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Centamin

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FY2018 Annual Report · Centamin
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CLEAR STRATEGY
MATERIAL UPSIDE
STAKEHOLDER RETURNS

Annual report 2018

 
 
 
 
Centamin plc is Egypt’s largest gold 
producer and a leading independent 
African explorer, developer and miner. 
The Company has a premium listing on 
both the London Stock Exchange and 
the Toronto Stock Exchange and is a 
constituent of the FTSE250. 

INSIDE THIS REPORT

INTRODUCTION

At a glance 

Our history 

Investment case 

1

2

4

STRATEGIC REPORT

Where we operate 

Chairman’s statement 

6

8

Chief Executive Officer’s 
statement 

Market review 

Business model  

Resources and  
relationships 

Strategy summary 

Strategy in action 

Key performance  
indicators 

Risk management 

Operational review 

Exploration review 

Financial review 

Corporate social 
responsibility 

14

17

18

20

22

24

34

38

50

55

70

80

Front cover image shows ore stockpile at Sukari.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Introduction 

Board of Directors 

Senior management  

Corporate governance 

84

94

96

98

Nomination report 

Audit and risk report 

Remuneration report 

100

108

118

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Directors’ responsibilities 146

Independent auditor’s  
report 

147

Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income  152

Consolidated statement of 
financial position 

153

Consolidated statement 
of changes in equity 

154

Consolidated statement 
of cash flows 

155

Notes to the consolidated 
financial statements 

156

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Company legal  
form and structure 

Advisers 

Glossary 

204

206

Forward‑looking  
statements 

207

208

About this report 

Centamin aims to produce a clear, open and 
transparent annual report which gives an accurate 
portrayal of our strategy and performance. We strive 
to improve our reporting year‑on‑year and welcome 
stakeholder feedback on how we are doing. 
Please give us your feedback: ir@centamin.com 

For further information about Centamin,  
please visit our website at www.centamin.com

At a glance

We recognise our responsibility to not only deliver operational 
and financial performance but to create lasting mutual benefits 
for our stakeholders through good corporate citizenship. 

Operational challenges navigated in 2018 have overshadowed the solid financial 
performance delivered, demonstrating the resilience of the business and exploration 
success towards developing future growth prospects.

Building on our strong safety record, we have implemented further measures to 
safeguard our employees. Our sustainability initiatives developed throughout 2018 aim 
to help the local communities and protect the natural environment in which we operate.

SUSTAINABLE HIGHLIGHTS

GROUP LOST TIME INJURY 
FREQUENCY RATE

WATER  
RECYCLED 

(per 200,000 working hours)

0.06

2017: 0.26

(% of seawater reused in 
closed circuit)

38.9%

2017: 53.2%

ENVIRONMENTAL 
INCIDENTS

(major incidents)

Zero

2017: Zero

DIRECT SUKARI 
WORKFORCE

(% employed locally to  
country of operation) 

1,497 (94%)

2017: 1,670 (93%)

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

GOLD  
PRODUCTION

ALL-IN  
SUSTAINING COSTS

CASH COSTS  
OF PRODUCTION

GROUP MINERAL 
RESOURCES

(oz)

(ounces sold)

(ounces produced)

(Moz) 

472,418oz

2017: 544,658oz

US$884/oz

2017: US$790/oz

US$624/oz

2017: US$554/oz

15.7Moz

2017: 15.0Moz

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

REVENUE

(US$m)

EBITDA

(US$m)

PROFIT  
AFTER TAX

(US$m)

CASH AND  
LIQUID ASSETS

(Debt free) 
(US$m)

TOTAL  
DIVIDEND

(US$m)

US$603m

2017: US$676m

US$258m

2017: US$309m

US$153m

2017: US$205m

US$322m

2017: US$418m

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

US$63.5m

(1)

2017: US$145m

(1)  Including the 

proposed final dividend 
of US$34.6 million 
(interim dividend paid 
of US$28.9 million).

1

INTRODUCTIONStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
Our history

THREE DECADES OF EXPLORATION SUCCESS 
DRIVING SUSTAINABLE VALUE CREATION

LISTED:  
London Stock Exchange (CEY), 
Toronto Stock Exchange (CEE) 

A leading independent African mineral explorer, 
developer and miner.

MARKET CAPITALISATION: 
US$1.6 billion (31 December 2018) 

Centamin’s principal asset is the Sukari Gold Mine 
(“Sukari”), geologically located along the Arabian 
Nubian Shield (“ANS”) in the Eastern Desert in southern 
Egypt. Sukari began production in 2009 and is the first 
large-scale modern gold mine in Egypt. Centamin has 
grown and developed Sukari into one of the largest 
and lower quartile cost gold mines in the world, 
with significant resource exploration upside. 

CUMULATIVE DIVIDENDS PAID: 
US$418.7 million

CUMULATIVE DIRECT FINANCIAL 
PAYMENTS in Egypt:  
US$367 million

SUKARI PROJECT CAPITAL 
RECOVERED: 100%

262,828oz

202,699oz

150,289oz

June 1995  
Centamin wholly owned subsidiary, Sukari 
Gold Mine (“SGM”) is established and the 
160km2 Concession Agreement is ratified by 
Parliament as Egyptian Law no. 222 

September 2000

Defined first JORC resource

May 2005

First modern mining exploitation lease 
awarded in Egypt

2007

Dual listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange 
(ticker: CEE); Completed Stage 1 
development, 4Mtpa processing plant

First gold pour 
on 24 June; 
Graduated to 
the Main Market 
of the London 
Stock Exchange 
(ticker: CEY)

1995-
2008

2

2009

2010

2011

2012

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

INTRODUCTIONSukari Gold Mine

What we know best

•  Centamin has transitioned Sukari through the business 
model, from exploration, financing, development, into 
operation and continues to create future value through 
sustainable investment and exploration upside. 

•  Leveraging off the Board and management, our African 
operating and exploration expertise and track record 
has allowed Centamin to selectively acquire 3,472km2 
of highly prospective land packages in Côte d’Ivoire. 

•  Produced 3.4Moz of gold since June 2009.
•  Operations started as an open pit mine with a 4Mtpa 

•  First significant gold discovery made in 2015.
•  Today, Doropo Project is a 2.13Moz indicated resource 

processing plant and dump leach operation.

•  Today, a +1Mtpa high-grade underground mine and 

+11Mtpa open pit mine feed the 12.6Mtpa processing 
plant and dump leach operations. 

•  Sukari current resource is +11.0Moz, including 7.25Moz 
of reserves, with significant resource growth potential.

and at an advanced economic assessment stage, 
scheduled for a development decision in 2020.
•  Today, the early stage greenfield ABC Project 
declared a maiden 650koz Indicated resource.

551,035oz

544,659oz

Maiden resource 
at Doropo, Côte 
d’Ivoire; Sukari 
underground 
reserve 
replacement in 
excess of mining 
depletion

Transitioned into 
profit share with 
our local partners 
in Egypt after 
US$1.2bn capital 
investment had 
been recovered; 
Commenced 
second 
underground 
decline: Cleopatra 
exploration and 
development 
decline

439,072oz

472,418oz

Record processing 
plant throughput 
of 12.6Mtpa; 
Record material 
mined from the 
Sukari open pit 
and underground; 
Sukari 
underground 
reserve 
replacement in 
excess of mining 
depletion; Maiden 
resource at ABC, 
Côte d’Ivoire

356,943oz

Completed Stage 
4 processing plant 
expansion to 
10Mtpa

377,261oz

All-share takeover 
of Australian 
listed Ampella 
Resources

Maiden interim 
dividend declared

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

3

INTRODUCTIONStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationInvestment case

Centamin’s core strategy remains to grow organically, maximising the value out 
of the existing operation, while progressing an active pipeline of future growth 
prospects through the discovery and development of orebodies that meet our 
operational and revenue objectives. 

1

RELIABLE 
DIVIDEND 
STREAM

Low-cost, long-life asset supports a sustainable long term dividend stream 
in conjunction with growth capital investment.

2

ESTABLISHED 
FOUNDATION:  
THE NEXT 
DECADE

3

ROBUST 
FINANCIAL 
STRATEGY

  Find out more on pages 28 and 29

Sukari is a Top 10 Tier 1 global gold asset with base case production greater 
than 500,000 ounces per annum, life of mine greater than 15 years and cost 
profile in the lowest half of the cost curve.

•  2019 forecast production 

490,000 – 520,000 ounces 
•  2019 forecast cash costs of 

US$675-US$725/oz produced 
and all-in sustaining costs of 
US$890-US$950/oz sold

•  Group reserves and resources: 
15.7Moz mineral resource, 
including 7.25Moz in reserves

  Find out more on pages 24 and 25

Strong, flexible balance sheet, US$322.3 million in cash and liquid assets, 
as at 31 December 2018, with no-debt instruments responsible returns 
for stakeholders.

•  Sustainable dividend stream, 

•  Self-funded organic growth 

US$418 million distributed over 
five consecutive years

•  Large direct and indirect employer 
of 2,337 workforce (2,099 are local 
to the country of operation) 
•  Total payments to the Egyptian 

government in excess of 
US$367 million 

•  Stringent cost management and 
disciplined capital allocation 

pipeline

•  Re-investment to sustain the 

core business for the long term 

•  Continuous investment in 

exploration, unlocking and 
extracting future value from 
asset portfolio underpinning 
long term growth

  Find out more on pages 26 and 27

4

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

INTRODUCTIONOur vision is to continue generating tangible value for our stakeholders, thereby 
contributing to the socio-economic development of our host countries, driving an 
improved standard of living and wellbeing of the communities we operate within.

4

DRIVING 
GROWTH 
THROUGHOUT  
THE ENTIRE 
VALUE CHAIN

Our focus is on maximising operational efficiencies at the world-class 
Sukari Gold Mine and near-mine exploration for additional sources of 
high-grade ore, while unlocking value from our highly prospective 
West African land package, identifying future growth prospects to 
compete for capital allocation. 

•  Exploration: mineral resource and 

•  Operations: maximising 

reserve upside across the 
portfolio offers the opportunity 
for further value creation with low 
capital intensity by increasing 
high-grade feed to the existing 
Sukari mill and through 
diversification across our West 
African land package 

operational efficiencies as 
the core area of immediate 
term growth

•  Processing: increase plant 

throughput 

•  Production: improve 

metallurgical gold extraction

  Find out more on pages 30 to 32

•  Industry-leading safety record of 
0.06 (Group) LTIFR per 200,000 
workplace hours

•  Strong emphasis on workplace 
training and development for 
all employees 

•  Sustainability initiatives in motion: 
significant plans to reduce CO2 
emissions through a planned solar 
farm and active measures to 
improve the recycling and reusing 
of seawater through the plant 

•  Listening to the community 

and wider stakeholders through 
a new grievance mechanism 

  Find out more on pages 32 and 33

5

SAFE AND 
RESPONSIBLE  
CORPORATE 
CITIZENS

We believe we can achieve this, through continued ethical employment, health education, 
workplace training, and with federal, local and growth investment. All underpinned by 
responsible mining, strong stakeholder engagement and reliable returns.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

5

INTRODUCTIONStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationWhere we  
operate

World-class mine with value driven 
organic growth pipeline.

EGYPT

  Operating mine

  Development

  Advanced exploration

  Exploration

CÔTE D’IVOIRE

BURKINA FASO

6

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

INTRODUCTIONOPERATING MINE

Sukari Gold Mine, Egypt

In its 9th year of commercial production, Sukari produced 
472,418 ounces, generating US$63.4 million in free cash 
flow and sustainable shareholder returns.

DEVELOPMENT

Cleopatra Exploration and 
Development Decline (“Cleo 
Decline”), Sukari Gold Mine

Located at the north of the Sukari porphyry, the Cleo 
Decline has been engineered to 1Mtpa material movement 
capacity. This decline provides exploration access into the 
Cleopatra zones, as another potential source of high-grade 
ore to the existing plant and to provide alternative access to 
the high-grade deeper levels of Ptah.

ADVANCED EXPLORATION

KEY FACTS
•  Open pit, underground and dump leach operation 
•  12.6Mtpa processing plant
•  7.25Moz total mineral reserve, underpinning at least 

a 15-year life of mine 

•  11.0Moz total resource (incl. reserves) 
•  174Mt at a grade of 1.1g/t in open pit reserves 
•  4.4Mt at a grade of 5.6g/t in underground reserves

KEY FACTS
•  2,560m of development decline completed 
•  20,000m of exploration drilling completed 
•  1.2Mt at 4g/t mineral resource
•  2019 exploration budget US$15 million: >10,000m 

drilling and >2,000m decline development

Doropo Project, Côte d’Ivoire 

Located on the northeast of Côte d’Ivoire, active 
exploration commenced at Doropo in late 2014. 
Exploration has delivered year-on-year resource 
expansion, while improving the geological blueprint 
across this highly prospective land package. 

KEY FACTS
•  2.13Moz indicated mineral resource with significant 

resource upside potential
•  2,721km2 licence holding
•  Mining: current resource suitable for open pit
•  Processing: undergoing viability studies for heap 

leach initially to fund CIL plant development
•  Economic feasibility study currently underway

EXPLORATION

Batie West Project, 
Burkina Faso 

Located in the southeast of Burkina Faso

ABC Project, Côte d’Ivoire

A new greenfield discovery in 2017, ABC is located along 
the underexplored Archean-Birimian Contact zone 
(“ABC”), lending the acronym to its namesake. Systematic 
drilling and ground exploration have returned excellent 
results on investment.

KEY FACTS
•  Total 1,100km2 licence holding; including 

exploitation permit over 64km2
•  1.35Moz Indicated mineral resource
•  Scoping study underway

KEY FACTS
•  650koz indicated maiden mineral resource 

delineated in 18 months of active exploration
•  Significant resource upside within resource area 

and along the LGC mineralised signature

•  750km2 licence holding
•  25,000m drilled to date
•  US$5.4 million invested, for an average discovery 

cost of US$8.50/indicated ounce 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

7

INTRODUCTIONStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationChairman’s  
statement

This year, against an operationally challenging backdrop, 
Centamin produced 472,418oz of gold, delivered a solid 
cost performance and returned excellent exploration 
results across our portfolio of assets.

Josef El-Raghy
Chairman

Dear shareholders, 

2018 performance 

Clear strategy 

This year, against an operationally 
challenging backdrop, Centamin 
produced 472,418 oz of gold, beat 
cost guidance and returned excellent 
exploration results across our portfolio 
of assets. Our workforce responded 
to the operational challenges with 
dexterity and professionalism.

Throughout 2018, the Company was 
in regular communication with you, its 
shareholders, and the broader market 
to revise expectations in accordance 
with the operational challenges faced. 
We recognise the impact of these 
short term revisions on the 
shareholder experience and would like 
to take this opportunity to thank you 
for your support and engagement. 
Together, we demonstrated the 
underlying resilience and financial 
robustness of the business and 
continued to make progress in 
delivering on our strategy. 

On behalf of the Board, herewith, I 
would like to present the 2018 results. 

Purpose-driven growth 

Ten years ago, we produced our first 
gold bar from Sukari, a seminal 
milestone in the Company’s history 
and the Egyptian modern mining 
industry. Today, we have produced in 
excess of 3.8Moz of gold from Sukari, 
with greater than 15 years’ scheduled 
future production from this global 
Tier 1 gold asset. 

I would personally like to thank our 
partners, the Egyptian Mineral 
Resource Authority (“EMRA”), for their 
support over the years – our shared 
vision of what we can, and have, 
achieved together is testament to the 
success of that partnership. Mining 
has yet to fulfil its true potential in 
Egypt, providing jobs, infrastructure, 
community opportunities, in addition 
to direct fiscal revenues through 
royalties and profit share. We look 
forward to continuing to work in 
partnership with EMRA to ensure 
Egypt develops its gold resources for 
future generations, delivering long 
term economic growth to the benefit 
of the country and all of our other 
stakeholders. 

Centamin’s core strategy remains 
focused and consistent: deliver 
organic growth by optimising the 
performance of our existing operation, 
while progressing an active pipeline of 
future growth prospects through the 
discovery and development of 
orebodies that meet our operational 
and cost objectives. Stringent cost 
management and closely managed, 
disciplined capital allocation has 
delivered another year of meaningful 
cash generated from operations of 
US$223.4 million. 

During 2018, we successfully delivered 
on most of our strategic pillars: 
Financial Flexibility, Stakeholder 
Returns and Active Growth Pipeline 
objectives, and made marked 
progress on Sustainability objectives. 
Operational developments in 2018 
meant we could not deliver against 
all the objectives set within our Asset 
Quality strategic pillar. Solutions 
implemented throughout the year 
demonstrated good progress: we 
fully exited the transitional zone, a 
spare LHDR is on site and operational, 
and we continue to work through the 
factors driving increased dilution in 
the underground, demonstrated by 
quarter improvements. While this 
remains a core area of focus, we 
believe we have navigated the 
challenges and have the right 
strategy in place to deliver on our 
promises in 2019 and beyond. 

8

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

INTRODUCTIONWarehouse and power station at Sukari.

Our aggressive approach to 
managing the bottom line, and 
thereby maximising cash flow, 
resulted in free cash flow generation 
of US$63.4 million, after the 
aforementioned stakeholder 
returns, in spite of a 13% decrease 
in gold production. 

In line with the Company’s sustainable 
dividend policy, the Board of Directors 
is pleased to propose a final dividend 
for 2018 of 3.0 US cents per share, for 
shareholder approval at the upcoming 
annual general meeting (“AGM”). 
The Board returned US$28.9 million to 
shareholders as an interim dividend of 
2.5 US cents per share. The proposed 
total dividend of 5.5 US cents per 
share, equal to US$63.5 million cash 
dividend payout for 2018, is equivalent 
to returning 100% of free cash flow 
to shareholders.

Board diversity

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Reliable stakeholder returns 

Centamin aims to generate tangible 
value for each of its stakeholders, 
thereby contributing to the 
socio-economic development of its 
host countries and supporting long 
term sustainable operations to the 
benefit of its employees, partners 
and communities. The Group 
workforce consists of 1,500 direct 
employees, 94% are local to the 
country of the asset, and a further 
840 contractors, of which 87% are 
employed locally. Operating and 
growing a regional hub-based 
approach lends itself to a cultural, 
ethnic and gender diverse workforce. 

In 2018, Centamin generated and 
distributed a total of US$99.6 million to 
our host country governments by way 
of profit share, royalties, tax and 
licence fees, and a further 
US$40.8 million paid to employees in 
benefits and salaries. Throughout the 
year, proactive local engagement with 
the communities we operate within has 
been a critical process in ensuring we 
understand their needs to effectively 
develop and deliver mutually beneficial 
sustainable initiatives. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

9

INTRODUCTIONStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
Chairman’s statement continued

Reliable stakeholder returns 
continued
The Company is in a strong financial 
position with cash and liquid assets 
of US$322.3 million, as at 
31 December 2018, and no debt or 
hedging in place. The Board 
continues to review capital allocation 
opportunities in line with the 
Company’s growth and cost 
objectives. We have a number of 
growth opportunities within our 
portfolio which we will progress until 
a stage we can measure them against 
our internal growth and cost 
objectives. The Company has a 
sustainable dividend policy in place, 
having returned US$418.7 million 
over the last five years (excluding the 
proposed 2018 final dividend) and 
regularly reviews alternative means 
of returning capital to shareholders.

Maintaining a strong  
Board for the future 

There has been a key focus 
throughout 2018 on succession 
planning and recruitment across the 
Group, not just at Board level. Routine 
review of the operational organisation 
structure and emphasis on 
professional development has resulted 
in multiple internal promotions and 
successful external recruitment, 
ensuring we have the right team to 
deliver our strategy. Sukari is operated 
from the ground, on a regional-hub 
approach, led by the General 
Manager. As Doropo continues to 
progress up the value chain towards 
potential development, we are 
expanding the regional team, ensuring 
we have the right people in place to 
deliver the next stage. 

At the Board level, we are delighted 
to welcome Dr Ibrahim Fawzy as an 
independent Non-Executive Director. 
Dr Fawzy is a pioneer who has been 
responsible for driving and developing 
Egyptian industry reform through the 
wide range of senior positions he has 
held over many years. His extensive 
experience within the public and 
private sectors will be an excellent 
complement to the corporate strategy 
and the strength of our existing 
balanced, multi-disciplinary Board. 

In March, Trevor Schultz stepped 
down from the Board having been 
with the Company for twelve years, 
much of which was successfully 
leading the phased construction of 
Egypt’s first modern mechanised gold 
mine. We wish him well in his future 
endeavours and look forward to 
preserving his legacy as we continue 
to maximise operational efficiency of 
Sukari’s infrastructure, as delivered in 
2018 with the plant throughput in 
excess of design capacity and 
improved recoveries. 

Succession planning will continue with 
vigour into 2019, maintaining a strong 
Board for now and the future. The 
Nomination Committee is actively 
pursuing the further appointment of 
three independent Non-Executive 
Directors, specifically with technical 
and capital market expertise. In 
particular, one individual who will 
succeed myself, as Non-Executive 
Chair, will guide the Board, 
management and Company forward 
in achieving our future milestones. 

Material upside

We start the tenth year of 
commercial production with an 
increased production outlook of 
490,000 – 520,000 ounces, as we 
are actively working through the 
outstanding factors impacting 
underground dilution at Sukari. 
These actions include the installation 
of a Cemented Hydra Fill Plant (CHFP), 
which will be used to stabilise the 
stoping voids and reduce the impact 
of dilution through cascading.

In 2018, we were able to contain our 
cost pressures on an absolute basis; 
however, in 2019 we forecast an 8% – 
11% increase in cash costs per ounce 
and a 1% – 7% increase in all-in 
sustaining costs per ounce. This is 
largely driven by increasing input 
costs, due to the increased volumes in 
both mining and processing, as well as 
rising fuel, reagent and consumable 
prices. The Company is in the final 
stages of a detailed design and 
feasibility study for a solar farm that 
could ultimately produce 
circa 40MW(AC). Once installed, this 
will deliver significant cost saving and 
environmental benefits, reducing our 
reliance on fossil fuels. 

This year we grew our global resource 
by 5% to 15.7Moz, predominantly 
driven by increased contribution from 
our Côte d’Ivoire assets. Sukari 
underground reserves were replaced 
in excess of mining depletion, 
delivering on our primary underground 
exploration objective. We remain 
confident in delivering further Group 
reserve and resource growth 
supported by consistent investment 
into exploration, potentially shaping 
future development prospects outside 
of Egypt as well as defining additional 
sources of high-grade tonnes at Sukari. 

10

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

INTRODUCTIONDrilling in West Africa.

Corporately we always look for an 
opportunity to increase our 
landholding within the underexplored 
Arabian Nubian Shield, leveraging off 
of our established in-country 
foundation, workforce, resources and 
technical expertise. Centamin, 
through the construction and 
operation of Sukari, has attracted in 
excess of US$1 billion in foreign 
investment into Egypt, the success of 
which makes us the largest direct 
financial investor in mining. We 
continue to work closely with EMRA 
and would support fiscally fair and 
commercial terms to unlock Egypt’s 
resource potential and attract more 
foreign investments, for the benefit of 
the country. 

We welcome you to attend the AGM, 
which will be held in Jersey on 8 April 
2019. The AGM result in 2018 required 
immediate action by the Board and a 
consultation process was undertaken 
with shareholders and proxy advisory 
groups to address their concerns and 
understand the reasons for the 
significant votes cast against the 
members of the Remuneration 
Committee and the remuneration 
policy/report. Following that review 
process and taking account of 
feedback following the consultation 
process, the Board is pleased to 
recommend the approval of the 
updated remuneration policy, 
remuneration report and performance 
share plan to shareholders at the 
forthcoming AGM. 

By order of the Board, for and on 
behalf of Centamin plc.

Josef El-Raghy

Chairman

1 March 2019

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

11

INTRODUCTIONStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information12

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTWhat’s in  this section14 Chief Executive Officer’s statement17 Market review18 Business model20 Resources and relationships22 Strategy summary24 Strategy in action34 Key performance indicators38 Risk management50 Operational review55 Exploration review70 Financial review80 Corporate social responsibilityStrategic  reportCentamin plc Annual report 2018

13

Cleopatra underground at Sukari.

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationChief Executive  
Officer’s statement

We are confident we have the right strategy 
in place to deliver on our objectives.

Andrew Pardey
Chief Executive Officer

As we reflect on 2018, I want to start 
by thanking you, our shareholders, for 
your loyal support and contribution. 
Engagement with shareholders and, 
more broadly, stakeholders is critical 
to the success of our business. 

Sustainability

Significant health, safety and 
environmental risks that affect the 
mining industry, affect us and how 
we operate. We believe it is crucial 
to learn from our peers, particularly 
in times of catastrophe, to 
understand our exposure to certain 
risks and ensure we have taken the 
necessary actions to mitigate against 
this happening. 

The health, safety and wellbeing of 
our workforce is central to our 
corporate culture. In 2018 we reduced 
our Group lost time injury frequency 
rate by 76% to 0.06 per 200,000 
workplace hours. It is with much 
sadness that earlier this month a 
drilling contractor, working at one of 
our Ivorian projects, was attacked by a 
swarm of killer bees. He sustained 
serious injuries and although he was 
rushed to the nearest facility for 
treatment, he later died. Our aim is to 
create an environment such that every 
person, employee and contractor 
returns home safely at the end of their 
shift – every incident, minor or serious, 
we learn from and look to apply ways 
of improving our work environment. 

There were no major environmental 
incidents to report during the year 
and there has been a reported 
reduction in low or minor incidents. 
The industry has been shaken by 
recent catastrophic tailings dam 
collapses. Centamin has one 
purpose-built active downstream 
tailings storage facility (“TSF”) at 
Sukari. The latest review confirmed 
the structural integrity of the TSF; 
however, a proposed required 
managing surface water levels off the 
TSF. Given the arid environment where 
the TSF is located, evaporation and 
re-use of the surface water through 
the plant provides adequate 
opportunity to manage this 
recommendation. We are also in the 
process of completing an external 
engineering study to build a second 
active downstream TSF, targeted for 
completion in 2024. 

Improvements for a better Sukari

This year Centamin’s performance 
was marred by operational challenges 
experienced in the open pit and 
underground at Sukari. As a team, 
our focus has been on resolving the 
challenges and improving how we run 
the operations. Total production for 
2018 was 472,418 ounces, a 13% 
reduction on 2017 (“YoY”). 

We have taken several corrective 
actions throughout 2018 to address, 
in part, the issues faced and mitigate 
future impact, including personnel 
changes in order to strengthen our 
operational leadership team, 
implementing improved controls, 
new underground technologies and 
closer management of underground 
operations, ensuring improved 
efficiency. There is further work to be 
done to return the operations back 
to a stable and reliable run rate and 
we are confident we have the right 
strategy in place to deliver on our 
objectives. 

The open pit, following another 
record quarter for material moved and 
ore mined, delivered higher grades as 
mining progressed deeper into 
Stage 4. This will continue into 2019 
as grades improve towards 1g/t. 
Open pit equipment availability, 
productivity and utilisation rates were 
excellent this year, as we mined 
through the transitional zone as 
quickly and efficiently as possible. 
In 2019, stripping will commence on 
Stage 5 transitional zone whilst ore 
mining will remain predominantly 
on Stage 4. 

14

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT24 hour operation at Sukari.

The success and scale of the 2018 
ABC discovery results and the 
reporting of the maiden Kona South 
resource in less than two years of 
active exploration, highlights the scale 
and quality of the Lolosso Gold 
Corridor and the regional generative 
potential of the ABC land package. 
We have only scratched the surface 
of the potential of these assets, and 
we will maintain the intensity of our 
exploration programme in 2019 to 
define further quality gold ounces.

Generating significant cash flow

The Group generated cash flow 
from operations of US$223.4 million, 
invested US$89.2 million in sustaining 
capital and distributed US$76.4 million 
to our Egyptian state partners, 
EMRA, by way of profit share, 
resulting in Group free cash flow 
generated of US$63.4 million. In 
the short-to medium-term, there 
continues to be a sustainable level of 
free cash flow generation, excluding 
any growth from additional sources 
of ore and material benefits from cost 
savings initiatives. 

Costs kept under tight control 

Delivering organic growth

We remain firmly focused on 
managing the bottom line as we 
continue to deliver on long term cost 
reduction initiatives and actively 
assess new cost reduction 
opportunities. Despite reduced 
production output and increasing cost 
input pressures, in 2018 we delivered 
costs comfortably within the bottom 
half of the global gold producing cost 
curve. Total unit cash costs of 
production of US$624/oz gold 
produced, up 13% YoY, and all-in 
sustaining costs of US$884/oz gold 
sold, up 12% YoY. Importantly, our 
absolute cost base remained broadly 
flat: total cash costs of production of 
US$289 million, a 4% reduction YoY, 
and all-in sustaining costs of 
US$420 million, a 1% reduction YoY. 
Where the build-up in stockpiles 
throughout the year helped to reduce 
costs, key focus areas for cost savings 
have been around improvements to 
fleet scheduling and utilisation, 
resulting in less trucks per unit moved; 
continued improvements in working 
capital, including significant reduction 
in warehouse stores inventory; and 
renegotiation of improved commercial 
terms on some key supply contracts. 

Exploration remains the foundation 
of our business. Continuous 
investment in exploration at Sukari 
allows us to continually improve our 
geological knowledge. Our objective 
is reserve replacement and resource 
expansion and again we have 
delivered that this year – replacing 
underground reserves in excess of 
underground mining and increased 
the underground measured & 
indicated grade by 5%. We continue 
to unlock the full potential of the 
underground. The orebody remains 
open at depth, to the south, and 
structurally within the porphyry. 

Throughout the year we increased our 
exploration activity in Côte d’Ivoire 
and we are delighted with the results. 
Doropo continues to demonstrate the 
potential to be our next organic 
development project. Ongoing 
exploration and concurrent viability 
studies will further unlock the potential 
future scale of this project as we 
assess the economics against our 
internal project value creation criteria. 
The pre-feasibility study is progressing 
well and we look forward to reporting 
the results to the market at the end of 
H2 2019. Delivery of a maiden reserve 
and further feasibility work are critical 
milestones for 2019, ahead of a 
Board decision on capital allocated 
for development. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

15

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationChief Executive Officer’s statement continued

Generating significant cash flow 
continued
The Company is in a strong financial 
position, with cash and liquid assets 
of US$322.3 million as at 
31 December 2018. We are confident 
we have the financial flexibility and 
agility to drive organic growth through 
our highly prospective exploration 
pipeline and are well positioned to 
take advantage of any market 
opportunities suitable for our business 
and growth strategy. Shareholder 
returns are a strategic priority. The 
Company has a sustainable dividend 
policy in place, delivering a fifth 
consecutive year dividend payout, 
and the Board regularly reviews 
alternative means of delivering 
shareholder returns. 

Several key personnel changes have 
been made at an operational level in 
Q4 2018 and, continuing in Q1 2019, 
this presents increased short term 
risks for significant medium and 
long term benefits.

We are confident we have the right 
strategy and personnel onsite to 
achieve on our main objective, 
returning Sukari to consistent and 
steady state production. Our strategy 
has always been to maximise margins 
through tight cost controls, deliver 
operational efficiencies and therefore 
enabling reliable returns to 
shareholders. By maintaining a 
strong balance sheet, we also have 
the ability to capitalise on 
opportunities for growth. 

Andrew Pardey

Chief Executive Officer

1 March 2019

2019 outlook and beyond

We enter 2019 with the same focus on 
driving operational efficiencies, always 
looking for opportunities to further 
optimise the operations, whether it be 
through continued investment in 
talented people, new technology or 
through adaptation of existing process 
and procedures. Our production 
guidance for 2019 is 490,000-520,000 
ounces, for total cash costs of 
US$675-US$725/oz produced and 
all-in sustaining costs of 
US$890-US$950/oz sold.

The Sukari mine plan production is 
weighted towards the second half of 
the year, with approximately 55% of 
ounces produced across Q3 and Q4 
2019. The main factor is the open pit, 
as Stage 4 grade improves with depth, 
balanced with increased stripping 
following the challenges with the 
transitional zone last year and 
stripping of Stage 5. Q1 is scheduled 
to be the weakest quarter, budgeting 
for 105-115koz. The open pit is 
performing in line with expectations 
and the focus is on resolving the 
factors driving increased dilution from 
the underground, including a new 
stoping plan and backfill plant. 

Drilling in Côte d’Ivoire.

16

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTMarket review

As a gold miner, Centamin is impacted by the dynamics of the gold 
market. Centamin maintains a no-hedging policy and remains firmly 
focused on extracting, processing and producing gold as responsibly 
and cost effectively as possible, maximising margins. 

Gold 

Precious metals faced up to the brunt 
of 2018’s macroeconomic storm, and 
yet given the further headwinds as a 
result of a strong USD, Federal rate 
rises and quantitative tightening, 
lower central bank purchases, 
persistently low inflation, weak 
physical demand and exchange 
traded fund (“ETF”) outflows, gold 
closed up 1% at US$1,280 per ounce 
at the end of 2018. In Q4, weakening 
USD, rising concern about global 
growth slowdown and increasing 
equity market turmoil were likely 
contributing market factors in 
approximately a US$100 per ounce 
increase in the gold price, from 
US$1,183 per ounce. 

According to the latest report from 
World Gold Council, a number of 
emerging markets significantly added 
to their holdings, notably Poland, 
Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan and China. 
Jewellery demand held broadly flat at 
2,200 tonnes with improving 
consumption in China, Russia and the 
US offsetting declines in India and the 
Middle East. Retail purchases of bars 
and coins increased 4% YoY from 
1,045 tonnes in 2017 to 1,090 tonnes 
last year; however, investment buying 
slumped 67% YoY as 2018 was a year 
marked by significant ETF outflows 
despite the resurgence in buying 
activity throughout Q4, with 69 tonnes 
of gold added throughout the year 
compared to 206 tonnes in 2017.

Supply

2019 outlook

Market consensus indicates a re-rating 
of the gold sector, backed by 
macroeconomic conditions, robust 
physical demand, safe haven 
investing, and diversification, present 
strong fundamentals for a rising gold 
price. Forecasts for a weaker USD, 
rising inflation, and an anticipated 
pause in interest rate hikes in the 
second half of 2019, all suggest the 
headwinds for gold could turn with 
momentum. A negative outlook for 
gold could be if a China-led industrial 
recovery occurs sooner than expected 
or global economic growth slowdown 
is coupled with increased financial 
market turmoil. 

Gold supply is likely to remain tight. 
Global exploration expenditure has 
increased 18% in 2018 but is still 50% 
of what the exploration spend was at 
its peak in 2012. With mines depleting 
resources and gold discoveries being 
made less frequently, it is likely to take 
some years before the increased 
investment in exploration will 
materialise into significant increases 
in gold supply. 

Demand

Worries about a global growth 
slowdown, geopolitical tensions and 
financial market volatility supported 
gold demand. Global gold demand 
increased 4% YoY in 2018, to 4,345 
tonnes. There was a remarkable 76% 
increase in annual central bank buying, 
totalling 651.5 tonnes, the most gold 
bought by central banks since before 
the USD was unpegged from gold 
in 1971. 

Market fluctuations:  
how we respond

Centamin maintains a no-hedging 
policy and remains firmly focused on 
extracting, processing and producing 
gold as responsibly and cost 
effectively as possible. The Company 
has achieved an impressive nine-year 
track record of positive free cash flow 
generation against a rapidly changing 
domestic and global economic 
environment, foreign exchange 
volatility and commodity cycles, 
namely gold and fuel price. To 
account for these changing variables, 
the Company regularly updates the 
reserve and resource statements 
accordingly. As part of a Group-wide 
sustainability initiative, respective 
studies have been done or are 
underway, assessing viable 
environmentally friendly options to 
reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, 
currently 20% of our cost base. 

•  Maintain strong balance sheet:  
US$322 million cash and liquid 
assets, no debt 
•  Maximise margins:  

US$383/ounce AISC margin 
•  Disciplined alignment of spend 

to cash flow:  
13% reduction in 2018 capex 
(against budget)

•  Completing solar farm 

feasibility study:  
40MW solar power, partial solution 
against 80MW p.a. fossil fuel 
consumption

Source of information for market review: 
SP Global Market Intelligence, 
World Gold Council, Bloomberg.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

17

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationBusiness model

We seek to create long term value for our 
stakeholders throughout the business cycle.

INPUTS

BUSINESS CYCLE

These are the  
key resources 
and relationships 
that underpin our 
business model

Natural resources

Experienced 
workforce and 
management 
team

Strong financial 
management

Dynamic  
relationships with  
key stakeholders 

The mining business cycle is not a mutually exclusive staged 
process. Centamin operates its mine throughout the year, with 
continuous investment into results-driven exploration activities 
and sustainability initiatives

Explore
Exploration is at the heart of everything we do, the foundation we are built upon, 
and will remain our competitive advantage for creating future value and ensuring 
business continuity. Our excellent geologists, with the support of technology, 
systematically and methodically explore our highly prospective West African 
landholding, making discoveries and unlocking resource value. Today, Centamin’s 
global resource is 15.7Moz of measured and indicated mineral resources. 

Develop
Centamin takes a modular approach to development, maximising cash flow and 
returns. Sukari was built over four stages to minimise execution risk and ensure 
more effective, responsible capital allocation. After stage one, the operation was 
able to fund the next stages of growth. Today, Sukari is a 12.6Mt per annum 
processing operation. 

Mine and process 
Preserving the integrity of the asset is core to our decision making. Maximising 
operational efficiencies through mining and processing to achieve the optimal 
gold output, cost effectively. Sukari is an established large-scale, low-cost open 
pit, underground and dump leach operation. Throughout 2018 Sukari 
continued investing in intellectual capital as key initiatives to maximise 
efficiencies, productivity and to improve risk assessment.

Refine 
Our end product is gold doré bars. All gold production is sent on a weekly basis to 
a refinery for smelting into bullion.

Sustain
Establishing and nurturing a strong social licence to operate is embedded 
within our decision making. Centamin has been creating long term value within 
Egypt for three decades, working in partnership with local stakeholders to 
develop Egypt’s modern gold mining industry. Today, with a mine life in excess 
of 15 years, Centamin looks forward to creating further value for all stakeholders 
in the decades ahead by growing production, fiscal contribution, employment 
opportunity and local investment.

18

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By nurturing a safe, innovative and responsible operating environment 
whilst generating significant cash flow and maximising shareholder returns.

OUTPUTS

LONG TERM VALUE CREATION

The key output of 
our value creation

Sharing and reinvesting our value creation with all stakeholders

Maximising 
free cash  
flow

+

Unlocking 
value from 
the asset  
portfolio

PROCESSES AND 
CONTROLS CREATE 
THE FRAMEWORK 
TO DELIVER OUR 
STRATEGY

•  Effective risk 
management

•  Disciplined cost controls 
and efficient capital 
allocation

•  Strong, active  

partnerships with 
countries and 
communities we 
operate in

•  Compliance within 

the legal and regulatory 
jurisdictions we 
operate in

•  Experienced leadership 
organisational structure

•  Well balanced 

multi-disciplinary Board 
ensuring a high 
standard of corporate 
governance

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

For employees
•  Centamin employs 1,497 people, of 

which 94% are employed locally to the 
respective asset or administrative office
•  In addition to earning income, excellent 
on-the-job training and professional 
development is provided

•  First priority is ensuring the workforce 

have a safe and healthy work 
environment

•  US$40.8 million in benefits and 

salaries to employees

For local communities
•  Creating sustainable communities 

through investment and employment
•  Implementation of new demand-driven 
health education and welfare initiative
•  Delivering sanitary, unpolluted water 

solutions

•  Aiding and constructing school 
facilities and athletic grounds

For governments
•  Centamin contributes to the national 

fiscus of the countries we operate in by 
way of royalties, taxes and profit share, 
contributing to the government’s ability 
to fund socioeconomic development
•  Group direct payments to governments 

of US$99.6 million

•  Indirect payments creating mutual 
stakeholder benefit include local 
employee and supplier income, 
permits and infrastructure investment

For shareholders
•  Generating reliable shareholder returns
•  EBITDA: US$257.9 million 
•  Profit before tax: US$152.7 million 
•  Earnings per share of US6.5 cents
•  Total dividend of US$63.5 million, 

including proposed final dividend of 
US$34.6 million, equivalent to 100% 
of free cash flow

For suppliers
•  Centamin conducts regular competitive 
tender processes to ensure mutually 
fair and reasonable supply contracts
•  Sukari’s long life of mine increases the 
likelihood of negotiating mutually 
beneficial long term supply contracts 
where appropriate

•  Established a reputation as a safe, 

ethical, local and international indirect 
employer

•  Developed a trusted track record for 
reliable supply chain engagement, 
increasing security of the supply chain 
and social licence to operate

For customers
•  Regular competitive tender processes 
with global refiners, to ensure mutually 
fair and reasonable terms

•  Centamin mitigates risk profile by 
entering into a refining offtake, 
currently with Asahi Refining 
Canada Ltd, for 100% of the gold 
Doré bars produced

•  Refining and transport charges 

of US$1.5 million

19

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationResources and  
relationships

Working in partnership with our stakeholders.

Fundamental to our business are relationships with employees, governments, suppliers, 
local communities and other stakeholders, underpinned by good corporate governance.

RESOURCES

Across Egypt,  
Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso

  Find out more on pages 18 and 19

RELATIONSHIPS

Stakeholder 
engagement

  Find out more on page 21

1. Skilled workforce and 
experienced management team

As a first mover for modern mining 
in Egypt, we have established an 
excellent training platform for 
continuous on-the-job training, 
development of skills and career 
progression. We operate in 
jurisdictions which provide good 
access to educated workforce and 
we ensure they are receiving the 
necessary training and skills to 
successfully execute on the 
corporate strategy. 

2. Natural resources

A large part of maintaining a social 
licence to operate is by minimising 
your environmental footprint. To 
operate we use water and fuel. Sukari 
operates a closed-circuit salt-water 
system, minimising the local 
community and environmental impact, 
while improving the cost efficiency 
through water recycling.

3. Strong balance sheet

Strict cost controls and disciplined 
capital allocation enable us to 
maintain a healthy balance sheet, 
generate reliable shareholder returns 
and continuously invest in growth 
exploration.

4. Property and equipment

We operate the processing plant and 
open pit mine assets, including 
equipment, plant and site 
infrastructure. The underground mine 
is operated and drilled by contractors, 
responsible for their own equipment. 
We believe this to be the optimal use 
of physical capital and with regular 
training and investment in technology 
we look to drive operational 
efficiencies and productivity. 

5. Relationships with our 
stakeholders 

Strong long term relationships with 
stakeholders are paramount to the 
success of the business. Regular 
stakeholder engagement is imperative 
to establish trust, loyalty and a clear 
understanding of each other’s needs.

20

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTSHAREHOLDERS

EMPLOYEES

•  Quarterly market operational reporting
•  Biannual market financial reporting
•  Regular corporate governance reporting 
•  Quarterly financial and operational presentations 

and interactive calls 

•  One-on-one meetings and presented at global 

conferences 

•  Hosted site tours of the operations 
•  Annual general meeting held with key Directors 

in attendance

•  Engagement with proxy advisory groups and 

shareholder stewardship teams

•  Monthly investor relations reports and regular 
market feedback communications to the Board

•  Daily pre-start and toolbox meetings
•  Safe and healthy workplace 
•  Training programmes and professional 

development

•  Performance reviews and appraisals
•  Information sharing

GOVERNMENTS

NGOs

•  Regular formal and informal engagement with 

respective ministries, including Egyptian 
General Assembly 

•  Routine on-site representation from EMRA 

representatives and audits under the 
Concession Agreement terms

•  Materiality assessment to ensure objectives 

are aligned

•  Transparent profit sharing, royalty, permit, 

tax payments

•  Direct job creation and indirectly through the 

supply chain

•  Meetings with counsel ministers in Côte d’Ivoire

•  Regular correspondence, including formal 

quarterly meetings
•  Materiality assessment
•  Dedicated engagement officers
•  Engagement of Digby Wells to assist in 

undertaking a Human Rights Impact Assessment, 
covering employees and the wider supplier chain 
through the development of a Supplier Code of 
Conduct

LOCAL COMMUNITIES

WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES

•  Regular communication between Head of 

Security, Public Relations department, Group 
Head of Sustainability
•  Materiality assessment
•  Hosted site tours of the operations
•  Updated grievance mechanism
•  Conducted detailed community perception study 
with Digby Wells; initiatives to be implemented

•  Direct and indirect job creation
•  Health and climate change education 

•  Materiality assessment
•  Workforce engagement will be actioned through 
the HSES Committee and the existing labour and 
workforce committees at Sukari

CONTRACTORS

SUPPLIERS

•  Induction and ongoing training
•  Contractor management protocols
•  Materiality assessment
•  Tendering and procurement procedures

•  Local suppliers, government suppliers, 

contracts and imports

•  Tendering and procurement procedures
•  Materiality assessments
•  Code of conduct, improvement in standards, 

welfare and human rights

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

21

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationStrategy summary

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS

PRINCIPAL RISKS

EMERGING/SECONDARY RISKS

OBJECTIVES

KPIs REPORTED IN 2018

KPIs SET FOR 2019

ASSET QUALITY

Achieving production estimates 

Governance and regulation 

Political risk – Sukari 

Business development 

Reserve and resource estimates 

Capital projects 

TSF integrity 

FINANCIAL 
FLEXIBILITY

Single project dependency 

Corporate action 

Relationship with EMRA 

Business development 

Tax exposure 

Political risk – Sukari 

Litigation 

Production estimates 

Gold price 

Capital projects 

Governence and regulation 

STAKEHOLDER 
RETURNS

Single project dependency 

Corporate action 

Relationship with EMRA 

Business development 

Tax exposure 

Political risk – Sukari 

Litigation 

Production estimates 

Gold price 

Capital projects 

Governence and regulation 

ACTIVE GROWTH 
PIPELINE

Exploration development success 

Business development 

Political risk – Sukari 

Capital projects 

Reserve and resource estimates 

Political risk – West Africa 

Local security – West Africa 

Governence and regulation 

Active growth pipeline 

SUSTAINABILITY

Relationship with EMRA 

Maintain licence to operate 

Political risk 

Governance and regulation 

TSF integrity 

Local security (West Africa) 

Retention of personnel 

22

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

• 

Identify high-grade underground 

•  Group reserve and resources: 7.25Moz 

•  Target underground reserve 

•  Generate free cash flow in 

•  US$322 million cash and liquid assets as at 

•  Forecast gold production for 2019 

production from Sukari

reserves within 15.6Moz resources 

• 

Improve plant throughput rates 

•  Open pit truck availability: 94%

and open-pit mining rates at Sukari

•  Processing plant utilisation: 95%

•  Plant recoveries: 88.7% 

•  Stable production with 

opportunities for further increases 

through optimisation

•  Maintaining a low-cost operation

accordance with budgets and 

forecasted production targets

•  Maintain a strong and flexible 

balance sheet

•  Earn revenue in accordance with 

forecasted production targets

•  Fully funded organic growth 

pipeline and robust reinvestment 

back into the business 

•  No debt, no hedging, no streaming

31 December 2018

•  Gold production: 472,418 ounces

•  Cash cost of production: US$624/oz

•  All-in sustaining cost: US$884/oz

replacement and resource growth 

through effective utilisation of 

exploration budgets

•  Centamin’s target is to manage and 

spend the sustaining capital budget 

in accordance with achieving its 

forecasted production targets and 

extending the life of its assets

of 490,000 to 520,000 ounces

•  Targeted range of US$675 to 

US$725 cash cost of production 

per ounce

•  Targeted range of US$890 to 

US$950 per ounce all-in 

sustaining cost

•  Dividends take first priority on use 

•  Group direct payments to government 

•  Annual dividend of at least 30% of 

of free cash flow

US$99.6 million including payment to our 

free cash flow after sustaining capital 

•  Distribute to shareholders as 

operating host country, Egypt 

dividends in accordance with the 

•  Profit share US$76.4 million 

Company’s dividend policy

•  Royalties US$18.4 million 

•  Profit share and royalty payments 

in accordance with the Concession 

•  Proposed total shareholder dividend 

US$63.5 million 

Agreement

and profit share and before 

exploration expenditure outside 

of Sukari

•  The Board continues to review capital 

allocation opportunities in line with 

the Company’s growth and cost 

objectives

•  Resource/reserve replacement and 

•  7.25Moz Sukari reserve, with underground 

•  Evaluate potential for additional 

expansion at Sukari

exceeding reserve replacement 

sources of high-grade underground 

•  Optimise growth from existing 

•  58% mineral resource upgrade at Doropo, 

ore at Sukari

operations by increasing 

high-grade underground mining 

rates and processing plant 

PEA underway

at ABC 

•  650koz maiden mineral resource delineated 

•  2,560 metres of Cleopatra development 

•  Regional exploration across 

decline completed, producing 9koz gold

•  Resource expansion and project 

•  Workforce: Ensure robust safety 

Employees:

upgrades

West Africa 

•  M&A activity for greenfield or 

early exploration

standards that protect the 

workforce every day 

•  Environment: Responsibly manage 

and minimise the environmental 

impact of Centamin’s activities

•  Community: Improve 

socio-economic development in 

countries of operation, and 

improve the standard of living and 

wellbeing for host communities

•  Reduced LTIFR by 76% 

•  Developed new grievance mechanism

Environment:

•  33% reduction in all environmental incidents

•  No major environmental incidents 

•  Completed competitive tender process for 

solar developer, appointed Bre-Gen

Community: 

•  Scholarship programmes for geology 

students in Egypt and United Kingdom

•  Community investment US$0.75 million

•  Continue to replace high-grade 

underground reserve at Sukari

•  Regional exploration programmes 

over the Sukari tenement

evaluation across West Africa 

•  Evaluate selective M&A 

opportunities with the potential to 

develop low-cost projects

• 

 Reduce LTIFR, targeting zero-harm 

workplace 

•  Reduce reliance on fossil fuels 

through solar farm project

•  Reduce CO2 emissions by 

improving operational energy 

efficiencies: training to improve 

equipment productivity

• 

Improve water usage efficiency; 

targeting a 50:50 balanced 

water circuit

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS

PRINCIPAL RISKS

EMERGING/SECONDARY RISKS

OBJECTIVES

KPIs REPORTED IN 2018

KPIs SET FOR 2019

ASSET QUALITY

Achieving production estimates 

Governance and regulation 

Political risk – Sukari 

Business development 

Reserve and resource estimates 

Capital projects 

TSF integrity 

FINANCIAL 

FLEXIBILITY

Single project dependency 

Corporate action 

Relationship with EMRA 

Business development 

Capital projects 

Governence and regulation 

Tax exposure 

Political risk – Sukari 

Litigation 

Production estimates 

Gold price 

Tax exposure 

Political risk – Sukari 

Litigation 

Production estimates 

Gold price 

STAKEHOLDER 

RETURNS

Single project dependency 

Corporate action 

Relationship with EMRA 

Business development 

Capital projects 

Governence and regulation 

ACTIVE GROWTH 

PIPELINE

Exploration development success 

Business development 

Political risk – Sukari 

Capital projects 

Reserve and resource estimates 

Political risk – West Africa 

Local security – West Africa 

Governence and regulation 

Active growth pipeline 

SUSTAINABILITY

Relationship with EMRA 

Maintain licence to operate 

Political risk 

Governance and regulation 

TSF integrity 

Local security (West Africa) 

Retention of personnel 

• 

• 

Identify high-grade underground 
production from Sukari

•  Group reserve and resources: 7.25Moz 
reserves within 15.6Moz resources 

Improve plant throughput rates 
and open-pit mining rates at Sukari

•  Open pit truck availability: 94%

•  Processing plant utilisation: 95%

•  Plant recoveries: 88.7% 

•  Target underground reserve 

replacement and resource growth 
through effective utilisation of 
exploration budgets

•  Centamin’s target is to manage and 
spend the sustaining capital budget 
in accordance with achieving its 
forecasted production targets and 
extending the life of its assets

•  US$322 million cash and liquid assets as at 

31 December 2018

•  Forecast gold production for 2019 
of 490,000 to 520,000 ounces

•  Gold production: 472,418 ounces

•  Targeted range of US$675 to 

•  Cash cost of production: US$624/oz

•  All-in sustaining cost: US$884/oz

US$725 cash cost of production 
per ounce

•  Targeted range of US$890 to 
US$950 per ounce all-in 
sustaining cost

•  Stable production with 

opportunities for further increases 
through optimisation

•  Maintaining a low-cost operation

•  Generate free cash flow in 

accordance with budgets and 
forecasted production targets
•  Maintain a strong and flexible 

balance sheet

•  Earn revenue in accordance with 
forecasted production targets

•  Fully funded organic growth 

pipeline and robust reinvestment 
back into the business 

•  No debt, no hedging, no streaming

•  Dividends take first priority on use 

•  Group direct payments to government 

•  Annual dividend of at least 30% of 

of free cash flow

•  Distribute to shareholders as 

dividends in accordance with the 
Company’s dividend policy

•  Profit share and royalty payments 

in accordance with the Concession 
Agreement

US$99.6 million including payment to our 
operating host country, Egypt 

•  Profit share US$76.4 million 

•  Royalties US$18.4 million 

•  Proposed total shareholder dividend 

US$63.5 million 

free cash flow after sustaining capital 
and profit share and before 
exploration expenditure outside 
of Sukari

•  The Board continues to review capital 
allocation opportunities in line with 
the Company’s growth and cost 
objectives

•  Resource/reserve replacement and 

•  7.25Moz Sukari reserve, with underground 

•  Evaluate potential for additional 

expansion at Sukari

exceeding reserve replacement 

•  Optimise growth from existing 

•  58% mineral resource upgrade at Doropo, 

operations by increasing 
high-grade underground mining 
rates and processing plant 
upgrades

•  Regional exploration across 

West Africa 

•  M&A activity for greenfield or 

early exploration

PEA underway

•  650koz maiden mineral resource delineated 

at ABC 

•  2,560 metres of Cleopatra development 
decline completed, producing 9koz gold

•  Workforce: Ensure robust safety 

Employees:

standards that protect the 
workforce every day 

•  Environment: Responsibly manage 
and minimise the environmental 
impact of Centamin’s activities

•  Community: Improve 

socio-economic development in 
countries of operation, and 
improve the standard of living and 
wellbeing for host communities

•  Reduced LTIFR by 76% 

•  Developed new grievance mechanism

Environment:

•  33% reduction in all environmental incidents

•  No major environmental incidents 

•  Completed competitive tender process for 

solar developer, appointed Bre-Gen

Community: 

•  Scholarship programmes for geology 

students in Egypt and United Kingdom

•  Community investment US$0.75 million

sources of high-grade underground 
ore at Sukari

•  Continue to replace high-grade 
underground reserve at Sukari

•  Regional exploration programmes 

over the Sukari tenement

•  Resource expansion and project 
evaluation across West Africa 

•  Evaluate selective M&A 

opportunities with the potential to 
develop low-cost projects

• 

 Reduce LTIFR, targeting zero-harm 
workplace 

•  Reduce reliance on fossil fuels 
through solar farm project
•  Reduce CO2 emissions by 

improving operational energy 
efficiencies: training to improve 
equipment productivity

• 

Improve water usage efficiency; 
targeting a 50:50 balanced 
water circuit

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

23

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationAsset 
quality

We always strive to improve 
operational efficiencies to ensure we 
preserve the integrity of our assets – 
orebody, equipment, human capital. 

Open pit truck 
availability: 
94%

Group reserve 
and resources:  
7.25Moz 
reserves within 
15.7Moz 
resources

Processing 
plant 
utilisation: 
95%

Plant 
recoveries:  
88.7%

View of processing plant and Sukari Hill.

24

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategy  in actionCASE STUDY

Uncompromised commitment to drive operational efficiencies

Operational execution below the standards with which 
we set, expect and train our workforce and contractors to 
deliver, materially contributed to the operational 
headwinds faced in 2018. 

How we responded

Increased mining dilution in the underground was an 
impacting factor experienced in 2018. Centamin, in good 
working partnership with the underground contractors 
and third-party consultants, underwent a review of 
processes and procedures to identify areas for 
improvement, including assessing alternative mining 
methods. Several changes were implemented to reduce 
the level of dilution and improve the operational reaction 
time in the future. This work remains ongoing to fully 
resolve this operational issue impacting performance.

Results

Tighter blasting to bogging tonnage reconciliation, 
smaller blasting rings, smaller sublevel caving (where 
appropriate), constructing a cemented hydraulic fill plant 
to backfill stopes, recruitment of further personnel. 
All supported by updated and refreshed training. 

Operational outcome

Quarter-on-quarter improvements in the second half. 
Close monitoring of results in conjunction with the 
application of further improvements are expected 
throughout 2019. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

25

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationFinancial 
flexibility

US$322 million cash and liquid 
assets as at 31 December 2018

Our robust balance sheet and aggressive approach to 
managing the bottom line, maximising cash flows, 
affords the Company the financial flexibility to fund and 
drive growth organically, whilst maintaining agility with 
which to seize value-accretive opportunities that may 
arise in our rapidly changing market. 

No debt 

No hedging 

No streaming

Fully funded 
organic growth 
pipeline 
and robust 
reinvestment 
back into the 
business

Water truck at Sukari.

26

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategy  in actionCASE STUDY

Cost-saving culture entrenched in day-to-day decision making

Underpinned by the fundamentals of our business 
model, we focus on minimising the cost base with 
stringent cost management and driving future growth 
with competitive, disciplined capital allocation. 
Increasing inflationary cost pressures experienced 
throughout 2018, including global rising fuel prices, 
Egyptian economic reform impacting local inflation 
and cyclical increase in mining sector activity impacting 
cost of supplies. 

How we responded

Increased frequency of cost base and capital allocation, 
to maximise response time. Daily cost-benefit review of 
capital allocation at site with the General Manager. 
Regular routine prioritising of longer-term capital 
initiatives against the changing market pressures. 

Results 

Continued reduction in warehouse stores and working 
capital reductions from US$100 million to US$70.2 million 
as at 31 December 2018. Workplace owner-operator 
equipment training in response to rising open pit costs 
due to significant increase in material moved, as mining 
progressed through the transitional zone. The successful 
targeted training, improved productivity and availability 
of equipment, resulting in less equipment utilised and 
therefore requiring less input costs. Open pit costs per 
tonne reduced by 11% to US$1.47/tonne moved. 
Enterprise Asset Management (“EAM”) software 
investment, current staged roll-out procurement 
efficiency mechanism. Good established in-country 
reputation, combined with a robust long life of mine 
asset, has helped facilitate the negotiation of improved 
contractual terms with some suppliers and contractors. 

Outcome 

Generated positive free cash flow of US$63.4 million in a 
challenging market environment and weaker operational 
performance.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

27

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationStakeholder 
returns

We recognise the importance of 
maintaining good relationships and 
working in the best interests of all 
our stakeholders. 

Employee 
benefits  
and salaries 
US$40.8 
million

% increase 
in local 
workforce 
4%

Proposed total 
shareholder 
dividend 
US$63.5 
million

Community 
investment 
US$0.75 
million 

Group direct payments to 
government 
US$99.6 million
including payment to our 
operating host country, Egypt

Profit share
US$76.4 
million 

Royalties
US$18.4 
million 

Core samples from Underground drilling.

28

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategy  in actionCASE STUDY

Centamin is committed to maximising stakeholder returns

Strong stakeholder engagement throughout the year 
allows us to identify and maximise mutually beneficial 
transparent returns in achieving short and long term 
objectives for the business, employees, shareholders, 
communities, host countries and environment. 

Centamin’s meaningful and transparent fiscal 
contribution to government through profit share and 
royalties and reliable shareholder returns through cash 
dividends are well understood fundamentals of our 
investment case. Our strong sense of responsibility for 
the wellbeing and future of our workforce is paramount 
to our success. Acknowledging socio-economic factors 
outside of the workplace can materially impact the 
wellbeing of our workforce. For example, as Egypt 
navigates tough economic reform, hyperinflation was 
experienced in 2016/17. 

In 2016 and 2017, salary increases of 25% and 20%, 
respectively, were provided for the entire local Egyptian 
workforce. In 2018, whilst headline inflation came down 
to below 15%, a scaling 15-30% salary increase was 
provided to the local Egyptian workforce based on an 
independent benchmark salary survey. Centamin have 
always remunerated our local workforce in the top 
quartile, understanding the value and importance in 
attracting and retaining quality individuals, continuity for 
long term sustainability and career progression. 

Results

A technically strong, loyal workforce, improving 
productivity and efficiencies. 95% of the workforce in 
Egypt are local employees. Approximately 50% of the 
Heads of Department roles are occupied by Egyptians at 
Sukari, demonstrating strong professional development. 

How we responded 

Outcome 

Empowering our workforce with the required knowledge 
and skills through investment in training, on site or 
external professional development, and equipment and 
technology, is part of the foundation the Company was 
built upon. We are always exploring new ways to 
motivate and assist our workforce with career 
progression within the organisation while attracting new 
talented employees.

Investment in our people contributes to achieving a 
strong and more reliable overall performance, while 
indirectly contributing to the wellbeing and standard of 
living of our workforce families and local communities, in 
turn creating a multiplier effect driving socio-economic 
development within our host countries. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

29

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationActive  
growth 
pipeline

Our business starts and ends with geology. 
Exploration is at the heart of everything we do. 

Portfolio management: Our focus is on our core business and driving 
operational efficiencies, while at the same time, steadily unlocking value 
from our highly prospective West African land package.

Uncompromising prudent management of our balance sheet has meant we 
can continue to invest in cyclical downturns. Investment in exploration, 
talented geologists and technology are all fundamental to creating value 
through successful discovery of orebodies, development and mining. Ensuring 
we attract talented local workforce gives us the jurisdictional and geological 
expertise necessary to strengthening our presence in the established and 
highly prospective growth areas we operate in.

7.25Moz 
Sukari 
reserve, with 
underground 
exceeding 
reserve 
replacement

650koz 
maiden mineral 
resource 
delineated at 
ABC

58% mineral 
resource 
upgrade at 
Doropo, PEA 
underway

2,560m of 
Cleopatra 
development 
decline 
completed, 
producing 
9koz gold

Top of the crushed ore stockpile at Sukari.

30

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategy  in actionNEAR TERM (1-2 YEARS)

MEDIUM TERM (3-5 YEARS)

•  Optimise growth from existing operations by 

•  Maximise sustainable production profile at Sukari 

increasing high-grade underground mining rates 
and processing plant upgrades

by fully unlocking underground potential

•  Development and first production in West Africa, 

•  Evaluate potential for additional sources of 

assuming positive project evaluation

high-grade underground ore at Sukari

•  Continue to replace high-grade underground 

reserve at Sukari 

•  Regional exploration programme over the 

Sukari tenement

•  Resource expansion and project evaluation 

at Doropo, Côte d’Ivoire

•  Resource expansion and project evaluation 

at Batie West, Burkina Faso

•  Resource expansion and regional exploration 

at ABC Project, Côte d’Ivoire

•  Continue to evaluate selective M&A opportunities 
with the potential to develop low-cost projects
•  Expand landholding in operating jurisdictions

LONG TERM (5+ YEARS)

•  Continue to expand Group reserves and production 

through exploration

•  Become a multi-asset gold producer maintaining 

low-cost profile

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

31

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationSustainability

Developing a sustainable business 
that is strategically imperative.

People are fundamental to the 
success of our business. Centamin is a 
multijurisdictional business, structured 
with regional hubs and thereby 
employing and contributing locally. 
This lends itself to a cultural, ethnic 
and gender diverse global workforce. 

We are committed to protecting our 
people, our supply chain and the 
communities we work in, as well as the 
assets we discover, design, build, 
operate and maintain. 

Health and safety 

Our aspiration is for zero work-related 
incidents. We want to protect and 
improve the health of our workforce 
(direct employees and contractors) 
and the communities we operate 
within. 

Environment

We aim to prevent, control and 
mitigate our impact on 
the environment and help to educate 
our workforce and local community on 
ways to improve resource usage. 

Tree plantation in West Africa.

32

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategy  in actionCASE STUDY

Investing in future generations

As the only operating gold mine in Egypt, Centamin 
workplace training and employee development are part 
of the foundation the Company was built on. Egypt has a 
very high literacy rate and provides access to a well-
educated workforce to train in the technical skills of 
modern mining. Today, over 95% of our workforce at 
Sukari is Egyptian, operating a Tier 1 global gold mine. 

How we responded

To encourage the next generation of geologists, the 
Company has created two university grants: 

•  The Richard Osman Memorial Fund, in memory of 
a friend, colleague and passionate geologist. 
The scholarship offers full financial aid to two 
outstanding masters students each year at the 
University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines in the 
United Kingdom, pursuing a degree in MSc in Mining 
and Geology, including practical experience in the 
field at our operations.  

•  The Michael Kriewaldt Scholarship was structured in 

conjunction with the Company’s founder, Sami 
El-Raghy. The grant sponsors an outstanding geology 
major student at the University of Alexandria Faculty 
of Science in Egypt, to enrol at the postgraduate 
research programme of the geology department of 
the university for their MSc and/or PhD in mining and 
mineral resources. 

Results 

Today, from a shortlist of eight outstanding candidates, 
two were offered scholarship funding as part of 
The Richard Osman Memorial Fund. A selection process  
for candidates in Egypt is currently underway.

2018 PERFORMANCE

2019 OBJECTIVES

•  Reduced LTIFR by 76% 
•  33% reduction in all environmental incidents
•  No major environmental incidents 
•  Increased community direct investment 
•  Set up scholarship programmes for geology 

students at University of Alexandria, Egypt and at 
the Camborne School of Mines, Exeter University, 
United Kingdom (see case study)

•  Report in line with Global Reporting Initiatives
•  Completed competitive tender process for solar 

developer, appointed Bre-Gen

•  Developed new grievance mechanism

•  Reduce LTIFR, targeting zero-harm workplace 
•  Complete 40MW(AC) solar farm feasibility study 

(subject to Board capital allocation approval in 2019, 
using a lower-risk, modular build and 
implementation approach, starting with 15MW(AC)) 

•  Reduce reliance on fossil fuels
•  Reduce CO2 emissions 
•  Improve operational energy efficiencies: training 

to improve equipment productivity

•  Improve water usage efficiency; targeting a 

50:50 balanced water circuit

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

33

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationKey performance  
indicators

Centamin sets KPI targets and assesses performance 
against these benchmarks on a regular basis.

Gold production (Ounces)

2018

2017

2016

-13%

472,418

544,658

551,036

Link to strategy:
Asset quality, Stakeholder returns,  
Financial flexibility

Definition

Performance

Gold production is our 
primary output. It is the 
cumulative number of gold 
ounces produced from our 
Sukari operation and one of 
the key measures to track 
progress made in increasing 
our productivity levels. 

Gold production for 2018 
was 472,418 ounces, a 13% 
reduction on the prior year 
(2017: 544,658oz) driven by 
lower than expected grade 
from open pit and 
underground.

Outlook

Forecast gold 
production for 
2019 of 490,000 
to 520,000 
ounces.

Cash costs of production(1) (US$ per ounce produced)

2018

2017

2016

+13%

624

554

513

Link to strategy:
Financial flexibility, Stakeholder returns

Definition

Performance

Cash cost of production 
per ounce is a non-GAAP 
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. 

Cash costs of production 
increased to US$624 per 
ounce produced on the 
prior year (2017: US$554), 
driven predominantly by a 
15% decrease in gold 
ounces produced (excluding 
Cleopatra), an increase in 
mined and processed 
tonnes and an increase in 
fuel and reagent costs.

Outlook

Targeted range 
of US$675 to 
US$725 cash 
cost of 
production 
per ounce.

All-in sustaining cost(1) (US$ per ounce sold)

2018

2017

2016

+12%

884

790

694

Link to strategy:
Financial flexibility, Stakeholder returns

Definition

Performance

AISC, a non-GAAP measure, 
is an extension of the 
existing ‘cash cost’ metric 
and incorporates all costs 
related to sustaining 
production and in particular 
recognising the sustaining 
capital expenditure 
associated with developing 
and maintaining gold mines.

AISC of US$884 per ounce 
sold was below our forecast, 
but was an increase on the 
prior year (2017: US$790), 
mainly due to a 12% 
decrease in gold ounces 
sold (excluding Cleopatra), 
increased production costs 
and higher sustaining capital 
costs resulting from planned 
fleet rebuilds.

Outlook

Targeted range 
of US$890 to 
US$950 per 
ounce all-in 
sustaining cost.

Links to Executive remuneration through the bonus structure and/or long term performance share plan.

(1)  Cash cost of production, AISC, EBITDA and cash, bullion on hand, gold sales receivables, financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive 

income and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures and are defined at the end of the financial review section. 

34

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTMineral resources (Ounces)

2018

2017

2016

+5%

15.7Moz

15.0Moz

Not reported

Link to strategy:
Active growth pipeline, Asset quality, 
Financial flexibility, Stakeholder returns

Definition

Performance

Extending mine life through 
brownfield exploration and 
new discoveries from 
greenfield exploration 
contribute to the Company’s 
long term growth prospects.

Exploration success 
delivered Sukari 
underground reserve 
growth in excess of mining 
depletion, significant 
resource upgrade at 
Doropo and declared a 
maiden resource at the 
greenfield ABC Project. 

Reduction in global LTIFR (per 200,000 hours worked)

2018

2017

2016

-76%

0.06

0.26

0.27

Definition

Performance

Global lost time injury 
frequency rate across Sukari, 
Burkina Faso and Côte 
d’Ivoire per 200,000 hours 
worked. 

In 2018, the LTIFR for Sukari 
was 0.07 (Group LTIFR of 
0.06) per 200,000 hours 
worked (2017: 0.26), with a 
total of 5,784,130 hours 
worked (2017: 5,464,321).

Link to strategy:
Sustainability, Asset quality,  
Stakeholder returns

Revenue (US$ million)

2018

2017

2016

-11%

603.2

675.5

687.4

Link to strategy:
Asset quality, Financial flexibility, 
Stakeholder returns, Active growth  
pipeline

Definition

Performance

2018 revenues of 
US$603 million were down 
11% on the prior year (2017: 
US$676 million) with a 0.5% 
increase in realised gold 
prices offset by a decrease 
in gold sales.

Top-line indicator, heavily 
depends on commodity 
prices but also driven by 
delivery of production 
volumes.

Revenue is measured at 
the fair value of the 
consideration received or 
receivable for goods in the 
normal course of business.

 Sukari Open Pit.

Outlook

Target 
underground 
reserve 
replacement 
and resource 
growth through 
effective 
utilisation of 
exploration 
budgets.

Outlook

Centamin 
remains 
committed to 
further 
improving 
health and 
safety during 
2019 towards 
our zero-harm 
target. 

Outlook

Centamin’s 
target is to earn 
revenue in 
accordance with 
forecasted 
production 
targets. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

35

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationKey performance indicators continued

Mine production costs (US$ million)

2018

2017

2016

+7%

328.1

307.6

288.3

Link to strategy:
Financial flexibility, Stakeholder returns

Adjusted EBITDA(1) (US$ million)

2018

2017

2016

-17%

257.9

309.2

331.0

Link to strategy:
Financial flexibility, Stakeholder returns

Free cash flow(1) (US$ million)

2018

2017

2016

-56%

63.4

145.6

243.7

Link to strategy:
Asset quality, Financial flexibility, 
Stakeholder returns, Active growth  
pipeline

Outlook

Centamin’s 
target is to 
control costs in 
accordance with 
budgets and 
forecasted 
production 
targets.

Outlook

Centamin’s 
target is to 
generate 
EBITDA in 
accordance with 
budgets and 
forecasted 
production 
targets.

Outlook

Centamin’s 
target is to 
generate free 
cash flow in 
accordance with 
budgets and 
forecasted 
production 
targets.

Definition

Performance

Top-line indicator of the 
open pit, underground, 
processing and maintenance 
cost to produce and sell 
gold produced, driven by 
production volumes and 
commodity prices.

US$20.5 million increase in 
total mine production costs 
from US$307.6 million to 
US$328.1 million, due to a 
10% increase in mined 
tonnes combined with a 4% 
increase in processed 
tonnes and an increase in 
unit costs mainly due to 
reduced production of 
ounces, increased fuel and 
reagent costs.

Definition

Performance

Adjusted EBITDA 
decreased by 17% to 
US$258 million, as a result 
of increased production and 
operating costs and an 11% 
decrease in revenues.

Adjusted EBITDA is a 
non-GAAP financial measure 
which excludes the following 
from profit before tax:

•  finance costs;
•  finance income;
•  depreciation and 
amortisation; and

•  impairments of 

non-current assets.

Definition

Performance

Free cash flow is a measure 
of the available cash after 
EMRA profit share payments 
that the Group has at its 
disposal to use for capital 
reinvestment and to 
distribute to shareholders as 
dividends in accordance with 
the Company’s dividend 
policy.

Free cash flow of 
US$63.4 million generated 
in 2018, down 56% on the 
prior year (2017: 
US$146 million) almost 
entirely due to lower 
production, the increase in 
fuel and reagent costs and 
the increase in the share of 
distributions to the NCI 
from 1 July 2018 in 
accordance with the 
Concession Agreement, 
although absolute 
distributions decreased 
on  2017.

Links to Executive remuneration through the bonus structure and/or long term performance share plan.

(1)  Cash cost of production, AISC, EBITDA and cash, bullion on hand, gold sales receivables, financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive 

income and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures and are defined at the end of the Financial Review section. 

36

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTDrill rig in West Africa.

Sustaining capital expenditure (US$ million)

2018

2017

2016

+8%

89.2

82.5

111.2

Link to strategy:
Active growth pipeline, Asset quality, 
Financial flexibility, Stakeholder returns

Definition

Performance

Efficient use of capital to 
sustain and develop existing 
operations at Sukari.

US$89.2 million spent in 
2018 (2017: US$82.5 million) 
of which US$6 million was 
spent on underground 
exploration, US$37.2 million 
on underground mine 
development and rebuilds 
of US$30 million and 
US$16 million other 
sustaining capital 
expenditure.

Outlook

Centamin’s 
target is to 
manage and 
spend the 
sustaining 
capital budget 
in accordance 
with achieving 
its forecasted 
production 
targets and 
extending the 
life of its assets.

Exploration expenditure (non-sustaining) across Sukari and West Africa (US$ million)

2018

2017

2016

+12%

28.6

24.9

41.8

Definition

Performance

Non-sustaining exploration 
expenditure to generate 
growth through existing and 
future exploration projects in 
Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire 
and Egypt (currently 
Cleopatra).

US$21.0 million was spent 
on West African exploration 
(US$5.2 million on Burkina 
Faso and US$15.8 million 
on Côte d’Ivoire) and 
US$7.6 million on Cleopatra. 

Link to strategy:
Active growth pipeline, Asset quality, 
Financial flexibility, Stakeholder returns

Outlook

Centamin’s 
target is to 
continue 
exploration 
work in 
accordance with 
plans and 
budgets to 
increase global 
resources.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

37

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationRisk management

Risk management allows the Group  
to improve its decision making process  
and deliver its objectives.

Mark Arnesen
Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee

RISK MANAGEMENT IN 2019:

•  holding workshops with our 

workforce to embed our values 
and cultural identity as a leading 
operator, dedicated to 
improving health, safety and 
wellbeing;

•  quarterly reporting by each 
operating unit following 
structure risk meetings;

•  management assessment of risks 
across all central functions and 
operational locations; 
•  Audit and Risk Committee 

oversight of operational and 
corporate risks;

•  Board assessment of principal 

and emerging risks; and

•  strategy day for the Board to 

consider risks and 
opportunities and further 
understand the collective and 
individual risk appetite.

The management of risks through 
identification, monitoring and 
mitigation allows the Group to 
improve its decision-making process, 
deliver on its objectives and improve 
its performance as a mining company.

The Board of Centamin plc 
(the “Board”) has overall responsibility 
for establishing a robust risk 
management framework that allows 
for the assessment and management 
of material strategic and operational 
risks. In addition, the Board is 
responsible for articulating the 
Group’s risk appetite against the 
principal risks.

The Board reviews existing and 
emerging risks in the context of both 
opportunities and potential threats. 
This is then applied when challenging 
the strategic objectives of the 
Company that underpin the 
business model. 

The Group’s risk management 
framework (the “Framework”) outlines 
the business approach and process for 
management of risk.

Risk oversight and accountability

As shown in the table and diagram 
below, ultimate accountability for risk 
management lies with the Board, 
supported by the Audit and Risk 
Committee. We have acknowledged 
the importance of developing our 
approach to risk management and 
continue to engage with PwC to 
support in the development of a 
framework allowing identification, 
assessment, mitigation and 
monitoring of risks throughout the 
business. This has been developed to 
ensure we have in place the three 
clear lines of defence, whilst ensuring 
the information that flows from the 
reporting lines is relevant and timely 
and can genuinely support the Board’s 
strategic decisions.

First line of defence

Direct reporting

Second line of defence

Review and discuss

Third line of defence

Board

Senior 
Management

Business risk
register

Risk 
Management

Audit and Risk 
Committee

Operational locations

Central functions

Sukari

Côte d’Ivoire

Burkina Faso

HSE

HR

Security

Finance

IT

Admin/Legal

Internal 
Audit

1st line: Front-line ownership of risk, process, reporting and effectiveness

2nd line: Oversight and challenge by the central functions, 
management and the risk function

3rd line: Independent
assurance

38

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTRISK OVERSIGHT

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITY

Board

Ultimate responsibility for risk management and communicating the Framework

Audit and Risk Committee

Independently reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of risk, has oversight of the policies 
setting the Framework and oversees the implementation of risk management

Executive/Senior Management

Responsible for ensuring that each of the operations and Group functions implements 
the Framework

Operations

Central functions

Risk Committee

Internal Audit 

Responsible for implementing the Framework and providing assurance to the Executive

Provide assurance to the Executive and have oversight and review of common risk areas 
relating to their key functions

The Executive consolidates, challenges and reports on all risk management information, 
providing support and guidance to management to develop and co-ordinate the system 
of risk management

Provides assurance to senior management and the Audit and Risk Committee on the 
effectiveness of the Framework and how that has been applied across the business

Risk reporting 

Further details of the work of the 
Audit and Risk Committee are set out 
in the audit and risk report along with 
details of the internal risk reporting. 
Importantly, a key area of focus will 
be in developing a fresh reporting 
platform, developed from an 
operational level up through the 
reporting channels, to enhance the 
information provided to the Board 
and to aid decision making.

The Executive and senior 
management review, challenge and 
monitor ongoing risks on a day-to-day 
basis. The consolidation and analysis 
of this information is assessed on a 
quarterly basis and reported to the 
Board through the Audit and 
Risk Committee.

Emerging risks 

Due in part to the nature of the 
business as an operating mining 
company, the headline principal risks, 
whilst fundamental to the ongoing 
operation, remain largely constant. 
The Committee and Board regularly 
review the principal risks as well as the 
wider operational, corporate and 
general business risks.

Management consider the business 
reports and risk registers as well as full 
details and corrective actions of all 
high level incidents, leading indicators 
hazard identification and any resulting 
procedural changes. 

Periodic incident and other 
operational reports, updates to the 
operational risk registers and regular 
communication with the site GM allow 
management to assess emerging risks 
or secondary risks that may elevate to 
principal risks. By identifying 
emerging risks or changes in the 
secondary or tertiary risk registers 
early, management are able to 
consider policy or procedural changes 
to mitigate the risk. Additional 
resources or training needs may be 
identified. At an operational level, 
opportunities may exist to improve 
the safety environment and efficiency 
of the operations. Opportunities may 
also exist at a strategic or corporate 
level and will be discussed in the 
context of wider strategy setting. 
The use of insurance, consultants and 
specialists to help mitigate risks may 
also be an option.

During the year the following 
emerging risks were considered:

•  Corporate action:  

Risk impact: secondary to the 
principal risks and remains at a 
level of elevated status.
As a listed company, management 
must be ready to evaluate 
approaches and opportunities to 
ensure value for shareholders is 
maintained and enhanced. 
The mining industry has recently 
seen a number of high-profile 
mergers and consolidations over 
the year and the Board needs to 
review any approaches and 
opportunities so as to ensure 
the interests of shareholders are 
protected. Management prepare 
long term models which support 
the valuation of the Company.

•  Governance and regulation:  
Risk impact: secondary to the 
principal risks and remains at a 
level of elevated status.
Compliance with the regulatory and 
legal environment has the potential 
for significant negative publicity in 
including fines and penalties and 
reputational risk. The regulatory 
reviews can demand significant time 
commitments on management and 
Directors. The management team 
ensures it has access to legal, 
regulatory and compliance support 
across the jurisdictions.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

39

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationRisk management continued

Emerging risks continued
•  Business development: 

Risk impact: opportunities to 
develop and grow the business.
Egypt continues to represent a 
significant opportunity for 
exploration and future 
development. As the country’s only 
modern gold mine, the Company’s 
knowledge and expertise is a 
potential advantage to Centamin. 
The opportunity has been 
enhanced as the government 
makes progress towards a new 
mining law and new commercial 
terms for exploration in the region. 
The Executive and management 
team are monitoring progress and 
ensuring close dialogue with 
government officials are 
maintained.

•  Capital projects:  

Risk impact: emerging risk to 
ensure management of capital.
Ensuring capital projects are 
managed within time and budget is 
an emerging risk, as the Company 
considers major capital projects. 
These include the potential Solar 
plant at Sukari, the development of 
the new tailings storage facility and 
feasibility studies to assess the 
viability of an operation in Côte 
d’Ivoire. Careful management of 
these projects, the teams and the 
capital allocation will be imperative.

•  Local security – West Africa: 
Risk impact: emerging risk to 
ensure safety of employees.
Increased militant activity in 
West Africa has caused concern 
for safety in-country. This will 
be monitored closely and local 
Gendarmes and Centamin security 
personnel are being consulted.

•  Retention of personnel  

Risk impact: emerging risk to 
ensure we retain, attract and 
motivate employees.
There have been a number of key 
changes over the last twelve 
months in key personnel across 
senior roles. This is a natural 
transition as we replace General 
Managers and fill vacancy needs. 
However, management of changes 
in senior positions needs to be 
managed carefully, to ensure 
consistent delivery of the 
Company’s values and that the 
workforce remains well supported. 

•  Tailing Storage Facility (“TSF”)  

Risk impact: heightened 
awareness in the industry.
Following recent high-profile 
incidents in the mining sector there 
has been an increased interest from 
stakeholders in understanding the 
level of risk associated with mining 
companies’ tailings facilities. The 
Sukari South TSF is lined to reduce 
the impact of any seepage or 
contamination of soil and 
groundwater. It is reviewed 
according to regulatory and internal 
requirements, and water samples 
taken from adjacent wells and 
boreholes to monitor for seepage. 
Centamin’s Geotechnical 
department conducts internal and 
external technical reviews of the 
tailings storage facility on a regular 
basis. It is also inspected on a 
regular basis by independent 
consultants and the latest 
inspection was carried out in 
November 2018. The latest review 
confirmed the structural integrity of 
the TSF, however the lower water 
recycling off the TSF in 2018 has 
created an excess of water above 
acceptable levels and managing 
this water off the TSF is being 
managed over the next six months. 

Centamin has no history of tailings 
failures, but as a matter of policy 
Sukari has an emergency action 
plan for potential failures that are 
reviewed at a regular intervals. It is 
important to note that the nearest 
external community, Marsa Alam, is 
located approximately 35km away 
from the TSF and not in the 
catchment area in the event of a 
dam failure. During 2018, Centamin 
also commenced a study to design 
an additional TSF at Sukari. This will 
be an active downstream dam with 
targeted completion in 2024.

Risk appetite

This report covers the Board’s 
assessment of the Company’s risk 
appetite, principal risks and viability 
statement.

Centamin accepts that the exploration 
for and development of metals and 
mineral resources, together with the 
construction and development of 
mining operations, is an activity that 
involves a high degree of risk. The 
Group therefore can only manage, 
rather than eliminate risk completely. 
In considering risk appetite, the Board 
considered the level of acceptable risk 
(tolerance), the attitude and culture 
towards risk and the ways in which the 
Board can influence risk appetite 
throughout the business.

In considering risk appetite, the Board 
is clear that Centamin has a zero 
tolerance to breaches in health and 
safety and environmental protection. 
The Board invests heavily in a 
programme of continuous 
improvement in health and safety 
practices and has an expectation to 
meet the highest standards.

The Group has a high risk appetite 
towards its strategic objectives, such 
that risks are reduced to reasonably 
practicable levels, in the pursuit of 
mineral exploration, development and 
gold production. Meeting 
environmental, regulatory and legal 
obligations takes priority over other 
business objectives. 

40

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTThe Board agreed that due to the 
nature and inherent risks associated 
with an operating mining company, 
the Board accepts a higher risk 
appetite, however this needs to be 
managed within acceptable limits by 
having appropriate safeguards in 
place. The principal risks identified by 
the Board and disclosed below, 
evidence the extent of potential 
consequences inherent in operating a 
large-scale mining operation. The 
Board assesses regularly the measures 
to mitigate these risks and limit the 
likelihood of incidents. 

The Group’s risks may change over 
time, as will the Group’s risk appetite, 
as the external environment changes 
and as operations are expanded into 
new geographical areas. The risk 
management and review process 
requires regular monitoring of the 
Group’s existing risks and the 
identification of any new and 
emerging risks, including financial and 
non-financial matters. Ongoing 
management of the adequacy of the 
level of mitigation is also important. 
The risk management framework 
provides a continuous reporting cycle 
throughout the business, allowing the 
Board to re-assess and communicate 
the Company’s approach to risk 
internally and externally. 

RISK LIKELIHOOD AND IMPACT

The Board considers the principal risks both 
in terms of their relative ‘likelihood’ to occur, 
given the mitigating factors in place, and 
their relative ‘impact’, should an event 
materially impact on the business. 

The graph depicts management’s priorities 
and of particular note is the greater 
emphasis on delivering our production 
estimates. This elevated risk relates to the 
reliability of the underground mining 
operation at Sukari to deliver both tonnes 
and high-grade material.

Our social licence to operate remains a high 
priority and whilst appropriate mitigation is 
in place, relations with our partner, EMRA, 
remain of significant importance and a 
priority of management.

Of particular note is the susceptibility 
of a change in the estimated average 
grade delivered from the 
underground operation at Sukari. 
A reduction in grade can significantly 
affect production levels, which could 
have a material impact of annual 
production guidance. The quality of 
personnel, management and oversight 
in preparing and delivering the mine 
plan can all significantly impact the 
reliability and successful extraction of 
high-grade material. 

The current status of the principal risks 
affecting Centamin and its operational 
and exploration activities, together 
with the measures to mitigate risk, are 
detailed in the section ‘principal risks’. 

The Directors confirm that a robust 
assessment of the principal risks 
impacting the Company has been 
undertaken which identified strategic 
and operational risks at a corporate 
level and principal risks impacting our 
operations in Egypt and West Africa.

Principal risks

Centamin takes a number of measures 
to mitigate risks associated with its 
underlying operational and 
exploration activity which are 
monitored and evaluated regularly. 
Due to the nature of these inherent 
risks, it is not possible to give absolute 
assurance that mitigating actions will 
be wholly effective. 

During the year the Company 
experienced two major production 
downgrades which significantly 
impacted on the Company’s share 
price. The principal risk in ‘achieving 
production estimates’ was elevated to 
‘high’ until the operation demonstrates 
a return to steady state production. 
The oversight included ongoing 
detailed evaluation of the technical 
services capability onsite and 
personnel requirements. At a financial 
level, the significant change in share 
price triggered a full impairment test 
– details and related assumptions are 
set out in the financial statements in 
section 1.1.2. Further details of the 
matters in connection with the 
operational challenges experienced 
in 2018 are set out in the CEO 
statement and operational review.

Strategic

a  Single project dependency

b  Partner risk and relationship with EMRA

c 

Jurisdictional taxation exposure

High 
impact

a

External

d  Gold price

e  Political risk – Sukari

f 

g 

Political risk – West Africa

Litigation

Operational

h  Achieving exploration project success

Estimation of reserve and resource

Failure to achieve production estimates

i 

j 

Key

j

e

d

f

h

g

i

b

c

Priority

Management priority

Low
impact

Low likelihood

High likelihood

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

41

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationRisk management continued

Principal risk

Trend Nature of risk

Mitigation

Company objective/strategy Risk appetite

STRATEGIC RISK 
Loss of revenue due 
to single project 
dependency

N

The Sukari Gold Mine currently constitutes Centamin’s main mineral resource and sole 
mineral reserve and near term production and revenue. The resources in Burkina Faso and 
Côte d’Ivoire are not currently of a sufficient size to convert into a reserve.

Until further production growth beyond Sukari is identified, the potential impact remains 
high and safeguarding the project is paramount to the Company.

Sukari Gold Mine: the project at Sukari has 

At Sukari, the process plant has been 

Risk appetite is at an acceptable level, with 

two distinct ore sources (open pit and 

designed with sufficient resilience and 

appropriate levels of mitigation in place to 

underground), the processing plant has two 

redundancies within the operating cycle.

reduce the likelihood of significant loss of 

revenue due to single project dependency.

Owner
Executive: CEO

Link to strategy

N

N

STRATEGIC RISK 
Sukari Gold Mine 
relationship with our 
partners EMRA 

Owner
Executive: Chairman, CEO, CFO

Operational: GM

Link to strategy

STRATEGIC RISK 
Jurisdictional 
taxation exposure

Owner
Executive: CEO, CFO

Link to strategy

Whilst Centamin retains control over the project, the holding company, SGM, is jointly 
owned by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, PGM and EMRA with equal board 
representation from both parties. The board of SGM operates by way of simple majority. 
Should a dispute arise which cannot otherwise be amicably resolved, arbitration or other 
proceedings may need to be employed. 

The successful management of the Sukari Gold Mine is in part dependent on maintaining a 
good working relationship with EMRA. The Group has regular meetings with officials from 
EMRA and invests time in liaising with relevant ministry and other governmental 
representatives.

Maintaining relations: with the onset of 

A key objective of the Company is to maintain 

Risk appetite is at an acceptable level, with 

profit sharing with EMRA last year, managing 

our social licence to operate. This is achieved 

appropriate levels of mitigation in place.

timing and quantum of payments, as well as 

through co-operation, regular meetings and 

applying and interpreting certain provisions 

correspondence with EMRA, as well as 

of the Concession Agreement, is important in 

making sure that the terms and conditions of 

maintaining a good relationship with EMRA. 

the Concession Agreement governing the 

Future expenditure and recovery of qualifying 

mine are fully complied with.

capital expenditure will also need to be 

managed, to be appropriately cost recovered 

by the Company.

The Group’s corporate structure includes operational activity in Egypt and West Africa held 
through holding companies in Australia and the United Kingdom. Exposure to changing 
cross jurisdictional tax legislation could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to 
repatriate revenues.

Tax exposure: the Group engages tax 

To minimise the complexity of the corporate 

Simplification of the structure is ongoing; 

advisers to provide local advice at an 

structures ensuring tax neutrality within the 

however, the mitigation in place is at an 

operational level as well as corporate and 

holding group entities.

acceptable level and therefore operating 

within the parametres of our current 

risk appetite.

structuring advice at a corporate level. 

The Company has developed a global tax 

strategy to take account of the required 

regulations relevant to Centamin. 

The Company’s strategy is to ensure taxes are 

paid at an operational level and tax leakage is 

reduced through the holding structure.

The exploration projects across the business 

provide a well-balanced project pipeline, with 

potential to add incremental shareholder 

value by increasing production across the 

Group. The regional exploration of the 

licence portfolio in Burkina Faso and 

Côte d’Ivoire continues.

separate flotation circuits and two separate 

power stations. Whilst one project, the nature 

of the design of the plant provides adequate 

mitigation and reduces the relative likelihood 

of dependence compared to a single layer 

plant design. The second circuit of the 

process plant has been fully operational for 

over two years, which shows the resilience of 

the project. In addition, the plant is fed by 

both the open pit and underground 

operation, providing high and lower-grade 

ore to the processing plant. Operational 

activity and production is expected to 

continue at above nameplate capacity. Other 

mitigating factors, outside the single project 

at Sukari, include the continued focus on 

longer term growth and expansion through 

exploration and acquisition targets both 

inside and outside of Egypt.

Key:

 Asset quality

 Stakeholder returns

 Sustainability

 Financial flexibility

 Active growth pipeline

42

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
Principal risk

Trend Nature of risk

Mitigation

Company objective/strategy Risk appetite

I

Improved

N

Neutral

H

High

STRATEGIC RISK 

N

Loss of revenue due 

to single project 

dependency

The Sukari Gold Mine currently constitutes Centamin’s main mineral resource and sole 

mineral reserve and near term production and revenue. The resources in Burkina Faso and 

Côte d’Ivoire are not currently of a sufficient size to convert into a reserve.

Until further production growth beyond Sukari is identified, the potential impact remains 

high and safeguarding the project is paramount to the Company.

Owner

Executive: CEO

Link to strategy

STRATEGIC RISK 

N

Sukari Gold Mine 

relationship with our 

partners EMRA 

Owner

Executive: Chairman, CEO, CFO

Operational: GM

Link to strategy

STRATEGIC RISK 

Jurisdictional 

taxation exposure

Owner

Executive: CEO, CFO

Link to strategy

Whilst Centamin retains control over the project, the holding company, SGM, is jointly 

owned by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, PGM and EMRA with equal board 

representation from both parties. The board of SGM operates by way of simple majority. 

Should a dispute arise which cannot otherwise be amicably resolved, arbitration or other 

proceedings may need to be employed. 

The successful management of the Sukari Gold Mine is in part dependent on maintaining a 

good working relationship with EMRA. The Group has regular meetings with officials from 

EMRA and invests time in liaising with relevant ministry and other governmental 

representatives.

N

The Group’s corporate structure includes operational activity in Egypt and West Africa held 

through holding companies in Australia and the United Kingdom. Exposure to changing 

cross jurisdictional tax legislation could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to 

repatriate revenues.

Sukari Gold Mine: the project at Sukari has 
two distinct ore sources (open pit and 
underground), the processing plant has two 
separate flotation circuits and two separate 
power stations. Whilst one project, the nature 
of the design of the plant provides adequate 
mitigation and reduces the relative likelihood 
of dependence compared to a single layer 
plant design. The second circuit of the 
process plant has been fully operational for 
over two years, which shows the resilience of 
the project. In addition, the plant is fed by 
both the open pit and underground 
operation, providing high and lower-grade 
ore to the processing plant. Operational 
activity and production is expected to 
continue at above nameplate capacity. Other 
mitigating factors, outside the single project 
at Sukari, include the continued focus on 
longer term growth and expansion through 
exploration and acquisition targets both 
inside and outside of Egypt.

Maintaining relations: with the onset of 
profit sharing with EMRA last year, managing 
timing and quantum of payments, as well as 
applying and interpreting certain provisions 
of the Concession Agreement, is important in 
maintaining a good relationship with EMRA. 
Future expenditure and recovery of qualifying 
capital expenditure will also need to be 
managed, to be appropriately cost recovered 
by the Company.

Tax exposure: the Group engages tax 
advisers to provide local advice at an 
operational level as well as corporate and 
structuring advice at a corporate level. 
The Company has developed a global tax 
strategy to take account of the required 
regulations relevant to Centamin. 
The Company’s strategy is to ensure taxes are 
paid at an operational level and tax leakage is 
reduced through the holding structure.

Risk appetite is at an acceptable level, with 
appropriate levels of mitigation in place to 
reduce the likelihood of significant loss of 
revenue due to single project dependency.

At Sukari, the process plant has been 
designed with sufficient resilience and 
redundancies within the operating cycle.

The exploration projects across the business 
provide a well-balanced project pipeline, with 
potential to add incremental shareholder 
value by increasing production across the 
Group. The regional exploration of the 
licence portfolio in Burkina Faso and 
Côte d’Ivoire continues.

A key objective of the Company is to maintain 
our social licence to operate. This is achieved 
through co-operation, regular meetings and 
correspondence with EMRA, as well as 
making sure that the terms and conditions of 
the Concession Agreement governing the 
mine are fully complied with.

Risk appetite is at an acceptable level, with 
appropriate levels of mitigation in place.

To minimise the complexity of the corporate 
structures ensuring tax neutrality within the 
holding group entities.

Simplification of the structure is ongoing; 
however, the mitigation in place is at an 
acceptable level and therefore operating 
within the parameters of our current 
risk appetite.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

43

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
Risk management continued

Principal risk

Trend Nature of risk

Mitigation

Company objective/strategy Risk appetite

N

N

N

N

EXTERNAL RISK 
Gold price

Owner
Executive: CEO, CFO

Link to strategy

EXTERNAL RISK 
Political risk – Sukari

Owner
Executive: Chairman, CEO

Operational: GM – Egyptian 
operations

Link to strategy

EXTERNAL RISK 
Political risk –  
West Africa

Owner
Executive: CEO

Operational: GM, Group 
Exploration Manager

Link to strategy

EXTERNAL RISK 
Litigation

Owner
Executive: Chairman,  
CEO and CFO

Link to strategy

The extent of the Company’s financial performance is due in part to the price of gold, which 
the Company has no influence over. Revenues from gold sales are in US dollars and 
Centamin has exposure to costs in other currencies including Egyptian pounds, Australian 
dollars and sterling.

Centamin manages its exposure to gold price by keeping operating costs as low 
as possible.

The Company’s operational activities are primarily in Egypt, a country that has been subject 
to civil and military disturbance. Future political and economic conditions in Egypt could 
change with future governments adopting different policies that may impact the 
development and ownership of mineral resources. Policy changes and licensing may also 
impact the use of explosives, tenure of mineral concessions, taxation, royalties, exchange 
rates, environmental protection, labour relations, repatriation of income and capital. 
Changes may also impact the ability to import key supplies and export gold.

The potential for serious impact should be balanced against the Egyptian government’s 
support of Centamin’s investment and contribution to both revenue and development of 
the mining industry. New laws have been introduced to protect and therefore encourage 
foreign investment, which is a positive step for the country. Law no. 32 has been confirmed 
by Parliament, although it remains subject to a challenge in the Supreme Court.

The Company operates in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. There are no assurances that 
future political and economic conditions in these countries will not result in the 
governments adopting different policies in respect to foreign development and 
ownership of exploration and exploitation licences.

The Group is 100% exposed to the gold 

The Company does not currently hedge 

The strategy is aligned with the risk appetite 

price; however, the cash costs of the Sukari 

against the price of gold or exposure 

of the Company.

Gold Mine remain low compared with the 

to currencies.

industry norm.

The Concession Agreement with EMRA and 

Maintain a detailed understanding of the 

The Company operates within acceptable 

the Egyptian government was declared into 

political environment in which we operate as 

limits and the operation has continued to 

Egyptian Law no. 222 of 1994, which further 

well as a constructive relationship with 

be unaffected despite a number of major 

protects the Company’s licence rights and 

government. The Company undertakes to 

political events occurring in Egypt. 

sets the applicable tax regime for a number 

abide by the spirit and letter of the 

The Company supports Egypt’s 

of years. This law received full parliamentary 

Concession Agreement as well as local laws 

development of a modern mining code.

approval as required by Egyptian law.

and regulations.

Policies have developed over many years to 

Maintain relationships with all key 

The Company operates within 

encourage foreign investment and the 

stakeholders, including regional 

acceptable limits.

development of mining operations, which 

governments, landowners and local chiefs. 

continues to be the focus of governments in 

The Company meets its environmental and 

these regions. Centamin actively monitors 

operational commitments set out in the 

legal and political developments, engaging in 

permits/grants and local laws/regulations.

dialogue with relevant government and legal 

policymakers to discuss all key legal and 

regulatory developments.

Centamin’s finances, and its ability to operate in Egypt, may be severely adversely affected 
by current and any future litigation proceedings and it is possible that further litigation 
could be initiated against Centamin at any time. Centamin is currently involved in litigation 
that relates both to (a) the validity of its exploitation lease at Sukari and (b) the price at which 
it can purchase Diesel Fuel Oil.

In order to mitigate this risk Centamin has (a) 

To minimise exposure to litigation and reduce 

The Company is operating within its risk 

taken appropriate legal advice and continues 

the impact of actions by complying with all 

appetite parametres and the mitigation in 

actively to pursue its legal rights with respect 

relevant laws and regulations and to defend 

place is at an acceptable level.

to its existing cases (its legal advisers believe 

and/or bring any actions necessary to protect 

that Centamin will ultimately be successful in 

the Company’s assets, rights and reputation.

both of these cases); and (b) actively monitors 

activity in both court and local media for 

signs of any legislative or similar 

developments that may threaten its 

operations, finances or prospects. The 

potential for serious impact should be 

balanced against Centamin’s adherence to 

local laws and agreements; the Egyptian 

government’s support of Centamin’s 

investment; Law no. 32 of 2014 that should 

protect Centamin against litigation by third 

parties; and the fact that Egypt and Australia 

(PGM’s place of incorporation) have in place a 

bilateral investment treaty.

44

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXTERNAL RISK 

N

The extent of the Company’s financial performance is due in part to the price of gold, which 

the Company has no influence over. Revenues from gold sales are in US dollars and 

Centamin has exposure to costs in other currencies including Egyptian pounds, Australian 

dollars and sterling.

as possible.

Centamin manages its exposure to gold price by keeping operating costs as low 

Gold price

Owner

Executive: CEO, CFO

Link to strategy

EXTERNAL RISK 

Political risk – Sukari

Owner

Executive: Chairman, CEO

Operational: GM – Egyptian 

operations

Link to strategy

N

The Company’s operational activities are primarily in Egypt, a country that has been subject 

to civil and military disturbance. Future political and economic conditions in Egypt could 

change with future governments adopting different policies that may impact the 

development and ownership of mineral resources. Policy changes and licensing may also 

impact the use of explosives, tenure of mineral concessions, taxation, royalties, exchange 

rates, environmental protection, labour relations, repatriation of income and capital. 

Changes may also impact the ability to import key supplies and export gold.

The potential for serious impact should be balanced against the Egyptian government’s 

support of Centamin’s investment and contribution to both revenue and development of 

the mining industry. New laws have been introduced to protect and therefore encourage 

foreign investment, which is a positive step for the country. Law no. 32 has been confirmed 

by Parliament, although it remains subject to a challenge in the Supreme Court.

EXTERNAL RISK 

N

The Company operates in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. There are no assurances that 

future political and economic conditions in these countries will not result in the 

governments adopting different policies in respect to foreign development and 

ownership of exploration and exploitation licences.

EXTERNAL RISK 

N

Centamin’s finances, and its ability to operate in Egypt, may be severely adversely affected 

by current and any future litigation proceedings and it is possible that further litigation 

could be initiated against Centamin at any time. Centamin is currently involved in litigation 

that relates both to (a) the validity of its exploitation lease at Sukari and (b) the price at which 

it can purchase Diesel Fuel Oil.

Political risk –  

West Africa

Owner

Executive: CEO

Operational: GM, Group 

Exploration Manager

Link to strategy

Litigation

Owner

Executive: Chairman,  

CEO and CFO

Link to strategy

Principal risk

Trend Nature of risk

Mitigation

Company objective/strategy Risk appetite

The Group is 100% exposed to the gold 
price; however, the cash costs of the Sukari 
Gold Mine remain low compared with the 
industry norm.

The Company does not currently hedge 
against the price of gold or exposure 
to currencies.

The strategy is aligned with the risk appetite 
of the Company.

I

Improved

N

Neutral

H

High

The Concession Agreement with EMRA and 
the Egyptian government was declared into 
Egyptian Law no. 222 of 1994, which further 
protects the Company’s licence rights and 
sets the applicable tax regime for a number 
of years. This law received full parliamentary 
approval as required by Egyptian law.

Maintain a detailed understanding of the 
political environment in which we operate as 
well as a constructive relationship with 
government. The Company undertakes to 
abide by the spirit and letter of the 
Concession Agreement as well as local laws 
and regulations.

The Company operates within acceptable 
limits and the operation has continued to 
be unaffected despite a number of major 
political events occurring in Egypt. 
The Company supports Egypt’s 
development of a modern mining code.

Policies have developed over many years to 
encourage foreign investment and the 
development of mining operations, which 
continues to be the focus of governments in 
these regions. Centamin actively monitors 
legal and political developments, engaging in 
dialogue with relevant government and legal 
policymakers to discuss all key legal and 
regulatory developments.

Maintain relationships with all key 
stakeholders, including regional 
governments, landowners and local chiefs. 
The Company meets its environmental and 
operational commitments set out in the 
permits/grants and local laws/regulations.

The Company operates within 
acceptable limits.

To minimise exposure to litigation and reduce 
the impact of actions by complying with all 
relevant laws and regulations and to defend 
and/or bring any actions necessary to protect 
the Company’s assets, rights and reputation.

The Company is operating within its risk 
appetite parameters and the mitigation in 
place is at an acceptable level.

In order to mitigate this risk Centamin has (a) 
taken appropriate legal advice and continues 
actively to pursue its legal rights with respect 
to its existing cases (its legal advisers believe 
that Centamin will ultimately be successful in 
both of these cases); and (b) actively monitors 
activity in both court and local media for 
signs of any legislative or similar 
developments that may threaten its 
operations, finances or prospects. The 
potential for serious impact should be 
balanced against Centamin’s adherence to 
local laws and agreements; the Egyptian 
government’s support of Centamin’s 
investment; Law no. 32 of 2014 that should 
protect Centamin against litigation by third 
parties; and the fact that Egypt and Australia 
(PGM’s place of incorporation) have in place a 
bilateral investment treaty.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

45

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk management continued

Principal risk

Trend Nature of risk

Mitigation

Company objective/strategy Risk appetite

OPERATIONAL RISK 
Failure to achieve 
exploration 
development success

N

Owner
Executive: CEO, CFO

Operational: GM, Group 
Exploration Manager

Link to strategy

OPERATIONAL RISK 
Reserve and resource 
estimate

N

Owner
Executive: CEO

Operational: GM, Group 
Exploration Manager

Link to strategy

OPERATIONAL RISK 
Failure to achieve 
production estimates

H

Owner
Executive: CEO

Operational: GM

Link to strategy

Time and costs of brownfields exploration activity are recognised as exploration and 
evaluation assets (“E&E assets”) on the statement of financial position. E&E assets 
continue to be carried on the balance sheet where there is ongoing planned activity 
and the right of tenure is current.

There can be no guarantee that an exploration project progresses to an economic resource 
and therefore there remains a risk that E&E assets are partially or fully impaired during a 
financial period where either a decision is made to discontinue a project or no further 
activity is scheduled.

The exploration for precious metal may not 

To ensure a progressive pipeline of 

The Company operates its exploration 

be successful and is highly speculative in 

greenfield and advance-stage exploration 

programmes within acceptable risk 

nature. Before undertaking any exploration 

projects to serve the next stage of growth 

appetite parametres.

projects, a full risk assessment in undertaken 

for the Company. 

covering country risk, industry risks as well as 

a detailed technical review of the underlying 

geological data available. Management 

implements systematic drilling programmes 

across its exploration projects, with costs 

aggregated appropriately to licence areas 

and prospects.

Ensure systematic exploration programmes 

are carried out with costs attributed to 

licence areas and prospects so that they can 

be assessed for impairment.

Mineral resource and reserve figures are prepared by Centamin personnel and reviewed by 
externally appointed independent geologists. By their nature, mineral resources and 
reserves are estimates based on a range of assumptions, including geological, 
metallurgical, technical and economic factors. Other variables include expected costs, 
inflation rates, gold price and production outputs. There can be no guarantee that the 
anticipated tonnages or grades expected by Centamin will be achieved both from the 
underground operation or open pit.

Management has implemented processes to 

To achieve reliable and consistent production, 

The Company operates within acceptable 

continuously monitor and evaluate the current 

whilst optimising the potential of the 

risk appetite parametres.

life of the Sukari Gold Mine, mine plans and 

operation. The Company provides timely 

production targets. The most recent 

and accurate information to the market on 

technical report was completed in Form 

production levels and forecasts.

Centamin prepares annual estimates for future gold production from the Sukari Gold Mine. 
There can be no assurance that Centamin will achieve its production estimates and such 
failure could have a material and adverse effect on Centamin’s future cash flows, 
profitability, results of operations and financial condition. It should be specifically noted that 
the potential quantity and grade from the Sukari underground mine is conceptual in nature, 
that there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and that it is 
uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral 
resource.

The realisation of production estimates are 

To achieve reliable and consistent production, 

The Company operates within acceptable 

dependent on, amongst other things: the 

whilst optimising the potential of the 

risk appetite parametres.

accuracy of mineral reserve and resource 

operation. The Company provides timely and 

estimates; the accuracy of assumptions 

accurate information to the market on 

regarding ore grades and recovery rates; 

production levels and forecasts.

43-101 dated 23 October 2015 and is 

available at www.sedar.com. The latest 

updated reserve and resource statement for 

Sukari was announced on 25 February 2019. 

Preliminary resource statements have been 

provided for Doropo and the ABC Project in 

Côte d’Ivoire as well as Konkera in 

Burkina Faso.

the ore tonnes and grade mined from the 

underground operation which are outside 

the current reserve base; ground conditions; 

skilled and motivated labour force; 

processing capacity and maintenance 

policies; and logistics for consumables and 

parts. In 2018 there were a number of 

production challenges resulting in two 

downgrades which had a significant impact 

on the share price. Steps have been taken to 

further mitigate and improve on estimating 

guidance and an evaluation of the systems 

and controls, particularly of mine planning, 

grades and assesses is underway.

Key:

 Asset quality

 Stakeholder returns

 Sustainability

 Financial flexibility

 Active growth pipeline

46

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
OPERATIONAL RISK 

N

Failure to achieve 

exploration 

development success

Owner

Executive: CEO, CFO

Operational: GM, Group 

Exploration Manager

Link to strategy

OPERATIONAL RISK 

N

Reserve and resource 

estimate

Owner

Executive: CEO

Operational: GM, Group 

Exploration Manager

Link to strategy

OPERATIONAL RISK 

H

Failure to achieve 

production estimates

Owner

Executive: CEO

Operational: GM

Link to strategy

Mineral resource and reserve figures are prepared by Centamin personnel and reviewed by 

externally appointed independent geologists. By their nature, mineral resources and 

reserves are estimates based on a range of assumptions, including geological, 

metallurgical, technical and economic factors. Other variables include expected costs, 

inflation rates, gold price and production outputs. There can be no guarantee that the 

anticipated tonnages or grades expected by Centamin will be achieved both from the 

underground operation or open pit.

Centamin prepares annual estimates for future gold production from the Sukari Gold Mine. 

There can be no assurance that Centamin will achieve its production estimates and such 

failure could have a material and adverse effect on Centamin’s future cash flows, 

profitability, results of operations and financial condition. It should be specifically noted that 

the potential quantity and grade from the Sukari underground mine is conceptual in nature, 

that there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and that it is 

uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral 

resource.

I

Improved

N

Neutral

H

High

Principal risk

Trend Nature of risk

Mitigation

Company objective/strategy Risk appetite

Time and costs of brownfields exploration activity are recognised as exploration and 

evaluation assets (“E&E assets”) on the statement of financial position. E&E assets 

continue to be carried on the balance sheet where there is ongoing planned activity 

and the right of tenure is current.

There can be no guarantee that an exploration project progresses to an economic resource 

and therefore there remains a risk that E&E assets are partially or fully impaired during a 

financial period where either a decision is made to discontinue a project or no further 

activity is scheduled.

The exploration for precious metal may not 
be successful and is highly speculative in 
nature. Before undertaking any exploration 
projects, a full risk assessment in undertaken 
covering country risk, industry risks as well as 
a detailed technical review of the underlying 
geological data available. Management 
implements systematic drilling programmes 
across its exploration projects, with costs 
aggregated appropriately to licence areas 
and prospects.

To ensure a progressive pipeline of 
greenfield and advance-stage exploration 
projects to serve the next stage of growth 
for the Company. 

Ensure systematic exploration programmes 
are carried out with costs attributed to 
licence areas and prospects so that they can 
be assessed for impairment.

The Company operates its exploration 
programmes within acceptable risk 
appetite parameters.

To achieve reliable and consistent production, 
whilst optimising the potential of the 
operation. The Company provides timely 
and accurate information to the market on 
production levels and forecasts.

The Company operates within acceptable 
risk appetite parameters.

To achieve reliable and consistent production, 
whilst optimising the potential of the 
operation. The Company provides timely and 
accurate information to the market on 
production levels and forecasts.

The Company operates within acceptable 
risk appetite parameters.

Management has implemented processes to 
continuously monitor and evaluate the current 
life of the Sukari Gold Mine, mine plans and 
production targets. The most recent 
technical report was completed in Form 
43-101 dated 23 October 2015 and is 
available at www.sedar.com. The latest 
updated reserve and resource statement for 
Sukari was announced on 25 February 2019. 
Preliminary resource statements have been 
provided for Doropo and the ABC Project in 
Côte d’Ivoire as well as Konkera in 
Burkina Faso.

The realisation of production estimates are 
dependent on, amongst other things: the 
accuracy of mineral reserve and resource 
estimates; the accuracy of assumptions 
regarding ore grades and recovery rates; 
the ore tonnes and grade mined from the 
underground operation which are outside 
the current reserve base; ground conditions; 
skilled and motivated labour force; 
processing capacity and maintenance 
policies; and logistics for consumables and 
parts. In 2018 there were a number of 
production challenges resulting in two 
downgrades which had a significant impact 
on the share price. Steps have been taken to 
further mitigate and improve on estimating 
guidance and an evaluation of the systems 
and controls, particularly of mine planning, 
grades and assesses is underway.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

47

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
Risk management continued

Viability statement

In accordance with provision C.2.2 of 
the 2016 UK Corporate Governance 
Code (the “2016 Code”), the Directors 
have assessed the Company’s 
prospects over the longer term, 
addressing a period of five years. 
A key part of the Directors’ 
assessment was the budget and 
forecast carried out in January 2019 
which reviewed the longer term 
viability of the Company. The review 
assessed the Company’s position and 
progress against our strategic pillars of 
sustainability, asset quality, financial 
flexibility, stakeholder returns and an 
active growth pipeline. The strategic 
focus areas are set out on page 22. In 
addition, the Company considered the 
potential impact on its principal risks, 
and also considered how its appetite 
for risk might affect the assessment. 
The review includes the Company’s 
strategic objectives, business model 
and its prospects over the coming five 
years to December 2023.

The review, which included the 
presentation and approval of the 
budget, received final Board approval 
on 25 February 2019. The financial 
forecasts used in the review included 
key assumptions about gold price, 
future production levels, operating 
and capital costs, cash flows and the 
Group’s balance sheet and 
shareholder returns. The operational 
forecasts included mining and process 
plant throughput levels, grades and 
metallurgical recovery rates.

The operation at Sukari has a low cost 
per ounce of production compared 
with other operating mines, which 
contributes to the Company’s longer 
term viability.

The budget process, which pulls 
heavily on the R&R data, includes key 
assumptions related directly to our 
significant risks, our strategy and risk 
appetite which are summarised below:

Integral to the long term viability 
of the Company is the Company’s 
resource and reserves (“R&R”) and 
details of Sukari’s R&R can be found 
on the Company’s website. The R&R 
statements are supported by technical 
reports which are developed in 
consultation with external experts 
and combine geological, metallurgical 
and economic data. Sukari’s long term 
sustainability was reconfirmed by 
the R&R update announced on 
25 February 2019 which 
demonstrated the ability to replace 
high-grade underground reserves and 
the open pit has a mine life in excess 
of 15 years.

Although a longer time horizon is 
considered for evaluation of risks 
impacting the Company, the 
assessment of viability is made during 
the budget process which covers a 
five-year period and detailed 
assessment of financial and 
operational forecasts.

•  gold price assumptions: 

management time and focus is 
applied to ensure a low-cost 
operation, which helps Sukari 
remain profitable, even in a 
relatively low gold price 
environment. The strategic decision 
to remain unhedged means the 
Company benefits fully in a strong 
gold price environment. In a weaker 
gold price environment, the 
commitment to cost control helps 
ensure business continuity; 

•  commodity assumptions: based on 
forecast prices, fuel represents 
approximately 20% of our 
operational costs and is therefore a 
significant commodity assumption 
in both the budget process and 
development of the R&R. This can 
therefore materially affect the cost 
base of the business;

•  production assumptions: Sukari is a 
24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week 
operation with an estimated plant 
nameplate throughput capacity of 
12Mtpa, a level which Sukari often 
exceeds. The process plant 
recovery rates are targeting 89% in 
2019. Maintaining and improving 
productivity is fundamental to our 
business and long term strategy; 
and

•  social licence to operate: relations 
with our partners, EMRA, remain 
strong and this relationship 
continues to strengthen with the 
onset of profit sharing. Government 
relations in West Africa will also be 
prioritised as we undertake more 
detailed feasibility studies.

48

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTThe review undertaken to determine 
the long term viability did not identify 
any new or emerging risks that have 
not already been disclosed under 
“principal risks” nor have any 
additional mitigation measures been 
implemented, other than in the 
ordinary course of business.

On the basis of all the procedures 
outlined above, the Directors 
confirmed on the date of this report 
that they have a reasonable 
expectation that the Company will 
be able to continue in operation and 
meet its liabilities as they fall due 
over the five year period of their 
assessment.

Although the business does prepare 
plans over a longer time horizon, 
notably in the Sukari life of mine 
models, the Company chose five 
years for its viability statement and 
carried out the review in 
February 2019 based on this time 
horizon. The five year time horizon 
reflects the period of the review 
which includes the preparation of 
the budget document which includes 
operational and financial forecasts that 
have been prepared over a five year 
period to 31 December 2023. 

In preparing budgetary information 
and forecasts, the Group considers 
the principal risks and wider corporate 
and operational risks. Of the principal 
risks identified, those with the most 
potential to impact negatively upon 
the Company’s ongoing viability 
include the gold price, the relationship 
with its partner, political risk and the 
ongoing litigation in Egypt.

A sensitivity analysis was carried out 
on the key inputs to the financial and 
operational forecasts, including 
sensitivity analysis on the average 
gold price. The review also considered 
the cost in developing the prospects 
in West Africa, noting that there are 
sufficient cash resources to cover the 
early stage development. The review 
considered timing and possible future 
capital expenditure whilst ensuring 
the dividend policy and ongoing 
commitments could be met.

The investor presentation, together 
with other presentations, can be 
viewed on the Company’s website, 
which contains the latest operational 
and financial information.

The management team also considers 
strategic, operational and compliance 
risks throughout the year and 
produces the following reports and 
documents for the Board and Audit 
and Risk Committee to review to 
support it in making the formal 
viability statement:

•  operational risk assessment register 

and corporate risk matrix;
•  annual impairment review;
•  going concern review;
•  life of mine model;
•  business continuity planning; and
•  monthly and annual budgets.

The assessment of viability over a 
period of five years to 2023 and the 
material inputs and assumptions 
remain consistent with the conclusions 
set out in the viability statement in the 
2017 annual report. However, notably, 
the updated reserve and resource 
statement at 30 June 2018 
(announced on 25 February 2019) 
supports the longevity of the open pit 
operation and upside potential of the 
underground operation at Sukari (see 
R&R statements in the operational 
report). The relationship with our 
partners, EMRA, remains strong with 
both parties enjoying profit sharing in 
line with the Concession Agreement 
throughout the year. The principal 
risks are set out on pages 42 to 47 and 
all principal risks have been concluded 
by the Board to be within acceptable 
limits, taking account of the associated 
mitigation that is in place.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

49

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationOperational  
review

Centamin remains committed to further 
improving health and safety during 2019 
towards our zero-harm target.

Andrew Pardey
Chief Executive Officer

Our operational track record is one 
of the key measures that marks our 
progress. This is underpinned by an 
entrepreneurial culture, striving to find 
improvements across all sections of 
the mine. In 2018, challenges 
experienced in the open pit and 
underground mining operations 
impacted the total volume produced. 
Consequently, record material mined 
from the open pit and underground 
and record ore processed are a few 
parameters demonstrating the 
increased productivity achieved. 

Health and safety 

Workplace health and safety is central 
to our culture. The daily onsite 
departmental meeting begins with a 
discussion on HSES matters as the 
topmost priority. 

In 2018, the LTIFR for Sukari was 
0.07 (Group 0.06) per 200,000 hours 
worked (2017: 0.26), with a total of 
5,784,130 hours worked (2017: 
5,464,321). 

There was a notable improvement 
during 2018. Improvements included 
implementing measures to reduce 
task-related hazards by ensuring that 
employees completed a Take 5 safety 

checklist prior to starting any job or by 
conducting a Job Safety Analysis for 
all non-routine tasks. There was an 
improvement in the follow up and 
close out of corrective actions and 
recommendations that were raised 
from incident investigations by 
ensuring that actions were physically 
verified before closing out. Additional 
programmes to promote safety 
leadership were implemented which 
included a weekly, General Manager 
led, HSES dominated review of 
different areas.

Centamin remains committed to 
further improving health and safety 
during 2019 towards our zero-harm 
target. Further details of the safety 
initiatives, employee welfare and 
relevant government relations are set 
out in the CSR report.

Production 

Gold production for 2018 was 
472,418 ounces, a 13% reduction on 
the prior year (2017: 544,658 ounces) 
driven by lower than expected grade 
from open pit and underground. 

The open pit operations produced 
239,687 ounces, a 13% reduction on 
the prior year (2017: 274,017 ounces) 

and the underground operations 
produced 211,250 ounces, an 18% 
reduction on the prior year 
(2017: 257,100 ounces). The 
dump leach operations produced 
15,219 ounces, a 77% increase on 
the prior year (2017: 8,597 ounces) 
resulting from the increased material 
delivered to the dump leach as open 
pit mining progressed through the 
upper levels of Stage 4. Cleopatra 
underground decline development in 
porphyry resulted in the production of 
8,959 ounces (2017: 4,944 ounces). 

Full-year production guidance was 
revised during 2018 in response to 
operational challenges faced: lower 
grades delivered from the open pit in 
the first half of 2018, as mining 
progressed through the transitional 
zone; disruption to the underground 
stoping sequence in Q2, resulting 
from a damaged rig; and unplanned 
dilution from the cascading stopes in 
the Amun underground. The 
Company identified, evaluated and 
implemented solutions, reporting and 
monitoring results throughout the 
year, the results of which are reported 
here and throughout the year. 

50

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTtransitional zone completed 
in Q3

•  20% increase in ore tonnes, 
driving a significant increase 
in stockpile inventory

•  Effective scheduling resulted 
in less trucks utilised to move 
record material

•  LHDR fully operational; no 
equipment utilisation or 
availability issues to report

•  Second LHDR operational

•  Reduction in total tonnage 
impacted by cascading 
stoping, increasing mined 
ore grade

•  Stope stability

IDENTIFY

EVALUATE

IMPLEMENT SOLUTIONS

RESULTS AND MONITORING

Underground exploration drilling.

FACTORS IMPACTING 
PERFORMANCE 

Open pit grade

CAUSE

RESPONSE

OUTCOME

•  Enhanced grade control 

•  Stage 4 mining of the 

•  Transitional zone thicker than 
expected with lower than 
expected grades

drilling

•  Personnel change 

• 

Increase mining rates and 
volumes to access sulphides as 
efficiently (time and cost) as 
possible

Underground stope tonnage

•  Long hole drill rig (“LHDR”) 

•  Repaired LHDR

damaged, causing disruptions 
and temporary suspension of 
stoping

• 

Increased volume of cascade 
stoping (bulk tonnage mining 
method) leading to increased 
dilution 

•  Deferred stoping sequence, 
did not sterilise any stopes

•  Backup LHDR ordered

•  Assessed alternative mining 

methods

•  Personnel changes

• 

Installation of CHF backfill 
plant

Underground development 
grade

• 

Increased development 
tonnages due to lower 
stoping production

Underground stope grade

•  Greater than expected 

dilution from high-volume 
mining method (cascade 
stope mining)

•  Personnel changes

•  Multiple new technical 

•  Staged implementation of 

appointments 

underground planning, design 
and scheduling software, 
Deswik

•  Deswik integration underway

•  Reducing contribution from 
higher dilution mining 
methods

• 

Improved controls continue 
to be implemented

•  Good initial improvement in 
operational efficiencies

•  Core focus, to achieve 

optimal results

•  Stope stability

•  Personnel changes

• 

Installation of CHF 
backfill plant

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

51

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationOperational review continued

In 2019, annual production guidance is 
expected to be 490,000 – 520,000 
ounces, supported by a robust 
updated life of mine plan and ongoing 
focus on improving operational 
efficiencies, in particular resolving the 
ongoing impact of unplanned dilution 
and mitigating future risks. 

The mine ROM ore stockpile 
increased from 2.18Mt (at 0.51g/t) at 
31 December 2017, to 12.22Mt (at 
0.47g/t) at 31 December 2018, with 
7.7 Mt at 0.44g/t now classified as 
longer term stockpiles and including 
1.6Mt at 0.37g/t expensed due to the 
change in stockpiles cut-off grade.

Costs 

The cash costs of production for 2018 
was US$624 per ounce produced, a 
13% increase on the prior year, and 
the all-in sustaining cost was 
US$884 per ounce sold, a 12% 
increase on the prior year, due to 
lower volume of gold produced and 
sold year-on-year. Both were in line 
with market guidance. 

In 2019, cash cost of production 
is expected to be between 
US$675-US$725 per ounce produced 
and all-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) 
between US$890-US$950 per ounce 
sold. Increase in forecast costs 
account for increased volumes mined. 
Focus remains on progressing long 
and near-term cost savings initiatives. 

Open pit

The open pit delivered total material 
movement of 77.9Mt, a 10% increase 
on the prior year (2017: 70.9Mt). 
This increase was related to opening 
up mining in two main areas – Stage 
4North and 4West, coupled with good 
equipment availabilities and focus on 
increasing equipment utilisation. 

Ore mined from the open pit was 
23.1Mt at 0.60 g/t, a 44% increase on 
the prior year (2017: 16.1Mt), due to 
increased volumes mined from the 
transitional zone of Stage 4. The open 
pit delivered 11.1Mt of ore at an 
average feed grade of 0.76g/t to the 
plant and 2.0Mt at an average grade 
of 0.37g/t to the dump leach pads. 

The strip ratio was 2.37, a reduction 
from 3.4 in 2017, based primarily on 
the increased tonnage of low-grade 
and dump leach material mined. 

In 2019, total ore volumes mined are 
expected to be approximately 50% 
lower and strip ratio is scheduled to 
increase to 5.85:1, as the orebody 
tightens with depth. Mining will 
continue to focus on Stage 4, 
scheduled to deliver on average 1.0g/t 
ore. Early stage preparatory waste 
stripping will commence on Stage 5 
during 2019, delivering small volumes 
of low-grade material. Stage 4 will 
continue to be the primary source of 
ore into 2020 and 2021, when Stage 5 
fully comes into production. 

Underground mine 

The underground mine produced 
1.24Mt of ore, a 9% increase on the 
prior year (2017: 1.14Mt). Ore from 
stoping accounted for 59% (0.74Mt) 
of the total, with the balance of ore 
(0.50Mt) from development. The 
average mined head grade was 
5.69g/t, comprising 6.5g/t from 
stoping (2017: 8.9g/t) and 4.5g/t from 
development (2017: 7.4g/t), a 27% and 
39% decrease, respectively, on 
the prior year. 

Underground development advanced 
7,349 metres, comprising 3,459 metres 
in Amun and 3,741 metres in Ptah. 
A further 149 metres was developed in 
the Horus Decline (which is accessed 
from the bottom of the Amun Decline) 
to just below the 590 Level. The Ptah 
Decline was progressed 247 metres 
to just below the 590 Level, which is 
nearly 500 metres vertically below 
the portal. 

Production equipment availability 
and utilisation issues were 
experienced at the end of Q1, and 
early Q2, predominantly due to 
recurring damage to the long hole 
drill rig (“LHDR”), reducing stoping 
volumes and leading to an increased 
mix of lower-grade ore-drive 
development tonnes. 

As the year progressed, stope 
production increased such that by 
year end, production was weighted 
59% stoping and 41% development. 
Over the course of the year, additional 
development was undertaken in the 
Amun zone, resulting in 50% more 
ounces produced from development 
than scheduled. This was due to: 1) 
equipment availability disruptions, and 
2) delineation of additional ore along 
the lower Amun ore drives which were 
otherwise planned for completion in 
2019. For the Ptah zone, development 
was in line with planned tonnes. 

Furthermore, stope grades were 
impacted by greater than scheduled 
dilution from low-grade porphyry 
material in the open cascading stopes 
in the Amun zone. Amun stoping 
exceeded planned tonnage by 17% 
though grade was down by 23% on 
account of unplanned cascading 
stopes as a result of increased dilution. 
For Ptah, stope production was 47% 
of planned tonnage, though grade 
was 26% higher as lower tonnage, 
high-grade stopes in the Ptah 
sediments were prioritised over lower 
grade, bulk stopes. 

A total of 14,073 metres of grade 
control drilling was completed, aimed 
at short term mine planning and 
resource development. A further 
41,685 metres of underground 
diamond drilling continued to test for 
reserve extensions below the current 
Amun and Ptah zones, with extensive 
drilling also being undertaken at the 
Cleopatra zone at the north of the 
Sukari porphyry. Further details and 
underground drilling results are 
discussed in the exploration review.

52

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTSukari open pit mining operation.

Total capital expenditure for Sukari in 
2019 is expected to be US$120 million, 
including a regional seismic 
exploration programme, 
underground exploration and 
development, solar feasibility study 
completion, underground backfill 
plant, North tailings storage facility 
engineer studies and ongoing fleet 
rebuild programme.

In 2019, there is a strong managerial 
and operational focus on improving 
identification and response times to 
deviations from the mine plan, as a 
means to mitigating the potential 
impact on performance. Technological 
investment in, for example, Mill Ear to 
listen and record activity within the 
mills, increasing response time and 
reducing potential mill liner damage, 
thereby increasing productivity; 
upgrades to the SCADA System for 
real time reporting and operating 
controls; and slope monitoring to 
optimise the pit wall slope angles and 
monitor material movement, creating 
a safer work environment, are but a 
few upgrades scheduled for 
implementation. 

In 2019, the plan for the underground 
mine revolves around development 
and stope production in the Amun 
and Ptah zones and to establish 
development in the Ptah Eastern 
stockworks, combined with continued 
development of the Horus and Ptah 
declines to open up new production 
fronts. The decline development 
requires increased levels of waste 
development throughout the year. 
The split of stoping to development 
tonnes is expected to be 75:25.

Processing

The Sukari plant processed a record 
12.6Mt of ore in 2018, a 4% increase 
on the prior year (2017: 12.0Mt). 
Processing performance improved 
over the course of the year, reaching a 
record 3.2Mt processed in the fourth 
quarter. Plant utilisation of total time 
averaged 95% in 2018.

Metallurgical recovery averaged 
88.7%, a 1% increase on the prior year 
(2017: 88.1%). Visiofroth cameras were 
successfully installed on the flotation 
circuit in plant 2 and will be installed in 
plant 1 in 2019.

In 2019, plant throughput is expected 
to be in excess of 13Mtpa. Improved 
feed grade delivered to the mill with 
further work to improve operational 
controls and process stability to 
ensure recoveries reach target rate 
of 89%. 

Capital expenditure 

In 2018, Sukari sustaining capital 
expenditure was US$89.2 million 
with key investment attributed to 
underground exploration and 
development, scheduled fleet 
rebuild programme and additional 
crushing capacity. 

Investment in technology, people and 
training are additional critical areas the 
Company continues to invest in as a 
way of driving improved operational 
performance. During 2018, we 
invested time and capital in 
technological upgrades, security and 
implementation of new software and 
systems. For example, we began the 
staged implementation of Deswik, a 
software solution which engineers a 
live, dynamic, centralised mine plan. 

Succession planning and recruitment 
has been an ongoing key initiative 
through 2018 and will continue into 
2019. A number of talented, 
experienced individuals have been 
recruited to assume key positions at 
Sukari, including, but not limited to: 

•  General Manager; 
•  Operations Director;
•  Open Pit Geology Superintendent; 
•  Processing Manager; 
•  Supply Chain Manager; 
•  Technical Services Manager; and
•  Underground Manager.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

53

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationOperational review continued

Open pit mining

Total material mined 

Ore mined 

Ore grade mined 

Ore grade milled  

g/t Au 

g/t Au 

Strip ratio 

  waste/ore 

Underground mining – Amun/Ptah

Ore mined stoping 

Ore mined development 

kt 

kt 

Ore grade mined 

g/t Au 

Year  
ended 
31 Dec 
2018 

units 

Q4 2018 

Q3 2018 

Q2 2018 

Q1 2018 

Year 
ended  
31 Dec 
2017 

Q4 2017

kt 

kt 

77,877 

23,131 

21,075 

19,891 

18,415 

18,496 

70,870 

17,647

4,990 

6,562 

5,532 

6,047 

16,090 

5,726

0.60 

0.76 

2.37 

739 

504 

5.69 

0.75 

0.92 

3.22 

199 

115 

6.21 

0.64 

0.83 

2.03 

199 

128 

5.18 

0.51 

0.59 

2.33 

180 

109 

4.62 

0.50 

0.69 

2.06 

160 

152 

6.69 

0.66 

0.89 

3.40 

684 

461 

8.28 

0.62

0.92

2.08

168

130

8.79

AISC(3) 

Unit AISC(3) 

Processing 

Ore processed 

Head grade 

Gold recovery 

Gold produced – dump leach 

kt 

12,568 

3,198 

3,129 

3,172 

3,068 

12,032 

3,072

g/t Au 

% 

oz 

1.26 

88.7 

1.45 

89.1 

1.29 

88.7 

0.99 

87.3 

1.31 

89.6 

1.57 

88.1 

12,522 

3,445 

3,894 

3,028 

2,155 

8,597 

1.70

88.5

3,119

Total gold production(1) 

oz  472,418 

137,600 

117,720 

92,803 

124,296 

544,658 

154,298

Total gold sold 

oz  484,322 

148,851 

106,798 

97,628 

131,045 

539,726 

153,490

Cash cost of production(2,3) 

  US$’000  289,394 

82,579 

70,874 

64,630 

71,312 

301,706 

69,965

Unit cash cost of production(2,3)  US$/oz 

624 

609 

619 

714 

581 

554 

453

  US$’000 

420,116 

118,911 

92,056 

102,211 

106,939 

426,466 

114,247

Average realised sales price  

US$/oz 

US$/oz 

884 

1,267 

809 

1,235 

889 

1,206 

1,073 

1,298 

825 

1,328 

790 

1,261 

744

1,278

(1)  Gold produced is gold poured and does not include gold-in-circuit at period end.

(2)  Cash cost of production excludes royalties, exploration and corporate administration expenditure. Cash costs of production reflect a provision 
against prepayments to reflect the removal of fuel subsidies which occurred in January 2012 (refer to note 2.7 of the financial statements for 
further details).

(3)  Cash cost of production and all-in sustaining costs are non-GAAP financial performance measures with no standard meaning under GAAP.  

Please see the financial review for details of non-GAAP measures.

54

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exploration  
review

Exploration is at the heart of everything we do; the 
foundation we are built upon and will remain our 
competitive advantage for creating future value.

Norman Bailie
Group Exploration Manager

Exploration is at the heart of 
everything we do; the foundation we 
are built upon and will remain our 
competitive advantage for creating 
future value. 

Egypt
Centamin has a 160km2 Concession 
Agreement in Southern Egypt, in 
the Eastern Desert. Here the 
Sukari Gold Mine has been explored 
and developed into a world-class 
mine. Operating in its ninth year of 
commercial production, there are 
11Moz of mineral resources, including 
7.25Moz of reserves and significant 
reserve and resource upside across 
the tenement area. 

Sukari Gold Mine

In 2018, the Group carried out 
intensive exploration programmes 
across the portfolio of assets. 
Near mine exploration at Sukari 
successfully replaced underground 
reserves in excess of mining depletion 
and thereby sustaining the rolling life 
of mine, in addition to generating 
highly prospective target extensions 
to the existing underground and 
delineating previously underexplored 
structures within the Cleopatra zone. 

Exploration drill campaign remained 
focused within the mine site, aiming 
to continue to unlock the 
underground resource potential at 
Amun, Ptah and Cleopatra. The Sukari 
porphyry remains open at depth 
and along strike and the high-grade 
structures within the porphyry are 
not fully defined. 

This is proximal to the current decline 
development drives and outside the 
existing reserve and resource. Top of 
Horus zone is still open to the south 
with higher grade located at the 
brecciated contact. This is an area of 
significant potential for high-grade 
reserve and resource growth, with 
further drilling scheduled in 2019. 

A 40,511-metre diamond drilling 
programme was completed at an 
average cost of US$168 per metre. 

Amun/Ptah production decline
Within the existing underground 
operations, systematic exploration, 
included routine infill drilling, resource 
extension drilling, and drilling ahead 
of the current underground 
development designs. 

Exploration within the Amun zone was 
focused on resource extension along 
the southern strike of the mine. A total 
of 5,535 metres were drilled from the 
650 and 665 level, targeting reserve 
and resource extensions within the 
Osiris flat structure and resource 
extensions to the south of the Top 
of Horus zone. Results confirmed 
the high-grade consistency along 
the southern and western extension 
of the Osiris zone. 

The Osiris zone is characterised by a 
major, low-angle thrust rotating the 
major W-WNW gently dipping 
porphyry block. The main high-grade 
veins occur on the upper and lower 
contacts of the porphyry with 
high-angle steeper dipping secondary 
veins ramping up, linking through to 
the western porphyry contact. The 
Top of Horus forms on the contacts 
and develops within the steeply 
dipping Horus porphyry. The Top of 
Horus high-grade veins are typically 
high-angle dipping towards the 
Northwest. This structural setting, 
where the low-angle Osiris thrust 
caps and possibly shifts laterally the 
top of the sub-vertical Horus 
porphyry, is open up and down 
plunge along strike. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

55

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationExploration review continued

Sukari Gold Mine continued

2018 Significant Amun drill intercepts (0.4g/t cut-off) 

Tenement ID 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Prospect ID 

Hole ID 

Level 
(mRL) 

Interval 
(m) 

Grade  
(Au g/t)

AMUN  UGRSD0844 

AMUN  UGRSD0850 

AMUN 

UGD4136 

AMUN  UGRSD0845 

AMUN  UGRSD0848 

AMUN  UGRSD0844 

AMUN  UGRSD0843 

AMUN  UGRSD0849 

AMUN  UGRSD0845 

AMUN  UGRSD0844 

AMUN  UGRSD0843 

AMUN  UGRSD0846 

AMUN 

UGD4139 

AMUN  UGRSD0864 

AMUN  UGRSD0843 

AMUN  UGRSD0857 

AMUN  UGRSD0857 

AMUN  UGRSD0849 

646.0 

636.7 

647.6 

637.4 

654.9 

640.1 

635.7 

632.6 

538.5 

498.5 

539.1 

650.0 

639.6 

631.3 

640.6 

630.5 

623.5 

628.7 

8.0 

1.2 

2.0 

9.0 

15.2 

1.0 

0.9 

9.2 

4.0 

6.0 

0.7 

2.5 

2.0 

3.0 

4.0 

2.7 

4.0 

2.7 

180.1

563.0

239.8

51.9

18.5

259.0

287.2

25.8

39.2

26.0

213.2

40.3

47.2

29.4

18.9

22.8

13.6

20.0

During the year, greater than 14,500 metres were drilled within Ptah, a key growth driver for the underground mine. 
Drilling from the 660 and 735 levels, tested along the ore strike length, exploring short term underground development 
design, and infill drilling, driving resource reserve potential for future mine life.

Results confirmed grade continuity with high grades concentrated along strike, on both the Eastern and Western 
contacts of the porphyry, where breccia and/or stockwork zones form internally within the porphyry. The quartz lodes on 
the Western contact remain a priority high-grade target (high-grade intercepts returned along the mineralised structure 
south of Ptah going to the north) where the interaction between the Hapi structure and the Western contact shear results 
in dilation and gold enrichment. The Porphyry Keel drill results confirm resource potential extension at depth plunging 
towards the north. 

2018 SUKARI UNDERGROUND AND HEAT MAP

56

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 Significant Ptah drill intercepts (0.4g/t cut-off) 

Tenement ID 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Prospect ID 

Hole ID 

Level 
(mRL) 

Interval 
(m) 

Grade  
(Au g/t)

PTAH  UGRSD0956 

PTAH 

PUD7632 

PTAH  UGRSD0968 

PTAH 

PUD7695 

PTAH  UGRSD0963 

PTAH 

PUD7613 

PTAH  UGRSD0960 

PTAH  UGRSD0928 

PTAH 

PUD7605 

PTAH  UGRSD0929 

PTAH  UGRSD0996 

PTAH 

PUD7859 

PTAH  UGRSD0960 

PTAH  UGRSD0982 

PTAH  UGRSD0915 

PTAH  UGRSD0990 

PTAH 

PUD7859 

PTAH  UGRSD0926 

PTAH 

PUD7830 

PTAH  UGRSD0914 

PTAH 

PUD7630 

PTAH  UGRSD0906 

PTAH  UGRSD0923 

PTAH  UGRSD0955 

PTAH 

PUD7630 

PTAH  UGRSD0911 

PTAH  UGRSD0905 

PTAH  UGRSD0926 

PTAH  UGRSD0914 

599.4 

638.1 

595.9 

605.2 

585.0 

663.6 

586.6 

429.0 

641.1 

399.4 

537.3 

713.7 

584.0 

603.7 

637.7 

663.7 

721.7 

563.0 

699.8 

690.4 

672.1 

403.6 

727.0 

592.2 

655.8 

595.7 

483.6 

589.6 

723.1 

3.0 

2.1 

3.6 

1.7 

1.6 

11.4 

1.7 

57.0 

9.0 

43.0 

2.3 

5.0 

0.7 

4.6 

2.2 

3.4 

4.0 

1.0 

6.4 

0.4 

2.6 

4.0 

1.7 

0.8 

2.1 

1.2 

3.0 

2.0 

0.3 

428.0

308.4

176.0

354.8

374.0

40.0

258.1

6.8

40.1

8.2

129.6

40.6

208.0

31.4

58.1

30.5

25.3

97.2

14.9

270.0

35.3

22.7

50.2

106.0

36.0

56.1

20.4

26.1

172.0

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

57

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exploration review continued

Sukari Gold Mine continued

Cleopatra exploration and development decline
The Cleopatra zone consists of a set of three stacked WNW dipping mineralised zones, located at the north of the Sukari 
porphyry, named from surface as Cleopatra, Antoni and Julius. Exploration and development is systematically focused on 
the Upper Cleopatra zone, collating increasing detailed geological information, progressing decline development and 
establishing drill platforms. 

Cleopatra exploration completed 2,260 metres of decline development, extracting 185,333 tonnes of mineralised 
development ore at an average grade of 1.74g/t. A total of 20,392 metres were drilled from two drill sites in Upper 
Cleopatra, 1120mRL and 1150mRL levels, targeting the northern extension of the Porphyry-Keel/Ptah Deeps. 

2018 Significant Cleopatra drill intercepts (0.3g/t cut-off) 

Tenement ID 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Sukari Gold Mine 

Prospect ID 

Hole ID 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CRSD112 

CRSD085 

CLEO  CRSD125_W1 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CUD099 

CRSD079 

CRSD115 

CUD100 

CRSD114 

CRSD114 

CRSD102 

CRSD125 

CRSD125 

CRSD121 

CLEO  CRSD125_W1 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CRSD122 

CRSD082 

CRSD102 

CUD104 

CRSD092 

CUD096 

CRSD116 

CUD129 

CRSD108 

CRSD107 

CRSD124 

CUD101 

CLEO 

CRSD098A 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CLEO 

CRSD124 

CRSD084 

CRSD096 

CRSD096 

CRSD108 

CLEO 

CRSD097A 

Level 
(mRL) 

908 

745 

665 

1154 

636 

597 

1149 

650 

1059 

1034 

1127 

694 

527 

795 

1132 

692 

1064 

668 

844 

1164 

1120 

1172 

943 

961 

1004 

1145 

934 

1009 

1042 

845 

991 

978 

856 

Interval 
(m) 

1 

1 

1 

4 

1 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

3 

1 

3 

5 

4 

3 

2 

4 

7 

8 

10 

10 

8 

9 

15 

20 

Grade  
(Au g/t)

110.9

30.0

27.4

18.3

15.9

12.8

12.3

11.5

9.5

9.3

9.3

7.9

7.5

7.5

6.8

6.7

6.3

6.2

6.2

5.9

4.4

5.7

5.5

5.5

5.4

4.7

4.2

3.9

3.8

3.4

3.1

3.0

2.7

58

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In 2019, exploration is focused on infill 
drill of the Antoni and Julius zones to 
provide resource information for both 
underground and open pit potential, 
and resource definition drilling at 
depth within the Ptah Deeps. A grade 
control programme is underway to 
fully define potential for future 
small-scale stoping blocks. 
Exploration development has been 
scheduled to continue at current 
mining rates, exceeding 2,000 metres 
in decline development in porphyry. 

Sukari regional exploration 

Sukari is a world-class gold district 
(+15Moz) hosted on a major ANS 
terrane boundary, a NW verging, 
abducted, ophiolite thrust belt. Sukari 
resources are currently drill defined 
around the 2.7km long by 0.6km deep 
Sukari porphyry that sits axially within 
a much wider 17km long by 3.7km 
ophiolite shear zone. There are seven 
main surface prospects hosted along 
five primary domain gold trends within 
the licence. All surface prospects are 
within trucking distance to the existing 
processing plant and infrastructure.

Initial exploration work commenced 
to construct a robust district 3D 
geo-seismic architecture of the licence 
area to depths >1.5km, targeting 
potential new Sukari-style porphyries. 
The first stage of Petrophysics were 
completed for the application of 3D 
seismic across the licence area. 

By Q3, rock property measurements 
were conducted where P-wave 
velocity (Vp) and Density (SG) were 
measured on Sukari core samples. 
Vp and SG were logged across three 
holes that intersect significant 
mineralisation, geology and structures 
at Sukari. HiSeis personnel in 
consultation with staff at Sukari have 
chosen the holes where the Acoustic 
Impedance (AI) obtained from these 
measurements was used to assess 
which interfaces will act as reflectors 
and identify the controls on these 
relationships. The acquired values 
were then applied to a schematic 
geological cross-section, which was 
then used in numerical simulations to 
create a forward seismic model.

The surface exploration is focused on 
creating a detailed geological map of 
the entire tenement, highlighting 
areas of enhanced fluid flow, or 
anomalism, which are prospective for 
gold fluid movement and deposition. 

In 2019, the plan is to complete the 3D 
seismics across the concession and 
construct a detailed geological map 
highlighting areas for future 
exploration. 

Côte d’Ivoire

(The below was announced as part of 
a Company regulatory news release 
on material progress on Côte d’Ivoire 
exploration projects on 
15 February 2019. It is included here 
for completeness in review of 2018.) 

Centamin has eleven permits covering 
circa 3,472 km2 and a further ten 
permits covering 3,413 km2 under 
application. The key achievements 
were the Doropo Project resource 
growth, progress on the PEA 
development studies and the 
ABC Project Kona South maiden 
resource release.

2019 CLEOPATRA DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

59

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationExploration review continued

Côte d’Ivoire continued

Mineral resources
The mineral resource data presented in the tables comprise a summary extract of the Doropo and ABC mineral 
resource report, using drill assay results received up to and including 10 December 2018. For comparative purposes, 
data for 2017 has been included for Doropo. In the instance of ABC, this is a maiden mineral resource and therefore no 
previous data has been provided for comparative purposes. Numbers have been rounded and therefore they may be 
small differences in the totals. 

Doropo Project  

(0.5g/t cut-off) 

ABC Prospect 

(0.5g/t cut-off) 

2018 

2017

Category 

Tonnage 
(Mt) 

Grade 
(g/t) 

Gold 
content 
(Moz) 

Tonnage 
(Mt) 

Grade 
(g/t) 

  Measured 

—  

Indicated 

M+I 

Inferred 

  Measured  

Indicated 

M+I 

Inferred 

50 

50 

19 

— 

20 

20 

16 

—  

1.31 

1.31 

1.3 

—  

1.03 

1.03 

0.9 

— 

2.13 

2.13 

0.8 

—

0.65

0.65

0.5

 —  

32.6 

32.6 

24.8 

—  

1.3 

1.3 

1.2 

Gold  
content 
(Moz)

—

1.35

1.35

0.90

Doropo Project

The Doropo Project, located in the 
northeast Côte d’Ivoire, is wholly 
owned by the Company, consisting of 
nine permits, over a 2,721km2 highly 
prospective landholding that lies 
between the Boromo-Batie and the 
Hounde-Tehini greenstones belts. 

The Company began extensive 
exploration at Doropo in late 2014, 
leading to maiden resource declared 
in 2017. The Company’s experienced 
exploration team have achieved 
year-on-year resource growth. The 
team applies a systematic approach to 
prioritise resource-focused target 
generation and ranking to fast-track 
the most prospective target. 

Geology
The Doropo landholding lies entirely 
within the granitic domain, bounded 
on the eastern side by the Boromo-
Batie greenstones belt, in Burkina 
Faso, and on the western side by the 
Tehini-Hounde greenstones belt.

At the project scale, the geology 
consists of a granite-gneiss terrain, the 
granite being mostly of coarse 
granodioritic composition, bound by 
major bimodal greenstone belts, which 
express progressive assimilation and 
strain gradients at the margins, 

evidenced by the presence of 
pyroxenites and amphibolites in the 
volcanic suites and migmatites in the 
granitoids (mostly on the western side).

Gold mineralisation occurs late in the 
regionally extensive, reactivating 
compressional shear networks, framed 
by intense silica-sericite-carbonate 
alteration haloes. The main structural 
hosts are cross-cutting quartz veins 
with diffuse overprinting with fine to 
medium grained pyrite sulphide 
selvages. Gold grade correlates with 
the thickness of the pyrite and high 
grades are coextensive with native 
gold within the structural laminations 
and contacts of the quartz veining. 
The veins range up to several metres. 
Late regional, post-gold, doleritic 
dykes intrude along a number of 
the gold-bearing shear structures. 

Exploration 
In 2018, nearly 100,000 metres 
were drilled across Doropo. Over 
56,000 metres of RC drilling focusing 
on mineral resource definition and 
exploration targeting; 36,000 metres 
of aircore and auger drilling defining 
new strong surface anomalies and 
follow up targets; and approx. 
2,800 metres of diamond drilling 
for metallurgical test work samples 
as part of the PEA study. 

Assay results received in 2018 
significantly extended Chegue Main, 
Chegue South and Enioda deposits, 
defined new high-grade shoots at 
Souwa, Han and Nokpa and 
discovered the new Tchouahinin 
resource. The Doropo mineral 
resource grew to 2.13Moz at 1.31g/t in 
the indicated category, and 760koz at 
1.3g/t in the inferred category, using a 
0.5g/t cut-off grade.

The currently defined mineral resource 
deposits lie within a 6km radius. 
Souwa, Nokpa, Chegue Main and 
Chegue South, which hosts 75% of the 
total mineral resource, are clustered 
within a 3km radius of a proposed 
plant location. Han, Kekeda 
Tchouahinin are satellite deposits 
located 4 to 6km to the southeast 
and Enioda sits 12km to the east.

The Souwa deposit currently hosts 
the largest resource and remains 
structurally open in all directions. 
Mineralisation extends over a 2.6km 
strike and dips 25° west to greater 
than 250 metre vertical depth. Drilling 
in 2019 will target the down-plunge 
extensions of the composite 
high-grade shoots and the 
northern strike extension of the 
resource to where it intersects the 
Nokpa-Chegue structure. 

60

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Nokpa deposit returned some 
excellent intercepts, including: 
37 meters at 6.4g/t, 9 metres at 
14.0g/t, 2 meters at 19g/t. Nokpa is 
centred on a high-grade WNW 
moderately plunging shoot. The 
high-grade core sits in a 200-metre 
long dilational jog created at the 
intersection of three major structures: 
the major Nokpa-Chegue Main shear, 
the Souwa shear and a third major 
fault infilled by late dykes. 
Mineralisation extends to 300 metres 
vertical depth and remains open. 
2019 drilling will follow the high-grade 
plunge of the core Nokpa lode and 
similar structural analogs within the 
proximal district.

Drilling has successfully connected 
both Chegue Main and Nokpa, along 
a 2.4km strike mineralised structure. 
Drilling started and will be ongoing 
in 2019. 

Similar in origin to Nokpa, Chegue 
South hosts a significant resource 
immediately south of the 
Nokpa-Chegue Main shear zone. 
Drilling and exploration in 2018 
solidified the high-grade shoots within 
the resource and extended on plunge 
and towards the south. 

Infill drilling at Kekeda and Han 
satellite deposits will continue into 
2019 with the objective of improving 
the resource confidence classification. 

Tchouahinin, located centrally within 
the resource area, 3km between 
Souwa and Kekeda, is a new satellite 
deposit. The mineralisation is currently 
defined along 700 metre strike and 
open in all directions. 2019 drilling will 
continue to develop the new 
Tchouahinin structural setting.

At Enioda deposit, drilling successfully 
bridged two smaller shoots into a 
coherent 2.2km long surface deposit 
which strikes north to south and dips 
40° west. Enioda forms the 
southernmost section of a continuous 
7km regional mineralised shear. 
Drilling in 2019 will continue to 
develop the Enioda resource on strike 
and down dip.

Mineral resources, by deposit
(0.5g/t gold cut-off)

As at 31 December 2018 

As at 31 December 2017

Indicated 

Inferred 

Indicated 

Inferred

  Tonnes  Grade 
(g/t) 

(Mt) 

Gold  Tonnes  Grade 
(g/t) 
(Mt) 
(Moz) 

Gold  Tonnes  Grade 
(Moz) 
(g/t) 

(Mt) 

Gold  Tonnes  Grade  Gold  
(Moz)
(Moz) 

(g/t) 

(Mt) 

Souwa 

Nokpa 

Chegue Main 

Chegue South 

Kekeda 

Han 

Tchouahinin 

Enioda 

Total Doropo  
mineral resources  

18.1 

1.41  0.82 

6.9  1.30  0.29 

5.7 

6.8 

4.1 

1.05 

0.19 

1.31  0.29 

1.17 

0.15 

3.8  1.48 

0.18 

1.3  1.44  0.06 

3.9  1.20 

0.15 

6.3 

1.8 

1.4 

3.4 

1.2 

1.6 

1.0 

2.2 

1.5  0.30 

15.4 

1.2  0.07 

0.9  0.04 

1.2 

0.13 

1.2  0.05 

1.4 

0.07 

5.1 

2.3 

4.6 

2.0 

3.2 

1.4 

1.4 

1.0 

1.4 

1.2 

1.3 

0.65 

0.22 

0.08 

0.2 

0.07 

0.13 

7.2 

4.9 

2.3 

3.6 

2.0 

1.5 

1.3 

1.3 

0.9 

1.1 

1.2 

1.2 

0.29

0.20

0.06

0.12

0.07

0.06

1.0  0.03   —   —   —   —   —   —

1.0 

0.07   —   —   — 

3.2 

0.9 

0.1

  50.5 

1.31 

2.13  18.99  1.25 

0.76  32.55 

1.3 

1.35 

24.9 

1.2 

0.9

Outside of the 6km radius mineral resource area, regional Doropo exploration focused generative geochemical 
surveys on Tehini 1, 2 and 3 permits, Gogo and Bouna. The most significant discovery of 2018 was the Kilosegui 
anomaly, a coherent 8km long gold in soils-auger anomaly, located 35km south-west of Souwa. Further new additional 
target anomalies were defined in Kalamon, Danoa and Gogo permits. First pass drilling will commence on the 
Kilosegui target and other prioritised new targets will be drilled throughout H1 2019. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

61

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exploration review continued

Doropo Project continued

2018 Significant drill intercepts (0.3g/t cut-off) 

Tenement ID 

KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
DANOA 
DANOA 
DANOA 
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   

KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   
KALAMON   

Prospect ID 

Hole ID 

From (m) 

To (m) 

Interval 
(m) 

Grade  
(Au g/t)

Chegue 
Chegue 
Chegue 
Chegue 
Chegue 
Chegue 
Chegue 
Chegue 
Chegue 
Enioda 
Enioda 
Enioda 
Han 
Han 
Hinda 
Kekeda 
Kekeda 
Kekeda 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Nokpa 
Souwa 

Souwa 
Souwa 
Souwa 
Souwa 
Souwa 
Tchouahinin 
Tchouahinin 

DPRC2103 
DPRC2105 
DPRC0913 
DPRC2139 
DPRC2116 
DPRC2054 
DPRC2344 
DPRC2069 
DPRC0920 
DPRC2026 
DPRC2156 
DPRC2178 
DPDD1433 
DPRC2295 
DPRC2213 
DPDD1439 
DPRC2275 
DPRC0983 
DPRC2265 
DPRC0899 
DPRC2367 
DPRC2263 
DPRC2368 
DPRC0900 
DPRC2242 
DPRC2241 
DPRD1411 
DPRC2248 
DPRC2365 
DPRD1409 
DPRC2243 
DPRC2266 
DPRC2258 
DPRC2365 
DPRC2254 
DPRC0901 
DPDD1427 
DPRC2242 
DPRC2413 

DPRC0891 
DPRC2089 
DPRC0893 
DPRC2426 
DPRC2424 
DPRC2337 
DPRC2216 

12 
13 
64 
46 
66 
26 
36 
93 
145 
67 
21 
104 
95 
89 
13 
45 
107 
5 
70 
37 
70 
71 
93 
49 
69 
26 
252 
114 
73 
298 
9 
114 
104 
18 
110 
47 
187 
24 
9 

36 
8 
67 
30 
19 
76 
41 

27 
22 
66 
57 
71 
41 
39 
97 
148 
75 
25 
110 
102 
92 
23 
58 
110 
8 
107 
46 
110 
111 
132 
63 
81 
36 
273 
120 
78 
313 
16 
120 
106 
21 
114 
50 
191 
26 
27 

61 
11 
84 
34 
22 
80 
48 

15 
9 
2 
11 
5 
15 
3 
4 
3 
8 
4 
6 
7 
3 
10 
13 
3 
3 
37 
9 
40 
40 
39 
14 
12 
10 
21 
6 
5 
15 
7 
6 
2 
3 
4 
3 
4 
2 
18 

25 
3 
17 
4 
3 
4 
7 

8.4
9.7
38.3
5.5
10.7
3.1
12.2
6.3
5.3
8.5
16.1
7.0
23.4
14.7
5.8
11.2
7.0
6.0
6.4
14.0
3.1
2.7
2.4
6.4
6.5
6.4
3.0
9.4
10.4
3.2
6.7
7.4
19.0
12.1
8.8
11.2
6.2
11.4
10.4

3.7
30.5
3.4
8.3
8.0
39.7
8.1

62

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ABC Project

The ABC Project, located in northwest 
Côte d’Ivoire, approximately 600km 
west of Doropo, the Company’s 
advanced exploration project. 
ABC is a greenfield exploration 
project, consisting of two permits, 
Kona and FarakoNafana, covering 
a 750km2 highly prospective 
landholding along the underexplored 
contact zone between the Archean 
and Birimian cratons. The Company 
has an additional four permits 
under application. 

Geology 
The LGC is characteristically 300 
metres to 800 metres wide, hosting a 
greenschist to low amphibolite grade, 
Birimian volcano-sedimentary 
greenstone package thrusted 
between an earlier granitoid of 
Archean age inferred from structural 
position to the west and a paragneiss 
on the east. The eastern footwall 
contact is a major structural and 
metamorphic feature and it controls 
the regional setting of the gold 
mineralisation along the corridor. 
The paragneiss is interpreted to be 
the stratigraphic continuity of the 
detrital sediments but at higher 
granulite facies.

Surface geochemistry clearly maps the 
core of the LGC along a 23km strike 
which runs axially through the Kona 
permit. The two main prospects, 
identified by the initial mapping and 
rock chip sampling, were subdued 
silicified ledges in the topography. 
These anomalous ridges developed 
into the Kona South and Kona 
Central Prospects. On a regional 
scale, mapping and remote sensing 
of the LGC defined a 60km 
structural feature. 

understanding of surface 
geochemistry through a circa 20,000 
metre auger drilling programme to 
cover the whole of the LGC length in 
the Kona permit. The auger results 
have highlighted the strike continuity 
in mineralisation, plus multiple sub 
parallel zones along the +23km strike 
of the LGC. Surface geochemistry 
sampling also began on the 
FarakoNafana permit that overlays 
the northern extend of the 
Lolosso structure.

Exploration 
After the permits were granted, 
greenfield exploration began in early 
2017 with reconnaissance mapping 
and initial rock chip sampling of the 
Kona permit area. 

Geochemical sampling identified the 
LGC at the time as an outcropping 
12km gold mineralised structure. 
Further detailed fieldwork, including 
GAIP survey and circa 5,900 metre RC 
drill programme was carried out in 
2017, returning the first significant 
mineralised intercepts on some wide 
spaced and shallow drill sections. 

In 2018, exploration activities 
successfully focused on developing 
the Kona South prospect by RC and 
diamond drilling, while extending the 

In 2018, an 18,500 metre drill 
programme was completed (including 
circa 13,400 RC metres and 5,100 
diamond drill metres). Significant drill 
intercepts are reported quarterly as 
part of our detailed quarterly results, 
which can be found on the Company’s 
website. The table at the end of this 
announcement shows 2018 highlight 
drill intercepts, including new 
intercepts published for Q4, clearly 
annotated. The primary objective of 
2018 was the delivery of a maiden 
resource estimate for Kona South. 
The Kona South maiden resource 
stands at 650koz at 1.03g/t indicated 
category and 450koz at 0.87g/t 
inferred category, at a 0.5g/t cut-off. 
The table below shows how the 
resource behaves at higher cut-offs. 

Kona South ABC Project, Côte d’Ivoire 

Cut-off (g/t) 

0.5 

0.6 

0.7 

0.8 

0.9 

1.0 

As at 10 December 2018

Indicated 

Inferred

Tonnage 
(Mt) 

19.6 

16.4 

13.6 

11.3 

9.4 

7.7 

Grade 
(g/t) 

1.03 

1.13 

1.23 

1.32 

1.42 

1.52 

Gold 
content 
(Moz) 

0.65 

0.59 

0.54 

0.48 

0.43 

0.38 

Tonnage 
(Mt) 

Grade 
(g/t) 

16 

12 

9 

6 

5 

4 

0.9 

1.0 

1.1 

1.3 

1.4 

1.5 

Gold  
content 
(Moz)

0.45

0.37

0.31

0.26

0.21

0.18

Beyond the Kona South and Central ridges that have been tested by some drilling, the LGC is totally virgin from any 
other exploration work other than the surface work (mapping, geochemistry, geophysics). Geochemistry results (auger) 
successfully delineated the anomalous contacts and internal plumbing of the LGC, highlighting several new resource 
potential targets along it. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

63

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exploration review continued

The Kona South resource remains 
open in all directions and detailed 3D 
grade modelling indicates there are 
higher-grade, plunging shoots within 
the broad-spaced resource drilling. 
Additional resource quality intercepts 
were identified at wide spacing in 
Kona Central, which require closer 
examination, infill drilling and 3D 
modelling in 2019. 

2019
Building on the success of 2018, 
exploration continues, including a 
34,000 metre drill programme 
focusing on resource development at 
Kona Central and Kona South, while 
testing the resource extension 
potential between the two prospects, 
drill testing high priority targets along 
the LGC, airborne magnetic/
radiometric surveying, and 
geochemical sampling. 

Kona South ABC Project,  
Côte d’Ivoire continued

Modelling 
To support the rapidly growing 
resource, a detailed 4D geological 
modelling exercise was conducted 
reviewing the core logging and the 
regional context of the 
macro-structure hosting the 
deposits. Detailed geological 
interpretations were compiled from 
prospect mapping, satellite imagery 
and geophysical imagery. These 
district geological models were 
integrated with the evolving drill 
database to produce sophisticated 
resource models, based on detailed 
structural modelling and direct 
deeper plunge drill targeting. 

Diamond drill samples from Côte d’Ivoire.

64

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT2018 Significant drill intercepts (0.3g/t cut-off) 

Tenement ID 

Prospect ID 

Hole ID 

From (m) 

To (m) 

Interval 
(m) 

Grade  
(Au g/t)

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

KONA 

Lolosso corridor 

KNDD0002 

Lolosso corridor 

KNDD0004 

Lolosso corridor 

KNDD0001 

Lolosso corridor 

KNDD0001 

Lolosso corridor 

KNDD0004 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0091 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0082 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0079 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0081 

Lolosso corridor 

KNDD0007 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0074 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0077 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0078 

Lolosso corridor 

KNDD0013 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0073 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0083 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0093 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0084 

Lolosso corridor 

KNDD0013 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0136 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0131 

Lolosso corridor 

KNDD0017 

Lolosso corridor 

KNDD0014 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0114 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0112 

Lolosso corridor 

KNDD0019 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0138 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0117 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0130 

Lolosso corridor 

KNDD0020 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0111 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0132 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0126 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0122 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0116 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0127 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0134 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0118 

Lolosso corridor 

KNRC0123 

102.0 

173.0 

112.1 

174.7 

163.0 

39.0 

20.0 

16.0 

5.0 

30.0 

1.0 

122.0 

128.0 

182.8 

1.0 

14.0 

103.0 

69.0 

172.0 

185.0 

192.0 

206.5 

78.0 

29.0 

107.0 

107.2 

184.0 

6.0 

45.0 

105.0 

112.0 

184.0 

70.0 

122.0 

1.0 

0.0 

12.0 

86.0 

71.0 

155.0 

202.0 

136.0 

191.8 

170.8 

83.0 

120.0 

76.0 

88.0 

66.0 

30.0 

153.0 

158.0 

209.0 

26.0 

38.0 

127.0 

90.0 

180.5 

244.0 

237.0 

243.0 

131.3 

59.0 

149.0 

160.1 

244.0 

56.0 

93.0 

154.0 

144.0 

201.0 

96.0 

150.0 

37.0 

33.0 

34.0 

110.0 

85.0 

53.0 

29.0 

23.9 

17.1 

7.8 

44.0 

100.0 

60.0 

83.0 

36.0 

29.0 

31.0 

30.0 

26.3 

25.0 

24.0 

24.0 

21.0 

9.0 

59.0 

45.0 

36.5 

53.3 

30.0 

42.0 

52.9 

60.0 

50.0 

48.0 

49.0 

32.0 

17.0 

26.0 

28.0 

36.0 

33.0 

22.0 

24.0 

14.0 

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.6

3.2

2.5

0.8

1.2

0.8

1.4

1.5

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.2

1.2

1.2

2.7

1.7

1.7

1.9

1.3

2.2

1.5

1.2

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.5

2.6

1.7

1.5

1.2

1.2

1.7

1.2

1.8

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

65

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exploration review continued

Burkina Faso

Batie West Project
The Batie West Project, located in 
southwest Burkina Faso, is wholly 
owned by Centamin. The 1,100km2 
landholding includes one exploitation 
(mining) licence and nine exploration 
permits. The 64km2 Konkera 
exploitation licence holds an NI 43-101 
compliant 1.9Moz indicated resource, 
at a grade of 1.7g/t and a 1.3Moz 
inferred resource, at a grade of 1.7g/t. 

Beyond Konkera, the Group’s drill 
programmes have identified significant 
additional potential resources across 
the exploration areas, most notably at 
Napelapera (circa 10km south of 
Konkera), and Wadarado (circa 35km 
north of Konkera). 

Detailed desktop scoping work is 
underway to assess and prioritise the 
value opportunity of the project 
against the Company’s internal 
operational and cost objectives. 

There were zero lost-time injuries 
across all project areas in Burkina Faso 
during 2018. 

The Group undergoes regular routine 
training and a focus on leading 
indicators to maintain the highest 
standards of health and safety.

Mineral resource and  
reserve statements

Group mineral resource  
and mineral reserve update
Group mineral resources, including 
mineral reserves, increased by 5% to 
15.7Moz, driven by a 44% increase in 
mineral resource ounces from our 
West African land package and 
reserve replacement from the Sukari 
underground:

•  11.0Moz Sukari mineral resource, a 
6% decrease YoY, including 1.1Moz 
underground resources, excluding 
mineral resources that constitute 
the underground mineral reserves;
•  2.1Moz Doropo mineral resource, a 
58% increase YoY, reflecting the 
maiden resources declared at 
Tchouahinin and Enioda deposits, 
and greater than doubling the 
resources at Chegue Main and 
Kekeda; and

•  650koz maiden ABC mineral 

resource estimate.

•  Sukari mineral reserves have 

decreased 9% YoY to 7.25Moz, 
driven by mine depletion and 
adjusting for higher input costs, 
in particular rising fuel costs:
•  0.8Moz of underground 

reserves, successfully replacing 
reserves in excess of mining 
depletion; 

•  4.4Mt of underground reserve 
tonnes, at a 5.6g/t, an 11% 
increase in grade YoY; and
•  6.2Moz open pit reserves 

underpinning greater than 15 
years of sustainable production 
at current mining rates. 

Consolidated Group mineral resource 
The mineral resource data presented 
in the tables included in this 
document comprise a summary 
extract for the mineral resource 
reports for all the Group’s properties. 
For comparative purposes, data for 
2017 has been included where 
possible. Numbers have been 
rounded and therefore there may 
be small differences in the totals. 
Varying cut-off grades have been 
clearly stated. 

Sukari Gold Mine  

(0.3g/t cut-off) 

Doropo Project  

(0.5g/t cut-off) 

ABC Prospect 

(0.5g/t cut-off) 

Batie West Project 

(0.5g/t cut-off) 

Group mineral resources 

2018 

2017

Tonnage 
(Mt) 

Grade 
(g/t) 

Gold 
content 
(Moz) 

Tonnage 
(Mt) 

Grade 
(g/t) 

Gold  
content 
(Moz)

254.0 

104.0 

358.0 

34 

—  

50 

50 

19 

—  

20 

20 

16 

—  

34 

34 

25 

462 

94 

0.99 

0.89 

0.96 

0.80 

—  

1.31 

1.31 

1.3 

—  

1.03 

1.03 

0.87 

—  

1.70 

1.70 

1.70 

1.07 

1.14 

11.00 

0.88 

— 

2.13 

2.13 

0.8 

— 

0.65 

0.65 

0.45 

—  

1.92 

1.92 

1.33 

15.70 

3.42 

240 

145 

385 

25 

 —  

32.6 

32.6 

24.9 

—  

34 

34 

25 

452 

75 

1.02 

0.84 

0.95 

0.80 

—  

1.3 

1.3 

1.2 

—  

1.70 

1.70 

1.70 

1.03 

1.23 

7.90

3.90

11.75

0.64

—

1.35

1.35

0.90

—

1.92

1.92

1.33

15.02

2.87

Category 

  Measured  

Indicated 

M+I 

Inferred 

  Measured  

Indicated 

M+I 

Inferred 

  Measured  

Indicated 

M+I 

Inferred 

  Measured  

Indicated 

M+I 

Inferred 

M+I 

Inferred 

66

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
•  The open pit resources are estimates of recoverable tonnes and grades using Multiple Indicator Kriging with block support correction produced 

in the GS3 software.

•  Sukari Gold Mine:

•  measured open pit 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;
the resource estimate extends over a strike length of 2.6 kilometres and to a maximum depth of 0 meters in elevation (a maximum depth 
of approximately 1000 metres below wadi level);

•  all available surface drilling and channel samples were used as at 22 August 2018, but underground production holes were excluded. 

The resource data set comprised 326,021 two-metre down hole composites and surface rock chip samples; and

•  mineral resource estimates were adjusted to the mining surface and underground mining voids as at end of June 2018, and planned 

underground mining voids were excised to avoid double counting of underground resources.

•  Doropo and ABC indicated resources occur in areas drilled at approximately 50 x 50 metre spacing and inferred resources exist in areas of 

broader spaced drilling.

•  The reported Doropo estimates are limited to blocks with a maximum depth of 250 metres below surface and within 80 metres of drill hole data.
•  All available Doropo data was used as at 6 December 2018.
•  The reported ABC estimates are limited to blocks with a maximum depth of 250 metres below surface and within 100 metres of drill hole data.
•  All available ABC data was used as at 10 December 2018.
•  The Doropo and ABC resource data set includes RC and diamond drill data and gold estimates are based on 50g Fire Assays completed at 

Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratories, Abidjan.

Group mineral reserves (Sukari Gold Mine only)

The mineral reserve data presented in the tables included in this report, comprise a summary extract for the Sukari Gold 
Mine mineral reserve report. Currently all the ore reserves are contained within the Sukari tenement. For comparative 
purposes, data for 2017 has been included. Numbers have been rounded and therefore there may be small differences 
in the totals. 

2018 

Tonnage 
(Mt) 

Grade 
(g/t) 

Gold 
content 
(Moz) 

2017

Tonnage 
(Mt) 

Grade 
(g/t) 

Gold  
content 
(Moz)

Sukari Gold Mine 

Category 

Open pit 

Proven  

0.4g/t cut-off 

  Probable 

P & P 

Underground  

Proven  

3.0g/t cut-off 

  Probable 

P & P 

131.1 

43.1 

174.2 

1.3 

3.2 

4.4 

Stockpiles 

Proven  

16.0 

0.4g/t cut-off 

  Probable 

Sukari mineral reserve  P & P 

P & P 

16.0 

194.6 

1.1 

1.0 

1.1 

6.9 

5.2 

5.6 

0.5 

0.5 

1.2 

4.7 

1.5 

6.2 

0.3 

0.5 

0.8 

0.2 

0.2 

7.25 

Open pit 

0.35g/t cut-off 

Underground  

3.0g/t cut-off 

159.0 

70.0 

229.0 

0.7 

4.0 

4.7 

Stockpiles 

10.0 

0.3g/t cut-off 

10.0 

244.0 

1.0 

0.8 

8.5 

4.4 

5.1 

0.5 

0.5 

1.0 

5.2

1.8

7.0

0.2

0.6

0.8

0.2

0.2

8.0

Notes:
•  Open pit reserve includes 5.0Mt at 0.3g/t for 46koz gold using a 0.2g/t gold cut-off for the dump leach.
•  Underground cut-offs for reporting are 0.4g/t gold for development with stopes defined within a 3.0g/t gold cut-off.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

67

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exploration review continued

Group mineral reserves (Sukari Gold Mine only) continued

Sukari Gold Mine mineral open pit resource estimates

Measured 

Indicated 

Measured & Indicated 

Inferred

2018

Cut-off grade 
(g/t Au) 

  Tonnes 
(Mt) 

(g/t  Tonnes 
(Mt) 
Au) 

(g/t  Tonnes 
(Mt) 
Au) 

(g/t 
Au) 

(Moz  Tonnes 
(Mt) 

Au) 

  Grade 

  Grade 

  Grade  Metal 

  Grade  Metal  
(Moz  
Au)

(g/t 
Au) 

0.3 

0.4 

0.5 

0.6 

0.7 

0.8 

0.9 

1.0 

254 

202 

164 

137 

116 

99 

85 

73 

0.99 

1.15 

1.31 

1.46 

1.61 

1.76 

1.91 

2.06 

104 

0.89 

358 

0.96 

11.0 

80 

64 

52 

43 

37 

31 

27 

1.06 

1.21 

1.36 

1.50 

1.64 

1.78 

1.92 

281 

1.12 

10.2 

227 

1.28  9.39 

189 

159 

1.43  8.71 

1.58  8.08 

135 

1.73 

116 

1.87 

7.51 

6.97 

100  2.02  6.48 

34 

25 

19 

15 

12 

10 

8 

7 

0.8 

0.88

1.0 

1.1 

1.3 

1.4 

1.6 

1.8 

1.9 

0.78

0.69

0.61

0.55

0.50

0.45

0.41

Sukari Gold Mine underground resource estimates (included within the above mineral resource estimates)

Sukari Underground  

2.0g/t cut-off 

2018 

2017

Category 

  Measured  

Indicated 

M+I 

Inferred 

Tonnage 
(Mt) 

Grade 
(g/t) 

2.86 

5.23 

8.09 

6.89 

8.3 

6.4 

7.1 

4.6 

Gold 
content 
(Moz) 

0.77 

1.08 

1.85 

1.02 

Tonnage 
(Mt) 

Grade 
(g/t) 

1.95 

5.49 

7.44 

6.71 

8.9 

6.0 

6.8 

4.5 

Gold  
content 
(Moz)

0.55

1.07

1.62

0.98

Geologists in West Africa.

68

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Qualified Person and  
quality control 

Information of a scientific or technical 
nature in this document, including but 
not limited to the mineral reserve and 
resource estimates, was prepared by 
and under the supervision of Group 
Qualified Person(s) and independent 
Qualified Person(s) as below: 

•  Sukari Gold Mine, Egypt 

•  Open pit mineral reserve 
Quinton de Klerk of Cube 
Consulting Pty Ltd;

•  Underground mineral reserve  

Adrian Ralph of Cube Consulting 
Pty Ltd;

•  Mineral resource (underground)  

Mark Zammit of Cube 
Consulting Pty Ltd;
•  Mineral resource  

Arnold van der Heydyn of H&S 
Consultants Pty Ltd; and
•  Resource database and 

economic assumptions for 
open-pit resource  
Norman Bailie of Centamin plc.

•  Doropo Project, Côte d’Ivoire  

Rupert Osborn of H&S Consultants 
Pty Ltd; and

•  ABC Project, Côte d’Ivoire  

Rupert Osborn of H&S Consultants 
Pty Ltd.

A “Qualified Person” is as defined by 
the National Instrument 43-101 of the 
Canadian Securities Administrators. 

The named Qualified Person(s) have 
verified the data disclosed, including 
sampling, analytical, and test data 
underlying the information or opinions 
contained in this announcement in 
accordance with standards 
appropriate to their qualifications. 
Each Qualified Person consents to 
the inclusion of the information in this 
document in the form and context in 
which it appears. 

Investors should be aware that the 
figures stated are estimates and no 
assurances can be given that the 
stated quantities of metal will be 
produced. 

Mineral resource estimates contained 
in this document are based on 
available data as at: 

•  Sukari Gold Mine  
22 August 2018;
•  Doropo Project  

10 December 2018; and

•  ABC Project  

10 December 2018.

Varying cut-off grades have been 
used, and clearly marked, for 
calculating the mineral resource 
estimates at different Group 
properties, depending on the stage 
of project, maturity and ore type.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

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review

Now in its ninth year of production, 
the Sukari Gold Mine continues to 
be cash generative.

Ross Jerrard
Chief Financial Officer 

The consolidated financial statements 
have been prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted for use 
by the European Union and in 
accordance with the Companies 
(Jersey) Law 1991. 

There have been two major changes to 
the consolidated financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2018 
and its comparatives:

•  the change in the presentation 
of the EMRA profit share to 
non-controlling interest (“NCI”) 
in SGM, refer to note 1.1.1; and
•  the change in accounting policy 
regarding the treatment of costs 
related to exploration and 
evaluation of mineral resources 
under IFRS 6, refer to note 1.2.1.

Now in its ninth year of production, 
the Sukari Gold Mine remains cash 
generative and this is reflected in the 
Group’s financial results for the year 
ended 31 December 2018:

•  2018 was an operationally 

challenging year for the Group and 
despite the challenges, costs were 
kept under tight control and it 
remained cash generative;

•  free cash flow(1) of US$63 million 

•  AISC(1) of US$884 per ounce sold 

generated in 2018 to the Company 
after distribution to the NCI, down 
56% on the prior year (2017: 
US$146 million) almost entirely due 
to lower production, the increase 
in fuel and reagent costs and the 
increase in the percentage share 
of distributions to the NCI from 
1 July 2018(3) in accordance with the 
CA although the absolute 
distributions decreased on 2017;
•  2018 revenues of US$603 million 
were down 11% on the prior year 
(2017: US$676 million) with a 0.5% 
increase in realised gold prices 
offset by a decrease in gold sales;

•  cash costs of production(1) 

increased to US$624 per ounce 
produced on the prior year (2017: 
US$554), driven predominantly by 
a 15% decrease in gold ounces 
produced (excluding Cleopatra), 
an increase in mined and processed 
tonnes and an increase in fuel and 
reagent costs;

was below our forecast, but was an 
increase on the prior year (2017: 
US$790), mainly due to a 12% 
decrease in gold ounces sold 
(excluding Cleopatra), increased 
production costs and higher 
sustaining capital costs resulting 
from planned fleet rebuilds;
•  EBITDA(1) decreased by 17% to 
US$258 million, as a result of 
increased production and 
operating costs and an 11% 
decrease in revenues;

•  profit before tax decreased by 26% 
to US$152.7 million, due to the 
factors outlined above;

•  earnings per share attributable to 
owners of the parent of 6.50 US 
cents were down 22% on the prior 
year due to lower revenue, higher 
costs and the increase in 
distributions to the NCI from 
1 July 2018 in accordance with 
the CA (2017: 8.38 US cents);

•  operational cash flow of 

US$223 million was 34% lower 
than 2017, due to the lower gold 
production base with higher gold 
prices offset by a higher cost base; 
and

(1)  Cash cost of production, AISC, EBITDA and cash, bullion on hand, gold sales receivables, financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive 

income and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures and are defined at the end of the financial review section. 

(2)  Basic EPS, EBITDA, cash cost of production and AISC reflect a provision against prepayments to reflect the removal of fuel subsidies which occurred 

in January 2012 (refer to note 2.7 of the financial statements for further details).

(3)  Profit share commenced during the third quarter of 2016. The first two years was a 60:40 split of net production surplus to PGM and EMRA 

respectively. From 1 July 2018 this changed to a 55:45 split for the next two-year period until 30 June 2020, after which all net production surpluses 
will be split 50:50. 

70

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT•  the Egyptian state has benefited 

directly from dividends paid to the 
non-controlling interest in SGM of 
US$76 million in addition to 
US$18 million in royalty payments 
during the year ended 
31 December 2018 (2017: 
US$112 million and US$20 million 
respectively).

A final dividend for 2018 of 3.0 US 
cents per share has been proposed for 
approval at the AGM on 8 April 2019. 
Together with the interim dividend of 
2.5 US cents paid during the year, this 
represents a paid and proposed 
full-year dividend of 5.5 US cents per 
share (2017: 12.5 US cents per share). 
Payment of the proposed final 
dividend would result in a full-year 
payout of approximately 
US$63.5 million, which is equivalent 
to 100% of our free cash flow for 2018, 
in line with the Company’s policy of 
returning to shareholders capital not 
required for future investment.

Centamin remains committed to its 
policy of being 100% exposed to 
the gold price through its unhedged 
position, and maintained a healthy 
cash, bullion on hand and gold sales 
receivable balance during the year. 
Cash and cash equivalents stood at 
US$282.6 million as at 
31 December 2018 (2017: 
US$359.7 million).

Revenue

Revenue from gold and silver sales has 
decreased by 11% to US$603.2 million 
(2017: US$675.5 million), with a 0.5% 
increase in the average realised gold 
price to US$1,267 per ounce (2017: 
US$1,261 per ounce) and a 10% 
decrease in gold sold to 484,322 
ounces (2017: 539,726 ounces). 
The movement is also net of US$11.5 
million of gold sold which is related to 
Cleopatra (exploration decline) netted 
against capitalised exploration costs.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales represents the cost of 
mining, processing, refinery, transport, 
site administration and depreciation 
and amortisation, and movement in 
production inventory. 

Floatation cells in the processing plant.

Cost of sales is inclusive of 
US$49.5 million categorised as fuel 
prepayments (refer to note 2.7 to the 
financial statements for further 
information) and has decreased by 
US$7.8 million to US$406.5 million 
(2017: US$414.3 million), mainly as a 
result of a:

•  US$20.5 million increase in total 
mine production costs from 
US$307.6 million to 
US$328.1 million, due to a 10% 
increase in mined tonnes combined 
with a 4% increase in processed 
tonnes and an increase in unit costs 
mainly due to increased fuel and 
reagent costs;

•  US$5.5 million increase in 

depreciation and amortisation 
charges from US$104.3 million to 
US$109.7 million due to mine 
development within capital work in 
progress being capitalised to mine 
development properties during the 
year, a reclassification of brownfield 
exploration and evaluation 
expenditure to mine development 
properties and a change in the 
associated amortisation charges; 
and

•  offset by a US$33.8 million 

decrease in the movement in 
inventory due to the increase in 
mining stockpiles. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

71

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationFinancial review continued

Other operating costs

Finance income

Finance income comprises interest 
income applicable on the Group’s 
available cash and term deposit 
amounts. The movements in finance 
income are in line with the movements 
in the Group’s available cash and term 
deposit amounts.

Profit before tax

As a result of the factors outlined 
above, the Group recorded a profit 
before tax for the year ended 
31 December 2018 of US$152.7 million 
(2017: US$207.4 million). 

Tax

The Group operates in several 
countries and, accordingly, it is subject 
to the various tax regimes in the 
countries in which it operates. The tax 
charge of US$0.05 million for the year 
was associated with interest and rental 
income in Egypt. For further 
information, please refer to the 
Payments to Governments disclosure 
on our website.

Dividends paid to non-controlling 
interest in SGM 

During the year ended 31 December 
2018, US$76.4 million (2017: 
US$111.6 million) was paid as 
dividends to the non-controlling 
interest in SGM, being the Egyptian 
Mineral Resources Authority (“EMRA”). 

Other operating costs comprise 
expenditure incurred for 
communications, consultants, 
Directors’ fees, stock exchange listing 
fees, share registry fees, employee 
entitlements, general office 
administration expenses, the 
unwinding of the restoration and 
rehabilitation provision, foreign 
exchange movements and the 3% 
royalty payable to the Egyptian 
government. Other operating costs 
decreased by US$9.1 million, or 25% 
on the prior year, to US$27.9 million, 
mainly as a result of a:

•  US$4.9 million increase in net 
foreign exchange gains (-ve); 
•  US$2.0 million decrease in royalty 

paid to the government of the Arab 
Republic of Egypt (“ARE”) in line 
with the decrease in gold sales 
revenue (-ve);

•  US$1.8 million increase in corporate 

and other costs (+ve); and

•  US$4.0 million swing in the expense 
related to the stock obsolescence 
provision (-ve).

Exploration and evaluation 
expenditure

Exploration and evaluation 
expenditure comprise expenditure 
incurred for exploration activities in 
Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. 
Exploration and evaluation costs 
increased by US$0.7 million, or 4% 
from US$20.3 million in the year 
ended 31 December 2017 to 
US$21.0 million in the year ended 
31 December 2018. These expenses 
are now recorded in the income 
statement after the change in 
accounting policy regarding the 
treatment of greenfield exploration 
and evaluation costs, please refer to 
note 1.2.1 of the financial statements.

Dividends paid to the non-controlling 
interest in SGM being EMRA, pursuant 
to the provisions of the Concession 
Agreement, are recognised as 
non-controlling interest attributable 
to SGM at the base of the income 
statement of Centamin. EMRA does 
not own shares in Centamin, therefore 
Group earnings per share is calculated 
on the profit attributable to the 
owners of the parent. The profit share 
payments during the year will be 
reconciled against SGM’s audited 
financial statements. Any variation 
between payments made during the 
year (which are based on the 
Company’s estimates) and the audited 
financial statements, may result in a 
balance due and payable to EMRA or 
advances to be offset against future 
distributions. SGM’s June 2018 
financial statements are currently 
being audited.

Earnings per share

Earnings per share attributable to 
owners of the parent of 6.50 US cents 
in 2018 decreased when compared 
with the prior year (2017: 8.38 US 
cents). The decrease was driven by 
the factors outlined above.

Other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income 
movement was the result of the 
revaluation of financial assets at fair 
value through other comprehensive 
income. 

72

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTFinancial position

Centamin has a strong and flexible balance sheet with no debt and no hedging. Cash, bullion on hand and gold sales 
receivables at 31 December 2018 of US$322.3 million, down from US$417.9 million at 31 December 2017, following 
dividend payments of US$144.6 million during the year. 

Cash and cash equivalents   

Bullion on hand (valued at the year-end spot price)  

Gold sales receivable 

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 

Cash and cash equivalents, bullion on hand, gold sales receivables  
and financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 

Year ended  
31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

Year ended  
31 December  
2017 
US$’000

282,627 

359,680

11,431 

28,234 

— 

27,123

31,007

125

Note 

2.13 

2.6 

4.3 

322,292 

417,935

The majority of funds have been 
invested in rolling short term interest 
money market deposits.

Current assets have decreased by 
US$89.0 million, or 17%, from 
US$509.3 million in 2017 to 
US$420.3 million, as a result of a:

•  US$7.7 million decrease (-ve) in 

inventory driven by a US$8.3 million 
decrease (-ve) in collective stores 
inventory value to US$70.3 million 
(due to significant cost reduction 
and minimisation initiatives), a 
US$1.1 million decrease (-ve) in 
overall mining stockpiles and gold 
in circuit levels to US$30.6 million 
and a US$1.8 million decrease (+ve) 
in the provision for obsolete stores 
inventory to US$3.3 million;

•  US$0.1 million decrease in financial 
assets at fair value through other 
comprehensive income (-ve);
•  US$1.0 million decrease in trade 
and other receivables (including 
gold sale receivables) (-ve);
•  US$3.1 million decrease in 
prepayments (-ve); and

•  US$77.1 million decrease in net 
cash (net of foreign exchange 
movements) (-ve) driven by a 
US$115.6 million final dividend 
payment to registered shareholders 
for 2017, a US$28.9 million interim 
dividend payment to registered 
shareholders for 2018 and a 
US$76.4 million payment to EMRA 
as distributions to the NCI during 
the year.

Non-current assets have increased by 
US$12.6 million, or 1%, from US$915.1 
million in 2017 to US$927.7 million, as 
a result of a:

•  US$94.7 million increase in the cost 
of property, plant and equipment 
due to additions (+ve);

•  US$109.8 million charge for 

depreciation and amortisation (-ve);

•  US$4.7 million decrease in 

capitalised brownfield exploration 
and evaluation assets (net of a 
US$8.7 million Cleopatra net 
revenue adjustment and 
US$9.7 million transfer to mine 
development property, plant and 
equipment), as a result of the 
drilling programmes in Sukari Hill 
(-ve);

•  US$32.4 million increase in 
inventory related to mining 
stockpiles that will not be 
processed within twelve months 
(+ve); and

•  US$0.01 million decrease in 
prepayments and other 
receivables (-ve).

Current liabilities have decreased by 
US$14.0 million, or 23%, from 
US$61.4 million in 2017 to US$47.4 
million, as a result of a:

•  US$9.0 million decrease in trade 
payables and a US$3.3 million 
decrease in accruals (-ve);

•  US$0.5 million decrease in tax 

liabilities accrued during the year 
(-ve); and 

•  US$1.2 million offset in current 
provisions primarily driven by 
withholding tax, customs and 
rebate provisions, employee 
benefits provision and Egypt health 
insurance provision held at year 
end (-ve).

Non-current liabilities have increased 
by US$2.8 million, or 25%, from 
US$10.9 million in 2017 to 
US$13.7 million as a result of an 
increase in the rehabilitation provision.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

73

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Financial review continued

Financial position continued
The value of share capital has 
increased by US$1.9 million to 
US$670.6 million, which can be 
attributed to the value of awards 
granted under the employee share 
plans for the period. There has been 
an increase of 2,615,000 in the number 
of issued shares over the same period.

Share option reserves reported have 
increased by US$1.4 million to 
US$5.7 million as result of the 
recognition of the share-based 
payment expenses for the year, offset 
by vesting and/or forfeiture of awards 
and the resultant transfer to issued 
capital and accumulated profits 
respectively.

Accumulated profits decreased by 
US$68.4 million to US$610.5 million as 
a result of a:

•  US$152.6 million profit for the year 

after tax (+ve); offset by

Capital expenditure

•  US$76.4 million profit share paid to 

EMRA in the year (-ve); and
•  US$144.5 million in dividend 

payments to external shareholders, 
comprising a US$115.6 million final 
dividend payment for 2017 and a 
US$28.9 million interim dividend 
payment for 2018 (-ve).

Cash flow

Net cash flows generated by 
operating activities comprise receipts 
from gold and silver sales and interest 
income, offset by operating and 
corporate administration costs. 
Cash flows from operating activities 
decreased by US$113.7 million to 
US$223.4 million, primarily 
attributable to a decrease in revenue 
due to a 10% decrease in gold ounces 
sold at a slightly higher average 
realised price offset by an increase 
in costs as explained above.

Net cash flows used in investing 
activities comprise brownfield 
exploration expenditure capitalised 
and capital development 
expenditures. Cash outflows have 
increased by US$3.7 million to 
US$83.6 million. The primary use of 
the funds in the year was for 
purchases of property, plant and 
equipment and investment in 
underground development at the 
Sukari site in Egypt.

Net cash flows used in financing 
activities decreased by US$75.1 million 
to US$221 million, which comprises 
US$76.4 million of dividends paid to 
the NCI and US$144.6 million of 
dividends paid to the owners of the 
parent during the year.

Effects of exchange rate changes have 
increased by US$5.4 million as a result 
of movements of the currencies used 
across the operations in the year.

The following table provides a breakdown of the total capital expenditure of the Group:

Underground exploration 

Underground mine development 

Other sustaining capital expenditure 

Total sustaining capital expenditure 

Non-sustaining exploration capitalised(1,2) 

 31 December 
2018 
US$’000 

Restated(1,2)

31 December  
2017 
US$’000

6,048 

37,161 

45,982 

89,191 

7,587 

5,983

32,666

43,890

82,539

4,627

(1)  Only includes US$7.6 million of the Sukari expenditure relating to Cleopatra in non-sustaining capital expenditure before the offset of net 

pre-production gold sales.

(2)  Please refer to note 1.2.1 of the financial statements for the change in accounting policy regarding exploration and evaluation expenditure.

Cumulative exploration expenditure capitalised for Cleopatra at Sukari is US$15.2 million project to date offset by 
pre-production net revenues of US$13.5 million (refer to notes 2.2 and 2.3 to the financial statements for further details) 
resulting in US$1.7 million remaining on the statement of financial position at 31 December 2018.

74

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exploration expenditure

The following table provides a breakdown of the total exploration expenditure of the Group:

Greenfield exploration

Burkina Faso(1) 

Côte d’Ivoire(1) 

Brownfield exploration 

Sukari tenement 

Cleopatra(2)   

Total exploration expenditure 

31 December 
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  
US$’000

5,223 

15,783 

6,048 

7,587 

34,641 

6,433

13,853

5,983

4,627

30,896

(1)  Please refer to note 1.2.1 of the financial statements for the change in accounting policy regarding exploration and evaluation expenditure.

(2)  Cleopatra expenditure before the offset of net pre-production gold sales.

Sukari and exploration and evaluation assets – impairment considerations 
In accordance with the requirements of IAS 36 ‘Impairment of assets’ and IFRS 6 ‘Exploration for and evaluation of 
mineral resources’ it was concluded that the devaluation of the share price of the Company was an impairment indicator 
for the Sukari Gold Mine and the exploration and evaluation assets. An impairment review has subsequently been 
performed, refer to note 1.1.2 of the financial statements for further information, however no impairment resulted from 
the review. As no impairment indicators were identified in 2017 an impairment review was not performed in that period.

Exchange rates

Foreign exchange gains have increased from US$1.5 million to US$6.4 million, resulting in a US$4.9 million increase on 
the prior year.

Ross Jerrard

Chief Financial Officer  
Director 

1 March 2019

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

75

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial review continued

Non-GAAP financial measures

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

1) EBITDA and adjusted 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 analysts and does 
not have any standardised 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 cost of production 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 profit for the year before tax to EBITDA:

Reconciliation of profit for the year before tax to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA: 

Profit for the year before tax  

Finance income  

Depreciation and amortisation  

EBITDA  

Add back: impairments of non-current assets(3)  

Adjusted EBITDA 

Year ended 
  31 December 

2018(1) 

US$’000 

152,702 

(4,815) 

110,047 

257,934 

— 

Restated(2)
Year ended  
31 December 

2017(1)  

US$’000

207,365

(2,729)

104,562

309,197

—

257,934 

309,197

(1)  Profit before tax, depreciation and amortisation and EBITDA includes a charge to reflect the removal of fuel subsidies (refer to note 2.7 to the 

financial statements for further details).

(2)  Please refer to note 1.2.1 of the financial statements for the change in accounting policy regarding exploration and evaluation expenditure.

(3)  Adjustments made to normalise earnings, for example impairments on non-current assets (i.e. net realisable value, stockpiles, exploration and 

evaluation assets etc.). 

2) Cash cost of production per ounce produced and sold and all-in sustaining costs per ounce sold calculation 
Cash cost of production and AISC are non-GAAP financial measures. Cash cost of production 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 amortisation. 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 provide an alternative reflection of the Group’s performance for the 
current period and are an alternative indication of its expected performance in future periods. Cash cost of production is 
intended to provide additional information, does not have any standardised 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.

76

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
During June 2013 the World Gold Council, an industry body, published a Guidance Note on ‘all-in sustaining costs’ 
metric, which gold mining companies can use to supplement their overall non-GAAP disclosure. AISC is an extension of 
the existing ‘cash cost’ metric and incorporates all costs related to sustaining production and in particular recognising the 
sustaining capital expenditure associated with developing and maintaining gold mines. In addition, this metric includes 
the cost associated with developing and maintaining gold mines and the cost associated with corporate office structures 
that support these operations, the community and rehabilitation costs attendant with responsible mining and any 
exploration and evaluation costs associated with sustaining current operations. AISC US$/oz is arrived at by dividing the 
dollar value of the sum of these cost metrics by the ounces of gold sold (as compared to using ounces produced which is 
used in the cash cost of production calculation).

On 14 November 2018 the World Gold Council published an updated Guidance Note on ‘all-in sustaining costs’ and 
‘all-in costs’ metrics per their press release it is expected that companies may choose to use the updated guidance from 
1 January 2019 or on commencement of their financial year if later. The Group will apply the updated guidance from 
1 January 2019.

Reconciliation of cash cost of production per ounce produced:

Mine production costs (note 2.3)  

Less: refinery and transport  

Movement of inventory(2) 

Cash cost of production – gold produced 

Gold produced – total (oz) (excluding Cleopatra) 

Cash cost of production per ounce produced 

Year ended 
  31 December 

Year ended  
31 December  

2018(1) 

US$’000 

US$’000 

328,090 

US$’000 

US$’000 

(1,508) 

(37,188) 

US$’000 

289,394 

oz 

463,459 

2017(1)  

US$’000

307,563

(1,554)

(5,632)

300,377

539,715

US$/oz 

624 

554(3)

(1)  Mine production costs, cash cost of production, cash cost of production per ounce, AISC and AISC per ounce sold includes prepayments recorded 

since Q4 2012 to reflect the removal of fuel subsidies (refer to note 2.7 to the financial statements for further details). 

(2)  The movement in inventory on ounces produced is only the movement on mining stockpiles and ore in circuit while the movement on ounces sold is 

the net movement on mining stockpiles, ore in circuit and gold in safe inventory.

(3)  The cash cost of production per ounce produced at 31 December 2017 was adjusted by the costs of pre-production gold sales related to Cleopatra 

of US$1,329,000 and divided by total gold produced (including Cleopatra ounces) of 544,658 oz to give US$554/oz.

A reconciliation has been included below to show the cash cost of production metric should gold sold ounces be used 
as a denominator. 

Reconciliation of cash cost of production per ounce sold:

Mine production costs (note 2.3)  

Royalties paid 

Movement in inventory(2) 

Cash cost of production – gold sold 

Gold sold – total (oz) (excluding Cleopatra)   

Cash cost of production per ounce sold 

Year ended 
  31 December 

Year ended  
31 December  

2018(1) 

US$’000 

US$’000 

328,090 

US$’000 

18,396 

US$’000 

(31,296) 

US$’000 

315,190 

oz 

475,362 

2017(1)  

US$’000

307,563

20,404

2,490

330,457

534,783

US$/oz 

663 

577(3)

(1)  Mine production costs, cash cost of production, cash cost of production per ounce, AISC and AISC per ounce sold includes prepayments recorded 

since Q4 2012 to reflect the removal of fuel subsidies (refer to note 2.7 to the financial statements for further details). 

(2)  The movement in inventory on ounces produced is only the movement on mining stockpiles and ore in circuit while the movement on ounces sold 

is the net movement on mining stockpiles, ore in circuit and gold in safe inventory.

(3)  The cash cost of production per ounce sold at 31 December 2017 was adjusted by the costs of pre-production gold sales related to Cleopatra of 

US$1,329,000, it was not adjusted by royalties paid of US$20,404,000, and it was divided by gold sold (including Cleopatra ounces) of 539,726 oz to 
give US$577/oz.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

77

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial review continued

Non-GAAP financial measures continued

2) Cash cost of production per ounce produced and sold and all-in sustaining costs per ounce sold calculation 
continued

Reconciliation of AISC per ounce sold:

Mine production costs (note 2.3) 

Movement in inventory 

Royalties 

Corporate administration costs 

Rehabilitation costs 

Sustaining underground development and exploration 

Other sustaining capital expenditure 

By-product credit 

All-in sustaining costs(2)  

Gold sold – total (oz) (excluding Cleopatra)   

AISC per ounce sold 

Year ended 
  31 December 

Year ended  
31 December  

2018(1) 

US$’000 

US$’000 

328,090 

US$’000 

(31,296) 

US$’000 

US$’000 

US$’000 

US$’000 

US$’000 

US$’000 

18,396 

15,909 

870 

43,209 

45,982 

(1,044) 

US$’000 

420,116 

oz 

475,362 

2017(1)  

US$’000

307,563

2,490

20,404

12,679

629

38,649

43,890

(1,167)

425,137

534,783

US$/oz 

884 

790(3)

(1)  Mine production costs, cash cost of production, cash cost of production per ounce, AISC and AISC per ounce sold includes prepayments recorded 

since Q4 2012 to reflect the removal of fuel subsidies (refer to note 2.7 to the financial statements for further details).

(2)  Includes refinery and transport.

(3)  The AISC per ounce sold at 31 December 2017 was adjusted by the costs of pre-production gold sales related to Cleopatra of US$1,329,000 and 

divided by total gold sold (including Cleopatra ounces) of 539,726 oz to give US$790/oz.

3) Cash and cash equivalents, bullion on hand, gold sales receivables and financial assets  
at fair value through other comprehensive income 
Cash and cash equivalents, bullion on hand, gold sales receivables and financial assets at fair value through other 
comprehensive income is a non-GAAP financial measure. Cash and cash equivalents, bullion on hand, gold sales 
receivables and financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income is a measure of the available cash and 
liquid assets at a point in time. 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 provide an alternative reflection of the Group’s performance for the 
current period and are an alternative indication of its expected performance in future periods. Cash and cash equivalents, 
bullion on hand, gold sales receivables and financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income is intended 
to provide additional information, does not have any standardised 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 cash and cash equivalents as determined under GAAP. This is a non-GAAP financial measure 
and other companies may calculate these measures differently. 

78

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to cash and cash equivalents, bullion on hand, gold sales receivables and financial assets at fair value 
through other comprehensive income:

Cash and cash equivalents   

Bullion on hand (valued at the year-end spot price)  

Gold sales receivables 

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 

Cash and cash equivalents, bullion on hand, gold sales receivables  
and financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 

Year ended  
31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

Year ended  
31 December  
2017 
US$’000

 282,627  

359,680

 11,431  

 28,234  

— 

27,123

31,007

125

Note 

2.13 

2.6 

4.3 

322,292 

417,935

4) Free cash flow
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. Free cash flow is a measure of the available cash after EMRA profit share 
payments that the Group has at its disposal to use for capital reinvestment and to distribute to shareholders as dividends in 
accordance with the Company’s dividend policy. 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 provide an alternative reflection of the Group’s 
performance for the current period and are an alternative indication of its expected performance in future periods. Free 
cash flow is intended to provide additional information, does not have any standardised 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. 
This is a non-GAAP financial measure and other companies may calculate these measures differently.

Net cash generated from operating activities  

Less: 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Dividend paid – non-controlling interest in SGM 

Free cash flow 

Year ended  
31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

Year ended  
31 December  
2017 
US$’000

 223,404  

337,093

(83,585) 

 (76,391) 

 63,428  

(79,913)

(111,629)

145,551

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

79

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate social  
responsibility

From exploration to extraction, construction to 
closure, sustainability is a vital consideration at 
all stages of the mine cycle and a key strategic 
pillar for the Company.

Alison Baker
Chair of the HSES Committee

Dear shareholders

I am presenting my first report as Chair 
of the Health, Safety, Environmental 
and Sustainability Committee (“HSES 
Committee”), a committee of the 
Board of Centamin plc.

From exploration to extraction, 
construction to closure, sustainability 
is a vital consideration at all stages of 
the mine cycle and a strategic 
imperative for the Company. All our 
key governance policies integrate 
sustainability considerations, and we 
have developed systems and 
processes to ensure we identify and 
manage the risks and opportunities 
from the environmental and social 
factors that arise in our business. 
We also work to engage effectively 
with all our stakeholders to ensure 
their views are taken into account 
throughout our business.

The Board of Directors is ultimately 
responsible for sustainability-related 
issues, the HSES Committee makes 
recommendations to the Board. The 
HSES Committee is made up of three 
Board members: Edward Haslam, 
Ibrahim Fawzy and me as Chair. 
Dr Ibrahim Fawzy was appointed to 
the HSES Committee in January 2019, 
replacing Mark Bankes who served on 
the Committee during 2018 and I 
thank Mark for his input and counsel 
during 2018.

On appointment as Chair of the HSES 
Committee earlier in 2018 I set out my 
agenda and the following activities 
were carried out during the year:

•  site visits to Sukari, attended by the 
HSES Committee along with senior 
personnel from the HSES 
department to understand 
first-hand the initiatives in place for 
training and improvements in 
health and safety on the site;

•  the segregation of materials on the 
scrapyard and removal of waste 
materials, recyclable materials and 
reusable materials;

•  the treatment of waste materials 
including the tailings dam and 
processes for handling of hazardous 
materials such as cyanide;

•  the community plans in Sukari and 
in particular existing social project 
work with the local hospital in 
Marsa Alam and use of the CT 
scanning machine, the Marsa Alam 
playground, the environmental 
protectorates near the mine and 
the playground and needs of the 
local children and families; and
•  community projects and initiatives 
in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.

In compliance with the reporting 
requirements set out in the 
Committee charter, during the year 

the HSES Committee worked closely 
with management to:

•  review monthly and quarterly 

reporting on corporate sustainable 
development issues and initiatives;
•  set LTIFR targets and evaluate the 

root cause of incidents and 
safeguards and initiatives (such as 
Take 5) that have been put in place;

•  address potential environmental 

hazards and identify resource needs 
to eliminate or mitigate incidents;
•  review community-based projects 
both at Sukari (Egypt) and Batie 
West (West Africa);

•  enhanced reporting to include CDP 
submissions and report towards 
GRI standards; 

•  review the requirements of the 

Modern Slavery Act and how they 
could be actioned across our 
operations/supply chain; and

•  review environmental, health, safety 

and contingency plans.

This year we also reinforced our 
commitment to sustainability and 
linked part of the CEO’s performance 
bonus to the achievement of specific 
HSES KPIs, including: 

•  improvements in LTIFR;
•  zero severe or major consequence 

environmental incidents;

•  a year-on-year increase in water 

recycling;

•  a year-on-year reduction in GHG 
emissions per tonne milled; and
•  an increase in total community 

investment.

80

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

STRATEGIC REPORTLocal Egyptian community adjacent to the Nile near Edfu, Egypt.

•  strong commitment to 

managing and minimising health 
and safety risks;

•  a commitment to developing a 

highly skilled workforce dominated 
by host country nationals; and
•  development of solar capacity 

at Sukari.

I am particularly excited by the 
opportunity of the solar project, which 
is currently subject to a detailed 
engineering feasibility study. 
If approved by the Board in 2019, it 
could become one of the largest 
standalone solar power facilities in 
Africa reducing both our greenhouse 
gas emissions and reducing our fuel 
costs. 

Centamin’s contribution to Egypt, 
beyond the direct profit share and 
royalty payments to government: 

•  approximately US$3 billion 

investment to date (including 
capital and operational 
expenditure); and 

•  job creation – an average of circa 

1,500 Egyptian employees 
(80 expatriates) and more than 
320 Egyptian companies providing 
goods and services to Sukari 
Gold Mine. 

As set out in the governance report, 
in 2019 the HSES Committee will be 
instrumental in delivering on the 2018 
Code, ensuring that:

•  the Company’s purpose and values 

which are integral to the 
Company’s success remain relevant 
and are communicated and 
embedded across the business;
•  by using the existing labour and 
workforce committees onsite at 
Sukari, ensure that the views of the 
workforce are heard and there is 
active engagement with Board 
members to ensure the employee 
voice is understood by the Board;

•  review and action stakeholder 
engagement plans covering 
investors and shareholders, host 
government and local communities, 
suppliers, contractors and 
employees; and

•  working with the Board and the 
CGC Committee to ensure 
compliance with section 172 of the 
Companies Act and making 
recommendations to the Board as 
to what further actions are to be 
implemented.

The sustainability report is published 
alongside the 2018 annual report and 
accounts, with key themes in the 
report as follows: 

•  improved sustainability governance 
to update policies and procedure 
on human resources, stakeholder 
engagement and on minimising 
the risk of Modern Slavery in our 
supply chain; 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

Centamin’s contribution across the 
projects in West Africa: 

•  job creation of permanent 

employees, casual workers and 
contractors from neighbouring 
towns and villages near the 
operations; 

•  purchases from local suppliers;
•  local community related initiatives; 

and 

•  customs duties and related taxes. 

Following recent high-profile incidents 
in the mining sector there has been an 
increased interest from stakeholders in 
understanding the level of risk 
associated with mining companies’ 
tailings facilities. Details of Centamin’s 
TSF and the evaluation of the facility, 
as well as plans and timings for a new 
TSF, are set out in the separately 
published sustainability report and 
principal risk section of the 
strategic report.

Centamin is committed to working 
with the highest level of respect for its 
employees, host communities and the 
environment. As Chair of the HSES 
Committee, I see opportunities to 
improve further the working 
environment for our employees and 
our local community and develop our 
initiatives to all our benefit.

Alison Baker

Chair of the HSES Committee

1 March 2019

81

STRATEGIC REPORTStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information84 

94 

96 

Introduction

Board of Directors 

Senior management 

98  Corporate governance 

100  Nomination report

108  Audit and risk report

118  Remuneration report 

82

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEWhat’s in  this sectionGovernance  reportCentamin plc Annual report 2018

83

Open pit mining view from the cab of the face shovel.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationIntroduction

The Board has considered the short and longer term 
strategic focus areas (set out in the strategic report), 
as well as the principal risks, risk appetite and 
resulting business objectives.

Josef El-Raghy
Chairman

Dear shareholders

2018 was a challenging year for 
Centamin, but despite the operational 
challenges, costs were kept under 
tight control and Centamin remained 
cash generative. This allowed the 
Board to declare dividend payments 
of US$63.5 million for 2018.

Sukari’s long term sustainability was 
reconfirmed by the reserve and 
resource update, which demonstrated 
our ability to replace high-grade 
underground reserves, and the open 
pit has a mine life in excess of 15 
years. Longer term, exploration 
projects in West Africa continue to be 
promising, with further progress at our 
two projects in Côte d’Ivoire.

The results of the AGM this year were 
disappointing, with shareholders 
electing to vote against the 
remuneration policy and significant 
votes were cast against the 
remuneration report. The Board took 
immediate steps to address 
shareholder concerns, engaging with 
key shareholders and proxy advisory 
groups to understand fully the areas 
for concern. The changes made to the 
remuneration policy and remuneration 
reporting that have been 
implemented in the report takes 
account of feedback from the 
engagement process.

Progress has been made throughout 
2018 to ensure opportunity for Board 
refreshment and succession with two 
new non-executive appointments this 
year. A recruitment consultant is 
actively pursuing three additional 
Board appointments. Two additional 
independent Non-Executive Directors 
are to be identified and will provide 
continuity for the Board and 
succession for those Directors 
approaching the end of their period 
of independence. My role as 
Non-Executive Chair is mandated to 
ensure continuity and stability during 
this transitional phase and, aided by 
the Nomination Committee and the 
recruitment consultant, we will, in 
addition to the two new  
Non-Executive Directors, identify a 
suitable candidate to succeed me and 
take on the role of Non-Executive 
Chair. This process is expected to be 
completed during 2019.

Our Board composition and approach 
to leadership are set out in detail on 
page 88. Within the governance 
report and, where applicable, the 
strategic report, the Directors provide 
the required governance and 
regulatory assurances.

Through the financial reporting and 
budgeting process, together with the 
review of operational activity, the 
Board has considered the short and 
longer term strategic focus areas (set 
out in the strategic report), as well as 
the principal risks, risk appetite and 
resulting business objectives.

The key areas of 2016 Code 
compliance can be found in the 
following areas of the 2018 annual 
report and accounts:

•  C.1.1. Fair, balanced and 

understandable (applied across  
the strategic, governance and 
financial review with the 
confirmation statement in the 
Directors’ responsibilities statement 
and assumptions in the audit and 
risk report);

•  C.1.3. Going concern (Directors’ 
Responsibilities Statement and 
assumptions in the audit and  
risk report);

•  C.1.2. Business model and delivery 

of strategy (strategic report 
including the business model);

•  C.2.1. Robust assessment of 
principal risks (Directors’ 
responsibilities and assumptions  
in the risk management report);

•  C.2.2. Viability statement  

(risk management report); and
•  C.2.3. Monitoring and review of 

effectiveness of risk management 
and internal control systems (audit 
and risk report).

84

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE2018 has been a challenging year 
operationally and the focus on 2019  
is firmly on delivering strong 
operational performance and 
continuing to manage costs. We enter 
2019 with a knowledgeable Board, a 
strong management team and a clear 
strategy to deliver sustained returns 

to shareholders. The appointment of 
new Board members in 2019 and the 
prospect of a new Chair provides 
shareholders with assurance of 
continuity as well as staged and 
progressive refreshment of the Board.

Josef El-Raghy

Chairman

1 March 2019

Governance and Code compliance at a glance

LEADERSHIP

EFFECTIVENESS

ACCOUNTABILITY

REMUNERATION

SHAREHOLDERS

Separate roles 
undertaken by the 
Chairman  
and CEO.

Senior Independent 
Non-Executive Director 
and Deputy Chairman – 
Edward Haslam.

Regular meetings of the 
Board and committees 
and exemplary 
attendance record.

Non-Executive Director 
meetings held during the 
year without executives 
present.

Over half the Board are 
independent 
Non-Executive Directors.

Staged refreshment of  
the Board.

Plans to recruit three  
new independent 
Non-Executive Directors.

Ensuring a diverse Board 
in all respects.

Audit partner rotation in 
2018.

Simple but effective 
remuneration structure.

Increased role and scope 
of the internal auditor 
since its appointment  
in 2015.

Improvements proposed 
to the performance share 
plan in line with the 2018 
Code.

Defined strategic 
objectives and long term 
business viability.

Enhanced claw back 
provision.

Deferral provisions  
for executive bonus  
from 2019. 

All Directors stand for 
re-election at each AGM.

Defined risk strategy and 
principal risks explained.

Remuneration policy for 
three year approval.

Engagement with key 
shareholders and proxy 
advisory bodies.

AGMs held with key 
Directors in attendance.

Full disclosure of AGM 
results on day of 
meeting.

Investor meetings, 
capital markets day 
presentation.

Compliance statement

The Company is incorporated in 
Jersey, Channel Islands. The 
Company, by virtue of the Listing 
Rules, is subject to the 2016 Corporate 
Governance Code (the “2016 Code”) 
issued by the UK Financial Reporting 
Council (“FRC”) and therefore the 
Company must confirm that it has 
complied with all relevant provisions 
of the Code or to explain areas of  
non-compliance. The Code can be 
found on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website, www.frc.org.uk.

In addition, the Company is required 
to follow the principles of corporate 
governance set out in the best 
practice recommendations of the 
Toronto Stock Exchange, in particular 
those recommendations in National 
Policy 58201 Corporate Governance 
Guidelines (NP 58-201). 

The Company has applied the main 
principles set out in the 2016 Code 
(see table above), with further details 
in this section of the annual report 
enabling shareholders to evaluate  
how the principles have been applied.

Throughout the year ended  
31 December 2018, the Company was 
in full compliance with the provisions 
set out in the Code with the exception 
of the following matters:

•  the Code and best practice 

recommendations favour that the 
Chairman be an independent 
Director on appointment. Josef 
El-Raghy is not an independent 
Non-Executive Chair within the 
meaning of the 2016 Code as he 
was previously an executive of the 
Company. Additional measures 
remain in place whereby Edward 
Haslam (Deputy Chairman and 

Senior Independent Non-Executive 
Director) takes an active role to 
ensure the Board’s ongoing 
effectiveness in all respects; and
•  the Board determined that Alison 
Baker is independent within the 
meaning of the 2016 Code. The 
Board noted that although Alison 
was a former PwC partner, she had 
not worked directly or indirectly on 
Centamin’s account whilst 
employed with PwC and  
has not been involved with PwC  
in providing any consultation or 
other related activities since leaving 
the firm in 2016. The Board 
therefore determined that Alison  
is considered in all respects to be 
independent both in character and 
judgment.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

85

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationIntroduction continued

Compliance statement continued
It is noted that the disclosures 
contained in the Directors’ 
remuneration report exceed the 
obligations of a non-UK company. 
However, the Company considers 
such enhanced disclosure is 
appropriate to allow shareholders  
to compare the Company with  
UK incorporated FTSE 250 listed 
companies. The Company has  
also incorporated many additional  
and voluntary disclosures in its 
strategic report.

The Company’s diversity policy is set 
out in the Nomination Committee 
report, noting that the Company’s 
policy considers the composition of 
the Board and the pipeline of talent 
within the organisation, having regard 
to gender, ethnicity, age and 
educational and professional 
backgrounds.

The Board and committees have 
considered the new UK Corporate 
Governance Code (“2018 Code”) 
published by the FRC in 2018 that 
applies to financial years beginning on 
or after 1 January 2019. A full report 
on the application of the 2018 Code 
will be included in the 2019 annual 
report and accounts. Since the 
publication of the 2018 Code the 
Board and committees have 
considered the changes and set out 
below are the initial actions in 
response to the new requirements:

•  leadership and purpose: the 

Board and committees considered 
the 2018 Code and associated 
guidance and in particular the 
questions posed by the FRC for 
boards. An agenda item for all 
committees will be to continue  
to assess adherence to the 2018 
Code and make any 
recommendations to the Board: 

•  the Company’s purpose and 
values are integral to the 
Company’s success and ensuring 
they remain relevant and are 
communicated to the business is 
a key part of the Board’s 
objective throughout 2019; 
•  workforce engagement will be 
actioned through the HSES 
Committee and the existing 
labour and workforce 
committees onsite at Sukari. 
The HSES Committee will ensure 
regular (at least quarterly) 
meetings are scheduled and 
held with the workforce 
Committee to ensure views are 
heard and direction from the 
Board is shared via this forum.  
In addition, the HSES committee 
will assess the stakeholder 
engagement plans covering 
investors and shareholders and 
suppliers, contractors and 
employees; and

•  as a Jersey registered company, 
the full requirements of section 
172 of the UK Companies Act 
2006 (“section 172”) are 
additional to the Directors’ 
current obligations under Jersey 
Law. Understanding and, where 
necessary, implementing and 
updating policies to ensure 
compliance with section 172 will 
be essential as we work through 
2019. The CGC Committee will 
work with the HSES Committee 
to ensure compliance with 
section 172 and make 
recommendations to the Board 
as to what further actions are to 
be implemented.

•  composition, succession and 
evaluation: The actions of the 
Nomination Committee include 
considering the length of service 
as a whole and ensuring plans are 
firmly in place for Non-Executive 
Director rotation and refreshment 
of the Board. The Committee will 
also consider executive and senior 
management succession and talent 
management. Also, the Committee 
will be recommending the 
appointment of an external 
facilitator in 2019 to assist with  
the evaluation of the Board, 
committees and individual 
Directors (the last such external 
evaluation having taken place  
in 2016);

•  audit, risk and internal control: 
Details of the Audit and Risk 
Committee’s actions during 2019 
and their initiatives are set out in 
the audit and risk report on 
page 108 to 117; and

•  remuneration: The Company’s 

revised and updated remuneration 
policy is presented in the 
Remuneration Committee report 
on page 118 to 143 and takes 
account the 2018 Code and 
accompanying guidance, as well 
as feedback following shareholder 
and investor engagement. 
The policy will be subject to 
shareholder approval at the AGM 
in 2019 and, following approval, 
will be in place for three years. 
The Board has determined and 
considers that the new 
remuneration policy is aligned with 
the provisions in the 2018 Code.

•  division of responsibilities: The 
governance report sets out the 
responsibilities of the executive. 
The Nomination Committee has 
considered, in detail, Provision  
19 of the 2018 Code in relation 
to the role of the Chair and the 
succession and recruitment plans 
that are in place;

86

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEBoard overview

Set out below is the Board, committee and management structure of Centamin plc.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

CENTAMIN PLC

BOARD COMMITTEES

Corporate  
management

Operational 
management

Audit and Risk

Remuneration 
and 
Nomination

Health, Safety, 
Environmental 
and 
Sustainability

Compliance 
and 
Corporate 
Governance

Continuous 
disclosure

OPERATIONAL HEADS OF DEPARTMENT

How the Board of Directors operates

The Board provides leadership to the Group and sets the Group’s values and standards to ensure that its obligations to its 
shareholders are met and the Group complies with both regulatory and governance requirements. The Board guides and 
monitors the business and affairs of the Company on behalf of the shareholders by whom they are elected and to whom 
they are accountable. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Board undertakes to serve the interests of shareholders, 
employees and the broader community honestly, fairly, diligently and in accordance with applicable laws.

Board composition and attendance

At the date of this report the Board is made up of the Chair, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer 
(“CFO”), and five independent Non-Executive Directors. See Directors’ details on pages 94 and 95.

The following table sets out the number of Board and committee meetings held during the year and the number of 
meetings attended by each Director.

Audit 
and Risk 
Committee 

Board 

  Health, Safety,  
Environmental 

Compliance 
and   and Corporate 
Governance 
Committee 

Sustainability 
Committee 

Remuneration 
Committee 

Nomination 
Committee

Executive 

Andrew Pardey 

Ross Jerrard  

Non-executive 

Josef El-Raghy 

Edward Haslam 

Dr Fawzy 

Alison Baker  

Mark Bankes 

Mark Arnesen 

(C.) 6 of 6 

5 of 5 

5 of 6 

6 of 6 

1 of 2 

5 of 5 

6 of 6 

6 of 6 

6 of 6 

3 of 3 

 3 of 3 

(C.) 4 of 4 

(C.) 6 of 6

(C.) 3 of 3 

6 of 6 

3 of 3 

(C.) 3 of 3 

(C.) 6 of 6 

 3 of 3 

 4 of 4 

 4 of 4 

 6 of 6

 6 of 6

(C.) Chairing the meeting and/or Chairperson of the Board or committee. Josef El-Raghy was absent from one meeting due to medical reasons and 

that meeting was chaired by the Deputy Chair, Edward Haslam.

The table excludes meetings held by written resolutions or sub-committees and reflects membership during 2018.  
The Board met six times during the year, with three further meetings held by way of written resolution. The business 
conducted is set out overleaf.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
Introduction continued

Board composition  
and re-election

It is proposed at the date of this 
annual report that all Directors will be 
put forward for re-election at the 
AGM and election for Dr Fawzy. 
All Directors are subject to annual 
re-election.

Leadership

This report sets out the key areas  
the Board has focused on during the 
year, together with details of the roles 
of the key Board members and an 
assessment of the effectiveness of  
the Board.

The Board sets and implements the 
strategic aims and values of the 
Company, providing strategic 
direction to management. See further 
details in the strategic report.

The Chairman, Josef El-Raghy,  
is responsible for ensuring the  
business is run in accordance with the 
Board’s strategy. The CEO, Andrew 
Pardey, has the responsibility for 
implementing strategy and overseeing 
the day-to-day running of the 
business. The CFO, Ross Jerrard is 
responsible for delivering the  
financial reporting, reviewing the 
strategy for risks and opportunities 
and representing the Company with 
key stakeholders (including 
government officials). 

The management team and Board are 
relatively few in number and are 
therefore aware and actively involved 
in all the major activities of the Group. 
They can therefore ensure the 
Company’s actions are aligned with 
the strategic aims of the Group.

The responsibilities of the Board and 
key roles within the organisation are 
set out below:

The Chairman:
•  leads the Board to ensure it 

operates effectively;

•  sets the agenda and ensures all 

matters are given due 
consideration and that Directors 
have the opportunity to contribute 
to Board discussions; and

•  communicates with shareholders in 
relation to the Company’s strategic 
aims and policies.

The Chief Executive Officer:
•  develops and implements short, 

medium and long term corporate 
strategies;

•  is responsible for day-to-day 

management of the business and 
the implementation of the Board’s 
strategic aims; and

•  promotes the highest standards of 
safety, corporate compliance and 
adherence to codes of conduct and 
communicating to the workforce 
the Company’s culture and values.

The Chief Financial Officer:
•  is responsible for delivering 

external financial reporting in 
compliance with the required 
regulations;

•  oversees the preparation of 

strategic and financial budgets for 
the Group to ensure financial 
commitments are met;

•  develops and maintains a sound 
system of financial controls and 
adherence to the Group’s policies 
and procedures;

•  identifies and implements risk 

management practices; 

•  represents the Group before key 

stakeholders including government 
officials (including EMRA); and
•  monitors external contracts and 
supplier relationships to ensure 
they are operating effectively.

The Non-Executive Directors:
•  challenge and help develop the 

Group’s strategy;

•  participate as members of the 
Board and on their respective 
committees;

•  monitor the performance of 

management;

•  need to be satisfied as to the 

adequacy and integrity of financial 
and other reporting;

•  determine appropriate levels of 
remuneration for Executive 
Directors;

•  raise any concerns with the Board 

or with management; and
•  monitor corporate culture and 
stakeholder engagement.

Details of the senior management 
team are set out on pages 96 and 97.

Detailed knowledge of the Group’s 
activities is essential and each year the 
Board visits Sukari where they are 
shown the underground operation, 
open pit site and the operations plant, 
accompanied by the heads of 
department based at Sukari. In 
addition to regular site visits to  
Sukari, the senior members of the 
management team and executives 
visit the exploration sites in Burkina 
Faso and Côte d’Ivoire to ensure  
the activities in these regions are 
aligned with the corporate objectives 
of the Group.

The Board delegates certain of its 
responsibilities directly to the 
committees (see section below).

Board committees

The Board committees are a valuable 
part of the Company’s corporate 
governance structure. The workload of 
the Board committees is far greater 
than the table of scheduled meetings 
would indicate, as ad-hoc meetings 
and communications occur frequently 
between the Directors and 
management. The Board is in receipt 
of detailed financial and operational 
monthly reports as well as the 
quarterly and annual financial 
disclosures. The terms of reference 
for each Board committee is 
available on the Company’s website 
www.centamin.com.

88

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEThe Board has delegated certain matters to its committees and their reports are presented within the strategic or 
governance reports as explained in the table below.

Health, Safety, Environmental and Sustainability Committee  Sustainability report  
– strategic report pages 80 and 81 

–  see the HSES Committee report on page 80 and 81 

Audit and Risk Committee  
– governance report page 108 

Remuneration Committee  
– governance report pages 118 to 121 

Nomination Committee  
– governance report page 100 

and separately published sustainability report

Risk and control environment  
– see audit and risk report on page 116 and 117

Directors’ remuneration report  
– see pages 118 to 143 

Succession planning  
– see the Nomination Committee Report on page 101

Compliance and Corporate Governance Committee 
– governance report pages 98 and 99 

Compliance statement with the Corporate Governance Code 
– see page 85 and 86

Board independence

When determining whether a Director is independent, the Board has established a Directors’ Test of Independence 
Policy, which is based on the Code and the definitions of independence in the Canadian Securities Administrators’ 
National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees. The Company remains compliant with the provisions of the Code, 
whereby at least half the Board comprises Non-Executive Directors who are determined by the Board to be independent.

Key activities of the Board in 2018

STRATEGIC
SUKARI

Sustainability  
– production guidance  
and cost estimates

ACTIVITIES

ACTION

Setting budgets, production and cost guidance for 
the year.

Sustainability  
– operational efficiency

Review proposals for contract and supplier 
tendering and systems improvements.

Prioritising stakeholder returns 
– dividend policy

Review of budgets and forecasts and capital 
expenditure proposals. 

Review of cost recovery model and profit share 
arrangements.

Approval and announcement of guidance in 
January 2018 and approval of revised guidance 
and cost estimates.

Review life of mine plans, reserve and resource 
data, operational forecasts and detailed 
comparisons of budget and actual data.

Cost control measures, system improvements.

Declaration of half-yearly and final dividends.

Optimal growth  
– exploration

Social responsibility  
– health and safety

Review data and results from updated reserve and 
resource statement. 

Review proposals for underground development 
and capital expenditure.

Approval of capital expenditure budgets.

Review drill results and geological assessments.

Assess project viability and resource data for 
home grown projects.

Sukari operational review, health and safety statistics 
and monthly reporting. Review of existing projects 
and maintenance programmes. 

Develop policies to meet GRI compliance.

Risk review and response to incident reporting. 

Project implementation in Marsa Alam, Egypt.

Employee initiatives and awareness campaigns.

Review human rights policies and understand the 
impact of modern slavery in host nations.

Develop projects to reduce emissions.

Approval of revised guidance.

Site visit to review first hand measures to support 
revised mine plan.

Invitation to the Board of key site personnel 
and senior management to review production 
schedules.

Mine optimisation 

Review of production estimates, timely reporting of 
revised forecasts, revised guidance and supporting 
schedules ahead of both re-guidance 
announcements during the year.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationIntroduction continued

Key activities of the Board in 2018 continued

STRATEGIC

WEST AFRICA 
EXPLORATION

ACTIVITIES

ACTION

Growth strategy – exploration

Approval of capital expenditure and exploration 
drilling programmes. 

Drilling programmes and resource updates in 
Côte d’Ivoire. 

Social responsibility – health  
and safety

CORPORATE, LITIGATION 
AND RISK

Optimal growth

Corporate

Review exploration budgets and relative spend  
and results. 

Review of updated resource statements.

Ensure allocation of resources across the 
prospects and targeted exploration 
programmes.

Integrated reporting of HSES statistics.

Review of monthly reporting to the Board.

ACTIVITIES

ACTION

Strategic review of business development 
opportunities including potential M&A.

Strategy review and ad-hoc meetings to assess 
opportunities.

Review the 2018 Code and policy requirements, 
diversity policy, governance trends and reforms. 

Compliance with local laws and regulations. 
Litigation updates on the Company’s ongoing court 
hearings (details of which can be found in notes 2.7 
and 5.1).

Board and committee appointments.

Approve scope of external legal advisers,  
and in-house personnel. 

Confirm litigation strategy and review changes  
in the legal system.

Risk and internal controls

Review of the Company’s principal risks, risk 
appetite and linkages to long term viability. 

Review of the internal control environment and 
internal and external reporting.

Updates to the risk register, internal 
communication of the Company’s risk appetite 
and setting out the linkages between longer 
term risks and the ongoing viability of the 
business. 

Approve the scope and plan of the internal and 
external auditors and monitor progress.

PERSONNEL

ACTIVITIES

ACTION

Appointments – Nomination 
Committee recommendations

Personnel requirements at Board and senior 
management levels.

Approval of appointment of Alison Baker and  
Dr Fawzy as Non-Executive Directors and 
committee appointments. 

Approval of appointment of Ross Jerrard (CFO)  
to the Board.

Approval of the change in role of the Chair, Josef 
El-Raghy.

Succession – Nomination 
Committee recommendations

Review of succession plans for Board and 
management, diversity and Board performance  
and evaluation.

Agreement on timing/priorities for succession 
planning for key roles and improving Board 
effectiveness.

Appointment of senior personnel. 

Remuneration – Remuneration 
Committee recommendations

Review of KPIs for the Executive Directors and senior 
management and reviewing performance appraisals.

Stakeholder engagement to prepare new 
remuneration policy for shareholder approval.

Approval of awards, vesting criteria and bonus 
structure.

It is noted that throughout the year the Board of Directors had access to independent professional advice, at the 
Company’s expense, and the services and advice of the Company Secretary.

90

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
CASE STUDY: GOVERNANCE IN ACTION ‘SHAREHOLDER ENGAGEMENT’

The AGM result in 2018 required immediate action by the Board. The Board set out a plan to engage with shareholders and proxy advisory 
groups to address their concerns and understand the reasons for the significant votes cast against the members of the Remuneration 
Committee and the remuneration policy/report.

In the days leading up to the AGM in 2018, the Board reviewed all available material, including recently published proxy advisory reports  
in connection with the Company’s forthcoming AGM and direct shareholder and investor feedback. This information allowed the Board to 
form a view and respond via a regulatory news announcement on the day of the AGM in compliance with E.2.2 of the 2016 Corporate 
Governance Code.

The Board instructed a formal tender process to appoint a remuneration specialist to advise the Committee. It was clear from the initial 
feedback that whilst there were areas within the policy that could be improved, there was not an issue over, for example, quantum of pay  
and therefore the review would be focused heavily on ensuring the policy met with industry best practice.

The Remuneration Committee finalised the tender process and appointed Korn Ferry, who worked with the Committee to identify areas 
within the policy that could be remedied immediately. This followed a thorough review of the policy ensuring any proposed changes aligned 
with the Company’s strategic objectives and would meet the approval of the shareholders, Committee and the Executive Directors.

The Committee has, throughout this process, recognised that its responsibility in serving the interests of shareholders must also include 
developing a remuneration structure that motivates and retains its Executive Directors.

Formal letters inviting engagement on the draft remuneration proposals were sent to major shareholders and proxy advisers, and where 
possible, face to face meetings with the Committee Chair were arranged. 

The review process, carried out in conjunction with the Committee, ensured formal procedures were in place to align the bonus targets with 
the Company’s strategic objectives and track progress against these measurable targets during the year. The alignment of the remuneration 
policy, the share plan rules and the executive contracts has also been thoroughly reviewed as a result of this process. The Board is pleased to 
recommend the approval of the remuneration policy, remuneration report and performance share plan to shareholders at the forthcoming 
AGM in April 2019. 

Areas of focus for the  
Board in 2019
Strategic planning – the Board 
regularly reviews and approves 
strategic plans and initiatives put 
forward by management and the 
executives, including growth 
proposals and efficiency initiatives. 
Details of the strategic objectives to 
ensure stability and continuity of the 
business, maintaining shareholder 
returns, growth prospects and 
opportunities and ensuring the 
Company maintains its social licence 
to operate can be found in the 
strategic report. Areas of focus will 
relate to the exploration programmes 
in Côte d’Ivoire towards pre-feasibility 
studies and exploitation licence 
renewals in Burkina Faso. Two major 
capital projects are being assessed 
including a solar farm and new tailings 
storage facility which are to be 
presented for Board approval in 2019.

Communications – the Board 
oversees the Company’s public 
communications with shareholders 
and other stakeholders and will 
continue to ensure systems remain 
appropriate to meet the demands of 
the business. A continued priority in 
2019 will be to communicate the 
Company’s strategic goals and 
develop a safety-conscious culture 
throughout the business.

Risk assessment – the Board has 
primary responsibility for identifying 
the principal risks in the Company’s 
business and to ensure the 
implementation of appropriate 
systems to manage these risks.  
The Board will continue to review its 
processes for risk identification and 
evaluation, improving internal 
communication and external reports 
in this area.

Internal control – the Board, with 
assistance from the Audit and Risk 
Committee, oversees the Group’s 
internal control and management 
information systems. The Board will 
continue to work with the internal 
auditor in 2019 to identify the next 
scoping phase. BDO LLP will review 
the Company’s procurement and 
contract management, key financial 
processes, inventory management 
and corporate policy review.

Reporting and audit – the Board, 
through the Audit and Risk 
Committee, has reviewed and 
implemented upgrades to the 
accounting systems. System upgrades 
and newly developed software will be 
considered as part of a programme  
to further streamline processes and 
support the growth of the business.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationIntroduction continued

As a direct result of the internal 
evaluation process, the Board agreed 
that all independent Non-Executive 
Directors continued to demonstrate 
their independence and objectivity in 
all respects and provided continued 
value on the committees in which they 
served.

The Nomination Committee and the 
Board discussed during the year the 
need for any new appointments to the 
Board, either through the process of 
succession planning or external 
appointments. These discussions 
culminated in the appointment of 
Alison Baker and Dr Ibrahim Fawzy as 
independent Non-Executive Directors 
and promotion to Board level for Ross 
Jerrard (CFO). The recommendation 
for the appointment of a three new 
independent Non-Executive Directors 
in 2019 is underway, with one of those 
appointments to be of the calibre to 
succeed the Chair.

With these new appointments, staged 
rotation and refreshment of the Board 
has begun. A thorough review has 
been carried out of the skills and 
expertise of our existing Board 
members, including the overall length 
of service of the Board as a whole,  
to ensure we have the right range  
of backgrounds and experience to  
see Centamin through to the next 
stage of growth.

Managing risks and  
internal controls

The Board is responsible for satisfying 
itself that management has developed 
and implemented a sound system of 
risk management and internal 
controls. Assisted by the Audit and 
Risk Committee, management reports 
to the Board on the Group’s principal 
risks and the extent to which it 
believes these risks are being 
appropriately managed and mitigated.

Full details of the risk environment can 
be found in the risk management 
report on pages 38 to 49.

The Board is pleased to confirm that 
the Company remains in compliance 
with best practice guidelines, with the 
2016 Code and relevant Canadian 
requirements, and the systems in 
place to manage risk and the internal 
control environment have been in 
place for the year under review, up to 
the date of approval of the annual 
report and financial statements.

During the year, the Company 
conducted an assessment of the 
control environment of the Group, 
taking into account the work of both 
the internal and external auditors. 
The key headings for this review can 
be summarised as follows:

•  corporate governance framework;
•  management reporting framework;
•  material contracts and contract 

management;

•  procedures for forecasting and 

budgeting;

•  external reporting obligations and 

procedures;

•  information technology 

environment; and

•  corporate and operational principal 

risk assessment.

Areas of focus for the  
Board in 2019 continued
Relationship with stakeholders –  
the Board will continue to maintain, 
develop and monitor relationships 
with key stakeholders including EMRA 
in relation to Sukari and other 
governmental bodies in Burkina Faso 
and Côte d’Ivoire.

Succession and personnel: Delivering 
on the planned appointments of three 
new Non-Executive Directors to the 
Board, one of whom will transition into 
the role of Non-Executive Chair. 
Ensuring vacant positions at senior 
levels are recruited and a review is 
carried out of additional personnel 
requirements at a corporate and 
operational level. 

Board effectiveness

Each committee carries out a 
self-assessment evaluation of its 
effectiveness over the year. This 
review compares the responsibilities 
and objectives of the committee 
against the activities carried out 
during the year. This evaluation is 
submitted to the Board for review.  
The internal annual performance 
evaluation of the Board was 
completed in February 2019 for the 
year ended 31 December 2018.

The Non-Executive Directors meet at 
least annually, without the Chairman 
or CEO present, and evaluate their 
performance during the year. The 
Board is assisted by the Nomination 
Committee on its evaluation of the 
Non-Executive Directors. The next 
scheduled review of the Board’s 
effectiveness by an external facilitator 
is due to take place in 2019. The 
recommendations following the 2016 
review have been implemented, which 
covered proposals for formalising the 
succession planning process (with 
consideration to diversity), formalising 
the induction process and definition of 
roles, particularly between the CEO 
and Chairman.

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Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEAt the recommendation of the 
committees, the Board evaluated  
the existing control environment and 
approved recommendations for 
further systems development, the 
scope of the internal auditor, 
allocation of roles and responsibilities 
across the management team and  
the scope and engagement of 
external legal, compliance and 
commercial advisers.

It was noted that the review and 
subsequent recommendations to 
improve the internal control 
environment are part of a continuing 
process of improvement.

Employees

Information relating to employees is 
contained in the sustainability report 
which is published separately to this 
report, together with details of the 
number of employees at Sukari.  
The Company 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 the 
Company expects all staff to operate.

For a summary of the social conditions 
in Egypt and the Middle East and an 
explanation as to the gender balance 
in the workforce, please see the 
sustainability report which is 
published separately.

Environmental compliance

The Directors are aware of their 
commitment to environmental, 
community and social responsibility, 
details of which can be found in the 
sustainability report which is published 
separately. The Group is currently 
complying with relevant environmental 
regulations in the jurisdictions in which 
it operates  
and has no knowledge of any 
environmental orders or breaches 
against the Group. The Group 
engaged environmental consultants 
Digby Wells to develop the Group’s 
reporting standards to international 
Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”) 
standards. In addition, the Group will 
be reviewing existing human rights 
policies to ensure these are aligned 
with best practice.

Political donations

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

Supplier and payment policy

It is the Company’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. 
Further details on trade creditors are 
provided in note 2.9 to the financial 
statements.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

93

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationJosef El-Raghy
CHAIRMAN (NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIR 
FROM JANUARY 2019) 

Josef has been responsible for overseeing 
the transition of the Company from small 
explorer, through construction and into 
production.

Experience

Josef holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree 
from the University of Western Australia and 
subsequently became a Director of both 
CIBC Wood Gundy and Paterson Ord 
Minnett. Josef is also Chairman of AIC 
Resources Limited effective 1 December 
2017.

Director since 26 August 2002

Board meetings attended 5/6

Ross Jerrard 
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER  
(SINCE 18 APRIL 2016)

Ross was appointed Chief Financial Officer of 
Centamin in April 2016. Since then, Ross has 
assembled and led an excellent finance team 
between Jersey, Egypt and West Africa. Ross 
has been responsible for leading efficiency 
objectives such as the successful 
implementation of improved cost control and 
monitoring measures, improvements to 
reporting systems and the delivery of 
reporting timetables of accounts. Ross was 
appointed as a Director to the Board in 
February 2018.

Experience

Before joining Centamin, Ross was audit 
partner with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Perth, 
Australia. Prior to moving to Australia he 
spent three and a half years in Egypt, based 
in Cairo, acting for multinational companies 
operating in the region. Ross is a member of 
the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 
Australia, the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in Zimbabwe and the Australian 
Institute of Company Directors.

Director since 5 February 2018

Board meetings attended 5/5

Andrew Pardey
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER  
(SINCE FEBRUARY 2015)

Andrew was appointed CEO and Director 
of the Board of Centamin plc on 
1 February 2015. Andrew served as General 
Manager of operations at the Sukari Gold 
Mine before his previous appointment as 
Chief Operating Officer in May 2012

Experience

Andrew was a major driving force in bringing 
Sukari into production and was instrumental 
in the successful transition of the operation 
through construction and into production.

Andrew holds a BSc in Geology and has over 
25 years’ experience in the mining and 
exploration industry, having previously held 
senior positions with Guinor Gold 
Corporation, AngloGold Ashanti.

Director since 1 February 2015

Board meetings attended 6/6

Edward Haslam 
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AND SENIOR 
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR

In addition to his role as Senior Independent 
Director, Edward has carried out additional 
corporate governance functions over the past 
few years for Centamin, while the roles of 
CEO and Chairman were combined.

Experience

Edward has been a non-executive Director 
(and Chairman from June 2007 to April 2012) 
of the LSE listed Talvivaara plc (since 1 June 
2007) and from 1 May 2004 to April 2016 has 
been a non-executive Director of Aquarius 
Platinum Ltd. In 1981, Edward joined Lonmin; 
he was appointed a Director in 1999 and chief 
executive officer in November 2000 before 
retiring in April 2004. Edward is a Fellow of 
the Institute of Directors (UK).

Committee membership

Remuneration Committee (Chair) Nomination 
Committee (Chair); Audit and Risk Committee; 
Compliance and Corporate Governance 
Committee; and HSES Committee.

Director since 23 March 2011

Board meetings attended 6/6

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Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEBoard of DirectorsAlison Baker 
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR

Alison spent much of her time at PwC 
working with the natural resources team, 
advising FTSE 350 and AIM companies on 
transactions, M&A and corporate reporting. 
An advocate of building trust through 
integrated reporting and having worked with 
a wide range of clients, including those in the 
emerging markets, Alison has developed a 
strong cultural sensitivity and awareness of 
wider stakeholder requirements including 
governments and local communities.

Experience

Alison is a former audit partner at 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”)  
and Ernst & Young LLP, with nearly 25 years’ 
experience. Alison is also a Non-Executive 
Director at KAZ Minerals plc and Rockhopper 
Exploration plc.

Committee membership

Chair of HSES Committee; and member of 
Nomination Committee.

Director since 5 February 2018 

Board meetings attended 5/5

Mark Bankes
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR

Mark is an international corporate finance 
lawyer. Mark specialises in international 
securities, mining policy and agreements, 
mergers and acquisitions and international 
restructurings for the resource sector.

Experience

Mark 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.

Committee membership

Compliance and Corporate Governance 
Committee (Chair);

HSES Committee (until December 2018); 
Audit and Risk Committee; and Remuneration 
Committee.

Director since 24 February 2011

Board meetings attended 6/6

Dr Ibrahim Fawzy
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR

Dr Fawzy has over 50 years of experience 
working with industrial and investment 
companies in Egypt and abroad. He holds a 
BSc Degree in Mechanical Engineering from 
the University of Cairo and a PhD from 
University College London. Dr Fawzy held the 
position of Minister of Industry of Egypt from 
1993 to 1996 and President and CEO of the 
General Authority for Investment and Free 
Zones (“GAFI”) in Egypt from 1996 to 2000. 

Experience

Dr Fawzy is currently the Chairman of the 
Cairo stock exchange listed Company, 
Egyptians Abroad Company for Investment & 
Development and Director of its subsidiaries. 
Dr Fawzy was also a non-Executive Director 
of NASDAQ listed Quality Systems Inc. in 
California from 2007 to 2010 where he was 
also a member of Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee.

Committee membership

HSES Committee (effective 1 January 2019); 
and CGC Committee (effective 1 January 2019).

Director since 14 August 2018 

Board meetings attended 1/2

Mark Arnesen
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR

Mark has extensive expertise in the 
structuring and negotiation of finance for 
major resource projects. Mark is a chartered 
accountant with over 20 years’ experience in 
the resources industry and holds Bachelor of 
Commerce and Bachelor of Accounting 
degrees from the University of the 
Witwatersrand.

Experience

Mark was appointed CEO of ASX listed Nzuri 
Copper Limited (formerly Regal Resources 
Limited) in August 2016 and is also the sole 
Director of ARM Advisors Proprietary Limited. 
He has also served on the board of Gulf 
Industrials Limited.

Committee membership

Audit and Risk Committee (Chair); 
Compliance and Corporate Governance 
Committee; Remuneration Committee; and 
Nomination Committee.

Director since 24 February 2011

Board meetings attended 6/6

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationCORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Senior management

Operations

Youssef El-Raghy 
GENERAL MANAGER –  
EGYPTIAN OPERATIONS 

An officer graduate of the Egyptian Police 
Academy, Youssef held senior management 
roles within the Egyptian police force for 
more than 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. 

Mark Morcombe
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Mark was most recently COO at Acacia 
Mining plc and prior to that Senior Vice 
President at AngloGold Ashanti. He has  
more than 25 years of mining industry 
experience of which ten years have been  
in various countries in Africa. As a mining 
engineer, Mark has spent much of his career 
to date specialising in gold projects across 
Africa and Australia. Mark holds a Bachelor  
of Engineering (Mining Engineering) and  
a Masters of Engineering Science  
(Mining Geomechanics) from Curtin 
University in Australia.

Mark Morcombe is serving three months’ 
notice under the terms of his contract at the 
date of this report.

Chris Boreham 
GENERAL MANAGER – SUKARI 
(FROM 1 MARCH 2017 TO JULY 2018)

Chris holds a BEng (Mining) degree from the 
University of Sydney and a Graduate Diploma 
of Business, First Class Mine Manager’s 
Certificate in WA, Queensland and New 
South Wales. Having served over 12 years 
with the Company, Chris resigned earlier  
this year to pursue other interests.

Raitt Marshall
GENERAL MANAGER – SUKARI 
(FROM JULY 2018)

Raitt holds a BSc Mechanical Engineering 
degree from Dundee college of Technology. 
He has over 20 years’ experience in the 
mining industry having worked predominately 
in aluminium and gold mines. 

Since January 2010

Since 8 January 2018

Since July 2018

Norman Bailie
GROUP EXPLORATION MANAGER

Ibrahima Danso
MANAGER, WEST AFRICA

Norman joined Centamin in October 2016  
and brings to the role over 25 years’ industry 
experience in providing exploration and 
resource consultancy to all levels of 
exploration and mining companies in West, 
East and Central Africa and South America. 
Norman is an accredited Chartered 
Professional Geologist and Manager  
through the Geological Society UK and 
AusIMM, and a fellow of IOM3 UK and SEG 
USA as well as a competent person under  
JORC/43-101 criteria.

Ibrahima joined Centamin in June 2016 and 
brings to the role over 20 years’ professional 
experience, notably with AngloGold Ashanti 
in Guinea and Democratic Republic of Congo 
(DRC), Alcoa in Ghana, Guinea and Jamaica, 
and Newcrest Mining in Côte d’Ivoire. Areas 
of expertise include leading small, medium 
and large-scale mining operations from 
feasibility study stage to development and 
operations. Ibrahima is highly knowledgeable 
in dealing with African governments to  
secure exploration and mining permits, 
conceptualising and executing strategic 
community investment programmes in the 
host country as well as conflict resolution and 
dealing with key stakeholders to maintain our 
social licence to operate. 

Doaa Abou Elailah 
GROUP SUSTAINABILITY AND 
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Doaa has worked closely with Centamin for 
ten years, initially as an adviser, before joining 
the Company in 2013. Doaa has more than  
18 years of experience as a consultant in 
health and safety, environment and 
community affairs. Doaa has provided 
technical support to numerous industries and 
facilities in Egypt and the Middle East across 
a broad range of sectors including mining, oil 
and gas, industrial production, infrastructure 
and tourism. Doaa holds MSc and BSc 
honours degrees in Chemical Engineering 
from the University of Cairo.

Since 10 October 2016

Since 31 May 2016

Since 1 May 2013

96

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Finance and corporate

Mark Smith
GROUP FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

Riaan Nel
GROUP ACCOUNTANT

Mark joined Centamin as Group Financial 
Controller in August 2015 and brings to the 
role a wealth of experience in site-based 
commercial and corporate finance across 
exploration, feasibility, construction and 
operations in both open pit and underground 
mining environments. Mark has worked 
previously for a variety of other publicly listed 
companies including BHP, Red Back Mining 
Inc, African Minerals Ltd and Endeavour 
Mining Corporation.

Before joining Centamin, Riaan held previous 
appointments at a hedge fund and at 
PricewaterhouseCoopers, both in Jersey. 
Riaan holds a B.Com Accounting Sciences 
and a B.Com Honours Accounting Sciences 
degree from the University of Pretoria and 
completed his training at Grant Thornton 
South Africa where he specialised in the 
manufacturing and mining industries.  
Riaan is a member of the South African 
Institute of Chartered Accountants and  
the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 
England and Wales.

Amr Hassouna
COMMERCIAL MANAGER (SUKARI)

Amr has been working at Sukari since March 
2012 and was promoted to Management 
Accounting Manager in February 2015 and to 
Commercial Manager in November 2017.  
Amr brings to the role a wealth of experience 
and understanding of the operating and 
commercial environment in Egypt. 

Prior to joining Sukari, Amr was working in  
the oil and gas field in Egypt for eight years. 
Amr holds a Bachelor Degree in Finance and 
Accounting from Alexandria University and 
membership of IMA (Institute of 
Management Accountants).

Since 17 August 2015

Since 6 February 2017

Since March 2012

Heidi Brown 
SUBSIDIARY DIRECTOR AND  
COMPANY SECRETARY

Heidi is a Fellow Chartered Secretary (FCIS, 
FGIA) and GAICD. Heidi holds a Graduate 
Certificate of Applied Finance and  
Investment and a Diploma of Financial 
Advising from the Financial Services  
Institute of Australasia. Heidi was the 
Company Secretary of Centamin from  
2004 until 2012, and continues to act as 
Company Secretary and Director of 
Centamin’s Australian subsidiaries.

Alexandra Carse
HEAD OF INVESTOR RELATIONS

Darren Le Masurier
COMPANY SECRETARY

Alexandra joined Centamin in December 
2017 from Petropavlovsk PLC, where she  
was head of investor relations. Prior to this, 
Alexandra has over twelve years’ experience  
as a sell-side corporate broker, specialising 
within the natural resource sector. Alexandra 
holds a BA degree in Economics and 
Statistics from the University of Vermont.

Darren is a fellow of the Association of 
Chartered Certified Accountants and has 
over 18 years’ experience in corporate 
administration, governance and offshore 
regulation in Jersey. Prior to joining 
Centamin, Darren worked at the fiduciary  
and law firm Ogier in Jersey for over ten 
years, providing professional company 
secretarial, accounting, administration and 
Director services for a diverse range of 
corporate clients and structures.

Since 23 January 2003

Since 4 December 2017

Since 8 July 2013

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

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Corporate governance

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.

Mark Bankes
Chairman of the Compliance and  
Corporate Governance Committee

Dear shareholders

ACTIVITIES

COMMITTEE COMMENTARY

I am presenting this corporate 
governance report in my capacity  
as Chairman of the Compliance and 
Corporate Governance Committee 
(“CGC Committee”), a committee 
established by the Board of the 
Company. The Committee’s primary 
functions, responsibilities and duties 
are set out in the Committee charter.

Compliance and Corporate 
Governance Committee

As at the date of this report, the 
Compliance and Corporate 
Governance Committee has four 
independent Non-Executive Directors, 
Edward Haslam, Mark Arnesen and 
me as Chairman with Dr Ibrahim 
Fawzy joining the Committee on 
1 January 2019. Biographies of 
members of the Committee can be 
found on pages 94 and 95. All 
Committee members attended all 
three scheduled meetings during 
2018.

The activities undertaken during the 
year included the following:

Review of progress in respect to 
the Concession Agreement court 
appeal hearing (see note 5.1 to 
the financial statements)

Review of progress in respect to 
the DFO litigation (see note 5.1 
to the financial statements)

Monitoring of government 
relations relating to the 
Concession Agreement and 
review of the mechanism of 
profit share

Whilst the substantive merits of the case remain strong, 
Law no. 32 of 2014 (which is legislation designed to 
protect and encourage foreign investment) should 
bring a resolution to this litigation in the Company’s 
favour. The Committee monitors the outcome of 
developments in the appeal challenging the validity of 
Law no. 32 and reviews the litigation process in the 
Egyptian courts more widely.

The State Commissioner’s report released in September 
2016, which was non-binding, does not, in the 
Committee’s view, impact upon the strong merits of our 
case. Our legal advisers do not believe the report 
properly addresses the key arguments of the 
Company’s case. The Committee continues to monitor 
progress in the Egyptian courts to resolve this dispute.

The Committee reviews key correspondence between 
senior management and government. With the onset of 
profit sharing with the Egyptian government (“EMRA”) 
this year, the Committee wishes to ensure that the 
process is properly managed in accordance with the 
Concession Agreement and that all parties continue to 
be treated fairly and equitably.

Assisting with discussions on 
public announcements through 
the Disclosure Committee

A formal Disclosure Committee met regularly during 
2018 to evaluate public announcements and matters 
which may develop into inside information.

Review of the reporting and 
disclosure requirements required 
by the LSE and TSX

Governance and Board and 
committee appointments

Cross jurisdictional legal and 
regulatory compliance

2018 Corporate Governance 
Code

Regulatory and legal review and 
advising on related training 
requirements for the Board, 
management and workforce

The Committee is active in the review of public 
disclosures and continues to review and comment on 
such disclosures to ensure messaging and information is 
clear and understandable to the market.

The Committee monitored the recommendations of the 
Nomination Committee in respect to matters affecting 
the Board composition and governance structure.

Monitors both legal and regulatory obligations across 
the Group’s corporate structure and in-country at an 
operational level.

The Committee considered the impact of the 2018 
Code and the required changes at a Board, committee 
and operational level. Details of the matters considered 
are set out on page 86 

The Committee receives updates on changes to the 
regulatory and legal environment. These changes are 
considered when reviewing corporate policies. The 
training needs of the Board, management and wider 
workforce are also considered. Feedback on site based 
training is provided to the Committee.

98

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEThis process will allow the Company 
to focus its attention on higher risk 
suppliers within the supply chain 
and provide education to ensure 
awareness and understanding of 
the Act.

The CGC Committee is also 
monitoring progress in Australia as 
they introduce new Modern Slavery 
Act legislation. Adherence and 
reporting under the Australian 
legislation will be assessed in 2019.

Shareholder communication

All shareholders are encouraged to 
attend our AGM on 8 April 2019, 
which will be held in Jersey. This will 
be an excellent opportunity to meet 
Board members and our senior 
management team.

The Board of Directors aims to ensure 
that shareholders are provided with 
important information in a timely 
manner via written and electronic 
communications. 

The Chairman, CEO, Senior 
Independent Non-Executive Director 
and Deputy Chairman, as well as our 
Head of Investor Relations, 
communicate with major 
shareholders on a regular basis 
through face-to-face meetings, 
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. In 
particular, the feedback from certain 
of the proxy advisory companies, 
which provide guidance and voting 
recommendations to shareholders, 
is discussed by the Board.

Shareholder communication is 
maintained through the following  
key information channels:

•  the annual report;
•  the notice of annual general 
meeting and management 
information circular;

•  the annual general meeting;
•  the annual information form;
•  quarterly and half-yearly financial 

and operational reports;

•  continuous disclosure requirements 
and regulatory announcements;
•  webcasts on quarterly and annual 
financial and operational results;

•  the Company’s website;
•  registrar services; and
•  electronic and postal notifications.

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. In addition,  
the Group recognises the need to 
maintain communication with 
governance and stewardship teams, 
as well as proxy advisory groups. 
A large proportion of the Company’s 
shareholders are guided by proxy 
advisers and their voting 
recommendations, which can 
significantly impact voting outcomes 
at the Company’s AGM.

Details of the Company’s policies and 
procedures, including a copy of the 
Company’s whistleblowing policy, can 
be found on the Company’s website.

Mark Bankes

Chairman of the Compliance and 
Corporate Governance Committee

1 March 2019

Modern Slavery Act

The UK Modern Slavery Act 2015  
(the “2015 Act”) consolidated the law 
relating to slavery, servitude, forced 
and compulsory labour and human 
trafficking, coming at a time of 
increasing concern regarding slavery 
and human trafficking affecting global 
supply chains. Whilst Centamin is not 
in scope because it does not carry out 
business in the UK, the Committee 
considered, as a matter of good 
corporate governance, peer 
comparison and shareholder 
expectation, that the 2015 Act should 
be evaluated.

The Committee considered the 
guiding principles of the 2015 Act and 
considered the Company’s own 
positive track record for employee 
welfare and highest health and safety 
standards. The Committee noted that 
the overriding goal would be to 
identify any existing or potential 
human rights impacts and remedies, 
the use of leverage to remedy more 
remote impacts to which businesses 
are linked, and to prevent ones 
occurring in the future. The 
methodology would be based on 
working with potential offending 
companies, mainly in supply, chains 
to improve their human rights 
record rather than terminate the 
contracts. Termination is seen as the 
last resort response. 

The Committee recommended and 
the HSES Committee agreed to review 
the Act further with a view to 
enhancing the Company’s existing 
human rights policies. A review of the 
Company’s code of conduct, HSES 
policies, supplier charter and human 
rights policy is underway, taking 
account of local Egyptian laws and 
regulations. Having given further 
consideration to the 2015 Act and 
related UK guidance on adherence 
with the Act’s principles, the Company 
is also carrying out a risk assessment 
of its suppliers. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

99

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationNomination report

The Board has been refreshed with three new 
appointments and there is a pipeline of talent 
amongst the senior management team.

Edward Haslam
Chairman of the Nomination Committee

Dear shareholders

I am presenting this report as 
Chairman of the Nomination 
Committee, a committee established 
by the Board of the Company.

During the year, the Committee led 
the process to identify two new 
independent Non-Executive Directors 
and are delighted to welcome to the 
Board Alison Baker, who joined in 
February 2018 and Dr Ibrahim Fawzy, 
who joined in August 2018.

The Committee also reviewed the 
succession planning for Executive 
Directors on the Board and 
recommended the appointment of 
Ross Jerrard, who became a member 
of the Board in February 2018 as Chief 
Financial Officer, duly appointed from 
within the Company.

Throughout 2018, the Committee 
carried out a competitive recruitment 
process to identify candidates for the 
role of Non-Executive Chair. The 
Committee successfully identified a 
short list of candidates and proceeded 
to the final interview stage in late 
November after which the Committee 
felt that they were unable to 
recommend to the Board the 
appointment of any of the finalists and 
so took the decision to appoint 
recruitment consultant, Egon Zehnder 
to assist and extend the search. In the 
intervening period, Josef El-Raghy 
agreed to change his role and serve 
on the Board as a Non-Executive 
Chair. A key priority during 2019 for 
the Committee will be to complete 
the recruitment process and identify 

an independent Non-Executive 
Director who will transition to  
Chair the Board. Further details of this 
process are set out below.

•  reviewed the policy on senior  
and executive recruitment and 
succession planning;

•  review of the new Corporate 

The Committee met six times during 
the year, with one further meeting 
held by way of written resolution, and 
undertook the following activities:

•  active requirement programme to 
identify a candidate for the role of 
Non-Executive Chair;

•  recommended the appointment of 
two independent Non-Executive 
Directors;

•  reviewed the Board succession 
plans and recommended the 
appointment of the CFO to the 
Board;

•  contributing to the succession 
planning and progress to fill 
vacancies among the senior 
management team;

•  made recommendations to the 

Board on the appointments to the 
committees;

•  made recommendations as to the 
structure, size and composition of 
the Board and Board committees;
•  reviewed the competencies, skills, 
knowledge and experience of 
Directors;

•  made recommendations to the 
Board for the appointment and 
re-election of Directors;

•  considered the requirements for 
Board diversity (including gender 
and ethnic diversity);

•  reviewed the Company’s diversity 

Governance Code and required 
changes to the Nomination 
Committee charter; and

•  tender process to identify and 
engage an internationally 
recognised recruitment firm.

It has been an active year for the 
Committee, and as Chairman I am 
pleased with the progress the 
Committee has made during 2018. 
The Board has been refreshed with 
three new appointments and there is a 
pipeline of talent amongst the senior 
management team, which will ensure 
we have the right experience and 
opportunity for succession. There are 
challenges for the Committee in 2019, 
with three non-executive roles to fill, 
one of whom will be the successor for 
the Non-Executive Chair. The 
Committee will also assist with scoping 
of roles and identifying individuals 
among the senior management team 
to ensure a strong and robust team as 
we continue delivering for 
shareholders into the future.

The report provides more detail on 
the activities, decisions and policies of 
the Nomination Committee and the 
Board.

Edward Haslam
Chairman of the Nomination 
Committee

policy at Board, senior management 
and operational level;

1 March 2019

100

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEThe Equality Act 2010 
(Gender Pay Gap Information) 
Regulations 2017

The Nomination Committee 
considered the gender pay gap 
regulations which stipulate a 250 
employee threshold with reference to 
relevant employees as meaning those 
employees “working in Great Britain 
and employees working outside Great 
Britain if there is a sufficiently strong 
connection with Great Britain”. 
Centamin does not meet the 
stipulation set out by these regulations 
and therefore does not have a 
reporting obligation. The majority of 
employees are based in Egypt, at our 
exploration sites in Burkina Faso and 
Côte d’Ivoire and at our headquarters 
in Jersey.

Centamin does, however, work to 
ensure women have pay parity with 
men in similar positions across its 
operations and at our corporate head 
office and administrative offices.

In developing the Company’s policy 
on diversity, the Board has considered 
the requirements of the 2016 Code 
and National Instrument 58-101 and 
the FCA Listing Rules.

Nomination Committee

As at the date of this report, the 
Nomination Committee comprises 
Edward Haslam (Chairman), Alison 
Baker and Mark Arnesen, all of whom 
are independent Non-Executive 
Directors. The Nomination Committee 
welcomed Alison Baker, who joined  
on appointment to the Board on  
5 February 2018. 

Board diversity

The Nomination Committee believes 
that diversity of opinion and 
experience are of vital importance to 
Board effectiveness and diversity will 
continue to be a key consideration 
when recommending the planned 
appointments this year. In assessing 
candidates for the position of Chair of 
the Board and any other new  
non-executive appointments, the 
Nomination Committee will continue 
to consider the size, composition and 
length of service of the Board as a 
whole, to ensure diversity of gender, 
ethnicity, age and educational and 
professional backgrounds.

During the year, the Board, through 
the recommendations of the 
Nomination Committee, considered 
the Company’s policy on diversity. 
In reviewing the policy, the Board 
considered the Lord Davies report and 
the Hampton-Alexander review and 
the Parker review on board 
composition and will continue to have 
regard to these reports and make 
every effort to adhere to the reports 
when undertaking the recruitment 
process and making recommendations 
to the Board. 

Details of the current composition of 
the Board and the wider management 
team are set out in the governance 
report.

Developing a diverse workforce
Centamin is an equal opportunity 
employer and the Company’s code  
of conduct prohibits any form of 
discrimination. However, no women 
are employed at Sukari Gold Mine. 
This is mainly due to social conditions 
in Egypt and in the Middle East where, 
in general, female employees are not 
encouraged to work at remote sites. 
Local regulations include a number of 
provisions to restrict the working 
hours (between 7.00pm and 7.00am) 
and type of work women on an 
operational mine site can undertake; 
these include restrictions on working 
underground, working with explosives 
and operating mobile equipment.  
An initiative, driven by the HSES 
Committee, has been undertaken  
to carry out a review of the gender 
statistics for non-specific or prohibited 
roles. The results of this review are 
expected in March 2019 and the 
Nomination Committee will work with 
the HSES Committee to consider any 
proactive measures that could be 
taken to provide employment for 
women at Sukari.

A greater percentage of women are 
employed throughout the Group in 
the administrative offices in Egypt, 
Alexandria and at the Company’s 
headquarters and on site in Burkina 
Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. Of our West 
African employees, over 10% are 
women working in Ouagadougou and 
as geologists based at camp. Across 
the Company, a number of women 
hold senior positions in the areas of 
accountancy, investor relations, HSES 
and subsidiary directorships with a 
third of all direct reports to the 
executive being women. Full details 
of the workforce can be found in the 
2018 sustainability report, which is 
published separately.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

101

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationNomination report continued

2018 Corporate  
Governance Code

The Nomination Committee 
considered the requirements of the 
2018 Code and FRC guidance and 
noted below are the main additional 
features the Committee will take 
forward in 2019:

•  Gender pay gap: further to the 
notes above, the Nomination 
Committee will have regard to the 
structure of the workforce and 
plans to identify and reduce 
instances of the gender pay gap 
and will work closely with the 
Remuneration Committee on  
this matter.

•  Workforce diversity: the 

Nomination Committee will work 
with the HSES Committee on 
initiatives to identify opportunities 
to improve diversity (particularly 
gender diversity) within the 
workforce. The HR department will, 
during 2019, report to the HSES 
Committee on these initiatives. 
•  Overboarding: the Nomination 

Committee will be actively involved 
in advising the Board when 
approval for any new appointments 
is considered, such that acceptance 
of any new appointment does not 
compromise the commitment and 
effectiveness of the Directors. All 
new appointments are subject to 
Board approval.

•  External evaluations: the 

Board rotation and refreshment

Nomination Committee engaged 
with an external facilitator to run 
the Board evaluation in 2016. The 
evaluation was carried out through 
questionnaires and face to face 
interviews with all Directors and 
provided insightful evaluation.  
The Nomination Committee will 
conduct an external Board 
evaluation in 2019 and take  
into consideration the 
recommendations of the  
2018 Code to ensure the  
evaluation continues to provide 
meaningful insight.

•  Talent management: the 

Nomination Committee will take  
an active interest in how talent at 
an operational and corporate level 
is identified, assessed and ensuring 
programmes are in place so that 
individuals are sufficiently 
challenged and have a clear  
career path. 

•  Chair tenure: the Nomination 

Committee considered Provision  
19 of the 2018 Code in detail when 
recommending the continuation of 
the now, Non-Executive Chair, on 
the Board. In line with the 2018 
Code, the Nomination Committee 
and Board believe that it is in the 
best interest of the Company and 
its stakeholders that the Chair 
continue as Non-Executive Chair for 
the coming year, having consulted 
with major shareholders. During this 
time, the recruitment process to 
identify an independent 
Non-Executive Director to transition 
to the role of Non-Executive Chair 
remains a key priority. 

The Nomination Committee and 
Board are mindful that three of the 
Company’s independent  
Non-Executive Directors will, this year, 
have served on the Board for eight 
years. The 2016 Code notes that any 
term beyond six years for a 
Non-Executive Director should be 
subject to particularly rigorous review, 
and should take into account the need 
for progressive refreshing of the 
Board. The 2016 Code also allows the 
Board to state its reasons if it 
determines that a director is 
independent notwithstanding a 
director having served on the Board 
for more than nine years from the 
date of their first election. 

After carrying out the review and 
giving due consideration to the 
independence of the independent 
Non-Executive Directors on the 
Board, the Nomination Committee 
and the Board were in agreement that 
all independent Non-Executive 
Directors remained fully independent 
within the definition of independence 
in the Canadian Securities 
Administrators’ National Instrument 
52-110 – Audit Committees and the 
2016 Code. It was noted that there 
was no immediate requirement for 
rotation, however a staged rotation 
is in progress with the appointment 
of two independent Non-Executive 
Directors in 2018 and plans to 
appointment three further 
Non-Executive Directors which 
will then allow for further committee 
membership changes and Board 
rotation.

102

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEThe Nomination Committee had recommended to the Board the following key appointments:

BOARD
COMMITTEE

Non-Executive  
Chair

Director (CFO)

Director

Josef El-Raghy  
(change in role)

Ross Jerrard

Alison Baker

Mark Bankes  
(change in role)

REMUNERATION
COMMITTEE 

NOMINATION
COMMITTEE

CGC
COMMITTEE

HSES
COMMITTEE

Member

Member

Chair

Member until  
31 December 2018

Dr Ibrahim Fawzy

Director

Member

Member

Notes to the table: Dr Ibrahim Fawzy was appointed to the HSES Committee in January 2019 replacing Mark Bankes.

The following table to shows the appointments and role changes during the year.

ROLES

Change in role and 
process to appoint an 
independent  
Non-Executive Chair

INDIVIDUALS

Josef El-Raghy 

Recruitment in progress 
for independent 
Non-Executive Chair

Independent  
Non-Executive Directors

Recruitment in progress

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

INDUCTION AND TRAINING

As a long-standing member on the Board, the 
induction and training was tailored to define 
the new role, scope and time commitment and 
provide an update on the 2018 Code. Josef 
El-Raghy held discussions with the Nomination 
Committee prior to accepting the Chairman 
position and transitioning from executive to 
Non-Executive Chair.

The discussions helped shape the role and 
expectations for 2019, understand the areas 
where delegation of responsibilities to the 
executive needed to occur and the expected 
time commitments and priorities for 2019.  
As a former executive, these discussions were 
important to manage expectations and ensure 
reporting lines were understood between 
the Chair, the Board and the executive. 
Details of the executive roles are set out in 
the governance report.

A full induction will be carried out for the 
candidates. Additionally, during the due 
diligence phase, shortlisted candidates will 
have an opportunity to visit the mine, meet 
with the Non-Executive and Executive 
Directors and senior management.

The newly appointed Chair may serve part of 
the year as an independent Non-Executive 
Director to ensure a smooth transition.

The Nomination Committee has 
defined the role, character and 
attributes ideally suited for the 
successful candidate to succeed 
the Chair. Internationally 
renowned recruitment adviser, 
Egon Zehnder, has compiled a 
list of candidates and 
interviewed Board members to 
ensure a clear understand of the 
role and required attributes of 
the candidate.

The Nomination Committee has 
defined the roles needed in the 
near future, identifying 
candidates with operational 
background and those with a 
finance/M&A background. One 
person is to transition to 
Non-Executive Chair and one is 
to become Senior Independent 
Director by the AGM in 2020.

Recruitment adviser, Egon 
Zehnder, has compiled a list of 
candidates and interviewed 
Board members to ensure a clear 
understanding of the role and 
required attributes of the 
candidates.

Independent  
Non-Executive Directors

Alison Baker and  
Ibrahim Fawzy

See case study on page 104.

See case study on page 104.

Chief Financial Officer  
to the Board

Ross Jerrard

See case study in the 2017 
annual report

See case study in the 2017 annual report

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

103

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationNomination report continued

Board rotation and refreshment continued

CASE STUDY: RECRUITMENT PROCESS – ALISON BAKER 

The Nomination Committee was active throughout 2018 in identifying suitable candidates to join the Board as independent Non-Executive 
Directors. The Committee considered the skills, experience needed immediately and in the future. The Committee also considered further 
the Company’s policy on diversity, the current size, composition and length of service of the Board as a whole having regard to gender, 
ethnicity, age, race and educational and professional backgrounds.

The Committee considered a variety of different recruitment agencies to help the Committee identify potential candidates and also 
independently evaluate candidates that had been put forward by the Board. In addition, candidates and CVs had been received through the 
Company’s recruitment platform and online presence which needed to be evaluated.

Following consultation with a recruitment adviser a list of five candidates were shortlisted and interviewed. Following the interview process, 
the Nomination Committee met to consider each of the shortlisted candidates. The Committee then recommended three of the five 
interviewees to the Board for further discussion.

The Board evaluated all three candidates and following completion of due diligence process, the Nomination Committee finalised and 
approved the appointment of Alison Baker, with the full support of the Board. Alison Baker was announced as the successful candidate in 
January 2018 and became a member of the Board on 5 February 2018.

Induction and training – independent Non-Executive Directors

A detailed induction pack was prepared for Alison, covering all key policy documents, relevant operational and financial reports and key 
papers about the Company’s ongoing litigation and regulatory compliance.

During the recruitment process and prior to accepting the appointment, Alison had the opportunity to meet with all members of the Board in 
an open forum for discussion. A summary induction was also arranged, providing a high level introduction to the Company and the roles to 
be undertaken for the Nomination and HSES Committees. The initial induction process was conducted in an open forum allowing a Q&A 
with the members of the executive and senior management team.

Training requirements were discussed with Alison and external legal advisers delivered bespoke training and refreshed topics such as 
Directors’ duties (covering the legal framework in Jersey), the LSE listing rules and the rules governing the TSX. 

Following her appointment, Alison visited the site in Egypt to see first-hand the modern mining operation at Sukari. Alison returned to site in 
July and September 2018, in her role as HSES Committee Chair, to review the site-based health and safety environment, see the existing 
community projects and met with key members of the community to identify projects for the future.

CASE STUDY: RECRUITMENT PROCESS – NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIR 

Throughout 2018, the Nomination Committee carried out a competitive recruitment process to identify candidates for the role of 
Non-Executive Chair. 

The Nomination Committee started by scoping the chair role by evaluating the strategic needs of the Group and the attributes the Chair 
would need to deliver those goals. The Committee also considered the current Chair’s role, the skills and abilities that the Board admired, 
such that those qualities could also be identified in potential candidates. Consultants were used to assist in the early stages of the review to 
identify potential candidates.

The Nomination Committee considered over 40 individuals for the role, approached 15 individuals and ultimately shortlisted three 
individuals for interview. From the shortlisted candidates, detailed discussions took place with one candidate and included a visit to Sukari. 

Having identified a short list of candidates who proceeded to the final interview stage, in late November the Nomination Committee felt that 
they were unable to recommend to the Board the appointment of any of the finalists and so took the decision to appoint recruitment 
consultant, Egon Zehnder to assist and extend the search. 

As a consequence, Josef El-Raghy, current Executive Chair, will remain at the Company in the role of Non-Executive Chair during the coming 
year to provide continuity during this period.

A key priority during 2019 for the Committee will be to complete the recruitment process and identify an independent Non-Executive 
Director who will transition to Non-Executive Chair.

104

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEThree key members reach eight years’ 
service on the Board this year, and all 
three individuals occupy Chair roles on 
the Company’s committees and one is 
the Senior Independent Director and 
Deputy Chair.

The internal annual performance 
evaluation of the Board was 
completed in February 2019 for 
the year ended 31 December 2018.

The next scheduled review of the 
Board’s effectiveness by an external 
facilitator is due to take place 
during 2019.

Board effectiveness – structure

Chairman

effectiveness

Board composition

aligned to strategy

Relationship with executive team

shared purpose

Management and workforce team dynamics

clarity of roles and responsibilities

Board effectiveness review 

Each of the Board committees carries 
out a self-assessment evaluation of 
their effectiveness over the year. This 
review compares the responsibilities 
and objectives of each committee 
against the activities carried out 
during the year. This evaluation is 
presented to the Board for review.

The Nomination Committee, in 
consultation with the recruitment 
adviser, consider the key dimensions 
for a successful Board: balance, 
alignment, resilience, energy, 
openness and efficiency. Questions 
posed to the Board members 
individually, are taking into account 
when framing and scoping attributes, 
skills and experience for potential new 
Board members. An assessment of the 
composition of the boards of peers 
within the industry is considered, this 
covers the skills, experience and 
diversity of the Board (see graphic).  
The Nomination Committee identified 
that the average number of years 
served on the Board needed to 
decrease, a process which is underway 
through appointment and rotation. 
The Board size would likely increase 
during the period of appointment, 
handover and succession but the 
optimum size for the Company was 
considered to be eight Board 
members (two of whom are Executive 
Directors). Although mining 
experience was sufficiently prevalent 
across the Board, operational 
experience at a Non-Executive 
Director would need to be addressed 
in 2019. Independence in strict 
compliance with the 2018 Code would 
need to be addressed during the year 
to ensure succession and timely 
handover of responsibilities. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

105

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationNomination report continued

Q&A to assess Board effectiveness 

DIMENSIONS:

QUESTIONS:

Balance: Diversity of relevant skills, 
styles and perspectives is recognised 
and effectively leveraged

How do we utilise the skills 
and knowledge of all Board 
members? 

Are Board members 
respected and valued? Do 
individuals dominate 
discussions? 

BY: 

Questionnaire and team 
effectiveness review

Alignment: Board members 
understand objectives and 
deliverables and consistently focus on 
corresponding actions

Resilience: Trust and respect support 
the constructive surfacing and 
resolution of issues, and sustains 
effectiveness under pressure

How does the Board reach 
consensus on issues? Agree 
on the strategic priorities? 

Does the Board focus on the 
right issues?

Skill gap analysis

How well does the Board 
operate under pressured 
situations? 

How is conflict managed and 
do Board members stand 
behind the decisions?

360 degree feedback  
– viewed by key stakeholder

Energy: The Board is energised by 
working together and is proactive and 
able to sustain momentum

How ambitious is the Board? 
How does this manifest in 
strategy setting?

What is the pace of the Board 
and responsiveness to 
opportunities?

Board and management 
relationship effectiveness

Openness: The Board shares its ideas 
with, and adopts new thinking from, 
the broader organisation and outside 
world

Efficiency: The Board optimises 
resources to achieve results through a 
disciplined management process

Give examples of where the 
Board has drawn in new ideas? 

How does the Board keep 
track of changes in industry?

Benchmark analysis – best 
practice and peer group

How effective is the Board at 
making decisions? Is the 
Board learning from 
experiences?

Are there clear rules of 
engagement for decision 
making? 

Deep dive impact –  
assessment of past decisions

As a direct result of the internal evaluation process, the Board agreed that all independent Non-Executive Directors 
continued to demonstrate their independence and objectivity in all respects and provided continued value on the 
committees on which they served.

The Nomination Committee and the Board discussed during the year the need for any new appointments to the Board, 
either through the process of succession planning or external appointments. These discussions culminated in the 
appointments during 2018 and the recommendation to appoint Egon Zehnder to recruit three independent 
non-executives, one of whom will succeed the Chair.

Evaluation of current Board skills, experience and diversity and target areas for 2019

Y
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8

2018

2019

Change during 2018: Increased 

 / Constant 

 / Reduced 

Nomination Committee targets in 2019: Increase 

 / Constant 

 / Reduce 

106

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance evaluation

The Senior Independent  
Non-Executive Director held meetings 
with the Non-Executive Directors 
without the Executive Directors 
present, providing feedback to the full 
Board. These meetings focused 
primarily on the evaluation of the 
Board’s performance, a performance 
evaluation of the Chairman and CEO, 
discussing the quality of reporting and 
information flows to the Board and 
discussions on the strategic aims and 
objectives for the Group. 

The Board is assisted by the 
Nomination Committee on its 
evaluation of the Non-Executive 
Directors. 

The non-executives also discussed 
openly with the Executive Directors 
the areas they could assist further with 
in relation to business development, 
succession planning and strategy 
relating to the appointment and 
retention of key personnel.

Details of the appointment process  
for the independent Non-Executive 
Director are set out earlier in the 
report.

The Nomination Committee continues 
to work closely with the Chairman and 
CEO to ensure that the roles and 
responsibilities are clearly defined, 
and that the CEO has the required 
support of the Board and senior 
management to undertake the role 
effectively. 

The performance of all Directors is 
constantly reviewed by the Chairman 
and, periodically, by the Nomination 
Committee. The Company deployed  
a formal process for evaluation of  
the Board, the Board members, the 
Board’s committees and the Chairman 
during the relevant period, led by the 
Senior Independent Non-Executive 
Director.

The Board has also had training 
sessions on various topics during  
the year, carried out by external  
legal advisers.

An evaluation of the Board and its 
committees was undertaken during 
the year and concluded in February 
2019. The Board, in conducting its 
evaluation, reviewed the activity, 
composition and expertise of the 
committees and considered their 
effectiveness taking account of  
the following:

•  the responsibilities set out in their 

respective charters;

•  activities carried out during the 
year, taking account of their 
mandated duties and 
responsibilities; 

•  progress made in respect of their 

duties and responsibilities;

•  attendance and contribution to the 

committees; and

•  reporting and updates provided to 

the Board.

The Board reviewed its own 
membership and performance and 
this review was concluded in February 
2019. The Nomination Committee 
noted that, in accordance with the 
Company’s Articles, all Directors be 
subject to re-election at the 
forthcoming AGM and that their 
re-appointment be recommended  
to shareholders.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

107

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
Audit and risk  
report

I am pleased to present this report 
covering the activities of the Audit 
and Risk Committee during 2018.

Mark Arnesen
Chairman of the Audit Risk Committee

Dear shareholders

I am pleased to present this report 
covering the activities of the Audit and 
Risk Committee during 2018.

The report also summarises the work 
of the external auditor and our 
assessment of its effectiveness, the 
activities and assurances given by the 
internal auditor and the 
responsibilities of the Audit and Risk 
Committee in line with the 2016 Code. 
As a committee reporting to the 
Board, the Audit and Risk Committee 
considers in detail the suitability of the 
Company’s risk management and 
internal control systems.

Audit and Risk Committee 
composition and effectiveness

The Audit and Risk Committee has 
three independent Non-Executive 
Directors: Mark Bankes, Edward 
Haslam and me as Chairman. All 
members attended all six scheduled 
committee meetings during 2018. 
Biographies of the members of all 
committees can be found on pages 
94 and 95.

This report is presented in accordance 
with the Company’s UK and Canadian 
listing rules. In accordance with the 
Ontario Securities Commission, all 
members of the Audit and Risk 
Committee are considered financially 
literate (pursuant to section 1.5 of the 
Multilateral Instrument 52-110) and in 
compliance with the Code, I am the 
member with the required relevant 
financial experience as a professionally 
qualified accountant. 

Committee meetings are regularly 
attended, by invitation, by the 
Chairman, CEO and CFO along with 
the Company Secretary. PwC is also 
invited to attend relevant committee 
meetings. Separate discussions 
outside of formal committee meetings 
are regularly held between the 
external audit partner, the Audit and 
Risk Committee Chairman and the 
CFO. The Audit and Risk Committee 
Chairman also meets with the  
internal auditor.

In addition to the scheduled quarterly 
meetings, the Audit and Risk 
Committee also meet, by way of 
conference calls, at least once a 
quarter to review the draft quarterly 
financial information and interim 
MD&A (a requirement of the Toronto 
Stock Exchange). As at 1 January 2019 
Centamin plc is a “designated foreign 
issuer” within the meaning of the 
National Instrument 71-102 – 
Continuous Disclosure and Other 
Exemptions Relating to Foreign 
Issuers and is subject to the foreign 
regulatory requirements of the 
London Stock Exchange. As such, 
Centamin plc is exempt from certain 
requirements otherwise imposed on 
reporting issuers in Canada. This 
status will mean that the preparation 
of quarterly financial statements and 
MD&A will not be required in 2019. 
Quarterly preliminary costs and 
production will, however, be published 
following each quarter end.

108

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEA summary of the Audit and Risk Committee’s responsibilities for the main activities during 2018 are set out below:

TOPICS

COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES DURING 2018

External auditor

Reviewing and approving the external auditor’s terms of engagement plan, scope of work, fees, the findings 
arising from all external audit work and external auditor performance.

Internal audit

Approval of the scope of the internal audit function and review of work carried out in 2018.

Responding to regulators

Responding to requests from regulatory bodies; see note below on the Audit and Risk Committee’s 
involvement in responding to the FRC’s periodic review.

Financial reporting

Making recommendations to the Board for the approval of the quarterly, half-year and annual results.

Risk reporting

Internal controls

Review and monitoring of the risk management processes, assessment of principal and emerging risks and 
reporting of risks throughout the business.

Review of the internal control environment, to include controls over financial reporting and the use of software, 
operational reports and the impact on budgeting and forecasting.

Accounting matters  
and judgments

Review of management papers and challenging the proposals relating to areas of significant judgments  
and estimates.

Accounting for 
transactions and policy 
review

Review and approval of the change in accounting policy on capitalisation of greenfield exploration, the costs of 
which are now expensed in the year. 

Review of IFRS 16 relating to leases and the impact on material contracts. Review and classification of low grade 
stockpiles in accordance with IAS 2. 

Dividends

IT systems

Corporate Governance 
Code

Non-financial reporting

Ensuring the dividend proposals are in line with the Group policy and making recommendations to the Board.

Review of recommendations relating to the IT infrastructure, IT systems development and controls and software 
upgrades.

Review of the 2018 Code and best practice guidelines impacting the Audit and Risk Committee in 2019.

Please see the financial review and non-financial reporting in the sustainability report, which is  
published separately.

During the year, the Audit and Risk Committee carried out an evaluation of its own performance. The assessment 
considered the activities during the year. The Audit and Risk Committee also considered its composition and the 
competency, availability and contribution of its members and did not recommend any further changes to the Board. 
The Board also conducted an evaluation of the Audit and Risk Committee, its composition, experience and activities 
during the year and there were no proposed changes during 2018. During the evaluation, the Audit and Risk Committee 
and Board were mindful that each of the three members had served for eight years. The nomination report sets out 
details of the Board’s recruitment process that is underway for progressive refreshment of the Board and its committees.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

109

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationAudit and risk report continued

Significant issues considered during the year by the Audit and Risk Committee

The following significant issues were considered during the year (full details and analysis are set out in note 1 to the 
financial statements).

TOPIC

FRC Review

SIGNIFICANT 
ISSUE

Regulatory 
review

Critical 
judgments  
and estimates

Production 
re-forecast 
and 
operational 
information 
flows

Exploration 
and 
evaluation  
of mineral 
resources 
under IFRS 6

SUMMARY OF THE SIGNIFICANT ISSUE

KEY ACTION POINTS

In 2017 the UK Financial Reporting Council (“FRC”) 
commenced a review of our 2017 annual report which 
was concluded in 2018. In the review the FRC were 
seeking clarification on three main areas: i) significant 
judgments relating to the control of SGM; ii) the 
sensitivity analysis of estimates and disclosures; and  
iii) disclosure of alternative performance measures 
(“APMs”) relating to free cash flow. Certain 
recommendations from the review were incorporated 
into the 2017 annual report and 2018 half-year 
accounts, including the sensitivity analysis of estimates 
and disclosure of APMs relating to free cash flow.

During 2018 the main area of review related to  
i) the accounting treatment of SGM based on control; 
and ii) the treatment and disclosure of the EMRA profit 
share arrangement and its compliance with IFRS.

Production forecasts were re-guided during the year 
impacting the share price in May and October. The 
reasons for this have been addressed elsewhere in the 
annual report. The risk of not achieving production 
forecasts in the short term results in, among others:

•  significant impacts on the profitability of the Group;

• 

• 

reduced profit share and dividends to shareholders; 
and

the subsequent significant devaluation of the share 
price which consequently triggered an impairment 
assessment of the Group assets.

The change in accounting policy regarding the 
treatment of costs related to exploration and 
evaluation of mineral resources under IFRS 6, made in 
the interim financial statements and applied 
retrospectively to the earliest prior period:

•  previously the policy was to capitalise all 

exploration expenditure without a distinction 
between Greenfield and Brownfield exploration 
expenditure;

• 

this policy has been changed with all Greenfield 
exploration costs expensed as they are incurred 
whilst Brownfield exploration costs will continue to 
be capitalised

Committee actions

The Audit and Risk Committee contributed  
to the management position papers and 
technical papers. PwC also provided input  
into the papers.

Further details of PwC’s involvement are  
set out below.

The Audit and Risk Committee reviewed, 
contributed towards and approved the 
amended disclosures in the 2018 financial 
statements as prepared by management after 
discussions with the FRC. The Audit and Risk 
Committee Chairman attended the meetings 
with the FRC.

Significant judgments and estimates regarding 
control and treatment have been disclosed in 
a single section of the annual report.

Committee actions

During the year, enhanced reporting was 
requested by the Audit and Risk Committee  
to understand the impact on production and 
revised forecasting. The Audit and Risk 
Committee considered the information flows 
between the Group’s operations and the 
financial reporting. The Audit and Risk 
Committee also considered the inputs during 
the annual budget process and the ongoing 
reconciliation, comparing actual performance 
against budget performance of both financial 
and operational data.

Committee actions

The Audit and Risk Committee considered  
the application of IFRS 6, the impact on the 
financial statements and related metrics,  
the definition of Greenfield and Brownfield 
exploration and the reasons for the change  
in the accounting policy. IAS 1 was also 
considered relating to the presentation of 
financial information to the user financial 
reports.

The Audit and Risk Committee concluded that 
due to the increased risk, lower likelihood of 
economic return to shareholders and lengthy 
timescales involved with greenfield 
exploration, expensing greenfield exploration 
was appropriate. Shareholders and analysts 
place value on exploration projects at a later 
stage of exploration development.

110

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCESIGNIFICANT 
ISSUE

Accounting for 
transactions

TOPIC

Run of mine 
(“ROM”) 
stockpiles

SUMMARY OF THE SIGNIFICANT ISSUE

KEY ACTION POINTS

Mine stockpiles inventory has been split between 
current and non-current assets based on the expected 
drawdown on the stockpile by the processing plant: 

• 

the volume of ore extracted in the year has far 
exceeded the capacity of the processing plant 
causing the stockpiles to increase significantly in  
size and value; and 

•  based on mining and processing forecasts these 
stockpiles will not be consumed within the next  
twelve months and as such have now been 
classified between current and non-current assets 
and valued accordingly. 

Committee actions

The Audit and Risk Committee considered 
IAS 2, the valuation and categorisation of 
inventories, the mine plan over the medium 
term to assess the timing to process the low 
grade ore stockpiles and impairment testing 
of the material. The grade of the stock piles 
was considered and the use of the low grade 
material by the processing plant to optimise 
production.

The Audit and Risk Committee concluded that 
the split in stockpile inventory between 
current and non-current assets in the financial 
statements reflected the usage of the 
stockpiles. Any impairment of the stockpile 
was appropriately assessed at 31 December 
2018 and no impairment was required.

In line with the updated mineral reserves 
estimate for Sukari at 30 June 2018, the mine 
cut-off grade for the surface stockpiles has 
been changed from 0.3 to 0.4 grams per 
tonne with amounts under 0.4g/t having been 
expensed.

Committee actions

The Audit and Risk Committee considered the 
new and revised policies during the year with 
no significant impact to the annual results.

Accounting 
standards

Accounting for 
transactions

Adoption of the following new and revised accounting 
policies: 

IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’  
has been applied since 1 January 2018; and

• 

• 

IFRS 9 ‘Financial instruments’ has been applied 
since 1 January 2018.

IFRS 16 will be adopted from 1 January 2019  
in accordance with the standard.

Accounting 
standards

Accounting for 
transactions

New standards, amendments and interpretations not 
yet adopted:

Accounting for 
transactions

Impairment 
of assets 
(other than 
financial 
assets)

• 

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ has been assessed by 
management, the impact of which has been 
disclosed.

Management concluded, in accordance with the 
requirements of IAS 36 ‘Impairment of assets’ and 
IFRS 6 ‘Exploration for and evaluation of mineral 
resources’ that the devaluation of the share price of the 
Company was a trigger for an impairment assessment 
for the Company’s exploration and evaluation assets.

The assessment compared the recoverable amount of 
the individual Exploration and Evaluation Asset Cash 
Generating Units (“E&E CGU”) with their carrying value 
for the year ended 31 December 2018.

Committee actions

The Audit and Risk Committee reviewed the 
papers presented by management in respect 
to IAS 36 and IFRS 6 and were in agreement 
with management’s conclusion that no 
impairment was required. The exploration 
strategy was also considered for Sukari, 
Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.

The Audit and Risk Committee reviewed as  
part of the assessment for potential 
impairment at Sukari, the updated mine plan, 
latest reserve and resource update and 
production profile for 2019.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

111

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationAudit and risk report continued

Significant issues considered during the year by the Audit and Risk Committee continued

TOPIC

SIGNIFICANT 
ISSUE

Accounting 
basis of 
preparation

Going concern 
and longer 
term viability

SUMMARY OF THE SIGNIFICANT ISSUE

KEY ACTION POINTS

The Directors performed an assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern at the end  
of each reporting period. The period of the assessment covered at least twelve months from the date of 
signing the financial statements. In addition to the twelve month going concern consideration, the 
Directors assessed the Company’s prospects over the longer term, specifically addressing a period of five 
years as part of the overall viability statement. The period of five years was considered appropriate as this 
reflected the preparation period for a detailed budget. Details of the viability statement and review 
assessment can be found in the strategic report on pages 48 and 49.

Under guidelines set out by the FRC, the directors of UK listed companies are required to consider 
whether the going concern basis is the appropriate basis of preparation of financial statements.

Based on a detailed cash flow forecast prepared by management, in which key assumptions on which 
cash flow forecast is based, the Directors considered it appropriate to prepare the financial statements 
on the going concern basis. Key assumptions underpinning this forecast include:

• 

• 

• 

the successful outcome of ongoing litigation as discussed in note 5.1 to the financial statements;

the latest life of mine plans;

reserve and resource update;

•  2019 – 2023 forecast gold production;

•  estimated gold price; and

•  variable and fixed cost assumptions.

These financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018 have therefore been prepared on a 
going concern basis, which contemplate the realisation of assets and liquidation of liabilities during the 
normal course of operations.

Fair, balanced and 
understandable

The Audit and Risk Committee was 
satisfied that the controls over the 
accuracy and consistency of the 
information in the 2018 annual report 
were sufficiently robust. The Audit and 
Risk Committee reviewed the control 
environment and is in receipt of 
monthly, quarterly and annual financial 
and budgetary information. The Audit 
and Risk Committee is also involved in 
the review of all key accounting 
policies and matters requiring 
judgment and estimation.

The Audit and Risk Committee has,  
at the request of the Board, also 
considered whether the annual report 
is fair, balanced and understandable. 
In arriving at that decision, the Audit 
and Risk Committee has been 
involved in reviewing, at an early 
stage, the content of (both) the 
financial statements and the strategic 
report (including the business model), 
the performance review and 
governance reporting throughout 
the report (including the 
governance report).

The Audit and Risk Committee was 
conscious, whilst reviewing all  
aspects of the annual report, of the 
production issues during the year.  
Fair representation was important to 
the members of the Audit and Risk 
Committee, ensuring that sufficient 
emphasis was made on the matters 
which led to the production 
downgrades, the financial impact  
on the Company and the investor 
experience resulting from these 
challenges. 

The Audit and Risk Committee  
was also mindful of the balance in 
reporting of non-financial 
performance measures such as 
exploration progress across the 
Group’s operations. The Audit and 
Risk Committee considered the 
relative emphasis on the activity 
across West Africa and in Egypt, 
ensuring that the success in resource 
growth was matched with the relative 
cost in delivering the exploration 
programmes. The updated reserve 
statements set out in the strategic 
report were also an area of focus, 
ensuring that reserve growth, 
replacement and depletion were 
given equal weighting.

The Audit and Risk Committee,  
in reviewing the annual report, also 
noted the need for clear and concise 
reporting. The members of the Audit 
and Risk Committee have worked with 
management to demonstrate, through 
carefully structured tables, graphs and 
images, the linkages between risk, 
the Company’s strategic aims and the 
structure for rewarding performance.

The Audit and Risk Committee 
recommended and, with agreement 
of the Board, concluded that the 
annual report was ‘fair’, ‘balanced’ and 
‘understandable’ having considered 
the activity of the Company during 
the period and that users of the 
annual report would be able to 
understand our position, strategy, 
business model and overall 
performance, which were presented 
consistently throughout the  
annual report. 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCEExternal auditor

During 2018, the Company’s external 
auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
(“PwC”) presented their detailed audit 
plan and final audit findings and 
recommendations to the Audit and 
Risk Committee. The Audit and Risk 
Committee agreed with the audit 
approach at the planning stage and 
agreed with the materiality thresholds, 
identification of the key risk areas and 
significant judgments and estimates. 

ARA evaluation and 
benchmarking
The management team met with PwC 
to critically assess the 2017 annual 
report, discuss ways to improve the 
report for shareholders. The session 
provided useful insight into the 
following:

•  strategic report

•  articulating the Group’s purpose 

and mission statement;

•  concise reporting throughout 

the annual report;

•  non-financial reporting;
•  stakeholder engagement and 
section 172 directors’ duties;
•  linkages for KPIs and targets;
•  explaining risks and 
opportunities; and

•  setting clear sustainable goals. 

•  governance report

•  disclosures within the 
remuneration report;
•  governance reform and 

reporting; and

•  linkages between governance, 
business and the strategy.

•  financial statements

•  balance across the ARA as a 

whole;

•  understanding of the key 

judgments and estimates; and
•  explanation of key accounting 
policies and application to the 
Group. 

Through benchmarking and reviewing 
trends in reporting and industry 
leading disclosure the Company 
hopes to continue to evolve and 
develop a high standard of reporting 
for its shareholders.

External auditor effectiveness

The Audit and Risk Committee 
undertook a review of the 
effectiveness of the external auditor  
at the half-year and annual statutory 
audit. This review compared the 
original audit plan against the delivery 
of the audit. The Audit and Risk 
Committee also reviewed the 
effectiveness of the audit by 
considering the efficiency and use  
of resources and the delivery and 
relevance of the reporting. 

Audit partner
The Audit and Risk Committee is 
pleased with the smooth handover  
to the new audit partner, Jonathan 
Lambert, who replaced Richard 
Spilsbury following the 2017 audit.

FRC review
The Audit and Risk Committee and 
management worked closely with 
PwC’s technical team to prepare the 
required position papers. PwC 
provided support in challenging 
management’s technical arguments; 
understanding and applying the legal 
framework to the standards; and 
articulating the way in which the 
operation is managed and controlled. 
Guidance was also provided on the 
presentation of the financial 
statements, considering the possible 
scenarios and ensuring the outcome 
best served the users of the financial 
statements. The Audit and Risk 
Committee was pleased with the 
outcome of the FRC review and 
attribute the success to the 
management team and the work of 
the Audit and Risk Committee.

PwC Egypt 
PwC has a significant presence in 
Egypt and the Audit and Risk 
Committee welcomed the increased 
use of the Alexandria-based auditor to 
carry out field work and substantive 
testing during the audit. The 
understanding gained through the 
audit of the Company’s Egyptian 
subsidiary, SGM, helped improve the 
efficiency of the Group and subsidiary 
audits. Of particular note is the use of 
senior personnel who are fluent in 
Arabic and English, allowing good 
communication channels to exist 
between the auditor and the accounts 
teams at Sukari and Alexandria.

Substantive testing and 
technology
The Company strives towards 
efficiency, which can in part be 
achieved through advancements in  
IT systems and technology.  
The accounting systems and 
improvements in software at Sukari 
need to keep pace with the growing 
reliance by audit firms on IT systems. 
The audit of the Group remains largely 
substantive and the Audit and Risk 
Committee was pleased with the way 
computer aided audit tools were used 
for certain functions. Further work on 
the part of the accounts team will 
need to be done in the future to allow 
reliance on controls in order to reduce 
the level of substantive audit 
procedures, but at present, 
substantive procedures provide the 
most effective audit approach for an 
operation of this size.

As part of the evaluation, the Audit 
and Risk Committee completed a 
questionnaire which also took into 
account the views of the senior 
members of the finance team, 
including the CFO. Following the 
evaluation process, any relevant 
findings were relayed to the audit 
partner and, where applicable, actions 
were incorporated into the audit plan.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationAudit and risk report continued

External auditor effectiveness continued

Substantive testing and technology continued

AUDIT AREA

OBSERVATIONS BY THE AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE

Audit planning 

The planning documents had sufficient detail and were presented in a timely manner. The audit plan was adhered to by 
the auditor and the audit opinion released as scheduled on 1 March 2019.

Leadership and 
communication

The Committee notes the experience of the team in the mining and extractive sector and worked well with the finance 
team providing a good level of challenge to the accounts team as well as guidance where needed.

Assessment of 
independence

Audit costs

There were no areas that conflicted PwC’s independence. 

The Audit and Risk Committee noted that additional time and resource were allocated to deal with the accounting 
matters impacted by the production challenges during the year and the technical support in preparing responses to  
the FRC review. The Audit and Risk Committee was encouraged by the way the auditor shared information across the 
jurisdictions. The combined and joined-up nature of the audit team as well as the use of a local Egyptian auditor 
in-country was also welcomed. The fees year on year have remained in line with expectations. 

There has been open communication 
between the Audit and Risk 
Committee and the audit partner 
throughout the statutory audit and 
management has also worked directly 
with the audit team. PwC has also had 
open access to the Board.

The audit team visits Sukari regularly 
to carry out inventory testing as well 
as assessing controls and substantive 
testing. PwC also carry out audit work 
at our administrative offices in Egypt 
and Jersey.

Having carried out the evaluation,  
the Audit and Risk Committee is 
satisfied that the audit engagement 
for the financial year ended 2018 was 
both effective and added value to  
the Group.

Non-audit fees

There was no significant non-audit 
work carried out by PwC during the 
year, with the majority of the tax 
advisory services continuing to be 
provided by the Deloitte LLP tax 
teams in the UK and Australia. The 
Group’s policy for non-audit services 
sets out the categories which the 
external auditor will and will not be 
allowed to provide to the Group and 
those engagements that need 
pre-approval in line with the 
Company’s non-audit services policy.  

Fees for audit services incurred during 
the year amounted to US$543k; there 
were non-audit services carried out by 
PwC during the year of US$167k. Full 
details are set out in note 6.5 to the 
financial statements. Our policy on 
non-audit services and auditor 
independence can be found on our 
website at www.centamin.com/
investors/corporate-governance. 

The Company’s policy is to tender the 
external audit every ten years. The last 
audit tender was undertaken in 2014 
when PwC was appointed auditor. 
PwC have been auditor of the 
Company for five years.

Auditor objectivity and 
independence

The Audit and Risk Committee 
continues to monitor the auditor’s 
objectivity and independence and is 
satisfied that PwC and the Group have 
appropriate policies and procedures 
in place to ensure that these 
requirements are not compromised, 
as evidenced by the change in audit 
partner in 2018.

External auditor

So far as each current Director of the 
Company is aware, the auditor has 
had full access to all relevant 
information and the Audit and Risk 
Committee has answered any 
questions raised by the auditor 
allowing the auditor to carry out  
its duties.

The Audit and Risk Committee 
recommends to the Board the 
re-appointment of PwC as auditor  
at the forthcoming annual general 
meeting. PwC has expressed its 
willingness to continue in office  
as auditor.

Internal auditor

BDO LLP, the Group’s externally 
appointed internal auditor, worked 
with the Audit and Risk Committee  
to agree an action plan for 2018  
and 2019.

As part of the assessment to identify 
the required actions, the internal audit 
team spent time with the Audit and 
Risk Committee and met with 
management to identify their needs 
and carried out work onsite at Sukari. 
Summary findings of the audit needs 
assessment were shared with the 
Audit and Risk Committee and formed 
the basis of the action plan for 
2018/19.

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Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEThe audit areas, actions and findings are summarised in the table.

AREA AUDITED OBJECTIVE

FINDINGS

Anti-bribery and 
corruption

The objective of the review is to provide assurance on the 
measures Centamin has in place to prevent bribery and 
corruption and ensure compliance with the relevant 
Group and operational level legislation. 

The work will consider whether implemented controls 
have been adequately designed to mitigate inherent risks 
and whether these controls are operating effectively.

The initial review was undertaken in late 2018 with 
recommendations in the following areas:

•  specific ‘train the trainer’ tailored to ensure consistent 

and regular training at an operational level;

•  ensure additional support for those with government 

‘touch points’; and

•  encouraging a culture of record keeping to capture all 
and any potential incidents or occurrences which can 
then be assessed.

Purchasing

The objective of the audit is to assess the adequacy and 
effectiveness of the controls which are in place to mitigate 
risks within the area of purchasing (including tendering).  
The following procedures were undertaken:

• 

• 

• 

review of policies and procedures when procuring 
goods or services for Centamin;

testing and sampling of tendering and new suppliers 
and verified whether the required procedures were 
followed; and

identification of the need for a good or service, 
evaluation, due diligence, appropriate management 
approval and achievement of value for money.

The initial review was undertaken in early 2019 with 
recommendations to be shared with the Audit and Risk 
Committee in Q1 2019.

• 

Identification of high risk suppliers and more detailed 
analysis of the due diligence undertaken.

•  Advice on improvements to the manual which lacked 

guidance on due diligence methodology.

• 

Identification of potential overrides and sampling of 
supplier master file.

•  Guidance on further tools to implement analysis of 

ageing suppliers, reasons for cost savings, forecasting 
and budget analysis.

Working capital 
management

The objective of the review is to provide assurance on the 
working capital management at Centamin and to review  
the recent exercise to improve the working capital ratio.

The initial review was undertaken in early 2019 with 
recommendations to be provided in Q2 2019.

Specifically, BDO will assess whether implemented 
controls have been adequately designed to mitigate 
inherent risks and whether these controls are operating 
effectively and provide recommendations  
to improve the management of the  
working capital.

The Audit and Risk Committee 
considers the effectiveness of the 
internal auditor by reviewing the 
actions against the original scoping 
document, any improvements in 
controls over systems or policies and 
the cost effectiveness of the actions 
and assurance review. As well as 
providing assurance over key areas 
identified in the scoping document, 
the Audit and Risk Committee 
assesses the performance of the 
internal auditor for areas of value add. 
In particular, where the audit review 
process provides recommendations to 
management to improve systems of 

controls and the implementation of 
those recommendations is monitored 
and reported back. The Audit and Risk 
Committee was encouraged by the 
new team that had been chosen to 
deliver the internal audit in 2018, 
which included an experienced team 
based in Egypt. The Audit and Risk 
Committee was comfortable that the 
internal audit team had access to all 
required personnel and were given 
the best opportunity to carry out their 
role, independently. The Audit and 
Risk Committee noted that success of 
the internal audit would be measured 
both in identifying areas for 

improvement and in providing 
practical steps, aiding management  
to implement any changes. Whilst 
comfortable with the assurances given 
during 2018, the Audit and Risk 
Committee noted that the scope 
spanned a two year period and 
therefore the work that was expected 
to be completed in 2019 would allow 
the Audit and Risk Committee to make 
an informed assessment of the internal 
auditor’s effectiveness.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationAudit and risk report continued

Internal auditor continued
The Audit and Risk Committee will 
be working with BDO LLP and 
management to agree a scope of 
work for 2019. Key topics include:

•  mine resource planning;
•  management oversight/controls 

and overrides;

•  month end accounting (including 

spreadsheet controls);

•  data analytics – Payroll and 

Purchasing (including an evaluation 
of Egypt’s Article 40 Health Care 
Act);

•  corporate governance reform and 
application of the 2018 Code; and
•  risk reporting and effectiveness on 

strategic planning.

The Audit and Risk Committee will 
monitor the internal auditor’s progress 
this year and ensure they continue to 
have access to the required resources 
and information to complete their 
scope in 2019.

The internal auditor will make an 
assessment each year of any 
significant changes to the risk profile 
of the organisation and consider any 
areas of focus for the provision of 
internal audit services. The Audit and 
Risk Committee will ultimately be 
seeking an independent viewpoint 
and assurance over the internal control 
environment from BDO LLP.

Control environment

While the Board has overall 
responsibility for ensuring the 
adequacy of internal controls,  
the Board has delegated certain 
responsibilities to the Audit and Risk 
Committee. These include 
responsibility over monitoring the 
effectiveness and design of policies 
and internal control systems. The key 
features of the control environment 
are to ensure compliance with laws, 
regulations and other requirements 
relating to external reporting by the 
Company of financial and  
non-financial information. 

control environment, including specific 
financial controls and procedures. The 
review pulled heavily on the work of 
both the external and internal auditors 
and the work of management to 
enhance the policies and procedures 
and IT systems to improve the control 
environment.

The Audit and Risk Committee 
considered the information flows 
between the Group’s operations and 
the financial reporting. Existing 
systems, capturing financial data 
remained sufficient, however the Audit 
and Risk Committee reviewed further 
the finance team’s oversight over 
operational data. Consideration was 
given to the inputs during the annual 
budget process and the ongoing 
reconciliation, comparing actual 
performance against budget 
performance of both financial and 
operational data. During the year, 
enhanced reporting was requested by 
the Board to understand the impact 
on production and revised 
forecasting. The enhanced reports 
were needed to evaluate the impact 
on forecasting for the remainder of 
the year following the production 
downgrades; the impact of changes to 
the mine plan and scheduling; and the 
consequences of lower grade through 
the process plant. The Audit and Risk 
Committee challenged management 
on the controls and level of 
reconciliation at an operational level. 
Whilst satisfied that the reporting 
provided a base level of 
understanding, further work was 
required so that operational reports 
could predict, with greater speed and 
accuracy, potential changes to the 
forecast grade, and the impact of 
those changes to the mine plan or 
scheduling. The Audit and Risk 
Committee aims to ensure that data 
fed to management is robust and 
timely and allowing management and 
the Board with their decision making.

Controls over financial reports 
and financial statements

During the year, the Audit and Risk 
Committee reviewed the overall 

The consolidated financial statements 
and annual report are prepared at the 

Company’s head office in Jersey, 
where the Group financial controller 
and Chief Financial Officer are based. 
The accounting information from the 
Group’s operations is provided to the 
head office where the ledgers are 
consolidated. Appropriate 
reconciliations and reviews are 
performed at the level of the 
operation and at the Group’s head 
office by way of the performance of 
monthly, quarterly and annual 
reconciliations.

Risk assessment

The Board has overall responsibility 
for establishing a robust risk 
management framework and 
assessing risk across the Group that 
allows for the assessment and 
management of material strategic and 
operational risks. In addition, the 
Board is responsible for articulating 
the Group’s risk appetite against the 
principal risks.

Full details of the risk management 
and control environment are set out in 
the strategic report. The risk 
management report concludes by 
identifying the principal risks for the 
business and the Company’s 
statements on risk appetite and 
long term viability. The purpose of the 
risk management framework is to 
understand the risks the Group faces 
and to manage them appropriately to 
enhance the Company’s ability to 
improve its decision making process, 
deliver on its objectives and 
subsequently improve its performance 
as a mining company.

The Audit and Risk Committee 
monitors the risk management and 
internal control structure implemented 
by management. It advises on 
significant changes to that structure so 
as to obtain reasonable assurance that 
the Company’s assets are safeguarded 
and that reliable financial records are 
maintained. The Audit and Risk 
Committee assists in developing the 
risk environment, making suggestions 
on ways in which the business can 
improve its internal reporting. 

116

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEThe assessment considered the 
principal risks and wider strategic, 
corporate, operational and 
environmental risks. The following 
reports were prepared for the Audit 
and Risk Committee’s review:

•  preparation of budgets, stress 

testing operational and financial 
inputs and variables;

•  reporting of actuals versus budget, 
variance analysis and changes to 
the mine plan or sequencing;

•  monthly and quarterly reporting of 

operational activity, including 
enhanced reporting on any 
significant operational and 
corporate issues;

•  control environment review and 
recommendations for further 
improvement;

•  review of the operational controls 

and reporting framework;

•  non-financial reporting indicators 

including environmental indicators;

•  scoping of internal audit work, 

access to site and key personnel;
•  external audit work culminating in 
the annual and half-yearly audit 
report;

•  quarterly risk reporting to include 
analysis of primary and secondary 
corporate and operational risks, 
mitigation, risk owners, strategic 
planning as part of the risk review 
and site based leading indicators 
for health and safety; and

•  compliance and regulatory updates 
and related policy updates and 
reviews.

The assessment identifies the risks 
facing the business and we consider 
the annual assessment to be suitably 
robust, covering strategic and 
operational risks at a corporate level 
and risks identified at our operations 
in Egypt, Burkina Faso and Côte 
d’Ivoire. Having considered the risks in 
detail, the principal risks have been 
identified and are set out on pages  
38 to 49.

The assessment carried out during the 
year, which also took note of the work 
carried out by the internal auditor, 

concluded that there were adequate 
procedures, polices and controls in 
place and had been adequately 
identified. The Audit and Risk 
Committee noted that, at an 
operational level, improvements in 
internal controls relating to grade 
reconciliation and production 
forecasts which directly impacts 
budgeting, forecasting and 
profitability of the Group needed 
further review in 2019.

The Audit and Risk Committee and 
the Board are pleased to confirm that 
the Company remains in compliance 
with best practice guidelines and with 
the 2016 Code and relevant Canadian 
requirements.

Targets in 2019

The Audit and Risk Committee 
considered the action plan for 2019 
and the key milestones for the year. 
The areas of focus for 2019 include, 
but are not limited to, the following:

Strategic:
•  build and develop the finance 
function in West Africa in 
anticipation of developing a mine  
in the region;

•  work on improving long term life of 
mine model and linkage with mine 
plan at an operational level; and
•  review of economic and regulatory 
regimes where the Group operates 
or may consider operating.

Finance:
•  continued focus on cost reduction 
and working capital management 
through improved inventory and 
mine management planning 
systems;

•  ensuring appropriate cost 

allocation across all resources and 
business units and cost recovery 
from operations; and

•  implementing internal audit 

recommendation on controls over 
procurement, tendering and supply 
chain management;

•  scope the internal audit function to 
ensure the tasks are aligned with 
the business needs; and

•  develop a fresh reporting platform 
by reviewing, bottom up, reporting 
processes and ensuring reliable 
and timely information is available 
to the Board to aid decision 
making.

Employee engagement:
•  enhanced ‘train the trainer’ on 
corporate policies including 
anti-bribery and corruption and 
modern slavery.

Going concern and  
long term viability

The Directors considered it 
appropriate to continue to adopt the 
going concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the financial statements. 
The going concern statement is 
detailed in full in note 1.35 to the 
financial statements. The statements 
in relation to the Group’s viability, 
over the longer term, are set out in 
the risk management report on 
page 48 and 49.

Conclusion

As a result of its work during the year, 
the Audit and Risk Committee 
concluded that it has acted in 
accordance with its terms of reference 
and has ensured the independence 
and objectivity of the external auditor. 
A member of the Audit and Risk 
Committee will be available at the 
AGM along with the CFO to answer 
any questions in relation to this report.

For and on behalf of the Audit and 
Risk Committee of Centamin plc.

•  adoption of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’.

Mark Arnesen

Control environment:
•  detailed finance review of 

operational inputs into budget, 
forecasting, life of mine models  
and variance analysis

Chairman of the Audit and Risk 
Committee

1 March 2019

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

117

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationRemuneration  
report

As Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee, I am pleased to present 
the 2018 remuneration report.

Edward Haslam
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Introduction 
As Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee, I am pleased to present 
the 2018 remuneration report.

This report includes i) our revised 
Directors’ remuneration policy, for 
which shareholder approval will be 
sought at the forthcoming AGM 
(pages 122 to 128) and ii) our annual 
report on remuneration (pages 129 
to 143) which describes how our 
current Directors’ remuneration policy 
was implemented for the year ended 
31 December 2018 and how it is 
intended that our revised policy be 
implemented for the forthcoming year.

As explained below, it has been the 
design of a revised remuneration 
policy – following a material number 
of votes being cast against the 
remuneration-related resolutions 
tabled at the 2018 AGM – that has 
been the focus of the Remuneration 
Committee’s attention during 2018. 
Other standard agenda items that 
have also been considered over the 
year include i) the Executive Directors’ 
2018 remuneration packages, ii) 
assessing bonus and Performance 
Share Plan outturns and iii) preparing 
last year’s remuneration report.

Policy review

At the AGM in 2018 substantial votes 
were lodged against the resolutions to 
approve the remuneration report  
(circa 32% votes against) and 
remuneration policy (circa 52% votes 
against). While both these resolutions 
were advisory only – reflecting the fact 
that, as a Jersey-incorporated 
company, Centamin is not bound by 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
Regulations – the Remuneration 
Committee takes these matters  
very seriously.

Consequently, and as detailed in the 
interim results announcement 
published on 3 May, the Remuneration 
Committee commenced a formal 
tender process for the appointment 
of a specialist independent 
remuneration adviser, which resulted 
in the appointment of Korn Ferry. 
Together with its new advisers, the 
Remuneration Committee undertook 
a full review of the Company’s 
remuneration policy and practices 
in 2018. However, in advance of 
this review commencing, the 
Remuneration Committee took a 
number of immediate steps to address 
some of the concerns expressed by 
shareholders:

•  revised targets for the 2018 awards 
under the Company’s Performance 
Share Plan were agreed as a direct 
result of shareholder feedback 
following the AGM. This included 
removing the dividend and 
reserves targets that were originally 
proposed but which were 
questioned by some shareholders;
•  the shareholding guidelines for the 
Executive Directors were increased 
to 200% of salary (from the 
previous 150%, a level that had 
been criticised by some investors); 
and

•  an undertaking was given to 

provide more detailed disclosure  
of performance against the 2018 
annual bonus targets in future 
remuneration reports (as certain 
shareholders had concerns 
regarding the level of disclosure 
provided in the past).

Having taken these initial steps, the 
Remuneration Committee undertook 
a full review of Centamin’s Directors’ 
remuneration policy. This policy 
review was undertaken in the context 
of a challenging period for the 
Company in terms of production at 
the Sukari Gold Mine. Centamin’s 
corporate strategy remains focused on 
the delivery of low cost operations at 
Sukari which is the solid foundation 
from which the Company is able to 
generate significant cash flows that 
will fund the next stage growth 
investment within the exploration and 
development pipeline and allow the 

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Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCECompany to maintain its dividend 
policy. The Company is clearly 
disappointed with the operational 
performance this year which has 
resulted in guidance having to be 
revised downwards and a 
consequential adverse impact on the 
share price, but believe the execution 
of Centamin’s strategy will see the 
delivery of strong returns to investors 
in the longer term.

When conducting its review, the 
Remuneration Committee had at the 
forefront of its thinking the need to 
take account of the concerns raised by 
investors at the 2018 AGM that had 
not already been addressed by the 
initial steps taken. These concerns 
largely related to the structure and 
operation of the annual bonus plan. 
Consequently, the Remuneration 
Committee came to the view that 
changes should be made to this 
element of the current remuneration 
policy at the same time as bringing 
the current Performance Share Plan 
(“PSP”) into line with ‘best practice’ 
institutional investor expectations. 
Following the conclusion of the 
Remuneration Committee’s policy 
review, a consultation exercise was 
held with the Company’s major 
shareholders and the main proxy 
voting agencies. The Remuneration 
Committee was pleased that its 
proposed changes were well received 
by these bodies. In summary, these 
proposed changes are as follows:

Annual bonus plan
•  While no change will be made to 

overall bonus opportunity, a higher 
portion of the bonus than was 
previously the case (i.e. now 70% 
compared with 50%) will be payable 
by reference to performance 
against financial and other 
objectively measurable targets.

•  Target bonus opportunity has been 
reduced from 75% of maximum to 
62.5% of maximum.

•  A new share deferral feature will be 
introduced (past bonuses have 
been paid entirely in cash) under 
which the net amount of any bonus 
earned in excess of 75% of salary 
must be used to acquire shares 
which must be held for at least two 
years. These shares (and the related 
cash element of the bonus) will  
be subject to more robust claw 
back/malus provisions.

Performance Share Plan
•  Again, no change will be made to 
policy award levels under the PSP. 
However, a full two year post 
vesting holding period will be 
introduced (thus far, only 50% of 
vested shares must be held for two 
years, with the remaining 50% 
receivable immediately after the 
end of the three year performance 
period).

•  A revised approach to PSP targets 
will be followed. For the 2019 
awards a blend of relative TSR, cash 
flow and production targets will be 
used.

•  Certain “administrative” changes  
to the PSP rules will be made:
•  the malus/claw back provisions 
that currently apply will be 
formally enshrined into the PSP 
rules and made more robust and 
wide-reaching;

•  the ability to credit dividends 

declared over the vesting period 
on shares that vest will be 
included; and

•  the treatment of awards in leaver 
situations and in the event of a 
change in control will be made 
more consistent with typical 
practice i.e. i) in prescribed 
“good leaver” circumstances, 
awards will normally vest at the 
expiry of the performance 
period subject to performance 

against the targets and a 
pro rata reduction (unless the 
Remuneration Committee 
determines otherwise) and ii) in 
the event of a change in control, 
awards will normally vest at that 
point subject to performance 
against the targets and a pro 
rata reduction (unless the 
Remuneration Committee 
determines otherwise).

Remuneration Committee 
discretion
•  Again reflecting best practice,  

a new ‘override’ provision will be 
introduced for both the annual 
bonus and PSP that will enable the 
Remuneration Committee to adjust 
any formula-based incentive 
outcomes to better reflect a 
broader view of the Company’s 
financial performance and/or 
shareholders’ experience.
•  In addition, the Remuneration 
Committee will reserve some 
market-standard discretions 
regarding the operation of the 
annual bonus plan and PSP.

Previously, shareholder approval has 
been sought for the renewal of our 
policy every year. However, to 
demonstrate the Remuneration 
Committee’s long term commitment 
to this new policy – and to reflect 
typical practice – it is intended that 
the new policy will be applicable for 
the three years following the 2019 
AGM, which the relevant resolution to 
be tabled at the forthcoming AGM will 
reflect. In addition, a resolution to 
approve the changes to the PSP 
(where required by the Plan rules) will 
also be tabled at the 2019 AGM, 
together with the normal resolution to 
approve the remuneration report. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

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Introduction continued
Remuneration outcomes  
for 2018

As explained in last year’s report,  
the annual bonus opportunities of  
the three Executive Directors were 
split between 50% financial and 
operational metrics, 10% strategic, 
10% corporate and 30% individual 
objectives. No bonus was payable to 
any of the Executive Directors for the 
financial or operational metrics, with 
the exception of the improvements in 
the injury frequency rate (“LTIFR”). In 
addition, at the recommendation of 
the Remuneration Committee, 
Andrew Pardey agreed to waive all 
amounts achieved including the LTIFR, 
remaining financial, strategic, 
corporate and individual objectives, 
resulting in a zero bonus payout. 
Furthermore, it was not considered 
appropriate to award a bonus to Josef 
El-Raghy whilst serving notice under 
his executive contract and given his 
ongoing role as Non-Executive Chair. 
However, having assessed Ross 
Jerrard’s performance against his 
individual targets (further details of 
which can be found on page 133), it 
was recommended by the 
Remuneration Committee, and 
approved by the Board, that Ross 
should retain the bonus earned based 
on his performance against the targets 
initially set which results in a total 
bonus outturn for Ross Jerrard of 44% 
of his maximum bonus opportunity 
(i.e. 55% of salary). It should be noted 
that Ross Jerrard’s non-financial 
targets related to deliverables which 
were not impacted by (or directly 
related to) the operational challenges 
faced in 2018 and therefore the 
Remuneration Committee felt that it 
was not necessary or appropriate for 
Ross Jerrard to waive his bonus. 

The PSP awards granted to Andrew 
Pardey and Ross Jerrard in June 2016 
are capable of vesting in June 2019. 
Of the blend of TSR, reserve 
replacement, EBITDA and production 
targets measured up to the end of the 
2018 financial year, 40% of the award 

will vest due to the TSR and EBITDA 
targets being achieved in full. Full 
details of the vesting criteria and the 
vesting outcome are set out on 
page 134. Josef El-Raghy does not 
hold any PSP awards.

Approach to remuneration  
in 2019

Subject to shareholder approval being 
obtained for the revised policy as 
described above, the Remuneration 
Committee intends to adopt the 
following approach to the Executive 
Directors’ remuneration in 2019:

Base salary
Andrew Pardey and Ross Jerrard are 
to receive a 3% increase on their base 
salary in 2019 in line with the increase 
in cost of living. To reflect his change 
in role, Josef El-Raghy will not receive 
any salary but will receive an annual 
Directors’ fee of £250,000.

Pension/other benefits
No changes will be made to the 
approach adopted in the past i.e. 
neither Andrew Pardey nor 
Ross Jerrard will receive a contribution 
towards or allowance for a pension.  
To reflect his change in role, 
Josef El-Raghy will no longer be 
offered a pension provision.

Annual bonus
Annual bonus opportunity for 
Andrew Pardey and Ross Jerrard will 
remain unchanged at 125% of salary. 
Josef El-Raghy will no longer 
participate in the annual bonus plan. 

Reflecting the new policy:

•  70% of the bonus opportunity will 
be based on financial/objectively 
measurable targets, namely 
Production (assessed by reference 
to both volume and safety record 
via LTIFR), EBITDA, sustaining and 
direct operating costs,  
non-sustaining costs and capital 
projects. The remaining 30% will be 
based on personal/strategic 
targets. Further details can be 
found on page 142; and

•  any bonus earned in excess of 75% 

of salary will be deferred into 
shares.

In 2018, 75% of the maximum bonus 
opportunity was payable for achieving 
a target level of performance. The 
Remuneration Committee’s original 
intention was to retain this 75% of 
maximum payout for target 
performance for the 2019 bonus and 
onwards. However, having reflected 
on the feedback it received from some 
investors during the consultation 
exercise, the Remuneration 
Committee has agreed to alter its 
approach so that, for the 2019 bonus 
and onwards, no more than 62.5% of 
the maximum is payable for achieving 
the target level of performance (i.e. 
the approach that had been adopted 
to the bonus prior to 2018). The 
Remuneration Committee is 
comfortable with this approach in light 
of a number of factors:

•  the bonus maximum of 125% of 
salary is relatively modest for a 
company of Centamin’s size and 
complexity and therefore a 62.5% 
of maximum payout for target 
performance, when expressed as a 
percentage of salary, is within the 
bandwidth of typical target bonus 
payouts offered by other similar 
sized companies that offer a higher 
bonus maximum;

•  when considered in the round, the 
Executive Directors’ total target 
remuneration in aggregate reflects 
the appropriate amount when 
taking account of the market in 
which the Company operates and 
companies of a similar size and 
complexity, even with the 62.5% 
target payout under the bonus;
•  the more robust approach that  
will apply to the bonus structure 
going forward (e.g. bonus deferral, 
higher weighting on financial 
targets, more detailed target 
disclosure etc.) should be taken  
into account; and

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Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE•  the target level of the combined 
performance metrics which, if 
achieved, would result in a 62.5% of 
maximum payout will be stretching. 
Therefore, paying 62.5% of 
maximum bonus for this level of 
performance falls within the typical 
market range.

Performance Share Plan
Andrew Pardey and Ross Jerrard will 
receive PSP awards over shares worth 
150% of salary, reflecting the 
approach adopted last year. Josef 
El-Raghy will not receive an award.  
Awards will vest based upon a blend 
of three year relative TSR, cash flow 
and production targets. Also, 
reflecting the new policy, these 
awards will be subject to a full two 
year post vesting holding period. 

Non-Executive Directors
No changes to the fees of the 
Non-Executive Directors will be made 
for 2019, save to reflect recent 
changes in responsibilities and/or 
committee chair or membership.  
The fees now payable to Josef 
El-Raghy following the change in  
role from Executive to Non-Executive 
Chair are set out below. 

Legislative and regulatory 
developments

The Remuneration Committee is 
considering the impact of recent 
regulatory changes (e.g. the 2018 
Corporate Governance Code) which 
formally apply to Centamin from the 
2019 financial year onwards. In our 
report next year, we are intending to 
comply in full with the provisions of 
the 2018 Code, but we reserve the 
right to explain any area of  
non-compliance if it is decided that 
compliance would not be in the best 
interests of Centamin or its 
shareholders. The Remuneration 
Committee is aware of recent 

legislative changes (e.g. the disclosure 
of the CEO to all-employee pay ratio) 
which, as a Jersey incorporated 
company with considerably fewer than 
250 UK employees, is therefore not 
applicable to Centamin.

Summary

I hope that you find the report clear 
and informative and are supportive of 
the various changes we have made to 
our remuneration policy and practices 
in light of the feedback we received 
from investors last year.

I am always happy to hear from the 
Company’s shareholders and you can 
contact me via the Company 
Secretary if you have any questions  
on this report or more generally in 
relation to the Company’s 
remuneration.

Edward Haslam 

Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee

1 March 2019

Executive Director remuneration at a glance

KEY COMPONENT

HOW IMPLEMENTED IN 2018 

INTENDED IMPLEMENTATION FOR 2019

Base salary

Pension/benefits

Annual bonus

Executive Chair – £546,363 
CEO – £506,966 
CFO – £402,500

Executive Chair – 20% of salary 
CEO/CFO – 0%

There is no longer an Executive Chair 
CEO – £522,175 
CFO – £414,575

There is no longer an Executive Chair 
CEO/CFO – 0%

Executive Chair – 175% of salary maximum 
CEO/CFO – 125% of salary maximum

There is no longer an Executive Chair 
CEO/CFO – 125% of salary maximum

Targets:

•  20% – financial

•  20% – operational

•  20% – strategic

•  10% – corporate

•  30% – personal

No share deferral

Targets:

•  70% – financial/quantitative e.g. Production, 

EBITDA, sustaining and direct operating costs, 
non-sustaining costs and capital projects

•  30% – personal/strategic

Any bonus over 75% of salary is to be used to 
purchase shares subject to a two year holding 
period

PSP

Executive Chair – no award 
CEO/CFO – 150% of salary 

Targets:

There is no longer an Executive Chair 
CEO/CFO – 150% of salary

Targets:

•  40% – relative TSR vs industry peer group

•  50% – relative TSR vs industry peer group

•  20% – EBITDA

•  40% – production

•  25% – free cash flow generation

•  25% – production

Shareholding requirements

150% of salary (post 2018 AGM change to 200%)

200% of salary

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Introduction continued
As set out in the business model, Centamin creates value through the process of gold exploration through to production 
by maximising production at the lowest possible cost. The gold and silver doré bars produced at Sukari are sold to our 
appointed refiners who, in turn, refine the doré bars and sell the near-pure gold at the price determined by the London 
bullion markets. Performance metrics used in the annual bonus and PSP reflect the achievement of the Company in 
meeting its strategic objectives through the actions and influences of the Executive Directors:

KEY MEASURE
ASSET QUALITY AND FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY

LINKAGE TO INCENTIVE PLANS

Gold production

Production targets employed in both the annual bonus and PSP

Cost control

EBITDA used in the annual bonus. Cost control is a driver of long term returns to shareholders,  
measured via relative TSR in the PSP

Stable finances

Personal KPIs for formalising and implementing sound policy decisions reflected in the annual bonus

STAKEHOLDER RETURNS

Consistent dividend policy

Delivering shareholder returns in line with the dividend policy will drive TSR which is measured in the PSP

Shareholder return relative  
to peers

ACTIVE GROWTH PIPELINE

Optimising production

50% of PSP based on relative performance against peers 

Identifying high grade from the existing resource and optimising throughput rates, with production 
targets used in the bonus and PSP

Self-funded growth  
and exploration

Reserve replacement and growth targets employed in the strategic element of individual KPIs within  
the annual bonus

Exploration in West Africa

PSP provides a long term incentive to identify and deliver on projects outside of Egypt

SUSTAINABILITY

Safety record and human 
resources

Government relations and 
community initiatives

LTIFR used in production element of bonus structure. Zero level 5 or 4 environmental incidents rewarded 
through personal KPIs. Workforce engagement, implementing human rights, supplier policies and HR 
policies through personal KPIs

Maintaining key relationships and delivery of initiatives linked directly to individual bonus KPIs

Remuneration policy
The Directors’ remuneration policy as set out below will be put to a shareholder vote at the AGM on 8 April 2019 and is 
intended to replace the existing policy and apply for the period of three years from the date of approval. Details of the 
changes proposed to the existing policy are explained above.

REMUNERATION POLICY FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

ELEMENT OF PAY 
AND LINKAGE TO 
STRATEGY

Base pay
Base pay to be set 
competitively so as to 
allow the motivation 
and retention of key 
executives of the 
calibre and skills 
necessary to support 
Centamin’s short and 
long term objectives.

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

Pay is reviewed annually and any 
change ordinarily takes effect from  
1 January. When determining an 
appropriate level of salary, the 
Remuneration Committee considers:

• 

• 

• 

• 

remuneration practices within the 
Company;
the performance of the individual 
Executive Director;
the individual Executive Director’s 
experience and responsibilities;
the general performance of the 
Company;

•  salaries within the ranges paid by 
the companies in the comparator 
group(s) used for remuneration 
benchmarking; and
the economic environment.

• 

N/A

Base salaries will be set at an 
appropriate level. Any increase 
which exceeds that of the 
general workforce may only 
normally be awarded in cases of 
a change in responsibility, 
complexity and nature of the 
role or size of the organisation, 
when the pay level becomes out 
of line with the market data or to 
reflect the fact that a director 
has been appointed on a below 
market salary with the intention 
being that this salary will be 
increased if considered 
appropriate.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCEREMUNERATION POLICY FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
ELEMENT OF PAY 
AND LINKAGE TO 
STRATEGY

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

It is not intended that (i) normal 
benefits will exceed 5% of base 
pay and (ii) additional benefits 
will exceed 10% of base pay (to 
include tax paid on the benefits). 
Therefore, it is not intended that 
normal benefits and additional 
benefits will exceed 15% of base 
pay (to include tax paid on the 
benefits).

It is intended that, if pension 
provision is offered to any 
Executive Director, the value of 
such pension in percentage of 
salary terms will be in line with 
the pension contributions 
provided to the majority of the 
relevant workforce.

125% of salary 

Benefits

Benefits may be 
provided where 
necessary to ensure 
competitive 
remuneration 
packages are 
consistent with the 
market.

Pension

Positioned to ensure 
competitive packages 
and provision of 
appropriate income 
for executives in 
retirement.

Annual bonus

To provide a driver 
and reward for the 
delivery of short term 
performance goals, 
normally over the 
course of the financial 
year.

The “normal” benefits that may be 
provided include items such as car  
or car allowance, life assurance, 
private medical provision, 
subscriptions and phones.

Where necessary (e.g. due to the 
location of operations of the 
business) it may be necessary to 
provide “additional” benefits such as  
(but not limited to) private security, 
accommodation and reasonable  
travel costs or enhanced provision  
of other benefits.

The Remuneration Committee 
maintains the ability to provide 
pension funding in the form of a 
salary supplement or formal pension 
allowance, which does not form part 
of the salary for the purposes of 
determining the extent of 
participation in the Company’s 
incentive arrangements.

The Remuneration Committee will 
determine the bonus payable after 
the year end based on performance 
against targets. 

Annual bonuses up to 75% of salary 
are paid in cash after the end of the 
financial year to which they relate.  
The net amount of any bonus earned 
in excess of 75% of salary must be 
applied in the acquisition of shares 
that must in normal circumstances be 
retained for two years. Dividend 
equivalents can be paid on deferred 
shares.

The bonus plan is subject to  
malus/claw back provisions 
described in the notes to this table.

N/A

N/A

The performance measures are 
selected to provide an appropriate 
balance between incentivising 
Executive Directors to meet financial/
operational targets for the year and 
incentivising them to achieve specific 
personal/strategic objectives. No less 
than 70% of the bonus opportunity  
will be linked to the achievement of 
financial/objectively measurable 
targets.

No more than 25% of the maximum 
opportunity is payable for delivering a 
threshold level of performance (where 
such an approach can be applied 
given the nature of the metric/target 
used). Up to 62.5% of the maximum 
opportunity is payable for delivering  
a target level of performance (again, 
where such an approach can be 
applied).

The Remuneration Committee may 
adjust the formula-based bonus 
outturn if this does not reflect 
underlying performance and/or 
shareholders’ experience.

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Remuneration policy continued

REMUNERATION POLICY FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
ELEMENT OF PAY 
AND LINKAGE TO 
STRATEGY

OPERATION

The Performance Share Plan (“PSP”) 
was approved by shareholders at the 
AGM in 2015. Executive Directors 
and other selected employees may 
participate in the PSP on the 
recommendation of the 
Remuneration Committee.

Awards to Executive Directors shall 
in normal circumstances be satisfied 
in shares and will vest no earlier than 
three years following grant subject to 
continued employment and the 
satisfaction of performance 
conditions. 

Awards granted from 2019 onwards 
which vest at the end of the three 
year performance period will be 
subject to an additional two year 
holding period. During this period 
the shares cannot be sold (other than 
as required for tax purposes).

A dividend equivalent provision 
exists which allows the Remuneration 
Committee to pay an amount (in 
shares or cash) equivalent to the 
dividends paid or payable on vested 
shares between the date of grant 
and the vesting of an award.

Awards are subject to malus/claw 
back provisions described in the 
notes to this table.

Executive Directors are required to 
build a holding of shares in the 
Company equivalent to 200% of 
base salary.

Long term 
incentives

To align the long term 
interests of the 
executives with those 
of shareholders. 

Share ownership 
requirement

To encourage 
ownership of shares, 
thereby creating 
alignment of interest 
between 
shareholders and the 
executives.

OPPORTUNITY

PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

The aggregate market value (as 
at the respective award dates) of 
shares in respect of which 
awards are made to an eligible 
employee in any year shall not in 
normal circumstances be greater 
than 150% of the amount of 
such eligible employee’s salary 
at the award date, save in 
circumstances which are 
considered by the Remuneration 
Committee to be exceptional, 
where an absolute limit of 250% 
of salary may be applied.

PSP awards vest subject to the 
achievement of challenging 
performance conditions set by the 
Remuneration Committee prior to 
each grant. These conditions may 
include a blend of financial, 
operational and/or shareholder 
return-related metrics. The 
Remuneration Committee may adjust 
the formula-based vesting outturn if 
this does not reflect underlying 
performance and/or shareholders’ 
experience.

N/A

200% of salary. The 
Remuneration Committee will, 
during the course of the year, 
consider its approach to post 
cessation shareholding 
requirements for Directors.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCEREMUNERATION POLICY FOR NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
ELEMENT AND 
LINK TO STRATEGY OPERATION

PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

Non-Executive 
Director fees

To attract and retain 
high calibre 
Non-Executive 
Directors by the 
provision of 
competitive fees.

When appointed, the independent Non-Executive Chair’s fees will be 
determined by the Remuneration Committee. The Non-Executive 
Directors’ fees are determined by the Board. The level of fees takes into 
account the time commitment, responsibilities, market levels and the 
skills and experience required. 

N/A

Non-Executive Directors normally receive a basic fee and an additional 
fee for specific Board responsibilities, including membership and 
Chairmanship of Remuneration Committees (or if materially more time is 
required to be spent in the course of their duties than envisaged). The 
Chairman and Non-Executive Directors are entitled to receive certain 
benefits in addition to fees. Expenses incurred in the performance of 
non-executive duties for the Company may be reimbursed or paid for 
directly by the Company, as appropriate, including any tax due on the 
expenses. Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any incentive 
arrangements.

Malus/claw back

Bonuses and/or PSP awards may be 
subject to malus/claw back for up to 
three years after payout/vesting in the 
following circumstances: i) termination 
for cause/gross misconduct; ii) 
material misstatement of accounts; iii) 
error in calculation of the extent of 
payout/vesting; iv) an event that 
materially adversely affects the 
Company’s reputation (which may 
include a material health and safety 
event) and; v) “corporate failure”.

Committee discretions

As noted above, the Remuneration 
Committee retains the discretion to 
adjust the outturn under the annual 
bonus and/or PSP based on a 
formulaic assessment of performance 
against the targets if such formulaic 
assessment provides a result that is 
not considered appropriate and/or not 
reflective of shareholders’ experience 
over the relevant performance period.

The Remuneration Committee will 
operate the annual bonus and long 
term incentive arrangements 
according to their respective rules and 
in accordance with the Listing Rules 
where relevant. Consistent with 
market practice the Remuneration 
Committee retains certain discretions 
in respect of the operation and 
administration of these arrangements 
which include, but are not limited to, 
the following:

•  the participants;
•  the timing of the grant of an award 

or payment;

•  the size of an award;
•  the determination of the extent to 
which performance measures have 
been met and the corresponding 
vesting or payment levels;

•  discretion required when dealing 

with a change of control or 
restructuring of the Group;

•  determination of the treatment of 
leavers based on the rules of the 
respective arrangement and the 
appropriate treatment chosen, 
including the pro rating of awards;

•  adjustments required in certain 
circumstances (e.g. rights issues, 
corporate restructuring events and 
special dividends);

•  the annual review of performance 
measures, weighting and targets 
from year to year; and

•  the manner in which share awards 
can be satisfied (i.e. through the 
use of new issue, market purchased 
or treasury shares or by way of a 
cash payment), although it is 
currently intended that PSP awards 
will be satisfied in shares.

In addition, the Remuneration 
Committee retains the ability to adjust 
the targets and/or set different 
measures if events occur (e.g. a 
material acquisition and/or divestment 
of a Group business) which cause it to 

determine that the conditions are no 
longer appropriate and the 
amendment is required so that the 
conditions achieve their original 
purpose and are not materially less 
difficult to satisfy (having taken 
account of the event in question).

The Remuneration Committee also 
retains discretion to make any 
payments, notwithstanding that they 
are not in line with the policy set out 
above, where the terms of the 
payment were agreed; i) before the 
policy came into effect; or ii) at a time 
when the relevant individual was not a 
Director of the Company and, in the 
opinion of the Remuneration 
Committee, the payment was not in 
consideration of the individual 
becoming a Director of the Company. 
For these purposes, ‘payments’ 
includes the Remuneration Committee 
satisfying awards of variable 
remuneration and, in relation to an 
award over shares, the terms of the 
payment are determined at the time 
the award is granted. Details of any 
such payments will be disclosed in the 
annual report on remuneration for the 
relevant year.

Any use of the above discretions 
would be explained in the annual 
report on remuneration for the 
relevant year and may, as appropriate, 
be the subject of consultation with the 
Company’s major shareholders.

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Remuneration policy continued

CEO

CFO

£2,072k

38%

32%

£1,475k

29%

28%

£636k

£1,574k

40%

33%

£1,099k

32%

29%

£433k

100%

43%

31%

100%

39%

28%

Fixed

On target

Max

Fixed

On target

Max

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

LTIP

LTIP

Performance targets

Annual bonus metrics and targets are 
selected to provide an appropriate 
balance between incentivising 
Executive Directors to meet financial 
objectives for the year and achieving 
strategic/operational/personal 
objectives. Annual bonus metrics and 
targets are chosen to be incentivising 
and appropriately stretching. Metrics 
used in the PSP are determined by the 
Remuneration Committee to reflect 
the Company’s strategy and having 
regard to market practice within the 
Company’s sector. Measuring 
performance over a three year period 
under the PSP ensures a genuine long 
term focus. 

Illustration of application of 
remuneration policy

The following charts illustrate the 
remuneration opportunity provided  
to each Executive Director in line  
with the proposed revisions to the 
remuneration policy at different  
levels of performance for the 2019 
financial year. 

Three scenarios have been illustrated 
for each Executive Director:

1.  Minimum performance: 
comprising the minimum 
remuneration receivable (i.e. fixed 
pay only, being base salary 
effective 1 January 2019, pension 
allowances for the 2019 financial 
year (if any) and benefits calculated 
using the 2018 figure as set out in 
the table on page 129.
2.  On-target performance: 

comprising fixed pay, an annual 
bonus payment of 62.5% of the 
maximum opportunity and PSP 
awards vesting at 25% of maximum 
opportunity.

3.  Maximum performance: 

comprising fixed pay, 100% of 
annual bonus and 100% vesting 
of PSP awards. 

The illustrations do not take into 
account dividends and the value of 
the share plan is based on the value 
of the awards at grant.

The wider employee context

Our remuneration policy for Executive 
Directors takes account of that across 
the Company and aims to attract and 
retain high performing individuals and 
to reward success. Base pay and 
benefits are set competitively taking 
account of the individual’s 
performance and market data.  

Annual incentives are typically linked 
to local business performance with a 
focus on performance against key 
strategic business objectives. Key 
management team members may also 
receive some of their annual bonus in 
shares which are deferred. At this time 
there are no all-employee share 
arrangements but this is kept under 
review on a regular basis taking 
account of the locations the Company 
operates in and the appropriateness 
of share-based rewards in such 
locations.

All employees of Sukari Gold Mine 
Company (the majority of whom are 
based at the Sukari mine site) are 
subject to a performance related 
bonus which is linked to underlying 
operation performance and cost 
control measures at the mine. Further 
details on employee relations can be 
found in the sustainability report, 
which is published separately.

Although the Remuneration 
Committee does not actively consult 
with employees on the remuneration 
policy, consideration is given to the 
base salary increase, relative 
performance of the Company and 
working conditions of the wider 
workforce. The main differences in 
determining executive and senior 
employee compensation compared  
to the wider workforce relates to the 
emphasis on rewarding long term 
performance, as well as performance 
at an operational, strategic and 
corporate level. Consideration is also 
given to the level of responsibility of 
executives and senior employees. 
In addition, the Remuneration 
Committee will be reviewing its 
approach in light of the publication of 
the 2018 UK Corporate Governance 
Code which recommends that 
engagement with the workforce takes 
place to explain how executive 
remuneration aligns with wider 
Company pay policy. 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCEConsideration of  
shareholder views

Feedback from shareholders, as well 
as proxy advisers (acting on behalf of 
many of our major shareholders) and 
meetings held with shareholders and 
investors, are considered as part of 
the Company’s annual remuneration 
policy review. Major shareholders are 
contacted should there be any 
proposed material changes to our 
remuneration policy or practices, as 
was the case in connection with the 
recent policy review.

Service contracts

Executive Directors have rolling 
service contracts which are terminable 
on no more than twelve months’ 
notice on either side. Executive 
Directors are entitled to be paid salary 
and pension in respect of the relevant 
notice period. In the case of notice 
given in connection with and shortly 
following a change of control, 
Executive Directors will be entitled to 
payment in lieu of an amount equal to 
twelve months’ basic salary together 
with any bonus that, in the opinion of 
the Remuneration Committee, would 
have been due to him at the time of 
the completion of the change of 
control taking into account all the 
relevant performance indicators. 

The Chairman and Non-Executive 
Directors have formal letters of 
appointment which provide for three 
months’ notice for the Chairman and 
‘reasonable notice’ for the other 
Non-Executive Directors. These letters 
of appointment also provide for 
additional payments to be made post 
termination in the event that they are 
required to spend material time 
assisting the Company, for example in 
connection with an investigation for 
which they are entitled to be 
indemnified by the Company.

There are no other provisions for 
payment for loss of office. Directors’ 
service contracts are kept available for 
inspection at the Company’s 
registered office.

Policy if a new Director  
is appointed

When hiring a new Executive Director, 
or promoting an individual to the 
Board, the Remuneration Committee 
will offer a package that is sufficient to 
attract and motivate while aiming to 
pay no more than is necessary, taking 
account of market data, the impact on 
other existing remuneration 
arrangements, the candidate’s 
location and experience, external 
market influences and internal pay 
relativities.

The structure of the remuneration 
package of a new Executive Director 
will follow the policy above; however, 
in certain circumstances, the 
Remuneration Committee may use 
other elements of remuneration if it 
considers it appropriate with due 
regard to the best interests of the 
shareholders. In particular, a service 
contract that contains a longer initial 
notice period, tapering down to 
twelve months over a set period of 
time, the buy-out of short and/or long 
term incentive arrangements (taking 
account of the performance measures 
on such incentives) as close as 
possible on a comparable basis, the 
provision of long term incentives and 
the provision of benefits such as 
housing allowance or similar 
(particularly where it is an expatriate 
appointment) may be offered.

That said, the Remuneration 
Committee’s policy is not to provide 
sign-on compensation. In addition, 
the Remuneration Committee’s policy 
is not to provide buy-outs as a matter 
of course. However, should the 
Remuneration Committee determine 
that the individual circumstances of 
recruitment justified the provision of a 
buy-out, an estimate of the equivalent 
value of any incentives that will be 
forfeited on cessation of a Director’s 
previous employment will be 
calculated taking into account:

•  the proportion of the performance 
period completed on the date of 
the Director’s cessation of 
employment;

•  the performance conditions 

attached to the vesting of these 
incentives and the likelihood of 
them being satisfied; 

•  the timeframe to receipt of shares; 

and 

•  any other terms and conditions 
having a material effect on their 
value (“lapsed value”).

The Remuneration Committee may 
then grant up to the equivalent value 
as the lapsed value, where possible, 
under the Company’s incentive plans 
and any buy-out would typically aim to 
mirror the form and structure of what 
is forfeited on joining the Company. 
To the extent that it is not possible or 
practical to provide the buy-out within 
the terms of the Company’s existing 
incentive plans the Remuneration 
Committee may, in exceptional 
circumstances consider it appropriate 
to grant an award under a different 
structure to facilitate a buy-out of 
outstanding awards held by an 
individual on recruitment.

Where an existing employee is 
promoted to the Board, the policy set 
out above would apply from the date 
of promotion but there would be no 
retrospective application of the policy 
in relation to subsisting incentive 
awards or remuneration 
arrangements. Accordingly, prevailing 
elements of the remuneration 
package for an existing employee 
would be honoured and form part of 
the ongoing remuneration of the 
person concerned. These would be 
disclosed to shareholders in the 
annual report on Remuneration for the 
relevant financial year.

The Company’s policy when setting 
fees for the appointment of new 
Non-Executive Directors is to apply 
the policy which applies to current 
Non-Executive Directors.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

127

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationRemuneration report continued

Remuneration policy continued
Policy on payment for  
loss of office

Directors’ contractual terms and 
conditions, including notice periods, 
are reviewed by the Remuneration and 
Nomination Committees.

The Company’s approach to payment 
on loss of office will take account of 
the circumstances of the termination 
of employment. In the normal course, 
the individual will be expected to work 
through the notice period and will be 
entitled to all the benefits under the 
service agreement during that period 
(subject to the garden leave provisions 
which may be applied in certain 
circumstances).

Subject to the employee’s compliance 
with the Company’s sickness absence 
procedures (as amended from time to 
time), the employee shall continue to 
receive his full salary and contractual 
benefits during any period of absence 
due to incapacity for up to an 
aggregate of 10 days in any 52 week 
period. Such payment shall be 
inclusive of any statutory sick pay  
due in accordance with applicable 
legislation in force at the time  
of absence. 

In the case of a termination as a result 
of poor performance or a breach of 
any of the material terms of the 
agreement, then the Company may 
terminate with immediate effect 
without notice and with no liability  
to make any further payment to the 
individual other than in respect of 
amounts accrued due at the date of 
termination.

Where the Company wishes to 
terminate the agreement and make a 
payment in lieu of notice, this payment 
shall normally be phased in monthly or 
quarterly instalments over a period of 
no longer than twelve months (or the 
notice period if less) and any payment 
should (where appropriate) be 
reduced in accordance with the duty 
on the executive to mitigate his loss. 
The Company will consider if any 
bonus amount is to be included in the 
calculation when determining the 
payment in lieu of notice. Any bonus 
(if included at all) would normally be 
restricted to the Director’s actual 
period of service only (i.e. be the 
subject of a possible reduction).

In the case of notice given in 
connection with and shortly following 
a change of control then the Executive 
Directors are entitled to payment in 
lieu of an amount equal to twelve 
months’ basic salary plus bonus. Any 
bonus that may be due to him at the 
completion of the change of control 
shall be determined by the Committee 
and such bonus (if any) would normally 
be based on the period only up to the 
completion of the change of control, 
taking account of all the relevant key 
performance indicators.

The Remuneration Committee 
reserves the right to make additional 
payments where such payments are 
made in good faith in discharge of an 
existing legal obligation (or by way of 
damages for breach of such an 
obligation); or by way of settlement or 
compromise of any claim arising in 
connection with the termination of an 
Executive Director’s office or 
employment; or in relation to the 
provision of outplacement or similar 
services.

With regard to annual bonus, the 
Remuneration Committee’s approach 
will be influenced by the 
circumstances of the cessation.  
A departing executive may be entitled 
to a bonus and, if so, such bonus will 
normally be pro rated for the period of 
employment and be payable at the 
end of the relevant year based on 
performance against the relevant 
targets. Bonuses may be paid in 
respect of the year in which a change 
of control occurs, if the Remuneration 
Committee considers this appropriate, 
with the Remuneration Committee 
determining the level of bonus taking 
into account any factors it considers 
appropriate. 

In relation to the PSP, in normal 
circumstances awards lapse on 
cessation of employment. However,  
in certain “good leaver” circumstances 
awards will normally vest at the expiry 
of the performance period subject to 
performance against the targets and a 
pro rata reduction (unless the 
Remuneration Committee determines 
otherwise). In the event of a change in 
control, awards will normally vest at 
that point subject to performance 
against the targets and a pro rata 
reduction (unless the Remuneration 
Committee determines otherwise). 

Policy on external Board 
appointments

The Company will consider requests 
for Executive Directors to have 
non-executive external appointments, 
on the basis that such appointments 
do not adversely impact on the duties 
required to be performed to the 
Company. Where there are external 
appointments, the Director will retain 
any fees for such appointments and 
will not be liable to account to the 
Company for such fees.

128

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEAnnual remuneration report
Single figure table in US$ (audited)

Executives 

Salary 
2018 

Salary 
2017 

Benefits 
2018 

Benefits 
2017 

Bonus 
2018 

Bonus 
2017 

Josef El-Raghy  

745,444 

687,735 

Nil 

26,239 

Nil 

852,675 

LTI 
2018 

— 

LTI 
2017 

Pension 
2018 

Pension 
2017 

Total 
2018 

Total 
2017

Nil  149,088 

137,547  894,532  1,704,196

Andrew Pardey 

691,691  638,143 

94,907 

84,076 

Nil  648,244  357,455  1,726,328 

Ross Jerrard 

542,363 

453,767 

57,662 

14,507  283,870  378,225  453,295 

— 

Nil 

Nil 

Nil 1,144,053  3,096,791

Nil  1,337,190  846,499

Total  

1,979,498  1,779,645  152,569  124,822  283,870  1,879,144  810,750  1,726,328  149,088 

137,547 3,388,247  5,647,486

Non-executives 

Fees 
2018 

Fees 
2017 

Benefits 
2018 

Benefits 
2017 

Bonus 
2018 

Bonus 
2017 

LTI 
2018 

LTI 
2017 

Pension 
2018 

Pension 
2017 

Total 
2018 

Total 
2017

Edward Haslam 

170,335 

163,185  

Mark Bankes 

122,641 

113,773  

Mark Arnesen 

122,641 

113,773  

Alison Baker 

Dr Ibrahim Fawzy 

97,126 

31,737 

— 

— 

Trevor Schultz 

29,603  104,438  

Total 

574,082 

495,169 

Notes to table:

•  All salaries are paid in sterling.

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

—  170,335 

 163,185 

—  122,641 

 113,773 

—  122,641 

 113,773 

— 

— 

— 

97,126 

31,737 

—

—

29,603 

 104,438 

—  574,082 

495,169

•  40% of the performance conditions relating to PSP awards granted in 2016 have been met as at 31 December 2018 and the full market value (based 
on the average of the last three months of 2018) has been attributed to the table above. Details of the grants made under the terms of the PSP can 
be found in page 135.

•  Benefits are within the limits of the policy and relate primarily to travel related costs to and from the individual’s original place of domicile.

•  Directors’ remuneration paid in foreign currency was converted at an average rate during the year. The average GBP:US$ exchange rate for 2018 was 

1.364. Bonus accruals for 2018 applied an exchange rate of GBP:US$1.2823 to reflect the exchange rate at the end of the year.

•  The pension payable to Josef El-Raghy represents a cash payment in lieu of contributions to a pension scheme.

Non-Executive Director fees (audited)

Non-Executive Directors receive annual fees within an aggregate Directors’ fee pool limited to an amount which is 
approved by shareholders. The 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 rate for Non-Executive Directors is as follows:

Annual base fee 

Chairman of a Board committee 

Member of a Board committee 

As at 31 December 2018 

As at 31 December 2017

GBP65,000 (US$83,350) 

GBP65,000 (US$84,273)

GBP10,000 (US$12,823) 

GBP10,000 (US$12,965)

GBP5,000 (US$6,411) 

GBP5,000 (US$6,482)

Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director 

  GBP125,000 (US$160,288)  GBP125,000 (US$162,064)

Notes to table:

•  During 2018 Edward Haslam undertook an enhanced role as Deputy Chairman and senior Non-Executive Director. These duties are reflected in this 

fee. The fee remains unchanged in 2018 and no further remuneration has been applied for additional committee membership.

•  The Company reviewed the Non-Executive Director fees during 2018 and no increases were proposed.

•  The Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any of the Company’s share plans or incentive plans.

•  The US$ figure in the table reflects the average exchange rate during the year, which may differ from the amount shown in the single figure table as 

payments to Non-Executive Directors are made quarterly and reflect the exchange rate at the date of the transaction.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

129

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration report continued

Annual remuneration report 
continued
2018 annual bonus (audited)

The 2018 bonus plan for the Executive 
Directors was based upon a balanced 
scorecard approach designed to 
encourage and reward the delivery of 
operational, financial, strategic and 
corporate performance. As set out in 
the risk matrix, the Company is 
exposed to the daily fluctuations in 
the price of gold, receiving the market 
rates on the day of sale. Consequently, 
revenue cannot be directly linked with 
the performance of the executive, and 
therefore the Remuneration 
Committee used other metrics to 
assess performance such as controls 
over costs, production rates, targeted 
drilling through exploration as well as 
encouraging a safety culture and 
sustainable operations.

In relation to Josef El-Raghy, the 
Remuneration Committee noted that 
during 2018 he served a twelve month 
notice period. To reflect this, and his 
ongoing role as Non-Executive Chair, 
the Committee agreed that a bonus 
would not be awarded to Josef 
El-Raghy for 2018 (although the 
Remuneration Committee noted that 

a successful handover of executive 
duties had been undertaken from 
Josef to Andrew Pardey).

Andrew Pardey’s 2018 bonus was split 
between 70% business and 30% 
individual targets as follows:

•  70% – business targets based on: 
•  20% – financial (profitability/

financial position, cost against 
budget and operational 
efficiency);

•  30% – operational (meeting 

production guidance, health, 
safety and environment, CSR 
development, open pit and 
underground mining, resource 
and reserve growth);

•  10% – strategic measures (Sukari 
underground reserve expansion, 
exploration success in Egypt and 
elsewhere, M&A opportunities 
including geographical 
diversification); and
•  10% – corporate (HSES 

objectives including Sukari, 
Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire 
social initiatives, emissions 
controls and water management 
and developing the 
organisational culture).

•  30% – individual targets based on  

a number of factors such as i) 
achieving pre-feasibility study in 
West Africa and building relations 
with the authorities in Burkina Faso 
and Côte d’Ivoire, ii) governance 
objectives including diversity 
improvements and senior 
management appointments,  
iii) ESG-related targets (e.g. relating 
to preparation of a feasibility study 
for the installation of a 15MW solar 
power plant on site at Sukari), 
iv) employee welfare targets (e.g. 
continue to develop and review HR 
policies and procedures), v) human 
rights targets (e.g. review the 2015 
Act further with a view to 
enhancing the Company’s existing 
human rights policies during 2018, 
giving consideration to the 2015 
Act and related UK guidance on 
adherence with the Act’s principles) 
and vi) disclosure targets (e.g. 
develop policies and processes 
towards GRI compliance).

The following table summarises performance against Andrew Pardey’s 2018 bonus targets (audited): 

Business targets 

Financial (see breakdown below) 

Operational (see breakdown below) 

Performance 
measure 

Individual targets 

Strategic 

Corporate 

Individual KPIs 

Provisional 
  outturn as % of 
  Maximum bonus  maximum bonus 
opportunity

opportunity 

Weighting 

20% 

30% 

10% 

10% 

30% 

25% 

37.5% 

12.5% 

12.5% 

37.5% 

125% 

0%

4%

3%

5%

15%

27%

Total 

100% 

130

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance against Andrew’s financial and operational targets were as follows (audited):

Category 

Performance 
measure 

% of bonus 
opportunity 

Threshold 

Target 

Maximum 

Financial (20%) 

EBITDA (US$m) 

10% 

319 

354 

372 

Actual 

258 

All-in sustaining/ 
production cost 
(US$ per ounce) 

Operational (30%) 

Production 
(‘000 ounces) 

LTIFR 

Notes to table:

10% 

847/610 

770/555  

731/527 

884/624 

25% 

5% 

522 

0.27 

580 

0.08 

609 

0.01 

472 

0.06 

Provisional  
outturn as %  
of maximum  
bonus 
opportunity

0%

0%

0%

4%

•  Threshold achievement represents 25% of the bonus opportunity for the respective performance measure.

•  Maximum achievement represents 100% of the bonus opportunity for the respective performance measure.

•  AISC is based on ounces sold.

•  Production is based on ounces produced.

•  LTIFR is based on 200,000 working hours calculated for the Group.

•  Due to a change in accounting policy (see note 1.2.1 in the financial statements), target EBITDA has been adjusted to deduct E&E expenditure  

which is now expensed, rather than capitalised, so the measure is on an equivalent basis to the actual.

In reviewing performance against the strategic, corporate and individual targets, the Remuneration Committee 
considered the key milestones achieved during the year which Andrew Pardey was instrumental in delivering. 
These included the following: 

ANDREW PARDEY
ACHIEVED (UNAUDITED)

Strategic (see full details in the strategic report and operational highlights)

•  Delivered reserve replacement at Sukari Underground

•  Progressed Sukari Underground operation – Cleopatra exploration & development

•  Exploration drilling programmes in Côte d’Ivoire (Doropo and ABC projects) undertaken

•  Reviewed and assessed M&A projects

•  Preparation of long term mine plans and related models

Corporate (see full details in the 2018 sustainability report which is published separately)

•  More than 95 Take5 pre-start micro-risk assessment completed every day

•  38.9% of all water recycled

•  +$744,574 invested in community development projects in 2018

•  58% of suppliers at Sukari are Egyptian up from 45% in 2017

Individual KPIs (see further details in the operational review, Nomination Committee and sustainability 
reports)

•  Updated resource statements covering Doropo and ABC in Côte d’Ivoire

•  Arranged and attended key government meetings in Egypt

•  Board succession and diversity progressed

•  Senior management team appointments made

•  Solar power farm evaluation progressed

•  Supply chain reviewed/preparation of human rights policies undertaken

•  HR policies and procedures reformed

•  GRI compliance and CDP disclosures made

Total provisional 
outturn (as % of max 
bonus): 3%

Total provisional 
outturn (as % of max 
bonus): 5% 

Total provisional 
outturn (as % of max 
bonus): 15%

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

131

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration report continued

Annual remuneration report continued
2018 annual bonus (audited) continued
However, at the recommendation of the Remuneration Committee and taking into account the production challenges 
during 2018 which resulted in the downgrades on during the year, Andrew Pardey agreed to waive all amounts achieved 
under his bonus arrangements (amounting to 27% of his maximum bonus), resulting in a zero bonus payout for 2018. 

Ross Jerrard’s 2018 bonus was also split between 70% business and 30% individual targets as follows:

•  70% – the business targets are based on: 

•  20% – financial (profitability/financial position, cost against budget and operational efficiency);
•  30% – operational (meeting production guidance, health, safety and environment, CSR development, open pit and 

underground mining, resource and reserve growth);

•  10% – strategic measures (M&A opportunities including geographical diversification and exploration success in 

Egypt and elsewhere); and

•  10% – corporate: deliver on annual audit plans (internal and external), financial controls and framework, deliver all 

financial compliance across the Group and subsidiaries and overall responsibility for tax, treasury, risk and insurance. 

•  30% – individual targets based on a number of factors such as; i) building the management team and taking on the 
new responsibilities as Executive Director; ii) building team capabilities across finance and HR; iii) delivering high 
quality and timely financial and non-financial metrics; iv) providing quality and timely financial information to the 
Board; and v) implementing upgrades to financial systems and reporting.

The following table summarises performance against Ross Jerrard’s 2018 bonus targets (audited): 

Business targets 

Financial (see breakdown below) 

Operational (see breakdown below) 

Performance 
measure 

Individual targets 

Strategic 

Corporate 

Individual KPIs 

Weighting 

  Maximum bonus 
opportunity 

Provisional 
  outturn as % of 
maximum 
bonus  
opportunity

20% 

30% 

10% 

10% 

30% 

25% 

37.5% 

12.5% 

12.5% 

37.5% 

125% 

0%

4%

5%

8%

27%

44%

Total 

100% 

132

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance against Ross Jerrard’s financial and operational targets were as follows (audited):

Category 

Performance 
measure 

% of bonus 
opportunity 

Threshold 

Target 

Maximum 

Provisional  
  outturn as % of  
maximum  
bonus 
opportunity

Actual 

Financial (20%) 

EBITDA (US$m) 

10% 

319 

354 

372 

258 

  All-in sustaining and  
production cost 
(US$ per ounce) 

Operational (30%) 

Production 
(‘000 ounces) 

LTIFR 

Notes to table:

10% 

847/610 

770/555  

731/527 

884/624 

25% 

5% 

522 

0.27 

580 

0.08 

609 

0.01 

472 

0.06 

0%

0%

0%

4%

•  Threshold achievement represents 25% of the bonus opportunity for the respective performance measure.

•  Maximum achievement represents 100% of the bonus opportunity for the respective performance measure.

•  AISC is based on ounces sold.

•  Production is based on ounces produced.

•  LTIFR is based on 200,000 working hours calculated for the Group.

•  Due to a change in accounting policy (see note 1.2.1 to the financial statements), target EBITDA has been adjusted to deduct E&E expenditure  

which is now expensed, rather than capitalised, so the measure is on an equivalent basis to the actual.

In reviewing performance against the strategic, corporate and individual targets, the Remuneration Committee 
considered the key milestones achieved during the year which Ross Jerrard was instrumental in delivering. These included 
the following: 

ROSS JERRARD
ACHIEVED (UNAUDITED)

Strategic (see further details in the strategic report and financial review)

•  Reviewed and assessed potential M&A projects (building models to assess potential)

•  Prepared and contributed to long term mine plan modelling 

•  Management of both capex and E&E spend within approved budget parameters

Corporate (see further details in the financial review)

•  Handled tax related matters across the Company’s jurisdictions

• 

Insurance renewal programme undertaken – improvements secured in cover and reduction  
in overall premium on insurance

•  Treasury management undertaken and maintained dividend distributions in excess of policy

•  Minimised impact of cost per ounce metrics despite downgrade in production guidance

• 

Improved internal reporting and ensured timely delivery of financial information

Total provisional 
outturn (as % of max 
bonus): 5% 

Total provisional 
outturn (as % of max 
bonus): 8% 

Individual KPIs (see further details in the financial review and audit and risk report)

•  Maintained good relations with EMRA and government, attending key meetings and scheduled assemblies

•  Delivery of audit and assurance engagements

•  Successful management of FRC enquiry – see more in the audit and risk report on page 113

Total provisional 
outturn (as % of max 
bonus): 27% 

•  Secured reduction in Inventory and working capital

•  Reductions in minimum stock levels and key consumables and reagents secured

•  Sector leading management of corporate costs ($30 per ounce produced)

•  Work with suppliers and supply chain management improved

•  Systems improvements made in inventory and accounting across the business

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

133

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration report continued

Annual remuneration report continued
2018 annual bonus (audited) continued
The Remuneration Committee assessed Ross Jerrard’s performance against his bonus targets and it was recommended 
by the Remuneration Committee, and approved by the Board, that Ross Jerrard should be paid the following bonuses; 
i) 4% of his maximum bonus opportunity for the LTIFR element; and ii) 40% of his maximum bonus entitlement by 
reference to performance against the remaining strategic, corporate and individual KPIs. It should be noted that 
Ross Jerrard’s personal targets related to deliverables which were not impacted by (or directly related to) the operational 
challenges faced in 2018 and therefore the Remuneration Committee felt that it was not necessary or appropriate for Ross 
to waive his award. Achievement against the KPIs are assessed by the Remuneration Committee comparing the relative 
achievement during the year and the pre-determined indicators set at the beginning of the year.

Therefore, the bonus outcome for Ross Jerrard for 2018 was 44% of the maximum opportunity of 125%, which equates to 
GBP221,357 and represents 55% of base salary. 

Long term incentives – shares award table (audited)

Vesting of June 2016 PSP award 
The performance conditions for the grants made in June 2016 covered the period from 31 December 2015 to  
31 December 2018. 40% of the performance conditions have now been met as set out below:

PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

RANGE

% ACHIEVED

20% – relative total shareholder return

31 December 2015 to 31 December 2018: achieved upper quartile 
(ranked fourth out of 15-strong comparator group)(1)

30% – mineral reserve replacement 

105% replacement (level of performance for 100% payout)

75% replacement (level of performance for 25% payout)

Global Sukari reserve replacement achieved: 0%

20% – compound growth rate in EBITDA

9% CAGR (level of performance for 100% payout)

100%

0%

100%

30% – compound growth in 
gold production

5% CAGR (level of performance for 25% payout)

31 December 2015: EBITDA US$117,817 million(2)

31 December 2018: EBITDA US$257,934 million 

CAGR in EBITDA achieved of 29.8%: 100%

8% CAGR (level of performance for 100% payout)

0%

4% CAGR (level of performance for 25% payout)

31 December 2015: gold production of 508,396 ounces

31 December 2018: gold production of 472,418 ounces

CAGR of gold production achieved: 0%

(1)  TSR against the comparator group was independently verified by Korn Ferry. 

(2)  Due to a change in accounting policy see note 1.2.1 in the financial statements, published EBITDA in the 2015 financial statements has been 

adjusted to deduct E&E expenditure which is now expensed, rather than capitalised, so the measure is on an equivalent basis.

134

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEFor Andrew Pardey, 276,000 of the 690,000 shares over which awards were granted in 2016 shall vest. For Ross Jerrard, 
350,000 of the 875,000 shares over which awards were granted in 2016 shall vest. 50% of the vested award will vest in  
June 2019 and the remaining 50% vested will be held for a further two years.

PSP award table – Andrew Pardey

End of  
  performance 
period 

Type 

Basis of 
award 
granted 

Granted 

Total 
vested in 
2018(5) 

Total 

unvested(4) 

Value of 
award at 
grant date  
in US$ 

Total 
vested(6)

Conditional 
award 

Conditional 
award 

Conditional 
award 

Conditional 
award 

31 Dec  

150% of 
2017  base salary  

31 Dec  

150% of 
2018  base salary 

31 Dec  

150% of 
2019  base salary 

31 Dec  

150% of 
2020  base salary 

900,000 

900,000 

900,000 

861,660(1) 

—

690,000 

— 

690,000 

931,597(2)  276,000

440,000 

— 

440,000 

824,560(3) 

640,000 

— 

640,000 

696,320(4) 

—

—

Award 

PSP 4 June 
2015 

PSP 4 June  
2016 

PSP 4 June  
2017 

PSP 4 June  
2018 

There is nil cost for conditional awards which are subject to performance conditions.

PSP award table – Ross Jerrard

End of 
  performance 
period 

Type 

Basis of 
award 
granted 

  Granted 

Total 
vested 

Total 

unvested(4) 

Value of 
award at 
grant date 
in US$ 

Total 
vested(5,6) 

Conditional 
award 

Conditional 
award 

Conditional 
award 

31 Dec  

250% of 
2018  base salary 

31 Dec  

200% of 
2019  base salary  

31 Dec  

150% of 
2020  base salary  

  875,000 

— 

875,000  1,181,373(2)  350,000

  420,000 

— 

420,000 

787,080(3) 

  510,000 

— 

510,000 

554,880(4) 

—

—

Award 

PSP 4 June  
2016 

PSP 4 June  
2017 

PSP 4 June  
2018 

(1)  The value of the award granted under the terms of the PSP on 4 June 2015 in US$ is 20% TSR: 0.7894; 50% EPS: 0.9994; 30% gold production: 

0.9994. The market value of the shares as at the date of the award, in accordance with the scheme rules, was £0.69 per share. 

(2)  The value of the award granted under the terms of the PSP on 4 June 2016 in US$ is 20%; TSR: 0.9107; 30% reserve growth: 1.46; 20% EBITDA: 

1.46; 30% gold production: 1.46. The market value of the shares as at the date of the award, in accordance with the scheme rules, was  
£0.985 per share. 

(3)  The value of the award granted under the terms of the PSP on 4 June 2017 in US$ is 20% TSR: 1.49; 30% reserve growth: 1.97; 20% EBITDA: 1.97; 
30% gold production: 1.97. The market value of the shares as at the date of the award, in accordance with the scheme rules, was £1.67 per share.

(4)  The value of the award granted under the terms of the PSP on 27 June 2018 in US$ is 40% TSR: 0.71; 20% EBITDA: 1.34; 40% gold production: 

1.34. The market value of the shares as at the date of the award, in accordance with the scheme rules, was £1.17 per share. 

(5)  The performance conditions for the grant made in June 2015 were met in full at 31 December 2017 and the current market value is included in the 

single figure table. The awards made in June 2015 vested in June 2018.

(6)  The performance conditions for the grant made in June 2016 achieved 40% and the current market value is included in the single figure table. 

The awards made in June 2016 are due to vest in June 2019.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

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Remuneration report continued

Annual remuneration report continued
Service contracts

Under the Articles of Association adopted by the Company, 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. Copies of the appointment letters, including the terms of service, are available at the Company’s registered 
office or at the annual general meeting. Each of the Non-Executive Directors have formal letters of appointment and 
there is no provision for payments for loss of office. 

Date of agreement

February 2019.

ANDREW PARDEY

ROSS JERRARD

February 2019.

Notice period

Twelve months’ notice from either party.

Twelve months’ notice from either party.

Expiry date

Pension

Benefits

Annual bonus

Termination payment

No fixed expiry date as rolling contract.

No fixed expiry date as rolling contract.

Andrew Pardey does not receive a pension or a 
cash payment in lieu of a pension and this will 
remain under review.

Ross Jerrard does not receive a pension or a cash 
payment in lieu of a pension and this will remain 
under review.

Entitlement in accordance with the remuneration 
policy.

Entitlement in accordance with the remuneration 
policy.

Eligible to participate in an annual bonus 
arrangement as determined by the Remuneration 
Committee from time to time.

Eligible to participate in an annual bonus 
arrangement as determined by the Remuneration 
Committee from time to time.

Entitled to be paid salary and pension in respect of 
the relevant notice period. In the case of notice 
given in connection with and shortly following a 
change of control, Andrew Pardey will be entitled 
to payment in lieu of an amount equal to twelve 
months’ basic salary together with any bonus that, 
in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee, 
would have been due to him at the time of the 
completion of the change of control taking into 
account all the relevant performance indicators.

Entitled to be paid salary and pension in respect of 
the relevant notice period. In the case of notice 
given in connection with and shortly following a 
change of control, Ross Jerrard will be entitled to 
payment in lieu of an amount equal to twelve 
months’ basic salary together with any bonus that, 
in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee, 
would have been due to him at the time of the 
completion of the change of control taking into 
account all the relevant performance indicators.

Long term incentives

Eligible to participate in the PSP.

Eligible to participate in the PSP.

136

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEShareholding guidelines (audited)

To encourage ownership of shares and thereby create a link of interest between shareholders and the executives, the 
remuneration policy requires Executive Directors to build a holding of shares in the Company equivalent to 200% of base 
salary. Vested shares awarded by the Company are included in the calculation. 

The following table shows the current shareholding of each of the Directors.

Name 

Executive Directors(2)

Andrew Pardey 

Ross Jerrard  

Non-Executive Directors(2)

Josef El-Raghy 

Edward Haslam 

Mark Arnesen 

Mark Bankes 

Alison Baker  

Ibrahim Fawzy  

Trevor Schultz(6) 

As at 31  
December  
2018 

Unvested 

awards(1)  

Percentage 
of base 

Balance(4) 

salary(3,4)

3,789,268 

1,770,000 

2,019,268 

433%

1,805,000 

1,805,000 

— 

0%(5)

10,500,000 

—  10,500,000 

127,056 

49,000 

190,000 

— 

 — 

32,600 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

127,056 

49,000 

190,000 

— 

— 

— 

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

 n/a

 n/a

(1)  No Non-Executive Directors hold shares, share options or awards that are subject to performance measures.

(2)  There have been no changes to Directors‘ shareholdings from 31 December 2018 to the date of this report.

(3)  The valuations of the shareholdings are based on the share price at 31 December 2018.

(4)  Includes shares held subject to the two year holding period under the terms of the PSP.

(5)  In June 2019, 350,000 shares are due to vest to Ross Jerrard resulting in share ownership with a value of circa 100% of base salary.

(6)  Reflects the share ownership as at 26 March 2018 when Trevor Schultz resigned as a Director. 

Performance graph and CEO remuneration table

The graph below compares the TSR of the Company to the FTSE 250 and the FTSE 350 Mining indices. The graphs show 
the return for the last seven years. The graphs were chosen to allow shareholders to compare the Company’s 
performance against other peers considered relevant for these purposes.

Centamin plc

FTSE Gold Mine

FTSE 250

$
S
U

250

200

150

100

50

0

2011

2012

 2013

 2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

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Remuneration report continued

Annual remuneration report continued
Performance graph and CEO remuneration table continued
The Remuneration Committee considers that these indices are appropriate comparators of the Company for this purpose. 
We have reflected details of the CEO pay from 2011, when Centamin plc was incorporated.

Chairman – Josef El-Raghy 

2011 (Chairman/CEO) 

2012 (Chairman/CEO) 

2013 (Chairman/CEO) 

2014 (Chairman/CEO) 

2015 (Chairman) 

CEO – Andrew Pardey 

2016 

2017 

2018 

Single figure 
remuneration 

  US$1,290,742 

  US$1,920,644 

  US$2,020,562 

  US$2,073,192 

  US$1,862,338 

Single figure  
remuneration  

  US$1,205,892 

  US$3,096,791 

Annual 
bonus 
as % of 
maximum 

Long term 
incentives  
vesting in  
year as % of  
maximum

65% 

80% 

75% 

80% 

70% 

Annual 
bonus 
as % of 
maximum 

77% 

78% 

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Long term 
incentives 
vesting in 
year as % of 
maximum

0%

100%

40%

  US$1,144,053  Bonus waived  

The CEO pay from 2012 to 2014 reflects the total remuneration for Josef El-Raghy while he held the position of CEO  
and Chairman. Andrew Pardey was appointed CEO from 1 February 2015.

Percentage change in remuneration (unaudited) 

The Company has chosen the comparator group to be all the employees of the Centamin Group (excluding  
Non-Executive Directors).

Comparator group(1) 

Centamin’s Chief Executive Officer(2) 

Percentage  
change in  
salary  
between 2017 
and 2018 

Percentage 
change in 
benefits 
between 2017 
and 2018 

Percentage 
change in 
bonus 
between 2017  
and 2018

3% 

3% 

24% 

0% 

-40%

-100%

(1)  Based on the average number of employees based in Egypt in 2018: 1,380 (2017: 1,345 employees). 

(2)  Based on the US$ amount disclosed in the single figure table (excludes change in PSP).

Relative spend on pay

The following table proves an illustration of the relative spend on pay to place the Directors’ pay in the context of the 
wider Group finances.

Between 
2017 and 2018  

Comparator group(1) 

Remuneration of Centamin’s Executive Directors 

Remuneration of Centamin’s Non-Executive Directors 

Distributions to Centamin shareholders(2) 

Percentage 
change 

Spend on pay  
$’million

-2% 

-16% 

0% 

-55% 

23.38

2.56

0.5

63.5

(1)  Based on the average number of employees based in Egypt in 2018: 1,380 (2017: 1,345 employees). 

(2)  The percentage change relates to distributions to shareholders based on the amount paid during 2017 and 2018. 

138

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Centamin is not required to report 
under the Equality Act 2010 (Gender 
Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017 
as only a few members of staff are 
either UK tax residents or have a UK 
nexus. The majority of the workforce 
are based in Egypt.

Other than the paid and declared 
dividends during the year, there have 
been no other shareholder related 
returns of capital or share buy backs 
by the Company.

Long term incentive 
arrangements

Introduction
Centamin introduced a long term 
incentive scheme (the “Performance 
Share Plan”, or “PSP”) which was 
approved by shareholders at the AGM 
on 18 May 2015. The PSP was 
introduced to provide a suitable 
recruitment and retention tool for any 
new or promoted executives and 
incentivise Executive Directors and 
senior management. The PSP takes 
due account of best practice 
guidelines and provides a platform, 
as part of the remuneration policy, to 
be used to provide a long term 
reward tool for participants.

Following the adoption of the PSP, the 
Company has granted the following 
awards:

June 2015 
5,145,000 conditional awards to 
employees of the Group. The awards 
granted on 4 June 2015 vested on  
4 June 2018 (with 50% of the vested 
shares deferred for a further two years) 
based on the performance conditions 
over the three year financial period 
ended 31 December 2018, 100% of 
the award vested. 

June 2016
4,999,000 conditional awards to 
employees of the Group. The awards 
granted on 4 June 2016 will (subject to 
continued employment) vest on  
4 June 2019 (with 50% of the vested 
shares deferred for a further two years) 
be subject to satisfaction of the 

performance conditions over the 
three year financial period ended 
31 December 2018. As noted above, 
40% of these awards vested.

June 2017
3,459,000 conditional awards to 
employees of the Group. The awards 
granted in June 2017 will vest in June 
2020 (with 50% of the vested shares 
deferred for a further two years) and 
subject to satisfaction of the 
performance conditions over the 
three-year financial period ended  
31 December 2019. Details can be 
found in the 2016 annual report and 
accounts but are (in summary), (i) 20% 
of the award shall be assessed by 
reference to a target total shareholder 
return; (ii) 30% of the award shall be 
assessed by reference to reserve 
replacement and growth, (iii) 20% of 
the award shall be assessed by 
reference to EBITDA (adjusted for 
non-cash impairments) and (iv) 30%  
of the award shall be assessed by 
reference to compound growth in 
gold production.

June 2018
4,908,000 conditional awards to 
employees of the Group. The awards 
granted on 27 June 2018 will vest in 
27 June 2021 (with 50% of the vested 
shares deferred for a further two years) 
and will be subject to satisfaction of 
the following performance conditions 
over the three-year financial period 
ended 31 December 2020:

•  TSR: 40% of the award – vs a 

bespoke Group of listed mining 
peers (median vesting 25% of 
award, upper quartile full vesting);

•  EBITDA (adjusted for non-cash 
impairments and non-recurring 
items): 20% of the award – if a 
compound annual growth rate of 
3.5% of EBITDA is achieved by 
2020, all 20% of the award tranche 
shall vest. If EBITDA in 2020 is 
maintained at the levels achieved in 
2017, 25% of the award tranche 
shall vest; and 

•  gold production: 40% of the award 
– shall be assessed by reference to 
compound growth in gold 
production over the three year 
period to December 2020. If a 
compound annual growth rate of 
3.5% of gold production is 
achieved by 2020, all 40% of the 
award tranche shall vest. If gold 
production in 2020 is maintained at 
the levels achieved in 2017, 25% of 
the award tranche shall vest.

In total, 40 employees participate in 
the PSP, including heads of 
department and senior personnel 
based on site, as well as members of 
the senior management team located 
at the head office.

Deferred bonus scheme  
(not for Directors)
This plan, introduced in 2012, allows 
the annual bonus to be matched with 
shares which are then ordinarily 
released in three annual tranches, 
conditional upon continued 
employment with the Group. The plan 
was introduced as a review of annual 
bonus arrangements for management 
with the objectives of:

•  increasing the variable pay element 

of remuneration;

•  introducing a new retention 
element in the remuneration 
package; and 

•  linking part of that reward to the 

medium term share performance of 
the Company.

The DBSP, now in its sixth year, 
provides a simple yet effective 
incentive to senior management and 
senior employees below Board level, 
motivating and retaining individuals 
over the longer term. Three 
employees remain in the scheme.

Payment to past Directors 
(audited) 

There are no payments to past 
Directors of the Company. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationRemuneration report continued

Annual remuneration report continued
Payment for loss of office (audited) 

There are no payments to Directors for loss of office.

The Committee 

The Remuneration Committee is a committee of the Company represented by three independent Non-Executive 
Directors, namely Edward Haslam (Chairman of the Committee), Mark Arnesen and Mark Bankes. No member of the 
Committee has any financial interest, other than as shareholder, in the matters decided by the Committee. None of the 
members of the Committee participate in any bonus scheme, long term incentive, pension or other form of remuneration 
other than the fees disclosed in this report. There is no actual or potential conflict of interest arising from the other 
directorships held by members of the Committee. Josef El-Raghy may attend meetings of the Committee to make 
recommendations relating to the performance and remuneration of his direct reports but neither he, nor the Company 
Secretary, attend meetings when their own remuneration is under consideration.

Committee members 

Edward Haslam (Chairman of the Committee) 

Mark Arnesen 

Mark Bankes 

Joined 

2011 

2011 

2017 

Attendance 
in 2018

4 of 4

4 of 4

4 of 4

Activities of the Committee 
The Committee met four times during the year and also approved two sets of resolutions by way of written resolution. 
The business conducted during the year is set out below:

DATE OF ACTIVITY

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY

21 March 2018

26 March 2018

30 April 2018

16 May 2018

Scheduled quarterly Committee meeting – review of shareholder and proxy feedback ahead of the AGM on 
26 March 2018. 

AGM followed an announcement of the Committee’s actions to address the significant votes against the policy and 
remuneration report. Tender process initiated to identify a remuneration consultant to assist the Committee to 
understand the issues raised by shareholders, to carry out a consultation with shareholders and review and improve 
the remuneration policy to the satisfaction of shareholders and the Executive Directors.

Finalising the tender for the selection and appointment of the remuneration consultant. This process resulted in the 
appointment of Korn Ferry in early May 2018.

The Committee undertook a thorough shareholder engagement programme with two key letters sent to investors 
and proxy advisory groups. The first letter took account of shareholder feedback and responded by adjusting the 
PSP metrics and increasing the shareholding requirement to 200%. The second letter sought to engage on the 
proposed broad changes to the remuneration policy and approach to the disclosures in the DRR. The consultation 
included face to face meetings with shareholders and proxy advisory groups.

4 June/27 June 2018

Review and approval of grants and revised performance conditions under the Company’s share plans.

18 September 2018

Review of draft policy proposal following feedback and consultation with major investors. Follow up letter to 
investors outlining proposed structure of the remuneration policy.

13 December 2018

Conducting performance reviews for the executive and management, taking account of the objectives set at the 
beginning of the year.

January/February 
2019 

Prepare and finalise the DRR and remuneration policy in line with the shareholder consultation and committee 
and Board recommendations.

Finalise the 2018 bonus and PSP outcome.

Finalise the 2019 bonus criteria, taking account of the individual’s objectives, the Company’s priorities and 
workforce targets.

Finalise the 2019 PSP performance conditions.

Review the amendments to the Charter taking account of the 2018 Code.

140

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advice provided to the Committee
Korn Ferry was appointed by the Committee during the year following a tender process to provide independent advice 
on remuneration matters. Representatives from Korn Ferry attend Committee meetings and provide advice and briefings 
to the Committee Chairman outside of meetings as necessary. Fees are charged on a cost incurred basis and the fees 
charged by Korn Ferry in the year ended 31 December 2018 totalled £35,000. Korn Ferry is a member of the 
Remuneration Consultants Group and operates voluntarily under the Group’s code which sets out the scope and conduct 
of the role of executive remuneration consultants when advising UK listed companies. The Committee is satisfied that the 
advice provided on matters of remuneration remains objective and independent. Korn Ferry did not provide any other 
advice to the Company.

Shareholder voting at the AGM

At the AGM of the Company on 26 March 2018 the following votes for and against the adoption of the remuneration 
report and policy were as follows:

Approval of the remuneration report 

Approval of the remuneration policy 

For 

Against 

Withheld

531,913,702 

249,326,064 

6,223,763

372,494,622  403,620,079 

11,347,428

The reasons for the votes against the resolutions included; i) the structure, operation and approach to disclosure relating 
to the annual bonus; ii) the size of the share ownership guidelines; and iii) the proposed 2018 PSP targets. As noted above, 
following the AGM the Committee undertook a full review of the Company’s approach to executive remuneration and is 
tabling a revised policy for shareholder approval at the forthcoming AGM. 

Policy implementation in 2019

Subject to shareholder approval being obtained for the revised policy at the AGM, the Committee intends to adopt the 
following approach to remuneration in 2019:

Base salary
Andrew Pardey and Ross Jerrard are to receive a 3% increase on their base salary in 2019 in line with the increase in cost 
of living. 

Pension/other benefits
No changes will be made to the approach adopted in the past i.e. neither Andrew Pardey nor Ross Jerrard will receive a 
pension. To reflect his change in role, Josef El-Raghy will no longer be offered a pension provision.

Annual bonus
Annual bonus opportunity for Andrew Pardey and Ross Jerrard will remain unchanged at 125% of salary. Josef El-Raghy 
will no longer participate in the annual bonus plan. 

Reflecting the new policy:

•  70% of the bonus opportunity will be based on financial/objectively measurable targets, namely production (assessed 
by reference to both volume and safety record via LTIFR), adjusted EBITDA, sustaining and direct operating costs, 
non-sustaining costs and capital projects; 

•  the remaining 30% will be based on personal/strategic targets; and
•  any bonus earned in excess of 75% of salary will be deferred into shares.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

141

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Remuneration report continued

Annual remuneration report continued
Policy implementation in 2019 continued
Annual bonus continued
Further detail of the 2019 bonus structure is set out below which apply to both Andrew Pardey and Ross Jerrard:

Financial and objectively measurable 

Individual KPIs 

Notes to table:

Performance 
measure 

Production 

LTIFR (global)  

Adjusted EBITDA  

Sustaining and direct operating costs 

Non-sustaining and capital projects 

Balanced scorecard 

Weighting

10%

10%

10%

22.5%

17.5%

70%

30%

•  Threshold achievement represents 25% of the bonus opportunity for the respective performance measure.

•  Target achievement represents 62.5% of the bonus opportunity for the respective performance measures (as explained in the Remuneration 

Committee Chairman’s letter).

•  Maximum achievement represents 100% of the bonus opportunity for the respective performance measure.

•  Adjusted EBITDA will be per the published Non-GAAP measures.

As noted in the Remuneration Committee Chairman’s letter, the reduced payout of 62.5% of maximum for target 
performance for 2019 (from 75% of maximum in 2018) is appropriate and should be considered in light of a number of 
factors such as; i) the bonus maximum of 125% of salary is relatively modest for a company of Centamin’s size and 
complexity and, therefore a 62.5% of maximum payout for target performance, when expressed as a percentage of salary, 
is within the bandwidth of typical target bonus payouts offered by other similar sized companies that offer a higher bonus 
maximum; ii) when considered in the round, the Executive Directors’ total target remuneration in aggregate reflects the 
appropriate amount when taking account of the market in which the Company operates and companies of a similar size 
and complexity, even with the 62.5% target payout under the bonus; iii) the more robust approach that will apply to the 
bonus structure going forward (e.g. bonus deferral, higher weighting on financial targets, more detailed target disclosure 
etc); and iv) the fact that the target level of performance that, if achieved, would result in a 62.5% of maximum payout will, 
across the performance measures, be stretching. 

The 30% of the bonus opportunity payable by reference to performance against personal/strategic/corporate objectives 
will take account of the following:

ANDREW PARDEY

ROSS JERRARD

•  Strategy setting and business development

•  Strategy/budget/planning/capital projects

•  Growth in reserves

•  Workforce engagement

•  Legal/financial/regulatory controls

• 

Investor/government relations

•  ESG

•  Safety culture

•  Risk assessment

• 

Internal/external audit

•  Financial/operating controls/systems

•  Finance/treasury

•  Personnel/training/development

• 

Investor/government relations

Due to commercial sensitivity, the Committee does not believe it in shareholders’ interests to provide more detailed 
prospective disclosure of the bonus targets. However, further detail will be provided in next year’s report. 

142

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance Share Plan
Andrew Pardey and Ross Jerrard will receive PSP awards over shares worth 150% of salary, reflecting the approach 
adopted last year. Josef El-Raghy will not receive an award. Awards will vest based upon a blend of three year relative 
TSR, cash flow and production targets. Also, reflecting the new policy, these awards will be subject to a full two year 
post vesting holding period. 

More particularly, the targets applied to this award are as follows:

Metric 

Unit 

Weighting 

Relative TSR vs bespoke mining peer group 

Free cash flow 

Gold production 

Notes:

$’million 

’000 ounces 

50% 

25% 

25% 

Threshold  
(25% vesting) 

Stretch 
(100% vesting)

Median  Upper quartile

65 

510 

110

590

•  The bespoke mining peer group will comprise 27 relevant comparator companies. 

•  The Remuneration Committee will assess performance based on gold produced in 2021 over the Sukari concession.

•  The Remuneration Committee will assess performance based on free cash flow generated over the Sukari Concession Agreement in 2021.

•  Free cash flow is a Non-GAAP measure and the Remuneration Committee will apply a retrospective adjustment for any non-sustaining capex that 

has not been considered as part of the estimate. Dividends payable to CEY shareholders have not been included in this estimate. 

Non-Executive Directors
No changes to the fees of the Non-Executive Directors will be made for 2019, save to reflect recent changes in 
responsibilities and/or committee chairmanship or membership. To reflect his change in role, Josef El-Raghy will receive 
an annual fee of £250,000.

This report was approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:

Edward Haslam

Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 

1 March 2019

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

143

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
144

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSWhat’s in  this section146 Directors’ responsibilities147 Independent auditor’s report 152 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 153 Consolidated statement of financial position 154 Consolidated statement of changes in equity 155 Consolidated statement of cash flows 156 Notes to the consolidated financial statements Financial  statementsCentamin plc Annual report 2018

145

24-hour operation at Sukari – view over the process plant.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationDirectors’ responsibilities

Directors’ responsibilities in respect 
of the annual report and financial 
statements

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 have prepared the Group 
financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards 
(“IFRS”) as adopted by the European 
Union. Under company law the Directors 
must not approve the Group financial 
statements 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 
the financial statements, the Directors are 
required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies 
and then apply them consistently;
•  state whether applicable IFRS as 

adopted by the European Union have 
been followed, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in 
the financial statements;

•  make judgments and accounting 
estimates that are reasonable and 
prudent; and

•  prepare the financial statements on 
the going concern basis unless it is 
inappropriate to presume that the 
Group will continue in business.

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

The Directors are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the Group 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 
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.

The Directors consider that the 
annual report and financial statements, 
taken as a whole, are fair, balanced 
and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Group’s performance, business 
model and strategy. 

The Directors have undertaken a robust 
assessment of the principal risks impacting 
the Company. The assessment identified 
strategic and operational risks at a 
corporate level and principal risks 
impacting our operations in Egypt and 
West Africa. Details of the risk assessment 
can be found in the audit and risk report 
on pages 116 and 117 and the risk 
management section on pages 42 to 47.

The Board receives written assurances 
from the CEO and CFO 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, they confirm that the 
Group’s risk management and internal 
compliance is operating efficiently and 
effectively. The Board recognises that 
internal control assurances from the CEO 
and CFO can only be reasonable rather 
than absolute, and therefore they are not 
and cannot be designed to detect all 
weaknesses in control procedures.

The financial statements have been 
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 
independent auditor, who was given 
unrestricted access to all financial records 
and related information, including minutes 
of all shareholder, Board and committee 
meetings.

The financial statements were approved 
by the Board of Directors on 1 March 2019 
and signed on their behalf by Andrew 
Pardey (CEO) and Ross Jerrard (CFO).

Each of the Directors, whose names and 
functions are listed in the governance 
report, confirm that, to the best of their 
knowledge:

•  the Group financial statements, 
which have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the 
European Union, give a true and fair 
view of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position and profit of the Group; and

•  the strategic and governance 

report includes a fair review of the 
development and performance of the 
business and the position of the Group, 
together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that 
it faces. 

In the case of each Director in office 
at the date the governance report is 
approved:

•  so far as the Director is aware, there is 
no relevant audit information of which 
the Group’s auditor is unaware; and
•  they have taken all the steps that they 
ought to have taken as a Director in 
order to make themselves aware of 
any relevant audit information and 
to establish that the Group’s auditor 
is aware of that information. 

On behalf of the Board:

Andrew Pardey 

Ross Jerrard

Chief Executive 
Officer 

Chief Financial 
Officer

Director 

Director

1 March 2019 

1 March 2019

146

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSIndependent auditor’s report 
to the members of Centamin plc

Our audit approach

Overview
•  Overall Group materiality: $10.5 million 
(2017: $9.5 million), based on 5% of 
three-year average profit before tax.
•  We focused our audit procedures on 
the Sukari Gold Mine, as well as 
performing audit procedures over the 
Group’s significant exploration 
operation and corporate activities. 
One component was subject to an audit 
of its complete financial information 
whilst a further four were subject to 
specific audit procedures over material 
balances. Audit procedures were 
performed in Egypt and Jersey.
•  All audit work on key audit matters 

was performed by the Group 
engagement team.

Materiality

Audit
Scope

Key Audit
Matters

Key audit matters 
•  Ongoing legal actions which are 

under appeal before the Supreme 
Administrative Court in Egypt 
concerning the validity of the Sukari 
Concession Agreement and the claim 
before the Administrative Court 
concerning diesel fuel disputes.

•  Amounts due to the government with 

• 

respect to the Sukari operation.
Impairment of property, plant and 
equipment.

Report on the audit 
of the financial statements

Opinion
In our opinion, Centamin plc’s Group 
financial statements (the “financial 
statements”):

•  give a true and fair view of the state of 
the Group’s affairs as at 31 December 
2018 and of its profit and cash flows for 
the year then ended;

•  have been properly prepared in 

accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as 
adopted by the European Union; and
•  have been prepared in accordance with 
the requirements of the Companies 
(Jersey) Law 1991.

We have audited the financial statements, 
included within the annual report, which 
comprise: the consolidated statement of 
financial position as at 31 December 2018; 
the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, the consolidated 
statement of cash flows, and the 
consolidated statement of changes in 
equity for the year then ended; and the 
notes to the financial statements, which 
include a description of the significant 
accounting policies.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance 
with International Standards on Auditing 
(UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities under ISAs (UK) 
are further described in the Auditors’ 
responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements section of our report. 
We believe that the audit evidence 
we have obtained is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion.

Independence
We remained independent of the Group in 
accordance with the ethical requirements 
that are relevant to our audit of the 
financial statements in the UK, which 
includes the FRC’s Ethical Standard, as 
applicable to listed entities, and we have 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in 
accordance with these requirements.

The scope of our audit
As part of designing our audit, 
we determined materiality and assessed 
the risks of material misstatement in the 
financial statements. In particular, 
we looked at where the Directors made 
subjective judgments, for example in 
respect of significant accounting estimates 
that involved making assumptions and 
considering future events that are 
inherently uncertain. 

As in all of our audits we also addressed 
the risk of management override of internal 
controls, including testing journals and 
evaluating whether there was evidence 
of bias by the Directors that represented a 
risk of material misstatement due to fraud. 

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, 
in the auditors’ professional judgment, 
were of most significance in the audit of 
the financial statements of the current 
period and include the most significant 
assessed risks of material misstatement 
(whether or not due to fraud) identified by 
the auditors, including those which had 
the greatest effect on: the overall audit 
strategy; the allocation of resources in the 
audit; and directing the efforts of the 
engagement team. These matters, and any 
comments we make on the results of our 
procedures thereon, were addressed in 
the context of our audit of the financial 
statements as a whole, and in forming our 
opinion thereon, and we do not provide a 
separate opinion on these matters. This is 
not a complete list of all risks identified by 
our audit. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

147

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationIndependent auditor’s report continued
to the members of Centamin plc

HOW OUR AUDIT ADDRESSED THE KEY AUDIT MATTER

We discussed the cases with the Group’s external legal 
advisers, and read correspondence including the Concession 
Agreement to understand the legal challenge and the basis of 
the Directors’ assessment of the likely outcome of the cases.

We assessed the competence and objectivity of the external 
legal advisers by considering factors including professional 
qualifications and fee arrangements. These procedures 
satisfied us that the external legal advisers were competent 
and objective. 

The appeal before the Supreme Administrative Court in 
Egypt concerning the validity of the Sukari Concession 
Agreement

Based on our work summarised above, we determined that 
the Directors had reflected all available information in their 
assessment.

The claim before the Administrative Court 
concerning diesel fuel disputes.

We agreed the current year payments and the corresponding 
provision to the underlying accounting records. The results of 
the procedures we performed support the Directors’ 
accounting treatment, under which no additional liability was 
recognised in respect of the $22.5 million historical case and 
no contingent asset was recognised in respect of the current 
subsidy case

We agreed the disclosures for both of these matters in note 
2.7 and 5.1 to the financial statements and concluded that 
they are consistent with our understanding.

KEY AUDIT MATTER

Ongoing legal actions

The appeal before the Supreme Administrative 
Court in Egypt concerning the validity of the Sukari 
Concession Agreement

Refer to page 192 (note 5.1 to the financial statements) and 
page 44 (Principal risks).

The Group is in the process of appealing a ruling passed 
by the Egyptian Administrative Court in October 2012.

If the ruling is upheld, the Group’s operations at the Sukari 
site may be significantly reduced and there is therefore a risk 
of material impairment in property, plant and equipment at 
Sukari, which has a carrying value of $835 million at 
31 December 2018.

The outcome of this matter is subject to significant 
uncertainty due to the political, social and economic 
environment in Egypt.

The claim before the Administrative Court 
concerning diesel fuel disputes

Refer to page 192 (note 5.1 to the financial statements) and 
page 44 (Principal risks).

The Group is involved in an ongoing legal case relating to 
historical and current fuel subsidies in Egypt. The potential 
amount that could be recouped by the Group relating to the 
current subsidy case is $327 million and the potential amount 
that the Group could have to pay if they lose the historical 
case is approximately $22.5 million as at 31 December 2018.

To date, the Group has booked a provision with respect to 
the $327 million fuel payment, but has not provided for the 
historical $22.5 million, based on internal and external 
assessments of the merits of the case, but has made 
disclosure of a contingent liability.

The Group has disclosed the impact of the current subsidy 
case, being the difference between international and 
subsidised diesel prices that has impacted the Group’s 
results for the year, in note 2.7 to the financial statements. 
No contingent asset has been recognised.

Amounts due to the government with 
respect to the Sukari operation
Refer to page 172 (note 2.4 to the financial statements) and 
page 42 (Principal risks).

We held discussions with management regarding its 
calculation of the amount due to EMRA. We agreed the 
amounts in the calculation to source documentation and 
the underlying accounting records. 

The nature of the Concession Agreement means that there 
are items that can be open to interpretation. As a result the 
Group is subject to periodic challenges by Egyptian Mineral 
Resource Authority (“EMRA”) on amounts owed under the 
Agreement. 

The amounts owed to EMRA with respect to the profit 
sharing arrangement under the Concession Agreement are 
based on management’s best judgment of the probable 
amount of the profit share liability. 

As at 31 December 2018 the Group has accrued and paid 
dividends to the non-controlling interest in SGM of 
$76 million as the result of profit sharing and cost recovery 
mechanisms under the Concession Agreement, which we 
considered merited our focus due to its size and nature.

We read the minutes of meetings with EMRA and held 
discussions with the Group’s external legal advisers regarding 
the current disputed items. We assessed management’s 
estimate of the likely outcome of items currently in dispute 
to satisfy ourselves that amounts due to EMRA had been 
appropriately recorded. 

We performed procedures to ensure the completeness of 
amounts due to EMRA, with no material unrecorded amounts 
identified.

We agreed the disclosure in note 2.4 to the financial 
statements to ensure it was consistent with the knowledge 
and understanding of the matter obtained in the course of 
the audit.

148

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSKEY AUDIT MATTER

HOW OUR AUDIT ADDRESSED THE KEY AUDIT MATTER

Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Refer to page 160 (note 1.1.2.1 to the financial statements) 
and page 111 (audit and risk report).

The Group has property, plant and equipment of 
US$835 million as at 31 December 2018, primarily contained 
within the Sukari cash generating unit (“Sukari”).

Management determined that the revision of the annual 
production guidance at Sukari during the year and 
corresponding decrease in share price was a trigger for an 
impairment assessment. Management therefore performed 
an impairment assessment based on the latest reserves and 
resources statements and the life of mine plan as at 
31 December 2018. Management determined that the 
recoverable amount of Sukari exceeds the carrying value. 

The determination of recoverable amount was based on the 
fair value less costs to dispose, which was higher than 
value-in-use. The estimate of the recoverable amount 
requires significant judgments on the part of management in 
valuing Sukari. Management considered the key assumptions 
to be long term gold price, the in-situ resource multiple and 
short term production volume. Management sensitised the 
2019 production volume, gold price forecast and in-situ 
multiple and concluded that any reasonably possible changes 
in these assumptions do not lead to impairment of the 
carrying value.

We considered management’s impairment trigger analysis 
and agreed that an impairment indicator exists. 

Management used external experts to prepare the reserves 
and resources statements for Sukari. We assessed the 
competence and objectivity of the experts by considering 
factors including professional qualifications and fee 
arrangements. We held discussions with the experts 
regarding the key judgments and estimates taken during 
the preparation of the reserves and resources statements. 

We used our valuation experts to assist us in evaluating the 
appropriateness of the gold price, discount rate and the 
in-situ resource multiple.

In assessing the valuation of Sukari, we evaluated 
management’s future cash flow forecasts, and the process 
by which they were drawn up, including checking the 
mathematical accuracy of the cash flow models and agreeing 
future capital and operating expenditure to the latest Board 
approved budgets and the latest approved life of mine plan. 
We assessed the reasonableness of management’s future 
forecasts included in the cash flow forecasts in light of the 
historical accuracy of such forecasts and the current 
operational results. As a results of this assessment we 
performed sensitivity analysis around the key assumptions 
within the cash flow forecasts using a lower production 
profile, lower gold prices and lower in-situ resource multiple, 
based on what, in our view, a market participant may apply. 

Our sensitivity analysis highlighted that the estimate of the 
recoverable amount of Sukari is sensitive to changes in key 
assumptions, however, a reasonable possible change in these 
assumptions in isolation did not remove headroom or result in 
impairment. We satisfied ourselves that this was appropriately 
highlighted within the disclosures in note 1.1.2.1.

How we tailored the audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit to 
ensure that we performed enough work to 
be able to give an opinion on the financial 
statements as a whole, taking into account 
the structure of the Group, the accounting 
processes and controls, and the industry in 
which it operates.

Centamin plc is listed on the London 
Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock 
Exchange. For compliance with Toronto 
Stock Exchange regulations and Canadian 
statutory requirements, the Group 
produces separate financial statements. 
We provide a separate auditors’ report on 
those financial statements. 

The Group’s principal operation is the 
Sukari Gold mine in Egypt. In addition to 
the mine the Group continues its 
exploration projects in Burkina Faso and 
Côte d’Ivoire. 

Our Group audit scope focused primarily 
on the Sukari Gold mine which was subject 
to a full-scope audit. Specific audit 
procedures were performed over material 
balances for four components relating to 
the Group’s exploration operations and 
corporate activities. We visited the Sukari 
mine and conducted audit fieldwork in 
Egypt and Jersey. During these visits, we 
observed and discussed mining and 
exploration operations with local 
management and held discussions with the 
Group’s external in-country legal counsel 
who are based in Cairo. 

Furthermore, we performed work over the 
consolidation of the Group’s components 
and the Parent Company.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

149

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationIndependent auditor’s report continued
to the members of Centamin plc

Materiality

The scope of our audit was influenced 
by our application of materiality. We set 
certain quantitative thresholds for 
materiality. These, together with qualitative 
considerations, helped us to determine the 
scope of our audit and the nature, timing 
and extent of our audit procedures on the 
individual financial statement line items 
and disclosures and in evaluating the 
effect of misstatements, both individually 
and in aggregate on the financial 
statements as a whole. 

Based on our professional judgment, 
we determined materiality for the financial 
statements as a whole as follows:

Overall Group materiality
$10.5 million (2017: $9.5 million).

How we determined it
5% of three-year average profit before 
tax (PBT).

Rationale for benchmark applied 
We chose PBT as it is one of the key 
indicators of the financial performance of 
the Group. We used a three-year average 
due to the volatility of annual gold 
production. 

For each component in the scope of our 
Group audit, we allocated a materiality that 
is less than our overall Group materiality. 
The range of materiality allocated across 
components was between $1.0 million and 
$9.5 million.

We agreed with the Audit and Risk 
Committee that we would report to them 
misstatements identified during our audit 
above $525,000 (2017: $475,000) as well 
as misstatements below that amount that, 
in our view, warranted reporting for 
qualitative reasons.

Going concern

In accordance with ISAs (UK) we report as follows:

REPORTING OBLIGATION

OUTCOME

We are required to report if we have anything material to 
add or draw attention to in respect of the Directors’ 
statement in the financial statements about whether the 
Directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial 
statements and the Directors’ identification of any material 
uncertainties to the Group’s ability to continue as a going 
concern over a period of at least twelve months from the 
date of approval of the financial statements. 

We are required to report if the Directors’ statement 
relating to Going Concern in accordance with Listing Rule 
9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent with our knowledge 
obtained in the audit. 

We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to. 
However, because not all future events or conditions can be 
predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s 
ability to continue as a going concern. For example, the terms 
on which the United Kingdom may withdraw from the 
European Union, which is currently due to occur on 
29 March 2019, are not clear, and it is difficult to evaluate 
all of the potential implications on the Company’s trade, 
customers, suppliers and the wider economy. 

We have nothing to report.

Reporting on other information 

The other information comprises all of the 
information in the annual report other than 
the financial statements and our auditors’ 
report thereon. The Directors are 
responsible for the other information. 
Our opinion on the financial statements 
does not cover the other information and, 
accordingly, we do not express an audit 
opinion or, except to the extent otherwise 
explicitly stated in this report, any form of 
assurance thereon. 

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

If we identify an apparent material 
inconsistency or material misstatement, 
we are required to perform procedures 
to conclude whether there is a material 
misstatement of the financial statements 
or a material misstatement of the other 
information. If, based on the work we have 
performed, we conclude that there is a 
material misstatement of this other 
information, we are required to report that 
fact. We have nothing to report based on 
these responsibilities.

Based on the responsibilities described 
above and our work undertaken in the 
course of the audit, ISAs (UK) and the 
Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct 
Authority (FCA) require us also to report 
certain opinions and matters as described 
below (required by ISAs (UK) unless 
otherwise stated).

The Directors’ assessment of the 
prospects of the Group and of the 
principal risks that would threaten the 
solvency or liquidity of the Group
We have nothing material to add or 
draw attention to regarding:

•  The Directors’ confirmation on page 

146 of the annual report that they have 
carried out a robust assessment of the 
principal risks facing the Group, 
including those that would threaten its 
business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity.

•  The disclosures in the annual report 
that describe those risks and explain 
how they are being managed or 
mitigated.

150

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS•  The Directors’ explanation on page 48 
of the annual report as to how they 
have assessed the prospects of the 
Group, over what period they have 
done so and why they consider that 
period to be appropriate, and their 
statement as to whether they have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group 
will be able to continue in operation 
and meet its liabilities as they fall due 
over the period of their assessment, 
including any related disclosures 
drawing attention to any necessary 
qualifications or assumptions.

We have nothing to report having 
performed a review of the Directors’ 
statement that they have carried out a 
robust assessment of the principal risks 
facing the Group and statement in relation 
to the longer-term viability of the Group. 
Our review was substantially less in scope 
than an audit and only consisted of making 
inquiries and considering the Directors’ 
process supporting their statements; 
checking that the statements are in 
alignment with the relevant provisions of 
the UK Corporate Governance Code (the 
“Code”); and considering whether the 
statements are consistent with the 
knowledge and understanding of the 
Group and its environment obtained in 
the course of the audit. (Listing Rules)

Other Code Provisions
We have nothing to report in respect of 
our responsibility to report when: 

•  The statement given by the Directors, 
on page 146, that they consider the 
annual report taken as a whole to be 
fair, balanced and understandable, and 
provides the information necessary for 
the members to assess the Group’s 
position and performance, business 
model and strategy is materially 
inconsistent with our knowledge of 
the Group obtained in the course of 
performing our audit.

•  The section of the annual report on 
page 108 describing the work of the 
Audit and Risk Committee does not 
appropriately address matters 
communicated by us to the Audit 
and Risk Committee.

•  The Directors’ statement relating to the 
Company’s compliance with the Code 
does not properly disclose a departure 
from a relevant provision of the Code 
specified, under the Listing Rules, for 
review by the auditors.

Opinions on additional disclosures 

Directors’ remuneration report 
The Company voluntarily prepares a 
Directors’ remuneration report in 
accordance with the provisions of the 
United Kingdom Companies Act 2006 
(“Companies Act 2006”). The Directors 
have requested that we audit the part of 
the Directors’ remuneration report 
specified by the Companies Act 2006 to 
be audited as if the Company were a UK 
quoted company. In our opinion, the part 
of the Directors’ remuneration report to 
be audited has been properly prepared in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 

Corporate Governance Statement 
The Company prepares a corporate 
governance statement that includes the 
information with respect to internal control 
and risk management systems and about 
share capital structures required by the 
Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules of 
the Financial Conduct Authority. The 
Directors have requested that we report 
on the consistency of that information with 
the financial statements. In our opinion, 
the information given in the Corporate 
Governance Statement set out on pages 
92 and 93, with respect to internal control 
and risk management systems and about 
share capital structures is consistent with 
the financial statements.

Responsibilities for the financial 
statements and the audit

Responsibilities of the Directors for 
the financial statements
As explained more fully in the Directors’ 
Responsibilities Statement set out on 
page 146, the Directors are responsible for 
the preparation of the financial statements 
in accordance with the applicable 
framework and for being satisfied that they 
give a true and fair view. The Directors are 
also responsible for such internal control as 
they determine is necessary to enable the 
preparation of financial statements that are 
free from material misstatement, whether 
due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, 
the Directors are responsible for assessing 
the Group’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing as applicable, matters 
related to going concern and using the 
going concern basis of accounting unless 
the Directors either intend to liquidate the 
Group or to cease operations, or have no 
realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit 
of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable 
assurance about whether the financial 
statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ 
report that includes our opinion. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level of 
assurance, but is not a guarantee that an 
audit conducted in accordance with ISAs 
(UK) will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. 
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error 
and are considered material if, individually 
or in the aggregate, they could reasonably 
be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of 
these financial statements. 

A further description of our 
responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements is located on the FRC’s website 
at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. 
This description forms part of our auditors’ 
report.

Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, 
has been prepared for and only for the 
Company’s members as a body in 
accordance with Article 113A of the 
Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 and for no 
other purpose. We do not, in giving these 
opinions, accept or assume responsibility 
for any other purpose or to any other 
person to whom this report is shown or 
into whose hands it may come save where 
expressly agreed by our prior consent 
in writing.

Other required reporting

Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 
exception reporting
Under the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 
we are required to report to you if, in our 
opinion we have not received all the 
information and explanations we require 
for our audit. 

We have no exceptions to report arising 
from this responsibility. 

Jonathan Lambert

for and on behalf of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Accountants and 
Recognised Auditors

London

1 March 2019

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

151

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Other income   

Finance income 

Other operating costs 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure 

Profit for the year before tax    

Tax  

Profit for the year after tax 

Profit for the year after tax attributable to:  

– the owners of the parent  

– non-controlling interest in SGM(2) 

Other comprehensive expense  

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: 

Loss on financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive expense (net of tax) 

Other comprehensive expense for the year  

Total comprehensive income for the year  

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to: 

– the owners of the parent 

– non-controlling interest in SGM(2) 

Earnings per share attributable to owners of the parent: 

Basic (US cents per share) 

Diluted (US cents per share)  

31 December 
2018  
US$’000 

Restated(1) 

 31 December 
2017 
US$’000

603,248 

(406,538) 

196,710 

49 

4,815 

(27,866) 

(21,006) 

152,702 

(53) 

675,510

(414,341)

261,169

680

2,729

(36,927)

(20,286)

207,365

(2,063)

152,649 

205,302

74,845 

77,804 

96,355

108,946

(125) 

(125) 

(91)

(91)

152,524 

205,211

74,720 

77,804 

6.497 

6.444 

96,265

108,946

8.377

8.312

Note 

2.2 

2.3 

2.3 

2.3 

1.2.1 

2.5 

2.4 

4.3 

2.4 

6.4 

6.4 

(1)  Restated due to change in accounting policy, refer to note 1.2.1 for further information.

(2)  Restated due to change in presentation, refer to note 1.1.1 for further information.

The above audited consolidated statement of comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

152

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of financial position
as at 31 December 2018

Non-current assets 

Property, plant and equipment    

Exploration and evaluation asset  

Inventories – mining stockpiles 

Prepayments 

Other receivables 

Total non-current assets  

Current assets  

Inventories  

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income   

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 

Issued capital    

Share option reserve  

Accumulated profits  

Total equity attributable to: 

– owners of the parent 

– non-controlling interest in SGM(2) 

Total equity 

31 December 
2018  
US$’000 

Restated(1) 
 31 December 
2017 
US$’000 

Restated(1) 
1 January 
2017 
US$’000

835,987 

59,154 

32,424 

— 

88 

851,099 

63,885 

868,926

65,700

— 

— 

96 

—

295

81

927,653 

915,080 

935,002

97,550 

— 

33,443 

6,696 

282,627 

420,316 

105,210 

128,582

125 

34,467 

9,793 

359,680 

509,275 

130

24,870

7,508

399,873

560,963

1,347,969 

1,424,355 

1,495,965

13,748 

13,748 

39,246 

3 

8,155 

47,404 

61,152 

10,961 

10,961 

51,585 

469 

9,311 

61,365 

72,326 

7,697

7,697

43,991

—

3,976

47,967

55,664

1,286,817 

1,352,029 

1,440,301

670,589 

5,688 

610,540 

668,732 

4,323 

678,974 

667,472

3,048

769,781

Note 

2.8 

1.2.1 

1.2.2 

2.7 

2.6 

1.2.2 

4.3 

2.6 

2.7  

2.13 

2.10 

2.9 

2.5 

2.10  

2.11 

2.12 

1,287,087 

1,353,712 

1,439,301

2.4 

(270) 

(1,683) 

1,000

1,286,817 

1,352,029 

1,440,301

(1)  Restated due to change in accounting policy, refer to note 1.2.1 for further information.

(2)  Restated due to change in presentation, refer to note 1.1.1 for further information.

The above audited consolidated statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

The audited consolidated financial statements was approved by the Board of Directors on 1 March 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

Andrew Pardey  

Ross Jerrard

Chief Executive Officer 

Chief Financial Officer

Director 

1 March 2019 

Director

1 March 2019

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

153

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Issued 
capital 
US$’000 

Note 

Share 
option 
reserve 
US$’000 

Accumulated 
profits 
US$’000 

Total  
US$’000 

  Non-controlling 
interests 
US$’000 

Total 
equity 
US$’000

668,732 

4,323 

785,604 

1,458,659 

(1,683) 

1,456,976

1.2.1 

— 

— 

(104,947) 

(104,947) 

— 

(104,947)

668,732 

4,323 

680,657 

1,353,712 

(1,683) 

1,352,029

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

3,222 

1,857 

(1,857) 

2.4 

— 

— 

— 

— 

74,845 

74,845 

77,804 

152,649

(125) 

(125) 

— 

(125)

74,720 

74,720 

77,804 

152,524

— 

— 

— 

3,222 

— 

— 

— 

3,222

—

— 

(76,391) 

(76,391)

(144,567) 

(144,567) 

— 

(144,567)

670,589 

5,688 

610,810 

1,287,087 

(270) 

1,286,817

Issued 
capital 
US$’000 

Note 

Share 
option 
reserve 
US$’000 

Accumulated 
profits 
US$’000 

Restated(1) 

  Non-controlling 
interests 
US$’000 

Total  
US$’000 

Total 
equity 
US$’000

667,472 

3,048 

856,999 

1,527,519 

1,000 

1,528,519

1.2.1 

— 

— 

(88,218) 

(88,218) 

— 

(88,218)

667,472 

3,048 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

2,535 

1,260 

(1,260) 

2.4 

— 

— 

— 

— 

768,781 

96,356 

1,439,301 

1,000 

1,440,301

96,356 

108,946 

205,302

(91) 

(91) 

— 

(91)

96,265 

96,265 

108,946 

205,211

— 

— 

— 

2,535 

— 

— 

— 

2,535

—

— 

(111,629) 

(111,629)

(184,389) 

(184,389) 

— 

(184,389)

668,732 

4,323 

680,657 

1,353,712 

(1,683) 

1,352,029

Balance as at  
1 January 2018 

Impact of change  
in accounting policy 

Restated balance  
as at 1 January 2018 

Profit for the year after tax 

Other comprehensive  
expense for the year 

Total comprehensive  
income for the year 

Recognition of  
share-based payments 

Transfer of  
share-based payments 

Dividend paid –  
non-controlling 
interest in SGM  

Dividend paid  
– owners of the parent 

Balance as at  
31 December 2018 

Balance as at  
1 January 2017 

Impact of change  
in accounting policy 

Restated balance  
as at 1 January 2017 

Profit for the year after tax 

Other comprehensive  
expense for the year 

Total comprehensive  
income for the year 

Recognition of  
share-based payments 

Transfer of  
share-based payments 

Dividend paid –  
non-controlling 
interest in SGM  

Dividend paid  
– owners of the parent 

Balance as at  
31 December 2017 

(1)  Restated due to change in presentation, refer to note 1.1.1 for further information.

The above audited consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

154

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 December 2018

Cash flows from operating activities 

Cash generated in operating activities 

Income tax refund received 

Income tax paid 

Net cash generated by operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment 

Brownfield exploration and evaluation expenditure 

Finance income 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Dividend paid – non-controlling interest in SGM 

Dividend paid – owners of the parent 

Net cash used in financing activities  

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  

31 December 
2018  
US$’000 

Note 

Restated(1) 

 31 December 
2017 
US$’000

2.13 

223,791 

338,664

— 

(387) 

108

(1,678)

223,404 

337,094

2.3 

2.4 

(83,454) 

(4,946) 

4,815 

(83,585) 

(76,391) 

(144,567) 

(220,958) 

(81,139) 

359,680 

4,086 

282,627 

(76,872)

(5,770)

2,729

(79,913)

(111,629)

(184,389)

(296,018)

(38,837)

399,873

(1,356)

359,680

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  

2.13 

(1)  Restated due to change in accounting policy, refer to note 1.2.1 for further information.

The above audited consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

155

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2018

1. Current reporting period amendments

1.1 Changes in critical judgments and estimates
The following are the updates and/or changes to critical accounting judgments and estimates that management has made in the year in 
applying the Group’s accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised and the disclosure of such 
amounts in the financial statements.

•  During the year, the UK Financial Reporting Council (“FRC”) conducted a review of our 2017 annual report. The FRC had two main 

areas of focus which have subsequently been addressed:
•  the accounting treatment of Sukari Gold Mining Company (“SGM”) based on control; and
•  the treatment and disclosure of the EMRA (“Egyptian Mineral Resource Authority”) profit share and its compliance with IFRS. 

  The following outcomes were determined from the review:

• 

it was agreed that management’s judgment and assessment of control of SGM was correct and that disclosure was to be further 
enhanced to reflect this; and

•  as control of SGM had been established, EMRA’s interest in SGM should be accounted for as a non-controlling interest rather than 

an expense line on the income statement, disclosure has been changed to reflect this. 

For further information, see note 1.1.1 below.

•  During the year, production forecasts were reduced due to lower than forecast gold production. The reasons for this have 

already been addressed elsewhere in the annual report. The risk of not achieving production forecasts in the short term result in, 
among others:
•  significant impacts on the profitability of the Group;
•  the reduced return of profit to stakeholders; and
•  the subsequent devaluation of the share price consequently triggered the requirement of an impairment assessment of the 

Group assets to occur.

  To address this risk, management are improving internal controls around grade reconciliations and production forecasts which 

directly impacts budgeting, forecasting and profitability of the Group. 
For further information, see note 1.1.2 below.

1.1.1 Judgment: Control

1.1.1.1 Accounting treatment of Sukari Gold Mine (“SGM”) 

Pharaoh Gold Mines NL (holder of an Egyptian branch) (“PGM”) and EMRA are 50:50 partners in SGM. The FRC questioned 
management’s judgment of control and resulting full consolidation of SGM as a subsidiary within the Group’s financial statements. 

SGM is consolidated within the Group, reflecting the substance and economic reality of the Concession Agreement (“CA”) (see note 4.1 
to the financial statements). The IFRS 10 definition of control encompasses three distinct principles, which, if present, identify the 
existence of control by an investor over an investee, hence forming a parent-subsidiary relationship:

•  power over the investee;
•  exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and
•  the ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of the investor’s returns.

An investor has power over an investee when the investor has existing rights that give it the current ability to direct the relevant activities 
(i.e. the activities that significantly affect the investee’s returns). The following is a list of some of the relevant activities considered which the 
Company directs, through PGM, in relation to the operation of the Sukari Gold Mine that most significantly affect the returns of SGM:

•  the following activities are controlled by the Company, through PGM, by having the right to appoint or remove the managing 

Director of SGM under the terms of the CA:
•  the appointment of the General Manager (“GM”) at SGM;
•  the GM makes all the day-to-day decisions to allow the mine to operate which involve:

•  preparing SGM’s work programmes through determination of the daily and longer term mine plans, the budgets covering the 

operations to be carried out throughout the life of the mine and approval of the same;

•  capital expenditure, procurement, cost control and treasury;
•  conducting exploration, development, production and marketing operations;
•  co-ordinating SGM operations and activities, including its dealings with all contractors and subcontractors;
•  bearing ultimate responsibility for all costs and expenses required in carrying out any and all operations under the CA;
funding the operations of SGM and recovering costs and expenses throughout the life of the mine (i.e. exploration, 
• 
development and production phases);
funding additional exploration and expansion programmes within the mine during the production phase;

• 
•  custody of SGM’s stock and management of its funds;
•  selling and shipping of all gold and associated metals produced; and
•  entering into and managing gold sales or hedging contracts and forward sale agreements;

•  EMRA must, in terms of the CA, make the required approvals to allow the mine to operate;

156

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
•  role and function of the board of SGM: 

•  there are six board members: 

•  three of which are appointed by the Company, through PGM; and
•  three of which are appointed by EMRA;

•  the executive chairman, as one of the three EMRA appointed board members, is a representative of EMRA and is 

appointed by the Egyptian Ministry of Finance;

• 

it convenes twice a year to:
• 
•  provide a mechanism to scrutinise the timing and amounts of expenses; rather than as a decision-making body over SGM’s most 

facilitate a forum for sharing information between the owners of SGM; 

significant relevant activities;

•  consider and approve the budget, annual accounts of SGM, review and approve the cost recovery position and other 

compliance matters; and
is not allowed to unreasonably withhold approval; 

• 

•  resolving a deadlock position: 

•  disputed matters are resolved through open discussion at board level;

•  the executive chairman does not have a veto or casting vote;

•  where matters cannot be agreed upon, an ad-hoc committee is appointed with each party having equal representation. 

This committee will then recommend an appropriate course of action to the board with the best interest of all shareholders in 
mind; and

•  should the board still not agree on a course of action, there is a provision for arbitration and ultimately matters can be presented 

to the International Court of Arbitration at The Hague;

•  the board of SGM cannot appoint or remove the GM, this right belongs solely to the Company, through PGM, in terms of the CA;

•  EMRA and/or the Egyptian government have no downside risk in their share of SGM. If SGM were to become loss making or 

insolvent, these costs are absorbed in its entirety by the Company, through PGM, in accordance with the CA.

The Company is therefore exposed to the variable returns, has the ability to affect the amount of those returns, has power over SGM 
through its ability to direct its relevant activities and therefore meets all the criteria of control to consolidate SGM’s results within the 
Group to reflect the substance and economic reality of the CA.

As the Company, through PGM, is determined to be the controlling party, it should consolidate its subsidiary, SGM, and should apply 
consolidation procedures, combining balance sheet and profit and loss items line by line as well as applying the rest of the consolidation 
procedures set out in IFRS 10 App B para B86. The Group therefore prepares consolidated financial statements on this basis.

1.1.1.2 Treatment and disclosure of EMRA profit share 

EMRA holds 50% of the shares in the Group subsidiary, SGM, which are not attributable to the Company, and it is entitled to receive net 
proceeds from the operations of SGM on a residual basis in accordance with their specified shareholding per the CA (this distribution is 
in accordance with the profit share mechanism and not as a consequence of accumulated profits as defined by accounting standards). 
Therefore, the Group recognises a non-controlling interest in SGM (“NCI”) to represent EMRA’s participation.

In terms of the CA, the NCI’s rights to any profit share payments (dividend distributions) is only triggered after the cost recovery of all 
amounts invested (or spent during operations) during the exploration, construction and development stages have been repaid to PGM. 
The profit share mechanism was only triggered in November 2016 (after all amounts due to be cost recovered were complete). Until that 
time the NCI had no rights to claim any distribution of accumulated profits or profit share.

It is important to note that the availability of cash in SGM for distribution to its shareholders as profit share is under the control of the 
Company, through PGM, by the decisions made on SGM’s strategic direction and day-to-day operational requirements of running the 
mine. This is regarded as discretionary and exposes the Company to variable returns.

Distributions to shareholders in SGM:

•  once all expenditure requirements have been met, excess cash reserves, if any, are distributed to both SGM shareholders:

•  distributions are always made simultaneously to both shareholders;
•  the split of the distribution is in accordance with the ratchet mechanism (i.e. the standard profit share ratios of 60/40 (first 
two years), 55/45 (second two years) and 50/50 to PGM and EMRA respectively through time) as governed by the CA; but:
•  distributions are not mandatory, entirely discretionary and there are only distributions if there are excess funds;
•  distributions are paid in advance on a weekly or fortnightly basis by mutual agreement between shareholders;

•  at end of the SGM reporting period, final profits are determined, externally audited and then approved by the board of SGM:

•  final profit distributions become payable within 60 days of the financial year end, SGM is unable to avoid payment at this point 

and the amount payable is recorded as equity attributable to the NCI until paid;

•  the CA is merely a shareholder agreement specifying how and when profits from SGM will be distributed to shareholders and is 

typical of a minority shareholder protection mechanism.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

157

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

1. Current reporting period amendments continued

1.1 Changes in critical judgments and estimates continued
1.1.1 Judgment: Control continued
1.1.1.2 Treatment and disclosure of EMRA profit share continued 
The Group should attribute the profit or loss for the year after tax and each component of other comprehensive income for the year to 
the owners of the parent and to the NCI in SGM. The entity shall also attribute total comprehensive income for the year to the owners of 
the parent and to NCI even if this results in the NCI having a deficit balance (IFRS 10 App B para B94). The CA only contemplates the 
distribution of profit to shareholders. The NCI would only have a deficit balance where advance distributions paid during the year have 
exceeded final distributions payable after year-end accounts have been prepared and audited. This deficit would be entirely funded by 
the Company, through PGM, and would first be redeemed from future excess cash before regular distributions to both parties resume. 
SGM has no claw back provision for advance profits paid to the NCI. We note that annual dividend payments, after approval of audited 
financial statements, is a standard feature of transactions with an NCI and that such payments are not normally treated as 
non-discretionary payments triggering a liability in the consolidated statement of financial position of the parent.

Any losses generated by SGM will be entirely funded by the Company, through PGM, but attributed to both shareholders. These losses 
will first be recovered before further profit share distributions commence.

In the Group statement of financial position, all the accumulated profits of SGM are attributable to the Company as EMRA have already 
received their share through the advance profit distribution payments made, therefore NCI is usually disclosed in the financial 
statements as nil unless there is an outstanding distribution payable to or deficit from EMRA due to timing differences of the cash 
sweep. Please refer to note 2.4 for further information.

The FRC questioned the prior presentation of the EMRA profit share below the subtotal of ‘Profit for the year after tax’ as to whether it 
complied with IAS 1 and queried the potential inconsistency of this presentation with the measurement of the EMRA profit share 
payment as a financial instrument.

Having carefully considered the FRC’s query and having discussed this directly with our auditors and the FRC, it was agreed that the 
disclosure would be amended to better reflect the nature of the arrangement. The impact has been as follows:

In the statement of comprehensive income:

•  the ‘EMRA profit share’ and ‘Profit for the year after EMRA profit share’ line items have been removed; 
•  a new financial statement line item ‘Non-controlling interest in SGM’ has been added to the ‘Profit for the year after tax attributable 

to’ section, this represents EMRA’s profit share interest in SGM; and

•  earnings per share (“EPS”), as always, has been calculated on profit attributable to owners of the parent (i.e. shareholders of the 

Company).

Profit for the year after tax 

Profit for the year after tax attributable to:  

– the owners of the parent  

– non-controlling interest in SGM 

Total comprehensive income for the year  

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to: 

– the owners of the parent 

– non-controlling interest in SGM 

(1)  Restated due to change in presentation, refer to note 1.1.1 for further information.

31 December 
2018  
US$’000 

Note 

Restated(1) 

 31 December 
2017 
US$’000

152,649 

205,302

2.4 

2.4 

74,845 

77,804 

152,524 

74,720 

77,804 

96,355

108,946

205,211

96,265

108,946

158

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In the statement of financial position:

•  the EMRA accrual within ‘Trade and other payables’ has been removed. This related to their remaining interest after profit share 

payments in the equity of the Sukari Gold Mining Company and is now reflected at the bottom of the statement as non-controlling 
interest in SGM; and

•  a new financial statement line item ‘Non-controlling interest in SGM’ has been added to the ‘Total equity attributable to’ section at 

the base of the statement and represents EMRA’s profit share interest in SGM.

Total equity attributable to: 

– owners of the parent 

– non-controlling interest in SGM 

Total equity 

(1)  Restated due to change in presentation, refer to note 1.1.1 for further information.

In the statement of changes in equity:

•  the statement has been split into two sections:

31 December 
2018  
US$’000 

Note 

Restated(1) 
 31 December 
2017 
US$’000 

Restated(1) 
1 January 
2017 
US$’000

1,287,087 

1,353,712 

1,439,301

2.4 

(270) 

(1,683) 

1,000

1,286,817 

1,352,029 

1,440,301

•  the section attributable to the owners of the parent; and
•  the section attributable to the non-controlling interest in SGM called ‘Non-controlling interests’.

•  the line ‘EMRA profit share’ has been removed and ‘Profit for the year after tax’ has been allocated between ‘Owners of the parent’ 

and ‘Non-controlling interest in SGM’ in accordance with the segmented reporting and EMRA’s interest in SGM; and

•  as EMRA’s interest in SGM is now disclosed as a non-controlling interest, the distributions to EMRA are considered to be equity 

rather than debt and as such a new financial statement line item ‘Dividend paid – non-controlling interest in SGM’ has been added 
which represents the profit share paid to EMRA during the year.

Accumulated 
profits 
US$’000 

Note 

Total  
US$’000 

  Non-controlling 
interests 
US$’000 

Total 
equity 
US$’000

Profit for the year after tax 

Other comprehensive income for the year 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Dividend paid – non-controlling interest in SGM 

2.4 

74,845 

(125) 

74,720 

— 

74,845 

(125) 

74,720 

— 

77,804 

152,649

— 

77,804 

(76,391) 

(125)

152,524

(76,391)

FRC review: Scope and limitations
The FRC review was based on our 2017 annual report and accounts and did not benefit from a detailed knowledge of our business or an understanding of 
the underlying transactions entered into. It is, however, conducted by staff of the FRC who have an understanding of the relevant legal and accounting 
framework. The FRC supports the continuous improvement in the quality of corporate reporting and recognises that those with more detailed knowledge 
of our business, including our Audit and Risk Committee and auditors, may have recommendations for future improvement, consideration of which the 
FRC would encourage.

The letters received from the FRC during their review provide no assurance that our report and accounts are correct in all material respects; the FRC’s role 
is not to verify the information provided but to consider compliance with reporting requirements. The letters received from the FRC during their review are 
written on the basis that the FRC (which includes the FRC’s officers, employees and agents) accepts no liability for reliance on them by the Company or any 
third party, including but not limited to investors and shareholders.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

159

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

1. Current reporting period amendments continued

1.1 Changes in critical judgments and estimates continued

1.1.2 Impairment assessment of Group assets

IFRS requires management to test for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a finite 
live asset may not be recoverable. Management concluded that a trigger occurred as a result of the production downgrade and the 
corresponding devaluation of the share price and were therefore required to perform a full impairment review under IAS 36. On review, 
no impairment was required and no further indicators have arisen after the reporting period.

In making its assessment as to the possibility of whether any impairment losses had arisen, management considered the following as 
part of its assessment of the recoverable amount: 

internal sources of information; and

• 
•  external sources of information.

1.1.2.1 Sukari Gold Mine

The revisions to production guidance at Sukari cash generating unit (“CGU”) during 2018 significantly affected the Company share price 
and was considered a trigger for an impairment assessment of property, plant and equipment.

The assessment compared the recoverable amount of the Sukari gold mine CGU with its carrying value for the year ended 31 December 
2018. The recoverable amount of the CGU is assessed by reference to the higher of value in use (“VIU”), being the net present value (“NPV”) 
of future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, and fair value less costs to dispose (“FVLCD”). The FVLCD is derived using 
discounted cash flow techniques (NPV of expected future cash flows of a CGU), which incorporate market participant assumptions. Cost to 
dispose is based on management’s best estimates of future selling costs at the time of calculating FVLCD. Costs attributable to the disposal 
of the CGU are not considered significant. The expected future cash flows utilised in the FVLCD model are derived from estimates of 
projected future revenues, future cash costs of production and capital expenditures contained in the life of mine (“LOM”) plan, and as a 
result FVLCD is considered to be higher than VIU. The Group’s LOM plan reflects proven and probable reserves, assumes limited in-situ 
resource conversion, and is based on detailed research, analysis and modelling to optimise the internal rate of return.

The discount rate applied to calculate the present value is based upon the real weighted average cost of capital applicable to the CGU. 
The discount rate reflects equity risk premiums over the risk-free rate, the impact of the remaining economic life of the CGU and the 
risks associated with the relevant cash flows based on the country in which the CGU is located. These risk adjustments are based on 
observed equity risk premiums, historical country risk premiums and average credit default swap spreads for the period.

During the impairment assessment management applied the following key assumptions: long term gold price US$1,300/oz, real 
discount rate of 5% and an in-situ resource multiple of US$45/oz. 

For purposes of testing for impairment of the Sukari CGU, we have assessed whether a reasonably possible change in any of the key 
assumptions used to estimate the recoverable value for the CGU would result in an impairment charge. Sensitivity calculations were 
performed for the CGU based on:

•  a decrease in the gold price of US$100 per ounce for 2019;
•  a decrease in the in-situ resource multiple to US$23/oz; and
•  a reduction in 2019 production to 480,000 ounces.

In isolation, none of the changes set out above would result in an impairment. This sensitivity analysis also does not take into account 
any of management’s mitigation factors should these changes occur.

1.1.2.2 Exploration and evaluation assets

In accordance with the requirements of IAS 36 ‘Impairment of assets’ and IFRS 6 ‘Exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources’, 
it was concluded that the devaluation of the share price of the Company was a trigger for an impairment assessment for the Company’s 
exploration and evaluation assets.

The assessment compared the recoverable amount of the individual Exploration and Evaluation Asset Cash Generating Units 
(“E&E CGU”) with their carrying value for the year ended 31 December 2018. The recoverable amount of the E&E CGUs is assessed by 
reference to the higher of VIU, being the NPV of future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, and FVLCD. The FVLCD is 
derived using discounted cash flow techniques (NPV of expected future cash flows of a CGU), which incorporate market participant 
assumptions. Cost to dispose is based on management’s best estimates of future selling costs at the time of calculating FVLCD. Costs 
attributable to the disposal of the E&E CGUs are not considered significant. The expected future cash flows utilised in the FVLCD model 
are derived from estimates of resource multiples multiplied by proven and probable reserves of the E&E CGUs and were considered to 
be higher than the VIU amount. 

For purposes of testing for impairment of the E&E CGUs, we have assessed whether a reasonably possible change in any of the key 
assumptions used to estimate the recoverable value would result in an impairment charge. Sensitivity calculations were performed based on:

•  a decrease in the in-situ resource multiple to US$16/oz; and
•  a reduction in reserves to 3.25 million ounces.

In isolation, none of the changes set out above would result in an impairment. This sensitivity analysis also does not take into account 
any of management’s mitigation factors should these changes occur.

160

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS1.2 Changes in policies and estimates
The financial position and performance of the Group was particularly affected by the following events and transactions during the 
reporting period:

•  the change in accounting policy regarding the treatment of costs related to exploration and evaluation of mineral resources under 

IFRS 6, which was made in the 2018 interim financial statements: 
•  previously the policy applied was to capitalise all exploration expenditure without a distinction between greenfield and 

brownfield exploration expenditure;

•  this policy has been changed and retrospectively applied whereby:

•  all greenfield exploration costs will be expensed as incurred; whilst
•  brownfield exploration costs will continue to be capitalised. 

For further information, see note 1.2.1 below.

•  mining stockpiles inventory has been split between current and non-current assets based on the expected drawdown on the 

stockpile by the processing plant:
•  the volume of ore extracted in the year has far exceeded the capacity of the processing plant causing the stockpiles to increase 

significantly in size and value; 

•  based on mining and processing forecasts these stockpiles will not be consumed within the next twelve months and as such a 

classification is required between current and non-current assets;

•  the cost versus net realisable value of the mining stockpiles were assessed, with the cost being determined as the lower of cost 

• 

and net realisable value; and
in line with the updated mineral reserves estimate for Sukari at 30 June 2018, the mine cut-off grade for the surface stockpiles has 
been changed from 0.3 to 0.4 grams per tonne (g/t). Amounts under 0.4g/t have been expensed resulting in a US$5.7 million 
charge.

For further information, see note 1.2.2 below.

•  adoption of the following new and revised accounting standards: 

• 

• 

IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’ has been applied since 1 January 2018 with no significant impact to the annual 
results; and
IFRS 9 ‘Financial instruments’ has been applied since 1 January 2018 with no significant impact to the annual results.

•  new standards, amendments and interpretations not yet adopted:

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ has been assessed by management, the impact of which has been disclosed.

• 
For further information, see note 1.2.3 below.

1.2.1 Change in accounting policy – Exploration and evaluation asset

On 1 January 2006, the Group adopted IFRS 6 ‘Exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources’ and as allowed under the standard, 
applied the policy of capitalising all exploration expenditure (both greenfield and brownfield exploration and evaluation expenditure). 

The greenfield and brownfield terms are generally used in the minerals sector and have been adopted to differentiate high risk remote 
exploration activity from near-mine exploration activity:

(a)  greenfield exploration refers to territory, where mineral deposits are not already developed and has the goal of establishing a new 

mine requiring new infrastructure, regardless of it being in an established mining field or in a remote location. Greenfield exploration 
projects can be subdivided into grassroots and advanced projects embracing prospecting, geoscientific surveys, drilling, sample 
collection and testing, but excludes work of brownfields nature, pit and shaft sinking and bulk sampling; and 

(b) brownfield exploration, also known as near-mine exploration, refers to areas where mineral deposits were previously developed. 

In brownfield exploration, geologists look for deposits near or adjacent to an already operating mine with the objective of extending 
its operating life and taking advantage of the established infrastructure.

Having reassessed the accounting policies and to make the financial statements more relevant to its users and more consistent with 
industry peers, it has been determined that the accounting policy for greenfield exploration and evaluation assets be retrospectively 
changed to expense rather than capitalise these costs until a decision is made to pursue a commercially viable project. The rationale for 
this change is that; due to the early stage of the projects there is a greater risk that the projects will ultimately not become viable and 
hence increased risk that economic benefits will ultimately not flow to the Group.

Brownfield exploration costs will continue to be capitalised to the statement of financial position.

In accordance with IAS 8 ‘Accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors’ this revised accounting policy has to be 
applied retrospectively.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

161

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

1. Current reporting period amendments continued

1.2 Changes in policies and estimates continued
1.2.1 Change in accounting policy – Exploration and evaluation asset continued
The following table summarises the adjustments made to the statement of financial position on implementation of the change in 
accounting policy:

Balance at 1 January 2017 as previously reported   

Impact of change in accounting policy 

Restated balance at 1 January 2017 

Balance at 31 December 2017 as previously reported 

Impact of change in accounting policy at 1 January 2017 

Impact of change in accounting policy during 2017 

Restated balance at 31 December 2017 

The effects on the statement of comprehensive income and earnings per share were as follows:

Increase in exploration and evaluation costs 

Decrease in impairment of exploration and evaluation assets 

Decrease in profit for the period before tax 

Earnings per share attributable to owners of the parent as previously reported:  

Basic (cents per share) 

Diluted (cents per share)  

Restated earnings per share attributable to owners of the parent: 

Basic (cents per share) 

Diluted (cents per share)  

Therefore, the restated note to the annual financial statements is as follows:

Exploration and evaluation asset

Balance at the beginning of the year  

Expenditure for the period 

Pre-production gold sales net of costs related to Cleopatra 

Transfer to property, plant and equipment 

Balance at the end of the year   

Exploration and  
evaluation asset 
US$’000 

Accumulated 
profits 
US$’000

153,918 

(88,218) 

65,700 

857,999

(88,218)

769,781

Exploration and  
evaluation asset 
US$’000 

Accumulated 
profits 
US$’000

168,832 

(88,218) 

(16,729) 

63,885 

783,921

(88,218)

(16,729)

678,974

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

Note 

(21,006) 

— 

(21,006) 

8.321 

8.252 

6.497 

6.444 

6.3 

6.3 

Restated 
31 December  
2017  

US$’000

(20,286)

3,557

(16,729)

9.832

9.755

8.377

8.312

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

63,885 

13,635 

(8,688) 

(9,678) 

59,154 

Restated 
31 December  
2017  

US$’000

65,700

10,610

(4,841)

(7,584)

63,885

The exploration and evaluation asset relates to the drilling, geological exploration and sampling of potential ore reserves and can be 
attributed to Egypt (US$24.0 million) and Burkina Faso (US$35.2 million relating to the acquisition of Ampella Mining Limited). 

In accordance with the requirements of IAS 36 ‘Impairment of assets’ and IFRS 6 ‘Exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources’ 
it was concluded that the production downgrade and corresponding devaluation of the share price of the Company was an impairment 
indicator for the exploration and evaluation assets. An impairment review has subsequently been performed, refer to note 1.1.2 of the 
financial statements for further information, however no impairment resulted from the review. As no impairment indicators were 
identified in 2017 an impairment review was not performed in that period.

162

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The new accounting policy is as follows:

ACCOUNTING POLICY: EXPLORATION, EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURE

Exploration and evaluation expenditures in relation to each separate area of interest are differentiated between greenfield and 
brownfield exploration activities in the year in which they are incurred.

The greenfield and brownfield terms are generally used in the minerals sector and have been adopted to differentiate high risk 
remote exploration activity from near-mine exploration activity:

(a)  greenfield exploration refers to territory, where mineral deposits are not already developed and has the goal of establishing a 
new mine requiring new infrastructure, regardless of it being in an established mining field or in a remote location. Greenfield 
exploration projects can be subdivided into grassroots and advanced projects embracing prospecting, geoscientific surveys, 
drilling, sample collection and testing, but excludes work of brownfields nature, pit and shaft sinking and bulk sampling; and

(b) brownfield exploration, also known as near-mine exploration, refers to areas where mineral deposits were previously developed. 

In brownfield exploration, geologists look for deposits near or adjacent to an already operating mine with the objective of 
extending its operating life and taking advantage of the established infrastructure.

Greenfield exploration costs will be expensed as incurred and will not be capitalised to the balance sheet until a decision is 
made to pursue a commercially viable project. Brownfield exploration costs will continue to be capitalised to the statement of 
financial position.

Brownfield 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:

•  the rights to tenure of the area of interest are current; and
•  at least one of the following conditions is also met:

•  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

•  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 based on the commercial and 
technical feasibility, the relevant exploration and evaluation asset is tested for impairment, reclassified to mine development 
properties, and then amortised over the life of the reserves associated with the area of interest once mining operations have 
commenced.

Mine 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.

Income derived by the entity prior to the date of commercial production is offset against the expenditure capitalised and carried 
in the consolidated statement of financial position. All revenues recognised after commencement of commercial production are 
recognised in accordance with the revenue policy stated in note 2.2. The commencement date of commercial production is 
determined when stable and sustained production capacity has been achieved.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

163

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

1. Current reporting period amendments continued

1.2 Changes in policies and estimates continued

1.2.2 Change in accounting estimates: Mining stockpiles

The treatment and classification of mining stockpiles within inventory has changed during the year of assessment resulting in the 
disclosure being split between current and non-current assets. Stockpiles which will not be consumed within the next twelve months 
based on mining and processing forecasts have been reclassified to non-current assets. The reason for the change is the manner in 
which the mining stockpiles will be utilised or drawn upon in the future within the life of mine, with priority being placed on the higher 
grade ore. The volume of ore extracted from the open pit in the year far exceeded the volume that could be processed, which has 
caused a large increase in the volume and value of the mining stockpiles. 

The carrying value of the non-current asset portion is assessed at the lower of cost or net realisable value. The cost of the mining 
stockpiles was assessed through comparing the current costs and discounting the future processing costs at a US$ applicable rate of 
3.02% over the expected life of the asset to the future expected selling price. The net present value was the higher of the two and as 
such it is valued at cost. 

In line with the updated mineral reserves estimate for Sukari at 30 June 2018, the mine cut-off grade for the surface stockpiles has been 
changed from 0.3 to 0.4 grams per tonne (g/t). Amounts under 0.4g/t have been expensed which resulted in a US$5.7 million charge.

Therefore, the note to the annual financial statements are as follows:

Inventories – mining stockpiles 

Non-current 

Mining stockpiles 

Current 

Mining stockpiles and ore in circuit  

Stores inventory 

Provision for obsolete stores inventory 

ACCOUNTING POLICY: INVENTORIES

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

32,424 

32,424 

—

—

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

30,601 

70,281 

(3,332) 

97,550 

31,728

78,618

(5,136)

105,210

Inventories include mining stockpiles, gold in process, doré supplies and stores and materials, and are stated at the lower of cost and 
net realisable value. The cost of mining stockpiles and gold produced is determined principally by the weighted average cost method 
using related production costs.

Cost of mining stockpiles include costs incurred up to the point of stockpiling, such as mining and grade control costs, but exclude 
future costs of production. Ore extracted is allocated to stockpiles based on estimated grade, with grades below defined cut-off 
levels treated as waste and expensed. While held in physically separate stockpiles, the Group blends the ore from each stockpile 
when feeding the processing plant to achieve the resultant gold content. In such circumstances, lower and higher grade ore stockpiles 
each represent a raw material, used in conjunction with each other, to deliver overall gold production, as supported by the relevant 
feed plan.

The processing of ore in stockpiles occurs in accordance with the life of mine (“LOM”) processing plan and is currently being 
optimised based on the known mineral reserves, current plant capacity and mine design. Ore tonnes contained in the stockpiles 
which exceed the annual tonnes to be milled as per the mine plan in the following year, are classified as non-current in the statement 
of financial position. Currently at Sukari, low grade low (0.4 to 0.5g/t) open pit stockpile material above the cut-off grade of 0.4g/t has 
been reclassified to non-current assets as these ore tonnes are not planned to be processed within the next twelve months.

The net realisable value of mining stockpiles is determined with reference to estimated contained gold and market gold prices 
applicable. Mining stockpiles which are blended together with future ore mined when fed to the plant are assessed as an input to the 
gold production process to ensure the combined stockpiles are carried at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Mining stockpiles 
which are not blended in production are assessed separately to ensure they are carried at the lower of cost and net realisable value, 
although no such stockpiles are currently held.

164

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ACCOUNTING POLICY: INVENTORIES CONTINUED

Costs of gold inventories include all costs incurred up until production of an ounce of gold such as milling costs, mining costs and 
directly attributable mine general and administration costs but exclude transport costs, refining costs and royalties. Net realisable 
value is determined with reference to estimated contained gold and market gold prices.

Stores and materials consist of consumable stores and are valued at weighted average cost after appropriate impairment of 
redundant and slow moving items. Consumable stock for which the Group has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership 
are brought onto the statement of financial position as current assets.

For a detailed discussion about the Group’s performance and financial position, please refer to the financial review.

1.2.3 Adoption of new and revised accounting policies

Standards not affecting the reported results or the financial position

In the current year, the following new and revised standards and interpretations that have been adopted have not had a material impact 
on the amounts reported in these financial statements.

IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’

This standard replaced IAS 18 ‘Revenue’ and IAS 11 ‘Construction contracts’ and provides a five step framework for application to 
customer contracts: identification of customer contract; identification of the contract performance obligations; determination of the 
contract price; allocation of the contract price to the contract performance obligations; and revenue recognition as performance 
obligations are satisfied. A new requirement where revenue is variable stipulates that revenue may only be recognised to the extent that 
it is highly probable that significant reversal of revenue will not occur. The Group assessed the impact of IFRS 15 and determined that its 
application will result in no changes in its revenue recognition. The Group only has a single short term performance obligation and the 
majority of gold sales are not subject to pricing adjustments, therefore the new standard has no significant impact. The new standard 
was effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018.

IFRS 9 ‘Financial instruments’

This standard addresses the financial reporting of financial assets and financial liabilities and replaced IAS 39 ‘Financial instruments: 
recognition and measurement’. IFRS 9 requires financial assets to be classified into three measurement categories: those measured at 
fair value through profit and loss, those measured at fair value through other comprehensive income and those measured at amortised 
cost. The determination is made at initial recognition. The classification depends on the entity’s business model for managing its 
financial instruments and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the instrument. For financial liabilities, the standard retains most of 
the IAS 39 requirements. The impairment model, hedging rules and derecognition rules have also been amended under IFRS 9. IFRS 9 
has had no material impact on current results as the Group does not enter into formal hedge accounting arrangements, has no long 
term trade or other receivables and does not hold financial liabilities at fair value. The Group has considered the impact of IFRS 9 on the 
accounting for assets currently held as available-for-sale and determined it to not be material. The new standard was effective for annual 
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018.

New standards, amendments and interpretations not yet adopted

Standards and interpretations issued but not yet effective up to the date of issuance of the financial statements are listed below. 
This listing of standards and interpretations issued are those that the Group reasonably expects to have an impact on disclosures, 
financial position or performance when applied at a future date. These standards have not been early adopted by the Group and the 
Group’s assessment of the impact of these new standards and interpretations is set out below:

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’

Nature of change

IFRS 16 was issued in January 2016. It will result in almost all leases being recognised on the balance sheet by lessees, as the distinction 
between operating and finance leases is removed. Under the new standard, an asset (the right to use the leased item) and a financial 
liability to pay rentals are recognised. The only exceptions are short term and low-value leases.

Impact

The Group has set up a project team which has reviewed all of the Group’s leasing arrangements over the last year in light of the new 
lease accounting rules in IFRS 16. The standard will affect primarily the accounting for the Group’s operating leases.

The team performed an impact assessment of IFRS 16 on the Group’s contracts and financial statements. All active contracts were 
assessed under the requirements of IFRS 16 to determine whether they had arrangements that contained a lease. Under IAS 17 ‘Leases’ 
and IFRIC 4 ‘Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease’ contracts were initially assessed on the date of their inception to 
determine whether or not they should be accounted for under those standards. If, on initial assessment, they didn’t meet the 
requirements of IAS 17 or IFRIC 4, but on reassessment do meet the requirements of IFRS 16, they have been excluded from this 
assessment by application of paragraph C3(b) of IFRS 16. Management have elected to apply the paragraph C3(b) and therefore 
paragraph C4 of IFRS 16 as a practical expedient to not apply this standard to all the Group’s existing contracts.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

165

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

1. Current reporting period amendments continued

1.2 Changes in policies and estimates continued
1.2.3 Adoption of new and revised accounting policies continued
IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ continued
Impact continued
As at the reporting date, the Group has non-cancellable operating lease commitments of US$3.2 million, see note 5.2. Of these 
commitments, approximately US$ 1.1 million relates to low value leases which will be recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense 
in profit or loss.

For the remaining lease commitments, the Group expects to recognise right-of-use assets of approximately US$1.6 million on 
1 January 2019, lease liabilities of US$1.6 million (after adjustments for prepayments and accrued lease payments recognised as at 
31 December 2018). Overall net assets will not change, and net current assets will be US$0.3 million lower due to the presentation of 
a portion of the liability as a current liability.

The Group expects that net profit after tax will decrease by approximately US$0.1 million for 2019 as a result of adopting the new rules. 
EBITDA used to measure segment results is expected to increase by approximately US$0.5 million, as the operating lease payments 
were included in EBITDA, but the amortisation of the right-of-use assets and interest on the lease liability are excluded from 
this measure.

Operating cash flows will increase and financing cash flows decrease by approximately US$0.3 million as repayment of the principal 
portion of the lease liabilities will be classified as cash flows from financing activities.

The Group has immaterial activities as a lessor and hence the Group does not expect any significant impact on the financial statements.

Previous disclosures of operating lease commitments were limited to office premises in Jersey.

Mandatory application date and date of adoption by Group

The Group will apply the standard from its mandatory adoption date of 1 January 2019. The Group intends to apply the simplified 
transition approach and will not restate comparative amounts for the year prior to first adoption. Right-of-use assets for property leases 
will be measured on transition as if the new rules had always been applied. All other right-of-use assets will be measured at the amount 
of the lease liability on adoption (adjusted for any prepaid or accrued lease expenses).

There are no other standards that are not yet effective and that would be expected to have a material impact on the entity in the current 
or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.

1.3 Other critical judgments and estimates in applying the entity’s accounting policies
The following are the other critical judgments and estimates 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.

Management has discussed its critical accounting judgments and estimates and associated disclosures with the Company’s Audit and 
Risk Committee.

The changes to critical accounting judgments with additional focus in 2018 are disclosed in note 1.1 above. The other critical accounting 
judgments are as follows:

1.3.1 Litigation

The Group exercises judgment in measuring and recognising provisions and the exposures to contingent liabilities related to pending 
litigation, as well as other contingent liabilities (see note 5.1 to the financial statements). Judgment is necessary in assessing the 
likelihood that a pending claim will succeed, or a liability will arise, and to quantify the possible range of the financial settlement.

The Group is currently a party to two significant legal actions, both of which could affect its ability to operate the mine at Sukari in the 
manner in which it is currently operated and adversely affect its profitability. The details of this litigation, which relate to the loss of the 
Egyptian national subsidy for Diesel Fuel Oil and the Concession Agreement under which Sukari operates, are given in note 5.1 to the 
financial statements. Although it is possible to quantify the effects of the loss of the national fuel subsidy, it is not currently possible to 
quantify with sufficient precision the impact of any restrictions placed on the terms of the Group’s operations under the 
Concession Agreement.

Every action is being taken to contest these decisions, including the making of formal legal appeals and, although their resolution may 
still take some time, management remains confident that a satisfactory outcome will ultimately be achieved. In the meantime, however, 
the Group is continuing to pay international prices for Diesel Fuel Oil. With respect to the Administrative Court ruling, on 20 March 2013 
the Supreme Administrative Court upheld the Company’s application to suspend this decision until the merits of the Company’s appeal 
are considered and ruled on, thus providing assurance that normal operations will be able to continue during this process.

In the unlikely event that the Group is unsuccessful in either or both of its legal actions, and that the operating activities are restricted to 
a reduced area, it is management’s belief that the Group will be able to continue as going concern.

166

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSThe changes to critical accounting estimates and assumptions are disclosed in note 1.2 above. The other critical estimates and 
assumptions are as follows:

1.3.2 Ore reserves

Estimates of recoverable quantities of reserves include assumptions on commodity prices, exchange rates, discount rates and 
production costs for future cash flows. It also involves assessment and judgment of complex 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 consolidated statement of comprehensive income and the 
calculation in the valuation of inventory.

Production forecasts from the underground mine at Sukari are partly based on estimates regarding future resource and reserve growth. 
It should be specifically noted that the potential quantity and grade from the Sukari underground mine is conceptual in nature and that 
it is uncertain if exploration will result in further targets being delineated as a mineral resource.

1.3.3 Mineral reserve and resource statement

The Group published a mineral reserve and resource statement for the Sukari Gold Mine on 25 February 2019 with an effective date of 
30 June 2018. The Group reports its mineral resources and ore reserves in accordance with NI 43-101. The most current statement has 
used an assumed gold price of US$1,300 per ounce as a basis of preparation. The information on the mineral resources and ore reserves 
is prepared by qualified persons as defined by the instrument.

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating mineral resources and ore reserves. Assumptions that are valid at the time of 
estimation may change significantly when new information becomes available.

1.3.4 Recovery of capitalised exploration evaluation and development expenditure

The Group’s accounting policy for exploration and evaluation expenditure results in brownfield exploration and evaluation expenditure 
being capitalised to the balance sheet 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 brownfield exploration and evaluation expenditure being capitalised, a judgment 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.

1.3.5 Going concern

Under guidelines set out by the FRC, the Directors of UK listed companies are required to consider whether the going concern basis is 
the appropriate basis of preparation of financial statements.

Based on a detailed cash flow forecast prepared by management, in which it included any reasonably possible change in the key 
assumptions on which cash flow forecast is based, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will have adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for twelve months from 1 March 2019. Key assumptions underpinning this 
forecast include:

litigation as discussed in note 5.1 to the financial statements;
forecast gold price;

• 
• 
•  production volumes; and
•  costs and recovery rates.

These financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018 have therefore been prepared on a going concern basis, which 
contemplate the realisation of assets and liquidation of liabilities during the normal course of operations, in preparing this financial 
statements.

1.3.6 Depreciation of capitalised underground mine development costs 

Depreciation of capitalised underground mine development costs at the Sukari Gold Mine is based on reserve estimates. Management 
and Directors believe that these estimates are realistic based on current information. Please refer to ore reserves, note 3.1.1(i). 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

167

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

2. How numbers are calculated

2.1 Segment reporting
The Group is engaged in the business of exploration for and mining of precious metals, which represents three operating segments, 
two in the business of exploration and one in mining of precious metals. The Board is the Group’s chief operating decision-maker within 
the meaning of IFRS 8 ‘Operating segments’. Management has determined the operating segments based on the information reviewed 
by the Board for the purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance.

The Board considers the business from a geographic perspective and a mining of precious metals versus exploration for precious metals 
perspective. Geographically, management considers separately the performance in Egypt, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Corporate 
(which includes Jersey, United Kingdom and Australia). From a mining of precious metals versus exploration for precious metals 
perspective, management separately considers the Egyptian mining of precious metals from the West African exploration for precious 
metals in these geographies. The Egyptian mining operations derive its revenue from sale of gold while the West African entities are 
currently only engaged in precious metal exploration and do not produce any revenue.

The Board assesses the performance of the operating segments based on profits and expenditure incurred as well as exploration 
expenditure in each region. Egypt is the only operating segment mining precious metals and therefore has revenue and cost of sales 
whilst the remaining operating segments do not. All operating segments are reviewed by the Board as presented and are key to the 
monitoring of ongoing performance and assessing plans of the Company.

Non-current assets other than financial instruments by country

Egypt 

Burkina Faso  

Côte d’Ivoire 

Corporate 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

891,131 

35,959 

543 

20 

Restated(1) 
31 December  
2017  

US$’000

878,508

36,094

451

27

927,653 

915,080

(1)  Restated due to change in accounting policy, refer to note 1.2.1 for further information.

Statement of financial position by operating segment

31 December 2018 

Statement of financial position  

Total assets 

Total liabilities    

Net assets/total equity 

Restated(1) 
31 December 2017 

Statement of financial position  

Total assets 

Total liabilities   

Net assets/total equity 

Total 
US$’000 

Egypt 
US$’000 

Burkina Faso 
US$’000 

Côte d’Ivoire 
US$’000 

Corporate 
US$’000

1,347,969 

1,032,284 

(61,152) 

1,286,817 

(57,843) 

974,441 

36,876 

(477) 

36,399 

909 

(85) 

824 

277,900

(2,747)

275,153

Total 
US$’000 

Egypt 
US$’000 

Burkina Faso 
US$’000 

Côte d’Ivoire 
US$’000 

Corporate 
US$’000

1,424,355 

1,028,927 

(72,326) 

1,352,029 

(68,655) 

960,272 

37,621 

(787) 

36,834 

888 

(307) 

581 

356,919

(2,577)

354,342

(1)  Restated due to change in accounting policy, refer to note 1.2.1 for further information.

168

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Statement of comprehensive income by operating segment

31 December 2018 

Statement of comprehensive income 

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Other income   

Finance income 

Other operating costs 

Exploration and evaluation costs  

Total 
US$’000 

Egypt 
US$’000 

Burkina Faso 
US$’000 

Côte d’Ivoire 
US$’000 

Corporate 
US$’000

603,248 

603,248 

(406,538) 

(406,538) 

196,710 

196,710 

49 

4,815 

(27,866) 

(21,006) 

49 

44 

(13,433) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(481) 

(5,223) 

(5,704) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(644) 

(15,783) 

(16,427) 

— 

—

—

—

—

4,771

(13,308)

—

(8,537)

—

Profit/(loss) for the year before tax  

152,702 

183,370 

Tax  

(53) 

(53) 

Profit/(loss) for the year after tax 

152,649 

183,317 

(5,704) 

(16,427) 

(8,537)

Profit/(loss) for the year after tax attributable to:  

– the owners of the parent  

– non-controlling interest in SGM 

74,845 

77,804 

105,513 

77,804 

(5,704) 

(16,427) 

(8,537)

— 

— 

—

Restated(1) 
31 December 2017 

Statement of comprehensive income 

Revenue 

Cost of sales  

Gross profit 

Other income   

Finance income 

Other operating costs 

Exploration and evaluation costs  

Profit/(loss) for the year before tax  

Tax  

Profit/(loss) for the year after tax 

Profit/(loss) for the year after tax attributable to:  

Total 
US$’000 

Egypt 
US$’000 

Burkina Faso 
US$’000 

Côte d’Ivoire 
US$’000 

Corporate 
US$’000

675,510 

(414,341) 

261,169 

680 

2,729 

(36,927) 

(20,286) 

207,365 

(2,063) 

205,302 

675,510 

(414,341) 

261,169 

23 

41 

(25,483) 

— 

235,750 

(513) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

197 

(6,433) 

(6,236) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

96 

(13,853) 

(13,757) 

— 

235,237 

(6,236) 

(13,757) 

—

—

—

657

2,688

(11,737)

—

(8,392)

(1,550)

(9,942)

(9,942)

—

– the owners of the parent  

– non-controlling interest in SGM 

96,356 

108,946 

126,291 

108,946 

(6,236) 

(13,757) 

— 

— 

(1)  Restated due to change in accounting policy, refer to note 1.2.1 for further information.

Exploration expenditure by operating segment

The following table provides a breakdown of the total exploration expenditure of the Group by operating segment:

Burkina Faso 

Côte d’Ivoire 

Egypt (Sukari tenement including Cleopatra excluding pre-production gold sales adjustment) 

Total exploration expenditure   

(1)  Restated due to change in accounting policy, refer to note 1.2.1 for further information.

1 January to  
31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

Restated(1) 

1 January to 
31 December 
2017 
US$’000

 5,223  

15,783  

13,635  

34,641 

6,433

13,853

10,610

30,896

ACCOUNTING POLICY: SEGMENT REPORTING

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. 
The chief operating decision-maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating 
segments, has been identified as the Board of Directors.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

169

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

2. How numbers are calculated continued

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

Gold sales (including pre-production gold sales related to Cleopatra) 

Less: Pre-production gold sales related to Cleopatra – offset against exploration and evaluation asset  

Gold sales (excluding pre-production gold sales related to Cleopatra) 

Silver sales 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

613,727 

(11,523) 

602,204 

1,044 

603,248 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

680,513

(6,170)

674,343

1,167

675,510

All gold and silver sales during the year were made to a single customer in North America, Asahi Refining Canada Ltd.

ACCOUNTING POLICY: REVENUE (UNDER IFRS 15)

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods in the normal course of business.

Sale of goods 
Revenue from the sale of mineral production is recognised when the Group has passed control of the mineral production to the buyer, 
it is probable that economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Group, the sales price can be measured reliably, 
and the Group has no significant continuing involvement and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be 
measured reliably. This is when insurance risk has passed to the buyer and the goods have been collected at the agreed location.

The performance obligation is satisfied when the gold bars are packaged and delivered to the approved carrier with the appropriate 
required documentation at the gold room and the approved carrier accepts control of the shipment by signature. 98% of the payable 
gold and silver content of the refined gold bars will be priced and paid within one working day after receipt of the shipment at the 
refinery with the balance being priced and paid five working days after receipt. There are no significant judgments applied to the 
determination of revenue. 

Where the terms of the executed sales agreement allow for an adjustment to the sales price based on a survey of the mineral 
production by the buyer (for instance an assay for gold content), recognition of the revenue from the sale of mineral production 
is based on the most recently determined estimate of product specifications.

Pre-production revenues 
Income derived by the entity prior to the date of commercial production is offset against the expenditure capitalised and carried 
in the consolidated statement of financial position. All revenues recognised after commencement of commercial production are 
recognised in accordance with the revenue policy stated above. The commencement date of commercial production is determined 
when stable and sustained production capacity has been achieved.

Royalty 
The Arab Republic of Egypt (“ARE”) is entitled to a royalty of 3% of net sales revenue (revenue net of freight and refining costs) as 
defined from the sale of gold and associated minerals from the Sukari Gold Mine. This royalty is calculated and recognised on receipt 
of the final certificate of analysis document received from the refinery. Due to its nature, this royalty is not recognised in cost of sales 
but rather in other operating costs.

Transition from IAS 18 ‘Revenue’
The only changes to the new accounting policy under IFRS 15 compared with IAS 18 are:

•  the performance obligation under IFRS 15 above; and
•  control of the items sold under IFRS 15 compared to risk and rewards of ownership being transferred under IAS 18.

Other than that it is identical to the policy under IAS 18 applied to the comparative data.

170

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.3 Profit before tax
Profit for the year before tax has been arrived at after crediting/(charging) the following gains/(losses) and income/(expenses):

Finance income 

Interest received  

Expenses 

Cost of sales 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

4,815 

2,729

Mine production costs (including costs related to gold produced from Cleopatra) 

(330,924) 

(308,892)

Mine production costs related to gold produced from Cleopatra 

– offset against exploration and evaluation asset   

Mine production costs 

Movement in inventory 

Depreciation and amortisation 

Other operating costs 

Corporate compliance  

Fees payable to the external auditor 

Corporate consultants 

Communications and IT 

Salaries and wages 

Travel, accommodation and entertainment 

Office rents and lease payment   

Other administration expenses 

Insurances 

Other taxes 

Employee equity settled share-based payments 

Corporate costs (sub-total) 

Other provisions 

Net movement on provision for stock obsolescence 

Office related depreciation 

Royalty – attributable to the ARE government 

Foreign exchange gain, net 

Finance charges 

Loss on disposal of asset 

Provision for restoration and rehabilitation – unwinding of discount   

2,834 

(328,090) 

31,296 

(109,744) 

(406,538) 

1,329

(307,563)

(2,490)

(104,288)

(414,341)

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

 (1,758) 

 (710) 

 (652) 

 (328) 

 (7,316) 

 (819) 

 (148) 

(482) 

(305) 

(169) 

 (3,222) 

(15,909) 

58 

1,353 

(301) 

(18,396) 

6,372 

(142) 

(31) 

(870) 

(1,281)

(656)

(338)

(188)

(6,202)

(731)

(166)

(193)

(387)

(3)

(2,535)

(12,680)

(1,170)

(2,636)

(274)

(20,404)

1,470

(341)

(263)

(629)

(27,866) 

(36,927)

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

171

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

2. How numbers are calculated continued

2.3 Profit before tax continued

ACCOUNTING POLICY: OTHER INCOME AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES

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

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 US dollars, which is the functional currency of most companies in the Group and the 
presentation currency for the consolidated financial statements except for the UK subsidiaries which are denominated in Great British 
pounds and the Australian subsidiaries which are denominated in Australian dollars. 

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.

2.4 Non-controlling interest in SGM
EMRA is a 50% shareholder in SGM and is entitled to a share of 50% of SGM’s net production surplus which can be defined as ‘revenue 
less payment of the fixed royalty to the Arab Republic of Egypt (“ARE”) and recoverable costs’. However, in accordance with the terms of 
the CA, in the first and second years in which there is a profit share, PGM will be entitled to an additional 10% of net production surplus 
and an additional 5% in the third and fourth years.

Earnings attributable to the non-controlling interest in SGM (i.e. EMRA) are pursuant to the provisions of the CA are recognised as profit 
attributable to the non-controlling interest in SGM in the attribution of profit section of the statement of comprehensive income of the 
Group. The profit share payments during the year will be reconciled against SGM’s audited financial statements. The SGM financial 
statements for the year ended 30 June 2018 have not been signed off at the date of this report and are in the process of being audited.

Certain terms of the CA and amounts in the cost recovery model may also vary depending on interpretation and management and the 
Board making various judgments and estimates that can affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

(a) Statement of comprehensive income and statement of financial position impact

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

Restated(2) 
31 December  
2017  

US$’000

Statement of comprehensive income 

Profit for the year after tax attributable to the non-controlling interest in SGM(1) 

77,804 

108,946

Statement of financial position  

Total equity attributable to non-controlling interest in SGM(1) (opening) 

Profit for the year after tax attributable to the non-controlling interest in SGM(1) 

Dividend paid – non-controlling interest in SGM 

Total equity attributable to non-controlling interest in SGM(1) (closing) 

(1,683) 

77,804 

(76,391) 

(270) 

1,000

108,946

(111,629)

(1,683)

(1)  Profit share commenced during the third quarter of 2016. The first two years was a 60:40 split of net production surplus to PGM and EMRA 

respectively. From 1 July 2018 this changed to a 55:45 split for the next two-year period until 30 June 2020, after which all net production surpluses will 
be split 50:50. 

(2)  Refer to note 1.1.1 for the change in treatment of amounts attributable to the non-controlling interest in SGM (previously EMRA profit share).

Any variation between payments made during the year (which are based on the Company’s estimates) and the SGM audited financial 
statements, may result in a balance due and payable to EMRA or advances to be offset against future distributions. This will be reflected 
as an amount attributable to the non-controlling interest in SGM on the statement of financial position and statement of changes 
in equity.

172

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b) Cash flow statement impact

Statement of cash flows 

Dividend paid – non-controlling interest in SGM(1)   

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

(76,391) 

(111,629)

(1)  Profit share commenced during the third quarter of 2016. The first two years was a 60:40 split of net production surplus to PGM and EMRA 

respectively. From 1 July 2018 this changed to a 55:45 split for the next two-year period until 30 June 2020, after which all net production surpluses 
will be split 50:50.

EMRA and PGM benefit from advance distributions of profit share which are made on a weekly or fortnightly basis and proportionately 
in accordance with the terms of the CA. Future distributions will take into account ongoing cash flows, historical costs that are still to be 
recovered and any future capital expenditure. All profit share payments will be reconciled against SGM’s audited June financial 
statements for current and future periods.

2.5 Tax 
The Group operates in several countries and, accordingly, it is subject to the various tax regimes in the countries in which it operates. 
From time to time the Group is subject to a review of its related tax filings and in connection with such reviews, disputes can arise with 
the taxing authorities over the interpretation or application of certain rules to the Group’s business conducted within the country 
involved. If the Group is unable to resolve any of these matters favourably, there may be an adverse impact on the Group’s financial 
performance, cash flows or results of operations. In the event that management’s estimate of the future resolution of these matters 
changes, the Group will recognise the effects of the changes in its consolidated financial statements in the period that such 
changes occur. 

In Egypt, Pharaoh Gold Mines NL 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, other than the fixed royalty 
attributable to the Egyptian government, rental income on property and interest income on cash and cash equivalents.

Relevance of tax consolidation to the consolidated entity 

In Australia, Centamin Egypt Limited and Pharaoh Gold Mines NL, both wholly owned Australian resident entities within the Group, 
have elected to form a tax-consolidated Group from 1 July 2003 and therefore are treated as a single entity for Australian income 
tax purposes. The head entity within the tax-consolidated Group is Centamin Egypt Limited. Pharaoh Gold Mines NL, which has a 
registered Egyptian branch, benefits from the ‘branch profits exemption’ whereby foreign branch income will generally not be subject 
to Australian income tax. Ampella Mining Limited is a single entity for Australian income tax purposes.

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 
have 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.

Tax recognised in profit is summarised as follows:

Tax expense

Current tax 

Current tax expense in respect of the current year  

Deferred tax 

Total tax expense  

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

(53) 

— 

(53) 

(2,063)

—

(2,063)

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

173

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

2. How numbers are calculated continued

2.5 Tax continued
Nature of tax funding arrangements and tax-sharing agreements continued
The tax expense for the year can be reconciled to the profit per the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as follows:

Profit for the year before tax 

Tax expense calculated at 0% (2017: 0%)(1) of profit for the year before tax 

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

Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions 

Tax 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

152,702 

— 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

224,094

—

(53) 

(53) 

(2,063)

(2,063)

(1)  The tax rate used in the above reconciliation is the corporate tax rate of 0% payable by Jersey corporate entities under the Jersey tax law (2017: 0%). 

There has been no change in the underlying corporate tax rates when compared with the previous financial period.

Tax recognised in the balance sheet is summarised as follows:

Current tax liabilities 

Non-current tax liabilities 

ACCOUNTING POLICY: TAXATION

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

3 

155 

469

23

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.

174

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.6 Trade and other receivables

Non-current 

Other receivables – deposits  

Current 

Gold and silver sales debtors  

Other receivables 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

88 

88 

96

96

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

28,234 

5,209 

33,443 

31,007

3,460

34,467

Trade and other receivables are classified as loans and receivables and are therefore measured at amortised cost.

All gold and silver sales during the year were made to a single customer in North America, Asahi Refining Canada Ltd, and are neither 
past due nor impaired.

The average age of the receivables is nine days (2017: nine days). 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 and silver sales debtor is all a receivable from Asahi Refining Canada Ltd. The amount due has been 
received in full subsequent to year end. Other receivables represent GST and VAT owing from the various jurisdictions that the Group 
operates in and inventory returns to vendors where refunds are expected to occur.

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables is approximately equal to their fair value, therefore no 
expected credit loss is recognised within this note, see note 3.1.1 for the risk assessment related to trade receivables.

2.7 Prepayments

Current 

Prepayments 

Fuel prepayments 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

5,149 

1,547 

6,696 

7,546

2,247

9,793

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

175

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

2. How numbers are calculated continued

2.7 Prepayments continued 

Diesel Fuel Oil (“DFO“) dispute 

As more fully described in note 5.1, the Group is currently involved in court action concerning the price at which it is supplied with DFO. 
Since January 2012, the Group has had to pay for DFO at the international price rather than the subsidised price which it believes it is 
entitled to. It is seeking recovery of the funds advanced since 2012 through court action. However, management recognises the 
practical difficulties associated with reclaiming funds from the Egyptian government and for this reason has fully provided against 
the prepayment of US$327.0 million to 31 December 2018, of which US$49.7 million was provided for during 2018.

In order to allow a better understanding of the financial statements presented within the consolidated financial statements, 
and specifically the Group’s underlying business performance, the effect of the Diesel Fuel Oil dispute is shown below. 

Movement in fuel prepayments

Balance at the beginning of the year 

Fuel prepayment recognised 

Less: provision charged to: 

Mine production costs 

Property, plant and equipment 

Inventories 

Balance at the end of the year   

Cumulative fuel prepayment and provision recognised

Fuel prepayment recognised 

Less: provision charged to: 

Mine production costs 

Property, plant and equipment 

Inventories 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

2,247 

49,711 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

877

42,869

(45,017) 

(39,030)

(5,175) 

(219) 

1,547 

(2,761)

292

2,247

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

326,967 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

277,255

(302,047) 

(257,030)

(22,055) 

(1,317) 

(16,880)

(1,098)

This has resulted in a net charge of US$49.5 million in the profit and loss for the year.

Expenses 

Cost of sales 

Mine production costs 

Movement in inventory  

Depreciation and amortisation    

31 December 2018 

31 December 2017

Before 
adjustment 
US$’000 

Adjustment  
US$’000 

Total 
US$’000 

Before 
adjustment 
US$’000 

Adjustment 
US$’000 

Total 
US$’000

(283,073) 

35,821 

(109,744) 

(356,996) 

(45,017) 

(4,525) 

— 

(49,542) 

(328,090) 

(268,533) 

31,296 

(109,744) 

(406,538) 

341 

(104,288) 

(372,480) 

(39,030) 

(2,831) 

— 

(41,861) 

(307,563)

(2,490)

(104,288)

(414,341)

176

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.8 Property, plant and equipment

Office  
equipment  
US$’000 

Buildings 
US$’000 

Plant and 
equipment 
US$’000 

Mining 
equipment 
US$’000 

Mine 
development 
properties 
US$’000  

Capital 
work in 
progress 
US$’000 

Total 
US$’000

Cost 

Balance at 
31 December 2017 

Additions  

Increase in  
rehabilitation asset 

6,796 

2,051 

591,101 

72 

— 

— 

— 

126 

— 

274,976 

9,496 

457,113 

— 

37,998 

73,760 

1,370,035

83,454

— 

1,854 

— 

1,854

Transfers from capital  
work in progress 

Transfers from exploration  
and evaluation asset 

Disposals 

Balance at  
31 December 2018 

Accumulated depreciation 

Balance at  
31 December 2017 

Depreciation  
and amortisation  

Disposals 

Balance at  
31 December 2018 

Cost 

Balance at  
31 December 2016 

Additions  

Increase in  
rehabilitation asset 

Transfers from  
capital work in progress 

Transfers from exploration  
and evaluation asset 

Disposals 

Balance at  
31 December 2017 

440 

296 

13,080 

25,476 

48,984 

(88,276) 

—

— 

(1) 

— 

— 

— 

(149) 

— 

(160) 

9,678 

— 

— 

— 

9,678

(310)

7,307 

2,347 

604,158 

309,788 

517,629 

23,482 

1,464,711

(5,890) 

(548) 

(156,921) 

(163,902) 

(191,675) 

(495) 

1 

(147) 

— 

(28,252) 

(41,361) 

(39,792) 

98 

160 

— 

(6,384) 

(695) 

(185,075) 

(205,103) 

(231,467) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(518,936)

(110,047)

259

(628,724)

6,052 

744 

2,019 

32 

584,113 

7,304 

249,491 

25,485 

365,902 

3,186 

75,775 

40,122 

1,283,352

76,873

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(316) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

2,542 

— 

2,542

77,899 

(77,899) 

—

7,584 

— 

— 

— 

7,584

(316)

6,796 

2,051 

591,101 

274,976 

457,113 

37,998 

1,370,035

Accumulated depreciation 

Balance at  
31 December 2016 

Depreciation and  
amortisation 

Disposals 

Balance at  
31 December 2017 

Net book value 

As at  
31 December 2017 

As at  
31 December 2018 

(5,400) 

(412) 

(127,913) 

(129,610) 

(151,091) 

(490) 

— 

(136) 

— 

(29,060) 

(34,292) 

(40,584) 

52 

— 

— 

(5,890) 

(548) 

(156,921) 

(163,902) 

(191,675) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(414,426)

(104,562)

52

(518,936)

906 

923 

1,503 

434,180 

111,074 

265,438 

37,998 

851,099

1,652 

419,083 

104,685 

286,162 

23,482 

835,987

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

177

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

2. How numbers are calculated continued

2.8 Property, plant and equipment continued
The production downgrade and corresponding devaluation of the share price of the Company has been considered and it was 
concluded that this was an impairment indicator. An impairment review has been performed in 2018, refer to note 1.1.2, however no 
impairment resulted from the review. As no impairment indicators were identified in 2017 an impairment review was not performed in 
that period.

Assets that have been cost recovered under the terms of the Concession Agreement in Egypt are included on the statement of financial 
position under property, plant and equipment due to the Company having right of use of these assets. These rights will expire together 
with the Concession Agreement.

ACCOUNTING POLICY: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (“PPE”) 

PPE is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. PPE 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. Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount 
or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will 
flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognised. 
All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income statement during the financial period in which they are incurred. 
The cost of PPE includes the estimated restoration costs associated with the asset.

Depreciation is provided on PPE, except for capital work in progress. 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. Depreciation on 
capital work in progress commences on commissioning of the asset and transfer to the relevant PPE category.

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  
Mining equipment  
Buildings  

 2 – 20 years 
 3 – 7 years 
 2 – 13 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 other income or operating expenses.

Mine development properties 
Where mining of a mineral resource has commenced, the accumulated costs are transferred from exploration and evaluation assets 
to mine development properties, net of any pre-production revenues.

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.

Capitalised underground development costs incurred to enable access to specific ore blocks or areas of the underground mine, 
and which only provide an economic benefit over the period of mining that ore block or area, are depreciated on a unit of production 
basis, whereby the denominator is estimated ounces of gold in proven and probable reserves within that ore block or area where it is 
considered probable that those resources will be extracted economically.

178

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSACCOUNTING POLICY: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (“PPE”) CONTINUED

Stripping activity assets
The Group defers stripping costs incurred (removal of mine waste materials which provide improved access to further quantities of 
material that will be mined in future periods). This waste removal activity is known as stripping. There can be two benefits accruing to 
the entity from the stripping activity:

•  usable ore that can be used to produce inventory; and
• 

improved access to further quantities of material that will be mined in future periods.

The costs of stripping activity to be accounted for in accordance with the principles of IAS 2 ‘Inventories’ and IFRIC 20 ‘Stripping 
costs in the production phase of a surface mine’ to the extent that the benefit from the stripping activity is realised in the form of 
inventory produced. The costs of stripping activity which provides a benefit in the form of improved access to ore is recognised 
as a non-current stripping activity asset where the following criteria are met:

• 

it is probable that the future economic benefit (improved access to the orebody) associated with the stripping activity will flow to 
the entity;

•  the entity can identify the component of the orebody for which access has been improved; and
•  the costs relating to the stripping activity associated with that component can be measured reliably.

When the costs of the stripping activity asset and the inventory produced are not separately identifiable, production stripping costs 
are allocated between the inventory produced and the stripping activity asset by using an allocation basis that is based on a relevant 
production measure. A stripping activity asset is accounted for as an addition to, or as an enhancement of, an existing asset and 
classified as tangible or intangible according to the nature of the existing asset of which it forms part. A stripping activity asset is 
initially measured at cost and subsequently carried at cost or its revalued amount less depreciation or amortisation and impairment 
losses. A stripping activity asset is depreciated or amortised on a systematic basis, over the expected useful life of the identified 
component of the orebody that becomes more accessible as a result of the stripping activity. The stripping activity asset is 
depreciated using a unit of production method based on the total ounces to be produced over the life of the component of 
the orebody.

Deferred stripping costs are included in ‘stripping assets’, within tangible assets. These form part of the total investment in the 
relevant cash generating unit, which is reviewed for impairment if events or a change in circumstances indicate that the carrying 
value may not be recoverable. Amortisation of deferred stripping costs is included in operating costs.

As at 31 December 2018, no stripping costs have been recognised or deferred.

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). For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are 
Grouped at the lowest levels for which they potentially generate largely independent cash inflows (cash generating units).

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value loss 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.

If the recoverable amount of a cash generating unit is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the cash 
generating unit is reduced to its recoverable amount. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the 
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 
cash generating unit in prior years.

A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, 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.

2.9 Trade and other payables

Trade payables  

Other creditors and accruals 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

23,510 

15,736 

39,246 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

32,540

19,045

51,585

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

179

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

2. How numbers are calculated continued

2.9 Trade and other payables continued
Trade payables principally comprise the amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. The average credit period taken 
for trade purchases is 21 days (2017: 29 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.

ACCOUNTING POLICY: 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 twelve 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 twelve months are measured at 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 (defined contribution schemes) on 
behalf of the employees and Directors in respect of salaries and Directors’ fees paid. Contributions are charged against income as 
they are made.

2.10 Provisions 

Current 

Employee benefits(1)  

Fuel 

Egypt health insurance(2) 

Other current provisions(3) 

Non-current 

Restoration and rehabilitation(4)    

Other non-current provisions 

Movement in restoration and rehabilitation provision 

Balance at beginning of the year  

Additional provision recognised   

Interest expense – unwinding of discount  

Balance at end of the year 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

1,855 

— 

805 

5,495 

8,155 

13,591 

157 

13,748 

10,868 

1,854 

869 

13,591 

2,510

2,000

—

4,801

9,311

10,868

93

10,961

7,697

2,542

629

10,868

(1)  Employee benefits relate to annual, sick and long service leave entitlements and bonuses.

(2)  Egypt health insurance relates to Law no. 2 of the 2018 Comprehensive Health Insurance Law that requires 0.25% of revenues and an additional 4% of 

social insurance contributions to be paid by the Egyptian company effective from 1 July 2018.

(3)  Provision held for in-country disputes including customs, rebates and withholding taxes. 

(4)  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 decommission infrastructure, restore affected areas by ripping and grading of compacted surfaces to blend with the 
surroundings, closure of project components to ensure stability and safety at the Group’s sites. This has all been discounted by 3.02% (2017: 8.01%) 
and inflation applied at 2.49% (2017: 6.51%). As part of the annual review of the rehabilitation provision, management have amended the discount and 
inflation rates used in the calculation of the provision from a blended rate to a US$ applicable rate. The reason for the change is the liability is expected 
to be settled in US$ and therefore the discount and inflation rates should align with that expectation. The impact of this change in discount rate and 
inflation is not material, accordingly it has been recorded in the current year rather than as a prior year restatement. This restoration and rehabilitation 
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 to date. The annual review undertaken as at 31 December 2018 after amending the discount and inflation rates to a US$ 
applicable rate has resulted in a US$1.9 million increase in the provision.

180

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ACCOUNTING POLICY: RESTORATION AND REHABILITATION

A provision for restoration and rehabilitation is recognised when there is a present legal or constructive 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 within other operating costs rather than being 
capitalised into the cost of the related asset. 

2.11 Issued capital

Fully paid ordinary shares 

Balance at beginning of the period  

31 December 2018  

31 December 2017

Number 

US$’000 

Number 

US$’000

  1,152,107,984 

668,732 

1,152,107,984 

667,472

Employee share option scheme – proceeds from shares issued 

2,615,000 

— 

1,406 

451 

— 

—  

—

1,260

  1,154,722,984 

670,589 

1,152,107,984 

668,732

Transfer from share option reserve 

Balance at end of the period 

The authorised share capital is an unlimited number of no par value shares. 

At 31 December 2018, the trustee of the deferred bonus share plan held 606,383 ordinary shares (2017: 939,716 ordinary shares) 
pursuant to the plan rules.

Fully paid ordinary shares carry one vote per share and carry the right to dividends. See note 6.2 for more details of the share options.

ACCOUNTING POLICY: ISSUED CAPITAL

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in 
equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

Where the Company or other members of the consolidated Group purchase the Company’s equity share capital, the consideration 
paid is deducted from the total shareholders’ equity of the Group and/or of the Company as treasury shares until they are cancelled. 
Where such shares are subsequently sold or reissued, any consideration received is included in shareholders’ equity of the Group 
and/or the Company.

2.12 Share option reserve

Share option reserve 

Balance at beginning of the period  

Share-based payments expense  

Transfer to accumulated profits   

Transfer to issued capital 

Balance at the end of the period 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

4,323 

3,520 

(298) 

(1,857) 

5,688 

3,048

3,156

(621)

(1,260)

4,323

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

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

181

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

2. How numbers are calculated continued

2.13 Cash flow information 

(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.

Cash and cash equivalents  

ACCOUNTING POLICY: CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

282,627 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

359,680

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.

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

Profit for the year before tax 

Adjusted for: 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

152,702 

Restated(1) 
31 December  
2017  

US$’000

207,365

Depreciation/amortisation of property, plant and equipment 

110,047 

104,562

Inventory written off 

Inventory obsolescence provision 

Foreign exchange (gain) 

Share-based payments expense  

Finance income 

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Changes in working capital during the period:   

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables  

(Increase)/decrease in inventories  

Decrease/(increase) in prepayments 

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables    

Increase in provisions  

Cash flows generated from operating activities  

(1)  Restated due to change in accounting policy, refer to note 1.2.1 for further information.

(c) Non-cash financing and investing activities

During the year there have been no non-cash financing and investing activities. 

451 

(1,804) 

(6,373) 

3,222 

(4,815) 

31 

1,023 

(22,959) 

3,105 

(12,340) 

1,501 

223,791 

198

2,636 

(1,470)

2,535

(2,729)

263

(9,596)

20,736

(2,005)

7,592

8,577

338,664

182

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
3. Group financial risk and capital management

3.1 Group financial risk management

3.1.1 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 the 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 2.11 
and 2.12. The Group operates in Australia, Jersey, Egypt, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. 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 Mine in Egypt, and the 
exploration projects in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.

Categories of financial assets and liabilities

Financial assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income   

Financial liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

(b) Financial risk management and objectives

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

282,627 

33,443 

— 

359,680

33,745

125

316,070 

393,550

39,246 

51,585

The Group’s overall risk management programme 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 and Risk 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.

(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, Great British pound and Egyptian pound. 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 Great British pounds, Australian dollars and Egyptian pounds are as follows:

Great British pound 

Australian dollar 

Egyptian pound

31 December 
2018 
US$’000 

31 December 
2017 
US$’000 

31 December 
2018 
US$’000 

31 December 
2017 
US$’000 

31 December 
2018 
US$’000 

31 December 
2017  

US$’000

Financial assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Financial assets at fair value  
through other comprehensive income 

Financial liabilities 

Trade and other payables  

Net exposure 

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

1,631 

— 

1,631 

(833) 

(833) 

2,464 

193 

110 

303 

79 

79 

224 

1,379 

1,493 

1,344 

— 

1,379 

9,699 

9,699 

(8,320) 

15 

1,508 

4,569 

4,569 

(3,061) 

— 

1,344 

5,453 

5,453 

(4,109) 

488

—

488

2,259

2,259

(1,771)

183

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

3. Group financial risk and capital management continued

3.1 Group financial risk management continued
3.1.1 Financial instruments continued
(c) Market risk continued
The following table summarises the sensitivity of financial instruments held at the reporting date to movements in the exchange rate of 
the Great British pound, Egyptian pound and Australian dollar to the US 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.

US$/GBP increase by 10% 

US$/GBP decrease by 10% 

US$/AUD increase by 10% 

US$/AUD decrease by 10% 

US$/EGP increase by 10% 

US$/EGP decrease by 10% 

Impact on profit 

Impact on equity

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December 
2017 
US$’000 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

223 

(223) 

(756) 

756 

(374) 

374 

(18) 

18 

(136) 

136 

(44) 

44 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(10)

10

(2)

2

—

—

The Group’s sensitivity to foreign currency has increased at the end of the current period mainly due to an increase in GBP and EGP 
foreign currency cash holdings offset by a decrease in AUD foreign currency cash holdings as well as an increase in AUD and EGP trade 
payables offset by a decrease in GBP trade payables. There is also a corresponding decrease in US dollar cash holdings and 
trade payables.

The amounts shown above are the main currencies which the Group is exposed to. Centamin also has small deposits in euro 
(US$404,141) and West African franc (US$245,182), and net payables of US$2,355,781 in euro and US$759,014 in West African franc. 
A movement of 10% up or down in these currencies would have a negligible effect on the assets/liabilities.

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 and fuel prices. The Group has not 
entered into forward gold hedging contracts. 

Gold price

The table below summarises the impact of increases/decreases of the average realised gold price on the Group’s post-tax profit for the 
year. The analysis is based on the assumption that the average realised gold price per ounce had increased/decreased by 10% with all 
other variables held constant.

Average realised gold price 

Profit after tax   

Fuel price

Decrease  
by 10% 
US$/oz 

1,140 

US$’000 

103,130 

31 December 
2018 
US$/oz 

1,267 

US$’000 

152,649 

Increase 
by 10% 
US$/oz

1,394

US$’000

222,159

Any variation in the fuel price has an impact on the mine production costs. The analysis is based on the assumption that the average fuel 
price had increased/decreased by a few US cents per litre with all other variables held constant.

Fuel price 

Profit after tax   

Decrease  
by 10% 
US$/litre 

0.55 

US$’000 

161,708 

31 December 
2018 
US$/litre 

0.61 

US$’000 

152,649 

Increase  
by 10% 
US$/litre

0.67

US$’000

143,588

184

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(e) Interest rate risk and liquidity 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 the balance sheet date were 
as per the table below.

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 for liquidity risk management rests with the Board, which 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 in section (a) to (c) of this 
note above reflect a balanced view of cash inflows and outflows and show 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’s liquidity position including cash flow forecasts to 
determine the forecast liquidity position and maintain appropriate liquidity levels.

31 December 2018 

Financial assets 

Variable interest rate instruments 

Non-interest bearing 

Financial liabilities 

Non-interest bearing 

31 December 2017 

Financial assets 

Variable interest rate instruments 

Non-interest bearing 

Financial liabilities 

Non-interest bearing 

(f) Credit risk

Weighted  
average 
effective 
interest rate 
% 

Less than 
one month 
US$’000 

2.13 

— 

— 

0.52 

— 

— 

25,654 

41,421 

67,075 

39,220 

39,220 

179,360 

38,330 

217,690 

56,585 

56,585 

One to 
twelve 
months 
US$’000 

248,296 

— 

248,296 

— 

— 

175,860 

— 

175,860 

— 

— 

Total 
US$’000

273,950

41,421

315,371

39,220

39,220

355,220

38,330

393,550

56,585

56,585

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. 
The Group has adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties 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, the refiner Asahi, but the Group has a good credit check on its customer and none 
of the trade receivables from the customer has been past due. Also, the cash balances held in all currencies are held with financial 
institutions 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.

(g) 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.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

185

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

3. Group financial risk and capital management continued

3.1 Group financial risk management continued
3.1.1 Financial instruments continued
(h) 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

•  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).

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income   

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income   

Level 1 
US$’000 

— 

Level 1 
US$’000 

125 

2018

Level 2 
US$’000 

— 

2017

Level 2 
US$’000 

— 

Level 3 
US$’000 

— 

Total 
US$’000

—

Level 3 
US$’000 

— 

Total 
US$’000

125

There were no financial assets or liabilities subsequently measured at fair value on Level 3 fair value measurement bases.

(i) Ore reserves

The following disclosure provides information to help users of the financial statements understand the judgments made about the 
future and other sources of estimation uncertainty. The key sources of estimation uncertainty described in note 1.1.3 above and the 
range of possible outcomes are described more fully below.

Depreciation of capitalised underground mine development costs 

Depreciation of capitalised underground mine development costs at the Sukari Gold Mine is based on reserve estimates. Management 
and Directors believe that these estimates are both realistic and conservative, based on current information. The analysis is based on the 
assumption that the reserve estimate has increased/decreased by 10% with all other variables held constant.

Amortisation of rehabilitation asset (within mine development properties) 

Amortisation of mine development properties (remainder) 

Mine development properties – net book value 

Property, plant and equipment – net book value 

ACCOUNTING POLICY: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Decrease 
by 10% 
US$’000 

828 

42,176 

282,950 

832,775 

31 December 
2018 
US$’000 

747 

39,045 

286,162 

835,987 

Increase  
by 10% 
US$’000

678

36,496

288,780

838,605

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 as defined below.

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.

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.

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

186

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ACCOUNTING POLICY: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED

Financial assets 
Financial assets are recognised when, and only when, the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument, 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’s 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.

An entity shall derecognise a financial asset when, and only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset 
expire or it transfers the financial asset by transferring its rights to the related cash flows.

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 estimated 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.

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 financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 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 fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”) 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.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

187

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

3. Group financial risk and capital management continued

3.2 Capital management

3.2.1 Risk management 

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to:

•  safeguard their ability to continue as a going concern, so that they can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits 

for other stakeholders; and

•  maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to owners of the parent, 
return capital to owners of the parent or issue new shares.

3.2.2 Dividends to owners of the parent

Ordinary shares 

Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2017 of 10 US cents per share  
(2016: 13.5 US cents per share) 

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018 of 2.5 US cents per share  
(2017: 2.5 US cents per share) 

Total dividends provided for or paid 

Dividends to owners of the parent: 

Paid in cash 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

115,629 

155,437

28,938 

144,567 

28,952

184,389

144,567 

184,389

188

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Group structure

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

Centamin Egypt Limited  

Pharaoh Gold Mines NL (holder of an Egyptian branch) 

Sukari Gold Mining Co  

Centamin West Africa Holdings Limited  

Sheba Exploration Limited (holder of an Ethiopia branch) 

Sheba Exploration Holdings Limited(1) 

Centamin Group Services Limited  

Centamin Holdings Limited  

Centamin Limited  

Ampella Mining Limited 

Ampella Share Plan Limited (in liquidation due to Group rationalisation) 

Ampella Mining Gold Pty Limited (in liquidation due to Group rationalisation) 

West African Gold Reserve Pty Limited (in liquidation due to Group rationalisation) 

Ampella Mining Gold SARL 

Ampella Mining SARL 

Ampella Mining Côte d’Ivoire 

Centamin Côte d’Ivoire 

Ampella Mining Exploration CDI  

Centamin Exploration CI 

Ampella Resources Burkina Faso  

Konkera SA 

(1)  Previously Sheba Exploration (UK) plc.

Ownership interest

Country of 
incorporation 

31 December 
2018  
%  

31 December  
2017 
%

Australia(2)  

Australia(2) 

Egypt(4)  

UK(3)  

UK(3) 

UK(3) 

Jersey(8)  

Jersey(8) 

Bermuda(7)  

Australia(2) 

Australia(2) 

Australia(2) 

Australia(2) 

Burkina Faso(5) 

Burkina Faso(5) 

Côte d’Ivoire(6) 

Côte d’Ivoire(6) 

Côte d’Ivoire(6) 

Côte d’Ivoire(6) 

Burkina Faso(5) 

Burkina Faso(5) 

100 

100 

50 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

90 

100

100

50

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

90

(2)  Address of all Australian entities: Suite 8, 7 The Esplanade, Mount Pleasant, WA 6153.

(3)  Address of all UK entities: Hill House, 1 Little New Street, London, EC4A 3TR.

(4)  Address of all Egypt entities: 361 El-Horreya Road, Sedi Gaber, Alexandria, Egypt.

(5)  Address of all Burkina Faso entities: Ampella Resources Burkina Faso: 11 BP 1974 Ouaga 11. Ampella Mining SARL: 01 BP 1621 Ouaga 01. 

Ampella Mining Gold SARL: 11 BP 1974 CMS 11 Ouaga 11. Konkera SA: 11 BP 1974 Ouaga CM11. 

(6)  Address of all Côte d’Ivoire entities: 20 BP 945 Abidjan 20.

(7)  Address of Bermuda entity: Appleby Corporate Services (Bermuda) Ltd, Canon’s Court, 22 Victoria Street, Hamilton HM EX, Bermuda.

(8)  Address of all Jersey entities: 2 Mulcaster Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3NJ.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary, PGM, the Company entered into the Concession Agreement with EMRA and the Arab Republic of 
Egypt (“ARE”) 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 2005 PGM, together with EMRA, were granted an exploitation lease over 160km2 surrounding the Sukari Gold Mine 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 manager, who is appointed by PGM.

The fiscal terms of the Concession Agreement require that PGM solely funds 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 or 
profit share (defined as revenue less payment of the fixed royalty to ARE and recoverable costs). As at 31 December 2015, PGM had not 
recovered its cost and, accordingly, no EMRA entitlement had been recognised at that date. During 2016, payments to EMRA 
commenced as advance profit share distributions. Any payment made to EMRA pursuant to these provisions of the Concession 
Agreement are recognised as dividend paid to the non-controlling interest in SGM.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

189

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

4. Group structure continued

4.1 Subsidiaries continued
The Concession Agreement grants certain tax exemptions, including the following:

• 

from 1 April 2010, being the date of commercial production, the Sukari Gold Mine is entitled to a 15-year exemption from any taxes 
imposed by the Egyptian government on the revenues generated from the Sukari Gold Mine. 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 have 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 Gold Mine. The exemption shall only apply if there is 
no local substitution with the same or 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 Gold Mine;

•  PGM at all times is free to transfer in US$ 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;

•  PGM’s contractors and subcontractors are entitled to import machinery, equipment and consumable items under the “Temporary 

• 

Release System” which provided exemption from Egyptian customs duty; and
legal title of all operating assets of PGM will pass to EMRA when cost recovery is completed. The right of use of all fixed and movable 
assets remains with PGM and SGM.

4.2 Joint arrangements 
The consolidated entity has an interest in the following joint arrangement:

Name of joint operation 

Egyptian Pharaoh Investments(1)   

(1)  Dormant company.

Percentage interest

31 December  
2018  
% 

31 December  
2017  
%

50 

50

The Group has a US$1 (cash) interest in the above joint operation. The amount is included in the consolidated financial statements of the 
Group. There are no capital commitments arising from the Group’s interests in this joint operation.

ACCOUNTING POLICY: INTERESTS IN JOINT ARRANGEMENTS

The Group applies IFRS 11 ‘Joint arrangements’. Under IFRS 11, investments in joint arrangements are classified as either joint 
operations or joint ventures depending on the contractual rights and obligations each investor. Joint ventures are accounted for using 
the equity method. In relation to its interests in joint operations, the Group recognises its share of assets and liabilities; revenue from 
the sale of its share of the output; and its share of expenses.

SGM is wholly consolidated within the Centamin Group of companies, reflecting the substance and economic reality of the 
Concession Agreement (see note 1.1.1).

190

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.3 Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income

Balance at the beginning of the period 

Gain on foreign exchange movement 

Loss on fair value of investment – other comprehensive income  

Balance at the end of the period 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

125 

— 

(125) 

— 

130

86

(91)

125

The financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income at period end relates to a 4.45% (2017: 5.33%) equity interest in 
Nyota Minerals Limited, a former listed public company which delisted in September 2017, as well as a 0.17% (2017: 0.29%) equity 
interest in KEFI Minerals plc (“KEFI”), an AIM listed company. 

Management made the decision to sell its interests in Nyota Minerals Limited and Kefi Minerals plc and the financial asset is classed as 
a current asset.

ACCOUNTING POLICY: FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (“FVOCI”)

Listed shares and listed redeemable notes held by the Group that are traded in an active market are classified as being FVOCI and are 
stated at fair value. Fair value is determined in the manner described in note 3.1.1. Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value 
are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated profits 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 FVOCI equity instruments are recognised in profit or loss when the Group’s right to receive the dividends is established.

The fair value of FVOCI 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.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

191

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

5. Unrecognised items

5.1 Contingent liabilities and contingent assets

Contingent liabilities

Fuel supply

As set out in note 2.7, in January 2012, the Group received a letter from Chevron to the effect that Chevron would only be able to supply 
DFO (Diesel Fuel Oil) to the mine at Sukari at international prices rather than at local subsidised prices. It is understood that the reason 
that this letter was issued was that Chevron had received a letter instructing it to do so from the Egyptian General Petroleum 
Corporation (“EGPC”). It is further understood that EGPC itself issued this instruction because it had received legal advice from the 
Legal Advice Department of the Council of State (an internal government advisory department) that companies operating in the gold 
mining sector in Egypt were not entitled to such subsidies. In November 2012, the Group received a further demand from Chevron for 
the repayment of fuel subsidies received during the period from late 2009 through to January 2012, for EGP403 million (approximately 
US$22.5 million at current exchange rates).

The Group has taken detailed legal advice on this matter (and, in particular, on the opinion given by the Legal Advice Department of the 
Council of State) and in June 2012 lodged an appeal against EGPC’s decision in the Administrative Courts. The Group believes that its 
grounds for appeal are strong and that there is a good prospect of success. However, as a practical matter, and in order to ensure the 
continuation of supply whilst the matter is resolved, the Group has since January 2012 advanced funds to its fuel supplier, based on the 
international price for fuel.

As at the date of this document, no decision had been taken by the courts regarding this matter. The Group has received an 
unfavourable State Commissioner’s report in the case; however, the report is non-binding and the Group’s legal advisers remain of 
the view that the Group has a strong case. The Group remains of the view that an instant move to international fuel prices is not a 
reasonable outcome and will look to recover funds advanced thus far should the court action be successfully concluded. However, 
management recognises the practical difficulties associated with reclaiming funds from the government and for this reason has fully 
provided against the prepayment of US$327.0 million. Refer to note 2.7 of these financial statements for further details on the impact 
of this provision on the Group’s results for 31 December 2018.

No provision has been made in respect of the historical subsidies prior to January 2012 as, based on legal advice, the Company believes 
that, notwithstanding the unfavourable State Commissioner’s report, the prospects of a court finding in its favour in relation to this 
matter remain very strong. 

Concession Agreement court case 

On 30 October 2012, the Administrative Court in Egypt handed down a judgment in relation to a claim brought by, amongst others, 
an independent member of a previous parliament, in which he argued for the nullification of the agreement that confers on the Group 
rights to operate in Egypt. This agreement, the Concession Agreement, was entered into between the Arab Republic of Egypt, the 
Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority and Centamin’s wholly owned subsidiary Pharaoh Gold Mines, and was approved by the People’s 
Assembly as Law 222 of 1994.

In summary that judgment states that, although the Concession Agreement itself remains valid and in force, insufficient evidence had 
been submitted to court in order to demonstrate that the 160km2 exploitation lease between PGM and EMRA had received approval 
from the relevant minister as required by the terms of the Concession Agreement. Accordingly, the Court found that the exploitation 
lease in respect of the area of 160km2 was not valid although it stated that there was in existence such a lease in respect of an area of 
3km2. Centamin, however, is in possession of the executed original lease documentation which clearly shows that the 160km2 
exploitation lease was approved by the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. It appears that an executed original document 
was not supplied to the court in the first instance.

192

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSUpon notification of the judgment the Group took various steps to protect its ability to continue to operate the mine at Sukari. These 
included lodging a formal appeal before the Supreme Administrative Court on 26 November 2012. In addition, in conjunction with the 
formal appeal the Group applied to the Supreme Administrative Court to suspend the initial decision until such time as the court was 
able to consider and rule on the merits of the appeal. On 20 March 2013, the Court upheld this application thus suspending the initial 
decision and providing assurance that normal operations would be able to continue whilst the appeal process was underway.

EMRA lodged its own appeal in relation to this matter on 27 November 2012, the day after the Company’s appeal was lodged, 
supporting the Group’s view in this matter. Furthermore, in late December 2012, the Minister of Petroleum lodged a supporting appeal 
and shortly thereafter publicly indicated that, in his view, the terms of the Concession Agreement were fair and that the exploitation 
lease was valid. The Minister of Petroleum also expressed support for the investment and expertise that Centamin brings to the country.

The Company believes this demonstrates the government’s commitment to the Group’s investment at Sukari and the government’s 
desire to stimulate further investment in the Egyptian mining industry.

The Supreme Administrative Court has stayed the Concession Agreement appeal until the Supreme Constitutional Court has ruled on 
the validity of Law no. 32 of 2014. Law no. 32 of 2014 restricts the capacity for third parties to challenge contractual agreements 
between the Egyptian government and an investor. This law, whilst in force and ratified by the new parliament, is currently under review 
by the Supreme Constitutional Court (“SCC”). During Q2 2017, the SCC re-referred the case to the state commissioner to prepare a 
complementary report to an initial report provided by the state commissioner in Q1 2017 which found Law no. 32 to be unconstitutional. 
The state commissioner’s report and complementary report are advisory and non-binding on the SCC. The Company continues to 
believe that it has a strong legal position and that in the event that the SCC rules that Law no. 32 is invalid, the Group remains confident 
that its own appeal will be successful on the merits.

The Company does not yet know when the appeal will conclude, although it is aware of the potential for the process in Egypt to be 
lengthy. The Company has taken extensive legal advice on the merits of its appeal from a number of leading Egyptian law firms who 
have confirmed that the proper steps were followed with regard to the grant of the 160km² lease. It therefore remains of the view that 
the appeal is based on strong legal grounds and will ultimately be successful. In the event that the appellate court fails to be persuaded 
of the merits of the case put forward by the Group, the operations at Sukari may be adversely effected to the extent that the Group’s 
operation exceeds the exploitation lease area of 3km² referred to in the original court decision.

The Company remains confident that normal operations at Sukari will be maintained whilst the appeal case is heard.

Other contingent assets

There were no other contingent assets at year end (31 December 2017: nil).

5.2 Commitments
The following is a summary of the Company’s outstanding commitments as at 31 December 2018:

Operating lease commitments

The future aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

No longer than one year  

Longer than one year and not longer than five years  

Longer than five years 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

1,068 

1,673 

428 

3,169 

1,058

1,656

1,472

4,185

ACCOUNTING POLICY: 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.

IFRS 16 will be applied from 1 January 2019.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

193

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

5. Unrecognised items continued

5.3 Dividends per share
The dividends paid in 2018 were US$144,567,233 and are reflected in the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the period 
(2017: US$184,388,830).

A final dividend in respect of the year ended 31 December 2018 of 3.0 US cents per share, totalling approximately US$34.6 million 
has been proposed by the Board of Directors and is subject to shareholder approval at the annual general meeting on 8 April 2019. 
These financial statements do not reflect this dividend payable.

As announced on 9 January 2017, the update to the Company’s dividend policy sets a minimum payout level relative to cash flow while 
considering the financial condition of, and outlook for, the Company. When determining the amount to be paid, the Board will take into 
consideration the underlying profitability of the Company and significant known or expected funding commitments. Specifically, the 
Board will aim to approve an annual dividend of at least 30% of the Company’s net cash flow after sustaining capital costs and following 
the payment of profit share due to the government of Egypt.

5.4 Subsequent events 
As referred to in note 5.3, subsequent to the year end, the Board proposed a final dividend for 2018 of 3.0 US cents per share. Subject 
to shareholder approval at the annual general meeting on 8 April 2019, the final dividend will be paid on 13 May 2019 to shareholders 
on the record date of 23 April 2019.

There were no other significant events occurring after the reporting date requiring disclosure in the financial statements.

194

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS6. Other information

6.1 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 4.1.

Equity interest in associates and jointly controlled arrangements

Details of interests in joint ventures are disclosed in note 4.2.

(b) Key management personnel compensation

Key management personnel are persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the 
Group, directly or indirectly, including any Director (executive or otherwise) of the Group.

The aggregate compensation made to key management personnel of the consolidated entity and the Company is set out below:

Short term employee benefits  

Post-employment benefits  

Share-based payments 

31 December  
2018 
US$ 

31 December  
2017 
US$

5,731,721 

6,919,135

7,969 

2,398,039 

8,137,729 

8,037

2,174,475

9,101,647

(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 ended 31 December 2018 are as follows:

 31 December 2018 

J El-Raghy(2) 

A Pardey  

R Jerrard 

G Haslam 

M Arnesen  

M Bankes 

A Baker 

I Fawzy 

Y El-Raghy 

M Morcombe 

R Marshall 

N Bailie 

M Smith 

A Carse 

D Le Masurier   

H Brown 

R Nel 

Balance at 
1 January 
2018 

Granted as 
remuneration 
(“DBSP”) 

Granted as 
remuneration 
(“PSP”) 

Net other 

change(1) 

Balance at  
31 December  

2018

10,500,000 

3,099,268 

1,295,000 

102,056 

49,000 

150,000 

— 

— 

678,753 

— 

— 

166,000 

702,667 

— 

547,000 

316,000 

—  

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

150,000 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

—  

— 

640,000 

510,000 

— 

10,500,000

50,000 

3,789,268

— 

1,805,000

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

130,000 

730,000 

— 

150,000 

230,000 

210,000 

150,000 

—  

120,000 

25,000 

—  

40,000 

— 

— 

(45,091) 

— 

— 

—  

(133,333) 

6,336 

(121,000) 

(173,500) 

— 

127,056

49,000

190,000

—

—

763,662

880,000

—

316,000

799,334

216,336

576,000

142,500

120,000

(1)  “Net other change” relates to the on-market acquisition or disposal of fully paid ordinary shares.

(2)  Includes shareholdings attributable to the El-Raghy family.

Since 31 December 2018 to the date of this report there have been no transactions notified to the Company under DTR 3.1.2.R.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

195

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

6. Other information continued

6.1 Related party transactions continued
(c) Key management personnel equity holdings continued
The details of the movement in key management personnel equity holdings of fully paid ordinary shares in Centamin plc during the 
financial period ended 31 December 2017 are as follows:

 31 December 2017 

J El-Raghy(2) 

A Pardey 

R Jerrard 

T Schultz 

G Haslam 

M Arnesen 

M Bankes  

A Baker 

Y El-Raghy 

M Morcombe 

N Bailie 

M Smith 

A Carse 

D Le Masurier   

H Brown 

R Nel 

Balance at 
1 January 
2017 

53,849,372 

2,692,601 

875,000 

30,000 

102,056 

49,000 

150,000 

— 

869,530 

— 

— 

670,000 

— 

540,000 

460,000 

— 

Granted as 
remuneration 
(“DBSP”) 

Granted as 
remuneration 
(“PSP”) 

Net other 

change(1) 

Balance at  
31 December  
2017

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(43,349,372) 

10,500,000

440,000 

420,000 

(33,333) 

3,099,268

— 

1,295,000

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

2,600 

— 

— 

— 

— 

32,600

102,056

49,000

150,000

—

72,000 

(262,777) 

678,753

— 

166,000 

166,000 

— 

107,000 

56,000 

— 

— 

— 

(133,333) 

— 

(100,000) 

(200,000) 

— 

—

166,000

702,667

—

547,000

316,000

—

(1)  “Net other change” relates to the on-market acquisition or disposal of fully paid ordinary shares.

(2)  Includes shareholdings attributable to the El-Raghy family.

(d) Key management personnel share option holdings

There were no options held, granted or exercised during the year by Directors or senior management in respect of ordinary shares in 
Centamin plc.

(e) Other transactions with key management personnel

The related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2018 are summarised below: 

•  salaries, superannuation contributions, bonuses, LTIs, consulting and Directors’ fees paid to Directors during the year ended 

31 December 2018 amounted to US$3,951,939 (31 December 2017: US$4,001,383); and

•  Josef El-Raghy is a Director and shareholder of El-Raghy Kriewaldt Pty Ltd (“El-Raghy Kriewaldt”). El-Raghy Kriewaldt provided 

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 AUD26,100 or US$21,013 
(31 December 2017: AUD70,564 or US$54,269), this lease ended in May 2018.

(f) Transactions with the government of Egypt

Royalty costs attributable to the government of Egypt of US$18,396,045 (2017: US$20,404,473) were incurred in 2018. Profit share to 
EMRA of US$77,803,732 (2017: US$108,946,486) was incurred in 2018.

(g) Transactions with other related parties

Other related parties include the parent entity, subsidiaries, and other related parties.

During the 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 the consolidated financial 
statements of the Group.

196

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.2 Contributions to Egypt

(a) Gold sales agreement

On 20 December 2016, SGM entered into a contract with the Central Bank of Egypt (“CBE”). The agreement provides that the parties 
may elect, on a monthly basis, for the CBE to supply SGM with its local Egyptian currency requirements for that month (to a maximum 
value of EGP50 million). In return, SGM facilitates the purchase of refined gold bullion for the CBE from SGM’s refiner, Asahi Refining. 
This transaction has been entered into as SGM requires local currency for its operations in Egypt (it receives its revenue for gold sales in 
US dollars). Fourteen transactions have been entered into at the date of this report, twelve of which in the current year, pursuant to this 
agreement, and the values related thereto are as follows:

Gold purchased  

Refining costs   

Freight costs 

Gold purchased  

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

33,821 

31 December  
2017  

US$’000

5,619

20 

48 

3

9

33,889 

5,631

31 December  
2018 
Oz 

31 December  
2017  
Oz

26,621 

4,404

At 31 December 2018 the net receivable in EGP owing from the Central Bank of Egypt is approximately the equivalent of US$40,618.

(b) University grant

During the year, the Group together with Sami El-Raghy and the University of Alexandria Faculty of Science initiated a sponsored 
scholarship agreement, the Michael Kriewaldt Scholarships to outstanding geology major students to enrol at the postgraduate 
research programme of the geology department of the university for their MSc and/or PhD in mining and mineral resources. 
EGP10,000,000, EGP7,330,000 by PGM and EGP2,670,000 by Sami El-Raghy, was deposited in a fixed deposit account of which the 
interest earned will be put towards the cost of the scholarships and will be administered by the University on the conditions set out in 
the agreement.

6.3 Share-based payments

Performance share plan 

The Company’s shareholder approved performance share plan (“PSP”) allows the Company the right to grant awards (as defined below) 
to employees of the Group. Awards may take the form of either conditional share awards, where shares are transferred conditionally 
upon the satisfaction of performance conditions; or share options, which may take the form of nil cost options or have a nominal exercise 
price, the exercise of which is again subject to satisfaction of applicable performance conditions. 

Proposed changes will be put forward at the forthcoming AGM bringing the plan rules in line with best practice and expectations of 
institutional investors. Full details of the proposed changes are set out in the Directors’ remuneration report and AGM notice.

The awards due to be granted in June 2019 will vest following the passing of three years. Vesting will be subject to the satisfaction of the 
performance conditions (and for Executive Directors a full two year post vesting holding period. Awards will vest based upon a blend of 
three year relative TSR, cash flow and production targets, full details of which are set out in the Directors’ remuneration report. These 
measures are assessed by reference to current market practice and the Remuneration Committee will have regard to current market 
practice when establishing the precise performance conditions for awards.

To date, the Company has granted the following conditional awards to employees of the Group:

June 2015 awards

Of the 5,145,000 awards granted on 4 June 2015 under the PSP, 2,615,000 awards vested to 13 eligible participants on 4 June 2018, 
half of which are subject to a two-year holding period, based on the following performance criteria:

•  20% of the award shall be assessed by reference to a target total shareholder return;
•  50% of the award shall be assessed by reference to absolute growth in earnings per share; and
•  30% of the award shall be assessed by reference to compound growth in gold production.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

197

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

6. Other information continued

6.3 Share-based payments continued
Performance share plan continued
June 2016 awards

Of the 4,999,000 awards granted on 4 June 2016 under the PSP, 3,749,000 awards remain granted to eligible participants (25 in total) 
applying the following performance criteria:

•  20% of the award shall be assessed by reference to a target total shareholder return;
•  30% of the award shall be assessed by reference to mineral reserve replacement and growth;
•  20% of the award shall be assessed by reference to compound growth in EBITDA; and
•  30% of the award shall be assessed by reference to compound growth in gold production. 

June 2017 awards

Of the 3,459,000 awards granted on 4 June 2017 under the PSP, 3,115,000 awards remain granted to eligible participants (35 in total) 
applying the following performance criteria:

•  20% of the award shall be assessed by reference to a target total shareholder return;
•  30% of the award shall be assessed by reference to mineral reserve replacement and growth;
•  20% of the award shall be assessed by reference to compound growth in Adjusted EBITDA; and
•  30% of the award shall be assessed by reference to compound growth in gold production. 

June 2018 awards

Of the 4,908,000 awards granted on 27 June 2017 under the PSP, 4,714,000 awards remain granted to eligible participants (40 in total) 
applying the following performance criteria:

•  40% of the award shall be assessed by reference to a target total shareholder return;
•  20% of the award shall be assessed by reference to compound growth in Adjusted EBITDA; and
•  40% of the award shall be assessed by reference to compound growth in gold production. 

Conditional share awards and options together constitute “awards” under the plan and those in receipt of awards are “award holders”.

A detailed summary of the scheme rules is set out in the 2016 AGM proxy materials which are available at www.centamin.com. 
In brief, awards will vest following the passing of three years from the date of the award and vesting will be subject to satisfaction of 
performance conditions. The above measures are assessed by reference to current market practice and the Remuneration Committee 
will have regard to market practice when establishing the precise performance conditions for future awards.

Where the performance conditions have been met, in the case of conditional awards, 50% of the total shares under the award will be 
issued or transferred to the award holders on or as soon as possible following the specified vesting date, with the remaining 50% being 
issued or transferred on the second anniversary of the vesting date.

Performance share plan awards granted during the period:

Grant date  

Number of instruments 

TSR: fair value at grant date GBP(1) 

TSR: fair value at grant date US$(1) 

EBITDA and gold production: fair value at grant date GBP(1) 

EBITDA and gold production: fair value at grant date US$(1) 

Vesting period (years) 

Expected volatility (%) 

Expected dividend yield (%)  

PSP 2018 
27 June 2018

4,908,000

0.54

0.71

1.02

1.34

3

42.70

4.82

(1)  The vesting of 40% of the awards granted under this plan are dependent on a TSR performance condition. As relative TSR is defined as a market 

condition under IFRS 2 ‘Share-based payments’, this requires that the valuation model used takes into account the anticipated performance outcome. 
We have therefore applied a Monte-Carlo simulation model. The simulation model takes into account the probability of performance based on the 
expected volatility of Centamin and the peer group companies and the expected correlation of returns between the companies in the comparator 
group. The remaining 60% of the awards are subject to EBITDA and gold production performance conditions. As these are classified as non-market 
conditions under IFRS 2 they do not need to be taken into account when determining the fair value. These grants have been valued using a 
Black-Scholes model. The fair value calculated was then converted at the closing GBP:US$ foreign exchange rate on that day.

198

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred bonus share plan (“DBSP”)

In 2012, the Company implemented the DBSP, which is a long term share incentive arrangement for senior management (but not 
Executive Directors) and other employees (participants).

On 4 June 2013, the Group offered to both the beneficiaries of the shares awarded under the Employee Loan Funded Share Plan 
(“ELFSP”) and to the majority of the beneficiaries of the options granted under the Employee Option Scheme (“EOS”) the choice to 
replace their awards and options with awards under the DBSP. The Group has accounted for this change as modifications to the 
share-based payment plans and will be recognising the incremental fair value granted, measured in accordance with IFRS 2, by this 
replacement over the vesting period of the new DBSP awards.

Under this offer, each participant has been granted a number of awards under the DBSP equivalent to the number of shares or options 
held under the ELFSP and EOS respectively. Such DBSP awards shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the DBSP and shall 
ordinarily vest in three equal tranches on the anniversary of the grant date, conditional upon the continued employment with the Group. 
All offers made to participants were accepted. The award of the deferred shares will not have any performance criteria attached. 
They will, however, be subject to a service period.

DBSP awards granted during the period:

Grant date  

Number of instruments 

Share price/fair value at grant date Tranche 1 £(1) 

Share price/fair value at grant date Tranche 1 US$(1) 

Share price/fair value at grant date Tranche 2 £(1) 

Share price/fair value at grant date Tranche 2 US$(1) 

Share price/fair value at grant date Tranche 3 £(1) 

Share price/fair value at grant date Tranche 3 US$(1) 

Vesting period Tranche 1 (years)(2) 

Vesting period Tranche 2 (years)(2) 

Vesting period Tranche 3 (years)(2) 

Expected dividend yield Tranche 1 (%) 

Expected dividend yield Tranche 2 (%) 

Expected dividend yield Tranche 3 (%) 

DBSP 2018 
27 June 2018

150,000

1.14

1.50

1.08

1.42

1.02

1.34

1

2

3

3.67%

4.40%

4.82%

(1)  The fair value of the shares awarded under the DBSP were calculated by using the closing share price on grant date, converted at the closing 

GBP:US$ foreign exchange rate on that day. No other factors were taken into account in determining the fair value of the shares awarded under 
the DBSP. 

(2)  Variable vesting dependent on one to three years of continuous employment.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

199

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

6. Other information continued

6.3 Share-based payments continued

ACCOUNTING POLICY: 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-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.

Share-based payments

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 counterparty renders the service. The fair value of the employee services 
received in exchange for the grant of the options is recognised as an expense. The total amount to be expensed is determined by 
reference to the fair value of the options granted:

including any market performance conditions (for example, an entity’s share price);

• 
•  excluding the impact of any service and non-market performance vesting conditions (for example, profitability and remaining an 

• 

employee of the entity over a specified time period); and
including the impact of any non-vesting conditions (for example, the requirement for employees to save or holding shares for a 
specific period of time).

When the options are exercised, the Company issues new shares. The proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction 
costs are credited to share capital (nominal value) and share premium. 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 above. 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.

6.4 Earnings per share (“EPS“) attributable to owners of the parent

Basic earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share 

31 December  
2018 
US cents 
per share 

31 December 
2017 
US cents  
per share

6.497 

6.444 

8.377

8.312

Basic earnings per share attributable to owners of the parent

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

Earnings used in the calculation of basic EPS 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December 
2017 
US$’000

74,845 

96,355

31 December  
2018 
Number 

31 December 
2017  

Number

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

  1,151,925,674 

1,150,221,295

Diluted earnings per share attributed to owners of the parent

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

Earnings used in the calculation of diluted EPS 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December 
2017 
US$’000

74,845 

96,355

200

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

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

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

31 December  
2018 
Number 

31 December 
2017  

Number

   1,151,925,674 

1,150,221,295

9,589,301 

8,993,379

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

   1,161,514,975 

1,159,214,674

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

6.5 Auditors’ remuneration
The analysis of the auditors’ remuneration is as follows:

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors and their associates  
for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors and their associates for other services to the Group 

– the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries  

– regulatory enquiries  

Total audit fees  

Non-audit fees: 

Audit related assurance services – interim review    

Other assurance services  

Risk management and advisory services 

Other services   

Total non-audit fees 

31 December  
2018 
US$’000 

31 December 
2017 
US$’000

370 

95 

78 

543 

104 

9 

53 

1 

167 

374

86

—

460

107

52

13

24

196

The Audit and Risk Committee and the external auditors have safeguards in place to avoid the possibility that the auditors’ objectivity 
and independence could be compromised. These safeguards include the implementation of a policy on the use of the external auditors 
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 
auditors 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 and Risk Committee.

6.6 General information
Centamin plc (the “Company”) is a listed public company, incorporated and domiciled in Jersey and operating through subsidiaries and 
jointly controlled entities operating in Egypt, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, United Kingdom and Australia. It is the Parent Company of the 
Group, comprising the Company and its subsidiaries and joint arrangements.

Registered office and principal place of business: 

Centamin plc  
2 Mulcaster Street  
St Helier, Jersey JE2 3NJ

The nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities are set out in the governance report and the strategic report of the 
annual report.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

201

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 December 2018

6. Other information continued

6.7. Summary of significant accounting policies 

Basis of preparation 

These financial statements are denominated in US dollars (“US$”), which is the presentational currency of Centamin plc. All companies 
in the Group use the US$ as their functional currency except for the UK subsidiaries which are denominated in Great British pounds 
(“GBP”) and the Australian subsidiaries which are denominated in Australian dollars (“AUD”). All financial statements presented in 
US dollars has been rounded to the nearest thousand dollars, unless otherwise stated.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted for 
use by the European Union and interpretations issued from time to time by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (“IFRS IC”) both as 
adopted by the European Union (“EU”) and which are mandatory for EU reporting as at 31 December 2018, the Companies (Jersey) Law 
1991. The Group has not early adopted any other amendments, standards or interpretations that have been issued but are not yet 
mandatory.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and under the historical cost convention, as 
modified by financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, and financial assets and financial liabilities (including 
derivative) instruments at fair value through profit and loss.

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018 were approved for issue by the Board of Directors of the 
Company on 1 March 2019. 

Comparative figures 

Certain comparative figures have been restated to conform to the financial statement presentation and policies adopted for the current 
year. The effect on results as previously reported has been illustrated in the relevant notes.

Refer to note 1.1.1 for the change in treatment on amounts distributed to EMRA and note 1.2.1 regarding the change in accounting 
policy for exploration and evaluation assets for the change to comparative figures.

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. Subsidiaries are all entities (including structured entities) 
over which the Group has control, as defined in IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated 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. The Group controls an entity when the Group is 
exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its 
power over the entity.

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 Mine (“SGM”) is jointly owned by PGM and EMRA on a 50% 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 1.1 and 
4.1) and will therefore recognise a non-controlling interest (“NCI”) for EMRA’s participation. Furthermore, based on the requirements of 
the Concession Agreement, payments to NCI meet the definition of a liability and will be recorded in the income statement as profit 
attributable to non-controlling interest in SGM and the statement of financial position as Equity attributable to the non-controlling 
interest in SGM, on the date that a net production surplus becomes available. Payment made to EMRA pursuant to the provisions of the 
Concession Agreement is based on the net production surplus available as at 30 June, being SGM’s financial year end. Pursuant to the 
Concession Agreement, the provisions of which are described more fully below, whilst PGM is responsible for funding SGM’s activities, 
PGM is also entitled to recover the following costs and expenses payable from sales revenue (excluding the royalty payable to the Arab 
Republic of Egypt (“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 50% of SGM’s net production surplus which is defined as ‘revenue less payment of the fixed royalty to 
Arab Republic of Egypt (“ARE”) and recoverable costs’. However, in accordance with the terms of the Concession Agreement, in the first 
and second years in which there is a profit share, PGM will be entitled to an additional 10% of net production surplus and an additional 
5% in the third and fourth years. Any payment made to EMRA pursuant to these provisions of the Concession Agreement will be 
recognised as a dividend paid to non-controlling interest in SGM in the statement of changes in equity of Centamin.

202

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSGoing concern 

This financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018 have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplate the 
realisation of assets and liquidation of liabilities during the normal course of operations. 

The Group meets its day-to-day working capital requirements through existing cash resources. As discussed in note 5.1, the operation 
of the mine has been affected by two legal actions. The first of these followed from a decision taken by Egyptian General Petroleum 
Corporation (“EGPC”) to charge international, not local (subsidised) prices for the supply of DFO, and the second arose as a result of a 
judgment of the Administrative Court of first instance in relation to, amongst other matters, the Company’s 160km2 exploitation lease. 
In relation to the first decision, the Company remains confident that in the event that it is required to continue to pay international 
prices, the mine at Sukari will remain commercially viable. Similarly, the Company remains confident that the appeal it has lodged in 
relation to the decision of the Administrative Court will ultimately be successful, although final resolution of it may take some time. 
On 20 March 2013 the Supreme Administrative Court upheld the Company’s application to suspend the decision until the merits of the 
Company’s appeal were considered and ruled on, thus providing assurance that normal operations will be able to continue during 
this process.

In the unlikely event that the Group is unsuccessful in either or both of its legal actions, and that the operating activities are restricted to 
a reduced area, it is the Directors’ belief that the Group will be able to continue as going concern.

Having assessed the principal risks and the other matters discussed in connection with the long term viability statement (refer to the risk 
management report included within the annual report), the Directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing the financial statements.

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. These policies 
have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

203

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationCompany legal form and structure

Centamin plc, number 109180 (the 
“Company”) is a mineral exploration, 
development and mining company dual 
listed on the London Stock Exchange 
(LSE: CEY) and the Toronto Stock 
Exchange (TSX: CEE).

The Articles of Association were adopted 
on 15 December 2011 and, together with 
the Memorandum of Association, are 
available for inspection at the Company’s 
registered office during normal office 
opening hours.

The Company is incorporated in the island 
of Jersey with company number 109180. 
The Company conducts limited activity in 
its own right, with certain of the subsidiary 
entities carrying out exploration, 
development and mining activity. 
Details of all subsidiaries are listed in 
note 4.1 to the financial statements.

The Company’s principal asset, the Sukari 
Gold Mine, is operated by the Sukari Gold 
Mining Company, a joint stock company 
established under the laws of Egypt, which 
is owned 50% by Pharaoh Gold Mines NL, 
a wholly owned subsidiary of the 
Company, and 50% held by the Egyptian 
Mineral Resource Authority.

Articles of Association

The Articles of Association govern many 
aspects of the management of the 
Company. The Articles may only be 
amended by a special resolution at a 
general meeting of the shareholders. 

The liability of each member arising from 
the member’s respective holding of a 
share in the Company is limited to the 
amount (if any) unpaid on it. The Company 
has unrestricted corporate capacity.

Directors

Directors may be appointed by ordinary 
resolution. The Board may appoint a 
Director but such a Director may hold 
office only until the dissolution of the next 
annual general meeting after his 
appointment unless he is re-appointed 
during that meeting. Each appointed 
Director shall retire from office at each 
annual general meeting and may, if willing 
to act, be re-appointed.

All Directors must notify the Company of 
any shares held, acquired or disposed of in 
the Company. A register of Director 
shareholdings is held at the registered 
office which is open to inspection by the 
members. The Directors are also required 
to disclose shares held by their connected 
parties. Details of the interests of Directors 
and their connected persons in the 
Company’s shares are outlined in the 
Directors’ remuneration report.

Directors’ indemnity insurance

In accordance with the Company’s Articles 
of Association and to the extent permitted 
by law, the Company 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 corporate body 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.

Capital structure

The capital structure of the Company is detailed in the schedule below, which reflects the total issued shares in the Company at 
31 December 2018 and those held by trustees pursuant to the Company’s deferred bonus share plan (“DBSP”).

Issued capital (including shares issued and held under the DBSP)  

Total shares in issue under the DBSP 

As at  
31 December  

2018

  1,154,722,984

606,383

The issued capital of the Company at the date of this report is 1,154,722,984 ordinary shares.

Under the Company’s shareholder approved Performance Share Plan, 2,615,000 ordinary shares of no par value were issued on 
9 May 2019 to satisfy awards that vested during the year. The new ordinary shares rank pari passu with the Company’s existing 
ordinary shares.

The Company may from time to time pass an ordinary resolution (by a simple majority) authorising the Board to allot relevant securities 
up to the amount specified in the resolution. The authority shall expire on the day specified in the resolution, not being more than five 
years after the date on which the resolution is passed. Details of the share capital and reserves are set out in notes 2.11 and 2.12 to the 
financial statements.

The Company was authorised by shareholders at the AGM in 2018 to purchase in the market up to 10% of the Company’s issued shares, 
as permitted under the Company’s Articles. No shares were bought back under this authority during the year ended 31 December 2018. 
This standard authority is renewable annually and the Directors will seek to renew this authority at the AGM in 2019. This resolution shall 
expire on 30 June 2019.

204

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Substantial shareholders

Based on shareholder disclosures and register analysis, the following shareholders had holdings of more than 3% (being the 
applicable threshold adopted by Centamin in its Articles of Association, as though it were a UK issuer under the Disclosure 
Guidance and Transparency Rules of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“DTRs”), in the issued share capital of Centamin in 
compliance with LR 9.8.6 (2):

Name 

BlackRock Inc.   

VanEck Inc. 

Dimensional Fund Advisors 

Norges Bank Investment Mgt 

The Vanguard Group, Inc 

Shareholding 

% holding

197,310,598 

142,267,202 

60,257,323 

39,157,310 

36,701,225 

17.35

12.51

5.30

3.44

3.23

Note to table:  
Information at 31 December 2018 based on registry analysis and information received by the Company from holders of notifiable interests 
and includes details of any notifications received by the Company pursuant to DTR 5 between the year end and the date of this report.

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

To the extent known to the Company:

•  no person other than the substantial shareholders detailed above has an interest of 3% 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

•  there are no arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of the Company.

Listing rules

Dividend policy

UK listed companies must report in 
accordance with LR 9.8.4 R. There are 
no other disclosures to report under 
LR 9.8.4 R.

Centamin updated its dividend policy 
in January 2017, as follows:

“The Company’s dividend policy sets a 
minimum payout level relative to cash flow 
while considering the financial condition 
of, and outlook for, the Company. When 
determining the amount to be paid, the 
Board will take into consideration the 
underlying profitability of the Company 
and significant known or expected funding 
commitments. Specifically, the Board will 
aim to approve an annual dividend of at 
least 30% of the Company’s net cash flow 
after sustaining capital costs and following 
the payment of profit share due to the 
government of Egypt.” 

The following dividends have been 
declared in respect to the financial year 
ended 31 December 2018:

2018 interim dividend
An interim dividend of 0.25 US cents 
per share on Centamin plc ordinary shares 
(totalling approximately US$28.9 million) 
was declared on 2 August 2018. 
The interim dividend for the half-year 
period ending 30 June 2018 was paid on 
28 September 2018 to shareholders on 
the register on the record date of 
31 August 2018.

2018 final dividend
A final dividend of 3.0 US cents per share 
on Centamin plc ordinary shares (totalling 
approximately US$34.6 million) was 
proposed by the Directors on 25 February 
2019. The final dividend for the financial 
year ended 31 December 2018 will be paid 
on 13 May 2019 to shareholders on the 
register on the record date of 23 April 
2019. The dividend is subject to AGM 
approval on 8 April 2019, following which 
the dividend will be final. The ex-dividend 
date is 18 April 2019 for LSE and 22 April 
2019 for TSX listed shareholders.

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

205

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company legal form and structure continued

Summary table of dividends declared by Centamin plc

2018

2017

2016

Interim

Declared on: 2 August 2018

Declared on: 3 August 2017

Declared on: 10 August 2016

Amount: 2.5 US cents per share 

Amount: 2.5 US cents per share

Amount: 2 US cents per share

Paid on: 28 September 2018

Paid on: 29 September 2017

Paid on: 7 October 2016

Total: approximately US$28.9 million

Total: approximately US$28.8 million

Total: approximately US$23 million

Final

Proposed on: 25 February 2019

Proposed on: 31 January 2018

Proposed on: 1 February 2017

Declared date: 8 April 2019

Declared date: 26 March 2018 

Declared date: 21 March 2017

Amount: 3 US cents per share 

Amount: 10 US cents per share

Amount: 13.5 US cents per share

To be paid on: 13 May 2019

Paid on: 6 April 2018 

Paid on: 31 March 2017

Total: approximately US$34.6 million

Total: approximately US$115 million

Total: approximately US$155.5 million

AGM

All shareholders are encouraged to attend our AGM on 8 April 2019, which will be held in Jersey. This will be an excellent opportunity 
to meet members of the team.

Indicative financial calendar

8 April 2019 

18 April 2019  

18 July 2019  

1 August 2019 

 Annual general meeting to be held in Jersey

Company details

 Q1 2019 preliminary production results 

 Q2 2019 preliminary production results 

 Results for the quarter ended 30 June 2019

Centamin plc (LSE:CEY, TSX:CEE)  
ISIN: JE00B5TT1872  
LEI: 213800PDI9G7OUKLPV84  
Company number: 109180

17 October 2019 

 Q3 2019 preliminary production results

Advisers

Registrar services
Jersey, Channel Islands
Computershare Investor Services 
(Jersey) Plc
Queensway House 
Hilgrove Street 
St Helier 
Jersey JE1 1ES

Canada
Computershare
100 University Avenue 
8th Floor 
Toronto 
ON M5J 2Y1

Public relations
Buchanan
107 Cheapside 
London EC2V 6DN 
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7466 5000 

Broker
BMO Capital Markets
95 Queen Victoria Street 
London EC4V 4HG  
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7236 1010

Auditor
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
1 Embankment Place 
London WC2N 6RH 
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7583 5000

206

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONGlossary

AISC all-in sustaining costs

APMs alternative performance measures

ARE Arab Republic of Egypt

assay qualitative analysis of ore to determine 
its components

Au chemical symbol for the element gold

Board the Board of Directors of the Group

CA Concession Agreement

CBE Central Bank of Egypt

CDP carbon development project 

CEO Chief Executive Officer

CFO Chief Financial Officer

Code the 2016 version of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code published by the FRC

DBSP deferred bonus share plan

DFO Diesel Fuel Oil

Directors the Directors of the Board of 
Centamin plc

DRR Directors’ remuneration report

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

E&E exploration and evaluation

EGPC The Egyptian General Petroleum 
Corporation

ELFSP employee loan funded share plan

EMRA Egyptian Mineral Resource Authority

EOS employee option scheme

EPS earnings per share

FCA Financial Conduct Authority

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

FRC Financial Reporting Council

FVOCI fair value through other 
comprehensive income

FVTPL financial value through profit or loss

GAIP gradient array induced polarisation

grade relative quantity or the percentage of 
ore mineral or metal content in an orebody

GRI Global Reporting Initiative

GST goods and services tax

g/t gram per metric tonne

IFRS International Financial Reporting 
Standards

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

LTI lost time injury

LTIFR lost time injury frequency rate

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

Moz million ounces

Mt million tonnes

Mtpa million tonnes per annum

NCI non-controlling interest

net production surplus or profit share 
revenue less payment of the 3% royalty to 
Arab Republic of Egypt (“ARE”) and 
recoverable costs

open pit large scale hard rock surface mine

ore mineral deposit that can be extracted 
and marketed profitably

orebody 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)

PGM Pharaoh Gold Mines NL

PPE property, plant and equipment

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 

PSP performance share plan (formerly the 
restricted share plan)

R&R resources and reserves

ROM run of mine

SEDAR system for electronic document 
analysis and retrieval

SGM Sukari Gold Mine

TSF tailings storage facility

TSR total shareholder return

VAT value added tax

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

207

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONStrategic reportIntroductionCorporate governanceFinancial statementsShareholder informationForward-looking statements

This 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.

Qualified person and quality control

Please refer to the technical report entitled 
“Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimate 
for the Sukari Gold Project, Egypt” 
effective on 30 June 2015 and issued on 
23 October 2015 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 as 
well as details of the qualified persons and 
quality control. 

Information of a scientific or technical 
nature in this document, including but not 
limited to the mineral reserve and resource 
estimates, was prepared by and under the 
supervision of Group Qualified Person(s) 
and independent Qualified Person(s) 
as below: 

•  Sukari Gold Mine, Egypt 

•  Open Pit Mineral Reserve Quinton 
de Klerk of Cube Consulting Pty Ltd

•  Underground Mineral Reserve 
Adrian Ralph of Cube Consulting 
Pty Ltd 

•  Mineral resource (underground) 
Mark Zammit of Cube Consulting 
Pty Ltd

•  Mineral resource Arnold van der 

Heydyn of H&S Consultants Pty Ltd
•  Resource database and economic 

assumptions for open-pit resource  
Norman Bailie of Centamin Plc
•  Doropo Project, Côte d’Ivoire Rupert 
Osborn of H&S Consultants Pty Ltd
•  ABC Project, Côte d’Ivoire Rupert 
Osborn of H&S Consultants Pty Ltd

A “Qualified Person” is as defined by the 
National Instrument 43-101 of the 
Canadian Securities Administrators. 

The named Qualified Person(s) have 
verified the data disclosed, including 
sampling, analytical, and test data 
underlying the information or opinions 
contained in this announcement in 
accordance with standards appropriate to 
their qualifications. Each Qualified Person 
consents to the inclusion of the information 
in this document in the form and context in 
which it appears. 

Investors should be aware that the figures 
stated are estimates and no assurances 
can be given that the stated quantities of 
metal will be produced. 

Mineral resource estimates contained in 
this document are based on available data 
as at: 

Sukari Gold Mine   30 June 2018 
Doropo Project 
ABC Project 

10 December 2018 
10 December 2018

Such qualified persons have verified the 
data disclosed, including sampling, 
analytical, and test data underlying the 
information or opinions contained in this 
announcement in accordance with 
standards appropriate to their 
qualifications.

208

Centamin plc Annual report 2018

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION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 information, there may be other factors 
that cause actions, events or results to differ 
from those anticipated, estimated or intended. 
Forward‑looking information contained herein is 
made as of the date of this announcement and 
the Company disclaims any obligation to update 
any forward‑looking information, whether as a 
result of new information, future events or results 
or otherwise. There can be no assurance that 
forward‑looking information or statements will 
prove to be accurate, as actual results and future 
events could differ materially from those 
anticipated in such information or statements. 
Accordingly, readers should not place undue 
reliance on forward‑looking statements.

LEI: 213800PDI9G7OUKLPV84  
Company No: 109180

Forward‑looking information involves and is 
subject to known and unknown risks, 
uncertainties and other factors which may cause 
the actual results, performance or achievements 
of the Company and/or its subsidiaries to be 
materially different from any future results, 
performance or achievements expressed or 
implied by the forward‑looking information. 
Such factors include, among others, general 
business, economic, competitive, political and 
social uncertainties; the actual results of current 
exploration activities and feasibility studies; 
assumptions in economic evaluations which 
prove to be inaccurate; fluctuations in the value 
of the United States dollar and the Canadian 
dollar relative to each other, to the Australian 
dollar and to other local currencies in the 
jurisdictions in which the Company operates; 
changes in project parameters as plans continue 
to be refined; future prices of gold and other 
metals; possible variations of ore grade or 
recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or 
processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, 
labour disputes or slow downs and other risks of 
the mining industry; climatic conditions; political 
instability, insurrection or war; arbitrary decisions 
by governmental authorities; delays in obtaining 
governmental approvals or financing or in the 
completion of development or construction 
activities. Discovery of archaeological ruins of 
historical value could lead to uncertain delays in 
the development of the mine at Sukari.

Cautionary note regarding 
forward‑looking statements
There are risks associated with an investment in 
the shares of Centamin. Recipients of this 
presentation should review the risk factors and 
other disclosures regarding Centamin contained 
in the preliminary prospectus and subsequent 
annual reports and Management Discussion and 
Analysis reports of Centamin that have been 
filed with Canadian securities regulators and are 
available at www.sedar.com.

This report contains “forward‑looking 
information” (or “forward‑looking statements”) 
which may include, but are not limited to, 
statements with respect to the future financial or 
operating performance of the Company, its 
subsidiaries and its projects (including the Sukari 
Gold Mine), the future price of gold, the 
estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the 
realisation of mineral reserve estimates, the 
timing and amount of estimated future 
production, revenues, margins, costs of 
production, capital, operating and exploration 
expenditures, costs and timing of the 
development of new deposits, costs and timing 
of construction, costs and timing of future 
exploration, the timing for delivery of plant and 
equipment, requirements for additional capital, 
foreign exchange risk, government regulation of 
mining and exploration operations, 
environmental risks, reclamation expenses, title 
disputes or claims, insurance coverage and the 
timing and possible outcome of pending 
litigation and regulatory matters. Often, but not 
always, forward‑looking statements can be 
identified by the use of words such as “plans”, 
“hopes”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, 
“scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, 
“anticipates”, or “believes” or variations 
(including negative variations) of such words and 
phrases, or state that certain actions, events or 
results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or 
“will” be taken, occur or be achieved.

Designed and produced by 

www.lyonsbennett.com

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the ISO 14001 and EMAS certificates for environmental management. The use of the FSC© logo identifies 
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Registered office

2 Mulcaster Street 

St Helier 

Jersey JE2 3NJ

Egypt

361 EI‑Horreya Road 

Sedi Gaber 

Egypt

T:   +44 (0)1534 828 700 

F:  +44 (0)1534 731 946 

T:  +20 (0)3541 1259 

F:  +20 (0)3522 6350 

E:  info@centamin.com

E:  pgm@centamin.com

CENTAMIN.COM