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Conroy Gold and Natural Resources plc

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FY2002 Annual Report · Conroy Gold and Natural Resources plc
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Conroy Diamonds and Gold P.l.c.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2002

Conroy Diamonds and Gold P.l.c.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2002

Contents

3 Chairman’s Statement

6 Review of Operations

10 Company Information

12 Directors’ Report

15 Auditors’ Report

17 Profit and Loss Account

18 Balance Sheet

19 Cash Flow Statement

20 Statement of Accounting Policies

22 Notes to the Financial Statements

2

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Chairman’s Statement

3

Dear Shareholder

I have pleasure in presenting your Company’s Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the twelve months ended 31st May 2002, a period of further major progress for your

Company. I am delighted to report excellent progress with the exploration programmes

for gold in Ireland and diamonds in Finland. The continuing good results from the

Longford-Down Massif within which your Company has identified the Armagh-Monaghan

Gold Belt, lend encouragement to your Company’s belief that the Massif itself may prove

to be a new gold province of European and, perhaps, of world-class significance.

Excellent Drilling Results

The Armagh-Monaghan Gold Belt, which is

becoming an increasingly significant discovery,

is located in a geological structure called the

Longford-Down Massif. The gold deposits and

prospects identified to date are all spatially

related to the Orlock Bridge Fault, a geological

structure, which your Company’s geologists

believe most influenced the creation of the

Gold Belt and is the main geological control

over mineralisation in the region.

Results from drilling at your Company’s gold

deposit at Cargalisgorran in Co. Armagh are

also highly encouraging. Significant gold

mineralisation has been identified in three

separate structures over a strike length of

approximately 150m. The deepest intersection

to date is at a vertical depth of around 55m

below surface. The mineralised structures are

parallel, trend NNE, and all three are open at

depth and along strike. Only a very small part

of a very large geochemical anomaly covering

the Cargalisgorran prospect has so far been

Recent drilling in the Gold Belt has included

investigated by trenching and drilling.

the intersection of a 67m (200ft) mineralised

zone at your Company’s Tullybuck-Lisglassan

gold deposit in Co. Monaghan. This broad zone

of gold mineralisation is much wider than any

previous intersection in this deposit. The result

adds further weight to the view expressed by

the British Geological Survey in its March 2000

report that mineralisation at Tullybuck-

Lisglassan may be considerably more extensive

than previously thought. It also has important

implications for the demonstration of an

economic resource for future mining.

A new zone of gold mineralisation has been

discovered in the Gold Belt. The new discovery

is located at Tivnacree in Co. Armagh, some 1.2

km south-west of Cargalisgorran where

previous reconnaissance geochemistry outlined

a gold – in soil anomaly some 300 x 250

metres in area. The identification of this new

zone of gold mineralisation is a very welcome

development which adds further weight to the

view that the two gold deposits already

discovered by the Company in Armagh and

Monaghan are part of a larger gold bearing

system.

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

4

Several other gold in soil anomalies have also

main host rocks for diamonds. Since studies

been outlined by geochemical sampling

have shown that the glacial tills in this part 

elsewhere within the Armagh-Monaghan Gold

of Finland have moved only relatively short

Belt. All of the Gold Belt lies within your

distances, the source of the indicator minerals

Company’s licence area.

may be nearby.

Elsewhere in the Longford-Down Massif, near

The Kuhmo district is part of the Karelian

Slieve Glah in Co. Cavan, some 45 kilometres 

Craton that extends into Russia and it is

to the south west of Tullybuck-Lisglassan, the

considered to be one of the most prospective

Orlock Bridge Fault shows a marked deviation

areas for diamonds in Finland. Crustal thickness

to the south and may form a dilation zone. 

is of crucial importance in the formation of

This type of geological structure is frequently

kimberlite pipes of economic significance, and

associated with large-scale mineral deposition.

in the Kuhmo area the earth’s crust is over

To date a detailed soil geochemistry

200km thick.

programme has defined three extensive gold

anomalies in the area and trenching to bedrock

is planned in order to define drill targets.

Diamond Indicator Minerals

I am very pleased to report highly encouraging

results from your Company’s ongoing diamond

exploration programme in Finland. A large

number of kimberlitic indicator minerals,

together with many diamond indicator

minerals, including key G9 and G10 garnets,

have been recovered from the Kuhmo district.

This is an exploration area in eastern Finland

close to the Russian border where your

Company has completed a programme of

Your Company’s exploration strategy is based

on the belief that world-class diamond

deposits similar to those found in Russia may

exist in similar geology on the Finnish side of

the border. The latest results support your

Company’s strategy and are a highly significant

step towards finding economic diamond

bearing kimberlites in Finland.

The sampling programme is being undertaken

on your Company’s behalf by the Geological

Survey of Finland (GSF) in conjunction with

Conroy Diamonds and Gold staff and

consultants. 

Sample analysis is being undertaken in the GSF

regional till sampling covering approximately

laboratories.

1,700km2.

G9 and G10 garnets are formed at the same

temperatures and pressures as diamonds but 

in larger quantities and their presence in till

samples is therefore particularly encouraging 

at such an early stage in the programme.

Your Company also discovered kimberlitic

indicators and G9 garnets in an area in western

Finland. Both eastern and western exploration

areas lie within the Archaean Karelian Craton,

the block of ancient crustal rocks, which

extends into Russia where it is known to

contain major diamond deposits.

The type of indicator minerals found in the

Kuhmo area suggests that they are derived

from the erosion of kimberlites, one of the

These are excellent results at this stage of your

Company’s exploration programme and we are

obviously very pleased particularly in terms of

the numbers of indicator minerals recovered

and their distribution pattern. When viewed 

in conjunction with studies of glacial till

movement in this area of Finland, it suggests

we may be close to the kimberlite source of

these indicator minerals.

In terms of the search for diamondiferous

kimberlites in Finland by Conroy Diamonds and

Gold and other companies, our results appear

to be equal to, or better than, anything

reported by others at a comparable stage of

exploration and augur well for future diamond

discoveries.

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

On Site in Finland

5

Strategy

Auditors

The success of your Company’s exploration

I would like to take the opportunity of

strategy in identifying major geological and

thanking the partners and staff of Arthur

prospecting opportunities is most encouraging

Andersen for their services to your Company

with a potentially world class gold mining

and to welcome KPMG, with whom Arthur

discovery in Ireland and excellent results from

Andersen in Ireland have combined, as the

diamond exploration in Finland.

new auditors.

Finance

Directors, Consultants and Staff

At the Annual General Meeting on the 12th

I would like to express my appreciation of the

December, 2001 the authorised and issued

support and dedication of the directors,

ordinary shares of IR£0.025 each were

consultants and staff. I am pleased to welcome

redenominated into Euro units and
renominalised as shares of €0.03 each as
detailed in Note 10 to the accounts.

The last year has been a very difficult one on

Stock Exchanges around the globe. Despite this
the Company raised €601,647, net of
expenses, last spring through the issue of

3,130,000 new ordinary shares, the details of

which are set out in Note 10 to the accounts.

These funds have enabled your Company to

continue with its programmes, the excellent

results of which I have detailed above. In July 
a further 3,000,000 ordinary shares of €0.03
each were issued for a consideration of 10p
sterling per share (€0.155 per share resulting
in a premium of €0.125 per share) to further
fund the exploration programme.

the appointment of Mr Jim Sweeney as an

additional senior geologist. Jim has extensive

experience in both gold and diamond

exploration and development.

Future Outlook

Your Company looks to the future with

considerable confidence. We have a potentially

world-class gold prospect in Ireland, excellent

results from our diamond exploration

programme in Finland and the team with a

track record to build on this success.

Professor Richard Conroy

Chairman

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Review of Operations 2002

6

Introduction

Highlights of Conroy’s operations during the past year are the identification of a wide

zone of gold mineralisation at the Tullybuck-Lisglassan Gold Deposit and a new zone of

gold mineralisation at Tivnacree in Co. Armagh, both on the Company’s ground holding

in the Longford-Down Massif. In Finland, the discovery of diamond indicator minerals

on the Company’s acreage is a significant step in the search for diamondiferous

kimberlites.

The latest discovery at Tullybuck-Lisglassan
resulted from the most recent drilling
campaign and adds weight to the view that
the deposit is potentially part of a much larger
mineralised system. 

At a new prospect, Tivnacree, preliminary
trenching and drilling over a gold in soil
anomaly have identified gold in bedrock. This
most recent discovery confirms the Company’s
view that gold mineralisation is widespread 
in this area and is seen as a promising
breakthrough in what is an untested area.

Elsewhere in the Longford-Down Massif, further
prospects have been identified through work
carried out in the past year. As a result of our
soil sampling and trenching programmes, a
number of targets have been outlined, which
we expect to drill in the near future.

In Finland, results from our exploration
programme in the Kuhmo area are highly
encouraging. To date, a large number of
kimberlitic and diamond indicator minerals
have been recovered. These include G9 and
G10 garnets, which are particularly important
diamond indicator minerals.

The Company now holds approximately
1500km2 of prospective ground in Ireland and
in Finland our ground holding has been
increased significantly.

Ireland - The Longford-Down Massif

Regional Geology

The Longford-Down Massif forms part of a

Caledonian Terrane stretching from north-

eastern America to Scandinavia. It extends

through the counties of Longford, Cavan and

Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland and

Armagh and Down in Northern Ireland. The

Massif is of Ordovician-Silurian age and was

formed as an accretionary prism along the

collision margin of two crustal plates, the

Iapetus and the Laurentian. Comparable and

correlatable geology and mineralisation is

found in Scotland (the Southern Upland mineral

fields and occurrences) and North America

(Newfoundland and New Brunswick). The

structure and lithologies of the Massif are

developed more or less parallel to the plate

and collision margin. The northern part of 

the Massif is mainly of Ordovician age and

andesitic greywacke composition. The south 

is mainly Silurian and composed principally of

lithic and feldspathic greywacke. The boundary

between the two greywacke types, andesitic

and non-andesitic greywacke is defined by a

major strike-slip fault, known as the Orlock

Bridge Fault (OBF), with a lateral displacement

in excess of 400 kilometres.

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

7

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

8

Armagh-Monaghan Gold Belt

The Company’s mineralisation model for the

Armagh-Monaghan Gold Belt in the Longford-

Down Massif, proposes interaction between the

OBF and deep-seated geological features. The

presence of post-OBF north-south faulting and

Caledonian age intrusive rocks are also

regarded as significant components of the

model.

The Company’s work at both Tullybuck-

Lisglassan in Co. Monaghan, and Cargalisgorran

Also at Tullybuck-Lisglassan, another drill hole,

located approximately 200m north of hole No.

10, intersected a mineralised fault structure

similar to others encountered in earlier drilling.

In all cases at Tullybuck-Lisglassan gold

mineralisation is associated with fault breccia,

wallrock alteration and the development of

sulphide minerals. 

The results from this hole illustrate significant

strike potential at Tullybuck-Lisglassan, and are

seen as highly significant. 

in Co. Armagh has confirmed the presence of

At Tivnacree in Co. Armagh, 5 kilometres north

mineable widths and grades of gold

mineralisation. During this year’s drilling

west of Tullybuck-Lisglassan, a new zone of

gold mineralisation has been discovered.

programme, the best intersection yet has been

Trenching over a >10 ppb gold in soil anomaly

achieved at Tullybuck-Lisglassan. Significantly

has returned gold in bedrock values up to 5

this showed a much wider zone of

metres @ 1.62 g/t gold. Subsequent drilling

mineralisation (67.3m down hole) than any

has identified a mineralised shear zone

previous drilling. This broad mineralised zone

exhibiting characteristics similar to those seen

included a number of high-grade gold bearing

at Tullybuck-Lisglassan and Cargalisgorran.

intervals, which are tabulated below:

Hole No. From (m) To (m)

Interval Au g/t

10

10

10

22.70

45.25

78.50

24.20

50.00

85.25

1.50

4.75

6.75

6.23

2.50

3.15

The significance of this intersection is that it

shows gold mineralisation at Tullybuck–

Lisglassan is not just confined to the high-

grade veins previously reported. 

Elsewhere in the Armagh-Monaghan Gold Belt,

additional trenching and drilling targets have

been defined. Drilling is planned in selected

areas where trenching has outlined areas of

anomalous gold in bedrock. Several trenching

targets have also been identified over areas

where soil geochemistry has shown anomalous

gold values.

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Finland:

Pitting for Indicator Minerals

Other Exploration

At Slieve Glah, also in the Longford-Down

Massif, some 45 kilometres south west of

Tullybuck-Lisglassan, soil geochemistry has

shown anomalous gold values extending over

approximately 1.7 kilometres. Trenching targets

same temperatures and pressures as diamonds.

The indicator minerals found during this

programme occur in clusters and the pattern of

their distribution suggests a possible kimberlite

source in the vicinity and within our licensed

area.

have been chosen over selected parts of this

The results thus far from our sampling

anomaly. 

Elsewhere, reconnaissance work continues on

numerous gold and base metal targets.

Finland

The Company’s exploration efforts in Finland

programme in Finland reinforce the Company’s

belief that world-class diamond deposits

similar to those found in Russia may exist in

the Karelian Craton on the Finnish side of the

border. These results are also a most significant

step towards the discovery of economic

diamond bearing kimberlites in Finland by the

are focused on the Karelian and Kola Cratons,

Company.

9

two major structures which form the ancient

geological core of north-west Europe, the Baltic

Shield. This part of Finland is known to be

highly prospective, particularly for diamonds.

Indeed, major diamond discoveries have been

made across the border in Russia, in particular

the Lomononsova deposit, which is hosted by

the Karelian Craton. Several companies have

also discovered diamondiferous kimberlites in

the Finnish Karelian Craton.

During the past year the Company has

significantly increased its ground holding in

Finland. This ground holding is mostly in the

Kuhmo area of eastern Finland in the Karelian

Craton.

The Company’s ongoing diamond exploration

programme in the Kuhmo area has yielded

highly significant results this year, including

the recovery of a large number of kimberlitic

and diamond indicator minerals. These include

G9 and G10 garnets, which are of special

significance, as they are known to form at the

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Company Information

Directors

Professor Richard Conroy

Chairman*

Maureen T. A. Jones

Managing Director*

James P. Jones 

Finance Director*+

Louis J. Maguire

Non-Executive Director*+

Henry B. Knott

Non-Executive Director+§

Dr. Pamela Conroy

Non-Executive Director§

Company Secretary and
Registered Office

James P. Jones

10 Upper Pembroke Street

Dublin 2

Ireland

Dublin Stockbrokers

Dolmen Butler Briscoe 

Dolmen House 

4 Earlsfort Terrace

Dublin 2

www.conroydiamondsandgold.com 

Registrars

Auditors

KPMG

Chartered Accountants

1 Harbourmaster Place

IFSC

Dublin 1

Capita Corporate Registrars PLC

Unit 5 

Manor Street Business Park

Manor Street

Dublin 7

Legal Advisers

William Fry Solicitors 

Fitzwilton House

Wilton Place

Dublin 2

Roschier-Holmberg

Keskuskatu 7A

00 100 Helsinki

Finland

10

Henry H. Rennison+§

Nominated Adviser

* Members of Executive Committee

Seymour Pierce Limited

+ Members of Remuneration

Committee

29/30 Cornhill

London EC3V 3NF

§ Members of Audit Committee

Nominated Broker

Seymour Pierce Ellis Limited

Talisman House

Jubilee Walk

Three Bridges

Crawley

West Sussex RH10 1LQ

Professor Richard Conroy

Maureen T. A. Jones 

James P. Jones F.C.A.

Dr. Pamela Conroy

Henry H. Rennison

Louis J. Maguire

Henry B. Knott

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Conroy Diamonds and Gold P.l.c.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2002

Financial Information

Contents

12 Directors’ Report

15 Auditors’ Report

17 Profit and Loss Account

18 Balance Sheet

19 Cash Flow Statement

20 Statement of Accounting Policies

22 Notes to the Financial Statements

Directors’ Report

for the Year Ended 31 May 2002

The Directors present their annual report,

Future Development of the Business

together with the audited financial statements

of Conroy Diamonds and Gold Plc for the year

ended 31 May 2002.

It is the intention of the Directors to continue

to develop the activities of the Company.

Further strategic opportunities in mineral

resources, both in Ireland and abroad, will be

Principal Activities and Business Review

sought by the Company.

The current focus of the Company’s activities 

is on a major geological structure in Ireland

Results for the Year and State of Affairs at

known as the Longford-Down Massif. The

31 May 2002

Company has acquired prospecting licences

over an area of almost 1,500km2 .On one small

portion of this licence area, at Clontibret in

County Monaghan, the Company has

intersected high grades and mineable widths

of gold mineralisation in the Tullybuck/

Lisglassan deposit, which, the Directors

believe, has the potential to become the first

major gold mine in Britain or Ireland in recent

The profit and loss account for the year ended

31 May 2002 and the balance sheet at that

date are set out on pages 17 and 18

respectively. The Company recorded a loss 
for the financial year of €347,862 (2001 -
€305,369). The shareholders’ funds increased
to €3,485,595 at 31 May 2002 from
€3,231,810 at 31 May 2001.

times. Recent drilling of the Tullybuck/

No dividends or transfers to reserves are

Lisglassan deposit has yielded further excellent

recommended by the Directors.

12

results. 

Exploration within the Company’s licence area

has demonstrated, in addition to the

Tullybuck/Lisglassan gold deposit, an extensive

gold belt which extends over a distance of up

to 18km from County Armagh into County

Monaghan. Geochemical surveys within this

gold belt point to the existence of lookalike

units to Tullybuck/Lisglassan, with the

potential to host further similar mineral

deposits. In the prior year a new gold deposit

was discovered at Cargalisgorran in County

Armagh on one of the anomalies identified in

the Geochemical survey.

The Company has also acquired claim

reservations in Finland which have diamond

and gold prospects.

Important Events since the Year End

Between 19 and 23 July 2002, 3,000,000
ordinary shares of €0.03 each were issued for
a consideration of 10p sterling per share to

fund further mineral exploration. This realised
€0.155 per share resulting in a premium of
€0.125 per share.

There have been no other significant events

affecting the Company since the end of the

financial year.

Health and Safety at Work

The wellbeing of the Company’s employees is

safeguarded through adherence to health and

safety standards in accordance with the

requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare

at Work Act, 1989.

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Directors

Directors’ and Secretary’s Shareholdings

The Directors who served during the year are

and Other Interests

as follows:

R.T.W.L. Conroy

P. Conroy

The interests of the Directors and Secretary, all

of which were beneficially held, in the ordinary

share capital of the Company at 31 May 2001

J.P. Jones

L.J. Maguire

and 31 May 2002 were as follows:

M.T.A. Jones

H.B. Knott

H.H. Rennison

Ordinary Shares
of €0.03 each

Options

In accordance with the Company’s Articles of

R.T.W.L. Conroy

3,750,010

1,000,000

Association, Mr J.P. Jones and Mr Henry B. Knott

J.P. Jones

350,010

275,000

will retire by rotation and, being eligible, will

offer themselves for re-election at the Annual

M.T.A. Jones

750,010

325,000

General Meeting.

H.H. Rennison

330,010

50,000

P. Conroy

500,010

125,000

L.J. Maguire

310,010

H.B. Knott

150,010

50,000

25,000

13

Details of the options are as follows:

Directors

May 2001

During

During

May 2002

At 31

Granted

Exercised

At 31

Price
€

Expiry

Date

Year

Year

R.T.W.L. Conroy

1,000,000

J.P. Jones

M.T.A. Jones

275,000

325,000

H.H Rennison

50,000

P. Conroy

L.J. Maguire

H.B. Knott

125,000

50,000

25,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,000,000

0.2539

4 Dec 2010

275,000

0.2539

4 Dec 2010

325,000

0.2539

4 Dec 2010

50,000

0.2539

4 Dec 2010

125,000

0.2539

4 Dec 2010

50,000

0.2539

4 Dec 2010

25,000

0.2539

4 Dec 2010

Except as disclosed above, neither the Directors nor their families had any beneficial interest in

the share capital of the Company. There have been no contracts or arrangements entered into

during the financial year in which a Director of the Company had a material interest and which

were significant in relation to the Company’s business.

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Directors’ Report

continued

Substantial Shareholdings

So far as the Board is aware, no person or

company, other than the Directors’ interests

disclosed above and the shareholder listed

below, held 3% or more of the issued ordinary

share capital of the Company at 31 May 2002.

Number

of Shares

946,000

%

4.57

Name

Gartmore Fund

Managers Limited

Political Donations

As explained in Note 1 to the financial

statements, the Directors have reviewed

cashflow projections and other relevant

information and are satisfied that the Company

will be able to continue in operation for the

foreseeable future. Accordingly, the financial

statements have been prepared on the going

concern basis.

The Directors are responsible for keeping

proper accounting records which disclose with

reasonable accuracy at any time the financial

position of the Company and to enable them to

ensure that the financial statements comply

There were no political donations during the

with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2001. They

year.

Books of Account

14

The measures which the Directors have taken

to ensure that proper books of account are

kept are the adoption of suitable policies for

are also responsible for safeguarding the

assets of the Company and hence for taking

reasonable steps for the prevention and

detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Auditors

recording transactions, assets and liabilities,

The auditors, Arthur Andersen, Chartered

the employment of appropriately qualified staff

Accountants have expressed their willingness

and the use of computer and documentary

to continue in office in accordance with Section

systems. The Company’s books of account are

160 (2) of the Companies Act, 1963.

kept at 10 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2.

Directors’ Responsibility Statement

Company law requires the Directors to prepare

On behalf of the Board

financial statements for each year which give 

a true and fair view of the state of affairs of

the Company and of the profit or loss of the

R.T.W.L. Conroy

Director

J.P. Jones

Director

Company for that year. In preparing the

30 August 2002

financial statements, the Directors have:

•

selected suitable accounting policies and
then applied them consistently;

• made judgements and estimates that are

reasonable and prudent.

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Independent Auditors’ Report

We have audited the financial statements 

We read the Directors’ Report and consider the

on pages 17 to 27 which have been prepared

implications for our report if we become aware

under the historical cost convention and in

of any apparent misstatement within it.

accordance with the accounting policies set 

out on pages 20 and 21.

Basis of Opinion

Respective Responsibilities of Directors

and Auditors

We conducted our audit in accordance with

Auditing Standards issued by the Auditing

Practices Board. An audit includes examination,

The Directors’ responsibilities for preparing the

on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the

Annual Report and the financial statements in

amounts and disclosures in the financial

accordance with applicable law and Irish

statements. It also includes an assessment of

Accounting Standards are set out in the

the significant estimates and judgements made

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities. 

by the Directors in the preparation of the

Our responsibility is to audit the financial

statements in accordance with relevant legal

and regulatory requirements and Auditing

Standards promulgated by the Auditing

financial statements, and of whether the

accounting policies are appropriate to the

Company’s circumstances, consistently applied

and adequately disclosed.

Practices Board in Ireland and the United

We planned and performed our audit so as to

Kingdom.

We report to you our opinion as to whether the

financial statements give a true and fair view

and are properly prepared in accordance with

the Companies Acts. We also report to you

whether, in our opinion: proper books of

account have been kept by the Company;

whether, at the balance sheet date, there

exists a financial situation requiring the

convening of an extraordinary general meeting

of the Company; and whether the information

given in the Directors’ Report is consistent with

obtain all the information and explanations

which we considered necessary in order to

provide us with sufficient evidence to give

reasonable assurance that the financial

statements are free from material

misstatement, whether caused by fraud or

other irregularity or error. In forming our

opinion we also evaluated the overall

adequacy of the presentation of information 

in the financial statements.

Mineral Interests

the financial statements. In addition, we state

In forming our opinion, we considered the

whether we have obtained all the information

adequacy of the disclosures made in the

necessary for the purposes of our audit and

financial statements, particularly in Note 6 in

whether the Company’s balance sheet and its

relation to the Directors’ assessment of the

profit and loss account are in agreement with

carrying value of the Company’s mineral

the books of account.

We report to the shareholders if, in our

opinion, any information required by law

regarding Directors’ remuneration and

Directors’ transactions is not given and, where

practicable, include such information in our

report.

interests held outside the cost pools of
€4,250,337. In view of the significance of this
uncertainty, we consider that this should be

drawn to your attention. Our opinion is not

qualified in this respect.

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

15

Independent Auditors’ Report

continued

Opinion

In our opinion, the financial statements give a

true and fair view of the state of affairs of the

Company at 31 May 2002 and of its loss and

cashflows for the year then ended and have

been properly prepared in accordance with the

Companies Acts, 1963 to 2001.

We have obtained all the information and

explanations we consider necessary for the

purposes of our audit. In our opinion, proper

books of account have been kept by the

Company. The Company’s financial statements

are in agreement with the books of account.

In our opinion, the information given in the

Directors’ report on pages 12 to 14 is

consistent with the financial statements.

The net assets of the Company, as stated in the

balance sheet on page 18 are more than half

of the amount of its called up share capital

and, in our opinion on that basis there did not

exist at 31 May 2002, a financial situation

which, under Section 40(1) of the Companies

(Amendment) Act, 1983 would require the

convening of an extraordinary general meeting

of the Company.

Arthur Andersen

Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor

Dublin

30 August 2002

16

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements  2002

Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Profit and Loss Account

for the Year Ended 31 May 2002

Notes

2002
€

2001
€

Operating Expenses

Other Income

Loss on Ordinary Activities before Taxation

Tax on loss on ordinary activities

Loss for the Year

Profit and Loss Account, at 31 May 2001

Profit and Loss Account, at 31 May 2002

2

3

4

(355,245)

(320,190)

7,383

14,821

(347,862)

(305,369)

-

(347,862)

(743,794)

(1,091,656)

-

(305,369)

(438,425)

(743,794)

Loss per ordinary share – Basic and fully diluted

5

(€0.019)

(€0.022)

There are no recognised gains or losses other than the loss for the year.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of this profit and loss account.

R.T.W.L. Conroy

Director

J.P. Jones

Director

Approved by the Directors on 30 August 2002

17

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements      2002 Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Balance Sheet

31 May 2002

Fixed Assets

Mineral interests

Tangible assets

Current Assets

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

Notes

2002
€

2001
€

6

11

7

4,250,337

3,261,035

66,746

65,863

4,317,083

3,326,898

19,449

208,549

227,998

45,957

1,049,695

1,095,652

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

8

(1,059,486)

(968,536)

Net Current (Liabilities)/Assets

(831,488)

127,116

18

Total Assets less current Liabilities

3,485,595

3,454,014

Creditors: Amounts falling due after 
more than one year

Net Assets

Capital and Reserves

Called up share capital

Capital Conversion Reserve Fund

Share premium account

Profit and loss account

Shareholders’ Funds – all equity

9

10

10

10

12

-

(222,204)

3,485,595

3,231,810

620,732

30,617

557,449

-

3,925,902

3,418,155

(1,091,656)

(743,794)

3,485,595

3,231,810

The accompanying notes form an integral part of this balance sheet.

R.T.W.L. Conroy

Director

J.P. Jones

Director

Approved by the Directors on 30 August 2002

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements      2002 Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Cash Flow Statement

For the Year Ended 31 May 2002

Net Cash Outflow from Operating Activities

13A

(199,579)

(16,875)

Notes

2002
€

2001
€

Returns on Investments and Servicing of Finance

Taxation

-

-

-

-

Capital Expenditure and Financial Investments

13B

(1,008,031)

(1,419,985)

Net Cash Outflow before Financing

(1,207,610)

(1,436,860)

Financing

Decrease in Cash

13B

13C

411,489

1,155,468

(796,121)

(281,392)

The accompanying notes form an integral part of this cash flow statement.

R.T.W.L. Conroy

Director

J.P. Jones

Director

Approved by the Directors on 30 August 2002

19

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements      2002 Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

20

Statement of Accounting Policies

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The Company’s

principal accounting policies are set out below. All of these policies have been applied

consistently throughout the year.

A Mineral Interests 

i

Exploration, appraisal and development expenditure

The Company accounts for mineral expenditure under the ‘full cost’ method of accounting.

Exploration, appraisal and development expenditure is incurred on acquiring, exploring or
testing exploration prospects. All lease, licence and property acquisition costs, geological
and geophysical costs and other direct costs of exploration, appraisal and development 
are capitalised. The amount capitalised includes other operating expenses directly related 
to these activities.

ii Cost Pools

Costs are capitalised within geographic cost pools which initially comprise Ireland and the
rest of the world.

Costs relating to the exploration and appraisal of mineral interests which the Directors
consider to be unevaluated are initially held outside the cost pool. Costs held outside the
cost pool are reassessed at each year end. When a decision to develop these interests has
been taken, or there is evidence of impairment, the related costs are transferred to the 
cost pool.

Proceeds from the disposal of part or all of an interest which is outside the cost pool is
credited to that interest with any excess being credited to the cost pool. 

iii Ceiling Test

A ceiling test is carried out at each balance sheet date to assess whether the net book
value of capitalised costs in the pool, together with the future costs of development of
undeveloped reserves, is covered by the discounted future net revenues from the reserves
within the pool, calculated at prices prevailing at the year end. Any deficiency arising is
provided for to the extent that, in the opinion of the Directors, it is considered to represent
a permanent diminution in the value of the related asset, and where arising, is dealt with
in the profit and loss account as additional depreciation.

iv Depreciation

Expenditure within the cost pool is depreciated using the unit of production method based
on commercial reserves. Costs used in the unit of production calculation comprise the net
book value of capitalised costs plus the anticipated future costs of development of the
undeveloped reserves at current year end unescalated prices. Changes in cost and reserve
estimates are dealt with prospectively.

B Issue Expenses and Share Premium Account

Issue expenses arising on the issue of equity securities are written off, in the first instance,
against the share premium account, with any issue expenses in excess of the balance on
the share premium account being written off to the profit and loss account.

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements      2002 Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

C Tangible Fixed Assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is
provided on a straight line basis to write off the cost less estimated residual value of the
assets over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Motor vehicles

Office equipment

5 years

8 years

D Taxation

Corporation tax is provided on taxable profits (if any) at current rates.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not
reversed at the balance sheet date where transactions or events that result in an obligation
to pay more tax in the future or a right to pay less tax in the future have occurred at the
balance sheet date. Timing differences are differences between the Company’s taxable
profits and its results as stated in the financial statements that arise from the inclusion of
gains and losses in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are
recognised in the financial statements.

Deferred tax is measured at the average tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods
in which the timing differences are expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws that
have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is
measured on a non-discounted basis.

21

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements      2002 Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Notes to the Financial Statements

31 May 2002

1 Operations and Going Concern

The Company is an investment holding company and is currently involved in the development
of mineral exploration opportunities, principally in the Longford-Down Massif.

During the year €601,647, net of expenses, was raised by the issue of new share capital. The
finance raised will be used to continue to develop the Company’s activities.

On the basis of their review of projected cash flow information, existing commitments and
taking into account the above funding together with the very encouraging results obtained
from the exploration programme, the Directors consider it appropriate to prepare the financial
statements on the going concern basis.

2 Operating Expenses

2002
€

2001
€

Management services and operating expenses (a)

944,597

862,509

Transfer to Mineral Interests (Note 6)

(589,352)

(542,319)

355,245

320,190

22

a The Company had eight employees during the period (2001 - seven). The remuneration paid

during the period comprised salary of €417,329, social welfare costs of €22,816 and
pension costs of €90,764 (2001 - €385,848, €25,161 and €86,972 respectively).

3 Loss on Ordinary Activities before Taxation

The loss on ordinary activities before taxation is arrived at after charging the following items,
which are stated at amounts prior to the re-allocation to mineral interests:

Auditors’ remuneration

Directors’ emoluments

•

fees

• other including pension contributions

2002
€

15,872

79,359

410,071

2001
€

15,872

79,359

393,638

Included in Director’s emoluments is an amount of €90,764 (2001 - €86,972) which relates to
pension costs accrued at the year end. This amount will be transferred to a defined
contribution pension scheme, which is currently being established.

All losses arose from continuing operations.

4 Tax on loss on Ordinary Activities

No taxation charge arises in the financial year due to losses incurred. There was no unprovided
deferred taxation at 31 May 2002 (2001 - €Nil).

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements      2002 Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

5 Loss per ordinary share

The calculation of the loss per ordinary €0.019 share is based on the loss for the financial year
of €347,862 (2001 – €305,369) and the weighted average number of ordinary shares on a
basic and fully diluted basis during the year of 18,343,570 (2001 – 14,185,070). Share options
are not included in the calculation of fully diluted shares since the Company incurred a loss in
2002 and 2001 which resulted in these shares being anti-dilutive.

6 Mineral Interests

Costs held outside cost pool:

Cost

Ireland
€

Overseas
€

Total
€

At 31 May 2001

2,775,955

485,080

3,261,035

Expenditure during the period

- licences and appraisal

- other operating costs (Note 2)

307,216

500,949

92,734

88,403

399,950

589,352

At 31 May 2002

3,584,120

666,217

4,250,337

The Directors have considered the proposed work programmes for these mineral interests,
presently held outside the cost pools. They are satisfied that there are no indications of
impairment, but recognise that future realisation of the mineral interests, held outside the 
cost pools, is dependent on further successful exploration and appraisal activities and the
subsequent economic production of the mineral reserves.

7 Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year

VAT receivable

Other

8 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Accruals

Due to related undertaking (Note 15)

Bank overdraft

2002
€

4,284

15,165

19,449

2002
€

784,684

274,802

-

1,059,486

2001
€

41,512

4,445

45,957

2001
€

701,307

222,204

45,025

968,536

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements      2002 Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

23

Notes to the Financial Statements

continued

9 Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

Due to related undertaking

10 Called up Share Capital and Premium

Authorised:

2002
€

-

2002
€

2001
€

222,204

2001
€

400,000,000 ordinary shares of €0.03 each

12,000,000

12,000,000

Issued and Fully Paid:

Start of year

17,561,070

557,449

Renominalisation of shares (a)

(30,617)

30,617

3,130,000

93,900

24

Share issue (b) 

Issue expenses

End of year

Share
Capital

€

Capital
conversion
reserve fund
€

Number

Share
Premium

€

3,418,155

-

600,960

(93,213)

-

-

20,691,070

620,732

30,617

3,925,902

a On 12 December 2001,in accordance with the Economic and Monetary Union Act, 1998 (the

“EMU Act”), the authorised share capital of IR£10,000,000 divided into 400,000,000
ordinary shares of IR£0.025 each and the total issued share capital of 17,561,070 ordinary
shares of IR£0.025 each were redenominated into the Euro unit (as defined in the EMU Act)
at the conversion rate of IR£0.787564 = €1, and then renominalised giving rise to a total
issued share capital of 17,561,070 ordinary shares of €0.03 each. The total issued share
capital was reduced by €30,617 as a result of the above redenomination and
renominalisation and this amount was transferred to a Capital Conversion Reserve Fund.

b Between 25 February 2002 and 10 March 2002, 3,130,000 ordinary shares of €0.03 were
issued for a consideration of 13.5p sterling per share to fund further mineral exploration.
This realised €0.222 per share resulting in a premium of €0.192 per share.

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements      2002 Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

11 Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost

31 May 2001

Additions

31 May 2002

Accumulated Depreciation

31 May 2001

Depreciation charge

31 May 2002

Net Book Value

31 May, 2001

31 May 2002

Office
Equipment
€

27,865

18,729

46,594

8,077

5,824

13,901

19,788

32,693

12 Reconciliation of Movement in Shareholders’ Funds

At 31 May, 2001

Loss for the financial year

Shares issued, net

At 31 May 2002

Motor
Vehicles
€

60,112

-

Total
€

87,977

18,729

60,112

106,706

14,037

12,022

26,059

46,075

34,053

22,114

17,846

39,960

65,863

66,746

2002
€

2001
€

3,231,810

2,603,915

(347,862)

(305,369)

601,647

933,264

3,485,595

3,231,810

13 Notes to the Cash Flow Statement

A Reconciliation of Loss to Net Cash Outflow from Operating Activities:

25

Operating Loss

Depreciation

Increase in Creditors

Decrease/ (Increase) in Debtors

Net Cash (Outflow) from Operating Activities

(199,579)

2002
€

2001
€

(347,862)

(305,369)

17,846

103,929

26,508

15,506

300,811

(27,823)

(16,875)

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements      2002 Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Notes to the Financial Statements

continued

B Analysis of Cash Flows:

Capital Expenditure and Financial Investment

Investment in mineral interests

(989,302)

(1,350,576)

Purchase of tangible fixed assets

(18,729)

(69,409)

2002
€

2001
€

Financing

Issue of share capital, net

Due to related party (Note 15)

(1,008,031)

(1,419,985)

601,647

(190,158)

933,264

222,204

411,489

1,155,468

C Analysis and Reconciliation of Net Funds

31 May

2001

Cash

Flow

26

Cash at bank and in hand

1,049,695

(841,146)

Bank overdrafts

(45,025)

45,025

31 May

2002

208,549

-

1,004,670

(796,121)

208,549

14 Commitments and Contingencies

Obligations under Mineral Interests

The Company has received prospecting licences under the Republic of Ireland Mineral
Development Acts 1940 to 1995 for areas in Monaghan and Cavan. It has also received 
licences in Northern Ireland for areas in Armagh and Down in accordance with the Mineral
Development Act (Northern Ireland) 1969.

The Company has certain obligations in respect of these licences at year end. 
The commitments in relation to these licences are as follows:

Expiration period:

• Within one year

• Between two and five years

2002
€

2001
€

110,000

240,000

350,000

176,494

250,138

426,632

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements      2002 Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

15 Related Party Transactions

In the prior year, the Company acquired information, knowledge and expertise from Conroy
Plc, a company which has common shareholders and Directors and in which one of the
Directors and shareholders of the Company has a controlling interest. The purchase
consideration of €444,408 was payable at 31 May 2001 (Notes 8 and 9). An amount of
€190,158 was paid during the current year and the remaining balance of €254,250 at 31 May
2002 is payable within one year and included in the balance due to related undertaking. The
remaining amount of €20,552 included in the total balance of €274,802 (Note 8) relates to
VAT reclaimed by the Company on behalf of Conroy Plc, which is now repayable to Conroy Plc.

The Company also shares accommodation with Conroy Plc. The Company bears its appropriate
share of the related costs directly.

27

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements      2002 Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .

Notice of Meeting

NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Conroy Diamonds and Gold P.l.c. 

(“the Company”) will be held at the Conrad Hotel, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 on Thursday 12

December 2002 at 12.00 noon for the purposes of transacting the following business:

1 To receive and consider the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 May 2002 together

with the Directors’ and Auditors’ Reports thereon (Resolution No. 1).

2 To re-elect as Directors the following persons:

Mr J P Jones (Resolution No.2 (a))

Mr H B Knott (Resolution No.2 (b))

3 To authorize the Directors to fix the remuneration of the Auditors (Resolution No.3).

4 To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as a Special Resolution

(Resolution No.4):

“That, for the purposes of Section 24 of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1983 and subject

to the Directors being authorized pursuant to Article 10 of the Articles of Association of the

Company, the Directors be empowered to allot equity securities for cash pursuant to and in

accordance with Article 11 of the Articles of Association of the Company. The authority hereby

conferred shall expire at the close of business on the date of the next Annual General Meeting

of the Company unless previously revoked or renewed in accordance with the provisions of

28

the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1983.”

5 To transact any other business.

By Order of the Board

Dated this 12th day of November 2002

James P Jones

Secretary

Registered Office

10 Upper Pembroke Street

Dublin 2

Notes:

The holders of the Ordinary Shares are entitled to attend and vote at the above General meeting of

the Company. A holder of Ordinary Shares may appoint a proxy or proxies to attend, speak and vote

instead of him. A proxy need not be a member of the Company.

A Form of Proxy is enclosed for use by shareholders unable to attend the meeting. Proxies to be

valid must be lodged with the Company’s Registrars, Capita Corporate Registrars PLC, Unit 5 Manor

Street Business Park, Manor Street, Dublin 7 not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for

the holding of the meeting.

Annual  Report  and  Financial  Statements      2002 Conroy  Diamonds  and  Gold  P.l.c .