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Aura Biosciences, Inc.

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FY2018 Annual Report · Aura Biosciences, Inc.
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Annual Report
2018

ACN: 115 927 681

Corporate 
Directory

DIRECTORS
Peter Reeve - Executive Chairman
Bob Beeson - Non-Executive Director 
Brett Fraser - Non-Executive Director 
Julian Perkins - Non-Executive Director

COMPANY SECRETARY
John Madden

REGISTERED OFFICE
Aura Energy
Level 1, 34-36 Punt Road
Windsor VIC 3181
Telephone: +61 3 9516 6500
Facsimile: +61 3 9516 6565
Website: www.auraenergy.com.au

SHARE REGISTRY
Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd
Level 2, Reserve Bank Building
45 St Georges Terrace
Perth, WA 6000
Telephone: 1300 557 010
Facsimile: 08 9323 2033
Email:  
web.queries@computershare.com.au

NOMINATED ADVISOR 
AND AIM BROKER
WH Ireland Limited
24 Martin Lane
London, England

AUDITOR
Bentleys  
London House
Level 3, 216 St Georges Tce
Perth, WA 6000

SOLICITORS
Steinepreis Paganin
Level 4, The Read Building
16 Milligan Street
Perth, WA 6000

76

CONTENTS

1   About Us  

1   Highlights in 2018  

2   Chairman’s Letter   

4   Operation’s Review    

10   Directors’ report  

22   Auditor’s Independence Declaration   

23   Financial statements 

61   Directors’ Declaration   

62   Independent Auditor’s Report 

68   Additional Information  

71   Tenement Report 

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018About us

Aura Energy is developing an African uranium 
project, battery metals project in Europe, and 
exploring for gold and base metals in Africa

Aura Energy Limited is an exploration 
and development company building 
a portfolio of high quality projects 
towards cashflow. Aura is focussed on 
developing the Tiris Uranium Project 
in Mauritania and advancing into the 
Battery metals sector with the Häggån 
vanadium metals project. 

In the changing world of sustainable 
energy demand the need for cleaner 
energy forms of energy Aura Energy is 
well positioned to provide raw materials, 
uranium and vanadium, to both the 
nuclear and battery storage sector. Both 
these commodities have seen strong 
recent price gains as directions for 
energy type globally become clearer.

Aura’s broadened mineral portfolio 
provides a balanced strategy and 
opportunity to create cashflow from 
different commodities.

Aura focussed its effort in 2018 to 
progress the Tiris Uranium Project 
Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and 
continue the push to get its projects 
into production quickly and with 
minimal dilution. 

Aura transitioned its Häggån vanadium 
project to a battery metals project 
during the financial year.

Aura continues to prudently progress 
its projects to a commercial basis 
whilst reviewing options to expand 
the business. Gold and base metals are 
also being pursued.

HIGHLIGHTS IN 2018

Aura continued to advance its Tiris 
Uranium Project DFS and significantly 
upgraded its Mineral Resources to 
51.8 million pounds. In addition, Aura 
transitioned its Häggån Project to a 
vanadium project with an initial Mineral 
Resource of 15.1 billion pounds.

ACTIVITY OVERVIEW
MAURITANIA
•  Tiris Uranium Project DFS 

continued with engineering 
started

•  Mineral Resource increased to  

51.8 Mlbs

SWEDEN
•  Häggån transitioned to Battery 

Metals Project

• 

Initial Vanadium Mineral Resource 
15.1 Blbs

•  Scoping study commenced

ABOUT US / HIGHLIGHTS IN 2017/18

1

NUCLEAR POWERBATTERY ENERGYChairman’s Letter

Aura Energy Limited is developing two projects, the Tiris 
Uranium Project and the Häggån Battery Metals Project 
which collectively contain significant Mineral Resources 
and a broad suit of metals. Aura believes shareholders 
are best served pursuing production and cashflow.

Aura Energy Limited has continued 
its push during 2018 to develop two 
projects, the Tiris Uranium Project in 
Mauritania and the Häggån Battery 
Metals Project in Sweden. Aura believes 
cashflow from projects is the best course 
to the creation of value for shareholders.

The broader conditions for resource 
companies and junior miners remained 
challenging for much of the year 
with subdued commodity pricing and 
legislative changes in Sweden to restrict 
uranium mining.

Aura however continues to adapt to 
the changing business circumstances 
and innovates to create visible paths to 
mining development. This is the case 
with the changes to the Häggån Battery 
Metals Project and the continued pursuit 
of it gold and base metals tenements in 
Mauritania.

Despite the weak uranium price for most 
of 2018, Aura continued to advance the 
Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the 
Tiris Uranium Project but tempered the 
pace of that study. With improvement 
in the price towards the end of the 
financial year, the DFS is again at full 
pace. At the time of writing the uranium 
price has risen 25% from its low and is 
showing resilience at that level.

With the Tiris Uranium Project cash cost 
at a low $19.40/lb U3O8 the uranium 
price rise puts the competitiveness 
of Tiris in firm view and Aura is 
entertaining much new enquiry from 
potential new shareholders.

During the year Aura conducted 
significant field activities including 
drilling and large-scale bulk sample 
work. A significant outcome of this work 
was the declaration of a Measured and 
Indicated Resource of 17 million pounds 
U3O8. This resource upgrade greatly 
exceeded expectations.

The large-scale bulk-sampling work was 
required for metallurgical test work and 
understanding the geo-metallurgical 
domains within the orebody. It 
also provided significant anecdotal 
understanding of mining conditions and 
dust management issues.

Aura continues to target completion 
of the DFS around year end with 
report finalisation in to early next year. 
Aura will then proceed to financing 
and construction and expects first 
production in early 2020.

During the year, the Swedish Parliament 
passed legislation to ban uranium 
mining to align mining with their  
no-nuclear target by 2040. 

In line with Aura’s internal innovation 
stance the company had commenced 
transitioning Häggån to development 
and production of a broader metal 
suite. With metal price changes it soon 
emerged that Häggån’s greatest value 
lay in its vanadium content.

As a result, Aura re-estimated its Häggån 
Resource at various vanadium cut-off 
grades and highlighted a 15.1 billion 
pound vanadium Inferred Resource. 
Importantly, within that large resource,            
a near-surface high grade zone at 0.42% 
V2O5 was defined containing 430 million 
lbs V2O5. This resource is within 20 metres 
of surface and no deeper than 100 metres 
and therefore ideally positioned for  
a compact small-scale operation.

Subsequent to year end Aura, had 
commenced a re-statement of 
the Häggån Scoping Study and 
commissioned independent engineers  
to estimate capital and operating costs.

Vanadium is primarily used in treatment 
of steel however is an emerging metal 
in the Battery Metal and energy storage 
market. Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries 
(VRFB’s) are now recognised as the only 
legitimate batteries suitable for large 
scale industrial battery storage.

2

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018C
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In order to expedite development of 
the Häggån Battery Metals Project 
and maximise the value of the project 
to Aura shareholders, a process 
to separately list the project has 
commenced. An international stock 
exchange has been targeted and 
preliminary investor discussions have 
been undertaken.

Aura plans to initially to retain 70-80% 
of the separately listed vehicle and 
progressively sell down over time as the 
considerable inherent value of this asset  
is realised.  

Aura’s good fortune on the commodity 
front continued with the vanadium 
price also rising 25% over the last 2 
months of the year. This was primarily 
driven by changes in the Chinese rebar 
specifications which will now require 
higher levels of vanadium for strength 
and corrosion resistance in concrete 
structures.

The potential for higher vanadium 
demand for the growing VFRB sector 
has also driven speculation in the 
vanadium price.

Aura continues to press the  
Mauritanian Government regarding 
its gold and base metal tenement 
applications in Mauritania. Whilst the 
delays in these grants are frustrating, 

their very promising geological potential 
is enticing for Aura and the potential for 
discovery and success is high.

Aura continues to pursue a future with 
operating projects producing strong 
cashflow as this will deliver maximum 
benefits to Aura shareholders.

Aura will continue to review new regions 
and prospects for its next growth area.

In June this year, Aura completed a 
Private Placement which resulted in the 
company raising $3.7 million (before 
costs) to advance its projects and, 
particularly, the separate listing of the 
Häggån Battery Metals Project.

I would like to thank shareholders, again 
for their support during 2018.

I would also like to thank our staff 
and board for their efforts in our 
achievements during the year.

Peter Reeve

Executive Chairman

Dated this Thursday, 27 September 2018

CHAIRMAN'S LETTER

3

 
 
Operations Review

During the financial year Aura continued to 
advance its Tiris Uranium Project DFS and 
transition its Häggån Project to a battery metals 
project under light market conditions for raising 
new equity.

TIRIS URANIUM PROJECT –  
100%, MAURITANIA

The Tiris Uranium Project envisages an operation with 
an average life of mine production rate of approximately 
800,000 pounds U3O8 over 15 years. Internal expansion  
case studies suggest there is potential for Aura to produce  
3 million pounds U3O8 per annum. 

GEOLOGY PROGRAMME
Field activities focused primarily on the Tiris uranium project 
where an extensive drilling program was conducted in order 
to upgrade a substantial part of the Inferred uranium resource 
to Measured and Indicated Resource categories, within the 
Hippolyte and Lazare deposits, where it is proposed that 
mining will commence. 

In addition, new resource zones were established at Hippolyte 
South.

This program involved:

• 

Aircore drilling: 7,900 metres drilling in 1,428 drillholes

•  Diamond drilling: 52 diamond drillhole were completed 

to provide validation of downhole gamma logging results 
and to provide density information

•  Downhole gamma logging: all drillhole were logged to 

record gamma radiation in order to estimate uranium 
grade. 

The data from these programs was used to provide a new 
resource estimate. This was carried out by resource consultants 
H&S Consultants Pty Ltd, and resulted in the delineation of 
Measured and Indicated resources of 17 million pounds U3O8 
within a total resource of 51.8 million pounds U3O8 (at a 100 
ppm U3O8 cut-off).

A water drilling program, focused on the basal sedimentary 
units of the Taoudeni Basin, commenced.

A weather station was installed onsite, recording key weather 
data at 10-minute intervals.

4

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018CUT-OFF  
U3O8 PPM

100

200

300

CLASSIFICATION

Measured

Indicated

M&I

Inferred

MI&I

Measured

Indicated

M&I

Inferred

MI&I

Measured

Indicated

M&I

Inferred

MI&I

MT

10.2

24.5

34.7

57.5

92.2

4.5

9.5

14.0

36.8

50.8

2.1

4.0

6.1

18.4

24.2

U3O8 PPM

U3O8/MLBS

236

217

223

273

254

351

337

342

342

273

474

466

469

440

450

5.3

11.7

17.0

34.7

51.8

3.5

7.0

10.5

27.8

38.4

2.2

4.1

6.3

17.9

24.1

METALLURGICAL PROGRAMME
A program of trenching was undertaken for the Lazare 
North and Lazare South Resources for the Tiris Uranium 
Project in April 2018. The focus of this program was to 
collect representative samples for detailed test work. 
Variability in key processing parameters, including 
uranium and sulphur upgrade factors had previously been 
identified as a process risk for the project. The program was 
developed to provide an understanding of the variability 
of key process parameters. In addition, the program was 
designed to provide inputs to define geometallurgical 
processing domains and develop predictive models for key 
processing parameters.

Collection of samples from trenching rather than drilling 
was undertaken to maintain sample integrity, allow 
for sufficient sample mass to be collected and provide 
information on mining requirements for the material.

A total of 11 trenches were completed, with 8 positioned in 
the Lazare South resource and 3 positioned in the Lazare 
North resource.

Trenches were dug to a depth of 4 metres with an 
excavator, demonstrating the free digging nature of the 
Tiris ore body.

Sampling was undertaken by channel sampling at intervals 
of 0.5 metres from surface to 4 metres. This resulted in 88 
interval samples, 64 from Lazare South and 24 from Lazare 
North, for a total of approximately 5 tonnes of material.

OPERATION’S REVIEW

5

Interval samples were further processed at Aura’s laboratory 
in Nouakchott, Mauritania. All samples were scrubbed and 
screened at 75 µm and 150 µm to determine uranium 
recovery and upgrade factor, along with rejection of reagent 
consuming minerals to the beneficiated product. The analysis 
was performed on all interval samples to provide a model for 
variability in beneficiation behaviour.

Once completed, the results will provide a model for variability 
in process behaviour across the Lazare South and Lazare 
North resources. This information will be used to compile 
representative process behaviour based domains for use in 
detailed feasibility test work.

As part of ongoing DFS, Aura has conducted a review of the 
potential for recovery of valuable by-products. A strategic 
target for Aura is the production of vanadium and the potential 
for vanadium recovery was included in the review. 

Vanadium in the Tiris resources occurs with uranium in 
carnotite, potassium uranium vanadate (K2(UO2)2(VO4)2·3H2O), 
the host mineral for uranium in the Tiris Project. Vanadium  
is extracted from carnotite along with uranium in the alkaline 
leach.

As part of the battery metal development, Aura is to initiate 
studies and test work investigating the economic viability of 
adding a vanadium ion exchange and purification circuit to 
the Tiris Project. Aura will investigate options to incorporate 
a vanadium recovery circuit within the uranium ion exchange 
circuit. Vanadium would then be recovered to vanadium 
pentoxide (V2O5) through a standard precipitation and 
purification process.

Allowing for only recovery of vanadium hosted in carnotite 
Aura would target production of 250,000 lb/a V2O5. This 
provides the opportunity for near term production of vanadium 
pentoxide (V2O5), with entry to the vanadium market while 
Aura’s world class Häggån Battery Metals Project is under 
development.

ENGINEERING PROGRAMME
The company retained a project engineer in June 2017 with 
specific responsibility for the advancement of the Tiris project 
feasibility study. During the financial year, work commenced on 
general and process design criteria, with agreed capacities and 
expected process outcomes. 

Mincore was retained to produce a desktop study, capital 
estimate and 3D CAD models for 6 options of RoM ore 
beneficiation up to the input to leaching with the final study 
provided towards the end of 2018. 

Following a peer review, the project design criteria was revised 
down to 1 million tonnes per annum RoM ore throughput as 
the project basis. The company then reviewed the optimum 
central location for the processing plant, based on reducing 
trucking costs from the uranium deposits. The conclusion 
was to have the front end of the plant (attrition/screening/
pumping) transportable and located adjacent to the current 
operating open pit. This outcome was refined further, the 
process plant location being confirmed at the centre of the 
high-grade Lazare resources. 

Estimates were determined for electrical power and water 
requirements, and sought budget pricing for diesel fuel 
delivery, hybrid diesel and solar power generation, and water 
pumping and pipeline costs for the site.

To advance site work, a satellite survey was commissioned 
from the Vancouver based survey company during the financial 
year. The company obtained survey results for the 59 km2 site 
area centred on the Lazare resource and identified possible 
plant sites close to the centre of the high-grade Lazare 
resource and airstrip.

A Senegalese geotechnical company was retained in April 
2018, to carry out site investigations with an excavator digging 
pits on the 3 possible sites. 

Cost estimates were obtained from two major Mauritanian 
construction companies labour and equipment hire rates, 
concrete and steel pricing. Mauritanian trucking quotes were 
also obtained for bulk construction transport.

Equipment requirements and cost estimates were obtained 
from suppliers of screens and rotary drums, precipitation, 
drying and drumming plant for U3O8. Cost estimates were 
also obtained for a complete plant communications system 
covering the 4 sites of the process plant, camp, transportable 
front end/mine, and the remote water supply plant. 

6

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018EXPLOITATION LICENCES
Aura lodged Exploitation Licence applications with the 
Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines Ministry of Mines  
in May 2017. The Company seeks to secure three exploitation 
licences to cover an area of 433 km2.

The applications are currently under review by relevant 
government authorities.

LITHIUM AND SODA-ASH SEARCH PROGRAMME
The extensive salt lakes in Mauritania, known locally as 
sabkhas, are a potential source for sodium carbonate or soda 
ash which is a reagent required for the leaching of uranium 
from Tiris ore. This environment is also a potential source of 
other valuable substances, notably lithium.

HÄGGÅN BATTERY METALS PROJECT  
– 100%, SWEDEN
GEOLOGY PROGRAMME
A new resource estimate was carried on the Häggån Battery 
Metals Project in central Sweden, incorporating diamond 
drilling completed since the previous estimate in 2012. The 
new resource estimated focused on vanadium and associated 
metals following the substantial increase in the vanadium 
price.

This highlighted the occurrence of a large near surface high 
grade vanadium zone within the large Häggån resource. 

Cross section-Häggån NW high-grade vanadium zone

CUT-OFF  
U3O8 PPM

MT

V2O5 
BILLION 
POUNDS

V2O5 
%

Ni 
PPM

Zn 
PPM

Mo 
PPM

U3O8 
PPM

0.40%

0.30%

0.20%

0.10%

90 0.42%

900 0.35%

1,950 0.30%

2,600 0.26%

0.8

7.0

12.8

15.1

400

370

330

300

550

500

440

400

220

230

210

200

160

170

160

150

At a 0.1% V2O5 cut-off grade, the Häggån Inferred Resource 
contains approximately 15.1 billion pounds V2O5.
At a cut-off grade of 0.4% V2O5 the resource contains 
approximately 90 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.42% 
V2O5, containing 840 million pounds of V2O5.
It is important to note that within this 90 million tonnes 
of high-grade resource is the definition of a coherent and 
large zone of mineralisation of 49 million tonnes at +0.4% 
vanadium pentoxide commencing at a depth of 20 metres 
below surface and extending to around 100 metres below 
surface.

OPERATION’S REVIEW

7

METALLURGICAL PROGRAMME
To support development of Aura’s Häggån Battery Metals 
Project, a detailed review of historic test work was undertaken. 
This review focused on vanadium with the purpose to 
technically define process options for vanadium recovery.

This review identified that vanadium was most likely hosted 
in vanadium rich mica minerals and would require oxidation 
for efficient recovery. The review identified that a beneficiation 
upgrade of 1.3x could be achieved with 73% V recovery. The 
most promising option for leach recovery of vanadium was 
identified as acid pressure leaching.

Following the review of Häggån test work it was identified that 
beneficiation of the Häggån ore was possible and desirable 
to minimise mass of material to leach. A program of test work 
was commissioned with ALS Laboratories, Burnie to examine 
flotation response of vanadium rich Häggån drill core samples. 
This test work focused on testing amenability of the material 
to beneficiation by gravity and classification methods. In 
addition, the flotation of pyrite and vanadium bearing mica 
was examined, with rejection of acid consuming calcite.

Supported by the test work a program was commissioned to 
examine process flow sheet options for vanadium and by-
product recovery. METS Engineering, Perth was commissioned 
to examined flowsheet options. Two core options were 
included. The first included beneficiation followed by acid 
pressure leaching of the beneficiated material. The second 
included beneficiation followed by oxidative calcination and 
atmospheric acid leach. The results of this study are expected 
early in FY17/18.

These findings showed that considerable work had been 
completed on vanadium extraction. While this testwork had 
not been optimised for vanadium recovery it did indicate that 
the recovery of vanadium is feasible from the Häggån resource.

Aura commenced a Scoping Study for the Häggån Battery 
Metals Project in late June 2018 focusing on vanadium.

METS Engineering was engaged to assist with process 
flowsheet development, based on historic test work inputs, 
with capital and operating cost estimates. The program was 
initiated in late June 2018 with two flowsheet options agreed 
as initial targets. 

TASIAST SOUTH GOLD PROSPECT
As previously advised, Aura secured the rights to acquire  
175 km2 of prospective gold tenements covering three under-
explored mineralised greenstone belts in Mauritania. The 
areas lie along strike from Kinross’ giant 21 Moz Tasiast gold 
mine and also from Algold’s Tijirit gold project. The areas 
are currently held under exploration permit applications and 
whilst the leases were expected to be granted quickly at year 
end the grants were still outstanding.

The grant of the exploration licenses, usually a straightforward 
process, has been hampered by the goal of the government 
to relocate artisan miners off ground subject to formal 
applications.

These highly prospective gold areas cover lightly explored 
Archean greenstone belts and favourably located 200 km 
from Nouakchott, 60 km from the coast, and can be managed 
efficiently within the company’s existing management 
resources without distraction from Aura’s core uranium focus.

Previous exploration for gold on these permit areas also 
located strongly anomalous nickel values in several areas, 
associated with ultramafic rocks. In parts of the tenements 
high nickel values are associated with anomalous 
copper highlighting potential for nickel-copper sulphide 
mineralisation, as occurs in the greenstone belts of Australia 
and Canada. At this stage there has been no follow-up work 
carried out on these nickel targets.

Aura’s Tasiast South project area has the following attributes:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Tenements over two lightly explored greenstone belts 
covering 175 km2

The 20 Moz Tasiast gold mine is nearby on the same 
greenstone belt and highlights the potential for major 
deposits in the region

$3 million has been expended by the previous explorer 
on airborne geophysics, reverse circulation and air-core 
drilling, and sampling

Broad zones of gold mineralisation have been identified 
with strong similarities to the Tasiast gold mine 
mineralisation and alteration

•  No testing deeper than 150m with most previous holes 

less than 100m

•  High grade drill intersections have been reported 

by others in the district from both past and current 
programme, including one programmes in progress with 
Algold Resources (a TSX-listed entity), which highlight the 
current interest and potential in these poorly tested belts

Next steps following grant of the tenements at the Tasiast 
South project are:

•  Ground electrical geophysics to locate the strongest zones 
of disseminated sulphide development for drill targeting

• 

Additional bedrock sampling by air-core or auger-drilling 
to better define the high nickel ultramafics and zones of 
copper/nickel for follow up drilling

•  Deep drill testing of targets defined

8

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018VANADIUM MARKET
Vanadium is a metalliferous element, number 23 on the 
periodic table of elements. In its native state, vanadium  
is a silvery-grey, ductile, and malleable transition metal.  
A number of recent structural market changes have resulted 
in the vanadium price increasing dramatically over the past 
three years, from a 2016 base in the low USD$3/lb range for 
vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) to hitting a peak of over US$19/lb 
V2O5 during 2018.
Vanadium is used principally in the production of metal 
alloys, such as full alloy steel, high-strength-low-alloy steel 
(‘HSLA’) and specialty alloys for use in the aerospace industry. 
Secondary uses are as catalysts for the chemical industry, and 
in ceramics, glass, pigments and energy storage. Over 90%  
of the demand for vanadium emanates from the production of 
high-strength steel, hence vanadium consumption trends are 
heavily influenced by trends in steel production. Vanadium has 
been declared a ‘critical mineral resource’  
by the US Geological Survey. 

The size of the vanadium market in 2017 was approximately 
80,000 tonnes (V) with, according to industry group 
Vanitec, demand estimated as outstripping supply by up to 
approximately 8,000 tonnes.

In addition to its primary use as an alloying agent, a future 
major potential use of vanadium is in the energy storage 
industry, as an electrolyte in vanadium redox flow batteries 
(“VRBs”) and also in lithium-vanadium batteries. VRBs have the 
potential to provide large-scale energy storage for grid-size 
applications. It is estimated that VRBs accounted for around 
2% of the vanadium demand in 2017, with some market 
players predicting this to increase to over 20% by 2030.

The recent strength of the vanadium market is believed to 
have been caused by a combination of the strength in demand 
from alloyed steel production and the burgeoning energy 
storage market, which is predicted to grow exponentially over 
the near/mid-term; as well as the reduction in production from 
less environmentally-focussed producers in China, where over 
50% of the global vanadium is produced. In addition, Chinese 
construction standards have recently been tightened, requiring 
higher levels of vanadium use in steel rebar adding to demand.

URANIUM MARKET
Spot prices appear to have bottomed out with spot prices 
now average around $26 per pound.

Uranium use is projected to grow from 85,000 tonnes in 2018 
to 94,300 tonnes by 2020. This will be driven in large part 
by China, which completed its Sanmen nuclear plant in the 
June quarter and has several other reactors within months of 
completion. Approvals for future plant constructions in China 
are also picking up following a slackening in 2017. 

Demand is also rising in Japan, which re-connected unit 4 
of its Ohi nuclear plant in May, and its Genkai 4 unit in June. 
South Korea, which currently has almost half of its nuclear 
fleet offline for maintenance, is expected to increase its 
demand in 2019. Russia has also completed its floating 
Akademik Lomonosov plant, which is capable of providing 
mobile power generation and desalination to virtually any 
coastal location. 

New markets also appear to be emerging for nuclear power 
in the Middle East. Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation 
has recently signed a contract to construct four 1200 MW 
reactors in Egypt. This follows an earlier announcement of 
four 1400 MW units to be constructed in the United Arab 
Emirates by South Korean companies. Turkey has announced 
plans to build a huge 4800 MW nuclear project. It is likely 
that 11,000 MW of new nuclear capacity will be constructed 
in the Middle East by 2030. 

In the US, Terrestrial Energy USA and Energy Northwest have 
signed a memorandum of understanding on constructing 
the world’s first Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR). IMSRs 
use a liquid fuel mix which is incapable of melting down. 
The elimination of meltdown risk removes the need for 
the expensive reactor shields and cooling facilities used in 
traditional reactors. IMSRs could be commercialised by the 
2020s.

Mine production is expected to rebound slightly, following 
significant cuts in output from large mines in Canada, Niger, 
and Kazakhstan. These cuts reduced overall world production 
sharply to 60,600 tonnes in 2018.

Some of these cuts are scheduled to wind back over the 
outlook period, leading to a rise in mine production to 69,700 
tonnes by 2020. Supply is also expected to be supported 
by higher secondary output (which encompasses material 
entering the market from sources other than mines). This 
added secondary output includes higher inventory run-down 
by large utilities and sales from the United States Enrichment 
Corporation. 

Although supply is likely to grow moderately over time, it is 
expected that overall output and demand will move much 
nearer to parity over the next two years.

OPERATION’S REVIEW

9

Directors’ Report

A. 

B. 

A. PETER REEVE
Executive Chairman and  
Managing Director

Peter Reeve has been involved in 
the Australian resources industry 
for approximately 25 years and, 
as a professional metallurgist, has 
held positions with Rio Tinto, Shell-
Billiton, Newcrest Mining and Normet 
Consulting. For seven years Peter worked 
at JB Were as a Resource Specialist Fund 
Manager and a Resource Corporate 
Finance Director. He has been a 
management consultant in South Africa 
and was involved in an African iron ore 
start-up.

Peter was Managing Director and  
Chief Executive Officer of Ivanhoe 
Australia, which he co-founded with 
Robert Friedland, and was a Director  
of both EXCO Resources and Emmerson 
Resources.

Peter’s specialisation is the development 
of company strategy and the 
commercialisation of projects, and 
alignment with the global investment 
community and international resource 
corporations.

B. DR. BOB BEESON
Non-Executive Director

Dr. Bob Beeson is a professional 
geologist with over 35 years’ experience 
in mineral exploration and development. 
He has held senior management 
positions with Billiton Australia, Acacia 
Resources, North Limited and New 
Hampton Goldfields and has extensive 
experience in leading and managing 
teams in many regions of the world. He 
was Managing Director of Aura Energy 
Ltd since its listing in 2006 and in 2015 
vacated the position and is now Non-
Executive Director. 

Prior to establishing Aura, Dr Beeson 
gained extensive uranium experience  
in Australia, South Africa and the  
Middle East.

C. BRETT FRASER
Non-Executive Director

Mr Fraser is a qualified accountant with 
more than 29 years’ experience in the 
mining, finance and securities industry 
Mr Fraser is an experienced company 
executive having served as a director 
and been involved in governance, 
negotiation, finance, development, 
forensic accounting and operation for 
a number of private and ASX listed 

Your Directors present their report 
together with the financial statements 
of the Group, being the company and its 
controlled entities, for the financial year 
ended 30 June 2018.

DIRECTORS

The names of Directors in office at any 
time during or since the end of the year 
are:

10

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018C. 

D. 

E. 

companies. As the founder or officer of 
businesses in mining, securities trading, 
the beverage industry, media, leisure 
health and corporate finance Mr Fraser 
has extensive knowledge and skills 
in company operations. Mr Fraser is 
the Non-Executive Chairman of Blina 
Minerals, former Chairman of Doray 
Minerals Ltd and the Securities Institute 
Education, WA chapter, and also a former 
director of Gage Roads Brewing Co and 
Brainytoys Limited. Mr Fraser holds a 
Bachelor of Business degree, is a Fellow 
of Certified Practising Accountants, is a 
Fellow of the Financial Services Institute 
of Australasia and has completed 
post graduate studies in finance and 
marketing.

D. JULIAN PERKINS
Non-Executive Director

Mr Julian Perkins has over 40 years’ 
experience in the global minerals 
industry. He has held senior technical 
management positions in Australia for 
AngloGold Ashanti Ltd, Acacia Resources 
Ltd, Shell Australia, and prior to that for 
Billiton International Metals (part of the 
Shell Group) in the Netherlands. He has 
degrees in mining and metallurgical 

engineering, with operational 
experience in underground mining 
in South Africa and the metallurgical 
operations at Nchanga on the Zambian 
Copperbelt. He is a Graduate of the 
Australian Institute of Company 
Directors.

Mr Perkins has extensive experience in 
research and development. He was head 
of the mineral processing department 
at the Arnhem metals research centre 
of Shell Research in the Netherlands 
for three years. In Australia he was 
Chairman of the Board of Parker Centre 
Ltd, which managed the A J Parker 
Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for 
Hydrometallurgy from 2006 to 2012, 
having been a director prior to that. He 
has also been a director on the boards 
of the Cooperative Research Centre 
for Mining and the Australian Centre 
for Mining Environmental Research. 
He designed and managed the early 
metallurgical testwork and flowsheet 
design for both of Aura’s projects. He has 
been a non-executive director of Aura 
Energy Limited since 2011.

Directors have been in office since the 
start of the financial year to the date  
of this report unless otherwise stated.

E. JOHN MADDEN
Company Secretary 

John started his career with Rio Tinto 
Limited (formerly CRA Limited) and held 
a number of positions in accounting, 
planning, business analysis and taxation 
as well as the acquisitions group. 
Between 1996 and 2000, John was the 
Manager- Finance for Rio Tinto at the 
Grasberg copper-gold project in West 
Papua. On leaving Rio Tinto in 2000, 
John worked in Papua New Guinea for 
three years on the Hidden Valley/Wafi 
gold projects feasibility studies and for 
five years on the Tampakan copper-gold 
project in the Philippines where he 
was the General Manager- Commercial 
and Company Secretary for Indophil 
Resources NL.

John has provided strategic and 
commercial advice as well as specialist 
financial modelling services to OK Tedi 
Mining Limited, Intrepid Mines Limited, 
the Australian Iron Ore Joint Venture 
and Mesa Minerals Limited from 2008 
to 2011.

John has extensive commercial and 
legal experience in Francophone 
Africa as he co-founded Indian Pacific 
Resources Limited, a Madagascar-based 
iron ore explorer and served as an 
executive officer from 2011 to 2015.

DIRECTORS' REPORT

11

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND 
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The principal activities of the Group during the financial  
year were the exploration and evaluation of its projects  
in Mauritania and Sweden.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
STATEMENT

Details of the Company’s corporate governance practices 
are included in the Corporate Governance Statement set 
out on the Company’s website at: www.auraenergy.com.au/
governance.html

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN STATE  
OF AFFAIRS

There were no significant changes in the state of affairs of the 
Group during the financial year.

EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO  
REPORTING DATE

On 19 September 2018, the company issued 1,441,425 fully 
paid ordinary shares to a contractor for services rendered and 
issued 2,000,001 fully paid ordinary shares to an optionholder 
for the exercise of options over ordinary shares expiring on  
15 November 2018.

DIVIDENDS PAID OR RECOMMENDED

LIKELY DEVELOPMENTS

Likely developments, future prospects and business strategies 
of the operations of the Group and the expected results of 
those operations have not been included in this report as the 
Directors believe that the inclusion of such information would 
be likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to the Group.

There were no dividends paid or recommended during the 
financial year ended 30 June 2018.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
OPERATION REVIEW
A detailed review of the Group’s exploration activities is set  
out in the section entitled Operations Review on page 4  
in this annual report.

OPERATING RESULTS
The consolidated loss for the year amounted to $1,987,057 
(2017: $3,690,599). The reduced loss was due no impairment 
to the fair value of exploration projects in Mauritania and 
Sweden being brought to account during the financial year and 
the elimination of once-off costs associated with the listing of 
the Group on the Alternative Investment Market in London in 
the previous year.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going 
concern basis, which contemplates the continuity of normal 
business activity and the realisation of assets and the 
settlement of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. 
Details of the Groups assessment in this regard can be found 
in Note 1. Statement of significant accounting policies-Going 
concern. The auditor’s report contains an emphasis on matter 
in this regard.

FINANCIAL POSITION
The net assets of the Group have increased by $3,396,317 from 
30 June 2017 to $20,293,430 at 30 June 2018.

As at 30 June 2018, the Group’s cash and cash equivalent 
increased from 30 June 2017 by $191,209 (including foreign 
exchange movements) to $2,844,169. The Group had a working 
capital of $2,597,438 (2017: $2,026,388).

12

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018INFORMATION ON DIRECTORS

Peter Reeve

Qualifications

Experience

Executive Chairman and Managing Director

Bachelor of Applied Sciences.

Board member since 13 July 2013 with over 30 years’ experience positions with Rio Tinto, Billiton 
Australia and Newcrest Mining as well as experience as a Resource Fund Manager and Resources 
Corporate Finance Director at J B Were and Son. More recently Peter was Chief Executive Officer  
of Ivanhoe Australia Ltd.

Interest in shares and options

12,812,365 ordinary shares in Aura Energy Limited and 35,000,000 performance shares.

Directorships held in other 
listed entities in last 3 years

Round Oak Minerals Pty ltd (formerly CopperChem Limited) from 2013 

Dr Robert Beeson

Director (Non-executive)

Qualifications

Experience

Bachelor of Science with Honours; PhD; Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists

Board member since 31 March 2006. Geologist with over 35 years of global experience in 
uranium and other commodity management, exploration and development.

Interest in shares and options

5,636,937 ordinary shares in Aura Energy Limited.

Directorships held in other 
listed entities in last 3 years

Managing Director of Drake Resources Limited from November 2004 until 31 January 2015.  
Non- executive director or Drake Resources Limited until 10 March 2017, Non-executive Director 
of Cohiba Resources Limited from 3 May 2018.  
No other directorships in the past three years.

Brett Fraser

Qualifications

Experience

Director (Non-executive)

FCPA, F.Fin, B.Bus, FGIA

Board member since 24 August 2005. Mr Fraser has worked in the finance and securities 
industry for over 25 years’ and has owned and operated businesses across wine, health, 
finance, media and mining.

Interest in shares and options

3,957,600 ordinary shares in Aura Energy Limited.

Directorships held in other 
listed entities in last 3 years

Julian Perkins

Qualifications

Non-executive director and Chairman of Blina Diamonds NL since September 2008 and non- 
executive director and Chairman of Drake Resources Limited until 10 March 2017. Non-executive 
Director of Sundance Resources Limited from 10 March 2018. No other directorships in the past 
three years.

Director (Non-executive)

Master of Science (Imperial College of Science and Technology) 1972; Associate of the Camborne 
School of Metalliferous Mining (Honours) 1967; Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and 
Metallurgy; Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Experience

Board member since 7 June 2011.

Mr. Perkins has over 40 years’ experience in operations and management with major companies 
in the international minerals industry. He was Manager of Mining and Technology (Australia) 
for AngloGold Ashanti Ltd, until 2006. His career includes operating and management roles on 
the Zambian Copperbelt, leading the mineral processing at Shell Research in the Netherlands 
before returning to corporate management in Australia. He was Chairman of Parker Centre Ltd 
for Hydrometallurgy from 2006 to 2012 and previously a director of the CRC Mining and the 
Australian Centre for Mining Environmental Research.

Interest in shares and options

2,861,990 ordinary shares in Aura Energy Limited.

Directorships held in other 
listed entities in last 3 years

No other directorships held in other listed entities.

DIRECTORS' REPORT

13

MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS

During the financial year the board of directors held seven meetings (including committees of directors) with the remainder of 
meetings conducted by way of written resolution. Attendances by each director during the year were as follows:

DIRECTORS’ MEETINGS

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

AUDIT COMMITTEE

NUMBER ELIGIBLE 

NUMBER ELIGIBLE 

NUMBER ELIGIBLE 

TO ATTEND NUMBER ATTENDED

TO ATTEND NUMBER ATTENDED

TO ATTEND NUMBER ATTENDED

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

PD Reeve

Dr R Beeson

BF Fraser

JC Perkins

7

7

7

7

7

5

7

7

-

2

2

2

-

2

2

2

-

2

2

2

-

2

2

1

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

The Company is commencing exploration and evaluation 
activities in Mauritania and Sweden. Both countries have 
environmental regulation for the conduct of exploration 
activities. The Company has complied with these 
environmental regulations in the conduct of all field activities.

The directors have considered the enacted National 
Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (the NGER Act) 
which introduced a single national reporting framework for 
the reporting and dissemination of information about the 
greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gas projects, and 
energy use and production of corporations. At the current 
stage of development, the directors have determined that 
the NGER Act has no effect on the Company for the current, 
nor subsequent, financial year. The directors will reassess this 
position as and when the need arises.

NON-AUDIT SERVICES

During the year ended 30 June 2018, AIM listing and taxation 
consulting services were provided to the Company by a party 
related to the auditors, Bentleys. These services amounted 
to $894 (2017: $10,550). Details of remuneration paid to the 
auditor can be found within the financial statements at Note 4 
Auditor’s remuneration.

The directors are satisfied that the provision of non-audit 
services during the year by Bentleys (or by another person 
or firm on Bentley’s behalf) is compatible with the general 
standard of independence for auditors imposed by the 
Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

INDEMNIFYING OFFICERS  
OR AUDITOR

During or since the end of the financial year the Company has 
given an indemnity or entered into an agreement to indemnify, 
or paid or agreed to pay insurance premiums as follows:

• 

• 

The Company has entered into agreements to indemnify 
all directors and provide access to documents, against 
any liability arising from a claim brought by a third party 
against the Company. The agreement provides for the 
Company to pay all damages and costs which may be 
awarded against the directors.

The Company has paid premiums to insure each of 
the directors against liabilities for costs and expenses 
incurred by them in defending any legal proceedings 
arising out of their conduct while acting in the capacity 
of director of the company, other than conduct involving 
a willful breach of duty in relation to the Company. The 
amount of the premium was $31,959 (2017: $19,360).

•  No indemnity has been paid to auditors of the Group.

14

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018OPTIONS

At the date of this report, the unissued ordinary shares of Aura Energy Limited under option (listed and unlisted) are as follows:

GRANT DATE

DATE OF EXPIRY

EXERCISE PRICE

NUMBER UNDER OPTION

12 September 2017

11 September 2019

15 November 2017

15 November 2018

14 June 2018

14 June 2018

14 June 2018

14 June 2018

30 September 2019

30 September 2019

30 September 2019

30 September 2019

$0.0200

$0.0200

$0.0330

$0.0330

$0.0330

$0.0330

6,578,699

18,408,333

97,368,421

5,000,000

2,747,788

1,172,566

131,275,807

No person entitled to exercise the option has or has any right by virtue of the option to participate in any share issue  
of any other body corporate.

PROCEEDINGS ON BEHALF OF THE 
COMPANY

No person has applied for leave of Court to bring proceedings 
on behalf of the Company or intervene in any proceedings 
to which the Company is a party for the purpose of taking 
responsibility on behalf of the Company for all or any part  
of those proceedings.

The Company was not a party to any such proceedings during 
the year.

AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE 
DECLARATION

The lead auditor’s independence declaration for the year  
ended 30 June 2018 has been received and can be found  
in the annual report.

REMUNERATION REPORT (AUDITED)
REMUNERATION POLICY
The remuneration policy of the Group has been designed to 
align director and management objectives with shareholder 
and business objectives by providing a fixed remuneration 
component, and offering specific long-term incentives based 
on key performance areas affecting the Group’s financial 
results. The board of directors believes the remuneration 
policy to be appropriate and effective in its ability to attract 
and retain the best management and directors to run and 
manage the Group, as well as create goal congruence between 
directors, executives and shareholders.

The policy of the board of directors for determining the 
nature and amount of remuneration for board members and 
senior executives of the Group is described in the following 
paragraphs.

The remuneration policy of the Group sets the terms and 
conditions for executive directors and other senior executives. 
Due to the rapidly changing circumstances of the Group in 
recent years, the policy is reviewed annually by the board of 
directors with the purpose of maintaining alignment of the 
board and management with the Group’s strategic objectives. 
Management is also entitled to participate in employee share 
and option arrangements. All executives receive a base salary 
which takes into account such factors as length of service and 
experience, superannuation and share based incentive such 
as options. The board of directors review executive packages 
annually by reference to the performance of the Group, 
individual executives and relevant comparable remuneration 
data from similar listed companies and appropriate industry 
sectors. Independent expert advice is sought as required.

DIRECTORS' REPORT

15

REMUNERATION POLICY (CONT)
The total amount of non-executive directors’ remuneration is proposed by the board of directors from time to time at the Annual 
General Meeting and is subject to formal approval by shareholders. Within this limit, the board of directors presently remunerates 
non-executive directors at around the average of those obtained from relevant comparable data from similar listed companies 
and appropriate industry sectors. A measure of longer-term incentive is provided by the allocation of options to non-executive 
directors. The board of directors determines remuneration to individual non-executive directors, working within the limit set by 
shareholders, and taking into account any special duties or accountability. Payments to non-executive directors are not linked to 
Company performance but in order to align their interest with those of shareholders, non-executive directors are encouraged to 
hold shares in Aura Energy Limited.

Executives and non-executive directors have received a superannuation guarantee contribution as required by law, which 
increased to 9.5% on 1 July 2014, but do not receive any other retirement benefits.

All remuneration paid to non-executive directors and executives is valued at the cost to the Company and is expensed. Options 
over ordinary shares granted to directors and employees are valued using the Black-Scholes methodology. Details of directors’ and 
executives’ interests in options as at 30 June 2018 are provided in the Remuneration Report of the financial statements.

The Chairman became Executive Chairman and Managing Director of the Company with effect on 1 January 2015 and accordingly, 
is a fulltime employee. The Executive Chairman and Managing Director had agreed to settle 20% of his salary by way of fully 
paid ordinary shares in the Company. In November 2017 the above arrangement was varied by the Company and the Executive 
Chairman and Managing Director to convert the sharebased remuneration to a cash based remuneration.

Under clause 14.7 of the Constitution of the Company, approved by shareholders at the annual general meeting on 30 November 
2017, the total aggregate amount fixed sum per annum to be paid to non- executive directors is $300,000. The Company proposes 
to put to shareholders a resolution to raise this total aggregate fixed sum to $300,000. This is the first time the total aggregate 
fixed term will have been raised since incorporation.

At the annual general meeting on 30 November 2017, 75.1% of votes cast for the adoption of the remuneration report voted  
in favour of the resolution. The number of votes cast in favour of the resolution totaled 36,629,089.

REMUNERATION DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018
There were no cash bonuses paid during the year and there are no set performance criteria for achieving cash bonuses.

The following table of benefits and payment details, in respect to the financial year, the components of remuneration for each 
member of the key management personnel of the Group:

2018

GROUP KEY 
MANAGEMENT 
PERSONNEL

SHORT-TERM BENEFITS

POST- 
EMPLOYMENT 
BENEFITS

LONG-TERM 
BENEFITS

EQUITY-SETTLED SHARE- 
BASED PAYMENTS

TOTAL

SALARY, 
FEES AND 
LEAVE

PROFIT 
SHARE AND 
BONUSES

NON- 
MONETARY

OTHER

SUPER- 
ANNUATION

OTHER

EQUITY

OPTIONS 
AND 
PERFOR- 
MANCE 
SHARES

COMPEN- 
SATION 
CONSISTING 
OF
SHARE 
BASED 
PAYMENTS

$

PD Reeve(1)

400,000

Dr R Beeson

BF Fraser

JC Perkins

40,000

40,000

43,800

JM Madden(2)

-

523,800

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

99,936

99,936

$

25,000

3,800

3,800

-

-

32,600

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

$

$

%

25,000

297,916

747,916

43.2%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

43,800

43,800

43,800

99,936

-

-

-

-

25,000

297,916

979,252

32.9%

(1)  Mr PD Reeve was issued 927,766 fully paid ordinary shares (net of tax) in the Company pursuant to his contract of employment.

(2)  Mr JM Madden is retained as a contractor and his appointment to the position is subject to a month-by- month arrangement until such time as the 

Company secures long-term finance to advance its projects.

16

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018REMUNERATION DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018 (CONT)

2017

GROUP KEY 
MANAGEMENT 
PERSONNEL

SHORT-TERM BENEFITS

POST- 
EMPLOYMENT 
BENEFITS

LONG-TERM 
BENEFITS

EQUITY-SETTLED SHARE- 
BASED PAYMENTS

TOTAL

SALARY, 
FEES AND 
LEAVE

PROFIT 
SHARE AND 
BONUSES

NON- 
MONETARY

OTHER

SUPER- 
ANNUATION

OTHER

EQUITY

OPTIONS

COMPEN- 
SATION 
CONSISTING 
OF
SHARE 
BASED 
PAYMENTS

$

PD Reeve(1)

324,562

Dr R Beeson

BF Fraser

JC Perkins

40,000

40,000

40,000

JM Madden(3)

-

444,562

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

120,417

$

25,438

3,800

3,800

3,800

-

120,417

36,838

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

$

$

%

100,000

69,552

519,552

32.6%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

43,800

43,800

43,800

120,417

-

-

-

-

100,000

69,552

771,369

22.0%

(1)  Mr Reeve was issued 1,921,295 fully paid ordinary shares (net of tax) in the Company pursuant to his contract of employment.

(2)  Mr JM Madden is retained as a contractor and his appointment to the position is subject to a month-by- month arrangement until such time as the 

Company secures long-term finance to advance its projects

require shareholder approval.

SERVICE AGREEMENTS
The Executive Chairman and Managing Director,  
Peter Reeve, is employed under a contract of employment, 
effective 1 January 2015.

The employment deed stipulates a four weeks’ resignation 
period. The Company may terminate the employment contract 
without cause by providing four weeks’ written notice, or 
making payment in lieu of notice based on the individual’s 
annual salary component.

If employment is terminated other than for serious misconduct, 
and the employee is not then otherwise in default of this 
contract and his employment, the Managing Director will, 
in connection with his retirement from the office, receive 
in addition to the required four weeks’ notice period, three 
months’ salary. An additional benefit may be paid in the 
amount of one month for every year of service. This is subject 
to the provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), which may 

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

a. 

Incentive Option Scheme

Options are granted under the Aura Energy Limited 
Incentive Option Scheme. All staff who have been 
continuously employed by the Company for a period of 
at least one year are eligible to participate in the plan. 
Options are granted under the plan for no consideration.

b.  Director and Key Management Personnel Options

At the general annual meeting of shareholders on  
30 November 2017, shareholders approved resolutions  
to cancel 35,000,000 options over ordinary shares 
previously granted to the Executive Chairman and 
Managing Director and to award the Executive Chairman 
and Managing director 35,000,000 performance shares 
for zero consideration with tranche 1 of 17,500,000 
performance shares vesting on 30 November 2019 and 

DIRECTORS' REPORT

17

Tranche 2 of 17,500,000 performance shares vesting on  
30 November 2020.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (CONT)

c.  Share-based Payments

The terms and conditions relating to options granted as remuneration during the year to directors and key management 
personnel are as follows:

Note 1. The options have been granted to the Executive Chairman and Managing Director as part of his remuneration

2018

GROUP KEY 
MANAGEMENT 
PERSON

GRANT DATE

GRANT VALUE
$ (NOTE 1)

REASON FOR 
GRANT

VESTING DATE

PERCENTAGE 
VESTED 
DURING YEAR
%

PERCENTAGE 
FORFEITED 
DURING YEAR
%

PERCENTAGE 
REMAINING AS 
UNVESTED
%

EXPIRY DATE

PD Reeve

10 Jun 2015

10 Jun 2015

10 Jun 2015

10 Jun 2015

66,436

57,884

19,445

87,364

Note 1 9 Jun 2016

Note 1 9 Feb 2016

Note 1 9 Feb 2016

Note 1 9 Feb 2017

10 Jun 2015

103,555

Note 1 9 Feb 2018

100

100

100

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 9 Jun 2018

- 9 Feb 2019

- 9 Feb 2019

100 9 Feb 2020

100 9 Feb 2021

RANGE OF 
POSSIBLE 
VALUES 
RELATING 
TO FUTURE 
PAYMENTS

-

-

-

-

-

Note 1. The options have been granted to the Executive Chairman and Managing Director as part of his remuneration and for 
future performance. The vesting conditions of the options are as follows:

•  Tranche 1: vest at immediately, exercisable at 10 cents, expire 9 June 2018.

•  Tranche 2: vest at 8 months from issue, exercisable at 10 cents, expire 9 February 2019.

•  Tranche 3 vest at 8 months from issue, exercisable at 15 cents, expire 9 February 2019.

•  Tranche 4: vest at 20 months from issue, exercisable at 15 cents, expire 9 February 2020.

•  Tranche 5: vest at 32 months from issue, exercisable at 15 cents, expire 9 February 2021.

At the annual general meeting of shareholders on 30 November 2017, shareholders approved resolutions to cancel 35,000,000 
options over ordinary shares (as set out above) previously granted to Mr PD Reeve and award 35,000,000 performance shares for 
zero consideration.

Details of all Share-Based Payments in existence during the year can be found at Note 19 Share-Based Payments.

d.  Description of Options Issued as Remuneration

Details of the options over ordinary shares granted as remuneration to those KMP listed in the previous tables are as follows:

GRANT DATE

ISSUER

ENTITLEMENT ON 
EXERCISE

10 Jun 2015

10 Jun 2015

DATES EXERCISABLE

From vesting date to

9 Jun 2018 (expiry)

9 Feb 2019 (expiry)

10 Jun 2015

Aura Energy Ltd

1:1 ordinary shares 9 Feb 2019 (expiry)

10 Jun 2015

10 Jun 2015

9 Feb 2020 (expiry)

9 Feb 2021 (expiry)

EXERCISE PRICE
$

VALUE PER OPTION 
AT GRANT DATE
$

AMOUNT PAID/ 
PAYABLE BY 
RECIPIENT
$

0.10

0.10

0.15

0.15

0.15

0.0076

0.0093

0.0078

0.0100

0.0118

-

-

-

-

-

-

Options over ordinary shares values at grant date were determined using the Black-Scholes method.

Details relating to service and performance criteria required for the vesting of options over ordinary shares have been 

18

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018provided in the within the financial statements at Note 19. Share-based payments.

KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL (KMP) EQUITY HOLDINGS

a.  Fully paid ordinary shares of Aura Energy Limited held by each KMP

2018

GROUP KEY 
MANAGEMENT PERSON

PD Reeve(1)

RF Beeson

BF Fraser

JC Perkins

JM Madden

BALANCE AT  
START OF YEAR 
NO.

RECEIVED DURING THE 
YEAR AS COMPENSATION 
NO.

11,599,599

927,766(1)

5,636,937

3,957,600

2,861,990

-

24,056,126

-

-

-

215,833

1,143,599

RECEIVED DURING THE 
YEAR ON THE EXERCISE 
OF OPTIONS 
NO.

-

-

-

-

-

-

OTHER CHANGES DURING 
THE YEAR  
NO.

BALANCE AT END  
OF YEAR 
NO.

285,000(2)

12,812,365

-

-

-

-

5,636,937

3,957,600

2,861,990

215,833

285,000

25,484,725

(1)  Mr PD Reeve was issued 927,766 fully paid ordinary shares pursuant to his contract of employment with the Company.

(2)   Ms AB Reeve, a related party to Mr PD Reeve acquired 285,000 ordinary shares on the market on the 30th August 2017 for 2.3 cents per ordinary share.

2017

GROUP KEY 
MANAGEMENT PERSON

PD Reeve(1)

Dr R Beeson

BF Fraser

JC Perkins

JM Madden

BALANCE AT  
START OF YEAR  
NO.

RECEIVED DURING THE 
YEAR AS COMPENSATION 
NO.

RECEIVED DURING THE 
YEAR ON THE EXERCISE 
OF OPTIONS  
NO.

OTHER CHANGES DURING 
THE YEAR(1)  
NO.

BALANCE AT END OF 
YEAR 
NO.

9,718,304

5,636,937

3,957,600

2,861,990

-

1,881,295(1)

-

-

-

-

22,174,831

1,881,295

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

11,599,599

5,636,937

3,957,600

2,861,990

-

24,056,126

(1)  Mr PD Reeve was issued 1,881,295 fully paid ordinary shares pursuant to his contract of employment with the Company.

b.  Options of Aura Energy Limited held by each KMP

2018

GROUP KEY 
MANAGEMENT PERSON

PD Reeve(1)

Dr R Beeson

BF Fraser

JC Perkins

JM Madden

BALANCE AT START 
OF YEAR 
NO.

35,000,000

-

-

-

-

35,000,000

GRANTED AS 
REMUNERATION 
DURING THE YEAR 
NO.

EXERCISED DURING 
THE YEAR 
NO.

OTHER CHANGES 
DURING THE YEAR 
NO.

BALANCE AT END OF 
YEAR 
NO.

VESTED AND 
EXERCISABLE 
NO.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(35,000,000)(1)

-

-

-

-

(35,000,000)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1)  On 30 November 2017 the company cancelled all options over ordinary shares previously granted to Mr PD Reeve.

DIRECTORS' REPORT

19

KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL (KMP) EQUITY HOLDINGS (CONT)

b.  Options of Aura Energy Limited held by each KMP (Cont)

2017

GROUP KEY 
MANAGEMENT PERSON

PD Reeve(1)

Dr R Beeson(2)

BF Fraser(3)

JC Perkins(4)

JM Madden

BALANCE AT START 
OF YEAR 
NO.

GRANTED AS 
REMUNERATION 
DURING THE YEAR 
NO.

EXERCISED DURING 
THE YEAR 
NO.

OTHER CHANGES 
DURING THE YEAR 
NO.

BALANCE AT END OF 
YEAR  
NO.

VESTED AND 
EXERCISABLE 
NO.

37,000,000

2,125,000

625,000

1,250,000

-

41,000,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(2,000,000)

35,000,000

26,500,000

(2,125,000)

(625,000)

(1,250,000)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(6,000,000)

35,000,000

26,500,000

(1)  2,250,000 options over ordinary shares granted to Mr PD Reeve at 15 cents per option expired on 13 January 2017 and 83,104 options over ordinary 

shares issued pursuant to the non-renounceable rights issue on 5 September 2014 expired on 1 September 2015.

(2)  170,205 options over ordinary shares issued pursuant to the non-renounceable rights issue on 5 September 2014 expired on 1 September 2015.

(3)  276,000 options over ordinary shares issued pursuant to the non-renounceable rights issue on 5 September 2014 expired on 1 September 2015.

(4)  142,595 options over ordinary shares issued pursuant to the non-renounceable rights issue on 5 September 2014 expired on 1 September 2015.

c.  Performance shares of Aura Energy Limited held by each KMPP

2018

GROUP KEY 
MANAGEMENT PERSON

PD Reeve(1)

BALANCE AT START 
OF YEAR 
NO.

GRANTED AS 
REMUNERATION 
DURING THE YEAR 
NO.

EXERCISED DURING 
THE YEAR 
NO.

OTHER CHANGES 
DURING THE YEAR 
NO.

BALANCE AT END OF 
YEAR 
NO.

VESTED AND 
EXERCISABLE 
NO.

-

-

35,000,000

35,000,000

-

-

-

-

35,000,000

35,000,000

-

-

At the annual general meeting of shareholders on 30 November 2017, shareholders approved resolutions to cancel 35,000,000 
options over ordinary shares (as set out above) previously granted to Mr PD Reeve and award 35,000,000 performance shares for 
zero consideration. The company expensed $275,042 during the financial year for these performance shares.

LOANS TO KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
There are no loans made to directors of Aura Energy as at 30 June 2018 (2017: nil).

20

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

Amounts owing to KMP

Payable for unpaid fees

PD Reeve

Dr R Beeson

BF Fraser

JC Perkins

JM Madden

2018
$

2017
$

-

-

3,166     

-

16,870

50,000

-

3,166

-

8,000

There have been no other transactions involving equity instruments other than those described in this Annual Report.

This Report of the Directors, incorporating the Remuneration Report, is signed in accordance with a resolution of directors made 
pursuant to s.298(2) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

Peter Reeve

Executive Chairman and Managing Director

Dated this Thursday, 27 September 2018

DIRECTORS' REPORT

21

Auditor’s independence Declaration

To The Board of Directors

Auditor’s Independence Declaration under Section 307C of the 
Corporations Act 2001

As lead audit Partner for the audit of the financial statements of Aura Energy Limited  for 
the financial year ended 30 June 2018, I declare that to the best of my knowledge and 
belief, there have been no contraventions of:

the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to 

the audit; and

any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.

Yours faithfully

BENTLEYS
Chartered Accountants

MARK DELAURENTIS  CA
Partner

Dated at Perth this 27th day of September 2018

22

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018Financial statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

23

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER  
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

NOTE

2018
$

2017
$

Continuing operations

Revenue

Accounting and audit fees

Computers and communications

Depreciation

Employee benefits

Exchange fluctuation

Impairment of exploration expenditure previously capitalised

Insurance

Consulting fees and corporate advisory

Public relations

Rent and utilities

Share-based payments

Share registry and listing fees

Travel and accommodation

AIM listing costs

Other expenses

Loss before income tax

Income tax benefit

Loss from continuing operations

Other comprehensive income, net of income tax

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Foreign currency movement for controlled entity no longer consolidated

Foreign currency movement

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

2

4

10

11

19

3

5

6,838

6,838

(147,225)

(33,945)

(12,377)

(651,703)

(90,145)

4,905

4,905

(161,277)

(35,034)

(6,319)

(736,614)

(173,997)

-

(1,397,602)

(42,378)

(335,026)

(23,158)

(71,632)

(297,916)

(160,433)

(72,622)

- 

(55,335)

(32,981)

(31,238)

(100,650)

(66,178)

(69,552)

(119,455)

(70,290)

(640,963)

(53,354)

(1,987,057)

(3,690,599)

-

-

(1,987,057)

(3,690,599)

-

(99,732)

(99,732)

(45,374)

(149,701)

(195,075)

Total comprehensive income attributable to members of the parent entity

(2,086,789)

(3,885,674)

Earnings per share:

Basic loss per share (cents per share)

¢

¢

6

(0.23)

(0.53)

The consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

24

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 30 JUNE 2018

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Financial assets

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Plant and equipment

Exploration and evaluation assets

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Short-term provisions

Financial liabilities

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Issued capital

Reserves

Accumulated losses

Total Equity

NOTE

2018
$

2017
$

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

2,844,169

2,652,960

23,881

60,926

62,854

53,930

2,928,976

2,769,744

8,124

18,905

17,687,868

14,851,820

17,695,992

14,870,725

20,624,968

17,640,469

303,133

28,405

-

331,538

331,538

576,605

118,948

47,803

743,356

743,356

20,293,430

16,897,113

44,698,295

39,558,943

638,387

841,671

(25,043,252)

(23,503,501)

20,293,430

16,897,113

The consolidated statement of financial position is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

25

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

ISSUED 
CAPITAL
$

ACCUMULATED
LOSSES
$

OPTIONS 
RESERVE
$

FOREIGN 
EXCHANGE 
TRANSLATION
RESERVE
$

TOTAL
$

Balance at 1 July 2016

32,784,203 (19,973,039)

495,651

533,891

13,840,706

Loss for the year attributable owners of the parent

Other comprehensive income for the year attributable 
owners of the parent

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable  
owners of the parent

Transaction with owners, directly in equity

Shares issued during the year

Transaction costs

Options expired during the year

Options exercised during the year

Options issued during the year

Balance at 30 June 2017

-

-

-

(3,690,599)

(45,374)

(3,735,973)

7,113,657

(338,917)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

205,511

(205,511)

-

-

-

167,341

-

(3,690,599)

(149,701)

(195,075)

(149,701)

(3,885,674)

-

-

-

-

-

7,113,657

(338,917)

-

-

167,341

39,558,943 (23,503,501)

457,481

384,190

16,897,113

Balance at 1 July 2017

39,558,943 (23,503,501)

457,481

384,190

16,897,113

Loss for the year attributable owners of the parent

Other comprehensive income for the year attributable 
owners of the parent

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable  
owners of the parent

Transaction with owners, directly in equity

Shares issued during the year

Transaction costs

Options issued during the year

Options cancelled during the year

Options expired during the year

Options exercised during the year

Performance shares issued during the year

-

-

-

(1,987,057)

-

(1,987,057)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

68,712

334,684

(334,684)

112,622

(112,622)

-

-

-

275,042

4,945,381

(303,613)

-

-

-

497,584

-

(1,987,057)

(99,732)

(99,732)

(99,732)

(2,086,789)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

4,945,381

(303,613)

68,712

-

-

497,584

275,042

Balance at 30 June 2018

44,698,295 (25,043,252)

353,929

284,458

20,293,430

The consolidated statement of changes in equity is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes

26

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

Cash flows from operating activities

Receipts from customers

Interest received

Payments to suppliers and employees

Payments for exploration expenditure

Payments for listing on AIM

Net cash used in operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of plant and equipment

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of shares

Exercise of options

Capital raising costs

Net cash provided by financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash held

Cash at 1 July

Change in foreign currency held

Cash at 30 June

The consolidated statement of cash flows is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

NOTE

2018
$

-

6,838

2017
$

-

4,905

(1,741,985)

(1,499,979)

(3,140,343)

(2,087,976)

-

(669,931)

18a

(4,875,490)

(4,252,981)

(1,596)

(1,596)

(25,224)

(25,224)

4,771,051

6,945,778

497,584

-

(110,195)

(158,374)

5,158,440

6,787,404

281,354

2,509,199

2,652,960

317,758

(90,145)

(173,997)

7

2,844,169

2,652,960

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

27

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018
NOTE 1. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
These are the consolidated financial statements and notes  
of Aura Energy Limited and controlled entities (“Consolidated 
Group” or “Group”). Aura Energy Limited is a company limited  
by shares, domiciled and incorporated in Australia.

The ability of the Group to continue as a going concern 
is principally dependent upon the ability of the Group  
to secure funds by raising capital from equity markets  
or by other means, and by managing cash flows

in line with available funds, and/or the successful 
development of the Group’s exploration assets. These 
conditions indicate a material uncertainty that may cast 
doubt about the ability of the Group to continue as a 
going concern.

Based upon cash flow forecasts and other factors 
referred to above, the directors are satisfied that the 
going concern basis of preparation is appropriate, 
including the meeting of exploration commitments. In 
addition, given the Group’s history of raising funds to 
date, the directors are confident of the Group’s ability to 
raise additional funds as and when they are required.

Should the Group be unable to continue as a going 
concern it may be required to realise its assets and 
extinguish its liabilities other than in the normal course 
of business and at amounts different to those stated in 
the financial statements.

The financial statements do not include any adjustments 
relating to the recoverability and classification of asset 
carrying amounts or to the amount and classification of 
liabilities that might result should the Group be unable 
to continue as a going concern and meet its debts as and 
when they fall due.

iv.  Use of estimates and judgements

The preparation of financial statements requires 
management to make judgements, estimates and 
assumptions that affect the application of policies and 
reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and 
expenses. These estimates and associated assumptions 
are based on historical experience and various

factors that are believed to be reasonable under the 
circumstances, the results of which form the basis of 
making the judgements about carrying values of assets 
and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other 
sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed 
on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates 
are recognised in the period in which the estimate is 
revised and in any future periods affected.

Judgements made by management in the application  
of Australian Accounting Standards that have significant 
effect on the financial statements and estimates with  
a significant risk of material adjustment in the next year 
are discussed in Note 1r Critical accounting estimates 
and judgments.

v.  Comparative figures

Where required by Accounting Standards comparative 
figures have been adjusted to conform with changes  
in presentation for the current financial year.

The separate financial statements of the parent entity, Aura 
Energy Limited, have not been presented with this financial 
report as permitted by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

a.  Basis of preparation

i.  Statement of compliance

The financial statements are general purpose financial 
statements that have been prepared in accordance 
with Australian Accounting Standards, including

Australian Accounting Interpretations, other 
authoritative pronouncements of the Australian 
Accounting Standards Board and the Corporations Act 
2001 (Cth).

Australian Accounting Standards set out accounting 
policies that the AASB has concluded would result  
in a financial report containing relevant and 
reliable information about transactions, events and 
conditions to which they apply. Compliance with 
Australian Accounting Standards ensures that the 
financial statements and notes also comply with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued 
by the IASB. Material accounting policies adopted 
in the preparation of these financial statements are 
presented below. They have been consistently applied 
unless otherwise stated.

The financial statements were authorised for issue on 
27 September 2018 by the directors of the Company.

ii.  Financial position

The financial statements have been prepared on an 
accruals basis and are based on historical costs

modified, where applicable, by the measurement at fair 
value of selected non-current assets, financial assets 
and financial liabilities.

iii.  Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a 
going concern basis, which contemplates the continuity 
of normal business activity and the realisation of 
assets and the settlement of liabilities in the ordinary 
course of business.

The Group incurred a loss for the year of $1,987,057 
(2017: $3,690,599 and a net cash out-flow from 
operating activities of $4,875,490 (2017: $4,252,981)

As at 30 June 2018, the Group had working capital  
of $2,597,438 (2017: $2,026,388).

28

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018 
NOTE 1. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT)

b.  Principles of consolidation

A controlled entity is any entity over which Aura Energy 
Limited has the power to govern the financial and 
operating policies so as to obtain benefits from its 
activities. In assessing the power to govern, the

existence and effect of holdings of actual and potential 
voting rights are considered. A list of controlled entities 
is contained in Note 17 Controlled entities in the 
financial statements.

All inter-group balances and transactions between 
entities in the Consolidated Group, including any 
unrealised profits or losses, have been eliminated on 
consolidation. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have 
been changed where necessary to ensure consistency 
with those adopted by the parent entity.

As at reporting date, the assets and liabilities of all 
controlled entities have been incorporated into the 
consolidated financial statements as well as their 
results for the year then ended. Where controlled 
entities have entered (left) the Consolidated Group 
during the year, their operating results have been 
included (excluded) from the date control was 
obtained (ceased).

i.  Business combinations

Business combinations occur when an acquirer obtains 
control over one or more businesses.

A business combination is accounted for by applying 
the acquisition method, unless it is a combination 
involving entities or businesses under common control. 
The business combination will be accounted for from 
the date that control is attained, whereby the fair

value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities 
(including contingent liabilities) assumed is recognised 
(subject to certain limited exemptions).

When measuring the consideration transferred in the 
business combination, any asset or liability resulting 
from a contingent consideration arrangement is

also included. Subsequent to initial recognition, 
contingent consideration classified as an asset or 
liability is remeasured each reporting period to fair 
value, recognising any change to fair value in profit  
or loss, unless the change in value can be identified  
as existing at acquisition date.

All transaction costs incurred in relation to the 
business combination are expensed to the statement 
of profit or loss and comprehensive income.

The acquisition of a business may result in the 
recognition of goodwill or a gain from a bargain 
purchase.

c.  Exploration and development expenditure

i.  Recognition and measurement

Exploration, evaluation, and development expenditure 
incurred is accumulated in respect of each identifiable 
area of interest. These costs are only carried forward 
to the extent that they are expected to be recouped 
through the successful development of the area or 
where activities in the area have not yet reached 
a stage that permits reasonable assessment of the 
existence of economically recoverable reserves.

ii.  Subsequent measurement

Accumulated costs in relation to an abandoned area 
are written off in full against profit in the year in which 
the decision to abandon the area is made.

When production commences, the accumulated costs 
for the relevant area of interest will be amortised over 
the life of the area according to the rate of depletion  
of the economically recoverable reserves.

A regular review is undertaken of each area of interest 
to determine the appropriateness of continuing to 
capitalise costs in relation to that area of interest.

iii.  Site restoration and rehabilitation

Costs of site restoration will be provided over the life 
of the project, when such costs are incurred or the 
Group becomes liable pursuant to a development 
agreement with government agencies. In the 
exploration and evaluation phase, all drill holes are 
collared and any site disturbance is restored with 
the costs incorporated in the costs of exploration 
and evaluation. Site restoration costs will include 
the dismantling and removal of mining plant, 
equipment and building structures, waste removal, 
and rehabilitation of the site in accordance with 
clauses of the mining permits. Such costs have been 
determined using estimates of future costs, current 
legal requirements and technology on an undiscounted 
basis.

Any changes in the estimates for the costs are 
accounted on a prospective basis. In determining the 
costs of site restoration, there is uncertainty regarding 
the nature and extent of the restoration

due to community expectations and future legislation. 
Accordingly the costs have been determined on the 
basis that the restoration will be completed within one 
year of abandoning the site.

d.  Income tax

Current income tax expense charged to the profit or 
loss is the tax payable on taxable income calculated 
using applicable income tax rates enacted, or 
substantially enacted, as at reporting date. Current 
tax liabilities (assets) are therefore measured at the 
amounts expected to be paid to (recovered from) the 
relevant taxation authority.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

29

NOTE 1. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT)

Deferred income tax expense reflects movements in 
deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability balances 
during the year as well as unused tax losses.

Current and deferred income tax expense (income) is 
charged or credited outside profit or loss when the tax 
relates to items recognised outside profit or loss.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are ascertained 
based on temporary differences arising between the 
tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying 
amounts in the financial statements. Deferred tax 
assets also result where amounts have been fully 
expensed but future tax deductions are available. No 
deferred income tax will be recognised from the initial 
recognition of an asset or liability, excluding a business 
combination, where there is no effect on accounting or 
taxable profit or loss.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated at  
the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period 
when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, 
based on tax rates enacted or substantively enacted  
at reporting date.

Their measurement also reflects the manner in which 
management expects to recover or settle the carrying 
amount of the related asset or liability.

Deferred tax assets relating to temporary differences 
and unused tax losses are recognised only to the 
extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will 
be available against which the benefits of the deferred 
tax asset can be utilised.

Where temporary differences exist in relation to 
investments in subsidiaries, branches, associates,  
and joint ventures, deferred tax assets and liabilities 
are not recognised where the timing of the reversal  
of the temporary difference can be controlled and 
it is not probable that the reversal will occur in the 
foreseeable future.

Current tax assets and liabilities are offset where 
a legally enforceable right of set-off exists and it 
is intended that net settlement or simultaneous 
realisation and settlement of the respective asset and 
liability will occur. Deferred tax assets and liabilities 
are offset where a legally enforceable right of set-off 
exists, the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to 
income taxes levied by the same taxation authority 
on either the same taxable entity or different taxable 
entities where it is intended that net settlement 
or simultaneous realisation and settlement of the 
respective asset and liability will occur in future 
periods in which significant amounts of deferred tax 
assets or liabilities are expected to be recovered  
or settled.

Where the Group receives the Australian Government’s 
Research and Development Tax Incentive, The Group 
accounts for the refundable tax offset under AASB 112. 
Funds are received as a rebate through the parent 
company’s income tax return and disclosed as such  
in Note 5 Income tax.

e.  Plant and equipment

i.  Recognition and measurement

Each class of plant and equipment is measured at cost 
or fair value less, where applicable, any accumulated 
depreciation and impairment losses.

The carrying amount of plant and equipment is 
reviewed annually by directors to ensure it is not in 
excess of the recoverable amount from these assets. 
The recoverable amount is assessed on the basis of 
the expected net cash flows that will be received from 
the assets employment and subsequent disposal. The 
expected net cash flows have not been discounted 
to their present values in determining recoverable 
amounts.

Items of property, plant and equipment are measured 
at cost less accumulated depreciation (see below) 
and impairment losses (see Note 1m Impairment of 
non- financial assets and Note 1c Exploration and 
development expenditure).

ii.  Depreciation

The depreciable amount of all fixed assets including 
building and capitalised lease assets, but excluding 
freehold land, is depreciated on a straight line basis 
over their useful lives to the Consolidated Group 
commencing from the time the asset is held ready for 
use. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the 
shorter of either the unexpired period of the lease or 
the estimated useful lives of the improvements.

The depreciation rates used for each class of 
depreciable assets are:

Plant and equipment 

20.00% 

Computers 

33.00%

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are 
reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of 
each reporting period. An asset’s carrying amount is 
written down immediately to its recoverable amount 
if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its 
estimated recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by 
comparing proceeds with the carrying amount. These 
gains and losses are included in the statement of 
comprehensive income. When re-valued assets are sold, 
amounts included in the revaluation reserve relating  
to that asset are transferred to retained earnings.

30

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018 
NOTE 1. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT)

f.  Employee benefits

h.  Revenue and other income

Interest revenue is recognised on a proportional basis 
taking into account the interest rates applicable to the 
financial assets.

For the period ending 30 June 2018 the Company has 
three employees.

Management fees are recognised on portion  
of completion basis.

i.  Defined contribution superannuation funds

A defined contribution plan is a post-employment 
benefit plan under which an entity pays fixed 
contributions onto a separate entity and will have no 
legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. 
Obligations for contributions to defined contribution 
superannuation funds are recognised as an expense 
in the income statement as incurred. Prepaid 
contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent 
that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments  
is available.

ii.  Short-term benefits

Liabilities for employee benefits for wages, salaries 
and annual leave that are expected to be settled 
within 12 months of the reporting date represent 
present obligations resulting from employees’ services 
provided to the reporting date and are calculated at 
undiscounted amounts based on remuneration wage 
and salary rates that the Company expects to pay at 
the reporting date including related on-costs, such  
as workers compensation insurance and payroll tax.

Non-accumulating non-monetary benefits, such as 
medical care, housing, cars and free or subsidised 
goods and services, are expensed based on the net 
marginal cost to the Company as the benefits are  
taken by the employees.

Gain on disposal of tenements, and revenue from 
equipment chargebacks, are recognised on receipt  
of compensation.

All revenue is stated net of the amount of value added 
taxes (see Note 1i Value-added taxes).

i.  Value-added taxes

Value-added taxes (VAT) is the generic term for the 
broad-based consumption taxes that the Group is 
exposed to such as: Australia (GST); Sweden (MOMS); 
and in Mauritanian (VAT).

Revenues, expenses, and assets are recognised net of the 
amount of VAT, except where the amount of VAT incurred 
is not recoverable from the relevant country’s taxation 
authority. In these circumstances the VAT is recognised 
as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part 
of an item of the expense. Receivables and payables in 
the statement of financial position are shown inclusive 
of VAT.

Cash flows are presented in the statement of cash flows 
on a gross basis, except for the VAT component  
of investing and financing activities, which are disclosed 
as operating cash flows.

Commitments and contingencies are disclosed net  
of the amount of VAT recoverable from, or payable to,  
the taxation authority.

iii.  Other long-term benefits

j.  Leases

Employee benefits payable later than one year have 
been measured at the present value of the estimated 
future cash outflows to be made for those benefits.

g.  Equity-settled compensation

The Group operates an employee share ownership 
scheme. Share-based payments to employees are 
measured at the fair value of the instruments issued 
and amortised over the vesting periods. Share-based 
payments to non-employees are measured at the fair 
value of goods or services received or the fair value  
of the equity instruments issued, if it is determined the 
fair value of the goods or services cannot be reliably 
measured, and are recorded at the date the goods 
or services are received. The corresponding amount 
is recorded to the option reserve. The fair value of 
options is determined using the Black-Scholes pricing 
model. The number of shares and options expected 
to vest is reviewed and adjusted at the end of each 
reporting period such that the amount recognised 
for services received as consideration for the equity 
instruments granted is based on the number of equity 
instruments that eventually vest.

.

Leases of fixed assets where substantially all the risks 
and benefits incidental to the ownership of the asset, 
but not the legal ownership, are transferred to entities  
in the Group are classified as finance leases.

Leased assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis 
over their estimated useful lives where it is likely that 
the Group will obtain ownership of the asset or over the 
term of the lease.

Lease payments for operating leases, where substantially 
all the risks and benefits remain with the lessor, are 
charged as expenses in the periods in which they are 
incurred.

Lease incentives under operating leases are recognised 
as a liability and amortised on a straight-line basis over 
the life of the lease term.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31

NOTE 1. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT)

k.  Financial instruments

i. 

Initial recognition and measurement

Financial instruments, incorporating financial assets 
and financial liabilities, are recognised when the entity 
becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the 
instrument. Trade date accounting is adopted for 
financial assets that are delivered within timeframes 
established by marketplace convention.

Financial instruments are initially measured at fair 
value plus transactions costs where the instrument  
is not classified as at fair value through profit or loss.

Transaction costs related to instruments classified as at 
fair value through profit or loss are expensed to profit 
or loss immediately.

The Group does not designate any interests in 
subsidiaries, associates or joint venture entities as 
being subject to the requirements of accounting 
standards specifically applicable to financial 
instruments.

ii.  Non-derivative financial instruments

Non-derivative financial instruments comprise 
investments in equity securities, trade and other 
receivables, cash and cash equivalents and trade and 
other payables.

Non-derivative financial instruments are recognised 
initially at fair value plus, for instruments not at fair 
value through profit or loss, any directly attributable 
transactions costs. Subsequent to initial recognition 
non-derivative financial instruments are measured  
as described below.

iii.  Classification and subsequent measurement

(1)  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, 
deposits held at call with banks, other short-term 
highly liquid investments with original maturities 
of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank 
overdrafts are shown within short-borrowings in 
current liabilities on the Statement of financial 
position.

(2)  Loans

Loans are non-derivative financial assets with fixed 
or determinable payments that are not quoted in an 
active market and are subsequently measured at

amortised cost. Gains or losses are recognised in profit 
or loss through the amortisation process and when the 
financial asset is derecognised.

Loans are included in current assets, except for those 
which are not expected to mature within 12 months 
after the end of the reporting period.

32

(3)  Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are stated at amortised 
cost. Receivables are usually settled within 30 to  
90 days.

Collectability of trade and other debtors is reviewed 
on an ongoing basis. An impairment loss is recognised 
for debts which are known to be uncollectible. An 
impairment provision is raised for any doubtful 
amounts.

(4)  Trade and other payables

Trade payables and other payable are recognised when 
the Group becomes obligated to make future payments 
resulting from the purchase of goods and services 
which are unpaid and stated at their amortised cost. 
The amounts are unsecured and are generally settled 
on 30 day terms.

(5)  Financial liabilities

Non-derivative financial liabilities (excluding financial 
guarantees) are subsequently measured at amortised 
cost.

(6)  Share capital

Ordinary issued capital is recorded at the consideration 
received. Incremental costs directly attributable to 
the issue of ordinary shares and share options are 
recognised as a deduction from equity, net of any 
related income tax benefit. Ordinary issued capital 
bears no special terms or conditions affecting income 
or capital entitlements of the shareholders.

iv.  Amortised cost

Amortised cost is calculated as the amount at which 
the financial asset or financial liability is measured 
at initial recognition less principal repayments and 
any reduction for impairment, and adjusted for any 
cumulative amortisation of the difference between 
that initial amount and the maturity amount calculated 
using the effective interest method.

v.  Fair value

Fair value is determined based on current bid prices 
for all quoted investments. Valuation techniques are 
applied to determine the fair value for all unlisted 
securities, including recent arm’s length transactions, 
reference to similar instruments and option pricing 
models.

vi.  Effective interest method

The effective interest method is used to allocate 
interest income or interest expense over the relevant 
period and is equivalent to the rate that discounts 
estimated future cash payments or receipts (including 
fees, transaction costs and other premiums or 
discounts) over the expected life (or when this cannot 
be reliably predicted, the contractual term) of the 
financial instrument to the net carrying amount of 
the financial asset or financial liability. Revisions to 
expected future net cash flows will necessitate 

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018NOTE 1. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT)

an adjustment to the carrying amount with a 
consequential recognition of an income or expense 
item in profit or loss.

vii.  Impairment

A financial asset is assessed at each reporting date 
to determine whether there is any objective evidence 
that it is impaired. A financial asset is considered to 
be impaired if objective evidence indicates that one 
or more events have had a negative effect on the 
estimated future cash flows of that asset.

An impairment loss in respect of a financial asset 
measured at amortised cost is calculated as the 
difference between its carrying amount, and the 
present value of the estimated future cash flows 
discounted at the original effective interest rate.

Individually significant financial assets are tested for 
impairment on an individual basis. The remaining 
financial assets are assessed collectively in Groups that 
share similar credit risk characteristics.

All impairment losses are recognised in the income 
statement.

An impairment loss is reversed if the reversal can be 
related objectively to an event occurring after the 
impairment loss was recognised. For financial assets 
measured at amortised cost the reversal is recognised 
in the income statement.

viii. Derecognition

Financial assets are derecognised where the 
contractual rights to cash flow expires or the asset 
is transferred to another party whereby the entity no 
longer has any significant continuing involvement 
in the risks and benefits associated with the asset. 
Financial liabilities are derecognised where the related 
obligations are either discharged, cancelled

or expired. The difference between the carrying value 
of the financial liability extinguished or transferred to 
another party and the fair value of consideration paid, 
including the transfer of non-cash assets or liabilities 
assumed, is recognised in profit or loss.

ix.  Financial income and expenses

Finance income comprises interest income on funds 
invested (including available-for-sale financial assets), 
gains on the disposal of available-for-sale financial 
assets and changes in the fair value of financial assets 
at fair value through profit or loss. Interest income 
is recognised as it accrues in profit or loss, using the 
effective interest method.

Financial expenses comprise interest expense on 
borrowings calculated using the effective interest 
method, unwinding of discounts on provisions, changes 
in the fair value of financial assets at fair value through 
profit or loss and impairment losses recognised on 

financial assets. All borrowing costs are recognised  
in profit or loss using the effective interest method.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, 
construction or production of assets that necessarily 
take a substantial period of time to prepare for their 
intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those 
assets, until such time as the assets are substantially 
ready for their intended use or sale. All other borrowing 
costs are recognised in income in the period in which 
they are incurred.

Foreign currency gains and losses are reported  
on a net basis.

l.  Earnings per share

i.  Basic earnings per share

Basic earnings (or loss) per share is determined by 
dividing the profit or loss attributable to equity holders 
of the parent company, excluding any costs of service 
equity other than ordinary shares, by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during 
the financial year, adjusted for bonus elements in 
ordinary shares issued during the year.

ii.  Diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings (or loss) per share is determined by 
adjusting the profit or loss attributable to ordinary 
shareholders and the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares outstanding for the effects of all 
dilutive potential ordinary shares which comprise share 
options granted as share-based payments.

The Group does not report diluted earnings per share, 
as dilution is not applied to annual losses generated  
by the Group.

m.  Impairment of non-financial assets

The carrying amounts of the Company’s non-financial 
assets, other than deferred tax assets (Note 1d Income 
tax) and exploration and evaluation assets (Note

1c Exploration and development expenditure) are 
reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether 
there is any indication of impairment. If any such 
indication exists then the asset’s recoverable amount  
is estimated.

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying 
amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds 
its recoverable amount. A cash-generating unit is the 
smallest identifiable asset Group that generates cash 
flows that largely are independent from other assets 
and Groups. Impairment losses are recognised in the 
income statement, unless the asset has previously 
been revalued, in which case the impairment loss is 
recognised as a reversal to the extent of that previous 
revaluation with any excess recognised through the 
income statement. Impairment losses recognised in 
respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to 
reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated 
to the units and then to reduce the carrying amount  
of the other assets in the unit on a pro rata basis.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

33

NOTE 1. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT)

The recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating 
unit is the greater of its fair value less costs to sell and 
value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated 
future cash flows are discounted to their present value 
using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current 
market assessments of the time value of money 
and the risks specific to the asset. For an asset that 
does not generate largely independent cash inflows, 
the recoverable amount is determined for the cash- 
generating unit to which the asset belongs.

Impairment losses recognised in prior periods are 
assessed at each reporting date for any indications 
that the loss has decreased or no longer exists. An 
impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change 
in the estimates used to determine the recoverable 
amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the 
extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not 
exceed the carrying amount that would have been 
determined, net of depreciation and amortisation,  
if no impairment loss had been recognised.

n.  Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a legal 
or constructive obligation, as a result of past events, 
for which it is probable that an outflow of economic 
benefits will results and that outflow can be reliably 
measured.

o.  Foreign currency transactions and balances

i.  Functional and presentation currency

The functional currency of each of the Group’s 
entities is measured using the currency of the primary 
economic environment in which that entity operates. 
The consolidated financial statements are presented 
in Australian dollars which is the parent entity’s 
functional and presentation currency.

ii.  Transaction and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into 
functional currency using the exchange rates 
prevailing at the date of the transaction. Foreign 
currency monetary items are translated at the year- 
end exchange rate. Non-monetary items measured at 
historical cost continue to be carried at the exchange 
rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary items 
measured at fair value are reported at the exchange 
rate at the date when fair values were determined.

Exchange differences arising on the translation of 
monetary items are recognised in the profit or loss 
except where deferred in equity as a qualifying cash 
flow or net investment hedge.

Exchange differences arising on the translation of 
non-monetary items are recognised directly in other 
comprehensive income to the extent that the gain 
or loss is directly recognised in other comprehensive 
income, otherwise the exchange difference is 
recognised in the profit or loss.

34

iii.  Group companies

The financial results and position of foreign operations 
whose functional currency is different from the Group’s 
presentation currency are translated as follows:

Assets and liabilities are translated at year-end 
exchange rates prevailing at that reporting date.

Income and expenses are translated at average 
exchange rates for the period.

Retained earnings are translated at the exchange rates 
prevailing at the date of the transaction.

Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign 
operations are transferred directly to the Group’s 
foreign currency translation reserve in the statement  
of financial position. These differences are recognised 
in the profit or loss in the period in which the 
operation is disposed.

p.  Fair value estimation

A number of the Group’s accounting policies and 
disclosures require the determination of fair value, 
for both financial and non-financial assets and 
liabilities. Information about the assumptions made 
in determining fair values of assets and liabilities is 
disclosed in the notes specific to that asset or liability.

q.  Fair value of assets and liabilities

The Group measures some of its assets and liabilities 
at fair value on either a recurring or non-recurring 
basis, depending on the requirements of the applicable 
Accounting Standard.

Fair value is the price the Group would receive to sell 
an asset or would have to pay to transfer a liability

in an orderly (i.e. unforced) transaction between 
independent, knowledgeable and willing market 
participants at the measurement date.

As fair value is a market-based measure, the closest 
equivalent observable market pricing information is 
used to determine fair value. Adjustments to market 
values may be made having regard to the

characteristics of the specific asset or liability. The fair 
values of assets and liabilities that are not traded in 
an active market are determined using one or more 
valuation techniques. These valuation techniques 
maximise, to the extent possible, the use of observable 
market data.

To the extent possible, market information is extracted 
from either the principal market for the asset or 
liability (i.e. the market with the greatest volume and 
level of activity for the asset or liability) or, in the 
absence of such a market, the most advantageous 
market available to the entity at the end of the 
reporting period (i.e. the market that maximises the 
receipts from the sale of the asset or minimises the 
payments made to transfer the liability, after taking 
into account transaction costs and transport costs).

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018NOTE 1. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT)

For non-financial assets, the fair value measurement 
also takes into account a market participant’s ability  
to use the asset in its highest and best use or to sell it 
to another market participant that would use the asset 
in its highest and best use.

The fair value of liabilities and the entity’s own equity 
instruments (excluding those related to share-based 
payment arrangements) may be valued, where there 
is no observable market price in relation to the 
transfer of such financial instruments, by reference 
to observable market information where such 
instruments are held as assets. Where this information 
is not available, other valuation techniques are 
adopted and, where significant, are detailed in the 
respective note to the financial statements.

i.  Valuation techniques

In the absence of an active market for an identical 
asset or liability, the Group selects and uses one or 
more valuation techniques to measure the fair value 
of the asset or liability, the Group selects a valuation 
technique that is appropriate in the circumstances 
and for which sufficient data is available to measure 
fair value. The availability of sufficient and relevant 
data primarily depends on the specific characteristics 
of the asset or liability being measured. The valuation 
techniques selected by the Group are consistent with 
one or more of the following valuation approaches:

(1)  Market approach: valuation techniques that use 
prices and other relevant information generated  
by market transactions for identical or similar 
assets or liabilities.

(2)  Income approach: valuation techniques that 

convert estimated future cash flows or income and 
expenses into a single discounted present value.

(3)  Cost approach: valuation techniques that reflect 
the current replacement cost of an asset at its 
current service capacity.

Each valuation technique requires inputs that reflect 
the assumptions that buyers and sellers would

use when pricing the asset or liability, including 
assumptions about risks. When selecting a valuation 
technique, the Group gives priority to those techniques 
that maximise the use of observable inputs and 
minimise the use of unobservable inputs. Inputs that 
are developed using market data (such as publicly 
available information on actual transactions) and 
reflect the assumptions that buyers and sellers would 
generally use when pricing the asset or liability are 
considered observable, whereas inputs for which 
market data is not available and therefore are 
developed using the best information available about 
such assumptions are considered unobservable.

ii.  Fair value hierarchy

AASB 13 requires the disclosure of fair value 
information by level of the fair value hierarchy, which 
categorises fair value measurements into one of three 
possible levels based on the lowest level that an 
input that is significant to the measurement can be 
categorised into as follows:

(1)  Level 1

Measurements based on quoted prices (unadjusted)  
in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that 
the entity can access at the measurement date.

(2)  Level 2

Measurements based on inputs other than quoted 
prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the 
asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

(3)  Level 3

Measurements based on unobservable inputs for the 
asset or liability.

The fair values of assets and liabilities that are not 
traded in an active market are determined using one or 
more valuation techniques. These valuation techniques 
maximise, to the extent possible, the use of observable 
market data. If all significant inputs required to 
measure fair value are observable, the asset or liability 
is included in Level 2. If one or more significant inputs 
are not based on observable market data, the asset or 
liability is included in Level 3.

The Group would change the categorisation within 
the fair value hierarchy only in the following 
circumstances:

• 

• 

if a market that was previously considered active 
(Level 1) became inactive (Level 2 or Level 3) or 
vice versa or

if significant inputs that were previously 
unobservable (Level 3) became observable (Level 2) 
or vice versa.

When a change in the categorisation occurs, the Group 
recognises transfers between levels of the fair value 
hierarchy (i.e. transfers into and out of each level of the 
fair value hierarchy) on the date the event or change  
in circumstances occurred.

r.  Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The directors evaluate estimates and judgements 
incorporated into the financial report based on 
historical knowledge and best available current 
information.

Estimates assume a reasonable expectation of future 
events and are based on current trends and economic 
data, obtained both externally and within the Group.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

35

NOTE 1. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT)

i.  Key Judgements – Exploration and evaluation 

expenditure

Exploration and evaluation costs are carried forward 
where right of tenure of the area of interest is current. 
These costs are carried forward in respect of an area 
that has not at reporting date reached a stage that 
permits reasonable assessment of the existence

of economically recoverable reserves, refer to the 
accounting policy stated in Note 1c Exploration and 
development expenditure.

The carrying value of capitalised expenditure at 
reporting date is $17,687,868 (2017: $14,851,820).

During the financial year, the Group undertook 
assessment of its tenement assets, as a result of this 
assessment, the Group decided to impair some of its 
exploration assets. Refer to Note 11 Exploration and 
evaluation assets.

ii.  Key Judgements – Environmental issues

Balances disclosed in the financial statements and 
notes thereto are not adjusted for any pending or 
enacted environmental legislation, and the directors 
understanding thereof. At the current stage of the 
Company’s development and its current environmental 
impact, the directors believe such treatment is 
reasonable and appropriate.

iii.  Key Estimate – Taxation

Balances disclosed in the financial statements and the 
notes thereto, related to taxation, are based on the 
best estimates of directors. These estimates take into 
account both the financial performance and position 
of the Company as they pertain to current income 
taxation legislation, and the directors understanding 
thereof.

No adjustment has been made for pending or future 
taxation legislation. The current income tax position 
represents that directors’ best estimate, pending an 
assessment by tax authorities in relevant jurisdictions. 
Refer to Note 5 Income tax.

iv.  Key Estimate — Impairment

The Group assesses impairment at each reporting date 
by evaluating conditions specific to the Group that may 
lead to impairment of assets. Where an impairment 
trigger exists, the recoverable amount of the asset  
is determined. 

v.  Key Estimate – Share-based payments

The Group measures the cost of equity-settled 
transactions with employees by reference to the fair 
value of the equity instruments at the date at which 
they are granted. The fair value is determined by an 
internal valuation using a Black-Scholes option pricing 
model, using the assumptions detailed in Note 19 
Share-based payments.

36

s.  New standards, interpretations and amendments adopted  

by the Group   

A number of new standards, amendments to standards 
and interpretations issued by the AASB which are not yet 
mandatorily applicable to the Group have not been applied 
in preparing these financial statements. Those which may 
be relevant to the Group are set out below. The Group does 
not plan to adopt these standards early

i.  AASB 9 Financial Instruments and associated Amending 
Standards (applicable for annual reporting period 
commencing 1 January 2018)

The Standard will be applicable retrospectively (subject 
to the comment on hedge accounting below) and 
includes revised requirements for the classification and 
measurement of financial instruments, revised recognition 
and derecognition requirements for financial instruments 
and simplified requirements for hedge accounting.

Key changes made to this standard that may affect the 
Group on initial application include certain simplifications 
to the classification of financial assets, simplifications 
to the accounting of embedded derivatives, and the 
irrevocable election to recognise gains and losses on 
investments in equity instruments that are not held for 
trading in other comprehensive income.

The Directors anticipate that the adoption of AASB 9 
will not have a material impact on the Group’s financial 
instruments.

ii.  AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (applicable 

to annual reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 
2018).

When effective, this Standard will replace the current 
accounting requirements applicable to revenue with a 
single, principles-based model. Except for a limited number 
of exceptions, including leases, the new revenue model 
in AASB 15 will apply to all contracts with customers as 
well as non-monetary exchanges between entities in the 
same line of business to facilitate sales to customers and 
potential customers.

The core principle of the Standard is that an entity will 
recognise revenue to depict the transfer of promised 
goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects 
the consideration to which the entity expects to be 
entitled in exchange for the goods or services. To achieve 
this objective, AASB 15 provides the following five-step 
process:

(1)  Identify the contract(s) with a customer;

(2)  Identify the performance obligations in the contract(s);

(3)  Determine the transaction price;

(4)  Allocate the transaction price to the performance 
obligations in the contract(s); and

(5)  Recognise revenue when (or as) the performance 
obligations are satisfied.

This Standard will require retrospective restatement, as 
well as enhanced disclosures regarding revenue.

The Directors anticipate that the adoption of AASB 15 
will not have a material impact on the Group’s revenue 
recognition and disclosures.

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018iii.  AASB 16: Leases (applicable to annual reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2019).

AASB 16 removes the classification of leases as either operating leases or finance leases for the lessee effectively treating 
all leases as finance leases. Short term leases (less than 12 months) and leases of a low value are exempt from the lease 
accounting requirements. Lessor accounting remains similar to current practice.

The Directors has have still assessing the likely impact.

iv.  AASB 2016-1 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses

The amendments clarify that an entity needs to consider whether tax law restricts the sources of taxable profits 
against which it may make deductions on the reversal of deductible temporary difference related to unrealised losses. 
Furthermore, the amendments provide guidance on how an entity should determine future taxable profits and explain the 
circumstances in which taxable profit may include the recovery of some assets for more than their carrying amount. The 
Group applied amendments retrospectively.

However, their application has no effect on the Group’s financial position and performance as the Group has no deductible 
temporary differences or assets that are in the scope of the amendments.

v.  AASB 2016-2 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Disclosure Initiative: Amendments to AASB 107

The amendments require entities to provide disclosure of changes in their liabilities arising from financing activities, 
including both changes arising from cash flows and non-cash changes (such as foreign exchange gains or losses).

However, their application has no effect on the Group’s financial position and performance as the Group has no deductible 
temporary differences or assets that are in the scope of the amendments.

vi.  AASB 2017-2 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Further Annual Improvements 2014-2016 Cycle

The amendments clarify that the disclosure requirements in AASB 12, other than those in paragraphs B10–B16, apply 
to an entity’s interest in a subsidiary, a joint venture or an associate (or a portion of its interest in a joint venture or an 
associate) that is classified (or included in a disposal group that is classified) as held for sale.

However, their application has no effect on the Group’s financial position and performance as the Group has no deductible 
temporary differences or assets that are in the scope of the amendments.

NOTE 2. REVENUE AND OTHER INCOME

Revenue

Interest received from financial institutions

Total Revenue

NOTE 3. LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX

The following significant expense items are relevant in explaining the financial performance:

Superannuation expense

NOTE 4. AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION

Remuneration of the auditor of the Group for:

Auditing or reviewing the financial reports

Taxation services provided by a related practice of the auditor

Other services

2018
$

6,838

6,838

2017
$

4.905

4,905

2018
$

2017
$

61,597

36,838

2018
$

44,605

894

-

45,499

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2017
$

40,860

1,550

9,000

51,410

37

NOTE 5. INCOME TAX

Income tax expense/(benefit)

Current tax

Deferred tax

Tax rebate for research and development

Deferred income tax expense included in income tax expense comprises:

Increase/(decrease) in deferred tax assets

(Increase)/decrease in deferred tax liabilities

NOTES

2018
$

2017
$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Reconciliation of income tax expense to prima facie tax payable

The prima facie tax payable/(benefit) on loss from ordinary activities before income tax 
is reconciled to the income tax expense as follows:

Prima facie tax on operating loss at 27.5% (2017: 30%)

(546,441)

(1,107,180)

Add/(less)

Tax effect of:

Capital-raising costs deductible

Impairment of exploration expenditure previously capitalised

Share-based payments

Other

Deferred tax asset not brought to account

Income tax expense/(benefit) attributable to operating loss

Less rebates:

Tax rebate for research and development

Income tax expense/(benefit)

The applicable weighted average effective tax rates attributable to operating profit  
are as follows

Balance of franking account at year end

(37,500)

-

92,479

27,044

464,418

140,608

419,281

20,556

(52,199)

578,925

-

-

-

%

Nil

$

Nil

-

-

-

%

Nil

$

Nil

38

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018NOTE 5. INCOME TAX (CONT)

Deferred tax assets

Tax losses

Provisions and accruals

Other

Set-off deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax assets

Less deferred tax assets not recognised

Net tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Exploration expenditure

Set-off deferred tax assets

Net deferred tax liabilities

Tax losses

Unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised, that may be 
utilised to offset tax liabilities:

Revenue losses

Capital losses

NOTE

2018
$

2017
$

4,697,290

4,174,499

(7,066)

(57,797)

21,697

99,869

4,632,427

4,296,065

-

-

4,632,427

4,296,065

(4,632,427)

(4,296,065)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

15,935,730

14,345,219

2,083,905

2,083,905

18,019,635

16,429,124

Potential deferred tax assets attributable to tax losses and exploration expenditure carried forward have not been brought to 
account at 30 June 2018 because the directors do not believe it is appropriate to regard realisation of the deferred tax assets  
as probable at this point in time. These benefits will only be obtained if:

i.  The Group derives future assessable income of a nature and of an amount sufficient to enable the benefit from the deductions 

for the loss and exploration expenditure to be realised.

ii.  The Group continues to comply with conditions for deductibility imposed by law.

iii.  No changes in tax legislation adversely affect the Group in realising the benefit from the deductions for the loss and 

exploration expenditure.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

39

NOTE 6. EARNINGS PER SHARE

a. Loss from continuing operations for the year

NOTE

2018
$

2017
$

(1,987,057)

(3,690,599)

2018
NO.

2017
NO.

b.   Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year used  

in calculation of basic EPS

865,506,202

692,642,263

c.   Basic and diluted earnings per share (cents per share)

2018
¢

(0.23)

2017
¢

(0.53)

i.  The Group is in a loss making position and it is unlikely that the conversion to, calling of, or subscription for, ordinary share 
capital in respect of potential ordinary shares would lead to diluted earnings per share that shows an inferior view of the 
earnings per share. Therefore in the event the Company has dilutionary equity instruments on issue, the diluted loss per share 
for the year ended 30 June 2018 is the same as basic loss per share, whilst the Company remains loss making.

ii.  There are 131,275,807 (2017: 80,803,189) options over ordinary shares that have vested.

NOTE 7. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash at bank

Short-term bank deposits

NOTE

2018
$

2017
$

2,529,005

2,614,749

7a

315,164

38,211

2,844,169

2,652,960

a.  The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk and a sensitivity analysis for financial assets and liabilities  

are disclosed in Note 24 Financial risk management.

NOTE 8. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Current

Value-added tax receivable

Other

NOTE

8a

2018
$

23,221

660

23,881

2017
$

62,854

-

62,854

a.  Value-added tax (VAT) is a generic term for the broad-based consumption taxes that the Group is exposed to such as:  

Australia (GST); Sweden (MOMS); and in Mauritanian (VAT).

b.  The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk and a sensitivity analysis for financial assets and liabilities are disclosed  

in Note 24 Financial risk management.

40

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018 
NOTE 9. FINANCIAL ASSETS

Current

Bonds and prepayments

NOTE 10. PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Non-current

Plant and equipment

Accumulated depreciation

Total plant and equipment

Movements in carrying amounts

Balance at the beginning of year

Additions

Depreciation expense

Carrying amount at the end of year

2018
$

60,926

60,926

2018
$

25,224

(6,319)

18,905

18,905

18,905

1,596

(12,377)

8,124

2017
$

80,897

80,897

2017
$

25,224

(6,319)

18,905

18,905

-

25,224

(6,319)

18,905

NOTE 11. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

Non-current

Exploration expenditure capitalised:

Exploration and evaluation phase at cost

Add: 

Effect of exchange rate changes on exploration and evaluation assets

Less:  Exploration expenditure impairment

Net carrying value

a.  The value of the Group interest in exploration expenditure is dependent upon:

•  The continuance of the Group’s rights to tenure of the areas of interest.

•  The results of future exploration.

NOTE

2018
$

2017
$

17,782,996

16,442,768

(95,128)

(193,346)

11b

11a,b

-

(1,397,602)

17,687,868

14,851,820

•  The recoupment of costs through successful development and exploitation of the areas of interest, or alternatively,  

by their sale.

The Group’s exploration properties may be subjected to claim(s) under Native Title (or jurisdictional equivalent), or contain 
sacred sites, or sites of significance to the indigenous people of Sweden and Mauritania.

As a result, exploration properties or areas within the tenements may be subject to exploration restrictions, mining  
restrictions and/or claims for compensation. At this time, it is not possible to quantify whether such claims exist, or the 
quantum of such claims.

The Company has lodged exploitation applications for Ain Seder, Oued El Foule Est and Oum Ferkik. The Company is  
awaiting the completion by the government of its review of the applications.  The carrying value of these three tenements  
in the accounts is $11,314,581.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

41

NOTE 11. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS (CONT)

b.  The Group has not recorded an impairment to the carrying value of its Mauritanian and Swedish tenements for the financial 

year ended 30 June 2018  of $ Nil (2017: $1,397,602).

The impairment in the previous year arose from the group relinquishing tenements in Mauritania $495,433 and Sweden 
$897,368. The Group also recorded an impairment of $4,801 on an entity it placed into voluntary liquidation.

NOTE 12. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Current

Unsecured

Trade payables

Accrued expenses

Other taxes payable

NOTE

2018
$

2017
$

12a

60,112

333, 684

193,350

49,671

303,133

165,282

77,639

576,605

a.  Trade payables are non-interest bearing and arise from the usual operating activities of the Group. Trade payables and other 

payables and accruals, except directors’ fees, are usually settled within the lower of terms of trade or 30 days.

b.  The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk and a sensitivity analysis for financial assets and liabilities are disclosed in Note 24 

Financial risk management.

NOTE 13. SHORT-TERM PROVISIONS

Current

Employee benefits

Number of employees at year end

NOTE 14. OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Current

Share Sale Facility

2018
$

2017
$

28,405

28,405

118,948

118,948

2018
NO.

4

2018
$

-

-

2017
NO.

4

2017
$

47,803

47,803

On 10 February 2017 the Company established a Share Sale facility which enabled shareholders with unmarketable parcels to 
sell their shares with the Company bearing the costs of the sale. At balance date, the Company held $47,803 in proceeds from the 
Share sale facility which was distributed to shareholders on 21 July 2017.

42

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018NOTE 15. ISSUED CAPITAL

The Company has issued share capital amounting to 792,808,124  
(2017: 457,048,412 fully paid ordinary shares at no par value.

a.  Equity raised during the financial year

At the beginning of the reporting period

Shares issued during the year:

NOTE

2018
$

2017
$

15a

44,698,295

39,558,943

39,558,943

32,784,203

196,883,849 Shares issued on 12 September 2016

3,937,677 Shares issued on 12 September 2016

53,250,000 Shares issued on 16 September 2016

200,000 Shares issued on 16 September 2016

4,581,633 Shares issued on 6 October 2016

500,000 Shares issued on 19 October 2016

871,335 Shares issued on 21 December 2016

559,623 Shares issued on 21 December 2016

1,882,845 Shares issued on 21 December 2016

62,111,801 Shares issued on 8 February 2017

6,530,612 Shares issued on 8 February 2017

4,000,000 Shares issued on 23 February 2017

450,337 Shares issued on 5 April 2017

377,732 Shares issued on 10 August 2017

550,034 Shares issued on 10 August 2017

55,425,000 Shares issued on 15 November 2017

400,000 Shares issued on 15 November 2017

333,333 Shares issued on 21 December 2017

2,653,934 Shares issued on 21 December 2017

1,770,489 Shares issued on 21 December 2017

6,000,000 Shares issued on 18 January 2018

712,500 Shares issued on 24 January 2018

1,333,333 Shares issued on 30 January 2018

84,052,630 Shares issued on 5 April 2018

28,947,370 Shares issued on 16 April 2018

7,000,000 Shares issued on 1 May 2018

5,000,000 Shares issued on 15 May 2018

80,631,579 Shares issued on 14 June 2018

1,394,737 Shares issued on 14 June 2018

Transaction costs relating to share issues

At reporting date

15a.i

15a.ii

15a.iii

15a.iv

15a.v

15a.vi

15a.vii

15a.viii

15a.ix

15a.x

15a.xi

15a.xii

15a.xiii

15a.xiv

15a.xv

15a.xvi

15a.xvii

15a.xviii

15a.xix

15a.xx

15a.xxi

15a.xxii

15a.xxiii

15a.xxiv

15a.xxv

15a.xxvi

15a.xxvii

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3,937,677

78,754

1,065,000

4,000

114,541

12,500

13,375

13,375

45,000

1,552,795

163,265

100,000

13,375

13,375

13,375

1,108,500

8,000

6,666

54,140

42,492

150,000

14,250

26,667

1,597,000

550,000

175,000

125,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

15a.xxviii

1,532,000

15a.xxix

26,500

(303,613)

(338,917)

44,698,295

39,558,943

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

43

NOTE 15. ISSUED CAPITAL (CONT)

At the beginning of the reporting period

Ordinary shares issued during the financial year:

196,883,849 Shares issued on 12 September 2016

3,937,677 Shares issued on 12 September 2016

53,250,000 Shares issued on 16 September 2016

200,000 Shares issued on 16 September 2016

4,581,633 Shares issued on 6 October 2016

500,000 Shares issued on 19 October 2016

871,335 Shares issued on 21 December 2016

559,623 Shares issued on 21 December 2016

1,882,845 Shares issued on 21 December 2016

62,111,801 Shares issued on 8 February 2017

6,530,612 Shares issued on 8 February 2017

4,000,000 Shares issued on 23 February 2017

450,337 Shares issued on 5 April 2017

377,732 Shares issued on 10 August 2017

550,034 Shares issued on 10 August 2017

NOTE

15a.i

15a.ii

15a.iii

15a.iv

15a.v

15a.vi

15a.vii

15a.viii

15a.ix

15a.x

15a.xi

15a.xii

15a.xiii

15a.xiv

15a.xv

2018
NO.

2017
NO.

792,808,124

457,048,412

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

196,883,849

3,937,677

53,250,000

200,000

4,581,633

500,000

871,335

559,623

1,882,845

62,111,801

6,530,612

4,000,000

450,337

377,732

550,034

55,425,000 Shares issued on 15 November 2017

15a.xvi

55,425,000

400,000 Shares issued on 15 November 2017

333,333 Shares issued on 21 December 2017

2,653,934 Shares issued on 21 December 2017

1,770,489 Shares issued on 21 December 2017

6,000,000 Shares issued on 18 January 2018

712,500 Shares issued on 24 January 2018

1,333,333 Shares issued on 30 January 2018

84,052,630 Shares issued on 5 April 2018

28,947,370 Shares issued on 16 April 2018

7,000,000 Shares issued on 1 May 2018

5,000,000 Shares issued on 15 May 2018

80,631,579 Shares issued on 14 June 2018

1,394,737 Shares issued on 14 June 2018

15a.xvii

15a.xviii

15a.xix

15a.xx

15a.xxi

15a.xxii

400,000

333,333

2,653,934

1,770,489

6,000,000

712,500

15a.xxiii

1,333,333

15a.xxiv

84,052,630

15a.xxv

28,947,370

15a.xxvi

7,000,000

15a.xxvii

5,000,000

15a.xxviii

80,631,579

15a.xxix

1,394,737

1,069,390,795

792,808,124

44

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018NOTE 15. ISSUED CAPITAL (CONT)
i. 

Issued on AIM admission

ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

v. 

vi. 

vii. 

viii. 

ix. 

x. 

xi. 

xii. 

xiii. 

xiv. 

xv. 

xvi. 

Issued pursuant to Letter of Engagement to WHI Ireland as commission for AIM Listing

Issued pursuant to Australian Placement

Issued pursuant to Letter of Engagement to Australian brokers as commission for Placement

Exercise of options over ordinary shares expiring 5 February 2018

Exercise of options over ordinary shares expiring 5 February 2018

Issued to Executive Chairman/Managing Director pursuant to Contract of Employment.

Issued to Executive Chairman/Managing Director pursuant to Contract of Employment.

Issued to Consultant pursuant to Letter of Engagement

 Exercise of options over ordinary shares expiring 25 November  2017

Exercise of options over ordinary shares expiring 9 May 2018

Exercise of options over ordinary shares expiring 9 May 2018

Issued to Executive Chairman/Managing Director pursuant to Contract of Employment

Issued to Executive Chairman/Managing Director pursuant to Contract of Employment

Issued to Executive Chairman/Managing Director pursuant to Contract of Employment

Issued pursuant to Working Capital raising

xvii. 

Issued to Consultant pursuant to Letter of Engagement

xviii.  Exercise of options over ordinary shares expiring 15 November 2018

xix. 

xx. 

xxi. 

Issued to suppliers in settlement of outstanding obligations

Issued to suppliers in settlement of outstanding obligations

Exercise of options over ordinary shares expiring 5 February 2018

xxii. 

Exercise of options over ordinary shares expiring 15 November 2018

xxiii.  Exercise of options over ordinary shares expiring 15 November 2018

xxiv. 

Issued pursuant to terms and conditions of Private Placement Tranche 1

xxv. 

Issued pursuant to terms and conditions of Private Placement Tranche 1

xxvi.  Exercise of options over ordinary shares expiring 9 May 2018

xxvii.  Exercise of options over ordinary shares expiring 9 May 2018

xxviii.  Issued pursuant to terms and conditions of Private Placement Tranche 2

xxix. 

Issued to Advisors pursuant to Letters of Engagement

b.  Options and performance shares

For information relating to the Aura Energy Limited employee options scheme, including details of options issued, issued and 
lapsed during the financial year, and the options outstanding at balance date, refer to Note 19 Share-based payments. The 
total number of options and performance shares on issue is as follows:

Performance shares

Unlisted options over ordinary shares

Unlisted warrants over ordinary shares

2018
NO.

35,000,000

2017
NO.

-

124,697,108

89,553,189

6,578,699

6,578,699

166,275,807

96,131,888

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

45

NOTE 15. ISSUED CAPITAL (CONT)

c.  Capital Management

i.  Capital management policy

The directors’ objectives when managing capital are to ensure that the Group can fund its operations and continue  
as a going concern, so that they may continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders.

Due to the nature of the Group’s activities, being mineral exploration, the Group does not have ready access to credit 
facilities, with the primary source of funding being equity raisings. Therefore, the focus of the Group’s capital risk 
management is the current working capital position against the requirements of the Group to meet exploration 
programmes and corporate overheads.

The Group’s strategy is to ensure appropriate liquidity is maintained to meet anticipated operating requirements, with  
a view to initiating appropriate capital raisings as required.

ii.  Current ratio

The current ratio the Group at 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017 was as follows:

Current ratio

iii.  Working capital position

The working capital position of the Group at 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017 was as follows:

NOTE

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Financial assets

Trade and other payables

Financial liabilities

Short-term provisions

Working capital surplus / (deficit)

NOTE 16. RESERVES

Option reserve

Foreign exchange reserve

a.  Option reserve

NOTE

7

8

9

12

14

13

NOTE

16a

16b

2018
NO.

12.72

2018
NO.

2017
NO.

3.76

2017
NO.

2,844,169

2,652,960

23,881

60,926

62,854

80,897

(303,133)

(576,605)

-

(47,803)

(28,405)

(118,948)

2,597,438

2,053,355

2018
$

353,929

284,458

638,387

2017
$

457,481

384,190

841,671

The option reserve records items recognised as expenses on the value of employee and consultant share options.

b.  Foreign exchange translation reserve

The foreign exchange reserve records exchange differences arising on translation of foreign controlled subsidiary.

46

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018NOTE 17. CONTROLLED ENTITIES

CONTROLLED ENTITIES

Vanadis Battery metals AB  
(formerly Aura Energy Sweden AB)

Aura Energy Mauritania Pty Limited

Tiris Ressources SA

Tiris International Mining Company sarl

COUNTRY OF 
INCORPORATION

Sweden

Australia

Mauritania

Mauritania

CLASS OF SHARES

2018

2017

PERCENTAGE OWNED

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

100%

100%

90%

100%

100%

100%

90%

100%

a. 

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost.

In the previous financial year, the Company acquired Tiris International Mining Company Sarl for $133,811. This entity has 
applied for gold tenements in Mauritania.

NOTE 18. CASH FLOW INFORMATION

a.  Reconciliation of cash flow from operations to loss after income tax

Loss after income tax

Cash flows excluded from profit attributable to operating activities

Non-cash flows in profit from ordinary activities:

Share-based payments expense

Payments to employees and corporate advisor by way of shares

Depreciation

Effects of foreign exchange on foreign currency balances

Impairment of exploration expenditure previously capitalised

2018
$

2017 
$

(1,987,057)

(3,690,599)

297,916

26,750

12,377

90,145

69,552

135,125

6,319

173,997

-

1,397,602

Capitalised exploration expenditure included in cash flows from operations

(3,140,343)

(2,087,976)

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the effects of purchase and disposal of subsidiaries:

(Increase)/decrease in receivables and prepayments

(Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables

(Decrease)/Increase in provisions

Cash flow from operations

b.  Credit standby facilities

The Group has no credit standby facilities.

c.  Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities

The Group has no non-cash investing and financing activities.

d.  Restrictions on Cash Balance

The Group does not have any restrictions over its cash balance.

31,065

(2,086)

(115,800)

(208,613)

(90,543)

(46,302)

(4,875,490)

(4,252,981)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

47

 
 
 
NOTE 19. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

Options over ordinary shares

Performance shares

2018
$

22,874

275,042

297,916

2017
$

69,552

-

69,552

a.  On 9 June 2015, shareholders approved the grant of 35,000,000 options over ordinary shares to Mr PD Reeve pursuant  

to the Contract of Employment agreed between the Company and Mr PD Reeve on 9 February 2015.  The unamortised cost  
of the options over ordinary shares was fully expensed during the financial year as the arrangement between the Company 
and Mr PD Reeve was cancelled:

The following tranches set out the options over ordinary shares originally granted to the Executive Chairman and Managing 
Director of the Company:

•  8,750,000 at an exercise price of $0.10 each. The options are exercisable on or before 9 June 2018.

•  6,250,000 at an exercise price of $0.15 each. The options are exercisable on or before 9 February 2019.

•  2,500,000 at an exercise price of $0.15 each. The options are exercisable on or before 9 June 2019.

•  8,750,000 at an exercise price of $0.15 each. The options are exercisable on or before 9 June 2020.

•  8,750,000 at an exercise price of $0.15 each. The options are exercisable on or before 9 June 2021.

$22,878 (2017: $69,552) was the deemed cost of the options over ordinary shares for the financial year.

The options over ordinary shares hold no voting or dividend rights and are not transferable.

b.  On 30 November 2017, shareholders approved the award of 35,000,000 performance shares to Mr PD Reeve pursuant  
to an amendment to the Contract of Employment agreed between the Company and Mr PD Reeve on 9 February 2015:

The following tranches set out the vesting periods for the award of performance shares to Executive Chairman and Managing 
Director of the Company in the following tranches:

•  17,500,000 will vest on 30 November 2018.

•  17,500,000 will vest on 30 November 2019.

$275,042 (2017; Nil) was the deemed cost of the performance shares for the financial year.

The performance shares hold no voting or dividend rights and are not transferable.

A summary of the movements of all Company options issued as share-based payments is as follows:

2018

2017

NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE EXERCISE 
PRICE

NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS

WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE EXERCISE 
PRICE

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

54,078,699

$0.1018

56,925,000

Issued

Expired

Cancelled

Outstanding at year-end

Exercisable at year-end

$0.1206

$0.0200

8,920,354

$.0330

6,578,699

(12,500,000)

($0.0700)

(9,425,000)

($0.1581)

(35,000,000)

($0.1286)

-

15,499,053

15,499,053

$0.0275

54,078,699

$0.0275

45,328,699

-

$0.1018

$0.1022

The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at year end is 1.23 years (2017: 2.94 years).  
The weighted average exercise price of outstanding shares at the end of the reporting period is $0.0275 (2017: $0.1018).

During the financial year, 12,500,000 options over ordinary shares expired and resulted in $112,622 being reclassified from 
options reserve to accumulated losses and 35,000,000 options over ordinary shares were cancelled and resulted in $334,684 
being reclassified from options reserve to accumulated losses. 

48

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018NOTE 19. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (CONT)

c.  Fair value of options grants during the period

The Company granted WH Ireland Limited on 12 September 2016 6,578,699 3-year warrants at an exercise price of 2 cents 
per warrants. The share price on the date of the grant was 2.5 cents per share with a volatility of 84% and risk-free rate of 2%.

NOTE 20. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

a.  Key management personnel (“KMP”)

The names are positions of KMP are as follows:

Executive Chairman and Managing Director  

PD Reeve 
Dr R Beeson  Non-executive director 
Non-executive director 
BF Fraser 
Non-executive director 
JC Perkins 
Company Secretary
JM Madden 

b.  KMP compensation

The totals of remuneration paid to KMP during the year are as follows:

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share-based payments in equity

Share-based payments in options

Share-based payments in performance shares

Other long-term benefits

Termination benefits

Payments to contractors for accounting and secretarial services

Total

2018
$

523,800

32,600

25,000

22,874

275,042

-

-

2017
$

444,562

36,838

100,000

69,552

-

-

-

99,936

979,252

120,417

771,369

Refer to the Remuneration Report contained in the Director’s Report for details of the remuneration paid to each member  
of the Group’s KMP for the year ended 30 June 2018.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

49

NOTE 21. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Transactions between related parties are on normal commercial terms and conditions no more favourable than those available  
to other parties unless otherwise stated.

Other transactions with key management personnel are set out in the Remuneration Report, there are no other related party 
transactions.

NOTE 22. COMMITMENTS

a.  Exploration expenditure commitments:

Exploration tenement minimum expenditure requirements

915,322

886,945

2018
$

2017
$

Payable:

not later than 12 months

between 12 months and 5 years

greater than 5 years

The Group does not have any expenditure commitments under the terms and conditions of the 
tenements it holds. The exploration expenditure commitments relate to annual renewal fees,

b.  Operating lease commitments:

Operating leases contracted for or committed to but not capitalised in the financial statements

Payable:

not later than 12 months

between 12 months and 5 years

greater than 5 years

263,835

420,943

230,544

915,322

412,149

395,588

79,208

886,945

33,949

-

-

50,058

33,949

-

33,949

84,007

50

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018NOTE 23. OPERATING SEGMENTS

a. 

Identification of reportable segments

The Group operates predominantly in the mining industry. This comprises exploration and evaluation of uranium projects. 
Inter- segment transactions are priced at cost to the Consolidated Group.

The Group has identified its operating segments based on the internal reports that are provided to the Board of Directors on 
a monthly basis. Management has identified the operating segments based on the two principal locations of its projects – 
Sweden and Mauritania. The Group also maintains a corporate function primarily responsible for overall management of the 
operating segments, raising capital and distributing funds to operating segments.

Corporate expenses include administration and regulatory expenses arising from operating an ASX listed entity.

Segment assets include the costs to acquire tenements and the capitalised exploration costs of those tenements Financial 
assets including cash and cash equivalents, and investments in financial assets, are reported in the Treasury segment.

b.  Basis of accounting for purposes of reporting by operating segments

i.  Accounting policies adopted

Unless stated otherwise, all amounts reported to the board of directors, being the chief decision maker with respect to 
operating segments, are determined in accordance with accounting policies that are consistent to those adopted in the 
annual financial statements of the Group.

ii. 

Inter-segment transactions

An internally determined transfer price is set for all inter-segment sales. This price is reset quarterly and is based on what 
would be realised in the event the sale was made to an external party at arm’s length. All such transactions are eliminated 
on consolidation of the Group’s financial statements.

Corporate charges are allocated to reporting segments based on the segments’ overall proportion of revenue generation 
within the Group. The board of directors believes this is representative of likely consumption of head office expenditure 
that should be used in assessing segment performance and cost recoveries.

Inter-segment loans payable and receivable are initially recognised at the consideration received/to be received net  
of transaction costs. If inter-segment loans receivable and payable are not on commercial terms, these are not adjusted 
to fair value based on market interest rates. This policy represents a departure from that applied to the statutory financial 
statements.

iii.  Segment assets

Where an asset is used across multiple segments, the asset is allocated to that segment that receives majority economic 
value from that asset. In the majority of instances, segment assets are clearly identifiable on the basis of their nature and 
physical location.

iv.  Segment liabilities

Liabilities are allocated to segments where there is a direct nexus between the incurrence of the liability and the 
operations of the segment. Borrowings and tax liabilities are generally considered to relate to the Group as a whole  
and are not allocated. Segment liabilities include trade and other payables and certain direct borrowings.

v.  Unallocated items

The following items of revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities are not allocated to operating segments as they are not 
considered part of the core operations of any segment:

•  Non-exploration impairment of assets and other non-recurring items of revenue or expense

• 

Income tax expense

•  Deferred tax assets and liabilities

•  Current tax liabilities

•  Other financial liabilities

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

51

NOTE 23. OPERATING SEGMENTS (CONT)

FOR THE YEAR TO 30 JUNE 2018

Segment revenue

Segment results

Amounts not included in segment results but reviewed by Board:

Expenses not directly allocable to identifiable segments or areas of interest

MAURITANIA 
EXPLORATION
$

SWEDEN 
EXPLORATION
$

-

-

-

(14,328)

CORPORATE
$

6,838

6,838

TOTAL
$

6,838

(7,490)

Accounting and audit fees

Computers and communications

Depreciation

Employee benefits expense

Exchange fluctuation

Insurance

Consulting fees and corporate advisory

Public relations

Rent and utilities

Share-based payment expenses

Share registry and listing fees

Travel and accommodation

Other expenses

Loss after income tax

AS AT 30 JUNE 2018

Segment assets

Unallocated assets:

Trade and other receivables

Plant and equipment

Other non-current assets

Total assets

Segment asset increases for the period:

Capital expenditure-exploration

Less: Write-off of exploration assets

Segment liabilities

Unallocated liabilities:

Trade and other payables

Short-term provisions

Financial liabilities

Total liabilities

52

(144,541)

(33,945)

(12,377)

(651,703)

(90,145)

(42,378)

(335,026)

(40,332)

(64,299)

(297,916)

(160,433)

(72,622)

(33,850)

(1,987,057)

11,940,312

5,747,556

2,844,169

20,532,037

2,625,573

286,805

-

-

2,625,573

247,510

98,783

31,360

-

-

-

-

84,807

8,124

-

20,624,968

2,912,378

-

2,912,378

130,143

172,990

28,405

-

331,538

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018NOTE 23. OPERATING SEGMENTS (CONT)

FOR THE YEAR TO 30 JUNE 2017

Segment revenue

Segment results

Amounts not included in segment results but reviewed by Board:

Expenses not directly allocable to identifiable segments or areas of interest

MAURITANIA 
EXPLORATION
$

SWEDEN 
EXPLORATION
$

CORPORATE
$

-

-

4,905

TOTAL
$

4,905

(495,433)

(894,800)

103

(1,390,130)

Accounting and audit fees

Computers and communications

Depreciation

Employee benefits expense

Finance costs

Insurance

Consulting fees and corporate advisory

Public relations

Rent and utilities

Share-based payment expenses

Share registry and listing fees

Travel and accommodation

AIM Listing costs

Other expenses

Loss after income tax

AS AT 30 JUNE 2017

Segment assets

Unallocated assets:

Trade and other receivables

Plant and equipment

Total assets

Segment asset increases for the period:

Capital expenditure-exploration

Less: Write-off of exploration assets

Segment liabilities

Unallocated Liabilities:

Trade and other payables

Short term provisions

Financial liabilities

Total liabilities

(161,277)

(35,034)

(6,319)

(736,614)

(173,997)

(32,981)

(31,238)

(100,650)

(66,178)

(69,552)

(119,455)

(70,290)

(640,963)

(55,921)

(3,690,599)

9,383,768

5,685,455

2,490,644

17,559,867

61,697

18,905

17,640,469

2,030,513

206,431

-

2,236,944

(495,433)

(897,367)

(4,802)

(1,397,602)

1,535,080

(690,936)

(4,802)

839,342

225,765

24,608

-

250,373

326,232

118,948

47,803

743,356

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

53

NOTE 24. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

a.  Financial risk management policies

This note presents information about the Group’s exposure to each of the above risks, its objectives, policies and procedures 
for measuring and managing risk, and the management of capital.

The Group’s financial instruments consist mainly of deposits with banks, short-term investments, and accounts payable and 
receivable.

The Group does not speculate in the trading of derivative instruments. A summary of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities 
is shown below:

FLOATING 
INTEREST 
RATE
$

FIXED 
INTEREST 
RATE
$

NON- 
INTEREST 
BEARING
$

2018
TOTAL
$

FLOATING 
INTEREST 
RATE
$

FIXED 
INTEREST 
RATE
$

NON- 
INTEREST 
BEARING
$

2017
TOTAL
$

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

2,844,169

Trade and other receivables

Financial assets

-

-

Total financial assets

2,844,169

Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities at  
amortised cost

Trade and other payables

Financial liabilities

Total financial liabilities

-

-

-

Net financial assets

2,844,169

b.  Specific financial risk exposures and management

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 2,844,169 2,652,960

23,881

23,881

60,926

60,926

-

-

84,807 2,928,976 2,652,960

303,133

303,133

-

-

303,133

303,133

-

-

-

(218,326) 2,625,843 2,652,960

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 2,652,960

62,854

62,854

53,930

53,930

116,784 2,769,744

576,605

576,605

47,803

47,803

624,408

624,408

(507,624) 2,145,336

The main risk the Group is exposed to through its financial instruments are credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk consisting 
of interest rate, foreign currency risk and equity price risk.

The board of directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the risk management framework. The 
board of directors has adopted practices designed to identify significant areas of business risk and to effectively manage those 
risks in accordance with the risk profile. This includes assessing, monitoring and managing risks for the Group and setting 
appropriate risk limits and controls. The Group is not of a size nor is its affairs of such complexity to justify the establishment 
of a formal system for risk management and associated controls. Instead, the Board approves all expenditure, is intimately 
acquainted with all operations and discuss all relevant issues at the Board meetings. The operational and other compliance 
risk management have also been assessed and found to be operating efficiently and effectively.

i.  Credit risk

Exposure to credit risk relating to financial assets arises from the potential non-performance by counterparties of contract 
obligations that could lead to a financial loss to the Group

The Group does not have any material credit risk exposure to any single receivable or Group of receivables under financial 
instruments entered into by the Group.

Credit risk exposures
The maximum exposure to credit risk is that to its alliance partners and that is limited to the carrying amount, net of any 
provisions for impairment of those assets, as disclosed in the statement of financial position and notes to the financial 
statements.

Credit risk related to balances with banks and other financial institutions is managed by the Group in accordance with 
approved Board policy. Such policy requires that surplus funds are only invested with financial institutions residing  
in Australia, where ever possible.

Impairment losses
Group’s financial assets that are past due total $nil (2017: $nil).

There has been no allowance for impairment in respect of the financial assets of the Group during this year.

54

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018NOTE 24. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONT)

ii.  Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk arises from the possibility that the Group might encounter difficulty in settling its debts or otherwise 
meeting its obligations related to financial liabilities.

The Group manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and ensuring sufficient cash 
and marketable securities are available to meet the current and future commitments of the Group. Due to the nature 
of the Group’s activities, being mineral exploration, the Group does not have ready access to credit facilities, with the 
primary source of funding being equity raisings. The board of directors constantly monitor the state of equity markets in 
conjunction with the Group’s current and future funding requirements, with a view to initiating appropriate capital raisings 
as required. Any surplus funds are invested with major financial institutions.

The financial liabilities of the Group are confined to trade and other payables as disclosed in the statement of financial 
position. All trade and other payables are non-interest bearing and due within 30 days of the reporting date.

iii.  Market risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and equity prices will 
affect the Group’s income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management  
is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising the return.

The Board meets on a regular basis and considers the Group’s exposure currency and interest rate risk.

(1)  Interest rate risk

Exposure to interest rate risk arises on financial assets and financial liabilities recognised at the end of the reporting 
period whereby a future change in interest rates will affect future cash flows or the fair value of fixed rate financial 
instruments. The Group is also exposed to earnings volatility on floating rate instruments.

Interest rate risk is not material to the Group as no debt arrangements have been entered into, and movement  
in interest rates on the Group’s financial assets is not material.

(2)  Foreign exchange risk

Exposure to foreign exchange risk may result in the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument fluctuating 
due to movement in foreign exchange rates of currencies in which the Group holds financial instruments which are 
other than the Australian dollars functional currency of the Group.

With instruments being held by overseas operations, fluctuations in foreign currencies may impact on the Group’s 
financial results. The Group’s exposure to foreign exchange risk is minimal; however the Board continues to review this 
exposure regularly.

(3)  Price risk

Price risk relates to the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because  
of changes in market prices.

The Group is exposed to securities price risk on investments held for trading or for medium to longer terms.

The investment in listed equities has been valued at the market price prevailing at balance date. Management of this 
investment’s price risk is by ongoing monitoring of the value with respect to any impairment.

At balance date, the Group does not hold financial instruments that would give rise to price risk.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

55

NOTE 24. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONT)

iv.  Sensitivity analyses

(1)  Interest rates

The following table illustrates sensitivities to the Group’s exposures to changes in interest rates. The table indicates 
the impact on how profit and equity values reported at balance sheet date would have been affected by changes in 
the relevant risk variable that management considers to be reasonably possible. These sensitivities assume that the 
movement in a particular variable is independent of other variables.

A change of 100 basis points in the interest rates at the reporting date would have increased/(decreased) equity and 
profit or loss by the amounts shown below. The analysis was performed on a change of 100 basis points for 2018.

Year ended 30 June 2018

± 100 basis points change in interest rates

Year ended 30 June 2017

± 100 basis points change in interest rates

(2)  Foreign exchange

PROFIT
$

EQUITY
$

±10,938

±10,938

±26,250

±26,250

The Group has exposure to foreign currency risk to Swedish Krona (SEK) for assets the Group holds through its 
Swedish subsidiary, Aura Energy Sweden AB. The following table illustrates sensitivities to the Group’s exposures to 
changes in the SEK rate. The table indicates the impact on how profit and equity values reported at balance sheet 
date would have been affected by changes in the relevant risk variable that management considers to be reasonably 
possible. These sensitivities assume that the movement in a particular variable is independent of other variables.

Year ended 30 June 2018

± 10% of Australian dollar strengthening/weakening against the SEK

Year ended 30 June 2017

± 10% of Australian dollar strengthening/weakening against the SEK

PROFIT
$

EQUITY
$

+92,822

-45,855

+23,681

-46,199

Nil

Nil

The Group has exposure to foreign currency risk in relation to US dollars for assets the Group holds in Mauritania.  
The following table illustrates sensitivities to the Group’s exposures to changes in the AUD/USD exchange rate. The 
table indicates the impact on how profit and equity values reported at balance sheet date would have been affected 
by changes in the relevant risk variable that management considers to be reasonably possible. These sensitivities 
assume that the movement in a particular variable is independent of other variables.

Year ended 30 June 2018

± 10% of Australian dollar strengthening/weakening against the US dollar

Year ended 30 June 2017

± 10% of Australian dollar strengthening/weakening against the US dollar

PROFIT
$

EQUITY
$

+151,041

-540,863

+93,568

-78,084

Nil

Nil

56

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018NOTE 24. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONT)

v.  Net fair values

(1)  Fair value estimation

The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities are presented in the table below and can be compared to 
their carrying values as presented in the statement of financial position. Fair values are those amounts at which an 
asset could be exchanged, or a liability settled, between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction.

Cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, and trade and other payables are short-term investments  
in nature whose carrying value is equivalent to fair value.

The methods and assumptions used in determining the fair values of financial instruments are disclosed in the 
accounting policy notes specific to the asset or liability.

vi.  Financial liability and asset maturity analysis

Financial liabilities due for payment

Trade and other payables

Financial Liabilities

Total contractual outflows

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Financial assets

Total anticipated inflows

WITHIN 1 YEAR

2018
$

2017
$

TOTAL

2018
$

2017
$

303,133

576,605

303,133

576,605

-

47,803

-

47,803

303,133

624,408

303,133

624,408

2,844,169

2,652,960

2,844,169

2,652,960

23,881

60,926

62,854

53,930

23,881

60,926

62,854

80,897

2,928,976

2,796,744

2,928,976

2,796,711

Net (outflow)/inflow on financial instruments

2,625,843

2,145,336

2,625,843

2,172,303

NOTE 25. EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO REPORTING DATE
On 19 September 2018, issued 1,441,425 fully paid ordinary shares at 2.3 shares per share to a contractor for services rendered 
and issued 2,000,001 fully paid ordinary shares at a price of 2 cents per share on the exercise by an optionholder of 2,000,001 
options over ordinary shares expiring on 15 November 2018.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

57

NOTE 26. PARENT ENTITY DISCLOSURES

a.  Financial position of Aura Energy Limited

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Financial assets

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Plant and equipment

Financial assets

Other assets

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Short-term provisions

Financial liabilities

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Issued capital

Option reserve

Accumulated losses

Total equity

b.  Financial assets

Loans to subsidiaries

Shares in controlled entities at cost

Net carrying value

NOTE

2018
$

2017
$

2,662,849

2,490,644

6,378

60,926

7,763

80,897

2,730,153

2,579,304

8,124

18,905

26b

6,146,034

5,996,451

11,740,657

9,021,201

17,894,815

15,036,557

20,624,968

17,615,861

303,133

28,405

-

331,538

331,538

551,997

118,948

47,803

718,748

718,748

20,293,430

16,897,113

44,698,295

39,558,943

353,929

522,221

(24,758,794)

(23,184,051)

20,293,430

16,897,113

26b.i

5,878,772

5,729,189

267,262

267,262

6,146,034

5,996,451

i.   Loans are provided by the parent entity to its controlled entities to fund their activities. The eventual recovery of loans and investments will  

be dependent upon the successful commercial application of these projects or their sale to third parties.

58

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018NOTE 26. PARENT ENTITY DISCLOSURES (CONT)

c.  Financial performance of Aura Energy Limited

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

2018
$

2017
$

(2,022,049)

(3,510,081)

-

(45,374)

(2,022,049)

(3,555,455)

d.  Guarantees entered into by Aura Energy Limited for the debts of its subsidiaries

There are no guarantees entered into by Aura Energy Limited for the debts of its subsidiaries as at 30 June 2018 (2017: none).

e.  Contingent liabilities of Aura Energy Limited

There are no contingent liabilities as at 30 June 2018, other than as detailed in Note 27 Contingent liabilities (2017: none).

f.  Commitments by Aura Energy Limited

Exploration expenditure commitments:

Exploration tenement minimum expenditure requirements

915,322

886,945

2018
$

2017
$

Payable:

not later than 12 months

between 12 months and 5 years

greater than 5 years

The Group has no contracted exploration expenditure, however the Group has treatment core 
asset tenement renewals as expenditure the Group is committed to.

Operating lease commitments:

Operating leases contracted for or committed to but not capitalised in the financial statements

Payable:

not later than 12 months

between 12 months and 5 years

greater than 5 years

263,835

420,943

230,544

915,322

412,149

395,588

79,208

886,945

33,949

-

-

50,058

33,949

-

33,949

84,007

The Group shares premises with a number of companies. Balances stated represent the maximum gross amount payable, prior 
to reimbursement from other parties.

The amounts presented above are applicable for both Aura Energy Limited (the parent) and the Consolidated Group.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

59

NOTE 27. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
On 15 October 2010, the Company and Global Coal Management plc entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement which 
resulted in the Company acquiring all the shares on issue in GCM Africa Uranium, the entity which held the beneficial interest  
of GCM in the above- mentioned research permits in Mauritania.

The Company paid GCM US$100,000 on execution of the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement; US$472,183 in cash plus 2,000,000 
fully paid ordinary shares in the Company on completion (due diligence); and, US$500,000 on the first anniversary of completion.

The Company also agreed to pay a contingent consideration:

•  US$2,000,000 (in cash and shares as determine by the Company) on the delineation of 75 million pounds or more Initial 

Resource (not defined in the Letter Agreement) under the Australasian Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral 
Resources and Ore Reserves; and

•  US$400,000 in cash and 400,000 fully paid ordinary shares in the Company for each Subsequent Resource  
of 6,500,000 pounds up to a maximum of US$4,000,000 in cash and 4,000,000 in fully paid ordinary shares.

The obligations to make the contingent consideration payments are held by the Company and the contingent consideration  
is only payable if the Initial Resource and Subsequent Resource are achieved within 10 years of the date of the Share Sale  
and Purchase Agreement. Accordingly, the obligation to pay the contingent consideration expires on 15 October 2020.

There are no other contingent liabilities as at 30 June 2018.

NOTE 28. COMPANY DETAILS
The registered office and principal place of the Company is:

Address: Level 1, 34-36 Punt Road, Windsor Victoria 3181
Telephone: +61 (0)3 9516 6500
Facsimile: +61 (0)3 9516 6565
Website: www.auraenergy.com.au
E-mail: info@auraenergy.com.au

60

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018Directors’ declaration

The directors of the Company declare that:

1.  The financial statements and notes to the accounts are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and:

(a)  Comply with Accounting Standards.

(b)  Are in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards 

Board, as stated in Note 1 to the financial statements.

(c)  Give a true and fair view of the financial position as at 30 June 2018 and of the performance for the year ended on that 

date of the Company and Consolidated Group.

2.  The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Finance Officer have each declared that:

(a)  The financial records of the Company for the financial year have been properly maintained in accordance with 

s.286 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

(b)  The financial statements and notes for the financial year comply with the Accounting Standards.

(c)  The financial statements and notes for the financial year give a true and fair view.

3. 

In the directors’ opinion there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and  
when they become due and payable.

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors pursuant to s.295(5) and is signed for and  
on behalf of the directors by:

Peter Reeve

Chairman

Dated this Thursday, 27 September 2018

DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION

61

 
independent Auditor’s Report

Independent Auditor's Report

To the Members of Aura Energy Limited 

Report on the Audit of the Financial Report

Opinion

We have audited the financial report of Aura Energy Limited  (“the Company”) and its 
subsidiaries (“the Consolidated Entity”), which comprises the consolidated statement of 
financial position as at 30 June 2018, the consolidated statement of profit or loss and 

other comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the 
consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial 
statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies, and the directors’ 
declaration.

In our opinion:

a.

the accompanying financial report of the Consolidated Entity is in accordance with 
the Corporations Act 2001, including:

(i)

(ii)

giving a true and fair view of the Consolidated Entity’s financial position as 
at 30 June 2018 and of its financial performance for the year then ended; 

and

complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations 
Regulations 2001.

b.

the financial report also complies with International Financial Reporting Standards 
as disclosed in Note 1(a)(i).

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.  Those 
standards require that we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit 
engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about 

whether the financial report is free from material misstatement. Our responsibilities under 
those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the 
Financial Report section of our report.  We are independent of the Consolidated Entity in 
accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001

and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards 
Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are 

relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other 
ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.

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

62

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018Independent Auditor’s Report
To the Members of Aura Energy Limited (Continued)

Material Uncertainty Related to Going Concern

We draw attention to Note 1(a)(iii) in the financial report which indicates that the Consolidated Entity incurred a 
net loss of $1,987,057 during the year ended 30 June 2018. As stated in Note1(a)(iii) , these events or 
conditions, along with other matters as set forth in Note 1(a)(iii) , indicate that a material uncertainty exists that 
may cast significant doubt on the Consolidated Entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is 
not modified in this respect of this matter. 

Key Audit Matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit 
of the financial report of the current period.  These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 
financial report as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on 
these matters.

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Exploration and Evaluation Expenditure –
$17,687,868

(Refer to Note 11)

Exploration and evaluation is a key audit matter due 
to:

− The significance of the balance to the 

Consolidated Entity’s consolidated financial 
position;

− The level of judgement required in evaluating 

management’s application of the requirements of 
AASB 6 Exploration for and Evaluation of 
Mineral Resources. AASB 6 is an industry 

specific accounting standard requiring the 
application of significant judgements, estimates 
and industry knowledge. This includes specific 
requirements for expenditure to be capitalised as 
an asset and subsequent requirements which 
must be complied with for capitalised 
expenditure to continue to be carried as an 

asset. 

− The assessment of impairment of exploration 
and evaluation expenditure being inherently 
difficult.

Our procedures included, amongst others:

− Assessing management’s determination of its 
areas of interest for consistency with the 
definition in AASB 6. This involved analysing the 
tenements in which the consolidated entity holds 
an interest and the exploration programmes 
planned for those tenements;

− For each area of interest, we assessed the 
Consolidated Entity’s rights to tenure by 
corroborating to government registries and 

evaluating agreements in place with other parties 
as applicable;

− We tested the additions to capitalised 

expenditure for the year by evaluating a sample 
of recorded expenditure for consistency to 
underlying records, the capitalisation 
requirements of the Consolidated Entity’s 
accounting policy and the requirements of 
AASB 6;

− We considered the activities in each area of 

interest to date and assessed the planned future 
activities for each area of interest by evaluating 

budgets for each area of interest.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

63

Independent Auditor’s Report
To the Members of Aura Energy Limited (Continued)

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

− We assessed each area of interest for one or 
more of the following circumstances that may 

indicate impairment of the capitalised 
expenditure:

− the licenses for the right to explore expiring in 
the near future or are not expected to be 
renewed;

− substantive expenditure for further 

exploration in the specific area is neither 
budgeted or planned

− decision or intent by the Consolidated Entity 
to discontinue activities in the specific area of 
interest due to lack of commercially viable 
quantities of resources; and 

− data indicating that, although a development 
in the specific area is likely to proceed, the 
carrying amount of the exploration asset is 
unlikely to be recovered in full from 

successful development or sale. 

− We assessed the appropriateness of the related 

disclosures in Note 11 to the financial 
statements.

Share based payments 

Our procedures included, amongst others:

(Refer to Note 19)

As disclosed in note 19 in the financial statements, 
during the year ended 30 June 2018, the Company 
incurred share based payments totalling $297,916.

$22,874 related to options while $275,042 related to 
performance shares. A further $45,838 related to 
options that were recorded as capital raising costs.

Share based payments are considered to be a key 
audit matter due to 

− the value of the transactions; 

− the complexities involved in recognition and 
measurement of these instruments; and

− the judgement involved in determining the inputs 

used in the valuation. 

− Analysing contractual agreements to identify the 

key terms and conditions of share based 

payments issued and relevant vesting conditions 
in accordance with AASB 2 Share Based
Payments;

− Evaluating management’s Black-Scholes 
Valuation Models and assessing the 
assumptions and inputs used;

− Assessing the amount recognised during the 
period against the vesting conditions of the 
options; 

− Assessing the probabilities assigned to vesting 
of the performance shares against available 
information; and 

64

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018Independent Auditor’s Report
To the Members of Aura Energy Limited (Continued)

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Management used the Black-Scholes option 
valuation model to determine the fair value of the 
options granted. This process involved significant 
estimation and judgement required to determine the 
fair value of the equity instruments granted.

− Assessing the adequacy of the disclosures 

included in the financial report.

Other Information 

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information 
included in the Consolidated Entity’s annual report for the year ended 30 June 2018, but does not include the 

financial report and our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not express any 
form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in 
doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report or our 
knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other 
information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of the Directors for the Financial Report

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and 
fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 and for such 
internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that 
gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In Note 1(a)(i),
the directors also state in accordance with Australian Accounting Standard AASB 101 Presentation of Financial 
Statements, that the financial report complies with International Financial Reporting Standards. 

In preparing the financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the Consolidated Entity’s ability to 
continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going 

concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Consolidated Entity or to cease 
operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on our audit. Our objectives are to 
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance 
is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian 
Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.  Misstatements can arise from 
fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be 

expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

65

Independent Auditor’s Report
To the Members of Aura Energy Limited (Continued)

As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional judgement 
and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or 
error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is 
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material 
misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve 

collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit 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 Consolidated Entity’s internal control.

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 
estimates and related disclosures made by the directors.

Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, 
based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or 

conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Consolidated Entity’s ability to continue as a going 
concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our 
auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial report or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to 
modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our 
auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Consolidated Entity to cease to 
continue as a going concern.

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the disclosures, 
and whether the financial report represents the underlying transactions and events in a manner that 
achieves fair presentation.

Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or 
business activities within the Consolidated Entity to express an opinion on the financial report. We are 
responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Consolidated Entity audit. We remain 
solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with the directors regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit 
and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our 
audit.

We also provide the directors with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements 
regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may 

reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with the directors, we determine those matters that were of most significance 
in the audit of the financial report of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe 
these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or 
when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report 
because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest 
benefits of such communication.

66

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018Independent Auditor’s Report
To the Members of Aura Energy Limited (Continued)

Report on the Remuneration Report

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in the directors’ report for the year ended 30 June 2018.
The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the remuneration report 
in accordance with s 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 
remuneration report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.

Auditor’s Opinion

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of the Company, for the year ended 30 June 2018, complies with 
section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.

BENTLEYS
Chartered Accountants

MARK DELAURENTIS CA
Partner

Dated at Perth this 27th day of September 2018

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

67

 
 
Additional information

AS OF 22 SEPTEMBER 2018

The following additional information is required by the Australian Securities Exchange in respect of listed public companies.

DISTRIBUTION OF SHAREHOLDERS

RANGE

1 - 1,000

1,001 - 5,000

5,001 - 10,000

10,001 - 100,000

100,001 Over

Rounding

Total

UNMARKETABLE PARCELS

Minimum $500.00 parcel at $0.0220 per unit

VOTING RIGHTS
The voting rights attached to each class of equity security are as follows:

TOTAL HOLDERS

90

30

30

UNITS

6,886

86,537

253,217

893

42,963,006

763 1,029,522,575

1,806 1,072,832,221

% UNITS

0.00

0.01

0.02

4.00

95.96

0.01

100

MINIMUM  
PARCEL SIZE

HOLDERS

UNITS

22,728

362

4,082,367

  Ordinary shares: Each ordinary share is entitled to one vote when a poll is called, otherwise each member present at a 

meeting or by proxy has one vote on a show of hands.

68

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 201820 LARGEST SHAREHOLDERS — ORDINARY SHARES 

RANK

NAME

UNITS

% OF UNITS

1.

COMPUTERSHARE CLEARING PTY LTD 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED

BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD 

PRE-EMPTIVE TRADING PTY LTD

MR LUKE PETER DALE + MRS MARIEANNE ERIKA DALE

SAMBOLD PTY LTD 

PASAGEAN PTY LIMITED

MR THOMAS IAN BARRETT

MR PETER DESMOND REEVE

10 MR KENNETH ZHI-KEN CHENG + MRS CHUTIMA KUANDACHAKUP

11

12

YARANDI INVESTMENTS PTY LTD 

J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA LIMITED

13 MS MICHELLE ANNE PAINE

14

GLOVER SUPERANNUATION PTY LTD 

15 MR PIETER HOEKSTRA + MRS RUTH HOEKSTRA 

16 MRS LISA GORDON

17 MR LEIGH HARVIE SEAGER

18 MR ANIKET SHAH

19

SHAREHOLDERS MUTUAL ALLIANCE PTY LTD 

20 MR DAVID VIGOLO 

Totals: Top 20 holders of Ordinary Fully Paid Shares

Total Remaining Holders Balance

Total

162,996,228

128,893,652

92,128,017

56,000,000

30,150,000

15,364,895

13,094,558

11,000,000

9,718,304

9,288,362

7,254,793

6,389,896

6,300,000

5,371,041

5,300,000

5,000,000

5,000,000

5,000,000

5,000,000

5,000,000

584,249,746

488,582,475

1,072,832,221

15.19

12.01

8.59

5.22

2.81

1.43

1.22

1.03

0.91

0.87

0.68

0.60

0.59

0.50

0.49

0.47

0.47

0.47

0.47

0.47

54.46

45.54

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

69

20 LARGEST UNLISTED OPTION HOLDERS

NAME

PRE-EMPTIVE TRADING PTY LTD

MR BRENDAN KERR

MR PERRY MORGAN

MR STEPHEN PYCROFT

MR BIN LIU

PEAK ASSET MANAGEMENT PTY LTD

PORTILLION CAPITAL LTD

HAMILTON HAWKES PTY LTD 

THE AUSTRALIAN SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FUND LP/C

KLIP PTY LTD 

ROTHERWOOD ENTERPRISES PTY LTD

MR KAMRAN SATTAR

JOJO ENTERPRISES PTY LTD 

MR GRAHAM JOHN WALKER

MR JACOB KLAAS GOEREE

VADLAMUDI (MEDICAL) PTY LTD 

VECTOR NOMINEES PTY LTD 

ALLEKIAN EXCHANGE PTY LTD

MR NOEL RUSSELL CAMERON

MR KEN MANJITHA

20 Largest option holders

Remaining option holders

Total

UNITS

% OF UNITS

18,053,267

12,534,211

12,534,211

12,534,211

7,894,737

5,000,000

2,747,788

2,631,579

2,631,579

2,500,000

2,500,000

2,421,053

2,342,106

1,973,684

1,500,000

1,500,000

1,426,316

1,315,790

1,315,790

1,210,526

7.46%

5.18%

5.18%

5.18%

3.26%

2.07%

1.14%

1.09%

1.09%

1.03%

1.03%

1.00%

0.97%

0.82%

0.62%

0.62%

0.59%

0.54%

0.54%

0.50%

96,566,848

24,398,522

39.92%

60.08%

120,965,370

100.00%

COMPANY SECRETARY
The name of the Company Secretary is JM Madden.

UNQUOTED SECURITIES
Options and warrants over unissued ordinary shares.

PRINCIPAL REGISTERED OFFICE
As disclosed in Note 28 Company Details of this Annual Report.

A total of 127,544,069 (2017: 89,553,189) unlisted options and 
warrants are on issue and 85,000,000 (2017: Nil) performance 
shares on as at 22 September 2018.

USE OF FUNDS
The Company has used its funds in accordance with its initial 
business objectives.

REGISTERS OF SECURITIES ARE HELD AT THE 
FOLLOWING ADDRESSES
As disclosed in the Corporate Directory of this Annual Report.

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
Quotation has been granted for all the ordinary shares of 
the Company on all Member Exchanges of the Australian 
Securities Exchange Limited, as disclosed in the Corporate 
Directory of this Annual Report.

70

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018tenement Report

COUNTRY

TENEMENT 
NUMBER

NAME

DATE OF 
GRANT/
APPLICATION

EXPIRY DATE

SQ KMS HOLDER

EQUITY 
INTEREST

Subject to 
application for 
Exploration Licence

Subject to 
application for 
Exploration Licence

Subject to 
application for 
Exploration Licence

Mauritania

561

Oum Ferkik

16-Apr-08

563

Oued El Foule Est

16-Apr-08

60 Aura Energy Limited

100%

313 Aura Energy Limited

100%

564

1482

2002

2365

2366

2457

2458

Ain Sder

16-Apr-08

330 Aura Energy Limited

Oum Ferkik Sud

17-Jan-17

17-Jan-20

476 Aura Energy Limited

Aguelet

17-Jan-17

17-Jan-20

100 Aura Energy Limited

Oued El Foule Sud

19-Feb-18

19-Feb-21

224 Aura Energy Limited

Agouyame

19-Feb-18

19-Feb-21

34 Aura Energy Limited

Hadeibet Bella

1-Mar-16

(Application)

Touerig Taet

1-Mar-16

(Application)

41 TIMCO

134 TIMCO

Sweden

2007:243

Haggan nr 1

28-Aug-07 28-Aug-22

18.3 Aura Energy Sweden AB

2009:23

Koborgsmyren nr 1

23-Jan-09

23-Jan-19

5.4 Aura Energy Sweden AB

2018:7

2018:9

Skallbole nr 1

20-Jan-16

20-Jan-19

7.8 Aura Energy Sweden AB

Mockelasen nr 1

21-Jan-16

21-Jan-19

17.6 Aura Energy Sweden AB

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

71

this PAGe hAs Been LeFt BLAnK intentiOnALLY

72

AURA ENERGY LIMITED  ANNUAL REPORT 2018ACN: 115 927 681