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Era Group Inc

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FY2022 Annual Report · Era Group Inc
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ANNUAL REPORT  
2022

Business  StrategyChair’s ReportACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

We acknowledge the Mirarr people who are the Traditional Owners of 
country where the Ranger Rehabilitation Project operates, and the Larrakia 
people who are the Traditional Owners of country where our Darwin head 
office is located.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to 
all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

2  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

CONTENTS

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd  
Annual Report 2022

About ERA 

Chair’s Report 

Chief Executive’s Report 

Year In Review 

Business Strategy 

Financial performance 

Business Risks 

Future Supply 

Health and Safety 

Regulatory Framework 

Financial Report 

Directors’ Report 

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

Corporate Governance Statement 

Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Balance Sheet 

Statement of Changes in Equity 

Cash Flow Statement 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Shareholder Information (Unaudited)  

2022 ASX Announcements (Unaudited) 

Ten Year Performance (Unaudited) 

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10

22

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Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  3

About ERAChief Executive’s ReportYear in ReviewFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsBusiness  StrategyChair’s Report4  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022
4  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

ABOUT ERA 

Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) operated the former Ranger uranium mine, 
Australia’s longest continuous uranium mine surrounded by, but separate from,  
Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory.

The former Ranger uranium mine lies within the  
79 square kilometre Ranger Project Area, which 
is located eight kilometres east of Jabiru and 260 
kilometres east of Darwin, in the Northern Territory  
of Australia. 

ERA ceased mining operations in 2012 and continued 
to process stockpiled ore until 8 January 2021, when 
the Ranger Authority required processing to cease. 
The sale of the last drum of uranium oxide was made 
in May 2022. The Ranger Project Area is now being 
progressively rehabilitated. 

Under the Ranger Authority ERA must rehabilitate the 
Ranger Project Area to establish an environment similar 
to the adjacent areas of Kakadu National Park so that, 
in the opinion of the Minister with the advice of the 
Australian Government’s Supervising Scientist Branch, 
the rehabilitated area could be incorporated into the 
Kakadu National Park. 

ERA’s ongoing rehabilitation activities on the 
Ranger Project Area are undertaken according to an 
authorisation granted under section 41 of the Atomic 
Energy Act 1953 (the Ranger Authority). Under the 
terms of the current Ranger Authority, ERA’s rights 

to access, occupy and use the Ranger Project 
Area continue until 8 January 2026. As this Act was 
amended in November 2022, ERA is working with the 
Australian Government, Northern Land Council and 
Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation – on behalf of the 
Mirarr Traditional Owners – to negotiate a new Ranger 
Authority that allows rehabilitation works to continue 
past 8 January 2026. 

ERA holds title to the world-class Jabiluka Mineral 
Lease. In accordance with the Jabiluka Long Term Care 
and Maintenance Agreement, the Jabiluka deposit will 
not be developed by ERA without approval of the Mirarr 
Traditional Owners. The Jabiluka estimated Mineral 
Resource is 137,100 tonnes of uranium oxide at a  
cut-off grade of 0.2% U3O8.

ERA’s strategic priority is to comprehensively 
rehabilitate the Ranger Project Area and the company’s 
primary focus is to achieving a world-class rehabilitation 
standard.

The company’s shares are publicly held and traded 
on the Australian Securities Exchange. Rio Tinto, a 
diversified resources group, currently holds 86.3%  
of ERA shares.

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  5

About ERAYear in ReviewFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsBusiness  StrategyChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportCHAIR’S REPORT

After being the longest, continuous 
producer of uranium in Australia, ERA is 
now focused on rehabilitating the Ranger 
Project Area to a world-class standard 
and supporting the future sustainability 
of Jabiru. Our team is committed to 
doing this in partnership with the Mirarr 
Traditional Owners, governments and 
other key stakeholders.

Whilst I have only been a member of the ERA 
Board since November 2022, I am familiar with the 
unique context of our business and have already 
had the opportunity of meeting and engaging with 
the Traditional Owners on two occasions since my 
appointment. It is exciting to be part of the chapter 
that will see us use rehabilitation to create a physical, 
ecological and cultural landscape that meets the 
expectations of the Mirarr Traditional Owners and 
we look forward to working closely with them on our 
journey.

2022 has been marked with substantial change for our 
business as we ramp up efforts to deliver commitments. 
The Board and I are proud of the progress the team has 
made in 2022 and the energy going into 2023. Some of 
the highlights have included:

 y

 y

 y

efforts to build more certainty in funding and 
project execution plans;

a reset of the leadership and governance of the 
organisation;

the shift to a project culture supported by 
strategic partnerships to deliver on our 
commitments. 

Our commitment to world-class 
rehabilitation

ERA is working to set the standard for mine site 
rehabilitation in a culturally and environmentally 
sensitive region. In 2022, we updated our Mine Closure 
Plan and, for the first time, stipulated a set of cultural 
closure criteria developed in partnership with the 
Mirarr Traditional Owners. 

Building confidence and certainty

In response to realised risks and additional scope 
items, cost and schedule overruns are being 
incorporated into the 2022 Feasibility Study, which 
is progressing well. We appointed Bechtel (Western 
Australia) Pty Ltd (Bechtel BWAPL) to support the 
2022 Feasibility Study earlier in 2022 and expect it to 
be completed in September 2023. We anticipate the 
Feasibility Study will bring increased levels of certainty 
in our cost and schedule estimates and a clear plan for 
execution. 

In November 2022, the Australian Government 
amended the Atomic Energy Act 1953. ERA, along 
with Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) and 
the Northern Land Council (NLC), supported passing 
the amendments to allow ERA to apply to extend 
its existing Ranger Authority beyond the 8 January 
2026 deadline. The amendments allow for a new 
rehabilitation authority to be issued to ERA to continue 
undertaking rehabilitation activities post-2026, through 
to completion. The rehabilitation authority will be limited 
to rehabilitation activities and will not permit future 
mining operations. A new agreement with Traditional 
Owners is required before any new authority can be 
granted to ERA. We are committed to negotiating this 
agreement with the Traditional Owners. 

6  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

appointed independent non-executive Chair on  
31 January 2023 and I thank Justin Carey for his role 
as interim Chair prior to my appointment. I look forward 
to working with our new Board in the coming years to 
deliver world-class rehabilitation. 

The Board and I thank all that have been involved with 
ERA in 2022 for their efforts, support and dedication.

Rick Dennis 
Chair

ERA is exploring a range of funding strategies to  
ensure the forecast increase in the rehabilitation cost 
will be adequately funded. While this work is ongoing, 
we received an interim payment of $56.8 million from 
the Ranger Rehabilitation Trust Fund for works  
already completed. We also negotiated changes to  
the $100 million Credit Facility with Rio Tinto. 

On 9 February 2023, we announced the appointment 
of Highbury Partnership as financial advisor to the 
Independent Board Committee of ERA to progress 
funding discussions including a possible interim 
entitlement offer. 

Reset of leadership and governance  
of the organisation

After Brad Welsh’s permanent appointment as Chief 
Executive in 2022, Brad has reset the company’s 
vision and realigned the ERA senior management 
team to reflect the shift from an operating asset to 
an organisation focussed on the rehabilitation of the 
Ranger Project Area. 

There were further changes at Board level with the 
departure of independent directors Peter Mansell, Paul 
Dowd and Shane Charles. We wish them well in their 
future endeavours and thank them for their service to 
ERA and its shareholders. 

We have since welcomed the appointment of three 
independent non-executive directors – the Honourable 
Kenneth Wyatt AM, Stuart Glenn and myself. I was 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  7

About ERAChair’s ReportYear in ReviewFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsBusiness  StrategyChief Executive’s ReportCHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT

Thank you for the opportunity to give an 
overview of our business performance 
in 2022. It has been a year of significant 
change within our business and with our 
stakeholders. We have made progress 
in our project execution approach and 
building the capability required to deliver 
world-class rehabilitation in a complex 
cultural and environmental landscape. 

Our business announced schedule and cost overruns 
in early February 2022. The impact of these overruns 
has required us to make a fundamental shift to a project 
mindset and transformation of our organisation. I am 
pleased to report we have made significant progress 
on both these goals in addition to delivering ongoing 
rehabilitation and the 2022 Feasibility Study that is 
currently underway. 

Priorities in 2022 have been: 

1.  Continuing to focus on the well-being and safety  

of our people.

2.  Commencement of the 2022 Feasibility Study to 

provide a clear rehabilitation plan reflecting the sub 
aerial capping of Pit 3, as well as improved clarity 
on our schedule and cost estimates to deliver 
rehabilitation commitments.

3.  Mobilising a project execution model with the right 

capability and commitment to supporting project 
execution.

4.  Supporting the delivery of amendments to the 

Atomic Energy Act 1953 to allow ERA sufficient 
time to deliver rehabilitation.

5.  Continuing to deliver rehabilitation activities on  
the Ranger Project Area and remediation works  
in Jabiru.

Our priority at ERA is the well-being of our people and 
local communities. We want people who work with 
ERA to return home safe and healthy to their loved 
ones after a day’s work. I am pleased to report that 
ERA achieved an All Injury Frequency Rate of 0.0 
for the second year in a row in 2022. This means we 
had no lost time injuries, no restricted work injuries 
and no medical treatment cases last year. That is an 
outstanding result and I commend all at ERA for this 
achievement, especially through a significant period  
of change.

We continue to build on the work done by our teams to 
implement the Rio Tinto Safety Maturity Model. In 2022 
we have recorded a score of 4.0 in the Safety Maturity 
Model assessment, which exceeds the 3.7 target set 
for our business in 2022. This is a great result for our 
team given that we are still working on implementing 
this model.

In May 2022, ERA commenced the 2022 Feasibility 
Study in connection with a lower technical risk 
rehabilitation methodology. The ERA team and Bechtel 
BWAPL have worked exceptionally hard in relation 
to the Feasibility Study. The 2022 Feasibility Study is 
expected to be completed in September 2023 and it will 
ultimately lead to a further revised Mine Closure Plan 
and bring greater certainty for our cost and schedule 
estimates.

In response to the Ranger Rehabilitation Project cost 
and schedule overruns announced in early 2022, 
ERA commissioned Bechtel Australia Pty Ltd (Bechtel 
BAPL) to undertake an assessment of project execution 
capability. The findings focussed on three major 
categories – organisation, process and procedure, and 
schedules. This informed a series of deliberate actions 
to shift the organisation’s focus from being an operating 
asset to the rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area. 
Actions included organisational redesign, engaging 
Bechtel BAPL to help ERA plan for an Integrated 
Project Management Team (IPMT) and a shift to a 
project execution mindset through cultural and systems 
change. The IPMT provides the opportunity for ERA to 
rapidly build and introduce project management system 
and tools.

ERA has marked a significant milestone in 2022 with 
the sale of the last drum of uranium oxide produced at 
Ranger in May 2022. This ends all aspects of Ranger 
mining, processing and sales. This final sale is the 
culmination of 40 years of operation and stewardship 
by the ERA workforce and our key stakeholders. Since 
production first began at Ranger, ERA has produced 
and sold a total of 132,000 tonnes of drummed uranium 
oxide. ERA’s strategic focus is now the delivery of 
world-class rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area as 
ERA’s legacy.

We were proud to work collaboratively with Gundjeihmi 
Aboriginal Corporation, Northern Land Council and the 
Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) 
to jointly support amendments to the Atomic Energy Act 
1953. We were pleased the Atomic Energy Amendment 
(Mine Rehabilitation and Closure) Bill 2022 was passed 
in November 2022. These amendments now clear the 
path for rehabilitation activities to be delivered beyond 

8  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

out in collaboration with the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal 
Corporation, Northern Land Council, Supervising 
Scientist Branch, Australian and Northern Territory 
regulators and various statutory committees.

I particularly thank the Mirarr Traditional Owners for 
their guidance and support while developing the cultural 
closure criteria and during site visits as part of the 
Cultural Reconnection program. We are looking forward 
to working with the Mirarr Traditional Owners to better 
understand the rich cultural landscape as part of our 
rehabilitation activities.

Thank you to everyone who supported ERA in 
2022 and I am looking forward to an exciting and 
productive 2023.

Brad Welsh 
Chief Executive &  
Managing Director

the legislated deadline of 8 January 2026. ERA is 
committed to applying for a rehabilitation authority 
and to see through our full rehabilitation program. 
ERA recognises the importance of the land on which 
we operate to the Mirarr Traditional Owners and that 
they are a key partner and keenly interested in the 
rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area. ERA has 
consistently engaged with the Mirarr people regarding 
the operation and rehabilitation of the mine through 
their representative bodies – Northern Land Council 
and Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation. This will 
continue in the future.

In 2022 we renewed our vision and purpose, under our 
new purpose – to create a positive legacy and achieve 
world-class, sustainable rehabilitation of former mine 
assets – we have continued to undertake progressive 
rehabilitation with several significant milestones 
achieved in 2022: 

1.  We completed the transfer of tailings from the 

Tailings Storage Facility to Pit 3, a task not often 
done on other projects. This triggered the sign-off 
of the first of our Environmental Requirements 
(11.2).

2.  Submitted a revised Mine Closure Plan to reflect 

our lower technical risk rehabilitation methodology.

3.  We commenced wicking which is a major milestone 
for the project as it signals the project’s progress 
towards eventual backfilling, landform contouring 
and revegetation. 

4.  Signed our first major contract with Indigenous 

owned business Kakadu Native Plants to deliver 
ecosystem restoration activities.

5.  We delivered significant progress on remediation 
of Jabiru housing, with 81 properties (31%) now 
rectified and many additional handovers underway.

All of these achievements, as well as planning and 
approvals for future rehabilitation activities, were carried 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  9

Chief Executive’s ReportAbout ERAYear in ReviewFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsBusiness  StrategyChair’s ReportYEAR IN REVIEW

 | Bechtel BAPL 

appointed to review 
inhouse project 
capability

 | Final planting and infill 
for Pit 1 revegetation is 
completed

 | Pit 3 closure 
application is 
submitted

 | Cultural reconnection 
steering committee 
visit to Pit 1, TLF and 
Coonjimba billabong 
as part of a cultural 
reconnection visit

JAN

FEB MAR

APR MAY

JUN

 | Revised rehabilitation 

costs for Project Ranger 
are announced

 | Brad Welsh appointed 
Managing Director and 
Chief Executive of ERA

 | Rosemary Fagen 
appointed as 
Independent non-
executive Director

 | Final drum of 

uranium oxide is 
sold by ERA

 | 2022 Feasibility 

Study is commenced

 | Work to convert 

the tailings storage 
facility to water 
storage is completed

10  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022
10  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022
10  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 | ERA begins design of the 

Integrated Project Management 
Team (IPMT)

 | Mirarr elders and Djurrubu 

Rangers visit Jabiluka as part of a 
cultural reconnection visit

 | Tanya Nakata wins the 2022 

Exceptional Woman in Resources 
NT award

 | Sandi Lin wins the Exceptional 

Young Woman in Resources NT 
winner for 2022

 | ERA amended the 

$100 million loan 
facility agreement with 
Rio Tinto

 | Resignation of ERA’s 
Independent Board 
Committee

 | Bernard Toakley is 
appointed to ERA’s 
Project Director role

 | IPMT implementation 

begins

 | New Independent 
Board Committee 
directors are 
announced

JUL

AUG SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

 | ERA begins 

transition to its 
new purpose and 
vision statement

 | ERA releases the 

2022 update to the 
Mine Closure Plan 

 | Independent 

valuation report is 
released

 | Amendments to the Atomic 
Energy Act are passed

 | Wicking at Pit 3 commences

 | Brine injection drill wells are 

completed

 | ERA receives $57 million from 
the Ranger Trust Fund for 
rehabilitation works completed 
between 9 January 2021 to  
30 June 2022

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  11

About ERAYear in ReviewFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsBusiness  StrategyChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportHIGHLIGHTS OF 2022

$194M
Total spend on rehabilitation 
work in 2022

26.7M

TONNES OF TAILINGS 
TRANSFERRED FROM TSF  TO 
PIT 3 OVER PROJECT LIFE 

1,909
megalitres of process water 
was treated by the brine 
Concentrator

30%
of our executive 
committee and managers 
were women

20%
OF OUR EXECUTIVE 
COMMITTEE AND MANAGERS 
WERE INDIGENOUS

8.47%
of CONTESTABLE spend was 
with indigenous owned 
businesses

18,153

81

wicks placed to date out 
of 41,875 total (43%)

houses in Jabiru were 
rectified by ERA 

12  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

2022 was a significant year of change for 
Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) as 
the company began a new era of work at 
the Ranger Project Area. 

In May 2022, ERA completed its final sale of uranium 
oxide, officially ending more than 40 years of mining 
activity at the Ranger Project Area. This cemented 
the company’s focus on rehabilitating the site in line 
with Australian and Northern Territory government 
requirements and the wishes of stakeholders and Mirarr 
Traditional Owners.

In August 2022, ERA officially launched its new purpose 
to better align with its rehabilitation work - to create a 
positive legacy and achieve world-class, sustainable 
rehabilitation of former mine assets. 

The rehabilitation deadline for the Ranger Project 
Area is 8 January 2026 subject to the process for its 
extension which has commenced. On 24 November 
2022, Parliament passed amendments to the 
Atomic Energy Act 1953 through the Atomic Energy 
Amendment (Mine Rehabilitation and Closure) Bill 
2022. The Bill amendments will allow ERA to apply 
to extend its existing Ranger authority beyond the 8 
January 2026 deadline, so the Ranger Project Area 
can continue to be rehabilitated until the rehabilitation 
process is complete. ERA, along with the Mirarr 
Traditional Owners and the Northern Land Council, 
jointly supported the passage of the Bill. 

Project Execution Approach

In response to the Ranger Rehabilitation Project cost 
and schedule overruns announced in early 2022, ERA 
appointed Bechtel BAPL to undertake an assessment 
of project execution capability in January 2022. 
The findings focussed on three major categories – 
organisation, process and procedure, and schedules. 

This informed a series of deliberate actions to shift the 
organisation’s focus from being an operating asset to 
the rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area. 

In May 2022, ERA began a feasibility study in 
connection with a lower technical risk rehabilitation 
methodology (primarily relating to the subaerial (dry) 
capping of Pit 3 and to further refine the Ranger Project 
Area rehabilitation execution scope, risks, cost and 
schedule (2022 Feasibility Study). Subaerial capping, 
previously adopted for Pit 1, is a more traditional 
method and is currently ERA’s preferred methodology. 

ERA publicly released a revised Mine Closure Plan 
detailing our lower technical risk methodology in 
September 2022. While we are still awaiting final  
sign-off, the plan considered the revised extension 
to the 8 January 2026 rehabilitation deadline that 
amendments to the Atomic Energy Act allow.

Scoping work and increased resourcing of the feasibility 
study continued with Bechtel BWAPL’s support and the 
study is forecast to be completed in September 2023. 
This will ultimately lead to a further revision of the Mine 
Closure Plan.

Throughout 2022, in parallel to the 2022 Feasibility 
Study, ERA has been committed to implementing 
a range of initiatives to improve the organisation’s 
in-house project execution capability to manage and 
complete the rehabilitation. 

In 2022 we accelerated the adoption of project 
execution, reporting and governance systems 
supported by implementing an Integrated Project 
Management Team (IPMT) with support from Bechtel 
BAPL. This approach brings the best of Bechtel 
BAPL’s project capability alongside ERA’s world-class 
rehabilitation expertise. The transition to the IPMT 
began in September 2022. Leading the IPMT is newly 
appointed Project Director Bernard Toakley, who will 
oversee the execution of the Ranger Rehabilitation 
Project, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer.

EMBEDDING PROJECT CAPABILITY WITH BECHTEL BAPL

Engaging Bechtel BAPL in 2022 was a strategic move 
by ERA to embed project culture, capabilities and 
systems. 

ERA’s Project Director, Bernard Toakley, explains that 
while ERA has over 40 years of operational experience, 
a readiness review completed in early 2022 showed a 
need for greater project delivery capability in order to 
take on a project the magnitude and complexity of the 
Ranger Rehabilitation Project. 

“We needed a company like Bechtel BAPL, with their 
capability in project delivery, together with our expertise 
to support us to plan the best outcome.” 

“ERA are very experienced in radiation management, 
mining compliance, bulk material movement and we 

hold the stakeholder relationships impacting the project. 
Bechtel BAPL have experience in project delivery, 
project controls, project management, cost schedule 
management and health and safety”  

“The engagement will bolster our project delivery 
capability and bring our skills, knowledge and 
experience together into an integrated team.” 

We share very similar values towards our people, 
quality results, high performance and respect,” 
Bernard said. “There is a lot of common ground and an 
alignment in the vision we have for the project.” 

The Project will be recruiting in 2023 to add additional 
experience and capacity to the Ranger Rehabilitation 
Project.

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  13

About ERAYear in ReviewFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsBusiness  StrategyChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportRehabilitation

ERA made exciting progress against key rehabilitation 
activity milestones throughout 2022.

Learning from Pit 1

Planting at Pit 1 was completed in January with teams 
working on establishing the ecosystems resilience and 
supporting growth throughout 2022. Pit 1’s ecosystem 
performed well during the 2022 wet season, showing 
promising signs of resilience and low mortality rates 
among plants outside the irrigation area. Weed control at 
Pit 1 was well maintained thanks to the combined efforts 
of ERA and Kakadu Native Plant Supplies, which worked 
tirelessly to keep weeds at Pit 1 under control and allow 
juvenile plants to establish. Ecosystem services at Pit 
1 have achieved impressive results in 2022, especially 
given the age and development of the area. 

The team are very proud of the wide variety of plant 
species flowering, fruiting and self-recruiting throughout 
the year, which is an impressive result for such a young 
ecosystem. This has brought in a range of bugs and 
insects into the environment.

OUR WORK ON PIT 1

In 2022 the activity at Pit 1 involved monitoring, 
testing and sharing the progress of establishing the 
initial ecosystem after planning was completed by the 
Closure Team in January 2022.

ERA Rehabilitation and Ecology Specialist Meg Parry  
said Pit 1 met import milestones in 2022.

“Ecosystem services are really kicking off,” Meg said. 
“We’re seeing so many flora species flower, fruit and 
self-recruit and that’s happened within a 2-year period, 
which is fantastic.”

Pit 1 faced its biggest test of survival during the 2022 
wet season with much less rainfall recorded at the 
Ranger Project Area than in previous years.

“Our plants in areas that weren’t irrigated showed 
signs of stress from lack of rain,” Meg said. “We were 
concerned about their resilience to bounce back, and 
we expected a lot of mortality, but we didn’t lose many 
and they are showing good signs of resilience, which  
is promising.”

Promising signs bode well for the future of Pit 1’s 
ecosystem to not only cope but thrive in the harsh 
climate of Jabiru, something that Meg and the Closure 
Teams have been excited to share throughout 2022.

“It’s been exciting to have ministers, stakeholders and 
Traditional Owners visit Pit 1 and to be able to tell them 
the establishment is exceeding expectations,” she said. 
“Getting to share our great results with people has been 
really fun.”

The Closure Team’s work at Pit 1 continues in 2023  
to make sure that the ecosystem establishes itself for 
the future.

14  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

MEET ERA’S MEG PARRY, 
REHABILITATION AND ECOLOGY 
SPECIALIST

I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of the 
ecosystem rehabilitation project at Ranger over the 
last five years, and to build on the decades of research 
that’s come before me. It’s exciting to have been part 
of the design of the research trials and implementation 
of this project. Given we are part of a World Heritage 
Listed National Park site, and we have extreme season 
conditions, it is a big undertaking to achieve the world-
class standards of biodiversity that we are committed 
to, but it is precisely this challenge that is part of the 
things I love most about my job.

I am also deeply passionate about partnering with our 
key stakeholders. The Mirarr Traditional Owners are 
key to our success. They planted the first 100 seedlings 
and have been present for various visits since to 
check how the seedlings are growing, how the flora 
is establishing, how fauna is returning, and how the 
ecosystem is developing. I also enjoy working with 
government and the different scientists and boards 
to ensure we are at the forefront of research in our 
rehabilitation approach. We really are setting the 
standard for future mine closures here. 

Having grown up in the Territory and spending my 
school holidays camping in Kakadu, I'm really proud 
of this work and I’m hopeful in 10 to 20 years’ time I 
can look back and see the journey of the ecosystem 
developing and flourishing, all our important fauna 
coming back and bush fruits here. It will be one of the 
biggest achievements of my life.

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  15

About ERAYear in ReviewFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsBusiness  StrategyChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportIn 2022 four cultural reconnection steering committee 
visits of the Mirarr Traditional Owners were hosted by 
ERA to both Ranger and Jabiluka. One of the visits 
was the Pit 1 ecosystem that they first helped to plant 
in 2019. The visits were a highlight for the revegetation 
team in who gained knowledge and understanding 
from conversations with Traditional Owners about their 
land and the traditional flora and fauna biodiversity of 
the area.

EMBEDDING CULTURAL 
KNOWLEDGE IN REVEGETATION 
DESIGN

In 2022, ERA worked with Gundjeihmi Aboriginal 
Corporation (GAC)’s Cultural Reconnection Steering 
Committee to incorporate the cultural knowledge and 
desires of Mirarr Traditional Owners into rehabilitation 
design.  

ERA’s Rehabilitation & Ecology Specialist, Meg Parry, 
has been combining her team’s environmental science 
research with this cultural knowledge from Traditional 
Owners to make sure revegetation work is aligned to 
the agreed Cultural Closure Criteria.

“I think the way we need to approach revegetation 
and ecosystem establishment is as if we’re building 
a house. If you just build what you think is important 
without communication, it might be functional but it’s 
probably not going to fit the people you are building it 
for. If you ask people what they like and want, like their 
favourite colour scheme or in our case, maybe their 
favourite plants, you’ll get a little closer. However, if 
you collaborate with people on how the house should 
be designed and build the house together, you’ll get 
something that has meaning and connection,” says 
Meg.

During the visits from the Steering Committee, the input 
from the Traditional Owners influenced and shaped the 
design of the final landform and informed how Cultural 
Closure Criteria will be monitored and assessed over 
time.

“We know from our conversations that we haven’t 
focused on the right elements in the past when it comes 
to revegetation. To me that just shows the importance 
of these conversations and how critical it is to listen and 
collaborate.”

ERA’s focus is not only to deliver world-class 
rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area (RPA), but to 
deliver on the Cultural Closure Criteria that reflects the 
Traditional Owners’ desire to access and use the RPA 
for hunting, gathering, recreation and ceremony.

“We need to be creating an environment that works for 
the owners of the land that we are handing it back to,” 
says Meg.

ERA welcomes the opportunity to continue to 
collaborate with Traditional Owners to further deliver on 
our commitments in the Ranger Project Area in 2023.

16  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

Preparatory works at Pit 3

ERA’s Approvals Team met a major 
milestone in April 2022 with the draft 
submission of the Pit 3 Closure Application. 
This application covers the final stages 
of rehabilitation activity at Pit 3, including 
capping and backfilling the pit. The 
submission is the result of more than 5 years 
of work developing models, assessments 
and frameworks to ensure ERA’s activity 
achieves the desired outcome. The team 
continued to make material progress on the 
application throughout 2022 and expect it to 
reach final approval in 2023.

OUR WORK ON THE PIT 3 
APPLICATION

An approval is required before ERA can 
commence a rehabilitation activity at the Ranger 
Project Area. The approvals application is checked 
by a range of regulators and stakeholders to make 
sure the best result will be achieved, and the 
environment will remain protected for 10,000 years.

“To complete all the modelling and analysis to 
the point where we could submit the application 
has taken a lot of years, so it was a really great 
moment for our team to be able to submit the 
application” ERA’s Senior Manager Approvals and 
Cultural Heritage Sharon Paulka said.

“We don’t get a second chance with this kind of 
work, once you do something like put waste rock 
on top of tailings you can’t just take it off, so we all 
have to be absolutely sure the processes we are 
using are going to work.”

WORKING TOWARDS THE  
FINAL LANDFORM AT PIT 3

Turning Pit 3 into a final landform presents several 
technical, scientific and environmental challenges, 
according to ERA’s Senior Manager Approvals and 
Cultural Heritage Sharon Paulka.

Part of ERA’s rehabilitation and mine closure 
responsibilities is to completely cap and backfill 
Pits 1 and 3 to remove the void from the landscape 
and ensure that anything within the pits, such 
as tailings, is contained and the environment is 
protected for 10,000 years.

“The process of capping and backfilling Pit 1 has 
been completed and we were able to learn from 
this,” Sharon said.

“We’re currently in the process of wicking, which 
should be finished soon,” Sharon said. “Then we’ll 
be putting down a geofabric layer over the tailings 
followed by waste rock. We will also be removing 
and treating the water from the tailings.”

Once Pit 3 is backfilled and reaches its final 
landform stage, it will be revegetated using 
techniques learnt from the success of Pit 1.

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  17

About ERAYear in ReviewFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsBusiness  StrategyChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportPit 3 rehabilitation progressed in 2022 along 
with ongoing water treatment including 
progressing Brine Squeezer process water 
modifications. The brine injection drilling 
was completed in November 2022. Brine 
injection is required to enable the waste 
product from the brine concentrator to 
be safely and securely deposited in the 
bottom of Pit 3. Being able to successfully 
install and operate brine injection at Pit 
3 is a considerable achievement for ERA 
given that the process is not widely used 
elsewhere.

The Brine Concentrator experienced some 
reliability issues, resulting in it not initially 
delivering the design criteria volume of 
process water treatment. An improvement 
program is underway to rectify these 
reliability and treatment issues.

Wicking at Pit 3 commenced in October 
2022 and involves the careful placement 
of approximately 41,000 wicks into the 
tailings from a purpose-built barge. The 
wicks enable the accelerated dewatering 
and consolidation of the tailings, and this 
approach was successfully applied for 
Pit 1. To date, we have installed 43% of the 
required wicks. Wicking at Pit 3 has been 
informed by learnings from the successful 
wicking completed at Pit 1.

CELEBRATING COMPLETION OF 
THE BRINE INJECTION WELLS

Pit 3 rehabilitation work is using techniques 
developed from learnings in Pit 1 and are allowing 
the ERA team to achieve world-class results.

ERA’s Superintendent Projects Isaac Denny said 
completing the brine injection drilling at Pit 3 was 
a huge achievement for the project in 2022.

“It’s a huge achievement because brine injection 
drilling isn’t often done in mining,” Isaac said.

“We finished drilling the wells in November 2022, 
which was 2 years’ worth of work in the making.”

Brine injection wells form part of the process that 
will allow ERA to cap and backfill Pit 3 and work 
in conjunction with the wicking process and the 
brine concentrator to remove and treat liquid from 
the tailings.

The system works by drilling down the side and 
curving into the bottom of Pit 3 to create access 
to the bottom. Salty water that comes out of the 
brine concentrator is injected into the bottom of 
the pit, which pushes more liquid into the wicks, 
which is drawn back into the brine concentrator to 
be treated and separated.

“It’s a cycle,” Isaac said. “Pushing salty brine into 
the bottom of Pit 3 displaces the process water 
and pushes it up to the underdrain and wicks.  
The wicks are pushed deep into the tailings, so 
they catch the process water as it rises and pulls 
it out of the tailings.”

Brine injection will commence in 2023.

Process Water Flow

HIGH PURITY, CLEAN 
WATER FOR RELEASE 
TO THE ENVIRONMENT

BRINE

PROCESS 
WATER

BRINE CONCENTRATOR

PROCESS WATER

B

R

I

N

E

 I

N

J

E

C

PROCESS WATER

TAILINGS

T

I

O

N

W

E

L

L

UNDER DRAIN

UNDER FILL

BRINE

PROCESS
WATER

WATER DAM

PROCESS
WATER

BORE

18  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
Our work in Jabiru

Jabiru was originally established to service the 
workforce working at Ranger uranium mine. The 
original Head Lease with the Commonwealth 
expired on 30 June 2021 and on Saturday 26 
June 2021, a ceremony in Jabiru was held to 
hand over the formal deed of grant of Jabiru to 
the Kakadu Aboriginal Land Trust, marking the 
return of Jabiru to the Mirarr Traditional Owners. 
The Mirarr Traditional Owners – through 
Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation Jabiru 
Town – have been responsible for Jabiru. The 
Mirarr Traditional Owners’ vision for the future 
of Jabiru is for it to transition to a ‘world leading 
tourism centre’. As part of ERA’s commitments 
in Jabiru town, we are rectifying the ERA 
residential housing portfolio. The portfolio 
consists of 259 residential addresses, made up 
of 3 and 4-bedroom houses, duplexes, triplexes, 
townhouses, and several large and small 
commercial properties. 

The Jabiru Housing Rectification Project started 
property rectification works in August 2021. A 
total of 81 residential addresses were rectified 
and transferred to third parties, resulting in 31% 
of the housing portfolio being completed by 
December 2022. 

MEET ERA’S ARON KURZYDLO, 
MANAGER BUSINESS SERVICES

As Manager Business Services, I handle the site 
services and ERA’s commitments in Jabiru. It is an 
incredible place to work – I still remember driving into 
Jabiru for the first time as the sun was rising over the 
escarpment and Kakadu stole my breath away. 

As an Indigenous man I grew up on Country, so it 
means so much to me to have my feet back in the dirt. 
Beyond that, to be a part of this incredible world-class 
rehabilitation project is career defining as I get to work 
in Kakadu and in collaboration with Traditional Owners. 
We are setting a precedent here and to share that 
journey with a team who has the same vision, values 
and passion to me is an honour. It is truly what gets me 
out of bed every day. 

In 20 years from now I want to feel that I was a part of 
something really world-class – to look back and cherish 
being part of a team to create an amazing outcome that 
hopefully can be replicated around the country and  
the world.

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  19

About ERAYear in ReviewFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsBusiness  StrategyChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportCollaboration in 2022

Our commitment to bringing in the right capability to 
achieve world-class rehabilitation is supported by a 
‘buy, borrow and build’ capability model. ERA has 
partnered with a range of organisations throughout 
2022 and is grateful for the support and expertise 
brought to the project. A number of successful 
outcomes that ERA was able to deliver would not have 
been possible without the collaboration with several 
organisations.

ERA’s relationship with Kakadu Native Plant Supplies 
has been an important partnership for several years, 
and in 2022 achieved the milestone of completing the 
planting of Pit 1. Kakadu Native Plant Supplies is a 
local family-run Indigenous business in Jabiru.

COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL 
BUSINESS – KAKADU NATIVE 
PLANT SERVICES

“Kakadu Native Plants was founded in 2004 and 
was originally set up to collect seed. Almost 20 
years on we are now a full ecosystem restoration 
company. This means we take care of all aspects 
of collecting seeds to propagate them, managing 
the planting and irrigation processes, fire and 
weed management and consultation with local 
communities.

“To deliver the enormous volume of plants 
required for this project in such a harsh and 
seasonal environment, we grow a lot of our 
seedlings in the nursery to an appropriate age. 
We then work with ERA using a special technique 
to plant the seedlings on the waste rock substrate 
to give them the best start. This relies on healthy 
root growth, enough nutrients to get them going 
and the right amount of water to give them a  
head start. 

What I know, without doubt, is that nature is 
endlessly inspiring and resilient. Every day you 
see these little things happening the way you 
thought they would happen. It’s incredible and 
I love it.

“When this project comes to a close, I will be  
quite proud of the transformation of the landscape. 
I hope the Mirarr Traditional Owners feel they 
were involved and included at every turn and 
that when the country is handed back it can be 
integrated easily into the ways in which they want 
to manage and care for their land moving forward. 
That will be an emotional day.”

–  Peter Christophersen,  

Kakadu Native Plants spokesperson

20  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

All works at the Ranger Project Area have been 
overseen by the Supervising Scientist Branch of 
the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the 
Environment and Water for more than 40 years. 

Environmental consultants Umwelt partnered with ERA 
in early 2022 to assist with the mine closure application 
for Pit 3. Umwelt provided ERA with the additional 
technical and resource capacity to complete the 
company’s first Mine Closure Plan in 2 years.

In order to ensure stakeholders perspectives are 
considered in rehabilitation planning, ERA engaged 
a diverse range of stakeholders on various aspects 
of mine closure and rehabilitation through several 
regular fora, committees and working groups. Engaging 
with stakeholders through forums, committees and 
advisories has been a valuable exercise for ERA and 
has had a positive impact on our ability to deliver world-
class rehabilitation. 

Closure and rehabilitation activities, processes 
and criteria for the Ranger Project Area have been 
developed, scrutinised and adapted through stakeholder 
engagement mechanisms, including the Ranger Closure 
Consultative Forum, Mine Technical Committee, Alligator 
Rivers Region Advisory Committee, Alligator Rivers 
Region Technical Committee and the Relationships 
Committee. We thank all those involved.

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  21

About ERAYear in ReviewFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsBusiness  StrategyChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportBUSINESS STRATEGY

ERA's purpose is to create a positive 
legacy and achieve world-class, 
sustainable rehabilitation of former  
mine assets. 

The Ranger Rehabilitation Project is unique in that it is 
rehabilitating land in one of the world’s most culturally 
and environmentally sensitive locations, surrounded by 
the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park on the 
land of the Mirarr Traditional Owners. 

In 2022, ERA’s strategic priority continues to be the 
comprehensive rehabilitation of the Ranger Project 
Area to a standard where it can be incorporated into the 
surrounding Kakadu National Park if Traditional Owners 
and the Australian Government wish. 

We plan to deliver our purpose by: 

 y

 y

 y

creating a physical, ecological and cultural 
landscape that meets the expectations of the 
Mirarr Traditional Owners 

setting the standard for mine site rehabilitation in 
a culturally and environmentally sensitive region 

achieving this in partnership with Mirarr 
Traditional Owners, governments and other key 
stakeholders. 

In July 2021, ERA provided a preliminary 
announcement around cost and schedule overruns. 
Bechtel BWAPL was appointed in July 2022 to help 
undertake the 2022 Feasibility Study to refine the 
Ranger Project Area rehabilitation execution scope, 
risks, cost and schedule, which is expected to be 
delivered in September 2023. 

22  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

The recent amendments to the Atomic Energy Act 
1953 allow ERA to apply to extend its existing Ranger 
authority beyond the current 8 January 2026 deadline 
so the Ranger Project Area can continue to be 
rehabilitated until the rehabilitation process is complete. 
Our planning and 2022 Feasibility Study is working to  
this new timeframe.

ERA’s near-term strategic priorities are to: 

 y

Secure a suitable funding option to meet future 
rehabilitation obligations;

 y Continue with progressive rehabilitation of the 

Ranger Project Area;

 y Complete the 2022 Feasibility Study; 

 y

Finalise implementation of a number of initiatives 
to strengthen project execution capability; 

 y

 y

Progress negotiations to extend the existing 
Ranger authority beyond January 2026 deadline; 
and,

Preserve the company’s undeveloped resources.

In addition to the Ranger Project Area, ERA holds the 
Jabiluka Mineral Lease – a large, high-quality uranium 
ore body of global significance. In accordance with 
the Long-Term Care and Maintenance Agreement 
signed by ERA in 2005, the Jabiluka deposit will not be 
developed by ERA without the approval of the Mirarr 
Traditional Owners. The carrying value of the Jabiluka 
Undeveloped Property was recorded at approximately 
$90 million as at 31 December 2022 (unchanged  
from 31 December 2021). The current lease is due  
to expire in August 2024 and ERA intends to apply for  
a renewal as provided for in the lease.

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  23

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportFINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 

ERA incurred negative cash flow from 
operating activities of $147 million in 2022 
compared to negative $38 million in 2021. 

Cash rehabilitation spend for the year end  
31 December 2022 was $1941 million compared  
to $153 million1 in 2021. 

ERA held total cash resources of $561 million at  
31 December 2022, comprised of $75 million in cash at 
bank (net of overdrafts) and $486 million of cash held 
by the Australian Government as part of the Ranger 
Rehabilitation Trust Fund. The Company has no debt 
and $126 million in bank guarantees2. 

ERA recorded a net loss before tax and rehabilitation 
adjustment of $98 million for 2022 compared to a 
net profit before tax and rehabilitation adjustment 
of $21 million in 2021. The net loss after tax was 
$161 million for 2022 compared to a net loss after tax of 
$650 million in 2021. The 2022 net loss was adversely 
impacted by reduced sales volumes and increases to 
the rehabilitation provision through higher non-cash 
discount unwind and an adjustment to the rehabilitation 
provision estimate. The 2021 net loss was adversely 
impacted by an increase to the rehabilitation provision 
following completion of a rehabilitation major reforecast. 
Favourable impacts were seen from lower operating 
costs as a result of the cessation of uranium oxide 
processing operations in January 2021 and reduced 
sales costs as a result of the completion of all sales of 
remaining uranium inventories. 

As at 31 December 2022, a revision of the rehabilitation 
provision cost estimate occurred resulting in an 
unfavourable adjustment of $62 million compared to  
an unfavourable adjustment of $668 million in 2021. 

Revenue

Revenue from the sale of uranium oxide was 
$36 million (2021: $190 million). With contracted sales 
completed in 2021, all sales of remaining uranium oxide 
inventories were through the spot market. Sales volume 
for 2022 was 242 tonnes compared with 1,302 tonnes 
for 2021. In 2022, ERA completed sales of all remaining 
uranium oxide inventories. The average realised sales 
price for 2022 was US$48.88 per pound compared to 
US$47.17 per pound in 2021. 

Interest income for 2022 was $9.3 million, compared 
to $1.9 million for 2021. The weighted average interest 
rate received on term deposit for the period was 
1.53 per cent (2021: 0.30 per cent). 

Operating Costs

Cash costs for 2022 were lower than the corresponding 
period in 2021. This was mainly driven by the cessation 
of uranium oxide processing in January 2021 and 
move to full scale rehabilitation. In addition, lower sales 
in 2022 resulted in lower royalties and selling costs. 
Operating costs are now those of a corporate nature. 
Following a sharp decline in the crude oil price in 2020, 
with a corresponding decrease in gasoil (or diesel), 
ERA entered into gasoil swap contracts to lock in prices 
considered to be favourable. In 2022, ERA received 
$6.8 million from settled gasoil swaps compared to 
$7.4 million in 2021. All gasoil swaps are now settled. 

Rehabilitation

At 31 December 2022, the ERA rehabilitation provision 
was $1,225 million3. During 2022, ERA incurred 
expenditure of $194 million on rehabilitation activities. 

In 2022, ERA recorded an increase to the closure 
provision estimate of $62 million. This largely related to 
further development of the Pit 3 capping methodology, 
higher input costs and additional project management 
capability. 

Progressive rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area 
has continued during 2022 with several key milestones 
achieved as summarised previously. 

1  Excludes utilisation of lease costs (2021: $1 million) (2022 $nil).

2 

3 

$125 million related to Ranger Project Area and $1 million related to Jabiluka.

 31 December 2022 provision discounted at 1.5% per cent. This equates to an estimated $1,320 million in undiscounted nominal terms or  
$1,275 million in undiscounted real terms.

24  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

2022 Feasibility Study

In May 2022 ERA commenced a feasibility study 
update in connection with a lower technical risk 
rehabilitation methodology (primarily relating to the 
subaerial capping of Pit 34) and to further refine 
the Ranger Project Area rehabilitation execution 
scope, risks, cost and schedule (2022 Feasibility 
Study). Subaerial capping, previously adopted 
for Pit 1, is a more traditional method and it is 
currently ERA’s preferred methodology. 

Scoping work and increased resourcing of the 
feasibility study progressed during the year with 
Bechtel BWAPL’s support. The 2022 Feasibility 
Study is expected to be completed in September 
2023 and will ultimately lead to a revised Mine 
Closure Plan being developed. 

As previously announced in February 2022, the 
preliminary findings of ERA’s reforecast exercise 
indicated that the revised total cost of completing 
the rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area, 
including incurred spend since 1 January 2019, 
was estimated to be between $1.6 billion and $2.2 
billion and would potentially have a revised date 
for completion of rehabilitation activities between 
Quarter 4, 2027 and Quarter 4, 2028. The revised 
estimates, as to both cost and schedule, were 
based on the Ranger Rehabilitation Project being 
completed in accordance with the methodology set 
out in the 2020 Mine Closure Plan. Approximately 
$524 million of the total cost of completing the 
rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area was 
spent from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2022. 
The forecast cost overruns have been caused 
by a number of factors including complexities in 
technical risk management, project delays and 
additional scope matters involving unbudgeted 
costs. Alongside other factors, risks identified by 
ERA at the time of its previous entitlement offer 
in 2019 have materialised, including increased 
cost pressures and technical challenges to meet 
the January 2026 deadline for completing the 
rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area5. 

For key updates on the rehabilitation project 
progress and risks refer to note 2 Critical 
Accounting Estimates and Judgements. 

4 

5 

 In essence, the subaerial methodology involves Pit 3 drying 
and being capped subaerially (i.e. not under water).

 As previously mentioned, amendments to the Atomic 
Energy Act 1953 were passed on 24 November 2022, 
allowing additional time for ERA to complete the world class 
rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area, including long-term 
monitoring and maintenance, subject to obtaining a new 
section 41 authority. ERA has commenced discussions with 
key stakeholders to apply for a new section 41 authority.

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  25

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportBUSINESS RISKS 

A number of risks and uncertainties, 
which are both specific to ERA and 
of a more general nature, may affect 
the future operating and financial 
performance of ERA.

This section describes some, but not all, of the material 
risks and uncertainties that may impact on ERA’s 
financial performance or outcomes.

Rehabilitation 

Under applicable Australian and Northern Territory 
government statutory requirements, ERA ceased 
mining and processing activities at the Ranger  
Project Area on 8 January 2021 and is progressing  
to rehabilitate the site. 

Based on the preliminary findings of the major 
reforecast (as announced to ASX on 2 February 
2022), ERA is not expected to meet its 8 January 
2026 rehabilitation deadline as required by the s 41 
Authority. On 24 November 2022, Parliament passed 
amendments to the Atomic Energy Act 1953, allowing 
additional time for ERA to complete the world class 
rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area, including long-
term monitoring and maintenance. We are required to 
negotiate new authorities and agreements now the Act 
has been amended. A revised timeframe for completion 
has yet to be agreed and this is expected to be 
confirmed in the 2022 Feasibility study that is expected 
to be completed in September 2023. 

The preliminary findings indicated the revised total 
cost and schedule for completing the rehabilitation of 
the Ranger Project Area have increased substantially 
compared to the Ranger Closure Feasibility Study 
completed in 2019. 

The cost of rehabilitating the Ranger Project Area is 
uncertain and requires matters involving estimation 
and judgment. As described earlier, ERA is undertaking 
the 2022 Feasibility Study. It is possible that, following 
the 2022 Feasibility Study, ERA’s rehabilitation costs 
may be more (or less) than the current rehabilitation 
provision estimated by the company. Increased 
costs could result from factors beyond ERA's control, 
such as legal requirements, technological changes, 
environmental conditions, labour costs and availability, 
impact of pandemics including but not limited to 
COVID-19, weather events and market conditions. 

Any increase in rehabilitation costs is likely to have 
a material adverse effect on ERA’s business and 
its financial position and performance. There is no 
certainty that the company could secure additional 
funding in the future in the event it was required. 

As indicated previously, ERA notes that the rehabilitation 
project continues to be exposed to challenging 
conditions, including tight labour market conditions, 
supply chain constraints and inflationary pressures being 
experienced across the broader industry.

Post 2026 Tenure Risk 

On 24 November 2022 the Atomic Energy Amendment 
(Mine Rehabilitation and Closure) Bill 2022 was 
passed. The Bill will allow ERA to apply to extend its 
existing Ranger authority beyond the current 8 January 
2026 deadline, so the rehabilitation of Ranger Mine can 
continue until the rehabilitation process is complete. 

The Atomic Energy Act 1953 (Cth) is administered by 
the Department of Industry, Science and Resources 
(DISR). Under the s 41 Authority, ERA had the authority 
to produce uranium oxide at the Ranger Project Area 
until January 2021 and must fully rehabilitate the site 
by 8 January 2026. However, as disclosed above, the 
deadline of 8 January 2026 will not be met. For access 
to the site beyond 8 January 2026, a new s 41 Authority 
is required, which can now be progressed following the 
amendment to the Atomic Energy Act. 

There is a risk that a new s 41 Authority may not be 
agreed upon in the required timeframe or there may be 
a material change to terms. 

Water Treatment and Injection of 
Waste Brines

Management of water in the Ranger Project Area is 
critical to ongoing rehabilitation activities. ERA has 
several procedures and initiatives underway with 
respect to water management, including upgrading 
the capacity of the Brine Concentrator, which was 
commissioned in February 2021. 

Recent performance of the water treatment plant is 
below the planned performance assumed in ERA's 
water model. ERA has already commenced mitigation 
efforts and, as part of the 2022 Feasibility Study, will 
review the adequacy of the water infrastructure and 
the water model. Unless this deficit in performance can 
be addressed, further costs will likely be incurred and 
there will be potential delays in completing the Ranger 
Rehabilitation Project. 

To the extent that any of these initiatives cost more 
than expected or ERA is required to implement further 
initiatives (such as installing additional water treatment 
infrastructure), the rehabilitation cost may increase 
further. As a result of treating processed water, a 
waste stream of contaminated salt is generated. The 
salt is ultimately to be stored below tailings in Pit 3 by 
injecting the brine through boreholes. This technology 
has previously been commissioned but the long-term 
performance is yet to be fully confirmed. An alternate 
method of salt disposal would be required if disposing 
the salt in this way does not prove viable. This would 
require additional capital expenditure, which has not 
been allowed for in the rehabilitation estimate or the 
resulting provision and may not be available to ERA. 

26  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

Tailings Consolidation 

With all tailings transferred to Pit 3, the wicking of Pit 
3 commenced in late 2022. During the final capping 
process, the tailings in Pit 3 will consolidate and express 
process water that will need to be collected and treated. 

Installing vertical wicks will help the consolidation 
process and the consolidation timeframes are backed 
up by a detailed model based on in situ testing of 
site tailings. The consolidation model predictions of 
rates of process water expression are impacted by 
many factors, including tailings density and other 
characteristics, deposition method and free process 
water volume in the pit during deposition. Detailed 
engineering continues to further refine the scope 
of work. The impact to the rehabilitation cost and 
resulting provision, if any, will be further evaluated as 
part of assessing alternative capping options for Pit 3 
during the 2022 Feasibility Study, which is due to be 
completed in September 2023. 

These impacts have been considered in the reforecast 
but if the tailings consolidation and process water 
expression extend further, it could have additional 
adverse impacts on the cost and schedule of 
completing rehabilitation.

Bulk Material movement

Once Pit 3 is capped, large scale bulk material 
backfill, and landform shaping will occur. Bulk material 
movements are sensitive to the volume of material 
which is to be moved and the schedule of movement. 
There may be a material impact on the rehabilitation 
cost or schedule if volumes or costs of movement 
change. 

Wet Season and Weather

The Ranger Project Area is subject to the extreme 
contrast of weather conditions that exist in the Northern 
Territory. The extent of each wet season can have a 
significant impact on ERA’s rehabilitation activities, 
including but not limited to an increase in process water 
inventories. Wet seasons that significantly exceed long 
term averages will have a material adverse effect on 
ERA's ability to implement water management and its 
ability to complete other rehabilitation activities. 

This may impact on schedule and cost, including 
but not limited to, requiring additional process water 
treatment capacity and may affect ERA’s financial 
position and performance. 

Ranger Rehabilitation Trust Fund

ERA is required to maintain the Trust Fund with the 
Australian Government. The Trust Fund is intended 
to provide security against the estimated costs of 
closing and rehabilitating the Ranger Project Area 
immediately. The company is required to prepare 
and submit an Annual Plan of Rehabilitation (Annual 
Plan) to the Australian Government. Once accepted 

by the Australian Government, the Annual Plan is 
independently assessed and costed and the amount to 
be provided by the company into the Trust Fund is then 
determined. 

As at 31 December 2022, ERA had $486 million in cash 
held by the Australian Government in the Trust Fund. 
Bank guarantees procured by ERA totaling $125 million 
are held by the Government as additional security for 
ERA's rehabilitation obligations (an additional $1 million 
is held as an allowance for Jabiluka rehabilitation). 

These deposits and bank guarantees were provided 
to the Australian Government based on its review in 
February 2020 of the 44th Annual Plan of Rehabilitation 
submitted by ERA (i.e. prior to the reforecast of 
the cost of Ranger Project Area rehabilitation), and 
subsequently reduced for an interim payment of 
$57 million for rehabilitation works completed from 
9 January 2021 to 30 June 2022. 

ERA has agreed on amendments to the Ranger 
Government Agreement with the Australian 
Government to introduce a clearer framework 
for managing the amount of security held by the 
Government and releasing funds from the Trust Fund 
for completed rehabilitation works. However, drawdown 
of funds under this framework will first require 
reevaluation of the security following ERA's internal 
cost review, which is expected to occur after completion 
of the 2022 Feasibility Study in September 2023. Given 
the expected increase in the cost of rehabilitating the 
Ranger Project Area, ERA may be required to provide 
additional security or funds in the Trust Fund. 

Under this new framework, ERA was entitled to submit 
a one-off interim payment request for the release from 
the Trust Fund of an amount representing a portion of 
the cost of rehabilitation works performed at Ranger 
between 9 January 2021 to 30 June 2022.. As a result, 
$57 million was received in November 2022. 

ERA does not consider that it can rely upon drawdown 
of any further cash from the Trust Fund before the 
internal cost review is completed, which is expected  
to be in September 2023. 

ERA’s ability to continue to access financial guarantees 
can be influenced by many factors, including its 
potential future cash balance, cash flows and 
shareholder support. Issuers of the bank guarantees 
have certain pay and walk rights and the guarantees 
are subject to periodic reviews. Should the banks 
execute their pay and walk rights or ERA is unable 
to access bank guarantees, substantial additional 
cash would be required to indemnify the banks or be 
deposited into the Trust Fund. This is likely to have 
a material adverse effect on ERA’s business and its 
financial position and performance, as well as its ability 
to meet its rehabilitation obligations. 

The Trust Fund is disclosed as Government Security 
Receivable in the Financial Statements.

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  27

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportAccess to Capital Risk

On 29 April 2016, the company entered into a $100 
million Loan Agreement with North Limited (a wholly 
owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto) in support of ERA’s 
rehabilitation obligations, should additional funding 
ultimately be required. 

On 6 October 2022, ERA agreed to enter into an 
amended $100 million loan agreement with Rio Tinto 
(Revised Credit Facility), under which loans of a 
cumulative value of up to $100 million can be made 
available to provide ERA with additional liquidity to 
rehabilitate the Ranger Project Area. The Revised 
Credit Facility has a maturity date of 31 March 2023 
unless additional funds are raised before that, or unless 
extended by Rio Tinto. The maturity date is subject to 
deferral for approximately 3 months if ERA is unable 
to repay the loan at that time. The Revised Credit 
Facility provides ERA with additional time to negotiate 
and implement a future funding solution and reassures 
the company’s stakeholders that rehabilitation of the 
Ranger Project Area will continue to be funded. 

A summary of the agreement is provided in the 
announcement to the ASX dated 6 October 2022. 

Should ERA require additional funding for rehabilitation 
of the Ranger Project Area, or otherwise beyond 
existing cash resources and expected future cash 
flows, there can be no assurance that additional 
funding will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. 
Any inability to obtain additional capital or to monetise 
assets would have a material adverse effect on ERA’s 
ability to meet its rehabilitation obligations as well as 
its business and its financial position and performance. 
If ERA does not have sufficient funding to support its 
continued operations and rehabilitation of the Ranger 
Project Area, ERA may be unable to meet its liabilities 
as and when they fall due and its ability to continue as 
a going concern may be impacted.

Regulators and Stakeholders

The Mine Closure Plan is subject to ongoing review 
and refinement, with ERA required to review and 
submit an updated plan for regulatory approval each 
year. In addition, regulatory approvals are required 
to carry out certain rehabilitation activities. If these 
regulatory approvals are not obtained or are obtained 
with amended conditions, ERA’s ability to complete the 
rehabilitation program in a timely and cost-effective 
manner will be at risk. 

The Plan builds on more than 20 years of scientific 
work undertaken on the progressive rehabilitation 
at Ranger and was developed by reference to the 
Western Australian Mine Closure Plan Guidelines (in 
the absence of relevant Northern Territory closure plan 
guidelines). It includes proposed closure criteria for the 
Ranger mine which addresses the key themes of the 
final landform, radiation, water, flora and fauna, soils 
and cultural heritage. 

ERA first released the Plan to the public in June 2018, 
following an intensive stakeholder engagement process 

with all key stakeholders that commenced with a 
draft plan in December 2016. Key stakeholders who 
provided feedback on the draft and subsequent annual 
updates included the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation 
and Northern Land Council (as representatives of the 
Mirarr Traditional Owners), and Northern Territory and 
Australian government agencies. 

In September 2022, the latest updated Plan was 
released and will continue to be updated annually 
in close consultation with Traditional Owner 
representatives, regulators, and key stakeholders. ERA 
also formally submitted the updated plan to the relevant 
Northern Territory and Australian ministers for approval 
in compliance with the authorisation. 

Jabiru was transitioned to an Aboriginal township 
lease under Section 19A of the Aboriginal Land Rights 
(Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth) in June 2021, 
however, ERA has remained a major tenant in the 
town under an interim agreement with the Gundjeihmi 
Aboriginal Corporation Jabiru Town (GACJT). ERA's 
licence to occupy the Jabiru properties has been 
extended to 31 December 2023. The terms and any 
associated costs of any future license extension to 
allow ERA to continue to remain in Jabiru are uncertain 
and will be subject to the approval of GACJT.  
The process to undertake extensive rectification of the 
Jabiru properties, transition the houses to third parties 
and find alternative accommodation for ERA personnel 
may result in higher costs than currently projected  
by ERA. 

General Regulatory Risk

Uranium mining in Australia is extensively regulated 
by Australian, state and territory governments. The 
areas of uranium mining that are regulated include 
exploration, development, production, transport, export, 
taxes and royalties, labour standards, occupational 
health, waste disposal, protection and rehabilitation  
of the environment, mine reclamation, mine safety,  
toxic and radioactive substances and native title.  
The approval processes for uranium mining are more 
onerous, and therefore more costly, than for the mining 
of other minerals. 

Government actions in Australia, and other countries or 
jurisdictions in which ERA has interests, could impact 
ERA, including new or amended legislation, guidelines 
and regulations about the environment, uranium or 
nuclear power sectors, competition policy, native title, 
and cultural heritage. 

Operational aspects that may be affected include, 
among other things, land access rights, granting 
licences and other tenements, an extended mine life 
and development approvals. 

Future legislation and changes in the regulatory 
framework could cause additional expense, 
capital expenditures, restrictions and delays in the 
development of ERA’s assets – the extent of which 
cannot be predicted. Any government action may 
require increased capital, rehabilitation or other 
expenditures and could prevent or delay certain 

28  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

activities by ERA, which could have a material adverse 
effect on ERA’s business and its financial position 
and performance, as well as its ability to meet its 
rehabilitation obligations. 

Jabiluka Mineral Lease

ERA holds title to the Jabiluka Mineral Lease.  
The Jabiluka Mineral Lease (being an undeveloped 
property as noted in ERA’s 2022 Annual Report) is 
currently held subject to the Long-Term Care and 
Maintenance Agreement with the Mirarr Traditional 
Owners. Under this agreement, the Jabiluka deposit 
cannot be developed without the approval of the 
Traditional Owners. There is currently no such approval 
to develop the Jabiluka deposit. It is uncertain that this 
approval will be forthcoming and, by extension, that the 
Jabiluka deposit will be developed. Should this approval 
not eventuate in the future, the Jabiluka Mineral Lease 
would face full impairment. 

The Jabiluka Mineral Lease is due for renewal in 
2024. ERA intends to apply for renewal of the Lease. 
If ERA has complied with all of its obligations under 
the Jabiluka Mineral Lease and the Mining Act 1980 
(NT), the Northern Territory government “will renew” the 
Jabiluka Mineral Lease for a further term not exceeding 
10 years. There is a risk that the renewal will not be 
granted. If the renewal is granted, a renewal of the 
Jabiluka Mineral Lease beyond the further term of up 
to 10 years is not guaranteed, as any further renewals 
will require the Minister to exercise his or her discretion. 
Whether such discretion would be exercised in favour 
of a further renewal of the Jabiluka Mineral Lease 
is uncertain. 

The valuation of Jabiluka requires a high degree of 
judgment. The carrying value ($90 million) of the 
Jabiluka Mineral Lease as set out in ERA’s 2022 Annual 
Report considers the above uncertainties, as well 
as certain other underlying assumptions concerning 
the valuation of the Jabiluka Mineral Lease including 
the probability of future development, uranium oxide 
prices such as term contract price premiums in the 
future, foreign exchange rates, production and capital 
costs, discount rate, ore and mineral resources, lease 
tenure renewal (August 2024) and development 
delays. Any change to ERA's underlying assumptions 
regarding the Jabiluka Mineral Lease may result in a 
further impairment that could adversely affect ERA's 
financial position. 

Ranger 3 Deeps 

On 8 January 2021, ERA ceased to be authorised 
to conduct mining operations in the Ranger Project 
Area, accordingly development of Ranger 3 Deeps 
is not an authorised activity. ERA does not have the 
authority to mine Ranger 3 Deeps and is not pursuing 
such authority. 

In addition to requiring an authorisation to mine Ranger 
3 Deeps, the project would need to be economically 
viable for it to be developed. ERA has historically 
assessed the economics of the Ranger 3 Deeps project 
to be unviable. Considering further work undertaken 
to rehabilitate the Ranger Project Area, the project 
would now be required to support a standalone mill 
and tailings construction, among other infrastructure, 
which would add fixed costs to the operation, further 
materially challenging the Ranger 3 Deeps Project’s 
viability. ERA has also completed backfill works on the 
Ranger 3 Deeps decline. 

Given the above, no work is being conducted on further 
development options for the Ranger 3 Deeps deposit. 

Environmental Risk

A condition of the s 41 Authority granted to ERA is that 
the company must rehabilitate the Ranger Project Area 
to establish an environment similar to the adjacent 
areas of Kakadu National Park so the rehabilitated 
area could be incorporated into Kakadu National Park, 
if that is the opinion of the Minister with the advice of 
the Supervising Scientist, and if the Traditional Owners 
wish. While substantially complete and agreed upon, 
certain closure criteria relating to environmental matters 
require careful management. 

The updated Mine Closure Plan for the Ranger Project 
Area still requires final approvals and agreement 
from stakeholders, including the Minesite Technical 
Committees. There is a risk that the process to agree 
on the environmental conditions will give rise to 
additional rehabilitation obligations that may impact 
costs and/or schedule. 

The ability for ERA to meet its Ranger closure and 
rehabilitation obligations requires careful management 
of various environmental conditions into the future, 
including preventing the: 

 y

 y

 y

pond and process water being discharged to the 
environment

impact of surface water on groundwater under 
the site and surrounding environment 

impact of salt accumulation in dry watercourses 
during the dry season 

 y weeds, feral animals and fire from the Kakadu 

National Park encroaching on the Ranger Project 
Area

 y

release, spillage and impact on the surrounding 
environment of hazardous materials, such as 
radioactive material, diesel, and acid. 

If these environmental conditions are not satisfactorily 
managed, ERA’s ability to complete the rehabilitation 
program in a timely and cost-effective manner will be 
at risk and ERA’s business and financial position and 
performance may be materially impacted. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  29

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportFUTURE SUPPLY 

Evaluation and Exploration

Jabiluka Reserves and Resources

In 2022 no evaluation, exploration expenditure or 
processing activities were performed by ERA in and 
around the Ranger Project Area site, including the 
Ranger 3 Deeps project or on the Jabiluka Mineral 
Lease area. 

Ranger 3 Deeps Reserves and 
Resources

No work is being conducted to further develop options 
for the Ranger 3 Deeps deposit in line with ERA 
ceasing recognition of the Ranger 3 Deeps Mineral 
Resource in 2020 and the cessation of processing 
operations in 2021. 

Ranger Reserves and Resources

ERA has no remaining Ranger Reserves and 
Resources due to the conclusion of processing 
activities under the Ranger Authority. 

Jabiluka Reserves consists of a large, high  
quality uranium ore body estimated to produce  
137,000 tonnes of uranium oxide at a cut-off grade  
of 0.2% U3O8. 

Jabiluka will not be developed by ERA without 
the approval of the Mirarr Traditional Owners in 
accordance with the Jabiluka Long Term Care and 
Maintenance Agreement. 

Governance

ERA’s Competent Person (as defined in the following 
pages) is a consultant of ERA. The ERA Board 
oversees the governance of Resources and Reserves. 
This includes the annual review and approval of the 
publicly reported Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources 
Statement. Internal approval of Ore Reserves and 
Mineral Resources for ERA is the responsibility of 
the Chief Executive and estimates are carried out 
by a Competent Person, as defined by the Joint Ore 
Reserve Committee (JORC) Code 2012. The ERA 
Competent Person uses judgment in carrying out 
estimates of Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources for 
ERA, as defined by the JORC Code 2021, including 
the use of external experts as required. 

ERA 2022 Ore Reserves & Mineral Resources

As at 31 December 2022 
CUT OFF GRADE 
0.20% U308

As at 31 December 2021 
CUT OFF GRADE 
0.20% U308

ORE (MT)

% U308

T U308

ORE (MT)

% U308

T U308

1.21

13.88

15.09

10.00

25.10

0.89

0.52

0.55

0.54

0.55

10,800

72,200

82,900

54,000

137,100

1.21

13.88

15.09

10.00

25.10

0.89

0.52

0.55

0.54

0.55

10,800

72,200

82,900

54,000

137,100

Jabiluka Mineral Resources 

  Measured

Indicated

Sub-total Measured  
and Indicated

Inferred Resources

Total Resources

Rounding difference may occur.

30  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
Assessment of Jabiluka Mineral 
Resource

The Competent Person has assessed the Jabiluka 
Mineral Resource reporting as required by the JORC 
2012 Code and has considered the following facts and 
assumptions in this appraisal.

1. 

2. 

3. 

 The continuing role of nuclear energy as a 
decarbonised energy source and impact on the 
long-term uranium market as world economies 
seek to decarbonise and mitigate the effects of 
climate change over the next 20 to 50 years. 

 The 2005 Long Term Care and Maintenance 
Agreement specifically requires approval by 
the Mirarr Traditional Owners and confirms that 
Jabiluka will not be developed without the approval 
of the Traditional Owners, which is consistent with 
the values of ERA and the Rio Tinto Group.

 Should the JORC code be updated, or the industry 
move to a more prescriptive view on Reasonable 
Prospects for Eventual Economic Extraction 
(RPEEE), the continued reporting of the Jabiluka 
Mineral Resource may change in the future.

4. 

 The Rio Tinto Group (ERA major shareholder) has 
elected in 2022 to no longer report the Jabiluka 
mineralisation as a Mineral Resource.

Competent persons

As required by the Australian Securities Exchange,  
the above tables contain details of other mineralisation 
that has a reasonable prospect of being economically 
extracted in the future, but which is not yet classified 
as Proven or Probable Reserves. This material is 
defined as Mineral Resources under the 2012 edition 
of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration 
Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC 
2012 code). Estimates of such material are based 
largely on geological information with only preliminary 
consideration of mining, economic and other factors 
and are not precise calculations. While in the 
judgment of the Competent Person there are realistic 
expectations that all or part of the Mineral Resources 
will eventually become Proven or Probable Reserves, 
there is no guarantee that this will occur as the result 
depends on further technical and economic studies and 
prevailing economic conditions in the future.

The information in this announcement that relates to 
Jabiluka Mineral Resources is based on information 
compiled by geologist Stephen Pevely who is a part 
time consultant of ERA. Stephen Pevely is a member of 
the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and 
has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of 
mineralisation, type of deposit under consideration and 
activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent 
Person as defined in the JORC 2012 code. Stephen 
Pevely, who is a part time consultant of ERA, consents 
to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters 
based on their information in the form and context in 
which it appears.

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  31

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportHEALTH AND SAFETY 

At ERA the health and safety of people 
is central to operational activities and 
workplace culture across the business, 
no matter the level, work type or site 
location. 

ERA’s safety goals, accountabilities and systems can 
be found in the ERA Health, Safety and Environment 
Management System that is certified to Australian 
(AS4801) and international (ISO14001) standards 
and subject to regular review. The key performance 
measure of safety at ERA is the All Injury Frequency 
Rate (AIFR). AIFR measures how often a recordable 
injury occurs every 200,000 work hours and considers 
lost time injuries, restricted work injuries and medical 
treatment cases. 

Health and safety was a high priority for ERA in 2022 
and throughout the year leadership and awareness 
around safety was promoted to all staff through 
the leadership success program, mental wellness 
programs, PhysioAssist, leadership in the field and a 
range of health and safety workshops. 

In 2022, ERA celebrated achieving an AIFR of 0.0 
for the second year in a row with no injuries recorded 
throughout the year. 

Previous year's results have been: 

 y

 y

 y

 y

 y

AIFR 2021 – 0.00 

AIFR 2020 – 0.53 

AIFR 2019 – 1.07 

AIFR 2018 – 0.56 

AIFR 2017 – 1.17 

COVID-19 Safety 

ERA continued to implement COVID-19 controls in 
line with ERA’s COVID-19 Management Plan and 
advise from the state and Australian governments in 
2022. Taking these measures allowed ERA to continue 
ongoing rehabilitation activities through the year despite 
interstate border restrictions.

Mental Health and Well-being 

Staff mental health and well-being was a high priority 
for ERA in 2022 as the business transitioned into a 
new project execution structure. ERA introduced onsite 
access to an employee assistance program to help 
support and support mental health within the workforce, 
which provided face-to-face counselling and facilitated 
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). 

ERA’s Peer Support Program continued to be  
promoted and facilitated throughout the business with 
an emphasis on activities to help boost participation 
and peer supporters involved in the program. 

ERA continued to take a zero-tolerance approach 
to bullying and harassment in the workplace and 
proactively guided appropriate workplace behaviours 
to prevent behavioural escalations. All staff continue 
to have access to the myVoice program to report 
occurrences of bullying and harassment. The myVoice 
program helps ERA to effectively investigate reports to 
ensure employees are supported and ERA continues to 
be a safe workplace.

Safety Maturity Model 

The Safety Maturity Model (SMM) is a global Rio 
Tinto initiative that drives behaviours and activity to 
deliver effective safety performance across the three 
pillars of the safety strategy – fatality elimination, 
reducing injuries and illnesses, and catastrophic 
event prevention. The model has been operational in 
ERA since 2018 and is based upon leadership and 
engagement, risk management, work planning and 
execution and learning and improving.

ERA achieved a SMM score of 4.0 in 2022, which 
was above the target of 3.7 and demonstrated an 
increase in last year's results. To achieve this result 
ERA implemented leadership coaching and training, 
leadership success training, the Process Safety 
into Closure Program and the Rio Tinto Behaviours 
Program, while focusing on targeting leadership in  
the field. 

ERA continued to operate an awards and recognition 
program to celebrate employees who exhibit an 
important contribution to ERA’s priorities, including 
health, safety and wellness.

32  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

ERA did not have any designated workers – workers 
who may be exposed to radiation that exceeds 
5 millisieverts (mSv) per year – in 2022, due to mine 
operations being completed and more stringent 
monitoring of radiation levels was not required. 

The below table provides a summary of maximum and 
mean annual radiation doses received by workers at 
the Ranger Project Area over the past 12 months from 
the third quarter of 2021. 

DESIGNATED 
WORKERS (mSv) 

NON-DESIGNATED 
WORKERS (mSv) 

Timeframe 

Mean 

Max 

Mean 

2021 Q3 

2021 Q4 

2022 Q1 

2022 Q2 

0.35 

0.40 

N/A 

N/A 

1.07 

0.83 

N/A 

N/A 

0.12 

0.10 

0.04 

0.07 

Max 

0.37 

0.20 

0.07 

0.13 

The full radiation doses received by workers in 2022 
will be reported in the Annual Ranger Mine Radiation 
Protection and Atmospheric Monitoring Report. 

Process Safety 

In 2022 ERA continued a control-based process safety 
approach with oversight visits from Noetic, ERA’s 
independent process safety consultant, to continue 
transitioning operations onsite to Process Safety 
Transition to Closure Plan. Functions such as the Brine 
Concentrator continued to operate under the control-
based safety methodology, while most areas of the 
business moved to safety programs that better fit the 
requirements of closure and rehabilitation activities.

Emergency Response 

Building ERA’s Emergency Response Team skills 
and capabilities continued to be a focus in 2022. 
ERA invested in specialist training for existing team 
members and actively recruited new members to 
increase the emergency response capacity. 

ERA’s Emergency Response Team are trained to 
respond and provide support to onsite and offsite 
incidents, including site evacuations, fires and  
vehicle accidents. 

Radiation Monitoring 

ERA monitors radiation at the Ranger Project Area 
in accordance with the Company’s Radiation Policy 
and Radiation Management Plan. Performance in this 
area is measured against ERA’s Health, Safety and 
Environmental Management System, which is certified 
to Australian (AS4801) and international (ISO14001) 
standards. All radiation dose results continue to be 
reviewed internally by ERA and external regulators. 
Quarterly occupational radiation dose data for 
designated workers at the Ranger Project Area are 
provided to the Australian Government’s Australian 
Radiation Dose Register (ANRDR). 

In 2022, preliminary analysis of the available data on 
radiation doses received by workers at the Ranger 
Project Area remain well under the national and 
international dose limits and the natural background 
radiation levels. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  33

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report34  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

The Alligator Rivers Region Advisory Committee 
(ARRAC) provides a formal forum for consultation on 
matters relating to the effects of uranium mining on the 
environment in the region. Committee members include 
representatives of the Northern Territory Government, 
Australian Government, Northern Land Council, 
Aboriginal associations, mining companies (including 
ERA), West Arnhem Regional Council, Northern 
Territory Environment Centre and other members who 
may be appointed by the Australian Government’s 
Minister for the Environment. Further information on 
ARRAC can be found at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/
science-research/supervising-scientist/communication/
committees/arrac 

The Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee 
(ARRTC) also oversees the nature and extent of 
research being undertaken to protect and restore the 
environment from any effects of uranium mining in the 
Alligator Rivers Region. 

The 10 ARRTC members include independent 
scientists nominated by the Federation of Australian 
Scientists Branch and Technological Societies with 
the remaining representatives being drawn from 
the Supervising Scientist Branch, Northern Territory 
Government, Uranium Equities Ltd, Northern Land 
Council, Parks Australia and an environmental  
non-government organisation. Further information on 
ARRTC can be found at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/
science-research/supervising-scientist/communication/
committees/arrtc 

International and Australian 
Certification

ERA maintains international certification (ISO 14001) 
of its Health, Safety and Environment Management 
System, which includes the Company’s Water 
Management System. 

ERA also maintains Australian certification (AS4801) 
of its Health, Safety and Environment Management 
System including the Ranger Radiation Management 
System. 

Uranium mining activities in Australia are 
strictly regulated by the Australian and 
state or territory governments. 

The purpose of these regulations is to ensure uranium 
mining performance and compliance in a range 
of critical areas. These include health and safety, 
process safety, safely managing toxic and radioactive 
substances, waste disposal, transport safety, export 
controls, protecting and rehabilitating the environment, 
native title, exploration and development, taxes and 
royalties, labour standards and mine reclamation. 

International agreements designed to prevent nuclear 
proliferation also govern the mining and export of 
uranium. 

Exports are subject to strict safeguards and conditions 
to ensure Australian uranium is only used for peaceful 
purposes. 

Regulation of ERA’s Operations

Australian and Northern Territory legislation provide 
the regulatory framework for ERA’s uranium mining 
activities, including rehabilitation. 

ERA’s activities on the Ranger Project Area and 
Jabiluka Lease (MLN1) are closely supervised and 
monitored by key statutory bodies and stakeholder 
organisations including: 

 y Northern Territory Department of Industry, 
Tourism and Trade (DITT), the Australian 
Government Department of Industry, Science 
and Resources (DISR), the Supervising Scientist 
Branch (SSB), the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal 
Corporation (GAC) and the Northern Land 
Council (NLC) representing Mirarr Traditional 
Owners

 y

 y

Alligator Rivers Region Advisory Committee 
(including non-government organisation 
representatives)

Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee 
(including non-government organisation 
representatives). 

The Ranger and Jabiluka Minesite Technical 
Committees – made up of ERA, DITT, SSB, GAC and 
NLC (with DISR as observers) – are the key forums for 
approvals on environmental matters relating to Ranger 
and Jabiluka. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  35

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report36  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

FINANCIAL 
REPORT

CONTENTS

Directors’ Report 

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

Corporate Governance Statement 

Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Balance Sheet 

Statement of Changes in Equity 

Cash Flow Statement 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Shareholder Information (Unaudited)  

2022 ASX Announcements (Unaudited) 

Ten Year Performance (Unaudited) 

38

62

63

71

72

73

74

75

110

111

116

119

120

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  37

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportDIRECTORS’ REPORT

Directors

RICK DENNIS

BRAD WELSH

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE  
DIRECTOR AND CHAIR

CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND  
MANAGING DIRECTOR

BCom, LLB, CA

LLB, MMINENG

Mr Dennis was appointed as an independent  
Non-Executive Director in November 2022 and 
Independent Chair on 31 January 2023.

Mr Welsh was appointed as Acting Chief Executive of 
ERA in October 2021 and appointed as Chief Executive 
and Managing Director in February 2022.

Mr Welsh is a member of the Disclosure Committee.

Mr Welsh is from the Muruwari tribe in north-western 
New South Wales, and grew up in the Aboriginal 
community of Redfern, Sydney. Prior to joining ERA,  
Mr Welsh was the Chief Advisor Closure Strategy  
Non-Managed Assets with Rio Tinto.

Mr Welsh’s previous roles include Chief Advisor 
Indigenous Affairs with Rio Tinto and Acting General 
Manager of the Weipa bauxite operation in Northern 
Queensland which made Mr Welsh the first Indigenous 
general manager operations in Rio Tinto’s history.

Mr Dennis is Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and 
Independent Board Committee and a member of the 
Remuneration Committee and Disclosure Committee.

Mr Dennis had 35 years with global professional 
services firm Ernst & Young and was Queensland 
Managing Partner from 2001-2007. He held several 
executive and board roles at EY, including Chief 
Operating Officer in Oceania, and Deputy Chief 
Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the 
Asia-Pacific practice from 2010-2014 where he was 
responsible for overseeing the financial and operational 
integration of the Australian and Asian member firms.

Mr Dennis is currently non-executive Chair of ASX 
listed AF Legal Group Limited, a non-executive director 
of ASX-listed Motorcycle Holdings Limited, Cettire 
Limited, Apiam Animal Health Limited and Step One 
Clothing Limited, and is a member of the Queensland 
Advisory Board of Australian Super.

Mr Dennis is dual qualified in law and commerce.

38  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

HON. KEN WYATT

STUART GLENN

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR

AM, JP, BED, DIPED, DIPT

BSC, CSEP, MAICD

Hon Ken Wyatt AM JP was appointed as an 
independent Non-Executive Director in  
December 2022.

Mr Wyatt is Chair of the Remuneration Committee and 
a member of the Independent Board Committee and 
Sustainability Committee.

As a proud Noongar, Yamatji and Wongi man, Mr Wyatt 
brings extensive experience and a unique perspective 
to the Board of ERA. Mr Wyatt served as the Member 
for Hasluck in the Federal Parliament from 2010 to 
2022. He was first Indigenous Australian appointed 
to the Commonwealth Ministry and first Aboriginal 
Australian to serve in Cabinet when he was appointed 
Minister for Indigenous Australians (2019-2022).

Mr Wyatt served as Australia’s first Indigenous Minister 
for Indigenous Australians, where he was able to 
secure the historic National Agreement on Closing the 
Gap and established the Indigenous Voice. He also 
pioneered the National Roadmap on Indigenous Skills, 
Jobs and Wealth Creation and was instrumental in the 
Commonwealth Government securing the copyright to 
the Aboriginal Flag.

Not only has Mr Wyatt had an extensive career in 
health, education, Aboriginal Affairs and Aboriginal  
Land issues before entering politics, he has also made 
an enormous contribution to the wider community. This 
was recognised in 1996 when he was awarded the 
Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 
list and in 2000 the Centenary of Federation Medal for 
‘his efforts and contribution to improving the quality of 
life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and 
mainstream Australian society in education and health.’

Mr Glenn was appointed as an independent  
Non-Executive Director in February 2023.

Mr Glenn is Chair of the Rehabilitation Committee and 
a member of the Independent Board Committee and 
Audit and Risk Committee.

Mr Glenn has served as a professional Company 
Director for over 10 years where he is focused on 
asset management, project delivery and business 
improvements through better project management, 
increased data analytics and the introduction of 
accurate and timely reporting and controls. Prior to 
this, he had a successful executive management 
career, both in Australia and overseas in the Transport 
Infrastructure and Energy Sectors and held senior 
executive roles at Parson’s Brinckerhoff International 
(now known as WSP) who provides professional 
engineering, project management and program 
management services to global infrastructure projects.

Mr Glenn has held Chair and non-executive director 
roles in the Infrastructure, Oil & Gas, Planning and 
Energy sectors. He is currently the Chairman of Nukon 
Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Sage Group Ltd) and a non-
executive director of Sage Group Holdings Pty Ltd, and 
Epic Energy SA Pty Ltd (including numerous subsidiary 
companies in their national Renewable Energy 
generation portfolio).

Mr Glenn is a graduate of Columbia University and 
Murdoch University and is a member of the Australian 
Institute of Company Directors.

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  39

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportJUSTIN CAREY

ROSEMARY FAGEN

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BCom

Mr Carey was appointed as a Non-Executive Director  
in August 2019. Mr Carey was Interim Chair from 
October 2022 to 31 January 2023.

Mr Carey is Chair of the Disclosure Committee and  
a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Mr Carey brings extensive financial, technical and 
corporate experience, with over 25 years’ experience in 
a variety of commercial finance roles, with 20 of those 
years’ experience within the mining industry. In that 
time, Mr Carey spent two and a half years as CFO  
for Oyu Tolgoi LLC based in Mongolia.

Since leaving Mongolia, Mr Carey has held various 
roles within the Rio Tinto corporate finance team, 
including as finance officer for the Group’s corporate 
entities and leading the Group’s planning and 
forecasting processes as the General Manager 
Financial Planning & Analysis.

Mr Carey has served on several Rio Tinto entity 
boards and brings extensive experience in corporate 
governance and control processes.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MSc Biochemistry, MBA/GDM, AGSM GAICD

Ms Fagen was appointed as a Non- Executive  
Director in February 2022. 

Ms Fagen is Chair of the Sustainability Committee  
and a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Ms Fagen is currently the Head of Operational 
Excellence, People; Office of the Chief Operating 
Officer of Rio Tinto. As part of the Chief Operating 
Officer’s core team, Rosemary is driving 
transformational change to the business with the 
introduction of the Rio Tinto Safe Production System. 
She is providing the strategic approach to change 
management, ensuring the business is resourced, 
ready, empowered and engaged to bring together 
proven tools, rituals and leading practices into the  
one framework.

Ms Fagen holds post-graduate degrees in biochemistry 
and business administration. Ms Fagen has a wide 
variety of experience including overseeing Copper & 
Diamonds’ human resources strategies, processes and 
functions as Vice President, People & Organisation. 
Prior to this, Ms Fagen was Vice President, Human 
Resources Rio Tinto’s Energy group from 2010 to 2014. 
Before joining Rio Tinto, Ms Fagen held positions in 
the aviation sector including Executive Vice President, 
Human Resources for Qatar Airways and held senior 
human resources leadership positions with Qantas 
Group and AWA Limited.

40  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

JACQUES VAN TONDER

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MBAProjMgt, MMaint&AssMgt, GAICD

Mr van Tonder joined the ERA Board as a  
Non-Executive Director in May 2020.

Mr van Tonder is a member of the Rehabilitation 
Committee.

Mr van Tonder joined Rio Tinto more than 20 years  
ago and has held senior operational management roles 
at Palabora, Robe Valley, Cape Lambert Operations, 
Hope Downs 4 and Argyle. Mr van Tonder has been 
a senior leader in the Rio Tinto Group Technical 
functional team since 2017 and has been instrumental 
in leading the Asset Management global transformation 
programme as head of the Asset Management Centre 
of Excellence.

Mr van Tonder was appointed by the Oyu Tolgoi Board 
of Directors as the new Chief Development Officer for 
Oyu Tolgoi effective 1 December 2020.

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  41

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportExecutive Committee

BERNARD TOAKLEY

PROJECT DIRECTOR

Mr Toakley joined Energy Resources of Australia in 
October 2022 as Project Director. 

Prior to joining ERA Mr Toakley held senior project 
leadership positions with major energy companies and 
contractors both nationally and internationally.

RICHARD PREST

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND 
JOINT COMPANY SECRETARY

BE Chemical, MBA, AAICD

Mr Prest was appointed as Chief Financial Officer 
in March 2021 and appointed as joint Company 
Secretary in December 2021. 

Mr Prest brings substantial financial leadership, 
business development and transformation skills to 
ERA. Mr Prest has spent more than 30 years in the 
resources sector and brings previous experience as 
a CFO, General Manager of Finance and Director 
for Rio Tinto including Gove Operations in the 
Northern Territory.

Mr Prest has a degree in Chemical Engineering and 
a Master of Business Administration.

SHANNON COATES

JOINT COMPANY SECRETARY

LLB, BJuris, GAICD, ACIS

Ms Coates was appointed as joint Company Secretary 
in December 2021.

Ms Coates is a qualified lawyer, Chartered Secretary 
and graduate of the AICD’s Company Directors course. 
She has more than 25 years’ experience in corporate 
law and compliance, is an Executive Director of national 
governance service provider Source Governance and is 
currently company secretary to a number of ASX listed 
companies, with a strong focus on resources.

42  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Directors 

The persons who served as directors of ERA throughout 2022 and until the date of this Directors’ Report are: 

•  Rosemary Fagen was appointed as a Non-Executive Director on 1 February 2022;  
• 

Brad Welsh, having been initially appointed as Acting Chief Executive on 4 October 2021, was 
subsequently appointed as Chief Executive and Managing Director on 18 February 2022; 
Peter Mansell, Paul Dowd and Shane Charles resigned as Independent Non-Executive Directors on 6 
October 2022; 
Justin Carey was appointed as a Non-Executive Director on 7 August 2019; subsequently appointed 
Interim Chair on 6 October 2022; and reverted to Non-Executive Director on 31 January 2023; 

• 

• 

•  Richard (Rick) Dennis was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director on 23 November 2022 

and Independent Non-Executive Chair on 31 January 2023; 

•  Hon. Ken Wyatt was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director on 19 December 2022; 
Stuart Glenn was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director on 3 February 2023;  
• 
Jacques van Tonder was appointed as a Non-Executive Director on 29 May 2020; 
• 

Details of the qualifications, experience and special responsibilities of the current Directors of ERA are set out on 
pages 38 to 41 of this Report.  

Meetings of Directors 

The number of Directors and committee meetings held and the number of meetings attended by each of the Directors 
of the Company during the financial year are shown below: 

DIRECTORS8 

AUDIT  
AND RISK 
COMMITTEE8 

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE8 

SUSTAINABILITY 
COMMITTEE8 

REHABILITATION 
COMMITTEE8 

OTHER8,9 

R Dennis1 

B Welsh2 

K Wyatt3 

S Glenn4 

J Carey5 

R Fagen6 

J van Tonder 

P Mansell7 

S Charles7 

P Dowd7 

2/2 

9/9 

- 

- 

9/9 

9/9 

8/9 

6/6 

6/6 

6/6 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

3/3 

3/3 

3/3 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1/1 

1/1 

1/1 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

0/2 

- 

2/2 

2/2 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

6/12 

- 

6/12 

12/12 

- 

1/1 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

22/23 

23/23 

22/23 

Note 1  Appointed as a Director 23 November 2022. Appointed as Chair effective 31 January 2023. 
Note 2  Appointed as a Director 18 February 2022. Mr Welsh attended meetings in his role as Acting Chief Executive until being appointed as a Director. 
Note 3   Appointed as a Director 19 December 2022. 
Note 4   Appointed as a Director 3 February 2023. 
Note 5  Mr Carey attended meetings in his role as Interim Chair effective 6 October 2022.  
Note 6  Appointed as a Director 1 February 2022. 
Note 7  Resigned as a Director 6 October 2022. 
Note 8  Number of meetings attended / maximum the Director was eligible to attend. 
Note 9  Other meetings include meetings of the Independent Board Committee and Disclosure Committee.  

Following the resignation of independent Non-Executive Directors Peter Mansell, Shane Charles and Paul Dowd, all 
Board Committees were suspended on 13 October 2022. The Rehabilitation Committee was re-established on 16 
December 2022. The Independent Board Committee (IBC) was re-established on 31 January 2023 and remaining 
Committees were re-established on 16 February 2023. 

Mr Welsh was invited to meetings of the Audit and Risk Committee, Rehabilitation Committee and the Sustainability 
Committee and attended such meetings as an attendee. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  43

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Interests of Directors 

The interests of each Director in the share capital of the Company and its related body corporates as at 10 March 
2023 are shown below: 

DIRECTORS 

B Welsh1 

S Glenn2 

J Carey 

R Fagen3 

J van Tonder 

ENERGY RESOURCES 
OF AUSTRALIA LTD 
ORDINARY SHARES 

RIO TINTO LIMITED 
ORDINARY SHARES 

RIO TINTO LIMITED 
CONDITIONAL INTERESTS 
IN ORDINARY SHARES 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

5,256 

149 

7,235 

29,332 

- 

2,110 

- 

2,019 

18,081 

5,339 

Note 1  Appointed as a Director 18 February 2022.  
Note 2   Appointed as a Director 3 February 2023. 
Note 3   Appointed as a Director 1 February 2022. 
Note 4  Mr Dennis and Mr Wyatt do not hold shares or conditional interests in shares in Rio Tinto Limited. 

44  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Remuneration report 

The Remuneration Report is set out under the 
following main headings: 

A. 

B. 

C. 

D. 

E. 

F. 

G. 

Board oversight of remuneration 

Principles used to determine non-executive 
Directors’ remuneration 

Principles used to determine executive 
remuneration 

Details of remuneration 

Executive service agreements 

Share based compensation 

Additional information 

The information provided in the Remuneration 
Report has been audited by the Company’s 
independent auditor as required by section 
308(3C) of the Corporations Act 2001. 

A  Board oversight of 
remuneration 

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for 
reviewing, and where appropriate making 
recommendations to the Board in respect of, the 
following matters: 

•  Remuneration framework and policies 

(including key performance indicators) for 
the Company’s senior executives; 
•  Remuneration and performance of the 

Company’s senior executives; 

•  Remuneration of the Company’s non-

executive Directors;  

•  Remuneration disclosures to be made by 

the Company; and 

•  Other relevant matters identified as 

requested by the Board. 

The Remuneration Committee Charter is available 
at the Corporate Governance section of ERA’s 
website. 

B  Principles used to determine 
non-executive Directors’ 
remuneration 

Fees and payments to non-executive Directors reflect 
the demands which are made on, and the 
responsibilities of, the non-executive Directors. The 
Remuneration Committee reviews and makes 
recommendations to the Board regarding non- 
executive Directors’ remuneration.  

These fees are comprised of a base fee and any fees 
payable to non-executive Directors for their 
membership on established committees of the Board. 
ERA does not pay retirement or post-employment 
benefits to non-executive Directors, however, 
statutory superannuation contributions are paid to 
non-executive Directors. In addition, from time to time, 
the Board may approve that non-executive Directors 
receive additional fees for services provided outside 
the established committee processes. 

The following principles are applied in determining the 
remuneration of non-executive Directors: 

• 

• 

The responsibilities of, and time spent by, 
the non-executive Directors on the affairs of 
ERA, including preparation time; 
Acknowledgement of the personal risk 
borne as a Director; 

•  Comparison with professional market rates 
of remuneration to remain competitive with 
the market having regard to companies of 
similar size and complexity; and 
The desire to attract Directors of a high 
calibre with appropriate levels of expertise 
and experience. 

• 

At the 2008 Annual General Meeting, shareholders 
resolved to amend the Constitution of the Company to 
provide that the aggregate remuneration for non-
executive Directors of ERA would be not more than 
$800,000 per annum. At the 2020 Annual General 
Meeting, the resolution to increase this limit to 
$950,000 was approved with 96.80 per cent of shares 
voting in favour (voting comprised 3,488,564,371 
votes ‘for’ the resolution and 115,041,466 votes 
‘against’ the resolution). At the 2022 Annual General 
Meeting, the 2021 Remuneration Report was 
approved with 99.92 per cent of shares voted in 
favour (voting comprised 3,187,997,362 votes ‘for’ the 
resolution and 2,404,578 votes ‘against’ the 
resolution). North Limited and Peko-Wallsend Pty Ltd, 
which are both Rio Tinto entities, voted a combined 
total of 3,186,682,634 votes ‘for’ the resolution. The 
aggregate amount of non-executive Directors’ 
remuneration paid in 2022 was approximately 
$812,000 inclusive of statutory superannuation. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  45

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

The non-executive Directors’ fees were last reviewed 
by the Board in January 2022. The annual fees for 
non-executive Directors for 2022 (excluding 
superannuation) were as follows: 

2022 

2021 

Chair 

$194,826 

$186,080 

Non-executive 
Director 

Audit and Risk 
Committee Chair1 

Audit and Risk 
Committee Member1 

Sustainability 
Committee Chair1 

Sustainability 
Committee Member1 

Remuneration 
Committee Chair1 

Independent Board 
Committee1 

$108,237 

$103,378 

$25,977 

$24,811 

$14,352 

$13,708 

$22,080 

$21,089 

$14,352 

$13,708 

$22,080 

$21,089 

$14,352 

- 

Note 1  Fees are payable in addition to Chair and non-executive  

Director fees. 

The Board also confirmed that all non-executive 
Director and Committee fees should increase by a 
percentage equal to the average increase awarded to 
employees across the Company until the next detailed 
review is conducted. 

C  Principles used to determine 
executive remuneration 

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for the 
review of, and where appropriate will make 
recommendations to the Board in respect of, 
executive remuneration. 

The Corporations Act 2001 and relevant Accounting 
Standards require disclosures in respect of “key 
management personnel”, being those persons having 
authority and responsibility for planning, directing and 
controlling the activities of the Company. 

The key management personnel are, in addition to the 
Directors, the General Managers of the Company 
reporting directly to the Chief Executive. Throughout 
this Remuneration Report the key management 
personnel who are not Directors are collectively 
referred to as “senior executives”. 

As the Company is a member company of the Rio 
Tinto Group, it generally implements the remuneration 
policies and procedures determined by the Rio Tinto 
Remuneration Committee and applied to senior 
management personnel across the wider Rio Tinto 
Group to determine the remuneration of the Chief 
Executive and senior executives. 

As a member of the Rio Tinto Group, ERA’s Chief 
Executive and senior executives are seconded from 
Rio Tinto and are hence drawn from the talented pool 
of executives in the wider Rio Tinto Group. It is the 
view of the Remuneration Committee (which has been 
endorsed by the Board) that a company of ERA’s 
size, scope and remote location would have 
significant difficulty in attracting executives of the 
calibre necessary to ensure superior performance or 
in retaining them for significant periods if this 
arrangement was not in place. Under these 
circumstances, the Board believes that the general 
application of the Rio Tinto remuneration framework 
to ERA’s Chief Executive and senior executives, with 
appropriate review by the Company’s Remuneration 
Committee, is of benefit to ERA. 

For the purposes of assessing the appropriate level of 
remuneration, the Australian resources sector is 
considered the most relevant comparator group. 
Additional references are also made to other relevant 
supplementary comparator groups. Typically, base 
salaries are positioned at the median of these 
comparator groups, while incentive plans are 
designed with the potential to deliver total 
remuneration outcomes across the full market range 
according to business and individual performance. 
The related costs of these programs are recognised in 
the Company’s financial statements. 

Executive remuneration, including base salary and 
short and long term incentive plan awards, and other 
terms of employment are reviewed annually having 
regard to the evaluation of individual and business 
performance against goals set at the start of the year, 
global economic conditions and relevant comparative 
information. As well as base salary, remuneration 
packages may include fringe benefits such as medical 
insurance, car, rent and other allowances, 
superannuation, retirement entitlements and short and 
long term incentives. 

The annual performance evaluation and management 
process for 2022 included formal consultation 
between the Chair (based on the Remuneration 
Committee’s review and recommendations) and the 
Rio Tinto Chief Executive Australia, regarding the 
Chief Executive of the Company, and between the 
Remuneration Committee and the Chief Executive of 
the Company regarding the senior executives. 

An annual performance evaluation of the Chief 
Executive and senior executives was undertaken in 
2022. 

The executive pay and reward framework is designed 
to provide a total remuneration package which is 
competitive in the market, aligns total remuneration 
with delivered individual and short and long term 
business performance, strikes an appropriate balance 
between fixed and variable components, links variable 
components to the achievement of challenging 
individual and business performance targets, and 
ensures the attraction, motivation and retention of the 
high calibre senior executives required to lead the 
Company. 

46  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
  
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

The executive pay and reward framework has four 
components: 

• 
• 
• 

Base salary and benefits; 
Short term incentive plans; 
Long term incentive plans through 
participation in the Rio Tinto Equity 
Incentive Plan (EIP), share-based 
remuneration, including management share 
awards (MSA), performance share awards 
(PSA) and bonus deferral awards (BDA) 
where applicable; and 
•  Other remuneration such as 

superannuation. 

Performance and non-performance related 
remuneration 

Total remuneration is a combination of the fixed, 
performance and service related elements described 
in this report. The short and long term incentives are 
the variable components of the total remuneration 
package and are therefore “at risk”. They are tied to 
achievement of specific business measures, individual 
performance and service. Other components are 
referred to as “fixed” as they are not at risk. 

The long term incentive plans are designed to provide 
a target expected value of between 22.5 and 30 per 
cent of base salary for the senior executives and the 
Chief Executive, delivered in any one year through a 
blend of PSAs, MSAs and BDAs. In 2022 only MSAs 
were awarded to the ERA Chief Executive and senior 
executives. 

Excluding post-employment and non-monetary 
benefits, the proportion of total direct remuneration, 
assuming maximum award levels and maximum 
levels of performance, provided by way of variable at 
risk components as at 31 December 2022 for the 
Chief Executive and senior executives was between 
50 and 60 per cent. The actual proportion of total 
direct remuneration provided by way of variable 
performance related components will differ from these 
percentages depending on measured Company, Rio 
Tinto and individual performance and the current 
blend of share plans. 

Base salary 

Base salary is set at a level consistent with market 
expectations within the wider Rio Tinto 
remuneration framework and may be delivered as 
a mix of cash and prescribed non-financial 
benefits. It is targeted broadly at the median of 
companies of similar size, global reach and 
complexity, including other large natural resource 
companies. Base salary is reviewed annually and 
adjusted taking into account the individual and 
Company performance, global economic 
conditions, role responsibilities, an assessment 
against comparator groups, internal relativities 
and base salary budgets applying to the broader 
employee population. In 2022 due to higher than 
expected inflation a one-off salary increase was 
provided to Chief Executive, senior executives 
and ERA staff of 2.7 per cent. 

Short term incentive plan 

The short term incentive plan provides a bonus 
opportunity and is designed to support the overall 
remuneration policy by focusing management 
personnel on calendar year performance against 
challenging individual and business targets. 

Short term incentive performance conditions 

Individual performance is reviewed against relevant 
targets and objectives annually. The Chief Executive 
and senior executives (excluding the Project Director) 
of the Company have 40 per cent of their 
performance-based bonus based on business 
measures, with the remainder based on individual 
measures. 

The bonus payments shown as remuneration relate to 
performance in 2022. 

The Company’s business performance measures for 
2022 used in the determination of short term incentive 
plan payments were: 

• 

• 

Safety - All Injury Frequency Rate, and 
measures relating to the Safety Maturity 
Model; 
Business – completion of wicking 
installation, completion of mechanical and 
electrical certificates of completion for Brine 
Squeezer upgrade, Pit 3 capping approval, 
Brine injection wells commission, Brine 
Concentrator performance and Brine 
Concentrator Improvement Plan. 

Incentive Plans 

In 2018, Rio Tinto implemented a new discretionary 
employee share plan, for executive directors and 
employees. The EIP replaced Rio Tinto’s 
Performance Share Plan (PSP) 2013, Management 
Share Plan (MSP) 2007 and Bonus Deferral Plan 
(BDP). This allowed Rio Tinto to continue operating 
its long- term incentive arrangements (including bonus 
deferred awards) through a single set of plan rules. As 
previously outlined, the Remuneration Committee 
believes that the general application of the Rio Tinto 
remuneration framework (including the EIP to ERA’s 
Chief Executive and senior executives, with 
appropriate review by the Remuneration Committee) 
is of benefit to the Company. During 2022, the 
Remuneration Committee reviewed the position for 
future years.  

Awards under the EIP can take the form of: 

•  Conditional Awards - under which the 
participant receives shares for free 
automatically to the extent the award vests 
(which may be subject to the achievement 
of performance conditions); 
Forfeitable Shares - under which the 
participant receives free shares on grant, 
which must be given back to the extent the 
award lapses; 

• 

•  Other forms of awards are permitted under 

the EIP and may be used in the event the 
Rio Tinto Groups renumeration approach 
changes. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  47

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Inclusion of other award types is to provide for 
sufficient flexibility in the future should the Group’s 
remuneration approach change during the life of the 
Plan. Awards may also be granted as cash awards. 

An award may be granted on the basis that it will 
normally only vest to the extent that a performance 
condition, set by the Rio Tinto Remuneration 
Committee at the time of grant, is satisfied by Rio 
Tinto. However, awards representing deferred 
bonuses will not be subject to performance conditions. 
The vesting of awards granted to executive directors 
(other than bonus deferred awards) will always be 
subject to a performance condition, except as 
otherwise permitted by Rio Tinto’s Remuneration 
Policy. 

Conditional awards and options will be granted on the 
basis that the participant will receive dividend 
equivalents for the vesting period (in additional shares 
or cash) when, and to the extent that, the award vests 
or is exercised. The dividend equivalent will be 
calculated based on the aggregate value of dividends 
paid during the vesting period unless the Rio Tinto 
Remuneration Committee decides to use a different 
approach. 

Awards will normally vest, to the extent that any 
performance condition is met, at the end of a period 
set when the award is granted or the end of the period 
over which any performance condition is tested. 
Shares will be issued or transferred to the participant 
on vesting. Vesting may be delayed where a 
participant is subject to any external investigation or 
similar circumstances. 

If Rio Tinto was subject to a change of control, awards 
will vest subject to the extent to which any 
performance condition has been satisfied. 
Alternatively, participants may be allowed or required 
to exchange their awards for equivalent awards over 
shares in the acquiring company. If awards vest, the 
awards will be pro-rated unless the Rio Tinto 
Remuneration Committee decides otherwise. 
However, no pro rating will apply to deferred bonus 
awards or on performance share awards where the 
participant leaves more than three years after the 
grant. 

Awards 

The current intention remains that awards will be 
made under the EIP in the form of Conditional Awards 
in line with the Rio Tinto Group’s Remuneration 
Policy. 

Performance Share Awards 

Performance Share Awards (PSA), provide a 
conditional right to Rio Tinto shares to eligible senior 
management personnel within the Rio Tinto Group, 
including the Chief Executive and senior executives of 
ERA. Award levels under the EIP are at the discretion 
of Rio Tinto and the ERA Remuneration Committee. 

The conditional awards only vest if the performance 
condition set by the Rio Tinto Remuneration 
Committee is satisfied by Rio Tinto, although the Rio 
Tinto Remuneration Committee retains discretion to 
satisfy itself that satisfaction of the performance 
condition is a genuine reflection of the underlying 
performance of the business. Prior to the vesting of 
conditional awards, Rio Tinto’s Total Shareholder 
Return (TSR) performance against the performance 
condition is calculated independently by Deloitte. 

Subject to Rio Tinto Remuneration Committee 
approval, awards vest based on the Rio Tinto Group’s 
TSR performance against the MSCI World Index (one 
half) and the EMIX Global Mining Index (one half), 
relative to global mining comparators. This is 
reviewed at 31 December of the fifth year of the grant. 
The level of vesting depends on performance against 
the indices.  

IHS Markit, the provider of the EMIX Global Mining 
Index, is conducting a consultation on the cessation of 
the EMIX indices, including the EMIX Global Mining 
Index. If the EMIX Global Mining Index is 
discontinued, the Rio Tinto Remuneration Committee 
will review and determine an appropriate approach to 
measuring TSR performance relative to sector peers 
for the 2023 PSAs as well as other in-flight awards. 

Management Share Awards 

Management Share Awards (MSA) are 
conditional grants of Rio Tinto shares to eligible 
employees of the company which will vest, wholly 
or partly, upon expiry of a three-year vesting 
period. Award levels under the EIP are at the 
discretion of Rio Tinto. 

Other Share Plans 

All employees of the company may participate in Rio 
Tinto share purchase plans applicable at particular 
locations. Under the plan (known as and referred to 
later in this report as myShare), employees may 
acquire shares up to the value of US$5,250 (or local 
currency equivalent) per year, capped at 15 per cent 
of their base salary. Each share purchased will be 
matched by Rio Tinto and paid by ERA (currently at a 
ratio of one for one) providing the participant holds the 
shares and remains employed at the end of the three-
year vesting period. Further details are at Note 32 to 
the Financial Statements. 

Share dealing policy 

The participation of the Chief Executive and senior 
executives in the Rio Tinto share plans involving the 
awarding of Rio Tinto securities at a future date, and 
any grants of shares and options under these plans, is 
subject to and conditional upon compliance with the 
terms of the ‘Rio Tinto Securities Dealing Policy’ 
(Dealing Rules). The Dealing Rules for dealing 
expressly prohibit the limiting of exposure to economic 
risk in relation to such securities, and are available on 
the Rio Tinto website at www.riotinto.com. 

48  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

D  Details of remuneration 

Details of the remuneration of each non-executive and executive Director and each of the senior executives in 
respect of their services to the Company are set out in the following section. 

Non-executive Directors of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd 

SHORT TERM BENEFITS 

POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS 

DIRECTORS 
FEES 
 ($000) 

CASH 
 BONUS  
($000) 

NON-CASH 
 BENEFITS  
($000) 

SUPER-
ANNUATION 
 ($000) 

TOTAL 
 ($000) 

R Dennis1 

K Wyatt2 

J Carey 

R Fagen3 

J van Tonder 

P Mansell4 

S Charles4 

P Dowd4 

M Hanrahan5 

Total 2022 

Total 2021 

2022 

2022 

2022 

2021 

2022 

2022 

2021 

2022 

2021 

2022 

2021 

2022 

2021 

2021 

11  

5  

107  

103  

98  

118  

117  

185  

221  

123  

142  

120  

138  

33  

767  

754  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

- 

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

- 

-  

-  

-  

1  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

19  

22  

13  

14  

12  

13  

-  

45  

49  

12  

5  

107  

103  

98  

118  

117  

204  

243  

136  

156  

132  

151  

33  

812  

803  

Note 1  Appointed as a Director 23 November 2022. Appointed as Chair effective 31 January 2023. 
Note 2  Appointed as a Director 19 December 2022. 
Note 3  Appointed as a Director 1 February 2022. 
Note 4  Resigned as a Director 6 October 2022. 
Note 5  Resigned as a Director 28 April 2021. 

Executive Director and senior executives 

Set out below is an overview of the remuneration paid to the Executive Director and senior executives in 2022. 
This includes details of the key elements of remuneration and a summary of total remuneration for 2022. 

Brad Welsh 

(Acting Chief Executive from 4 October 2021, Chief Executive and Managing Director from  
18 February 2022)  

Base salary 

Mr Welsh was appointed as Acting Chief Executive on 4 October 2021 and appointed Chief Executive and Managing 
Director on 18 February 2022. Mr Welsh’s base salary was reviewed annually with reference to the underlying 
performance of ERA and the Rio Tinto Group, global economic conditions, role responsibility, individual performance, 
an assessment against relevant comparator groups, internal relativities and base salary budgets applying to the 
broader employee population. 

On 31 December 2022, Mr Welsh’s base salary was $400,530 (31 December 2021 $324,800, in addition a higher 
duties allowance of $64,960 per year was payable). 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  49

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

STIP objectives 

The following individual objectives were set for Mr Welsh for 2022:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

Prevention of high consequence safety and environmental events. Demonstrate Health, Safety and 
Environment leadership and lead sustained improvement in health and safety performance;  
Establishing an enhanced project execution capability model to effectively deliver Ranger Rehabilitation. 
Effective implementation of Ranger Rehabilitation Project, including strategies for water management, 
completion of wicking installation, and progress on the 2022 Feasibility Study;  
Provision of high quality support to the Independent Board committee in respect of potential funding 
solutions to meet future rehabilitation obligations; and 
Effective leadership behaviours in interaction with employees, the Board and stakeholders including 
Traditional Owners, regulators, investors and the community. 

STIP outcomes 

Mr Welsh’s achievement against his 2022 individual objectives was assessed as ‘good’.  

Mr Welsh’s 2022 STIP appraisal relates to his performance in the role of ERA Chief Executive and was assessed at 
98.2% out of 200%. The individual performance component representing 60% and business performance 
representing 40%, with an appraised score of 100.0% and 95.5% respectively.  

Detailed outcomes are below:  

All Injury Frequency Rate to 0.00 (2021; 0.00); 

• 
•  Design and implementation progressed of an Integrated Project Management Team, with Bechtel BAPL’s 

• 
• 
• 
• 

support; 
2022 Feasibility Study progressing, with completion expected in September 2023; 
Pit 3 wicking behind schedule with completion now expected March 2023;  
Brine concentrator distillate production below target; 
Interim funding solution progressed and subsequently put on hold pending Board Renewal and re-
establishment of the IBC; and 

•  Continued building strong and effective relationships with key stakeholders.  

LTIP awards granted 

Award levels are set so as to incentivise executives to provide sufficient retention for the executive team and to 
contribute to the competitiveness of the overall remuneration package. The value of the MSAs granted to Mr Welsh in 
2022, based on the expected value calculations performed by independent advisors, was 30 per cent of base salary. 
The award is not subject to any performance conditions. 

Total remuneration 

The table below provides a summary of Mr Welsh’s total remuneration disclosed for ERA for 2022. The purpose of 
this table is to enable shareholders to better understand the actual remuneration received and to provide an overview 
of the actual outcomes of the Company’s remuneration arrangements. 

(STATED IN $’000) 

Base salary paid1 

STIP cash bonus 

LTIP share based payments 

Superannuation 

Other benefits2 

Total remuneration 

% change from previous year 

% of maximum STIP cash bonus awarded 

% of maximum STIP cash bonus forfeited 

2022 

20213 

379 

118 

92 

92 

226 

907 

- 

49% 

51% 

81 

25 

32 

9 

23 

170 

- 

61% 

39% 

Note 1   Salaries are reviewed with effect from 1 March, with the next review due March 2023. 
Note 2   Other benefits include accommodation, relocation, vehicle and other allowances and Company paid superannuation above statutory requirements that is 

taken as cash. 

Note 3   Remuneration disclosed from date appointed as Acting Chief Executive on 4 October 2021. 

50  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Senior executives 

Base salary 

Base salaries are reviewed annually, with reference to the underlying performance of ERA, the Rio Tinto Group and 
the individual, global economic conditions, role responsibility, an assessment against relevant comparator groups and 
base salary budgets applying to the broader employee population. 

At the end of 2021 and 2022, the base salaries of the Company’s senior executives were:  

BASE SALARY $000 

Richard Prest1 

Bernard Toakley2 

Forrest Egerton3 

Alan Tietzel4 

Lesley Bryce5 

David Blanch6 

2022 

372  

560  

308  

401  

-  

-  

2021 

CHANGE 

355  

-  

294  

383  

336  

264  

5% 

-  

5% 

5%  

- 

- 

Note 1    Appointed as Chief Financial Officer in March 2021. 
Note 2    Appointed as Project Director in October 2022 on a services contract with a daily rate of $2,800. In addition, a bonus of 15% of consultancy services paid 

is payable upon successful completion of the project. Annualised salary equivalent reported above excluding bonus payment. 

Note 3    Appointed as General Manager Closure in January 2021. Retrenched as General Manager Closure in November 2022. 
Note 4    Retrenched as General Manager External Relations in July 2022. 
Note 5    Resigned as General Manager Operations in January 2021. 
Note 6   Resigned as Chief Financial Officer in March 2021. 

STIP objectives and outcomes 

The individual objectives set out below relate to the 2022 financial year (with the corresponding STIP Award paid in 
2023). 

SUMMARY OF INDIVIDUAL OBJECTIVES 

Richard Prest 

Prevention of high consequence safety and environmental events; 

• 
•  Demonstrate Health, Safety and Environment leadership and contribute to sustained improvement in 

• 

• 

health and safety performance; 
Provide leadership in establishing an enhanced project execution capability model; 

Provision of high quality support to the Independent Board committee in respect of potential funding 
solutions to meet future rehabilitation obligations; 

•  Deliver efficient and effective commercial support services to ERA, including IT, procurement and site 

• 

services; 
Effective leadership and stakeholder engagement around key activities to support a successful Jabiru 
town transition; 

•  Deliver excellence in accounting, performance reporting and financial forecasting; and 

•  Demonstrate behaviours that align with the values of accountability, teamwork, integrity and respect. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  51

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

A summary of the individual targets and performance for each of the Company’s senior executives (other than the 
Chief Executive) for the 2022 financial year (with the corresponding STIP Award paid in 2023) is set out in the table 
below. 

MEASURES 

Richard Prest 

Business and financial performance 

Health and Safety 

Individual 

Total 

Forrest Egerton2 

Business and financial performance 

Health and Safety 

Individual 

Total 

Alan Tietzel3 

Business and financial performance 

Health and Safety 

Individual 

Total 

WEIGHT (%) 

RESULT 
 (OUT OF  
200%) 

WEIGHTED 
 RESULT (%) 

25.0 

15.0 

60.0 

100.0 

25.0 

15.0 

60.0 

100.0 

25.0 

15.0 

60.0 

100.0 

44.8 

180.0 

120.0 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

11.2 

27.0 

72.0 

110.2 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Note 1  B Toakley appointed as Project Director in October 2022 as a contractor. No STIP to be paid under the consulting services contract. 
Note 2  Retrenched as General Manager Closure in November 2022.  
Note 3  Retrenched as General Manager External Relations in July 2022. 

52  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

A summary of the individual targets and performance for each of the Company’s senior executives (other than the 
Chief Executive) for the 2021 financial year (with corresponding STIP Award paid in 2022) is set out in the table 
below. 

MEASURES 

Richard Prest 

Business and financial performance 

Health and Safety 

Individual 

Total 

Forrest Egerton 

Business and financial performance 

Health and Safety 

Individual 

Total 

Alan Tietzel 

Business and financial performance 

Health and Safety 

Individual 

Total 

Lesley Bryce1 

Business and financial performance 

Health and Safety 

Individual 

Total 

David Blanch2 

Business and financial performance 

Health and Safety 

Individual 

Total 

WEIGHT (%) 

RESULT 
 (OUT OF  
200%) 

WEIGHTED 
 RESULT (%) 

25.0 

15.0 

60.0 

100.0 

25.0 

15.0 

60.0 

100.0 

25.0 

15.0 

60.0 

100.0  

25.0 

15.0 

60.0 

100.0  

25.0 

15.0 

60.0 

100.0  

50.4  

133.0  

100.0  

- 

50.4  

133.0  

80.0  

- 

50.4  

133.0  

60.0  

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

12.6  

20.0  

60.0  

92.6  

12.6  

20.0  

48.0  

80.6  

12.6  

20.0  

36.0  

68.6  

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Note 1  Resigned as General Manager Operations in January 2021  
Note 2  Resigned as Chief Financial Officer in March 2021. 

LTIP awards 

Award levels are set so as to incentivise executives to provide sufficient retention for the executive team and to 
contribute to the competitiveness of the overall remuneration package. The value of the awards granted to the 
Company’s senior executives (other than the Chief Executive) in 2022, based on the fair value calculations performed 
by independent advisors, was between 22.5 per cent and 30.0 per cent of base salary. 

Bernard Toakley, Project Director is on a services contract and not eligible to participate in the STIP or LTIP but is 
eligible for a project completion bonus equivalent to 15% of his consultancy fees. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  53

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Executive Director and senior executives total remuneration 

SHORT TERM BENEFITS 

POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS 

CASH 
SALARY 

($000) 

CASH 
BONUS9 

($000) 

OTHER10 

($000) 

RETENTION 
PAYMENTS11 

TERMINATION 
PAYMENTS5,6 

SUPER- 
ANNUATION 
PENSION 

LONG TERM 
INCENTIVES 

($000) 

($000) 

($000) 

($000) 

Executive Director 

B Welsh1  

P Arnold2  

2022 

2021 

2021 

Senior executives 

2022 

2021 

2022 

2022 

2021 

2022 

2021 

2021 

2021 

R Prest3  

B Toakley4 

F Egerton5 

A Tietzel6  

L Bryce7 

D Blanch8  

Total 2022 

Total 2021  

379 

81 

316 

366 

266 

148 

262 

294 

228 

382 

28 

67 

1,383 

1,434 

118 

25 

- 

122 

99 

- 

- 

59 

- 

79 

- 

- 

240 

262 

226 

23 

98 

59 

55 

- 

160 

137 

54 

120 

6 

23 

499 

462 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

242 

76 

- 

- 

- 

- 

242 

76 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

946 

- 

963 

- 

- 

- 

1,909 

- 

TOTAL 

($000) 

907 

170 

609 

738 

539 

170 

1,737 

668 

1,380 

736 

46 

109 

92 

9 

25 

79 

23 

- 

56 

53 

50 

30 

5 

7 

92 

32 

170 

112 

96 

22 

71 

49 

85 

125 

7 

12 

277 

152 

382 

4,932 

491 

2,877 

Note 1   Performance related cash bonus: 49 per cent awarded in 2022, 51 per cent forfeited. 61 per cent awarded in 2021, 39 per cent forfeited. 2021 cash 

bonus apportioned for time employed by ERA. 

Note 2   No performance related cash bonus was granted for services to ERA in 2022 and 2021.  
Note 3   Performance related cash bonus: 55 per cent awarded in 2022, 45 per cent forfeited. 46 per cent awarded in 2021, 54 per cent forfeited. 
Note 4   Mr Toakley’ cash salary amount is representative of consultancy fees paid on his services contract commencing 24 October 2022. Completion bonus 

(long term incentives) is accrued but not payable until successful completion of the project, it represents 15% of his consultancy services paid. 

Note 5   As a result of a restructure of the company’s executive committee, Mr Egerton’ role with the company was made redundant in November 2022. The 

termination payment described above comprised unused leave, a payment of six months salary in lieu of notice pursuant to the terms of his employment 
contract, and payments made in accordance with the company’s redundancy policy which included a service payment, an ex gratia payment, pro rata 
payment for short term incentive plan bonus and pro rata vesting of long term incentive plan. No performance related cash bonus was granted for 
services to ERA in 2022. 40 per cent awarded in 2021, 60 per cent forfeited. 

Note 6   As a result of a restructure of the company’s executive committee, Mr Tietzel’ role with the company was made redundant in July 2022. The termination 

payment described above comprised unused leave, a payment of six months salary in lieu of notice pursuant to the terms of his employment contract, 
and payments made in accordance with the company’s redundancy policy which included a service payment, an ex gratia payment, pro rata payment for 
short term incentive plan bonus and pro rata vesting of long term incentive plan. No performance related cash bonus was granted for services to ERA in 
2022. 34 per cent awarded in 2021, 66 per cent forfeited.  

Note 7   No performance related cash bonus was granted for services to ERA in 2022 and 2021. Resigned January 2021. 
Note 8   No performance related cash bonus was granted for services to ERA in 2022 and 2021. Resigned March 2021. 
Note 9   Performance and related bonuses disclosed in 2022 relate to services in 2022 (equally bonuses disclosed in 2021 relate to services in 2021). 
Note 10   Other benefits include relocation, accommodation, travel, vehicle, other allowances, Company paid superannuation above statutory requirement that is 

taken as cash excluding cash paid site allowances which are treated as cash salary. 

Note 11   Retention Payments were a conditional discretionary cash bonus aimed at retaining employees considered critical to ERA delivering on its commitments 

in relation to stockpile processing and rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area until 31 December 2020. 

The value of share based awards has been determined in accordance with the recognition and measurement 
requirements of AASB 2 ‘Share-based Payment’. The fair value of awards granted under the Rio Tinto 2018 Equity 
Incentive Plan, the Rio Tinto Management Share Plan (MSP), Bonus Deferral Plan (BDP), Performance Share Plan 
(PSP) and myShare has been calculated at their dates of grant using valuation models provided by external 
consultants Lane Clark and Peacock LLP, including an independent lattice-based option valuation model and a 
Monte Carlo valuation model which takes into account the constraints on vesting attached to these awards. 

54  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

E  Executive service agreements 

For reasons explained on page 46, as a member of the Rio Tinto Group, ERA’s Chief Executive and senior 
executives are seconded from Rio Tinto under agreements between ERA and Rio Tinto. 

The secondment agreements provide for the Chief Executive and senior executives to work under the direction of 
and be responsible to the ERA Board. They include acknowledgements from Rio Tinto to the effect that the 
relevant executive’s duties as an officer of ERA will require him or her to, among other things, act in good faith in 
the best interests of ERA as a whole and that, in doing so, the executive will be taken to be performing his or her 
duties to the relevant Rio Tinto employing company. 

As part of the process of appointment of a senior executive (including the Chief Executive) under this secondment 
arrangement, the relevant executive is provided with a written statement relating to their responsibilities and 
duties as an officer of the Company, which they are required to sign for their appointment. 

Under the secondment agreements, during the secondment period ERA must pay amounts in respect of the 
relevant executive’s base salary and other entitlements in accordance with their employment agreements with Rio 
Tinto. The employment agreements provide for participation of the relevant executives in the Rio Tinto short and 
long term incentive plans upon achieving performance and service goals. The employment agreements may also 
provide for other benefits, including: medical insurance, vehicle and accommodation allowances, relocation 
allowances and expenses and travel allowances. 

In setting the executives’ remuneration and any rewards based on performance, the Rio Tinto employing 
company is required to have regard to the recommendations of the ERA Board, and to consult with the ERA 
Chair regarding any material changes to remuneration and benefits. Changes to the terms of an employment 
agreement must be consistent with those made generally for all employees of the Rio Tinto employer, and ERA’s 
Chair must be promptly informed of any material changes. 

Each of the secondment agreements with Rio Tinto provides that ERA can end the secondment by giving Rio 
Tinto three months’ notice at any time. Likewise, Rio Tinto can end the executive’s secondment by giving three 
months’ notice to ERA. 

Key provisions of the employment agreements of the Chief Executive and senior executives relating to 
remuneration are as set out below. 

B Welsh – Chief Executive and Managing Director 

Term of agreement – Open, commenced as Acting Chief Executive, 4 October 2021  
Commenced as Chief Executive and Managing Director, 18 February 2022 

Base salary (excluding superannuation, allowances and other benefits) as at 31 December 2022 of $400,530 per 
annum. Maximum short term incentive bonus upon meeting performance criteria is 60 per cent of base salary. Base 
salary and short term incentive targets are to be reviewed annually. Termination by the employee is three months’ 
notice in writing or by the employer giving six months’ notice or equivalent payment in lieu of notice. 

R Prest – Chief Financial Officer 

Term of agreement – Open, commenced 8 March 2021 

Base salary (excluding superannuation, allowances and other benefits) as at 31 December 2022 of $371,927 per 
annum. Maximum short term incentive bonus upon meeting performance criteria is 60 per cent of base salary. Base 
salary and short term incentive targets to be reviewed annually. Termination by the employee is three months’ notice 
in writing or by the employer giving six months’ notice or equivalent payment in lieu of notice. 

B Toakley – Project Director 

Term of agreement – 3 years with options of a further 1 year + 1 year extension at the discretion of the Company, 
commenced 24 October 2022 

Base salary equivalent of $560,000 (excluding superannuation, allowances and other benefits), representing 
consultancy fees paid on an agreed services contract commencing 24 October 2022. Annualised salary represents 
the contracted daily rate of $2,800 less 10.5% superannuation and adjusted for, annual leave, personal leave and 
public holidays. A completion bonus of $420 per day (excluding GST) is payable where the Company determines in 
its sole and absolute discretion that the Consultant has satisfactorily completed all Services in accordance with the 
Contract. Termination of the contract by the Company giving the Consultant not less than 30 days' notice of its 
intention to do so. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  55

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

F Egerton – General Manager Closure 

Term of agreement – Commenced 15 January 2021 and ceased 11 November 2022 

Base salary (excluding superannuation, allowances and other benefits) as at 11 November 2022 of $308,343 per 
annum. Maximum short term incentive bonus upon meeting performance criteria is 50 per cent of base salary. Base 
salary and short term incentive targets to be reviewed annually. Termination by the employee is three months’ notice 
in writing or by the employer giving six months’ notice or equivalent payment in lieu of notice. 

A Tietzel – General Manager External Relations 

Term of agreement – Commenced 1 October 2010 and ceased 31 July 2022 

Base salary (excluding superannuation, allowances and other benefits) as at 31 July 2022 of $401,241 per annum. 
Maximum term incentive bonus upon meeting performance criteria is 60 per cent of base salary. Base salary and 
short term incentive targets to be reviewed annually. Termination by the employee is three months’ notice in writing 
or by the employer giving six months’ notice or equivalent payment in lieu of notice. 

The Chief Executive and senior executives who are permanent employees are also entitled under their employment 
agreements with Rio Tinto to a range of pre-existing redundancy entitlements, depending on the business and region 
from where they were originally employed within the Rio Tinto Group. These include: 

•  Notice may be worked or fully or partly paid in lieu, at ERA’s discretion; 
• 
• 

Additional capped service related payments may apply; 
Pro rata short term incentive plan payments may be paid based on the proportion of the performance 
period worked; 

•  Conditional share awards granted and held for less than three years at the date of termination are reduced 

pro-rata. 

There is no contractual entitlement to payments in the event of a change of control. 

F  Share based compensation 

Rio Tinto Performance Share Awards 

Rio Tinto Performance Share Awards (PSA) are granted at the discretion of the Rio Tinto Remuneration 
Committee in line with Rio Tinto guidelines. 100 per cent potentially vest after five years. PSAs have been 
granted under the EIP. The terms and conditions of each right to Rio Tinto Limited or Rio Tinto plc shares 
affecting remuneration in this or future reporting periods are as follows: 

AWARD DATE 

Rio Tinto Limited 

18 March 2019 

16 March 2020 

18 March 2021 

MARKET PRICE  
AT AWARD 

PERFORMANCE  
PERIOD ENDS1 

MARKET PRICE AT 
 31 DECEMBER  2022 

$93.17 

$77.65 

$110.80 

31 December 2023 

31 December 2024 

31 December 2025 

$116.41 

$116.41 

$116.41 

Note 1  Vesting dependent upon continued employment with a Rio Tinto Group company and achievement of relevant performance conditions as detailed in the 

Remuneration Report on page 48. 

No PSA was awarded during 2022. 

56  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Rio Tinto Management Share Awards 

Rio Tinto Management Share Awards (MSA) are granted at the discretion of the Rio Tinto Remuneration Committee 
in line with Rio Tinto guidelines. MSAs have been granted under the EIP. The terms and conditions of each right to 
Rio Tinto Limited or Rio Tinto plc shares affecting remuneration in this or future reporting periods are as follows: 

AWARD DATE 

Rio Tinto Limited 

16 March 2020 

18 March 2021 

23 March 2022 

MARKET PRICE  
AT AWARD 

PERFORMANCE  
PERIOD ENDS1 

PRICE AT 
 31 DECEMBER  2022 

$77.65 

$110.80 

$113.68 

20 February 2023 

19 February 2024 

17 February 2025 

$116.41 

$116.41 

$116.41 

Note 1 

 Vesting dependent upon continued employment with a Rio Tinto Group company. 

Rio Tinto employee myShare 

Under Rio Tinto myShare, employees may acquire shares up to the value of US$5,250 (or local currency equivalent) 
per year, capped at 15 per cent of their base salary. Each share purchased will be matched by Rio Tinto and paid by 
ERA (currently at a ratio of one for one) providing the participant holds the shares and remains employed at the end 
of the three year vesting period.  

The key management personnel and Directors of the Company who elected to participate in the Rio Tinto myShare 
share purchase plan as at 31 December 2022 are set out below: 

B Welsh 

J Carey 

R Fagen 

R Prest 

Rio Tinto myShare 

Rio Tinto myShare 

Rio Tinto myShare 

Rio Tinto myShare 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  57

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Conditional awards provided as remuneration 

Rio Tinto Equity Incentive Plan 

No conditional awards of ordinary shares of either ERA or of Rio Tinto Limited or Rio Tinto plc were provided 
during the year as remuneration for services provided to ERA to any of the non-executive Directors. Details of 
conditional awards of ordinary shares in Rio Tinto Limited and Rio Tinto plc held during the year and provided as 
remuneration to the Chief Executive and senior executives of ERA in respect of their duties as officers of ERA are 
set out below. On vesting, each award converts into one ordinary share of Rio Tinto Limited or Rio Tinto plc. 

BALANCE 
AT START OF THE 
YEAR OR ON JOINING1 

GRANTED AS 
REMUNERATION 

VESTED 

LAPSED 

AWARDS 
CANCELLED 

OTHER 
CHANGES2 

BALANCE 
AT END 
 OF YEAR3 

Rio Tinto Limited 

Executive Director 

B Welsh 

2022 

2021 

2,414  

2,414  

1,236  

(1,177)  

-  

-  

P Arnold 

2021 

11,348  

3,762  

(1,543) 

2022 

2021 

2022 

2021 

2022 

3,528  

2,431  

1,691  

1,509  

3,805  

1,196  

(1,555) 

1,097  

- 

809  

749  

(1,489)  

(567) 

1,336 

(3,603) 

2021 

4,305  

1,409  

(1,909) 

Senior executives 

R Prest 

F Egerton 

A Tietzel 

L Bryce 

D Blanch 

2021 

2021 

3,481  

1,996  

Non-executive Directors4 

J Carey 

2022 

2021 

3,352  

3,642  

R Fagen 

2022 

28,194 

J van Tonder 

2022 

2021 

3,638  

3,909  

M Hanrahan 

2021 

11,829  

-  

- 

-  

- 

- 

-  

- 

- 

-  

- 

(1,230) 

(1,604) 

(7,405) 

(1,211) 

(1,417) 

(2,372) 

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

- 

- 

-  

-  

-  

- 

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

(798)  

(1,538) 

- 

- 

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

918  

1,314  

2,473 

2,414  

13,567  

3,169  

3,528  

213  

1,691  

-  

3,805  

3,481  

1,996  

3,040  

3,352  

(2,070) 

5,345 

24,064 

-  

-  

-  

4,193  

1,146  

6,620  

3,638  

3,508 

12,965  

Note 1    Where key management personnel joined during the year, balance at start of the year reflects holdings at time of commencement with ERA. 
Note 2    Other changes and end of year balance include changes made in relation to awards for service within the wider Rio Tinto group, including before joining 

or after ceasing with ERA. 

Note 3    When key management personnel left prior to the end of the year, the balance reflects holdings at the date of resignation. 
Note 4    Changes to balances for non-executive Directors do not relate to remuneration for services provided to ERA. 

58  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Shareholdings 

No Directors hold shares in ERA. The number of shares held in Rio Tinto Limited during the financial year by each 
Director of ERA are set out below. 

BALANCE 
AT START OF 
 THE YEAR1 

INCREASED 
DURING 
 THE YEAR 

OTHER CHANGES 
 DURING THE 
YEAR 

BALANCE 
 AT END OF 
 THE YEAR2 

Rio Tinto Limited 

B Welsh 

J Carey 

R Fagen 

J van Tonder 

P Mansell 

P Dowd 

P Arnold 

M Hanrahan 

2022 

2022 

2021 

2022 

2022 

2021 

2022 

2021 

2022 

2021 

2021 

2021 

3,151 

4,151 

6,502 

19,340 

- 

- 

 - 

2,000 

750 

750 

2,241 

- 

1,640 

4,759 

2,153 

9,413 

1,428 

1,735 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,811 

2,417 

- 

(2,926) 

(4,504) 

(4,189) 

(1,428) 

(1,735) 

- 

(2,000) 

(375) 

- 

(2,280) 

(1,335) 

4,791 

5,984 

4,151 

24,564 

- 

- 

- 

- 

375 

750 

1,772 

1,082 

Note 1    Where a Director was appointed during the year, balance reflects holdings at the time of commencement with the Company. 
Note 2    Where a Director resigned during the year, balance reflects holdings at time of resignation as a Director of the Company. 
Note 3    Mr R Dennis and Mr K Wyatt do not hold shares in Rio Tinto Limited. 

G  Additional information 

Loans and other transactions with Directors and other key management personnel 

There are no loans with Directors and other key management personnel. Other transactions with Director related 
entities are disclosed in Note 26 – Related parties. 

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DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Principal activities 

Indemnification 

The principal activities of the Company during the 
course of the year consisted of the sale of uranium 
oxide and site rehabilitation. 

Dividends 

No dividends have been paid by ERA to members in 
respect of the 2022 financial year (2021: nil). 

Operating and financial review 

Details of ERA’s review and results of operations are 
included in the Chair’s Report on page 6, the Chief 
Executive’s Report on page 8 and the Financial 
Performance section on page 24. 

Significant changes to the state of 
affairs 

In the opinion of the Directors, other than matters 
reported in the Directors’ Report, the Chair’s Report 
and the Chief Executive’s Report, there were no 
significant changes in the state of affairs of the 
Company during the year ended 31 December 2022. 

Matters subsequent to the end of 
the financial year 

In the interval between the end of the year and the 
date of this report there has not arisen any item, 
transaction or event of a material nature, other than 
matters reported in the Chair’s Report and the Chief 
Executive’s Report on pages 6 and 8 respectively, 
that has significantly affected or may significantly 
affect: 

• 
• 
• 

The operations of the Company; 
The results of those operations; or 
The state of affairs of the Company 
subsequent to the Financial year ended 31 
December 2022. 
Likely developments 

In the opinion of the Directors, any likely 
developments in the operations of the Company 
known at the date of this report have been covered 
within the Annual Report and Notes to the financial 
statements. 

A general review of developments for ERA is 
presented in the Financial Performance section on 
page 24. 

Annual General Meeting 

The 2023 Annual General Meeting will be held in 
Darwin, in the Northern Territory of Australia. Notice 
of the 2023 Annual General Meeting will be given to 
the shareholders of the Company in accordance with 
the Corporations Act. It is anticipated the meeting will 
be an in person meeting with the Company closely 
monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the event that a 
virtual or hybrid option becomes required. 

Clause 11 of the Company’s Constitution provides 
that every Director, manager, officer or employee of 
the Company shall be indemnified out of the funds of 
the Company against all liability incurred by them in 
defending any proceedings in which they are 
successful. 

The Corporations Act 2001 prohibits a company from 
indemnifying Directors, secretaries, executive officers 
and auditors from liability except for liability to a party, 
other than the Company or a related body corporate, 
where the liability does not arise out of conduct 
involving a lack of good faith and except for liability for 
costs and expenses incurred in defending 
proceedings in which the officer or auditor is 
successful. An indemnity for officers or employees 
who are not Directors, secretaries or executive 
officers, is not expressly prohibited by the 
Corporations Act 2001. 

The Directors and Company Secretaries of the 
Company, and all former Directors and Company 
Secretaries, have the benefit of the indemnity in 
Clause 11 of the Company’s Constitution. 

The indemnity also applies to executive officers of the 
Company (being the senior executives and managers 
who are concerned with, or take part in the 
management of the Company) as well as other 
employees. 

Insurance 

Since the end of the previous financial year, the 
Company has paid insurance premiums in respect of 
a Directors’ and officers’ liability policy of insurance. 

The policy indemnifies all Directors and officers of 
ERA (including the Directors, Company Secretaries, 
and executive officers referred to above) against 
certain liabilities. 

In accordance with common commercial practice, the 
insurance policy prohibits disclosure of the nature of 
the liability insured against and the amount of the 
premium. 

Environmental regulation and 
policy 

ERA strives to be at the forefront of environmental 
management in the uranium industry. It operates in 
accordance with relevant Commonwealth and 
Northern Territory environmental legislation as well as 
site specific environmental licences, permits and 
statutory authorisations. ERA’s environmental 
management system is ISO14001 compliant. 

ERA is required to report any incident that is a 
divergence from strict compliance with statutory 
requirements, even if the incident has no detrimental 
environmental impact, and reports are made to the 
Department of Primary Industry and Resources 
(Northern Territory); the Supervising Scientist Branch 
of the Commonwealth Department of Environment; 
the Northern Land Council; the Commonwealth 

60  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and 
the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation 
(representatives of the Mirarr Traditional Owners). 

ERA’s commitment to protect the environment in 2022 
was overseen by the Supervising Scientist Branch, 
which conducts extensive monitoring and research 
programs on the Ranger Project Area and Jabiluka 
Mineral Lease. 

There were no prosecutions commenced or fines 
incurred in respect of ERA’s environmental 
performance during 2022. The environment remained 
protected throughout the period. 

Corporate governance 

The Board of ERA considers high standards of 
corporate governance to be critical to business 
integrity and performance. The corporate governance 
structures and practices in place at ERA are 
substantially in compliance with the 4th Edition of the 
Corporate Governance Principles and 
Recommendations developed by the ASX Corporate 
Governance Council (Council). 

Areas where the corporate governance practices of 
ERA do not follow the Council’s recommendations 
arise due to Rio Tinto’s 86.3 per cent ownership of the 
Company and the management, direction, services 
and support this provides. The extent to which the 
Company does not comply is detailed in the 
Corporate Governance Statement on pages 63 to 70. 

Company secretaries 

Richard Prest and Shannon Coates are company 
secretaries of ERA, each having been appointed to 
the role on 10 December 2021. Their qualifications 
and experience are set out on page 42. 

Rounding of amounts 

The Company is of a kind referred to in ASIC Class 
Order 2016/191 and in accordance with that Class 
Order amounts in the financial statements and 
Directors’ Report have been rounded to the nearest 
thousand dollars, unless otherwise indicated. 

Auditor 

KPMG is the auditor of the Company. No person who 
was an officer of the Company during the year was a 
former partner or director of the auditor. Each of the 
Directors at the time this report was approved has 
confirmed that so far as he or she is aware, 

• 

There is no relevant audit information (i.e. 
information needed by the auditor in 
connection with preparing its report) of 
which the auditor is unaware and; 
•  He or she has taken all steps that they 

ought to have taken as a Director in order to 
make himself or herself aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish 
that the auditor is aware of that information. 

Non audit services 

The Company may decide to employ the auditor on 
assignments additional to its statutory audit duties 
where the auditor’s expertise and experience with the 
Company are important. 

Details of the amounts paid or payable to the auditor 
for audit services are set out below. 

No non audit services were performed by KPMG 
during the year.  

When performed all non-audit services are reviewed 
by the Audit and Risk Committee to ensure they do 
not impact on the impartiality and objectivity of the 
auditor and do not undermine the general principles 
relating to auditor’s independence as set out in 
Professional Statement F1, including reviewing or 
auditing the auditor’s own work, acting in a 
management or decision making capacity for the 
Company, acting as advocate for the Company or 
jointly sharing economic risks and rewards.  

During the year, the following fees were paid or 
payable for services provided by the auditor of the 
Company, its related practices and non-audit related 
firms. 

KPMG Australia 

Audit and review of financial 
reports 

Audit and review of financial 
reports (additional prior year fees) 

Total remuneration for audit 
services 

2022 
$000 

2021 
$000 

295  

291  

24  

37  

319  

328  

Other non-audit related services 

-  

-  

Total remuneration   

319  

328  

Information on Auditor 

KPMG continues in office in accordance with Section 
327 of the Corporations Act 2001. 

A copy of the auditor’s independence declaration as 
required under section 307C of the Corporations Act 
2001 is set out on page 62. 

Signed at Brisbane this 10 March 2023 in accordance 
with a resolution of the Directors. 

R Dennis 
Director  
Brisbane 
10 March 2023  

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AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION 

62  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

  KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organisation of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organisation. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration under Section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 To the Directors of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in relation to the audit of Energy Resources of Australia Limited for the financial year ended 31 December 2022 there have been: i. No contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and ii. No contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.    KPMG  Derek Meates Partner Perth 10 March 2023     KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organisation of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organisation. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration under Section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 To the Directors of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in relation to the audit of Energy Resources of Australia Limited for the financial year ended 31 December 2022 there have been: i. No contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and ii. No contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.    KPMG  Derek Meates Partner Perth 10 March 2023    
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

The Board of ERA considers the highest standards of 
corporate governance to be critical to business 
integrity and performance and the ability to maximise 
the overall long term return to shareholders. The 
Board seeks to ensure that ERA meets the objectives 
of its shareholders, whilst paying proper regard to the 
interests of employees and external stakeholders. 

The corporate governance structures and practices in 
place at ERA are substantially in compliance with the 
4th Edition of the Corporate Governance Principles 
and Recommendations (Principles) developed by the 
ASX Corporate Governance Council (Council), with 
the exception of any departures articulated in this 
Corporate Governance Statement. 

This Corporate Governance Statement is current as at 
10 March 2023 and has been approved by the Board 
of ERA. 

Board responsibilities and charter 

In carrying out its responsibilities and powers, the 
Board at all times recognises its overriding 
responsibility to act honestly, fairly, diligently and in 
accordance with the law in serving the interests of 
ERA’s shareholders, employees and the community. 

The Board Charter underpins the strategic guidance 
and effective management oversight provided by the 
Board, and defines the division of responsibility 
between Board and management by formal 
delegation and a system of Board reserved powers. 

Other than as specifically reserved to the Board in the 
Board Charter, responsibility for the management of 
ERA’s business is delegated to the Chief Executive 
who is accountable to the Board. 

The Board approves strategy and business plans and 
monitors the performance of ERA against these plans. 
The Board also monitors compliance with policies 
prescribed by the Board in areas such as health and 
safety, environment, business ethics, internal controls 
and risk management. These policies are designed to 
ensure that ERA meets or exceeds the regulatory 
requirements governing its operations. 

In addition to the matters expressly required by 
law to be approved by the Board, the powers 
specifically reserved for the Board are as follows: 

•  Confirming the appointment and removal of 

• 

• 

• 

• 

a Chief Executive and the terms and 
conditions of the Chief Executive’s 
employment; 
Appointment and removal of a Company 
Secretary; 
Appointment of the Chair of the Board and 
members of Board Committees; 
Any matters set out in the Schedule of 
Matters Reserved for Decision or 
Consideration by the Board; and 
Approval, subject to the Constitution, the 
Corporations Act 2001 and the ASX Listing 
Rules, of each of the following: 

(i) 

The issue of new shares or other 
securities in the Company; 

(ii) 

(iii) 

(iv) 

(v) 

Incurring of debt (other than trade 
creditors incurred in the normal 
course of business); 
Capital expenditure in excess of 
$5,000,000; 
The acquisition, divestment or 
establishment of any significant 
business assets; 
Changes to the discretions 
delegated from the Board; 
The annual operating budget; 

(vi) 
(vii)  Changes to the capital and 

operating approval limits of senior 
management; and 

(viii)  The annual report and interim and 

preliminary final reports. 

The Board receives copies of all material market 
announcements promptly after they have been made. 

The Board Charter is available at the Corporate 
Governance section of ERA’s website. 

Composition 

The Board of ERA currently consists of seven 
Directors, six of whom are non-executive and three of 
whom are independent: 

•  Richard (Rick) Dennis, Independent Non-

• 

Executive Chair; 
Brad Welsh, Chief Executive and Managing 
Director; 

•  Hon. Ken Wyatt, Independent Non-

• 

Executive Director 
Stuart Glenn, Independent Non-Executive 
Director; 
• 
Justin Carey, Non-Executive Director; 
•  Rosemary Fagen, Non-Executive Director;  
Jacques van Tonder, Non-Executive 
• 
Director.  

Skills, experience and diversity 

The Board strives to achieve a diversity of skills, 
experience and perspective among its Directors. 
Details of the Directors, their experience, 
qualifications and other appointments are set out on 
pages 38 to 41. Details of the independent status of 
each Director are outlined in the Independence 
section below. 

Qualification for Board membership is driven by the 
principle that the Board’s composition should reflect 
the right balance of skills, knowledge and diversity 
that the Board considers will best serve the interests 
of ERA and all of its shareholders. 

The Board reviews its structure, size and composition 
regularly. While the Board has not established a 
Nominations Committee, the Board considers that its 
existing practices in reviewing Director competencies, 
Board succession planning, Board performance 
evaluation and Director selection and nomination 
carried out in accordance with the Board Charter, are 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

satisfactory and appropriate given the size of the 
Board and ERA’s current ownership structure. The 
process to identify and nominate new independent 
Directors from time to time is led by the incumbent 
independent Directors. Decisions relating to the 
appointment of Directors are made by the full Board. 
Directors appointed by the Board (with the exception 
of the Managing Director) are required by ERA’s 
Constitution to submit themselves for re-election by 
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting following 
their appointment. There is no share ownership 
qualification for appointment as a Director. 

The ERA Board undertakes appropriate background 
checks and screening prior to appointing a Director or 
putting a candidate to security holders for election as 
a Director. ERA provides security holders with all 
material information in its possession concerning each 
Director standing for election or re-election in the 
explanatory notes accompanying the applicable notice 
of meeting. 

Non-executive Directors are required to retire at least 
every three years in accordance with ERA’s 
Constitution, but may offer themselves for re-election.  

The key attributes that the Board currently seeks to 
achieve in its membership are set out below. 

Mining 

Senior executive experience in the resources 
industry, including mining, development, 
marketing and exploration 

Health, Safety 
and 
Environment 

Familiarity with issues associated with 
workplace health and safety, environment and 
social responsibility 

Financial 

Technical 

Strategy 

Governance 

Proficiency in financial accounting and 
reporting, corporate finance, internal financial 
controls, corporate funding and associated 
risks 

A strong understanding in technical areas of 
the resource industry, including engineering, 
mining and processing 

Proven ability in developing and implementing 
successful business strategies, including the 
capacity to probe and challenge management 
on the delivery of strategic objectives 

Commitment to the highest standards of 
governance, including Board experience with 
other ASX listed companies that demonstrate 
rigorous governance standards 

Executive 
leadership 

Sustainable success in business at a very 
senior executive level 

Government 
relations 

Interaction with government and regulators 
and involvement in public policy initiatives and 
decisions 

Community 
and Indigenous 
engagement 

Risk 
management 

Experience in engaging with a cross-section 
of community and Indigenous stakeholders 

Experience in developing and establishing risk 
management frameworks, setting risk appetite 
and overseeing organisational risk culture 

Appointment, induction training 
and professional development 

All new non-executive Directors sign a letter of 
appointment which sets out the key terms and 
conditions of their appointment including duties, rights 
and responsibilities, the time commitment envisaged 
and the Board’s expectations regarding their 
involvement with committee work. There is also a 
separate written agreement between ERA and each 
of its Chief Executive and senior executives relating to 
their respective responsibilities and duties as an 
officer of the Company (see pages 55 to 56). 

Induction training is provided to all new Directors. It 
includes comprehensive induction materials, 
discussions with the Chief Executive and senior 
executives and the option to visit the Company’s 
operations at the Ranger Project Area, either by 
appointment or with the Board during its next site tour.  

The induction materials and discussions include 
information on the Company’s strategy, culture and 
values, key corporate and Board policies, the 
Company’s financial, operational and risk 
management position, the rights and responsibilities 
of Directors, the role of the Board and its committees 
and meeting arrangements. 

All Directors are expected to maintain the skills 
required to discharge their obligations to the 
Company. ERA provides the opportunity for Directors 
to participate in professional development activities to 
develop and maintain the skills and knowledge 
needed to perform their role as Directors effectively. 

Independence 

For the purposes of determining Director 
independence, the Board considers any material 
business relationship which could interfere, or be 
perceived to interfere, with the Director’s 
independence of judgement, ability to provide a 
strong, valuable contribution to the Board’s 
deliberations and the Director’s ability to act in the 
best interests of ERA and shareholders as a whole. 
Where contracts in the ordinary course of business 
exist between ERA and a company in which a 
Director has declared an interest, these are reviewed 
for materiality to both ERA and the other party to the 
contract. 

In addition to the examples set out in the Principles, 
the following may be taken into account in considering 
such material business relationships: 

•  Whether, within the last three years, the 

Director or a close family member has been 
a member of executive management of 
ERA, employed in a senior position with a 
member of the Rio Tinto Group or has 
received additional remuneration from the 
Company or a member of the Rio Tinto 
Group; 

•  Whether the Director or a close family 
member is, or is associated with, a 
substantial shareholder (more than five per 

64  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

• 

cent of the voting shares) in the Company 
or in a member of the Rio Tinto Group; 
The Director’s cross directorships of, or 
significant links with, or involvement in, 
other companies; 
The Director’s length of service on the 
Board and whether this may have 
compromised independence; and  
•  Whether, within the last three years, the 

• 

Director or a close family member has had, 
either directly or indirectly and whether as 
principal, employee or consultant, a material 
business relationship with ERA or with a 
member of the Rio Tinto Group, whether as 
an auditor, professional adviser, supplier, or 
customer (“material” being more than five 
per cent of ERA’s or the counterparty’s 
consolidated gross revenue per annum). 

Company Secretary 

The Company Secretary is responsible for 
ensuring that Board procedures are complied with 
and that governance matters are addressed. All 
Directors have direct access to the Company 
Secretary who is accountable directly to the 
Board, through the Chair, on all matters to do with 
the proper functioning of the Board. Details of the 
Company Secretary’s experience and 
qualifications are set out on page 42. 

Board meetings 

The number of Directors and Committee meetings 
held and the number of meetings attended by 
each of the Directors of the Company or members 
of the Committees respectively during the 
financial year are set out on page 43. 

Mr Dennis, the Hon. Mr Wyatt and Mr Glenn are each 
considered by the Board to be independent Directors. 

Board Performance 

For the whole reporting period, the Board of Directors 
did not consist of a majority of independent Directors, 
with four of the seven Directors nominees of the 
Company’s largest shareholder, Rio Tinto. This does 
not follow Recommendation 2.4 of the Council’s 
Principles. However, the Board considered this was 
appropriate given the ownership structure of the 
Company, notably Rio Tinto’s 86.3 per cent 
shareholding. 

The Board has policies and protocols in place to 
safeguard the integrity of the Board’s decision making 
process and all Directors are required to, and do, 
bring an independent judgement to bear on Board 
decisions and act in accordance with their statutory 
duties of good faith and for a proper purpose, and in 
the interests of shareholders as a whole. 

All related party transactions, including those with Rio 
Tinto, have been determined by the independent 
Directors to be on arm’s length terms and in the 
interests of ERA. 

Chair and Chief Executive 

Following the resignation of Independent Non-
Executive Chair Mr Peter Mansell in October 2022, Mr 
Justin Carey was appointed as Interim Chair. Mr 
Carey is a Rio Tinto nominee Director. Mr Carey’s 
other appointments are set out on page 40. The 
Board considers that none of his other commitments 
or employment by Rio Tinto interfered with the 
discharge of his duties to ERA during his tenure as 
Interim Chair. On 31 January 2023, Mr Carey stepped 
down as Interim Chair and Mr Dennis was appointed 
as Independent Non-Executive Chair.   

Mr Brad Welsh was appointed as Acting Chief 
Executive on 4 October 2021 and Managing Director 
and Chief Executive on 18 February 2022. 

The Board has a process for periodically evaluating its 
performance, as well as the performance of its 
Committees and individual Directors. The evaluation 
generally takes the form of an internal self-
assessment process facilitated by the Chair. After 
consulting each Director and the Company Secretary, 
the Chair reports a summary of the findings to all 
Directors for discussion at the next Board meeting 
where relevant actions are agreed. Periodically the 
Board may utilise the services of an external 
consultant to facilitate the process.  

The external process takes the form of a 
questionnaire completed by each of the Directors and 
the Company Secretary. Following collation by the 
consultant, the results, adequacy and appropriateness 
of the self-assessment process are compiled. A report 
outlining the results is circulated to all Directors and 
discussed at the following Board meeting where 
actions arising are agreed. 

The Board’s composition changed significantly in 
2022, with the resignation of Independent Non-
Executive Directors Mr Mansell (Chair), Mr Charles 
and Mr Dowd. Consequently, an evaluation of the 
Board’s performance was not undertaken in 2022. 
The current Board will consider and undertake an 
evaluation of Board performance at an appropriate 
time. 

Independent professional advice 

The Board has adopted a procedure for Directors 
wishing to seek independent professional advice, at 
the Company’s expense, in the furtherance of their 
duties. The Board recognises that there may be 
circumstances in which individual Directors are 
entitled to independent professional advice at the 
Company’s expense in the furtherance of their duties, 
and any Director may do so by arrangement with the 
Company Secretary. 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

Remuneration Committee 

Audit and Risk Committee 

ERA’s Constitution provides that the aggregate 
remuneration paid to non-executive Directors of ERA 
in any one year will not exceed $800,000 or such 
other amount as may be approved by shareholders 
from time to time. At the 2020 Annual General 
Meeting, the resolution to increase this limit to 
$950,000 was approved with 96.80 per cent of shares 
voting in favour (voting comprised 3,488,564,371 
votes ‘for’ the resolution and 115,041,466 votes 
‘against’ the resolution). At the 2022 Annual General 
Meeting, the 2021 Remuneration Report was 
approved with 99.92 per cent of shares voted in 
favour (voting comprised 3,187,997,362 votes ‘for’ the 
resolution and 2,404,578 votes ‘against’ the 
resolution). North Limited and Peko-Wallsend Pty Ltd, 
which are both Rio Tinto entities, voted a combined 
total of 3,186,682,634 votes ‘for’ the resolution. 

In 2012, the Board established a Remuneration 
Committee. At the beginning of 2022, the 
Remuneration Committee comprised three  
Non-executive Directors, being Mr Mansell 
(Committee Chair), Mr Dowd and Mr Charles, all of 
whom were independent. Following the resignation of 
the independent Non-executive Directors on 6 
October 2022, the Board resolved to suspend all 
Committees due to the reduced size of the Board, 
with the full Board assuming Committee functions 
pursuant to the Remuneration Committee Charter. 
Following the appointment of independent Non-
executive Directors Mr Dennis (Chair), the Hon. Mr 
Wyatt and Mr Glenn, on 16 February 2023 the Board 
resolved to re-establish the Remuneration Committee, 
with membership comprising the Hon. Mr Wyatt 
(Committee Chair), Ms Fagen and Mr Dennis.  

The Chief Executive may be invited to attend 
Remuneration Committee meetings. Other executives 
may also be invited to discuss or report on particular 
agenda items. The Remuneration Committee held 
one meeting during 2022. Attendance details of the 
2022 meetings of the Remuneration Committee are 
set out in the Directors’ Report on page 43. 

The Remuneration Committee Charter sets out the 
role and objectives of the Remuneration Committee. A 
summary of the objectives of the Remuneration 
Committee and the policies and practices of the 
Company regarding the remuneration of non- 
executive Directors, the Chief Executive and senior 
executives is set out on pages 45 to 48 of the 
Remuneration Report. The complete Remuneration 
Committee Charter is available at the Corporate 
Governance section of ERA’s website at 
www.energyres.com.au. 

An annual performance evaluation of the Chief 
Executive and senior executives was undertaken in 
2022. Details of how the performance evaluation 
process is undertaken by the Board in respect of the 
Chief Executive and senior executives are set out on 
pages 49 to 53 of the Remuneration Report. 

The Audit and Risk Committee is appointed by the 
Board and at the beginning of 2022 comprised three 
Non-executive Directors, being Mr Charles 
(Committee Chair), Mr Mansell and Mr Dowd, all of 
whom were independent. Following the resignation of 
the independent Non-executive Directors on 6 
October 2022, the Board resolved to suspend all 
Committees due to the reduced size of the Board, 
with the full Board assuming Committee functions 
pursuant to the Audit and Risk Committee Charter. 
Following the appointment of independent Non-
executive Directors Mr Dennis (Chair), the Hon. Mr 
Wyatt and Mr Glenn, on 16 February 2023 the Board 
resolved to re-establish the Audit and Risk 
Committee, with membership comprising Mr Dennis 
(Committee Chair), Mr Carey and Mr Glenn.  

The Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Chief 
Executive, General Counsel and Company Secretary, 
the external auditor and the internal auditor are invited 
to attend all meetings. 

The Audit and Risk Committee Charter sets out the 
role and terms of reference of the Audit and Risk 
Committee and is reviewed regularly. The Audit and 
Risk Committee Charter is available at the Corporate 
Governance section of ERA’s website. 

The Committee provides a formal structure for 
reviewing ERA’s financial statements, accounting 
policies, control systems, risk management practices 
and taxation issues and for liaison with the external 
and internal auditors. The Committee also reviews the 
adequacy of internal and external audit arrangements. 

The Audit and Risk Committee advises the Board of 
any matters that might have a significant impact on 
the financial condition of ERA and has the authority to 
investigate any matters within its terms of reference, 
having full access to the information and resources of 
ERA to fulfil its function. Related party transactions 
are considered by the Audit and Risk Committee. The 
Audit and Risk Committee reviews compliance with 
the Corporations Act 2001, and the requirements of 
the ASX and other regulatory requirements. 

The Audit and Risk Committee held three meetings 
during 2022. Attendance details of the 2022 meetings 
of the Audit and Risk Committee, and the 
qualifications and experience of the members, are set 
out in the Directors’ Report on pages 43 and 38 to 40 
respectively. 

Each year the external auditor submits a schedule of 
audit services and fee estimate to the Audit and Risk 
Committee for consideration and approval. KPMG is 
appointed as ERA’s external auditor for 2022. Each 
year, the Audit and Risk Committee reviews the 
effectiveness of the external audit process and the 
independence of the auditor. Based on its 2022 
review, the Audit and Risk Committee was satisfied 
with the external audit process and that the external 
auditor remained independent. Any work to be 
conducted by the external auditor other than the audit 
is approved by the Audit and Risk Committee. 

66  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

Details of the fees paid to KPMG during 2022 are 
outlined on page 61. 

Rehabilitation Project and to provide feedback and 
recommendations to the Board.  

Sustainability Committee 

In 2016 the Board established a Sustainability 
Committee. At the beginning of 2022, the 
Sustainability Committee comprised three Non-
executive Directors, being Mr Dowd (Committee 
Chair), Mr Charles and Mr van Tonder, two of whom 
were independent. Following the resignation of the 
independent Non-executive Directors on 6 October 
2022, the Board resolved to suspend all Committees 
due to the reduced size of the Board, with the full 
Board assuming Committee functions pursuant to the 
Sustainability Committee Charter. Following the 
appointment of independent Non-executive Directors 
Mr Dennis (Chair), the Hon. Mr Wyatt and Mr Glenn, 
on 16 February 2023 the Board resolved to re-
establish the Sustainability Committee, with 
membership comprising Ms Fagen (Committee Chair) 
and the Hon. Mr Wyatt.  

The Sustainability Committee Charter sets out the role 
and objectives of the Sustainability Committee and is 
reviewed regularly. It is available at the Corporate 
Governance section of ERA’s website. 

The Committee provides a formal structure to further 
support governance and initiatives for improvement in 
the sustainability of ERA operations, including health, 
safety and environmental management. 

The Sustainability Committee held two scheduled 
meetings during 2022. Attendance details of the 2022 
meetings of the Sustainability Committee, and the 
qualifications and experience of the members, are set 
out in the Directors’ Report on pages 43 and 39 to 40 
respectively. 

Rehabilitation Committee 

In October 2021, the Board established a 
Rehabilitation Committee. At the beginning of 2022, 
the Rehabilitation Committee comprised three Non-
executive Directors, being Mr Dowd (Committee 
Chair), Mr Charles and Mr van Tonder, two of whom 
were independent. Following the resignation of the 
independent Non-executive Directors on 6 October 
2022, the Board resolved to suspend all Committees 
due to reduced size of the Board, with the full Board 
assuming Committee functions pursuant to the 
Rehabilitation Committee Charter. Due to the 
significant focus on rehabilitation of the Ranger 
Project Area, on 16 December 2022, the Board 
resolved to re-establish the Rehabilitation Committee, 
with membership comprising Mr van Tonder 
(Committee Chair) and Mr Welsh. Following the 
appointment of independent Non-executive Directors 
Mr Dennis (Chair), the Hon. Mr Wyatt and Mr Glenn, 
on 16 February 2023, the Board resolved to vary the 
membership of the Rehabilitation Committee to 
comprise Mr Glenn (Committee Chair) and Mr van 
Tonder.  

The Committee is mandated to receive and share 
information on, and review and evaluate, key aspects 
of risk, performance and activities of the Ranger 

The Rehabilitation Committee held 12 scheduled 
meetings during 2022. Attendance details of the 2022 
meetings of the Rehabilitation Committee, and the 
qualifications and experience of the members, are set 
out in the Directors’ Report on pages 43 and 39 to 41 
respectively. 

Independent Board Committee 

In May 2020, the Board adopted a Conflicts of 
Interests and Related Party Transactions Policy. The 
purpose of the Policy is to outline a process for 
identification, review, approval and disclosure of 
Related Party Proposals, with a view to ensuring that 
all decisions of the Board are made in the best 
interests of the Company as well as ensuring 
compliance with the law. The Board also formally 
established the Independent Board Committee (IBC) 
of directors who were considered to be independent 
of Rio Tinto, being Mr Mansell (Chair), Mr Dowd and 
Mr Charles. Following the resignation of the 
independent Non-executive Directors on 6 October 
2022, the Board resolved to suspend the IBC. 
Following the appointment of independent Non-
executive Directors Mr Dennis (Chair), the Hon. Mr 
Wyatt and Mr Glenn, on 31 January 2023, the Board 
resolved to re-establish the IBC, with membership 
comprising Mr Dennis (Chair), the Hon. Mr Wyatt and 
Mr Glenn. 

The IBC has been delegated all of the powers, 
authorities and discretions of the Board with respect 
to any transaction or proposal: 

• 

In which, in the opinion of the Chair of the 
IBC, a Related Party has or may have 
interests other than its interest as 
shareholder in common with other 
shareholders; or 

•  Where, in the opinion of the Chair of the 
IBC, the interests of ERA and a Related 
Party conflict or may appear to conflict, 
excluding any transaction or proposal in 
which a member of the IBC is a conflicted 
Director. 

For so long as Rio Tinto has a controlling interest in 
the Company, Rio Tinto will be taken to be a Related 
Party for this purpose. A copy of the Policy (including 
IBC’s Charter) are available on the Company’s 
website at 
https://www.energyres.com.au/uploads/Policies/INF15
7_Conflicts_of_Interest_and_Related_party_Transacti
ons_Policy.pdf. 

Diversity 

ERA acknowledges the benefits that flow from 
advancing Board and employee diversity, in particular 
gender and Indigenous diversity. These benefits 
include identification and rectification of gaps in the 
skills and experience of Directors and employees, 
enhanced employee retention, greater innovation and 
maximisation of available talent to achieve corporate 
goals and increased financial performance. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  67

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

The Company uses Rio Tinto’s confidential 
whistleblower program known as ‘myVoice’. It offers 
an avenue through which our employees, contractors, 
suppliers and customers can report concerns 
anonymously, subject to local law. Employees are 
encouraged to report any suspicion of unethical or 
illegal practices. Further details regarding the program 
are available in the Corporate Governance section of 
the Company’s website at www.energyres.com.au. 

The Board is informed of any material breaches and 
incidents reported under its Code of Business 
Conduct, whistleblower policy or anti bribery and 
corruption policy. 

Purchase and sale of Company 
securities 

ERA has in place a formal policy that reinforces to all 
Directors, officers and employees the prohibitions 
against insider trading. The Share Trading Policy is 
available for inspection at the Corporate Governance 
section of the Company’s website at 
www.energyres.com.au. 

In addition, the “Rules for dealing in securities of Rio 
Tinto” (Dealing Rules) apply to the participation of 
ERA executives in the Rio Tinto long term incentive 
plans involving the awarding of Rio Tinto securities at 
a future date. Any such grants of shares and options 
under the Rio Tinto plans are subject to, and 
conditional upon, compliance with the terms of the 
Dealing Rules, including an express prohibition on 
hedging or limiting of exposure to economic risk in 
relation to such securities. 

Under the ERA Share Trading Policy: 

•  Directors, senior executives and senior 

managers must advise the Chair in writing 
and receive approval in writing from the 
Chair, if they intend to purchase or sell ERA 
securities. 
In regard to his own dealings, the Chair is 
required to notify the Chair of the Audit and 
Risk Committee. 

• 

•  No dealings in ERA securities may take 
place for the period from the end of any 
relevant financial period to the trading day 
following announcement of ERA’s annual 
results or half year results. 

Particulars of the interests held by Directors are 
outlined on page 44 of the Director’s Report. 

Diversity, in the context of the Company, primarily 
refers to groups which are underrepresented in its 
workforce. ERA has a particular focus on the 
representation of women and Indigenous people in its 
workforce. ERA’s policy on diversity can be found on 
the Company’s website at www.energyres.com.au. In 
accordance with the Company’s diversity policy, ERA 
has set measurable objectives to achieve diversity. 

The objectives and the Company’s progress in 
achieving each objective are set out below: 

OBJECTIVE 

OUTCOME 

Women to represent 20 
per cent of the senior 
executives (being 
manager level and above) 
and the Board by end of 
2022 

Target Indigenous 
employment of 15 per cent 
by the end of 2022. 

As at 31 December 2022 
female participation at 
manager, Executive 
Committee and Board level 
is 27 per cent. Women 
comprise 17 per cent of 
Directors. Total female 
participation is 20 per cent. 

ERA ended 2022 with an 
Indigenous employment rate 
of nine per cent. Eight per 
cent of Indigenous 
employees were female and 
three employees held 
supervisor leadership roles. 
Indigenous employment at 
Executive Committee and 
manager level is 20 per 
cent. 

As at 31 December 2022, the proportion of women 
employed by ERA was as follows: 

Board of Directors 

Executive Committee and 
managers 

Company 

17% 

30% 

20% 

Code of business conduct 

ERA has clear standards around bribery and 
corruption, conflicts of interest, antitrust, benefits, 
sponsorships and donations, data privacy, fraud and 
third party due diligence. ERA has a Code of 
Business Conduct to be met by all employees and 
Directors. All employees are required to maintain high 
standards of ethical behaviour in the execution of their 
duties and comply with all applicable laws and 
regulations in Australia and in every other country in 
which the Company engages in business. 

The Code of Business Conduct is reviewed regularly 
to ensure it adequately addresses the issues facing 
the Company and is available for inspection on the 
Corporate Governance section of the Company’s 
website at www.energyres.com.au. 

In addition to the Company’s Code of Business 
Conduct, the Company’s employees are required to 
comply with Rio Tinto’s statement of business practice 
The Way We Work, available at Rio Tinto’s website at 
www.riotinto.com. This includes ERA’s values and 
provides a clear framework for how we should 
conduct our business. 

68  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

Risk identification and 
management 

ERA has in place a range of policies and procedures 
to manage the risks associated with its operating 
activities. These policies and procedures have been 
adopted by the Board, with primary oversight by the 
Audit and Risk Committee, to ensure that potential 
business risks are identified, and appropriate action 
taken. 

The Company has an annual internal audit program 
that is determined by the Audit and Risk Committee. 
The annual internal audit program is executed by an 
outsourced provider which reports back to the Audit 
and Risk Committee on its assessment of the 
Company’s control environment. In addition, the 
Company Secretary provides support for internal audit 
planning activities and the monitoring of actions 
implemented by the Company in response to findings 
raised by the internal auditor. 

ERA benefits from the Rio Tinto Group’s knowledge, 
policies and practices on risk management and 
corporate assurance, developed to manage Rio 
Tinto’s diverse business activities covering a variety of 
commodities and operational locations. Together, 
these make up a comprehensive framework and 
approach to risk analysis and risk management. 

The Board has in place a number of systems to 
identify and manage business risks. These include: 

• 

• 

The identification and review of all of the 
business risks known to be facing the 
Company; 
The provision of reports and information by 
management to the Board, on a periodic 
basis, confirming the status and 
effectiveness of the plans, controls, policies 
and procedures implemented to manage 
business risks; 

•  Guidelines for ensuring that capital 

• 

• 
• 

expenditure and revenue commitments 
exceeding certain approved limits are 
placed before the Board for approval; 
Limits and controls for all financial 
exposures, including the use of derivatives; 
A regulatory compliance program; and 
Safety, health and environmental policies 
which are supported by a set of standards 
and management systems which recognise 
the Company’s commitment to achieving 
high standards of performance in all its 
activities in these areas. 

The Audit and Risk Committee reviews ERA’s risk 
management framework at least annually, and did so 
in 2022, to satisfy itself that it continues to be sound. 

The Audit and Risk Committee and the Board has 
assessed the strategic risks to the Company’s 
business and the mitigation strategies to be 
implemented by management. The strategic risks  

identified through this assessment were future 
operating cash flow and financial resources, 
stakeholder support of the Company’s strategic 
initiatives, rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area, 
internal constraints relating to the Company’s licence 
to operate, external events relating to the Company’s 
licence to operate and retention and recruitment of 
key personnel. 

These strategic risks are in addition to risks inherent 
to the mining industry generally which include 
economic conditions (fluctuations in commodity 
pricing and exchange rates), international regulation 
of greenhouse gas emissions and impact of climatic 
conditions. More information on ERA’s business risks, 
including any material exposure to economic, 
environmental and social sustainability risks, is set out 
on pages 26 to 29 of the Annual Report. 

Each reporting period, the Chief Executive and the 
Chief Financial Officer give statements to the Board 
that, in their opinion, the financial records of the 
Company have been properly maintained and that the 
financial statements comply with the Australian 
Accounting Standards and give a true and fair view of 
the Company’s financial position and performance. 
The statements also provide that the opinion has 
been formed on the basis of a sound system of risk 
management and internal control which is operating 
effectively in all material respects. 

Public statements and disclosure 
matters 

ERA makes full and immediate disclosures to its 
shareholders and the market as required by, and in 
accordance with, its legal and regulatory obligations. 
Established systems are in place to ensure 
compliance and matters that may have a material 
impact on the price or value of ERA’s securities are 
reported to the market in accordance with the ASX 
Listing Rules and the Corporations Act 2001. ERA’s 
Continuous Disclosure Policy is available at the 
Corporation Governance section of ERA’s website at 
www.energyres.com.au.  

Management is responsible for establishing and 
maintaining adequate internal controls over financial 
reporting. These controls, supervised by the Chief 
Executive and Chief Financial Officer, provide 
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the 
Group’s financial reporting and the preparation and 
presentation of financial statements for external 
reporting purposes, in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The 
Company’s internal controls over financial reporting 
include policies and procedures designed to ensure 
the maintenance of records that: (i) accurately and 
fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; 
(ii) provide reasonable assurances that transactions 
are recorded as necessary, enabling the preparation 
of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and 
(iii) receipts and expenditures are made with the 
authorisation of management and directors of each of 
the companies. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  69

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 

ERA believes that investor seminars, presentations 
and briefings on financial and operational issues, 
including social and environmental performance, are 
valuable ways of communicating with relevant 
professionals, employees and other interested 
persons when required. The Chief Executive and 
Chief Financial Officer are available for regular 
meetings with the Company’s major investors. 

When conducted, ERA gives equal access to 
information disclosed in investor seminars, 
presentations and briefings. If any such event is used 
to disclose new material, it will, in advance or 
simultaneously, be disclosed to the ASX and available 
on ERA’s website. 

ERA provides shareholders with the option to receive 
communications from, and send communications to, 
the Company and the share registrar electronically. 
The contact details are available on the Company’s 
website.

Modern Slavery Statement 

ERA is a reporting entity under the Australian Modern 
Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) and will be included in Rio 
Tinto’s joint 2022 Modern Slavery Statement which 
will be published on behalf of the reporting entities in 
the Rio Tinto Group. 

Shareholder communication 

ERA recognises the importance of effective 
communication with shareholders and the general 
investment community. Apart from ERA’s compliance 
with its mandatory continuous disclosure obligations, 
ERA takes steps to ensure that its shareholders and 
other stakeholders are kept informed. Full advantage 
is taken of the Annual General Meeting to inform 
shareholders of current developments and to give 
shareholders the opportunity to ask questions. KPMG, 
ERA’s external auditor attends the Annual General 
Meeting and is available to answer shareholder 
questions about the conduct of the audit and the 
preparation and content of the auditor’s report. ERA 
shareholders are also able to submit written questions 
regarding the conduct of the audit and the statutory 
audit report to the auditor via the Company. Any 
questions received and answers provided will be 
made available to members at the Annual General 
Meeting. Shareholders who are unable to attend 
meetings are encouraged to appoint a proxy to vote 
either as they direct or at their discretion. 

70  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 

Revenue from continuing operations 

Changes in inventories 

Materials and consumables used 

Employee benefits and contractor expenses 

Government and other royalties 

Commission and shipping expenses 

Depreciation and amortisation expenses 

Changes in estimate of rehabilitation provision 

Financing costs 

Statutory and corporate expenses 

Other expenses 

Loss before income tax 

Income tax (expense)/benefit 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive loss 

Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: 

Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges 

Income tax relating to components & other comprehensive loss 

Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

Loss is attributable to: 

Owners of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd 

Total comprehensive loss for the year is attributable to: 

NOTES 

2022 
$'000 

2021 
$'000 

3 

4 

4 

19 

4 

4 

5 

55,309  

201,007  

(22,524) 

(119,673) 

(235) 

(1,618) 

(15,918) 

(21,821) 

(1,936) 

(56) 

(312) 

(9,891) 

(2,585) 

(354) 

(62,157) 

(668,149) 

(106,467) 

(19,529) 

(6,009) 

(248) 

(4,158) 

(624) 

(160,553) 

(647,395) 

-  

(2,817) 

(160,553) 

(650,212) 

-  

-  

-  

(9,391) 

2,817  

(6,574) 

(160,553) 

(656,786) 

(160,553) 

(650,212) 

Owners of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd 

(160,553) 

(656,786) 

Earnings per share for loss attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the 
Company: 

Basic earnings/(loss) per share (cents) 

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share (cents) 

29 

29 

(4.3) 

(4.3) 

(17.6) 

(17.6) 

The above statement of comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  71

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Balance sheet 

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2022 

ASSETS 

Current assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Inventories 

Government security receivable 

Derivative financial instruments 

Other 

Total current assets 

Non-current assets 

Undeveloped properties 

Property, plant and equipment 

Government security receivable 

Total non-current assets 

Total assets 

LIABILITIES 

Current Liabilities 

Temporary bank overdraft 

Trade and other payables  

Lease liabilities 

Provisions  

Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Lease liabilities 

Provisions  

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net deficit 

EQUITY 

Contributed equity 

Reserves 

Accumulated losses 

Total deficit 

NOTES 

2022 
$'000 

2021 
$'000 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

87,116 

163,872 

4,678 

8,059 

- 

- 

2,924 

33,375 

29,613 

65,400 

3,451 

829 

102,777 

296,540 

89,856 

951 

89,856 

92 

486,187 

469,442 

576,994 

559,390 

679,771 

855,930 

12,253 

33,699 

284 

279,783 

326,019 

- 

36,803 

93 

232,732 

269,628 

681 

- 

19 

956,728 

1,028,724 

957,409 

1,028,724 

1,283,428 

1,298,352 

(603,657) 

(442,422) 

21 

22 

22 

1,177,656 

1,177,656 

387,912 

388,594 

(2,169,225) 

(2,008,672) 

(603,657) 

(442,422) 

The above balance sheet should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

72  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 

Balance at 1 January 2021 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive loss 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

22 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as 
owners: 

Contributions of equity – net of 
transaction cost 

Employee share options – value of 
employee services 

22 

CONTRIBUTED 
EQUITY  
$’000 

RESERVES  
$’000 

ACCUMULATED 
LOSSES  
$’000 

NOTES 

TOTAL  
$’000 

1,177,656 

395,383 

(1,358,460) 

214,579 

- 

- 

-  

- 

- 

- 

- 

(650,212) 

(650,212) 

(6,574) 

(6,574) 

- 

(6,574) 

(650,212) 

(656,786) 

- 

(215) 

(215) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(215) 

(215) 

Balance at 31 December 2021 

1,177,656 

388,594 

(2,008,672) 

(442,422) 

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive loss 

Total comprehensive loss for the year 

22 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as 
owners:  

Contributions of equity – net of 
transaction cost 

Employee share options – value of 
employee services  

22 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(682) 

(682) 

(160,553) 

(160,553) 

- 

- 

(160,553) 

(160,553) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(682) 

(682) 

Balance at 31 December 2022 

1,177,656 

387,912 

(2,169,225) 

(603,657) 

The above statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  73

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CASH FLOW STATEMENT 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Receipts from customers 

Payments to suppliers and employees 

Payments for rehabilitation 

Interest received 

Financing costs paid 

NOTES 

2022 
$'000 

2021 
$'000 

75,488 

194,155 

(28,750) 

(78,552) 

46,738 

115,603 

18 

(194,190) 

(153,149) 

1,133 

(644) 

343 

(731) 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities 

28 

(146,963) 

(37,934) 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

Payments for property, plant and equipment 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 

Proceeds from government security receivable 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities 

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

Temporary bank overdraft 

Payment of lease liabilities 

Employee share option payments 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year 

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 

10 

16 

(227) 

2,725 

56,778 

59,276 

12,253 

(300) 

(1,009) 

10,944 

(76,743) 

163,872 

(13) 

(43) 

- 

- 

(43) 

- 

(1,677) 

(835) 

(2,512) 

(40,489) 

204,350 

11 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

7 

87,116 

163,872 

The above cash flow statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

74  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1  Summary of significant 
accounting policies 

The principal accounting policies adopted in the 
preparation of these financial statements are set out 
below. These policies have been consistently applied to 
all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. The 
financial statements are for Energy Resources of 
Australia Ltd (ERA). 

(a)  Basis of preparation 

This general purpose financial report has been 
prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting 
Standards and interpretations issued by the Australian 
Accounting Standards Board, and the Corporations Act 
2001. The financial report has been prepared under the 
assumption that the Company is a going concern. 

(i)  Going Concern 

As at 31 December 2022, ERA has a deficiency of 
capital and reserves of $604 million and has also 
experienced operating losses and negative cash flows 
during the year ended on that date. As a result of the 
increase in the rehabilitation estimate in 2021 and 
2022 and given ERA’s available cash on hand, during 
2022 ERA undertook preparations to launch an 
entitlement offer. Following engagement with ERA’s 
three largest shareholders, no pre-commitments to 
subscribe for entitlements in the Interim Entitlement 
Offer were forthcoming based on the terms proposed 
by the then IBC.  

In declining to support the Interim Entitlement Offer at 
the price proposed by the IBC, Rio Tinto noted the 
lack of pre-commitment from minority shareholders. 
Rio Tinto further advised the IBC that Rio Tinto does 
not expect its investment in rehabilitation to generate 
financial returns, and as such Rio Tinto considers the 
offer price should reflect fair value which has regard to 
that expectation, the material cost over runs and 
interim funding requirements and the Mirarr People’s 
publicly stated position on the future development of 
Jabiluka. Rio Tinto advised the IBC that, in its view, 
the IBC’s proposed offer price of a 10-15% discount to 
the prevailing share price of ERA did not have regard 
to these factors.  

As a consequence, the IBC announced on 28 July 
2022 that it did not have sufficient confidence that 
proceeding with the Interim Entitlement Offer on the 
terms it had proposed would raise the necessary 
funds. Given the above, the IBC delayed the launch of 
the Interim Entitlement Offer in order to engage an 
independent valuation expert to determine the fair 
value of ERA shares, on a basis consistent with an 
independent expert’s valuation prepared under Part 
6A.4 of the Corporations Act and in accordance with 
published ASIC guidance (including Regulatory Guide 
111). This would then help determine the offer price of 
the Interim Entitlement Offer.  

In August 2022 the IBC engaged Grant Thornton to 
determine the fair value of ERA and as subsequently 
announced on 26 September 2022 this resulted in a 
valuation range of between $0.159 and $0.243 per 
share. Rio Tinto continued to express a view that this 
did not reflect their view of fair value.  

On 6 October 2022, ERA agreed to enter into an 
amended $100 million loan agreement with Rio Tinto 
(Revised Credit Facility), under which loans of a 
cumulative value of up to $100 million can be made 
available to provide ERA with additional liquidity for 
the purpose of rehabilitating the Ranger Project Area. 
The Revised Credit Facility has a maturity date of 31 
March 2023 unless additional funds are raised before 
that, or unless extended by Rio Tinto. The maturity 
date is subject to deferral for approximately three 
months if ERA is unable to repay the loan at that time.  

Following the agreement of the terms of the Revised 
Credit Facility, which provides a pathway to an interim 
funding solution, ERA’s then Chairman, Peter 
Mansell, and the two independent non-executive 
directors at the time, Paul Dowd and Shane Charles 
(who comprise the IBC), resigned from the board of 
ERA on 6 October 2022. 

In early 2023, as noted above, the IBC was re-
established following the appointment of three 
independent non-executive directors.  

Work has progressed on funding solutions, including 
work on a possible interim entitlement offer with a 
target launch in March 2023 to provide sufficient 
funding to enable rehabilitation to continue until Q1 
2024. ERA has appointed Highbury Partnership as 
financial adviser, Herbert Smith Freehills as legal 
adviser to the Independent Board Committee and 
Ashurst as legal adviser to the Company. 

The Board notes Rio Tinto’s public statements to the 
effect that it is committed to working with ERA to 
ensure the rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area is 
successfully achieved to a standard that will establish 
an environment similar to the adjacent Kakadu 
National Park. Given this, and ongoing engagement, 
the Board considers that Rio Tinto subscribing for its 
full pro rata share of its entitlements in an interim 
entitlement offer, would be more likely and consistent 
with Rio Tinto’s stated commitment to the completion 
of the Ranger Project Area rehabilitation project. Rio 
Tinto’s full participation in an interim entitlement offer 
(at an agreed price) would ensure that funding 
required for the rehabilitation of the Ranger Project 
Area until Q1 2024 is successfully raised.  

Following the completion of the 2022 Feasibility Study 
during 2023, subject to successfully executing an 
interim funding solution to fund expenditure to Q1 
2024, ERA will be in a position to determine a longer-
term rehabilitation funding solution. At that stage, ERA 
will engage with Rio Tinto and other shareholders to 
potentially finalise a funding solution in early 2024. An 
inability to obtain sufficient funding would have a 
material impact on ERA’s business, financial 
performance and assessment as a going concern. Rio 
Tinto has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the 
rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area is 
successfully achieved to a standard that will establish 
an environment similar to the adjacent Kakadu 
National Park. 

Each year, the Company is required to prepare and 
submit to the Commonwealth Government an Annual 
Plan of Rehabilitation (Annual Plan). Once accepted 
by the Commonwealth Government, the Annual Plan 
is then independently assessed and costed and the 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

amount to be provided by the Company into the 
Ranger Rehabilitation Trust Fund (Trust Fund) is then 
determined. The Trust Fund includes both cash and 
financial guarantees. The 45th Annual Plan of 
Rehabilitation is currently being undertaken to align 
with the conclusion of processing which occurred on 8 
January 2021 and consider impacts identified through 
the rehabilitation reforecast process. Further work on 
the reforecast (through the 2022 Feasibility Study) 
and alterations to the Pit 3 capping strategy are 
ongoing. This review may revise the determined 
security position which may require additional funding 
requirements.  

At 31 December 2022, ERA has $125 million in bank 
guarantees to the Commonwealth Government over 
the 44th Annual Plan of Rehabilitation which was 
finalised in February 2020 (an additional $1 million 
is held as an allowance for Jabiluka rehabilitation). 
Issuers of the bank guarantees have certain pay and 
walk rights and the guarantees are subject to periodic 
reviews. Should the banks execute their pay and walk 
rights or should ERA be unable to access bank 
guarantees, substantial additional cash would be 
required to indemnify the banks or be deposited into 
the Trust Fund. ERA continues to maintain regular 
dialogue with its major relationship banks.  

ERA has reviewed its forecast cash expenditure in 
light of these developments and is closely monitoring 
its rehabilitation commitments. ERA remains 
committed to maintaining the current Ranger Project 
Area rehabilitation schedule to the extent it possibly 
can. As at 31 December 2022, ERA had no debt and 
$561 million in total cash resources (comprising $75 
million in cash at bank (net of overdrafts) and $486 
million invested as part of the government security 
receivable).  

The Company has announced plans for a possible 
interim entitlement offer with a target launch in March 
2023. In line with the current rehabilitation plan and in 
the absence of the interim entitlement offer, ERA’s 
cash at bank and undrawn loan facility is expected to 
be exhausted in Q2 2023. 

As a result of these matters, there is a material 
uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on ERA’s 
ability to continue as a going concern and, therefore, 
that it may be unable to realise its assets and 
discharge its liabilities in the normal course of 
business. Should additional funding support from its 
shareholders not occur ERA would likely have 
insufficient cash on hand to continue its current 
activities within the foreseeable future. However, the 
directors believe that ERA will be successful in 
obtaining additional funding support from its 
shareholders, and that the Annual Plan security 
requirements will continue to be covered by a mix of 
cash on deposit, bank guarantees and the funding 
from its shareholders. Accordingly, the financial report 
has been prepared on a going concern basis.  

(ii)  Compliance with IFRS 

The financial statements of the Company also comply 
with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB). 

(iii)   Historical cost convention 

These financial statements have been prepared under 
the historical cost convention, except for where 
specifically outlined that an alternative basis has been 
used within Note 1. 

(iv)  Critical accounting estimates 

The presentation of financial statements requires the 
use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also 
requires management to exercise its judgement in the 
process of applying the accounting policies of the 
Company. The areas involving a higher degree of 
judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions 
and estimates are significant to the financial 
statements, are disclosed in Note 2. 

(b)  Principles of consolidation 

(i)  Subsidiaries 

ERA has no subsidiaries and is referred to in the 
financial report as the Company or ERA. 

Subsidiaries are all those entities (including special 
purpose entities) over which the Company has the 
power to govern the financial and operating policies, 
generally accompanying a shareholding of more than 
one half of the voting rights. The existence and effect 
of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable 
or convertible are considered when assessing 
whether the Company controls another entity. 

(c)  Revenue recognition 

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the 
consideration received or receivable. Amounts 
disclosed as revenue are net of returns, trade 
allowances, rebates and amounts collected on behalf 
of third parties. 

The Company recognises revenue when the amount 
of revenue can be reliably measured. It is probable 
that future economic benefits will flow to the entity and 
the criteria pertaining to the transfer of control of 
goods or rendering of services has been met as 
described in the sections below. 

(i)  Sale of goods 

ERA places all sales through a marketing agreement 
with Rio Tinto Marketing PTE Limited (Rio Tinto 
Uranium) based in Singapore (Marketing Agreement). 

Sales revenue is recognised on individual sales when 
control transfers to the customer. This occurs when 
the uranium transfers from the Company’s account at 
converter locations to its customers account. It is at 
this stage under the respective arrangement that the 
company no longer can control or direct goods. 

There is only one performance obligation, being for 
provision of product at the point where control passes. 

Sales revenue excludes any applicable sales taxes. 
Mining royalties payable are presented as an 
operating cost. 

76  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Receipts from sales revenue are generally received 
30 days from the date of sale. 

at the end of the reporting period in the country where 
the Company generates taxable income (Australia). 

(ii)   Rendering of services 

Revenue from the rendering of services is recognised 
when the service is provided. 

(iii)  Other revenue/income 

Other revenue/income recognised by the Company 
includes: 

• 

Interest income, which is recognised on a 
time proportion basis using the effective 
interest rate method; 

•  Rental income, which is recognised on a 

straight line basis; 

•  Net gains on disposal of assets, which is 

recognised at the date control of the asset 
passes to the acquirer; 

•  Contract compensation, which is recognised 

• 
• 

upon cancellation of a sales contract; 
Foreign exchange gains; and 
Insurance recoveries, which is recognised 
on confirmation from the insurer that the 
claim payment has been approved. 

(d)  Foreign currency translation 

(i)  Functional and presentation currency 

Items included in the financial statements are 
measured using the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which the entity operates (“the 
functional currency”). The financial statements are 
presented in Australian dollars, which is the 
Company’s functional and presentation currency. 

(ii)  Transactions and balances 

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the 
functional currency using the exchange rates 
prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign 
exchange gains and losses resulting from the 
settlement of such transactions and from the 
translation at year end exchange rates of monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies are recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income; except when they are 
deferred in equity as qualifying cash flow hedges and 
qualifying net investment hedges or are attributable to 
part of the net investment in a foreign operation. 

(e)  Financing costs 

Financing costs (including interest) are included in the 
statement of comprehensive income in the period 
during which they are incurred. 

(f) 

Income tax 

Income tax expense for the period is the tax payable 
on the current period’s taxable income based on the 
applicable income tax rate adjusted by temporary 
differences between the tax bases of assets and 
liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial 
statements, and of unused tax losses. 

The current income tax charge is calculated on the 
basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted 

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the 
liability method, on temporary differences arising 
between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and 
their carrying amounts in the financial statements. 
However, the deferred income tax is not accounted for 
if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability 
in a transaction, other than a business combination 
that at the time of the transaction affects neither 
accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income 
tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have 
been enacted or substantially enacted by the 
reporting date and are expected to apply when the 
related deferred income tax asset is realised or the 
deferred income tax liability is settled. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible 
temporary differences and unused tax losses only if it 
is probable that future taxable amounts will be 
available to utilise those temporary differences and 
losses. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when 
there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax 
assets and liabilities and when the deferred tax 
balances relate to the same taxation authority. 
Current tax assets and tax liabilities are offset where 
the entity has a legally enforceable right to offset and 
intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the 
asset and settle the liability simultaneously. 

Current and deferred tax balances attributable to 
amounts recognised directly in equity are also 
recognised directly in equity. 

(g)  Trade and other receivables 

Trade receivables are recognised at fair value. The 
company applies the forward looking expected credit 
loss model required by AASB 9, using the simplified 
approach for its trade receivables portfolio review and 
the general approach for all other financial assets as 
required by the standard. 

Trade receivables are normally settled within 45 days 
and are carried at amounts due. The collectability of 
trade receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis 
and specific provisions are made for any doubtful 
amounts. Receivables which are known to be 
uncollectible are written off. 

Other receivables relate to transactions outside the 
usual operating activities of the Company and are 
predominantly concerned with rental receipts from 
employees and businesses located within the Jabiru 
township. These ongoing activities are expected to be 
settled during the 12 months subsequent to balance 
date but are assessed regularly and impaired 
accordingly. 

(h)  Financial instruments 

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

Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially 
measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are 
directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of 
financial assets and financial liabilities (other than 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value 
through profit or loss) are added to or deducted from 
the fair value of the financial assets or financial 
liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. 
Transaction costs directly attributable to the 
acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at 
fair value through profit or loss are recognised 
immediately in profit or loss. 

Management uses valuation techniques to determine 
the fair value of financial instruments (where active 
market quotes are not available) and non-financial 
assets. This involves developing estimates and 
assumptions consistent with how market participants 
would price the instrument. Management bases its 
assumptions on observable data as far as possible, 
but this is not always available. In that case 
management uses the best information available. 
Estimated fair values may vary from the actual prices 
that would be achieved in an arm’s length transaction 
at the reporting date. 

(i)  Derivative financial instruments 

ERA has historically entered into both forward foreign 
exchange contracts and gasoil swap contracts. These 
contracts are used to manage ERA’s exposure to US 
dollar sales and the price of diesel used to run major 
mine infrastructure. 

Derivatives are recognised initially at fair value at the 
date a derivative contract is entered into and are 
subsequently remeasured to their fair value at each 
reporting date. The resulting gain or loss is 
recognised in the profit or loss immediately unless the 
derivative is designated and effective as a hedging 
instrument, in which event the timing of the 
recognition in profit or loss depends on the nature of 
the hedge relationship. 

A derivative with a positive fair value is recognised as 
a financial asset whereas a derivative with a negative 
fair value is recognised as a financial liability. 
Derivatives are not offset in the financial statements 
unless ERA has both legal right and intention to 
offset. A derivative is presented as a non-current 
asset or a non-current liability if the remaining maturity 
of the instrument is more than 12 months and it is not 
expected to be realised or settled within 12 months. 
Other derivatives are presented as current assets or 
current liabilities. 

(ii)  Hedge Accounting 

ERA has historically designated forward exchange 
contracts as hedging instruments in the form of cash 
flow hedges. At the inception of the hedge 
relationship, ERA documents the relationship between 
the hedging instrument and the hedged item, along 
with its risk management objectives and its strategy 
for undertaking hedge transactions. Furthermore, at 
the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, 
ERA documents whether the hedging instrument is 
effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash 
flows of the hedged item attributable to the hedged 
risk, which is when the hedging relationships meet all 
of the following hedge effectiveness requirements: 

• 

There is an economic relationship between 
the hedged item and the hedging 
instrument; 

• 

• 

The effect of credit risk does not dominate 
the value changes that result from that 
economic relationship; and  
The hedge ratio of the hedging relationship 
is the same as that resulting from the 
quantity of the hedged item that ERA 
actually hedges and the quantity of the 
hedging instrument that ERA actually uses 
to hedge that quantity of hedged item. 

(iii)  Cash flow hedges 

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of 
derivatives and other qualifying hedging instruments 
that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is 
recognised in other comprehensive income and 
presented in the cash flow hedge reserve under 
equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective 
portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss and 
is included in the ‘other gains and losses’ line item. 
Sources of ineffectiveness include the effect of credit 
risk on the hedging instrument and the mismatch of 
the timing of settlements between the hedged item 
and the hedging instrument. 

Amounts previously recognised in other 
comprehensive income and accumulated in equity are 
reclassified to profit or loss in the periods when the 
hedged item affects profit or loss, in the same line as 
the recognised hedged item. 

ERA discontinues hedge accounting only when the 
hedging relationship (or a part thereof) ceases to 
meet the qualifying criteria (after rebalancing, if 
applicable). This includes instances when the hedging 
instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised. 
The discontinuation is accounted for prospectively. 
Any gain or loss recognised in other comprehensive 
income and accumulated in cash flow hedge reserve 
at that time remains in equity and is reclassified to 
profit or loss when the forecast transaction occurs. If 
the forecast transactions are no longer expected to 
occur, the gain or loss accumulated in cash flow 
hedge reserve in equity is reclassified to profit or loss 
immediately. 

Unrecognised gains and losses recorded in the hedge 
reserve will give rise to a deferred tax asset or liability. 
This is recorded in the cash flow hedge reserve. ERA 
then considers if this is recoverable in the event it is a 
deferred tax asset. In the event it is a deferred tax 
liability, ERA considers whether unrecognised 
deferred tax assets should be recognised to offset the 
liability. Where this occurs the recognition of the 
deferred tax asset is recorded through income tax 
benefit in the statement of comprehensive income. 

(iv)  Fair value measurement 

When measuring the fair value of its assets and 
liabilities, the Company uses observable market data. 
All assets and liabilities measured at fair value, 
including hedging instruments, use Level 1 valuation 
techniques: quoted prices (adjusted) in active markets 
for identical assets or liabilities.  

78  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

(i) 

Inventories 

(ii)  Depreciation and amortisation 

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost and net 
realisable value. Net realisable value for uranium is 
determined based on estimated future sales prices, 
exchange rates and capital and production costs, 
including transport. Net realisable value for stores is 
determined based on management’s estimate of the 
extent to which the inventory is usable. 

Inventory is valued using the weighted average cost 
method and includes both fixed and variable 
production costs, as well as cash and non-cash 
charges. For stores, the costing includes solely 
material purchase prices. 

Stores are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable 
value and are impaired accordingly to take into 
account obsolescence. The Company discloses 
obsolescence changes in Note 9. 

Uranium inventories are split between a current and 
non-current assets classification, based on 
management’s estimate on when it will realise 
economic benefit from the sale of inventories. 
Management performs this estimate based on sales 
schedules with its customers and historical 
experience around sales timing. 

(j) 

Impairment of assets 

Assets are tested for impairment whenever events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying 
amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss 
is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s 
carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The 
recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair 
value, less cost to sell and value in use. For the 
purposes of assessing impairment, assets are 
grouped at the lowest levels for which there are 
separately identifiable cash flows (cash generating 
units). 

Fair value is determined as the amount that would be 
obtained from the sale of the asset in an arm’s length 
transaction. 

The value in use is determined using the present 
value of the future cashflow expected to be derived 
from an asset or cash generating unit. 

(k)  Property, plant and equipment 

(i)  Acquisition 

Items of property, plant and equipment are recorded 
at historical cost and, except for land, are depreciated 
over their useful life. Historical cost includes 
expenditure that is directly attributable to the 
acquisition of the items. Subsequent costs are 
included in the asset’s carrying amount, or recognised 
as a separate asset – as appropriate, only when it is 
probable that future economic benefits associated 
with the item will flow to the Company and the cost of 
the item can be measured reliably. Repairs and 
maintenance are charged to the statement of 
comprehensive income during the period in which 
they are incurred. 

All ERA’s property, plant and equipment (excluding 
right of use assets) is currently fully impaired. 
Property, plant and equipment expenditure incurred is 
recorded directly in other expenses. 

(l)  Leases 

Leases are recognised as a right-of-use asset and a 
corresponding liability at the date at which the leased 
asset is available for use by the Company. Each lease 
payment is allocated between the liability and finance 
cost. The finance cost is charged to profit or loss over 
the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic 
rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability 
for each period. 

The right-of-use asset is shown as a non-current 
asset and depreciated over the shorter of its useful life 
and the lease terms on a straight line basis. As right-
of-use assets represent an economic benefit they are 
not impaired, as is the case for other Ranger Cash 
Generating Unit (CGU) assets. 

Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially 
measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities 
include the net present value of the following lease 
payments: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Fixed payments (including in-substance 
fixed payments), less any lease incentives 
receivable; 
Variable lease payment that are based on 
an index or a rate; 
Amounts expected to be payable by the 
lessee under residual value guarantees; 
The exercise price of a purchase option if 
the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise 
that option; 
Payments of penalties for terminating the 
lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee 
exercising that option; and 
The lease payments are discounted using 
the interest rate implicit in the lease. If that 
rate cannot be determined, the incremental 
borrowing rate is used. 

Right-of-use assets are measured at cost comprising 
the following: 

• 

• 

The amount of the initial measurement of 
lease liability; 
Any lease payments made at or before the 
commencement date less any lease 
incentives received; 
Any initial direct costs; and 

• 
•  Restoration costs. 

Payments associated with short-term leases and 
leases of low-value assets are recognised as an 
expense in the statement of comprehensive income. 
Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 
twelve months or less. 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Treatment of lease agreements recognised in the 
rehabilitation provision 

Lease payments have been contemplated in the 
rehabilitation provision. However, once a lease for 
equipment to be used in rehabilitation activities is 
entered into a separate lease liability and right-of-use 
asset is recognised. The rehabilitation obligation is not 
extinguished by entering into a lease, instead, the 
rehabilitation obligation is extinguished over time as 
the leased asset is put to use in executing the 
rehabilitation program. 

Lease payments are allocated to the lease liability, 
with the interest component allocated to financing cost 
in the statement of comprehensive income. 

Where the right-of-use asset resulting from the lease 
arrangement is to be used exclusively for 
rehabilitation, it represents an economic resource 
which will have a future use in the completion of 
rehabilitation activity. As such the right-of-use asset is 
not impaired as is the case for other non-lease 
Ranger Cash Generating Unit (CGU) assets. 

When the right-of-use asset is depreciated, the 
depreciation charge is allocated to the rehabilitation 
provision to reduce the outstanding amount provided 
for in the rehabilitation provision. 

(m)  Exploration and evaluation expenditure 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure comprises 
costs which are directly attributable to: 

•  Researching and analysing existing 

exploration data; 

•  Conducting geological studies, exploratory 

drilling and sampling; 

•  Construction of underground tunnels, where 

• 

necessary for exploration drilling; 
Examining and testing extraction and 
treatment methods; and 

•  Compiling prefeasibility and feasibility 

studies. 

Exploration and evaluation expenditure also includes 
the costs incurred in acquiring mineral rights, the entry 
premiums paid to gain access to areas of interest and 
amounts payable to third parties to acquire interests in 
existing projects. 

Capitalisation of exploration expenditure commences 
when there is a high degree of confidence in the 
projects viability and hence it is probable that future 
economic benefits will flow to the Company. 
Capitalised exploration expenditure is reviewed for 
impairment indicators at each balance sheet date. 

Exploration and evaluation assets are tested for 
impairment when any of the following facts and 
circumstances exist: 

• 

The term of exploration licence in the 
specific area of interest has expired during 
the reporting period or will expire in the near 
future, and is not expected to be renewed; 

• 

• 

• 

Substantive expenditure on further 
exploration and evaluation of mineral 
resources in the specific area are not 
budgeted or planned; 
Exploration for and evaluation of mineral 
resources in the specific area have not led 
to the discovery of commercially viable 
quantities of mineral resource and the 
decision was made to discontinue such 
activities in the specific area; or 
Sufficient data exists to indicate that, 
although development in the specific area of 
interest is likely to proceed, the carrying 
amount of the exploration and evaluation 
asset is unlikely to be recovered in full from 
successful development or by sale. 

Subsequent recovery of the resulting carrying value 
depends on successful development of the area of 
interest or sale of the project. If a project does not 
prove viable, all unrecoverable costs associated with 
the project and the related impairment provisions are 
written off. Any impairment provisions raised in 
previous years are reassessed if there is a change in 
circumstances, which indicates that they should be 
reviewed; for example, if it is decided to proceed with 
development. If the project proceeds to development 
the amounts included within intangible assets are 
transferred to property, plant and equipment. 

(i)  Undeveloped properties 

Undeveloped properties are mineral concessions 
where the intention is to develop and go into 
production in due course. The carrying values of 
these assets are reviewed annually by management 
and the results of these reviews are reported to the 
Board and Audit and Risk Committee. For accounting 
purposes, the company reviews for evidence of 
impairment indicators at each reporting date and, 
where identified, the recoverable amount is estimated. 

(n)  Goods and Services Tax (GST) 

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net 
of the amount of associated GST, unless the GST 
incurred is not recoverable from the taxation authority. 
In this case it is recognised as part of the cost of 
acquisition of the asset, or as part of the expense. 

Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the 
amount of GST receivable or payable. The net 
amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the 
taxation authority is included with other receivables or 
payables in the balance sheet.  

(o)  Trade and other payables 

Liabilities are recognised for amounts to be paid in the 
future for goods and services received prior to the end 
of the financial year, whether or not billed to the 
Company. Trade accounts payable are normally 
settled within 60 days. These are recognised initially 
at their fair value and subsequently measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest rate 
method. 

80  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

(p)  Provisions 

Provisions are recognised when the Company has a 
present legal or constructive obligation as a result of 
past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources 
will be required to settle the obligation and the amount 
has been reliably estimated. Provisions are not 
recognised for future operating losses. 

Provisions are measured at the present value of 
management’s best estimate of the expenditure, 
adjusted for risk, required to settle the present 
obligation at the balance sheet date. The discount 
rate used to determine the present value reflects 
current market assessments of the time value of 
money. The increase in the provision due to the 
passage of time is recognised as financing costs. 

(i)  Rehabilitation 

The Company is required to rehabilitate the Ranger 
Project Area upon cessation of mining operations, 
which occurred on 8 January 2021. The costs are 
estimated on the basis of a closure plan, taking into 
consideration the technical closure options available 
to meet the Company’s obligations. The cost 
estimates are calculated annually during the life of the 
operation to reflect known developments and are 
subject to regular reviews. 

The amortisation or unwinding of the discount applied 
in establishing the net present value of provisions is 
charged to the statement of comprehensive income in 
each accounting period. The amortisation of the 
discount is shown as a financing cost. Other 
movements in the provision for closure and 
restoration costs, including those resulting from new 
disturbance, updated cost estimates, changes to lives 
of operations and revisions to discount rates are 
allocated directly to the statement of comprehensive 
income.  

Costs are allowed for in the closure provision when 
they are directly related to rehabilitation of the Ranger 
Project Area. Costs incurred to operate and manage 
the site whilst uranium oxide production was occurring 
were allocated to operating costs. The operation of 
the Brine Concentrator, pond water management and 
power station are costs that were allocated to 
operating costs up until production of uranium oxide 
ceased (8 January 2021). Following cessation of 
uranium oxide production these costs are allocated to 
the closure provision. Costs associated with non-
rehabilitation corporate activities remain in operating 
costs and so are not provided for. 

Separately, the Company is required to maintain the 
Ranger Rehabilitation Special Account (Trust Fund) 
with the Commonwealth Government. The Trust Fund 
is intended to provide security against the estimated 
costs of closing and rehabilitating the Ranger Project 
Area immediately. Each year, the Company is 
required to prepare and submit to the Commonwealth 
Government an Annual Plan of Rehabilitation (Annual 
Plan). Once accepted by the Commonwealth 
Government, the Annual Plan is then independently 
assessed and costed and the amount to be provided 
by the Company into the Trust Fund is then 
determined.  

The Trust Fund includes both cash and financial 
guarantees.  The cash portion is shown as a 
government security receivable on the balance sheet 
(Note 10), and interest received by the Trust Fund is 
shown as interest income. The balance of bank 
guarantee is shown at Note 10. 

Government security receivable balances are split 
between current and non-current assets based on 
management’s estimate as to when cash will be 
received from the Commonwealth Government. 

The Company is required to rehabilitate the Jabiluka 
Mineral Lease upon cessation of operations to a 
standard specified by the Authorisation to operate 
issued by the Northern Territory Government. The 
estimated cost of rehabilitation is currently secured by 
a bank guarantee of $1 million. The Jabiluka Mineral 
Lease remains under a Long Term Care and 
Maintenance Agreement and will not be developed 
without the consent of Mirarr Traditional Owners. 

(q)  Employee entitlements 

(i)  Wages and salaries, annual leave and sick 

leave  

The liability for employee entitlements to wages and 
salaries represents the amount which the Company 
has a present obligation to pay, resulting from 
employees’ services provided up to the reporting date. 
A provision exists for annual leave and accumulating 
sick leave as it is earned by employees and is 
measured at the amount expected to be paid when it 
is settled and includes all related on-costs. Liabilities 
for non-accumulating sick leave are recognised when 
the leave is taken and measured at the rates paid or 
payable. 

(ii)  Long service leave 

The liability for long service leave expected to be 
settled within 12 months of the reporting date is 
recognised in the provision of employee benefits and 
is measured in accordance with (i) above. The liability 
for long service leave expected to be settled more 
than 12 months from the reporting date is measured 
as the present value of expected future payments to 
be made in respect of services provided by 
employees up to the reporting date. Consideration is 
given to the expected future wage and salary levels, 
experience of employee departures and periods of 
service. 

Expected future payments are discounted using the 
rates attaching to Commonwealth Government 
securities at the reporting date, which most closely 
match the terms of maturity of the related liabilities. 

(iii)  Superannuation plan 

Employees of the Company are entitled to benefits on 
retirement, disability or death from their membership 
of the Rio Tinto Staff Superannuation Fund (“The 
Fund”). The Fund has both a defined benefit and a 
defined contribution section. Contributions to the 
defined contribution superannuation plans are 
expensed in the income statement when incurred. 

The Company has no staff who are members of the 
defined benefits section. 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

(iv)  Termination benefits 

(w)  Share based payments 

Termination benefits are payable when employment is 
terminated before the normal retirement date, or when 
an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in 
exchange for these benefits. The Company 
recognises termination benefits when it is 
demonstrably committed to either terminating the 
employment of current employees according to a 
detailed formal plan without possibility of withdrawal 
or to providing termination benefits as a result of an 
offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy. 

(r)  Segment reporting 

Management has determined the operating segments 
based on the reports reviewed by the Chief Executive, 
used to make strategic decisions. The Chief Executive 
considers the business from a product perspective. 

(s)  Cash and cash equivalents 

For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash 
includes cash on hand and deposits held at call. 

Cash instruments that qualify as cash equivalents 
have an original maturity date no greater than three 
months. 

(t)  Contributed equity 

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. 

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of 
new shares or options are shown in equity as a 
deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. Incremental 
costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares 
or options for the acquisition of a business are not 
included in the cost of the acquisition as part of the 
purchase consideration. 

(u)  Earnings per share 

(i)  Basic earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share is determined by dividing net 
profit after income tax attributable to members of the 
Company, excluding any costs of servicing equity 
other than ordinary shares, by the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the 
financial year, adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary 
shares issued during the year. 

(ii)  Diluted earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in 
the determination of basic earnings per share to take 
into account the after income tax effect of interest and 
other financing costs associated with dilutive potential 
ordinary shares and the weighted average number of 
shares assumed to have been issued for no 
consideration in relation to dilutive potential ordinary 
shares. 

(v)  Rounding of amounts 

The Company is of a kind referred to in Class Order 
2016/191, issued by the Australian Securities and 
Investments Commission, relating to the ‘rounding off’ 
of amounts in the financial report. Amounts in the 
financial report have been ‘rounded off’ in accordance 
with that Class Order to the nearest thousand dollars, 
or in certain cases, to the nearest dollar. 

The fair value of cash settled share plans is 
recognised as a liability over the vesting period of the 
awards. Movements in that liability between 
accounting dates are recognised as an expense. The 
grant date fair value of the awards is taken to be the 
market value of the shares at the date of award. Fair 
values are subsequently re-measured at each 
accounting date to reflect the number of awards 
expected to vest based on the current and anticipated 
TSR performance. If any awards are ultimately settled 
in shares, the liability is transferred direct to equity as 
the consideration for the equity instruments issued. 

Equity settled share plans are settled either by the 
issue of shares by the relevant parent Company, by 
the purchase of shares on market or by the use of 
shares previously acquired as part of a share 
buyback. The fair value of the share plans is 
recognised as an expense over the expected vesting 
period with a corresponding entry to other reserves. 

If the cost of shares acquired to satisfy the plans 
exceeds the expense charged, the excess is taken to 
the appropriate reserve. The fair value of the share 
plans is determined at the date of grant, taking into 
account any market based vesting conditions 
attached to the award (e.g. TSR). The Company uses 
fair values provided by independent actuaries 
calculated using a lattice based option valuation 
model. Non-market based vesting conditions (e.g. 
earnings per share targets) are taken into account in 
estimating the number of awards likely to vest. 

The estimate of the number of awards likely to vest is 
reviewed at each balance sheet date up to the vesting 
date, at which point the estimate is adjusted to reflect 
the actual awards issued. No adjustment is made 
after the vesting date even if the awards are forfeited 
or not exercised. 

Further information about the treatment of individual 
share based payment plans is provided in Note 32. 

(x)  Standards issued but not yet effective 

A number of new standards are effective for annual 
periods beginning after 1 January 2023 and earlier 
application is permitted. However, the Company has 
not adopted the new or amended standards in 
preparing these financial statements. Management 
has also concluded that when those new standards 
become applicable and are adopted there will be no 
anticipated material impact to the balances and 
transactions of the Company. 

2  Critical accounting estimates 
and judgements 

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated 
and are based on historical experience and other 
factors, including expectations of future events that 
may have a financial impact on the Company and that 
are believed to be reasonable under the 
circumstances. 

The Company makes estimates and assumptions 
concerning the future. The resulting accounting 
estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related 

82  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

actual results. The estimates and assumptions that 
have a significant risk of causing a material 
adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities within the next financial year are discussed 
below. 

(a)  Rehabilitation provision 

The calculation of the rehabilitation provision relies on 
estimates of costs and their timing to rehabilitate and 
restore disturbed land to establish an environment 
similar to the adjacent Kakadu National Park in line 
with the Company’s statutory obligations. 

The costs are estimated on the basis of a closure 
plan, taking into account considerations of the 
technical closure options available to meet ERA’s 
obligations. The provision for rehabilitation represents 
the net present cost at 31 December 2022 of the 
preferred plan (subaerial capping) and represents 
management’s best estimate of cost. 

In July 2021, ERA commenced a major reforecast of 
cost and schedule. This followed on from the 2019 
Feasibility Study which expanded on the earlier 
prefeasibility study completed in 2011. The reforecast 
continued into early 2022, including an external 
evaluation of the preliminary findings, which were 
reflected in the 2021 Rehabilitation provision. The 
preliminary findings by ERA from its reforecast 
exercise based on the Ranger rehabilitation project 
being completed in accordance with the methodology 
set out in the 2020 Mine Closure Plan indicates that: 

(i)  The revised total cost of completing the Ranger 
Project Area rehabilitation, including incurred 
spend from 1 January 2019, is forecast to be 
approximately between $1.6 billion and $2.2 billion 
(undiscounted nominal terms). The previously 
announced closure estimate, which was based on 
the Ranger Project Area closure Feasibility Study 
finalised in 2019 (“Feasibility Study”), was $973 
million (undiscounted nominal terms). 
Approximately $524 million of the total cost of 
completing the rehabilitation of the Ranger Project 
Area was spent from 1 January 2019 to 31 
December 2022; and 

(ii)  The revised date for completing the Ranger 
Project Area rehabilitation is forecast to be 
between Quarter 4, 2027 and Quarter 4, 2028. 

ERA notes that the above revised estimates, as to 
both cost and schedule, are based on the Ranger 
rehabilitation project being completed in accordance 
with the methodology set out in the 2020 Mine 
Closure Plan. 

In determining the provision, ERA has considered the 
preliminary findings from the reforecast, recent work 
in preparation for an interim entitlement offer and 
potential optimisation of the Pit 3 capping strategy. In 
addition, ERA has continued to see the rehabilitation 
project exposed to challenging conditions, including 
tight labour market conditions, supply chain 
constraints and inflationary pressures being 
experienced across the broader industry. These 
impacts, as far as currently known, have been 
considered in the estimate. This has resulted in an 
increase to the provision of $62 million that has been 
recorded in the statement of comprehensive income. 

The reforecast estimate is prepared in nominal terms, 
it has then been adjusted to real terms by removing 
the impacts of inflation. This has then been 
discounted at 1.5% to give a closure provision. The 
estimated closure provision at 31 December 2022, 
excluding unrecognised employee termination 
benefits and including an allowance of $1 million for 
Jabiluka rehabilitation is $1,225 million. 

Progressive rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area 
has continued during 2022 with several key 
milestones achieved. In February 2022, stakeholder 
acceptance was received for the conversion of the 
Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) to a water storage 
facility. Water transfers from Pit 3 to the Ranger Water 
Dam (RWD) were then completed. Following this 
wicking of Pit 3 began in late 2022 and is forecast to 
be completed in March 2023, which will allow Pit 3 
capping to commence in 2023. The Pit 3 capping 
application based on the dry capping methodology for 
the capping of Pit 3 was officially submitted in April 
2022, a major milestone for ERA. Work is progressing 
on a response to initial stakeholder feedback 
received. ERA’s Pit 3 dry capping study has 
progressed to execution and the design engineer has 
been engaged and detailed design commenced. 

ERA’s Jabiru housing refurbishment program 
continues to progress. ERA is progressively working 
with GACJT and JKL for the transfer of properties to 
enable tenanting by third parties.  

Other key rehabilitation activities continued including: 
drilling of additional brine injection wells to aid salt 
disposal, Brine Squeezer process water modification 
as well as ongoing water treatment. Treatment rates 
of process water through the Brine Concentrator were 
adversely impacted by plant reliability issues resulting 
in production rates falling below design criteria 
volumes. 

Major activities to complete the rehabilitation plan 
include bulk material movements, water treatment, 
demolition and revegetation. Major cost sensitivities 
include Pit 3 capping, material movements and water 
treatment. 

The ultimate cost of rehabilitation is uncertain and can 
vary in response to many factors including legal 
requirements, technological change, weather events 
and market conditions. The 2022 Feasibility Study is 
underway and scheduled for completion in September 
2023. As such it is reasonably possible that outcomes 
from within the next financial year may be different 
from the current cost estimate and could require 
material adjustment to the rehabilitation provision for 
the Ranger Project Area. 

Selected risks for the Ranger rehabilitation provision 
are detailed below. 

Tailings consolidation 

Following the completion of the transfer of tailings to 
Pit 3, the wicking of Pit 3 commenced. During the final 
capping process the tailings in Pit 3 will consolidate 
and express process water, which will need to be 
collected and treated. The consolidation process will 
be aided by the installation of vertical wicks and the 
knowledge of the consolidation timeframes is backed 
up by a detailed model based on in situ testing of site 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

tailings. The consolidation model predictions of rates 
of process water expression are impacted by many 
factors, including tailings density and other 
characteristics, deposition method and free process 
water volume in the pit during deposition. Detailed 
engineering continues to further refine the scope of 
work. The impact to the rehabilitation cost and 
resulting provision, if any, will be further evaluated as 
part of the assessment of alternate capping options 
for Pit 3 during the 2022 Feasibility Study due to be 
completed in September 2023.  

These impacts have been considered in the 
reforecast but to the extent tailings consolidation and 
process water expression extend further could have 
additional adverse impacts on cost and schedule of 
completing rehabilitation. 

Process water and injection of waste brines 

Management of water on the Ranger Project Area is 
critical to ongoing rehabilitation activities. ERA has a 
number of procedures and initiatives underway in 
respect to water management, including the upgrade 
to the capacity of the Brine Concentrator which was 
commissioned in February 2021. 

Recent performance of the water treatment plant is 
below planned performance assumed in ERA's water 
model. ERA has already commenced mitigation 
efforts and, as part of the 2022 Feasibility Study, will 
review the adequacy of the water infrastructure and 
the water model. Unless this deficit in performance 
can be addressed, it is likely that further costs will be 
incurred and there will be potential delays in the 
completion of rehabilitation.  

To the extent that any of these initiatives cost more 
than expected or ERA is required to implement further 
initiatives (such as the installation of additional water 
treatment infrastructure), the rehabilitation cost may 
increase further. 

In addition, as a result of treating processed water a 
waste stream of contaminated salt is generated. The 
salt is ultimately to be stored below tailings in Pit 3 via 
injecting the brine through bore holes. This technology 
has previously been commissioned but the long-term 
performance is yet to be fully confirmed. Should the 
disposal of salt in this manner not prove viable, an 
alternate method of salt disposal would be required. 
This would demand additional capital expenditure 
which has not been allowed for in the rehabilitation 
estimate. 

Bulk material movement 

Once capping of Pit 3 is complete, large scale bulk 
material backfill and landform shaping will occur. Bulk 
material movements are sensitive to the volume of 
material which is to be moved and the schedule of 
movement. To the extent volumes or costs of 
movement change, there may be a material impact on 
the rehabilitation cost or schedule. 

Other factors 

In addition to the factors identified above there are 
many additional items that could impact the estimate, 
including: rehabilitation time frames, evaporation 
rates, stakeholder requirements, higher costs of 

relinquishing Jabiru township housing, engineering 
studies, other site contaminants, plant mortality and 
project support costs. 

In estimating the rehabilitation provision, a risk-free 
discount rate is applied to the underlying cash flows. 
At 31 December 2022, the real discount rate was 1.5 
per cent, which remains consistent with 31 December 
2021. 

Cash flow timing 

The company estimates the presentation of its 
rehabilitation provision between current and non-
current liabilities, based on anticipated timing of 
expenditure from updated cash flow forecasts. 

(b)  Taxation 

ERA has approximately $293 million tax losses (at 30 
per cent) that are not recognised as deferred tax 
assets due to uncertainty regarding ERA’s ability to 
generate adequate levels of future taxable profits. 
This treatment is reviewed at each reporting date. 
Should future taxable profits eventuate this treatment 
will not impact ERA’s ability to utilise available tax 
losses in future periods. 

Judgement is required in regards to the application of 
income tax legislation. There is an inherent risk and 
uncertainty in applying these judgements and a 
possibility that changes in legislation will impact the 
carrying amount of deferred tax assets and deferred 
tax liabilities recognised on the balance sheet. 

(c)  Asset carrying values 

ERA has two cash generating units (CGUs); the 
Ranger Project Area and the Jabiluka Mineral Lease. 
The Ranger CGU includes all assets and liabilities 
related to activities on the Ranger Project Area, 
including the rehabilitation provision. The Jabiluka 
Undeveloped Property relates to the Jabiluka Mineral 
Lease, which is currently under a Long Term Care 
and Maintenance Agreement with Traditional Owners. 

At 31 December 2022 the property, plant and 
equipment in the Ranger CGU continues to be fully 
impaired. When capital expenditure is incurred it is 
immediately expensed to the statement of 
comprehensive income. For the year ended 31 
December 2022, $0.23 million in capital expenditure 
was expensed. 

At the end of each reporting period, ERA assesses 
whether there are any indications that ERA’s CGUs 
may be impaired or circumstances have changed to 
indicate reversal of prior impairments. This requires 
judgement in analysing possible impacts caused by 
factors such as the price of uranium oxide, foreign 
exchange movements, Mineral lease extension, 
operating and capital estimates, discount rate, project 
progression and Traditional Owner relationships. 

(d)  Undeveloped properties judgements 

Undeveloped properties are considered assets not yet 
ready for use under AASB 6 Exploration for and 
Evaluation of Mineral Resources. In reporting periods 
where impairment testing is required, the recoverable 
amount of the undeveloped properties was 
determined using the fair value less costs of disposal 

84  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

method. Undeveloped properties consist of the 
Jabiluka Mineral Lease. 

The Jabiluka Mineral Lease is currently subject to a 
Long Term Care and Maintenance Agreement with 
Traditional Owners. This agreement ensures the 
Jabiluka deposit will not be developed without the 
consent of the Mirarr Traditional Owners. It is 
uncertain that this consent will be forthcoming and, by 
extension, that the Jabiluka deposit will be developed. 
Should this consent not eventuate in the future, the 
Jabiluka Undeveloped Property would face full 
impairment. An impairment of $90m was recorded in 
2018. 

The valuation of the Jabiluka Mineral Lease requires a 
high degree of judgment. To determine the fair value, 
ERA has historically used a probability weighted 
discounted cash flow model, based on post-tax cash 
flows expressed in real terms, estimated until the end 
of the life of mine plan and discounted using an asset 
specific post-tax real discount rate. These results 
have historically been cross checked against market 
valuations of other undeveloped mining projects in the 
uranium industry and the broader mining sector, 
including market valuations of mining assets subject 
to long term approval constraints.  

ERA regularly reviews and updates these 
assumptions and assesses potential impairment 
indicators and impairment reversal indicators. In 
December 2022, the review did not identify any 
indicators that the carrying amount of the Jabiluka 
Undeveloped Property may not be recovered in full 
from successful development or sale. This review 
primarily considered the following key factors: 

• 

The value attributed to the Jabiluka 
Undeveloped Property as part of the recent 
ERA Independent Valuation conducted as 
part of the proposed Ranger rehabilitation 
funding solution; and 

•  Negative stakeholder sentiment and 
statements around the eventual 
development of Jabiluka, as a result of the 
ERA Independent Valuation; including 
impacts on the probability and timing of 
development and ongoing stakeholder 
relations. 

In August 2022, the then IBC engaged an 
independent expert (Grant Thornton) to provide an 
independent valuation of the Company aiming at 
determining an appropriate entitlement offer price for 
the interim entitlement offer that was proposed during 
2022 (Interim Entitlement Offer). On 26 September 
2022 the Independent Valuation Report prepared by 
Grant Thornton was released, assigning a value of 
between $982 and $1,284 million to the Jabiluka 
Undeveloped Property.  

Having regard to the views of Grant Thornton around 
the potential value of Jabiluka and the opposing 
statements from the Traditional Owners, which are not 
new, ERA does not believe that there is sufficient 
compelling evidence to change the likelihood of the 
development of Jabiluka. 

Other factors that were considered include: 

•  Uranium price changes based on market 
analysis from reputable firms on the long 
term uranium oxide price and the ongoing 
presence of a contract price premium; 
Long term consensus forecast 
Australian/US dollar exchange rates; and 
Applicable discount rate. 

• 

• 

The review of these factors did not identify any 
material changes that would warrant a full impairment 
or impairment reversal review to be conducted. As a 
result, the carrying value of the Jabiluka Undeveloped 
Property remains at $90 million. 

Further, ERA hold the view that the critical 
determinants of the value of Jabiluka include: 

• 

• 

• 

The Long Term Care and Maintenance 
Agreement, signed with the Northern Land 
Council and Traditional Owners; 
A better shared understanding of the 
cultural landscape of MLN1, and, 
A renewal of the MLN1 lease before August 
2024. 

Management considered that until this work is 
completed no further impairment or reversal of prior 
impairment was warranted. 

Key assumptions to which the Jabiluka model is 
sensitive include: the probability of future 
development (which includes an assessment of 
obtaining any required approval and/or support of 
various stakeholders, including Traditional Owners, 
regulatory bodies and shareholders), uranium oxide 
prices (including term contract price premiums in the 
future), foreign exchange rates, production and capital 
costs, discount rate, ore reserves and mineral 
resources, lease tenure renewal (August 2024) and 
development delays.  

ERA’s view remains that Jabiluka is a large, high 
quality uranium ore body of global significance. 

(e)  Employee benefits judgements 

Following ERA’s decision to implement an Integrated 
Project Management Team (IPMT), there has been a 
change to the Company workforce, triggering certain 
termination benefits. The total provision recognised in 
line with Australian Accounting Standards is $1.5 
million and is based on estimated termination 
packages for employees impacted by the transition to 
the IPMT and includes provision for severance 
payable until 31 March 2023. This is a current liability 
based on the balance being payable within one year. 

Potential termination payments beyond March 2023 
are yet to be recognised due to the level of 
uncertainty regarding quantum and timing. 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

3  Revenue 

REVENUE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

Sale of goods 

Total sales revenue 

Other revenue 

Interest received/receivable, other parties 

Rent received 

Asset sales and recoveries 

Net gain on non-hedge forward contracts 

Total other revenue 

Total revenue from continuing operations 

4  Expenses 

PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX INCLUDES  
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC EXPENSES: 

Cost of sales 

Produced product (uranium oxide) 

Total cost of sales 

Government and other royalties 

Royalty payments 

Payments to Indigenous interests 

Total government and other royalties 

Financing costs 

Other parties 

Unwinding of discount (rehabilitation provision) 

Total financing costs 

Other expenses 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

35,555 

35,555 

9,257 

824 

2,879 

6,794 

19,754 

55,309 

190,347 

190,347 

1,942 

862 

407 

7,449 

10,660 

201,007 

NOTES 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

22,524 

22,524 

120,830 

120,830 

24 

24 

440 

1,496 

1,936 

643 

19 

105,824 

106,467 

2,248 

7,643 

9,891 

732 

18,797 

19,529 

43 

581 

624 

16 

13 

2,108 

506 

Property, plant and equipment expensed 

14 

Office and other expenses 

Total other expenses 

Other individually significant expenses 

Short term and low value leases 

Interest expense related to leases 

Sustainability payment to Indigenous interests 

Defined contribution superannuation expense 

227 

21 

248 

11 

8 

2,172 

419 

86  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

5  Income tax expense/(benefit) 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE/(BENEFIT) 

Current tax 

Deferred tax 

Income tax expense/(benefit) 

Deferred income tax (revenue)/expense included in income tax expense comprises: 

Decrease/(increase) in deferred tax assets (Note 20B) 

(Decrease)/increase in deferred tax liabilities (Note 20A) 

Deferred tax 

RECONCILIATION OF INCOME TAX EXPENSE TO PRIMA FACIE TAX PAYABLE 

Operating loss before income tax 

Tax at the Australian tax rate of 30% (2021: 30%) 

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

Current year losses and temporary differences not recognised 

Rehabilitation expenditure 

Other items 

Income tax expense/(benefit) 

2022 
$’000 

- 

- 

- 

16,591 

(16,591) 

- 

2021 
$’000 

2,817 

- 

2,817 

564 

(564) 

- 

(160,553) 

(647,395) 

(48,166) 

(194,219) 

58,673 

216,328 

(10,515) 

(18,897) 

8 

- 

(395) 

2,817 

No deferred tax asset is recognised due to uncertainty over ERA’s ability to generate future taxable profits. 

6  Dividends 

Dividends paid or declared 

No dividends have been paid or declared for the year ended 31 December 2022 (2021: nil). 

Dividends franking account 

Franking credits available for subsequent financial years  
based on a tax rate of 30% (2021: 30%) 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

234,095 

234,095 

The above amounts represent the balance of the franking account as at the end of the financial year, adjusted for 
franking credits that will arise from the payment of the amount of the provision for income tax as applicable. 

The ability to utilise the franking account credits is dependent upon there being sufficient available profits to declare 
dividends. 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

7  Cash and cash equivalents 

CURRENT 

Cash at bank and in hand 

Deposits at call 

Total cash and cash equivalents 

Cash at bank/Deposits at call 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

87,116 

55,658 

- 

108,214 

87,116 

163,872 

Cash assets and deposits bear floating interest rates between 0 per cent and 4.10 per cent (2021: 0 per cent and 
0.46 per cent). 

Interest rate risk exposure 

The Company’s exposure to interest rate risk is discussed in Note 30. 

8  Trade and other receivables 

CURRENT 

Trade debtors 

Amounts due from related parties 

Other debtors 

Total trade and other receivables 

Impairment of receivables 

2022 
$’000 

2,536 

2 

2,140 

4,678 

2021 
$’000 

2,045 

27,017 

4,313 

33,375 

No trade receivables are past due. There is no impairment of trade receivables. 

Other debtors relate to transactions outside the usual operating activities of the Company and are predominately 
concerned with receipts from employees and businesses operating within the Jabiru township. These ongoing 
activities are expected to be settled during the 12 months subsequent to balance date. 

Foreign exchange and interest rate risk 

The Company operates internationally, but is primarily exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from currency 
exposures with respect to the US dollar. 

A summarised analysis of the sensitivity of trade and other receivables to foreign exchange and interest rate risk can 
be found in Note 30. 

Fair value and credit risk 

Due to the short-term nature of trade and other receivables their carrying amount approximates their fair value. 

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying amount of each class of receivables 
mentioned above. 

The Company does not hold any collateral as security. Refer to Note 30 for more information on the financial risk 
management policy of the Company. 

88  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

9  Inventories – current 

Stores and spares 

Finished product U3O8 at cost 

Total current inventory 

Inventory expense 

2022 
$’000 

8,059 

- 

8,059 

2021 
$’000 

7,089 

22,524 

29,613 

Obsolescence of inventory (stores and spares) provided for and recognised as an expense during the year ended 31 
December 2022 amounted to $nil (2021: $715,422). This amount has been included in Materials and Consumables 
used within the statement of comprehensive income. 

10  Government security receivable 

CURRENT 

Government security receivable 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

- 

65,400 

ERA is required to maintain the Ranger Rehabilitation Special Account (Trust Fund) with the Commonwealth 
Government. The Trust Fund is intended to provide security against the estimated costs of closing and rehabilitating 
the Ranger Project Area immediately. Each year, the Company is required to prepare and submit to the 
Commonwealth Government an Annual Plan of Rehabilitation (Annual Plan). Once accepted by the Commonwealth 
Government, the Annual Plan is then independently assessed and costed and the amount to be provided by the 
Company into the Trust Fund is then determined.  

ERA has agreed amendments to its Government Agreement with the Commonwealth to introduce a clearer 
framework for managing the amount of security held by the Commonwealth and releasing funds from the Trust Fund 
for completed rehabilitation works. However, drawdown of funds under this framework will first require revaluation of 
the security following ERA’s internal cost review, which is expected to occur after completion of the 2022 Feasibility 
Study in September 2023. Given the expected increase in the cost of rehabilitating the Ranger Project Area, ERA 
may be required to provide additional security or funds in the Trust Fund. Under this new framework, ERA was 
entitled to submit a one-off interim payment request for the release from the Trust Fund of an amount representing a 
portion of the cost of rehabilitation works performed at Ranger between 9 January 2021 and 30 June 2022. As a 
result of this $57 million was received in November 2022. 

As at 31 December 2022, ERA had $486 million in cash currently held by the Commonwealth Government as part of 
the Ranger Rehabilitation Special Account (Trust Fund). In addition, bank guarantees procured by ERA totalling $125 
million are held by the Commonwealth as additional security for ERA’s Ranger rehabilitation obligations (an additional 
$1 million is held as an allowance for Jabiluka rehabilitation). These deposits and bank guarantees were provided to 
the Commonwealth Government based on its review in February 2020 of the 44th Annual Plan of Rehabilitation 
submitted by ERA (i.e. prior to the Reforecast of the cost of Ranger Project Area rehabilitation), and subsequently 
reduced for an interim payment of $57 million for rehabilitation works completed from 9 January 2021 to 30 June 
2022. 

ERA does not consider that it can rely upon drawdown of any further cash from the Trust Fund before the internal 
cost review is completed, which is expected to be in September 2023. As such, all government security receivable is 
classified as non-current assets. 

ERA’s ability to continue to access financial guarantees can be influenced by many factors, including potential future 
cash balance, cash flows and shareholder support. Issuers of the bank guarantees have certain pay and walk rights 
and the guarantees are subject to periodic reviews. Should the banks execute their pay and walk rights or should 
ERA be unable to access bank guarantees, substantial additional cash would be required to indemnify the banks or 
be deposited into the Trust Fund. This is likely to have a material adverse effect on ERA’s business and its financial 
position and performance as well as its ability to meet its rehabilitation obligations.  

Cash flows to/from the fund are considered to be advances to/from a third party and therefore disclosed under 
Investing activities when they occur.  

The applicable weighted average interest rate for the year ended 31 December 2022 was 1.53 per cent (31 
December 2021: 0.30 per cent). 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  89

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

11  Derivative financial instruments 

FINANCIAL ASSETS – CURRENT 

Gasoil swap contracts (non designated hedge) 

Total current financial assets 

Gasoil swap contracts 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

- 

- 

3,451 

3,451 

The Gasoil swaps have been measured at fair value, with the resulting gains recorded in the profit and loss. 

The Gasoil swap contracts are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using a Discounted Cash Flows 
methodology. The contracts are valued, using market quoted forward exchange rates as inputs and when material 
discounted based on applicable yield curves derived from market quoted interest rates. 

No gasoil swap contracts remain outstanding at 31 December 2022. 

12  Other assets 

Prepayments 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

2,924 

829 

90  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

13  Undeveloped properties 

Jabiluka: Long-term care and maintenance development project 

Balance brought forward 

Total undeveloped properties 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

89,856 

89,856 

89,856 

89,856 

Undeveloped properties are considered an asset not yet ready for use. In reporting periods where impairment testing 
is required, the recoverable amount of undeveloped properties was determined using the fair value, less costs of 
disposal method. 

To determine the fair value, ERA has historically used a probability weighted discounted cash flow model, based on 
post-tax cash flows expressed in real terms, estimated until the end of the life of mine plan and discounted using an 
asset specific post-tax real discount rate. These results have historically been cross checked against market 
valuations of other undeveloped mining projects in the uranium industry and the broader mining sector, including 
market valuations of mining assets subject to long term approval constraints. 

ERA regularly reviews and updates assumptions and assesses potential impairment indicators and impairment 
reversal indicators. In 2022 no impairment test was required as a trigger assessment did not identify any indicators 
that the carrying amount of the Jabiluka Undeveloped Property may not be recoverable in full from successful 
development or sale. Key assumptions the fair value is most sensitive to include: 

• 

Probability of future development (which includes an assessment of obtaining any required approval and/or 
support of various stakeholders, including Traditional Owners, regulatory bodies and shareholders); 

Foreign exchange rates; 
Production and capital costs; 

•  Uranium oxide prices (including term contract price premiums in the future); 
• 
• 
•  Discount rate; 
•  Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources;  
• 
•  Development delays. 

Lease tenure renewal (August 2024); and 

The recoverable amount is dependent on the development and life of the ore body together with the term and 
continuity of the mining lease. Furthermore, the Jabiluka Mineral Lease is due for renewal in August 2024. ERA 
intends to apply for renewal of the Lease. Provided that ERA has complied with all of its obligations under the 
Jabiluka Mineral Lease and the Mining Act 1980 (NT), the Northern Territory government “will renew” the Jabiluka 
Mineral Lease for a further term not exceeding 10 years. There is a risk that the renewal will not be granted. If the 
renewal is granted, a renewal of the Jabiluka Mineral Lease beyond the further term of up to 10 years is not 
guaranteed, as any further renewals will require the Minister to exercise his or her discretion. Whether such discretion 
would be exercised in favour of a further renewal of the Jabiluka Mineral Lease is uncertain. If this was not to occur it 
is likely the Jabiluka Undeveloped Property would face full impairment. 

Further details can be found in Note 2(d). 

The Jabiluka Mineral Lease is currently subject to a Long Term Care and Maintenance Agreement with Traditional 
Owners. This agreement ensures the Jabiluka deposit will not be developed without the consent of the Mirarr 
Traditional Owners. It is uncertain that this consent will be forthcoming and, by extension, that the Jabiluka deposit 
will be developed. Should this consent not eventuate in the future, the Jabiluka Undeveloped Property would face full 
impairment. An impairment of $90m was recorded in 2018. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  91

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

14  Property, plant and equipment 

MINE LAND 
AND 
BUILDINGS  
$’000 

PLANT AND 
EQUIPMENT  
$’000 

MINE 
PROPERTIES  
$’000 

REHAB-
ILITATION  
$’000 

RIGHT OF 
USE 
ASSETS  
$’000 

TOTAL  
$’000 

YEAR ENDED 31 
DECEMBER 2022 

Opening net book amount 

Additions 

Disposals 

Depreciation charged to 
rehabilitation provision 

Depreciation/Amortisation 
charge/write-offs 

Additions immediately 
impaired 

Closing net book 
amount 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

227 

- 

- 

- 

(227) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

92 

1,171 

- 

- 

(312) 

- 

951 

92 

1,398 

- 

- 

(312) 

(227) 

951 

Cost 

110,845 

1,179,810 

421,700 

342,327 

1,171 

2,055,853 

Accumulated depreciation/ 
Amortisation/impairment/ 
write-offs 

Net book amount 

YEAR ENDED 31 
DECEMBER 2021 

Opening net book amount 

Additions 

Disposals 

Change in lease term 

Depreciation charged to 
rehabilitation provision 

Depreciation/Amortisation 
charge/write-offs 

Additions immediately 
impaired 

Closing net book 
amount 

(110,845) 

(1,179,810) 

(421,700) 

(342,327) 

(220) 

(2,054,902) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

43 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(43) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

951 

951 

1,756 

1,756 

- 

- 

(83) 

43 

- 

(83) 

(1,227) 

(1,227) 

(354) 

(354) 

- 

92 

(43) 

92 

Cost 

110,845 

1,179,583 

421,700 

342,327 

5,183 

2,059,638 

Accumulated depreciation/ 
Amortisation/impairment/ 
write-offs 

(110,845) 

(1,179,583) 

(421,700) 

(342,327) 

(5,091) 

(2,059,546) 

Net book amount 

- 

- 

- 

- 

92 

92 

92  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Right of use assets 

Right of use assets include building costs of $1,171,000.  

Assets under construction 

There were no property, plant and equipment assets used in the course of construction. 

15  Government security receivable 

NON-CURRENT 

Government security receivable 

Further details are provided in Note 10. 

16  Temporary bank overdraft 

CURRENT 

Rio Tinto Finance Ltd 

Total temporary bank overdraft 

Rio Tinto Finance Ltd bank account 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

486,187 

469,442 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

12,253 

12,253 

- 

- 

Rio Tinto Finance Ltd (a related party) holds cash on behalf of the Company (RTF Account) in order to transact 
payments. In the ordinary course of business during December 2022, funds were transferred from the RTF Account 
to ERA’s operating bank account which brought the account into an overdrawn position. As soon as the Company 
became aware of the situation in early January 2023, arrangements were made to ensure sufficient funds were 
transferred from the Company’s bank account into the RTF Account returning the balance to a positive position. 
Additional funding for rehabilitation is not available to ERA through this account facility. 

17  Trade and other payables 

CURRENT 

Trade payables 

Amounts due to related parties 

Other payables 

Total trade and other payables 

18  Provisions – current 

CURRENT 

Employee benefits 

Rehabilitation 

Total current provisions 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

30,814 

34,331 

2,492 

393 

2,074 

398 

33,699 

36,803 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

11,198 

9,834 

268,585 

222,898 

279,783 

232,732 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  93

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Employee benefits provision 

During 2022 a provision for benefits payable on termination of employment continued to be recognised. A total of 
$1.5 million was recognised as payable in 2022 and has been recognised as a current liability. Further details are 
in Note 2(e). The remaining employer benefits relate to annual leave and long service leave. Entitlements 
currently payable are classified as current provisions and entitlements due in greater than 12 months are 
classified as non-current provisions. 

Movements in rehabilitation provision 

Movements in the rehabilitation provision during the financial year are set out below: 

REHABILITATION  
$’000 

222,898 

(194,190) 

239,877 

268,585 

REHABILITATION  
$’000 

162,928 

(153,149) 

(1,227) 

214,346 

222,898 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

653 

753 

956,075 

1,027,971 

956,728 

1,028,724 

2022 

Carrying amount at the start of the year 

Payments 

Transfer from non-current provision 

Carrying amount at the end of the year 

2021 

Carrying amount at the start of the year 

Payments 

Utilisation of lease assets 

Transfer from non-current provision 

Carrying amount at the end of the year 

19  Provisions – non-current 

NON-CURRENT 

Employee benefits (Note 18) 

Rehabilitation 

Carrying amount at the end of the year 

94  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Movements in rehabilitation provision 

As a result of the Ranger Cash Generating Unit being fully impaired in 2016 and the cessation of uranium 
production in January 2021, changes in rehabilitation estimates are allocated directly to the statement of 
comprehensive income. Movements in the rehabilitation provision during the financial year are set out below: 

2022 

Carrying amount at the start of the year 

Change in estimate 

Unwinding of discount 

Transfer to current provision 

Carrying amount at the end of the year 

2021 

Carrying amount at the start of the year 

Change in estimate 

Unwinding of discount 

Transfer to current provision 

Carrying amount at the end of the year 

REHABILITATION  
$’000 

1,027,971 

62,157 

105,824 

(239,877) 

956,075 

REHABILITATION  
$’000 

555,371 

668,149 

18,797 

(214,346) 

1,027,971 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  95

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

20  Deferred tax liability 

(A) DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY 

The balance comprises temporary differences attributable to: 

Amounts recognised in profit and loss 

Government security receivable  

Inventories 

Receivables 

Total deferred tax liabilities 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

5,988 

2,315 

330 

8,633 

23,022 

1,851 

351 

25,224 

Set-off of deferred tax asset pursuant to set-off provisions (Note 20B) 

 (8,633) 

(25,224) 

Net deferred tax liabilities 

- 

- 

Movements 

Opening balance at 1 January 

(Credited)/debited to the income statement (Note 5) 

Closing balance at 31 December 

(B) DEFERRED TAX ASSETS 

The balance comprises temporary differences attributable to: 

Amounts recognised in profit and loss 

Rehabilitation provision 

Employee provisions 

Other 

Total deferred tax assets 

25,224 

(16,591) 

8,633 

25,788 

(564) 

25,224 

4,471 

3,558 

604 

8,633 

16,148 

3,166 

5,910 

25,224 

Set-off of deferred tax liabilities pursuant to set-off provisions (Note 20A) 

(8,633) 

(25,224) 

Net deferred tax assets 

- 

- 

Movements 

Opening balance at 1 January 

Credited/(debited) to the income statement (Note 5) 

Closing balance at 31 December 

25,224 

(16,591) 

8,633 

25,788 

(564) 

25,224 

96  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

21  Share capital 

SHARE CAPITAL 

A Class shares fully paid 

Total contributed equity 

2022 
SHARES 

2021 
SHARES 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

3,691,383,198 

3,691,383,198 

1,177,656 

1,177,656 

1,177,656 

1,177,656 

Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends and the proceeds on winding up of the Company in 
proportion to the number of shares held. 

On a show of hands every holder of ordinary shares present at a shareholders’ meeting in person or by proxy, is 
entitled to one vote, and upon a poll each share is entitled to one vote. 

Capital risk management 

Details of the Company’s exposure to risks when managing capital are set out in Note 30. 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

22  Reserves and retained profits 

RESERVES 

Share-based payments reserve  

Capital reconstruction 

Cashflow hedge reserve 

Total reserves 

Movements 

Share-based payments reserve  

Balance 1 January 

Share-based payments expense / (reversal) 

Balance 31 December 

Capital reconstruction 

Balance 1 January 

Movements 

Balance 31 December 

Cashflow hedge reserve 

Balance at 1 January 

Unsettled change in fair value (before tax) 

Tax on unsettled change in fair value 

Gain on changes in fair value of settled hedges 

Gain on changes in fair value reclassified to profit or loss 

Balance 31 December 

ACCUMULATED LOSSES 

Movements in accumulated losses were as follows: 

Opening accumulated losses – 1 January 

Net loss for the year 

Closing accumulated losses – 31 December 

Nature and purpose of reserves 

Share based payments reserve 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

(1,588) 

(906) 

389,500 

389,500 

- 

- 

387,912 

388,594 

(906) 

(682) 

(1,588) 

(691) 

(215) 

(906) 

389,500 

389,500 

- 

- 

389,500 

389,500 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

6,574 

(9,391) 

2,817 

9,561 

(9,561) 

- 

(2,008,672) 

(1,358,460) 

(160,553) 

(650,212) 

(2,169,225) 

(2,008,672) 

Share based payments reserve is used to recognise the fair value of equity instruments issued to employees but 
not exercised. 

Capital reconstruction reserve 

In June 1995, the Company reduced its share capital by cancelling $0.95 of the capital paid up on each issued 
share and reducing the par value of each issued share from $1.00 to $0.05. The cancelled capital (comprising 
$389,500,000 in total) was credited to a capital reconstruction reserve. The Company has the ability to distribute 
capital to shareholders from this reserve. 

98  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

23  Contingencies 

Contingent liabilities 

Potentially material legal actions against the Company: 

The remaining argument in the action listed in the Federal Court against the former Commonwealth Minister for 
Resources and the Company claiming that due process was not followed in granting approvals for the Jabiluka 
Mill Alternative is dormant. Should the Company proceed with the Jabiluka Mill Alternative, notice will be given to 
the applicant who may or may not wish to pursue the argument further. 

No material losses are anticipated in respect of the contingent liability disclosed above. 

24  Commitments 

Capital commitments 

The company has no capital commitments and rehabilitation commitments are not shown as they are fully provided 
for in the rehabilitation provision. 

Lease commitments recognised in the balance sheet 

Lease liabilities recognised in the balance sheet are classified as a current liability when payable within one year and 
a non-current liability when payable in greater than one year. No leases have payments due in greater than three 
years. 

Mineral tenement leases 
Future mineral tenement lease payments not provided for in the financial statements and payable: 

Within one year 

Later than one year but not later than five years 

Later than five years 

Total mineral tenement leases 

2022 
$’000 

1,314 

2,688 

- 

2021 
$’000 

1,235 

3,659 

- 

4,002 

4,894 

In order to maintain current rights of tenure to mining tenements, the Company will be required to outlay an amount of 
$1.3 million in the year ending 31 December 2023 in respect of tenement lease rentals. This includes payments for 
the Ranger Project Area and Jabiluka Lease. 

The Company is liable to make payments to the Commonwealth as listed below: 

(i)  An annual amount equal to the sum payable by the Commonwealth to the Northern Land Council pursuant to 

the Section 44 Agreement for rent for the duration of the agreement. This amounted to $1,153,251 for 2023 
and is indexed for future years.  

(ii)  Amounts equal to the sums payable by the Commonwealth to the Aboriginal Benefits Reserve pursuant to a 
determination under Section 63(5) (b) of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. The 
Company is required to pay 2.5 per cent of Ranger net sales revenue to the Commonwealth and 1.75 per 
cent of Ranger net sales revenue to the Northern Land Council, or an entity representing the Mirarr 
Traditional Owners as directed by the Northern Land Council (amounts paid during 2022: $1,496,207; 2021: 
$7,643,160). All Ranger sales were completed in 2022 and as such no future Ranger Royalties are payable. 

(iii)  Amounts equal to sums payable by the Commonwealth to the Northern Territory pursuant to an 

understanding in respect of financial arrangements between the Commonwealth and the Government of the 
Northern Territory. These amounts are also calculated as though they were royalties and the relevant rate is 
1.25 per cent of Ranger net sales revenue (amounts paid during 2022: $440,061; 2021: $2,247,988). All 
Ranger sales were completed in 2022 and as such no future Ranger Royalties are payable. 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The Company is liable to make payments to the Northern Land Council pursuant to the Section 43 Agreement 
between Pancontinental Mining Limited and Getty Oil Development Company Limited and the Northern Land Council 
dated 21 July 1982, which was assigned to the Company with the consent of the Northern Land Council, as listed 
below: 

(i)  Up front payment of $3,400,000 on the commencement of production at Jabiluka. 
(ii)  Annual royalty payments calculated at 4.5 per cent of net sales revenue, less $500,000 less any amounts 

paid to the Aboriginal Benefits Reserve by the Commonwealth under the conditions specified in the Jabiluka 
Mineral Lease for the first 10 years and thereafter at 5 per cent of net sales revenue, less any amounts paid 
to the Aboriginal Benefits Reserve by the Commonwealth under the conditions specified in the mineral lease 
(refer commitment below). 

The Company is liable to make payments to the Commonwealth in respect of the Jabiluka project pursuant to the 
conditions attached to the mineral lease. The amount payable was, until 30 June 1990, calculated at the rate of 5.25 
per cent of net sales revenue from the Jabiluka project. The Jabiluka project is now under long term care and 
maintenance and will not be developed without the consent of the Mirarr Traditional Owners. 

25  Auditor’s remuneration 

During the year the auditor of the Company earned the following remuneration: 

KPMG Australian firm 

Audit and review of financial reports 

Audit and review of financial reports (additional prior year fees)  

Other non-audit related services 

Total auditor’s remuneration paid 

26  Related parties 

Directors 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

295 

24 

- 

319 

291 

37 

- 

328 

The names of persons who were Directors of the Company at any time during the financial year are as follows: 

Richard (Rick) Dennis, Brad Welsh, Hon. Ken Wyatt AM, Justin Carey, Rosemary Fagen, Jacques van Tonder, 
Peter Mansell (resigned 6 October 2022), Shane Charles (resigned 6 October 2022), and Paul Dowd (resigned 6 
October 2022). 

Information relating to Directors’ compensation, shareholdings and retirement benefits is set out in the 
Remuneration Report in the Directors’ Report. 

Key management personnel 

Key management personnel and Directors’ compensation 

Short-term employee benefits  

Termination payments 

Post-employment benefits 

Share-based payments / other long-term incentives 

2022 
$’000 

3,131 

1,909 

322 

382 

5,744 

2021 
$’000 

2,988 

- 

201 

491 

3,680 

In compliance with Corporations Regulations 2001 2M.3.03 the Company has provided detailed remuneration 
disclosures in the Directors’ Report. The relevant information can be found in the Remuneration Report on pages 
45 to 59. 

100  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Loans with Directors and key management personnel 

There were no loans with Directors or key management personnel during 2022 (2021: nil). 

Transactions with Directors and Director-related entities 

There were no transactions with Directors or Director-related entities other than Rio Tinto Limited during 2022 (2021: 
nil). Details of transactions with Rio Tinto Group Companies are outlined below. 

Ultimate parent entity 

The ultimate parent entity is Rio Tinto Limited. This interest is held through North Limited (incorporated in Victoria, 
Australia) which has beneficial ownership of 86.3 per cent of the issued ordinary shares of the Company. North Ltd 
owns 52.0 per cent directly and the remaining 34.3 per cent through its subsidiary, Peko-Wallsend Pty Ltd.  

Interest income 

Interest income is received from Rio Tinto Finance Ltd which holds cash on behalf of the Company. 

Transactions with related parties 

The following transactions occurred with related parties. 

Management services fees paid to ultimate parent entity: 

Rio Tinto Group Companies 

Consulting fees paid to: 

Rio Tinto Group Companies 

Other reimbursements paid for commercial services received: 

Rio Tinto Group Companies 

Amounts received from related parties: 

Rio Tinto Group Companies – sales 

Rio Tinto Group Companies – interest 

Rio Tinto Group Companies – employee transfers and minor receipts 

Dividends paid to: 

Related parties – North Ltd 

Related parties – Peko-Wallsend Pty Ltd 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

- 

- 

(1,292) 

(1,145) 

(5,074) 

(10,883) 

35,555 

190,347 

666 

1,190 

- 

- 

172 

2,067 

- 

- 

Amounts received from related parties include sales of uranium oxide at market price. The Company is party to a 
marketing agreement with Rio Tinto Uranium on the basis that it represented a superior value to the Company than 
alternative marketing agreements considered. Under the marketing agreement, uranium oxide produced by the 
Company is sold to Rio Tinto Uranium; a related party of Rio Tinto plc. All Ranger sales were completed in 2022. 

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Outstanding balances arising from sales/purchases of goods and services 

The following balances are outstanding at the reporting date in relation to transactions with related parties: 

Aggregate amounts received from and payable to each class of other related  
parties at balance date were as follows: 

Current assets – cash assets 

Related parties – Rio Tinto Finance Ltd 

Current assets – receivables 

Related parties – Rio Tinto Group Companies 

Current liabilities – temporary bank overdraft 

Related parties – Rio Tinto Finance Ltd 

Current liabilities – creditors 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

- 

2 

86,040 

27,017 

12,253 

- 

Related parties – Rio Tinto Group Companies 

2,492 

2,074 

All related party transactions were conducted on arm’s length terms and conditions and at market rates. 

27  Segment information 

Description of segments 

Management has determined the operating segment based on the reports reviewed by the Chief Executive that 
are used to make strategic decisions. 

The Chief Executive considers the business from a product prospective and has identified only one reportable 
segment in the year ended 31 December 2022, being the selling of uranium and site rehabilitation. There are no 
other unallocated operations. 

Primary reporting – business segments 

The segment information provided to the Chief Executive for the reportable segment is as follows: 

URANIUM 

2022 
$’000 

35,555 

19,754 

55,309 

2021 
$’000 

190,347 

10,660 

201,007 

(160,553) 

(647,395) 

- 

(2,817) 

(160,553) 

(650,212) 

679,771 

679,771 

855,930 

855,930 

1,283,428 

1,298,352 

1,283,428 

1,298,352 

1,398 

312 

43 

354 

Revenue from external customers 

Other revenue 

Total segment revenue 

Segment result 

Income tax benefit 

Loss for the year 

Segment assets 

Total assets 

Segment liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Acquisitions of non-current assets 

Depreciation and amortisation expenses 

102  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Other segment information 

Segment revenue 

The revenue from external parties reported to the Chief Executive is measured in a manner consistent with that in the 
statement of comprehensive income. 

Revenues from external customers are derived from the sale of uranium. A breakdown of revenue and results is 
provided in the tables below. Segment revenue reconciles to total revenue from continuing operations as disclosed in 
Note 3. 

The Company is domiciled in Australia. The result of its revenue from external customers in other countries is 
outlined in the table below: 

Asia 

Total revenue 

SEGMENT REVENUES 
FROM SALES TO 
EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

35,555 

190,347 

 35,555 

190,347 

Segment revenues are allocated based on the country in which the customer is located. During 2017 the Company 
entered into a revised marketing agreement with Rio Tinto Uranium based in Asia. All uranium sales are to this 
customer. Details are disclosed in Note 26. All Ranger sales were completed in 2022. 

Segment assets 

The amounts provided to the Chief Executive with respect to total assets are measured in a manner consistent with 
that of the financial statements. These assets are allocated based on the operations of the segment and the physical 
location of the asset. Segment assets include all assets used by a segment and consist primarily of operating cash, 
receivables, inventories, property, plant and equipment and other assets, net of provisions. 

All assets of the Company as at 31 December 2022 are in Australia. As at 31 December 2021, with the exception of 
inventories in transit or at converters of $22,524,134, all assets were in Australia. All acquisitions of property, plant 
and equipment and other non-current assets occurred in Australia. 

Segment liabilities 

The amounts provided to the Chief Executive with respect to total liabilities are measured in a manner consistent 
with that of the financial statements. These liabilities are allocated based on the operations of the segment. 
Segment liabilities consist primarily of temporary bank overdraft, trade and other creditors, employee entitlements 
and provisions. The Company does not have any borrowings as at 31 December 2022. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  103

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

28  Reconciliation of loss after income tax to net cash (outflow)/inflow from 
operating activities 

Loss for the year 

Add/(less) items classified as investing/financing activities: 

Net (gain)/loss on sale or write-off of non-current assets 

Net (gain)/loss on non hedge financial assets 

Add/(less) non-cash items: 

Depreciation and amortisation 

Rehabilitation provision: unwinding of discount 

Change in closure estimate 

Employee benefits: share based payments 

Interest on government security receivable 

Recovery of deferred tax assets on hedge 

Net exchange differences 

Change in operating assets and liabilities 

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables 

(Increase)/decrease in inventories 

(Increase)/decrease in other assets 

(Decrease)/increase in payables 

(Decrease)/increase in other provisions 

Payments for rehabilitation 

Net cash (outflow)/inflow provided from operating activities 

29  Earnings per share 

Basic loss per share 

Diluted loss per share 

2022 
$’000 

2021 
$’000 

(160,553) 

(650,212) 

(2,498) 

3,451 

312 

105,824 

126 

161 

354 

18,797 

62,157 

668,149 

327 

620 

(8,123) 

(1,599) 

- 

13 

2,817 

(11) 

28,697 

21,554 

(2,095) 

(3,104) 

1,265 

(25,587) 

118,514 

1,204 

(2,487) 

(15,631) 

(194,190) 

(153,149) 

(146,963) 

(37,934) 

2022 
CENTS 

(4.3) 

(4.3) 

2021 
CENTS 

(17.6) 

(17.6) 

Loss used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share: 2022: $160,553,033 (2021: $650,212,207). 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares on issue used in calculation of basic earnings per share: 2022: 
3,691,383,198 shares (2021: 3,691,383,198). 

30  Financial risk management 

The Company carries out risk management under policies approved by the Board of Directors. The Board provides 
principles for overall risk management, as well as written policies covering specific areas, such as mitigating interest 
rate and other risks, use of derivative and non-derivative financial instruments. 

The Company operates entirely in Australia and is exposed primarily to Australian dollar denominated costs. Sales 
are primarily denominated in US dollars. 

Market risk 

The Company markets its products internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various 
currency exposures, primarily with respect to the US Dollar. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial 
transactions and recognised assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s functional 
currency. The risk is measured using sensitivity analysis and cash flow forecasting. 

104  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The Company’s exposure to foreign currency risk at the reporting date was as follows: 

Trade receivables 

Trade payables 

Group sensitivity 

 2022 
USD 
$'000 

- 

(549) 

2021 
USD 
$'000 

19,402 

(346) 

At 31 December 2022 ERA had no trade receivables sensitive to foreign currency movements, therefore there would 
be nil impact on the pre-tax profit for the year had the Australian Dollar weakened/strengthened by 10 per cent 
against the US Dollar with all other variables held constant (2021: $2,581,681 higher/lower). 

At 31 December 2022, had the Australian Dollar weakened/strengthened by 10 per cent against the US Dollar with all 
other variables held constant, the change in trade payables would have effected pre-tax profit for the year by $79,043 
higher/lower (2021: $46,071 higher/lower). 

Interest rate risk 

The Company’s main interest rate risk arises from cash on deposit. When cash is surplus to operational and investing 
requirements it is invested in lump sum deposits to maximise interest received. In addition, the Company is exposed 
to interest rate risk on cash in the government security receivable. The applicable weighted average interest rate for 
the government security receivable for the year ended 31 December 2022 was 1.53 per cent (31 December 2021: 
0.30 per cent). 

Credit risk 

The Company has policies in place to ensure that sales of products are made to customers with an appropriate 
credit history. Where customers are rated by an independent credit rating agency, these ratings are used to set 
credit limits. If no independent rating exists, the credit quality of the customer is subject to extensive assessment. 
Letters of credit and other forms of credit insurance are also used as required. Cash transactions and cash 
invested through the government security receivable are limited to high credit quality financial institutions. The 
Company has policies that limit the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution. 

TRADE RECEIVABLES 

AA 

A 

BBB 

Other 

Liquidity and capital risk 

2022 
$'000 

2021 
$'000 

- 

2 

- 

- 

- 

27,017 

- 

- 

ERA’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard ERA’s ability to continue as a going concern, in order to 
provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to 
reduce the cost of capital. 

The future liquidity and capital requirements of ERA will depend on many factors. As a result of the increase in the 
rehabilitation estimate in 2021 and 2022 and ERA’s available cash on hand, during 2022 ERA undertook 
preparations to launch an entitlement offer. Following engagement with ERA’s three largest shareholders, no pre-
commitments to subscribe for entitlements in the Interim Entitlement Offer were forthcoming based on the terms 
proposed by the then IBC.  

In declining to support the Interim Entitlement Offer at the price proposed by the IBC, Rio Tinto noted the lack of pre-
commitment from minority shareholders. It further advised the IBC that Rio Tinto does not expect its investment in 
rehabilitation to generate financial returns, and as such Rio Tinto considers the offer price should reflect fair value 
which has regard to that expectation, the material cost over runs and interim funding requirements and the Mirarr 
People’s publicly stated position on the future development of Jabiluka. Rio Tinto advised the IBC that, in its view, the 
IBC’s proposed offer price of a 10-15% discount to the prevailing share price of ERA did not have regard to these 
factors.  

As a consequence, the IBC announced on 28 July 2022 that it did not have sufficient confidence that proceeding with 
the Interim Entitlement Offer on the terms it had proposed would raise the necessary funds. Given the above, the IBC 
delayed the launch of the Interim Entitlement Offer in order to engage an independent valuation expert to determine 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  105

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

the fair value of ERA shares, on a basis consistent with an independent expert’s valuation prepared under Part 6A.4 
of the Corporations Act and in accordance with published ASIC guidance (including Regulatory Guide 111). This 
would then help determine the offer price of the Interim Entitlement Offer.  

In August 2022 the then IBC engaged Grant Thornton to determine the fair value of ERA and as subsequently 
announced on 26 September 2022 this resulted in a valuation range of between $0.159 and $0.243 per share. Rio 
Tinto continued to express a view that this did not reflect their view of value.  

On 6 October 2022, ERA agreed to enter into an amended $100 million loan agreement with Rio Tinto (Revised 
Credit Facility), under which loans of a cumulative value of up to $100 million can be made available to provide ERA 
with additional liquidity for the purpose of rehabilitating the Ranger Project Area. The Revised Credit Facility has a 
maturity date of 31 March 2023 unless additional funds are raised before that, or unless extended by Rio Tinto. The 
maturity date is subject to deferral for approximately three months if ERA is unable to repay the loan at that time. 

Following the agreement of the terms of the Revised Credit Facility, which provided a pathway to an interim funding 
solution, ERA’s then Chairman, Peter Mansell, and the independent non-executive directors at the time, Paul Dowd 
and Shane Charles (who comprise the IBC), resigned from the board of ERA on 6 October 2022. 

In early 2023, as noted above, the IBC was re-established following appointment of three independent non-executive 
directors.  

Work has progressed on funding solutions, including work on a possible interim entitlement offer with a target launch 
in March 2023 to provide sufficient funding to enable rehabilitation to continue until Q1 2024. ERA has appointed 
Highbury Partnership as financial adviser, Herbert Smith Freehills as legal adviser to the Independent Board 
Committee and Ashurst as legal adviser to the Company. 

The Board notes Rio Tinto’s public statements to the effect that it is committed to working with ERA to ensure the 
rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area is successfully achieved to a standard that will establish an environment 
similar to the adjacent Kakadu National Park and ERA has the means to complete this critical rehabilitation project. 
Given this, and ongoing engagement, the Board considers that Rio Tinto subscribing for its full pro rata share of its 
entitlements in an interim entitlement offer, would be more likely and consistent with Rio Tinto’s stated commitment to 
the completion of the Ranger Project Area rehabilitation project. Rio Tinto’s full participation in an interim entitlement 
offer (at an agreed price) would ensure that funding required for the rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area until Q1 
2024 is successfully raised. 

Following the completion of the 2022 Feasibility Study during 2023, subject to successfully executing an interim 
funding solution to fund expenditure to Q1 2024, ERA will be in a position to determine a longer-term rehabilitation 
funding solution. At that stage, ERA will engage with Rio Tinto and other shareholders to potentially finalise a funding 
solution in early 2024. An inability to obtain sufficient funding would have a material impact on ERA’s business, 
financial performance and assessment as a going concern. Rio Tinto has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the 
rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area is successfully achieved to a standard that will establish an environment 
similar to the adjacent Kakadu National Park.  

As at 31 December 2022, ERA had no debt and $561 million in total cash resources (comprising $75 million in cash 
at bank (net of overdrafts) and $486 million invested as part of the government security receivable). 

The Company has announced plans for a possible interim entitlement offer with a target launch in March 2023. In line 
with the current rehabilitation plan and in the absence of the interim entitlement offer, ERA’s cash at bank and 
undrawn loan facility is expected to be exhausted in Q2 2023. 

31  Events occurring after the reporting period 

No other matters or circumstances have arisen since the end of the financial year that have significantly affected 
or may significantly affect the operations or state of affairs of the Company in subsequent financial years. 

106  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

32  Share-based payments 

ERA participates in a number of share-based payment plans administered by Rio Tinto Limited, which are 
described in detail in the Remuneration Report. These plans have been accounted for in accordance with the fair 
value recognition provisions of AASB 2, ‘Share-based Payment’. 

Rio Tinto Performance Share Awards 

The Rio Tinto Performance Share Award (PSA) details are described in the Remuneration Report. Performance 
Share Awards (PSA), provide a conditional right to Rio Tinto shares to eligible senior management personnel 
within the Rio Tinto Group, including the Chief Executive and senior executives of ERA. Award levels under the 
EIP are at the discretion of Rio Tinto and the ERA Remuneration Committee. The awards are accounted for in 
accordance with the requirements applying to equity-settled share-based payments transactions. The fair value of 
each award on the day of grant is set equal to the share price on the day of grant. No forfeitures are assumed. A 
summary of the status of shares granted under the share plan at 31 December 2022, and changes during the 
year, is presented below: 

BALANCE 
AT START 
OF THE 
YEAR 

GRANTED 
DURING 
THE YEAR 

TRANS- 
FERS 
IN/(OUT) 

EXERCISED 
DURING 
THE YEAR 

FORFEITED 
DURING 
THE YEAR 

BALANCE 
AT END OF 
THE YEAR 

VESTED AND 
EXERCISABLE 
AT END OF 
THE YEAR 

2022 

Rio Tinto Limited 

213 

Weighted average 
fair value at grant 
date 

2021 

$93.17 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Rio Tinto Limited 

6,940 

1,856 

(8,583) 

Weighted average 
fair value at grant 
date 

$85.06 

$110.80 

$90.43 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

213 

$93.17 

213 

$93.17 

- 

- 

- 

- 

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of conditional grants of shares exercised during the 
year ended 31 December 2022 was nil (2021: nil). 

The weighted average remaining contractual life of conditional grants of shares outstanding at the end of the 
period was two years (2021: three years). 

Where shares are issued to employees of subsidiaries within the Rio Tinto Group, the subsidiaries compensate 
the parent for the amount recognised as an expense in relation to these shares. 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  107

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

myShare Savings Plan 

The myShare plan was introduced to all eligible staff members in 2013 and is described in the Remuneration Report. 
Awards under this plan are settled in equity and accounted for accordingly. The fair value of each award on the day 
of grant is set equal to the share price on the day of grant. 

A summary of the status of conditional shares granted under the plan at 31 December 2022, and changes during the 
year, is presented below: 

BALANCE 
AT START  
OF THE 
YEAR 

GRANTED 
DURING 
THE YEAR 

TRANSFERS 
IN/(OUT) 

VESTED 
DURING 
THE YEAR 

FORFEITED 
DURING 
THE YEAR 

BALANCE 
AT END OF 
THE YEAR 

VESTED AND 
EXERCISABLE 
AT END OF 
THE YEAR 

2022 

Rio Tinto Limited 

6,536 

3,787 

(610) 

(2,559) 

(715) 

6,439 

Weighted average 
exercise price 

2021 

$103.34 

$102.67 

$101.99 

$95.16 

$107.07 

$105.91 

Rio Tinto Limited 

11,021 

3,442 

598 

(7,797) 

(728) 

6,536 

Weighted average 
exercise price 

$89.75 

$116.28 

$89.75 

$89.30 

$97.98 

$103.34 

- 

- 

- 

- 

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of conditional grants of shares exercised regularly during 
the year ended 31 December 2022 was $105.96 (2021: $113.18). 

The weighted average remaining contractual life of share options outstanding at the end of the period was two years 
(2021: two years). 

Where shares are issued to employees of subsidiaries within the Rio Tinto Group, the subsidiaries compensate the 
parent for the amount recognised as an expense in relation to these shares. 

Rio Tinto Management Share Awards 

The Rio Tinto Management Share Award (MSA) details are described in the Remuneration Report. Management 
Share Awards (MSA) are conditional grants of Rio Tinto shares to eligible employees of the company which will vest, 
wholly or partly, upon expiry of a three-year vesting period. Award levels under the EIP are at the discretion of Rio 
Tinto. The awards will be settled in equity, including the dividends accumulated from date of award to vesting. The 
awards are accounted for in accordance with the requirements applying to equity-settled share-based payment 
transactions. The fair value of each award on the day of grant is set equal to the share price on the day of grant. No 
forfeitures are assumed. A summary of the status of shares granted under the MSA plan at 31 December 2022, and 
changes during the year, is presented below: 

BALANCE 
AT START  
OF THE 
YEAR 

GRANTED 
DURING 
THE YEAR 

TRANSFERS 
IN/(OUT) 

EXERCISED 
DURING 
THE YEAR 

FORFEITED 
DURING 
THE YEAR 

BALANCE 
AT END OF 
THE YEAR 

VESTED AND 
EXERCISABLE 
AT END OF 
THE YEAR 

2022 

Rio Tinto Limited 

11,088 

4,550 

Weighted average 
fair value at grant 
date 

2021 

$94.97 

$112.42 

- 

- 

(7,795) 

(2,336) 

5,507 

$92.98 

$111.50 

$105.19 

Rio Tinto Limited 

12,924 

4,358 

(2,239) 

(3,955) 

Weighted average 
fair value at grant 
date 

$85.08 

$109.26 

$83.09 

$85.13 

- 

- 

11,088 

$94.97 

- 

- 

- 

- 

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of conditional grants of shares exercised regularly during 
the year ended 31 December 2022 was $113.04 (2021: $127.47). 

The weighted average remaining contractual life of conditional grants of shares outstanding at the end of the period 
was two years (2021: two years). 

Where shares are issued to employees of subsidiaries within the Rio Tinto Group, the subsidiaries compensate the 
parent for the amount recognised as an expense in relation to these shares. 

108  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Bonus Deferral Award 

The Bonus Deferral Award (BDA) details are described in the Remuneration Report. Rio Tinto Bonus Deferral 
Awards (BDA) are granted at the discretion of the Rio Tinto Remuneration Committee in line with Rio Tinto 
guidelines. BDAs are granted under the EIP. These awards were established for the mandatory deferral of a specific 
percentage of the Chief Executive’s Short Term Incentive Plan bonus payment into Rio Tinto shares. The vesting of 
these awards is dependent only on service conditions being met. The awards will be settled in equity, including the 
dividends accumulated from date of award to vesting. The awards are accounted for in accordance with the 
requirements applying to equity-settled share-based payment transactions. The fair value of each award on the day 
of grant is equal to share price on the day of grant. No forfeitures are assumed. 

BALANCE 
AT START  
OF THE 
YEAR 

GRANTED 
DURING 
THE YEAR 

TRANSFERS 
IN/(OUT) 

EXERCISED 
DURING 
THE YEAR 

FORFEITED 
DURING 
THE YEAR 

BALANCE 
AT END OF 
THE YEAR 

VESTED AND 
EXERCISABLE 
AT END OF 
THE YEAR 

2022 

Rio Tinto Limited 

Weighted average 
fair value at grant 
date 

2021 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Rio Tinto Limited 

1,266 

689 

(1,306) 

(649) 

Weighted average 
fair value at grant 
date 

$84.15 

$107.76 

$92.12 

$93.17 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of conditional grants of shares exercised regularly during 
the year ended 31 December 2022 was $Nil (2021: $101.40). 

The weighted average remaining contractual life of share options outstanding at the end of the period was nil years 
(2021: nil years). 

Where shares are issued to employees of subsidiaries within the Rio Tinto Group, the subsidiaries compensate the 
parent for the amount recognised as an expense in relation to these shares. 

Expenses arising from share-based payment transactions 

Total expenses arising from share-based payment transactions recognised during the period as part of employee 
benefit expense were as follows: 

Share based payment expense 

2022 
$'000 

327 

2021 
$'000 

620 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  109

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
DIRECTOR’S DECLARATION 

In the Directors’ opinion: 

a.  The financial statements and notes set out on pages 71 to 109 are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 

(Cth), including: 

i. 

ii. 

Complying with Accounting Standards, the Corporations Regulations 2001 and other mandatory 
professional reporting requirements; and 

Giving a true and fair view of the Company’s financial position as at 31 December 2022 and of its 
performance for the financial year ended on that date; and 

b.  There are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they 

become due and payable. 

The Directors have been given the declarations by the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer required by 
section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the 
Directors. 

R Dennis 
Brisbane 

10 March 2023 

110  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

   KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organisation of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organisation. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Independent Auditor’s Report To the shareholders of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Report on the audit of the Financial Report  Opinion We have audited the Financial Report of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (the Company). In our opinion, the accompanying Financial Report of the Company is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: • Giving a true and fair view of the Company’s financial position as at 31 December 2022 and of its financial performance for the year ended on that date; and • Complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. The Financial Report comprises:  • Balance sheet as at 31 December 2022; • Statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity, and cash flow statement for the year then ended; • Notes including a summary of significant accounting policies; and • The Directors’ Declaration. Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the Financial Report section of our report.  We are independent of the Company in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the Financial Report in Australia. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.    
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  111

   KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organisation of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organisation. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Independent Auditor’s Report To the shareholders of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Report on the audit of the Financial Report  Opinion We have audited the Financial Report of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (the Company). In our opinion, the accompanying Financial Report of the Company is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: • Giving a true and fair view of the Company’s financial position as at 31 December 2022 and of its financial performance for the year ended on that date; and • Complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. The Financial Report comprises:  • Balance sheet as at 31 December 2022; • Statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity, and cash flow statement for the year then ended; • Notes including a summary of significant accounting policies; and • The Directors’ Declaration. Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the Financial Report section of our report.  We are independent of the Company in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the Financial Report in Australia. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.   About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 

112  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 Material uncertainty related to going concern We draw attention to Note 1(a)(i), “Going Concern” in the financial report. The conditions disclosed in Note 1(a)(i), indicate a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and, therefore, whether it will realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business, and at the amounts stated in the financial report.  Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter. In concluding there is a material uncertainty related to going concern we evaluated the extent of uncertainty regarding events or conditions casting significant doubt in the Company’s assessment of going concern.  Our approach to this involved: • Evaluating the feasibility, quantum and timing of the Company’s plans to obtain additional funding from its major shareholder to address going concern; • Assessing the Company’s cash flow forecasts for incorporation of the Company’s operations and plans to address going concern, in particular forecast rehabilitation expenditure; and • Determining the completeness of the Company’s going concern disclosures for the principle matters casting significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, the Company’s plans to address these matters, and the material uncertainty. Key Audit Matter 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.  In addition to the matter described in the Material uncertainty related to going concern section, we have determined the matter described below to be the Key Audit Matter.  Rehabilitation provision ($1,224.6 million) Refer to Note 18 and 19 to the Financial Report The key audit matter How the matter was addressed in our audit The rehabilitation provision is a key audit matter due to: • The size of the provision;  • Inherent complexity in the Company estimating future environmental restoration and rehabilitation costs; and  • The significant judgement applied by the Company to determine the provision. We focused on the significant and judgmental assumptions the Company applied in their rehabilitation provision including: Our procedures included: • Assessing the appropriateness of the Company’s accounting policy for the recognition and measurement of the rehabilitation provision with the requirements of the accounting standards; • Working with our sustainability closure specialists to: – Understand and identify new significant risks related to rehabilitation activities; – Evaluate the updates in methodology applied by the Company and Company’s external expert in determining the nature and extent of rehabilitation activities by comparison to industry practice; and  • Nature and extent of rehabilitation activities required. This impacts the completeness of the rehabilitation provision estimate; • Forecasted closure costs and timing for key rehabilitation activities; and • Economic assumptions, such as the discount rate. The Company utilises both internal and external experts to assist in the determination of the rehabilitation provision. As a result of the above significant and judgmental assumptions, this area required significant audit effort. We involved sustainability closure specialists and valuation specialists to supplement our senior audit team members in assessing this key audit matter.  – Assess certain assumptions regarding the forecast closure costs of closure activities based on their experience and familiarity with applicable legislative requirements and industry practice and the Company’s closure commitments. • Assessing the competence, scope and objectivity of the Company’s internal and external experts used in the determination of the rehabilitation provision; • Inspecting the most recent closure studies and other technical material prepared by the Company relating to changes in the closure provision to assess the nature and scope of work planned to be undertaken. This included assumptions relating to the nature and timing of closure and rehabilitation activities; • Testing key controls in relation to the process to identify changes in rehabilitation activities required; • On a sample basis, testing the basis of forecasted closure cost by obtaining an understanding of the nature of the estimate and inspecting underlying documentation for forecast rehabilitation activities; • Obtaining the Company’s latest external expert report as well as internal and external underlying documentation to compare to the nature and quantum of costs contained in the Company’s rehabilitation provision; • Testing the accuracy of the historical rehabilitation provision by comparing to actual expenditure incurred. We used this to challenge the Company’s current cost estimations; • Working with our valuation specialists to compare the discount rate used by the Company to external data such as yields on long-term government bonds; • Testing mathematical accuracy of the Company’s rehabilitation provision calculation; and • Assessing the rehabilitation provision disclosures in the financial report including disclosure of risks and uncertainties using our understanding obtained from our testing against the requirements of the accounting standard. This included checking the current and non-current rehabilitation provision disclosure for consistency to the planned timing of the rehabilitation expenditure.    
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  113

 • Nature and extent of rehabilitation activities required. This impacts the completeness of the rehabilitation provision estimate; • Forecasted closure costs and timing for key rehabilitation activities; and • Economic assumptions, such as the discount rate. The Company utilises both internal and external experts to assist in the determination of the rehabilitation provision. As a result of the above significant and judgmental assumptions, this area required significant audit effort. We involved sustainability closure specialists and valuation specialists to supplement our senior audit team members in assessing this key audit matter.  – Assess certain assumptions regarding the forecast closure costs of closure activities based on their experience and familiarity with applicable legislative requirements and industry practice and the Company’s closure commitments. • Assessing the competence, scope and objectivity of the Company’s internal and external experts used in the determination of the rehabilitation provision; • Inspecting the most recent closure studies and other technical material prepared by the Company relating to changes in the closure provision to assess the nature and scope of work planned to be undertaken. This included assumptions relating to the nature and timing of closure and rehabilitation activities; • Testing key controls in relation to the process to identify changes in rehabilitation activities required; • On a sample basis, testing the basis of forecasted closure cost by obtaining an understanding of the nature of the estimate and inspecting underlying documentation for forecast rehabilitation activities; • Obtaining the Company’s latest external expert report as well as internal and external underlying documentation to compare to the nature and quantum of costs contained in the Company’s rehabilitation provision; • Testing the accuracy of the historical rehabilitation provision by comparing to actual expenditure incurred. We used this to challenge the Company’s current cost estimations; • Working with our valuation specialists to compare the discount rate used by the Company to external data such as yields on long-term government bonds; • Testing mathematical accuracy of the Company’s rehabilitation provision calculation; and • Assessing the rehabilitation provision disclosures in the financial report including disclosure of risks and uncertainties using our understanding obtained from our testing against the requirements of the accounting standard. This included checking the current and non-current rehabilitation provision disclosure for consistency to the planned timing of the rehabilitation expenditure.   About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 

114  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 Report on the Remuneration Report Opinion In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd for the year ended 31 December 2022, complies with Section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.   Directors’ 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 responsibilities We have audited the Remuneration Report included in the Directors’ report on pages 45 to 59 for the year ended 31 December 2022.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Remuneration Report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.    KPMG  Derek Meates Partner Perth 10 March 2023          Other Information Other Information is financial and non-financial information in Energy Resources of Australia Ltd’s annual reporting which is provided in addition to the Financial Report and the Auditor's Report. The Directors are responsible for the Other Information.  Our opinion on the Financial Report does not cover the Other Information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or any form of assurance conclusion thereon, with the exception of the Remuneration Report and our related assurance opinion. In connection with our audit of the Financial Report, our responsibility is to read the Other Information. In doing so, we 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. We are required to report if we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this Other Information, and based on the work we have performed on the Other Information that we obtained prior to the date of this Auditor’s Report we have nothing to report. Responsibilities of the Directors for the Financial Report The Directors are responsible for: • Preparing the Financial Report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001; and • Implementing necessary internal control to enable the preparation of a Financial Report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and whether the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate. This includes disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the Financial Report Our objective is: • To obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Financial Report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; and • To issue an Auditor’s Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error. They 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 the 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: https://www.auasb.gov.au/admin/file/content102/c3/ar2_2020.pdf. This description forms part of our Auditor’s Report.    
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  115

 Report on the Remuneration Report Opinion In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd for the year ended 31 December 2022, complies with Section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.   Directors’ 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 responsibilities We have audited the Remuneration Report included in the Directors’ report on pages 45 to 59 for the year ended 31 December 2022.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Remuneration Report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.    KPMG  Derek Meates Partner Perth 10 March 2023         About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION (unaudited) 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd is a for-profit company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. 

The financial statements were authorised by Directors on 10 March 2023. The Directors have the power to amend 
and reissue the financial statements. 

The shareholder information set out below was applicable as at 28 February 2023. 

Distribution of equity securities 

Analysis of numbers of registered equity security holders by size of holding: 

ORDINARY SHARES 

NUMBER OF 
SHARE- 
HOLDERS 

% OF 
 SHARE- 
HOLDERS 

1 - 1,000 

1,001 - 5,000 

5,001 – 10,000 

10,001 – 100,000 

100,001 and over 

4,943 

2,478 

851 

1,128 

139 

9,539 

51.82% 

25.98% 

8.92% 

11.82% 

1.46% 

NUMBER 
 OF SHARES 

1,444,282 

6,532,366 

6,585,742 

32,860,177 

% OF 
 ISSUED 
SHARES 

0.04% 

0.18% 

0.18% 

0.89% 

3,643,960,631 

98.71% 

100.00% 

3,691,383,198 

100.00% 

There were 6,155 holders of less than a marketable parcel of ordinary shares. 

Substantial shareholders 

Substantial shareholders as disclosed in substantial shareholder notices provided to the Company: 

North Limited1 

Peko-Wallsend Ltd1 

Packer & Co Limited ATF Packer & Co Investigator Trust2 

Note 1   As lodged 27 February 2020. 
Note 2   As lodged 6 December 2022. 

NUMBER 
 OF SHARES 

1,920,852,964 

1,265,829,670 

293,106,266 

% OF 
 ISSUED 
SHARES 

52.04% 

34.29% 

7.94% 

116  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION (unaudited) 

Equity security holders 

The names of the twenty largest registered holders of quoted equity securities are listed below: 

North Limited 

Peko-Wallsend Ltd 

BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd 

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd ACF Clearstream 

Citicorp Nominees Pty Ltd 

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 

Creative Living (QLD) Pty Ltd 

Neweconomy Com Au Nominees Pty Ltd 

Mr Li Wan 

Airport Finance Pty Ltd 

Mr Samuel Lin (Lin S/F A/C) 

Mrs An-Shu Tseng 

Mr Kien Tuong Ta (S&P Superannuation Fund A/C) 

Mrs Tew Hua Cameron 

Vigor Door Corporation Pty Ltd 

Mrs Patricia Anne Allen and Mr Robert Stanley Allen 

Mr Mark Watson 

Mrs Faye Lesley Duffield 

Mrs Qiuyu Ping 

NUMBER 
 OF SHARES 

1,920,852,964 

1,265,829,670 

331,131,147 

78,579,091 

5,236,072 

3,856,648 

1,844,857 

1,300,000 

1,261,722 

1,084,265 

900,000 

900,000 

842,198 

766,500 

765,000 

761,771 

750,000 

739,478 

713,000 

658,022 

% OF 
 ISSUED 
 SHARES 

52.04% 

34.29% 

8.97% 

2.13% 

0.14% 

0.10% 

0.05% 

0.04% 

0.03% 

0.03% 

0.02% 

0.02% 

0.02% 

0.02% 

0.02% 

0.02% 

0.02% 

0.02% 

0.02% 

0.02% 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  117

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
  
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION (unaudited) 

Entitlements to vote 

Information on shareholding 

Shareholders who require information about their 
shareholding or dividend payment should contact 
ERA’s principal registry. 

Shareholders who have changed their address should 
advise the change in writing to: 

ERA Share Registry 

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited 

Level 1, 200 Mary Street 
Brisbane QLD 4000 

Telephone:  
1300 552 270 (within Australia)  
+61 3 9415 4000 (outside Australia) 

Online:  
www.investorcentre.com/contact 

Sponsored shareholders should note, however, that 
they should contact their sponsored broker to initiate a 
change of address. 

Subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being 
attached to any shares on a show of hands, every 
member present in person or by proxy or by attorney 
or by representative and entitled to vote at a 
shareholders’ meeting shall have one vote. 

On a poll, every member present in person or by 
proxy or by attorney or by representative shall have 
one vote for each share held by him/her. 

All substantive resolutions at a meeting of security 
holders are decided by a poll. 

Annual General Meeting 

The 2023 Annual General Meeting will be held in 
Darwin, in the Northern Territory of Australia. Notices 
of the 2023 Annual General Meeting will be given to 
the shareholders of the Company in accordance with 
the Corporations Act. It is anticipated the meeting will 
be an in person meeting with the Company closely 
monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the event that a 
virtual or hybrid option becomes required. 

Tax file numbers 

Tax file numbers or exemption details are recorded 
from shareholders who wish to provide the 
information. Dividend advice statements, when issued 
to shareholders, indicate whether or not a 
shareholder’s tax file number has been recorded. 
ERA normally pays fully franked dividends. In the 
event of an unfranked dividend being paid, ERA will 
be required to deduct tax at the top marginal rate from 
the dividend paid to shareholders resident in Australia 
who have not supplied a tax file number or exemption 
form. 

118  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
2022 ASX Announcements (unaudited) 

11 April 2022 

8 April 2022 

28 March 2022 

16 March 2022 

16 March 2022 

Change of Registered Office 

Quarterly Activities Report 

Notice of Annual General 
Meeting/Proxy Form 

Appendix 4G 

2021 Annual Report 

28 February 2022 

ERA 2021 Full Year Results 

28 February 2022 

Preliminary Final Report 

28 February 2022 

23 February 2022 

21 February 2022 

21 February 2022 

4 February 2022 

2 February 2022 

2 February 2022 

1 February 2022 

Annual Statement of 
Reserves and Resources 

Annual General Meeting 
Information 

Initial Director's Interest 
Notice 

Appointment of Managing 
Director and Chief Executive 

Initial Director's Interest 
Notice - Updated 

RIO: Rio Tinto notes ERA 
update on Ranger mine 

Ranger Rehabilitation 
Project cost and schedule 
overruns 

Initial Director's Interest 
Notice 

1 February 2022 

Appointment of Director 

31 January 2022 

Trading Halt 

13 January 2022 

Quarterly Activities Report 

19 December 2022 

19 December 2022 

6 December 2022 

24 November 2022 

23 November 2022 

23 November 2022 

2 November 2022 

19 October 2022 

Initial Director's Interest 
Notice 

Appointment of Independent 
Non-executive Director 

Change in substantial 
holding 

Atomic Energy Act 
Amendments Bill 

Initial Director's Interest 
Notice 

Appointment of Independent 
Non-executive Director 

Ranger Mine Closure Interim 
Payment Request 
Application 

Quarterly Cashflow Report - 
Appendix 4C 

19 October 2022 

Quarterly Activities Report 

6 October 2022 

3 October 2022 

26 September 2022 

Interim funding update and 
director resignations 

Response to media and 
update on independent 
directors 

Independent Expert's Report 
Received 

30 August 2022 

June 2022 Half Year Results 

30 August 2022 

Half Yearly Report and 
Accounts 

29 July 2022 

Quarterly Activities Report 

28 July 2022 

28 July 2022 

24 June 2022 

24 June 2022 

27 April 2022 

27 April 2022 

27 April 2022 

Replacement update 
regarding interim entitlement 
offer 

Update regarding interim 
entitlement offer 

Response to Australian 
Financial Review article 

Pause in Trading 

2022 AGM Results 

2022 AGM Chief Executive's 
Address 

2022 AGM Chairman's 
Address 

Details of these announcements are available at 
www.energyres.com.au 

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  119

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ten year performance (unaudited) 

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 

Sales Revenue ($000) 

35,555 

190,347 

242,457 

209,677 

201,273 

211,181 

267,765 

332,777 

379,166 

356,139 

2022 

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

2013 

Earnings Before Interest 
and Tax ($000) 

Profit/(Loss) Before Tax 
($000) 

Income Tax Expense/ 
(Benefit) ($000) 

Profit/(Loss) After Tax 
($000) 

(169,490) 

(648,967) 

3,413 

(1,103) 

(466,616) 

(52,925) 

(279,781) 

(88,292) 

(284,274) 

(199,431) 

(160,553) 

(647,395) 

8,643 

6,252 

(456,323) 

(43,532) 

(271,077) 

(79,798) 

(273,602) 

(186,541) 

- 

2,817 

(2,817) 

- 

(21,049) 

- 

- 

195,695 

(85,802) 

(50,712) 

(160,553) 

(650,212) 

11,460 

6,252 

(435,274) 

(43,532) 

(271,077) 

(275,493) 

(187,800) 

(135,829) 

Total Assets ($000) 

679,771 

855,930  1,000,153 

566,577 

635,766 

797,312 

819,432  1,100,815  1,341,724  1,627,561 

Shareholders’ Equity 
($000) 

Long Term Debt ($000) 

Current Ratio 

Liquid Ratio 

Return on Shareholders’ 
Equity (%) 

Earnings Per Share 
(cents) 

(603,657) 

(442,422) 

214,579 

(274,687) 

(280,790) 

154,887 

198,559 

469,947 

745,607 

934,022 

- 

0.3 

0.3 

- 

1.1 

0.7 

26.6 

147.0 

(4.3) 

(17.6) 

- 

2.1 

0.9 

5.3 

0.4 

- 

2.0 

1.2 

2.3 

- 

2.5 

1.9 

- 

3.2 

2.5 

- 

4.0 

3.1 

- 

4.0 

3.0 

- 

4.1 

2.7 

- 

3.8 

2.3 

155.0 

(28.1) 

(136.5) 

(58.6) 

(25.2) 

(14.5) 

1.2 

(84.1) 

(8.4) 

(52.4) 

(53.2) 

(36.3) 

(26.2) 

Share Price ($) closing 

0.22 

0.34 

0.33 

0.17 

0.25 

0.91 

0.44 

0.36 

1.30 

1.26 

Price-Earning Ratio 

(5.05) 

(1.93) 

82.50 

13.75 

(0.29) 

(10.83) 

(0.83) 

(0.68) 

(3.58) 

(4.81) 

Net Tangible Assets per 
Share ($) 

(0.16) 

(0.12) 

0.06 

(0.54) 

(0.54) 

0.30 

0.38 

0.91 

1.44 

1.80 

No. of Employees 

198 

204 

317 

352 

355 

358 

356 

374  

389 

519 

Profit After Tax per 
Employee ($000) 

Ore Mined (million tonnes) 

Ore Milled (million tonnes) 

Mill Head Grade (% U3O8) 

Mill Recovery (%) 

Production (tonnes U3O8) 
Drummed 

Sales – Ranger 
Concentrates (tonnes 
U3O8) 

Sales – Other 
Concentrates (tonnes 
U3O8) 

Sales – Total (tonnes 
U3O8) 

(810.9) 

(3,187.3) 

36.15 

17.61 

(1,226.1) 

(121.6) 

(761.5) 

(736.6) 

(482.8) 

(264.8) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

0.02 

0.07 

86.1 

- 

2.5 

0.07 

84.9 

- 

2.5 

0.08 

86.8 

- 

2.5 

0.09 

86.6 

- 

2.6 

0.10 

84.7 

- 

2.7  

0.10 

84.9 

- 

2.5 

0.10 

82.0 

- 

1.3 

0.11 

81.5 

- 

2.3 

0.15 

84.8 

34 

1,574 

1,751 

1,999 

2,294 

2,351 

2,005 

1,165 

2,960 

242 

1,302 

1,711 

1,577 

1,467 

2,089 

2,130 

2,183 

2,164 

2,767 

- 

- 

10 

20 

- 

- 

9  

- 

984 

48 

242 

1,302 

1,721 

1,597 

1,467 

2,089 

2,139  

2,183 

3,148 

2,815 

Definition of statistical ratios 
Current Ratio  
Liquid Ratio 

Gearing Ratio  
Interest Cover  
Return on Shareholders’ Equity  
Earnings per Share  

=  
=  

=  
=  
=  
=  

current assets / current liabilities 
(current assets – inventory – prepayments – foreign exchange hedge asset on borrowings) / (current 
liabilities – bank overdraft – foreign exchange hedge liability) 
(long term debt + term creditors) / (shareholders’ equity + long term debt + term creditors) 
earnings before interest and tax / interest expense 
profit after tax / average shareholders’ equity 
profit after tax / weighted average number of shares issued 

120  Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022

 
 
Earnings Before Interest 

and Tax ($000) 

Profit/(Loss) Before Tax 

($000) 

Income Tax Expense/ 

(Benefit) ($000) 

Profit/(Loss) After Tax 

($000) 

Shareholders’ Equity 

($000) 

Long Term Debt ($000) 

Current Ratio 

Liquid Ratio 

Return on Shareholders’ 

Equity (%) 

Earnings Per Share 

(cents) 

Net Tangible Assets per 

Share ($) 

Profit After Tax per 

Employee ($000) 

Ore Mined (million tonnes) 

Ore Milled (million tonnes) 

Mill Head Grade (% U3O8) 

Mill Recovery (%) 

Production (tonnes U3O8) 

Drummed 

Sales – Ranger 

Concentrates (tonnes 

U3O8) 

U3O8) 

U3O8) 

Sales – Other 

Concentrates (tonnes 

Sales – Total (tonnes 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

=  

=  

=  

=  

=  

=  

Ten year performance (unaudited) 

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 

2022 

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

2013 

(169,490) 

(648,967) 

3,413 

(1,103) 

(466,616) 

(52,925) 

(279,781) 

(88,292) 

(284,274) 

(199,431) 

(160,553) 

(647,395) 

8,643 

6,252 

(456,323) 

(43,532) 

(271,077) 

(79,798) 

(273,602) 

(186,541) 

NOTES

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

- 

0.3 

0.3 

- 

1.1 

0.7 

- 

2.5 

1.9 

- 

3.2 

2.5 

- 

4.0 

3.1 

- 

4.0 

3.0 

- 

4.1 

2.7 

- 

3.8 

2.3 

26.6 

147.0 

155.0 

(28.1) 

(136.5) 

(58.6) 

(25.2) 

(14.5) 

- 

2.0 

1.2 

2.3 

- 

2.1 

0.9 

5.3 

0.4 

Sales Revenue ($000) 

35,555 

190,347 

242,457 

209,677 

201,273 

211,181 

267,765 

332,777 

379,166 

356,139 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

- 

2,817 

(2,817) 

- 

(21,049) 

- 

- 

195,695 

(85,802) 

(50,712) 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

(160,553) 

(650,212) 

11,460 

6,252 

(435,274) 

(43,532) 

(271,077) 

(275,493) 

(187,800) 

(135,829) 

Total Assets ($000) 

679,771 

855,930  1,000,153 

566,577 

635,766 

797,312 

819,432  1,100,815  1,341,724  1,627,561 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

(603,657) 

(442,422) 

214,579 

(274,687) 

(280,790) 

154,887 

198,559 

469,947 

745,607 

934,022 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

(4.3) 

(17.6) 

1.2 

(84.1) 

(8.4) 

(52.4) 

(53.2) 

(36.3) 

(26.2) 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

Share Price ($) closing 

0.22 

0.34 

0.33 

0.17 

0.25 

0.91 

0.44 

0.36 

1.30 

1.26 

Price-Earning Ratio 

(5.05) 

(1.93) 

82.50 

13.75 

(0.29) 

(10.83) 

(0.83) 

(0.68) 

(3.58) 

(4.81) 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

No. of Employees 

198 

204 

317 

352 

355 

358 

356 

374  

389 

519 

(0.16) 

(0.12) 

0.06 

(0.54) 

(0.54) 

0.30 

0.38 

0.91 

1.44 

1.80 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

(810.9) 

(3,187.3) 

36.15 

17.61 

(1,226.1) 

(121.6) 

(761.5) 

(736.6) 

(482.8) 

(264.8) 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

- 

0.02 

0.07 

86.1 

- 

2.5 

0.07 

84.9 

- 

2.5 

0.08 

86.8 

- 

2.5 

0.09 

86.6 

- 

2.6 

0.10 

84.7 

- 

2.7  

0.10 

84.9 

- 

2.5 

0.10 

82.0 

- 

1.3 

0.11 

81.5 

- 

2.3 

0.15 

84.8 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

34 

1,574 

1,751 

1,999 

2,294 

2,351 

2,005 

1,165 

2,960 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

242 

1,302 

1,711 

1,577 

1,467 

2,089 

2,130 

2,183 

2,164 

2,767 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

- 

10 

20 

- 

- 

9  

- 

984 

48 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

242 

1,302 

1,721 

1,597 

1,467 

2,089 

2,139  

2,183 

3,148 

2,815 

Definition of statistical ratios 

Current Ratio  

Liquid Ratio 

Gearing Ratio  

Interest Cover  

Return on Shareholders’ Equity  

Earnings per Share  

current assets / current liabilities 

(current assets – inventory – prepayments – foreign exchange hedge asset on borrowings) / (current 

liabilities – bank overdraft – foreign exchange hedge liability) 

(long term debt + term creditors) / (shareholders’ equity + long term debt + term creditors) 

earnings before interest and tax / interest expense 

profit after tax / average shareholders’ equity 

profit after tax / weighted average number of shares issued 

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd Annual Report 2022  121

About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s Report 
 
About ERAYear in ReviewBusiness  StrategyFinancial PerformanceBusiness RisksFuture SupplyHealth and  SafetyRegulatory FrameworkFinancial  ReportContentsChair’s ReportChief Executive’s ReportEnergy Resource Australia 

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