South Africa, where 70% of the world’s chrome resources 
are located. BEE partners own 19% of the operation.

The mine commenced operations in July 2008. The open cast mining is outsourced to a contractor. 
the beneficiation plant comprises of a dense media separation (DMS) plant and a spirals circuit. the 
mine produces a 42% and 44% metallurgical grade chrome concentrate which is transported by road to 
Mogale Alloys and a 38% lumpy chrome ore, which is exported to China.

Resources (Chrome Ore)

Resources (PGM)

Annual production capacity

2014 production

28,744,000 MT

1,009,694 oz

480,000 MT

268,351 MT

The Mecklenburg Mine

the Mecklenburg Mine, part of the Chromex joint-venture, is located on the eastern limb of the Bushveld 
Complex, well known for hosting much of the world’s known resources of platinum, but also a major 
source of chromite. the Mecklenburg mine started full production in July 2013. So far the operation has 
been an open pit operation but the Company is currently evaluating underground mining at Mecklenburg.

Resources (Chrome Ore)

Resources (PGM)

Annual production capacity

2014 production

8,836,000 MT

0 oz

480,000 MT

268,351 MT

9

Overview AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

FerroAlloys

Mogale Alloys

Afarak acquired Mogale Alloys in 2009, providing it with access to the bulk minerals processing sector 
in South Africa. the acquisition marked a strategic step forward for the Group by providing access to 
direct current (DC) furnace technology.

Mogale operates four furnaces; two submerged arc furnaces and two DC furnaces. these furnaces are 
capable of producing four key products: silico manganese, plasma ferrochrome, charge ferrochrome 
and stainless steel alloy (chromium-iron-nickel alloy). Furthermore, in 2014 Afarak completed the 
installation of ferroalloy refining and granulation plant which enabled the production of medium carbon 
ferrochrome.

Annual production capacity: 

2014 production

110,000 MT

72,677 MT

Vlakpoort - Prospecting Right
Vlakpoort prospecting right  was bought in 2012 it’s expected to start production in 2016. Vlakpoort 
is located in South Africa. the surface right is owned by Afarak.  the total resources including target 
recources are 18,072,000 tonnes chromite resources and 20,390,000 tonnes PGM resources. The  
planned production  is approximately 30,000 tonnes run of mine per month.

Boschhoek - Prospecting Right
the South African Boschhoek prospecting right  was bought in 2012 and is still in the exploration stage. 
The potential resources at this stage are 317,000 tonnes high grade chromite resources.

OUR BUSINESS ETHICS

Afarak seeks to conduct its business in a responsible and ethcal manner for the 
benfit of all its stakeholders: 

•  Ensure employees have a safe and healty work in which to develop and grow 

•  offering a work culture that harnesses diversity, equal opportunities and team work 

•  Making positive contributions to the local communities in which it operates and building long-term 

relationships 

•  Respecting the environment and minimising its footprint as much as possible 

•  Adopting the priciples behind the uK Bribery Act, which is currently considered best practice in 

the world 

•  Being a proactive participant in the industry, engaging with fellow chrome producers and government 

to adress challenges and find sustainable, long-term solutions 

•  leading by example, demonstrating commitment through action not just words   

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

OUR STRaTEGy

Afarak’s goal is to maximize business growth and increase shareholder value by focusing at 
diversification, specialization and consolidation. We also aim to enhance our value chain and improve 
efficiencies in order to achieve better financial performance.

1. Diversification 
Afarak aims to diversify its product range within 
the mineral and metals segment in order to enable 
the Company’s sales and marketing arm to increase 
trading volumes for higher profitability

2. Specialization 
Afarak aims to concentrate on and further develop 
its highly specialised niche products  in order to 
strengthen our position in the market. 

3. Consolidation 
Afarak aims to grow its asset base geographically, 
penetrate additional commodity markets and enhance 
synergies by identifying potential consolidation 
opportunities

4. Enhancing our Value Chain 
Afarak aims to improve the value chain and deepen 
the vertical integration of the Company in order to 
reach better performance 

Development of current operations

Afarak has started the evaluation process of the various projects and also aims to continue working 
to increase its chrome ore production. 

Short term 

•  investment in a fines recovery beneficiation plant in our turkish mines
•  investment in dryer in the ferrochrome furnace at Mogale and the utilisation of burnt lime in the 

production process 

Medium Term 

•  Investment evaluation of ferrosilico chrome plant at EWW 
•  Investment evaluation of slag recycling at EWW 
•  Commencement of open pit mining activities at Vlakpoort mine in South Africa 
•  Commencement of underground mining activities at Eagle mine in Turkey
•  Commencement of underground operations at Mecklenburg mine in South Africa
•  Commencement of underground operations at Stellite mine in South Africa

11

Overview AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Dear Shareholder,

Whilst Afarak has made positive steps going forward, 
it has done so against the background of an economic 
environment, which continues to be tough.  Prices 
have not recovered and it has been a turbulent year 
in terms of the social and political environment in 
which we operate. 

Throughout 2014, the Group continued to make 
strong savings initiatives and restructured its 
operations. This cost cutting drive is an on going 
exercise and we continue to identify further areas for 
cost efficiencies in both our mining operations and 
areas of administration. We will continue to retain 
our solid customer base by providing clients with 
superior quality market products, guaranteeing the 
Group’s future long-term contracts.

With prices falling against the backdrop of a volatile 
economic climate, the year saw our teams focus on 
maximizing production from our assets in turkey and 
South Africa, and successfully restricting cost inflation 
to a minimum. the industry is facing significant 
challenges although we believe that the long-term 
fundamentals are strong. Those challenges are mainly 
around price, including its volatility, as well as rising 
costs and increasingly challenging technical mining 
conditions. Careful management of cash is therefore 
critical ahead of market recovery. In view of these 
unpredictable environments we have identified a 
niche market in specialty alloys, in which we want 
to direct focus.  As a result of such an orientation 
the Group committed to a significant investment in 

the granulation and converter plant at Mogale Alloys 
in South Africa.  these valuable assets will enable 
us to increase our profit margins in higher yielding 
products.

The Group has focused on increasing revenue and 
profitability, which is evident in our financial reports 
and this will enable us to fulfill our commitment to 
reward our shareholders by way of dividends.  in 
the past two financial years we have been able to 
make such payments and it is our intention to be in 
a position to continue to do so in 2015.

our commitment to zero harm and safe production 
in our work place remains undiminished. The full 
year mining safety record has been commendable 
and we remain completely focused on improving 
safe working environments for all of the Group’s 
employees.

Despite facing difficult conditions Afarak performed 
well in 2014. The volumes of processed ferrochrome 
increased substantially in 2014 by 53.3% as a result 
of higher demand in the Speciality Alloy segment 
where production increased by 23.8% over 2013. in 
the FerroAlloy segment we saw an increase of 69.2% 
as Mogale Alloys produced throughout the year and 
unlike in 2013, did not participate in eskom’s electricity 
buyback program. the tonnage mined during the year 
was negatively affected by the temporary suspension 
of the Mecklenburg mine production and the strike 
and lockout at the turkish mines. unfortunately 
these events caused a decrease of 38.7% compared 
to year 2013. 

12

Letter fromthe ChIef eXeCUtIVe offICerAFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

the Group’s revenue in 2014 improved with an 
increase of 27.4%. Speciality ferrochrome prices 
remained stable during the year, whilst charge chrome 
prices were weak and remain below the high levels 
seen in 2013. Furthermore, the increase in the cost 
of production caused by higher raw material costs 
in the Speciality Alloys segment and higher energy 
cost in the Ferroalloys segment affected our results 
negatively. 

2014 was a year where we saw a good increase 
in demand for ferrochrome but unfortunately the 
increase was not reflected in prices. the possible 
price increase was pushed away by the strengthening 
of the uS dollar in Q4 2014 which on the other hand 
helped to increase revenue on conversion of uS 
dollar denominated transactions. Despite it remains 
difficult to predict, in the long term we believe that 
ferrochrome prices, particularly the speciality and 
super alloys segment, have potential to recover to 
higher levels which we would expect to result in 
improved margins. The granulation and converter 
plant at Mogale Alloys was commissioned in December 
2014 and enabled the production of medium carbon 
ferrochrome, a niche product, which should affect 
positively the profitability of Mogale Alloys in 2015. 
i’m pleased to say that despite a lower eBitDA we 
managed to achieve positive eBit throughout the first 
three quarters of 2014. We would also have achieved 

a positive eBit in the fourth quarter of 2014 but 
unfortunately asset write-downs in our joint venture 
operation pushed our results down. We venture forth 
into 2015 with a more favourable uS dollar rate and 
a lean and committed team, which aims to find ways 
to improve profitability also in 2015. 

i am confident that we have implemented the right 
strategy and plan to fulfill long-term value from the 
Group’s assets and existing infrastructure for the 
benefit of all our shareholders. We expect the market 
to remain difficult, but the medium and long-term 
fundamentals of ferrochrome along with specialty 
alloys remain solid and we continue to work hard to 
be best positioned to take advantage of changing 
conditions. together with our excellent asset base 
and improving global economic circumstances, all 
indicate, toward better times ahead. it has been a 
very tough and trying year for the Group but i believe 
that it has emerged strong and that we can face 2015 
with renewed confidence.

Dr Danko Konchar

13

Overview AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Our Resource Base

14

MG4

MG3

MG2

MG1

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve¹ Statement for chromite for the Afarak Group in Southern-
Africa as at 31 December 2014.

Mineral Reserves1 (ROM Feed numbers)

Mineral Resources (Geological Losses Applied)

Tonnage
(kt)

Cr2O3
(%)

Cr:Fe
ratio

Tonnage
(kt)

Cr2O3
(%)

Cr:Fe
ratio

PROVED:

  MEASURED:

Stellite; Underground

  Stellite; Underground

MG4

MG3

MG1

LG6

  MG4

  MG3

  MG1

4,568 

34.98

1.36 LG6

Stellite; Open Pit

  Stellite; Open Pit

   14 

30.67

1.20 MG4

    96 

30.64

1.18 MG3

4,810 

33.59

2,830 

31.51

3,460 

35.30

5,680 

37.70

29

371

31.86

31.68

1.24

1.19

1.28

1.41

1.22

1.19

31.00

1.23 MG2

188

37.20

1.32

33.34

1.31 MG1

158

39.00

1.40

-   

-   

LG6+6A

  70 

33.68

1.37 LG6+6A

120

38.11

1.46

Mecklenburg; Underground

  Mecklenburg; Underground

LG6

3,416 

41.47

1.57 LG6

4,495 

43.36

1.59

Mecklenburg; Open Pit

  Mecklenburg; Open Pit

LG6+6A

    90 

40.76

1.58 LG6+6A

123

44.10

1.64

Vlakpoort; Open Pit

  Vlakpoort; Open Pit

LG1-3

LG5

LG6+6A

MG1-4

uG1-2

      74 

38.37

1.81 LG1-3

  90 

31.50

1.40 LG5

   245 

34.73

1.42 LG6+6A

     17 

28.23

1.35 MG1-4

      16 

18.95

1.03 uG1-uG2

Vlakpoort; Underground

  Vlakpoort; Underground

LG6

uG2

Total Proved

PROBABLE:

  LG6

  uG2

8,696 

37.47

1.45 Total Measured

INDICATED:

Stellite; Underground

  Stellite; Underground

MG4

MG3

MG1

  MG4

  MG3

  MG1

     75 

39.41

   149 

33.28

   250 

35.07

    35 

28.72

     21 

19.93

1.84

1.42

1.43

1.36

1.07

150 

41.72

1.53

813 
23,757 

24.68

36.29

1.19

1.36

1,490

33.80

1,040

31.88

1.25

1.20

800 

36.50

1.30

15

Overview 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                
                
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
              
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
              
 AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Mineral Reserves1 (ROM Feed numbers)

Mineral Resources (Geological Losses Applied)

LG6

Stellite; Open Pit

MG4

MG3

MG2

MG1

Tonnage
(kt)

Cr2O3
(%)

Cr:Fe
ratio

Tonnage
(kt)

Cr2O3
(%)

Cr:Fe
ratio

1,241 

34.26

1.35 LG6

1,600 

37.50

1.41

  Stellite; Open Pit

  575 

31.26

1.21 MG4

 254 

30.82

1.19 MG3

1,160 

32.35

990

31.68

1.23

1.19

30.99

1.22 MG2

320

37.30

1.31

33.25

1.31 MG1

260

38.80

1.41

-   

-   

LG6+6A

  165 

33.88

1.37 LG6+6A

280

38.54

1.46

Mecklenburg; Underground

  Mecklenburg; Underground

LG6

2,273 

41.45

1.57 LG6

3,008 

43.37

1.59

Mecklenburg; Open Pit

  Mecklenburg; Open Pit

LG6+6A

    59 

40.76

1.58 LG6+6A

72

44.10

1.64

Vlakpoort; Open Pit

  Vlakpoort; Open Pit

LG1-3

LG5

LG6+6A

MG1-4

uG1-2

     49 

38.83

1.78 LG1-3

     83 

27.80

1.45 LG5

   204 

33.87

1.38 LG6+6A

     13 

28.83

1.35 MG1-4

    11 

21.77

1.13 uG1-uG2

Vlakpoort; Underground

  Vlakpoort; Underground

LG6

uG2

  LG6

  uG2

113

163

278

26

29

947

483

Total Probable

   4,927 

36.99

1.44 Total Indicated

  13,059 

40.12

28.92

34.73

29.28

22.91

37.71

24.68

36.45

1.84

1.42

1.42

1.36

1.15

1.45

1.19

1.38

Proved & Probable 
Reserves

  13,623      37.30 

1.44

Measured & Indicated 
Resources 

 36,816 

36.35

1.36

INFERRED

  Stellite; Open Pit

  MG4

  MG3

  MG2

  MG1

   1,480 

33.18

 790 

32.64

  210 

37.10

         80 

38.90

  LG6+6A

40

37.82

  Mecklenburg; Underground

1.24

1.26

1.32

1.41

1.44

  LG6

1,138 

43.41

1.59

  Mecklenburg; Open Pit

  LG6+6A

0

43.44

1.59

  Vlakpoort; Open Pit

  LG1-3

  LG5

       86 

40.58

      144 

29.51

1.83

1.49

16

 
 
 
 
 
                
                
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Mineral Reserves1 (RoMFeednumbers)

Mineral Resources (Geological Losses Applied)

Tonnage
(kt)

Cr2O3
(%)

Cr:Fe
ratio

  LG6+6A

  MG1-4

  uG1-uG2

Tonnage
(kt)

Cr2O3
(%)

      467 

33.18

        29 

27.50

38

24.78

  Vlakpoort; Underground

  LG6

  uG2

  Waylox; Open Pit

  Alluvial

597

909

0

Inferred Resources

   6,008 

41.77

24.68

27.00

34.80

Cr:Fe
ratio

1.39

1.27

1.18

1.42

1.19

2.40

1.35

Total Reserves

 13,623 

37.30

1.44

Total Resources (Excl 
Target²)

  42,824

36.13

1.36

  TARGET²

  Vlakpoort; Underground

  LG6

  uG2

  Vlakpoort; Open Pit

  LG1

  LG2

  LG3

  LG5

  LG6+6A

  MG1

  MG2

  MG3

  MG4+4A

  uG1

  uG2
  Target² Resources

Total Resources (Incl 
Target²)

    6,067 

42.65

   1,538 

24.68

        29 

39.45

        17 

43.56

        61 

28.92

      130 

39.77

   1,841 

37.61

           6 

24.29

        209 

33.22

          50 

25.55

1.54

1.19

1.74

1.90

1.42

1.64

1.51

1.11

1.52

1.26

      513 

27.18

1.03

      453 

27.91

   1,356 
12,270 

32.50
36.98

 55,094 

36.32

1.14

1.29
1.43

1.38

•   Mineral Reserves¹ used in SAMREC and IMMM Codes whereas termed Ore Reserves in the JORC Code
•  target Resources² used in JoRC Code whereas termed Pre-Resource Mineralization in the SAMReC Code.

the information in this report that relates to exploration results for Stellite is based on information compiled 
by the MSA Group. the information in this report that relates to exploration results for Mecklenburg is based 
on information compiled by Andrew Scogins as listed below. the information in this report that relates to 
exploration results for Vlakpoort is based on information compiled by the Competent Person. the Competent 
Person has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under 
consideration, and to the activity which has been undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined 
by the 2004 edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of exploration Results, Mineral Resources and 
Ore Reserves (JORC), the 2001 Code for reporting of Mineral Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and 
Mineral Reserves in the united Kingdom, ireland and europe (iMMM) as well as the 2007 edition of the South 

17

Overview 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

African Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (SAMREC). The 
team of people involved in the MSA estimation process is listed below:

Person: 

Position: 

Affiliations: 

Andrew Scogings 

Geological Consultant 

MAusIMM, MAIG 

Sifiso Siwela 

Mike Hall

Exploration Project Manager 

Pr.Sci.Nat, MGSSA 

Mineral Resources Consultant

Pr.Sci.Nat, MGSSA, MAusIMM

A major positive feature of this year’s estimation is the gain of 1.0 million tonnes in the Measured and 
Indicated Resource category due to the trenching and drilling at Vlakpoort and the overall gain of 1.7 million 
tonnes. the gain was despite the depletion at Stellite and Mecklenburg as well as the loss of Waylox. the 
gain at Vlakpoort was actually 2.3 million tonnes. The overall result is therefore an improvement in the 
mineral asset value of Afarak.

the Measured and indicated Mineral Resources for Stellite declared as at 31 December 2014 decreased 
from that declared in December 2013 due to depletion in the open pit. this resulted in a 0.3 million tonnes 
decrease. 

the Measured and indicated Mineral Resources for Mecklenburg declared as at 31 December 2014 decreased 
from that declared in December 2013 due to depletion in the open pit. this resulted in a 0.1 million tonnes 
decrease. 

the Measured and indicated Mineral Resources for Vlakpoort declared as at 31 December 2014 increased 
from that declared in December 2013 due to trenching and drilling. this resulted in a 1.4 million tonnes 
increase.

the combined Stellite, Mecklenburg and Vlakpoort Mineral Resources declared as at 31 December 2014 
increased from that declared in December 2013, by 1.719 million tonnes and the Cr2o3 grade decreased 
by 1.33% and the Cr to Fe ratio by 0.03. 

the Mineral Reserves¹ for Stellite declared as at 31 December 2014 decreased by 2.134 million tonnes from 
that declared in December 2013, due to the removal of the MG1 and MG2 from the mine plan and the change 
of the MG3 and MG4 high walls to 10 meters and 20 meters respectively from the previous 40 meters. 

the Mineral Reserves¹ for Mecklenburg declared as at 31 December 2014 decreased by 0.153 million tonnes 
from that declared in December 2013, due to depletion in the open pit. 

the Mineral Reserves¹ for Vlakpoort declared as at 31 December 2014 increased by 0.424 million tonnes 
from that declared in December 2013, due to trenching and drilling. 

the combined Stellite, Mecklenburg and Vlakpoort Mineral Reserves¹ declared as at 31 December 2014 
decreased from that declared in December 2013, by 1.863 million tonnes (mainly due to the changes at 
Stellite) and the Cr2o3 grade increased by 0.52% and the Cr to Fe ratio by 0.02.

H.B. Swart Pr.Sci.Nat MGSSA
Mineral Resource Manager and 
Competent Person for Afarak SA

18

 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve1 Statement for PGMs for the Afarak Group in Southern-Africa as at 
31 December 2014.

Mineral Reserves1 (ROM Feed numbers)

Mineral Resources (Geological Losses Applied)

Tonnage 

2E+Au

  Tonnage

2E+Au  

(kt)

(g/t)

Ozs  

(kt)

(g/t)

Ozs

PROVED:

  MEASURED:

Stellite; Underground

  Stellite; Underground

MG4

MG3

MG1

LG6

  MG4

  MG3

  MG1

  LG6

Stellite; Open Pit

  Stellite; Open Pit

MG4

MG3

MG2

MG1

  MG4

  MG3

  MG2

  MG1

LG6+6A

Vlakpoort; Open Pit

  LG6+6A

  Vlakpoort; Open Pit

LG1-3

LG5

LG6+6A

MG1-4

uG1-MR

  LG1-3

  LG5

  LG6+6A

  MG1-4

    3,050 

1.18   115,723 

     1,720 

1.86    102,868 

    2,250 

0.79

   57,154 

    3,191 

0.63

   64,641 

29

221

110

60

39

1.14

   1,063 

1.46     10,375 

1.62

     5,730 

0.71

     1,370 

0.49

614

        75 

0.24

        579 

     149 

0.74       3,545 

       250 

0.86       6,913 

          35 

1.18

     1,328 

        22 

3.55

   2,511  uG1-MR

         33 

5.62

    5,963 

Vlakpoort; Underground

  Vlakpoort; Underground

LG6

uG2

MR
Total Proved
PROBABLE:

Stellite; Underground

MG4

MG3

MG1

LG6

  LG6

  uG2

  MR

        22 

   2,511  Total Measured

INDICATED:

  Stellite; Underground

  MG4

  MG3

  MG1

  LG6

Stellite; Open Pit

  Stellite; Open Pit

MG4

MG3

MG2

MG1

LG6+6A

  MG4

  MG3

  MG2

  MG1

  LG6+6A

       150 

0.46

     2,219 

       813 

4.62   120,774 

       503 
 12,678 

3.64      58,872 
1.37  559,732 

3,020

1.24

 120,412 

2,141

1.86   128,047 

    1,810 

0.80      46,559 

    3,220 

0.54     55,910 

      880 

1.18     33,389 

690

260

130

70

1.59

   35,277 

1.66     13,878 

0.74        3,093 

0.48        1,080 

19

Overview 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Mineral Reserves1 (ROM Feed numbers)

Mineral Resources (Geological Losses Applied)

Tonnage 

2E+Au

Tonnage

2E+Au

Vlakpoort; Open Pit

  Vlakpoort; Open Pit

LG1-3

LG5

LG6+6A

MG1-4

uG1-MR

  LG1-3

  LG5

  LG6+6A

  MG1-4

        21 

5.56

   3,754  uG1-MR

Vlakpoort; Underground

  Vlakpoort; Underground

LG6

uG2

MR
Total Probable
Proved & Probable 
Reserves

  LG6

  uG2

  MR

        21 

         43 

 3,754  Total Indicated

    6,266 

Measured & Indicated 
Resources 

INFERRED

  Stellite; Underground

  MG4

  MG3

  MG1

  LG6

  Stellite 

  Open Pit

  MG4

  MG3

  MG2

  MG1

       113 

0.22          799 

      163 

0.60       3,145 

278

0.96       8,581 

26

43

947

483

1.28       1,070 

4.96       6,858 

0.34     10,353 

4.62     71,751 

376
 14,650 

3.64     44,008 
1.24   584,210 

 27,328 

1.30 1,143,942

200

20

190

860

1.59

 10,225 

1.86

   1,196 

0.78

   4,765 

0.48

 13,273 

      -   

  1,970 

1.27

 80,447 

   1,240 

1.51

  60,206 

       310 

0.76

    7,576 

      140 

0.63

     2,836 

  LG6+6A

490

0.47

   7,405 

  Vlakpoort; Open Pit

  LG1-3

  LG5

  LG6+6A

  MG1-4

  uG1-MR

  Vlakpoort; Underground

  LG6

  uG2

  MR

  Waylox; Open Pit

       86 

0.18

      498 

     144 

467

29

46

597

909

560

0.36

0.78

1.50

1.39

1,667 

11,713 

1,399 

2,056 

0.30

5,759 

4.62

135,035 

3.64

65,543 

  Alluvial

0

0.40

       -   

Inferred Resources

8,258 

1.55

411,598

20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Reserves

    43 

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

6,266 

Total Resources (Excl 
Target²)

  TARGET²

  Vlakpoort; Underground

  LG6

  uG2

  MR

  Vlakpoort; Open Pit

  LG1

  LG2

  LG3

  uG2

  LG5

36,144 

1.36 1,580,121 

6,067 

0.42

 81,934 

1,538 

4.62

228,475 

    641 

3.64

 75,024 

29

17

61

0.18

    168 

0.11

        60 

0.19

     373 

1356

5.51

240,243 

130

0.15

      627 

  LG6+6A

1841

0.88

 52,093 

  MG1

  MG2

  MG3

  MG4+4A

  uG1

6

0.23

         44 

209

50

513

453

1.44

  9,677 

1.73

    2,781 

1.66

 27,382 

0.43

   6,263 

  MR
  Target² Resources

Total Resources (Incl 
Target²)

204
13,115 

1.92     12,594 
737,738 
1.75

48,701 

1.46 2,293,278 

•  Mineral Reserves¹ used in SAMREC and IMMM Codes whereas termed Ore Reserves in the JORC Code
•  target Resources² used in JoRC Code whereas termed Pre-Resource Mineralization in the SAMReC Code.
•  Mineral Reserves were declared for Vlakpoort for the first time
•  the PGM rights at Mecklenburg do not belong to Afarak and therefore do not satisfy all requirements 

for reporting.

•  no Mineral Reserves could be declared for Stellite yet as the feasibility study to extract PGMs, are still 

in progress.

the information in this report that relates to exploration results for Stellite is based on information compiled 
by the MSA Group. the information in this report that relates to exploration results for Vlakpoort is based 
on information compiled by the Competent Person. the Competent Person has sufficient experience which 
is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration, and to the activity which 
has been undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined by the 2004 edition of the Australasian 
Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC), the 2001 Code for 
reporting of Mineral exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves in the united Kingdom, 
Ireland and Europe (IMMM) as well as the 2007 edition of the South African Code for Reporting of Exploration 
Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (SAMREC). The team of people involved in the MSA estimation 
process is listed below:

21

Overview 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Person: 

Position: 

Affiliations: 

Andrew Scogings 

Geological Consultant 

MAusIMM, MAIG 

Sifiso Siwela 

Mike Hall

Exploration Project Manager 

Pr.Sci.Nat, MGSSA 

Mineral Resources Consultant

Pr.Sci.Nat, MGSSA, MAusIMM

the Measured and indicated Mineral Resources for Stellite declared as at 31 December 2014 decreased 
from that declared in December 2013 due to depletion in the open pit. this resulted in a 0.2 million 
tonnes decrease. 

the Measured and indicated Mineral Resources for Vlakpoort declared as at 31 December 2014 increased 
from that declared in December 2013 due to trenching and drilling. this resulted in a 1.347 million 
tonnes increase. 

the combined Stellite and Vlakpoort Mineral Resources declared as at 31 December 2014 increased from 
that declared in December 2013, by 2.511 million tonnes and the PGM grade increased by 0.17g/t.

H.B. Swart Pr.Sci.Nat MGSSA
Mineral Resource Manager and 
Competent Person for Afarak SA

22

 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve¹ Statement for chromite for the Afarak Group in Turkey as at 
31 December 2014.

Ore zone/ body

Cr2O2 %

Proven 
reserves 
(tonnes

Probable         
(tonnes)

Possible           
(tonnes

Total reserves          
(tonnes)

Hypothetical                           
Resources 
(tonnes)

KAVAK CONCESSIONS

TOTaL

BEyaGaC 
CONCESSIONS

TOTaL

FETHIYE & KOYCEGIZ 
CONCESSIONS

TOTaL

aDaNa CONCESSIONS

TOTaL

EaGLE CONCESSIONS

TOTaL

KAVAK TAILINGS DAM

Tailings Dam 1

Tailings Dam 2

Tailings Dam 3

TOTaL

TaVaS TaILINGS DaM

Tailings Dam

TOTaL

GRaND TOTaL

7-41

2,268,282

0

298,520

2,566,802

1,500,000

14-34

148,000

8-28

121,860

12-14

6,000

36-44

30,000

7-13

7-13

4-6

4-13

9-11

9-11

950,000

1,695,658

746,690

3,392,347

537,584

537,584

6,504,073

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

158,900

306,900

223,100

110,970

232,830

257,150

24,000

30,000

40,000

20,000

50,000

150,000

950,000

1,695,658

746,690

0

3,392,347

537,584

537,584

0

0

0

612,390

7,116,463

2,170,250

23

Overview AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Corporate Governance

24

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Corporate Governance Statement

Afarak Group Plc (“Afarak”, the “Company” or the “Group”) is a Finnish public limited company listed on 
the nASDAQ Helsinki Stock exchange (AFAGR) and the Main Market of the london Stock exchange (AFRK).

Afarak’s corporate governance is based on, and complies with, the laws of Finland, the Articles of Association 
of the Company, the Finnish Corporate Governance Code and the regulations of the Finnish Financial 
Supervisory Authority, the uK listing, Disclosure and transparency Rules, the nASDAQ Helsinki Stock 
Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. As Afarak primarily follows the Finnish Corporate Governance 
Code, certain sections of the uK Corporate Governance Code issued in September 2012 (“uK CG”) are not 
strictly complied with. However, in the areas that the Company diverges from the uK CG the Company 
believes that its policies are acceptable for the reasons which are set out below.  

uK CG Section

Description

The Reason for Non-Compliance

A.3.1

Independence of the Chairman

C.3.8

D.2.1.

E.2.1

A separate section of the annual report should describe 
the work of the Audit committee in discharging its 
responsibilities

the board should establish a remuneration committee 
of at least three, or in the case of smaller companies 
two, independent non-executive directors.

For each resolution, proxy appointment forms should 
provide shareholders with the option to direct their 
proxy to vote either for or against the resolution or to 
withhold their vote.

E.2.2

Miscellaneous general meeting procedures

The Chairman of the Company has close family 
ties with the Company’s Ceo. the Company’s 
view is that the arrangement is acceptable 
as three out of six board members are 
independent. Therefore, the Company considers 
that the Board has sufficient independent 
members to follow the principles of the uK 
Corporate Governance Code.

While this report includes a description of 
the work of the audit and risk management 
committee, the contents requirements of this 
section under the uK GC are not the same as 
those under the Finnish CG and, therefore some 
information required under the uK GC is not 
included.

Afarak Chairman Dr Jelena Manojlovic is the 
Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination 
committee due to her extensive HR experience.   
Dr Jelena Manojlovic has close family ties 
with the Company Ceo  Dr Danko Koncar. 
However, the remaining Committee members 
are independent and Dr Manojlovic does not 
participate in resolving any remuneration of the 
CEO.

the Company’s AGM is arranged in accordance 
with the Finnish Companies Act so certain 
procedural and other matters differ from the uK 
CG recommendation. The Company does not 
provide proxy voting forms.

the Company’s AGM is arranged in accordance 
with the Finnish Companies Act so certain 
procedural and other matters differ from the uK 
CG recommendation.  

Afarak’s foreign subsidiaries operate under the local laws and regulations of the countries in which they 
are located, including but not limited to local accounting and tax legislation as well as exchange controls. 
this Corporate Governance Statement for the financial period 1 January to 31 December 2014 is issued as 
a separate report to the Board of Directors’ Report and is available on the Group’s website at www.afarak.
com. it has been prepared pursuant to the Finnish Corporate Governance Code 2010 and the guideline 
of the Securities Market Association dated 1 December 2010. Afarak complies with the Finnish Corporate 
Governance Code which can be found on the Securities Market Association’s website at www.cgfinland.fi. 
Afarak has made no exceptions in its Finnish Corporate Governance Code compliance.

25

Corporate Governance AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Governance Bodies and the General Meeting of Shareholders

Governance Structure
the management and control of Afarak Group Plc and its subsidiaries (“Group”) is divided between the 
shareholders, the Board of Directors (“Board”), supported by the Board’s audit and risk management 
committee, nomination and remuneration committee and the Chief executive officer. 

Shareholders

Board of Directors

Audit and Risk Management Committee

Nomination and Remuneration Committee

Executive Management Team

General Meeting
Afarak’s ultimate decision-making body is the shareholders’ General Meeting which usually convenes once 
a year and is held within six months of the end of the financial year. Pursuant to the Company’s Articles of 
Association, the convening notice for a General Meeting will be published on the Group’s website and in a 
stock exchange release no earlier than two months, and no later than 21 days, prior to the General Meeting 
or nine days prior to the record date of the General Meeting.

the notice of a General Meeting, the proposals for resolutions, and the documents to be submitted to the 
General Meeting, such as the financial statements, the annual report and the auditor’s report, will be available 
on the Group’s website and at the Group’s office in Helsinki at least three weeks before the meeting. the 
resolutions passed by the General Meeting will be published as a stock exchange release without undue 
delay and will be available on the Group’s website, along with the minutes of the General Meeting, no later 
than two weeks after the meeting.

Shareholders have the right to add items falling within the scope of the Annual General Meeting to the 
meeting’s agenda. the request must be submitted to the Board of Directors in advance so that the item 
can be included to the notice. Afarak publishes the details of how and when to submit the requests to the 
Board on its website. 

The Company uses the Annual General Meeting to develop an understanding of the views of its shareholders 
about the Company. 

An extraordinary General Meeting can be convened if the Board of Directors deems it necessary or if the 
auditor of the Company or the shareholders owning at least 10 percent of the shares demand one in writing 
in order to deal with a specific matter, or if it is required by law or other regulations.

the most significant items on the Annual General Meeting’s agenda include:

•  Approving the year’s financial statements;

•  Confirming the financial year’s profit or loss, the dividend distribution or other distribution, such as 

capital redemption;

26

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

•  Determining the number of directors on the Board of Directors, their remuneration and electing those 

directors to the Board; and

•  Electing the auditor or auditors and approving their fees.

in addition certain significant matters (such as amending the Articles of Association or deciding on a capital 
increase) require a resolution by the shareholders in a General Meeting.

General Meetings are organised in a manner that permits shareholders to exercise their ownership rights 
effectively. A shareholder wishing to exercise his or her ownership rights shall register for a General 
Meeting in the manner stated in the notice of meeting. All the shareholders who have been registered in the 
Company’s shareholder register, maintained by euroclear Finland ltd, on the record date of the meeting have 
the right to attend a General Meeting, provided they have delivered a proper notice to attend the meeting. 
Holders of nominee registered shares may be registered temporarily on the shareholder register, and they 
are advised to request further instructions from their custodian bank regarding the temporary registration 
and issuing of a proxy document.

Resolutions by a General Meeting usually require a simple majority. Certain resolutions, however, such as 
amending the Articles of Association and directed share issues require a qualified majority represented by 
shares, and the votes conferred by the shares, at the General Meeting. 

the majority of the Board members, if not all, attend General Meetings together with the Ceo and the 
auditor. in addition, if a person is proposed for election as a director for the first time, he or she will also 
attend the General Meeting.

General Meetings in 2014
The Annual General Meeting was held on 8 May 2014 at Restaurant Palace in Helsinki, Finland. 

All the resolutions of the above-mentioned General Meeting can be found at:
http://www.afarak.com/en/investors/shareholder-meetings/2014/ 

The Board of Directors

Tasks and Responsibilities
the Board of Directors is composed of between three and nine members who are elected by the General 
Meeting of shareholders, which also approves their remuneration. the tenure of each Board member is for 
one year and expires at the end of the next annual General Meeting immediately following their election. 
the Board elects a chairman from among its members. none of the non-executive directors has a service 
contract with the Company and none of the directors has waived or agreed to waive any emoluments from 
the Company or any subsidiary undertaking.

the duties of a Board member are specified in the Finnish Companies Act. the Afarak Board also has a 
written charter governing its functions. 

the Board of Directors oversees the administration of the Group and is responsible for the internal control 
of its assets, finances and accounts on behalf of shareholders. its specific responsibilities include:

•  Formulating the Group’s business strategy and overseeing its implementation;

•  Deciding on the Group’s capital structure;

•  Making decisions on significant investments, divestments, credits and collaterals, guarantees and other 

27

Corporate Governance AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

commitments;

•  Approving the quarterly interim reports, the Board of Directors Report, the annual financial results and 

future forecasts and/or outlook;

•  Deciding on the Group’s organisational structure;

•  Appointing the CEO and approving his or her service agreement and remuneration; and

•  Convening and submitting proposals to the shareholders’ General Meeting.

Key elements of the Board’s charter and operations are:

•  It convenes on prearranged dates, with a view to meeting approximately once a month, or more often 

if necessary. Meetings can be arranged as conference calls;

•  Matters to be dealt with by the Board are presented by the Chairman, the Ceo or another person who 

has participated directly in assessing and preparing the issue for consideration;

•  It aims to make unanimous decisions;

•  It prepares an annual plan for its operation; and

•  It acts at all times in the interest of the Group and all of its shareholders.

the Board oversees all communications and other requirements stipulated by the rules of the relevant stock 
exchanges and financial supervision authorities and conducts regular self-assessments to ensure these 
requirements continue to be fulfilled. the Group has established specific targets for the development of 
its administrative functions and processes, and continues to implement these.

the Board also evaluates and decides on acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries and associated companies. 
to ensure the efficiency of board and committee work, the Board regularly evaluates the operations and 
working methods of each committee and the Board. The evaluation is conducted as internal self-evaluation. 
The Board is also regularly in contact with the major shareholders of the Company to ensure that the Board 
is aware of their views. 

Board Members
the 2014 Annual General Meeting elected six members to the Board: Dr Jelena Manojlovic, Ms Bernice Smart, 
Mr Markku Kankaala, Dr Danko Koncar, Mr Michael lillja and Dr Alfredo Parodi were re-elected. 

28

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Board Independence
The Finnish Corporate Governance Code requires that the majority of the directors are independent of 
the Company. in addition, at least two of the directors representing this majority must be independent 
of the significant shareholders of the Company. the Company believes that Ms Bernice Smart, Mr Markku 
Kankaala and Dr Alfredo Parodi are independent of the Company and significant shareholders and Dr 
Jelena Manojlovic is independent of the Company. The Board has named Ms Bernice Smart as the senior 
independent non-executive director.

Current Position

Appointed to the 
Board

Status

Jelena Manojlovic

Chairman

11 July 2008

Dependent

Bernice Smart

NED

11 February 2013

Independent

Audit & Risk 
Management 
Committee

Nomination and 
Remuneration  
Committee

-

Chair

Chair

Member

Alfredo Parodi

NED

11 February 2013

Independent

Member

Michael Lillja

Executive

11 February 2013

Executive

-

-

-

Markku Kankaala

NED

30 June 2003

Independent

Member

Member

Danko Koncar

Executive

11 August 2010

Executive

-

-

Board Committees

the Board establishes its committees and appoints the committee members for a term of office that continues 
until the end of the following Annual General Meeting. 

Audit and Risk Management Committee

the Audit and Risk Management Committee currently has three members: Ms Bernice Smart (committee 
chairman), Mr Markku Kankaala and Dr Alfredo Parodi. 

the Board has defined the committee’s duties in accordance with the recommendations of the Finnish and 
the uK Corporate Governance Codes. the Audit and Risk Management Committee reviews the auditors’ 
work and monitors the Group’s financial position and the appropriateness of its financial reporting. the 
committee evaluates internal audit and risk management, maintaining contact with auditors and evaluating 
their reports. The committee reports regularly to the Board. 

In 2013 and 2014, the Audit and Risk Management Committee evaluated and monitored the development 
of internal controls and risk management policies. The Group had no permanent internal auditor during the 
years, although operational management commissioned local specialists to conduct internal audit reviews 
within several business units as part of their local assurance process. the Board has received assurance from 
a number of sources, including a Board review of the Group’s overall strategy and management processes, 
which has exercised substantial supervision over the local operations.

All significant Group companies are audited by the Company’s auditor in order to ensure a consistent 
approach and to facilitate communication between the auditors and the Committee. 
the Committee has focused on improving management information flow to the Board and on the identification 
and management of the main risks facing the Group. the risks are discussed in the Board of Directors’ 
Report. these priorities continued to form the core of the committee’s business during 2014, along with 
the regular scrutiny of the Group’s compliance with laws, regulations and best practice. 

29

Corporate Governance AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Biographical details of the Board members

Dr Jelena Manojlovic
Chairperson, Dependent Non-Executive Director
Ph.D. (Medicine), Clin. D. (Psychology), MA (Psychotherapy)
Born 1950 

Jelena Manojlovic has been a member of the Board since 11 July 2008, and has 
acted as Chairperson of the Board since 16 June 2009. She is also a member of 
the Remuneration and nomination Committee. She is an established university 
lecturer and organizational consultant and has 35 years’ experience in the human 
resources field and 20 years’ in management positions in a diverse range of 
organisations, including the uK’s national Health Service, universities and other 
companies. She was previously Human Resources Director of Kermas limited (a 
major shareholder in the Company). Manojlovic is independent of the Company but through a controlled 
entity of her husband Danko Koncar, she is dependent on a major shareholder of the Company.

Mr Markku Kankaala
Independent Non-Executive Director
B.Sc. (Eng.) 
Born 1963 

Markku Kankaala has been a member of the Board since 30 June 2003. He is also 
a member of the Audit and Risk Management and nomination and Remuneration 
Committees. He was also the CEO of the Group from 2003 to 2004 and worked 
as a Branch Director in Ruukki Group Plc (currently, Afarak Group Plc) until 
31 August 2006. Previously he worked for 10 years as an entrepreneur in the 
wood products industry and before that in different positions in Ahlstrom and 
Rautaruukki. Due to the fact that Mr Kankaala has been a member of the Board 
for more than nine years the Board separately evaluated his independence in 2014.  It was  concluded that 
he remains independent of both the Company and the significant shareholders.

Dr Danko Koncar
CEO, Dependent Executive Director 
Diploma (Engineering), M.Sc. (Engineering), Ph.D. (Engineering) 
Born 1942

Dr Danko Koncar was appointed as a member of the Board at the extraordinary 
General Meeting on 11 August 2010 and as the Ceo on 11 February 2013. He 
was also the Acting Managing Director of the Company between october 2010 
and April 2011.He has extensive experience in minerals processing and trading, 
including 20 years in ferrochrome processing with six years of experience in 
application of direct current technology to ferrochrome processing. He has 
served as Chairman of Samancor Chrome and General Director of RCS Limited 
and is still General Director of Kermas. Dr Koncar is dependent on the Company based on his position as 
the Ceo and dependent on a major shareholder of the Company through his controlled entity Kermas ltd.

30

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Michael Lillja
Executive Director
M.Sc (Economics)
Born 1962

Michael lillja is currently member of the executive Management team and the 
head of sales and marketing of RCS Limited, the sales and marketing arm of 
Afarak. Prior to RCS, Mr. lillja has served for decades in several different positions 
in the mining and metals industry, the energy sector, and in international trade 
for companies such as, Alloy 2000 SA/enRC-Kazakhstan, international Ferro 
Metals ltd, and SamChrome ltd/Samancor Cr.

Dr Alfredo Parodi
Independent Non-Executive Director
Dr in Chemical Engineering
Born 1940

Dr Parodi has been working as a technical consultant for ferrochrome and chrome-
chemical productions. He has numerous years of engineering and managerial 
experience and has served in a number of positions in the petrochemical and 
alloys industries. He was responsible for production, technical organisation 
and plant construction in several international companies such as SIR & Saras 
Chemical (italy), Stopani engineering (italy), Dirox (uruguay), Sarasota (uSA) and 
Anxian (China). 

Bernice Marguerite Smart
Independent Non-Executive Director
BA (Marketing)
Born 1949

Bernice Smart has recently retired after a long career in the banking industry. 
She was a financial advisor, predominately working in wealth management and 
focusing on Asian and East European accounts. She was also a Director for 
Wealth Management in uBS and the Vice President for Wealth Management at 
Credit Suisse. 

31

Corporate Governance AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Nomination and Remuneration Committee
the combined nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Company currently has three members: Dr 
Jelena Manojlovic (committee chairman), Mr Markku Kankaala and Ms Bernice Smart. 
The Committee leads the process for making appointments to the Board and the executive management 
and submits recommendations to the Board in this regard. the Committee also leads the process relating to 
the remuneration of the executive management and the Board, and makes recommendations to the Board 
and to the General Meeting in relation to the Board’s remuneration. the Committee’s duty is to ensure that 
Afarak’s goal to have a diverse Board in every aspect, including in respect of gender, is implemented. the 
Committee evaluates the need for external search consultancies or open advertising on case by case basis 
and no consultants were used in 2014. No appointments or changes to remuneration were made in 2014 
after the material changes that occurred in 2013 .

Board and Committee meetings 

During 2014 the Board held 12 meetings. The Audit and Risk Management Committee met on six occasions 
and the Remuneration and nomination Committee did not have an official meeting in 2014. the attendance 
record of the Directors during the period is shown in the table below. the average attendance percentage 
of the members of the Board was 99 %. 

Audit and Risk 
Management 
Committee

Board

Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee

Markku Kankaala

Danko Koncar

Michael Lillja

Jelena Manojlovic

Alfredo Parodi

Bernice Smart

12

12

11

12

12

12

6

6

6

Remuneration
the Annual General Meeting held on 8 May 2014 approved that all Board Members are paid euR 3,000 per 
month and that the non-executive Board Members who serve on the Board’s Committees shall be paid 
additional euR 1,500 per month for the committee work. 
those members of the Board of Directors that are executives of the Company are not entitled to receive 
any remuneration for the Board or Committee memberships.

During the financial year 2014, the Board members received a total of euR 216,000 (251,000) in Board and 
Committee membership fees. 

32

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Chief Executive Officer, Executive Management Team and 

Corporate Management

Chief Executive Officer
the Board appoints the Chief executive officer (“Ceo”), who leads the executive management of the Group 
in accordance with the Board’s instructions. it is the responsibility of the Ceo to lead and steer the Group 
and to act as the spokesperson for the Group both internally and externally. the Ceo manages, develops, 
guides and supervises the Group’s activities. in these duties, the Ceo is assisted by the executive Management 
Team and the Corporate Management. The CEO reports to the Board of Directors and prepares presentations 
and documentation for the Board. The focus of the CEO role is on major strategic activities, where his or her 
direct involvement and commitment are essential, whether concerning acquisitions, capitalisation, listing 
or other special projects.

the Ceo’s ongoing responsibilities include the following:

•  Providing leadership to the Group and determining its priorities and operating practices;

•  Preparing and developing the Group’s strategy for the Board’s approval;

•  implementing the Group’s strategy and delivering performance in line with targets;

•  Planning and managing the organisational structure, capital structure, investments, mergers and 

acquisitions, demergers, credits, guarantees and other substantial commitments for the Board’s approval;

•  organising the Group’s finance, bookkeeping and internal control matters; and

•  Coordinating communications to shareholders, the investment community and the media.

Dr Danko Koncar was appointed the Ceo 11 February 2013 and the service contract is valid until terminated 
by either party. 

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Corporate Governance AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Internal Control

the principles of internal control are confirmed by the Board. the Group’s eMt members are in charge of 
the day-to-day business management and administrative control in their respective responsibility areas. 

Main Principles of Risk Management and Internal Control

The purpose of risk management is to identify, evaluate and mitigate the potential risks that could impact 
the Group’s business and the implementation of its strategy, and to ensure that risks are proportional to 
the Group’s risk-bearing capacity. 

the Group’s risk management policy is approved by the Board of Directors and defines the objectives, 
approaches and areas of responsibility of risk management activities. the Group’s key risks are reviewed 
and assessed by the Board on a regular basis. the Group’s business segments, and the business units within 
those segments, are primarily responsible for managing their risks, their financial performance and their 
compliance with the Group’s risk management policies and internal control procedures. 

the Board of Directors is responsible for organising and maintaining adequate and effective internal control 
performed by the senior and executive management as well as other Afarak personnel, and assisted by 
third-party experts when appropriate. 

the Board of Directors decides on the Group’s management system and the corporate and organisational 
structure required by each business unit with a view to providing solid foundations for effective internal 
control. internal control and risk management related to financial reporting at the Group level are performed 
in a coordinated way by a function independent of the business areas. each subsidiary’s executive 
management is responsible for the implementation of internal control and risk management to the agreed 
Group principles and guidelines.

the system of internal control provides reasonable rather than absolute assurance that Afarak’s business 
objectives will be achieved within the risk tolerance levels defined by the Board.

internal control refers to elements of financial and operational management which are designed to ensure:

•  Achievement of defined performance targets; 

•  efficient use of resources and protection of assets; 

•  effective management of risks; 

•  Accurate, timely and continuous delivery of financial and operational information;   

•  Full compliance with laws and regulations as well as internal policies; and

•  Business continuity through secure systems and stable operating procedures.

The Structure of Internal Control Systems

the main structural elements of the Group’s internal control system are:

•  the risk management and internal control policies and principles defined by the Board;

•  Implementation of the policies and principles under the supervision of Group management;

•  Supervision of the efficiency and functionality of the business operations by Group management;

34

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Executive Management Team

the Group’s executive Management team (“eMt”) assists the Group Ceo in effectively accomplishing his 
duties. the eMt is an advisory body which was set up by the Board of Directors in november 2009. it has 
neither authority, based on laws or the Articles of Association, nor any independent decision-making rights. 
Decisions on matters discussed by the eMt are taken by the Ceo, the  eMt member responsible for the 
matter in question or the Group’s Board of Directors, as appropriate. 

the current members of the eMt are:

Dr Danko Koncar
CEO, Dependent Executive Director 
Diploma (Engineering), M.Sc. (Engineering), Ph.D. (Engineering) 
Born 1942

Dr Danko Koncar was appointed as a member of the Board at the extraordinary General Meeting on 11 
August 2010 and as the Ceo on 11 February 2013. He was also the Acting Managing Director of the Company 
between october 2010 and April 2011.He has extensive experience in minerals processing and trading, 
including 20 years in ferrochrome processing with six years of experience in application of direct current 
technology to ferrochrome processing. He has served as Chairman of Samancor Chrome and General Director 
of RCS limited and is still General Director of Kermas. Dr Koncar is dependent on the Company based on 
his position as the CEO and dependent on a major shareholder of the Company through his controlled 
entity Kermas ltd.

Michael Lillja
Executive Director
M.Sc (Economics)
Born 1962

Michael lillja is currently member of the executive Management team and the head of sales and marketing 
of RCS Limited, the sales and marketing arm of Afarak. Prior to RCS, Mr. Lillja has served for decades in 
several different positions in the mining and metals industry, the energy sector, and in international trade 
for companies such as, Alloy 2000 SA/enRC-Kazakhstan, international Ferro Metals ltd, and SamChrome 
ltd/Samancor Cr.

Dr Alistair Ruiters
Executive Chairman, Afarak South Africa
BA (Economic History), Ph.D. (Sociology), 
Born 1964

Alistair Ruiters joined the Company in november 2009 as Afarak’s South Africa’s Managing Director. Prior 
to joining the Company, he held numerous positions in the private sector. Before transferring to the private 
sector in 2005, Dr Ruiters served as a public servant in the new South African democratic government from 
1994 to 2005. He has held numerous senior positions in Government including the Commissioner of the 
Competition Commission and the Director General of the Department of Trade and Industry. He holds a 
Doctorate from oxford university.

35

Corporate Governance AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Corporate Management

the Company’s Corporate Management includes, in addition to the executive Management team, the 
following personnel responsible for corporate functions:

Melvin Grima
Finance Director
ACCA, MIA, CPA
Born 1982

Melvin Grima joined Afarak in 2013 as Group Finance Manager. He was responsible of the relocation of the 
Group’s corporate finance function to Malta and its setup. He was promoted to Finance Director in 2015. 
Prior to joining Afarak, he held a number of management positions including Group Accountant of a hotel 
Group and Finance Manager of a Group trading in the petroleum industry. 

Sakari Knuutti
Head of Corporate Affairs
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
Born 1984

Sakari Knuutti joined Afarak’s now divested wood processing division in 2010. He was promoted to Head 
of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary in 2013. Prior to joining Afarak he has worked in attorneys-
at-law offices and a governmental organization.

36

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

•  Supervision of the quality and compliance of the financial reporting by the Group finance department;

•  An effective control environment within all organisational levels and business units, including tailored 

controls for each business process; and

•  Internal audits conducted as and when needed.

The Internal Control of the Financial Reporting Process

the Group’s financial organisation is structured so that each business unit has its own finance function, 
but overall financial management including accounting, taxation and financing is centralised within the 
Group’s parent company.

the Group finance department is responsible for ensuring the compliance, quality and timeliness of the 
Group’s external and internal financial reporting. the internal control mechanisms are based on the policies, 
procedures and authorisations established and approved by the Board. in addition to control mechanisms, 
training and sharing of knowledge are also significant tools of internal control.

each business unit has its own finance function which reports to the Group Finance. the business unit’s 
finance function is responsible for the unit’s accounting and daily financial operations and internal reporting. 
the finance function and administration is overseen by the unit’s management team and reports to the 
head of the business unit’s segment.

the tasks of the Group Finance consist, among other things, of monthly consolidation of the Group’s 
accounts, preparation of the quarterly interim reports and consolidated financial statements, financing of 
the Group, and tax planning.

Consolidated financial statements are prepared by using consolidation software. the accounting of the 
Company’s subsidiaries is carried out by accounting systems and the accountants within each subsidiary enter 
the accounting information directly into the consolidation system, or in some cases send the information 
in a predefined format to the Group’s financial administration to be consolidated. 

Roles and Responsibilities Regarding Risk Management and 
Internal Control

Board of Directors
the Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for the administration and the proper organisation of the 
Group’s operations and approves all internal control, risk management and corporate governance policies. 
the Board establishes the risk-taking level and risk-bearing capacity of the Group and reassess them on a 
regular basis as part of the Group’s strategy and goal-setting process. the Board reports to the shareholders 
of the Company.

Audit and Risk Management Committee
the Audit and Risk Management Committee is responsible for the following internal control related activities: 
Monitoring the reporting process of the financial statements; 
Supervising the financial reporting process; 
Monitoring the efficiency of the Group’s internal control, internal audit and risk management systems; and 
Monitoring the statutory audit of the financial statements and consolidated financial statements.

Group Management
the Group’s management is in charge of the day-to-day management of the Group in accordance with the 

37

Corporate Governance AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

instructions and orders given by the Board. it sets the framework of the internal control environment and is 
in charge of the Group’s risk management process and its continuous development. this includes allocation 
of resources to the work and continuous review of the risk management policies, as well as defining the 
principles of operation and overall processes. 

External Audit

According to the Articles of Association, the Annual General Meeting of shareholders elects the Company’s 
auditor, which must be a firm authorised by the Finnish Central Chamber of Commerce; otherwise the 
Company will have one main auditor and one deputy auditor. the auditor’s term is for one year and finishes 
at the end of the first General Meeting following election.

on 8 May 2014 Afarak’s General Meeting elected Authorised Public Accountant ernst & Young oy (“eY”) as 
auditor, with Authorised Public Accountant erkka talvinko having the principal responsibility. eY is also the 
local auditor of all of the Group companies.

in 2014 the Company paid euR 412,000 for audit fees (438,000) and euR 20,000 for non-audit services 
(12,000) to EY. 

Insider Administration

The Company complies with the legal provisions applying to the management of insiders, the Guidelines for 
insiders issued by the nASDAQ Helsinki Stock exchange and the stipulations and guidelines of the Finnish 
Financial Supervision Authority.

Public Insider Register
the Company’s permanent public insiders comprise the Board members, the Ceo, the executive Management 
team and the auditors. All permanent public insiders and the statutory information about them, their related 
parties and the entities controlled by them or in which they exercise influence, have been entered into the 
Company’s public insider register which is published on the Group’s website.

Afarak imposes a restriction on trading for insiders which forbids trading in the Company’s shares for 30 
days before the publication of financial reports. Prior to the preliminary announcement of the Company’s 
annual results and the publication of its annual financial report the closed period is 60 days or, if shorter, 
the period from the end of the relevant financial year up to and including the time of the announcement. 

Compliance with the insider regulations is monitored by taking samples at certain intervals of trading by 
insiders in the Company’s shares.

Company-specific Insider Register
in addition to the public insider register, the Company holds a company-specific insider register of persons 
who regularly receive information that can have material impact on the value of its securities. These persons 
include all Afarak Group Plc employees and subsidiary and other third-party service providers who regularly 
obtain insider information. 

When necessary, the Company sets up a separate project-specific insider register. Project-specific insiders 
are those who, in connection with the insider project receive information that might have material impact 
on the value of the Company’s shares. the establishment of a project is decided by the Board or the Ceo.

38

0

0

0

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Shareholdings of the Public Insiders at 31 December 2014

Members of the Board

Title

Jelena Manojlovic 

Chairman

Shares

Related Party 
Shares

Options

150,000

19,672*

Markku Kankaala 

Non-executive Director

7,066,116

24,500

Danko Koncar 

Executive Director, CEO

19,672

70,945,967**

Michael Lillja

Executive Director

0

71

200,000

Alfredo Parodi

Non-executive Director

22,600

Bernice Smart

Non-executive Director

Auditors

Erkka Talvinko 

Auditor

Other insiders

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Alistair Ruiters 

Executive Chairman, 
Afarak South Africa

418,211

0

600,000

*includes the personal shares of Danko Koncar.
**includes the total number of shares of Jelena Manojlovic.

39

Corporate Governance AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Renumeration Report

40

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Remuneration Report

this report sets out the remuneration policy and practices for Afarak’s Board and executive Management 
team (“eMt”), and provides details of their remuneration and share interests for the year ended 31 December 
2014. 

Remuneration Policy
Afarak operates in a very competitive sector where there is a shortage of highly qualified, experienced 
executives. the Group’s remuneration policy is designed to attract, retain and incentivise high-calibre 
executives to implement its business strategy and enhance shareholder value.

the policy seeks to align the interests of the business and shareholders by rewarding executives appropriately 
for achieving individual and group targets and thereby ensuring long-term value creation for the benefit 
of all the shareholders. 

Nomination and Remuneration Committee
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding executive 
remuneration, and submits proposals to the Annual General Meeting of shareholders regarding the Board’s 
remuneration.

the committee is responsible for the overall direction of the remuneration policy, as well as determining, 
within agreed terms of reference, the specific remuneration packages of the eMt. this includes pension rights, 
executive incentive schemes and any compensation payments. to ensure that the Group’s remuneration 
packages are both appropriate and competitive, the committee evaluates information on market-based 
remuneration levels for comparable companies.

the members of the committee in 2014 were Dr Jelena Manojlovic (Chairman), Mr Markku Kankaala and 
Ms Bernice Smart.

CEO Service Agreement
the Board appoints the Chief executive officer (Ceo), who manages, develops, guides and supervises 
the Group’s activities and leads the eMt. the Board decides upon the Ceo’s remuneration based on the 
recommendations made by the Remuneration Committee.

the Ceo receives an annual salary of euR 240,000. the Ceo is not entitled to any bonus plans or share-
based incentives. the Company’s view is that as the Ceo’s related parties include a major shareholder of 
the Company the Ceo has sufficient incentive performance in spite of the lack of any share or bonus plans. 

the Group makes no pension arrangements for the Ceo beyond the statutory pension coverage, and there 
is no set retirement age. the notice period in the event of termination of the Ceo’s Service 
Agreement is six months. The CEO is not entitled to any other severance pay in addition to the salary for 
the notice period.

Non-Executive Directors’ Service Contracts
the remuneration of members of the Board of Directors is agreed at the Company’s General Meetings. 
Directors’ remuneration consists of monthly fixed fees. the extraordinary General Meeting held on 11 
February 2013 and later the Annual General Meeting held on 8 May 2013 approved that all Board Members 
are paid euR 3,000 per month. the extraordinary General Meeting held on 5 July 2013 resolved that the 
non-executive Board Members who serve on the Board’s Committees shall be paid additional euR 1,500 per 
month for the committee work. Directors’ monthly remuneration fee of euR 3,000 remained unchanged. 

those members of the Board of Directors that are executives of the Company are not entitled to receive 
any remuneration for the Board or Committee memberships.

41

Board of Directors Report AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

EUR '000

Salaries

Fees

Share-based 
remuneration

Salaries

Fees

Share-based 
remuneration

2014

2013

Everard Paul

Board member 21.4.2010 
- 11.2.2013

16

97

Hoyer Thomas

CEO 4.5.2011 - 
11.2.2013 , Board 
member 11.5.2011 
-11.2.2013

Kankaala Markku Board member 30.6.2003 
onwards

Koncar Danko

CEO since 11.2.2013, 
Board member 11.8.2010 
onwards

Acting Managing Director 
from 14.10.2010 to 
3.5.2011

386

548

54

56

64

240

240

Lillja Michael

Board member 11.2.2013 
onwards

120

212

Manojlovic Jelena Board member 11.7.2008 

onwards, Chairperson 
17.6.2009 onwards

Parodi Afredo

Board member 11.2.2013 
onwards

Pointon 
Christopher

Board member 21.4.2010 
- 11.2.2013

Rourke Barry

Board member 21.4.2010 
- 11.2.2013

Smart Bernice

Board member 11.2.2013 
onwards

54

54

54

97

97

97

59

41

19

19

41

Total

 360

 216

0

838

251

999

the 2014 share based remuneration of the directors relates entirely to the 2010 share scheme in relation 
to which the directors received shares in 2010 and the expiry of the lock-up period of those shares.

42

                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                       
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Other EMT Members’ Service Contracts
As Afarak operates within a highly competitive environment, its performance depends on the individual 
contributions of the executive directors and other senior employees. the remuneration packages are designed 
to attract, motivate and retain executives to manage the Group’s operations effectively and to reward them 
for enhancing shareholder value. 

the eMt remuneration package is a combination of a base salary and long-term share-based incentives. 
Fringe benefits include liability insurance, traveller’s insurance and mobile phones. 
there are no early retirement options in the eMt’s employment contracts, and the notice period and/or 
non-compete period is normally six months, unless agreed otherwise. 

Executive Management Team Remuneration

EUR '000

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

termination benefits

Share-based payments

Total

2014

185

0

0

42

2013

505

72

192

333

 227

1 057

the table includes the executive Management team remuneration excluding the Ceo. the Ceo and Board 
members compensation has been presented separately.

none of Afarak’s executive directors have received any compensation for serving as a neD in other companies. 

Share-based Compensation

Share Options
the Company has three incentive-related option schemes, known as i/2005, i/2008 and i/2011. 

option rights relating to the i/2005 scheme were granted to the eMt and other key employees and to 
non-executive directors, as recommended by the Board. the scheme entitles option holders to subscribe 
for a maximum of 2,700,000 shares in the Company. the share subscription period is from 1 July 2007 to 
30 June 2015 for various options series denoted with different letters, and the subscription price range is 
euR 0.32 – 0.82 (with dividend and capital redemption adjustment). to date, options on A, B, C, D, e and 
F series of the i/2005 scheme have been issued totalling 1,175,000 option rights.

option rights relating to the i/2008 scheme were granted to the Company’s previous Ceo, Alwyn Smit, in 
october 2008. the scheme entitled the option holder to subscribe for a maximum of 2,900,000 shares in the 
Company for a subscription price of euR 2.18 per share (with dividend and capital redemption adjustment). 
the share subscription period for 1,450,000 share options commenced on 1 october 2009 and on 1 october 

43

Board of Directors Report AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

2010 for the remaining 1,450,000 options. the subscription period matures on 31 December 2015, and 
the maximum number of 2,900,000 options hav been issued.

option rights relating to the i/2011 scheme are granted to the key personnel of the Company, as recommended 
by the Board. the scheme entitles the option holders to subscribe for a maximum of 6,900,000 shares in 
the Company. to date, the total of 6,291,997 options have been issued. the vesting period is 1 July 2014 
to 1 August 2017 for various option series denoted with different letters and years. the share subscription 
price is calculated by a formula based on the Volume Weighted Average Price of the Company’s share and 
varies between the option series. 

Directors’ and EMT members’ Shareholdings and Options at 31 December 2014

Members of the Board

Title

Shares

Related Party 
Shares

Options

Jelena Manojlovic 

Chairman

150,000

19,672*

Markku Kankaala 

Non-executive Director

7,066,116

24,500

Danko Koncar 

Executive Director, CEO

19,672

70,945,967**

0

0

0

Michael Lillja

Executive Director

0

71

200,000

Alfredo Parodi

Non-executive Director

22,600

Bernice Smart

Non-executive Director

Auditors

Erkka Talvinko 

Auditor

Other insiders

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Alistair Ruiters 

Executive Chairman, 
Afarak South Africa

418,211

0

600,000

*includes the personal shares of Danko Koncar.
**includes the total number of shares of Jelena Manojlovic. 

44

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Board of Directors Report

45

Board of Directors Report AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Review of 2014

Afarak’s objective is to create shareholder value 
through delivering high profitability and long-term, 
sustainable growth. 

In 2014 Afarak continued to assess ways to improve 
its profitability. Afarak implemented changes in 
production planning to increase production volumes 
of processed material with the aim of reducing fixed 
overhead cost per ton. These improvements led to 
an increase in trading volumes of processed material 
in both the Speciality Alloy and Ferroalloys segment.  
In addition, Afarak continued making good progress 
in driving its production further towards specialised 
alloy products. 

During 2014 Afarak’s mining operations suffered from 
suspensions in both segments. unrest in the local 
community led to the suspension of the Mecklenburg 
mine in South Africa and the Turkish mines were also 
closed for a significant amount of time due to strike 
action. On the other hand, Stellite mining operations 
in South Africa were consistent throughout the year 
and production was at the same levels of the 2013. 
However, the extraordinary coincidence of having 
three out of the four mines not operating for a 
substantial part of the year affected our results in 
2014. We don’t expect such production suspensions 
to occur again in near future.

Afarak’s mining team in South Africa continued 
working to convert the prospecting right of Vlakpoort 
to a mining right. Afarak expects that mining activity 
commences in H2 2016. The Group continues to 
assess various additional opportunities to grow its 
mineral reserves and resource.

The Mogale Alloys plant in South Africa operated 
throughout the year unlike in 2013 during which it 
participated in eskom’s electricity buy-back program. 
in December 2014 Mogale Alloys commissioned the 
refining and granulation plant which enabled Afarak 
to enter into a new niche market and produce medium 
carbon ferrochrome in 2015.

EWW, the smelting operation located in Germany and 
a key component of Afarak’s integrated Speciality 
Alloys business, continued to be a strong contributor 
to the Group. Afarak’s expectation is to continue 
focusing on the specialised niche products which 
always contributed consistent results since entering 
the mineral segment. 

46

 
AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

In 2014 Afarak continued its fully integrated strategy 
covering mining, processing, smelting, marketing and 
sales. It was another challenging year for our industry, 
and the Group´s resilience and determination was 
once again demonstrated throughout value chain. 
RCS, the Group’s marketing, sales and logistics 
organisation, managed the volatility of product 
prices and secured new long-term contracts with 
a number of multinational customers. 

In 2014 the costs of certain key raw materials 
increased. in order to mitigate the effect on our 
profitability Afarak aims to improve the value chain 
and deepen the vertical integration by evaluating 
investment opportunities that would lead to lower 
product cost.

Looking ahead the economic conditions have 
determined some change in the strategy of Afarak, 
the orientation to quantity and more specialty 
products that are always in demand is a key focus 
to mitigate the current weak saturated market of 
standard grades material. Afarak is looking into 
diversification by entering into other mineral and 
metal segments and increase trading volumes for 
higher profitability. We are also planning to widen 
our growth strategy by increasing our asset base 
geographically, penetrate additional commodity 
markets, and enhance synergies by identifying 
potential consolidation opportunities.

47

Board of Directors Report AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Safety, Health and Sustainable Development

the Group’s mission is to conduct its business in a responsible and ethical manner for the benefit of all 
its stakeholders.

Afarak strives to achieve “Zero Harm” at all of its operations and to provide its employees and contractors 
with a safe and healthy environment in which to work, develop and grow.  During the year the Group managed 
a common policy for health, safety and environment across all its units. A lost time injury metrics system 
was conducted in conformance with internationally recognised standards. During 2014 the Group totalled 
approximately 1,700,000 working hours during which the Group suffered only 15 accidents that caused loss 
of time. On-going personnel training on health and safety awareness is conducted also as the promotion 
of use of safety equipment. The Company is always assessing if there is scope for technical improvement 
in reducing the occurrence of hazardous events.

the Group seeks to make positive contributions to the local communities in which it operates and to build 
long-term relationships to underpin the sustainability of its business. Afarak’s current community programs 
are focused on children, and aimed at providing them with much-needed basic support, including nutrition, 
education and safety. in turkey, the support translates into education subsidies to help families pay school 
fees. in South Africa, the Group is supporting feeding schemes for children, a shelter for abused women and 
children and a teacher support program. The teacher support program is dedicated to providing support for 
destitute children in an informal settlement close to one of the Group’s operations, guiding the development 
of values in children’s lives, many of whom are from broken families.  these programs are managed in 
conjunction with professional third party service providers to maximise their effectiveness and benefits. 
Afarak intends to further expand its community programs during 2015.

Afarak respects the environment in which it operates and aims to manage its operations in a sustainable 

48

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

way, minimising its footprint as much as possible to preserve the environment. As an example, in turkey, 
TMS does not use chemical reagents in its production process. In addition, at Tavas operation the Company 
conducted a research program with an aim to recycle into the production unit the fines resulting from past 
years operation.  this project has been approved and will result in a substantial reduction of fines stock 
pile as well as in a reduction of the cost of production.
in South Africa, the Group has a number of initiatives in place to address its impact on the environment. At 
eWW the Group is investing substantial amounts into R&D to reduce the amount of waste from its production 
processes and the aim is to achieve 100% recycling of all materials.  

Both of Afarak’s processing plants, eWW and Mogale Alloy, hold a iSo 9001 certification for adopting the 
very best in quality systems and emphasizes our commitment at Group level to continuously improve and 
build excellence into every process of its integrated management systems.

2014 Operating and Financial Performance

turning to the Group’s performance for 2014, there has been a clear improvement in its financial results 
year on year despite challenging and volatile market conditions. 

Group Production
Production for the year decreased by 27.9% to 405,660 (562,770) tonnes.  the decrease was mainly due 
to the strike and lockout at tMS and the suspension of mining operation at Mecklenburg mine. tavas mine 
restarted their operation following the end of the strike and lockout in november 2014 but the strike actions 
at Kavak mine were not over in the last quarter of 2014 and continued effecting negatively mining activity 
in the Speciality Alloys segment. Mecklenburg restarted mining operations in December 2014. Production 
of processed material increased substantially during 2014 as a result of the decision to increase production 
volumes at EWW and the fact that Mogale Alloys operated throughout the year unlike in 2013 during which 
it participated in eskom’s electricity buy-back program.

Tonnes

Q1

Q2

Speciality Alloys - Mining* 

19,694

14,448

Q3

0

1,706

35,848

Q4

FY14

FY13

Change

FerroAlloys - Mining* 

90,567

64,610

50,005

   63,169

268,351

Speciality Alloys - Processing 

8,189

7,901

5,337

7,357

28,784

FerroAlloys - Processing 

20,634

13,952

14,826

23,265

72,677

* including both chromite concentrate and lumpy ore production

70,988

425,585

23,242

42,955

-49.5%

-36.9%

23.8%

69.2%

Sales
the Group’s sales from processing, which includes all the products produced at the Mogale Alloys and 
EWW processing plants, were 97,351 (62,626) tonnes in 2014, an increase of 55.4% compared to 2013. 
this increase was mainly attributable to the continuing increase in demand in both Speciality Alloys and 
FerroAlloys segments. The increase in the FerroAlloys segment volumes in 2014 was a result of having 
Mogale Alloys operating at normal levels during 2014. In 2013 sales volumes of the FerroAlloys segment 
were lower due to the participation in eskom’s electricity buyback program.

Sales from processing:

Tonnes

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

FY14

FY13

Change

Speciality Alloys - Processing 

6,822

8,913

7,070

5,643

28,448

FerroAlloys - Processing 

total – Processing

17,816

24,638

13,988

22,901

19,277

26,347

17,822

68,903

23,465

97,351

21,516

41,110

62,626

32.2%

67.6%

55.4%

49

Board of Directors Report AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Group Revenue and Profitability
Revenue for the full year 2014 increased by 27.4% as compared to 2013 to euR 172.7 (135.5) million. the 
increase in revenue was mainly attributable to the increase in sales volumes of our processed material in 
both segments and the growth in our trading operations. Revenue was negatively affected by lower sales 
prices and weaker uS Dollar that only started recovering in September 2014. 

eBitDA for the full year was euR 8.4 (14.1) million. the eBitDA decreased in spite of the increase in 
trading volumes, mainly due to profit margins remaining low during 2014; the increase in production cost. 
Further,  the weak uS dollar throughout the first three quarters led to lower profitability in both segments. 
the suspension of the Mecklenburg mine and the strike and lockout at the turkish mines also negatively 
affected our result. However, mining recommenced at the Mecklenburg mine during December 2014 and 
tMS resolved to end the lockout at both its tavas and Kavak mines in turkey.  operations have restarted 
at tavas, however, the Kavak mine strike actions were not resolved in 2014.

eBitDA was positively affected by euR 1.2 million relating to profit on the sale of land in turkey in Q3/2014.
Reduction in overhead costs across all our operations also contributed. Weakening of the South African 
Rand positively affected the Group’s results as it helped to reduce our production costs in South Africa. the 
joint venture share of profit in 2014 was euR -3.3 (-2.3) million. the negative result was mainly attributable 
to not having Mecklenburg mine in operation during a substantial part of the year and net write-down of 
assets amounting to euR 1.6 (0.0) million. the joint venture share of profit also includes, depreciation of 
euR 0.9 (1.1) million and, finance expenses of euR 1.0 (2.3) million that negatively affect our eBitDA. 

eBit for the year improved significantly to euR 1.7 (-8.0) million, that was mainly due to the beneficial effect 
of a lower depreciation charge in 2014 resulting from acquisition related assets acquired by Afarak in 2008 
that were fully amortised in Q4 2013. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company sold part of the 
saw mill equipment that was acquired in 2008 for the now discontinued wood business. this transaction 
positively affected the Q4/2014 profit for the period by euR 1.8 million that includes a release of euR 0.6 
million from the provision in relation to the discontinued wood business.

EUR million

Revenue

EBITDA

EBITDA margin

EBIT 

EBIT margin

Profit for the period

Q1

43.2

3.0

7.0%

0.9

2.1%

0.2

Q2

47.3

3.3

7.1%

1.4

3.0%

1.3

Q3

40.6

2.1

5.1%

0.5

1.3%

-0.7

Q4

41.6

0.0

0.0%

-1.1

-2.8%

1.4

FY14

172.7

8.4

4.9%

1.7

1.0%

2.2

FY13

Change

135.5

27.4%

14.0

10.4%

-8.0

-5.9%

-4.4

the full year earnings per share was euR 0.01 (-0.02).

Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Financing
the Group’s liquidity, as at 31 December 2014, was euR 13.3 (13.8).  operating cash flow in the full year 
was euR 5.1 (13.8) million. Afarak’s gearing at the end of the year was -0.7% (-6.4%). net interest-bearing 
debt was euR -1.2 (-12.3) million.

one of the Group’s Maltese subsidiaries was granted a loan facility from a Maltese bank amounting uSD 
13.0 million in 2013. the loan was fully utilised in 2014 by the Group to finance the ferroalloy refining and 
granulation plant in South Africa.  the Group has provided a corporate guarantee of uSD 13.0 million and 
assigned future receivables that amount to uS$ 13.0 million as collateral in relation to the loan facility.

total assets on 31 December 2014 were euR 290.3 (277.9) million. the equity ratio was 62.8% (68.5%).

50

 
AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Investments, acquisitions and divestments
Capital expenditure for the full year 2014 totalled euR 14.8 (10.6) million. this relates primarily to the 
payments made in relation to the ferroalloy refining and granulation equipment at Mogale Alloys as well as 
sustaining capital expenditure at the Speciality Alloys segment.

Speciality Alloys Segment
the Speciality Alloys business consists of türk Maadin Şirketi A.S (“tMS”), the mining and beneficiation 
operation in turkey, and elektrowerk Weisweiler GmbH (“eWW”), the chromite concentrate processing plant 
in Germany. TMS supplies EWW with high quality chromite concentrate which produces speciality products 
including specialised low carbon and ultra low carbon ferrochrome. Chrome ore from tMS that is not utilised 
for the production of specialised low carbon ferrochrome is sold to the market as lumpy chrome ore.

Production 
the annual production decreased by 31.4% to 64,632 (94,230) tonnes. Mining at tMS stopped in June 2014 
due to a strike and lockout. Tavas mine restarted their operation following the end of the strike and lockout 
in november 2014 but production remains suspended at Kavak due to continuing strike action. During 
2014 eWW increased substantially its operation as a result of having the plant closed for shutdown for a 
shorter period during the year and also having increased daily processing volumes due to higher demand 
for speciality alloys material.

Tonnes

Mining* 

Processing 

Q1

Q2

19,694

14,448

Q3

0

Q4

FY14

FY13

Change

1,706

35,848

70,988

-49.5%

8,189

7,901

5,337

7,357

28,784

23,242

23.8%

* including both chromite concentrate and lumpy ore production

Financial Performance
Revenue for the full year 2014 was euR 97.8 (74.5) million, representing an increase of 31.4% compared 
to the equivalent period in 2013 and eBitDA was euR 7.9 (9.0) million. the increase in revenue was mainly 
due to higher sales prices and trading volumes of speciality material when compared to 2013. Despite the 
improvement in revenue, eBitDA was negatively affected by a weaker uS dollar average rate on conversion 
of revenue in the first three quarters of 2014; increase in raw material costs; and loss of profit due to the 
strike and lockout at the mines in turkey.  in Q3 2014 eBitDA was positively affected by euR 1.2 million 
relating to the profit on sale of land in turkey. 

eBit for the year was euR 5.7 (-6.1) million, this significant improvement was mainly due to the beneficial 
effect of a lower depreciation charge in 2014, resulting from acquisition related assets acquired by Afarak 
in 2008, that were fully amortised in Q4 2013.

EUR million

Revenue

EBITDA

EBITDA margin

EBIT 

EBIT margin

Q1

22.1

1.0

4.5%

0.3

1.5%

Q2

28.9

2.7

9.4%

2.1

7.3%

Q3

24.3

3.0

12.3%

2.4

10.0%

Q4

FY14

FY13

Change

22.6

1.2

5.2%

0.8

3.5%

97.8

        74.5

31.4%

7.9

8.0%

5.7

5.8%

9.0

12.1%

-6.1

-8.2%

FerroAlloys Segment
the FerroAlloys business consists of the processing plant Mogale Alloys and the joint ventures Stellite mine 
and Mecklenburg mine in South Africa. the business produces chrome ore, charge chrome, silico manganese 
and stainless steel alloy for sale to global markets.

Production

51

Board of Directors Report AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

the annual production decreased by 27.2% to 341,028 (468,540) tonnes. this decrease was mainly due to 
the suspension of mining operation at Mecklenburg mine which led mining production 36.9% down from 
last year. in contrary to the mining operation, production of processed material increased by 69.2% in 2014 
as Mogale didn’t participate in eskom’s electricity buyback program. 

Tonnes

Mining* 

Processing 

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

FY14

FY13

Change

90,567

64,610

50,005

63,169

268,351

425,585

-36.9%

20,634

13,952

14,826

23,265

72,677

42,955

69.2%

* including both chromite concentrate and lumpy ore production

Financial Performance
Revenue for the full year increased to euR 74.8 (61.0) million, representing an increase of 22.6% compared 
to the equivalent period in 2013. the improvement in revenue was driven by the increase in trading volumes 
of processed material when compared to 2013. eBitDA for the full year decreased to euR 3.1 (8.8) million as 
a result of lower sales prices; a weak uS Dollar rate on conversion of revenue which only started to recover 
in September 2014; increased cost of production as a result of high energy cost in the South African winter 
periods; and a reduction in sales of mining material. the joint venture share of profit in 2014 was euR -3.3 
(-2.3) million, this negative result was mainly attributable to not having Mecklenburg mine in operation 
during a substantial part of the year and net write-down of assets amounting to euR 1.6 (0.0) million. Joint 
venture share of profit also included depreciation of euR 0.9 (1.1) million and finance expenses of euR 1.0 
(2.3) million which negatively affected our eBitDA in 2014.

Q4

FY14

FY13

Change

Q3

16.3

-0.2

19.0

-0.4

-1.3%

-1.9%

-1.2

-1.1

-7.6%

-5.9%

-1.8%

74.8

3.1

4.1%

-1.4

22.6%

61.0

8.8

14.4%

2.0

3.3%

EUR million

Revenue

EBITDA

EBITDA margin

EBIT 

EBIT margin

Q1

21.1

2.4

11.1%

0.9

4.4%

Q2

18.4

1.3

7.1%

0.0

0.2%

52

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Afarak’s share of joint ventures revenue for the full year decreased to euR 5.7 (9.5) million representing a 
decrease of 40.4% compared to the equivalent period in 2013. The decrease in revenue was mainly due to 
the reduction in sales volumes of the Mecklenburg mine material as operations were suspended in Q2 2014 
due to the unrest in the local community and only restarted in December 2014. Revenue generation from 
the Mecklenburg mine only restarting in January 2015 as material mined in December 2014 could only be 
delivered in January 2015 as logistics were limited in December 2014 due to the summer holidays in South 
Africa. Share from joint venture eBitDA for the full year decreased to euR -2.2 (0.9) million. Decrease in 
eBitDA was mainly due to the loss of profitability from Mecklenburg mine material, which also led to higher 
overhead cost per ton mined as mining volumes decreased by 36.9% when compared to 2013. Share of profit 
of joint venture was also negatively affected by a net write-down of assets in Q4 2014 amounting to euR 
1.6 (0.0) million. eBit was negatively affected by higher depreciation as a result of change in accounting 
estimates which was reflected as from the beginning of 2014.  

the share of profit from joint ventures is made up as follows:

EUR million

Revenue

EBITDA

Q1

2.9

0.3

Q2

1.0

Q3

1.1

Q4

0.7

-0.2

-0.2

-2.0

EBITDA margin

11.7%

-23.3%

-20.8%

-311.7%

-38.0%

FY14

FY13

Change

5.7

-2.2

-40.4%

9.5

0.9

9.8%

-0.2

EBIT 

EBIT margin

0.0

-0.4

-0.4

-2.3

-3.1

1.7%

-39.4%

-40.7%

-348.4%

-54.1%

-1.8%

53

Board of Directors Report AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Global Markets

Stainless Steel
While the u.S. economy has been strengthening through the second half of 2014, most other regions of the 
world, including most of Western Europe and China, have not seen the hoped-for coattails from the stronger 
u.S. economy helping to strengthen their particular economies, this led the global economy ending 2014 
on a downswing with prices for most nonferrous metals decreasing through the second half of the year.

Still the total global stainless steel production volume for 2014 reached again an all-time high of 41 million 
tonnes. This is an increase of 7.6% compared to 2013. In 2014, the outturn in all of the traditional stainless 
steel making regions, except South Korea, was higher than in the previous year. the recovery was particularly 
strong in the uSA and Japan, with growth in the eu and taiwan also seen. However, production in all of 
these established stainless steel making countries remained sill lower than 2006, when production peaked.

on the other hand, China’s output in 2014 was four times more than 2006. However, the rate of growth 
is not expected to continue, although production in 2015 expected to continue to increase by more than 
5% on 2014, to reach a high of approximately 23 million tonnes. This would represent more than 50% of 
global stainless steel production.  

it is expected that worldwide production of stainless steel will increase by about 5% worldwide, to reach 
approximately 43 million tonnes in 2015.

Ferrochrome
Together with the stainless steel producers, the ferrochrome producers had to reduce their prices further 
for their standard materials, to be able to compete with the Chinese producers which lowered their prices 
further during the third quarter of 2014. the South African benchmark negotiations for the fourth quarter of 
2014 were settled earlier than usual at the end of the third quarter. the settled benchmark price for europe 
was at uS$ 1,15/lb Cr, down from uS$ 1,19/lb Cr. in Japan it followed the usual trend at uS$ 0,08/lb Cr 
higher that europe at uS$ 1,23/lb Cr in the fourth quarter. this settlement was lower than we anticipated, 
mainly due to curtailments in europe and Japan, and the weak South African rand against the uS dollar which 
limited the ferrochrome price increases and expected market surplus in the fourth quarter.

With the South African benchmark prices reducing during 2014, producers discounts to the larger buyers 
have increased dramatically, where discounts for standard material has increased from 20% earlier in 2014 
going up to even 30% from the benchmark price for charge chrome as the competition in the spot market 
was tough. Also the currencies in the largest producing countries, such as Kazakhstan, india, Finland and 
South Africa, weakened against the uS dollar. the Chinese benefit in the ferrochrome spot market prices 
has balanced out with prices now available to all stainless steel producers worldwide.

Afarak’s speciality ferrochrome production and prices continue to be stable where the superalloy and 
speciality stainless steel producers demand was maintained over the fourth quarter. Outlook for 2015 also 
looks bright with further speciality stainless steel producers committing themselves to long term agreement 
to secure tonnages from Afarak. 

Mogale Alloys had its first medium carbon charge chrome production as the refining and granulation 
plant was commissioned in December 2014. First agreements have been signed with major stainless steel 
producers and samples have been forwarded to several potential stainless steel customers worldwide. the 
expectations for 2015 are positive, with production ramping up to full speed by the end of 2015.

Manganese Alloy 
in December 2014, the european Commission launched an anti-dumping investigation against imports of 
silico manganese from india, following the official petition filed by the Association of european Ferro-Alloy 
Producers (euroalliages) in november 2014. Specifically, some of its members believe contract prices in the 
indian market are well above those in the eu when comparing silico manganese prices on eXW and FoB basis 
in india. Silico manganese from india has affected sales of the material from european producers, and also 

54

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Mogale Alloys silico manganese production. Mogale Alloys silico manganese has been very limited to the 
european market due to the low prices from india. At the present indian silico manganese is subject to 3.7% 
import duty in europe. indian, Kazakh and Venezuelan silico manganese is under anti-dumping duty in uSA.

Other Operations
the Group’s other operations include the Group’s headquarters and other Group companies, which do not 
have significant business operations. these are reported under unallocated items.  the full year eBitDA 
from unallocated items was euR -2.5 (-3.9) million. the improvement in eBitDA was mainly due to the full 
year effect of the cost saving exercise that the Company undergone in 2013. 

In 2014 the Company sold part of the saw mill equipment that was acquired in 2008 for the now discontinued 
wood business. this transaction positively affected the Q4/2014 profit for the period by euR 1.8 million. 
this profit includes a release of euR 0.6 million from the provision in relation to the discontinued wood 
business.

Human Resources
Afarak operates in a very competitive industry and the Group’s ability to successfully execute its business 
is dependent upon the competencies and motivations of its employees, as well as its ability to attract and 
retain a high calibre personnel. the Group follows local legislation and applicable regulations at each of its 
operations in regards to its human resources management.

At the end of 2014, the Group’s headcount was 698, compared to 779 in 2013. 

31 December 2014

31 December 2013

Speciality Alloys

FerroAlloys

Other Operations

Total

355

339

4

698

443

333

3

779

Change

-19.9%

1.8%

33.3%

-10.4%

Equal opportunities and diversity are important to an international company such as Afarak and the 
appointment of a female chairman demonstrates the Group’s commitment to gender diversity within the 
organisation. there are a number of senior female executives across the Group’s key business units.

in South Africa specifically, as part of the Group’s compliance with local legislation, the FerroAlloys division 
monitors its employment equity and it is a vital component of the recruitment process to ensure Afarak is 
playing its part in the transformation of South Africa. The FerroAlloys division is aiming for an aggressive 
target of at least 50% of its workforce is represented by historically disadvantaged individuals. 

Highly skilled, motivated and diverse employees are essential to the Group’s success in implementing its 
business strategies and executing its objective.

Research and development

Research and development projects at Afarak aim to ensure the Company’s future growth by assessing 
the introduction of new products, and evaluating new technologies to improve operational efficiency and 
increase production. R&D work is administered separately by each operation and additionally Afarak appoints 
external experts for R&D. in 2014, Afarak’s R&D expenditure totalled euR 0.3 (0.1) million. late 2014 Afarak 
reached a concrete R&D milestone when the installation of the new refining and granulation plant at Mogale 
Alloys was completed which again enabled the Company to produce medium carbon ferrochrome.

Litigation
on 27 March 2014, Afarak announced that the Company had been served a notice of arbitration by Chinese 
Suzhou Kaiyuan Chemical Co. ltd (“Suzhou”). Suzhou’s claim of euR 2.66 million relates to a chrome ore 

55

Board of Directors Report AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

sales agreement entered into by Chromex Mining Plc (“Chromex”) prior to the acquisition of Chromex by 
Afarak together in a joint venture with Kermas limited. the claim has been served on Afarak’s marketing arm 
RCS limited and various companies which form part of the Chromex joint venture. the place of arbitration 
is Shanghai, China. The Company is strongly contesting the claim and aims to resolve the matter as soon 
as possible.

Outlook
the global growth in stainless steel production is expected to lead an increase in demand for chrome 
products in 2015. However, as occurred in 2014 where the chrome industry has not been able to increase 
chrome product prices it is unclear whether this upswing in prices will occur in 2015.

At Mogale Alloys, part of the FerroAlloys division, the Company started production of medium carbon 
ferrochrome during the fourth quarter of 2014, this is expected to make a positive contribution towards 
the Company’s profit margins in 2015. in the Speciality Alloys division Afarak expects to continue to see an 
increase in raw materials costs. in addition, the strengthening of the uS dollar is also expected to improve 
the financial performance of the Company as compared to 2014. in 2015, Afarak’s revenue is expected to 
remain at the same levels of 2014 and EBIT is expected to improve as compared to 2014.

Fluctuations of exchange rates between the euro, the South African Rand, the turkish lira and the uS
Dollar can significantly impact the Company’s financial performance.

Significant Risks and Uncertainties
the purpose of risk management is to identify the threats and opportunities affecting the business and the 
implementation of its strategy and to ensure that the risks are proportional to the Group’s risk-bearing 
capacity. Afarak’s key risks are reviewed and assessed by the Board on a regular basis. 

The risk management principles are discussed further in the Corporate Governance Statement. 

Afarak has defined its main risk categories as strategic, operational and financial risks, each of which is 
discussed below. Additional information on financial risks and financial risk management are presented in 
more detail in the notes to the consolidated financial statements in the section 1.7.

Strategic Risks
Afarak’s business is cyclical in nature and a significant strategic risk is the Afarak’s exposure to price and 
demand volatility in the commodities markets as well as the steel and stainless steel industries. the global 
market for Group’s products may not progress or develop at the levels forecast and a drop in demand 
for the Group’s products could have an adverse effect on the Group’s revenues and profits. As a vertically 
integrated producer who sells a diverse range of products, from raw chrome ore through to premium, 
speciality ferroalloy products, Afarak believes it can mitigate some of this risk by using its strong customer 
interface and market intelligence to adjust its production volumes to match demand and adapt its diverse 
product mix to meet customer requirements.

Afarak has mining operations and projects in in Turkey and South Africa where political and social risks 
remain a challenge. Changes in the mining, employment and fiscal regulatory environment may materially 
adversely affect Afarak’s business and its financial results. operations may be affected to varying degrees 
by government regulations with respect to matters including, but not limited to: export controls; currency 
remittance; income taxes; expropriation of property; foreign investment; maintenance of claims; environmental 
legislation; land use; land claims of local people and water use. Afarak seeks to maintain good relationships 
through direct, regular engagement and communication with government at local, regional and national 
levels, the relevant regulatory departments, its local communities, the unions, its BEE partners, as well as 
other stakeholders. Social risk is also a key challenge in the mining sector. Industry or social unrest and 
labour actions may materially adversely affect Afarak’s business and its financial results by temporarily 
closing down operations. In the occurrence of such event Afarak seeks to resolve the matters with all 
stakeholders to reduce the impact on it operation. 

56

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Afarak’s strategy is focused on acquisitive and organic growth. Subject to market conditions, the Company 
expects to continue to expand its business through acquisitions.  there can be no assurance that the Group 
will be able to identify suitable acquisition targets, obtain the necessary financing to fund such acquisitions 
or acquire acquisition targets on satisfactory terms. if an acquisition has been successful, there are a number 
of risks involved in integrating the acquisition into the Group, including but not limited to: a failure to retain 
key personnel, difficulties in integrating the acquired operations in the Group’s structure, risks arising from 
the change of control provisions in contracts of an acquired company, risk the acquisition may not become 
profitable and possible adverse effects on the Group’s financial results.

As part of the organic growth strategy, the Group has recently completed the installation of new ferroalloy 
refining and granulation plant, this compliments the South African furnaces and will give the ability to 
produce medium carbon ferrochrome.  there is a risk that the new plant will not perform as expected and 
the group will not achieve the desired future operating cash flows from this investment.

The future organic growth strategy of the Group is changing and the idea of producing niche products is 
taking over that of producing larger volumes. Furthermore the Group is also trying to increase its Resources 
and Reserves by acquiring new mines or expanding its current operations.  there is a risk that Afarak might 
not be able to find the appropriate site, or to obtain the necessary licences to develop and operate them or 
to secure the required financing, either through financial institutions or through strategic partnerships. if 
all or some of these risks materialise it would hinder the implementation of this part of the Group’s growth 
strategy. 

Operational Risks
Afarak operates in a highly competitive industry and is dependent on the technical skill and management 
expertise of a small number of key personnel. the loss of key personnel or the engagement of inappropriate 
personnel could have an adverse effect on Afarak’s ability to operate some of its operations, particularly its 
processing plants, which could impact the Group’s operating and financial results. Afarak’s future success will 
depend on its ability to attract and retain suitably skilled and qualified personnel.. it regularly re-assesses 
its remuneration policies and packages, based on Remuneration Committee guidelines, to ensure they are 
attractively competitive and reviews its succession plans.

there is always the risk of a severe mining and/or smelting accident at Afarak’s operations, such as adverse 
mining conditions, fire, flooding, rock bursts, unusual weather conditions, seismic events, other natural 
phenomena and other conditions resulting from drilling, blasting and the removal and processing of material 
associated with underground and/or opencast mining, which could have a serious impact on the Group. this 
could affect both employees’ physical wellbeing and morale, as well as the operations themselves, resulting 
in suspension of operations until the accident has been fully investigated and appropriate measures taken 
to prevent a re-occurrence.  to mitigate this risk as much as possible, Afarak has adopted a policy of “Zero 
Harm” towards health and safety in the workplace.  it has conducted baseline assessment risks at all of its 
operations, has developed a comprehensive set of health and safety guidelines, policies and procedures 
and has a programme of regular, continuous employee training.  This is all overseen at the highest level in 
the Group by the Board of Directors.

Afarak’s processing operations in Germany and South Africa are intensive users of energy, primarily electricity. 
Fuel and energy prices globally have been characterised by volatility coupled with general cost inflation 
in excess of broader measures of inflation. in South Africa the majority of the electricity supply, price and 
availability are all controlled by one entity, namely eskom. increased electricity prices and/or reduced or 
unreliable electricity supply or allocation may negatively impact Afarak’s current operations, particularly its 
processing plants, which could have a consequent effect on the Group’s operating and financial results.  it 
may also impact the Group’s plans to expand its operations and implement its growth strategy.  

Afarak’s processing plants are vulnerable to interruptions such as power cuts, particularly where these 
events cause a stoppage, which necessitates a shutdown in operations. Stoppages in smelting, even for 
only a few hours, can cause the contents of furnaces to solidify, resulting in a plant closure for a significant 
period and expensive repairs. To mitigate this risk Afarak employs experienced operating managers and 
has standard operating procedures in place for most foreseeable circumstances.

57

Board of Directors Report 
 AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Due to the nature of its business, Afarak has a large, potential exposure to environmental risks. environmental 
risks relate first to direct potential harm to the environment, and second to potential post-production 
rehabilitation or landscaping obligations. Both these types of environmental risks are managed closely and 
regularly assessed. Afarak has appointed external experts to assist in identifying potential liabilities and 
ensuring that the different entities within the Group are compliant with the relevant environmental legislation. 
the Group regularly assesses the need to conduct studies regarding the environmental liabilities. in the 
recent reviews done in our South African operations Afarak concluded that the provisions in the accounts 
are sufficient at current level.

Afarak is exposed to litigation risk in various part of it business cycle. legal disputes may relate to contractual 
or other liabilities or environmental or other regulatory matters. Currently, there is one significant legal 
case pending and the group policy is to publish all significant legal cases and their outcomes.

Financial Risks
Afarak’s financial risks, including liquidity, exchange rate, interest rate, credit and commodity price risk, are 
briefly outlined below and are described in more detail in the notes to the consolidated financial statements 
in the section 1.7.

liquidity risks involve whether Afarak has enough liquidity to service and finance its operations and pay 
back loans. if liquidity risks materialised, it may cause overdue interest expenses and could negatively 
impact the Group’s relationship with its goods and service suppliers as well as affect the pricing and other 
terms for input goods and services. 

Afarak is an international business and has operations in turkey, Germany, Malta and South Africa so the 
Group has significant foreign exchange rate exposure. the risks arise from both direct risk, such as commercial 
cash flows and currency positions as well as indirect risk, such as changes in the Group’s competitiveness 
as a result of its foreign exchange rate exposures compared to its competitors. 

Afarak is exposed to interest rate risks where the Group’s subsidiaries enter into loans or other financing 
agreements or make deposits and investments related to liquidity management. Changes in interest rates 
can influence the repayment of loans, impact the profitability of investments or alter the fair value of the 
Group’s assets.

Credit risks are realised when the counterparties in commercial, financial or other agreements cannot take 
care of their obligations and cause a negative financial impact to the Group. Afarak’s key customers are 
typically long business relationships and include major international steel and stainless steel companies 
and some specialty agents selling to the steel sector. As these customers are sector specific, major changes 
in that industry’s future outlook or profitability could also increase the Group’s credit risk.

Afarak is exposed to price risks on various output and input products, materials and commodities. The price 
risks on input materials and commodities are managed by pricing contracts so that, where possible, any 
changes in input materials and commodities may be absorbed in the sales prices.  the Group’s processing 
operations are exposed to the availability, quality and price fluctuations in raw materials. to diminish these 
risks, the Group’s business units seek long-term contract agreements with known counterparties where 
possible.

Share Information
Afarak Group Plc’s shares are listed on nASDAQ Helsinki (AFAGR) and on the Main Market of the london
Stock exchange (AFRK).

on 31 December 2014, the registered number of Afarak Group Plc shares was 259,562,434 (248,432,000) 
and the share capital was euR 23,642,049.59 (23,642,049.56).

on 31 December 2014, the Company had 4,244,717 (4,244,717) own shares in treasury, which was equivalent 
to 1.64% (1.71%) of the issued share capital. The total amount of shares outstanding, excluding the treasury 

58

 
AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

shares held by the Company on 31 December 2014, was 255,317,717 (244,187,283).

At the beginning of the period under review, the Company’s share price was euR 0.32 on nASDAQ Helsinki 
and GBP 0.30 on the london Stock exchange. At the end of the review period, the share price was euR 0.32 
and GBP 0.25 respectively. During 2014 the Company’s share price on nASDAQ Helsinki ranged from euR 
0.21 to 0.42 per share and the market capitalisation, as at 31 December 2014, was euR 83.1 (1 January 
2014: 79.5) million. For the same period on the london Stock exchange the share price range was GBP 
0.24 to 0.32 per share and the market capitalisation was GBP 65.5 (1 January 2014: 74.5) million, as at 31 
December 2014.

Based on the resolution at the AGM on 8 May 2014, the Board is authorised to buy-back up to a maximum 
of 15,000,000 of its own shares. this authorisation is valid until 8 november 2015. the Company did not 
carry out any share buy-backs during 2014.

Flagging Notifications

on 10 october 2014, Afarak announced that Hino Resources Co. a company incorporated and existing under 
the laws of Hong Kong, has completed a sale of shares in Afarak Group Plc and the transaction resulted in 
Hino Resources Co. decreasing below 20% and becoming a 19.26% holder of the shares and voting rights 
in Afarak

on 25 July 2014, Ms Aida Djakov announced that as a result of the increase in the total number of shares 
from the directed share issue to the vendors of Mogale Alloys, the ownership percentage of Atkey Limited 
(“Atkey”), a controlled corporation of Ms Djakov, decreased below 20 per cent. At the time of the notification 
Atkey held 19.81 per cent of the shares and voting rights in Afarak. Ms Djakov also held 6.58 per cent of 
the shares and voting rights directly, together Atkey and Ms Djakov held 26.4 per cent of the Company’s 
voting rights.

On 2 May 2014, Afarak announced that Hino Resources Co. Ltd has completed an acquisition of shares in 
Afarak Group Plc and the transaction resulted in Hino increasing above 20 per cent and becoming a 21.29 
per cent holder of the shares and voting rights in Afarak.

On 3 April 2014, Afarak announced that Finaline Business Limited a company incorporated and existing 
under the laws of British Virgin Islands has completed a sale of 27,000,000 shares in Afarak Group Plc. The 
transaction resulted in Finaline Business limited becoming a 0 per cent holder of the shares and voting 
rights in Afarak.

On 3 April 2014, Afarak announced that Hino Resources Co. a company incorporated and existing under 
the laws of Hong Kong, has completed an acquisition of shares in Afarak Group Plc and the transaction 
resulted in Hino Resources Co. increasing above 10 and 15 per cent and becoming a 19.27 per cent holder 
of the shares and voting rights in Afarak.

Resolutions of the Annual General Meeting

the Company’s Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) was held on 8 May 2014. the AGM adopted the financial 
statements. The AGM resolved in accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors a capital redemption 
of euR 0.02 per share for the year ended on 31 December 2013. the capital redemption was paid on 22 
May 2014. the AGM discharged the members of the Board of Directors and the Ceo from liability for the 
financial period 2013.

the AGM resolved that all Board Members are paid euR 3,000 per month. Furthermore, the non-executive 
Board Members who serve on the Board’s Committees shall be paid an additional euR 1,500 per month for 
the committee work. those members of the Board of Directors that are executives of the Company are not 
entitled to receive any remuneration for Board membership.

the AGM resolved that the Board of Directors comprises of six members. Dr Jelena Manojlovic, Ms Bernice 

59

Board of Directors Report AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Smart, Mr Markku Kankaala, Dr Danko Koncar, Mr Michael lillja and Dr Alfredo Parodi were all re-elected 
to the Board. At its meeting held after the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors elected from 
among its members Dr Jelena Manojlovic as Chairman and Ms Bernice Smart as Deputy Chairman. the Board 
appointed from among its members the following members to the Committees: 

Audit Committee:
Bernice Smart, (Chairman), Markku Kankaala, Alfredo Parodi

The Nomination and Remuneration committee
Jelena Manojlovic (Chairman), Markku Kankaala, Bernice Smart

the AGM resolved that authorised public accountant firm ernst & Young oy was re-elected as the Auditor 
of the Company for the year 2014.

the AGM resolved to authorize the Board of Directors to issue shares and stock options and other special 
rights that entitle to shares in one or more tranches up to a maximum of 24,843,200 new shares or shares 
owned by the Company. the authorization may be used among other things in financing, enabling corporate 
and business acquisitions or other arrangements and investments of business activities and in the employee 
incentive and commitment programs. By virtue of the authorization, the Board of Directors can decide both 
on share issues against payment and on share issues without payment. the payment of the subscription 
price can also be made with consideration other than money. the authorization contains the right to decide 
on derogating from shareholders’ pre-emptive right to share subscriptions provided that the conditions 
set in the Companies’ Act are fulfilled.

The AGM authorised the Board of Directors to resolve upon acquiring a maximum of 15,000,000 of the 
Company’s own shares. the authorisation replaces all previous authorisations and it is valid 18 months 
from the decision of the Annual General Meeting. 

2015 Annual General Meeting
Afarak’s 2015 Annual General Meeting will be held on 8 May 2015.

Dividend Payout Proposal
the Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting which will be held on 8 May 2015 that 
capital redemption of euR 0.02 per share would be paid out of the paid-up unrestricted equity fund. the 
Board will investigate the possibility to increase the dividend.

Events after the review period
On 2 January 2015, Afarak announced that the Company has signed a sale agreement in relation to part of 
the saw mill equipment the Company acquired in 2008. The transaction from the discontinued operation 
positively affects the Q4/2014 profit.

on 2 January 2015, Afarak announced that as a result of a transaction that occurred between Ms Aida Djakov 
and her controller corporation Atkey limited (“Atkey”) Ms Aida Djakov has personally decreased below the 
threshold of 5% and Atkey has increased above the threshold of 25%. However, the total combined ownership 
of Ms Aida Djakov and Atkey remained unchanged.

on 3 March 2015, Afarak announced that the strike at the Kavak mine in turkey has ended. 

Directors’ responsibility
the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the annual report and accounts. the Directors consider 
the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the company’s performance, business model and strategy.

Information Presented by Reference
the Group’s key financial figures, related party disclosures, information on share capital and option rights 
are presented in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.  the share ownership of the parent 

60

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

company’s Board members and Chief executive officer is presented in the notes to the parent company’s 
financial statements.

The Corporate Governance Statement and the Remuneration Report are presented as separate reports in 
this Annual Report.

For the purposes of united Kingdom listing Authority listing rules (“lR”) 9.8.4C R, the information required 
to be disclosed by lR 9.8.4 R can be found in the following locations:-

Sector

Topic

Location

1

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

Interest capitalised

1.7. notes to the statement of financial position, 10. 
Property, plant and equipment. 

Publication of unaudited financial information

not applicable

Details of long-term incentive schemes

1.7. notes to the statement of financial position, 19. 
Share-based payments

Waiver of emoluments by a directors

not applicable

Waiver of future emoluments by a director

not applicable

Non pre-emptive issues of equity for cash

not applicable

item (7) in relation to major subsidiary undertakings

not applicable

Parent participation in a placing by a listed subsidiary  not applicable

Contracts of significance

1.8. Related party disclosures, 1.8.2 Related party 
transactions

Provision of services by a controlling shareholder

not applicable

Shareholder waivers of dividends

Shareholder waivers of future dividends

not applicable

not applicable

Agreements with controlling shareholders

not applicable

All the information cross-referenced above is hereby incorporated by reference into this board of directors 
report.

61

Board of Directors Report AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Consolidated financial statements 
(IFRS)

62

KEY FIGURES

FINaNCIaL INDICaTORS

Continuing operations

Revenue

EBITDA

% of revenue

euR '000

euR '000

operating profit / loss (eBit)

euR '000

% of revenue

Profit / loss before taxes

euR '000

% of revenue

Return on equity

Return on capital employed

Equity ratio

Gearing

Personnel at the end of the 
accounting period

%

%

%

%

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

2014

2013

172,669

135,509

8,447

4.9 %

1,725

1.0 %

460

0.3 %

1.2 %

3.1 %

62.8 %

-0.7 %

698

14,090

10.4 %

-7,984

-5.9 %

-11,130

-8.2 %

-2.2 %

0.0 %

68.5 %

-6.4 %

779

Restated

2012

128,582

9,229

7.2 %

-16,768

-13.0 %

-19,590

-15.2 %

-7.4 %

-4.5 %

69.2 %

-5.4 %

768

63

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

SHARE-RELATED KEY INDICATORS

2014

2013

Group

Continuing 
operations

Group

-0.02

-0.02

Continuing 
operations

-0.02

-0.02

Group

-0.06

-0.06

0.00

0.00

2012

Continuing 
operations

-0.06

-0.06

0.69

0.74

0.74

0.84

0.84

0

0.00

neg.

0

0.00

neg.

1 000

249,280

244,135

244,025

1 000

253,077

248,532

251,604

1 000

259,562

248,432

248,432

0.01

0.01

0.69

0

0.00

27.9

earnings per share, basic euR

Earnings per share, 
diluted

Equity per share

euR

euR

Dividends *

euR '000

euR

euR

Dividend per share *

Price to earnings

Average number of 
shares

Average number of 
shares, diluted

number of shares at the 
end of the period

Share price information (NASDAQ Helsinki)

Average share price

Lowest share price

Highest share price

euR

euR

euR

0.32

0.21

0.42

0.40

0.30

0.48

0.67

0.38

1.02

Market capitalisation

euR '000

83,060

79,498

111,794

Share turnover

euR '000

6,638

Share turnover

%

8.1 %

Share price information  (London Stock Exchange) 

Average share price

Lowest share price

Highest share price

euR

GBP

euR

GBP

euR

GBP

0.37

0.30

0.30

0.24

0.39

0.32

Market capitalisation 

euR '000

84,144

GBP '000

65,540

1,826

1.8 %

0.43

0.37

0.35

0.30

0.47

0.40

89,396

74,530

3,773

2.3 %

0.54

0.43

0.39

0.32

1.06

0.86

106,545

86,951

64

 
 
 
 
 
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

2014

2013

Group

Continuing 
operations

Group

Continuing 
operations

Share turnover

euR '000

Share turnover

GBP '000

9

7

Share turnover

%

0.0 %

19

16

0.0 %

2012

Continuing 
operations

Group

154

125

0.1 %

*in 2013 the Company distributed a capital redemption of euR 0.01 per share out of the paid-up unrestricted 
equity reserve and no dividend was distributed. in 2014 the Company distributed a capital redemption of 
euR 0.02 per share  out of the paid-up unrestricted equity fund. in 2015 the Board has proposed to the 
AGM that a capital redemption of euR 0.02 per share would be paid out of the paid-up unrestricted equity 
fund. the Board will investigate the possibility to increase the dividend.

65

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

FORMULaS FOR CaLCULaTION OF INDICaTORS

Financial indicators

Return on equity

Profit for the period / total equity (average for the period) * 100

Return on capital employed 

(Profit before taxes + financing expenses) / (total assets – 

interest-free liabilities) average * 100

Equity ratio 

total equity / (total assets - prepayments received) * 100

Gearing 

EBITDA 

operating profit / loss  

(interest-bearing debt - liquid funds) / total equity * 100

operating profit + depreciation + amortisation + impairment losses

operating profit is the net of revenue plus other operating income, plus 
gain/loss on finished goods inventory change, minus employee benefits 
expense, minus depreciation, amortisation and impairment and minus 
other operating expense. Foreign exchange gains or losses are included 
in operating profit when generated from ordinary activities. exchange 
gains or losses related to financing activities are recognised as financial 
income or expense

Share-related key indicators

earnings per share, basic 

Profit attributable to owners of the parent company / Average number 
of shares during the period

Earnings per share, diluted 

Profit attributable to owners of the parent company / Average number 
of shares during the period, diluted

Equity per share

Dividend per share

equity attributable to owners of the parent / Average number of shares 
during the period

Dividends / number of shares at the end of the period. in the 
attached table of share related key indicators, the dividend and capital 
redemptions are presented in that year's column on which results the 
pay-out are based; hence the actual payment takes place during next 
year.

Price to earnings

Share price at the end of the period / earnings per share

Average share price

total value of shares traded in currency / number of shares traded 
during the period

Market capitalisation

number of shares * Share price at the end of the period

66

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

CONSOLIDaTED FINaNCIaL STaTEMENTS

CONSOLIDaTED INCOME STaTEMENT aND STaTEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

euR ‘000

Revenue

Other operating income

Materials and supplies

employee benefits expense

Depreciation and amortisation

Other operating expenses

Impairment, net

Share of profit from associates

Share of profit from joint ventures

Operating profit / loss

Finance income

Finance cost

Profit / loss before taxes

Income taxes

Profit / loss for the year from continuing 
operations

Discontinued operations

Profit for the year from discontinued 
operations

Profit / loss for the year

Profit attributable to:

Owners of the parent

Non-controlling interests

earnings per share (counted from profit 
attributable to owners of the parent):

basic (euR), Group total

diluted (euR), Group total

basic (euR), continuing operations

diluted (euR), continuing operations

Note

1

2

3

4

5

4

12

13

6

6

7

8

9

1.1.-31.12.2014

1.1.-31.12.2013

172,669

3,370

-136,552

-16,123

-6,717

-11,612

-5

6

-3,311

1,725

4,166

-5,431

460

12

472

1,773

2,245

2,858

-613

2,245

0.01

0.01

0.00

0.00

135,509

12,936

-100,916

-19,283

-22,074

-11,863

0

6

-2,300

-7,984

8,016

-11,162

-11,130

6,728

-4,403

0

-4,403

-4,252

-151

-4,403

-0.02

-0.02

-0.02

-0.02

67

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

CONSOLIDaTED STaTEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

EUR '000

1.1.-31.12.2014

1.1.-31.12.2013

Profit / loss for the year

2,245

-4,403

Other comprehensive income

Items that will not be reclassified to profit and loss

Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans

-4,036

-40

Items that may be reclassified to profit and loss

exchange differences on translation of foreign operations - Group

exchange differences on translation of foreign operations – 
Associate and Joint Venture

Income tax relating to other comprehensive income

-5,198

-997

-964

-21,858

-347

7,741

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

-11,195

-14,505

Total comprehensive income for the year

-8,950

-18,907

Profit attributable to:

Owners of the parent

Non-controlling interests

-8,527

-423

-8,950

-17,130

-1,778

-18,908

68

 
 
 
CONSOLIDaTED STaTEMENT OF FINaNCIaL POSITION

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

EUR '000

aSSETS

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Goodwill 

other intangible assets

Investments in associates

other financial assets

Receivables

Deferred tax assets 

Current assets

Inventories

trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

EQUITy aND LIaBILITIES

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

Share capital

Share premium reserve

Legal Reserve

Paid-up unrestricted equity reserve

Translation reserve

Retained earnings

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Non-current liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

interest-bearing debt

Share of joint ventures´ losses

Pension liabilities

other non-current debt

Provisions

Current liabilities

trade and other payables

Provisions

tax liabilities

interest-bearing debt

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Note

31.12.2014

31.12.2013

10

11

11

12

14

14

20

15

16

17

18

20

14

13

22

23

21

23

21

23

14

47,970

63,052

20,358

92

587

39,910

4,166
176,136

60,051

40,769

13,332
114,153

290,289

23,642

25,740

210

243,424

-12,061

-103,657
177,298

4,947

182,245

8,200

6,263

19,580

19,954

42

10,137
64,176

31,974

77

5,951

5,866
43,868

108,044

290,289

36,257

62,288

22,040

76

580

43,525

12,546
177,312

46,284

40,559

13,769
100,612

277,924

23,642

25,740

201

242,725

-4,773

-102,574
184,960

5,368

190,328

8,507

149

15,293

16,095

40

9,739
49,823

28,742

542

7,128

1,362
37,773

87,596

277,924

69

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 
 
 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

CONSOLIDaTED STaTEMENT OF CaSH FLOWS

EUR '000

Operating activities

Profit / loss for the period

Adjustments to net profit:

Non-cash items

Depreciation and impairment

Finance income and cost

Income from associates

Income taxes

Share-based payments

Proceeds from non-current assets

Working capital changes:

Change in trade receivables and other receivables

Change in inventories

Change in trade payables and other debt

Change in provisions

Interests paid

Interests received

other financing items

Income taxes paid

Discontinued operations

Net cash  from operating activities

Investing activities

Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

Capital expenditure on non-current assets, net

Other investments, net

Disposals of subsidiaries, net of cash sold

Repayments of loan receivables and loans given, net

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities

Capital redemption

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayments of borrowings

Repayments of finance leases

Net cash used in financing activities

Change in cash and cash equivalents

70

1.1.-31.12.2014

1.1.-31.12.2013

2,245

-4,403

6,722

2,352

3,305

-12

154

-3,029

2,732

-13,298

7,140

-1,113

-1,240

782

-47

-478

-1,087

5,129

0

-14,347

1,785

-2

2,351

-10,213

-4,884

11,365

-1,801

-89

4,590

-494

22,074

3,650

2,294

-6,728

1,020

-813

-9,371

319

3,560

-1,086

-740

814

6,752

-3,104

-504

13,734

-404

-10,883

691

2

885

-9,708

-2,442

0

-1,405

0

-3,847

179

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

EUR '000

Cash at beginning of period

exchange rate differences

Cash at end of period

Change in the statement of financial position

1.1.-31.12.2014

1.1.-31.12.2013

13,769

57

13,332

-494

14,158

-568

13,769

179

the cash flow from operating activities include discontinued operations relating to lP Kunnanharju cleaning 
cost of euR 585 thousand and the storage cost of the Sawmill equipment of euR 501 thousand. Part of the 
Sawmill equipment was actually sold in December 2014, however the cash inflows were actually received 
in January 2015.

71

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

CONSOLIDaTED STaTEMENT OF CHaNGES IN EQUITy

euR  ‘000

A = Share capital 
B = Share premium reserve   
C = Paid-up unrestricted equity reserve 
D = Translation reserve 
E = Retained earnings 
F = Legal reserve 
G = equity attributable to owners of the parent, total 
H = Non-controlling interests 
I = Total equity 

euR '000

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

Attributable to owners of the parent

Equity at 31.12.2012 
(Restated)

Profit for the period 
1-12/2013

Other comprehensive 
income

Total comprehensive 
income

Share-based payments

Capital redemption

Other changes in equity

23,642

25,740 245,167

8,045

-99,192

0 203,402

7,164 210,565

-4,252

-4,252

-151

-4,403

-12,818

-40

-12,858

-1,647  -14,505

-12,818

-4,292

-17,110

-1,798 -18,908

-2,441

1,109

1,109

-2,441

-201

201

0

2

0

0

1,111

-2,441

0

Equity at 31.12.2013 

23,642

25,740 242,726

-4,773

-102,576

201 184,960

5,368 190,327

Profit for the period 
1-12/2014

Other comprehensive 
income

Total comprehensive 
income

Share-based payments

Rights Issue

Capital redemption

Acquisitions and disposals 
of subsidiaries

Other changes in equity

2,858

2,858

-613

2,245

-7,349

-4,036

-11,385

190  -11,195

-7,349

-1,178

-8,527

-423

-8,950

5,583

-4,884

154

2

60

-60

9

154

5,583

-4,884

2

9

3

0

0

0

157

5,583

-4,884

2

9

Equity at 31.12.2014

23,642

25,740 243,425

-12,062

-103,658

210 177,297

4,948 182,244

72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

1. NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.1 COMPANY INFORMATION

Afarak Group is a chrome mining and minerals producer focused on delivering sustainable growth with a 
speciality alloys business in southern europe and a ferro alloys business in southern Africa. the Group’s 
parent company is Afarak Group Plc (business iD: 0618181-8). the parent company is domiciled in Helsinki, 
and its registered address is Kasarmikatu 36, 00130 Helsinki, Finland. Copies of the consolidated financial 
statements are available at Afarak Group Plc’s head office or at the Company’s website: www.afarakgroup.
com.

Afarak Group Plc is quoted on the nASDAQ Helsinki oy (trading code: AFAGR) in the industrials group, in 
the small-cap category, and on the main market of the london Stock exchange (AFRK).

1.2 ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

Basis of preparation

these consolidated financial statements of Afarak Group have been prepared in accordance with the 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and in conformity with the IAS and IFRS standards as well 
as the SiC and iFRiC interpretations in force on 31 December 2014.  in the Finnish Accounting Act and the 
regulations issued on the basis thereof, international Financial Reporting Standards refer to the standards 
and their interpretations that have been approved for application within the eu in accordance with the 
procedure prescribed in the eu regulation (eC) 1606/2002. notes to the consolidated financial statements 
also meet the requirements set forth in the Finnish accounting and company legislation. 

the consolidated financial statements have been prepared on historical cost basis, unless otherwise explicitly 
stated. All the figures in the consolidated financial statements are given in euR thousands.

Afarak Group Plc’s Board of Directors resolved on 27 March 2015 that these financial statements are to be 
published. According to the Finnish Companies Act, shareholders shall endorse the financial statements in 
the Annual General Meeting convening after the financial statements have been published.

Presentation of financial statements

the consolidated financial statements provide comparative information in respect of the previous period. in
addition, the Group presents an additional statement of financial position at the beginning of the earliest 
period presented when there is: a retrospective application of an accounting policy; a retrospective 
restatement; or a reclassification of items in financial statements that has a material impact on the Group.

Principles of Consolidation

the consolidated financial statements include the parent company Afarak Group Plc, its subsidiaries, joint 
ventures and associated companies. Subsidiaries refer to companies controlled by the Group. the Group 
gains control of a company when it holds more than half of the voting rights or otherwise exercises control. 
the existence of potential voting rights has been taken into account in assessing the requirements for 
control in cases where the instruments entitling their holder to potential voting rights can be exercised 
at the time of assessment. Control refers to the right to govern the financial and operating policies of an 
enterprise so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

Acquired subsidiaries are consolidated from the time when the Group gained control, and divested subsidiaries 
until the time when control ceased. All intra-group transactions, receivables, debts, and unrealised profits, 

73

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

as well as internal distribution of profits, are eliminated when the consolidated financial statements are 
prepared. the distribution of profits between parent company owners and non-controlling owners is shown 
on the income statement, and the non-controlling interest of equity is shown as a separate item in the 
statement of financial position under shareholders’ equity. 

Afarak Group Plc has consolidated elektrowerk Weisweiler GmbH to its financial statements since 1 november 
2008 based on potential voting rights arising from a call option. Afarak exercised the call option on 10 May 
2012 and acquired 100 % of the shares in elektrowerk Weisweiler GmbH. the transaction has been treated 
as an adjustment to the cost of acquisition in accordance with the earlier IFRS 3 which was applied in 2008.

The Group holds 51% of shares of Synergy Africa Ltd. However, the shareholders of Synergy Africa Ltd have 
entered into a joint venture agreement with joint control over the company. Therefore, the company and 
its subsidiaries are not consolidated into the Group as subsidiaries but as joint ventures.

Joint ventures are entities in which each venturer has an interest and there is a contractual arrangement 
establishing joint control over the economic activity of the entity. Afarak Group changed the account method 
in 2012 and the interests in joint ventures are now recognised using the equity method.  the Group’s share 
of net assets or liabilities in the Joint venture is recorded on one line in the balance sheet.  the Group’s 
share of net profit or loss of the Joint venture is also shown on one line in the income statement.

Associates are companies in which Afarak Group exercises significant influence. the Group exercises 
significant influence if it holds more than 20% of the target company’s voting rights, or if the Group in 
other ways exercises significant influence but not control. Associates have been consolidated in the Group’s 
financial statements using the equity method. if the Group’s share of the associate’s losses exceeds the 
carrying amount of the investment, the investment is recognised at zero value on the statement of financial 
position, and losses exceeding the carrying amount are not consolidated unless the Group has made a 
commitment to fulfil the associates’ obligations. investment in an associate includes the goodwill arising 
from its acquisition.

Translation of foreign currency items

Figures indicating the profit or loss and financial position of Group entities are measured in the currency 
of each entity’s main operating environment (‘functional currency’). Figures in the consolidated financial 
statements are presented in euro, the functional and presentation currency of the Group’s parent company, 
Afarak Group Plc.

transactions in foreign currencies have been recorded at the functional currency using the exchange rate 
on the date of the transaction or mid reference rates of central banks. Monetary items denominated in 
foreign currencies have been translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates at the balance 
sheet date. exchange rate gains and losses are included in the revenue, operational costs or financial items, 
corresponding to their respective origin. Hedge accounting has not been applied.

in the Group accounts, foreign subsidiaries’ income statement and statement of cash flows are converted 
into euro by using average exchange rates for the period, and the statement of financial position is converted 
by using the period-end exchange rate. the translation differences arising from this are recognised in 
other comprehensive income. translation differences arising from the elimination of the acquisition cost 
and post-acquisition equity changes are also recognised in other comprehensive income. If and when the 
foreign subsidiary is partially or fully divested, these accrued translation differences will be taken into 
account in adjusting the sales gain or sales loss.

Goodwill, other assets and liabilities arising from acquisitions of subsidiaries are recognised in the Group 
accounts using the functional currency of each acquired subsidiary. the balances in that functional currency 

have then been translated into euro using the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting period.

74

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

operating profit

iAS 1 Presentation of financial statements does not define the concept of operating profit. Afarak Group 
has defined it as follows: operating profit is the net amount derived by adding to revenue other operating 
income, less materials and supplies, and expenses from work performed by the enterprise and capitalised, 
less costs from employee benefits, depreciation and impairment losses, and other expenses. Shares of 
associated companies’and joint venture companies’ profit or loss are included in the operating profit to 
the extent to which they relate to the Group’s core businesses. All other items of the income statement 
are excluded from operating profit. exchange differences arising from operational transactions with third 
parties are included in operating profit; otherwise they are recorded under financial items.

IAS 1 amendment introduced the requirement for grouping of items presented in Other Comprehensive 
income.  items that are reclassified (or `recycled`) to profit or loss at a future point in time will be presented 
separately from items which will never be reclassified.  the amendment affected the presentation of other 
Comprehensive Income.

Revenue recognition

income from the sale of goods is recognised once the substantial risks and benefits associated with 
ownership have been transferred to the buyer. the transfer of risks depends on, among others, terms of 
delivery (Incoterms). The most often used term is FCA or FOB, under which the revenue is recognised when 
the goods are assigned to the buyer’s carrier or loaded on board the vessel nominated by the buyer. As 
typical in the business, preliminary invoices are issued for the mineral concentrates at the time of delivery. 
Final invoices are issued when quantity, mineral content and pricing have been defined for the delivery lot.

income not generated by the Group’s main businesses is accounted for as other operating income. the 
expenses incurred from disposals of non-current assets or a disposal group of assets are deducted from 
the gain on disposal.   

Pension liabilities

Pension arrangements in Afarak Group are classified as defined contribution plans or defined benefit 
plans (Germany and turkey). Payments for defined contribution plans are recognised as expenses for the 
relevant period. the present value of obligation for the defined benefit plans has been estimated applying 
the Projected unit Credit Method and recognised as a non-current liability on the statement of financial 
position.  The standard IAS 19 was revised and includes changes to the presentation and measurement of 
defined benefit plans as well as amendments to the accounting treatment of other employee benefits. the 
amendment has changed the determination of the applicable discount rate and also the possibility to apply 
the so called “corridor method” has been abolished. Consequently, actuarial gains and losses are recognised 
in other comprehensive income when they occur and the net defined benefit liability or asset are presented 
in full on the statement of financial position. 

Share-based payments

Option rights are measured at fair value at the time they were granted and recorded as expenses on a 
straight-line basis during the vesting period. the expenses at the time the options were granted are 
determined according to the Group’s estimate of the number of options expected to vest at the end of the 
vesting period. Fair value is determined on the basis of an applicable option pricing model (e.g. Black-
Scholes). the effects of non-market-based terms and conditions are not included in the fair value of the 
option; instead, they are taken into account in the estimated number of options expected to vest at the 
end of the vesting period. the Group updates the estimated final number of options on each balance sheet 
date. Changes in the estimates are recorded in the income statement. When the option rights are exercised, 
the cash payments received from the subscriptions adjusted with potential transaction costs are recorded 
under paid-up unrestricted equity reserve.

the Group from time to time directs free issues of shares to the members of the Board of Directors or key 
executives, as approved by the AGM. the compensation is settled in shares and is accordingly recognised as 
share-based payment in the Group’s financial statements. the fair value of the granted shares is determined 

75

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

based on the market price of the Afarak Group share at the grant date. the total fair value is therefore the 
amount of granted shares multiplied by the share market price at grant date. the cost is recognised as 
expense in personnel costs over the vesting periods and credited to equity (retained earnings). 

Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) transactions

the purpose of South African Black economic empowerment (Bee) regulation is to enable previously 
disadvantaged people meaningfully to participate in the South African economy. The Group is committed 
to making a positive contribution towards the objectives of Bee. Where the Group disposes of a portion of a 
South African based subsidiary or operation to a Bee company at a discount to fair value, the transaction is 
considered to be a share-based payment (in line with the principle contained in South Africa interpretation 
AC 503 Accounting for Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Transactions). The discount provided or value 
given is calculated in accordance with IFRS 2 and recognised as an expense. Where the BEE transaction 
includes service conditions, the expense is recognised over the vesting period. Otherwise the expense is 
recognised immediately on the grant date.

Lease agreements (the Group as the lessee)

leases of tangible assets where the Group possesses a material portion of the risks and benefits of ownership 
are classified as financial leases. An asset acquired through a financial lease agreement is recognised at the 
fair value of the leased object at the beginning of the lease period, or at a lower current value of minimum 
lease. An asset obtained through a finance lease is depreciated over the useful life of the asset or the lease 
term, whichever is shorter. the leases payable are divided into financial expenses and loan repayment 
during the lease term so that the interest rate for the remaining loan is roughly the same each financial 
year. leasing obligations are included in interest-bearing liabilities. lease agreements in which the risks 
and benefits typical of ownership remain with the lessor are classified as other leases. leases paid under 
other lease agreements, for instance operating leases, are recognised as expenses on a straight-line basis 
over the lease term.

Impairment

on each balance sheet date, the Group makes an assessment of whether there are any indications of asset 
impairment. if such indications exist, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated. in addition, goodwill 
is assessed annually for its recoverable amount regardless of whether there are any signs of impairment. 
Impairment is examined at the cash-generating unit level; in other words, the lowest level of entity that 
is primarily independent of other entities and whose cash flows can be separated from other cash flows. 
impairment related to associates and other assets are tested on a company/asset basis.

the recoverable amount is the fair value of an asset less divestment costs, or the higher value in use. 
Value in use means the present value of estimated future cash flows expected to arise from the asset or 
cash-generating unit. Value in use is forecast on the basis of circumstances and expectations at the time of 
testing. The discount rate takes into account the time value of money as well as the special risks involved 
for each asset, different industry-specific capital structures in different lines of business, and the investors’ 
return expectations for similar investments. An impairment loss is recorded when the carrying amount of an 
asset is greater than its recoverable amount. if the impairment loss is allocable to a cash-flow-generating 
unit, it is allocated first to reduce the goodwill of the unit and subsequently to reduce other assets of the 
unit. An impairment loss is reversed if a change has occurred in circumstances and the recoverable amount 
of the asset has changed since the impairment loss was recognised. An impairment loss recognised for 
goodwill is not reversed in any circumstances.

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually at year end; for the 2014 financial year, testing took place on 
31 December 2014. impairment testing and the methods used are discussed in more detail in section 1.4 
in the ‘notes to the consolidated financial statements’.

76

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Financial income and expense

interest income and expense is recognised using the effective interest method, and dividends are recognised 
when the right to dividends is established. unrealised changes in value of items measured at fair value are 
recognised in the profit or loss. these items relate to currency forward contracts. exchange rate gains or 
losses that arise from intercompany loans that are considered as part of the net investment in the foreign 
entity are included, net of any deferred tax effects, in the translation reserve within the equity. these 
exchange differences are recognised in other comprehensive income while accumulated exchange differences 
are presented in the translation reserves in the equity.

Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying 
asset forming part of the cost of that asset, are capitalised if it is likely that they will provide future economic 
benefit and can be measured in a reliable manner. other borrowing costs are recognised as an expense in 
the period in which they are incurred.

Income taxes

tax expenses on the income statement consist of the tax based on taxable income for the year and deferred 
taxes. taxes based on taxable income for the year are calculated using the applicable tax rates. taxes are 
adjusted with any taxes arising from previous years. Maltese companies’ income taxes are recognised and 
paid applying the nominal income tax rate which is 35%. 6/7 of this tax is refunded when the company 
pays dividend. Consequently the effective tax rate is 5%. the tax refund is recognised when the dividend is 
declared. Taxes arising from items recognised directly in the equity are presented as income tax relating 
to other comprehensive income.

Deferred taxes have been calculated for all temporary differences between the carrying amount and taxable 
amount. Deferred taxes have been calculated using the tax rates set at the balance sheet date. Deferred 
tax assets arising from taxable losses carried forward have been recognised up to the amount for which 
there is likely to be taxable income in the future, and against which the temporary difference can be used.

tangible assets

tangible assets have been measured at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. 
the initial cost of an asset comprises its purchase price, costs directly attributable to bringing the asset into 
operation and the initial estimate of the rehabilitation and decommissioning obligation. Heavy production 
machinery often contains components with different useful lives, and therefore the component approach 
is applied. Material component replacements and repairs are capitalised. The repair and maintenance of 
lighter machinery and other intangible items are recognised as expense when occurred. 

interest expenses are capitalised as part of the tangible asset’s value if and when the Group acquires or 
constructs assets that satisfy the required terms and conditions. 

Assets are depreciated over their useful lives using the straight-line method, except for the mineral resources 
and ore reserves which are depreciated based on estimated or reported consumption. land areas are not 
depreciated. the estimated useful lives of assets are as follows:

Buildings

Machinery and equipment

other tangible assets

15–50 years

3–15 years

5–10 years

Mines and mineral assets

units-of-production method

77

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

the residual value of assets and their useful life are reviewed in connection with each financial statement 
and, if necessary, they will be adjusted to reflect the changes that have occurred in the expected financial 
benefit. the sales gains or losses arising from the decommissioning or divestment of tangible assets are 
included in other operating income or expenses.

Mines and mineral assets

Measurement of mineral resources and ore reserves in business combinations

Mineral resources and ore reserves acquired in business combinations are recognised as separate assets. in 
the recognition and measurement of mineral resources and ore reserves the Group utilises available third 
party reports of the quantities, mineral content, estimated production costs and exploitation potential of the 
resource. the probability of the ore reserve is also an essential factor. in the mining and minerals business, 
the probability is commonly described by classifying a mineral resource into categories such as ‘proven’, 
‘probable’, ‘inferred’ and ‘hypothetical’. there are also generally accepted standards for the classification 
of mineral resources in the business, such as the standards of the South African Code for the Reporting of 
exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (‘SAMReC’). the measurement of ore reserves 
is based on estimated market prices, estimated production costs and quantities. on the Group’s statement 
of financial position, mineral resources and ore reserves are presented as tangible assets. Rehabilitation 
liabilities related to mines are included in their cost of acquisition, and corresponding provision is recognised 
on the statement of financial position. 

Exploration and evaluation expenses of mineral resources

Exploration and evaluation expenditure relates to costs incurred on the exploration and evaluation of potential 
mineral reserves and resources when new potential ore reserves are sought, for example by exploratory 
drilling. Exploration and evaluation expenditure is carried forward as an asset if the Group expects such 
costs to be recouped in full through the successful development of the area of interest; or alternatively by 
its sale; or if exploration and evaluation activities in the area of interest have not yet reached a stage which 
permits the reasonable assessment of the existence of economically recoverable reserves and active and 
significant operations in relation to the area are either continuing or planned for the future. exploration 
and evaluation expenditure includes material and other direct costs incurred, for instance, by exploratory 
drilling and surveys. Overheads are included in the exploration and evaluation asset to the degree to which 
they can be associated with finding and evaluating a specific mineral resource. exploration and evaluation 
assets are measured at cost and are transferred to mine development assets when utilisation of the mine 
begins. the asset is then depreciated using the units-of-production method.

Exploration and evaluation assets are assessed for impairment if and when facts and circumstances suggest 
that the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. in particular, the impairment tests are carried 
out if the period for which the Group has right to explore the specific area expires or will expire in the near 
future and future exploration and evaluation activities are not planned for the area.

exploration and evaluation assets acquired in conjunction with business combinations are accounted for 
at fair value in accordance with the principles of IFRS 3.

Mine establishment costs

Mine establishment costs are capitalised as part of the mine’s acquisition cost and depreciated using the 
units-of-production method when the production of the mine begins. the costs arising from changes in 
mining plan after the production has begun are expensed as incurred.

78

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Impairment

the value of mineral resources and ore reserves acquired in business combinations is tested for impairment 
if there are indications of deterioration in the long-term ability to utilise the asset economically. in the test 
the cash flows generated by the asset are assessed based on most recent information on the technical and 
economic utilisation of the asset.

Goodwill and intangible assets identified at acquisition

Goodwill represents the portion of acquisition cost that exceeds the Group’s share of the fair value at the 
time of acquisition of the net assets of the acquired company. Instead of regular amortisation, goodwill is 
tested annually for potential impairment. For this purpose, goodwill has been allocated to cash-generating 
units or, in the case of an associated company, is included in the acquisition cost of the associate in 
question. Goodwill is measured at original acquisition cost less impairment losses. Changes in purchase 
considerations, for example due to earn-out arrangements, relating to acquisitions carried out before 2010 
have been recognised against goodwill in accordance with the earlier iFRS 3.  

the net assets of an entity acquired in a business combination are measured at fair value at the date of 
acquisition. in connection with business combinations, the Group also identifies intangible assets that are 
not necessarily recorded on the statement of financial position of the acquired entity. these assets include, 
for instance, customer relationships, trademarks and technology. The assets are recognised at fair value 
and amortised over their useful lives. the amortisation periods for these intangible assets are as follows:

Customer relationships: 2-5 years depending on contractual circumstances
technology: 5-15 years
trademarks: 1 year

Research and development costs

Research costs are always recognised as expenses. Mine development costs are capitalised as part of mining 
assets and depreciated on a unit of production basis. the development costs, which primarily relate to the 
development of existing products, are expensed as incurred. 

Other intangible assets

other intangible assets are initially recognised on the statement of financial position at cost when the costs 
can be reliably determined and it is probable that the expected financial benefits of those assets will be 
reaped by the Group. other intangible assets mainly relate to it software utilised in support of the Group’s 
business operations and they are amortised over 3-5 years.

Inventories

inventories are measured at acquisition cost or a lower probable net realisable value. Acquisition costs are 
determined using the average cost method. the cost of finished goods and work in progress comprises raw 
materials, direct labour expenses, other direct expenses, and an appropriate share of fixed and variable 
production overheads based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. in open pit mining operations, 
the removal costs of overburden and waste material (stripping costs) are included in the cost of inventory. 
in ordinary operations, the net realisable value is the estimated selling price that is obtainable, less the 
estimated costs incurred in completing the product and the selling expenses.

Financial assets

Financial assets within the scope of iAS 39 are classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or 
loss, loans and receivables, held-to-maturity investments, available-for-sale financial assets or as derivatives 
designated as hedging instruments, as appropriate. the Group determines the classification of its financial 
assets at initial recognition. All financial assets are recognised initially at fair value plus, in the case of 

79

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

investments not at fair value through profit or loss, directly attributable transaction costs.

the Group’s financial assets include cash and cash equivalents, short-term deposits, money market 
instruments, trade and other receivables, loan and other receivables, unquoted financial instruments and 
derivative financial instruments. 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets held for trading and financial 
assets designated upon initial recognition at fair value through profit or loss. Financial assets are classified 
as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near term. This 
category includes derivative financial instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments. Financial 
assets at fair value through profit and loss are carried in the statement of financial position at fair value 
with changes in fair value recognised in finance income or finance cost.

loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not 
quoted in an active market. After initial measurement, such financial assets are subsequently measured 
at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method (eiR), less impairment. the eiR amortisation is 
included in finance income. the impairment losses are recognised as finance costs.

non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities are classified as 
held-to-maturity when the Group has the positive intention and ability to hold it to maturity. After initial 
measurement, held-to-maturity investments are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 
method, less impairment. 

Financial assets classified as available-for-sale are those which are neither classified as held for trading 
nor designated at fair value through profit or loss. After initial measurement, available-for-sale financial 
investments are subsequently measured either at fair value with unrealised gains or losses recognised as 
other comprehensive income until the investment is derecognised, at which time the cumulative gain or 
loss is recognised in finance income or cost, or determined to be impaired, at which time the cumulative 
loss is recognised as finance costs and removed from the available-for-sale assets.

the fair value of financial instruments that are traded in active markets at each reporting date is determined 
by reference to quoted market prices or dealer price quotations, without any deduction for transaction costs. 
For financial instruments not traded in an active market, the fair value is determined using appropriate 
valuation techniques. Such techniques may include: using recent arm’s length market transactions; reference 
to the current fair value of another instrument that is substantially the same; discounted cash flow analysis; 
or other valuation models.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting

When necessary, the Group utilises derivative financial instruments, such as forward currency contracts 
and interest rate swaps, to hedge its foreign currency risks and interest rate risks. Such derivative financial 
instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into 
and are subsequently remeasured at fair value. Derivatives are carried as financial assets when the fair 
value is positive and as financial liabilities when the fair value is negative. Any gains or losses arising from 
changes in fair value on derivatives are recognised on the income statement. The Group does not apply 
hedge accounting.

Treasury shares

Own equity instruments, which are reacquired (treasury shares), are recognised at cost and deducted 
from the paid-up unrestricted equity reserve. No gain or loss is recognised on the purchase, sale, issue or 
cancellation of the Group’s own equity instruments. 

Financial liabilities

liabilities are classified as current and non-current, and include both interest-bearing and interest-free 
liabilities. interest-bearing liabilities are liabilities that either include a contractual interest component, or 
are discounted to reflect the fair value of the liability. in the earlier financial years discounted non-current 

80

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

liabilities have included acquisition-related deferred conditional and unconditional liabilities. Certain conditional 
liabilities have included an earn-out component that needed to be met to make the liability unconditional 
and fix the amount of the future payment. Acquisition-related conditional purchase considerations that 
were payable in the Company’s shares were presented as interest-free liabilities. 

Financial liabilities within the scope of iAS 39 are classified as financial liabilities at fair value through 
profit or loss; loans and borrowings; or derivatives designated as hedging instruments, as appropriate. the 
Group determines the classification of its financial liabilities at initial recognition. All financial liabilities 
are recognised initially at fair value, and in the case of loans and borrowings, plus directly attributable 
transaction costs. the Group’s financial liabilities include trade and other payables, bank overdrafts, loans 
and borrowings, and derivative financial instruments.

After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised 
cost using the effective interest rate method. Gains and losses are recognised on the income statement 
when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the effective interest rate method (eiR) amortisation 
process. Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discounts or premiums and fees or costs 
that are an integral part of the eiR. the eiR amortisation is included in finance cost.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive), as a result of 
a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to 
settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. if the effect of the 
time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects, where 
appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. Where discounting is used, the increase in the provision due 
to the passage of time is recognised as a finance cost.

the provision for rehabilitation and decommissioning costs has arisen on operating mines and minerals’ 
processing facilities. these costs are provided at the present value of expected costs to settle the obligation 
using estimated cash flows. the cash flows are discounted at a current pre-tax rate that reflects the risks 
specific to the rehabilitation and decommissioning liability. the estimated future costs of decommissioning 
are reviewed annually and adjusted as appropriate. Changes in the estimated future costs of or in the discount 
rate applied to the rehabilitation obligation are added or deducted from the profit or loss or, respectively, 
decommissioning obligation adjusted to the carrying value of the asset dismantled. 

Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations

The standard IFRS 5 requires that an entity must classify a non-current asset or a disposal group as assets 
held for sale if the amount equivalent to its carrying amount is accumulated primarily from the sale of the 
item rather than from its continued use. in this case, the asset or disposal group must be available for 
immediate sale in its present condition under general and standard terms for the sale of such assets, and 
the sale must be highly probable.

Accounting policies requiring management discretion and key uncertainty factors 
for estimates

Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates, assumptions and forecasts 
regarding the future. Future developments may deviate significantly from the assumptions made if changes 
occur in the business environment and/or business operations. in addition, management is required to use 
its discretion in the application of the financial statements’ preparation principles. 

The scope of the financial statements

the consolidated financial statements include the parent company Afarak Group Plc, its subsidiaries, joint 
ventures and associated companies. Subsidiaries refer to companies in which the Group has control. the 
Group gains control of a company when it holds more than half of the voting rights or otherwise exercises 
control. The assessment of whether control is exercised requires management discretion. 

81

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

The Group holds 51% of shares of Synergy Africa Limited. However, the shareholders of Synergy Africa 
Limited have entered into a joint venture agreement with joint control over the company. The joint venture 
agreement includes terms and conditions which give the other shareholder participating rights. Therefore, 
the Group’s management has assessed, using its discretion, that the company and its subsidiaries are not 
consolidated into the Group as subsidiaries but as joint ventures.

IFRS 11 requires considering all facts and circumstances relating to joint arrangements instead of legal form 
only, which influences the accounting treatment of the arrangements. under the new standard Afarak’s 
share in Synergy Africa limited and its subsidiaries are consolidated under the equity method instead of the 
proportionate method of consolidation. Synergy Africa limited and its subsidiaries form a part of Afarak’s 
mining operations in South Africa. 

Allocation of the cost of a business combination

In accordance with IFRS 3, the acquisition cost of an acquired company is allocated to the assets of the 
acquired company. the management has to use estimates when determining the fair value of identifiable 
assets and liabilities. Determining a value for intangible assets, such as trademarks and customer relationships, 
requires estimation and discretion because in most cases, no market value can be assigned to these assets. 
Determining fair value for tangible assets requires particular judgment as well, since there are seldom active 
markets for them where the fair value could be obtained. in these cases, the management has to select an 
appropriate method for determining the value and must estimate future cash flows.

Impairment testing

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment, and assessments of whether there are indications of any other 
asset impairment are made at each balance sheet date, and more often if needed. the recoverable amounts 
of cash-generating units have been determined by means of calculations based on value in use. Preparation 
of these calculations requires the use of estimates to predict future developments. 

the forecasts used in the testing are based on the budgets and projections of the operative units, which 
strive to identify any expansion investments and rearrangements. to prepare the estimates, efforts have 
been made to collect background information from the operative business area management as well as from 
different sources describing general market activity. the risk associated with the estimates is taken into 
account in the discount rate used. the definition of components of discount rates applied in impairment 
testing requires discretion, such as estimating the asset or business related risk premiums and average 
capital structure for each business segment. 

Tangible and intangible assets

Afarak Group management is required to use its discretion when determining the useful lives of various 
tangible and intangible assets, which affects the amount of depreciation and thereby the carrying amount 
of the assets concerned. The capitalising of mine development assets and exploration and evaluation 
expenditure, in particular, requires the use of discretion. Similarly, management is required to use its 
discretion in determining the useful lives of intangible assets identified in accordance with iFRS 3, and in 
determining the amortisation period. this affects the financial result for the period through depreciation 
and change in deferred taxes.

Measurement of mineral resources and ore reserves

in the Group’s mining operations, estimates have to be applied in recognising mineral resources acquired in business 
combinations as assets. in the recognition and measurement of mineral resources and ore reserves, the Group utilises 
available third party analyses of the quantities, mineral content, estimated production costs and exploitation potential 
of the resource. the probability of the ore reserve is also a key consideration. in the mining and minerals business, 
the probability is commonly described by classifying a mineral resource into categories such as ‘proven’, ‘probable’, 
‘inferred’ and ‘hypothetical’. the measurement of ore reserves is based on estimated market prices, estimated 
production costs and on the probability classification of the mineral resource and quantities. therefore, the Group’s 
management has to use its discretion in applying recognition and measurement principles for mineral resources. 

82

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Rehabilitation provisions

the Group assesses the rehabilitation liabilities associated with its mines and production facilities annually. 
the amount of provision reflects the management’s best estimate of the rehabilitation costs. in determining 
the fair value of the provision, assumptions and estimates are made in relation to discount rates, the expected 
cost to rehabilitate the area and remove or cover the contaminated soil from the site, the expected timing 
of those costs, and whether the obligations stem from past activity. these uncertainties may cause the 
actual costs to differ from the provision which has been made.
Application of new or amended IFRS standards

the Group applies new or amended iFRS standards and interpretations from their effective date or after 
they have been endorsed for application within the eu.  

in these financial statements the Group has applied the following new or amended standards and interpretations:

•  iAS32 Financial instruments – Presentation amendment to netting Financial assets and liabilities 
(effective for financial periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014).  the amendment clarifies the 
rules concerning the presentation of financial assets and liabilities as net amounts and provides 
further application guidance.  the amendment has not had a material effect on the Group`s financial 
statements.

•  iAS36 impairment of assets amendment to Recoverable Amount Disclosures for non-Financial Assets 
(effective for financial periods beginning on or after 1 January 2014).  the amendment clarifies the 
disclosure requirements relating to those cash-generating units, which were subject to impairment 
charges.  the amendment has not had a material effect on the Group’s financial statements. 

the Group will apply the following new or amended standards and interpretations in the financial statements 
for the year 2015 or subsequent financial years:

•  iFRS 9 Financial instruments will replace iAS 39 Financial instruments: Recognition and measurement 
in its entirety. the mandatory effective date of iFRS 9 is for annual periods beginning on or after 1 
January 2018, early adoption is allowed. the endorsement by the european union is pending.
According to iFRS 9, at initial recognition, all financial assets are measured at fair value. For subsequent 
measurement, financial assets that are debt instruments are classified at amortized cost or fair value 
either through profit or loss or other Comprehensive income (oCi). the classification is based on the 
entity’s business model for managing the financial asset and the contractual cash flow characteristics 
of the financial asset.  the new hedge accounting model is designed to align the accounting for 
hedging activities more closely with risk management practices and to simplify certain aspects of 
hedge accounting. the Group is assessing the impact of the standard to its financial statements. 

•  iFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers as issued in May 2014, establishes a new five-step 
model that will apply to revenue earned from a contract with a customer, regardless of the type of 
revenue or industry. The principles in IFRS 15 provides a more structured approach to measuring and 
recognising revenue and will be applied using the following five steps:
1. Identify the contract(s) with a customer
2. identify the performance obligations in the contract
3. Determine the transaction price
4. Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
5. Recognise revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation
this new revenue standard is applicable to all entities and will supersede the current revenue recognition 
requirements under iFRS. either a full or modified retrospective application is required for annual 
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017. the Group is currently assessing the impact on the 
entities within the Group.

there are no other iFRS standards, amendments, iFRiC interpretations that are not yet effective and that 
would be expected to have material impact to the Group’s financial statements.

83

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

1.3 BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND ACQUISTION OF NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

1.3.1 Financial Year 2014

Afarak did not carry out any acquisitions during the financial year 2014.

1.3.2 Financial Year 2013

Afarak did not carry out any acquisitions during the financial year 2013.

1.4 IMPAIRMENT TESTING

General principles of impairment testing

Afarak Group has carried out impairment testing on goodwill and other assets as of 31 December 2014. 
the following cash generating units were defined for the impairment testing:

•  Speciality Alloys business (türk Maadin Sirketi and elektrowerk Weisweiler) with a vertically integrated 
mining-beneficiation-smelting-sales operation in the specialty grade ferrochrome business; and

•  South African minerals processing business (Mogale Alloys) which has ferroalloys smelting operations 

with four furnaces

the Group assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is any indication that assets may be impaired. 
if any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of these assets is estimated. Moreover, the recoverable 
amount of any goodwill and unfinished investment projects will be estimated annually, irrespective of 
whether there is an indication of impairment. As a result, no impairment was recognised. 

At the end of 2014, there were no indications of impairment of any other assets, such as shares in associated 
companies.

the joint venture Synergy Africa owns and operates mines in South Africa,  these have been tested for 
impairment at the joint venture level.  This is further explained in note13.

Changes in goodwill during 2014

During the financial year 2014, the total goodwill of the Group increased by euR 0.8 million due to exchange 
rate movement to a total of euR 63.1 million compared to the end of the financial year 2013. the synergy 
goodwill identified in the Mogale acquisition, related to RCS acting as a global sales entity for the whole 
Group, was initially tested within Speciality Alloys segment, into which segment RCS was included. To 
reflect the change in segments, where RCS is now divided to both segments to reflect the nature of serving 
the whole Group, the RCS synergy related goodwill is now considered as a group asset and also annually 
allocated to both segments based on their relative revenue, reflecting the volume of RCS related benefits 
enjoyed by the CGu. the changes are described below:

EUR '000

Goodwill 1.1.2014

Relcassification between segments

Changes in acquisition costs

Exchange rate movement

Goodwill 31.12.2014

84

Speciality Alloys 
Business

FerroAlloys Business

Group Total

57,104

-9,052

0

-6,640

41,412

5,184

9,052

0

7,404

21,640

62,288

0

0

764

63,052

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

the changes in goodwill during 2013 are presented below:

EUR '000

Goodwill 1.1.2013

Changes in acquisition costs

Exchange rate movement

Goodwill 31.12.2013

Speciality Alloys 
Business

FerroAlloys Business

Group Total

54,690

404

2,010

57,104

14,300

0

-9,116

5,184

68,990

404

-7,106

62,288

Change in acquisition cost during the period relates to real estate transfer tax payment made on the final 
transfer of EWW to Afarak Group, this payment was made in May 2013.

Goodwill as a ratio of the Group’s equity on 31 December 2014 and 31 December 2013 was as follows:

EUR '000

Goodwill

Equity

Goodwill/equity, %

31.12.2014

31.12.2013

63,052

182,244

35 %

62,288

190,328

33 %

Methodology applied in impairment testing

For the cash generating units that were tested, the test was carried out by calculating their value in use. 
Value in use has been calculated by discounting estimated future net cash flows based on the conditions 
and assumptions prevailing at the time of the testing. Future cash flows have been projected for a five-year 
period, after which a growth rate equalling projected long-term inflation has been applied (Speciality Alloys: 
2%, South African minerals processing: 6%). For the terminal year after the five-year estimation period, 
the essential assumptions (e.g. revenue, variable costs and fixed costs) have been based at the estimation 
period’s previous year’s figures.

the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) has been calculated separately for each cash generating unit 
and testable asset, taking into account each business’s typical capital structures, investors’ average required 
rate of return for similar investments and company size and operational location related factors, as well as 
risk-free interest rates and margins for debt financing. the Group has used publicly available information 
on the peer group companies’ capital structure, risk premium and other factors. the market interest rates 
reflect the rates applicable on 31 December 2014.

the information used in the 31 December 2014 impairment testing is based on business units’ management 
future forecasts, on general third-party industry expert or analyst reports where available, and to the extent 
possible on the current business and asset base excluding any non-committed expansion plans. Forecasted 
sales volumes and profitability are based on the management’s view on future development while also taking 
past performance into account. Price forecasts are based on independent market forecasts. the cash flow 
models have been prepared at constant foreign exchange rates. the management’s approach in preparing 
cash flow forecasts has not changed significantly from the previous impairment testing.  

these pre-tax discount rates applied in 2014 impairment testing were the following: 

Cash Generating Unit

Pre-tax discount rate

Speciality Alloys 

South African minerals processing

2014

14.9%

23.3%

(2013)

(13.1%)

(20.4%)

The key reasons for the changes in the discount rates compared to 2013 were the changes in risk-free 
interest rates in both cash-generating units. the increase in the discount rate is attributable to increased 
location specific risk arising from instability of the operational environment and the increased external loan 
margin, partly offset by decreases in the risk free rates.

85

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

the results of impairment testing have been evaluated by comparing the cash generating units’ recoverable 
amount to the corresponding carrying amount based on the following judgment rules:

Recoverable amount divided by the 
carrying amount:

< 100%

101-120%

121-150%

> 150% 

Conclusion:

Impairment 

Slightly above

Clearly above

Significantly above

Test results 31 December 2014

the impairment test results were as follows: 

Cash generating unit

Speciality Alloys

South African minerals 
processing

Goodwill (MeuR), 
pre-testing

Goodwill (MeuR), 
post-testing

Carrying amount 
(MeuR), pre-testing

41.4

21.6

41.4

21.6

82.8

75.8

Conclusion

Significantly above

Significantly above

the testable asset base (carrying amount) includes goodwill, intangible and tangible assets and net working 
capital less provisions and deferred tax liabilities (in relation to purchase price allocation entries).

Key background and assumptions used in the cash flow forecasts of the impairment testing process are 
summarised in the following table:

Cash generating unit

Sales volume

Sales prices

Costs

Speciality Alloys business

FeCr:
28,000-30,000 t/a

lumpy Cr ore:
16,100 – 36,900 t/a

lC/ulC ferrochrome with 
average Cr content of 70 %, 
based on external experts 
(Heinz Pariser) price forecasts

Raw material costs generally change 
in line with sales price. Other costs 
growing at inflation rate.

South African minerals 
processing

Metal alloys:
102,500-110,300 t/a

Based on external experts 
(Heinz Pariser) metal alloys price 
forecasts

Raw material costs generally change 
in line with sales price. Other costs 
growing at inflation rate.

Moreover, the uSD/ZAR foreign exchange rate affects significantly the testing of the South African minerals 
business. the foreign exchange rate used in the test was 11.56.

Sensitivity analysis of the impairment tests

the Group has analysed the sensitivity of the impairment test results by estimating how the essential 
assumptions should change in order for the recoverable amount to be equal to the carrying amount. the 
results of this sensitivity analysis as of 31 December 2014 are given below:

Cash generating unit

Change in pre-
tax discount rate  
(compared to the level 
used in testing)

Speciality Alloys

10.4% - points

South African minerals 
processing

23.0% - points

Change in free cash flow (annual 
average)

Change in CGu’s average eBitDA 
margin 

-47.4%

-60.3%

 -9.0% - points

-18.2% - points

86

 
 
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

1.5 OPERATING SEGMENTS

Afarak Group has two operating segments, FerroAlloys and Speciality Alloys, which are also the reporting 
segments. the operating segments are organised based on their products and production processes. the 
current reporting structure was adopted in 2011. the Group’s executive management reviews the operating 
results of the segments for the purpose of making decisions on resource allocation and performance 
assessment. Segment performance is measured based on revenue as well as earnings before interest, 
taxes, depreciation and amortisation (eBitDA) as included in the internal management reports and defined 
consistently with the consolidated EBITDA. 

the FerroAlloys business consists of the processing plant Mogale Alloys and the joint ventures Stellite mine 
and Mecklenburg mine in South Africa. the business produces chrome ore, charge chrome, silicomanganese 
and stainless steel alloy for sale to global markets.

the Speciality Alloys business consists of türk Maadin Şirketi A.S (“tMS”), the mining and beneficiation 
operation in turkey, and elektrowerk Weisweiler GmbH (“eWW”), the chromite concentrate processing plant 
in Germany. TMS supplies EWW with high quality chromite concentrate which produces speciality products 
including Specialised low Carbon and ultra low Carbon Ferrochrome. excess chrome ore from tMS is 
exported.

the revenue and costs of the Group’s sales and marketing arm RCS is allocated to the segments in proportion 
to their sales. Afarak’s other operations, including the Group’s headquarters and other Group companies 
that do not have significant operations, are presented as unallocated items.

intercompany transactions are carried out on an arm’s length basis. the transactions between the segments 
have been limited but the parent company has provided funding and administrative services to the Group’s 
subsidiaries.

The accounting policies applied in the operating segment information are the same as those in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

87

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Operating segment information 2014

Year ended 31.12.2014                                 
EUR '000

Speciality 
Alloys

Ferro Alloys Segments total

Unallocated 
items

Eliminations

Consolidated 
Group

External revenue

Rendering of services

0

30

30

Sale of goods

Total external revenue

97,836

97,836

74,788

74,818

172,624

172,654

Inter-segment revenue

0

0

0

Total revenue

97,836

74,818

172,654

Items related to 
associates (core)

Items related to joint 
ventures (core)

3

3

6

-3,311

-3,311

15

0

15

132

147

0

0

Segment EBITDA

7,865

3,084

10,949

-2,502

-2,206

-4,466

-6,672

0

0

0

-45

-5

5,659

-1,381

4,277

-2,552

0

0

0

1

-132

-132

0

0

0

0

0

0

45

172,624

172,669

0

172,669

6

-3,311

8,447

-6,717

-5

1,725

4,166

-5,431

12

472

1,773

2,245

181,664

113,125

294,790

68,419

52,451

120,870

9,645

3,720

-14,146

-16,547

290,289

108,044

1,213

13,598

14,811

70

22

92

0

-19,580

-19,580

3,189

7,025

10,214

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

14,811

92

-19,580

10,214

1. 
2. 

3. 
4. 

Inter-segment items are eliminated on consolidation. 
the assets and liabilities of the segments represent items that these segments use in their activities  
or that can be reasonably allocated to them.
Capital expenditure consists of net increase in the year. 
Balance sheet values.

88

Depreciation and 
amortisation

Impairment

Segment operating 
profit / loss

Finance income

Finance cost

Income taxes

Profit / loss for 
the period from 
continuing Operations

Profit for the period 
from discontinued 
operations

Profit / loss for the 
period

Segment's assets

2

2
Segment's liabilities

Other disclosures

Gross capital 
3
expenditure

Investments in 
associates

4

Investment in joint 
4
ventures

4
Provisions

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Operating segment information 2013

Year ended 31.12.2013                                 
EUR '000

Speciality 
Alloys

Ferro Alloys

Segments 
total

Unallocated 
items

Eliminations

Consolidated 
Group

0

0

0

1

-304

-304

0

0

0

0

0

0

78

135,432

135,509

0

135,509

6

-2,300

14,090

-22,074

0

-7,984

8,016

-11,162

6,728

-4,403

External revenue

Rendering of services

Sale of goods

Total external revenue

0

74,461

74,461

40

60,971

61,011

40

135,432

135,472

Inter-segment revenue

0

0

0

Total revenue

74,461

61,011

135,472

Items related to 
associates (core)

Items related to joint 
ventures (core)

3

3

6

-2,300

-2,300

38

0

38

304

342

0

0

Segment EBITDA

9,083

8,794

17,877

-3,787

Depreciation and 
amortisation

-15,179

-6,791

-21,970

-105

Impairment

0

0

0

0

-6,096

2,003

-4,093

-3,891

Segment operating 
profit / loss

Finance income

Finance cost

Income taxes

Profit / loss for the 
period

Segment's assets

2

Segment's liabilities

2

Other disclosures

Gross capital 
3
expenditure

Investments in 
associates

4

Investment in joint 
4
ventures

4
Provisions

143,952

97,503

241,455

21,308

15,161

277,924

64,684

43,172

107,856

5,669

-25,929

87,596

2,211

8,011

10,222

57

0

19

76

-15,293

-15,293

21

0

0

3,832

6,198

10,030

250

0

0

0

0

10,244

76

-15,293

10,280

1. 
2. 

3. 
4. 

Inter-segment items are eliminated on consolidation. 
the assets and liabilities of the segments represent items that these segments use in their activities  
or that can be reasonably allocated to them.
Capital expenditure consists of net increase in the year. 
Balance sheet values.

89

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Geographical information

Revenues from external customers 

EUR '000

other eu countries

united States

China

Africa

Finland

Other countries

Total revenue

2014

77,530

41,282

3,090

23,351

7,040

20,377

172,669

2013

54,541

30,057

12,345

23,748

3,533

11,285

135,509

Revenue figures are based on the location of the customers.

the largest customer of the Group is in the Speciality Alloys business segment and represents approximately 
16% (15%) of the Group’s revenue in 2014. in the FerroAlloys business segment the largest customer 
represents 7% (9%) of the Group’s revenue in 2014.

Non-current assets 

EUR '000

Africa

other eu countries

Finland

Other countries

Total

2014

53,834

5,177

25

9,385

68,421

2013

43,233

4,707

36

10,398

58,374

in presenting geographical information, assets are based on the location of the assets. non-current assets 
consist of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and investments in associates.

90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

1.6. NOTES TO THE INCOME STATEMENT

1. Revenue

EUR '000

Sale of goods

Rendering of services
Total

2. Other operating income

EUR '000

Gain on disposal of tangible and intangible 
assets

Gain on disposal of investments

Rental income

electricity buyback programme

Other
Total

3. Employee benefits

EUR '000

Salaries and wages

Share-based payments

Pensions costs

Other employee related costs
Total

Average personnel during the accounting period

Speciality Alloys business

FerroAlloys business

Group Management and other operations
Total

Personnel at the end of the accounting period

Speciality Alloys business

FerroAlloys business

Group Management and other operations
Total

2014

172,494

175
172,669

2014

45

1,211

297

0

1,817
3,370

2014

-14,325

-154

-241

-1,403
-16,123

2014

387

335

4
726

2014

355

339

4
698

2013

135,432

78
135,509

2013

83

735

317

9,755

2,045
12,936

2013

-15,805

-1,125

-894

-1,458
-19,283

2013

439

329

5
773

2013 

443

333

3
779

91

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

4. Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

EUR '000

2014

2013

Depreciation / amortisation by asset category

intangible assets

Clientele and technology1

other intangible assets
Total

Property, plant and equipment

Buildings and constructions

Machinery and equipment

other tangible assets
Total

Impairment by asset category

other intangible assets

Total

-2,563

-341
-2,904

-398

-2,142

-1,273

-3,813

-5

-5

-16,240

-415
-16,655

-470

-3,497

-1,452

-5,419

0

0

1. the decrease in depreciation for 2014 is mainly due to the beneficial effect of a lower depreciation charge 
in 2014 resulting from acquisition related assets acquired by Afarak in 2008 that were fully amortised in 
Q4 2013.

5. Other operating expenses

EUR '000

Loss on disposal of non-current assets

Rental costs

External services1

Travel expenses2

Other operating expenses
Total

2014

0

-825

-2,796

-855

-7,136
-11,612

2013 

-5

-894

-3,222

-681

-7,060
-11,863

1. Audit fees paid to eY totalled euR 412 (2013: 438) thousand in the financial year. the fees for non-audit 
services totalled euR 20 (2013: 12) thousand.
2. other operating expenses include shutdown costs of euR 2,324 (2013: 4,331) thousand in the financial 
year.

92

 
 
 
6. Financial income and expense

EUR '000

Finance income

interest income on loans and trade receivables

Foreign exchange gains

Gain on assets at fair value

other finance income

Total

Finance expense

interest expense on financial liabilities measured 
at amortised cost

Foreign exchange losses

Loss on assets at fair value

unwinding of discount, provisions

other finance expenses

Total

Net finance income/expense

7. Income taxes

EUR '000

Income tax for the period

Income tax for previous years

Deferred taxes

Other direct taxes

Income tax for continuing operations

Income tax for discontinued operations

Total

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

2014

2013 

1,785

2,379

0

2

4,166

-1,223

-3,141

-461

-546

-61

-5,431

-1,265

2014

-772

-24

808

0

12

0

12

1,891

5,777

345

4

8,016

-717

-8,685

-948

-634

-178

-11,162

-3,146

2013 

-3,348

2,993

7,103

-20

6,728

0

6,728

93

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

EUR '000

Profit before taxes

Income tax calculated at 
income tax rate

Tax exempt income

Difference between domestic and foreign tax rates

Tax credit

Tax credit for previous years

Items recognised only for taxation purposes

Income tax for previous years

Income from JV and associates 

Impairment losses

Tax losses not recognised as 
deferred tax assets

non-tax deductible expenses

Previously unrecognised tax 
losses now recognised

Total adjustments

2014

2,233

-447

639

432

2,031

0

-1,218

-24

-661

-1

-461

-434

156

459

2013

-11,170

2,737

526

994

1,458

3,043

-536

-49

-561

0

-161

-742

19

3,991

Income tax recognised

12

6,727

on 31 December 2014 the Group companies had unused tax losses totalling euR 24.2 (22.1) million for 
which the Group has not recognised deferred tax assets.

8. Discontinued operations

In 2014 the discontinued operation items related to expenses in connection with the sawmill machinery and 
environmental cleaning costs.  During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company sold part of the saw mill 
equipment. this transaction positively affected the 2014 profit by euR 1.8 million that includes a release 
of euR 0.6 million from the provision in relation to the discontinued wood business.

EUR '000

Other operating income

Other operating expenses

Gain on disposal from discontinued operations

Profit for the period

31.12.2014

31.12.2013 

1,286

-713

1,200

1,773

528

-528

0

0

94

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

9. Earnings per share

2014

2013

Continuing 
operations

Discontinued 
operations

Total

Continuing 
operations

Discontinued 
operations

Total

1,085

1,773

2,858

-4,252

0

-4,252

249,280

249,280

249,280

244,135

244,135

244,135

0.00

0.01

0.01

-0.02

0.00

-0.02

2014

2013

Continuing 
operations

Discontinued 
operations

Total

Continuing 
operations

Discontinued 
operations

Total

1,085

1,773

2,858

-4,252

0

-4,252

249,280

249,280

249,280

244,135

244,135

244,135

3,798

3,798

3,798

4,397

4,397

4,397

253,077

253,077

253,077

248,532

248,532

248,532

0.00

0.01

0.01

-0.02

0.00

-0.02

Profit attributable to 
owners of the parent 
company (euR '000)

Weighted average 
number of shares, 
basic (1,000)

Basic earnings per 
share (EUR) total

Profit attributable to 
owners of the parent 
company (euR '000)

Weighted average 
number of shares, 
basic (1,000)

effect of share options 
on issue (1,000)

Weighted average 
number of shares, 
diluted (1,000)

Diluted earnings per 
share (EUR) total

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing profit attributable to the owners of the parent company 
by weighted average number of shares during the financial year. 

When calculating the diluted earnings per share, all convertible securities with a potential dilutive effect are 
assumed to be converted into shares. Share options have a dilutive effect if the exercise price is lower than 
the share price. the diluted number of shares is the number of shares that will be issued free of charge 
when share options are exercised since with the funds received from exercising options, the Company is 
not able to issue the same number of shares at fair value. the fair value of shares is based on average 
share price of the period. 

95

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

1.7. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

10. Property, plant and equipment

euR '000

Balance at 1.1.2014

Additions

Disposals

Reclass between items

effect of movements in 
exchange rates

Land and 
water 
property

2,283

6,148

183

63

184

Buildings and 
constructions

Machinery and 
equipment

Mines and 
mineral assets

other tangible 
assets

Total

39,721

13,646

-277

-24

1,409

11,092

210

500

2,502

61,745

331

14,369

-22

-298

46

59

22

2,215

Balance at 31.12.2014

2,346

6,515

54,475

11,802

2,915

78,053

Accumulated depreciation 
and impairment 1.1.2014

Depreciation

Disposals

Reclass between items

effect of movements in 
exchange rates

Accumulated depreciation and 
impairment at 31.12.2014

Carrying amount at 
1.1.2014

Carrying amount at 
31.12.2014

Balance at 1.1.2013

Additions

Disposals

Reclass between items

effect of movements in 
exchange rates

-2,585

-15,735

-5,802

-1,363 -25,485

-398

-2,142

-1,135

-138

-3,813

233

233

22

22

-77

-612

-293

-55

-1,036

0

-3,060

-18,256

-7,230

-1,534 -30,080

2,283

3,563

23,986

5,290

1,138

36,260

2,346

3,455

36,219

4,572

1,381

47,973

855

1,484

6,997

44,689

11,961

2,972

67,473

174

-51

94

4,649

-135

133

886

94

-7

707

-108

7,287

-193

826

-56

-1,066

-9,615

-2,462

-449 -13,648

Balance at 31.12.2013

2,283

6,148

39,721

11,092

2,502

61,745

Accumulated depreciation 
and impairment 1.1.2013

Depreciation

Disposals

Reclass between items

effect of movements in 
exchange rates

Accumulated depreciation and 
impairment at 31.12.2013 

Carrying amount at 1.1.2013

Carrying amount at 
31.12.2013

-2,576

-16,223

-5,859

-1,707 -26,365

-470

51

-3,497

-1,334

-118

-5,419

-55

145

52

48

145

410

3,895

1,391

410

6,106

0

-2,585

-15,735

-5,802

-1,363 -25,485

855

2,283

4,421

3,563

28,466

23,986

6,102

5,290

1,264

41,108

1,138

36,260

Machinery and equipment include the prepayments made for them. In 2014 Mogale Alloys capitalisated interest amounting 
euR 0.4 million before the commissioning of the refining and granulation plant to produce medium carbon ferrochrome.

96

-47,430

-92,683

-1,753

0

-141,866

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

11. Intangible assets

EUR '000

Goodwill

Intangible assets 
identified in 
acquisitions

Other intangible 
assets

Exploration and 
evaluation assets

Balance at 1.1.2014

108,167

107,890

4,581

329

356

Total

220,967

441

24

14

3,843

699

225,275

0

-136,639

-2,904

-5

-2,319

85

24

173

4,863

-1,350

-341

-5

-57

3,231

3,110

3,388

2,827

-61

-934

-639

4,581

-1,163

-415

123

-143

248

329

699

354

50

-75

329

84,329

83,410

249,738

3,281

-61

-934

-31,057

220,967

0

-137,209

-16,655

123

-143

17,246

Additions

Reclass between items

effect of movements in 
exchange rates

2,314

1,342

Balance at 31.12.2014

110,481

109,232

Accumulated amortisation 
and impairment at 1.1.2014

-45,879

-89,409

Amortisation

Impairment

effect of movements in 
exchange rates

Accumulated amortisation 
and impairment at 
31.12.2014

Carrying amount at 
1.1.2014

Carrying amount at 
31.12.2014

-2,563

-1,551

-711

62,288

18,481

63,051

16,549

Balance at 1.1.2013

127,326

118,670

Additions

Disposals

Reclass between items

effect of movements in 
exchange rates

404

0

-19,563

-10,780

Balance at 31.12.2013 

108,167

107,890

Accumulated amortisation 
and impairment at 1.1.2013

-58,336

-77,710

-16,240

12,457

4,541

Amortisation

Disposals

Reclass between items

effect of movements in 
exchange rates

Accumulated amortisation 
and impairment at 
31.12.2013

Carrying amount at 
1.1.2013

Carrying amount at 
31.12.2013

-45,879

-89,409

-1,350

0

-136,638

68,990

40,960

62,288

18,481

2,225

3,231

354

112,529

329

84,329

other intangible assets include the prepayments made for them. exploration and evaluation assets consist 
of mine projects in variours mining projects in Turkey and South Africa.

97

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

12. Investments in associates

Domicile

Balance 
sheet value

Ownership 
(%)

Balance 
sheet date

Assets

Liabilities

Revenue

Profit/ 
loss

EUR '000

2014

Core associates

Specialty Super Alloys 
SSA Inc

united 
States

Non-core associates

Incap Furniture Oy **

Finland

Valtimo Components 
Oyj **

Finland

92

92

0

0

0

20.0 31.12.2014

578

116

820

27

24.1

24.9

Domicile

Balance 
sheet value

Ownership 
(%)

Balance 
sheet date

Assets

Liabilities

Revenue

Profit/ 
loss

EUR '000

2013

Core associates

Specialty Super Alloys 
SSA Inc

united 
States

Non-core associates

Incap Furniture Oy **

Finland

Valtimo Components 
Oyj **

Finland

76

76

0

0

0

20.0 31.12.2013

467

85

811

30

24.1

24.9

** Incap Furniture Oy and Valtimo Components Oyj are in a corporate restructuring process.

the income statement related items of associated companies of Speciality Alloys and FerroAlloys business 
segments (´core-associates´) are presented above eBit; the non-core associates in financial items. 

Movements in 2014
EUR ‘000

Share of profit

exchange rate differences

1.1.2014

31.12.2014

76

6

10

92

During the financial year 2014, Afarak did not acquire or dispose holdings in associates.

98

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Movements in 2013
EUR ‘000

Share of profit

exchange rate differences

1.1.2013

31.12.2013

75

6

-5

76

During the financial year 2013, Afarak did not acquire or dispose holdings in associates.

99

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

13. Investments in joint ventures

At the end of the financial year 2014, the Group had joint control over one jointly controlled entity, Synergy 
Africa ltd, in which the Group has a 51% interest. the acquisition of Chromex Mining ltd, a uK company 
with mining operations and prospecting rights in southern Africa, was carried out by this joint venture 
company. Synergy Africa Group has been consolidated as a joint venture company in the financial reporting 
of the Group starting at 31 December 2010.  Following the 2012 changes in the accounting standards the 
company changed the accounting method from proportionate consolidation method to equity method.

Summarised financial statement information (100% share) of the joint venture, based on its iFRS financial 
statements, and reconciliation with the carrying amount of the investment in the Group’s consolidated 
financial statements are set out below:

2014

11,153

212

-7,895

-1,493

-1,798

-1,980

-4,235

-6,036

382

-2,256

-7,911

1,418

-6,492

-3,311

-2,839

-472

-3,311

2013

18,725

756

-14,457

-1,451

-2,167

-1,735

0

-328

73

-4,592

-4,847

338

-4,509

-2,300

-1,914

-386

-2,300

EUR '000

Revenue

Other operating income

Materials and supplies

employee benefits expense

Depreciation and amortisation

Other operating expenses

Impairment, net

Operating profit / loss

Finance income

Finance cost

Profit / loss before taxes

Income taxes

Profit / loss for the year

Group's share of profit for the year

Profit attributable to:

Joint venture owners

Non-controlling interests

100

EUR '000

Assets and liabilities

Non-current assets

intangible assets

Mines and mineral assets

Property, plant and equipment

Non-current assets total

Current assets

Inventories

trade and other receivables

trade and other receivables from JV owners

Cash and cash equivalents

Current assets total

Total assets

Non-current liabilities

interest-bearing debt

interest-bearing debt to JV owners

Provisions

Deferred tax liability

other non-current liabilities to JV owners

Non-current liabilities total

Current liabilities

trade and other payables

trade and other payables to JV owners

Provisions

Current liabilities total

Total liabilities

Net Liability

Proportion of Group's Ownership

Carrying amount of Joint venture

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

2014

2013

2,668

30,712

3,761

37,141

1,911

546

166

511

3,134

40,275

23,679

34,406

1,725

8,820

5,004

73,634

3,648

1,385

0

5,033

78,667

-38,392

51 %

-19,580

3,518

33,105

4,109

40,732

1,906

977

2,364

678

5,925

46,656

20,691

34,500

1,695

9,475

3,920

70,281

5,151

1,205

6

6,362

76,643

-29,987

51 %

-15,293

101

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

At the end of 2014, Synergy Africa Group had 56 (62) employees.  the average number of employees in 
full year 2014 was 59 (60).

Impairment review of joint venture

General principles of impairment testing

Synergy Africa ltd,  the South African mining business which operates Stellite and Mecklenburg mines has 
carried out impairment testing on assets as at 31 December 2014.  

Synergy Africa’s balance sheet has been assessed whether there is any indication that assets may be 
impaired. if any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of these assets is estimated. Moreover, 
the recoverable amount of any goodwill and unfinished investment projects will be estimated annually, 
irrespective of whether there is an indication of impairment. the South African mining business did not 
have any goodwill on its statement of financial position at the end of the financial year 2014. Synergy Group  
assessed, however, that there is indication of impairment due to the weak situation in the chrome market, 
and the assets of the business were tested for impairment. As a result, an impairment was recognised due 
to weak market conditions.

Methodology applied in impairment testing

For the cash generating units that were tested, the test was carried out by calculating their value in use. 
Value in use has been calculated by discounting estimated future net cash flows based on the conditions 
and assumptions prevailing at the time of the testing. Future cash flows have been projected for the life of 
mine with a 6% growth rate equalling projected long-term inflation has been applied. 

the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) has been calculated taking into account the business’s typical 
capital structures, investors’ average required rate of return for similar investments and company size 
and operational location related factors, as well as risk-free interest rates and margins for debt financing. 
Synergy Africa has used publicly available information on the peer group companies’ capital structure, risk 
premium and other factors. the market interest rates reflect the rates applicable on 31 December 2014.

the information used in the 31 December 2014 impairment testing is based on business units’ management 
future forecasts, on general third-party industry expert or analyst reports where available, and to the extent 
possible on the current business and asset base excluding any non-committed expansion plans. Forecasted 
sales volumes and profitability are based on the management’s view on future development while also 
taking past performance into account. Price forecasts are based on independent market forecasts. the 
cash flow models have been prepared at constant foreign exchange rates. the underground production in 
the models does not solely come from reserves, as some come from resources that are not yet converted 
to reserves. this increases the risk that some of the grades may differ, and  tonnes could possibly not be 
economically extractable. there is also the risk that costs could be different than anticipated even though 
due care was taken in the cost evaluation.

the pre-tax discount rates applied in 2014 impairment testing was 23.88% for Mecklenburg mine and 20.66% 
for Stellite mine. the cash flows in the Mecklenburg mine impairment test review include both opencast 
and underground operation for the full life of mine. the cash flows in the Stellite mine impairment test 
review only includes opencast operation with the implementation of a new technology that will increase 
chrome recovery and PGM recovery contained in the ore, underground operation was not included in the 
review due to the risks and uncertainty attached to the mine. As the Mecklenburg mine model used has a 
life of mine of 16 years and includes both opencast and underground, and the Stellite mine model has a 
life of mine of 5 years with only opencast mining, the review risks attached to Mecklenburg is higher and 
a higher pre-tax rate was applied.  .

the results of impairment testing have been evaluated by comparing the cash generating units’ recoverable 
amount to the corresponding carrying amount.

102

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Test results 31 December 2014

As a result of the tests carried out Synergy Africa passed a net write down of ZAR 30 million equivalent to 
euR 2.1 million in relation to the Stellite mine due to weak market conditions. Mecklenburg mine was also 
reviewed at year end but there was no indication of write downs as the quality of the chrome ore resource 
is of a higher grade.

the testable asset base includes intangible and tangible assets and net working capital less provisions and 
deferred tax liabilities (in relation to purchase price allocation entries).

the uSD/ZAR foreign exchange rate affects significantly the testing of the South African minerals business. 
The foreign exchange rate used in the test was 11.00.

Key background and assumptions used in the cash flow forecasts of the impairment testing process are 
summarised in the following table:

Cash generating unit

Sales volume

Sales prices

Costs

Stellite mine

Concentrate:
30,000t/a in 2015, and will 
increase to 180,000t/a as 
from 2016 till Q3 2019
PGM:
4,460ozt/a in 2016, and will 
continue production till Q3 
2019 

SA Chrome ore –uG2 CiF 
adjusted for FoM, based 
on external experts (Heinz 
Pariser) price forecasts
2016 forecast price for  PGM 
based on current market price

Mecklenburg mine

RoM:
opencast 90,000t/a in 2015
underground 32,900t/a 
in 2016, and is planned to 
increase to an average of 
440,000t/a as from 2019 till 
2029

SA Chrome ore – lumpy CiF 
adjusted for RoM, based 
on external experts (Heinz 
Pariser) price forecasts

The costs applied for  
opencast operation is based 
on the current historical cost 
adjusted for a reduction in 
production cost per ton as 
a result of higher recoveries 
due to the implementation of 
new technology. This cost has 
been estimated and adjusted 
for inflation for the opencast 
life of mine. The cost over the 
life of mine including inflation 
is estimated to be ZAR 586 
per saleable ton of chrome, 
and ZAR 4,195 per saleable 
troy Ounce of PGM.

 The costs applied for 
opencast operation is based 
on current historical cost 
adjusted for inflation. the 
costs for underground are 
based on past experiences 
of our mining team in 
underground operations 
adjusted for inflation rate. 
The cost over the life of 
mine including inflation is 
estimated to be ZAR 754 per 
saleable ton of chrome.

Synergy Africa has analysed the sensitivity of the impairment test results by estimating how the essential 
assumptions should change in order for the recoverable amount to be equal to the carrying amount. the 
results of this sensitivity analysis as of 31 December 2014 are given below:

Cash generating unit

Change in pre-
tax discount rate  
(compared to the level 
used in testing)

Change in free cash 
flow (annual average)

Change in CGU’s 
average Cost of 
Production

Change in CGU’s 
average EBITDA 
margin

Mecklenburg Mine

12.5% - points

-51.7%

32.9% - points

-25.8% - points

103

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

14. Financial assets and liabilities 

31.12.2014, EUR '000

Assets 
available-for-
sale

Assets held-
to-maturity

Loans 
and other 
receivables

Liabilities 
measured at 
amortised cost

Total carrying 
amount

587

34,406

499

9,213

19,447

1,656

13,332

78,554

78,554

34,993

499

0

9,213

19,447

1,656

13,332

79,141

79,141

0

0

6,263

42

6,263

42

5,866

22,052

4,066

5,866

22,052

4,066

38,289

38,289

38,289

38,289

Non-current financial assets

non-current interest-bearing 
receivables

trade and other receivables

other financial assets

Current financial assets

Current interest-bearing receivables

trade and other receivables *

other financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Carrying amount of financial assets

Fair value of financial assets

0

0

587

587

Non-current financial liabilities

non-current interest-bearing liabilities

other non-current liabilities

Current financial liabilities

Current interest-bearing liabilities

trade and other payables *

Derivatives

Carrying amount of financial 
liabilities

Fair value of financial liabilities

104

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Assets 
available-for-
sale

Assets held-
to-maturity

Loans 
and other 
receivables

Liabilities 
measured at 
amortised cost

Total carrying 
amount

580

39,456

40,036

31.12.2013, EUR '000

Non-current financial assets

non-current interest-bearing 
receivables

trade and other receivables

other financial assets

Current financial assets

Current interest-bearing receivables

trade and other receivables *

other financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Carrying amount of financial assets

Fair value of financial assets

0

0

580

580

Non-current financial liabilities

non-current interest-bearing liabilities

other non-current liabilities

Current financial liabilities

Current interest-bearing liabilities

trade and other payables *

Derivatives

Carrying amount of financial 
liabilities

Fair value of financial liabilities

* non-financial assets and liabilities are not included in the figures.

149

8,133

23,050

1,805

13,769

86,362

86,362

149

0

8,133

23,050

1,805

13,769

86,942

86,942

149

40

149

40

1,362

20,500

2,535

1,362

20,500

2,535

24,586

24,586

24,586

24,586

105

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Fair value hierarchy

31.12.2014, EUR '000

Carrying amounts at the end of the reporting period

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Financial assets at fair value

Derivatives

other financial assets

Total

Available-for-sale financial assets

other financial assets

Financial liabilities at fair value

Derivatives

Total

4,066

4,066

31.12.2013, EUR '000

Carrying amounts at the end of the reporting period

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Financial assets at fair value

Derivatives

other financial assets

Total

Available-for-sale financial assets

other financial assets

Financial liabilities at fair value

Derivatives

Total

106

2,535

2,535

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

31.12.2014, EUR '000

Level 3 reconciliation

Acquisition cost at 1.1.2014

Acquisition cost at 31.12.2014

Accumulated impairment losses at 1.1.2014

Accumulated impairment losses at 31.12.2014

Carrying amount at 31.12.2014

31.12.2013, EUR '000

Level 3 reconciliation

Acquisition cost at 1.1.2013

Acquisition cost at 31.12.2013

Accumulated impairment losses at 1.1.2013

Accumulated impairment losses at 31.12.2013

Carrying amount at 31.12.2013

Interest-bearing debt

EUR '000

Non-current

Bank loans

Subordinated loans 

Finance lease liabilities

Total

Current

Bank loans

Finance lease liabilities

Cheque account with overdraft facility                              

Total

40

40

-40

-40

0

40

40

-40

-40

0

2014

6,238

5

20

6,263

5,039

70

757

5,866

2013

11

5

133

149

1,362

0

0

1,362

107

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

EUR '000

2014

2013

Finance lease liabilities, minimum lease payments

No later than 1 year

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years

Finance lease liabilities, present value of minimum lease 
payments

No later than 1 year

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years

Future finance charges

Total minimum lease payments

70

20

90

70

20

90

0

90

0

133

133

0

133

133

0

133

Financial risks and risk management

the Board of Directors of Afarak Group Plc has outlined the key risks of the Group in the Board of Directors’ 
Report. in the following section, the financial and commodity risks are presented in more detail with the 
related sensitivity analyses. 

Summary on financial assets and loan arrangements

Financial assets 31 December 2014

in addition to the operating result and the cash flow generated from it the factors described below have 
most significantly affected the year-on-year change in the Group’s financial assets at the 2014 closing date: 

the Group’s financial assets decreased in consequence of various capital expenditure project that the 
Group conducted during the year.  the main investment in 2014 was the Ferroalloy refining and granulation 
equipment project at Mogale Alloys, with production commencing a ramping up phase in December 2014. 
the cash flow effect for Capital expenditure totalled euR 14.3 million during the year.
Also repayments of financial liabilities reduced the Group’s financial assets during the year.

on 31 December 2014, the cash and cash equivalents were invested mainly in interest-bearing euR, ZAR 
and uSD denominated bank accounts. the Group companies have given pledged deposits for euR 4.6 (2.6) 
million. other financial assets comprise interest-bearing loans and other receivables. 

interest-bearing debt 31 December 2014

•  Floating rate loans from financial institutions total euR 11.0 (1.4) million. Fixed rate loans total euR 

1.1 (0.4) million

•  The interest rate of the South African loans is tied to the market rate of JIBAR. The interest rate on 
31 December 2014, based on market interest rates at that date, was 5.83 % (5.13%). the interest rate 
margin for floating rate notes was 3.0% (3.0%) p.a. 

•  the interest rate of the Maltese bank loan facility is tied to the market rate of liBoR. the interest rate 
on 31 December 2014, based on market interest rates at that date, was 0.26 % (0.24%). the interest 
rate margin for floating rate notes was 3.75% (3.75%) p.a. 

included in interest-free liabilities  there is the unpaid part of the Vendors settlement agreement of Mogale 
Alloys that amount to ZAR 23 million (ZAR 87 million) as at 31 December 2014.  this amount will be paid 
by Afarak Group Plc’s shares.

108

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Capital Management

the Group’s capital management objective is to maintain the ability to continue as a going concern and to 
optimise the cost of capital in order to enhance value to shareholders. As part of this objective, the Group 
seeks to maintain access to loan and capital markets at all times. The Board of Directors reviews the capital 
structure of the Group on a regular basis.

Capital structure and debt capacity are taken into account when deciding on new investments. Practical tools 
to manage capital include the application of dividend policy, capital redemption, share buybacks and share 
issues. Debt capital is managed considering the requirement to secure liquidity. the Group’s internal capital 
structure is reviewed on a regular basis with the aim of optimising the structure by applying measures such 
as internal dividends and equity adjustments. 

the Group’s long term target for capital structure is to keep the equity ratio in the region of about 50%. At 
the balance sheet date 31 December 2014, the Group’s equity ratio stood at 62.8% (68.5%).

the Group’s loans from financial institutions include financial covenants that if breached might have a 
negative effect on the financial positon of the Company. the covenants that the Group is exposed to are: 
interest cover ratio of RCS ltd must not be lower than 5; Debt cover ratio of RCS ltd must be greater than 
3; leverage ratio of RCS ltd must be lower than 1; the Group’s net Asset Value must be greater than uS$ 
175 million; Debt service cover of Mogale Alloys must be greater than 1.4 and net Debt to eBitDA of Mogale 
must be lower than 1.5. Management review these covenants regularly and are in correspondence with the 
relevant bank if there is indication of breach. in the discussions with the banks the Company would do the 
utmost to clarify the reason for such breach and present the financial plans to remain within the covenant 
limits. As at 31/12/2014 there has not been any breach of covenant at RCS ltd, but at Mogale Alloys due 
to the free cash flows being low as a result of the extensive cash outflows paid to finance the refining and 
granulation plant, which was only financed in part by a loan from RCS ltd, ended up in breach on the debt 
service cover.

Financial Risk Management

in its normal operations, the Group is exposed to various financial risks. the main financial risks are liquidity 
risk, foreign exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and commodity price risk. the objective of 
the Group’s risk management is to identify and, to as far as reasonably possible, mitigate the adverse 
effects of changes in the financial markets on the Group’s results. the general risk management principles 
are accepted by Afarak Group Plc’s Board of Directors and monitored by its Audit and Risk Management 
Committee. the managements of the Group and its subsidiaries’ are responsible for the implementation of 
risk management policies and procedures. Group management monitors risk positions and risk management 
procedures on a regular basis, and supervises that the Group’s policies and risk management principles 
are followed in all day-to-day operations. Risks and risk management are regularly reported to the Audit 
and Risk Management Committee. 

the Group’s significant financial instruments comprise bank loans and overdrafts, finance leases, other 
long-term liabilities, cash and short-term deposits and money market investments. the main purpose of 
these financial instruments is to finance the Group’s acquisitions and ongoing operations. the Group also 
has various other financial assets and liabilities such as trade receivables and trade payables, which arise 
directly from its operations

109

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

(i) Liquidity risk

the Group regularly assesses and monitors its investment and working capital needs and financing, so 
that it has enough liquidity to serve and finance its operations and pay back loans. the availability and 
flexibility of financing are targeted to be guaranteed by using multiple financial institutions in the financing 
and financial instruments, and to agree on financial limit arrangements.

the Group’s short-term liquidity at the end of the financial year was good, even though the unutilised credit 
facility of euR 45.3 (49.3) expired on 31 December 2014.  
if the liquidity risks were to be realised, it would probably result in overdue interest expenses and damage 
the relations with suppliers. Consequently, the pricing and other terms for input goods and services and 
for financing could be affected.

the maturity distribution of the Group debt at the end of the financial year was as follows:

Carrying 
amount

Contractual 
cash flows

6 months or 

less 6-12 months

1-2 years

2-5 years

More than 5 
years

11,277

-11,713

-2,636

-2,588

-6,490

90

-90

-45

-26

25,737

-25,784

-25,556

-124

757

-757

-757

-20

-57

0

0

0

0

0

0

-47

0

0

Derivatives

4,066

-4,066

-4,066

Total

41,928

-42,410

-33,059

-2,738

-6,567

-47

0

0

0

0

0

0

Carrying 
amount

Contractual 
cash flows

6 months or 

less 6-12 months

1-2 years

2-5 years

More than 5 
years

1,362

-1,455

-59

-1,392

133

-133

-42

-42

-5

-49

19,548

-19,444

-18,615

-428

-401

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Derivatives

2,535

-2,535

-2,535

Total

23,578

-23,568

-21,251

-1,862

-455

110

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

31.12.2014, 
EUR '000

Financial liabilities

Secured bank 
loans

Finance lease 
liabilities

Trade 
and other 
payables

Bank 
overdraft

31.12.2013, 
EUR '000

Financial liabilities

Secured bank 
loans

Finance lease 
liabilities

Trade 
and other 
payables

Bank 
overdraft

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

(ii) Foreign exchange rate risk

The Group operates internationally, including in Turkey, Malta and South Africa, and is therefore exposed 
to foreign exchange rate risks. the risks arise both directly from the outstanding commercial cash flows 
and currency positions, and indirectly from changes in competitiveness between various competitors. the 
foreign exchange differences arising from inter-company loans designated as net investments in foreign 
subsidiaries has been recognised in the translation difference in the equity. 

the Group is exposed to currency-derived risks that affect its financial results, financial position and cash 
flows. in particular the exchange rates of uS Dollar and South African Rand against the euro have a significant 
impact on the euro-denominated profitability of the Group. the cash inflows of the business are denominated 
in uS Dollars, whereas a significant portion of the costs are denominated in the South African Rand. the 
fluctuation of the South African Rand has a significant impact on the Group’s profit and loss as well as on 
the Group’s assets and liabilities. the Group has hedged part of the open foreign currency positions by 
using currency derivatives. in its risk management, the Group aims to match its cash inflows and outflows 
as well as receivables and liabilities in terms of the currency in which these items are denominated. 

the foreign exchange risk relating to ZAR has increased during 2014 as the amount of ZAR-denominated 
liabilities has increased.

the following tables present the currency composition of receivables and debt, and changes thereby relative 
to the previous year-end. 

31.12.2014, EUR '000

EUR exchange rate

1

1.2141

0.7789

2.832

14.0353

Cash and cash equivalents 
(euR)

trade and other receivables 
(euR)

loans and other financial 
assets (euR)

Trade and other current 
payables (euR)

loans and other liabilities 
(euR)

Currency exposure, net (euR)

Currency exposure, net in 
currency ('000)

euR

uSD

2,740

8,655

GBP

129

TRY

67

25,252

12,908

ZAR

1,741

2,609

39,952

545

0

-22,554

-2,795

-9

-363

-6,253

-76

-10,108

-488

-1,500

45,315

45,315

8,659

10,513

120

93

-239

-675

-3,403

-47,762

111

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

31.12.2013, EUR '000

EUR exchange rate

1

1.3791

0.8337

2.9605

14.566

Cash and cash equivalents 
(euR)

trade and other receivables 
(euR)

loans and other financial 
assets (euR)

Trade and other current 
payables (euR)

loans and other liabilities 
(euR)

Currency exposure, net (euR)

Currency exposure, net in 
currency ('000)

euR

uSD

2,426

9,417

GBP

139

23,164

12,799

43,705

ZAR

1,739

4,596

TRY

48

399

-19,491

-3,903

-99

-675

-4,574

-524

-26

-560

-441

49,280

-18,287

49,280

-25,220

41

34

-788

-2,334

1,320

19,228

the effect on the 31 December 2014 currency denominated net assets by changes in foreign exchange 
rates compared with the rates used in the Group consolidation is presented below. Due to the high market 
volatility of the exchange rates, the range of change was kept at +/- 20%.

31 December 2014

20 %

15 %

10 %

5 %

0 %

strengthening

strengthening

strengthening

strengthening

no change

-5 %

weakening

-10 %

weakening

-15 %

weakening

-20 %

weakening

31 December 2013

20 %

15 %

10 %

5 %

0 %

strengthening

strengthening

strengthening

strengthening

no change

-5 %

weakening

-10 %

weakening

-15 %

weakening

-20 %

weakening

Derivatives

112

USD

10,824

10,188

9,622

9,115

8,659

8,247

7,872

7,530

7,216

USD

22,859

21,515

20,319

19,250

18,287

17,417

16,625

15,902

15,240

GBP

150

141

133

126

120

114

109

104

100

GBP

51

48

45

43

41

39

37

35

34

TRy

-298

-281

-265

-251

-239

-227

-217

-207

-199

TRy

-986

-928

-876

-830

-788

-751

-717

-686

-657

ZAR

-4,254

-4,004

-3,781

-3,582

-3,403

-3,241

-3,094

-2,959

-2,836

ZAR

1,650

1,553

1,467

1,390

1,320

1,257

1,200

1,148

1,100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

the Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates relates primarily to the Group’s 
operating activities (when revenue or expense is denominated in a foreign currency).

Operative foreign currency derivatives that are valued at fair value on the reporting date  cause timing 
differences between the changes in the derivative’s fair values and hedged operative transactions. Changes 
in fair values for derivatives designated to hedge future cash flow but are not accounted for according to 
the principles of hedge accounting impact the Group’s operating profit for the financial year. the underlying 
foreign currency transactions will realise in future periods.

At the end of the financial year the Group had uSD/ZAR foreign currency forward contracts and foreign 
currency options hedging the operative cash flows. the nominal value and fair value of the contracts is 
stated in the table below.

euR Million

FX-Forwards

FX-options

Nominal value

Fair Value

Nominal Value

41,586

4

4,066

0

22,986

2014

2013

Fair Value

2,535

The group does not apply hedge accounting.

(iv) Interest rate risk

the Group is exposed to interest rate risk when Group companies take loans, or make other financing 
agreements or deposits and investments related to liquidity management. In addition, changes in interest 
rates can alter the fair values of the Group’s assets. the Group’s revenue and operative cash flows are 
mainly independent of the changes in market interest rates. 

to manage interest rate risks, the Group has used both fixed and floating rate debt instruments and derivative 
instruments, such as interest rate swaps, when needed. At the end of 2014, the Group’s interest-bearing 
debt was mainly based on floating interest rates; and there were no interest rate swaps in place. the Group 
aims to match the loan maturities with the businesses’ needs and to have the maturities spread over various 
periods so that the Group’s interest rate risks are somewhat diversified. Floating rate financing is mainly 
tied to the market rates of different countries (united Kingdom, South Africa), changes to which will then 
influence the Group’s total financing cost and cash flows. 

the short-term interest-bearing receivables of the Group are mainly loan receivables and receivables on 
past asset disposals. the Group’s interest-bearing liabilities have been discussed above.

the split of interest-bearing debt and receivables, also classified into fixed rate and floating rate instruments 
on 31 December 2014 and 31 December 2013 was as follows:

113

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Interest rate profile of interest-bearing financial instruments (EUR ‘000)

31.12.2014

31.12.2013

Fixed rate instruments

Fixed rate instruments, net

Variable rate instruments

Variable rate instruments, 
net

Interest-bearing net debt

Financial assets

Financial liabilities

Financial assets

Financial liabilities

7,502

-1,102

6,399

36,705

-11,028

25,677

32,076

11,456

-388

11,069

36,714

-1,362

35,352

46,421

114

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

the following table presents the approximate effect of changes in market interest rates on the Group’s 
income statement should the deposits’ and loans’ interest rates change. the analysis includes floating 
rate financial assets and liabilities. the sensitivity analysis is illustrative in nature and applicable for the 
forthcoming 12 month period if the period’s asset and liability structure were to be equal to that of 31 
December 2014, and if there were no changes in exchange rates. 

31 December 2014

Interest rate change

Change in interest income Change in interest expense

Net effect

-2.00 %

-1.50 %

-1.00 %

-0.50 %

0.00 %

0.50 %

1.00 %

1.50 %

2.00 %

-734

-551

-367

-184

0

184

367

551

734

221

165

110

55

0

-55

-110

-165

-221

31 December 2013

Interest rate change

Change in interest income Change in interest expense

full year

full year

-2.00 %

-1.50 %

-1.00 %

-0.50 %

0.00 %

0.50 %

1.00 %

1.50 %

2.00 %

(v) Credit risk

-734

-551

-367

-184

0

184

367

551

734

27

20

14

7

0

-7

-14

-20

-27

-514

-385

-257

-128

0

128

257

385

514

Net effect

full year

-707

-530

-354

-177

0

177

354

530

707

Credit risk can be realised when the counterparties in commercial, financial or other agreements cannot 
take care of their obligations and thus cause financial damage to the Group. the Group’s operational 
policies define the creditworthiness requirements for customers and for counterparties in financial and 
derivative transactions, as well as the principles followed when investing liquidity. In the case of major 
sales agreements, the counterparty’s credit rating is checked. to date, the Group has not faced any major 
losses due to this reason.

the Group’s key customers are major international stainless steel companies, and a number of specialist s 
agents selling to the steel sector, with typically long and successful business histories. Since the customers 
represent one sector of industry, major changes in that industry’s profitability could increase the credit risk.

the Board of Directors of Afarak Group Plc has determined a cash management policy for the Group’s 
parent company, according to which the excess cash reserves are deposited for a short-term only and with 
sound financial institutions with which the Group has established business relations. the credit rating of 
all significant counterparties is analysed from time to time. 

115

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

During the financial year, credit losses booked through the profit and loss were not significant. the maximum 
credit risk is equal to the carrying value of the receivables as of 31 December, and is split as follows:

Category

Interest-bearing

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables from related parties

other interest bearing receivables

Interest-bearing, total

Interest-free

trade receivables

other short-term receivables

trade and other receivable from associate

long-term receivables

Interest-free, total

Total

(vi) Commodity risks

EUR ‘000

2014

13,332

41,406

2,800

57,538

19,447

6,814

1,385

5,504

33,150

90,688

EUR ‘000

2013

13,769

44,500

3,671

61,940

20,429

5,391

1,205

4,069

31,094

93,034

The Group is exposed to price risks on various output and input products, materials and commodities. 
Also, securing the availability of raw materials without any serious disruptions is vital to its businesses.

the price risks on input materials and commodities are managed by pricing policies so that changes in 
input materials and commodities can be moved into sales prices. this, however, is not always possible or 
there may be delays as a result of contractual or competitive reasons.

the Group’s units that have production operations are exposed to availability, quality and price fluctuations 
in raw materials and commodities. to diminish these risks, the Group’s business units seek to enter into 
long-term agreements with known counterparties; although this is not always possible due to the tradition 
and practice of the business. For the most part, because it is not possible or economically feasible to hedge 
commodity price risks in the Group’s business sectors with derivative contracts, the Group did not have 
any commodity derivative contracts in place as of 31 December 2014.

116

 
 
 
 
 
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Sensitivity Analysis - Speciality Alloys business

the effect of changes in the sales price of special grade ferrochrome, produced by the Group’s Speciality 
Alloys business, to the Group’s operating profit and equity is illustrated below, assuming that the euR/uSD 
rate were constant. the analysis is based on December 2014 price level. Since the products are priced in 
uSD, the exchange rate changes could have a major effect on the Group’s profitability in euR. Full capacity 
for simulation purposes is set at 30,000 t/a, and it is also assumed that only one ferrochrome quality is 
produced. Various raw materials are used in ferrochrome production, including chrome concentrate and 
ferrosilicochrome. The purchase prices of the main raw materials typically in the same direction as the 
sales prices, although the correlation is not perfect and the timing may differ. in practice, therefore the 
net effect on the Group’s profitability most probably would be lower than shown below. electricity usage is 
also substantial, and hence changes in electricity prices have a significant effect on profitability; electricity 
prices do not correlate with changes in commodity prices.

Financial year 
2014

Change in Sales price (USD/lb Cr)

Change in Operating Profit

Change in Group’s Equity

20 %

15 %

10 %

5 %

0 %

-5 %

-10 %

-15 %

-20 %

2.74

2.63

2.51

2.40

2.29

2.17

2.06

1.94

1.83

Financial year 
2013

17,427

13,070

8,713

4,357

0

-4,357

-8,713

-13,070

-17,427

16,555

12,417

8,278

4,139

0

-4,139

-8,278

-12,417

-16,555

Change in Sales price (USD/lb Cr)

Change in Operating Profit

Change in Group’s Equity

2.60

2.50

2.39

2.28

2.17

2.06

1.95

1.84

1.74

20 %

15 %

10 %

5 %

0 %

-5 %

-10 %

-15 %

-20 %

14,570

10,927

7,285

3,642

0

-3,642

-7,285

-10,927

-14,570

13,841

10,381

6,921

3,460

0

-3,460

-6,921

-10,381

-13,841

117

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Sensitivity Analysis – FerroAlloys business

the FerroAlloys business’s smelting operation, Mogale Alloys, is able to change its product mix quite 
rapidly and flexibly, and so only rough estimates on its sensitivity to commodity price changes can be given. 
its full production capacity is about 100,000 metric t/a of various metal alloys. Assuming, for simplicity, 
that all of the Mogale capacity was used for charge chrome production only, and using the year-end 2014 
sales price indications for charge chrome, the following table represents a rough proxy of the sales price 
sensitivities. it should also be taken into account that the profitability of the smelting operations can be 
substantially impacted by changes in the uSD and ZAR exchange rates and in electricity prices, as well as 
changes in market prices. in South Africa the majority of the electricity supply, price and availability are 
controlled by one entity, eskom. Mogale Alloys may participate in eskom’s electricity buyback program in 
the foreseeable future.

Financial year 
2014

Change in Sales price (USD/lb Cr)

Change in Operating Profit

Change in Group’s Equity

20 %

15 %

10 %

5 %

0 %

-5 %

-10 %

-15 %

-20 %

1.30

1.24

1.19

1.13

1.08

1.03

0.97

0.92

0.86

Financial year 
2013

20,003

15,003

10,002

5,001

0

-5,001

-10,002

-15,003

-20,003

14,402

10,802

7,201

3,601

0

-3,601

-7,201

-10,802

-14,402

Change in Sales price (USD/lb Cr)

Change in Operating Profit

Change in Group’s Equity

20 %

15 %

10 %

5 %

0 %

-5 %

-10 %

-15 %

-20 %

18,344

13,758

9,172

4,586

0

-4,586

-9,172

-13,758

-18,344

13,208

9,906

6,604

3,302

0

-3,302

-6,604

-9,906

-13,208

1.35

1.29

1.24

1.18

1.13

1.07

1.01

0.96

0.90

118

15. Inventories

EUR '000

Goods and supplies

unfinished products

Finished products

Total

16. Trade and other current receivables

EUR '000

trade receivables

loan receivables

interest-bearing receivables

Prepaid expenses and accrued income

income tax receivables

other receivables

Total

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

2014

30,611

90

29,350

60,052

2013

18,839

181

27,263

46,284

2014

2013

19,447

3,836

7,034

3,201

3,323

3,928

40,769

20,930

2,042

6,543

2,100

4,819

4,126

40,559

Prepaid expenses and accruals mainly relate to rental contracts, personnel expenses, VAt receivables and 
accrued interest for loans. Balance sheet values of receivables closely correspond to the monetary value 
of maximum credit risk, excluding the fair value of received guarantees, in the potential case where the 
counterparties cannot fulfil their commitments. Apart from a balance of other receivables amounting to 
euR 1.9 million which has an elevated credit risk due to its aging, there is no significant credit risk related 
to the other receivables.

The aging of trade receivables at the balance sheet date

EUR '000

Not past due

Past due 0-30 days

Past due 31-60 days

Past due 61-90 days

Past due more than 90 days

Trade receivables total

2014

14,121

5,579

176

0

-430

19,447

2013

10,796

8,730

-45

396

1,053

20,930

119

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

17. Cash and cash equivalents

EUR '000

Cash and bank balances

Pledged deposits

Cash and cash equivalents in the cash flow statement:

EUR '000

Cash and bank balances

Short-term money market investments

Total

18. Notes to equity

2014

12,449

4,286

2014

12,449

883

13,332

2013

13,410

2,622

2013

13,410

359

13,769

Number of registered 

shares Number of shares on issue

Share capital, EUR '000

31.12.2012

Treasury shares granted

31.12.2013

Subscriptions based on option 
rights

248,432,000

244,134,563

0

248,432,000

11,130,434

52,720

244,187,283

11,130,434

31.12.2014

259,562,434

255,317,717

23,642

0

23,642

0

23,642

there is no nominal value for the Company’s share.

the equity reserves are described below:

Share premium reserve

Related to the old Finnish Companies Act, the Company has a share premium reserve in relation to old 
share issues, where the premium in excess of the par value of the shares subscribed has been recognised 
in the share premium reserve.

Paid-up unrestricted equity reserve

Paid-up unrestricted equity reserve comprises other equity investments and subscription price of shares 
to the extent that it is not recognised in the share capital based on a specific decision.

Translation reserve

the translation reserve comprises all foreign currency differences arising from the translation of financial 
statements of foreign operations.

Share subscriptions based on option rights

on 10 July 2014, Afarak announced that it had resolved to offer 11,130,434 new ordinary shares in the 
Company (“new Shares”) to the vendors of Mogale Alloys (a subsidiary of Afarak acquired in May 2009) under 
the settlement agreement announced on 11 october 2012.  the new Shares represented approximately 
4.48 per cent of the issued share capital and approximately 4.56 per cent of the total voting rights of the 
Company prior to the share issue.  on 18 July 2014, Afarak announced that all of the new Shares offered 
had been subscribed for and that the total subscription price of euR 5,565,217 (euR 0.5 per share) was 
fully satisfied through offset against the settlement receivables of the Vendors related to the Mogale Alloys 
acquisition.  A maximum of 3,478,261 shares remain to be offered under the agreed settlement.  the 
New Shares were registered with the Finnish Trade Register on 24 July 2014 and admitted to the premium 

120

 
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

segment of the official list and to trading on the Main Market of the london Stock exchange and nASDAQ  
Helsinki on 25 July 2014.  

Treasury shares 

on 31 December 2014 the Company had altogether 4,244,717 (4,244,717) of its own shares, which was 
equivalent to 1.64 (1.71) % of all registered shares. the total number of shares outstanding, excluding the 
treasury shares held by the Company on 31 December 2014 was 255,317,717 (244,187,283).

the Company’s subsidiaries do not hold any of Afarak Group Plc’s shares.

Share Issue Authorisations given to the Board of Directors

The Annual General Meeting held on 8 May 2014 resolved the Board of Directors to decide on the share 
issue and on the issuing of stock options and other special rights that entitle to shares. By virtue of the 
authorisation shares can be emitted in one or more tranches in total a maximum of 24,843,200 new shares 
or shares owned by the Company. this equates to approximately 10% of the Company’s registered shares 
on 31 December 2014. the authorisation replaces all previous authorisations and it is valid two years from 
the decision of the Annual General Meeting.

Trading Information

Afarak Group Plc’s shares are listed on the main market of the london Stock exchange and on nASDAQ 
Helsinki. Afarak shares are traded on the london Stock exchange under the trading code AFRK and on the 
nASDAQ Helsinki under code AFAGR. the iSin code is Fi0009800098 and the trading takes place in Pound 
Sterling (GBP) and in euros (euR).

Share Performance and Trading

During the financial year 2014, the price of Afarak Group’s share in london Stock exchange varied between 
GBP 0.24 (0.30) and GBP 0.32 (0.40) and in nASDAQ Helsinki between euR 0.21 (0.30) and euR 0.42 (0.48). 
Afarak’s share closed in london at the end of the financial year at GBP 0.25 (0.30) and Helsinki at euR 0.32 
(0.32). the closing price on 31 December gives the Company a market capitalisation of the entire capital 
stock 259,562,434 (248,432,000) shares of GBP 65.5 million (74.5) and euR 83.1 million (79.5).

A total of 23,013 (44,600) Afarak shares were traded in London and 20,927,217 (4,554,022) shares in 
Helsinki during the financial year, representing 0.01% (0.02%) of stock in london and 8.06% (1.8%) in Helsinki. 

121

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Shareholders

on 31 December 2014, the Company had a total of 4,030 shareholders (4,148 shareholders on 31 December 
2013), of which eight were nominee-registered. the registered number of shares on 31 December 2014 
was 259,562,434 (248,432,000).

Largest shareholders on 31 December 2014

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Shareholder

Nordea Bank Finland Plc 
nominee-registered*

Hino Resources Co. Ltd**

Kermas limited***

Skandinaviska Enskilda 
Banken AB nominee-
registered

Shares

121,645,428

44,881,903

34,266,467

9,482,581

Joensuun Kauppa ja Kone oy

          8,892,560   

Kankaala Markku olavi

Moncheur & Cie

Hanwa Company Limited

Afarak Group Plc

10

Hukkanen Esa Veikko

Total

Other Shareholders

Total shares registered

          7,066,116   

          6,592,183   

          6,000,000   

          4,244,717   

          4,223,048   

247,295,003

12,267,431

259,562,434

%

46.9

17.3

13.2

3.7

3.4

2.7

2.5

2.3

1.7

1.7

95.3

4.7

100.0

* According to the flagging notification of Aida Djakov published 25 July 2014, the total combined holdings 
of Aida Djakov and her controlled corporation Atkey Limited are 68,526,701 shares representing 26.4 % 
of the total number of shares.
** According to the latest flagging notification of Hino Resources Co. ltd (“Hino”) published 10 october 
2014, the total holdings of Hino are 49,991,903 shares representing 19.26 % of the total number of shares.
*** Kermas limited is a controlled corporation of the Company Ceo Dr Danko Koncar. According to the insider 
register information, the direct ownership of Dr Koncar is 19,672 shares and the related party ownership 
of Dr Koncar is 70,945,967, reprenting a combined total of 27.34 % of the total number of shares.

Afarak Group Plc’s Board members and Chief executive officer owned in total 78,078,926 (78,078,926) 
Afarak Group Plc shares on 31 December 2014, including shares owned either directly, through persons 
closely associated with them or through controlled companies. This corresponds to 30.1% (31.4%) of the 
total number of registered shares on 31 December 2014.

122

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Shareholders by category 31 December 2014

Shares

1-100

101-1,000

1,001-10,000

10,001-100,000

100,001-1,000,000

1,000,001-10,000,000

in excess of 10,000,000

Total

of which nominee-registered

Total outstanding

 Number of 
shareholders 

% share of 
shareholders

Number of shares 
held

% of shares held

735

2,099

1,031

141

14

7

3

4,030

8

18.24

52.08

25.58

3.50

0.35

0.17

0.07

              45,251   

         1,097,888   

         3,303,284   

         3,237,050   

         4,583,958   

        46,501,205   

      200,793,798   

100.00

259,562,434

132,518,827

259,562,434

0.02

0.42

1.27

1.25

1.77

17.92

77.36

100.00

51.05

100.00

Shareholders by shareholder type on 31 December 2014

Finnish shareholders

of which:

Companies and business enterprises

Banking and insurance companies

non-profit organisations

Households

Foreign shareholders

Total

of which nominee-registered

19. Share-based payments

% of share 
capital

13.50 % 

5.50 %

0.00 %

0.00 %

8.00 %

86.50 %

100 %

51.04 %

the Company has three incentive-related option schemes, known as i/2005, i/2008 and i/2011. 

option rights relating to the i/2005 scheme are granted to the Group’s executive Management team and 
other key employees and to non-executive directors, as recommended by the Board. the scheme entitles 
option holders to subscribe for a maximum of 2,700,000 shares in the Company. the share subscription 
period is from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2015 for various options series denoted with different letters, and the 
subscription price range is euR 0.32 – 0.78 (with dividend and capital redemption adjustment). As a result 
of subscriptions made with the i/2005 options, Afarak Group Plc’s number of shares may be increased by 
a maximum of 2,700,000 new shares. in accordance with the terms of the option scheme the subscription 
prices will be recognised in the paid-up unrestricted equity reserve.

option rights relating to the i/2008 scheme were granted to the Group’s previous Ceo, Alwyn Smit, in 
october 2008. the scheme entitles the option holder to subscribe for a maximum of 2,900,000 shares in the 
Company for a subscription price of euR 2.18 per share (with dividend and capital redemption adjustment). 
the share subscription period for 1,450,000 share options commenced on 1 october 2009 and on 1 october 
2010 for the remaining 1,450,000 options. the subscription period matures on 31 December 2015. As a 

123

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

result of the subscriptions made with the options, Afarak Group Plc’s number of shares may be increased 
by a maximum of 2,900,000 new shares.

option rights relating to the i/2011 scheme are granted to the key personnel of the Company, as recommended 
by the Board. the scheme entitles the option holders to subscribe for a maximum of 6,900,000 shares in 
the Company. The vesting period is 1 July 2014 to 1 August 2017 for various option series denoted with 
different letters and years. the share subscription price is calculated by a formula based on the Volume 
Weighted Average Price of the Company’s share and varies between the option series. 

of the option scheme i/2005, options on A, B, C, D, e and F series have been issued to Afarak’s management 
totalling 1,175,000 option rights, of the option scheme i/2008 a total of 2,900,000 options. of the option 
scheme i/2011 a total of 6,291,997 options were issued and 99,999 options were forfeited leaving a balance 
of 6,191,998 options. All options have been treated according to the principles set forth in iFRS 2 Share-
based Payments standard. Share options will be expired if not redeemed as agreed in the terms of options. 
the main terms of the option arrangements are detailed in the tables below.

A total of 52,720 ordinary shares in the Company were granted to Mr Wynand van Wyk, head of Mining South 
Africa. the shares were issued under the authorisation given by the Company’s Annual General Meeting in 
May 2013 and form a part of the Company’s incentive programme for senior management. under the terms 
of the directed free share issue scheme, the shares were offered free of charge and in derogation of the 
pre-emptive subscription right of shareholders.  the compensation plans are recognised as share-based 
payments on the Group’s financial statements. the fair value of the granted shares is determined based on 
the market price of Afarak Group’s share at the grant date. the total fair value is therefore the amount of 
granted shares multiplied by the share market price at the grant date. the cost is recognised as an expense 
in personnel costs over the vesting periods and credited to equity.

124

 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Share option plan

Nature of the plan

Share 
options. 
granted to 
employees in 
2012

Share options. 
granted to 
CEO in 2008

Share options. 
granted to CEO 
in 2008

Share options. 
granted to 
employees in 
2010

Share options. 
granted to 
employees in 
2009

Share options 
issued

Share options 
issued

Share options 
issued

Share options 
issued

Share options 
issued

Share 
options. 
granted to 
employees 
in 2008

Share 
options 
issued

Grant date

1.4.2012

28.10.2008

28.10.2008

17.5.2010

6.8.2009

28.10.2008

number of options

6,191,998

1,450,000

1,450,000

100,000

175,000

225,000

Options series

i/2011

i/2008

i/2008

F (i/2005)

e (i/2005)

D (i/2005)

Exercise period

1.7.2014-
1.8.2017

1.10.2010-
31.12.2015

1.10.2009-
31.12.2015

1.7.2012-
30.6.2015

1.7.2011-
30.6.2014

1.7.2010-
30.6.2013

Dividend adjustment

yes

Exercise price 
(with dividend and 
capital redemption 
adjustment)

Share price at grant 
date

Option life

Conditions

0.00 - 0.86

0.90

1.1 - 3.1

Employment 
until the 
vesting date 
and target 
share price

yes

2.18

1.26

5.3

yes

2.18

1.26

6.3

yes

0.78

1.00

3.0

yes

0.68

yes

0.58

1.75

1.26

3.0

3.0

Employment 
until the 
vesting date

Employment 
until the 
vesting date

Employment 
until the 
vesting date

Employment 
until the 
vesting date

Employment 
until the 
vesting date

Execution

In shares

In shares

In shares

In shares

In shares

In shares

Expected volatility

45 %

44 %

44 %

56 %

46 %

44 %

Expected option life 
at grant date (years)

Risk free rate, 
euribor 12 months

Expected dividend 
yield

Expected personnel 
reductions

Fair value at grant 
date (euR)

5.3 years

5.0 years

5.0 years

5.1 years

4.9 years

4.7 years

2.24%

4.33%

4.33%

3.11%

3.66%

4.33%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.14 - 0.46

0.33

0.33

1.06

1.20

0.77

Valuation model

up and in Call Black & Scholes

Black & Scholes

Black & 
Scholes

Black & Scholes

Black & 
Scholes

125

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS)  
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Changes in share options issued and in weighted average exercise prices: 

Weighted average exercise price (with 
dividend and capital redemption 
adjustment)

EUR/share

Number of options

At the beginning of 2013

Forfeited options

Forfeited options

At the end of 2013

exercisable at the end of 2013

At the beginning of 2014

Forfeited options

At the end of 2014

exercisable at the end of 2014

0.85

0.58

0.26

0.83

2.05

0.83

0.68

0.83

1.25

9,691,997

225,000

99,999

9,366,998

3,175,000

9,366,998

175,000

9,191,998

5,100,000

there were no share subscriptions based on option rights during financial year 2014.

the exercise prices of existing share options and their years of forfeiting are presented below: 

Year of forfeiting

Exercise price (EUR)

Number of shares

2014

2015

2015

2017

0.68

0.78

2.18

0.00-0.86

175,000

100,000

2,900,000

6,900,000

the exercise price above represents the original contractual exercise price adjusted by dividends and capital 
redemptions before the 2015 AGM.

126

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

20. Deferred tax assets and liabilities

Movements in deferred taxes in 2014

EUR '000

31.12.2013

Exchange rate 
differences

Recognised in 
P &L 

Recognised in 
equity

31.12.2014

Deferred tax assets:

unrealised expenses

Pension liabilities

From translation 
difference

Group eliminations

Total

Deferred tax liabilities:

Assets at fair value in 
acquisitions

translation difference

other timing differences

Total

1,824

1,052

8,822

849

12,546

7,332

0

1,175

8,507

1

12

13

-238

-64

755

-253

200

244

-1,181

56

300

574

-607

-8,594

-8,594

0

0

1,587

988

983

608

4,166

6,395

0

1,804

8,199

Movements in deferred taxes in 2013

EUR '000

31.12.2012

Exchange rate 
differences

Recognised in 
P &L 

Recognised in 
equity

31.12.2013

Deferred tax assets:

unrealised expenses

Pension liabilities

From translation 
difference

Group eliminations

Total

Deferred tax liabilities:

Assets at fair value in 
acquisitions

translation difference

other timing differences

Total

1,744

1,160

0

598

3,504

-431

348

-83

510

-108

1,081

-96

1,386

15,622

-2,348

-5,941

0

1,284

16,906

-334

-2,682

224

-5,717

1,824

1,052

8,822

849

12,546

7,332

0

1,174

8,505

7,741

7,741

0

0

127

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

21. Provisions

EUR '000

Balance at 1.1.2014

Additions

Releases and reversals

unwinding of discount

exchange differences

Balance at 31.12.2014

EUR '000

Long-term provisions

Short-term provisions

Total

Environmental and 
rehabilitation provisions

Other provisions

8,733

4

-145

542

-1

9,133

2014

10,137

77

10,214

1,547

296

-767

0

5

1,081

2013

9,739

542

10,281

Total

10,280

300

-912

542

4

10,214

the long-term provisions in the statement of financial position relate to environmental and rehabilitation 
provisions of the Group’s production facilities and mines. the provisions are based on expected liability. 
The amount of environmental provisions increased during 2014 following environmental studies which 
were carried out to re-estimate the liability. 

22. Pension liabilities

Defined benefit pension plans

the majority of the Group’s pension plans are defined contribution plans for which a total expense of euR 
0.8 (1.2) million has been recognised on the 2014 income statement. in addition, the Group’s German 
subsidiary has defined benefit plans. the obligations relating to the plans have been defined by actuarial 
calculations. the pension scheme is arranged by recognising a provision on the statement of financial 
position. the present value of the obligation less fair value of plan assets totalled euR 20.0 (16.1) million 
on 31 December 2014. the Group has considered that the value on 31 December also corresponds with the 
amount of net obligation at the balance sheet date. the Group does not own the assets of the pension plans.

Retirement benefit obligation

EUR '000

Present value of funded obligation

Fair value of plan assets

Net liability

2014

24,454

-4,500

19,954

2013

20,187

-4,092

16,095

128

 
  
 
 
 
Movements in defined benefit obligation

EUR '000

Defined benefit obligations at 1.1.

Benefits paid by the plan

Current service costs

Interest expence

Actuarial (gains) losses

Past service cost - amendments

Closing balance at 31.12. 

Movements in the fair value of the plan assets

EUR '000

Fair value of the plan assets at 1.1.

Expected return on plan assets

Benefits paid by the plan

Asset gains (losses)

Contributions paid into the plan

Closing balance at 31.12.

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

2014

20,187

-707

305

674

3,996

24,454

2014

4,092

143

-100

-40

405

4,500

2013

19,579

-675

324

652

-48

355

20,187

2013

3,764

120

-87

-88

384

4,092

the funded pension plan has been financed through an insurance company and therefore asset specification 
is not available.

Expense recognised in profit or loss

EUR '000

Current service cost

Interest cost

Expected return on plan assets

Recognition of net (gain)/loss

Actual return on plan assets totalled euR -0.04 (-0.09) million in 2014.

Principal actuarial assumptions

Discount rate

Expected return on plan assets

inflation

2014

-305

-674

143

0

-836

2014

2.12 %

2.43 %

2.25 %

2013

-324

-652

120

-355

-1,212

2013

3.40 %

0.80 %

2.25 %

the expected retirement age has been assumed to be in accordance with German legislation (RVAGAnpG 2007). 
Similarly, the expected pension increases have been assumed to be in line with the German legislation, and 
mortality expectancy in accordance with the German “Richttafeln 2005 G” has been applied in the valuations.

129

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Historical information

EUR '000

Present value of defined benefit obligation

Fair value of plan assets

Deficit in the plan

experience adjustments arising on plan liabilities

Experience adjustments arising on plan assets

Adjustments due to change in actuarial assumptions

2014

-24,454

4,500

-19,954

-398

40

4 394

2013

-20,187

4,092

-16,095

-48

88

0

Provision for retirement pay liability in Turkey

in accordance with existing social legislation in turkey, the turkish subsidiary of the Group is required to 
make lump-sum payments to employees whose employment is terminated due to retirement or for reasons 
other than resignation or misconduct. the computation of the liability was based on the retirement pay 
ceiling announced by the turkish government. on 31 December 2014, the employee severance indemnity 
recognised in accordance with iAS 19 the financial statements totalled euR 0.7 (1.0) million. 

23. Trade payables and other interest-free liabilities

EUR '000

Non-current

other liabilities

Total non-current

Current

Purchase price liabilities (paid as shares)

trade payables

Payables to associated companies

Accrued expenses and deferred income

income tax liability

other liabilities

Total current

2014

42

42

2,186

19,144

167

10,472

5,951

6

37,925

2013

40

40

6,432

11,205

2,364

8,735

7,128

6

35,870

in 2013 financial statements the liability to Mogale vendors has been classified as current interest-free debt.

130

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

1.8 RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

1.8.1 Group structure on 31 December 2014

Subsidiaries

Name

Country of incorporation

Group's ownership and 
share of votes (%)

Afarak Group Plc's direct 
ownership and share of 
votes (%)

Afarak Holdings Ltd

Afarak Investments Ltd

Afarak Mining Ltd

Afarak South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Afarak Suisse SA **

Auburn Avenue trading 88 (Pty) ltd

Destiny Spring Investments 4 (Pty) 
Ltd

Destiny Spring Investments 11 (Pty) 
Ltd

Destiny Spring Investments 12 (Pty) 
Ltd

Dezzo trading 184 (Pty) ltd **

Didox (Pty) Ltd **

Duoflex (Pty) ltd

elektrowerk Weisweiler GmbH

Intermetal Madencilik ve Ticaret 
A.S.

lP Kunnanharju oy 

Metal ve Maden ic ve Dis Pazarlama 
Tic Ltd, Sti

Mogale Alloys (Pty) Ltd

PGR17 Investments (Pty) Ltd **

RCS Ltd

Rekylator Oy

Rekylator Invest Oy

Rekylator Wood Oy

Rekylator Yhtiöt Oy

türk Maadin Sirketi A.S.

Malta

Malta

South Africa

South Africa

Switzerland

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

Germany

Turkey

Finland

Turkey

South Africa

South Africa

Malta

Finland

Finland

Finland

Finland

Turkey

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

74.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

74.00

100.00 

99.00

100.00

97.76

90.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

98.75

0.00

99.99

0.00

0.00

100.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0,00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

100.00

0.00

0.00

100.00

98.75

131

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Joint ventures

Name

Country of incorporation

Group's ownership and 
share of votes (%)

Afarak Group Plc's direct 
ownership and share of 
votes (%)

Synergy Africa Ltd

Chromex Mining Ltd

Chromex Mining Company (Pty) Ltd

Ilitha Mining (Pty) Ltd

Mkhombi Stellite (Pty) ltd

Waylox Mining (Pvt) Ltd **

Associated companies

united Kingdom

united Kingdom

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

Zimbabwe

51.00

51.00

37.74

41.05

44.24

51.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Name

Country of incorporation

Specialty Super Alloys SSA Inc.

united States

Incap Furniture Oy 

Valtimo Components Oyj *

Finland

Finland

Group's ownership and 
share of votes (%)

Afarak Group Plc's direct 
ownership and share of 
votes (%)

20.00

24.06

24.90

0.00

12.45

24.90

* Afarak’s share of ownership in Valtimo Components oyj can increase to 39.23% if the shares sold earlier, 
held as pledge, are not paid in cash to Afarak.

** Dezzo trading 184 (Pty) ltd, Didox (Pty) ltd, PGR 17 investments (Pty) ltd, Waylox Mining (Pty) ltd and 
Afarak Suisse SA are expected to be struck off in 2015.  

Afarak energy (Pty) ltd and Green Coal (Pty) ltd were deregistered as at 31 December 2014.    

132

AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

1.8.2 Related party transactions

Afarak Group Plc defines the related parties as: 

•  companies, entities or persons having common control or considerable voting power in Afarak Group
•  subsidiaries
•  joint ventures
•  associates
•  Afarak Group Plc’s and the above mentioned entities’ top management

Related party transactions with persons belonging to the Group’s Board and management
Finnish accounting legislation, KPA 2:8 § 4 paragraph disclosure requirement

EUR '000

Salaries

Fees

Share-based 
remuneration

Salaries

Fees

Share-based 
remuneration

2014

2013

Everard Paul

Board member 21.4.2010 - 
11.2.2013

Hoyer Thomas CEO 4.5.2011 - 11.2.2013  

Board member 11.5.2011 
-11.2.2013

Kankaala 
Markku

Board member 30.6.2003 
onwards

Koncar Danko CEO since 11.2.2013, Board 
member 11.8.2010 onwards

Acting Managing Director from 
14.10.2010 to 3.5.2011

Lillja Michael

Board member 11.2.2013 
onwards

Manojlovic 
Jelena

Board member 11.7.2008 
onwards, Chairperson 
17.6.2009 onwards

Parodi Afredo Board member 11.2.2013 

onwards

Pointon 
Christopher

Board member 21.4.2010 - 
11.2.2013

Rourke Barry

Board member 21.4.2010 - 
11.2.2013

Smart Bernice Board member 11.2.2013 

onwards

240

120

54

54

54

54

386

240

212

16

97

548

56

64

97

97

97

59

41

19

19

41

Total

360

216

0

838

251

999

As some of the Board members have also had executive management roles, both the Board fees and the 
salaries in relation to the executive role have been presented above.

in 2011 the Company has transferred 950,000 shares to the members of the Board as part of their 
remuneration. the issued shares are subject to a three year lock-up period which ended in 2013. 

the Ceo receives an annual salary of euR 240,000 and he is not entitled to any bonus plans, share-based 
incentives or severance pay in addition to the salary for the notice period.

the Group makes no pension arrangements for the Ceo beyond the statutory pension coverage, and there 
is no set retirement age.

133

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 AF AR AK GRouP  AnnuAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Management remuneration 

EUR '000

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

termination benefits

Share-based payments

Total

2014

185

0

0

42

227

2013

505

27

192

333

1 057

the table includes the executive Management team remuneration excluding the Ceo. the Ceo and Board 
members compensation has been presented separately.

Business reorganisations

Afarak  announced in January 2013 that the Company’s management was reorganised to be more appropriately 
aligned to the size of the Company’s current operations and the prevailing market conditions. the Company 
also reviewed its cost base with a view to identify other restructuring opportunities including larger structural 
and organisational developments.  As part of the restructuring both the Company’s board of directors and 
executive management team were materially downsized.

Financing arrangement with related parties

in 2011 Afarak Group Plc had entered into a uSD 55 million standby loan facility agreement with its major 
shareholder Kermas ltd. the facility was available until 31 December 2014 and the loan term would have 
been from the first draw-down until 31 December 2015. At the end of the financial year 2014, the Group 
has not drawn down any of the loan. the expenses recognised for the facilities were euR 0.1 (0.1) million.

the Group has a euR 34.4 (34.5) million loan receivable and euR 6.4 (5.1) million trade and other current 
and not current receivables from its joint venture companies. trade and other payables to joint venture 
companies amounted to euR 0.2 (2.4) million.  interest income from a joint venture company totalled euR 
1.0 (1.1) million during the financial year 2014. 

the Group had on 31 December 2014 a euR 7.0 (10.0) million receivable from Kermas ltd, euR 3 million 
were paid in the first quarter of 2014.

Other related party transactions

The Group has sold its products and rendered services to related parties and joint ventures for a total value 
of euR 0.2 (0.3) million. the Group has also made raw material purchases from a joint venture amounting 
to euR 4.4 (12.1) million.

Dividends received from associated companies totalled euR 0.0 (0.0) million.

on 31 December 2014 the Group’s parent company had short-term loan receivables from the members of 
the Board amounting to euR 0.1 (0.2) million.

134

 
AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

1.9 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

1.9.1 Mortgages and guarantees pledged as security

on 31 December 2014 the Group had a loan from a financial institution totalling euR 10.3 (1.5) million. 
the Group has provided real estate mortgages and other assets as collaterals for total carrying value of euR 
71.2 (59.8) million. Moreover, the Group companies have given cash deposits totalling euR 4.1 (2.1) million 
as security for their commitments. the value of other collaterals totalled euR 0.5 (0.6) million as at 31 
December 2014. Afarak Group Plc has given guarantees for third party loans totalling euR 1.3 (1.3) million.

1.9.2 Covenants included in the Group’s financing agreements

one of the Group’s Maltese subsidiaries, RCS ltd, was granted a loan facility from a Maltese bank in 2013. 
As at year end 2014 the balance was uS$ 11.9 (euR 9.8) million and the financial covenants attached to 
this loan were not breached during the year. the Group’s South African subsidiary, Mogale Alloys also 
had bank facilities with local banks amounting to ZAR 27.6 (euR 2.0) million at year end and are disclosed 
as current financial liability in the financial statements. one of the covenants attached to this facility was 
breached due to the free cash flows being low as a result of the extensive cash outflows paid during the 
year to finance the refining and granulation plant. Management will do the utmost to rectify the situation 
and go back within the covenant limits.

1.9.3 Rental agreements

liabilities associated with rental and operating lease agreements totalled some euR 0.8 (0.8) million for the 
period. typically, the rental agreements maturity varies between two to five years, and normally there is a 
possibility to continue these agreements beyond the original maturity date. For these contacts, their price 
indexing, renewal and other terms differ contract by contract. As guarantees for these rental agreements, the 
Group companies have made cash deposits of approximately euR 0.0 (0.1) million as at 31 December 2014.

1.9.4 Collaterals given by Afarak Group Plc

Afarak Group Plc has given guarantees in connection with certain borrowings of Junnikkala oy, the Group’s 
former subsidiary which it sold in June 2011. these guarantees will continue to be in force until 30 June 
2018. under the terms of the disposal it has been agreed that Junnikkala will pay a fee of 2% per annum 
to Afarak Group Plc in consideration for the continuation of these guarantees. At 31 December 2014 the 
indebtedness subject to these guarantees was euR 1.3 (1.3) million in aggregate.

135

Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) 
 AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

1.10 EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

On 2 January 2015, Afarak announced that the Company has signed a sale agreement in relation to part of
the saw mill equipment the Company acquired in 2008. The transaction from the discontinued operation 
positively affects the Q4/2014 profit.

on 2 January 2015, Afarak announced that as a result of a transaction that occurred between Ms Aida Djakov 
and her controller corporation Atkey limited (“Atkey”) Ms Aida Djakov has personally decreased below the 
threshold of 5% and Atkey has increased above the threshold of 25%. However, the total combined ownership 
of Ms Aida Djakov and Atkey remained unchanged.

136

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Parent Company’s Financial Statements

(FAS)

137

Parent Company’s Financial Statements (FAS) AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

PARENT COMPANY’S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (FAS)

INCOME STATEMENT (FAS)

1.1.2014

1.1.2013

 - 31.12.2014

 - 31.12.2013

Note

1

2

3

4

5

6

150

46

-556

-16

-28

-44

-601

-11

-11

-1,554

-1,969

1,877

159

-56

-206

1,774

-195

-195

0

-195

347

250

-1,269

-157

-20

-177

-1,446

-33

-33

-1,557

-2,439

2,669

272

-60

-270

2,612

172

172

-60

112

EUR '000

REVENUE

Other operating income

Personnel expenses

   Salaries and wages

      Pension expenses

      Other social security expenses

   Social security expenses total

Personnel expenses total

Depreciation and amortisation

   Depreciation and amortisation according
   to plan

Depreciation and amortisation total

Other operating expenses

OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS)

Financial income and expenses:

   other financial income

      From Group companies

      From others

   interests and other financial expenses

      To Group companies

      To others

Financial income and expenses total

PROFIT (LOSS) BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEMS

PROFIT BEFORE TAXES

Income taxes

   Income taxes

NET PROFIT

138

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

31.12.2014

31.12.2013

0

0

25

25

215,931

0

8,015

223,946

223,971

55,261

0

128

55,388

1

6,828

988

43

27

131

8,018

221

2

2

35

35

164,926

0

8,015

172,941

172,977

111,042

0

128

111,169

27

1,326

899

53

26

224

2,556

150

Note

7

7

8

9

BALANCE SHEET (FAS)

EUR '000

aSSETS

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

intangible assets

intangible rights

Total intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Machinery and equipment

Total property, plant and equipment

Investments

Shares in Group companies

Shares in associated companies

Receivables from Group companies

Total investments

Total non-current assets

CURRENT aSSETS

Receivables

non-current receivables

Receivables from Group companies

other interest-bearing receivables

other interest-free receivables

Total non-current receivables 

Current receivables

trade receivables

Receivables from Group companies

Receivables from Holding companies

other interest-bearing receivables

other non interest-bearing receivables

Prepaid expenses and accrued income

Total current receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

63,628

113,875

TOTaL aSSETS

287,599

286,853

139

Parent Company’s Financial Statements (FAS) AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Note

10

11

EUR '000

EQUITy aND LIaBILITIES

SHaREHOLDERS' EQUITy

Share capital

Share premium reserve

Paid-up unrestricted equity reserve

Retained earnings

Profit for the period

Total shareholders' equity

LIaBILITIES

non-current liabilities

liabilities to Group companies

Loans from associated companies

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

liabilities to Group companies

Accounts payable

Accounts payable to Group companies

other liabilities

Accrued expenses and deferred income

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

31.12.2014

31.12.2013

23,642

25,223

249,800

-13,644

-195

284,827

1,248

5

1,254

66

36

833

24

560

1,518

2,772

23,642

25,223

249,101

-13,756

112

284,322

1,614

5

1,619

247

156

211

24

272

911

2,530

TOTaL EQUITy aND LIaBILITIES

287,599

286,853

140

 
AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (FAS)

1.1.-31.12.2014

1.1.-31.12.2013

EUR '000

Operating activities

net profit 

Adjustments:

Depreciation and amortisation

Capital gains and losses from investments

Impairment

unrealised foreign exchange gains and losses

Finance income and expense

Income taxes

Share-based payments

-195

112

11

0

0

-90

33

0

0

34

-1,683

-2,612

0

0

60

0

Cash flow before working capital changes

-1,958

-2,372

Working capital changes:

Change in current trade receivables

Change in current non interest-bearing debt

Cash flow before financing items and taxes

interests received and other financing items

interests paid and other financing items

Income taxes paid

Net cash from operating activities

Investing activities

Capital expenditure on tangible and intangible assets

Proceeds from sale of tangible and intangible assets

Acquisitions of subsidiaries and associates

Payments for earn-out liabilities

Disposals of subsidiaries and associates

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities

Non-current loans from group companies

Current loans to group companies

Current loans to others

Repayments of non-current loans to group companies

Non-current loans to group companies

Repayments of non-current loans given to Group companies

Repayments of current loan receivables

109

692

-1,157

147

-93

33

1,614

48 

-710

243

-170

-641

-1,070

-1,277

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

6,350

-334

0

9

0

0

0

0

0

0

114

-10

0

1,500

-1,825

0

9

141

Parent Company’s Financial Statements (FAS) AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

EUR '000

Capital redemption

Net cash used in financing activities

Change in cash and cash equivalents

Cash at beginning of period

Cash at end of period

Cash received from subsidiaries' dissolution

Change in the balance sheet

1.1.-31.12.2014

1.1.-31.12.2013

-4,884

1,141

71

150

221

0

71

-2,441

-2,653

-3,931

4,081

150

0

-3,931

142

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

2. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PARENT 

COMPANY (FAS)

2.1 Accounting Policies

Scope of financial statements and accounting policies

the parent company has prepared its separate financial statements in accordance with Finnish Accounting 
Standards. Consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with international Financial 
Reporting Standards. Consolidated financial statements are presented separately as a part of these financial 
statements.

information on holdings in subsidiaries and associated companies and information on their consolidation 
is presented in the notes to the financial statements.

All figures are presented in thousand euros, unless otherwise explicitly stated. 

Valuation principles and methods

investments in associated companies and debt instruments are valued at acquisition cost, less eventual 
impairment. Dividends received from Group companies and associates have been recorded as financial 
income.

the balance sheet value of property, plant and equipment is stated at acquisition cost, less accumulated 
depreciation. other assets have been stated in the balance sheet at the lower of acquisition cost or their 
likely realisable value. Debt items are valued at acquisition cost. loan receivables from subsidiaries and 
Group companies have been valued at acquisition cost.

Depreciation methods

Acquisition costs of property, plant and equipment are depreciated over their useful lives according to plan. 
Depreciation plans have been defined based on practice and experience.

Asset

intangible rights

IT equipment

Other machinery and equipment

Translations of foreign currency items

Depreciation method and period

5 years straight line

2 years straight line

5 years straight line

Balance sheet items denominated in foreign currency are translated into functional currency using the 
exchange rates of the balance sheet date. income statement items are translated applying the exchange 
rates prevailing at the date of the transaction.

Comparability of the reported financial year and the previous year

the reported financial year and the previous year were both calendar years and are thus comparable. the 
Company has been actively restructuring its business, which has required various ownership and financial 
arrangements. the transactions have had significant non-recurring effects on the Company’s income 
statement, balance sheet and financial position, which make comparison of financial statements and 
estimating the future more difficult.

143

Parent Company’s Financial Statements (FAS) 
 AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

2.2 Notes to the income statement

1. Revenue

EUR '000

By business line:

Services

Other revenue

Total

By geography:

Finland

eu countries

Other countries

Total

2. Other operating income

EUR '000

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Other income

Total

3. Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

EUR '000

Depreciation and amortisation according to plan

intangible rights

Machinery and equipment

Total

4. Other operating expenses

EUR '000

Voluntary employee benefits

Premise expenses

Machinery and equipment expenses

Travelling expenses

Representation expenses

Marketing expenses

144

2014

2013

150

0

150

3

68

79

150

2014

0

46

46

347

0

347

3

152

192

347

2013

0

250

250

2014

2013

-2

-9

-11

2014

-3

-105

-84

-54

-15

0

-22

-12

-33

2013

-21

-116

-153

-104

-4

-15

Administration expenses 

Other operating expenses

Total

5. Financial income and expense

EUR '000

Other financial income

From Group companies

From others

Other financial expense

To Group companies

To others

Total

6. Income taxes

EUR '000

Profit for the period

Adjustments for tax calculation

Taxable income

Tax advances paid

tax deferral based on taxable income

Income tax of the period

Tax loss carryforward used

Net income taxes

income tax receivable

income tax payable

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

-840

-454

-1,554

-913

-233

-1,557

2014

2013

1,877

159

-56

-206

1,774

2014

-195

41

-154

-35

35

0

0

0

35

0

2,669

272

-60

-270

2,612

2013

112

53

165

-43

40

-2

0

-2

2

0

145

Parent Company’s Financial Statements (FAS) AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

2.3 Notes to assets

7. Fixed assets

EUR '000

Intangible rights

Acquisition cost 1.1.

Acquisition cost 31.12.

Accumulated depreciation 1.1.

Depreciation for the period

Accumulated depreciation 31.12.

Book value 31.12.

Machinery and equipment

Acquisition cost 1.1.

Additions

Acquisition cost 31.12.

Accumulated depreciation 1.1.

Depreciation for the period

Impairment for the period

Accumulated depreciation 31.12.

Book value 31.12.

Other tangible assets

Acquisition cost 1.1.

Acquisition cost 31.12.

Accumulated depreciation 1.1.

Accumulated depreciation 31.12.

Book value 31.12.

146

2014

2013

245

245

243

2

245

0

283

0

283

248

9

0

258

25

2

2

2

2

0

245

245

222

22

243

2

283

0

283

237

12

0

248

35

2

2

2

2

0

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

8. Investments

Acquisition cost 1.1.2014

Additions

Acquisition cost 
31.12.2014

Accumulated depreciation 
and impairment 1.1.2014

Impairment

Accumulated depreciation 
and impairment 
31.12.2014

Shares
in Group companies

234,974

51,005

285,979

Shares
in associated

companies

8,153

Receivables
from Group

companies

Total

19,618

262,745

8,153

19,618

51,005

313,750

-70,048

-8,153

-11,603

-89,804

0

-70,048

-8,153

-11,603

-89,804

0

Book value 31.12.2014

215,931

0

8,015

223,946

147

Parent Company’s Financial Statements (FAS) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

Holdings in Group and other companies

Country of 
incorporation

Group's ownership and 
share of votes (%)

AfarakGroup Plc's direct 
ownership and share of 
votes (%)

Malta

Malta

South Africa

South Africa

Switzerland

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

Germany

Turkey

Finland

Turkey

South Africa

South Africa

Malta

Finland

Finland

Finland

Finland

Turkey

                   100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

74.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

74.00

100.00

99.00

100.00

97.76

90.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

98.75

0.00

99.99

0.00

0.00

100.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

100.00

0.00

0.00

100.00

98.75

Country of 
incorporation

Group's ownership and 
share of votes (%)

AfarakGroup Plc's direct 
ownership and share of 
votes (%)

united Kingdom

united Kingdom

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

Zimbabwe

51.00

51.00

37.74

41.05

44.24

51.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Name

Afarak Holdins Ltd

Afarak Investments Ltd

Afarak Mining (Pty) Ltd

Afarak South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Afarak Suisse SA

Auburn Avenue trading 88 (Pty) ltd

Destiny Spring Investments 4 (Pty) Ltd

Destiny Spring Investments 11 (Pty) Ltd

Destiny Spring Investments 12 (Pty) Ltd

Dezzo trading 184 (Pty) ltd **

Didox (Pty) Ltd **

Duoflex (Pty) ltd

elektrowerk Weisweiler GmbH

Intermetal Madencilik ve Ticaret A.S.

lP Kunnanharju oy 

Metal ve Maden ic ve Dis Pazarlama tic 
Ltd, Sti

Mogale Alloys (Pty) Ltd

PGR17 Investments (Pty) Ltd **

RCS Ltd

Rekylator Oy

Rekylator Invest Oy

Rekylator Wood Oy

Rekylator Yhtiöt Oy

türk Maadin Sirketi A.S.

Joint ventures

Name

Synergy Africa Ltd

Chromex Mining Ltd

Chromex Mining Company (Pty) Ltd

Ilitha Mining (Pty) Ltd

Mkhombi Stellite (Pty) ltd

Waylox Mining (Pvt) Ltd **

148

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Associated companies

Name

Country of 
incorporation

Group's ownership and 
share of votes (%)

AfarakGroup Plc's direct 
ownership and share of 
votes (%)

Special Super Alloys SSA Inc.

united States

Incap Furniture Oy 

Valtimo Components Oyj *

Finland

Finland

20.00

24.06

24.90

0.00

12.45

24.90

* Afarak’s ownership can increase to 39.23% if the shares sold earlier, held as pledge, are not paid in cash 
to Afarak.

** Dezzo trading 184 (Pty) ltd, Didox (Pty) ltd, PGR 17 investments (Pty) ltd, Waylox Mining (Pty) ltd and 
Afarak Suisse SA are expected to be struck off in 2015.  

Afarak energy (Pty ltd and Green Coal (Pty) ltd were deregistered as at 31 December 2014.  

149

Parent Company’s Financial Statements (FAS) AFA RAK GRouP  Ann uAl RePoRt  2 0 1 4

9. Receivables

EUR ‘000

Non-current

loan and other receivables

interest receivables

Total

Current

loan receivables

trade receivables

interest receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

Total

Other interest-bearing receivables

Non-current

Receivables from disposals of Group companies

Total

Current

loan receivables

VAt receivable

Total

Other interest-free receivables

Non-current

Other prepaid expenses and accrued income

Total

Current

trade receivables

Receivables from associated companies

other receivables

Total

Prepaid expenses and accrued income

income tax receivable

Accrued interest income

Other prepaid expenses and accrued income

Total

150

2014

2013

55,261

0

55,261

5,575

1,218

34

0

6,828

0

0

34

10

43

128

128

1

988

27

1,016

35

1

95

131

76,764

34,278

111,042

10

1,248

36

33

1,326

0

0

43

10

53

128

128

27

899

27

953

2

7

214

224

AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

2014

2013

 23,642

23,642

23,642

23,642

25,223

25,223

25,223

25,223

2.4 Notes to equity and liabilities

10. Shareholders’ equity

EUR '000

Share capital

Share capital 1.1.

Share capital 31.12.

Share premium reserve

Share premium reserve 1.1.

Share premium reserve 31.12.

Paid-up unrestricted equity reserve

Paid-up unrestricted equity reserve 1.1.

249,101

251,542

Rights Issue

Capital redemption to the shareholders 

Purchase of own shares

Share-based payments

5,583

-4,884

0

0

0

-2441

0

0

Paid-up unrestricted equity reserve 31.12.

249,800

249,101

Retained earnings 

Retained earnings 1.1.

Profit for the previous financial year

Retained earnings 31.12.

-13,756

112

-13,644

41,263

-55,018

-13,756

Profit for the financial year

-195

112

Total shareholders' equity

284,827

284,322

Distributable funds

Retained earnings 1.1.

Profit for the financial year

Retained earnings 31.12.

Paid-up unrestricted equity reserve

Distributable funds 31.12.

-13,644

-195

-13,839

249,800

235,962

-13,756

112

-13,644

249,101

235,457

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11. Liabilities

EUR ’000

Non-current liabilities

Non-current interest bearing debt

Loans from Group companies

Total

Non-current interest-free debt

Loans from associated companies

earn-out purchase consideration liabilities

Total

Current liabilities

Current interest bearing debt

other debt to Group companies

Total

Current interest-free debt

Accounts payable

Payables to Group companies

other debt

other debt to Group companies

Accrued expenses and deferred income

Total

Option rights

2014

2013

1,248

1,248

5

0

5

50

50 

36

833

24

16

560

1,468

1,614

1,614

5

0

5

50

50

156

211

24

197

272

861

the Company’s option schemes are presented in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. the 
Company has option schemes i/2005 (maximum 2,700,000 shares), i/2008 (maximum 2,900,000 shares, 
all options granted to the Group’s previous Ceo) and i/2011 (maximum 6,900,000 shares). 

2.5 Pledges and contingent liabilities

EUR million

Commitments on behalf of subsidiaries

Guarantees

Commitments on behalf of others

Guarantees

other own contingent liabilities

leasing amd rent liability

Commitments and contingent liabilities total

152

2014

10.7

1.3

0.2

12.2

2013

9.4

1.3

0.3

11.0

 
 
AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

Pension liabilities

the Company’s pension liabilities are directly in accordance with the statutory tyel-system. 

2.6 Other notes

Related party loans

the Company has short-term loan receivables from the members and past members of the Board amounting 
to euR 102 (217) thousand.

Information on the personnel

Personnel, annual average (all 
employees)

Employees

Management remuneration

Chief executive officer

Board members

2014

3

234

216

2013

3

240

2,088

the annual basic salary of the Ceo is euR 240,000 and he is not entitled to any bonus plans, share-based 
incentives or severance pay in addition to the salary for the notice period.

Information on shares and shareholders

Changes in the number of shares and share capital 

on 31 December 2014, the registered number of Afarak Group Plc shares was 259,562,434 (248,432,000) 
and the share capital was euR 23,642,049.60 (23,642,049.60).

on 31 December 2014, the Company had 4,244,717 (4,244,717) own shares in treasury, which was equivalent 
to 1.64% (1.71%) of the issued share capital. The total amount of shares outstanding, excluding the treasury 
shares held by the Company on 31 December 2014, was 255,317,717 (244,187,283).

on 10 July 2014, Afarak announced that it had resolved to offer 11,130,434 new ordinary shares in the 
Company (“new Shares”) to the vendors of Mogale Alloys (a subsidiary of Afarak acquired in May 2009) under 
the settlement agreement announced on 11 october 2012.  the new Shares represented approximately 
4.48 per cent of the issued share capital and approximately 4.56 per cent of the total voting rights of the 
Company prior to the share issue.  on 18 July 2014, Afarak announced that all of the new Shares had been 
subscribed for and that the total subscription price of euR 5,565,217 (euR 0.5 per share) was fully satisfied 
through offset against the settlement receivables of the vendors related to the Mogale Alloys acquisition.  
A maximum of 3,478,261 shares remain to be offered under the agreed settlement.  the new Shares were 
registered with the Finnish Trade Register on 24 July 2014 and admitted to the premium segment of the 
official list and to trading on the Main Market of the london Stock exchange and nASDAQ Helsinki on 25 
July 2014.  

More information on shares, share capital and shareholders have been presented in the notes to the 
consolidated financial statements.

Information obligated to a Group company

the Company is the Group’s parent company.

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Afarak Group Plc, domicile Helsinki (address: Kasarmikatu 36, 00130 Helsinki)

Board members’ and Chief Executive Officer’s ownership

Afarak Group Plc’s Board members and Chief executive officer owned in total 78,078,926 (78,078,926) 
Afarak Group Plc shares on 31 December 2014 when including shares owned either directly, through persons 
closely associated with them or through controlled companies. This corresponds to 30.1% (31.4%) of all 
outstanding shares that were registered in the trade Register on 31 December 2014.

31.12.2014

Board and CEO total:

Danko Koncar 

Jelena Manojlovic 

Bernice Smart

Executive Director, CEO

Chairman

Non-Executive Director

Markku Kankaala

Non-Executive Director

Michael Lillja

Alfredo Parodi

Board and CEO total

All shares outstanding

Proportion of all shares

Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

shares

options

70,815,639

150,000

0

7,090,616

71

22,600

78,078,926

259,562,434

30.1 %

0

0

0

0

200,000

0

200,000

259,562,434

0.0 %

on 31 December 2013 the total number of registered shares was 248,432,000 and the Board and Ceo’s 
ownership corresponded to 31.4% of the total number of registered shares.

EUR ‘000

Auditor’s fees

Ernst & Young Oy

audit

other services

Total

2014

2013

277

20

297

258

11

269

Board’s dividend proposal

the Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting which will be held on 8 May 2015 that no 
dividend would be distributed but that a capital redemption of euR 0.02 per share would be paid out of the 
paid-up unrestricted equity fund.

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AFA RAK GRouP A nnuAl RePoRt  2014  

3. SIGNATURES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT AND THE 

FINaNCIaL STaTEMENTS

Helsinki 28 March 2014

Jelena Manojlovic 
Chairman 

Danko Koncar
Member of the Board, Chief executive officer

Markku Kankaala 
Member of the Board  

Michael lillja 
Member of the Board 

Alfredo Parodi  
Member of the Board  

Bernice Smart 
Member of the Board  

THE AUDITOR’S NOTE

our auditor’s report has been issued today.

Helsinki 28 March 2014

Ernst & Young Oy

Erkka Talvinko
Authorised Public Accountant

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4. Auditor’s report

To the Annual General Meeting of Afarak Group Plc  

We have audited the accounting records, the financial statements, the report of the Board of Directors, and 
the administration of Afarak Group Plc for the financial period 1.1. - 31.12.2014. the financial statements 
comprise the consolidated statement of financial position, income statement, statement of comprehensive 
income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows, and notes to the consolidated financial 
statements, as well as the parent company’s balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement and 
notes to the financial statements.

Responsibility of the Board of Directors and the Managing Director

the Board of Directors and the Managing Director are responsible for the preparation of consolidated 
financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with international Financial Reporting 
Standards (iFRS) as adopted by the eu, as well as for the preparation of financial statements and the report 
of the Board of Directors that give a true and fair view in accordance with the laws and regulations governing 
the preparation of the financial statements and the report of the Board of Directors in Finland. the Board 
of Directors is responsible for the appropriate arrangement of the control of the company’s accounts and 
finances, and the Managing Director shall see to it that the accounts of the company are in compliance with 
the law and that its financial affairs have been arranged in a reliable manner.

Auditor’s Responsibility

our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements, on the consolidated financial 
statements and on the report of the Board of Directors based on our audit. the Auditing Act requires that 
we comply with the requirements of professional ethics. We conducted our audit in accordance with good 
auditing practice in Finland. Good auditing practice requires that we plan and perform the audit to obtain 
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and the report of the Board of Directors are free 
from material misstatement, and whether the members of the Board of Directors of the parent company or 
the Managing Director are guilty of an act or negligence which may result in liability in damages towards the 
company or have violated the limited liability Companies Act or the articles of association of the company. 

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in 
the financial statements and the report of the Board of Directors. the procedures selected depend on the 
auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement, whether due to fraud 
or error. in making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s 
preparation of financial statements and report of the Board of Directors that give a true and fair view in order 
to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing 
an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the 
appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and the report of 
the Board of Directors. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 
audit opinion.

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AFA RAK GRouP An nuAl  RePoRt 2014  

Opinion on the consolidated financial statements

in our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position, 
financial performance, and cash flows of the group in accordance with international Financial Reporting 
Standards (iFRS) as adopted by the eu. 

Opinion on the company’s financial statements and the report of the Board of Directors

in our opinion, the financial statements and the report of the Board of Directors give a true and fair view of 
both the consolidated and the parent company’s financial performance and financial position in accordance 
with the laws and regulations governing the preparation of the financial statements and the report of the 
Board of Directors in Finland. The information in the report of the Board of Directors is consistent with the 
information in the financial statements. 

Helsinki, March 27, 2015

Ernst & Young Oy
Authorized Public Accountant Firm

Erkka Talvinko
Authorized Public Accountant

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Parent Company’s Financial Statements (FAS)