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Cygnus Gold Limited

cy5 · ASX Basic Materials
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FY2017 Annual Report · Cygnus Gold Limited
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Annual Report 2017 
—  

1 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Contents

02

CYGNUS WAS FORTUNATE TO ATTRACT SUPPORT FROM A 

NUMBER OF MAJOR INDUSTRY SHAREHOLDERS.

2 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Contents

03

Contents

04   Chairman’s Statement
—
06   Directors’ Report
—
31   Auditor’s Independence Declaration
—
33  Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income 
—
34   Statement of Financial Position
—
35   Statement of Changes in Equity 
—
36   Statement of Cash Flows
—
37   Notes to the Financial Statements
—
52   Directors’ Declaration
—
53   Independent Auditor’s Report
—
56   ASX Additional Information
— 
60   Corporate Directory
— 

3 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
Cygnus Gold - Chairman’s Statement

04

Chairman’s statement
—

Dear shareholders,

It is with great pleasure that we present Cygnus 

•  Consolidated a significant tenement  

Gold Limited’s first Annual Report as an ASX 

listed company.

Last year was a very busy year for Cygnus. Led 

by Managing Director James Merrillees, we 
progressed from an early stage exploration 

entity all the way through the initial public 

offering process to a point where we 

successfully listed on 15 January 2018.

holding for gold exploration in  

  Western Australia

  —

•  Attracted cornerstone investment from  

Resource Capital Funds, Southern  

  Cross Capital and Gold Road  

Resources Limited

  —

•  Recruited a management team to  

undertake both the corporate and  

technical management processes

  —

It was pleasing to see the strong support for 

•  Arranged land access for exploration    

the Cygnus story, culminating in the Company 

on the Stanley Project area

comfortably achieving its maximum $6 million 

subscription goal.

It is a testament to the organisational skills of 

  —

•  Arranged permitting for the proposed   

drilling and exploration programs

  —

•  Entered into two earn-in agreements    

the management team that Cygnus collared its 

  with Gold Road 

first diamond drill hole on the same morning as 

  —

official quotation on the ASX was achieved – a 

great milestone.

Speaking of milestones, I believe it is worth 

highlighting some of the many achievements 

the company made in 2017; 

•  Undertook all pre-IPO work necessary   

to obtain official quotation  

on the ASX

  —

•  Successfully applied for WA  

  Government  co-funding for diamond   

drilling at Bottleneck.

4 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Chairman’s Statement

05 Chairman’s statement

—

Turning to our gold exploration assets, our tenements in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia have 

been selected following application of extensive geoscientific work by our talented team. We believe the 

Wheatbelt is an under-explored area for gold, and the earn-in agreements executed with Gold Road are a strong 

endorsement of that belief.

Located within a comfortable three to four hours’ drive from Perth, Cygnus’ primary targets are shallow, and in 

many cases, have either had previous drill success - with high-grade gold results achieved in previous drilling - 

or they demonstrate strong geochemical gold targets.

In parallel with the above achievements, and as we progressed from start-up in late 2016 and throughout 2017, 

Cygnus was fortunate to attract support from a number of major industry shareholders. This commenced 

with Resource Capital Funds, becoming our founding cornerstone shareholder. That support was backed-up 

through investment by Southern Cross Capital and then subsequently consolidated by Gold Road Resources 

Limited becoming not only a cornerstone investor, but also an exploration partner via two earn-in agreements.  

The early and ongoing support and encouragement of these respected resource industry groups is greatly 

appreciated by the board and management.

Speaking of the board, I would like to thank our directors - comprising James Merrillees, geoscientists Dr 

Amanda Buckingham and Dr Oliver Kreuzer (both founders) and rounded out by the highly experienced mining 

executive Simon Jackson. The board has experience from early stage exploration, right through to mine 

development and operations and I look forward to the opportunity of utilising all of those skills as we progress. 

In the short term, there are a number of exciting programs planned for 2018, including drilling of the Bottleneck 

target on the 100 per cent owned Stanley tenement, and advancing exploration work with Gold Road on our JV 

tenements.

I take this opportunity to thank all our shareholders – large and small – for the tremendous support shown to us 

throughout 2017 and to also thank the many stakeholders who have assisted Cygnus over the last 12 months. 

Michael Bohm

Non-executive Chairman

5 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

06 Directors’ Report

—

The directors present their report, together with the financial statements for the year  

ended 31 December 2017 for Cygnus Gold Limited (Cygnus or the Company). 

Comparative information is for the period ended from incorporation to  

31 December 2016.

Directors

—

The names and details of the Company’s directors in office during the financial year 

and until the date of this report (unless otherwise stated) are as follows: 

Mr Michael Bohm - Non-executive Chairman

Director since September 2016
—

Mr Bohm is a qualified mining professional with 

in the gold, nickel and diamond sectors. Mr Bohm 

significant corporate and operations experience. 

currently serves as a Director and Chair of a number 

He has had extensive minerals industry experience 

of ASX listed companies and sits on their Audit & 

in Australia, South East Asia, Africa, Chile, Canada 

Risk and Remuneration Committees. Prior to this, he 

and Europe. A graduate of WA School of Mines, 

held directorships at Argyle Diamonds Mines, Sally 

Michael has worked as a mining engineer, mine 

Malay Mining Limited and Ashton Mining of Canada.

manager, study manager, project manager, project 

director and managing director and has been 

directly involved in a number of mine developments 

Over the past three years, Mr Bohm has also held 

directorships with the following ASX listed companies:

Other current directorships

Commenced

Ceased

Perseus Mining Limited 

Mincor Resources Limited 

15 October 2009 

1 January 2017 

Ramelius Resources Limited

29 November 2012 

-

-

-

Former directorships in the last 3 years

Tawana Resources Limited

1 August 2015

21 October 2016

Berkut Minerals Limited  

1 July 2016

30 June 2017

6 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

07

Mr James Merrillees – Managing Director 

Appointed 17 November 2017 
—

Mr Merrillees is a professional geologist with more than 20 years’ global experience in minerals exploration 

and development. He has wide experience leading teams exploring and evaluating precious and base metals 

throughout Australia, Europe, South America, Asia and Africa. After 12 years with BHP, Mr Merrillees worked in 

technical and corporate roles for both ASX listed and private gold and base metals explorers and producers. 

He has extensive experience in exploring Archean and Proterozoic mineral systems and has been involved in 

the discovery of greenfields nickel, uranium and iron ore deposits in Scandinavia, and bauxite and gold in West 

Africa. He is a member of the AusIMM and holds Bachelor of Science (Geology) and Bachelor of Commerce 

(Accounting and Finance) degrees and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance.

Over the past three years, Mr Merrillees has not held any directorships with an ASX listed company.

Mr Simon Jackson – Non-executive Director

Appointed 17 November 2017 
—

Mr Jackson is a Chartered Accountant with 25 years’ experience in the gold industry. He is currently the CEO 

and MD of ASX listed Brazilian focussed gold producer Beadell Resources Limited. Prior to this, Mr Jackson was 

a founding shareholder and President & CEO of the TSXV listed Orca Gold Inc, a junior exploration company 

with multiple gold discoveries in Sudan. From 1999 to 2010 he was an integral part of the senior management 

team at Red Back Mining Inc, which grew from a small West Perth based junior to a TSX listed intermediate 

producer that was taken over by Kinross Gold Corp in 2010. Mr Jackson’s career includes corporate transactions 

and equity financings involving assets in Australia, Africa, Asia and South America. Over the past three years, Mr 

Jackson has also held directorships with the following ASX listed companies:

Other current directorships

Commenced

Ceased

Beadell Resources Limited

10 November 2013 

Orca Gold Inc

Sarama Resources Limited

4 April 2013

11 March 2011

-

-

-

Former directorships in the last 3 years

Cardinal Resources Limited

31 August 2015 

12 October 2017

RB Energy Inc.

31 January 2014 

2 April 2015

7 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

08

Dr Oliver Kreuzer – Non-executive Director 

Director since April 2016
—

Dr Kreuzer is a Registered Professional Geoscientist (MAIG RPGeo) with a broad skill set in structural, generative 

and corporate geology honed during a 18+ year career in applied research and mineral exploration across a 

wide range of gold, base metals and uranium projects in Australia, Africa, North America, Europe and Asia. 

His work directly contributed to new company floats (ASX:AUC, ASX:RGU), company transforming project 

acquisitions (ASX:AWV) and new discoveries. Dr Kreuzer’s passion lies in the application of superior geoscience 

to exploration targeting and shortening the time frame to discovery.

Over the past three years, Dr Kreuzer has not held any directorships with an ASX listed company.

Dr Amanda Buckingham – Non-executive Director 

Director since April 2016 
—

Dr Buckingham has been involved full-time in mineral exploration for over 20 years. Dr Buckingham founded 

and remains a major shareholder and director of companies in the United States, Australia and Singapore 

and has been fundamental to their high profitability. Dr Buckingham founded Fathom Geophysics in 2007, an 

industry leading geophysical group that has developed worlds-best technology for targeting under cover and 

significantly increasing the chance of discovery. 

Dr Buckingham’s early career was at major mining companies such as Rio Tinto and several listed juniors. She 

has wide-ranging exploration experience in North and Sub-Saharan Africa, North and South America, South East 

and Central Asia, Russia and Europe. Dr Buckingham is a research fellow at the University of Western Australia 

and a founder of Cygnus.

Over the past three years, Dr Buckingham has not held any directorships with an ASX listed company.

Mr Alan Cleland – Non-executive Director 

Resigned 17 November 2017
—

8 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

09

Interests in the shares and options of the Company
—
As at the date of this report, the interests of the directors in the shares (direct and indirect) of Cygnus Gold 

Limited were:

Name

Number of ordinary shares

Mr Michael Bohm

3,170,001

Mr James Merrillees

Mr Simon Jackson

150,000

303,334

Dr Oliver Kreuzer

1,883,334

Dr Amanda Buckingham

2,333,334

There are no options on issue at the date of this report.

Company Secretary
— 
Mr Michael Naylor 
—

Mr Naylor has 21 years’ experience in corporate advisory and public company management since commencing 

his career and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young. He has been involved in the financial 

management of mineral and resource focused public companies serving on the board and in the executive 

management team focusing on advancing and developing mineral resource assets and business development.

Operating results
—
The loss of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2017 after providing for income tax amounted to 

$784,721 (2016: $81,504).   

Review of financial position
—
The net assets are $6,607,517 as at 31 December 2017 (2016: $869,738).

Principal activities 
—
Cygnus is a gold exploration company focused on gold exploration in south west Yilgarn region of  

Western Australia.

There have been no significant changes in the nature of these activities during the period.  

9 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

10

It was pleasing to see the strong support for 

the Cygnus story, culminating in the Company 

comfortably achieving its maximum $6 million 

subscription goal.

10 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

11

Review of Operations
—

Overview

—

Cygnus is targeting the discovery of high grade gold deposits within the Southwest 

Terrane of Western Australia. The Southwest Terrane is a unit of high metamorphic 

grade rocks forming part of the well mineralised Yilgarn Craton.

In Western Australia, particularly in the Southwest Terrane, high-grade metamorphosed 

greenstone sequences have been targeted sporadically for their gold potential with 

some success at Griffins Find, Katanning and Tampia. However, compared to other 

parts of the Yilgarn Craton, the intensity of exploration activity is relatively low. Cygnus 

believes this is partly a result of widespread, post-mineral cover which requires detailed 

geophysical data to effectively explore.

It was only in February 2016 new, higher resolution geophysical data over the 

Southwest Yilgarn became publicly available. Using this newly released data Cygnus’ 

team generated maps identifying the greenstone belts across the Southwest Terrane 

including key structures controlling the location of mineralisation. The areas identified 

by this approach were subject to detailed screening and the Company subsequently 

applied for exploration licences over targets that passed this initial screening and were 

ranked highest for potential to host economic gold deposits.

At 31 December 2017 the Company has assembled a 5,392km² land package, 

comprising approximately 2,148 km² of Exploration Licences and approximately  

3,244 km² of Exploration Licence Applications to explore for gold in this highly 

prospective region.

11 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

12

Overview
—

Figure 1: Location of Cygnus’ Projects, Southwest Western Australia

12 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

13

The Projects
—

As at 31 December 2017 Cygnus’ granted Exploration Licences are as follows:
—

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

Stanley Project – E70/4787;

Kulin Project – E70/4854;

Borden Project – E70/4912;

Burracoppin – E77/2405;

Frankland Project – E70/4910; and 

Bullock North Project – E70/4952.

In addition, the Company has applied for the following Exploration Licences (not granted 

at 31 December 2017): 
—

(a) 

(b) 

Bencubbin Project – E70/4988 (application); and

Burracoppin North Project – E70/4992 (application) and  

E77/2463 (application).

The Company also has two other projects comprising the following Tenements which are 

the subject of earn-in agreements under which Gold Road Resources can earn up to a 

75% interest:

—

(a) 

Lake Grace Project – E70/4855, E70/4853, E70/4991 (application), E70/5017  

(application); and

(b) 

Wadderin Project – E70/4911, E70/4939, E70/4990 (application), E70/4989  

(application), E70/5018 (application), E70/5019 (application), E70/5020  

(application) and E70/5021 (application),

13 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

14

Stanley Project (E70/4787)
—

Cygnus’ key asset and most advanced exploration project is the Stanley Project, 
comprising an area of 161km2 and is approximately 60km northeast of the Wheatbelt 
town of Katanning. Stanley was targeted following Cygnus’ interpretation of available 

geophysical datasets which identified a >20km long strike length of prospective 

greenstone sequences with widespread, shallow high grade gold mineralisation 

identified by previous explorers (Figure 2).

— 

Review of historical exploration data at Stanley identified many of these high-grade 

prospects were never adequately followed up. Importantly previous explorers drilled 

limited deeper holes, and no diamond core holes and therefore had little  

to no information regarding the structures or lithologies which focus and host  

gold mineralisation.

Cygnus immediate focus at Stanley are the high-grade Bottleneck, Bottlerack, Stanley 

Hill, Brays and McDougall prospects where the Company has approvals in place 

enabling on-ground work.

At Bottleneck historical air core drilling by previous explorers included intersections of 
21m @ 3.3 g/t Au, 7m @ 6.4g/t Au, and 9m @ 6.9 g/t Au.1 Cygnus has reinterpreted this 
historical drilling and identified down-plunge extensions of the known mineralisation at 

Bottleneck which have not been tested.

14 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

15

Figure 2: E70/4787 (Stanley Project), key drill results and prospects. Note: The geology interpretation is 

explained in the Independent Technical Assessment Report in Section 8 of the Cygnus Gold Prospectus dated 

22 November 2017.

Following the successful listing on the ASX in January 2018 the Company immediately commenced diamond 

drilling at Bottleneck and intersected high grade gold including intervals of:

—

•  2.4m @ 114.63 g/t Au from 38.70m in hole BNDD001

•  4.8m @ 34.17 g/t Au from 24.7m in hole BNDD003

•  6.0m @ 3.3 g/t Au from 157.5m in hole BNDD006

(refer CY5 ASX announcement 22 February 2018).2

The Company is excited to build on this early success as it targets follow up at Bottleneck and the remaining 

prospects identified at Stanley in 2018.

15 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

16

Other Cygnus 100% Projects
—

Other Cygnus 100% Projects

—

Cygnus has an additional 1,237km2 of granted tenements and 590km2 of applications, 
covering prospective greenstone rocks of the Southwest Terrane of the Yilgarn Craton.

During the period the Company identified and met with landowners of properties 

covering prospects and targets identified from Cygnus’ interpretation of the 
geophysics and review of historical data. The response from landowners has been 

overwhelmingly positive and it is expected that field work will commence following the 

signing of land access agreements.

Gold Road Earn-in and Joint Venture Agreements
—

On 9 October 2017, the Company entered into two earn-in and joint venture 

agreements with Gold Road Resources Limited (ASX:GOR); whereby GOR is earning 

into Cygnus’ Wadderin and Lake Grace Projects (Figure 3). Cygnus is manager of the 

Projects and the key terms of the Agreements are outlined on the following page 

(refer GOR’s ASX Announcement 10 October 2017).

16 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

17

Wadderin Earn-In Agreement

—

•  Gold Road can earn a 51% interest  

in the Wadderin Project by spending  

  A$1.6 million within 30 months

  —

•  After the initial earn-in, Gold Road  

  can elect to earn a further 24% interest  

(75% in total) by spending a further    

  A$900,000 (A$2.5 million in aggregate)  

  over a further 18 months (4 years in    

  aggregate)

  —

•  Gold Road can withdraw from the  

  earn-in after spending a minimum of  

  A$900,000 within 18 months.

Lake Grace  Earn-In Agreement

— 

•  Gold Road can earn a 51% interest  

in the Lake Grace Project by spending  

  A$700,000 within 30 months

  —

•  After the initial earn-in, Gold Road can  

  elect to earn a further 24% interest (75%  

in total) by spending a further   

  A$500,000 (A$1.2 million in aggregate)  

  over a further 18 months (4 years in    

  aggregate)

  —

•  Gold Road can withdraw from the  

  earn-in after spending a minimum of  

  A$400,000 within 18 months.

17 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Figure 3: Location and outline of the Wadderin and 

Lake Grace Projects

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

18

Corporate
—

Admission to the Australian Securities Exchange

—

Cygnus was successfully admitted to the Official List with official quotation commencing 

on 15 January 2018. Cygnus raised $6,000,000 (before costs) and was well supported 

from cornerstone shareholders including Resource Capital Funds, Southern Cross 

Capital and Gold Road Resources and lead broker Morgans Corporate Limited. 

After the listing the Company had 60,683,341 shares on issue. 

Board and Management Changes
—

Subsequent Events
—

In March 2017, the Company appointed Chief 

The Company was successfully admitted to the 

Executive Officer, Mr James Merrillees.   

Official List with official quotation commencing 

Mr Merrillees was appointed as Managing Director  

on 15 January 2018 and $6,000,000 capital raised 

in November 2017.

On 17 November 2017, the Company appointed Mr 

Simon Jackson to the Board.  Refer to page 7 for 

more details on Mr Jackson.

On 17 November 2017, Mr Alan Cleland resigned as  

a Director. The Company expressed its sincere 

thanks to Mr Cleland as a founding director who  

(before costs) was well supported from cornerstone 

shareholders including Resource Capital Funds, 

Southern Cross Capital and Gold Road Resources 

and lead broker Morgans Corporate Limited. 

On the 22 March 2018, Cygnus announced a new 

joint venture was entered with a wholly owned 

subsidiary of Gold Road Resources. 

was an integral part of the team in acquiring 

Other than what is mentioned above, there are no 

Cygnus’ original assets and the success of the initial 

matters or circumstances that have arisen since the 

public offering.

end of the year that have significantly affected or 

Dividends paid or recommended
—

may significantly affect either: 

• 

the Company’s operations in future  

financial years

The directors do not recommend the payment of a 

• 

the results of those operations in future 

dividend and no amount has been paid or declared 

financial years; or 

by way of a dividend to the date of this report.

• 

the Company’s state of affairs in future  

financial years.

18 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

19

Cygnus’ technical team has considerable knowledge 

and experience in targeting and evaluating gold 

mineralised systems world-wide.

19 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

20

Likely Developments and Expected Results
—

Significant changes in the state of affairs
—

The Company is committed to:

There have been no changes in the state of affairs 

• 

systematically explore the Company’s key asset  

being the Stanley Gold Project; 

of the Company other than those outlined in the 

Review of Operations.

•  advance exploration for gold on the other  

  Cygnus Exploration Licences at Kulin, Borden,   

Burracoppin, Frankland, and Bullock North; 

Corporate Governance
—

•  manage the Wadderin and Lake Grace  

Projects in conjunction with Gold Road  

Projects in accordance with the relevant  

earn-in agreements;

•  advance the Company’s Exploration Licence  

  Applications to grant; 

•  continue to negotiate further access with private  

landholders in relation to areas of interest  

identified by the above activities; and

• 

implement a growth strategy to seek out  

further exploration, acquisition and joint venture  

opportunities in Australia.

Environmental issues
—

The directors of Cygnus Gold Limited believe 

that effective corporate governance improves 

company performance, enhances corporate social 

responsibility and benefits all stakeholders. Changes 

and improvements are made in a substance over 

form manner, which appropriately reflect the 

changing circumstances of the company as it grows 

and evolves. Accordingly, the Board has established 

a number of practices and policies to ensure that 

these intentions are met and that all shareholders 

are fully informed about the affairs of the Company.

Cygnus reviews all of its corporate governance 

practices and policies on an annual basis to ensure 

they are appropriate for the Company’s current 

stage of development. This year, the review was 

made against the new ASX Corporate Governance 

Council’s Principles and Recommendations (third 

edition) which became effective for financial years 

The Company is aware of its environmental obligations 

beginning on or after 1 July 2014.

with regards to its exploration activities and ensures 

that it complies with all regulations when carrying out 

any exploration work. The directors have considered 

the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting 

Act 2007 (‘the NGER Act’) and at the current stage 

of development and based on the locations of the 

Company’s operations, the directors have determined 

that the NGER Act will have no effect on the Entity 

for the current or subsequent financial year. The 

directors will reassess this position as and when 

the need arises. No environmental breaches have 

occurred or have been notified by any Government 

agencies during the year ended 31 December 2017. 

The Company’s initial Corporate Governance 

Statement was approved by the Board on 17 

November 2017. The Company was listed on the 

Australian Securities Exchange on 15 January 2018 

and the Board has reviewed and approved its revised 

Corporate Governance Statement on 26 March 2018 

and is available on the Company’s website at  

www.cygnusgold.com 

The Company has a corporate governance section 

on the website which includes details on the 

company’s governance arrangements and copies of 

relevant policies and charters.

20 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

21

REMUNERATION REPORT (AUDITED)
—

This remuneration report for the year ended 

and controlling the major activities of the Entity, 

31 December 2017 outlines the remuneration 

directly or indirectly including any director 

arrangements of the Company in accordance 

(whether executive or otherwise) of the parent.

with the requirements of the Corporations 

Act 2001(Cth), as amended (the Act) and its 

regulations.  This information has been audited as 

required by section 308(3C) of the Act.

The remuneration report details the remuneration 

The table below outlines the KMP of the Entity 

during the financial year ended 31 December 2017.  

Unless otherwise indicated, the individuals were 

KMP for the entire financial year.

arrangements for Key Management Personnel 

For the purposes of this report, the term 

(KMP) who are defined as those persons having 

“executive” includes the executive directors and 

authority and responsibility for planning, directing 

senior executives of the Company.

Executive director

James Merrillees

NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Managing Director (appointed CEO on 13 March 2017 and Managing 

Director on 17 November 2017)

Michael Bohm

Non-executive Chairman (appointed 30 September 2016)

Simon Jackson

Non-executive Director (appointed 17 November 2017)

Oliver Kreuzer

Non-executive Director (appointed 21 April 2016)

Amanda Buckingham

Non-executive Director (appointed 21 April 2016)

Alan Cleland

Senior executive

Non-executive Director (appointed 3 November 2015, resigned  

17 November 2017)

Michael Naylor

Company Secretary (appointed 4 October 2016) 

There were no other changes to KMP after reporting date and before the date the financial report was 

authorised for issue.

21 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

22

Remuneration governance
—

The Board has decided there are no efficiencies to be gained from forming a separate remuneration committee 

and hence the current board members carry out the roles that would otherwise be undertaken by a remunera-

tion committee with each director excluding themselves from matters in which they have a personal interest.

The Board considers and recommends compensation arrangements for the directors and senior executives; 

remuneration policies and practices; retirement termination policies and practices; Company share schemes 

and other incentive schemes; Company superannuation arrangements and remuneration arrangements for 

members of the Board.

The Board obtains professional advice where necessary to ensure that the Company attracts  

and retains talented and motivated directors, executives and employees who can enhance Company 

performance through their contributions and leadership.

Remuneration framework
—

The Board recognises that the Company’s performance and ultimate success in project delivery depends 

very much on its ability to attract and retain highly skilled, qualified and motivated people in an increasingly 

competitive remuneration market.  At the same time, remuneration practices must be transparent to 

shareholders and be fair and competitive taking into account the nature and size of the organisation and its 

current stage of development.

The approach to remuneration has been structured with the following objectives:

• 

• 

to attract and retain a highly skilled executive team;

to link remuneration with performance, based on long-term objectives and shareholder return,as   

  well as critical short-term objectives which are aligned with the Company’s business strategy;

• 

to set clear goals and reward performance for  successful project development in a way which is   

sustainable, including in respect of health and safety, environment and community based objectives; to be  

fair and competitive against the market;

• 

to preserve cash where necessary for exploration, by having the flexibility to attract, reward or remunerate  

executives with an appropriate mix of equity based incentives;

• 

to reward individual performance and Company performance thus promoting a balance of individual  

performance and teamwork across the executive management team and the organisation; and

• 

to have flexibility in the mix of remuneration, including offering a balance of conservative long term  

incentive instruments to ensure executives are rewarded for their efforts, but also share in the upside of the  

  Company’s growth.

Due to the Company not being listed in 2017, the Company only remunerated by way of fixed remuneration, 

However, the directors are considering a remuneration framework that provides a mix of fixed and variable “at 

risk” remuneration and a blend of short and long-term incentives.  

22 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

23

The remuneration for executives has three components:

•  Fixed remuneration, inclusive of superannuation and allowances;

•  Short Term Incentives (“STI”); and

•  Long Term Incentives (“LTI”). 

These three components comprise each executive’s total annual remuneration.  

To link executive remuneration with the Company’s performance, the Company’s policy is to endeavour to 

provide an appropriate portion of each executive’s total remuneration as “at risk”.   Mr Merrillees was provided 

a short term incentive of $20,000 for Cygnus to list on the Australian Securities Exchange.  This milestone was 

successfully completed and paid after 31 December 2017 and is included in Mr Merrillees compensation for the 

period as an accrual.

Executive director remuneration
—

Fixed Remuneration

Executives receive a fixed base cash salary and other associated benefits. Executives also receive a superannuation 

guarantee contribution required by Australian legislation which was 9.5% at 31 December 2017. No executives 

receive any other retirement benefits. 

Fixed remuneration of executives will be set by the Board each year and is based on market relativity and individual 

performance.  In setting fixed remuneration for executives, individual performance, skills, expertise and experience 

are also taken into account to determine where the executive’s remuneration should sit within the market range.  

Where appropriate, external remuneration consultants will be engaged to assist the Board to ensure that fixed 

remuneration is set to be consistent with market practices for similar roles.

Short Term Incentives

The executive director was eligible to earn a short-term cash bonuses upon achievement of significant performance 

based outcomes aligned with the Company’s strategic objectives at that time. These performance based outcomes 

are considered to be an appropriate link between executive remuneration and the potential for creation of 

shareholder wealth.

The objective of STI’s is to provide the opportunity to earn a cash bonus by rewarding those executives who 

successfully achieve in the opinion of the Board the critical short-term objectives of the Company over a 12 month 

period.  Those short-term objectives are pre-determined and recommended by the Board each year and approved 

by the Board as being aligned with the Company’s stated strategy to derive shareholder return.

Executive

STI amount

Performance Hurdle

Mr James Merrillees

$20,000 

The Company listing on the ASX.

23 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

24

Non-executive director remuneration
—

Non-executive directors’ fees are paid within an aggregate limit which is approved by the shareholders 

from time to time.  Retirement payments, if any, are determined in accordance with the rules set out in the 

Company’s Constitution and the Corporations Act at the time of the director’s retirement or termination.  Non-

executive directors’ remuneration may include an incentive portion consisting of bonuses and/or options, as 

considered appropriate by the Board, which is subject to shareholder approval in accordance with the ASX 

Listing Rules.

The aggregate remuneration, and the manner in which it is apportioned amongst non-executive directors, is 

reviewed annually.  The Board considers the amount of director fees being paid by comparable companies with 

similar responsibilities and levels of experience of the non-executive directors when undertaking the annual 

review process.

The current maximum amount of non-executive directors’ fees payable is fixed at $300,000 in total, for each 12 

month period commencing 1 January each year, until varied by ordinary resolution of shareholders.

Non-executive directors are not entitled to any termination payments.

Use of remuneration consultants
—

During the year ended 31 December 2017 the Board did not engage the services of remuneration consultants.

Voting and comments made at the company’s last Annual General Meeting
—

The Company did not need to vote on the Remuneration Report for the 2016 financial year as it was not a  

listed entity.

Consequences of performance on shareholder wealth
—

In considering the Company’s performance and benefits for shareholder wealth, the Board has regard to the 

following indices in respect of the current and the previous financial year:

Item

Revenue

Net loss

2016

1,285

81,504

2017

3,262

784,721

24 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

25

Details of remuneration for year ended 31 December 2017
—

The directors and KMP of Cygnus Gold Limited are set out in the following tables:

Short term employee benefits

s
e
e
F

t
n
a
t
l
u
s
n
o
C

s
e
e
F
/
y
r
a

l

a
S

l

a
u
n
n
A

e
v
a
e
L

s
u
n
o
B

t
n
e
m
y
o
p
m
E

l

t
s
o
P

n
o
i
t
a
u
n
n
a
r
e
p
u
S

l

a
t
o
T

e
c
n
a
m
r
o
f
r
e
P

f
o
%
d
e
s
a
b

n
o
i
t
a
r
e
n
u
m
e
r

 -

 - 

- 

 - 

 -

 - 

 -

-

-

-

396 

74,313 

 - 

317 

 - 

317 

 - 

317 

-

-

-

20,000 

62,766 

20,000 

105,650

20,000 

3,650 

-

5,250

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Non-executive Directors

Mr Michael Bohm1

Dr Amanda Buckingham2 

Dr Oliver Kreuzer2

Mr Simon Jackson3

Alan Cleland7

Executives

James Merrillees4

Michael Naylor5

Total Remuneration

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

4,167 

69,750 

 - 

20,000 

3,333 

59,116 

 - 

20,000 

 -

 - 

- 

 - 

3,333 

102,000 

 -

 - 

20,000 

 - 

 -

-

-

-

 - 

-

5,250

-

-

3,333 

-

-

-

129,714 

-

- 

-   

9,786 

18,2656 

14,998

172,763 

11.6%

-

- 

- 

60,000 

15,000 

-

- 

- 

-

- 

- 

-

60,000

15,000   

143,880 

296,116 

9,786 

18,265 

16,345 

484,392

-   

75,000 

- 

- 

-  

75,000 

-

-

-

-

-

1 Appointed as Non-executive Chairman on 30 September 2016.

2 Appointed as Non-executive Director on 21 April 2016.

3 Appointed as Non-executive Director on 21 November 2017.

4 Appointed as CEO on 13 March 2017 and Managing Director on 17 November 2017.

5 Appointed as Company Secretary on 4 October 2016.

6 Bonus for the Company listing on the ASX is accrued at year end and net of superannuation.

7 Resigned as Non-executive Director on 17 November 2017.

25 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

26 Shares Issues on Exercise of Options

—

There were no shares issued on exercise of options.

Value of Options Awarded, Exercised and Lapsed During the Year
—

No options or shares were issued as part of remuneration during the year ended 31 December 2017.

Grant of Long Term Incentives
—

There were no LTI’s issued during the year.

Shares held by directors and key management personnel including their related parties, is 
set out below:

Balance at 
start of the 
year

Balance at 
date of  
appointment

Received during 
the year on  
exercise of 
options

Other 
acquisition/
disposal of 
shares during 
the year

Balance 
at date of 
resignation

Balance at 
end of 
the year

Non-executive Directors

Mr Michael Bohm

3,000,001

-

Mr Simon Jackson

-

133,334

Dr Oliver Kreuzer

1,833,334

Dr Amanda Buckingham 2,333,334

Mr Alan Cleland

3,000,001

-

-

-

Executives

Mr James Merrillees

-

100,000

Mr Michael Naylor

1,300,000

-

Total

11,466,670

233,334

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3,000,001

133,334

1,833,334

2,333,334

(3,000,001)

-

-

-

100,000

1,300,000

(3,000,001)

8,700,003

Options Held by Directors and Key Management Personnel
—

There are no options on issue as at 31 December 2017 or 31 December 2016.

26 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

27

Employment contracts of directors and senior executives
—

On 13 September 2017, the Company had entered into a standard appointment agreement with Mr Merrillees 

as CEO which provides for an initial appointment one year, $200,000 (inclusive of superannuation) annual 

salary and a short-term incentive (STI) of $20,000 if the Company lists on the ASX. Subsequent to year end Mr 

Merrillees agreement was revised (15 March 2018) to recognise his promotion to Managing Director, $246,375 

(inclusive of superannuation) annual salary takes affect from December 2017. As part of the new agreement a 

STI of 15% of total fixed remuneration (Base Salary + Superannuation) is in place should several key performance 

indicators be met, including exploration targets generated, exploration targets tested and Health, Safety and 

Environmental components. 

In addition, the agreement includes long term incentives which are granted subject to shareholder approval. 

The Board will grant the Executive Performance Rights (PR’s), subject to shareholder approval, as follows:

Tranche 1 - 350,000 PR’s with a measurement period 15/1/18 to 15/1/2019

Tranche 2 - 350,000 PR’s with a measurement period 15/1/18 to 15/1/2020

Vesting will be dependent upon:

• 

• 

• 

Continued employment at the end of each measurement period

The Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance of Cygnus against a peer group 

Any ‘Gates’ and/or ‘Modifiers that are applied

Cygnus’ TSR compared to the peer group will determine the proportion of Performance Rights that will vest 

(subject to the other vesting conditions being met), as set out below:

Relative TSR over the Measurement Period

Proportion of Performance Rights vested

Below the 50th percentile

At the 50th percentile

0%

50%

Between the 50th and the 75th percentile

Pro-rata between 50% and 100%

Above the 75th percentile 

100%

Subject to the vesting criteria being met, the executive will be entitled to exercise the number of Performance 

Rights vesting and be issued with a corresponding number of ordinary shares in Cygnus Gold Limited.

Mr Merrillees is required to give the Company six weeks’ notice to terminate the agreement and the Company is 

required to give Mr Merrillees three months’ notice to terminate the contract or payment in lieu.  

The Company entered into an agreement with Blue Leaf Corporate Pty Ltd, an entity associated with Mr Naylor, 

which commenced on 15 January 2018 for the provision of company secretarial and financial management 

services.  Mr Naylor is required to give the Company 90 days’ notice to terminate the contract and the 

Company is required to give Mr Naylor 90 days’ notice to terminate the contract or payment in lieu.

27 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

28

Loans to key management personnel
—

There were no loans to key management personnel of the Company, including their personally related parties, 

as at 31 December 2017 or 31 December 2016.

Other transactions with key management personnel
—

Mr Naylor, the Company Secretary of the Company, previously held a senior position with Tawana Resources NL 

and Teranga Gold (Australia) Pty Ltd, which received $25,416 in fees for the provision of administration services 

including rent.  Payments were based on commercial terms and conditions.

END OF REMUNERATION REPORT
—

Meetings of directors
—

During the financial year, 6 meetings of directors were held.  Attendances by each director during the year were  

as follows:

Director’s names

Number attended

Number eligible to attend

Michael Bohm

James Merrillees

Simon Jackson

Dr Oliver Kreuzer

Dr Amanda Buckingham

Alan Cleland

6

1

1

6

5

5

6

1

1

6

6

5

Given the size of the Board the Company has decided that there are no efficiencies to be gained from forming 

separate committees.

Share Options
—

There are no share options on issue.

28 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

29

Indemnifying officers 
—

In accordance with the constitution, except as may be prohibited by the Corporations Act 2001, every officer 

of the Company shall be indemnified out of the property of the Company against any liability incurred by him 

in his capacity as officer or agent of the Company or any related corporation in respect of any act or omission 

whatsoever and howsoever occurring or in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal.  The terms of 

the policy prevent disclosure of the amount of the premium payable and the level of indemnification under the 

insurance contract.

Indemnifying of Auditors
—

To the extent permitted by law, the Company has agreed to indemnify its auditors, Grant Thornton, as part 

of the terms of its audit engagement agreement, against claims by third parties arising from the audit (for an 

unspecified amount). No payments have been made to indemnify Grant Thornton to the date of this report.

Proceedings on behalf of the Company
—

No person has applied for leave of Court to bring proceedings on behalf of the Company or intervene in any 

proceedings to which the Company is a party for the purpose of taking responsibility on behalf of the Company 

for all or any part of these proceedings.

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

Non-audit services
—

The directors are satisfied that the provision of non-audit services is compatible with the general standard of 

independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act 2001. The directors ensure that:

•  Non-audit services are reviewed and approved by the directors to ensure that the provision of such services  

does not adversely affect the integrity and objectivity of the auditor; and

•  Audit services do not compromise the general principles relating to auditor independence in accordance  

  with APES 110: Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants set by the Accounting Professional and Ethical  

Standards Board.

The total remuneration for audit and non-audit services provided during the prior and current financial years is 

set out in note 9 of the financial statements.

29 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
Cygnus Gold - Directors’ Report

30

Auditor’s independence declaration
—

The lead auditor’s independence declaration for the year ended 31 December 2017 has been received and is 

attached to this Directors’ Report.

This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the directors.

James Merrillees

Managing Director

Dated in Perth this 26th day of March 2018.

Notes

1. 

Information on historical results from the Stanley Project, including JORC Code Table 1 information, is contained in the Independent  

Technical Assessment Report within Cygnus’ Prospectus dated 22 November 2017. Cygnus is not aware of any new information or data  

that materially affects the information included in the Prospectus.

2.  Refer ASX announcement on the said date for full details of these exploration results. Cygnus is not aware of any new information or  

data that materially affects the information included in the said announcement.

Competent Persons Statement

The information in this announcement that relates to Exploration Results is based on information and supporting documentation compiled by 

Mr James Merrillees, a Competent Person who is a member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mt Merrillees is Managing 

Director and a full-time employee of Cygnus Gold and holds shares in the Company.

Mr Merrillees has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to 

qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the “Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources 

and Ore Reserves”. Mr Merrillees consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on this information in the form and 

context in which it appears.

Forward Looking Statement

This report may contain certain forward looking statements and projections regarding estimated, resources and reserves; planned production 

and operating costs profiles; planned capital requirements; and planned strategies and corporate objectives. Such forward looking statements/

projections are estimates for discussion purposes only and should not be relied upon. They are not guarantees of future performance and 

involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors many of which are beyond the control of Cygnus Gold Limited. The forward 

looking statements/projections are inherently uncertain and may therefore differ materially from results ultimately achieved.

Cygnus Gold Limited does not make any representations and provides no warranties concerning the accuracy of the projections, and disclaims 

any obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements/projects based on new information, future events or otherwise except to the 

extent required by applicable laws. While the information contained in this report has been prepared in good faith, neither Cygnus Gold or any 

of its directors, officers, agents, employees or advisors give any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the fairness, accuracy, 

completeness or correctness of the information, opinions and conclusions contained in this presentation. Accordingly, to the maximum 

extent permitted by law, none of Cygnus Gold Limited, its directors, employees or agents, advisers, nor any other person accepts any liability 

whether direct or indirect, express or limited, contractual, tortuous, statutory or otherwise, in respect of, the accuracy or completeness of the 

information or for any of the opinions contained in this presentation or for any errors, omissions or misstatements or for any loss, howsoever 

arising, from the use of this presentation.

30 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Auditor’s independence declaration

31

Central Park, Level 43 
152-158 St Georges Terrace 
Perth WA 6000 

Correspondence to:  
PO Box 7757 
Cloisters Square 
Perth WA 6850 

T +61 8 9480 2000
F +61 8 9322 7787
E info.wa@au.gt.com
W www.grantthornton.com.au 

Auditorʼs Independence Declaration 
to the Directors of Cygnus Gold Limited 

In accordance with the requirements of section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001, as lead auditor 
for the audit of Cygnus Gold Limited for the year ended 31 December 2017, I declare that, to the 
best of my knowledge and belief, there have been: 

a 

b 

no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in 
relation to the audit; and 

no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit. 

GRANT THORNTON AUDIT PTY LTD 
Chartered Accountants 

M P Hingeley 
Partner - Audit & Assurance 

Perth, 26 March 2018 

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd ACN 130 913 594 
a subsidiary or related entity of Grant Thornton Australia Ltd ABN 41 127 556 389 

31 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

‘Grant Thornton’ refers to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms provide assurance, tax and advisory services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms, as the 
context requires. Grant Thornton Australia Ltd is a member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. GTIL and each member firm 
is a separate legal entity. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL does not provide services to clients. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate one another and 
are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. In the Australian context only, the use of the term ‘Grant Thornton’ may refer to Grant Thornton Australia Limited ABN 41 127 556 389 and its 
Australian subsidiaries and related entities. GTIL is not an Australian related entity to Grant Thornton Australia Limited. 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

 
 
 
Cygnus Gold 

32

CYGNUS DIRECTORS BELIEVE THAT EFFECTIVE CORPORATE 

GOVERNANCE IMPROVES COMPANY PERFORMANCE, 

ENHANCES CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND 

BENEFITS ALL STAKEHOLDERS.

32 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income  

33

Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income
—

For the year ended 31 December 2017

Revenues

Notes

2017
$

3,262

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

14

(2,814)

2016
$

1,285

-

-

(2,385)

(80,404)

(81,504)

-

Employee benefits expense

Exploration expense

Other expense

Loss before income tax

Income tax expense

Loss for the year

(207,179)

(230,625)

(347,365)

(784,721)

-

16

15

(784,721)

(81,504)

Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax

-

-

Total comprehensive loss for the year

(784,721)

(81,504)

Loss per share  

Basic and diluted loss per share (cents per share)

7

Total 

(2.69)

(2.69)

(1.17)

(1.17)

This statement above should be read in conjunction with the Notes to the Financial Statements.

33 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Statement of Financial Position

34

Statement of Financial Position
—

As at 31 December 2017

Notes

2017
$

2016
$

778,604

-

7,760

84,262

870,626

65,047

-

65,047

935,673

54,786

11,149

-

65,935

65,935

145,517

6,000,000

374,079

-

6,519,596

565,924

12,111

578,035

7,097,631

479,400

-

10,714

490,114

490,114

Assets

Current

Cash and cash equivalents

Subscriptions receivable

Trade and other receivables

Deposits

Current assets

Non-current

Exploration & evaluation

Property, plant and equipment

Non-current assets

3

19

4

13

14

Total assets

Liabilities 

Current

Trade and other payables

5

Loans

Employee benefit provisions

Current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity 

Share capital

Other contributed equity

Accumulated losses

Total equity

6,607,517

869,738

6

19

1,473,742

6,000,000

(866,225)

6,607,517

951,242

-

(81,504)

869,738

This statement above should be read in conjunction with the Notes to the Financial Statements.  

34 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Statement of Changes in Equity

35

Statement of Changes in Equity
—

For the year ended 31 December 2017

s
s
o
l
d
e
t
a
l
u
m
u
c
c
$ A

i

d
e
t
u
b
r
t
n
o
C

y
t
i
u
q
E

$

s
e
t
o
N

l
a
t
i
p
a
c

e
r
a
h
S

r
e
h
t
$ O

y
t
i
u
q
e

l
a
t
o
T

$

Balance at 3 November 2015

Loss for the period

Other comprehensive loss

Total comprehensive loss

Transactions with owners

-

-

-

-

Issue of share capital

6

951,242

Balance at 31 December 2016

951,242

Balance at 1 January 2016

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive loss

Total comprehensive loss

Transactions with owners

Issue of share capital

Subscriptions yet to be issued

6

19

-

-

-

-

522,500

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6,000,000

-

-

(81,504)

(81,504)

-

-

(81,504)

(81,504)

-

951,242

(81,504)

869,738

-

-

(784,721)

(784,721)

-

-

(784,721)

(784,721)

-

-

522,500

6,000,000

Balance at 1 January

1,473,742

6,000,000

(866,225)

6,607,517

This statement above should be read in conjunction with the Notes to the Financial Statements.

35 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
Cygnus Gold - Statement of Cash Flows

36

Statement of Cash Flows
—

For the year ended 31 December 2017

Operating activities

Payments to suppliers and employees

Payments for exploration expenditure

Interest received

Notes

2017
$

(487,015)

(217,982)

3,262

2016
$

(47,437)

(269)

1,285

Net cash used in operating activities

8

(701,735)

(46,421)

Investing activities

Deposits paid for exploration tenements

Payments for capitalised exploration expenditure

Purchase of property plant and equipment

-

(427,777)

(14,925)

(84,262)

(53,104)

-

Net cash used in investing activities

(442,702)

(137,366)

Financing activities

Proceeds from share issued 

6

522,500

951,242

Costs of shares issued

Proceeds from related party loan

Repayment of loan 

Proceeds from loan

Net cash provided by financing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

-

-

(11,149)

-

511,351

(633,087)

-

6,149

-

5,000

962,391

778,604

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

778,604

-

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

3

145,517

778,604

This statement above should be read in conjunction with the Notes to the Financial Statements.  

36 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

37

Notes to the Financial Statements
—

1  Nature of operations

–

Cygnus Gold Limited (Cygnus) (the Company or the Entity) principal activities include the exploration for gold  

deposits in Western Australia. 

The Company’s planned activities include: 

(a) 

(b) 

Continued exploration; and

Listing of the Company of the Australian Securities Exchange.

2  General information and statement of compliance

–

The general purpose financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the  

requirements of the Corporations Act 2001, Australian Accounting Standards and other authoritative 

pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB).  Compliance with Australian Accounting 

Standards results in full compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the 

International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).  Cygnus Gold Limited is a for-profit entity for the purpose of 

preparing the financial statements. 

Cygnus Gold Limited is a Company incorporated and domiciled in Australia. The address of its registered office and 

its principal place of business is Level 3, 20 Parkland Road, Osborne Park, Western Australia. 

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 26 March 2018.  

3  Cash and cash equivalents

–

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash and cash equivalents

2017
$

145,517

145,517

2016
$

778,604

778,604

37 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

38

4  Trade and other receivables

–

Trade and other receivables

Prepayments

2017
$

35,803

338,276

374,079 

2016
$

-

7,760

7,760

All amounts are short-term. The carrying values of trade and other receivables are considered to be a reasonable 

approximation of fair value.

5  Trade and other payables

–

Trade and other payables

Related parties payables

2017
$

479,400

-

479,400 

2016
$

38,786

16,000

54,786

All amounts are short-term. The carrying values of trade and other payables are considered to be a reasonable 

approximation of fair value.

38 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

39

6  Equity Share capital

–

The share capital of Cygnus consists only of fully paid ordinary shares; the shares do not have a par value.  All shares 

are equally eligible to receive dividends and the repayment of capital and represent one vote at the shareholders’ 

meeting of Cygnus.

2017
Shares

2016
Shares

2017
$

2016
$

Shares issued and fully paid:

Beginning of the year

25,416,675

-

951,242

-

Share issue

5,266,666

56,750,002

522,500

951,242

Share consolidation on a ratio of 1 share for 3 held

-

(31,333,327)

     Share issue costs

-

-

-

-

Total contributed equity at 31 December

30,683,341

25,416,675

1,473,742

951,242

Each share has the same right to receive dividend and the repayment of capital and represents one vote at the 

shareholders’ meeting of Cygnus.  

7  Loss per share

–

Both the basic and diluted loss per share have been calculated using the loss attributable to shareholders of the 

Company as the numerator (ie no adjustments to profit were necessary in 2017).  

2017
$

2016
$

Net loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company

(784,721)

(81,504)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year used 

in calculation of basic and diluted loss per share

29,150,557

6,957,154

Basic and diluted loss per share (cents per share

(2.69)

(1.17)

39 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

40

8  Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities

–

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss for the period

Adjustments for depreciation

Net changes in working capital:

Change in trade and other receivables

Change in employee benefits provisions

Change in trade and other payables

Net cash from operating activities

9  Auditor remuneration

–

2017
$

2016
$

(784,721)

(81,504)

2,814

-

(28,044)

(6,652)

10,715

97,501

-

41,735

(701,735)

(46,421)

2017
$

2016
$

Audit and review of financial statements 

Auditors of Cygnus Gold Limited - Grant Thornton Australia

27,875

6,000

Non-audit services

       Investigation accountant’s report and due diligence services

       Tax compliance

12,000

5,500

-

-

Total auditor’s remuneration

45,375

6,000

40 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

41

10  Related party transactions  

–

The Company’s related parties include its associates and joint venture, key management, post-employment benefit 

plans for the Company’s employees and others as described below. 

Unless otherwise stated, none of the transactions incorporate special terms and conditions and no guarantees were 

given or received.  Outstanding balances are usually settled in cash.

10.1  Related party transactions  

–

Names and positions of key management personnel in office at the time during the financial year:

Name  

Mr Michael Bohm 

Mr James Merrillees 

Position

Non-Executive Chairman  

Managing Director (appointed CEO on 13 March 2017 & Managing Director on 17  

November 2017)

Mr Simon Jackson 

Non-Executive Director (appointed 17 November 2017

Dr Oliver Kreuzer                  

Non-Executive Director

Dr Amanda Buckingham 

Non-Executive Director

Alan Cleland 

Mr Michael Naylor 

Non-Executive Director (resigned 17 November 2017)

Company Secretary

10.2  Key management personnel remuneration

–

Short term employee benefits

Post employment benefits

2017
$

468,047

16,345

484,392

2016
$

75,000

-

75,000

Detailed information about the remuneration received by each Key Management Personnel is provided in the 

remuneration report on page 21.

41 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

42

10.3  Services by key management personnel

–

Key management of the Company are the executive members of Cygnus’s Board of Directors and members of the 

Executive Council.  All transactions with other related parties are made on normal commercial terms and conditions 

and at deemed market rates.

Mr Michael Bohm – Non-executive Chairman

Mr Michael Bohm provided corporate and project advisory services to the Company during the year.

• 

• 

2017 $69,750

2016 $20,000

Dr Amanda Buckingham – Non-executive Director

Fathom Geophysics Australia Pty Ltd, a company of which Dr Amanda Buckingham is a Director, provided 

geophysical consulting services to the Company during the year. 

• 

• 

2017 $59,116

2016 $20,000

Dr Oliver Kreuzer – Non-executive Director

Corporate Geoscience Group, a company of which Dr Oliver Kreuzer is the Managing Partner and Principal 

Consultant, provided geological consulting services to the Company during the period. 

• 

• 

2017 $102,000

2016 $20,000

Michael Naylor – Company Secretary

Blue Leaf Corporate Pty Ltd, a company of which Mr Naylor is a Director, provided company secretarial and financial 

management services to the Company during the year. 

• 

• 

2017 $60,000

2016 $15,000

11  Financial instrument risk 

–

Loans and receivables

Loans

Trade payables and accruals

2017
$

-

479,400

2016
$

11,149

54,786

Risks associated with market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk are not considered material with respect to the above 

items.  

42 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

43

12  Commitments and contingent assets and liabilities

–

Due to the nature of the Company’s operations in exploring and evaluating areas of interest, it is difficult to 

accurately forecast the nature or amount of future expenditure, although it will be necessary to incur expenditure in 

order to retain present interests in mineral tenements. 

Annual rent on exploration licenses held by the Company are $100,098 with a minimum exploration commitment of 

$761,000 per annum. The Company is not aware of any other contingent commitments.

13  Exploration and evaluation

–

Opening balance

Expenditure incurred during the year

14  Property, plant and equipment

–

Assets at cost

Accumulated depreciation 

Carrying value 31 December 2017

Balance at 1 January 2017

Additions

Depreciation

Balance at 31 December 2017

43 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

2017
$

65,047

500,877

565,924

2016
$

-

65,047

65,047

2017 $
IT equipment

14,925

(2,814)

12,111

-

14,925

(2,814)

12,111

 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

44

15  Income tax expense

–

The major components of tax expense and the reconciliation of the expected tax expense based on the domestic 

effective tax rate is at 27.5% (2016: 28.5%) and the reported tax expense in profit or loss are as follows:

Accounting loss before tax

2017
$

2016
$

784,721 

81,504 

At Australia’s statutory income tax rate of 27.5% (2016: 28.5%)

215,798 

23,229 

Deferred tax asset not recognised

(215,798)

(23,229)

Income tax expense attributable to entity

 -   

 -   

Deferred income tax at balance date relates to the following:

Deferred tax assets

Accrued expenditure

Capital raising cost

Tax losses 

Total deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Exploration and evaluation assets

Total deferred tax liability 

10,313

9,675

32,800

-

342,360

23,229

385,743

32,904

155,629 

18,538 

155,629

18,538 

Deferred tax asset recognised to offset deferred tax liability

(155,629)

(18,538)

Net deferred tax asset not brought to account   

229,944

14,365 

Total tax losses not used against deferred tax liabilities for which no 

deferred tax asset has been recognised (not tax effected) 

1,364,219 

12,647

44 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

45

16  Other expenses

–

Corporate expenses

Occupancy

Travel and accommodation

2017
$

313,320

23,463

10,582

347,365

2016
$

80,404

-

-

80,404

17  Operating segments

–

19  Subscriptions receivable and Other  
  Contributed Equity

The Company has identified its operating segments 

–

based on the internal reports that are reviewed 

As at 31 December 2017, the company has an 

and used by the directors (chief operating decision 

unconditional right to cash balances raised as part of 

makers) in assessing performance and determining 

their Initial Public Offering. As at balance date, these 

the allocation of resources.

amounts were held in trust by the Share Register 

The company operates in one segment being 

pending the official listing and quotation which 

Exploration and Evaluation of Minerals in Australia.

occurred post year-end. See Note 20 below for details

18  Capital management policies  

and procedures
–

Given that the related shares had not been issued 

as at 31 December 2017, the balance receivable is 

recorded in equity as Other Contributed Equity and 

the amounts will transfer to Share Capital in 2018 

The Entity’s capital management objectives are: 

accordingly. 

• 

• 

to ensure the Entity’s ability to continue as a  

going concern; and 

20 Post-reporting date events

to provide an adequate return to shareholders

–

The Company was successfully admitted to the 

The Entity monitors capital on the basis of the carrying 

Official List with official quotation commencing 

amount of equity less cash and cash equivalents as 

on 15 January 2018 and $6,000,000 capital raised 

presented on the face of the Statement of Financial 

(before costs) was well supported from cornerstone 

Position recognised in other comprehensive income. 

shareholders including Resource Capital Funds, 

Management assesses the Entity’s capital requirements 

Southern Cross Capital and Gold Road Resources and 

in order to maintain an efficient overall financing 

lead broker Morgans Corporate Limited. 

structure while avoiding excessive leverage. The Entity 

manages the capital structure and makes adjustments 

to it in the light of changes in economic conditions 

and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets.  

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, 

the Entity may adjust the amount of dividends paid to 

shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new 

On the 22 March 2018, the Company announced a 

new joint venture was entered with a wholly owned 

subsidiary of Gold Road Resources. 

Other than the paragraphs above, there have been 

no adjusting or significant non-adjusting events have 

occurred between the reporting date and the date  

shares, or sell assets to reduce debt.

of authorisation.

45 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

46

21  Changes in accounting policies

–

21.1 

Accounting Standards issued but not yet effective and not being adopted  
early by the Company
–

A number of Accounting Standards (and Interpretations) have been issued by the AASB and IASB as at the date 

of authorisation of the financial report that are not yet effective until future periods. None of these standards are 

expected to impact the financial statements.

21.2  New and revised standards that are effective for these financial statements

–

A number of new and revised standards became effective for the first time to annual periods beginning on or after 1 

January 2017. Information on the more significant standard(s) is presented below. 

AASB 2015-8 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Effective Date of AASB 15 

This standard extends the mandatory effective date of AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers by 12 

months so that AASB 15 is required to be applied for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 

instead of 1 January 2017. AASB 2015-8 is applicable to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017. 

The adoption of these amendments has not had a material impact on the Entity. 

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

AASB 2016-2 amends AASB 107 Statement of Cash Flows to require entities preparing financial statements in 

accordance with Tier 1 reporting requirements to provide disclosures that enable users of financial statements to 

evaluate changes in liabilities arising from financing activities, including both changes arising from cash flows and 

non-cash changes. AASB 2016-2 is applicable to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017. 

The adoption of these amendments has not had a material impact on the Entity. 

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

This Standard clarifies the scope of AASB 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities by specifying that the disclosure 

requirements apply to an entity’s interests in other entities that are classified as held for sale, held for distribution to 

owners in their capacity as owners or discontinued operations in accordance with AASB 5 Noncurrent Assets Held 

for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

AASB 2017-2 is applicable to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017 

The adoption of these amendments has not had a material impact on the Entity.

22 Summary of accounting policies

–

22.1  Overall considerations

–

The financial statements are presented in Australian Dollars, which is also the functional currency of the Company.

22.2  Operating expenses

–

Operating expenses are recognised in profit or loss upon utilisation of the service or at the date of their origin.  

Expenditure for warranties is recognised and charged against the associated provision when the related revenue  

is recognised.

46 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

47

22.3  Financial instruments

–

A number of Accounting Standards (and Interpretations) have been issued by the AASB and IASB as at the date 

of authorisation of the financial report that are not yet effective until future periods. None of these standards are 

expected to impact the financial statements.

Recognition, Initial Measurement and Derecognition

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Company becomes a party to the contractual 

provisions of the financial instrument, and are measured initially at fair value adjusted by transactions costs, 

except for those carried at fair value through profit or loss, which are measured initially at fair value.  Subsequent 

measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities are described below.

Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or 

when the financial asset and all substantial risks and rewards are transferred.  A financial liability is derecognised 

when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires.  

Classification and Subsequent Measurement of Financial Assets

For the purpose of subsequent measurement, financial assets other than those designated and effective as hedging 

instruments are classified into the following categories upon initial recognition: 

• 

• 

loans and receivables

financial assets at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss (‘FVTPL’)

•  Held-To-Maturity (‘HTM’) investments; or

•  Available-For-Sale (‘AFS’) financial assets

The only category that is relevant to this set of financial statements are loans and receivables.

All financial assets are subject to review for impairment at least at each reporting date to identify whether there is 

any objective evidence that a financial asset or a Company of financial assets is impaired. 

Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in 

an active market.  After initial recognition, these are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, 

less provision for impairment.  Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial.  The Company’s 

trade and most other receivables fall into this category of financial instruments.

Individually significant receivables are considered for impairment when they are past due or when other objective 

evidence is received that a specific counterparty will default.  Receivables that are not considered to be individually 

impaired are reviewed for impairment in companies, which are determined by reference to the industry and region 

of a counterparty and other shared credit risk characteristics.  The impairment loss estimate is then based on recent 

historical counterparty default rates for each identified Company.

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial liabilities

The Company’s financial liabilities include trade and other payables.

Financial liabilities are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

47 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

48

22.4 

Income taxes
–

Tax expense recognised in profit or loss comprises the sum of deferred tax and current tax not recognised in other 

comprehensive income or directly in equity.

Current income tax assets and/or liabilities comprise those obligations to, or claims from, the Australian Taxation 

Office (‘ATO’) and other fiscal authorities relating to the current or prior reporting periods that are unpaid at the 

reporting date.  Current tax is payable on taxable profit, which differs from profit or loss in the financial statements.  

Calculation of current tax is based on tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the 

end of the reporting period.  

Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method on temporary differences between the carrying 

amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases.  However, deferred tax is not provided on the initial recognition 

of goodwill or on the initial recognition of an asset or liability unless the related transaction is a business 

combination or affects tax or accounting profit. Deferred tax on temporary differences associated with investments 

in subsidiaries and joint ventures is not provided if reversal of these temporary differences can be controlled by the 

Company and it is probable that reversal will not occur in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated, without discounting, at tax rates that are expected to apply to  

their respective period of realisation, provided they are enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the  

reporting period.  

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be able to be utilised against future 

taxable income, based on the Company’s forecast of future operating results which is adjusted for significant non-

taxable income and expenses and specific limits to the use of any unused tax loss or credit.  Deferred tax liabilities 

are always provided for in full.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only when the Company has a right and 

intention to set off current tax assets and liabilities from the same taxation authority.

Changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised as a component of tax income or expense in profit or 

loss, except where they relate to items that are recognised in other comprehensive income (such as the revaluation 

of land) or directly in equity, in which case the related deferred tax is also recognised in other comprehensive 

income or equity, respectively.  

22.5  Cash and cash equivalents

–

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, together with other short-term, highly 

liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant 

risk of changes in value.  

22.6  Equity and reserves 

–

Share capital represents the fair value of shares that have been issued.  Any transaction costs associated with the 

issuing of shares are deducted from share capital, net of any related income tax benefits.  

Retained earnings include all current and prior period retained profits.

48 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

49

22.7  Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets

– 

Provisions for product warranties, legal disputes, onerous contracts or other claims are recognised when the 

Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of 

economic resources will be required from the Company and amounts can be estimated reliably.  Timing or amount 

of the outflow may still be uncertain.

Restructuring provisions are recognised only if a detailed formal plan for the restructuring has been developed and 

implemented, or management has at least announced the plan’s main features to those affected by it. Provisions are 

not recognised for future operating losses.

Provisions are measured at the estimated expenditure required to settle the present obligation, based on the 

most reliable evidence available at the reporting date, including the risks and uncertainties associated with the 

present obligation.  Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required 

in settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a whole.  Provisions are discounted to their 

present values, where the time value of money is material.

Any reimbursement that the Company can be virtually certain to collect from a third party with respect to the 

obligation is recognised as a separate asset.  However, this asset may not exceed the amount of the related 

provision.

No liability is recognised if an outflow of economic resources as a result of present obligation is not probable.  Such 

situations are disclosed as contingent liabilities, unless the outflow of resources is remote in which case no liability is 

recognised.

22.8  Exploration and Development expenditure

– 

Exploration, evaluation and development expenditures incurred are capitalised in respect of each identifiable 

area of interest. These costs are only capitalised to the extent that they are expected to be recovered through 

the successful development of the area or where activities in the area have not yet reached a stage that permits 

reasonable assessment of the existence of economically recoverable reserves.

Accumulated costs in relation to an abandoned area are written off in full against profit in the year in which the 

decision to abandon the area is made.

When production commences, the accumulated costs for the relevant area of interest are amortised over the life of 

the area according to the rate of depletion of the economically recoverable reserves.

A regular review is undertaken of each area of interest to determine the appropriateness of continuing to capitalise 

costs in relation to that area of interest.

Costs of site restoration are provided over the life of the project from when exploration commences and are 

included in the costs of that stage. Site restoration costs include the dismantling and removal of mining plant, 

equipment and building structures, waste removal, and rehabilitation of the site in accordance with local laws and 

regulations and clauses of permits. Such costs have been determined using estimates of future costs, current legal 

requirements and technology on an undiscounted basis.

49 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

50

Any changes in the estimates for the costs are accounted on a prospective basis. In determining the costs of site 

restoration, there is uncertainty regarding the nature and extent of the restoration due to community expectations 

and future legislation. Accordingly the costs have been determined on the basis that the restoration will be 

completed within one year of abandoning the site.

22.9  Goods and Services Tax (GST)

–

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except where the amount of GST 

incurred is not recoverable from the Tax Office.  In these circumstances the GST is recognised as part of the cost of 

acquisition of the asset or as part of an item of the expense.  Receivables and payables in the Statement of Financial 

Position are shown inclusive of GST.

Cash flows are presented in the statement of cash flows on a gross basis, except for the GST components of 

investing and financing activities, which are disclosed as operating cash flows.

22.10  Significant management judgement in applying accounting policies

–

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make 

judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts 

of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.  Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

In preparing this Annual Financial Report, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Entity’s 

accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty are detailed below.  

Exploration and Evaluation Expenditure

Determining the recoverability of exploration and evaluation expenditure capitalised in accordance with the Entity’s 

accounting policy requires estimates and assumptions as to future events and circumstances, in particular, whether 

successful development and commercial exploitation, or alternatively sale, of the respective areas of interest will be 

achieved. Critical to this assessment is estimates and assumptions as to the presence of mineral reserves, timing 

of expected cash flows, exchange rates, commodity prices and future capital requirements. Changes in these 

estimates and assumptions as new information about thepresence or recoverability of a mineral reserve becomes 

available, may impact the assessment of the recoverable amount of exploration and evaluation assets. If, after 

having capitalised the expenditure a judgement is made that recovery of the expenditure is unlikely, an impairment 

loss is recorded in the consolidated statement profit or loss and other comprehensive income.

22.11  Going Concern

–

The Company has incurred a net loss of $784,721 (2016 $81,504) during the year and the cash outflows from 

operating activities equates to $701,735 (2016: $46,421). 

The financial statements have been prepared on the basis of going concern which contemplates continuity of 

normal business activities and the realisation of assets and settlement of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. 

The directors consider this to be appropriate given the ability to manage the Company’s cost structure and in turn 

the levels of cash outflow dependent on timing of its exploration activities.

Taking into account the current cash reserves and successful fund raising from the Initial Public Offering which 

occurred subsequent to year-end of $6,000,000 before cost, the directors are confident the Company has 

adequate resources to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future.

50 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Notes to the Financial Statements

51

22.12  Employee benefits

– 

Wages and salaries and annual leave:

Short-term employee benefits are benefits, other than termination benefits, that are expected to be settled wholly 

within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service. Examples of such 

benefits include wages and salaries, non-monetary benefits and accumulating sick leave. Short-term employee 

benefits are measured at the undiscounted amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled.

22.13  Property, Plant and Equipment

– 

Recognition and Measurement

Items of property, plant and equipment are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. 

Costs include expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset.

Subsequent Costs

Subsequent expenditure is only capitalised when it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with 

the expenditure will flow to the Entity.  Ongoing repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Depreciation

Depreciation is recognised in profit or loss on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of 

an item of property, plant and equipment.  The expected useful lives in the current and comparative period are as 

follows:

IT equipment 2 – 3 years

The estimated useful lives, Depreciation methods and residual values are reviewed at the end of each r 

eporting period.

51 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Directors’ declaration

52

Directors’ Declaration
—

1. 

In the opinion of the directors of Cygnus Gold Limited:

a 

The financial statements and notes of Cygnus Gold Limited are in accordance with the  

Corporations Act 2001, including:

i 

ii 

Giving a true and fair view of its financial position as at 31 December 2017 and of its  

performance for the year ended on that date; and

Complying with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting   

Interpretations) and the Corporations Regulations 2001; and

b 

There are reasonable grounds to believe that Cygnus Gold Limited will be able to pay its debts as  

and when they become due and payable.

2.  The directors have been given the declarations required by Section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 from the  

  Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the period from incorporation to 31 December 2017.

3.  Note 2 confirms that the financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors:

James Merrillees

Managing director

Perth, 26 March 2018

52 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Independent Auditor’s Report

53

Central Park, Level 43 
152-158 St Georges Terrace 
Perth WA 6000 

Correspondence to:  
PO Box 7757 
Cloisters Square 
Perth WA 6850 

T +61 8 9480 2000
F +61 8 9322 7787
E info.wa@au.gt.com
W www.grantthornton.com.au 

Independent Auditorʼs Report 
to the Members of Cygnus Gold Limited 

Report on the audit of the financial report 

Opinion  
We have audited the financial report of Cygnus Gold Limited (the Company), which comprises the 
statement of financial position as at 31 December 2017, the statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year 
then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting 
policies, and the directorsʼ declaration.  

In our opinion, the accompanying financial report of the Company is in accordance with the 
Corporations Act 2001, including: 

a  Giving a true and fair view of the Companyʼs financial position as at 31 December 2017 and of 

its performance for the year ended on that date; and  

b  Complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001.

Basis for Opinion  
We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.  Our responsibilities 
under those standards are further described in the Auditorʼs Responsibilities for the Audit of the 
Financial Report section of our report.  We are independent of the Company in accordance with 
the independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the 
Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Boardʼs APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional 
Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia.  We have 
also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code. We believe that the 
audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

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

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd ACN 130 913 594 
a subsidiary or related entity of Grant Thornton Australia Ltd ABN 41 127 556 389 

‘Grant Thornton’ refers to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms provide assurance, tax and advisory services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms, as the 
context requires. Grant Thornton Australia Ltd is a member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. GTIL and each member firm 
is a separate legal entity. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL does not provide services to clients. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate one another and 
are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. In the Australian context only, the use of the term ‘Grant Thornton’ may refer to Grant Thornton Australia Limited ABN 41 127 556 389 and its 
Australian subsidiaries and related entities. GTIL is not an Australian related entity to Grant Thornton Australia Limited. 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

53 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
Cygnus Gold - Independent Auditor’s Report

54

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Exploration and Evaluation Assets – valuation 
Note 14 and Note 22.8

At 31 December 2017, the carrying value of 
Exploration and Evaluation Assets was $566 
thousand.  

In accordance with AASB 6 Exploration for and 
Evaluation of Mineral Resources, the Company is 
required to assess at each reporting date if there are 
any triggers for impairment which may suggest the 
carrying value is in excess of the recoverable value. 

The process undertaken by management to assess 
whether there are any impairment triggers in each 
area of interest involves an element of management 
judgement. 

This area is a key audit matter due to the valuation of 
exploration and evaluation assets being a significant 
risk. 

Our procedures included, amongst others: 

•  obtaining the management prepared reconciliation 

of capitalised exploration and evaluation 
expenditure and agreeing to the general ledger; 
reviewing managementʼs area of interest 
considerations against AASB 6; 

• 

- 

•  conducting a detailed review of managementʼs 
assessment of trigger events prepared in 
accordance with AASB 6 including;  
- 

tracing projects to statutory registers, 
exploration licenses and third party 
confirmations to determine whether a right of 
tenure existed; 
enquiry of management regarding their 
intentions to carry out exploration and 
evaluation activity in the relevant exploration 
area, including review of managementsʼ 
budgeted expenditure; 
understanding whether any data exists to 
suggest that the carrying value of these 
exploration and evaluation assets are unlikely 
to be recovered through development or sale; 
•  assessing the accuracy of impairment recorded for 
the year as it pertained to exploration interests; 
and
reviewing the appropriateness of the related 
disclosures within the financial statements. 

- 

• 

Information Other than the Financial Report and Auditorʼs Report Thereon 
The Directors are responsible for the other information.  The other information comprises the 
information included in the Companyʼs annual report for the year ended 31 December 2017, but 
does not include the financial report and our auditorʼs report thereon.   

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

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

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

Responsibilities of the Directorsʼ for the Financial Report  
The Directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives 
a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 
2001 and for such internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the 
preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.  

In preparing the financial report, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Companyʼs 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 
Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.  

54 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Independent Auditor’s Report

55

Auditorʼs Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report  
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is 
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditorʼs report that 
includes our opinion.  Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee 
that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a 
material misstatement when it exists.  Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are 
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to 
influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report.  

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial report is located at the 
Auditing and Assurance Standards Board website at:  
http://www.auasb.gov.au/auditors_responsibilities/ar1.pdf.  This description forms part of our 
auditorʼs report. 

Report on the Remuneration Report 

Opinion on the Remuneration Report 
We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 21 to 28 of the directorsʼ report for 
the year ended 31 December 2017.   

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Cygnus Gold Limited, for the year ended 31 December 
2017, complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.

Responsibilities 
The Directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the 
Remuneration Report in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.  Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on the Remuneration Report, based on our audit conducted 
in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.  

GRANT THORNTON AUDIT PTY LTD 
Chartered Accountants 

M P Hingeley 
Partner - Audit & Assurance 

Perth, 26 March 2018 

55 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
Cygnus Gold - Additional shareholder information as at 22 March 2018

56

Top 20 holders of ordinary shares
–
In accordance with ASX Listing Rule 4.10, the following information is provided as at 22 March 2018.

 Rank

Name

Units

% of issued 
capital

8.30

8.24

6.87

6.18

4.94

4.94

4.12

3.02

2.75

2.75

2.20

1.65

1.10

0.82

0.82

0.77

0.66

0.66

0.55

0.55

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

Merrill Lynch (Australia) Nominees Pty Limited

5,036,091

Southern Cross Capital Pty Ltd

Resource Capital Fund VI L.P.

Gold Road (Projects) Pty Ltd

Mr Alan Frank Cleland 

Ms Charmaine Linda Lobo

Southern Cross Capital Pty Ltd

Mr Oliver Pierre Kreuzer

Fathom Geophysics Australia Pty Ltd

Insurgent Metals Pty Ltd

Dale Park Pty Ltd 

5,000,000

4,166,667

3,750,000

3,000,001

3,000,001

2,500,000

1,833,334

1,666,667

1,666,667

1,333,334

Eastern Goldfields Exploration Pty Ltd

1,000,000

Mr Robert Angus Castle Stuart

Ms Sarah June McAlpine

SAS Investments Pty Ltd 

666,667

500,000

500,000

Mr Michael Dylan Naylor + Ms Sarah McAlpine 

470,000

Mrs Sarah June Naylor + Mr Michael Dylan Naylor 

400,000

Payne Geological Services Pty Ltd 

Ms Anthea Clare Cooke

20

Mr Timothy Richard Cooke

56 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

400,000

333,334

333,334

37,556,097

61.89

Cygnus Gold - Additional shareholder information as at 22 March 2018

57

Range of shares
–

Range

Total holders

Units

% of issued capital

6

60

71

409

52

598

1 - 1,000

1,001 - 5,000

5,001 - 10,000

10,001 - 100,000

100,001 Over

Total

Substantial Holders 
–

2,524

157,561

672,226

16,536,195

43,314,835

0.00

0.26

1.11

27.25

71.38

60,683,341

100.00

Range

Units

% of issued capital

Resource Capital Fund VI L.P.

Southern Cross Capital Pty Ltd

Gold Road (Projects) Pty Ltd

Mr Alan Frank Cleland

Ms Charmaine Linda Lobo

9,166,664

7,500,000

3,750,000

3,170,001

3,170,001

15.11

12.36

6.18

5.22

5.22

57 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Additional shareholder information as at 22 March 2018

58

Unmarketable Parcels
–
There were 41 shareholders with less than a marketable parcel of shares, based on the closing price $0.2050.

Restricted Securities
– 
From the date of listing there are 4,166,667 ordinary shares subject to a 12 month escrow, plus 15,577,088 ordinary 

shares subject to a 24 month escrow.

Voting Rights
– 
In accordance with the Company’s constitution, on a show of hands every member present in person or by proxy or 

attorney or duly appointed representative has one vote. On a poll every member present or by proxy or attorney or 

duly authorised representative has one vote for every fully paid share held. 

ASX Listing Rule 4.10.19
– 
In accordance with Listing Rule 4.10.19, the company states that it has used the cash and assets in a form readily 

convertible to cash that it had at the time of admission in a way consistent with its business objectives. The business 

objective is primarily mineral exploration. 

Schedule of tenements 
–
A listing of the Entity’s tenements:

Tenement

Location

Registered Owner

Structure and Owner

E70/4787

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%

E70/4854

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%

E70/4910

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%

E70/4912

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%

E70/4952

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%

E70/4988

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%

E70/4992

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%

E70/5050

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

Pending, 100%

E70/5131

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

Pending, 100%

E70/5137

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

Pending, 100%

E77/2405

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%

E77/2463

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%

58 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Additional shareholder information as at 22 March 2018

59

Wadderin Earn-In Project

E70/4911

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%, diluting to 25%

E70/4939

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%, diluting to 25%

E70/4989

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%, diluting to 25%

E70/4990

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%, diluting to 25%

E70/5018

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

Pending, 100%, diluting to 25%

E70/5019

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

Pending, 100%, diluting to 25%

E70/5020

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

Pending, 100%, diluting to 25%

E70/5021

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

Pending, 100%, diluting to 25%

Lake Grace Earn-In Project

E70/4853

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%, diluting to 25%

E70/4855

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%, diluting to 25%

E70/4991

Western Australia

Cygnus Gold Limited

100%, diluting to 25%

Yandina Joint Venture Project

E70/5098

Western Australia

Gold Road (Projects) Pty Ltd

Pending, 25%

E70/5099

Western Australia

Gold Road (Projects) Pty Ltd

Pending, 25%

E70/5100

Western Australia

Gold Road (Projects) Pty Ltd

Pending, 25%

E70/5101

Western Australia

Gold Road (Projects) Pty Ltd

Pending, 25%

59 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017

Cygnus Gold - Corporate directory

60 Corporate directory

—

– 

–

Principal Place of Business & Registered Office

Stock Exchange Listing

Level 3, 20 Parkland Road 

Osborne Park WA 6017

– 

Contact information

Phone:  +61 8 9489 2680

Email: 

info@cygnusgold.com  

Website: www.cygnusgold.com 

– 

Australian Business Number

80 609 094 653

– 

Directors

Primary listing: Australian Securities Exchange

ASX Code: CY5

–

Share Register

Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd

GPO Box 2975, Melbourne VIC 3001

Phone:  +61 3 9415 5000

Fax: 

+61 3 9473 2500

–

Bankers

National Australia Bank

100 St Georges Terrace

Mr Michael Bohm 

Non-executive Chairman 

Perth WA 6000

Mr James Merrillees 

Managing Director

–

Mr Simon Jackson 

Non-executive Director

Solicitors

Dr Oliver Kreuzer                 Non-executive Director

Gilbert and Tobin

Dr Amanda Buckingham  Non-executive Director

Level 16, Brookfield Place Tower 2

123 St Georges Terrace

PERTH WA 6000

–

Company Secretary

Mr Michael Naylor 

– 

Auditors

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd

Central Park

Level 43 152-158 St Georges Terrace

Perth WA 6000

60 // Cygnus Gold Limited  - Annual Report 2017