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Centamin

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FY2011 Annual Report · Centamin
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POSITIONED FOR

GROWTH

ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011

CENTAMIN PLC

Centamin plc (“Centamin” or “the Company”) is 
the ultimate holding company in a mining group 
(“Centamin group” or “the group”) that has been 
actively exploring in Egypt since 1995. 

The principal asset of Centamin is its interest in the Sukari 
Gold Mine (‘Sukari’), located in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. 
Construction at the Sukari Gold Mine commenced in March 
2007 with first gold being produced on 26 June 2009.

The Sukari Gold Mine is the first large-scale modern gold 
mine in Egypt. Centamin’s operating experience in Egypt 
gives it a significant first-mover advantage in acquiring and 
developing other gold projects in the prospective Arabian-
Nubian Shield.

In 2011 the Group acquired Sheba Exploration (UK) Plc and 
now has interests in four exploration licences in Ethiopia 
where it is conducting further exploration activities.

On 30 December 2011, the Centamin group successfully 
implemented a Scheme of Arrangement whereby Centamin 
plc, a company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, 
became the ultimate holding of the group (“the Redomicile”). 
Under the Scheme the shares in Centamin plc were 
exchanged on a one for one basis for shares in Centamin 
Egypt Limited. Trading in the shares of Centamin plc on the 
London Stock Exchange and on the Toronto Stock Exchange 
began on 30 December 2011, immediately following the 
cessation of trading of shares in Centamin Egypt Limited. 

For the purposes of this document, references to acts, 
omissions, operations, results, plans and intentions of 
Centamin plc shall, as the context may require, include 
references to acts, omissions, operations, results, plans and 
intentions of Centamin Egypt Limited.

BUSINESS REVIEW

GOVERNANCE

CONTENTS

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS 

CENTAMIN AT A GLANCE 

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 

QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY THE CENTAMIN TEAM 

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 

OPERATIONAL AND EXPLORATION REVIEW 

2006-2011: THE PATH FROM DEVELOPER TO PRODUCER 

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS AND BUSINESS REVIEW 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

SENIOR MANAGEMENT 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

REMUNERATION REPORT 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORT 

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

4

5

6

8

10

11

12

16

18

32

34

36

40

46

56

61

62

63

64

65

66

68

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GLOSSARY  109

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT  111

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
04 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

05

2011 PERFORMANCE
HIGHLIGHTS

Revenue
(US$’000)

Production
(ounces)

60,000

55,000

50,000

45,000

40,000

5
6
9
,
8
5

9
3
5
,
0
5

1
9
9
,
7
4

4
0
2
,
5
4

1
Q

2
Q

3
Q

4
Q

9
9
6
,
2
0
2

9
8
2
,
0
5
1

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

Operating cash costs
(US$ per ounce)

Net Profit
(US$’000)

650

600

550

500

450

5
3
6

6
0
6

5
2
5

3
7
4

1
Q

2
Q

3
Q

4
Q

6
5
5

7
2
5

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

2010

2011

CASH ON HAND AT YEAR END
(US$’000)

154,338

164,231

RESOURCES & RESERVES
(million ounces)

Proven & Probable

Measured & Indicated

Inferred

SAFETY
(lost time injury frequency rate)

9.1

10.99

3.5

0.5

10.1

13.13

2.3

1.25

*Centamin changed year end in 2010 so the figure is for the 6 months to 31 December 2010

Earnings 
per share
(cents)

9
7
4
,
0
4
3

*
2
8
8
6
8

,

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

5
4
9
1
8
1

,

*
2
4
0
,
2
3

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

8
6
.
6
1

*
0
1
.
3

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

CENTAMIN 
AT A GLANCE

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Centamin has a strong growth profile and a robust balance sheet.  
Although, the Group faced a number of challenges in 2011 and 
at the start of 2012, we are well positioned among mid-tier gold 
producers to generate value for shareholders. 

Our investment case can be encapsulated in five key points:

1. RAPID PRODUCTION GROWTH

Centamin achieved robust financial results in 2011 with 
revenue of over US$ 340 million (2010: US$ 87 million) from 
gold production of 202,699 oz (2010: 83,432) and a rising 
gold price, we delivered strong earnings.  Our aim is to 
ramp up production from both a mixture of the surface and 
underground mines at Sukari to 500,000 ounces of gold 
per annum. We are investing US$287 million to double the 
processing plant’s capacity from 5 million tonnes per annum 
(Mtpa) to 10Mtpa, with commissioning due to begin in Q1 
2013.

2. EXPLORATION UPSIDE 
POTENTIAL

Centamin has a large resource and reserve base and through 
the continued exploration of the Sukari hill and surrounding 
160km2 Sukari tenement area there is significant upside 
potential. In addition, we took our first strategic step into 
diversifying geographically with the acquisition of Sheba 
Exploration (UK) Plc in Q3 2011, which has interests in four 
exploration licences in Ethiopia.  Exploration work will  
continue on these licences in 2012 to drive our growth in the 
longer term.

3. FIRST MOVER ADVANTAGE

Sukari is the only producing gold mine in Egypt. Our operating 
experience in Egypt gives us significant first mover advantage 
in acquiring and developing other gold projects in Egypt and in 
the prospective Arabian-Nubian shield and beyond.

4. AN EXPERIENCED TEAM

Centamin’s management team and Board of Directors have 
considerable expertise in the gold mining industry. This 
ranges from the early stage identification of deposits, project 
financing, construction and development, to the operating of 
large mines. Some of the leadership team has been based 
at Sukari for almost a decade, taking it from an early stage 
exploration project to the operating gold mine it is today.

5. FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND 
FLEXIBILITY

With close to US$194 million (2010: US$ 154 million) of cash 
and liquid assets (Cash and cash equivalents and gold sales 
debtors) on our balance sheet and strong cash flow generation 
from Sukari, we have financial flexibility to grow our business 
both organically as well as through strategic acquisitions in 
the Arabian-Nubian Shield and beyond. Centamin has no debt 
or hedging so is well positioned to benefit from the high gold 
price environment.

 
06 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

07

CHAIRMAN’S
STATEMENT

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project have been appointed, the long 
lead time items have been ordered 
and plant earthworks and civil works 
have now begun.  The estimated 
total capital cost for the expansion is 
US$287 million, with US$52.6 million 
spent to 31 December 2011.

Sukari’s safety performance was 
also in line with international industry 
standards with a lost time injury 
frequency rate of 1.25 per 200,000 
man-hours achieved during the period. 
In addition, it was pleasing to note no 
significant environmental incidents 
took place in 2011.

While the ramp up of Sukari continues 
to be a key focus, we advanced all 
three pillars of our growth strategy 
during the year.  The first pillar is 
the expansion of Sukari, which 
encapsulates not only the increase in 
production with the commencement 
of the Stage 4 expansion, but also 
the growth of our Reserves and 
Resources to 10.1Moz Reserves, 
13.13Moz Measured and Indicated 
Resources and 2.3Moz Inferred 
Resources.  600,000 ounces of this 
updated reserve are attributable to the 
underground mine, which delivered 
its maiden quarter of production in 
Q2.  The underground headgrade 
has proved to be significantly higher 
than expected, consistently, providing 
ore of 10-12g/t.  Construction of the 
second underground decline (the Ptah 
decline) also commenced in 2011 and 
this should facilitate long term, large 
tonnage underground production 
in excess of 500,000 tpa as well as 
providing further drilling access in the 
northern end of Sukari Hill.

The second pillar of our strategy 
is growth on our existing licence 
(regional exploration).  Besides Sukari 
Hill, seven other prospects within 
trucking distance of the Sukari plant 
have been identified on the 160km2 

Sukari mining lease.  We have 
continued to receive encouraging 
results from the exploration 
programmes at both Quartz Ridge and 
V-Shears and further regional drilling is 
planned in 2012. 

The third pillar of our strategy is 
growth beyond Sukari in the highly 
prospective Arabian-Nubian Shield.  In 
mid-2011 we took our first step, with 
the acquisition of Sheba Exploration 
(UK) Plc.  Through Sheba we have 
interests in four exploration licences 
in northern Ethiopia, where drilling is 
expected to commence in early 2012 
at the 10km long gold anomaly Una 
Deriam.

Financially, our position remains 
strong with approximately US$194 
million held in cash and liquid assets, 
no debt and no hedging.  With 
revenues of US$340 million and a net 
profit before tax of US$181.9 million, 
Sukari remains highly cash generative 
and is well placed to fund the Stage 4 
expansion from Sukari cash flow.

2011 also saw transformation at Board 
level, with Stuart Bottomley, Colin 
Cowden and Tom Elder retiring in early 
2011. I would like to thank them for 
their contributions and guidance as 
the Group moved along the difficult 
path from explorer to producer. I 
was delighted during the year to 
welcome Ed Haslam, Mark Bankes, 
Mark Arnesen and, more recently, 
Kevin Tomlinson to the Board.  These 
gentlemen each bring something 
different to Centamin, and I am 
confident their wealth of experience 
and common desire to see the Group 
grow at Sukari and beyond will serve 
us very well in the coming years.

Executive Officer.  I had the privilege 
of first meeting Harry 20 years ago 
on a small gold project in Western 
Australia.  I clearly remember him 
then as a man of incredible drive, 
intelligence and enthusiasm and 
most of all a man who intended to 
make a difference.  Twenty years later 
and Harry had built many projects, 
friendships and careers and, along the 
way, had made a very big difference.  
This year we will look to fill the vacant 
CEO position. However we will never 
replace Harry who was a unique 
and talented individual whom we all 
benefited from having known.  

I would like to close by thanking all 
those at Sukari, in Alexandria, Perth 
and London for their tireless efforts 
in 2011 as Centamin continued on its 
journey to becoming an established 
gold producer.  Furthermore, I would 
like to thank the Board for their 
counsel during the year, as well as the 
Ministry of Petroleum and the Egyptian 
Mineral Resource Authority (EMRA).

Despite and because of the challenges 
we have faced in 2011, your company 
is now well positioned to deliver 
the next phase of growth and I look 
forward to updating you further over 
the course of 2012.

Very sadly though, 2011 was also 
marked by the sudden and tragic 
passing of Harry Michael, our Chief 

Josef El-Raghy
Chairman

Dear Shareholder, 
2011 was a year where Centamin 
continued to reach significant 
milestones whilst facing some of its 
greatest challenges to date; in what 
was also a turbulent year for the 
global economy and where the gold 
price rose to record highs of over 
US$1900/oz.  It is in this environment 
that we delivered a record operational 
performance, achieved robust financial 
results and took some key strategic 
steps to secure our future growth 
path.  Your company is well positioned 
for a strong performance in 2012 and 
the years that follow, as we continue 
to ramp up production at the Sukari 
Gold Mine and expand our footprint 
in the highly prospective and under-
explored Arabian-Nubian Shield.

The difficult background of Egypt’s 
Revolution was the operating 
environment for our second year of 
production, and yet we delivered gold 
production of 202,699 ounces at a 
cash cost of US$556/oz.  It is a great 
credit to our operating team that we 
were able to meet our revised full year 
production guidance while maintaining 
an emphasis on rigorous cost control, 
which bodes well for our ability to be a 
large scale, low cost gold producer.

Importantly, the second half of 
2011 saw the commencement of 
engineering for the Stage 4 expansion, 
which will double the processing 
plant’s capacity to 10 million tonnes 
per annum and is an important step 
towards achieving our stated target of 
reaching a production rate in excess 
of 500,000 ounces per annum.  The 
majority of the key contractors for the 

 
 
 
08 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

09

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

by the Centamin Team

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Josef El-Raghy, 
Chairman

Trevor Schultz,  
Executive Director of Operations

Pierre Louw,  
Chief Financial Officer

Andrew Pardey, 
General Manager, Sukari Gold Mine

What are the next steps in the development of Sukari?

How strong is Centamin’s financial position?

Have the local communities been supportive of Centamin’s 
operations?

What milestones will the Company reach in 2012?

AP: In 2012 we will ramp up Sukari’s production to 250,000 
ounces of gold, while maintaining tight control on our cash 
costs.  We will continue with the Stage 4 expansion project, 
which will double our processing capacity to 10Mtpa whilst 
also continuing to expand our underground mine.  On the 
exploration front we will further explore the Sukari hill and 
below to increase our resources and reserves, while continuing 
with our regional exploration programme.  We will also begin 
drilling the first of our four exploration licences in northern 
Ethiopia, which forms the first step of our strategy to diversify 
geographically.

What is the planned capital expenditure programme 
for 2012?

TS: Centamin’s capex programme has two key focuses 
in 2012: the Stage 4 project and the expansion of the 
underground.  Stage 4 capex is expected to be US$287 
million, excluding contingencies, and it will grow Sukari’s 
processing capacity from 5Mtpa to 10Mtpa.  Construction of 
Stage 4 began in H2 2011 and will continue throughout 2012, 
with commissioning expected to begin in Q1 2013.   
The underground expansion budget is US$18 million and it will 
take the underground workings away from the open pit shell, 
allowing Centamin to maintain two production sources and 
ramp up production to above 500,000 tonnes per annum.

PL: Centamin’s financial position is both strong and flexible.  
At the end of December 2011, we had US$194m cash and 
liquid assets and Sukari is highly cash generative, with revenue 
of over US$340 million in 2011.  We will be able to fund all of 
our capex commitments from Sukari cash flow and our robust 
balance sheet will allow us to act decisively if we find a sound 
acquisition opportunity in the Arabian-Nubian Shield and 
beyond.

How important is your relationship with the Egyptian 
Government?

JEL: We have been working with the Egyptian Mineral 
Resources Authority, or EMRA, since 1995, when we first 
began exploring in Egypt.  Our relationship with EMRA has 
always been important to Centamin, and we continue to work 
closely with them today. Our concession agreement was 
enshrined in law, and thus it has not been subject to revisions 
to date.  Once our capex has been recovered we will begin 
profit sharing with the Egyptian Government and for this 
reason, Centamin’s success directly benefits Egypt.  

AP: Yes, we treat good community relations as a key 
component of continued operational success as well as a 
corporate requirement. Centamin has maintained its dialogue 
with the local community and has joined two Marsa Alam-
based development associations.  Centamin is the largest 
local employer and currently has over 1000 direct employees 
with up to 3000 further indirect. Where possible, we tender 
contracts to local companies to aid local economic activity 
and progress.

How significant is the exploration potential of Centamin’s 
licences in Ethiopia?

AP: Exploration is the heart of Centamin’s growth’s strategy 
and a budget of US$13-15 million has been assigned to 
exploration in 2012.  The first part of the exploration strategy 
is the growth of Sukari hill.  The deposit already has resources 
of 13.13oz M&I and 2.3Moz Inferred and reserves of 10.1Moz 
and we are confident that there is further upside potential, 
through the drilling of the northern part of the hill from the 
exploration drive below.  The second part of the strategy 
is growth on the existing 160km2 tenement area.  Besides 
Sukari hill there are 7 other defined prospects on the licence 
area and in 2012, further exploration work will be done on the 
Quartz Ridge and V-Shear prospects to explore the potential 
for relatively high grade satellite pits.  The third element of the 
exploration strategy is growth beyond Sukari and we will begin 
drilling the first of our four projects in Ethiopia in Q1 2014.  Una 
Deriam is a grassroots project and we believe we can add 
value to it in the same way as we added value to Sukari.  

JEL: The key milestones are the completion of construction of 
the second underground decline (known as the Ptah Decline), 
the commencement of drilling in Ethiopia, further drilling results 
from regional exploration and the continuation of construction 
of the Stage 4 project.  We are also focused on delivering our 
full year production and cash cost guidance.

Is Centamin going to introduce a dividend in the near term?

PL: Currently Centamin is still in its growth phase and does 
not have a dividend policy in place.  During 2012 we have an 
extensive capex programme and when this nears completion 
then a review of the Company’s financial position and dividend 
policy will be undertaken.

How would you sum up Centamin’s investment case in 100 
words or less?

JEL: Centamin’s Sukari Gold Mine is one of the largest 
resources and reserves not owned by a major and currently in 
production. Our track record of exploration, development and 
production in circumstances that are often quite challenging 
positions us well for further success in the highly prospective 
Arabian-Nubian Shield. We have expanding production, 
growing resources and reserves, a strong financial position 
and an experienced team who are motivated to grow the 
Company in a manner which we believe will see shareholders 
benefit greatly in the years ahead.

 
10 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

11

KEY PERFORMANCE
INDICATORS

We monitor our performance in implementing our strategy with 
reference to the following key performance indicators (“KPIs”):   

•  Health and Safety (Lost time incident frequency rate (‘LTIFR’))
•  Ore mined 
•  Ore processed
•  Gold recovery
•  Gold produced
•  Revenue
•  Cash operating cost of production
•  Net Profit before tax 
•  Earnings Per Share (‘EPS’)

These KPIs are applied on a group wide basis. Performance in 2011 against these targets is set out in the table below, 
together with the prior year performance data. No changes have been made to the source of data or calculation methods 
used in the year.  

INDICATOR 

Health and Safety 

Open Pit Ore Mined 

Ore Processed 

Gold Recovery 

Gold Produced 

Revenue 

Frequency rate per
200,000 man hours 

‘000t 

‘000t 

% 

ounces 

US$’000 

Cash Operating Cost of Production 

US$ per ounce 

Net Profit before tax 

EPS 

US$ 

Cents 

12 months ended 
31 December 2011 

6 months ended
31 December 2010(1)

1.25 

6,306 

3,612 

84.4 

202,699 

340,379 

556 

181,945 

16.68 

0.47

3,805

1,378

85.4

83,432

86,882

549

32,042

3.10

Note (1) - This column shows data for the year immediately prior to the year ended 31 December 2011, which 
was a short period of six months ended on 31 December 2010 due to changes in our financial year-end.

Health and Safety performance is indicated by LTIFR of 1.25 
for the year ended 31 December 2011 (2010: 0.47) which has 
increased over the year. All HSE incidents are investigated and 
corrective actions are taken.

Gold recovery rates declined 84.4% in the year ended 31 
December 2011 (2010: 85.4%). Circuit optimisation planning is 
ongoing to improve the recovery rates.

Open pit ore tonnes mined amounted to 6.3Mt in the year 
ended 31 December 2011 (2010: 3.8Mt). Production was 
hampered by the shortage in supply of explosives and blasting 
accessories in the first half of 2011 which was offset by record 
volumes mined in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Ore processed had a record year of 3.6Mt for the year ended 
31 December 2011 (2010: 1.4Mt). The increase is attributed 
to the increased mill throughput rate as a result of the 
commissioning of the secondary crusher in the second quarter 
of 2011 and the installation of steel liners in the fourth quarter 
of 2011. 

Gold produced for the year ended 31 December 2011 
amounted to 202,699 (2010: 83,432). The increase is due to 
improved mill throughput and higher plant feed grades.

Cash operating cost of production was US$ 556/ounce (2010: 
US$ 549/ounce) an illustration of the success of the cost 
monitoring controls that were implemented throughout the 
year.

Revenue has increased due to increases in production as 
higher gold prices obtained in 2011 as compared to 2010.

Profit for the year has increased due to the increase in revenue 
and production compared to 2010 which has also driven the 
increase in the EPS. 

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FINANCIAL 
HIGHLIGHTS

Set out in the table below are the financial highlights for the year 
ending December 2011 and for immediately preceding financial 
period ending 31 December 2010.

(US$’000) 

Year ended  
31 December 2011 

Six months ended 
31 December 20101

Percentage Change

Revenue 

Profit before tax 

Basic EPS (cents per share) 

Diluted EPS (cents per share) 

EBITDA 3 

Net cash generated from operations 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Group production (ounces) 

Attributable sales (ounces) 

340,479 

181,945 

16.68 

16.66 

234,971 

180,044 

164,231 

202,699 

211,909 

Group cash operating costs per ounce3 (US$) 

556 

Total assets (US$’000) 4 

834,522 

86,882 

32,042 

3.10 

3.09 

52,782 

33,953 

154,338 

83,432 

66,375 

549 

640,832 

292%

467%

438%

439%

345%

430%

6%

143%

219%

1%

30%

(1)   This column shows data for the year immediately prior to the year ended 31 December 2011, which was a short period of six months ended on 31 

December 2010 due to a change in our financial year-end.

(2)  See total revenue which is analysed in note 5.
(3)   EBITDA and Cash Operating Costs are non-GAAP financial performance measures with no standard meaning under International Financial Reporting 

Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation IFRS.  For further information and a detailed reconciliation, please 
see page 24 of this report.

(4)  The Group has no non-current financial liabilities in 2011 and 2010

Revenues from gold sales amounted to US$340.5 million for 
the year ended 31 December 2011 (2010: US$86.9 million) 
which was mainly driven by a 219% increase in the volume 
of gold sold as well as higher prices obtained in 2011 when 
compared to 2010. 

the group’s ability to generate operating cash flow to fund 
its working capital needs and capital expenditures. EBITDA 
and Net cash from operations increased period on period 
by 345% and 430% respectively, in line with profit. Cash 
increased by 26% due to an increase in the operating cash 
flows.

Profit before tax of US$181.9 million was 467% higher 
compared to the period ending 31 December 2010 
resulting in an increase of 439% in Basic Earnings per 
Share. Earnings per share (EPS) serve as an indicator of 
profitability, and are used in determining the share price 
and value of companies. Earnings per share are calculated 
as the net profit and divided by the weighted average of 
the number of Ordinary Shares issued. Earnings per share 
amounted to US$16.68 cents for 2011, an increase of 439% 
on 2010. The increase was driven by net profit for the year.

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation 
and amortisation) is the net profit or loss for the period 
excluding income tax cost, finance cost, finance income 
and depreciation and amortisation. EBITDA is a gauge of 

The group maintained tight control on cash costs with a 
cash operating cost for the group for the year ended 31 
December 2011 of US$556/oz which means it remained 
flat compared to the six months ended 31 December 
2010 at US$549/oz. Cash cost is calculated by dividing 
the aggregate of production cash costs by attributed 
gold ounces produced. Cash cost per ounce is a key 
indicator used by Centamin to monitor and manage those 
factors that impact production costs on a monthly basis. 
Both EBITDA and Cash Costs are non-IFRS financial 
performance measures with no standard meaning under 
IFRS. Management uses these measures internally to better 
assess performance trends. For further information and a 
detailed reconciliation, please see page 24 of this report.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

13

OPERATIONAL AND 
EXPLORATION REVIEW

OVERVIEW

Centamin’s principal asset is the Sukari 
Gold Mine, which is located in the 
Eastern Desert of Egypt, approximately 
700km from Cairo and 25km from the 
Red Sea.  For the 12 months ended 31 
December 2011, production from Sukari 
was 202,699 ounces (2010: 150,289 
ounces) of gold at an operating cash 
cost of US$556/oz.  A total of 6.3Mt of 
ore at 1.07g/t Au was mined for the 
period from Stage 1 and 2 of the open pit 
at an average waste to ore ratio of 
2.34:1, and a total of 212,000t of ore at 
13.51g/t was mined from the 
underground.

During 2011, open pit mine development 
has continued to access the higher 
grade sulphide zones with improving 
production rates.  Mining was completed 
in the Stage 1 pit area and in the Stage 2 
area it progressed down to the 1004RL 
and 1076RL respectively. Pioneering 
work continued in the Stage 3 pit in 

preparation for large scale load and haul 
activities to commence in 2012.

The underground mine delivered its 
maiden quarter of production in Q2 2011 
and saw the commencement of work on 
the second decline.  Grades were 
consistently high and the ramp up 
progressed smoothly during the following 
two quarters. Construction has begun on 
the Stage 4 expansion whic will double 
the processing plant’s capacity from 
5Mtpa to 10Mtpa.

Installation and commissioning of a new 
secondary crushing circuit was completed 
in July 2011. The secondary crushing 
circuit is designed to reduce the ore feed 
size to the SAG mill from the initial design 
of P80 of 105mm to a P80 of 50mm 
improving the efficiency of the SAG mill 
and allowing an increase in the plant 
throughput rate from the initial design of 
500tph to a new nominal 625tph.

Since commissioning of the secondary 
crushers in July mill throughput rates 
have increased from 540tph in August 
2011 to 656tph in December 2011. The 
final quarter of 2011 was a record with 
mill throughput of 1,066Kt.

Our exploration team also continued to 
reap positive results, both on the Sukari 
Hill and in the wider Sukari tenement 
area.  Sukari’s reserves increased to 10.1 
Moz (2010: 9.1 Moz) and its resources 
increased to 13.13 milllion ounces 
Measured and Indicated and 2.3 Moz 
inferred, and there remains significant 
further upside potential both at Sukari Hill 
and regionally. Centamin’s first step to 
diversify geographically into the wider 
Arabian-Nubian Shield also came with 
the acquisition of exploration tenements 
in northern Ethiopia where exploration 
activities have begun and drilling will 
commence in Q1 2012.

EGYPT - SUKARI GOLD MINE

Health and Safety 
The Lost Injury Time (LTI) incident rate 
for 2011 was 1.25 per 200,000 man-
hours, with 7,166,555 LTI-free hours 
achieved during 2011. Developing 
the Health and Safety culture on site 
has resulted in improved reporting 
of incidents compared to previous 
years and although there is room for 
improvement, Centamin views its LTI 
frequency rate as a solid achievement 
considering Sukari is the first modern 
gold mine in Egypt.

Stage 4 Expansion
The first pillar of Centamin’s growth 
strategy is the expansion of Sukari, 
which includes the growth of Sukari 
hill’s resources and reserves, the 

development of the underground mine 
and the Stage 4 expansion, which will 
double the plant’s processing capacity 
from 5Mtpa to 10Mtpa.

Design for the Stage 4 expansion 
continued throughout 2011, led 
by GBM Minerals Engineering 
Consultants (UK) who were awarded 
the Engineering, Procurement, and 
Construction Management contract for 
the project.  Construction commenced 
in late 2011 and by the year end all 
the long lead time items had been 
ordered, the key contractors had been 
mobilised to Sukari and the earth 
works and civil works had begun. The 
capital expenditure estimate for the 
project is US$287 million, excluding 

contingencies, and by 31 December 
2011 US$52.6 million had been spent.

The Stage 4 expansion will incorporate 
additional milling, flotation and 
thickening capabilities to provide a 
parallel processing route, as well as 
upgrade to the existing regrind circuit.  
Secondary crushed ore with a P80 of 
50mm will be transferred to a second 
crushed ore stockpile prior to grinding 
through a new milling circuit.  The new 
milling circuit will be a two stage circuit, 
consisting of a SAG mill and ball mill, 
with hydrocyclone classification and a 
pebble crushing facility.  

Milled ore with a particle size of 150μm 
will be sent to a new flotation circuit to 

recover the bulk sulphide concentrate.  
The concentrate will be thickened and 
discharged to an upgraded regrind 
circuit, capable of treating up to 100tph 
of concentrate to achieve a final milled 
particle size of 10μm. The regrind 
circuit will combine the two concentrate 
streams from each of the separate 
flotation circuits.   

The regrind product will be treated 
through the two CIL circuits in series to 
maximise leach circuit residence time.

The flotation tails of the new circuit will 
be thickened and discharged to the 
tailings storage facility.  It is expected 
that the ore treated through the new 
flotation circuit will be predominantly 

sulphide based ore, amenable to 
recovery by flotation.  Any ore that may 
be oxide or transitional in nature will be 
treated through the existing processing 
circuit by adjustment of the crushed ore 
product splits to each of the crushed ore 
stockpiles.

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Stage 2 Processing (Existing Plant)

Cyclones

Flotation

Flotation Tail 
Thickner

CIL

Elution

Gold Room

Gravity

RoM
Ore

Crushing

Milling

Con  
Thickener

Pebble 
Crushing

Pebble 
Crushing

Tail Thickner

Regrind

Con CIL

Process  
Water

Tailings 
Storage 
Facility

Elution

Gold Room

Milling

Con  
Thickener

Process
Water

Cyclones

Flotation

Flotation Tail 
Thickner

Stage 4 Expansion

UNDERGROUND MINE DEVELOPMENT

The underground operations advanced 
a total of 3,342 metres in 2011, of which 
2,330metres were driven through ore. 
The project development total to date 
is 6,995metres, of which 2,882m were 
through ore.

The Amun decline, which is under the 
current open pit workings, reached 
the 841 level, 235m below the “portal 
wadi” area. Ore development has been 
mined on the 920, 905, 890, 875, and 
860 levels and stoping commenced on 
the 920, 905 and 890 levels.  Broken 
ore is removed with a conventional 
bogger until the brow is open and 
then a teleremote bogging system is 
employed.  The teleremote system was 
commissioned in November and it has 
helped to significantly increase the ratio 

of stoping ore to development ore being 
delivered from the underground mine. 
Stoping has produced 40,000 tonnes for 
the year, with development contributing 
17,000 tonnes.

The expansion of the underground mine 
continued with the commencement 
of construction of the Ptah decline, 
which is due for completion in 2012 
and is budgeted to cost US$18 million. 
This secondary decline will provide a 
ventilation intake and haulage way to the 
central and northern portion of Sukari hill 
and give access to ore blocks under the 
current ultimate pit base once the Amun 
decline is removed by the open pit in the 
coming years.  This will allow Centamin 
to maintain two separate underground 
production areas and thus significantly 

increase the current production rates 
which are currently sourced solely from 
the Amun Deeps. 

Grade control diamond drilling 
completed 7,845m for a project total 
of 8,517m. Diamond drilling from the 
850 level indicated a continuation of the 
high grade zone encountered on the 
southern side of the 875 level, which will 
be targeted in 2012.  Deeper exploration 
drilling has also commenced from the 
Amun decline on the 895 level to explore 
the porphyry at lower depths.  Centamin 
reported its maiden underground reserve 
in Q2 2011 of 126,000t at 11.9g/t and 
announced an updated reserve of 1.1Mt 
at 16.4 g/t Au in Q1 2012.

 
14 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

15

EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES

Growth of Sukari Hill
Centamin’s exploration team’s main 
focus to date has been on the Sukari 
porphyry. Drilling has continued north 
through the Ra and Gazelle zones and 
into the northern Pharaoh Zones. In 
2011, our target was to move ounces 
up through the resource categories 
and expand the underground reserve. 
We increased Sukari hill’s reserves by 
1Moz to 10.1Moz and its resources 
to 13.13Moz Measured and Indicated 
and 2.3Moz Inferred, which represent 
an 11% and 7% increase respectively.  

As highlighted in our Reserves and 
Resources Statement published in 
January, Measured and Indicated 
resources represent approximately 85% 
of total resources.

Drilling results show there is potential to 
increase the Sukari resource base down 
dip of current mineralisation in the Amun 
Zone, and along strike to the north in the 
Ra, Gazelle and Pharaoh zones, in both 
near surface and deeper environments. 
The ore body is not closed off to the 
north or at depth.

Significant gold assay results reported in 
2011 include: 
•   48m @ 1.53 g/t Au from surface 

including 11m @ 6.07g/t Au from 1m

•  67m @ 5.89g/t Au from 702m
•  106m @3.02g/t Au from 511m
•  80m @ 2.95 g/t Au from 599m

Further exploration of the Sukari 
deposit will take place in 2012 and 
predominantly from both the Amun 
and Ptah declines, which will allow 
easier drilling access to test the Sukari 
resource at depth. 

Table 1 - Sukari Resource (as at 30 September 2011)
Mineral resources at Sukari, as at 30 September 2011, are shown in the following table. The resources are presented in 
accordance with the 2004 Australian Code for the Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (“JORC Code”) which 
provides an equivalent presentation to NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards (the 
“CIM Standards”).  

Measured 

Indicated 

Total Measured + Indicated 

Inferred

Cut-off 

Tonnes 

g/t Au 

(Mt) 

Grade 

(g/t Au) 

0.3 

0.4 

0.5 

0.7 

1.0 

150.04 

120.72 

98.72 

69.57 

44.97 

1.00 

1.16 

1.32 

1.63 

2.06 

Tonnes 

(Mt) 

238.90 

196.27 

164.85 

120.81 

80.53 

Grade 

(g/t Au) 

Tonnes 

(Mt) 

Grade 

(g/t Au) 

1.08 

1.23 

1.38 

1.67 

2.09 

388.9 

317.0 

263.6 

190.4 

125.5 

1.05 

1.21 

1.36 

1.65 

2.08 

Gold 

(Moz) 

13.13 

12.33 

11.53 

10.10 

8.39 

Tonnes 

(Mt) 

66.0 

53.0 

43.3 

30.4 

15.1 

Grade 

(g/t Au) 

Gold

(Moz)

1.1 

1.2 

1.4 

1.8 

2.7 

2.3

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.3

Notes to Table:  
(1)  Figures in table may not add correctly due to rounding.
(2)  The resources are estimates of recoverable tonnes and grades using Multiple Indicator Kriging with block support correction.
(3)   Measured resources lie in areas where drilling is available at a nominal 25 x 25 metre spacing, Indicated resources occur in areas drilled at approximately 

25 x 50 metre spacing and Inferred resources exist in areas of broader spaced drilling.

(4)   The resource model extends from 9700mN to 12200mN and to a maximum depth of 2mRL (a maximum depth of approximately 1050 metres below wadi 

level).

Table 2 - Sukari Mineral Reserves (as published in January 2012)

Proven 

Probable 

    Mineral Reserve

Tonnes (Mt) 

Au (g/t) 

Tonnes (Mt) 

Au (g/t) 

Tonnes (Mt) 

Au (g/t) 

   Cont Au (Moz)

New Reserve (1)(2)(3) 

Previous Reserve(4)  

125.5 

102.4 

1.04 

1.09 

151.5 

142.9 

1.21 

1.19 

277 

245.4 

1.13 

1.15 

10.1

9.1

Notes to Table:     
1. Includes:
Open Pit reserves totalling 266.6Mt @ 1.09g/t
Underground reserves totalling 1.1Mt @ 16.30g/t
Surface stockpiles totalling 9.4Mt @ 0.57g/t
2. Based on mined surfaced as at 31 December 2011 and a gold price of US$1,100/oz
3. Ultimate Open Pit design has a waste to ore ratio of 5.6:1
4. Announced 15 September 2010 at US$900/oz Au

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AUSTRALIAN 
PROJECTS

The group is entitled to a royalty over the 
Nelson’s Fleet gold project near St Ives, 
Western Australia, from the St Ives Gold 
Mining Co Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Gold 
Fields Ltd. The Company has not been 
informed of any mining of the tenement 
to date.

Regional Exploration
The second pillar of Centamin’s growth 
strategy is regional exploration.  Seven 
other prospects besides Sukari Hill 
have been identified on the 160km2 
Sukari tenement area and it would be 
the intention to truck any ore from these 
prospects to the existing processing 
plant.  

Geochemistry, reverse circulation and 
diamond drilling programmes have been 
underway on the Quartz Ridge and 
V-Shear prospects to the east and north-
east of the hill respectively during 2011.

Results to date have been encouraging, 
although these prospects are still at 
too early a stage to be converted to a 
resource.  Further exploration drilling 
will be carried out regionally during 
2012. Some of the most significant gold 
intercepts from V-Shears are as follows:

• 10m @ 4.71 g/t (from 151m)
• 28m @ 2.98 g/t (from 11m)
• 4m @ 100.7 g/t (from 30m)

ETHIOPIA 

Growth Beyond Sukari
The third pillar of Centamin’s strategy 
is growth beyond Sukari.  In Q3 2011 
we acquired Sheba Exploration (UK) 
Plc, which has interests in 4 exploration 
licences in northern Ethiopia.  This 
acquisition was the first step in the 
Company’s diversification strategy 
within the Arabian-Nubian Shield. We 
will continue to grow and diversify our 
asset base through targeted acquisitions 
in this region and beyond in the coming 
years. 

The four land packages have had 
extensive mapping, sampling and 
trenching work over many years with the 
Una Deriam prospect ready for drilling.  
The Una Deriam prospect is a 10km 
long gold anomaly with strong surface 
mineralisation that indicates wide zones 
of mineralisation. Drilling will commence 
in Una Deriam, in Q1 2012.  

COMPETENT PERSONS STATEMENT

Refer to the technical report entitled 
“Mineral Resource and Reserve 
Estimate for the Sukari Gold Project, 
Egypt” dated 14 March 2012 and filed 
on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, for further 
discussion of the extent to which the 
estimate of mineral resources/reserves 
may be materially affected by any known 
environmental, permitting, legal, title, 
taxation, socio-political, or other relevant 
issues.

The information in this report that relates 
to ore reserves has been compiled 
by Mr Andrew Pardey. Mr Pardey is a 
Member of the Australasian Institute 
of Mining and Metallurgy and is a full 
time employee of the Company. He has 
sufficient experience which is relevant 
to the style of mineralisation and type of 
deposit under consideration and to the 
activity he is undertaking, to qualify as a 
“Competent Person” as defined in the 

2004 Edition of the “Australasian Code 
for Reporting of Exploration Results, 
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” 
and is a “Qualified Person” as defined in 
the “National Instrument 43-101 of the 
Canadian Securities Administrators” and 
“CIM Definition Standards For Mineral 
Resources and Mineral Reserves” of 
December 2005 as prepared by the 
CIM Standing Committee on Reserve 
Definitions of the Canadian Institute of 
Mining. Mr Pardey’s written consent has 
been received by the Company for this 
information to be included in this report 
in the form and context which it appears.

Group, and is a professional mining 
engineer with 24 years’ experience in 
mining both open pit and underground 
and evaluation of mineral properties 
Internationally.  Boreham is a Member 
of the AusIMM and has the appropriate 
relevant qualifications and experience to 
be considered a “Competent Person” for 
this purpose and is a “Qualified Person” 
as defined in “National Instrument 
43-101 of the Canadian Securities 
Administrators”. His written consent has 
been received by the Company for this 
information to be included in this report 
in the form and context which it appears. 

The information in this report that relates 
to open pit mineral resources is based 
on work completed independently by Mr 
Nicolas Johnson, who is a Member of 
the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.  
Mr Johnson is a consulting geologist of 
MPR Geological Consultants Pty Ltd 

All exploration and resource samples 
were analysed by Ultra Trace Pty Ltd, 
Canning Vale, Western Australia. All 
mine based production samples were 
analysed by Sukari Assay Laboratory, 
Egypt.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

17

2006-2011: THE PATH FROM 
DEVELOPER TO PRODUCER
2007

2008

06 February 2008: 
Centamin discovered a new 
high grade zone below Amun 
deeps (significant intercepts 
of >5,000g/t)

19 February 2007: 
Centamin approved Definitive 
Feasibility Study for Sukari Gold 
Project

05 April 2007: 
Centamin listed on the Toronto 
Stock Exchange  

2 May 2007: 
Environmental Approval for the 
Sukari Gold Project received 
from the Egyptian Environmental 
Affairs Agency

Q2 2007: 
Construction of the Sukari Gold 
Project began

2006

26 April 2006: 
Sukari resource rose above 5 
million ounces (3.56Moz M&I, 
2.2Moz Inferred)

2009

2010

01 February 2009: 
Blasting and mining activities 
commenced in the Amun zone

11 January 2010: 
Gold exports commenced from 
the Sukari Gold Project to the 
Johnson Matthey refinery in 
Canada

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2011

11 July 2011: 
Centamin acquired Sheba 
Exploration plc, marking the first 
step in the Company’s strategy to 
diversify geographically

09 April 2009: 
Sukari reserve rose above 5 
million ounces to 6.4Moz (from 
3.7Moz previously)

01 April 2010: 
Commercial production 
commenced at the Sukari Gold 
Project 

21 June 2010: 
Centamin became a constituent of 
the FTSE250 index

20 September 2007: 
Sukari resource rose above 10 
million ounces (7.46Moz M&I, 3.7 
Inferred)

24 October 2007: 
Kori Kollo processing plant 
arrived in Egypt

10 October 2006: 
Centamin acquired Kori 
Kollo processing plant from a 
subsidiary of Newmont Mining 
Corporation for US$11 million

26 June 2009: 
The first gold bar was poured at 
the Sukari Gold Project

06 November 2009: 
Centamin migrated from AIM to 
the Main Market of the London 
Stock Exchange

31 December 2010: 
Centamin delivered 150,289 
ounces of gold in its maiden year 
of production

Q2 2011: 
Sukari underground mine delivered 
its first quarter of production

14 November 2011: 
Centamin opened its London office 

31 December 2011: 
Centamin delivered 202,689 
ounces of gold in its second year 
of production and Sukari reserve 
rose above 10 million ounces

 
18 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

19

Sukari Gold Mine – Operational Performance 
The key highlights for the Sukari Gold Mine, both on a quarterly basis and in total for the 2011 reporting year are as follows:

Ore Mined – Open Pit(1) 

Ore Grade Mined – Open Pit 

Total Open Pit Material Mined 

Strip Ratio 

(‘000t) 

Au g/t 

(‘000t) 

waste/ore 

Ore Mined - Underground Development  

(‘000t) 

Ore Mined - Underground Stopes 

Ore Grade Mined - Underground 

Ore Processed 

Head Grade 

Gold Recovery 

Gold Produced - Dump Leach 

Gold Produced - Total(2) 

(‘000t) 

Au g/t 

(‘000t) 

(g/t) 

(%) 

(oz) 

(oz) 

Year ended 
31 Dec 2011 

6,306 

1.07 

21,248 

2.34 

172 

40 

13.51 

3,612 

1.91 

85.30% 

10,664 

202,699 

Q4 2011 

Q3 2011 

Q2 2011 

Q1 2011  

6 month  

1,988 

1.12 

7,701 

2.9 

45 

25 

13.31 

1,066 

2.02 

84.0 

2,302 

58,965 

2,129 

0.96 

5,847 

1.8 

47 

11 

10.4 

954 

1.82 

85.5 

2,921 

50,539 

1,039 

NR 

3,030 

1.9 

39 

4 

NR 

850 

1.82 

85.0 

2,765 

47,991 

period ended
31 Dec 2010

3,805

NR

10,891

1.85

40

-

NR

1,378

2.06

85.4

5,436

83,432

1,212 

NR 

4,552 

2.8 

41 

- 

NR 

741 

1.94 

86.7 

2,676 

45,204 

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Cash Operating Cost of Production(3) 

$/oz 

556 

473 

635 

606 

525 

549

Gold Sold 

Average Sales Price 

(oz) 

US$/oz 

211,909 

1,574 

46,837 

1,671 

51,570 

1,721 

50,262 

1,545 

63,240 

1,405 

66,378

1,308

Notes:-
(1)   Ore mined in Q4 2011 includes 472,568t @ 0.48g/t delivered to the dump leach. Gold produced is gold poured and does not include gold-in-circuit at period end. 

Cash operating costs exclude royalties, exploration and corporate administration expenditure.

(2)  Gold produced is gold poured and does not include gold-in-circuit at period end.
(3)   Cash operating costs exclude royalties, exploration and corporate administration expenditure. Cash cost is a non-GAAP financial performance measure with 

nostandard meaning under GAAP.

Production
Centamin bettered its quarter on quarter 
gold production throughout the year. It 
achieved record gold production in Q4 
bringing the 2011 production to 202,699 
ounces. For detailed information on 
each quarter’s performance see various 
press releases available on our  website.

Open Pit
Material movement from the pit was 
21.2Mt for the year. Ore mined was at 
6.3Mt at an average grade of 1.07 grams 
per tonne and a stripping ratio of 2.34:1 
of waste to ore. The open pit performed 
strongly in Q4, delivering more than 
6.3Mt for October and November and 
2.8Mt in December, achieving total 
material movement of over 7.7Mt for 
the quarter, an increase of 33% on the 
previous quarter (5.8Mt).  

Staged pit development progressed 
well. Mining in Stage 1 was completed 
and continued in Stage 2 down to 
the 1004RL and 1076RL respectively. 
Pioneering work continued in the Stage 

3 pit in preparation for large scale load 
and haul activities to commence in 2012.

encountered on the southern side of the 
875 level.

Underground Mine
The underground mine continued to 
ramp up smoothly during the year, 
with ore production reaching 212kt, in 
stoping and development combined. 

Grades were consistently high, as 
several very well grading structures on 
levels 890 and 875 were mined. The 
ratio of stoping ore to development 
ore mined continued to increase as 
a teleremote bogging system was 
commissioned at the end of November 
and further stopes came on line. 

Development of the Amun Decline 
advanced reaching the 845 level take off 
point.  After establishing the 860 access, 
the level was opened further into the 
porphyry for over 55 metres, while ore 
development continued on the 875 level 
(223m) and 890 level (257m). Diamond 
drilling from the 850 level indicated a 
continuation of the high grade zone 

With higher material movements from 
the open pit and underground, the run of 
mine ore stockpile balance increased to 
720kt by the end of the year.

Development of the Ptah Decline, which 
will move towards the north of Sukari Hill 
and provide access to the high grade 
Julius zone, began in October 2011 and 
had advanced 140 metres by year end. 
The Ptah Decline will take underground 
activity away from the pit shell over 
the next two years, allowing Centamin 
to maintain two separate production 
sources once the Amun Decline 
becomes part of the open pit.

The underground production rate is 
expected to increase to 350,000 tonnes 
per annum in 2012 and the introduction 
of the Ptah Decline will increase it further 
to approximately 500,000tpa from 2013.  
The anticipated capital cost of the Ptah 
Decline is US$18 million.

MANAGEMENT 
DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS 
AND BUSINESS REVIEW

The following Discussion and Analysis 
of the Financial Condition and Results 
of Operations (“MD&A”) for Centamin 
plc (the “Company” or “Centamin”) 
should be read in conjunction with 
the Directors’ Report and the audited 
Financial Statements for the year ended 
31 December 2011. The effective date 
of this MD&A is 30 March 2012.

The financial information presented 
in this MD&A has been prepared 
in accordance with the applicable 
securities laws of the United Kingdom 
and Canada, as the Company is listed 
on both the Main Board of the London 
Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock 
Exchange. Additional information 
relating to the Company, including 
other public announcements and the 
Company’s Annual Information Form, 
is available at www.centamin.com and 
www.sedar.com. 

All amounts in this MD&A are expressed 
in United States dollars (US$) unless 
otherwise stated. Comparative 
information for 2010 is for 6 months to 
31 December 2010.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

The report contains certain forward-looking statements and attention is drawn to the 
cautionary statement that appears at the front of this document. 

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE YEAR

Despite a challenging year, Centamin delivered strong operational and financial 
results in 2011, producing  202,699 ounces of gold (2010: 83,432 ounces) and 
generating profit for the year of US$181.9 million (2010: US$32.0 million). Through 
the Group’s emphasis on rigorous cost control, Centamin has continued to reap the 
benefits of the high gold price, and this was enhanced further by its debt-free and 
unhedged position.  Now in its second year of production, the Sukari Gold Mine is 
highly cash generative, with EBITDA of US$235.0 million (2010: US$52.8 million), 
a 345% increase on 2010, and a robust cash and cash equivalents balance of 
US$164.2 million (2010: US$154 million) as at 31 December 2011. See non-GAAP 
measures section (page 24) for the definition of EBITDA.

Operationally, the first half of 2011 was challenging, but a solid third quarter and a 
record fourth quarter of production have shown that a substantially larger production 
profile is achievable for Sukari.  Although Egypt is undergoing political transition, 
this potential for production growth combined with the Group’s growing reserves, 
a significant expansion programme, a solid financial position, and an experienced 
team means Centamin is well positioned for 2012.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

21

Processing
The processing plant delivered 
throughput of 3.6Mt for 2011 and 
showed quarter on quarter improvement 
throughout the year driven by improved 
productivity and overall plant availability. 
The plant continued to progress towards 
achieving an annualised rate of 5 million 
tonnes per annum on a consistent basis 
and construction is due to begin on 
the Stage 4 expansion to double the 
processing capacity to 10Mtpa in Q1 
2012.

Plant metallurgical recoveries 
were lower than anticipated, partly 
due to increases in throughput, 
but are expected to increase with 
improvements to plant automation and 
carbon management techniques.

The dump leach operation continued 
to perform in line with expectations, 
producing 10,664oz for the year. Total 
low grade oxide ore continues to be 
delivered to the pads in preparation for 
irrigation, bringing the total ore placed 
on the dump leach to approximately 
5,536,450 at an average grade of 
0.51g/t.

Costs
The operating cash cost for the year 
was US$556/oz and Q4 operating 
cash costs were US$473/oz which 
was 4% lower than the corresponding 
quarter in 2010 and 26% lower than 
the previous quarter.  This reduction in 
costs reflected the lower unit costs as 
a result of the increase in production 
and the absence of the various one-off 
maintenance costs that were incurred 
in Q2 and Q3. We expect to maintain 
our focus on a low cash cost profile in 
2012 as Sukari continues to ramp up 
production.

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Shareholders’ equity increased year on 
year by 30% to US$806 million from 
US$619 million). The increase is driven 
by an increase in the profit for the year 
attributable to the shareholders of the 
company of US$ 181.9 million. 

Current ratio is calculated by dividing 
the current assets by the current 
liabilities. The improvement in the 
current ratio is a result of the increase 
in cash and cash on short term deposit 
which has increased the liquidity 
position of the Group as illustrated in 
Note 25 to the Financial Statements.

The return on equity ratio is calculated 
by dividing the profit for the year 
attributable to the shareholders of 
the company for the period by total 
shareholders’ equity and measures 
the return on ownership. The return on 
equity ratio showed a strong increase 
from 5 for 2010 to 22 for 2011 as a 
result of the increase in the net profits 
and reflects an improvement in the 
Group’s performance and yields higher 
return on equity for investors.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Group recorded net profit before tax for the year ended 31 December 2011 of 
US$181.9 million (2010: US$32.0 million). The increase is driven by higher volumes 
of gold sold, higher gold prices obtained and lower costs due to management’s 
rigorous cost control.

SELECTED ANNUAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following table provides a guide to a summary of the financial results of the 
Group’s operation for the period ending 31 December 2011 in comparison with the 
six month period ending 31 December 2010:

Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing the profit for the year attributable to 
shareholders of the company divided by the weighted average of all outstanding 
shares including all options issued under the ESOP, EDLFSP and EELFSP. The 
increase in the diluted EPS is mainly driven by the profit for the year attributable to 
the company compared to a weighted average increase of 1,092,336,900 shares. 
The higher dilutive shares are as a result of the options issued during 2011 and the 
partial dilutive effect of the 1,504,085 options exercised during the year.

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) is the 
profit for the year attributable to the company excluding income tax cost, finance 
cost, finance income and depreciation and amortisation. EBITDA is a gauge of the 
Group’s ability to generate operating cash flow to fund its working capital needs and 
capital expenditures. EBITDA increased period on period by 345%.

Summary of Financial Performance

Selected Balance Sheet items and Key Financial Ratios

2011 

2010 (3)  US$ Change  % change

The following table illustrates and compares the selected balance sheet items and 
key ratios of the Group for the reporting years 2010 and 2011.

Revenue 

US$’000 

340,479 

86,882 

253,597 

Profit before tax 

US$’000 

181,945 

32,042 

149,903 

Basic EPS (cps) (1) 

Diluted EPS (cps) (1) 

cents 

cents 

16.68 

16.66 

3.10 

3.09 

13.58 

13.57 

EBITDA 2 

Total assets 

US$’000 

234,971 

52,782 

182,189 

US$’000 

834,522 

640,832 

193,960 

Non -current liabilities 

US$’000 

2,630 

2,624 

6 

292

467

438

439

345

30

0%

(1)  Calculated using weighted average number of shares outstanding under the basic method.
(2)   EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial performance measure with no standard meaning under IFRS. For further 

information and a detailed reconciliation, see page 24 of this report.

(3)   This column shows data for the financial period immediately prior to the year ended 31 December 2011, 

which was a short period of six months ended on 31 December 2010, due to the company changing their 
end from June to December. 

Revenue comprises proceeds from gold and silver sales.  Revenue increased by 
US$254 million from 2010 where the financial period was only 6 months.  Revenue 
increased due to an increase in production of 119,267oz from the prior year and 
a consistently higher gold price. The average price for 2010 was approximately 
US$1,308/oz, whereas for the 2011 year the average price was US$1,574/oz.

Profit before tax increased by 467% for the year ended 31 December 2011 primarily 
from the increase in revenue of 292%. Cost of sales increase by a smaller amount 
of 178% and lower increase in cost of sales of 178% as production costs have not 
been affected by the increase in the gold price and have been kept low due to the 
effective management of costs. The net profit include depreciation of US$54million 
and re-domicile costs of US$2.6 million relating to expenses incurred in moving the 
parent company from Australia to Jersey. Finance income of US$1.3 million (2010: 
US$0.3million) has been earned on the short term deposits during the year and has 
been included in the profit for the year.

Earnings per share (EPS) are calculated as the profit for the year attributable to 
the shareholders of the company divided by the weighted average of the number 
of ordinary Shares issued. The increase in EPS is mainly driven by the increase in 
profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of US$149,903k compared to a weighted 
average increase of 1,090,834,599 shares.

Earnings per share amounted to US$16.68 cents for 2011, an increase of 438% on 
2010. 

  As at 31 December  2011  As at 31 December 2010

265,555 

25,670 

834,522 

806,223 

2,630 

192,943

19,112

640,832

619,096

2,624

Current assets  

Current liabilities 

Total assets 

Total shareholders’ equity 

Total non-current liabilities 

Total shares outstanding (1) 

Key financial ratios: 

Current ratio (2) 

US$’000 

US$’000 

US$’000 

US$’000 

US$’000 

Shares 

Return on equity (3) 

% 

1,096,297,381 

1,081,946,250

10.34:1 

22 

10.09:1

5

QUARTERLY 
INFORMATION

Notes:
(1)   Total ordinary shares outstanding do not include 1,630,150 (2010:  3,325,150) share options issued but 

not exercised;

(2)  Represents current assets divided by current liabilities and;
(3)   Represents profit for the year attributable to the shareholders of the company divided by average 

shareholders’ equity.

Current assets (include cash, cash equivalents, receivables, prepayments and 
inventory) increased by 37% year on year and illustrate the strong cash position of 
the Group. The increase in current assets is driven by the increase in the Group’s 
production during 2011. Current assets principally include cash and cash on short 
term deposit of US$164m (2010: US$154m).

The total assets have increased by US$194m mainly due to the following increases:

i)  Increase in current assets of US$72m, as explained above,  
ii)   Increase in Property, plant and equipment (‘PPE’) of US$143m mainly relating 
to the net capitalised work-in-progress costs in 2011 of US$68.5m, additions 
of US$20m mine development property, US$33m of plant and equipment and 
US$21m of motor vehicles as we increase our operations. A depreciation and 
amortisation charge of US$54m has been recognised.

iii)  Increase in exploration and evaluation assets due to the acquisition of Sheba 

Exploration (UK) Plc for US$10.2m and 2011 exploration and evaluation 
expenditure of US$16m incurred on Sukari Hill and Sukari tenement area.

The increases in current liabilities highlight the increased level of operation activity at 
the Group’s Sukari Gold Mine. 

For more information regarding Q4 for 
2011, refer to the press release ‘Results 
for the 31 December 2011 – Correction’ 
published on 31 January 2012 which is 
available on our website.

LIQUIDITY AND 
CAPITAL RESOURCES

At 31 December 2011, the Group had 
cash and cash equivalents of US$164 
million compared to US$154 million 
at 31 December 2010. The majority of 
funds have been invested in short term 
deposits.  The increase in cash position 
is due to increased production and 
favourable gold prices. 

Liquidity risk is the risk associated with 
not having access to sufficient funds 
to meet planned and unplanned cash 
requirements. Centamin manages its 
exposure to liquidity risk by warranting 
that its operating and strategic liquidity 
levels are well above minimum company 
requirements.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

23

In the day to day business, the Group receives cash from its operations and is 
required to fund working capital and capital expenditure requirements. The cash is 
managed to ensure surplus funds are invested to maximise returns while ensuring 
that capital is safeguarded to the maximum extent possible by investing only with 
financial institutions with a strong credit rating. 

The Group’s primary source of liquidity is operating cash flow. The principal risk 
factor affecting operating cash flow is cost and gold prices.

The Group’s financial commitments are limited to planned and discretionary 
spending on work programmes at the Sukari Gold Mine, planned and discretionary 
spending on work programmes at the exploration licences owned by Sheba, 
administration expenditure at the Egyptian, Australian and London office locations 
and for general working capital purposes.

Management considers that the Group has adequate current assets and forecast 
cash flow from operations to manage liquidity risks arising from settlement of current 
liabilities and non-current liabilities.

We had no debt for both 2011 and the 2010 period. 

The following is a summary of the Group’s outstanding commitments as at 31 
December 2011:

After 5 years 

Total 
US$’000 

< 1 year 
US$’000 

1 to 5 years  Payments due 
 US$’000

US$’000 

Employee benefits 

717 

717 

Creditors 

24,509 

24,509 

Restoration and rehabilitation provision 

2,630 

Current tax liabilities 

Operating lease commitments (Note 19) 

Capital commitments (Note 19) 

Total commitments 

444 

56 

40,026 

68,382 

- 

444 

56 

40,026 

65,752 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

2,630

-

-

-

2,630

The Group’s financial commitments are limited to planned and discretionary 
spending on work programmes at the Sukari Gold Mine, planned and discretionary 
spending on work programmes at the exploration licences owned by Sheba, 
administration expenditure at the Egyptian, Australian and London office locations 
and for general working capital purposes. 

OUTSTANDING SHARE INFORMATION

As at 30 March 2012, the Company had 1,096,297,381 fully paid ordinary shares 
issued and outstanding.

As at 30 March 2012 

Shares in Issue 

Options issued but not exercised 

Number

1,096,297,381

1,630,150

1,097,927,531

SEGMENT 
DISCLOSURE

The Group is engaged in the business 
of exploration for precious and base 
metals only, which is characterised 
as one business segment only. See 
Note 8 of the Notes to the Financial 
Statements.

SIGNIFICANT 
ACCOUNTING 
ESTIMATES

In the application of the group’s 
accounting policies, which are 
described in Note 4 of the Notes to the 
Financial Statements, management is 
required to make judgments, estimates, 
and assumptions about carrying values 
of assets and liabilities that are not 
readily apparent from other sources. The 
estimates and associated assumptions 
are based on historical experience and 
various other factors that are believed to 
be reasonable under the circumstances, 
the results of which form the basis of 
making the judgments. Actual results 
may differ from these estimates.

The 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 if the 
revision affects only that period or in the 
period of the revision and future periods 
if the revision affects both current and 
future periods.

The following are the critical judgments 
that management has made in the 
process of applying the group’s 
accounting policies and that have the 
most significant effect on the amounts 
recognised in the Financial Statements:

Recovery of Capitalised Exploration Evaluation and Development Expenditure
The Group’s accounting policy for exploration and evaluation expenditure results in 
exploration and evaluation expenditure being capitalised for those projects where 
such expenditure is considered likely to be recoverable through future extraction 
activity or sale or where the exploration activities have not reached a stage which 
permits a reasonable assessment of the existence of reserves. This policy requires 
management to make certain estimates and assumptions as to future events and 
circumstances, in particular whether the Group will proceed with development based 
on existence of reserves or whether an economically viable extraction operation 
can be established. Such estimates and assumptions may change from period to 
period as new information becomes available. If, subsequent to the exploration and 
evaluation expenditure being capitalised, a judgement is made that recovery of the 
expenditure is unlikely or the project is to be abandoned, the relevant capitalised 
amount will be written off to the income statement.

Accounting treatment of Sukari Gold Mines (SGM)
SGM is wholly consolidated within the Centamin Group of companies, reflecting the 
substance and economic reality of the Concession Agreement (see note 23).

The following are the key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources 
of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date, that have a significant risk of causing 
a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next 
financial year:

Provision for restoration and rehabilitation costs
The Group is required to decommission, rehabilitate and restore mines and 
processing sites at the end of their producing lives to a condition acceptable to 
the relevant authorities. The provision has been calculated taking into account 
the estimated future obligations including the costs of dismantling and removal of 
facilities, restoration and monitoring of the affected areas. The provision for future 
restoration costs is the best estimate of the present value of the expenditure required 
to settle the restoration obligation at the reporting date.

Ore reserve estimates
Estimates of recoverable quantities of reserves include assumptions on commodity 
prices, exchange rates, discount rates and production costs for future cashflows. 
It also involves assessment and judgement of difficult geological models. The 
economic, geological and technical factors used to estimate ore reserves may 
change from period to period. Changes in ore reserves affect the carrying values 
of mine properties, property, plant and equipment, provision for rehabilitation 
assets and deferred taxes. Ore reserves are integral to the amount of depreciation 
and amortisation charged to the Statement of Comprehensive Income and the 
calculation of inventory.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

There have not been any changes to the Group’s accounting policies during the year. 

GOING CONCERN STATEMENT

The group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, performance and position are set out in this business review. The 
financial position of the group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing 
facilities are also described in this business review on pages 18 to 31. In addition, 
note 26 of the Financial Statements includes the group’s objectives, policies and 
processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details 
of its financial instruments; and its exposure to credit risk and liquidity risk.

As highlighted in note 26, the group 
meets its day to day working capital 
requirements through cash generated 
by its operations. The current economic 
conditions create uncertainty particularly 
over a) the level of demand of the 
group’s products; b) the price at which 
its products can be sold; and c) the 
price at which its main raw materials 
can be procured. 

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The group’s forecasts and projections, 
taking account of reasonably possible 
changes in trading performance, show 
that group should be able to continue 
generating sufficient cash in order 
to finance its operations and capital 
expansions. 

The directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the group will have 
adequate resources to continue 
in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future.  Thus they continue 
to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing the Annual 
Financial Statements.

NON-GAAP 
FINANCIAL 
MEASURES 

Three non-GAAP financial measures are 
used in this report:

1)   EBITDA: “EBITDA” is a non-GAAP 
financial measure, which excludes 
the following from profit before tax:

•  Finance costs;
•  Finance income; and
•  Depreciation and amortisation.

Management believes that EBITDA 
is a valuable indicator of the Group’s 
ability to generate liquidity by producing 
operating cash flow to fund working 
capital needs and fund capital 
expenditures. EBITDA is also frequently 
used by investors and analysts for 
valuation purposes whereby EBITDA 
is multiplied by a factor or “EBITDA 
multiple” that is based on an observed 
or inferred relationship between EBITDA 
and market values to determine the 
approximate total enterprise value of a 
company. EBITDA is intended to provide 
additional information to investors and 

 
 
 
 
 
 
24 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

25

analysts and does not have any standardized definition under IFRS and should not 
be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared 
in accordance with IFRS. EBITDA excludes the impact of cash costs and income of 
financing activities and taxes, and therefore is not necessarily indicative of operating 
profit or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS. Other companies may 
calculate EBITDA differently. The following table provides a reconciliation of EBITDA 
to profit for the year attributable to the company.

Reconciliation of profit before tax to EBITDA

Year ended 
31 December 2011 
US$’000 

Six month period
 ended 31 December 2010
US$’000

reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of Financial Statements 
for external purposes in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting 
principles in Canada. In addition, 
there have been no changes in the 
Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting during the year ended 
31 December 2011 that have materially 
affected, or are reasonably likely to 
materially affect, its internal control over 
financial reporting.

Profit before tax 

Finance income 

Depreciation and amortisation 

EBITDA 

181,945 

(1,288) 

54,314 

234,971 

32,042

(321)

21,061

52,782

FINANCIAL 
INSTRUMENTS

2) Cash Cost per Ounce Calculation: “Cash costs per ounce” is a non-GAAP 
financial measure. Cash Cost per ounce is a measure of the average cost of 
producing an ounce of gold, calculated by dividing the operating costs in a period 
by the total gold production over the same period. Operating costs represent 
total operating costs less administrative expenses, royalties, depreciation 
and amortization. Management uses this measure internally to better assess 
performance trends for the Company as a whole. The Company believes that, in 
addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, certain 
investors use such non-GAAP information to evaluate the Company’s performance 
and ability to generate cash flow. The Company believes that these measures better 
reflect the Group’s performance for the current period and are a better indication 
of its expected performance in future periods. Cash costs is intended to provide 
additional information, does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by 
GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of 
performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. This measure is not necessarily 
indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under 
GAAP. Other companies may calculate these measures differently.

3) Cash and Liquid Assets: Cash and Liquid Assets include Cash and cash 
equivalents and gold sales debtors. This is a non-GAAP financial measure.

INTERNAL CONTROLS

Financial reporting controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable 
assurance that all relevant information is gathered and reported to management, 
including the CEO and CFO, on a timely basis so that appropriate decisions can 
be made regarding public disclosure. Management, with the participation of the 
certifying officers, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation, as 
of 31 December 2011, of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as 
defined by the Canadian Securities Administrators). Based on that evaluation, the 
certifying officers have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are 
effective and designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company 
and its subsidiaries is known to them by others within those entities. 

Internal controls over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable 
assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and compliance with 
generally accepted accounting principles in our Financial Statements. Management 
has evaluated the design of internal control over financial reporting and has 
concluded that such internal controls over financial reporting are designed to provide 

At 31 December 2011, the Group has 
exposure to interest rate risk which is 
limited to the floating market rate for 
cash.

The Group does not have foreign 
currency risk for non-monetary assets 
and liabilities of the Egyptian operations 
as these are deemed to have a 
functional currency of United States 
dollars. The Group has no significant 
monetary foreign currency assets and 
liabilities apart from Australian dollar and 
United States dollar cash term deposits.

The Group currently does not engage in 
any hedging or derivative transactions 
to manage interest rate or foreign 
currency risks.

FOREIGN 
INVESTMENT IN 
EGYPT

Foreign investments in the petroleum 
and mining sectors in Egypt are 
governed by individual production 
sharing agreements (concession 
agreements) between foreign 
companies and the Ministry for 
Petroleum and Mineral Resources or 
EMRA (as the case may be) and are 
individual Acts of Parliament.

Title, exploitation and development 
rights to the Sukari Gold Project 
are granted under the terms of the 
Concession Agreement promulgated 
as Law No. 222 of 1994, signed on 
29 January 1995 and effective from 

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13 June 1995. The Concession Agreement was issued by 
way of Presidential Decree after the approval of the People’s 
Assembly in accordance with the Egyptian Constitution and 
Law No. 61 of 1958. The Concession Agreement was issued 
in accordance with the Egyptian Mines and Quarries Law No. 
86 of 1956 which allows for the Ministry to grant the right to 
parties to explore and mine for minerals in Egypt. 

While the Company is the first foreign company to develop 
a modern large-scale gold mine in Egypt there is significant 
foreign investment in the petroleum sector. Several large 
multinational oil and gas companies operate successfully in 
Egypt, some of which have long histories in the country and 
have dedicated significant amounts of capital. The Group 
believes that the successful track record of foreign investment 
established by these companies in the petroleum sector is 
an important indication of the ability of foreign companies to 
attract financing and receive development approvals for the 
construction of major projects in Egypt. 

OVERVIEW OF SUKARI 
CONCESSION AGREEMENT

Pharaoh Gold Mines NL (“PGM”) a 100% wholly owned 
subsidiary of the Company, EGSMA (now “EMRA”) and the 
Arab Republic of Egypt (“ARE”) entered into the Concession 
Agreement dated 29 January 1995, granting PGM and 
EMRA the right to explore, develop, mine and sell gold and 
associated minerals in specific concession areas located 
in the Eastern Desert of Egypt identified in the Concession 
Agreement. The Concession Agreement came into effect 
under Egyptian law on 13 June 1995.

A summary of the main terms of the Concession Agreement is 
as follows:

•   PGM provides funding to the Operating Company, Sukari 
Gold Mining Company, (SGM) and is responsible for the 
day-to-day management of that company.

•   PGM is entitled to recover: 

 -   all current operating expenses incurred and paid after the 

initial commercial production;

 -   exploration costs, including those accumulated to the 

commencement of commercial production (at the rate of 
33.3% per annum); and

 -   exploitation capital costs, including those accumulated 

prior to the commencement of commercial production (at 
the rate of 33.3% per annum).

 •   The ARE is entitled to a royalty of 3% of net sales revenue 
from the sale of gold and associated minerals from the 
Sukari Gold Mine.

•   Commencing on the date of commercial production, PGM 
is entitled to a 15 year exemption from any taxes imposed 
by the Egyptian government, with an option to extend this 
entitlement for further 15 years. 

 •   After the deduction of recoverable expenses and the 

payment of the 3% royalty, the profits are shared equally 
between PGM and EMRA (with an additional 10% of 
proceeds paid to PGM in the first 2 years that there are net 
proceeds and an additional 5% in the following 2 years).
•   PGM, EMRA and the Operating Company are exempt from 
custom taxes and duties with respect to the importation of 
machinery, equipment and consumable items required for 
the purpose of exploration and mining activities at Sukari. 
 •   PGM, EMRA, the Operating Company and their respective 

buyers will be exempt from any duties or taxes on the export 
of gold and associated minerals produced from the Sukari 
Gold Mine.

For the accounting treatment of the Concession Agreement 
refer to Note 23 of the Financial Statements.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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27

PRINCIPAL RISKS AFFECTING THE CENTAMIN GROUP

The group faces a variety of risks which could adversely affect 
its performance, earnings, financial position and prospects.  
A summary of those which management believe represent the 
principal risks set below. In addition, there may be additional 
risks unknown to Centamin and other risks, which are 
currently believed to be immaterial and could turn out to be 
material. These risks, whether they materialise individually or 
simultaneously, could significantly affect the group’s business 
and financial results. In addition, Centamin could also be 

affected by risks relating to the gold mining industry generally 
and the risks and hazards involved in the business of mining 
metals, which are largely outside its control.

Centamin has taken a number of steps to mitigate some of 
these risks and will continue to evaluate ways in which it can 
manage and mitigate risks accordingly. Notwithstanding this, 
due to the very nature of risks no assurance can be given that 
mitigating actions taken or planned will be wholly effective. 

RISK 

COMMENT AND  
MITIGATING ACTIONS

In order to ensure continued growth, the group 
intends to identify new resources and development 
opportunities through exploration and acquisition 
targets.

Centamin assesses a wide range of potential growth 
opportunities both within Egypt and the wider area of 
the Arabian-Nubian Shield.

The current political situation in Egypt has not affected 
the safety of the Group’s employees or its day-to-day 
operations at its flagship project, Sukari. The Directors 
of the Group continue to monitor the situation and 
there are no matters to report outside of what is already 
publicly available.

See mitigating controls above.

Single project dependency
The Sukari Gold Mine currently constitutes all of the 
group’s mineral resources and reserves and the potential 
for the future generation of revenue (with the exception 
of the group’s small exploration portfolio in Ethiopia). 
Any adverse development affecting the progress of 
the Sukari Project such as, but not limited to, unusual 
and unexpected geologic formations, seismic activity, 
rock bursts, cave-ins, flooding and other conditions 
involved in the drilling and removal of material, any 
of which could result in damage to, or destruction of, 
mines and other producing facilities, or any other event 
leading to a reduction in production or closure of mines 
or other producing facilities, damage to life or property, 
environmental damage, hiring suitable personnel and 
engineering contractors, or securing supply agreements 
on commercially suitable terms, could have a material 
and adverse effect on the group’s financial performance 
and results.

Single country risk
All of the group’s operational revenue is derived from 
production at the Sukari Gold Mine in Egypt and there 
is no assurance that future political and economic 
conditions there will not result in the Government of 
Egypt adopting different policies respecting foreign 
development and ownership of mineral resources. Any 
such change in policy may result in changes in laws 
affecting ownership of assets, land tenure and mineral 
concessions, fuel subsidies, taxation, royalties, rates of 
exchange, environmental protection, labour relations, 
repatriation of income and return of capital, which may 
affect both the group’s ability to undertake exploration, 
development and operational activities in respect 
of future properties as well as its ability to continue 
to explore, develop and operate those properties in 
respect of which it has obtained mineral exploration and 
exploitation rights to date.

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RISK 

COMMENT AND  
MITIGATING ACTIONS

Management has implemented processes to 
continuously monitor and evaluate the current life of the 
Sukari Gold Mine, mine plans and production targets. The 
group’s resources and reserves are regularly reviewed. 
Centamin’s resources are presented in accordance with 
the 2004 Australian Code for the Reporting of Mineral 
Resources and Ore Reserves (“JORC Code”) which 
provides an equivalent presentation to NI 43-101 and the 
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum 
Standards (the “CIM Standards”).

The group’s objective is to provide maximum exposure 
to the price of gold and, as such, a policy of not hedging 
gold has been adopted. The group retains its focus on 
keeping operating costs as low as possible.

Management closely monitor progress of the expansion 
project and the Board receives regular updates on 
developments. 

The group actively monitors legal and political 
developments in Egypt and Ethiopia.

The group actively engages in dialogue with the Egyptian 
government and legal policy makers to discuss all key 
legal and regulatory developments applicable to its 
operation environmental legislation. 

Reserves and resource estimates
The group’s stated mineral reserves and resources are 
estimates based on a range of assumptions, including 
geological, metallurgical and technical factors; there can 
be no assurance that the anticipated tonnages or grades 
will be achieved. 

Gold price
The group’s financial performance is highly dependent 
upon the price of gold, which is affected by a number of 
factors beyond the group’s control. Rapid fluctuations in 
pricing of gold will have a corresponding impact on the 
financial position.

Construction and operational risks
Planned construction and commissioning of the 
remainder of the expansion of the Sukari Gold Mine 
(and any further expansion projects) may be delayed 
by a number of factors. Projects of this scale can suffer 
delays in startup and commissioning due to late delivery 
of components, adverse weather or equipment failures 
or delays in obtaining, or renewing where applicable, the 
required permits or consents. Other factors which may 
cause delays in the development of the remainder of 
Sukari Gold Mine (and any further expansion projects) 
include delays in obtaining construction and operating 
permits, or renewing where applicable approvals 
and permits; delays in procuring new equipment and 
supplies; and delays as a result of the group being unable 
to source skilled and professional labour.

Political, legal and regulatory developments
The group’s exploration, development and operational 
activities are subject to extensive laws and regulations 
governing various matters in the jurisdictions in which 
it operates. Changes to existing law and regulations, or 
more stringent application or interpretation of current 
laws and regulations by relevant government authorities, 
could adversely affect the group’s operations and 
development projects. In particular, operations may be 
affected in varying degrees by government regulations 
with respect to restrictions on production, price 
controls, export controls, income taxes, expropriation 
of property, maintenance of claims, environmental 
legislation, land use, land claims of local people, water 
use and safety regulations. In consequence, Centamin’s 
revenue is currently derived exclusively from Sukari, 
its business operations and financial condition may be 
adversely affected by legal and regulatory changes and 
developments in Egypt. 

 
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RISK 

COMMENT AND  
MITIGATING ACTIONS

RISK 

COMMENT AND  
MITIGATING ACTIONS

The cost of self-generated electricity
The Sukari Gold Mine relies on self-generation by diesel 
power generators located on site, the cost of which may 
fluctuate significantly depending on the market price 
of diesel fuel and the extent to which the group can 
continue to take advantage of the fuel subsidies currently 
offered by the ARE. The increased cost of production 
associated with the loss of the fuel subsidy could be 
significant and may be in excess of US$150/ounce. Any 
increases in energy costs may adversely affect the results 
of operations or financial condition of the group.

Community relations
A failure to adequately engage or manage relations with 
local communities and stakeholders could have a direct 
impact on the group’s ability to operate at Sukari.

Relationship with EMRA
The successful management of the Sukari Gold Mine 
is in part dependent on maintaining a good working 
relationship with EMRA.  Should a dispute with EMRA 
arise that cannot be amicably settled by arbitration or 
other means, this might adversely affect the group’s 
ability to manage the Sukari in the most effective way.

Current  Egyptian political situation 
The current Egyptian political situation may affect the 
safety of the group’s employees and adversely affect the 
group’s ability to operate the Sukari Gold Mine. 

Management is reviewing alternative energy sources of 
grid power and gas pipelines.

In addition to its existing corporate social responsibility 
programmes, the group is implementing a number 
of additional initiatives to improve and build on local 
community relations, and has increased its social 
management capacity.

The group has regular meetings with officials from EMRA 
and invests time in liaising with relevant ministry and 
other governmental representatives.

The current political situation in Egypt has not to date 
affected the safety of the Group’s employees or its day-
to-day operations at Sukari nor has it had any material 
adverse impact on the group’s investment. However, 
management continues to monitor very closely the 
situation.

Loss of critical processes
The group’s mining, processing, development and 
exploration activities depend on the continuous 
availability of its operational infrastructure, in addition to 
reliable utilities and water supplies and access to roads. 
Any failure or unavailability of operational infrastructure, 
for example through strike action, equipment failure or 
disruption, could adversely affect production output 
and/or impact exploration and development activities. 
Deficiencies in core supply chain availability could also 
affect operations.

Civil and/or labour unrest
The group’s operations could be adversely affected by 
civil or labour unrest, war, fighting, terrorism or similar 
events in Egypt, Ethiopia or elsewhere. Furthermore, 
Egyptian employment law affords extensive protection 
to employees. Although management believes its labour 
relations, with both employees and contractors, are 
now satisfactory, there can be no assurance that a work 
slowdown, a work stoppage or strike will not occur at 
the Sukari Gold Mine or at any of the group’s possible 
future development projects or exploration prospects.

Employees and contractors
The group’s business significantly depends upon 
its ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel, in 
particular members of the senior management team 
and its skilled team of engineers and geologists. The 
loss of skilled workers and a failure to recruit and train 
equivalent replacements may negatively impact on the 
group’s operations and production.

Environmental hazards and rehabilitation
Mining operations have inherent risks and liabilities 
associated with pollution of the environment and the 
disposal of waste products occurring as a result of 
mineral exploration and production. The group may be 
liable for losses and costs associated with environmental 
hazards at its operations, have its licences and permits 
withdrawn or suspended as a result of such hazards, 
or may be forced to undertake extensive clean-up and 
remediation action in respect of environmental hazards 
and incidents relating to its operations. Any such action 
could have a material adverse effect on the group’s 
business, operations and financial condition.

Management assesses the critical components of the 
group’s operational infrastructure on a continuous basis.

The group has established HR practices and policies, 
and is committed to keeping the pay and conditions for 
its Egyptian worker competitive. Following the recent 
labour unrest, the group has promoted the establishment 
of a workers representative group for the purpose of 
facilitating a better dialogue with those employed at the 
Sukari Gold Mine. 

The Group depends on certain key contractors and 
interruptions in contracted services could result in loss 
of production. The group regularly assesses its staff 
recruitment and retention policies to assist with labour 
stability, and maintains appropriate investment in training 
and development to safeguard the skills of its work force. 

Assessments of arrangements with key contractors are 
undertaken on a regular basis to ensure that contracted 
services and support meet business requirements and 
expectations.

Regular reviews of reward structures and incentive plans 
are carried out in order to attract, retain and incentivise 
key employees, including the expatriate workforce. 

Laws and regulations involving the protection and 
remediation of the environment and the governmental 
policies for implementation of such laws and regulations 
are constantly changing and are generally becoming 
more restrictive. Although the Directors believe that 
the group is in compliance in all material respects with 
applicable environmental laws and regulations and 
holds all necessary approvals, licences and permits 
under those laws, compliance with these standards is 
monitored by the HSES committee. 

Remediation and rehabilitation costs are assessed and 
reviewed on at least an annual basis.

 
30 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

31

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The following related party transactions have been identified in line with IAS 24: Related Party Disclosures.
a) Key management personnel equity holdings 
The details of the movement in key management personnel equity holdings of fully paid ordinary shares in Centamin plc during 
the financial period are as follows:

31 December 2011 

J El-Raghy  

T Schultz 

G Haslam 

M Arnesen 

M Bankes 

K Tomlinson 

P Louw 

H Brown 

C Aujard 

Y El-Raghy 

31 December 2010 

C Cowden 

J El-Raghy  

T Schultz 

H S Bottomley 

T Elder 

H Michael 

M Di Silvio 

H Brown 

Balance at 
1 January 
2011  

Granted as 
remuneration 
(LFSP) 

Received on 
exercise 
of options 

Net other 
change (1) 

Balance at 
31 December 
2011 

Balance held
nominally

69,195,086 

1,000,000 

- 

1,250,000 

71,445,086 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

250,000 

- 

- 

1,000,000 

1,000,000 

(1,000,000) 

1,000,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

600,000 

225,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

50,000 

15,000 

60,000 

- 

37,500 

- 

- 

- 

50,000 

15,000 

60,000 

- 

637,500 

475,000 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Balance at 
1 January 
2010  

Granted as 
remuneration 
(LFSP) 

Received on 
exercise 
of options 

Net other 
change (1) 

Balance at 
31 December 
2010 

Balance held
nominally

1,203,626 

69,195,086 

- 

2,650,000 

250,000 

75,000 

- 

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

125,000 

250,000 

- 

- 

- 

1,203,626 

69,195,086 -

- -

(500,000) 

2,150,000 -

- 

- 

- 

- 

250,000 -

75,000 -

125,000 -

250,000 -

(1) ‘Net other change’ relates to the on market acquisition or disposal of fully paid ordinary share.

b) Key management personnel share option holdings 
The details of the movement in key management personnel options to acquire ordinary shares in Centamin plc are as follows:

31 December 2011 
2011

C Cowden 

T Elder 

T Schultz 

J El-Raghy 

H Bottomley 

H Michael 

M Di Silvio 

H Brown 

Balance at  
1 January 
2011 

Granted as 
remuneration 

Exercised 

Other 
changes 

Balance at 
31 December 
2011 

Balance  Balance vested
vested during  and exercisable
the financial  at 31 December
period 

- 

- 

1,000,000 

- 

- 

- 

475,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(1,000,000) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(125,000) 

(350,000) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

31 December 2010 
2010

C Cowden 

T Elder 

T Schultz 

J El-Raghy 

H Bottomley 

H Michael 

M Di Silvio 

H Brown 

Balance at  
1 January 
2010 

Granted as 
remuneration 

Exercised 

Other 
changes 

Balance at 
31 December 
2010 

vested during 

Balance  Balance vested
and exercisable
the financial  at 31 December
period 

- 

- 

1,000,000 

- 

- 

- 

600,000 

250,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(125,000) 

(250,000) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,000,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

1,000,000

-

-

-

475,000 

175,000 

475,000

- 

- 

-

I

B
U
S
N
E
S
S
R
E
V
I
E
W

Apart from the details disclosed in this note, no key 
management personnel has entered into a material contract 
with the Company or the economic entity since the end of the 
previous financial year and there were no material contracts 
involving key management personnel interests at year-end.

c) Other transactions with key management personnel
The related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 
2011 are summarised below:

Josef El-Raghy is a director and shareholder of El-Raghy 
Kriewaldt Pty Ltd (“El-Raghy Kriewaldt”). El-Raghy Kriewaldt 
provides office premises to the Company. All dealings with 
El-Raghy Kriewaldt are in the ordinary course of business and 
on normal terms and conditions. Rent and office outgoings 
paid to El-Raghy Kriewaldt during the period were A$62,356 or 
US$65,365 (six months ended 31 December 2010: A$33,480 
or US$ 32,192).  Colin Cowden, a Non Executive Director 
until his resignation on 26 May 2011, is also a director and 
shareholder of Cowden Limited, which provides insurance 
broking services to the Company. All dealings with Cowden 
Limited are on normal terms and conditions. Cowden Limited 
was paid A$2,293 or US$2,397 during the six months ended 
30 June 2011 (31 December 2010: A$32,873 or US$1,661), 
with A$11,815 or US$12,349 paid to Cowden Limited to be 
passed on to underwriters for premiums during the six months 
ended 30 June 2011 (31 December 2010: A$220,687 or 
US$212,548).

d) Transactions with other related parties
Other related parties include the parent entity, subsidiaries, 
and other related parties.

During the prior financial period, the Company recognised 
tax payable in respect of the tax liabilities of its wholly owned 
subsidiaries.  Payments to/from the Company are made in 
accordance with terms of the tax funding arrangement. 

During the financial period the Company provided funds to 
and received funding from subsidiaries.
All amounts advanced to related parties are unsecured.  No 
expense has been recognised in the period for bad or doubtful 
debts in respect of amounts owed by related parties.

Transactions and balances between the Company and its 
subsidiaries were eliminated in the preparation of consolidated 
financial statements of the Group.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

For further information, see the directors’ report section on 
page 36.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
32 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

33

THE BOARD  
OF DIRECTORS

The Board comprises: 

From left to right: Mr Josef El-Raghy,  
Mr Trevor Schultz, Mr G. Edward Haslam, 
Professor G. Robert Bowker, Mr Mark Arnesen, 
Mr Mark Bankes and Mr Kevin Tomlinson.

Mr Josef El-Raghy 
Executive Chairman and acting CEO, 
age 40 Appointed 26 August 2002

Mr Josef El-Raghy was Managing 
Director/CEO of the Company until 3 
March 2010, following which he 
assumed the role of Chairman. Since 
the sudden death of the group’s CEO, 
Harry Michael, in November 2011, Mr 
El-Raghy has taken on the additional 
role of acting CEO. Mr El-Raghy holds a 
Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the 
University of Western Australia and had 
a ten year career in stock broking. He 
was formerly a director of both CIBC 
Wood Gundy and Paterson Ord Minnett. 
His expertise in international capital 
markets has greatly assisted the 
Company in its fundraising and 
development activities. 

Mr Trevor Schultz
Executive Director, age 70 Appointed 20 
May 2008

Mr Schultz has a Masters Degree in 
Economics from Cambridge University, 
a Masters of Science Degree in Mining 
from the Witwatersrand University and 
completed the Advanced Management 
Program at Harvard University. With 
more than 40 years’ experience at the 
executive management and board level 
with leading international mining 
companies, including BHP, RTZ/CRA, 
Pegasus Gold and Ashanti Goldfields, 
Trevor was most recently the President 

and CEO of Guinor Gold Corporation. 
His roles have included development of 
several new mining operations in Africa, 
South America and the U.S.A., 
negotiations with various governments 
and their agencies and project financing 
and capital raisings.  Mr Schultz is 
currently a director of Pacific Road 
Capital Management. From 1 April 2003 
until 31 December 2005, Mr Schultz 
was a director of Guinor Gold 
Corporation, from 1 December 2003 to 
15 June 2006 was a director of 
Southern Era Pty Ltd and from 1 
October 1996 to 31 December 2003 
was a director of Ashanti Goldfields Pty 
Ltd.

Mr G. Edward Haslam 
Senior Non Executive Director, age 66 
Appointed 22 March 2011

Mr Haslam is currently Chairman of the 
LSE listed Talvivaara plc (since 1 June 
2007) and since 1 May 2004 has been a 
non-executive director of Aquarius 
Platinum Ltd. In addition, Mr Haslam 
has been the Senior Independent 
Director of the LSE listed South African 
Namakwa Diamonds Ltd since 19 
December 2007. In 1981, Mr Haslam 
joined Lonmin plc where he was 
appointed a director in 1999 and Chief 
Executive Officer in November 2000 
before retiring as such in April 2004. Mr 
Haslam has also held various positions 
with Falconbridge Nickel Mines and 
British Steel Corporation, was a director 

of Cluff Gold Plc until September 2007, 
and is a Fellow of the Institute of 
Directors (IOD) (UK). 

Professor G. Robert Bowker 
Non Executive Director, age 62
Appointed 21 July 2008

Professor Bowker retired from the 
Australian Foreign Service in June 2008 
after a 37 year career specialising in 
Middle East issues. He was Australian 
Ambassador to Egypt (2005 to 2008) 
and Jordan (1989 to 1992), in addition 
to postings in Syria (1979 to 1981) and 
Saudi Arabia (1974 to 1976). Professor 
Bowker was accredited from Cairo as a 
non-resident ambassador to Libya, 
Sudan, Syria and Tunisia. Professor 
Bowker has a PhD from the Centre for 
Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian 
National University 2001, an MA from 
the Centre for Middle East and Central 
Asian Studies, Australian National 
University 1995, a BA (Hons) Indonesian 
and Malayan Studies and Political 
Science, Melbourne University 1970 and 
completed an RAF Arabic course, 
Beaconsfield, UK 1988.

Mr Mark Arnesen 
Non Executive Director, age 52 
Appointed 24 February 2011

Mr Arnesen has extensive expertise in 
the structuring and negotiation of 
finance for major resource projects. He 
is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

years’ experience in the international 
resources industry, including a role with 
the Billiton/Gencor group companies 
where he was a corporate Treasurer 
from 1996 to 1998. In 2000 Mr Arnesen 
joined Ashanti Goldfields Company 
Limited as Managing Director - 
International Treasury and held the 
position until 2004. From 2004 until 
2006 he worked with Equinox Minerals 
Limited and put in place the Lumwana 
project financing. In November 2006 he 
joined Moto Goldmines limited as the 
financial Director and held the position 
until the company was taken over by 
Randgold Resources Limited in late 
2009. He was a Non-Executive Director 
of Natasa Mining Limited (2006-2010) 
and now sits on their Advisory Board. 
He was a Non -Executive Director of 
Asian Mineral Resources during 2010. 
He is currently the sole director of ARM 
Advisors Proprietary Limited and joined 
the board of Gulf Industrials Limited as 
CEO in February 2012. Mr Arnesen 
serves as a Member of the South 
African Institute of Chartered 
Accountants and holds a Bachelor of 
Commerce and Bachelor of Accounting 
degrees from the University of the 
Witwatersrand.

Mr Mark Bankes
Non Executive Director, age 51 
Appointed 24 February 2011

Mr Bankes is an international corporate 
finance lawyer. Mr Bankes has an MA 
from Cambridge University and joined 

Norton Rose in 1984. He worked in both 
London and Hong Kong and was a 
partner at Norton Rose LLP from 1994 
to 2007 before starting his own 
business, Bankes Consulting EURL, in 
October 2007.  Mr Bankes specialises in 
international securities, mining policy 
and agreements, mergers and 
acquisitions and international 
restructurings for the resource sector.  
Mr Bankes has not held any other 
directorships in public companies 
during the previous five years.

Mr Kevin Tomlinson 
Non Executive Director, age 51 
Appointed 17 January 2012

Mr Tomlinson was previously Managing 
Director of Investment Banking at 
Westwind Partners/Stifel Nicolaus 
Weisel, a US, Canadian and UK 
full-service broker, where he advised a 
number of gold, base metal and nickel 
companies, including Centamin. Prior to 
that he was the Director of Natural 
Resources at Williams de Broë, a 
London-based broker, and Head of 
Research for the Australian broking, 
corporate finance and research house, 
Hartley’s Ltd.  Mr Tomlinson holds a 
Master of Science degree in Geology 
from the University of Melbourne in 
Victoria, Australia. He began his career 
as a geologist 30 years ago and has 
worked with various Australian and 
Canadian-based natural resources 
companies, including Austminex N.L, 
where he held the position of Chief 

Executive Officer, and Plutonic 
Resources Limited, where he was 
Exploration Manager. In addition, he 
was Non-Executive Chairman of the 
ASX, AIM and TSX-listed Philippines 
gold producer, Medusa Mining Limited, 
from October 2005 to January 2010 and 
the Non-Executive Chairman of Dragon 
Mountain Gold, an ASX-listed Chinese 
gold explorer and developer, from 
January 2006 to October 2008.  
Tomlinson is also a non executive 
director of TSX listed Samco Gold and 
TSX/ASX listed gold producer Olympus 
Pacific Limited.  Mr Tomlinson is a 
Fellow of the Chartered Institute for 
Securities & Investment. 

During the course of the year the 
following directors retired from the 
Board:

•   Mr H Stuart Bottomley, Non 

Executive Director (retired 2 February 
2011)

•   Dr Thomas G Elder, Non Executive 

Director (retired 26 May 2011)
 Mr Colin Cowden, Non Executive 
Director (retired 26 May  2011)

Furthermore, as noted in the Chairman’s 
Statement, Mr Harry Michael, the 
Company’s Chief Executive Officer from 
3 March 2010, passed away suddenly 
on 17 November 2011.

  
34 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

35

SENIOR 
MANAGEMENT

In addition to Centamin’s Executive Directors listed 
previously, Senior Management includes the following:

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

Mr Christopher Aujard 
General Counsel and Company Secretary

Mrs Heidi Brown  
Company Secretary 

Mr Pierre Louw   
Chief Financial Officer (since 13 May 2011)

Mr Youssef El-Raghy
General Manager - Egyptian Operations 

Before joining Centamin in May 2011 Mr Aujard was the group 
Legal Director and Company Secretary of Royal London, a 
large UK-based life assurer, prior to which he held senior legal 
and company secretarial positions at a number of major 
financial institutions and banks in London.  He has over 25 
years’ experience as a lawyer and has worked on corporate 
transactions in a variety of sectors and geographies.  Mr Aujard 
holds a Master’s degree in law from Cambridge University and 
undergraduate degrees in law and science from Monash 
University in Victoria.

Mrs Brown is a Fellow Chartered Secretary with over 13 years’ 
experience in the finance and securities industries. She holds 
a Graduate Certificate of Applied Finance and Investment and 
a Diploma of Financial Advising through the Financial Services 
Institute of Australasia.

An officer graduate of the Egyptian Police Academy, Mr 
El-Raghy held senior management roles within the Egyptian 
Police force for a period in excess of ten years, having attained 
the rank of captain, prior to joining the Group. He has extensive 
contacts within the government and industry and maintains 
excellent working relationships with all of the Company’s 
stakeholders within Egypt.

Mr Louw is a senior manager with 25 years hands-on 
experience within the Mining Industry in both major and 
mid-tier gold and copper mining companies. Mr Louw is a 
member of the South African Institute of Professional 
Accountants and has extensive international experience 
having worked in Tanzania, Australia, Zambia and his native 
South Africa. Mr Louw previously worked as Finance Director 
for the Lumwana Copper Mine, an Equinox Limited 
development in Zambia from 2005 to 2010. Prior to joining 
Equinox, he worked as Business and Financial Manager for 
Geita Gold Mine (AngloGold Ashanti) in Tanzania for the 
period 2000 to end 2004. During this time he served as 
Honorary Treasurer on the Chamber of Mines of Tanzania and 
as an executive member of the Tanzanian Tax Stakeholders 
Forum representing the Tanzanian Mining sector.  He has held 
management roles in the AngloGold corporate office where 
he worked as Divisional Manager and with JCI (Johannesburg 
Consolidated Investment Co) where he started his career in 
1986.  He holds a National Diploma in Financial Accounting 
from the University of Johannesburg and completed a 
Leadership Development Programme through the University 
of South Africa (UNISA). 

36 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

37

202,699

ounces of
gold produced

$556

cash cost per ounce

DIRECTORS’
REPORT

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES & 
BUSINESS STRATEGY 

The consolidated entity’s principal activities during the course 
of the year were the exploration for precious and base metals, 
production of gold and ongoing development at the Sukari 
Gold Mine. The Group has a considered growth path and 
strategy in place whereby it seeks to maximise shareholder 
value from investment opportunities within Egypt and also 
other opportunities which may arise throughout the Middle 
East and Northern African regions.

NEW HOLDING COMPANY

On 30 December 2011, pursuant to a re-domicile (the 
“Redomicile”) by way of court-approved scheme of 
arrangement (the “Scheme”) under Part 5.1 of the Australian 
Corporations Act 2001, Centamin plc, a public company 
limited by shares, incorporated in Jersey with number 109180, 
became the new ultimate parent company of the Centamin 
group.  The Scheme was approved by shareholders at a 
Scheme meeting held on 14 December 2011 and by the 
Supreme Court of Western Australia on 20 December 2011.

Centamin was incorporated under the Companies (Jersey) 
Law 1991 on 10 October 2011 for the purposes of the 
Redomicile.

Pursuant to the Redomicile, ordinary shares in Centamin were 
admitted to the UK Listing Authority’s Official List on 30 
December 2011 and trading on the London Stock Exchange’s 
market for listed securities and on the Toronto Stock 
Exchange commenced on 30 December 2011. The listing of 
Centamin Egypt Limited’s (“Old Centamin”) ordinary shares on 
the UK Listing Authority’s Official List was cancelled on 30 
December.  Under the terms of the Redomicile, shareholders 
in Old Centamin received one share in Centamin for every 
share held in Old Centamin.

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

Upon the Scheme becoming effective, Old Centamin became 
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centamin. 

SUPPLIERS

Further information on the terms of the Redomicile is set out in 
the Prospectus published by the Company in connection with 
the Redomicile on 20 December 2011, which can be viewed 
on the Company’s website at www.centamin.com.

The Directors of Old Centamin each joined the Board of 
Centamin prior to 30 December 2011 and continued to serve 
as Directors of the Company following the Scheme becoming 
effective. The Board committees, charters and policies in place 
at Old Centamin prior to the Scheme becoming effective were 
each established or adopted in substantially the same terms 
by the Company.  In order to give a view across the year, 
references in this report and in the Remuneration reports and 
Corporate Governance report on pages 40 and 46, to the 
Directors, the Board or any Board committees, charters or 
policies refer to those of Old Centamin up to 29 December 
2011 and to those of the Company from 30 December 2011.

BUSINESS REVIEW

The requirements of the business review are contained in the 
operational and exploration review and management 
discussion and analysis sections of this report and an overview 
of the principal risks and uncertainties faced by the group is 
provided on pages 18 to 31. On pages 56 to 60 is set out 
information on environmental, employee and social and 
community matters. All of these matters are incorporated by 
reference into this Directors’ Report.

CREDITOR PAYMENT POLICY

It is the Group’s policy to settle all debts with creditors on a 
timely basis and in accordance with terms and conditions 
agreed in advance with each creditor. Further details on trade 
creditors are provided in Note 15 to the Financial Statements. 
The average number of creditor days is 45 days (2010: 119 
days).

It is Centamin’s policy that, subject to compliance with trading 
terms by the supplier, payments are made in accordance with 
terms and conditions agreed in advance with the supplier.

DIVIDENDS 

No dividends have been declared or paid since the end of the 
current and previous financial year. The Group’s dividend 
policy for the coming year is to direct all cash flows towards 
the organic growth of the Sukari Gold Mine. The Group’s policy 
will continue to be reviewed on an annual basis.

CHANGES IN STATE OF AFFAIRS

During the year, the Company suffered the tragic and sudden 
death of its incumbent CEO and saw the start of the Stage 4 
expansion programme.  Save for this, there were no other 
significant changes to the state of affairs in the Company 
during that period.  

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

It is the objective of the Group to continue to drill at the Sukari 
Gold Mine, so as to increase the overall size of the geological 
resource whilst at the same time, increasing gold production.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
COMPLIANCE

The statement on compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code for the reporting period is contained on 
page 46 of this report.

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

The Company’s articles of association may be amended by 
special resolution of the shareholders.

38 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

39

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Issued capital (including shares issued under the Loan Funded Share Plans below) 

1,096,297,381

Unlisted options (expiring 31 December 2012)  

Total shares in issue under the Loan Funded Share Plans, comprising: 

Executive Director Loan Funded Share Plan 2011 (GBP1.258521) 

Employee Loan Funded Share Plan 2011

GBP1.258521 

GBP1.171055 

GBP0.981836 

1,630,150

8,840,000

3,000,000

4,615,000

825,000

400,000

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

The Group is currently complying with relevant environmental regulations and has no 
outstanding environmental orders against it, to the best of our knowledge. 
There is a current legal obligation under Egyptian Environmental Laws to perform site 
rehabilitation and restoration work, in addition to the requirement of the Sukari 
Concession Agreement, under Article XVI, to undertake the rehabilitation and 
restoration work. The provision for restoration and rehabilitation for 2011 is set out in 
note 16 and has been estimated at US$2.6 million (2010: US$2.5 million).

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS

The Company has been notified that the following persons were, as at the date of 
this document, directly or indirectly interested in 3 per cent or more of the issued 
ordinary share capital of or voting rights in Centamin. 

Investor Name 

El-Raghy Family 

Legal and General Investment management 

Baring Asset Management Ltd. 

Franklin 

Threadneedle Asset Management Ltd. 

Kames Capital 

Ordinary Shares 

% of issued share capital

71,445,086 

55,193,655 

54,861,745 

52,659,502 

51,838,295 

43,806,115 

6.52

5.03

5.00

4.80

4.79

4.00

The substantial shareholders do not have any different voting rights to other 
shareholders.

To the extent known to the Company:
(a)   No person other than the substantial shareholders has an interest of three 

EMPLOYEES

Information relating to employees is 
contained on page 58 - 60 and the 
corporate responsibility section. 
Centamin abides by anti-discrimination 
legislation in all jurisdictions in which it 
operates. These principles are also set 
out in the Company’s Code of Conduct 
which sets out the framework in which 
Centamin expects all staff to operate.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent to year end the company 
acquired a further interest in Nyota 
Minerals Limited for US$4 million. In 
addition there was loss of a number of 
days of production due to illegal strike 
action at the Sukari Gold Mine in March 
2012. 

Mr. Kevin Tomlinson was appointed to 
the board of directors on 17 January 
2012.

Sukari currently benefits from the 
national industry subsidy in Egypt for 
diesel, when compared with 
international prices, has a beneficial 
effect of some US$150 per oz on the 
forecast cash costs for 2012. As 
announced there have been moves to 
withdraw this subsidy and whilst 
negotiations are ongoing it has been 
been necessary during the first quarter 
of 2012 to pay the international fuel 
price for roughly half of the Company’s 
fuel supply to ensure continuous 
operations pending the outcome of the 
negotiations.

percent or more in the company’s capital.  The Company is not aware of any 
persons who, directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, exercise or could exercise 
control over the Company; and

(b)   There are no arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date 

There were no other significant events 
occurring after the reporting date 
requiring disclosure in the Financial 
Statements.

result in a change of control of the Company. 

POLITICAL DONATIONS

Centamin does not make donations to any organisations with stated political 
associations. 

6.5%

of issued share capital 
held by El-Raghy family

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITY 
INSURANCE

In accordance with Centamin’s articles of association and to 
the extent permitted by law, Centamin may indemnify its 
Directors out of its own funds to cover liabilities incurred as a 
result of their office.

The Company has entered into indemnity agreements with 
each Director to indemnify each Director to the extent 
permitted by applicable law and excluding any matters 
involving fraud, dishonesty, wilful default or bad faith on the 
part of a Director.

During the year, the Company paid a premium in respect of a 
contract insuring the Directors and officers of the Company 
and any related body corporate against a liability incurred as a 
director or officer to the extent permitted by law. This provides 
insurance cover for any claim brought against Directors or 
officers for wrongful acts in connection with their positions. 
The insurance provided does not extend to claims arising from 
fraud or dishonesty and it does not provide cover for civil or 
criminal fines or penalties imposed by law.

ROUNDING OF AMOUNTS

Amounts in the Financial Report and the Directors’ Report 
have been rounded off to the nearest thousand dollars, unless 
otherwise stated.

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS

Details of the interests of Directors and their connected 
persons in Centamin’s shares or in related derivate or financial 
instruments are outlined in the Directors’ Remuneration report 
on page 40.

AUDITORS

Each of the persons who are a director at the date of approval 
of this annual report confirms that:

•   so far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit 

information of which the company’s auditor is unaware; and

•   the directors have taken all the steps that he/she ought to 
have taken as a director in order to make himself/ herself 
aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that 
the company’s auditor is aware of that information.

Deloitte LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in 
office as auditor and a resolution to reappoint them will be 
proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

 By order of the Board,

Chris Aujard
General Counsel and Company Secretary

 
40 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

41

REMUNERATION 
REPORT

The following section of this remuneration report 
has not been audited by Deloitte LLP 

Introduction

I became a director of Centamin on 22 
March 2011 and upon joining became 
chair of the Remuneration Committee. 
I would like to thank Thomas Elder, 
whom I replaced as chair, for all his 
hard work in steering the committee 
as the Company developed and grew 
to become a FTSE 250 company.  

As indicated in the Chairman’s 
Statement, very sadly at the end of 
the year Harry Michael, our former 
Chief Executive Officer, passed away 
suddenly.  Josef El-Raghy has taken 
over the additional responsibility 
of the CEO role until a new CEO 
is appointed.  The remuneration 
information relating to Harry Michael 
is included in this report up until his 
death, as well as proposed payments 
to his estate.

I am joined on the committee by 
Mark Arnesen and Robert Bowker.  
The Chairman/Interim CEO attends 
the meeting by invitation, but not 
when matters relating to his own 
remuneration are discussed.  I am 
supported by the Company Secretary 
who also acts as secretary to the 
Committee.

During the year the Committee has 
had four meetings at which it has 
considered the following:

•   Review of base salaries and Non-

Executive director fees

•   Grant of awards under the share 

plans 

•   Implications of the change of 

residence of the Company and 
the adoption of a rollover share 
plan and the share plan for UK 
participants 

•  The annual bonus plan for 2011 
•  The annual bonus plan for 2012

This year there will be a review of long 
term incentive arrangements to ensure 
that they are in-line with the evolving 
strategy of the Company.  Any 
changes to the current arrangements 
will be reported next year, or if 
necessary, shareholder approval will 
be sought during the year.

During 2011 Centamin commissioned 
research papers from Meis on 
executive remuneration levels and 
practices.  These papers were made 
available to the Committee. Advice 
was also received from the Company’s 
legal counsel, Blake Dawson in 
Australia, Charles Russell in London 
and Blake, Cassel & Graydon LLP in 
Toronto in respect of the rollover of the 
share plans and adoption of the UK 
plan in conjunction with the change of 
domicile of the Company.

Special Circumstances 
As indicated above, Harry Michael 
passed away very suddenly on 
17 November 2011 after having 
served as CEO for a year and a 
half. The Committee has given due 
consideration to the contribution 
that he made to the successful 
development of the Group during 
that period.  While the annual bonus 
scheme did not envisage the death of 
a participant and hence on cessation 
of employment the entitlement to 
a bonus would normally lapse, the 
Committee has decided that it is only 
right and proper to make a special 
payment to his estate in recognition of 
the amount that would have otherwise 
have been paid in relation to the 
period of his employment, but for the 
tragic circumstances. This amount is 
A$750,000 (US$774,675).

Policy
The remuneration policy sets base 
salaries competitively against the 
market, aiming to be fair but not 
excessive. The rewards for the 
executive directors have been 
established on a collegiate basis 
with the base pay being very similar 
for each director and the bonus 
opportunity being the same. The 
weighting of the overall package is 
in favour of variable pay, with the 
annual bonus scheme being primarily 
focused on shorter term financial and 
production targets and the long-
term bonus scheme being focused 
on relative shareholder return. It is 
intended that this policy will continue 
for the coming year, subject to the 
review referred to below.

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

Balance of Remuneration
As indicated above the balance of remuneration is toward variable pay. The following graphs show the balance of 
remuneration in relation to the base salary, based upon maximum pay out (first graph) and expected pay-out (second 
graph), where the base salary is 100.

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

n LTI Benefits
n Bonus
n Pension
n Benefits
n Base

n LTI Benefits
n Bonus
n Pension
n Benefits
n Base

O
E
C

n
a
m

r
i
a
h
C

r
o
t
c
e
r
i

D
s
n
o
i
t
a
r
e
p
O

O
E
C

n
a
m

r
i
a
h
C

r
o
t
c
e
r
i

D
s
n
o
i
t
a
r
e
p
O

(1)  Maximum award assumes full annual bonus is achieved. The LTI assumes an award of 400% and 200%.
(2)  Expected pay-out assumed that half the maximum bonus is paid and that 50% of the annual LTI award is achieved i.e. 200% each year.
(3)   Where payments are made in foreign currency the equivalent US$ amount is provided in this report for convenience using appropriate average exchange rates.

Comparative Group Performance
The following graph shows Centamin’s performance against the FTSE 250 and the All Share Mining indices, which are 
regarded as being appropriate comparator groups for the Company.

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

n Centamin
n FTSE 250
n   FTSE All      
Share Mining

6
0
0
2
/
1
0
/
3
0

7
0
0
2
/
1
0
/
3
0

8
0
0
2
/
1
0
/
3
0

9
0
0
2
/
1
0
/
3
0

0
1
0
2
/
1
0
/
3
0

1
1
0
2
/
1
0
/
3
0

2
1
0
2
/
1
0
/
3
0

 
 
42 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

43

Base salaries 
Base salaries are usually reviewed in the first quarter of 
each year. Salaries in £ are compared with those paid in the 
FTSE 250 index, the mining sector, companies with similar 
turnover and those with a similar market capitalisation.  
While the base pay in £ (represented by the blue arrows 
below) is very similar for each executive director, the 
positioning of the base against the market data is not. The 
Director of Operations is paid towards the upper quartile of 
the range, while the other executive directors are paid just 
below the median. The Director of Operations’ enhanced 
base salary reflects his considerable experience in the 
mining industry, which is invaluable to the Group.

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

O
E
C

n
a
m

r
i
a
h
C

r
o
t
c
e
r
i

D
s
n
o
i
t
a
r
e
p
O

n Upper Quartile
n Median
n Lower Quartile

•  Share price performance 
•  Production/cost performance against budget 
•  Expansion capital cost within time and budget 
•  Securing of addition exploration acreage 

Director 

Stock   Production  Expansion  Acreage  Max bonus  
Capital Cost   
Price 

as % of  
base

Chairman 

50% 

20% 

10% 

20% 

166%

Chief Executive  
Officer 

Director of

30% 

50% 

10% 

10% 

182%

Operations 

20% 

20% 

50% 

10% 

182%

Bonus achieved for 2011
In the 18 month period up to the review date, the 
Committee was of the view that the production and 
additional acreage targets had been achieved and that the 
capital expansion target was not achieved. Furthermore, 
the Committee’s view was that, but for discount attributable 
to the political instability in Egypt, over which management 
had no control, the share price criteria would have been 
satisfied. Accordingly, the committee decided that a 
discretionary award of half the allocated percentage would 
be paid. The bonus payments are therefore as follows:

Director 

Chairman 

CEO 

Director of Operations 

% 

65% 

75% 

40% 

Amount As$ (£)

A$650,000

A$750,000

A$400,000

2012
The salary review for 2012 has resulted in no change in 
base pay, as indicated in the table below.

Director 

Chairman 

Salary for 2011 

Proposed Salary for 2012

A$ 600,000 (£383,000) 

A$ 600,000 (£383,000)

Chief Executive Officer 

A$ 550,000 (£351,000) 

N/A

Director of Operations 

A$ 550,000 (£351,000) 

A$ 550,000 (£351,000)

2012
The Remuneration Committee intends to review of the 
current arrangements with the aim of ensuring that the 
criteria used to determine the bonuses better reflects the 
fact that the Group is now an established gold producer. 
However, it is also intends to introduce a safety target, 
which if not achieved, will operate to reduce any bonus 
otherwise payable by a proportionate amount.

While the Chairman is acting in the additional role of CEO, 
neither his base pay nor other aspects of his remuneration 
will be increased to reflect these additional responsibilities.

Annual Bonus
Centamin’s bonus plan supports the collegiate nature of our 
executive director team.  Each director can earn the same 
maximum amount of A$1,000,000 (US$1,032,900), which is 
unusual, as well as receiving very similar base pay.

Payment of the bonus to the executive directors is based 
upon the achievement of four performance measures and 
the weighting of each measure differs for each director:

Pension Arrangements
Other than statutory superannuation for Australian resident 
directors, Professor Robert Bowker and Mr Mark Arnesen 
no pensions or payments in lieu of pensions are made.  

Benefits in Kind
Medical insurance is provided at the Company’s expense to 
Josef El-Raghy and Trevor Schultz, both of whom work in 
Egypt. The Company also pays Josef El-Raghy and Trevor 
Schultz’s Egyptian salary taxes. 

Service Agreements for Executive Directors
The executive directors have contracts that provide for the 
service of notice of six months for Josef El-Raghy and three 
months for Trevor Schultz.

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

Josef El-Raghy has an enhanced notice period of 24 
months in the event of a change of control.  Harry Michael 
also had such a provision.  

Non-Executive Directors
Under the Articles of Association adopted by the Company 
as part of the re-domicile, all directors are now subject 
to annual re-election. All members of the Board offered 
themselves for either election or re-election at the last 
Annual General Meeting of the Company.

Long Term Incentive Arrangements - Current 
Arrangements

The Company has one primary long-term incentive 
arrangement, which is similar to an option scheme and was 
designed to allow the recipient to benefit from growth in the 
share price over a three year period.  The arrangement has 
three plans that are all intended to achieve similar benefits. 
These are:

•   The Employee Share Loan Funded Share Plan 2012 
(Employee Plan) - this is the roll -over plan for the 
Centamin Egypt Ltd 2011 Employee Loan Funded Share 
Plan.  Under the plan, employees receive a loan to buy 
shares in the Company.  The shares are then held in 
trust for the employee and at the end of three years the 
employees can repay the loan and receive the shares. 
The loan is subject to a maximum repayment period of 3 
years.  Shares under the Employee Plan vest in tranches 
on the first, second and third year following grant and 
vesting is subject to the satisfaction of applicable 
performance criteria.

•   The Director Loan Funded Share Plan 2012 (Director 

Plan) - this is again a roll-over plan of the Centamin Egypt 
2011 Executive Director Loan Funded Share Plan.  The 
plan operates in exactly the same way as the Employee 
Plan, except that there are mandatory performance 
conditions attached to the Director Plan, and that the 
shares vest in one tranche, three years from grant.
•   The Employee Share Option Plan.  This plan was 

introduced for UK participants in order to provide similar 
benefits to those which were available to participants 
in the other plans.  This plan was established as part 
of the re-domicile given that the provision of loans 
and the holding of shares was not appropriate for UK 
participants. 

The maximum award level under each plan is 400% of base 
salary at the date of grant. Awards are expected to be made 
on an annual basis. Options must be exercised/loans repaid 
after three years from the date of grant.  

The release of benefits under the Director Plan is dependent 
upon the achievement of comparative Total Shareholder 
Return with 50% based upon the FTSE 250 and 50% 
based upon comparator companies.  25% of the award 
will vest for median performance and 100% for upper 
quartile performance under each element.  There is no 
formal performance requirement for the release of benefits 
under the Employee or Option plans, although performance 
criteria are included in respect of senior management 
based upon share price, financial, production or key tasks.  
Comparator companies are selected by the Remuneration 
Committee from peers in the mining sector.

The awards made under the plan during the year are shown 
in the share awards table on page 45.

Past Arrangements
Options were previously issued to Directors and senior 
management under the Employee Option Plan 2006 
(previously under the Employee Option Plan 2002) as part 
of their remuneration. The Company has not issued any 
options under the plan since 6 August 2009 and there is 
no current intention to issue any further options under 
the Plan. No options were issued to Directors and senior 
management up to 31 December 2011

Shareholding 
There is no formal shareholding requirement but the 
directors are encouraged to hold a meaningful quantity of 
shares.  The following table shows the current shareholding 
of each of the directors and in addition, for the executive 
directors the shareholding is shown as a percentage of their 
base salary. 

Name 

As at 31 Dec 2011 

As at 31 Dec 2010

Number of shares 

Number of shares

Executive Directors  

Josef El-Raghy 

Harry Michael 

Trevor Schultz 

Non-Executive Directors 

Thomas Elder 

Colin Cowden 

H. Stuart Bottomley 

Robert Bowker 

Gordon Edward Haslam 

Mark Bankes 

Mark Arnesen 

Kevin Tomlinson 

71,445,086 

69,195,086

N/A 

1,000,000 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

- 

50,000 

60,000 

15,000 

- 

75,000

-

250,000

1,203,626

2,150,000

-

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
44 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

45

The following section of this remuneration report had been audited by Deloitte 
LLP Non-Executive Director Fees

Non-executive directors receive annual fees within an aggregate Directors’ fee 
pool limited to an amount which is approved by shareholders. The Committee 
reviews and recommends, for Board approval, remuneration levels and policies 
for Directors within this overall Directors’ fee pool. The fees which are paid are 
also periodically reviewed and were reviewed and increased during the year. The 
current annual fee rate for non-executive directors is as follows:

Previous 

Current

Annual Base Fee 

A$40,000 (US$41,316) 

£50,000 (US$77,000)

Chairman of a Board Committee 

A$10,000 (US$10,329) 

£10,000 (US$15,400)

Member of a Board Committee 

A$5,000 (US$5,165) 

£5,000 (US$7,700)

Senior Independent Non Executive Director 

A$Nil (US$Nil) 

£10,000 (US$15,400)

These amounts include any statutory superannuation payments where 
applicable.

The Company reviewed the fees of the non-executive directors during the 
year and determined that no increase in non-executive director fees should be 
awarded during the year.  

The non-executive directors do not participate in any of the Company’s share 
plans or incentive plans. 

Remuneration Table

Name 

  Base Pay  Annual Bonus  Benefits  Pension  Total 2011  Total 2010 (4)

Shares Award Table (EDLFSP and ESOP)

Name 

Plan 

Date of Grant 

Exercise Price 

Balance 

Awards 

Vesting 

Forfeited 

Balance

31 Dec 2010 

31 Dec2011

Josef El-Raghy 

EDLFSP  

21 March 2011 

Harry Michael 

EDLFSP  

21 March 2011 

Trevor Schultz 

EDLFSP  

21 March 2011 

US$2.045 

US$2.045 

US$2.045 

- 

- 

- 

1,000,000 

1,000,000 

1,000,000 

- 

- 

- 

ESOP 

1 December 2008 

AS$1.00 (£0.675) 

1,000,000 

- 

(1,000,000) 

- 

1,000,000

(777,778) 

222,222

- 

- 

1,000,000

-

Notes on the Shares Award Table:
(1)  Trevor Schultz exercised his ESOP option during 2011
(2)  There were no other options outstanding during the year. 

This report was approved by the board of directors and signed on its behalf by:

Gordon Edward Haslam
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
30 March 2012  

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

Executive Directors

Josef El-Raghy 

USD  619,740 

Harry Michael 

USD  426,071 

Trevor Schultz 

USD  568,095 

Sub-total 

USD  1,613,906 

Non-Executive Directors

H. Stuart Bottomley 

USD 

5,207 

Thomas Elder 

USD 

20,559 

Colin Cowden 

USD 

5,831 

Robert Bowker 

USD 

54,229 

Gordon Edward Haslam  USD 

99,505 

Mark Bankes 

USD 

94,483 

Mark Arnesen 

USD 

86,681 

Kevin Tomlinson  

USD 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

619,740 

1,208,861

412,501 

568,095 

271,875

657,521

1,613,906 

2,138,257

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

5,207 

20,558 

548 

6,379 

27,307

27,307

-

54,229  20,556 

129,015 

49,650

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

99,505 

94,483 

7,801 

94,483 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

Notes on remuneration table:
(1)  Harry Michael passed away on 17 November 2011 and his remuneration is shown up to that date.  
(2)  Kevin Tomlinson joined on 17th January 2012 after the year end so no fees are shown.
(3)   Where state superannuation is payable in respect of non-executive directors, this is included in the 

fees shown above

(4)  Remuneration for 2010 is for 6 months from 1 July 2010 to 31 December 2010.
(5)   Directors’ remuneration paid in foreign currency was converted at an average rate for the year.  

The average AUD:US exchange rate for 2011 is 1.0329.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

47

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

Letter from the Chairman

Corporate governance is both a framework by which the 
interests of various stakeholders are balanced and a structure 
through which the objectives of a company are set. It also 
includes how the path to achieving those objectives is 
outlined and how performance is measured along the way. 
As a company with a premium listing on the Main Market 
of the London Stock Exchange, the Company is subject 
to the Financial Services Authority’s Listing Rules and the 
requirement to explain how it has applied the Main Principles 
of the Financial Reporting Council’s UK Corporate Governance 
Code (“the Code”).  A copy of the Code is available from the 
FRC’s website, www.frc.org.uk. The Listing Rules also require a 
company with such a company to confirm that it has complied 
with all relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code or explain areas of non compliance.  

The Board is also committed to the principles of corporate 
governance contained in the best practice recommendations 
of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the best practice 
recommendations prescribed under National Policy 58-201 – 
Corporate Governance Guidelines (“NP 58-201”), for which the 
board is accountable to shareholders.

Throughout the year, the Board considers that the Company 
has complied with the relevant  provisions of the 2010 UK 
Corporate Governance Code and has applied such best 
practice recommendations with the exception that, for part 
of the period under review, the roles of Chairman and Chief 
Executive were both exercised by me. This was due to the 
sudden and unexpected death of Mr Harry Michael, our Chief 
Executive Officer in November 2011. It is intended that the two 
roles will cease to be combined once a new Chief Executive 
is recruited. It should also be noted that both the Code and 
the best practice recommendations favour that the Chairman 
be an independent Director whereas until 3 March 2010 the 
Company retained my services as Managing Director/CEO 
and accordingly I am not an independent non executive 
Chairman within the meaning of the Code.  The reasons why 
the Board believed that my appointment to the position of 
Chairman was appropriate were set out in last year’s Annual 
Report and Accounts, and in compliance with the Code, major 
shareholders were consulted before my appointment was 
confirmed.  In addition, the effectiveness of the group’s risk 
management and internal control systems and the policy on 
how concerns could be raised by staff were not reviewed in the 
period ended 31 December 2011. 

“I believe strongly that the 
blend of behaviours and skills 
around the Centamin Board 
table are well suited to the 
task and consistent with the 
Company’s values”

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

A formal review of these matters is scheduled for the 
second quarter of this year, which review will cover all 
material controls, including financial, operational and 
compliance controls.

accordingly remains compliant with the principles of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code, which dictates the Board 
should have a greater number of non-executive directors 
than executive directors.

Succession planning
A key part of my role as Chairman is to ensure the right 
people are doing the right jobs and that there is a sufficient 
core of individuals being nurtured throughout the Company 
to enable effective succession planning. Centamin’s ability 
to succession plan suffered a severe setback in 2011 due to 
the untimely passing of Harry Michael.  

The Board remains committed to succession planning 
and the sad events of 2011 reinforced its importance to 
us. Reviews of management capabilities and potential 
are performed on a routine basis and I am satisfied that 
sufficient resource within the Group exists and continues 
to be developed. Where a need for improvement to 
management resources is identified, the necessary 
attention is provided to ensure full strength is attained as 
soon as practicable, which was demonstrated by Chris 
Aujard’s appointment as General Counsel and Company 
Secretary in the first half of the year.  Chris spearheaded 
the two transactions undertaken by Centamin in 2011 (the 
acquisition of Sheba Exploration (UK) Plc and the redomicile 
to Jersey) and his experience in corporate transactions 
across a number of geographies has already proven to be a 
great asset to the Group.

Board appointments
The Board has been strengthened during 2011 by the 
appointments of Ed Haslam, Mark Bankes and Mark 
Arnesen; in addition Kevin Tomlinson joined our ranks in 
January 2012.  Their combined knowledge and experience 
of law, finance, investment banking and the mining sector 
will further support our growth strategy. The Company 

Board committees
Our committees are a valuable part of Centamin’s corporate 
governance structure. The workload of the committees 
is far greater than the table of scheduled meetings would 
indicate, as ad hoc meetings and communications between 
meetings frequently require considerable amounts of time. 
Our appointment of three non-executive Directors early in 
2011 enabled us to review the committee allocations during 
the year to ensure their composition matched the resources 
available.

I believe strongly that the blend of behaviours and skills 
around the Centamin Board table are well suited to the 
task and consistent with the Company’s values, and I am 
keen for a formal system to reconfirm this. With a Board 
that is free to openly express concerns comes more 
considered outcomes emphasising collective responsibility, 
transparency, clarity and sustainable conduct.

Shareholder communication
I would like to encourage all shareholders to find the time 
to attend our AGM on 30 May 2012. It is an excellent 
opportunity to meet the Board, the Executive Board and 
members of our Senior Management team.

Josef El-Raghy
Chairman

 
48 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

49

THE BOARD –  
COMPOSITION AND BALANCE

The Board currently comprises the Chairman and acting 
CEO, five non-executive and one other executive director. 

One of the non-executive directors has been appointed Senior Independent 
Director. All the non-executive directors are considered by the Board to be 
independent and biographies of all the directors appear on pages 32 and 33, 
together with descriptions of their expertise, experience and qualifications 
and a note of their other significant commitments. Membership of the Board’s 
Committees is set out in this statement. The Board is satisfied that this range of 
expertise, experience and qualifications is appropriate for the current needs of 
the business.

The names of the Directors of the Company in office at the date of this Report 
are:

Name 

Position 

Committees

Josef El-Raghy 

Chairman and acting CEO 

Trevor Schultz 

Executive Director 

-

-

Mark Arnesen 

Independent Non Executive  
Director 

Mark Bankes 

Independent Non Executive  
Director 

G. Edward Haslam 

Senior Independent Non  
Executive Director 

Kevin Tomlinson 

Independent Non Executive  

Director 

Professor G Robert  
Bowker  

Independent Non Executive 
Director 

Audit and Risk Committee (Chairman)
Nomination and Remuneration Committees
HSES Committee

Compliance/Corporate
Governance(Chairman) Committee Audit and  
Risk Committee HSES Committee

Audit and Risk Committee 
Nomination and Remuneration Committees
(Chairman) 
Not as yet appointed to any Committees

HSES Committee (Chairman)
Nomination and Remuneration Committees
Compliance/Corporate Governance Committee 

Non Executive directors have the right to seek independent professional advice 
in the furtherance of their duties as directors, at the Group’s expense. Written 
approval must be obtained from the Chief Executive Officer prior to incurring an 
expense on behalf of the Group.

When determining whether a Director is independent, the Board has established 
a Directors’ Test of Independence Policy, which is based predominantly on the 
definition of independence as defined in Canadian Securities Administrators’ 
National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”), and is available 
on the Company’s website or to shareholders upon request. The criteria in 
NI 52-110 are mandatory and are more stringent in certain respects than the 
independence criteria suggested by the Code. Based on this Policy, the majority 
of the Board are considered by the Board to be independent Non Executive 
directors.
The Company is currently considering certain recommendations put forward in 
the UK in respect of gender diversity on the boards of listed companies.

HOW THE BOARD 
OPERATES

The Board of Directors supervises 
the management of the business and 
affairs of the Company.  The Board 
of Directors assumes responsibility 
for the stewardship of the Group, 
and the functions the Company has 
established that are reserved to the 
Board include:

•   Strategic Planning:  The Board 
of Directors regularly reviews 
and approves strategic plans 
and initiatives of the Company at 
Board of Directors meetings, and 
otherwise as required.

•   Risk Assessment:  The Board of 

Directors has primary responsibility 
to identify principal risks in the 
Company’s business and ensure 
the implementation of appropriate 
systems to manage these risks. See 
“Managing Risks” below.

•   Succession Planning:  The Board 
of Directors is responsible for 
succession planning, including 
the appointment, training and 
monitoring of senior management.

•   Communications: The Board of 

Directors oversees the Company’s 
public communications with 
shareholders and others interested 
in the Company.

•   Internal Control:  The Board of 

Directors and the audit committee 
of the Board of Directors oversee 
the Group’s internal control and 
management information systems.

In addition to its general oversight 
responsibilities, significant 
transactions out of the ordinary 
course of the Company’s business or 

which may be material to the Company are considered and 
approved by the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors 
generally has at least 7 regularly scheduled meetings in 
each year.  Additional meetings may be held depending 
upon opportunities or issues to be dealt with by the 
Company from time to time.

A full copy of the Company’s Board Charter is available on 
the Company’s website or upon request. 

The following table sets out the number of Directors’ 
meetings (including meetings of the Board) held during the 

year and the number of meetings attended by each Director 
(while they were a Director or committee member). During 
the year ended 31 December 2011, 7 Board meetings, 4 
Nomination and Remuneration Committee meetings, 2 
Compliance/Corporate Governance Committee meeting, 
1 HSES Committee meeting and 10 Audit Committee 
meetings were held. In addition, a Board Committee 
consisting of any 2 directors was established for both the 
Sheba transaction and the re-domiciliation of the Company. 
2 Board Committee meetings were held with regards to the 
Sheba transaction and 3 with regards to the re-domiciliation 
of the Company.

Board 
of Directors 

Nomination and 
Remuneration 
Committee 

Compliance/ 
Corporate 
Governance
Committee

Audit 
Committee 

HSES
Committee

Held    Attended 

Held    Attended 

Held    Attended 

Held    Attended 

Held    Attended

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7 

4 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

3 

3 

7 

4 

5 

7 

7 

7 

7 

2 

3 

2 

4 

2 

2 

2 

2 

4 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1

1

1

9 

8 

2 

8 

1 

2 

9 

8 

2 

5 

1 

2

Director 

Mr J El-Raghy 

Mr H Michael 

Mr T Schultz 

Mr M Arnesen 

Mr M Bankes 

Prof G R Bowker 

Mr Ed Haslam 

Mr K Tomlinson 

Mr Dr T Elder 

Mr H Bottomley 

Mr C Cowden 

This above table includes attendance at board and committee meetings of Centamin Egypt Limited, where applicable.

Meetings of Independent Directors 
Mr Ed Haslam was appointed Senior Independent Director 
Centamin Egypt Limited on 22 March 2011 and has retained 
this position with the Company. He has regular meetings 
with the other Non Executive Directors and, in connection 
with the evaluation of the Board’s performance referred 
to below, will be undertaking a performance evaluation of 
the Chairman, taking into account the views of the other 
executive director and the Company Secretary.

Allocation of responsibilities 
The roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are 
strictly separated as defined in the Group’s Board Charter 
and their individual employment contracts. However, as 
discussed elsewhere in this report, following the sudden 
passing away of Harry Michael, the group’s former CEO, 
Josef El- Raghy has assumed the role of CEO until a 
successor can be found.

BOARD COMMITTEES

As indicted by the table above, the Board has established 
Audit and Risk, Compliance / Corporate Governance, 
Nomination, Remuneration and the Health Safety 
Environmental and Sustainability (“HSES”) committees. 
Copies of the current Board and Committee Charters 
and Policies are available on the Group’s website www.
centamin.com. 

Audit and Risk Committee
As at the date of this report, the Audit Committee comprises  
Mr Mark Arnesen (Chairman),  Mr Mark Bankes and Mr Ed 
Haslam, all of whom are considered by the Board to be 
independent within the terms of Group’s Directors’ Test of 
Independence Policy.  Mr Bottomley, Mr Colin Cowden and 
Professor Robert Bowker were members of the committee 
until 2 February 2011, 1 April 2011 and 1 April 2011 
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The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are laid out in its 
charter, and amongst other things, include the responsibility 
to ensure that an effective internal control framework exists 
within the entity, and to review quarterly, half yearly and 
annual Financial Statements for submission to the Board 
for approval.  The Committee receives regular reports 
from management and external auditor on accounting and 
internal control matters. This includes the safeguarding 
of assets, the maintenance of proper accounting records, 
the need for an internal audit function and the reliability of 
financial information as well as non-financial considerations. 
The Audit Committee will also recommend the appointment, 
and will review the fees, of external auditors. 

The Code states that the Board should satisfy itself that at 
least one member of the Audit Committee has recent and 
relevant financial experience. Furthermore, all members of 
the Audit Committee are expected to be financially literate 
as per the definition of financial literacy contained in section 
1.5 of National Instrument 52-110. For the purposes of that 
instrument, an individual is financially literate if he or she 
has the ability to read and understand a set of Financial 
Statements that present a breadth and level of complexity 
of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the 
breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably 
be expected to be raised by the Group’s Financial 
Statements. Both these conditions were satisfied during the 
relevant period.

During the year the Committee particularly focused on the 
following areas: 

•  consideration and approval of the audit plan: 
•   consideration and approval of the scope of external audit 

and related processes

•   consideration and review of the full-year and interim 

results

•   considering announcements to the London Stock 
Exchange by the Group on its performance; and

•   consideration and review of the accounting implications 

of the re-domicile. 

External auditor
The Audit Committee is responsible for the development, 
implementation and monitoring of the group’s policy on 
external audit. The policy assigns oversight responsibility for 
monitoring the independence, objectivity and compliance 
with ethical and regulatory requirements to the Audit 
Committee, and day to day responsibility to the Group 
Finance Director. It states that the external auditor is jointly 
responsible to the board and the Audit Committee and that 
the Audit Committee is the primary contact. The policy also 
sets out the categories of non-audit services which the 
external auditor will and will not be allowed to provide to the 
group, including those that are pre-approved by the Audit 
Committee and those which require specific approval before 
they are contracted for, subject to de minimis levels.

To fulfil its responsibility regarding the independence of the 
external auditor, the Audit Committee reviewed:

•   the external auditor’s plan for the current year, noting the 
role of the senior statutory audit partner, who signs the 
audit report and who, in accordance with professional 
rules, has not held office for more than five years, and 
any changes in the key audit staff;

•   the arrangements for day-to-day management of the 

audit relationship;

•   a report identifying the number of former external audit 
staff now employed by the group and their positions 
within the group;

•   a report from the external auditor describing their 

arrangements to identify, report and manage any conflicts 
of interest; and

•   the overall extent of non-audit services provided by the 

external auditor, in addition to its case-by-case approval 
of the provision of non-audit services by the external 
auditor. 

A policy has been approved by the Audit Committee 
in relation to the provision of non-audit services by the 
auditors. Essentially the policy states that the auditor may 
not provide certain defined services that are considered 
to be inconsistent with the role of the auditor. For other 
services, an authorisation procedure is in place. Any 
significant work must be authorised by the Chairman of the 
Audit Committee. 

During 2011 the auditor provided both tax advisory 
and other services in relation to the re-domicile, the 
corresponding scheme of arrangement and related matters. 
In the prior financial period, other non-audit services 
included the provision of advice and undertaking due 
diligence investigations in relation to the main board listing 
on the London Stock Exchange.

The auditor obtained pre-approval from the Audit 
Committee before performing these services and have used 
separate teams for the tax advisory services and other 
related services, than the team performing the audit. There 
were no contingent fee arrangements in placed during 2011 
and 2010. 

The Committee has considered the likelihood of a 
withdrawal of the auditor from the market and noted
that there are no contractual obligations to restrict the 
choice of external auditors.

To assess the effectiveness of the external auditor, the Audit 
Committee reviewed:

•   the arrangements for ensuring the external auditor’s 

independence and objectivity;

•   the external auditor’s fulfillment of the agreed audit plan 

and any variations from the plan; and

•   the robustness and perceptiveness of the auditor in their 
handling of the key accounting and audit Judgements.

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The auditors of the Group, Deloitte LLP (“Deloitte”), have 
open access to the Board of Directors at all times. Deloitte 
have audited the group and its subsidiaries for a number of 
years and have adopted a policy of rotating audit partners 
every five years. The last rotation of the audit partner 
occurred as a consequence of the re-domicile on the 30 
December 2011.

It is the Group’s policy to put the Group’s audit out to tender 
at least every five years.

Following the above, the Audit Committee has 
recommended to the Board that Deloitte LLP is re-
appointed.

Internal Audit
In light of the size and relative complexity of the Group, no 
internal audit function has to date been established, but it is 
the intention of the Group, following a recommendation of 
the Audit Committee, to do so as the Stage 4 project draws 
nearer to completion.

A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on the 
Company’s website or to shareholders upon request.

Overview
As a result of its work during the year, the Audit Committee 
has concluded that it has acted in accordance with its 
terms of reference and has ensured the independence and 
objectivity of the external auditor. The Chairman of the Audit 
Committee will be available at the Annual General Meeting 
to answer any questions about the work of the committee.

Compliance/Corporate Governance Committee
The Compliance/Corporate Governance Committee is 
chaired by Mr Mark Bankes (since 24 February 2012) and 
its other members are Mr Ed Haslam and Professor Robert 
Bowker.   

The Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary 
responsibilities by making recommendations to the 
Board with respect to the formulation or re-formulation 
of and implementation, maintenance and monitoring 
of the Company’s Corporate Compliance Program and 
Code of Conduct as may be modified, supplemented or 
replaced from time to time, designed to ensure compliance 
with corporate governance policies and legal rules and 
regulations. Fundamental to the Company’s corporate 
governance policy and practice is that all Directors 
and employees reflect the Company’s key values of 
accountability, fairness, integrity and openness. The 
Committee oversees the Company’s activities in the area 
of corporate compliance that may impact the Company’s 
business operations or public image, in light of applicable 
government and industry standards, legal and business 
trends and public policy issues.

Health Safety Environmental and Sustainability Committee
The Health Safety Environmental and Sustainability 
Committee comprises Professor Robert Bowker (Chairman), 
Mr Mark Arnesen and Mr Mark Bankes all of whom are 
independent Directors of the Company. The key functions of 
the Committee are to:

•   Review and monitor the sustainability, environmental, 

safety and health policies, systems and activities of the 
Group in order to ensure compliance with applicable 
health, safety, and environment and community legal and 
regulatory requirements.

•   Encourage, assist, support and counsel management in 
developing short and long-term policies and standards 
to ensure that the principles set out in the sustainability, 
environmental, health and safety policies are being 
adhered to and achieved.

•   Regularly review community, environmental, health and 
safety response compliance issues and incidents to 
determine on behalf of the Board, that the Group is taking 
all necessary action in respect of those matters and that 
the Company has been duly diligent in carrying out its 
responsibilities and activities in that regard.

•   Ensure that principal areas of community, environmental, 
health and safety risk and impacts are identified and that 
sufficient resources are allocated to address these.

•   Ensure that the Company monitors trends and reviews 

current and emerging issues in the field of sustainability, 
environment, health and safety and evaluates their impact 
on the Group.

•   Review and make recommendations to the Board with 
respect to environmental aspects of acquisitions and 
dispositions with material environmental implications.

•   Provide oversight and guidance with respect to managing 

relationships with local governments and community 
relations.

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee comprises Mr Ed Haslam 
(Chairman), Mr Mark Arnesen and Professor Robert Bowker 
all of whom are independent Directors of the Company.

The Nomination Committee’s primary functions are to:

•   Make recommendations for the structure, size and 
composition of the Board and Board committees;

•   Review the necessary and desirable competencies, skills, 

knowledge and experience of Directors;
•  Review the Board succession plans; and
•   Make recommendations for the appointment, re-election 

and removal of Directors to/from the Board.

 
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The Nomination Committee establishes guidelines for the 
future nomination and selection of potential new Directors. 
The full Board (subject to members’ voting rights in general 
meeting) is ultimately responsible for selection of new 
Directors and will have regard to a candidate’s experience 
and competence in areas such as mining, exploration, 
geology, finance, administration and other areas of 
relevance that can assist the Group in meeting its corporate 
objectives and plans.

Remuneration Committee 
The Remuneration Committee comprises Mr Ed Haslam 
(Chairman), Mr Mark Arnesen and Professor Robert Bowker.  

The Remuneration Committee’s primary functions are to 
make recommendations to the Board on:

•   The Company’s remuneration, recruitment, retention, 

termination, superannuation and incentive policies and 
procedures for Directors and senior executives;

•   The 2011 Employee Option Loan Funded Share Plan, 
the 2011 Executive Loan Funded Share Plan and the 
2011 Share Option Scheme or any other employee or 
executive incentive scheme.

Orientation and Continuing Education
The Company’s formal orientation or education programme 
for new Directors begins with new Board members 
receiving an orientation package which includes reports on 
operations and results, and public disclosure filings by the 
Company. Board meetings are combined with presentations 
by the Company’s management and employees to give the 
Directors additional insight into the Group’s business. In 
addition, management of the Group makes itself available 
for discussion with all members of the Board of Directors. 
New Board members are also encouraged to broaden their 
skills and knowledge by undertaking continuing education. 

Managing risks
The Board meets regularly to evaluate, control, review and 
implement the Group’s operations and objectives.

Regular controls established by the Board include: 

•   timely and detailed monthly financial and operational 

reporting;

•   implementation of operating plans, cash flows and 
budgets by management and Board monitoring of 
progress against projections; and

•   procedures to allow Directors, and management in 
the furtherance of their duties, to seek independent 
professional advice via the utilisation of various external 
technical consultants.

The Board is responsible for reviewing and approving the 
Group’s risk management strategy, policy and key risk 
parameters, including determining the group’s appetite for 
country risk and major investment decisions. Management 
reports to the Board on the Group’s key risks and the extent 
to which it believes these risks are being managed. This 
is performed periodically. The Board is also responsible 
for satisfying itself that management has developed and 
implemented a sound system of risk management and 
internal control. The Board has delegated oversight of 
the Risk Management Policy, including review of the 
effectiveness of the Group’s internal control framework and 
risk management process, to the Audit Committee, which 
is reviewed at least annually. Management is responsible 
for designing, implementing, reviewing and providing 
assurance as to the effectiveness of the Policy. This 
responsibility includes developing business and functional 
risk identification, specific risk treatment, controls, 
monitoring and reporting capability. A standardized 
approach to risk assessment is used to ensure that risks 
are consistently assessed and reported to an appropriate 
level. The Board regularly discusses risks associated 
with the Group’s business and operations along with the 
Group’s risk tolerance. The Group has developed a series 
of operational risks which the Group believes to be inherent 
to the Group. These operational risks are summarized in 
the Management, Discussion and Analysis section of this 
annual report. Mitigation and optimization strategies are 
considered equally important in risk management. 

The Risk Management Policy is available on the Company’s 
website or upon request. 

Monitoring of the Board’s performance 
In order to ensure that the Board continues to discharge its 
responsibilities in an appropriate manner, the performance 
of all Directors is constantly reviewed by the Chairman. The 
Company deployed a formal process for evaluation of the 
Board, the Board members, and Board committees during 
the relevant period. A formal Board evaluation questionnaire 
was delivered to each member of the Board for completion. 
The questionnaire covered questions on the structure 
of the Board, the selection of management, strategy 
determination, etc, as well questions on each Director’s 
personal contribution to the board and the Company’s 
Committees. However, given that the majority of the 
Directors were appointed in Q1 2011 and, further, that the 
Board believes that a meaningful evaluation of performance 
cannot be properly undertaken until such time as the Board 
had had a reasonable amount of time to work together, as 
at the date of this Report, the Board had as yet to review 
and discuss the results of this exercise. The Company 
did not utilize any external search consultancy or open 
advertising during this process, however, it will consider 

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doing so in due course, and will do so at least every three 
years, as required by the Code. 

an additional US$15,400 p.a. These amounts include any 
statutory superannuation payments where applicable. 

Under the Company’s current Articles of Association:

Although no formal written policy has been established, the 
senior executives are responsible for:

•   the minimum number of Directors is two and there is no 

maximum; 

•   a Director may not retain office for more than one year 

without submitting for re-election; and

•   any Director appointed by the Board must have their 
election confirmed by shareholders at the next AGM.

Where a Non Executive Director has served six years or 
longer on the Board, his or her re-election will be subject to 
particularly rigorous review and will take into account the 
need for progressive refreshing of the Board. 

The Company has established a Remuneration Policy 
which sets out the structure of the remuneration of key 
senior executives, Executive Directors, Non Executive 
Directors, termination, disclosure of remuneration etc. 
The Board has also established a Selection, Appointment 
and Re-Appointment of Directors Policy which details the 
procedures for the selection, appointment, re-appointment 
and evaluation of the Company’s Directors. The Committee 
considers both policies before making recommendations to 
the Board on nomination and remuneration matters. Both 
Policies, along with the Charters of the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committees are available on the Company’s 
website or to shareholders upon request.

All compensation arrangements for Directors and senior 
executives are determined by the Remuneration Committee 
and approved by the Board, after taking into account the 
current competitive arrangements prevailing in the market. 

The amount of remuneration for all Directors including the 
full remuneration packages, comprising all monetary and 
non-monetary components of the Executive Directors and 
executives, are detailed in the Remuneration Report. Non 
Executive Directors receive annual fees within an aggregate 
Directors’ fee pool limited to an amount which is approved 
by shareholders. The Board Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee reviews and recommends, for Board approval, 
remuneration levels and policies for Directors within this 
overall Directors’ fee pool. The fees which are paid are 
also periodically reviewed. The current annual fee for Non 
Executive Directors is a base fee of US$77,000 p.a. Due 
to the additional time required, the Chairperson of the 
Board’s various Committees receives an additional fee 
(currently US$15,400 p.a) for Chairing that Committee, and 
the members of each committee also receive an additional 
fee (currently US$7,700 p.a) for being a Committee 
member. The Senior Non Executive Director also receives 

•   developing corporate strategy, performance objectives, 
business plans, budgets etc for review and approval by 
the Board;

•  managing the day to day business of the Company;
•   managing the risk and compliance frameworks including 
reporting to the Board and, where necessary, the market;
•   appointing staff, evaluating their performance and training 

requirements as well as development of Company 
policies; and

•   ensuring all available information in connection with items 
to be discussed at a meeting of the Board is provided to 
each Director prior to the meeting.

The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for ensuring 
senior executives properly discharge the responsibilities 
delegated and for keeping the Board informed on these 
matters.

The performance of senior executives is evaluated by 
the Remuneration Committee, often taking into account 
recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer and/or 
Chairman. The Board can exercise its discretion in relation 
to approving incentives, bonuses and options and can 
recommend changes to the Committee’s recommendations. 
All executives receive base salary and superannuation (if 
applicable) and in some cases, performance incentives and 
fringe benefits. These packages are reviewed on an annual 
basis. All remuneration paid to executives is valued at the 
cost to the Company and is measured in accordance with 
the applicable accounting standards. 

The performance of our senior executives was evaluated 
in the current year by the Remuneration Committee. The 
Committee reviewed recommendations received from 
the Chairman, considered the performance of the senior 
executive, his/her current contract, and whether a bonus 
and/or the grant of employee options were warranted. 
In the previous financial year, the Board believed it to be 
appropriate to base performance on how well the executive 
performs his/her role, and not necessarily base it on the 
Company meeting financial objectives. The Company has 
now established a structured short term incentive scheme, 
details of which can be found in the Remuneration Report 
contained within this Annual Report. 

Historically, the Directors, executives and employees have 
in the past been invited to participate in the shareholder 
approved Centamin Egypt’s 2006 Employee Option Plan, 

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The Chairman and acting CEO and other Directors, 
communicate with major shareholders on a regular basis in 
the way of face to face contact, telephone conversations, 
and analyst and broker briefings, to help better understand 
the views of the shareholders. Any material feedback is then 
discussed at Board level.

The Board recognises the importance of keeping the 
market fully informed of the Group’s activities and of 
communicating openly and clearly with all stakeholders. 
The Company established a formal Continuous Disclosure 
Policy to ensure that this occurs. The Policy is designed to 
ensure compliance with the listing rules in all jurisdictions 
in which the Company is listed. A copy of this Policy is 
available on the Company’s website or by request. 

In accordance with the Policy, Company information 
considered to be material is announced immediately to 
the LSE and TSX. All key communications are placed 
immediately on the Company website, and when necessary, 
provided directly to shareholders. As a premium listed 
company on the Main Market of the London Stock 
Exchange, the Company also complies with the various 
obligations imposed on it pursuant to the Disclosure Rules 
and the Transparency Rules (“DTRs”). 

Statement by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer

The Board receives written assurance from the Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to confirm 
that to the best of their knowledge and belief, the group’s 
financial position presents a true and fair view and that 
the Financial Statements are founded on a sound system 
of risk management, internal compliance and control. 
Further, it is confirmed that the group’s risk management 
and internal compliance is operating efficiently and 
effectively. The Board notes that due to its nature, internal 
control assurance from the Chief Executive Officer and 
Chief Financial Officer can only be reasonable rather than 
absolute, and therefore is not and cannot be designed to 
detect all weaknesses in control procedures.

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and separate shareholder approval was sought before any 
Director could be issued options under the plan. However, 
Centamin Egypt ceased issuing options under the 2006 
Employee Option Plan in August 2009 and received 
approval from shareholders in February 2011 to establish 
the Executive Director Loan Funded Share Plan 2011 and 
the Employee Loan Funded Share Plan 2011. These two 
plans were rolled over into equivalent plans in Centamin 
PLC as part of the re-domicile referred to elsewhere in this 
report. In addition, a new employee option plan was created 
(the “2011 Employee Option Plan”).

No shares or options have been issued under these new 
plans other than in connection with the re domiciliation of 
the Company.  However, it is intended to issue shares and 
options as soon as practicable after this report is published. 

Non Executive Directors are encouraged to hold shares in 
the Company to align their interests more closely to those of 
the Company’s shareholders. However, share ownership is 
not enforced by the Company. 

The Board expects that the remuneration structure that is 
implemented will result in the Company being able to attract 
and retain the best executives to manage the Group. It will 
also provide the Executives with the necessary incentives 
to grow long-term shareholder value. Please refer to the 
Remuneration Report which forms part of the Directors’ 
Report for information on remuneration paid to Directors 
and executives during the financial year.

There are no schemes for retirement benefits other than 
statutory superannuation for Non Executive Directors.

Securities Trading Policy
The Company has adopted a formal Securities Trading 
Policy restricting Directors, senior executives and 
employees from acting on material information until it 
has been released to the market in accordance with the 
requirements of continuous disclosure. Directors and senior 
management of premium listed companies on the LSE 
are restricted in a number of ways, by statute, common 
law and by the Model Code to deal in the Company’s 
securities. This rule imposes restrictions beyond those 
imposed by law in that the Directors and certain employees 
and persons connected with them do not abuse and do 
not place themselves under suspicion of abusing price-
sensitive information that they have or are thought to have, 
especially in periods leading up to announcement of results 
(close periods). The Company’s Securities Trading Policy 
is available on the Company’s website or to shareholders 
upon request. 

Commitment to stakeholders and ethical standards
The Board supports the highest standards of corporate 
governance and requires its members and the management 
and staff of the Company to act with integrity and objectivity 
in relation to:

•   Compliance with laws and regulations affecting the 

Group’s operations;

•   Listing rules, the UK Corporate Governance Code, and 

NP 58-201;

•  Employment practices;
•  Responsibilities to the community;
•  Responsibilities to the individual;
•  The environment;
•  Conflict of interests;
•  Confidentiality;
•   Ensuring that shareholders and the financial community 

are at all times fully informed in accordance with the spirit 
and letter of the Model Code and the Canadian Securities 
Administrators’ National Instrument 51-102;

•   Corporate opportunities or opportunities arising from 
these for personal gain or to compete with the Group;
•  Protection of and proper use of the Group’s assets; and
•  Active promotion of ethical behaviour.

The Company has a formal Code of Conduct, which all 
Directors, employees and contractors are required to 
observe, and a range of corporate policies which detail the 
framework for acceptable corporate behaviour. These set 
out the procedures that personnel are required to follow in 
a range of areas, including compliance with the law, dealing 
with conflicts of interest, use of knowledge and information, 
gifts and entertainment, responsibility to shareholders and 
the financial community etc. The Company’s policies are 
reviewed periodically. 

A copy of the Code of Conduct is available on the 
Company’s website or to shareholders upon request. 

Communication to shareholders
The Board of Directors aims to ensure that shareholders 
are provided with important information in a timely manner 
through written and electronic communications. It is for 
this reason that the Company established a Shareholder 
Communications Policy.

The Board of Directors aims to ensure that the shareholders, 
on behalf of whom they act, are informed of all information 
necessary to assess the performance of the Company. 
Information is communicated to the shareholders through:

•  the Annual Report;
•  the Annual Information Form;
•   the availability of the Company’s Quarterly Report, Half-
Yearly Report and other announcements distributed to 
shareholders so requesting;

•  adherence to continuous disclosure requirements;
•  webcasts of the Company’s quarterly results;
•   the Annual General Meeting and other meetings called 
to obtain shareholder approval for Board action as 
appropriate; and

•   the provision of the Company’s website containing all of 

the above mentioned reports and its constant update and 
maintenance.

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CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

57

CORPORATE SOCIAL 
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

Centamin is committed to working with the highest level 
of respect for our employees and the communities and 
environments in which we operate, while pursuing value for 
our shareholders. 

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

Centamin is committed to working with the highest level 
of respect for our employees and the communities and 
environments in which we operate, while pursuing value for 
our shareholders. Sustainable development considerations 
form an integral part of our business plan and decision 
making processes.

minimising health and safety risks to the reasonable 
practical level.  We have established a safety conscious 
culture, as we believe this is the only way of operating 
a successful business.  Our key objective is for every 
employee to go home healthy and safe after every shift and 
we have a ‘zero harm’ goal.

As 2010 was the Sukari Gold Mine’s first year of commercial 
production, many of our sustainability initiatives are in their 
infancy.  In 2011 we published our second Corporate Social 
Responsibility (“CSR”) report and our reporting process 
continues to evolve, as we strive to attain best practice 
levels of transparency and accountability.

Our Approach
Sukari is the only operating gold mine in Egypt and we take 
our position as a pioneer of modern mining seriously. We 
are mindful we are setting a benchmark for how mining 
activities should be conducted and as a result, we monitor 
our performance closely against the four key areas that 
impact our non-financial performance:

•  The safety and wellbeing of our employees;
•  The training and development of our employees;
•  Environmental responsibility;
•   Our relationship with our stakeholders, including the 
communities in which we operate and our partners in 
the development and operation of Sukari - the Egyptian 
Mineral Resource Authority (EMRA) and the Arab 
Republic of Egypt.

Although we instil in our employees that safety is the 
responsibility of each individual, we have a dedicated 
Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) department, 
which oversees the health and safety performance of 
the Group. Guided by our corporate health and safety 
policy, the HSE department is responsible for providing a 
comprehensive health, safety and risk management system.  
We also require all contractors to maintain a healthy work 
environment and we ask that they comply with our health 
and safety standards as a minimum.

At Centamin, we believe strongly in the importance of 
education and training.  We have invested in various health 
and safety training initiatives to give our employees the 
skills and knowledge to perform their jobs in a safe and 
reliable way. To reflect our commitment to the safety and 
wellbeing of our people, in 2011 we began the process 
of establishing a Safety Community, with a representative 
from each department. The Community meets for regular 
safety-related discussions, it undertakes monthly safety 
inspections and it acts as Sukari’s emergency response 
team. 

2011 Frequency Rate* 

2010 Frequency Rate*

Centamin understands that maintaining our social licence to 
operate is central to our culture of responsible mining.

Fatality (FA) 

Lost Time Injury (LTIF) 

Medical Treatment Injury (MTIF) 

0 

1.25 

1.07 

0

0.47

2.87

Health and Safety
Centamin strives for an injury-free workplace. We are 
committed to performing every job in a safe manner, 

*based on 200,000 working hours over 12 months – see page 12 for an 
explanation of the reason for this increase in the Operational Review and 
Exploration

 
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CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

59

We are proud that Centamin has never experienced any 
safety-related employee fatalities and we strive to improve 
our safety performance as Sukari continues to expand.

Our Employees
Our people are our most valuable resource.  Centamin’s 
activities provide direct and indirect employment, training 
and work experience to many Egyptians, as well as creating 
an immediate revenue stream for the local economy and 
the Government. At the end of 2011, Centamin had just 

over 1,000 employees on site and 93% were Egyptian. 
Approximately 50% of our employees are from Upper 
Egypt, the area where Sukari is situated, which typically has 
less economic activity than the richer areas around the Nile 
delta. Centamin is committed to providing new employment 
opportunities and assisting the economic advancement of 
Upper Egypt.

The table below sets out the number of people employed by 
the group by country, during the years stated.

Year ended 
31 December 2011 

6 months ended 
30 June 2011 

6 months ended 
31 December 2010 

Year ended 
30 June 2010  

Year ended 
30 June 2009 

Year ended
30 June 2008 

Egypt 

Australia 

UK  

Total 

1,106 

3 

2 

1,111 

1,008 

3 

2 

1,013 

985 

3 

- 

988 

816 

3 

- 

819 

362 

2 

- 

364 

210

2

-

212

As at 31 December 2011, less than 1% of employees were 
employed in management activities; approximately 20% 
were employed in finance administration activities; 78% in 
operations and 1% in construction. The Group also uses 
contractors, primarily involving construction activities with 
some involved in drilling and blasting activities. During the 
peak of construction activities for the Sukari Gold Mine in 
2009-2010 there were more than 700 contractors on site. 
The number of employees and contractors involved in 
construction is expected to rise and fall in future in line with 
the further development of expansion projects at Sukari.

Training and Development
The training and development of our team at Sukari and in 
our offices around the world is an ongoing programme.  It 
involves a variety of theoretical, practical and on-the-job 
courses and takes place both at Sukari and abroad. We 
strongly encourage our employees to realise their ambitions 
and we support employees who aspire to progress up 
the career ladder and learn new skills.  Through an inter-
departmental mobility programme, we offer our people the 
chance to rotate into other teams to gain new knowledge 
and experience. In 2011, several of our employees took part 
in this programme and they have shown great potential in a 
number of roles.

Social and Community Activities
In addition to creating a positive work environment, we 
believe in the importance of helping our employees to 
enjoy their time before and after work. The majority of our 
people live in the Sukari camp, and thus we have invested 
in a variety of leisure facilities such as playing fields, a 
gymnasium, a library, internet access, satellite television 
and a swimming pool. Special barbecue dinners are also 
held at the beach or around Sukari and sports tournaments 
are regularly organised.  

For our married employees, we have implemented a 
relocation programme that allows them to live in Marsa 
Alam, a coastal town 25km from the mine, with their 
spouses. We provide transportation to and from Sukari and 
we plan to expand this programme further in coming years.  

We are proud to have brought mining back to a country 
that was once an important gold-producing country and we 
are paving the way for new investment in Egypt’s mining 
industry. 

CASE STUDY 1

Badawi Mashhour
Drill and Blast Supervisor    

Badawi is one of Centamin’s Drilling and Blast Supervisors 
at Sukari. He joined Centamin in 2002 and although he 
was a graduate of an industrial school, Badawi says his 
experience of mining was limited.  His first job at Sukari 
was as part of the labour force, although he quickly 
showed interest in the drilling activities so he was given the 
opportunity to train as a drilling assistant. 

As part of his training, Badawi gained the skills to operate 
a drilling rig and also became certified as an operator of 
heavy equipment.  He learnt how to operate different types 
of mining machinery and also how to fix any problems that 
arose.  Badawi became a core member of the exploration 
team at Sukari as a result of his newly-learned skills.

When the blasting team was formed, Badawi was taken on 
board as part of his career development plan. He undertook 
comprehensive theoretical and practical training under the 

supervision of our team of expatriates. Through this training 
programme and the gradual allocation of responsibility, 
Badawai has gained the technical competency required 
to manage the drilling and blasting programme at Sukari.  
He has also introduced several ideas that have increased 
both the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the process. 
Badawi says the next step in his career development is to 
strengthen his knowledge of geology.

The Environment
Centamin is committed to minimising the environmental 
impact of our operations to the reasonable practical level. 
We have adopted an environmental management system 
to ensure the environment is taking into consideration at 
each phase of our exploration, development, mining and 
processing activities. Our efforts in this area are guided 
by our Environment Policy, which outlines our dedication 
to minimising pollution and educating our employees in 
sustainable business practices.

A core element of our environmental management system 
is to continually assess our performance against our 
objectives. We evaluate progress through several tools 
including visual inspection, auditing, data collection, 
inventories, measurements and systematic observations. 
We use the results to implement corrective measures and as 
inspiration for ways we can improve our performance in the 
future.

In 2011, we did not have any significant environmental 
incidents, and all incidents recorded were categorised as 
level 1 or 2 (low severity). All incidents occurred onsite and 
did not impact areas outside our boundaries. 

Materials
We use ore and process materials such as consumables 
and reagents to extract gold and to produce gold doré. Key 
consumables used are diesel fuel, explosives, lubricants 
and oils, sodium cyanide, lime and grinding media. Our 
environmental management systems include processes 
to manage all consumables and as a minimum, we 
import, transport, store, use and dispose of residues of 
such material according to local regulations. All chemical 
solutions used in the process plant are recycled and reused 
after regeneration. 

Water
Sukari is situated in the eastern desert of Egypt, a hot, dry 
region with very low annual rainfall (<10mm/annum). There 
are no fresh water sources in the area and no productive 
groundwater reservoirs. Water is very important to a mining 
operation and is mainly used for ore processing, dust 
suppression and rock blasting. We obtain our water through 
a pipeline to the Red Sea, which is approximately 25km 
from Sukari hill. Beach wells where seawater infiltrates into 
groundwater are also used as a secondary source of water. 
In 2011, Sukari used nearly 4 million cubic metres of water, 
almost double our consumption in 2010 due to the growth 

of our operations. We actively pursue water conservation 
opportunities and through an internal recycling technique, 
we optimise the use of water.

Energy
We obtain our energy from diesel fuel oil with low sulphur 
content. Direct energy produced and consumed at Sukari 
includes fuel to run mobile equipment, to produce power 
and heat onsite and for explosives used to mine ore. In 
2011, Sukari consumed 58.2 million litres of diesel, which 
is similar to the amount we consumed in 2010, despite the 
ramp up in production. The largest consumption represents 
power generation (c.70%).

Emissions, effluents and wastes
We monitor emissions, effluents and waste generated 
by Sukari. Programmes are in place to manage dust, 
hazardous and non-hazardous non-process waste, waste 
rock and tailings. We recycle and reuse our waste to the 
maximum practical level. Material that cannot be recycled is 
disposed of in a manner that is environmentally sound. We 
maintain an inventory of all types of waste, their quantities 
and the method of management and disposal as part of our 
waste management programme.

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

Biodiversity
The 160km2 Sukari tenement area has very low coverage of 
flora, with mostly barren soil. Due to the scarcity of water in 
the area, desert animals such as the Dorcas Gazelle and the 
red fox are not found, but they do inhabit the nearby Wadi 
El-Gemal protectorate. Centamin is committed to protecting 
the wildlife unique to the eastern desert through minimising 
the negative impact of our operations. Biodiversity 
conservation principles are applied to all of our activities 
and they were integrated into the project design from the 
outset. During 2011, there were no incidents involving 
wildlife.  

CASE STUDY 2

Embedding Conservation in Construction

Centamin built a 25km pipeline from the Red Sea to provide 
a sustainable water supply to the mine, but given the Red 
Sea’s rich biodiversity, environmental management was 
taken into account from the first stages of selecting a water 
intake location.

A bathometric survey of the area was conducted to identify 
locations with no or minimal cover of coral reef. The criteria 
was clear: we wanted to minimise any environmental impact 
of the pipeline intake during construction and during its 
operational lifetime to the greatest extent possible. The 
location that was chosen is devoid of reef coverage and 
during the construction process, every effort was taken to 
suppress dust and other negative impacts on the area’s 
biodiversity.

 
 
 
 
 
     
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CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

61

Centamin used innovative construction techniques to 
ensure disruption was minimized, and once the pipeline was 
in place, we undertook delicate rehabilitation activity so that 
the sea floor retained its original depth and shape and the 
shoreline was returned to its previous state. The process 
was managed by Centamin’s construction team, in alliance 
with experienced contractors and local authorities.
We are proud that the project set a positive example for 
responsible construction in an environmentally sensitive 
area.

Community and Society
Centamin’s concession agreement gives us 30 years of 
operation at the Sukari Gold Mine with a potential extension 
for another 30 years. With such a long tenure, which is 
supported by a long life-of-mine, we take a long term view 
in matters relating to the local community. 

Centamin recognises that it has a responsibility to support 
and enhance the community in which it operates. We treat 
good community relations as a key component of continued 
operational success as well as a corporate requirement. The 
four key ways in which we do this are:

1.   Identifying and mitigating any potential negative impacts 

of our activities

Sukari is situated in barren desert, so the closest town 
(Marsa Alam) is 25km from site. We do not have any 
resettlement, relocation or compensation requirements as 
a result of the development of Sukari, however we take 
into account the potential impact of our operations on local 
people at every stage of our activities.

2.   Engaging in dialogue with our stakeholders and listening 

to their suggestions and concerns

As part of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 
(ESIA) study we undertook as part of our permitting 
process for Sukari, we held a series of public consultations 
about the project.  As Sukari continues along its growth 
path, Centamin has maintained its dialogue with the 
local community and has joined two Marsa Alam-based 
development associations. In 2011, no material concerns 
were raised concerning our operations. 

3.   Optimising the opportunity for people from the area 

(Upper Egypt) to gain employment at Sukari

50% of Sukari’s employees are from Upper Egypt and 
Centamin also recognises the importance of using local 
contractors. Where possible, we tender contracts to local 
companies to aid local economic activity and progress. 
We use more than 1,000 suppliers and 20 contractors, 
providing jobs and income to a much larger group of people 
than our 1,000 direct employees.

4.   Assisting the local community with its economic 

development

From the commencement of our activities in 1995, we 
have strived to contribute to the development of Marsa 
Alam. The ESIA identified which aspects of development 
we should focus on, and it was decided that infrastructure 
and education were the priorities.  As a result, in 2011 we 
undertook the following projects:

•   Completing the electricity connections for the Bedouin 
family of approximately 200 people living 30km from 
Sukari

•  Furnishing a number of Mosques in Marsa Alam
•   Furnishing a number of schools and building a school 

library for a primary school

•  Establishing a public garden in Marsa Alam
•   Providing financial support to the Community Support 

Association

•   Building two rest houses for students from the suburbs of 

Marsa Alam.

•   Providing financial assistance for medical programmes in 

the area.

•   Provided practical training for 85 Science and 

Engineering-focused university students during the 
summer vacation.

CASE STUDY 3

Good Neighbours

Sukari’s kitchens are equipped to feed 1,500 people three 
times a day, and as such our food waste represents a large 
portion of the daily solid waste we generate. Centamin has 
been committed to implementing innovative schemes to 
maximise the reuse and recycling of waste since we first 
began operating at Sukari. As a result of this, our food 
waste is stored in a refrigerated room and then transported 
off-site to a nearby Bedouin family to be used as animal 
fodder. 

Halima is the head of the Bedouin family and her husband 
was a guard at Sukari when mining activity was taking 
place in the early 1940s.  Although her family has a house in 
Marsa Alam, she lives in a shack with one of her daughters 
and has been there almost all of her life. The family grazes 
sheep and goats, which she eventually sells to provide 
income for her family. She says that in the past couple of 
years her herd has doubled in size due to the food provided 
by Centamin, which in turn provides more income for the 
family. 

We are proud to work with Halima and her family in this way.  

DIRECTORS’ 
RESPONSIBILITY 
STATEMENT

G
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual 
Report and the financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year.  Under that law the 
directors are required to prepare the group financial 
statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European 
Union and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.  Under company 
law the directors must not approve the accounts unless 
they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of 
the state of affairs of the Group and of the profit or loss 
of the Group for that period.  In preparing these financial 
statements, International Accounting Standard 1 requires 
that directors:

•  properly select and apply accounting policies;
•   present information, including accounting policies, in a 

manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and 
understandable information; 

•   provide additional disclosures when compliance with 
the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to 
enable users to understand the impact of particular 
transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s 
financial position and financial performance; and

and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention 
and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and 
integrity of the corporate and financial information 
included on the company’s website.  Legislation in the 
United Kingdom and Jersey governing the preparation 
and dissemination of financial statements may differ from 
legislation in other jurisdictions.

Responsibility statement 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
•   the financial statements, prepared in accordance with 

International Financial Reporting Standards, give a true 
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position 
and profit or loss of the group  and the undertakings 
included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and
•   the management report, which is incorporated into 
the directors’ report, includes a fair review of the 
development and performance of the business and the 
position of the group and the undertakings included 
in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a 
description of the principal risks and uncertainties that 
they face.

•   make an assessment of the company’s ability to continue 

By order of the Board

as a going concern.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate 
accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain 
the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the financial position of the company 
and enable them to ensure that the financial statements 
comply with the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991.  They are 
also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group 

Chairman 
Josef EI-Raghy   
30 March 2012 

Chief Financial Officer 
Pierre Louw 
30 March 2012

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

63

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
to the members of centamin plc

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 31 December 2011

We have audited the group financial statements (the 
“financial statements”) of Centamin plc for the year ended 
31 December 2011 which comprise the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated 
Statement of Financial Position, the Consolidated 
Statement of Cash Flows, the Consolidated Statement 
of Changes in Equity and the related notes 1 to 30. The 
financial reporting framework that has been applied in their 
preparation is applicable law and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by European Union.

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as 
a body, in accordance with Article 113A of the Companies 
(Jersey) Law 1991.  Our audit work has been undertaken 
so that we might state to the company’s members those 
matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 
report and for no other purpose.  To the fullest extent 
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility 
to anyone other than the company and the company’s 
members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for 
the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities, the directors are responsible for 
the preparation of the financial statements and for 
being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.  Our 
responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the 
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and 
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland).  Those 
standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices 
Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts 
and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to 
give reasonable assurance that the financial statements 
are free from material misstatement, whether caused by 
fraud or error.  This includes an assessment of: whether 
the accounting policies are appropriate to the company’s 
circumstances and have been consistently applied and 
adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant 
accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall 
presentation of the financial statements.  In addition, we 
read all the financial and non-financial information in the 
annual report to identify material inconsistencies with the 
audited financial statements. If we become aware of any 
apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we 
consider the implications for our report. 

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion the financial statements: 
•   give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s affairs 
as at 31 December 2011 and of the group’s profit for the 

year then ended;

•   have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as 

adopted by European Union; 

•   have been properly prepared in accordance with the 

Companies (Jersey) Law 1991.

Separate opinion in relation to IFRS as issued by the IASB
As explained in the accounting policies to the financial 
statements, the group, in addition to complying with its 
legal obligation to comply with IFRSs as adopted by the 
European Union, has also applied IFRSs as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). In our 
opinion the group financial statements comply with IFRSs 
as issued by the IASB.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following:

Under the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 we are required to 
report to you if, in our opinion:
•   proper accounting records have not been kept by the 

parent company, or proper returns adequate for our audit 
have not been received from branches not visited by us; 
or

•   the financial statements are not in agreement with the 

accounting records and returns; or

•   we have not received all the information and 

explanations we require for our audit.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the part 
of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the 
company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code specified for our review.

Other matters
In our opinion the part of the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report to be audited has been properly prepared in 
accordance with the provisions of the UK Companies Act 
2006 as if that Act had applied to the company.

We have reviewed the directors’ statement, contained 
within the Directors’ Report, in relation to going concern as 
if the company had been incorporated in the UK and have 
nothing to report to you in that respect.

Deborah Thomas
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Recognised Auditor
London, UK
30 March 2012

31 December 2011 
12 months 
US$’000 

31 December 2010
Restated 6 months
US$’000

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Finance income 

Other operating costs 

Profit before tax  6

Tax 

Profit for the year attributable to the Company  

Other comprehensive income 

Losses on available for sale financial assets (net of tax) 

Other comprehensive income for the year 

Total comprehensive income attributable to the Company 

Earnings per share:  

Basic (cents per share) 

Diluted (cents per share) 

5 

6 

6 

7 

24 

24 

340,479 

(140,250) 

200,229 

1,288 

(19,572) 

181,945 

- 

181,945 

(3,957) 

(3,957) 

177,988 

16.68 

16.66 

86,882

(50,410)

36,472

321

(4,751)

32,042

- 

32,042

-

32,042

3.10

3.09

I

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

65

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 
FINANCIAL POSITION
As at 31 December 2011

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 
CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 31 December 2011

31 December 2011 
US$’000 

31 December 2010
Restated US$’000

Stated 
Capital 
US$’000 

Other 
reserves 
US$’000 

Share options 
reserve 
US$’000 

Accumulated 
profits 
US$’000 

Balance as at 31 December 2010 

600,500 

2,295 

1,050 

15,251 

Total

US$’000

619,096

181,945

(3,957)

177,988

-

1,568

2,038

1,496

-

4,152

(114)

Profit for the year  

Other comprehensive loss for the year 

Total comprehensive income for the year  

Transfer to accumulated profits 

Share options exercised 

Issue of shares under LFSP 

Recognition of share based payments 

Transfer from share options reserve 

Other placements 

Share issue costs 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,568 

2,038 

- 

452 

4,152 

(114) 

Balance as at 31 December 2011 

608,596 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

181,945 

(3,957) 

177,988 

(2,295) 

(88) 

2,383 

- 

- 

1,496 

(452) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2,006 

195,621 

806,223

Balance as at 30 June 2010 

Profit for the period 

Total comprehensive income for the period 

Recognition of share based payments 

Transfer from share options reserve 

Issues of shares under ESOP 

Other placements 

Share issue costs 

Stated 
Capital 
US$’000 

Other 
reserves 
US$’000 

Share options 
reserve 
US$’000 

Accumulated 
profits 
US$’000 

465,096 

- 

465,096 

- 

906 

2,382 

136,549 

(4,433) 

600,500 

2,295 

- 

2,295 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,942 

(16,791) 

- 

1,942 

14 

(906) 

- 

- 

- 

32,042 

15,251 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2,295 

1,050 

15,251 

Total

US$’000

452,542

32,042

484,584

14

-

2,382

136,549

(4,433)

619,096

I

F
I
N
A
N
C
A
L
S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T
S

NON-CURRENT ASSETS 

Property, plant and equipment 

Exploration and evaluation  

Available-for-sale financial assets 

Interests in associates 

Total non-current assets 

CURRENT ASSETS 

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

Prepayments 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total current assets 

Total assets 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Provisions 

Total non-current liabilities 

CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Trade and other payables 

Tax liabilities 

Provisions 

Total current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

EQUITY 

Stated capital 

Share option reserve 

Other reserves 

Accumulated profits 

Total equity 

12 

13 

14.1 

14.2 

10 

9 

11 

25 

16 

15 

7 

16 

17 

18 

18 

532,727 

31,113 

1,831 

3,296 

444,137

3,752

-

-

568,967 

447,889

69,750 

29,998 

1,576 

164,231 

265,555 

834,522 

2,630 

2,630 

38,017

128

460

154,338

192,943

640,832

2,624

2,624

24,509 

18,002

444 

717 

25,670 

28,299 

806,223 

444

666

19,112

21,736

619,096

The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 30 March 2012 

and signed on its behalf by: 

Josef El-Raghy   
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 

Pierre Louw
Chief Financial Officer

608,596 

600,500

Balance as at 31 December 2010 

2,006 

- 

195,621 

806,223 

1,050

2,295

15,251

619,096

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT 
OF CASH FLOWS
for the year ended 31 December 2011

[This page has been left blank intentionally]

Cash flows from operating activities 

Cash generated in operating activities 

Finance income 

Net cash generated by operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment 

Acquisition of exploration and evaluation 

Acquisition of financial assets 

Acquisition of interests in associates 

Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale financial assets 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Proceeds from the issue of equity and conversion of options 

Share issue costs 

Finance income 

Net cash provided by financing activities 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 

Note 

25(b) 

12 

14 

14 

17 

17 

25 

25 

31 December 2011 
12 months 
US$’000 

31 December
Restated 2010
6 months US$’000

181,332 

(1,288) 

180,044 

(142,903) 

(23,209) 

(17,403) 

(3,296) 

11,191 

34,274

(321)

33,953

(40,700)

(6,829)

-

-

-

(175,620) 

(47,529)

3,606 

(114) 

1,288 

4,780 

138,931

(4,433)

321

134,819

9,204 

121,243

154,338 

689 

164,231 

31,326

1,769

154,338

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 December 2011

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Centamin plc (the Company) is a listed public company, incorporated in Jersey and through subsidiaries operating in 
Egypt, Ethiopia, United Kingdom and Australia. It is the parent company of the Group, comprising the Company and its 
subsidiaries. During the year the Group was re-domiciled from Australia to Jersey by means of the Company becoming the 
holding company of the Group.

Registered Office 
Centamin plc 
Ogier House, The Esplanade 
St Helen, Jersey JE4 9WG  

Principal Place of Business
361 El-Horreya Road
Sedi Gaber
Alexandria, Egypt

The nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities are set out in the directors’ report on pages 36 to 39 and 
the operating review on page 12 to 17.

2. ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In the current year, the following new and revised Standards and Interpretations have been adopted and have affected the 
amounts reported in these financial statements.

Standards affecting the financial statements

IFRIC 19 Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity 
Instruments 

The Interpretation provides guidance on the accounting 
for ‘debt for equity swaps’ from the perspective of the 
borrower.

No impact to the Group was noted.

The following amendments were made as part of Improvements to IFRSs (2010). 

Amendment to IFRS 3 Business Combinations

Amendment to IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures 

IFRS 3 has been amended such that only those non-
controlling interests which are current ownership interests 
and which entitle their holders to a proportionate share 
of net assets upon liquidation can be measured at fair 
value or the proportionate share of net identifiable assets. 
Other non-controlling interests are measured at fair value, 
unless another measurement basis is required by IFRSs.
The amendment had no impact on the Group’s financial 
statements.

The amendment clarifies the required level of disclosure 
around credit risk and collateral held and provides relief 
from disclosure of renegotiated financial assets.
The impact of this amendment has been to reduce the 
level of disclosure provided on collateral that the Group 
holds as security on financial assets that are past due or 
impaired.

Standards not affecting the reported results nor the financial position
The following new and revised Standards and Interpretations have been adopted in the current year. Their adoption has not 
had any significant impact on the amounts reported in these financial statements but, with the exception of the amendment 
to IFRS 1, may impact the accounting for future transactions and arrangements.

Amendment to IFRS 1 Limited 
Exemption from Comparative 
IFRS 7 Disclosures for First-time 
Adopters 

The amendment provides a limited exemption for first-time adopters from 
providing comparative fair-value hierarchy disclosures under IFRS 7.

IAS 24 (2009) Related Party 
Disclosures 

The revised Standard has a new, clearer definition of a related party, with 
inconsistencies under the previous definition having been removed.

Amendment to IAS 32 
Classification of Rights Issues 

Amendments to IFRIC 14 
Prepayments of a Minimum 
Funding Requirement

Improvements to IFRSs 2010

Under the amendment, rights issues of instruments issued to acquire a 
fixed number of an entity’s own non-derivative equity instruments for a fixed 
amount in any currency and which otherwise meet the definition of equity 
are classified as equity. 

The amendments now enable recognition of an asset in the form of prepaid 
minimum funding contributions.

Aside from those items already identified above, the amendments made to 
standards under the 2010 improvements to IFRSs have had no impact on 
the Group.

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations which have not been 
applied in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases had not yet been adopted by 
the EU):

IFRS 1 (amended) 
IFRS 7 (amended) 
IFRS 9 
IFRS 10 
IFRS 11 
IFRS 12 
IFRS 13 
IAS 1 (amended) 
IAS 12 (amended) 
IAS 19 (revised) 
IAS 27 (revised) 
IAS 28 (revised) 
IFRIC 20 

Severe Hyperinflation and Removal of Fixed Dates for First-time Adopters
Disclosures – Transfers of Financial Assets
Financial Instruments
Consolidated Financial Statements
Joint Arrangements
Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities
Fair Value Measurement
Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income
Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets
Employee Benefits
Separate Financial Statements
Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures
Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine

The directors do not expect that the adoption of the standards listed above will have a material impact on the financial 
statements of the Group in future periods, except as follows:

•  IFRS 9 will impact both the measurement and disclosures of Financial Instruments;
•  IFRS 11 will affect joint venture accounting;
•  IFRS 12 will impact the disclosure of interests Group has in other entities;
•  IFRS 13 will impact the measurement of fair value for certain assets and liabilities as well as the associated disclosures;

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71

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

2. ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS        
(CONTINUED)

Standards not affecting the reported results nor the financial position (continued)
•   IAS 12 (amended) will impact the measurement of deferred tax on the Group’s investment properties, by introducing the 

rebuttable presumption that the carrying amount will be recovered entirely through sale; and

•   IAS 19 (revised) will impact the measurement of the various components representing movements in the defined 

benefit pension obligation and associated disclosures, but not the Group’s total obligation. It is likely that following the 
replacement of expected returns on plan assets with a net finance cost in the income statement, the profit for the period 
will be reduced and accordingly other comprehensive income increased.

Beyond the information above, it is not practicable to provide a reasonable estimate of the effect of these standards until a 
detailed review has been completed.

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 
adopted by the European Union (‘EU IFRS’) and therefore the Group financial statements comply with Article 4 of the EU 
IAS Regulation

There are no changes in these accounting policies for the year ended 31 December 2011 except as noted below.
As a consequence of the re-domicile referred to on page 36, the ultimate holding of the Group changed from Centamin 
Egypt Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of South Australia, to Centamin plc, a company incorporated 
under the laws of Jersey. Although these financial statements have been released in the name of the parent, Centamin 
plc, it represents in substance continuation of the existing Group, headed by Centamin Egypt Limited and the following 
accounting treatment has been applied:

•   the consolidated assets and liabilities of the subsidiary Centamin Egypt Limited were recognised and measured at the 

pre-redomicile carrying amounts, without restatement to fair value;

•   the retained earnings and other equity balances recognised in the consolidated financial position reflect the consolidated 
retained earnings and other equity balances of Centamin Egypt Limited immediately prior to the re-domicile, and the 
results of the period from 1 January 2011 to the date of the re-domicile are those of Centamin Egypt Limited; and

•   comparative numbers presented in the consolidated financial statements are those reported in the consolidated financial 
statements of Centamin Egypt Limited, for the six months ended 31 December 2010, except for the presentation of the 
share capital and other reserves, which have been restated to reflect the change in the nominal value of the ordinary 
shares resulting from the restructuring as if Centamin plc had been the parent company during that period. In 2011 the 
Group changed its financial year end from June to December. Consequently, information for the prior period presented 
in these financial statements comprise of financial information for the period from 1 July to 31 December 2010.

In addition, as a consequence of the re-domicile referred to on page 36, the Group is now reporting under EU IFRS. The 
31 December 2010 consolidated financial statements were prepared under Australian equivalents to International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“A-IFRS”). Compliance with A-IFRS ensures that the financial statements and notes of the Group 
comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and hence there are no differences noted. The 2011 
financial statements will make reference to EU IFRS.

These financial statements are denominated in United States Dollars, which is the functional currency of Centamin plc. All 
companies in the group use the United States Dollar as their functional currency except for Sheba Exploration (UK) plc and 
Sheba Exploration Limited that use Great British Pound. All financial information presented in United States Dollars has 
been rounded to the nearest thousand dollars, unless otherwise stated.

These financial statements have been prepared on the basis of historical cost, except for the revaluation of certain non-
current assets and financial instruments. Cost is based on the fair values of the consideration given in exchange for assets.
Judgments made by management in the application of EU IFRS that have significant effects on the financial statements 
and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustments in the next year are disclosed, where applicable, in the relevant 
notes to the financial statements.

Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements are prepared by combining the financial statements of all the entities that comprise 
the consolidated entity, being the company (the parent entity) and its subsidiaries as defined in IAS 27 “Consolidated and 
Separate Financial Statements”. Consistent accounting policies are employed in the preparation and presentation of the 
consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements include the information and results of each subsidiary from the date on which the 
company obtains control and until such time as the company ceases to control such entity. Control is achieved where 
the Company has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its 
activities.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, all intercompany balances and transactions, and unrealised profits 
arising within the consolidated entity are eliminated in full. 

Sukari Gold Mines (“SGM”) is jointly controlled by PGM and EMRA on a 50% equal basis. For accounting purposes, SGM 
is wholly consolidated within the Centamin Group of companies reflecting the substance and economic reality of the 
Concession Agreement (see note 23). Pursuant to the Concession Agreement, PGM solely funds SGMs activities. PGM 
is also entitled to recover the following costs and expenses payable from sales revenue (excluding the royalty payable to 
ARE) (a) all current operating expenses incurred and paid after the initial commercial production; (b) exploration costs, 
including those accumulated to the commencement of commercial production (at the rate of 33.3% of total accumulated 
cost per annum); and (c) exploitation capital costs, including those accumulated prior to the commencement of commercial 
production (at the rate of 33.3% of total accumulated cost per annum). 

EMRA is entitled to a share of SGM’s net production surplus (defined as revenue less payment of the fixed royalty to ARE 
and recoverable costs. Accordingly, no EMRA entitlement has been recognised to date. Any payment made to EMRA 
pursuant to these provisions of the Concession Agreement will be recognised as a variable royalty charge in the income 
statement. 

2010 Restatement
With the change in the domicile of the holding company of the Group from Australia to Jersey, management reviewed the 
2010 Annual report with a view to produce financial statements that are in compliance with EU IFRS and Jersey Companies 
Act and restated the 2010 figures accordingly. Management do not consider the restatements to be material and thus a 
third statement of financial position has not been presented. 

Going concern
These financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011 have been prepared on a going concern basis, which 
contemplate the realisation of assets and liquidation of liabilities during the normal course of operations. Having carried out 
a going concern review in preparing these consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011, the 
Directors have concluded that there is a reasonable basis to adopt the going concern principle. 

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73

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting policies are selected and applied in a manner which ensures that the resulting financial statements satisfy the 
concepts of relevance and reliability, thereby ensuring that the substance of the underlying transactions or other events is 
reported.

The following significant policies have been adopted in the preparation and presentation of these financial statements:

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash comprises cash on hand and demand deposits. Cash equivalents are short term, highly liquid investments that are 
readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

Financial instruments 
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to 
the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial liabilities and equity
Debt and equity instruments are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the 
contractual arrangement.

Equity instruments
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its 
liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Group are recognised at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are classified as either financial liabilities ‘at FVTPL’ or ‘other financial liabilities’.

Financial liabilities at FVTPL
Financial liabilities are classified as at FVTPL when the financial liability is either held for trading or it is designated as at 
FVTPL. A financial liability is classified as held for trading if: 

•  it has been incurred principally for the purpose of repurchasing it in the near term; or
•   on initial recognition it is part of a portfolio of identified financial instruments that the Group manages together and has a 

recent actual pattern of short-term profit-taking; or

•  it is a derivative that is not designated and effective as a hedging instrument.
•   A financial liability other than a financial liability held for trading may be designated as at FVTPL upon initial recognition 

if:

•   such designation eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency that would otherwise 

arise; or

•   the financial liability forms part of a Group of financial assets or financial liabilities or both, which is managed and 

its performance is evaluated on a fair value basis, in accordance with the Group’s documented risk management or 
investment strategy, and information about the grouping is provided internally on that basis; or

•   it forms part of a contract containing one or more embedded derivatives, and IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition 

and Measurement permits the entire combined contract (asset or liability) to be designated as at FVTPL.

Financial liabilities at FVTPL are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on re-measurement recognised in 
profit or loss. The net gain or loss recognised in profit or loss incorporates any interest paid on the financial liability and is 
included in the ‘other gains and losses’ line item in the income statement.

Other financial liabilities
Other financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs. Other financial 
liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense 
recognised on an effective yield basis. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a 
financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly 
discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability, or, where appropriate, a shorter 
period.

Derecognition of financial liabilities
The Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or they 
expire.

Financial assets
Financial assets are recognised and derecognised on trade date where the purchase or sale of a financial asset is under 
a contract whose terms require delivery of the financial asset within the timeframe established by the market concerned, 
and are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs except for those financial assets classified as at fair value 
through the profit or loss which are initially measured at fair value.

Subsequent to initial recognition, investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost in the company financial statements. 
Other financial assets are “loans and receivables‟. The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial 
assets and is determined at the time of initial recognition.

Effective interest method 
The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset and of allocating interest 
income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimate future cash receipts 
through the expected life of the financial asset, or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial 
recognition.

Available for sale financial assets
Listed shares and listed redeemable notes held by the Group that are traded in an active market are classified as being 
AFS and are stated at fair value. The Group also has investments in unlisted shares that are not traded in an active market 
but that are classified as AFS financial assets and stated at fair value (because the directors consider that fair value can 
be reliably measured). Fair value is determined in the manner described in note 26. Gains and losses arising from changes 
in fair value are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the investments revaluation reserve with 
the exception of impairment losses, interest calculated using the effective interest method and foreign exchange gains 
and losses on monetary assets, which are recognised directly in profit or loss. Where the investment is disposed of or is 
determined to be impaired, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in the investments revaluation reserve is 
reclassified to profit or loss.

Dividends on AFS equity instruments are recognised in profit or loss when the Group’s right to receive the dividends is 
established.

The fair value of AFS monetary assets denominated in a foreign currency is determined in that foreign currency and 
translated at the spot rate at the balance sheet date. The foreign exchange gains and losses that are recognised in profit 
or loss are determined based on the amortised cost of the monetary asset. Other foreign exchange gains and losses are 
recognised in other comprehensive income. 

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75

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Financial assets (continued)

Loans and receivables 
Trade receivables, loans and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active 
market are classified as “loans and receivables”. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest rate method less impairment. Interest is recognised by applying the effective interest rate except for short-term 
receivables when the recognition of interest would be immaterial.

Impairment of financial assets 
Financial assets, other than those at fair value through profit or loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each 
reporting date. Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that as a result of one or more events that 
occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset the estimated future cash flows of the investment have been 
impacted. For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the amount of the impairment is the difference between the asset’s 
carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate.
The carrying amount of the financial asset is reduced by the impairment loss directly for all financial assets with the 
exception of trade receivables where the carrying amount is reduced through the use of an allowance account. When 
a trade receivable is uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts 
previously written off are credited against the allowance account. Changes in the carrying amount of the allowance account 
are recognised in profit or loss.

With the exception of available-for-sale equity instruments, if, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss 
decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the 
previously recognised impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss to the extent the carrying amount of the investment 
at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortised cost would have been had the impairment not 
been recognised.

In respect of available-for-sale equity instruments, any subsequent increase in fair value after an impairment loss is 
recognised in other comprehensive income.

Derecognition of financial assets
The Group derecognises a financial asset only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or 
when it transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to another entity. 
If the Group neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership and continues to control the 
transferred asset, the Group recognises its retained interest in the asset and an associated liability for amounts it may have 
to pay. If the Group retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a transferred financial asset, the Group 
continues to recognise the financial asset and also recognises a collateralised borrowing for the proceeds received.

Employee benefits
A liability is recognised for benefits accruing to employees in respect of wages and salaries, annual leave, long service 
leave and sick leave when it is probable that settlement will be required and they are capable of being measured reliably.
Liabilities recognised in respect of employee benefits expected to be settled within 12 months, are measured at their 
nominal values using the remuneration rate expected to apply at the time of settlement. Liabilities recognised in respect 
of employee benefits which are not expected to be settled within 12 months are measured as the present value of the 
estimated future cash flows to be made by the consolidated entity in respect of services provided by employees up to 
reporting date.

Superannuation 
The Company contributes to, but does not participate in, compulsory superannuation funds on behalf of the Employees 
and Directors in respect of salaries and directors’ fees paid. Contributions are charged against income as they are made.

Exploration, evaluation and development expenditure
Exploration and evaluation expenditures in relation to each separate area of interest are recognised as an exploration and 
evaluation asset in the year in which they are incurred where the following conditions are satisfied:

i)  the rights to tenure of the area of interest are current; and
ii)  at least one of the following conditions is also met:
a)   the exploration and evaluation expenditures are expected to be recouped through successful development and 

exploration of the area of interest, or alternatively, by its sale; or

b)   exploration and evaluation activities in the area of interest have not at the reporting date reached a stage which permits 
a reasonable assessment of the existence or otherwise of economically recoverable reserves, and active and significant 
operations in, or in relation to, the area of interest are continuing.

Exploration and evaluation assets are initially measured at cost and include acquisition of rights to explore, studies, 
exploration drilling, trenching and sampling and associated activities. General and administrative costs are only included in 
the measurement of exploration and evaluation costs where they are related directly to operational activities in a particular 
area of interest.

Exploration and evaluation assets are assessed for impairment when facts and circumstances (as defined in IFRS 6 
“Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources”) suggest that the carrying amount of exploration and evaluation 
assets may exceed its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount of the exploration and evaluation assets (or the cash-
generating unit(s) to which it has been allocated, being no larger than the relevant area of interest) is estimated to determine 
the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the 
asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but only to the extent that the increased carrying 
amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised 
for the asset in previous years.

Where a decision is made to proceed with development in respect of a particular area of interest, the relevant exploration 
and evaluation asset is tested for impairment, reclassified to development properties, and then amortised over the life of 
the reserves associated with the area of interest once mining operations have commenced.

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77

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Exploration, evaluation and development expenditure (continued)

Development expenditure is recognised at cost less accumulated amortisation and any impairment losses. When 
commercial production in an area of interest has commenced, the associated costs are amortised over the estimated 
economic life of the mine on a units of production basis.

Changes in factors such as estimates of proved and probable reserves that affect unit-of-production calculations are dealt 
with on a prospective basis.

Foreign currencies
The individual financial statements of each Group entity are presented in its functional currency being the currency of the 
primary economic environment in which the entity operates. For the purpose of the consolidated financial statements, the 
results and financial position of each entity are expressed in United States dollars, which is the functional currency of the 
Group and the presentation currency for the consolidated financial statements. All companies in the group use the United 
States Dollar as their functional currency except for Sheba Exploration (UK) plc and Sheba Exploration Limited that use 
Great British Pound.

In preparing the financial statements of the individual entities, transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional 
currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At each reporting date, 
monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing at the reporting date. Non-
monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on 
the date when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign 
currency are not retranslated. Exchange differences are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise.

Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Costs including an appropriate portion of fixed and 
variable overhead expenses are assigned to inventory on hand by the method appropriate to each particular class of 
inventory, with the majority being valued on a weighted average cost basis. Net realisable value represents the estimated 
selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs necessary to make the sale.

Ore stockpiles, gold in circuit and bullion are valued applying absorption costing.

Interests in joint ventures
Jointly controlled entities 
Where the Group is a venturer (and so has joint control) in a jointly controlled entity, the Group recognises its share of the 
assets, liabilities, income and expenses, line by line, in the consolidated financial statements. 
SGM is wholly consolidated within the Centamin Group of companies, reflecting the substance and economic reality of the 
Concession Agreement (see note 23). 

Leased assets
Leased assets are classified as finance leases when the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards 
incidental to ownership of the leased asset to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.
Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, except where 
other systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are 
consumed. Contingent rentals arising under operating leases are recognised as an expense in the period in which they are 
incurred.

Property, plant and equipment (‘PPE’)
Plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Plant and equipment will include 
capitalised development expenditure. Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the item 
as well as the estimated cost of abandonment. In the event that settlement of all or part of the purchase consideration 
is deferred, cost is determined by discounting the amounts payable in the future to their present value as at the date of 
acquisition.

Depreciation is provided on plant and equipment. Depreciation is calculated on a straight line basis so as to write off the 
net cost or other revalued amount of each asset over its expected useful life to its estimated residual value.

The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each annual financial period, 
with the effect of any changes recognised on a prospective basis.

Freehold land is not depreciated.
The following estimated useful lives are used in the calculation of depreciation:
Plant and Equipment 
Office Equipment  
Motor Vehicles 
Land and Buildings 

2- 50 years
5 - 6 years 
2 - 8 years
4 - 20 years

- 
- 

- 

The gain or loss arising on the disposal or scrappage of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales 
proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in income.

Mine development properties
Where mining of a mineral resource has commenced, the accumulated costs are transferred to mine properties.
Amortisation is first charged to new mine development ventures from the date of first commercial production. Amortisation 
of mine properties is on a unit of production basis resulting in an amortisation charge proportional to the depletion of the 
proved and probable ore reserves. The unit of production can be on a tonnes or an ounce depleted basis.

Impairment of assets (other than exploration and evaluation and financial assets)
At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether 
there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable 
amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does not 
generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-
generating unit to which the asset belongs.

Recoverable amount is the higher of 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 
assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future flows have not 
been adjusted.

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If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying 
amount of the asset (cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. Where an impairment loss subsequently 
reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable 
amount, but only to the extent that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have 
been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (cash generating unit) in prior years.

A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or less, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued 
amount, in which case the reversal of an impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

 
 
 
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79

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

The acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that meet the conditions for recognition under IFRS 
3(2008) are recognised at their fair value at the acquisition date, except that: 

Revenue
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services in the normal 
course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales-related taxes. 

Sale of goods 
Revenue from the sale of mineral production is recognised when the Group has passed the risks and rewards of the mineral 
production to the buyer.

Pre-production revenues 
Income derived by the entity prior to the date of commercial production (being 1 April 2010) was offset against the 
expenditure capitalised and carried in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. All revenues recognised after 
1 April 2010 are recognised in accordance with the revenue policy stated above. 1 April 2010 was selected as the 
commencement date of commercial production due to the fact that sufficient, stable and sustained production capacity 
had been achieved as at that date.

Interest revenue 
Interest income is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group and the amount of 
revenue can be measured reliably.

Interest revenue is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate 
applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial 
asset to that asset’s net carrying amount.

Production royalty 
The Arab Republic of Egypt (“ARE”) is entitled to a royalty of 3% of net sales revenue as defined from the sale of gold and 
associated minerals from the Sukari Project. This royalty is calculated and recognised on receipt of the final certificate of 
analysis document received from the refinery. Due to its nature, the production is not recognised in cost of sales.

Business combinations
Acquisitions of subsidiaries and businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method. The consideration for each 
acquisition is measured at the aggregate of the fair values (at the date of exchange) of assets given, liabilities incurred or 
assumed, and equity instruments issued by the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree. Acquisition-related costs are 
recognised in profit or loss as incurred.

Where applicable, the consideration for the acquisition includes any asset or liability resulting from a contingent 
consideration arrangement, measured at its acquisition-date fair value. Subsequent changes in such fair values are 
adjusted against the cost of acquisition where they qualify as measurement period adjustments (see below). All other 
subsequent changes in the fair value of contingent consideration classified as an asset or liability are accounted for 
in accordance with relevant IFRSs. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration classified as equity are not 
recognised.

Where a business combination is achieved in stages, the Group’s previously-held interests in the acquired entity are 
remeasured to fair value at the acquisition date (i.e. the date the Group attains control) and the resulting gain or loss, if 
any, is recognised in profit or loss. Amounts arising from interests in the acquiree prior to the acquisition date that have 
previously been recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss, where such treatment would 
be appropriate if that interest were disposed of.

•   deferred tax assets or liabilities and liabilities or assets related to employee benefit arrangements are recognised and 

measured in accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes and IAS 19 Employee Benefits respectively;
•  liabilities or equity instruments related to the replacement by the Group of an acquiree’s share based
•  payment awards are measured in accordance with IFRS 2 Share-based Payment; and
•  assets (or disposal Groups) that are classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 Noncurrent.

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations are measured in accordance with that Standard. If the initial accounting 
for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, the Group 
reports provisional amounts for the items for which the accounting is incomplete. Those provisional amounts are adjusted 
during the measurement period (see below), or additional assets or liabilities are recognised, to reflect new information 
obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the 
amounts recognised as of that date.

The measurement period is the period from the date of acquisition to the date the Group obtains complete information 
about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date, and is subject to a maximum of one year.

Investments in associates
An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence and that is neither a subsidiary nor an interest in a 
joint venture. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee 
but is not control or joint control over those policies.

The results and assets and liabilities of associates are incorporated in these financial statements using the equity method of 
accounting, except when the investment is classified as held for sale, in which case it is accounted for in accordance with 
IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

Under the equity method, investments in associates are carried in the consolidated balance sheet at cost as adjusted 
for post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of the net assets of the associate, less any impairment in the value of 
individual investments. Losses of an associate in excess of the Group’s interest in that associate (which includes any long-
term interests that, in substance, form part of the Group’s net investment in the associate) are recognised only to the extent 
that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.

Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and 
contingent liabilities of the associate recognised at the date of acquisition is recognised as goodwill. The goodwill is 
included within the carrying amount of the investment and is assessed for impairment as part of that investment. Any 
excess of the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities over the cost of 
acquisition, after reassessment, is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Where a Group entity transacts with an associate of the Group, profits and losses are eliminated to the extent of the 
Group’s interest in the relevant associate.

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CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

81

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Share-based payments
Equity-settled share-based payments with employees and others providing similar services are measured at the fair value 
of the equity instrument at grant date. Fair value is measured by the use of the Black and Scholes model. Where share-
based payments are subject to market conditions, fair value was measured by the use of a Monte-Carlo simulation. The fair 
value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed over the vesting period, based 
on the consolidated entity’s estimate of shares that will eventually vest.

Equity-settled share based transactions with other parties are measured at the fair value of the goods or services received, 
except where the fair value cannot be estimated reliably, in which case they are measured at the fair value of the equity 
instruments granted, measured at the date the entity obtains the goods or the counter party renders the service.
The expected life used in the model has been adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-
transferability, exercise restrictions, and behavioural considerations. Further details on how the fair value of equity-settled 
share-based transactions has been determined can be found in Notes 27. At each reporting date, the Group revises its 
estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if 
any, is recognised in profit or loss over the remaining vesting period, with corresponding adjustment to the equity-settled 
employee benefits reserve.

Taxation 
Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

Current tax 
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the period. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income because of items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible 
in other periods and items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax 
rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

Deferred tax 
Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial 
statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are generally 
recognised for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are generally recognised for all deductible temporary 
differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which those deductible temporary 
differences can be utilised. Such deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises 
from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a 
transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries 
and associates, and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary 
difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets 
arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments and interests are only recognised to the 
extent that it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable profits against which to utilise the benefits of the temporary 
differences and they are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and reduced to the extent that it 
is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in which the 
liability is settled or the asset realised, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted 
by the end of the reporting period. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences 
that would follow from the manner in which the Group expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the 
carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against 
current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to 
settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Special considerations
In Australia, Centamin Egypt Limited and Pharaoh Gold Mines NL have elected to form a tax consolidated group and 
therefore are treated as a single entity for Australian income tax purposes. Pharaoh Gold Mines NL has elected into the 
‘Branch Profits Exemption’ whereby foreign branch income will generally not be subject to Australian income tax.
In Egypt, Centamin has entered into a concession agreement that provides that the income generated by Sukari Gold 
Mining Company’s activities is granted a long-term tax exemption from all taxes imposed in Egypt. 

Restoration and rehabilitation
A provision for restoration and rehabilitation is recognised when there is a present obligation as a result of exploration, 
development and production activities undertaken, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to 
settle the obligation, and the amount of the provision can be measured reliably. The estimated future obligations include 
the costs of dismantling and removal of facilities, restoration and monitoring of the affected areas. The provision for future 
restoration costs is the best estimate of the present value of the expenditure required to settle the restoration obligation 
at the reporting date. Future restoration costs are reviewed annually and any changes in the estimate are reflected in the 
present value of the restoration provision at each reporting date.

The initial estimate of the restoration and rehabilitation provision relating to exploration, development and mining 
production activities is capitalised into the cost of the related asset and amortised on the same basis as the related asset, 
unless the present obligation arises from the production of the inventory in the period, in which case the amount is included 
in the cost of production for the period. Changes in the estimate of the provision of restoration and rehabilitation are treated 
in the same manner, except that the unwinding of the effect of discounting on the provision is recognised as a finance cost 
rather than being capitalised into the cost of the related asset.

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CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

83

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

4. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS 

i) Critical Judgements in Applying the Entity’s Accounting Policies
The following are the critical judgements that management has made in the process of applying the Group’s accounting 
policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements:

Accounting treatment of Sukari Gold Mines (SGM)
SGM is wholly consolidated within the Centamin Group of companies, reflecting the substance and economic reality of the 
Concession Agreement (see note 23).

Recovery of Capitalised Exploration Evaluation and Development Expenditure
The Group’s accounting policy for exploration and evaluation expenditure results in exploration and evaluation expenditure 
being capitalised for those projects where such expenditure is considered likely to be recoverable through future extraction 
activity or sale or where the exploration activities have not reached a stage which permits a reasonable assessment of the 
existence of reserves. This policy requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions as to future events and 
circumstances, in particular whether the Group will proceed with development based on existence of reserves or whether 
an economically viable extraction operation can be established. Such estimates and assumptions may change from 
period to period as new information becomes available. If, subsequent to the exploration and evaluation expenditure being 
capitalised, a judgement is made that recovery of the expenditure is unlikely or the project is to be abandoned, the relevant 
capitalised amount will be written off to the income statement.

ii)  Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty
The following are the key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the 
reporting date, that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities 
within the next financial year:

Provision for restoration and rehabilitation costs
The Group is required to decommission, rehabilitate and restore mines and processing sites at the end of their producing 
lives to a condition acceptable to the relevant authorities. The provision has been calculated taking into account the 
estimated future obligations including the costs of dismantling and removal of facilities, restoration and monitoring of 
the affected areas. The provision for future restoration costs is the best estimate of the present value of the expenditure 
required to settle the restoration obligation at the reporting date.

Ore reserve estimates
Estimates of recoverable quantities of reserves include assumptions on commodity prices, exchange rates, discount rates 
and production costs for future cashflows. It also involves assessment and judgement of difficult geological models. The 
economic, geological and technical factors used to estimate ore reserves may change from period to period. Changes in 
ore reserves affect the carrying values of mine properties, property, plant and equipment, provision for rehabilitation assets 
and deferred taxes. Ore reserves are integral to the amount of depreciation and amortisation charged to the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income and the calculation of inventory.

5. REVENUE

An analysis of the Group’s and Company’s revenue for 
the year, from continuing operations, is as follows:

Gold sales 

Silver sales 

Finance income 

31 December 2011 
12 months 
US$’000 

31 December
Restated 2010
6 months US$’000

339,779 

700 

340,479 

1,288 

341,767 

86,820

62

86,882

321

87,203

6. PROFIT BEFORE TAX 

Profit for the year has been arrived at after crediting/ (charging) 
the following gains/(losses) and expenses:

Cost of sales 

Mine production costs 

Movement in inventory  

Depreciation and Amortisation 

Finance income 

Interest received 

Other operating costs 

Corporate compliance 

Corporate consultants 

Employee entitlements 

Salary and wages 

Travel and accommodation 

Other administration expenses 

Employee equity settled share based payments 

Fixed royalty – Attributable to the Egyptian government 

Gain on sale of scrap and waste  

Foreign exchange gain, net 

Investment loss, net 

Provision for restoration and rehabilitation – 2011 movement 

31 December 2011 
12 months 
US$’000 

31 December
Restated 2010
6 months US$’000

(85,891) 

(45) 

(54,314) 

(140,250) 

1,288 

(1,506) 

(383) 

(33) 

(1,598) 

(694) 

(608) 

(1,496) 

13,360 

- 

584 

93 

(89) 

(32,447)

3,098

(21,061)

(50,410)

321

(555)

(510)

(56)

(1,885)

(201)

(467)

(14)

2,604

39

1,593

-

(23)

Exceptional items included in Other operating costs
The Directors consider that items of income or expense which are material by virtue of their unusual, irregular or non-
recurring nature should be disclosed separately if the consolidated financial statements are to fairly present the financial 
position and underlying business performance. In order to allow a better understanding of the financial information 
presented within the consolidated financial statements, and specifically the Group’s underlying business performance, the 
effect of exceptional items are shown below.

31 December 2011 
12 months 
US$’000 

31 December
Restated 2010
6 months US$’000

Re-domicile Costs 

(2,645) 

-

The re-domicile costs relate to the expenses incurred in moving the Group from Australia to Jersey by means of the 
Company becoming the holding company of the Group.

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CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

85

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

7. TAX

Tax recognised in profit is summarised as follows:

(a) Tax expense 

Current tax 

Current tax expense in respect of the current year  

Adjustments recognised in the current year in relation to the current tax in prior period 

Deferred tax 

Deferred tax expense relating to the origination and reversal of temporary differences 

Tax losses and temporary differences not recognised 

Total tax expense 

The tax expense for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the income statement as follows:  

Profit before income tax 

Tax expense calculated at 30% (2010: 30%) of profit before tax 

Tax effect of amounts which are not deductible/taxable in calculating taxable income: 

Non-deductible expenses 

Tax effect of income not taxable in determining taxable profit 

Tax Losses and temporary differences not recognised 

Tax expense for the year 

31 December 2011 
12 months 
US$’000 

31 December 2010
6 months
US$’000

- 

- 

- 

222 

(222) 

- 

-

-

-

750

(750)

-

31 December 2011 
12 months 
US$’000 

31 December 2010
6 months
US$’000

181,945 

54,584 

48,703 

(103,595) 

308 

- 

32,042

9,613

17,038

(26,651)

-

-

The tax rate used in the above reconciliation is the corporate tax rate of 30% payable by Australian corporate entities on 
taxable profits under the Australian tax law. There has been no change in the corporate tax rate when compared to the 
previous financial period.

Current tax liabilities 

Current tax payable  

31 December 2011 
12 months 
US$’000 

31 December 2010
6 months
US$’000

444 

444

Tax consolidation
Relevance of tax consolidation to the consolidated entity
The Company and its wholly-owned Australian resident entities formed a tax-consolidated Group with effect from 1 July 
2003. The head entity within the tax-consolidated Group is Centamin Egypt Limited. The members of the tax-consolidated 
Group are identified at Note 21.

Nature of tax funding arrangements and tax sharing agreements
Entities within the tax-consolidated Group have entered into a tax funding arrangement and a tax-sharing agreement with 
the head entity. Under the terms of the tax funding agreement, Centamin Egypt Limited and each of the entities in the tax-
consolidated Group has agreed to pay a tax equivalent payment to or from the head entity, based on the current tax liability 
or current tax asset of the entity. Such amounts are reflected in amounts receivable from or payable to other entities in the 
tax-consolidated Group.

The tax sharing agreement entered into between members of the tax-consolidated Group provides for the determination of 
the allocation of income tax liabilities between the entities should the head entity default on its tax payment obligations. No 
amounts have been recognised in the financial statements in respect of this agreement as payment of any amounts under 
the tax sharing agreement is considered remote.

8. SEGMENT REPORTING

The Group is engaged in the business of exploration and mining of precious and base metals only, which represents a 
single operating segment. The Board is the Group’s chief operating decision maker within the meaning of IFRS 8. 

9. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Gold sales debtors 

Other receivables 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
US$’000

29,976 

22 

29,998 

-

128

128

Trade and other receivables are classified as loans and receivables and are therefore measured at amortised cost. The 
average age of the receivables is 32 days (2010: 1 day). No interest is charged on the receivables. There are no trade 
receivables past due and impaired at the reporting date, and thus no allowance for doubtful debts has been recognised. 
Of the trade receivables balance, the gold sales debtor is all receivable from Johnson Matthey of Canada. The amount due 
has been received subsequent to year-end and was considered to be fully recoverable. 

The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables is approximately equal to their fair value.

10. INVENTORIES

Mining stockpiles and ore in circuit 

Stores  

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
US$’000

10,493 

59,257 

69,750 

10,539

27,478

38,017

During the year US$295,000 (2010: US$ nil) of inventory has been written off to other operating costs. 

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CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

87

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

11. PREPAYMENTS

31 December 2011 
12 months 
US$’000 

31 December 2010
6 months
US$’000

Prepayments 

1,576 

460

12. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Office 

equipment 

US$’000 

Land and 

buildings 

US$’000 

Plant and 

equipment 

US$’000 

Motor 

Mine Development 

Capital Work 

vehicles 

US$’000 

properties 

in progress 

US$’000 

US$’000 

Total

Restated

US$’000

2,243 

9 

475 

2,727 

(1,417) 

(510) 

(1,928) 

14 

- 

- 

14 

(8) 

(1) 

(9) 

241,140 

56,338 

145,976 

40,275 

485,986

- 

- 

20,392 

122,502 

142,903

32,800 

273,940 

20,736 

77,074 

- 

 (54,011) 

-

166,368 

108,766 

628,889

(6,242) 

(8,641) 

(12,073) 

(7,437) 

(14,883) 

(19,510) 

(22,109) 

(37,724) 

(59,833) 

- 

- 

- 

(41,849)

(54,314)

(96,162)

Consolidated 

Cost 

Balance at 31 December 2010 

Additions 

Transfers 

Balance at 31 December 2011 

Accumulated depreciation 

Balance at 31 December 2010 

Depreciation and amortisation 

Balance at 31 December 2011 

Cost 

Balance at 30 June 2010 

2,145 

14 

237,192 

56,320 

91,179 

16,821 

403,671

Additions 

Transfers 

Transfer from exploration and 

evaluation assets 

Balance at 31 December 2010 

Accumulated depreciation 

Balance at 30 June 2010 

Depreciation and amortisation 

Balance at 31 December 2010 

Net book value 

As at 31 December 2010 

As at 31 December 2011 

2 

96 

- 

2,243 

(1,142) 

(275) 

(1,417) 

826 

799 

- 

- 

- 

- 

3,948 

- 

14 

241,140 

- 

18 

41,360 

56,338 

13,437 

27,516 

40,955

- 

- 

(4,062) 

-

- 

41,360

145,976 

40,275 

485,986

(7) 

(1) 

(8) 

6 

5 

(2,476) 

(3,766) 

(6,242) 

(8,974) 

(3,099) 

(12,073) 

(8,189) 

(13,920) 

(22,109) 

- 

- 

- 

(20,788)

(21,061)

(41,849)

234,898 

259,057 

44,265 

57,564 

123,867 

40,275 

444,137

106,536 

108,766 

532,727

In the prior year the commencement of the commercial production of the open pit mine has resulted in US$41,360,000 of 
exploration and evaluation assets being transferred to mine development properties. The costs transferred were incurred 
before commercial production commenced and were capitalised to exploration and evaluation assets in note 13.

13. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION

Balance at the beginning of the period 

Acquisition of Sheba Exploration (UK) plc – exploration rights 

Expenditure for the period 

Transfer to PPE – development assets 

Balance at the end of the period 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
Restated 2010
US$’000

3,752 

10,413 

16,948 

- 

31,113 

38,714

-

6,398

(41,360)

3,752

The exploration and evaluation asset relates to the drilling, geological exploration and sampling of potential ore reserves. 
During the year the Group acquired the exploration rights in Sheba Exploration (UK) plc of US$10.2 million for the licences 
of Werie Lehe and Saharti Licences, granted until 29 November 2013, and the Una Deriam Licence, granted until 19 March 
2013. Both licences are renewable for a period of two years.

The transfer to PPE – development assets relate to the commencement of the commercial production of the Sukari Gold 
Mine in 2010. Capitalised exploration and evaluation costs of US$ 41,360,000 incurred before commercial production were 
transferred to mine development properties in PPE in note 12.

14. AVAILABLE-FOR- SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS AND INTERESTS IN 
ASSOCIATES

14.1 

Available-for-sale financial assets

Balance at the beginning of the period 

Acquisitions 

Disposals 

Loss on foreign exchange movement 

Loss on fair value of investment – other comprehensive income 

Balance at the end of the period 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
US$’000

- 

17,403 

(11,408) 

(207) 

(3,957) 

1,831 

-

-

-

-

-

-

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The available for sale financial asset at year-end relates to a 14% equity interest in Nyota Minerals Limited (“NYO”), a listed 
public company. Management are not planning on divesting from this investment in the foreseeable future. Subsequent to 
year end the Group announced that it had subscribed for 67,000,000 new ordinary shares for a consideration of US$4.0 
million in the conditional placing announced by Nyota Minerals Limited (“Nyota”) on 6 February 2012. 

During 2011 the Group acquired shares in Auryx Gold Corporation (“AYX”) a listed public company for US$11,408,000 and 
the investment was sold for US$11,191,490 during the year. A profit on disposal of US$92,754 and a foreign exchange loss 
of US$207,000 were realised.

14.2 Interests in associates
The interest in associate relate to the Group’s 33% equity interest in Sahar Minerals Limited which was acquired in July 
2011. The interest in associate is held at the cost of US$3,296,000 at year-end and no movement in the investment has 
been recorded as there is no financial information available for the associate since the acquisition. The associate holds 
exploration rights and continues to explore. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
88 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

89

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

15. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade payables 

Other creditors and accruals 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
US$’000

12,909 

11,600 

24,509 

17,881

121

18,002

Trade payables principally comprise the amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. The average credit 
period taken for trade purchases is 45 days (2010: 119 days). Trade payables are interest free for periods ranging from 30 
to 180 days. Thereafter interest is charged at commercial rates. The Group has financial risk management policies in place 
to ensure that all payables are paid within the credit timeframe.

The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade payables approximate their fair value.

16. PROVISIONS

Current 

Employee benefits (i) 

Non-current 

Employee benefits 

Restoration and rehabilitation (ii) 

Movement in restoration and rehabilitation provision 

Balance at beginning of the period 

Additional provision recognised 

Interest expense – unwinding of discount 

Balance at end of the period 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
US$’000

717 

666

- 

2,630 

2,630 

2,541 

89 

 - 

2,630 

83

2,541

2,624

2,451

67

23

2,541

(i)   Employee benefits relate to annual, sick and long service leave entitlements. The current provision for employee benefits as at 31 December 2011 includes 

US$707,780 (31 December 2010: US$375,000) of annual leave entitlements.

(ii)   The provision for restoration and rehabilitation represents the present value of the directors’ best estimate of the future outflow of economic benefits 

that will be required to remove the facilities and restore the affected areas at the Group’s sites.  This estimate has been made on the basis of benchmark 
assessments of restoration works required following mine closure and after taking into account the projected area to be disturbed over the life of the mine.

17. ISSUED CAPITAL  

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
US$’000

Balance at beginning of the period 

600,500 

465,096

Issue of shares upon exercise of options and warrants 

Transfer from share options reserve 

Other placements 

Share issue costs 

Balance at end of the period 

3,606 

452 

4,152 

(114) 

608,596 

2,382

906

136,549

(4,433)

600,500

During 2011 the Company have re-domiciled to Jersey and the presentation below is line with the requirements of the 
Jersey Companies Act.

Fully paid ordinary shares 

Balance at beginning of the period 

1,081,946,250 

600,500 

1,028,818,333 

465,096

Issue of shares upon exercise of options 

11,312,500 

4,058 

1,625,000 

3,288

31 December 2011 

31 December 2010 Restated 

Number 

$’000 

Number 

$’000

Other placements (net of share issue costs) 

3,038,631 

4,038 

51,502,917 

132,116

Balance at end of the period  

1,096,297,381 

608,596 

1,081,946,250 

600,500

Fully paid ordinary shares carry one vote per share and carry the right to dividends. See Note 27 for more details of the 
share options.

18. RESERVES

Option reserve 

Asset realisation reserve 

Other reserves – sub-total 

Share option reserve 

Option reserve 

Balance at beginning of the period 

Movements during the period 

Balance at the end of the period  

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
Restated 2010
US$’000

- 

- 

- 

2,006 

2,006 

1,857 

(1,857) 

- 

1,857

438

2,295

1,050

3,345

1,857

-

1,857

The option reserve and share option reserve have been created from the issuing of options for a consideration greater than 
their then nominal or par value.
The asset realisation reserve has been created from the realisation of particular assets.
The capital reserve was created from the cancellation of shares in the Company held by Pharaoh Gold Mines NL.

Share option reserve 

Balance at beginning of the period 

Cost of share-based payments 

Transfer to issued capital 

Transfer to retained earnings 

Balance at the end of the period 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
Restated 2010
US$’000

1,050 

1,496 

(452) 

(88) 

2,006 

1,942

14

(906)

-

1,050

The share option reserve arises on the grant of share options to employees under the employee share option plan and on 
grant of broker warrants. Amounts are transferred out of the reserve and into issued capital when the options and warrants 
are exercised.

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90 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

91

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

22. AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
US$’000

19. COMMITMENTS FOR EXPENDITURE

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
US$’000

(a) Capital expenditure commitments 

Plant and equipment 

Not longer than 1 year 

Longer than 1 year and not longer than 5 years 

Longer than 5 years 

(b) Operating lease commitments 

Office premises 

Not longer than 1 year 

Longer than 1 year and not longer than 5 years 

Longer than 5 years 

40,026 

13,607

- 

- 

-

-

40,026 

13,607

56 

- 

- 

56 

62

-

-

62

Operating lease commitments are limited to office premises in London.

20. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND CONTINGENT ASSETS

At year-end the Company has provided a guarantee to Mantrac Free Zone of US$10 million and to no other party (31 
December 2010: nil). There were no contingent assets at year-end (31 December 2010: nil).

21. SUBSIDIARIES

The parent entity of the Group is Centamin plc, incorporated in Jersey, and the details of its subsidiaries are as follows:

Country of incorporation 

Centamin Egypt Limited 

Viking Resources Limited 

North African Resources NL 

Pharaoh Gold Mines NL 

Egyptian Pharaoh Investments 

Sukari Gold Mining Co 

Centamin UK Limited 

Sheba Exploration (UK) plc 

Sheba Exploration Limited 

Centamin Limited 

                 Ownership interest

31 December 
2011 
% 

31 December
2010
%

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

  50 

100 

100 

100 

100 

-

100

100

100

100

  50

-

-

-

100

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Egypt 

Egypt 

United Kingdom 

United Kingdom 

Ethiopia 

Bermuda 

For the period ended 31 December 2010, Centamin Egypt Limited was the parent entity and as a result of the re-domicile 
occurring on 30 December 2011, Centamin plc became the parent entity. 

Audit fees 

Statutory audit 

Non audit fees: 

Tax advisory services for  tax implications of the re-domicile 

IPO and related services 

Preparation of  tax returns 

231 

247 

308 

90 

876 

179

-

-

49

228

The auditor of the Centamin plc Group of companies is Deloitte LLP in 2011. During 2011 Deloitte performed tax advisory 
services for the various tax implications and considerations for the re-domicile, and for the IPO and related services. In the 
prior financial period, other non-audit services included the provision of advice and due diligence activities in relation to the 
main board listing on the London Stock Exchange.
Deloitte obtained pre-approval from the Audit Committee for performing these services and have used separate teams for 
the tax advisory services and the IPO and related services, than the team performing the audit.
The Audit Committee and the external auditor have safeguards in place to avoid the possibility that the auditor’s objectivity 
and independence could be compromised. These safeguards include the implementation of a policy on the use of the 
external auditor for non-audit related services. 
Where it is deemed that the work to be undertaken is of a nature that is generally considered reasonable to be completed 
by the auditor of the Company for sound commercial and practical reasons, the conduct of such work will be permissible 
provided that it has been pre-approved. All these services are also subject to a predefined fee limit. Any work performed in 
excess of this limit must be approved by the Audit Committee.

23.  JOINTLY CONTROLLED ENTITIES

The consolidated entity has material interests in the following ventures:

Name of joint venture 

Principal activities 

Percentage Interest

Egyptian Pharaoh Investments 

Exploration 

Sukari Gold Mines 

Exploration and Production 

The Group’s interest as a joint venture partner, in the above jointly 
controlled entities, is detailed below. The amounts are included in the 
consolidated financial statements of the Group using the line-by-line 
reporting format.

Statement of financial position

Current assets 

Cash  

Trade and other receivables 

Inventories 

Prepayments  

Non-current assets 

Exploration, evaluation and development 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

31 December 2011 
% 

31 December 2010
%

50 

50 

50

50

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
Restated 2010
US$’000

32,100 

29,976 

69,750 

247 

132,073 

18,699 

18,699 

21,639 

21,639 

11,069

-

27,894

309

39,272

52,212

52,212

16,340

16,340

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92 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

93

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

23. JOINTLY CONTROLLED ENTITIES 
(CONTINUED)

Statement of comprehensive income

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Other operating income  

Other operating costs 

Profit before income tax 

Tax expenses 

Net profit for the year 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
Restated 2010
US$’000

340,479 

(140,250) 

200,229 

700 

(1,631) 

199,298 

- 

199,298 

87,203

(50,501)

36,702

39

-

36,741

-

36,741

Capital commitments arising from the Group’s interests in joint ventures are disclosed in Note 19.
Through its wholly owned subsidiary, PGM, the Company entered into the Concession Agreement with EMRA and the 
Arab Republic of Egypt granting PGM and EMRA the right to explore, develop, mine and sell gold and associated minerals 
in specific concession areas located in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. The Concession Agreement came into effect under 
Egyptian law on 13 June 1995. 
In 2001 PGM, together with EMRA, were granted an Exploitation Lease over 160 square kilometers surrounding the Sukari 
Project site. The Exploitation Lease was signed by PGM, EMRA and the Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and gives tenure 
for a period of 30 years, commencing 24 May 2005 and extendable by PGM for an additional 30 years upon PGM providing 
reasonable commercial justification. 
In 2006 SGM, was incorporated under the laws of Egypt. SGM was formed to conduct exploration, development, 
exploitation and marketing operations in accordance with the Concession Agreement. Responsibility for the day-to-day 
management of the Project rests with the General Manger, who is appointed by PGM. 
The fiscal terms of the Concession Agreement require that PGM solely funds the SGM. PGM is however entitled to recover 
from sales revenue recoverable costs, as defined in the Concession Agreement. EMRA is entitled to a share of SGM’s 
net production surplus (defined as revenue less payment of the fixed royalty to ARE and recoverable costs). As at 31 
December 2011, PGMs has not recovered its cost and accordingly, no EMRA entitlement has been recognized to date, It 
is anticipated that the first payment to EMRA will become payable during 2012, Any payment made to EMRA pursuant to 
these provisions of the Concession Agreement will be recognised as a variable royalty charge to the income statement. 
The Concession Agreement grants certain tax exemptions, including the following: 
•   From 1 April 2010, being the date of Commercial Production, the Sukari Project is entitled to a 15 year exemption from 
any taxes imposed by the Egyptian government on the revenues generated from the Sukari Project. PGM and EMRA 
intend that SGM will in due course file an application to extend the tax-free period for a further 15 years. The extension 
of the tax-free period requires that there has been no tax problems or disputes in the initial period and that certain 
activities in new remote areas have been planned and agreed by all parties; 

•   PGM and SGM are exempt from custom taxes and duties with respect to the importation of machinery, equipment and 
consumable items required for the purpose of exploration and mining activities at the Sukari Project. The exemption 
shall only apply if there is no local substitution with the same of similar quality to the imported machinery, equipment or 
consumables. Such exemption will also be granted if the local substitution is more than 10% more expensive than the 
imported machinery, equipment or consumables after the additional of the insurance and transportation costs; 

•   PGM, EMRA and SGM and their respective buyers will be exempt from any duties or taxes on the export of gold and 

associated minerals produced from the Sukari Project; 

•   PGM at all times is free to transfer in US dollars or other freely convertible foreign currency any cash of PGM 

representing its share of net proceeds and recovery of costs, without any Egyptian government limitation, tax or duty; 
and 

•   PGM’s contractors and sub-contractors are entitled to import machinery. Equipment and consumable items under the 

“Temporary Release System” which provided exemption from Egyptian customs duty. 

24. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share 

Consolidated

31 December 
2011 
12 months 
Cents per share 

31 December
2010
6 months
Cents per share

16.68 

16.66 

3.10

3.09

Basic earnings per share
The earnings and weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share are as 
follows:

Consolidated

31 December 
2011 
12 months 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
6 months
US$’000

Earnings used in the calculation of basic EPS 

181,945 

32,042

Consolidated

31 December 
2011 
12 months 
No. 

31 December
2010
6 months
No.

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic EPS 

1,090,834,599 

1,034,672,993

Diluted earnings per share
The earnings and weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share are as 
follows:

Consolidated

31 December 
2011 
12 months 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
6 months
US$’000

Earnings used in the calculation of diluted EPS 

181,945 

32,042

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Consolidated

31 December 
2011 
12 months 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
6 months
US$’000

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted EPS 

1,092,336,900 

1,035,850,664

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic EPS 

1,090,834,599 

1,034,672,993

Shares deemed to be issued for no consideration in respect of employee options 

 1,502,301 

1,177,671

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of diluted EPS 

1,092,336,900 

1,035,850,664

No potential ordinary shares were excluded from the calculation of weighted average number of ordinary shares for the 
purpose of diluted earnings per share.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
94 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

95

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

25. NOTES TO THE STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(a) Group risk management (continued)
Categories of financial assets and liabilities:

Financial assets 

Available for sale assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Financial liabilities 

Other financial liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

31 December 
2011  
US$’000 

31 December
2010
US$’000

1,831 

164,231 

29,998 

196,060 

24,509 

24,509 

-

154,338

128

154,466

18,002

18,002

(b) Financial risk management and objectives
The Group’s overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise 
potential risk adverse effects and ensure that net cash flows are sufficient to support the delivery of the Group’s financial 
targets whilst protecting future financial security. The Group continually monitors and tests its forecast financial position 
against these objectives.

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market; commodity; credit; liquidity; foreign exchange; 
and interest rate. These risks are managed under Board approved directives through the Audit Committee. The Group’s 
principal financial instruments comprise interest bearing cash and cash equivalents. Other financial instruments include 
trade receivables and trade payables, which arise directly from operations.

It is, and has been throughout the period under review, Group policy that no speculative trading in financial instruments be 
undertaken.

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A
N
C
A
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S
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A
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E
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T
S

(a)  Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents
For the purpose of the statement of cash flows, cash and cash  
equivalents includes cash on hand and at bank and deposits.

31 December 2011 
12 months  
US$’000 

31 December 2010
6 months
US$’000

Cash and cash equivalents 

164,231 

154,338

(b) Reconciliation of profit for the year to cash flows from operating activities 31 December

Profit for the year 

Add/(less) non-cash items: 

Depreciation/ amortisation of property, plant and equipment 

Stock write-off 

Increase in provisions 

Foreign exchange rate gain, net  

Listed shares- unrealized gain 

Share based payments 

Changes in working capital during the period :  

(Increase) in trade and other receivables 

Increase in inventories 

Increase in prepayments  

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables  

Cash flows generated from operating activities 

31 December 2011 
12 months  
US$’000 

31 December 2010
6 months
US$’000

181,945 

32,042

54,314 

295 

171 

(584) 

(93) 

1,496 

` 

(29,870) 

(31,733) 

(1,116) 

6,507 

181,332 

21,061

-

112

(1,593)

-

14

3,188

(16,156)

(192)

(4,202)

34,274

(c) Non-cash financing and investing activities
During the year 3,038,631 ordinary shares valued at US$4.2 million and cash of US$6.2 million totalling US$10,413,000 
as per note 13 and were issued/paid to the owners of Sheba Exploration (UK) plc as consideration for the acquisition of 
interests in four exploration licences in Ethiopia. 

26. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

(a) Group risk management
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities within the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while 
maximising the return to stakeholders through the optimisation of the cash and equity balance. The Group’s overall strategy 
remains unchanged from the previous financial period.

The group has no debt and thus not geared at year-end or in the prior year. The capital structure consists of cash and cash 
equivalents and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising issued capital and reserves as disclosed in 
Notes 17 and 18. The Group operates in Australia and Egypt. None of the Group’s entities are subject to externally imposed 
capital requirements.

The Group utilises inflows of funds toward the ongoing exploration and development of the Sukari Gold Project in Egypt.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
96 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

97

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

26. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

(c) Market risk
The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily 
with respect to the Australian dollar and Egyptian pound.  Exposure to Canadian dollars has diminished considerably when 
compared to prior periods.  As a fixed currency, Egyptian pounds are tied to the USD. Foreign exchange risk arises from 
future commercial transactions and recognised assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s 
functional currency. The risk is measured by regularly monitoring, forecasting and performing sensitivity analyses on the 
Group’s financial position.

Financial instruments denominated in Australian Dollar and Eqyptian Pound are as follows:

                          Australian dollar 

                        Egyptian Pound 

31 December 

Financial assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Financial liabilities 

Trade and other payables  

Net exposure 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December 
2010 
US$’000 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
US$’000

31,567 

- 

31,567 

671 

671 

30,896 

4,542 

30 

4,572 

3,543 

3,543 

1,029 

7,713 

- 

7,713 

16,371 

16,371 

(8,658) 

7,602

-

7,602

16,515

16,515

(8,913)

The following table summarises the sensitivity of financial instruments held at the reporting date to movements in the 
exchange rate of the Australian and Canadian dollar to the United States dollar, with all other variables held constant. The 
sensitivities are based on reasonably possible changes over a financial period, using the observed range of actual historical 
rates.

                          Impact on profit 

                        Impact on equity

31 December 

US$/A$ increase by 10% 

US$/A$ decrease by 10% 

US$/E£ increase by 10% 

US$/E£ decrease by 10% 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December 
Restated 2010 
US$’000 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
2010 Restated
US$’000

(2,961) 

2,961 

(127) 

127 

(379) 

379 

- 

- 

(2,961) 

2,961 

(127) 

127 

(379)

379

-

-

The Group’s sensitivity to foreign currency has increased at the end of the current period mainly due to the increase in 
foreign currency cash holdings in Australian dollars and Egyptian pound.

The Group has not entered into forward foreign exchange contracts. Natural hedges are utilised wherever possible to offset 
foreign currency liabilities.  The Company maintains a policy of not hedging its currency positions and maintains currency 
holdings in line with underlying requirements and commitments.

(d)  Commodity price risk
The Group’s future revenue forecasts are exposed to commodity price fluctuations, in particular gold prices.  The Group 
has not entered into forward gold hedging contracts. 

(e)  Interest rate risk
The Group’s main interest rate risk arises from cash and short term deposits and is not considered to be a material risk due 
to the short term nature of these financial instruments. Cash deposits are placed on term period of no more than 30 days at 
a time.

The financial instruments exposed to interest rate risk and the Group’s exposure to interest rate risk as at balance date 
were as follows:

Weighted Average 
Effective Interest Rate 
% 

Less than 1 month 
US$’000 

1-12 months 
US$’000 

>12 months 
US$’000 

Total
US$’000

Consolidated 31 December 2011 

Financial assets 

Variable interest rate instruments 

0.75 

Non- interest bearing 

Financial liabilities 

Variable interest rate instruments   

Non-interest bearing 

- 

- 

- 

31 December 2010 Financial assets 

Variable interest rate instruments 

1.60 

Non- interest bearing 

Financial liabilities 

Variable interest rate instruments   

Non-interest bearing 

- 

- 

- 

16,261 

16,261 

- 

24,323 

24,323 

- 

4,397 

4,397 

- 

18,002 

18,002 

147,970 

- 

147,970 

- 

1,346 

1,346 

149,941 

- 

149,941 

- 

1,110 

1,110 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

82 

82 

147,970

16,261

164,231

-

25,669

25,669

149,941

4,397

154,338

-

19,194

19,194

(f)  Liquidity risk 
The Group’s liquidity position is managed to ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet its financial commitments in a 
timely and cost effective manner.

Ultimate responsibility or liquidity risk management rests with the Board of Directors, who has established an appropriate 
management framework for the management of the Group’s funding requirements.  The Group manages liquidity risk by 
maintaining adequate cash reserves and management monitors rolling forecasts of the Group’s liquidity on the basis of 
expected cash flow. The tables above reflect a balanced view of cash inflows and outflows and shows the implied risk 
based on those values. Trade payables and other financial liabilities originate from the financing of assets used in the 
Group’s ongoing operations. These assets are considered in the Group’s overall liquidity risk.  Management continually 
reviews the Group liquidity position including cash flow forecasts to determine the forecast liquidity position and maintain 
appropriate liquidity levels.

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98 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

99

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

26. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

•   Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability 

that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

(f)  Liquidity risk (continued)

31 December 

Liquidity risk:  

Consolidated 31 December 2011 

Financial assets 

Variable interest rate instruments 

Non- interest bearing 

Financial liabilities 

Variable interest rate instruments   

Non-interest bearing 

31 December 2010 

Financial assets 

Variable interest rate instruments 

Non- interest bearing 

Financial liabilities 

Variable interest rate instruments   

Non-interest bearing 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December 
2010 
US$’000 

31 December 
2011 
US$’000 

31 December
2010
US$’000

- 

16,261 

16,261 

- 

24,323 

24,323 

- 

4,397 

4,397 

- 

18,002 

18,002 

147,970 

- 

147,970 

- 

1,346 

1,346 

149,941 

- 

149,941 

- 

1,110 

1,110 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

147,970

16,261

164,231

-

25,670

25,670

149,941

4,397

154,338

-

19,112

19,112

(g)  Credit risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counter-party will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the 
Group. The Group has adopted a policy of only dealing with credit-worthy counter-parties and obtaining sufficient collateral 
or other security where appropriate, as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults.  The Group measures 
credit risk on a fair value basis.  The Group’s credit risk is concentrated on one entity, but the group has good credit checks 
on customers and none of the trade receivables from the customer has been past due. Also, the cash balances held in 
Canadian and Australian dollars which are held with a financial institution with a high credit rating.
The gross carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements represents the Group’s maximum 
exposure to credit risk without taking account of the value of collateral or other security obtained.

(h)  Fair value
The carrying amount of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded in the financial statements represents their 
respective fair values, principally as a consequence of the short term maturity thereof.

(i)  Fair value measurements recognised in the statement of financial position
The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair 
value, Grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable:
•   Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets 

or liabilities;

•   Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are 

observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

Available for sale financial assets 

Available for sale financial assets 

                                 2011

Level 1 

1,831 

Level 2 

- 

Level 3 

- 

                                                                   2010 Restated

Level 1 

- 

Level 2 

- 

Level 3 

- 

Total

1,831

Total

-

There were no financial assets or liabilities subsequently measured at fair value on Level 3 fair value measurement bases.

27. SHARE BASED PAYMENTS

Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP)
The consolidated entity had an Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP) in place for executives and employees. Options were 
issued to key management personnel under the Employee Option Plan 2006 (previously the Employee Option Plan 2002) 
as part of their remuneration. Options were offered to key management personnel at the discretion of the Directors, having 
regard, among other things, to the length of service with the consolidated entity, the past and potential contribution of the 
person to the consolidated entity and in some cases, individual performance.

Executive Directors Loan Funded Share Plan (EDLFSP) & Employee Loan Funded Share Plan (ELFSP)
Shares were issued to Executive Directors under the Executive Directors Loan Funded Share Plan EDLFSP 2011 and 
Employees under the ELFSP as part of their remuneration package.

Under the terms of the EDLFSP and ELFSP, the Company has provided a limited recourse and interest free loan to certain 
employees of the Company for the purpose of acquiring the New Shares (the “Loan”). The purchase of the shares has been 
funded by the Loan and the shares will not vest until certain performance conditions are met. In the event the performance 
conditions are not met, or the shares are forfeited by the participant, the Company can either re-acquire the shares or 
direct the trustee to sell them on, offsetting the proceeds against the outstanding loan amount and waiving the remainder 
of the loan. Subject to performance conditions and time based hurdles being met, the loan will be repayable by the relevant 
employee in full on the earlier of the termination date of the loan (three years from the date of issue) or the date on which 
the shares are disposed of.

Further details of the EDLFSP and ELFSP can be found in the Company’s Annual Report or Notice of General Meeting for 
the shareholder meeting held on Tuesday, 15 February 2011, and full copies of the plan are available upon request.

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Share option terms, vesting requirements and options outstanding at 31 December 2011
Each share option converts into one ordinary share of the Company on exercise. The options carry neither rights to 
dividends nor voting rights and are not transferable. Options vest over a period of 12 months, with 50% vesting and 
exercisable after six months and the other 50% vesting and exercisable after 12 months of issue. All options are issued 
with a term of three years. At the discretion of the Directors part or all of the options issued to an executive or employee 
may be subject to performance based hurdles. No performance based hurdles have been applied for options granted to 
date. Upon exercise of the options the ordinary shares received rank equally with the existing ordinary shares.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

101

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

27. SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

2) The following EDLFSP and ELFSP share-based payment arrangements existed at 
31 December 2011 (continued)

1)  The following ESOP share-based payment arrangements existed at 31 December 2011:
•     Series 13: 3,500,000 share options over ordinary shares in Centamin granted to employees under the ESOP on 16 April 
2008. The options allowed employees to take up ordinary shares at an exercise price of A$1.7022 each. The options 
were exercisable on or before 16 April 2011. At reporting date, 3,440,000 of the options had been taken up and 60,000 
were forfeited.

•   Series 14: 250,000 share options over ordinary shares in Centamin granted to Mark Di Silvio (former Chief Financial 

Officer) under the ESOP on 25 August 2008. The options allowed Mark to take up ordinary shares at an exercise price 
of A$1.20 each. The options were exercisable on or before 25 August 2011. At reporting date, all the options had been 
taken up.

•   Series 17: 1,000,000 share options over ordinary shares in Centamin granted to Trevor Schultz (Executive Director 
of Operations) under the ESOP on 19 December 2008. The options allowed Trevor to take up ordinary shares at an 
exercise price of A$1.00 each. The options were exercisable on or before 19 December 2011. At reporting date, all the 
options had been taken up.

•   Series 18: 1,630,150 options (Series 18) were issued on 15 April 2009 pursuant with the agreement with Macquarie Bank 
Limited to provide a corporate loan facility of up to US$25 million (as announced on 2 April 2009). The options allowed 
Macquarie Bank Limited to take up ordinary shares at an exercise price of A$1.20 each. Those options are exercisable 
any time on or before 31 December 2012. All of these options remain unexercised.

•   Series 19: 350,000 share options over ordinary shares in Centamin granted to Mark Di Silvio (former Chief Financial 

Officer) under the ESOP on 6 August 2009. The options allowed Mark to take up ordinary shares at an exercise price of 
A$1.8658 each. The options were exercisable on or before 6 August 2012. At reporting date, all the options had been 
forfeited.

•   Series 20: 1,000,000 share options over ordinary shares in Centamin granted to Ambrian Partners Limited under the 

ESOP on 28 November 2009. The options allowed Ambrian Partners Limited to take up ordinary shares at an exercise 
price of A$1.50 each. The options were exercisable on or before 20 November 2010. At reporting date, all the options 
had been forfeited. At reporting date, all the options had been taken up.

2)  The following EDLFSP and ELFSP share-based payment arrangements existed at 31 December 2011:
•   Series 21: 1,000,000 shares were issued to three Executive Directors (Harry Michael (former Chief Executive Officer), 
Josef El Raghy (Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) and Trevor Schultz) under the EDLSFP on 21 March 
2011. The share based payment arrangement is exercisable on 21 March 2014. At reporting date, 777,778 shares issued 
to Harry Michael were forfeited.

•   Series 22: 200,000 shares were issued to Mark Di Silvio and 75,000 shares were issued to Heidi Brown (Company 
Secretary) under the ELFSP on 21 March 2011. The share based payment arrangement is exercisable on 21 March 
2012. At reporting date, the 200,000 shares issued to Mark Di Silvio were forfeited.

•   Series 23: 200,000 shares were issued to Mark Di Silvio and 75,000 shares were issued to Heidi Brown (Company 
Secretary) under the ELFSP on 21 March 2011. The share based payment arrangement is exercisable on 21 March 
2013. At reporting date, the 200,000 shares issued to Mark Di Silvio were forfeited.

•   Series 24: 200,000 shares were issued to Mark Di Silvio and 75,000 shares were issued to Heidi Brown (Company 
Secretary) under the ELFSP on 21 March 2011. The share based payment arrangement is exercisable on 21 March 
2014. At reporting date, the 200,000 shares issued to Mark Di Silvio were forfeited.

•   Series 25: 4,917,500 shares were issued to employees under the ELFSP on 21 March 2011. The share based 

payment arrangement is exercisable on 21 March 2014. At reporting date, 892,500 shares issued to employees were 
forfeited. 

•   Series 26: 225,000 shares were issued to Robert Williams under the ELFSP on 21 June 2011. The share based payment 

arrangement was exercisable on 21 June 2014. At reporting date, all 225,000 shares issued were forfeited.

•   Series 27: 200,000 shares were issued to Pierre Louw (Chief Financial Officer) under the ELFSP on 21 June 2011. The 

share based payment arrangement is exercisable on 21 June 2012. At reporting date, none of the shares had been taken 
up or had lapsed.

•   Series 28: 200,000 shares were issued to Pierre Louw (Chief Financial Officer) under the ELFSP on 21 June 2011. The 

share based payment arrangement is exercisable on 21 June 2013. At reporting date, none of the shares had been taken 
up or had lapsed.

•   Series 29: 200,000 shares were issued to Pierre Louw (Chief Financial Officer) under the ELFSP on 21 June 2011. The 

share based payment arrangement is exercisable on 21 June 2014. At reporting date, none of the shares had been taken 
up or had lapsed.

•   Series 30:  400,000 shares were issued to Greg Winch under the ELFSP on 21 June 2011. The share based payment 

arrangement was exercisable on 30 Sept 2014. At reporting date, none of the shares had been taken up or had lapsed.

The following ESOP share based payment arrangements expired during the current year:

Options series 

Series 13 

Series 14 

Series 17 

Series 19 

Series 20 

Number 
Originally 
Issued  

Grant date 

Expiry / 
Exercise 
Date 

Exercise 
price 
A$ 

Fair value at 
grant date 
A$ 

Exercise 
price 
US$ 

Fair value at
grant date
US$

3,500,000 

16 Apr 2008 

16 Apr 2011 

1.7022 

250,000 

25 Aug 2008 

25 Aug 2011 

1.1999 

1,000,000 

19 Dec 2008 

19 Dec 2011 

1.0000 

350,000 

6 Aug 2009 

  6 Aug 2012 

1.8658 

1,000,000 

28 Nov 2009 

28 Nov 2010 

1.5000 

0.4015 

0.3070 

0.3568 

0.7960 

0.9258 

1.5979 

1.0409 

0.6799 

1.5664 

0.3763

0.2656

0.2425

0.6671

1.3613 

0.84393

6,100,00

The following ESOP share based payment arrangements existed at 31 December 2011:

Number 
Originally 
Issued 

Number  
Outstanding 
at 31 December 
2011

Grant 
date 

Options series 

Expiry / 
Exercise 
Date  

Exercise  
price 
A$ 

Fair value 
at grant date 
A$ 

Fair value at 
exercise price 
US$ 

Fair value at 
grant date
US$

Series 18 

1,630,150 

1,630,150  15 Apr 2009 

31 Dec 2012 

1.2 

0.4326 

1.9228 

0.3129

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The weighted average fair value of shares during 2011 is C$1.9955 or US$2.0193 (2010: C$2.75 or US$2.7017). 
Options were priced using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Where relevant, the expected useful life used in the 
model has been adjusted based on management’s best estimate of the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions 
and behavioural considerations. The volatility input into the model was 75.00% based on the historical share price volatility 
over the past three years and the government rate similar to the term of the option used was 5.75%.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
102 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

103

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

27. SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

The table below expresses pricing in Great British Pounds.  
At the time of grant, financial modelling and pricing structure was determined in Great British Pounds.

Inputs into the Black Scholes Model were as follows:
The table below expresses pricing in Australian Dollars.  At the time of grant, the Company was listed on the Australian 
Securities Exchange and consequently, financial modelling and pricing structure was determined in Australian Dollars.

Series 21 

Series 22 

Series 23 

Series 24 

Series 25 

Series 26 

Series 27 

Series 28 

Series 29 

Series 30

                   EDLFSP and ELFSP series

Option series

Grant date share price 

£1.259 

£1.259 

£1.259 

£1.259 

£1.259 

£1.171 

£1.171 

£1.171 

£1.171 

£1.171

Grant date 

21 Mar 2011  21 Mar 2011  21 Mar 2011  21 Mar 2011  21 Mar 2011  21 Jun 2011  21 Jun 2011  21 Jun 2011  21 Jun 2011 30 Sep 2011

Series 5 

Series 13 

Series 14 

Series 17 

Series 18 

Series 19 

Series 20

Grant date 

31 Oct 2005 

16 Apr 2008 

25 Aug 2008 

19 Dec 2008 

15 Apr 2009 

6 Aug 2009 

28 Nov 2009

Grant date share price 

Exercise price 

A$0.38 

A$0.35 

A$1.490 

A$1.702 

A$1.09 

A$1.20 

A$0.95 

A$1.14 

A$1.89 

A$2.35

A$1.00 

A$1.20 

A$1.8658 

A$1.500

Expected volatility 

60.00% 

52.00% 

52.00% 

70% 

70% 

75.00% 

75.00%

Option life 

Dividend yield 

Risk-free interest rate 

5 years  

3 years 

3 years  

3 years 

 45 months 

3 years 

0.00 

5.25% 

0.00 

5.84% 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

5.65% 

4.02% 

4.02% 

5.75% 

1 year

0.00

5.25%

The following EDLFSP & ELFSP share based payment arrangements were in existence at the end of the current year: 

US$ 

Series 21 

Series 22 

Series 23 

Series 24 

Series 25 

Series 26 

Series 27 

Series 28 

Series 29 

Series 30 

Number 

Grant date 

Expiry /  
Exercise Date 

Exercise 
price 

Option series 

Fair value at 
grant date 
GBP 

Fair value at 
grant date 
GBP 

Exercise
price 
US$ 

3,000,000 

21-Mar-11 

21-Mar-14 

275,000 

21-Mar-11 

21-Mar-12 

275,000 

21-Mar-11 

21-Mar-13 

275,000 

21-Mar-11 

21-Mar-14 

4,917,500 

21-Mar-11 

21-Mar-14 

225,000 

21-Jun-11 

21-Jun-14 

200,000 

21-Jun-11 

21-Jun-13 

200,000 

21-Jun-11 

21-Jun-14 

200,000 

21-Jun-11 

30-Sep-14 

400,000 

30-Sep-11 

30-Sep-14 

9,967,500 

1.259 

1.259 

1.259 

1.259 

1.259 

1.171 

1.171 

1.171 

1.171 

0.981 

0.4210 

0.2917 

0.3463 

0.3463 

0.4640 

0.3842 

0.2587 

0.3038 

0.2979 

0.3842 

0.6840 

0.4740 

0.5630 

0.5630 

0.7540 

0.5887 

0.3964 

0.4655 

0.4564 

0.5887 

2.045

2.045

2.045

2.045

2.045

1.894

1.894

1.894

1.894

1.533

The weighted average fair value of shares during 2011 is £1.25 or US$2.0193 (2010: £1.72 or US$2.7017).Fair value was 
measured by the use of the Black and Scholes model where share-based payments have non-market based performance 
conditions. Where share-based payments are subject to market conditions, fair value was measured by the use of a Monte-
Carlo simulation. The Monte-Carlo simulation has been used to model the Company’s share prices against the performance 
of the chosen comparator Group and the FTSE 250 at the relevant vesting dates.  See the table below.

Exercise price 

£1.259 

£1.259 

£1.259 

£1.259 

£1.259 

£1.171 

£1.171 

£1.171 

£1.171 

£1.171

Expected volatility 

50.08% 

50.08% 

50.08% 

50.08% 

50.08% 

47.05% 

47.05% 

47.05% 

47.05% 

47.05%

Option life 

3 years  

3 years  

3 years  

3 years  

3 years  

3 years  

3 years  

3 years  

3 years  

3 years 

Dividend yield 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00 

0.00

Risk-free interest rate 

1.65% 

0.78% 

1.22% 

1.65% 

1.65% 

1.13% 

0.56% 

0.79% 

1.13% 

1.13%

The following table reconciles the outstanding share options granted under the Employee Share Option Plan, and other share 
based payment arrangements, at the beginning and end of the reporting period:

12 months  
to 31 December 2011 

6 months
to 31 December 2010

Number of 
options 

US$ Weighted average 
exercise price 

Number of 
options 

US$ Weighted average
exercise price

Balance at beginning of the period 

Expired/Lapsed during the period (b) 

Exercised during the period (c) 

Balance at the end of the period (d) 

Exercisable at the end of the period 

3,325,150 

(350,000) 

(1,345,000) 

1,630,150 

1,630,150 

1.2432 

1.8658 

1.1334 

1.20 

1.20 

4,950,150 

- 

(1,625,000) 

3,325,150 

3,325,150 

1.3334

-

1.5181

1.2432

1.2432

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104 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

105

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

27. SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

The following reconciles the outstanding share options granted under the EDLFSP and ELFSP at the beginning and end of 
the reporting period:

Balance at beginning of the period  

Granted during the period (a) 

Lapsed during the period (b) 

Exercised during the period (c) 

Balance at the end of the period (d) 

Exercisable at the end of the period 

12 months  
to 31 December 2011 

6 months
to 31 December 2010

Number of 
options 

US$ Weighted average 
exercise price 

Number of 
options 

US$ Weighted average 
exercise price

- 

9,967,500 

(2,495,278) 

- 

7,472,222 

- 

- 

 2.01195 

2.03138 

- 

2.00547 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

ESOP: Exercised during the financial period:

31 December 2011 - Options series 

Number 
exercised 

Exercise 
Date 

Share price at
exercise date 
US$

31 December 2010 - Options series 

Series 5  

Series 13 

Series 13 

Series 14  

Series 17 

10,000 

10,000 

100,000 

100,000 

125,000 

1,000,000 

1,345,000 

27 Jan 2011 

14 Mar 2011 

07 Apr 2011 

08 Apr 2011 

10 Jun 2011 

07 Dec 2011 

2.10

2.06

2.28

2.40

1.85

1.53

Series 14  

Series 20  

Number 
exercised 

Exercise 
Date 

Share price
at exercise date
C$

100,000 

25 Oct 2010 

70,000 

20,000 

40,000 

10,000 

10,000 

5,000 

85,000 

20,000 

30,000 

50,000 

100,000 

15,000 

100,000 

50,000 

10,000 

10,000 

15,000 

10,000 

250,000 

125,000 

500,000 

1,625,000 

6 Jul 2010 

8 Jul 2010 

15 Jul 2010 

16 Jul 2010 

27 Jul 2010 

30 Jul 2010 

11 Aug 2010 

18 Aug 2010 

31 Aug 2010 

6 Sep 2010 

9 Sep 2010 

10 Sep 2010 

23 Sep 2010 

24 Sep 2010 

29 Sep 2010 

9 Nov 2010 

11 Nov 2010 

15 Dec 2010 

23 Dec 2010 

17 Dec 2010 

8 Sep 2010 

2.85

2.40

2.42

2.49

2.41

2.41

2.46

2.63

2.75

2.87

2.88

2.86

2.89

2.92

2.93

2.88

2.99

3.06

2.51

2.66 

2.58

2.88

EDLFSP & ELFSP: There were no share options exercised during the year.

Other share based payments:
1,630,150 options (Series 18) were issued on 15 April 2009 pursuant with the agreement with Macquarie Bank Limited to 
provide a corporate loan facility of up to US$25 million (as announced on 2 April 2009). Those options are exercisable any 
time on or before 31 December 2012. All of these options remain unexercised.

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106 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

107

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

28. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

The aggregate compensation made to key management personnel of the consolidated entity and the Company is set out 
below:

Short-term employee benefits 

Long-term employee benefits 

Post-employment benefits 

Share-based payments 

Total 

                             Consolidated

31 December 2011 
12 months 
US$ 

31 December 2010
6 months
US$

2,257,547 

2,646,474

40,216 

33,215 

1,495,506 

3,826,484 

25,094

56,495

14,389

2,742,452

29. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

a) Equity interests in related parties
Equity interests in subsidiaries
Details of the percentage of ordinary shares held in subsidiaries are disclosed in Note 21.
Equity interests in associates and joint ventures
Details of interests in joint ventures are disclosed in Note 23.
b) Key management personnel compensation
Details of key management personnel compensation are disclosed below.
c) Key management personnel equity holdings 
The details of the movement in key management personnel equity holdings of fully paid ordinary shares in Centamin plc 
during the financial period are as follows:

31 December 2011 

Balance at 
1 January  
2011 

Granted 
as remuneration 
(LFSP) 

Received on 
exercise of 
options 

Net other 
change (1) 

Balance at 
31 December 
2011

Balance held
nominally

J El-Raghy  

T Schultz 

G Haslam 

M Arnesen 

M Bankes 

K Tomlinson 

P Louw 

H Brown 

C Aujard 

Y El-Raghy 

69,195,086 

1,000,000 

- 

1,250,000 

71,445,086 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

250,000 

- 

- 

1,000,000 

1,000,000 

(1,000,000) 

1,000,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

600,000 

225,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

50,000 

15,000 

60,000 

- 

37,500 

- 

- 

- 

50,000 

15,000 

60,000 

- 

637,500 

475,000 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

31 December 2010 

Balance at 
1 January  
2010 

Granted 
as remuneration 
(LFSP) 

Received on 
exercise of 
options 

Net other 
change (1) 

Balance at 
31 December 
2010

Balance held
nominally

C Cowden 

J El-Raghy  

T Schultz 

H S Bottomley 

T Elder 

H Michael 

M Di Silvio 

H Brown 

1,203,626 

69,195,086 

- 

2,650,000 

250,000 

75,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

125,000 

250,000 

- 

- 

- 

1,203,626 

69,195,086 

- 

(500,000) 

2,150,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

250,000 

75,000 

125,000 

250,000 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1) ‘Net other change’ relates to the on market acquisition or disposal of fully paid ordinary share.

d) Key management personnel share option holdings 
The details of the movement in key management personnel options to acquire ordinary shares in Centamin plc are as 
follows:

Balance at  
1 January  
2011 

Granted 
as 
remuneration 

Exercised 

Other 
changes 

Balance at 
31 December 
2011 

Balance 
vested during 
the financial 
period 

Balance
vested and
exercisable at
31 December  

2011

- 

- 

1,000,000 

- 

- 

- 

475,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(1,000,000) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(125,000) 

(350,000) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

31 December 2011 

C Cowden 

T Elder 

T Schultz 

J El-Raghy 

H Bottomley 

H Michael 

M Di Silvio 

H Brown 

31 December 2010 

Balance at  
1 January  
2010 

Granted 
as 
remuneration 

Exercised 

Balance at 
31 December 
2010 

Balance vested 
during the 
financial period 

Balance vested
and exercisable at
31 December 2010

C Cowden 

T Elder 

T Schultz 

J El-Raghy 

H Bottomley 

H Michael 

M Di Silvio 

H Brown 

- 

- 

1,000,000 

- 

- 

- 

600,000 

250,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,000,000 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,000,000

-

-

-

(125,000) 

(250,000) 

475,000 

175,000 

475,000

- 

- 

-

Apart from the details disclosed in this note, no key management personnel has entered into a material contract with the 
Company or the economic entity since the end of the previous financial year and there were no material contracts involving 
key management personnel interests at year-end.

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108 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

109

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

GLOSSARY

29. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)

e) Other transactions with key management personnel
The related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2011 are summarised below:

Mr J El-Raghy is a director and shareholder of El-Raghy Kriewaldt Pty Ltd (“El-Raghy Kriewaldt”). El-Raghy Kriewaldt 
provides office premises to the Company. All dealings with El-Raghy Kriewaldt are in the ordinary course of business and 
on normal terms and conditions. Rent and office outgoings paid to El-Raghy Kriewaldt during the period were A$62,356 or 
US$65,365 (six months ended 31 December 2010: A$33,480 or US$32,192).  

Mr C Cowden, a Non Executive Director until his resignation on 26 May 2011, is also a director and shareholder of Cowden 
Limited, which provides insurance broking services to the Company. All dealings with Cowden Limited are on normal terms 
and conditions. Cowden Limited was paid A$2,293 or US$2,397 during the six months ended 30 June 2011 (31 December 
2010: A$32,873 or US$31,661), with A$ 11,815 or US$12,349 paid to Cowden Limited to be passed on to underwriters for 
premiums during the six months ended 30 June 2011 (31 December 2010: A$220,687 or US$212,548).

f) Transactions with the Government of Egpyt
Royalty costs attributable to the Government of Egypt of US$13,360,000 (2010: US$2,604,000) were incurred in 2011.

g) Transactions with other related parties
Other related parties include the parent entity, subsidiaries, and other related parties.

During the prior financial period, the Company recognised tax payable in respect of the tax liabilities of its wholly owned 
subsidiaries.  Payments to/from the Company are made in accordance with terms of the tax funding arrangement. 
During the financial period the Company provided funds to and received funding from subsidiaries.

All amounts advanced to related parties are unsecured.  No expense has been recognised in the period for bad or doubtful 
debts in respect of amounts owed by related parties.

Transactions and balances between the Company and its subsidiaries were eliminated in the preparation of consolidated 
financial statements of the Group.

30. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent to year end the company acquired a further interest in Nyota Minerals Limited for US$ 4 million. In addition 
there was loss of a number of days of production due to illegal strike action at the Sukari Gold Mine in March 2012.  
Mr. Kevin Tomlinson was appointed to the board of directors on 17 January 2012.

Sukari currently benefits from the national industry subsidy in Egypt for diesel, when compared with international prices, 
has a beneficial effect of some US$150 per oz on the forecast cash costs for 2012. As announced there have been moves 
to withdraw this subsidy and whilst negotiations are ongoing it has been been necessary during the first quarter of 2012 to 
pay the international fuel price for roughly half of the Company’s fuel supply to ensure continuous operations pending the 
outcome of the negotiations.

There were no other significant events occurring after the reporting date requiring disclosure in the Financial Statements.

assay 
qualitative analysis of ore to determine its components

Au 
chemical symbol for the element gold

Board 
the board of Directors of the Group

Directors
the Directors of the Board of Centamin PLC

ESOP
Employee Share Option Plan

EDLFSP
Executive Director Loan Funded Share Plan

EELFSP
Employee Loan Funded Share Plan

Feasibility Study 
extensive technical and financial study to assess the 
commercial viability of a project

flotation 
mineral processing technique used to separate mineral 
particles in a slurry, by causing them to selectively adhere to 
a froth and float to the surface

g/t 
gram per metric tonne

grade 
relative quantity or the percentage of ore mineral or metal 
content in an ore body

dump leach 
a process used for the recovery of metal ore from typically 
weathered low-grade ore. Blasted material is laid on a 
slightly sloping, impervious pad and uniformly leached 
by the percolation of the leach liquor trickling through the 
beds by gravity to ponds. The metals are recovered by 
conventional methods from the solution 

Indicated Resource 
as defined in the JORC Code, is that part of a mineral 
resource which has been sampled by drill holes, 
underground openings or other sampling procedures at 
locations that are too widely spaced to ensure continuity 
but close enough to give a reasonable indication of 
continuity and where geoscientific data is known with 
a reasonable degree of reliability. An indicated mineral 
resource will be based on more data and therefore will be 
more reliable than an inferred resource estimate.

Inferred Resource
as defined in the JORC Code, is that part of a mineral 
resource for which the tonnage and grade and mineral 
content can be estimated with a low level of confidence. It 
is inferred from the geological evidence and has assumed 
but not verified geological and/or grade continuity. It is 
based on information gathered through the appropriate 
techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, 
pits, workings and drill holes which may be limited or of 
uncertain quality and reliability

JORC 
Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian 
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of 
Geoscientists and the Minerals Council of Australia

mill 
equipment used to grind crushed rocks to the desired size 
for mineral extraction 

mineralisation 
process of formation and concentration of elements and 
their chemical compounds within a mass or body of rock

resource 
concentration or occurrence of material of intrinsic 
economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such a form 
that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic 
extraction. The location, quantity, grade geological 
characteristics and continuity of a mineral resource are 
known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological 
evidence and knowledge. Mineral resources are subdivided 
into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories

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110 

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011

CENTAMIN ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2011 

111

GLOSSARY (CONTINUED)

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

mtpa 
million tonnes per annum

open pit 
large scale hard rock surface mine

ore 
mineral deposit that can be extracted and marketed 
profitably

ore body 
mining term to define a solid mass of mineralised rock 
that can be mined profitably under current or immediately 
foreseeable economic conditions

ore reserve 
the economically mineable part of a Measured or 
Indicated mineral resource. It includes diluting materials 
and allowances for losses which may occur when the 
material is mined. Appropriate assessments, which may 
include feasibility studies, have been carried out, and 
include consideration of and modification by realistically 
assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, 
environmental, social and governmental factors. These 
assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that 
extraction could be reasonably justified. Ore reserves are 
sub-divided in order of increasing confidence into Probable 
and Proven

ounce or oz 
troy ounce (= 31.1035 grams)

Probable
measured and/or indicated mineral resources which are not 
yet proven, but where technical economic studies show that 
extraction is justifiable at the time of the determination and 
under specific economic conditions

Production
Total attributable gold production, as stated throughout this 
document, is comprised of 100% of production from the 
group’s subsidiaries. 

Proven
measured mineral resources, where technical economic 
studies show that extraction is justifiable at the time of the 
determination and under specific economic conditions

recovery 
proportion of valuable material obtained in the processing of 
an ore, stated as a percentage 

stockpile 
an accumulation of ore or mineral formed to create a 
reserve for loading or when demand slackens or when the 
process plant is unequal to handling mine output

strip ratio 
the unit amount of spoil or waste that must be removed to 
gain access to a similar unit of ore or mineral 

material tailings 
material that remains after all metals/minerals considered 
economic have been removed from the ore

The report contains certain forward-looking statements.  
These statements are made by the directors in good faith 
based on the information available to them up to the time of 
their approval of this report and such statements should be 

treated with caution due to the inherent uncertainties, 
including both economic and business risk factors, 
underlying any such forward-looking information.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains “forward-looking information” 
which may include, but is not limited to, statements with 
respect to the future financial or operating performance 
of Centamin plc (‘Centamin’ or ‘the Company’), its 
subsidiaries (together ‘the group’), affiliated companies, 
its projects, the future price of gold, the estimation of 
mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of 
mineral reserve and resource estimates, the timing and 
amount of estimated future production, revenues, margins, 
costs of production, estimates of initial capital, sustaining 
capital, operating and exploration expenditures, costs 
and timing of the development of new deposits, costs and 
timing of future exploration, requirements for additional 
capital, foreign exchange risks, governmental regulation 
of mining operations and exploration operations, timing 
and receipt of approvals, consents and permits under 
applicable mineral legislation, environmental risks, title 
disputes or claims, limitations of insurance coverage and 
regulatory matters. Often, but not always, forward-looking 
statements can be identified by the use of words such as 
“plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, 
“estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “targets”, “aims”, 
“anticipates” or “believes” or variations (including negative 
variations) of such words and phrases, or may be identified 
by statements to the effect that certain actions, events or 
results “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “might” or “will” 
be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown 
risks, uncertainties and a variety of material factors, many 
of which are beyond the Company’s control which may 
cause the actual results, performance or achievements 
of Centamin, its subsidiaries, affiliated companies to be 
materially different from any future results, performance or 
achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking 
statements. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking 
statements may not be appropriate for other purposes 

than outlined in this document. Such factors include, 
among others, future price of gold; general business, 
economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; 
the actual results of current exploration and development 
activities; conclusions of economic evaluations and studies; 
fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the 
local currencies in the jurisdictions of the Group’s key 
projects; changes in project parameters as plans continue 
to be refined; possible variations of ore grade or projected 
recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes or slow-downs 
and other risks of the mining industry; climatic conditions; 
political instability, insurrection or war, civil unrest or armed 
assault; labour force availability and turnover; delays in 
obtaining financing or governmental approvals or in the 
completion of exploration and development activities; as 
well as those factors referred to in the section entitled 
“Risks and Uncertainties” section of the Management 
discussion & analysis. The reader is also cautioned that the 
foregoing list of factors is not exhausted of the factors that 
may affect the Company’s forward-looking statements.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important 
factors that could cause actual actions, events or results 
to differ materially from those described in forward-looking 
statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, 
events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated 
or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein 
are made as of the date of this document and, except as 
required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any 
obligation to update any forward-looking statements, 
whether as a result of new information, future events or 
results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that 
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as 
actual results and future events could differ materially 
from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, 
readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking 
statements.

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United Kingdom  
14 Berkeley Street 

LondonUK

W1J 8DX 

Egypt
361 El-Horreya Road

Sedi Gaber, Alexandria

Egypt

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7569 1670 

Telephone: +203 541 1259

Email: centaminplc@centamin.com

Facsimile: +203 522 6350

Australia
57 Kishorn Road

Mount Pleasant

Western Australia, 6153 

Telephone: +618 9316 2640

Facsimile: +618 9316 2650

Email: pgm@centamin.com.au

Email: centamin@centamin.com.au

Registered Office
Centamin plc
Ogier House

The Esplanade

St Helier

Jersey

JE4 9WG

Registered Company Number
7673091