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Griffin Mining Ltd.

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FY2016 Annual Report · Griffin Mining Ltd.
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CONTENTS

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT  

OVERVIEW 

CAIJIAYING 

INTRODUCTION 

DEVELOPMENT 

MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE 

GEOLOGY 

EXPLORATION 

OPERATIONS 

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT & PARTNERSHIP 

FINANCIAL 

STRATEGIC REVIEW 

CAIJIAYING 

ACQUISITIONS AND FURTHER PROJECTS 

DIRECTORS 

SENIOR EXECUTIVES 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR  

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

CORPORATE INFORMATION 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

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Griffin Mining Limited is a mining and investment company whose principal asset is the Caijiaying zinc-gold mine.   
Further information on the Company is available on the Company’s web site: www.griffinmining.com.

Griffin Mining Limited’s shares are quoted on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM)  
of the London Stock Exchange (symbol GFM).

Registered in Bermuda, number: 13667.

Registered Office: Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda

United Kingdom Office: 8th Floor, Royal Trust House, 54 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6LX 

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

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Caijiaying Mine Site, Autumn 2016

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  present  to  you,  the 

register a supply deficit, short 268,000 tonnes in 2016 

shareholders  and  owners  of  Griffin  Mining  Limited 

and,  in  January  2017,  already  short  27,000  tonnes 

(“Griffin”  or  the  “Company”),  the  Annual  Report 

with storage at the London Metal Exchange declining 

and  Accounts  of  the  Company  for  the  2016  calendar 

31,000 tonnes.  This is being reflected in lower smelter 

and financial year.  It was a year when the aberration 

charges and a higher overall zinc price.

of our first loss in a decade in 2015 was cast aside and 

profitability was restored.  

Most  pleasing,  on  the  14th  December  2016  and  in 

the  presence  of  the  Australian  Ambassador  to  China 

Financially, 

the  Company  made  an  operating 

and  senior  officials  from  the  Ministry  of  Land  and 

profit  of  $15.2  million,  profit  before  tax  of  $10.4 

Resources  and  Zhangjiakou  City,  an  agreement  was 

million  and  after  profit  tax  of  almost  $6  million.  

signed whereby the Company was granted the right to 

Operationally, a record number of tonnes were mined 

and  processed  whilst  cost  of  sales  fell  significantly, 

even  though  only  low  grade  ore  could  be  processed 

via  stockpiles  during  the  cessation  of  mining  activity 
and,  upon  recommencement  of  mining,  only  from 
residual  low  grade  ore  in  the  higher  mine  levels.  

Notably, gold production reached a new record high of 

12,654 ounces in concentrate.

Further  good  news  included  the  completion  of  the 

upgrade  on  the  28th  January  2016  to  the  mine  and 

processing facilities to a 1.5 million tonne throughput 

capacity,  the  addition  of  a  second  35,000  volt  grid 

power line to site, a new safety permit over the lower 

levels of Zone III and the continuing drive to improve 

efficiencies  with  the  commissioning  of  a  new,  electro 

hydraulic longhole drill rig.

Non-operationally,  almost  $15  million  of  debt  was 

repaid in 2016.  

Although I believe share price is a very poor indicator 

of a Company’s value and performance, it is pleasing to 

see that the share price has increased over 115% in the 

past 12 months.

Critically, the fundamental outlook for zinc continues 

to  improve.    According  to  the  International  Lead 

and  Zinc  Study  Group,  the  zinc  market  continues  to 

explore, in particular, the Shitouhulun and Sangongdi 

areas near the Caijiaying Mine.  Both areas share the 

same geological signatures as the known orebodies at 

the Caijiaying Mine and high hopes exist for exploration 

success once work begins on these regions.

It  would,  of  course,  be  disingenuous  of  me  to 

hide  the  fact  that  our  overwhelming,  continuing, 

disappointment  lies  in  the  failure  to  be  granted  a 

mining licence over Zone II and thereby increase our 

throughput to our now expanded processing capacity.  

It has become a frustrating reality in the mining world 

that  mining  licences  are  taking  ever  longer  to  obtain 

due  to  administrative  labyrinths,  constant    legislative 

changes, environmental issues needing over-addressing 

and  native  concerns  being  constantly  satisfied.  China 

is  no  different  in  this  respect.    The  overwhelming 

question asked by shareholders is when will the licence 

be granted?  I have made predictions in the past and 

have been proved horribly wrong.  I will merely state I 

have high hopes for 2017.

It would be unfair of me not to thank the directors, staff 

and  contractors  who  continue  to  strive  to  make  the 

Company  an  even  greater  success  than  it  has  already 

become.    Any  organization  is  only  as  competent  and 

dynamic as the people who work, think and act solely 

in the best interest of the Company.  Ours are some of 

the best in the industry, and in country, and we thank 

them for their outstanding efforts.

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Finally  and  traditionally,  I  wish  to  thank  you,  the 

and which we believe will exponentially and excitingly 

shareholders  and  owners  of  the  Company.    Contrary 

grow in the coming years. I look forward to delivering  

to  what  we  may  witness  in  the  world  around  us  too 

that success.

often in these troublesome times, faith can be the most 

amazing of things.  It is your faith in your Company 

which  has  nurtured  the  success  we  have  had  to  date

Mladen Ninkov
Chairman                                                
5th April 2017

Mladen  Ninkov  (Chairman)  and  He  Yuquing  (Captain  of  the  Third  Geological  Brigade  of  Hebei  Province) 
signing the Co-operation Agreement for the exploration and development of the Shitouhulun and Sangongdi 
areas, with in attendance from left to right: Sun Huiguang, (Director of the 3rd Brigade); Jin Shengchang, 
(Deputy Chairman of Hebei Hua Ao); Wu Xiaohong, (Party Secretary of the 3rd Brigade); Zhao Rongsheng, 
(Division Chief of Hebei Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources “BGMR”); Li Chunsheng, (Chief Geologist 
of Hebei BGMR); He Xi, (Deputy Chief of Hebei BGMR); Lu Feng, (Vice Mayor of Zhangjiakou Municipal 
Government);  Zhang  Guojun,  (Deputy  Director  of  General  Hebei  Ministry  of  Land  and  Resources);  Zhang 
Junjie, (Chief of Hebei BGMR): Australian Ambassador to China the Honorable Jan Adams; Rupert Crowe, 
(Director  of  Griffin),  Bo  Zhou,  (Griffin  Chief  Representative  China);  Michael  Hulmes,  (General  Manager 
of  Caijiaying);  Ben  Jarvis,  (Counselor  at  the  Australian  Embassy  Beijing)  and  a  further  Australian  
consular official. 

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

OVERVIEW

Griffin Mining Limited (“Griffin” or “the Company”) 
is a mining and investment company, incorporated in 
Bermuda, whose shares are quoted on the Alternative 
Investment  Market  of  the  London  Stock  Exchange 
(“AIM”). 

The Company also holds 90% of Hebei Sino Anglo 
Mining  Development  Company  Limited  (“Hebei 
Anglo”),  which  holds  27.5  square  kilometres  of 
exploration  licences  immediately  surrounding  the 
Hebei Hua Ao Licence Area.

The major asset of the Company is an 88.8% interest 
in Hebei Hua Ao Mining Industry Company Limited 
(‘Hebei Hua Ao’), which holds 9.9 square kilometres 
of  mining  and  exploration  licences  including  the 
mine  and  processing  facilities  at  Caijiaying  in  the 
People’s Republic of China (the “Caijiaying Mine”). 

The  Company  continues  to  aggressively  explore, 
expand and develop the Caijiaying Mine, whilst also 
investigating further potential acquisitions of mining 
projects  that  are  capable  of  being  brought  into 
production and to meet historically preset, economic 
returns to shareholders. 

Caijiaying Mine Location, People’s Republic of China

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CAIJIAYING

INTRODUCTION 

The  Caijiaying  Mine  is  an  operating  zinc,  gold, 
silver  and  lead  mine,  together  with  a  processing 
plant,  camp  and  supporting  facilities, 
located 
approximately 300 kilometres by road, north-west of 
Beijing in Hebei Province in the People’s Republic 
of China. The Caijiaying Mine is easily accessible by 
freeway from Beijing. The site has significant water 
supplies,  two  35  thousand  volt  “kv”  power  lines 
connected  to  the  electricity  grid,  full  connectivity 
to  fixed  and  mobile  tele-communications  systems 
and broadband access for internet services. It is 63 
kilometres from Chongli, the host city of the 2022 
Winter Olympic Games to which a high speed train 
link  from  Beijing  is  currently  being  constructed. 
Climatic  conditions  are  not  severe  with  warm 
summers and cold, dry winters, enabling Caijiaying 
to operate for 365 days a year. 

DEVELOPMENT 

Hebei  Hua  Ao  is  a  contractual  co-operative  joint 
venture company entity established in 1994. Initially, 
Griffin  held  60%  of  Hebei  Hua  Ao  (through  a 
wholly  owned  subsidiary)  with  the  remaining 
40%  held  by  the  Zhangjiakou  Guoxin  Enterprise 
Management  and  Service  Center  (“Guoxin”),  the 
previously named Zhangjiakou Caijiaying Lead Zinc 
Mining Company, the shareholders of which remain 
the Zhangjiakou City People’s Government and the 
Third  Geological  Brigade  of  Hebei  Province  (the 
“3rd Brigade”). 

The initial term of Hebei Hua Ao was 25 years and 
was due to expire in 2019. In light of the continuing 
increase in the resources base and production profile 
of  the  Caijiaying  Mine,  the  Company,  through 
its  wholly  owned  subsidiary  China  Zinc  Limited, 
purchased  an  additional  28.8%  interest  in  Hebei 
Hua  Ao  from  Guoxin  in  2012.  Griffin  now  holds 
an  88.8%  equity  interest  in  Hebei  Hua  Ao  and 
Guoxin retains an 11.2% residual interest with a fee 
for  services  rendered,  resulting  in  Hebei  Hua  Ao 
being in the nature of a subsidiary of the Company 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

with a service contract  to Guoxin for accounting 
purposes. In addition, and as part of this purchase 
agreement,  the  term  of  the  Hebei  Hua  Ao 
joint  venture  was  extended  to  October  2037. 

In January 2004, a second contractual joint venture 
company,  Hebei  Anglo,  was  formed  to  hold  the 
mineral  rights  to  the  area  surrounding  the  original 
Hebei  Hua  Ao  licence  area  and  any  other  areas  of 
interest  in  Hebei  Province.  Griffin,  through  its 
wholly  owned  UK  subsidiary,  Panda  Resources 
Limited,  has  a  90%  interest  in  Hebei  Anglo  whilst 
Guoxin  holds  10%.  Griffin,  through  Hebei  Hua 
Ao  and  Hebei  Anglo,  has  a  controlling  interest  in 
mining and exploration licences over approximately 
37.4 square kilometres at Caijiaying. 

extensive 

exploration, 

Following 
resource 
delineation  drilling,  a  number  of  scoping  studies,  a 
feasibility study, financing and construction, Griffin 
successfully  commissioned  the  Caijiaying  Mine  on 
time and within budget in 2005 with an initial design 
production throughput rate of 200,000 tonnes of ore 
per annum. 

Numerous  upgrades 
the  Caijiaying  Mine 
to 
and  processing  facilities  have  taken  place  since 
commissioning.    In  January  2016,  the  Company 
completed  a  further  upgrade  of  the  processing 
facilities at the Caijiaying Mine and the construction 
of two new 35kv power lines connected to the main 
grid  enabling  a  new  third  primary  ball  mill  to  be 
commissioned.  This latest upgrade has taken name 
plate mill throughput capacity to 1.5 million tonnes 
of ore per annum.  

Underground  development  continues  with  the 
expansion of the existing mining operations at Zone 
III.  Access to the Zone II area to the south of Zone 
III  has  been  constructed  allowing  for  underground 
drilling  and  further  exploration  work  at  Zone  II.  
The mining and development of Zone II is subject 
to  the  successful  granting  of  a  new  mining  licence 
over that area. 

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Hebei Hua Ao directors and shareholders meeting. Front row from left to right: Li Chunsheng,  
(Chief Geologist of Hebei Provincial BGMR); Fang Jibin, (Executive Deputy Secretary General of  
Zhangjiakou Municipal Government); Zhang Junjie, (Chief of Hebei Provincial BGMR);  
Mladen Ninkov, Chairman; Dal Brynelsen, Director. 

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Back row starting from left to right: Sun Huiguang, (Director of Hebei Hua Ao); Jin Shengchang,  
(Deputy Chairman of Hebei Hua Ao); He Yuqing, (Captain of the 3rd Brigade of the Hebei Province);  
Zhou Bo, (Director of Hebei Hua Ao); Gao Feng, (Director of Zhangjiakou State Assets  
Administration and Monitoring Commission); Sun Xiaoyan, Interpreter.”

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE

In June 2013, a Mineral Resource estimate for Caijiaying 
was reported. The continuing success of the exploration 
programme  in  conjunction  with  infill  drilling  and  on-
going development, is anticipated to lead to an upgrade

of the Mineral Resource estimate for the Caijiaying Mine 
in  the  future.  The  2016  Mineral  Resource  estimate,  based 
on the 2013 estimate at a zinc cut-off grade of 1% and,  
as amended for mining depletion, is summarised below: 

       Caijiaying Zone III Remaining Mineral Resources 31 December 2016
       Grade Tonnage Reported above a Cut off Grade of 1.0% Zn

Tonnes  Zn 
(%) 

(Mt) 

Pb 
(%) 

Ag 
(g/t) 

Au 
(g/t) 

Zn Metal  Pb Metal  Ag Metal 
(t) 

(Oz) 

(t) 

12.3 

7.8 

7.7 
27.8 

4.9 

4.4 

4.2 
4.6 

0.3 

0.2 

0.2 
0.2 

26.1 

22.2 

18.5 
22.9 

0.8 

0.7 

0.5 
0.7 

598,000 

348,000 

322,000 
1,269,000 

36,000 

13,000 

12,000 
62,000 

10,307,000 

5,598,000 

4,551,000 
20,455,000 

       Caijiaying Zone II Remaining Mineral Resources 31 December 2016

       Grade Tonnage Reported above a Cut off Grade of 1.0% Zn

Au Metal

(Oz)

296,000

167,000

129,000
591,000

Au Metal

(Oz)

Tonnes  Zn 
(%) 

(Mt) 

Pb 
(%) 

Ag 
(g/t) 

Au 
(g/t) 

- 

4.1 

15.6 
19.6 

- 

3.0 

3.3 
3.3 

- 

0.7 

0.8 
0.7 

- 

24.9 

24.5 
24.6 

- 

0.3 

0.3 
0.3 

Zn Metal  Pb Metal  Ag Metal 
(t) 

(Oz) 

(t) 

- 

- 

- 

-

123,000 

516,000 
638,000 

27,000 

3,242,800 

39,300

117,000 
144,000 

12,276,700 
15,519,600 

124,200
163,500

       Caijiaying Combined Global Remaining Mineral Resources

       Grade Tonnage Reported above a Cut off Grade of 1.0% Zn  

Tonnes  Zn 
(%) 

(Mt) 

Pb 
(%) 

Ag 
(g/t) 

Au 
(g/t) 

12.3 

11.9 

23.2 

47.4 

4.9 

4.0 

3.6 

4.0 

0.3 

0.3 

0.6 

26.1 

23.1 

22.5 

0.4 

23.6 

0.8 

0.5 

0.3 

0.5 

Zn Metal  Pb Metal  Ag Metal 
(t) 

(Oz) 

(t) 

598,000 

471,000 

36,000 

40,000 

10,307,000 

8,841,000 

838,000 

129,000 

16,827,000 

Au Metal

(Oz)

296,000

206,000

253,000

1,908,000 

206,000 

35,975,000 

755,000

Zone III
Category 

Measured 

Indicated  

Inferred  
Sub-Total 

Zone II
Category 

Measured 

Indicated  

Inferred  
Sub-Total 

Combined
Category 

Measured  

Indicated  

Inferred 

Total 

Notes:

Zone II Mineral Resource includes 1.49 million tonnes at 3.09% zinc oxide material.

The Mineral Resource estimate is based on 2,470 underground diamond drill holes and 579 surface drill holes.

The underground drilling was carried out using nominal fan patterns of 20m by 20m, grading to a 40m by 40m pattern at depth. Resource 
wireframes were interpreted by CSA Global Pty Ltd in consultation with Griffin’s geologists. The resource outlines were based on mineralisation 
envelopes prepared on cross-sections using a nominal 1% Zn cut-off grade. The Mineral Resource has been depleted using a three-dimensional 
survey “As Built” wireframe which models all of the mined out voids at they stand at 31st December 2016.

The Caijiaying Mineral Resources are based on resource modelling work completed by CSA Global Pty Ltd in 2013 and reported in accordance 
with JORC 2012 guidelines. 

The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources is based on information compiled by Mr. Steve Rose, who is a Fellow of the 
Australasian  Institute  of  Mining  and  Metallurgy  (AusIMM).  Mr.  Rose  is  a  full-time  employee  of  CSA  Global  Pty  Ltd  and  has  sufficient 
experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as 
a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the “Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves”. Mr. Rose 
consents to the inclusion of such information in this report in the form and context in which it appears.

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GEOLOGY 

Mineralisation at Caijiaying is believed to be related 
to a Jurassic igneous event that affected the 2.3 billion 
year old metamorphic basement rocks. Base metal and 
gold mineralisation associated with Jurassic intrusives 
have replaced favourable horizons in the metamorphic 
rocks, most notably calcsilicates and marble. Porphyry 
sills  and  dykes  intruding  along  faults  have  then  cut 
across the sequence.

Ongoing  exploration  in  the  area  surrounding  the 
Caijiaying Mine and within Hebei Hua Ao’s and Hebei 
Anglo’s tenement boundary continues to confirm the 
area  to  be  highly  prospective,  indicating  significant 
potential for further base metal and gold deposits. 

EXPLORATION

The  exploration  programme  at  Caijiaying  in  2016 
continued to expand existing areas of mineralisation,  
providing  new  targets  with  the  aim  of  ensuring  an 
ongoing supply of ore, and an update to the Mineral 
Resource estimate. This involved prioritising targets 
into the following categories:

•  In-mine  areas  between  or  adjacent  to  known 

orebodies;

•  Near-mine  targets,  mainly  within  reach  of 
underground  drilling  from  existing  or  planned 
drives; and

•  Regional  targets  both  within  and  adjacent  to 

existing licences.

Hebei Hua Ao Mining and Exploration Area

Extensive  ongoing  underground  diamond  drilling 
continues to target extensions of known deposits and 
areas  adjacent  to  known  deposits.    These  near  mine 
targets include extensions of known zinc, lead and gold 
rich lodes within Zone III.  In 2016, 220 underground 
diamond drill holes were drilled for a total of 30,779 
metres,  utilising  three  underground  electric  drill 
rigs.  These  results  will  be  incorporated  in  the  next  
resource update.

There  was  no  surface  exploration  drilling  activity 
during 2016, however,  previously reported  surface 

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

drilling to the north of Zone III shows that the main 
ore  bodies,  defined  by  Zones  II  and  III,  extend  at 
least  another  300  metres  north  beneath  thickening 
cover sequences. This recent discovery, named Zone 
VIII, contains similar rock types and mineralisation 
styles  already  seen  in  Zones  II  and  III.  Further 
drilling from the surface at Zone VIII is planned for 
the 2017 summer drill season.

Three  key  geological 
undertaken in 2016:

technical 

studies  were 

•  On-going geological structural studies to enable 
an updated 3D geological model and exploration 
target  matrix  continued  throughout  2016.  This 
work  included  detailed  relogging  and  multi-
element  geochemistry  of  selected  underground 
diamond  drill  holes  combined  with  detailed 
geological  mapping  of  underground  workings 
across  three  key  cross  sections  through  the 
Caijiaying Mine.

for 

•  Detailed  geochemistry  studies  aimed  to  identify 
hydrothermal  breccias 
that  are  potentially 
mineralising  plumbing  feeders  to  the  Caijiaying 
ore  bodies  and  to  investigate  the  effectiveness 
lode 
of  multi-element  geochemistry 
characterisation and its application for near mine 
exploration  targeting.  The  geochemistry  data 
accurately maps pathfinder element assemblages, 
alteration  indices  and  lithology  discriminators 
at  the  Caijiaying  Mine.  This,  in  combination 
studies,  
with 
has provided high priority near mine exploration 
targets  that  have  been  successfully  targeted  
throughout  2016  and  will  continue  to  be  
developed and drill tested in 2017.

geological 

structural 

the 

•  Detailed geochemistry, lode characterisation, and 
geological studies into the gold bearing lodes at the 
Caijiaying Mine. The aim of these ongoing studies 
is  to  improve  the  overall  understanding  of  the 
lithological  and  structural  controls  to  gold 
mineralisation  to  provide  potential  geochemical 
vectors  that  can  be  used  to  develop  specific  
gold targets.

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

Long section 3D view of the Zone III Mineral Resource wireframes (blue)  
and underground development and stoping (red) looking west.

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

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Plan view of Caijiaying Mine’s Zone III. 

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

Plan view of Zone II, V and VIII exploration targets, lease boundaries and local infrastructure

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Hebei Anglo Exploration Area

During 2016, regional exploration activities included 
historical  data  compilation  and  review,  geological 
mapping and surface geochemical surveys. Regional 
target generation continued in 2016 with geochemical 
surveys  conducted  both  within  and  adjacent  to 
existing  licences.  The  results  of  these  surveys 
were  very  encouraging  and  have  resulted  in  the 
identification  of  anomalous  areas  with  geochemical 
signatures similar to that observed in drill core data 
from  the  Caijiaying  Mine  area.  Further  sampling 
and  analysis  will  continue  to  develop  and  prioritise 
targets for future drilling.

Shitouhulun and Sangongdi

On  17th  March  2016,  an  agreement  was  signed 
between  Griffin’s  wholly  owned  subsidiary,  China 
Zinc Limited, and the 3rd Brigade for co-operation 
in  exploration  outside  the  Caijiaying  Mine  area 
and  regionally  throughout  Hebei  Province.  This 
provides a unique opportunity for the Company to 
investigate  the  region’s  economic  mineral  potential 
and unlock areas of interest within Hebei Province.

two  areas  of  particular 

On  the  14th  December  2016,  a  further  agreement 
was  signed  between  the  same  parties  specfically 
identifying 
interest, 
Shitouhulun,  approximately  30  kilometres  south 
west  of  the  Caijiaying  Mine,  and  Sangongdi,  11 
kilometres to the north west of the Caijiaying Mine. 
Both  share  the  same  geological  signatures  as  the 
known orebodies at the Caijiaying Mine. 

Exploration of both these areas is expected to begin 
in  the  northern  hemisphere  spring  with  shallow 
auger drilling.

2017 Exploration

analysis  will 

continue  within 
Geochemical 
the  under- 
to 
the  Caijiaying  Mine 
standing  of 
the  orebody.   
the  complexity  of 
Regional  exploration  will  continue  with  surface 
geochemical  sampling  and  analysis  to  evaluate 

increase 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

targets for further consideration and drilling. Surface 
diamond  drilling  will  be  carried  out  at  Zone  VIII 
which is located to the north and along strike of Zone 
III.  This  drilling  follows  on  from  that  completed  
in 2015.

OPERATIONS 

The underground mine and surface processing plant 
operated safely and reliably during 2016. However, 
two separate fatal accidents in 2015 resulted in the 
temporary  suspension  of  underground  operations 
from 12th October 2015 to 20th January 2016. D  
uring  this  period,  low  grade  stockpiled  ore  was 
treated  and  this  resulted  in  a  reduced  head  grade 
with a commensurate impact on metal production. 

A  third  new  main  750,000  tonne  ball  mill 
was  commissioned  on  the  28th  January  2016 
following the connection of a new 35kv electrical 
power  line  to  the  Caijiaying  Mine.  As  a  result, 
available  grinding  capacity 
increased  to  1.5 
million  tonnes  of  ore  per  annum.  This  enabled 
a  record  mill  throughput  to  be  achieved  in 
2016, despite zinc metal production being lower 
than  in  2015  due  to  the  mine  shutdown  and 
the  consequent  inability  to  undertake  capital 
development  to  prepare  ore  for  extraction.  This 
led  to  the  milling  of  available  low  grade  ore 
and  the  depletion  of  stopes  above  the  allowable 
1260  metre  mining  level.  Zinc  production  was 
augmented  by  increased  gold  production  which 
was  sourced  from  the  recently  discovered  Yuan 
Lode which typically produces higher gold grades 
than  found  elsewhere  in  the  Caijiaying  Mine.

In  October  2016  a  new  safety  permit  was 
received  from  the  regulatory  authorities  for 
a  fresh  panel  of  higher  grade  zinc  ore  to  be 
accessed  between  the  1175  metre  level  and  the 
1260  metre  level.  Mining  of  this  panel  was  able 
to  be  commenced  immediately  as  all  of  the 
associated  declines,  pump  stations,  electrical 
infrastructure and cross cuts were installed during 
the  process  of  the  granting  of  the  new  permit. 

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Griffin Mining Limited directors from left to right Dal Brynelsen,  
 Rupert Crowe, Adam Usdan and Mladen Ninkov (Chairman) at Sangongdi.

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

In  summary,  production  in  2016  was  as  follows:

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT  

•  817,506 tonnes of ore were mined, compared to 

571,815 tonnes in 2015; 

•  874,983 tonnes of ore were processed, compared 

to 839,713 tonnes in 2015;

•  31,948 tonnes of zinc metal in concentrate were 
produced, compared to 38,560 tonnes in 2015;

•  A  record  12,654  ounces  of  gold  in  concentrate 
were  produced,  compared  to  10,363  ounces  in 
2015;

•  310,610  ounces  of  silver  in  concentrate  were 
produced, compared to 343,575 ounces in 2015; 
and

•  1,439  tonnes  of 

lead 
produced, compared to 1,785 tonnes in 2015. 

in  concentrate  were 

In  light  of  the  continuing  increasing  production 
profile,  a  transition  has  begun  to  the  use  of  more 
modern  mining  equipment.  This  has  led  to  the 
introduce  more 
adoption  of  a  programme  to 
mechanisation in  the Caijiaying Mine.  To this end, 
two new remote control load, haul, dump units were 
acquired  to  improve  ore  recovery  from  stopes  and 
improve  operator  safety.  A  new  electro  hydraulic 
longhole  drill  was  also  ordered  in  2016  and  was 
commissioned in the first quarter of 2017. This will 
replace a number of older compressed air units and 
improve productivity as well as improving operator 
safety and comfort. This follows the purchase of an 
electro hydraulic development drill in 2015

Underground  development  work  was  significantly 
increased from previous years, with 5,506 metres of 
capital development and 5,165 metres of operational 
development completed in 2016. 

Long  hole  open  stoping  continues  to  be  the 
predominant  mining  method.  The  resulting  voids 
are  then  backfilled  with  cemented  hydraulic  fill  in 
the case of primary stopes or development waste in 
secondary stopes.

18

& PARTNERSHIP

The Company, through Hebei Hua Ao, has invested 
heavily  in  the  local  community  and  continues  to 
maintain  and  further  implement  best  practices 
regarding  the  protection  of  the  environment.  This 
includes: 

•  Controls  to  prevent  the  discharge  of  waste  into 

the environment; 

•  All  processed  water  and  water  from  the  mine 

being recycled; 

•  Boiler  flue  gases  being  treated  by  a  dust  and 
sulphur extraction system to prevent the emission 
of pollutants into the atmosphere;

•  Waste  rock  and  mill  tailings  being  used  to  the 
maximum  for  backfilling  underground  stope 
voids.  This  minimises  the  mine  footprint  by 
reducing  the  need  for  larger  tailings  and  waste 
storages; 

•  Noise  and  dust  from  operations  from  the 

Caijiaying Mine being strictly controlled;

•  The  Company  funding  the  state  endorsed 
“greening”  project,  including  the  planting  of 
trees by local villagers in the Caijiaying area;

•  Approval from the relevant authorities to increase 
the capacity of the dry tailings storage without an 
increase in the footprint of the facility via modern 
design practices;

•  A  dedicated  rubbish  disposal  building  to  store 
Caijiaying  Mine  rubbish  prior  to  sorting  and 
collection;

•  Provision  of  coal  to  the  local  primary  and 
secondary schools for heating during the winter; 
and

•  Collaboration  with  local  brick  manufactures  to 
supply  mill  tailings  for  brick  manufacturing  in 
Zhangbei.

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

During  2016,  Hebei  Hua  Ao  paid  Rmb  81  million 
($13 million) in taxes, royalties, social security fees, 
fines  and  other  duties  to  Chinese  Governmental 
authorities and agencies. 

FINANCIAL

Griffin  Mining  Limited  (the  “Company”)  and  its 
subsidiaries  (together  the  “Group”)  returned  to 
profitability  in  2016  with  increased  turnover  and 
lower cost of sales. The Group recorded; 

•  Revenues  of  $66,270,000 

in  2016 

(2015 

$59,779,000); 

•  Operating  profit  of  $15,201,000  in  2016  (2015 

$4,301,000); 

•  Profit  before  tax  of  $10,382,000  in  2016  (2015 

loss $940,000); and 

•  Profit after tax of $5,914,000 in 2016 (2015 loss 

$2,186,000)

Although  record  throughput  was  achieved  in  2016, 
lower  zinc,  lead  and  silver  head  grades  caused  by 
restricted  mine  access  following  the  suspension  of 
mining  operations,  resulted  in  lower  zinc,  lead  and 
silver in concentrate being produced and sold than in 
2015. However, gold in concentrate production was 
up 22.1% on 2015 to a record 12,654 ozs. 

in 

concentrate  prices 

received  were 
Metal 
significantly  higher  in  2016  than  in  2015  with  zinc 
metal  in  concentrate  prices  received  of  $1,520  per 
tonne up 27.6% on that received in 2015 of $1,191; 
silver  of  $13.25  per  oz  was  up  10.9%  from  that 
received in 2015 of $11.95; and gold of $1,154 per oz 
up 10.6% on that received in 2015 of $1,043. This 
reflects  higher  market  prices  and  a  tightening  of 
concentrate supply in China. 

These  environmental  best  practices  have  been 
recognised in the past by the Chinese Government 
with  Hebei  Hua  Ao  being  presented  with  the 
Environmental  Award  at  the  2010  China  Mining 
Conference and the Mine Development Outstanding 
Achievement  Award  at  the  2011  China  Mining 
Conference.

In  terms  of  further  community  interaction,  Hebei 
Hua  Ao  provides  a  direct  water  supply  to  the 
local  villagers,  has  constructed  sealed  roads  to  the 
Caijiaying  Mine  and  nearby  villages,  financed  the 
construction of a local kindergarten, an old peoples 
rest  home  and  assisted  with  other  infrastructure 
projects. 

In 2013, Griffin, through Hebei Hua Ao, instigated 
a programme to create a long term industry for the 
Caijiaying  local  village,  in  particular,  to  provide  a 
more  sustainable  annual  income  less  reliant  on  the 
seasonality  of  crops  grown  in  the  short  summer 
months.  To  that  end,  Hebei  Hua  Ao  purchased  on 
behalf of the local community 170 cows, which were 
already  pregnant,  creating  a  sizeable  initial  herd  of 
217 cattle for the creation of a dairy and cattle farm. 
In 2015 Hebei Hua Ao purchased another 183 cows 
for the local community to bring the total herd size 
to over 500 head of cattle.  The venture has been an 
outstanding success.

Hebei  Hua  Ao  has  also  assisted  in  the  upgrade  of 
facilities  at  the  local  township  school  and  set  up 
“Project  Hope”  to  provide  scholarships  to  local 
students for ongoing study at primary, secondary and 
tertiary levels.  Expatriate workers also donate their 
valuable time every week to teach English at the local 
township school in their off duty hours.

Griffin estimates that the Caijiaying Mine currently 
provides  direct  and  indirect  employment  to  over 
1,000  Chinese  nationals.  The  employment  of 
expatriate  personnel  is  confined  to  a  small  number 
of  five  professionals  with  specialist  technical  and 
managerial expertise.

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

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New Sandvik Jumbo

21

G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

In summary, metal in concentrate sales in 2016 were:

•  31,864 tonnes zinc compared with 38,514 tonnes 

in 2015;

•  1,439 tonnes lead compared with 1,800 tonnes in 

2015;

•  310,611 ozs silver compared with 346,711 ozs in 

2015; and

•  12,654  ozs  gold  compared  with  10,406  ozs  in 

2015.

Cost  of  sales  of  $37,851,000  in  2016  was  down  on 
that incurred in 2015 of $42,948,000.  This reflects 
some economies of scale following the installation of 
the  new  ball  mill  and  non-productive  costs  during 
the suspension in mining in 2015. 

874,983  tonnes  of  ore  were  processed  in  2016  up 
35,270 tonnes (4.2%) from 2015 of 839,983 tonnes. 
Despite this increase in throughput processing costs 
fell  by  5.8%  in  2016  with  costs  per  tonne  of  ore 
processed down by 9.6%.

863,077  tonnes  of  ore  were  mined  in  2016  up 
291,262 (50.9%) from 2015 of 571,815. Mining costs 
rose 4.8% which with increased tonnage resulted in 
significantly  lower  costs  per  tonne  of  ore  mined. 
Much  of  this  reduction  in  costs  may  be  attributed 
to  non-productive  mine  service  costs  during  the 
suspension  in  mining  activities  in  the  later  part  of 
2015 with no ore extracted. 

817,506 tonnes of ore were hauled in 2016 up 220,445 
(36.9%)  from  2015  of  597,061.  Haulage  costs  rose 
26.5%, which again with increased tonnage resulted 
in significantly lower costs per tonne of ore hauled. 
Much  of  this  reduction  in  costs  reflects  shorter 
distances hauled from higher mine levels. 

Administration  expenses  (including  those  of  the 
Caijiaying  site)  have  risen  5.5%  from  $12,530,000 
in  2015  to  $13,218,000 
in  2016.  Underlying 
administration  costs  have  fallen  12.5%  with  lower 
share based option charges, a fall in the value of the 
Renminbi  and  other  cost  savings.  However,  service 

fees  to  Guoxin  based  upon  Hebei  Hua  Ao’s  profits 
have increased from a credit of $307,000 in 2015 to a 
charge of $1,983,000 in 2016. 

With  a  return  to  profitability,  bank  loans  are 
being  repaid  as  quickly  as  possible  resulting  in 
finance  charges  falling  from  $5,084,000  in  2015  to 
$4,286,000 in 2016.

A  fall  in  the  value  of  the  Chinese  Renminbi  and 
British Pound in 2016 caused foreign exchange losses 
of $532,000 (2015 $447,000) to be incurred. 

Losses  on  the  disposal  of  plant  and  equipment 
of  $224,000  were  recorded  in  2016  compared  to 
$48,000 in 2015.

Income taxes of $4,468,000 (2015 $1,246,000) have 
been  charged  in  2016.    This  includes  a  deferred 
taxation provision of $151,000 (2015 $813,000) and 
a charge of $573,000 in respect of deductions made 
in  prior  years  since  disallowed  by  the  Chinese  tax 
authorities.

Basic earnings per share in 2016 was 3.30 cents (2015 
loss  1.22  cents)  and  diluted  earnings  per  share  was 
3.26 cents (2015 loss 1.22).

Bank  loans  of  $14,891,000  were  repaid  in  2016 
(2015  $3,171,000  drawn  down)  whilst  cash  and 
cash  equivalents  fell  by  $10,711,000  in  2016  (2015 
reduction $1,520,000) with:

•  Net cash inflow from operating activities in 2016 

of $22,544,000 (2015 $26,139,000);  and

•  $11,104,000  invested  in  mine  development  and 

plant upgrades in 2016, (2015 $16,044,000).

Attributable  net  assets  per  share  at  31st  December 
2016 was 80 cents (2015 78 cents).    

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STRATEGIC REVIEW

In view of the significant potential of the Caijiaying 
Mine  and  surrounding  areas  and  given 
the 
Company’s  knowledge  and  expertise  in  China,  the 
directors  and  management    have  focused  on  the 
further  development  of  Caijiaying,  investigation 
of  prospective  areas  near  to  Caijiaying  and  other 
potential projects in China.

CAIJIAYING

infrastructure  development 

Caijiaying’s  short  and  long  term  metal  production 
capability  has  been  augmented  with  the  expansion 
of  the  grinding  and  flotation  circuits,  ongoing 
underground 
and 
exploration  work.    Exploration  has  been  focussed 
on identifying geological targets and evaluating the 
potential for significant additional resources. Whilst 
the existing Mineral Resource estimate confirms the 
availability  of  extensive  resources  at  the  Caijiaying 
Mine  for  increased  production,  further  resource 
additions will also provide an opportunity to further 
increase production at the Caijiaying Mine. This will 
require  further  licences  and  permits  from  various 
Chinese  authorities  which  is  proving  increasingly 
complex and time consuming to obtain. 

Currently  with  the  1.5  million  tonne  upgrade 
completed,  every  effort  is  being  made  to  obtain 
permits  to  enhance  production  and  obtain  a  new 
mining  licence  at  Zone  II.    This  will  allow  all  the 
known resources in Zones II and III to be extracted 
over  time.  Development  work  underground  from 
the main Zone III area towards Zone II has enabled 
further  resource  definition  underground  drilling  to 
be undertaken.   A new haulage drive was completed 
during  2016  with  the  dual  purpose  of  improving 
ventilation  and  removing  previous  bottlenecks 
caused  by  having  only  a  single  haulage  decline  to 
surface. Development work at Zone II  is planned to 
begin as soon as the new mining licence is received. 
It  is  expected  that  this  work  will  be  completed  in 
2017 and that this will enable significant production 
increases from 2018 onwards.  

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

The  two  declines  accessing  the  lower  sections  of 
Zone III terminate on the 1175 metre level.  These 
declines  will  be  extended  to  the  1000  metre  level 
during 2017 and 2018 in order to access the Mineral 
Resource between the 1175 metres and 1000 metre 
horizons  to  provide  long  term  mill  feed.  Work  is 
expected  to  commence  on  these  declines  in  the 
second quarter of 2017.

ACQUISITIONS AND FURTHER 

PROJECTS

Whilst  the  Company  continues  to  develop  the 
Caijiaying  Mine  and  explore  the  surrounding  area, 
the  directors  and  management  continue  to  search 
for,  and  investigate,  the  potential  acquisition  of 
base metals projects that may be brought into long 
term,  economic  production  for  a  capital  cost  that 
provides a substantial and justifiable return on equity 
to  shareholders,  particularly  in  a  rising  commodity 
price market. 

A new master agreement was signed on the 17th March 
2016 between the 3rd Brigade and Hebei Hua Ao, to 
examine their extensive database for existing known 
deposits  and  prospective  mining  areas  and  enter 
into  commercial  arrangements  on  those  projects. 
The  Company  entered  into  a  further  agreement 
with  the  3rd  Geological  Brigade  to  specifically 
investigate and explore the Shitouhulun licence area 
(held by the 3rd Brigade) and the Sangongdi area on 
the  19th  December  2016.  Both  of  these  areas  have 
considerable  potential  for  mineralisation  and  are 
proximal to the Caijiaying Mine.

for  many 

consummated 

Furthermore  a  large  number  of  potential  projects 
have  been  analysed  worldwide.  None  have  been 
successfully 
reasons 
including; negative findings during due diligence; an 
insufficient return calculated for the risk shareholders 
would  need  to  accept  in  funding  the  project  to 
production;  overall  risk  profile;  and  various  other 
deficiencies in grade, tonnes, metallurgy, depth and 
difficulty in mining.

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Rupert Crowe, Director, Australian, aged 68, is a 
graduate geologist from Trinity College, Dublin.  He 
was the founding chairman and managing director of 
CSA Global Pty Ltd, a mining consultancy company 
founded in Ireland in 1983 and now headquartered in 
Australia.  He  is  a  specialist  in  zinc-lead  exploration 
and was involved as a principal in the discovery and 
development of several notable mines. He has served 
on  the  board  of  four  public  companies  listed  in 
Dublin, London, Vancouver and Australia.

Adam  Usdan,  Director,  USA,  aged  55,  holds 
an  MBA  from  the  Kellogg  Graduate  School  of 
Management  at  Northwestern  University  with 
majors  in  Finance,  Marketing  and  Accounting,  and 
a BA in English from Wesleyan University. He is the 
President  of  Trellus  Management  Company  LLC, 
an  equity  hedge  fund  based  in  the  USA.  Mr  Usdan 
founded  Trellus  Management  in  January  1994  and 
has been in the investment advisory industry for over 
25  years.  Mr  Usdan  began  his  investment  career  in 
1987 at Odyssey Partners, where he was responsible 
for  managing  long/short  U.S.  equity  (small  to  mid-
cap) pools of capital.

G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

DIRECTORS

Mladen  Ninkov,  Chairman,  Australian,  aged  55, 
holds  a  Master  of  Law  Degree  from  Trinity  Hall, 
Cambridge  University  and  Bachelor  of  Laws  (with 
Honours)  and  Bachelor  of  Jurisprudence  Degrees 
from  the  University  of  Western  Australia.  He  is 
the  principal  of  Keynes  Capital.  He  has  a  mining, 
legal,  fund  management  and  investment  banking 
background and is admitted as a barrister and solicitor 
of the Supreme Court of Western Australia. He was 
the Chairman and Managing Director of the Dragon 
Capital  Funds  management  group,  a  director  and 
Head  of  International  Corporate  Finance  at  ANZ 
Grindlays Bank Plc in London and a Vice President 
of  Prudential-Bache  Securities  Inc.  in  New  York. 
He  also  worked  at  Skadden  Arps  Slate  Meagher  & 
Flom in New York and Freehill Hollingdale & Page 
in Australia. He has been chairman and director of a 
number of both public and private mining and oil and 
gas companies.

Roger Goodwin, Finance Director, British, aged 
61, is a Chartered Accountant. He has been with the 
Company  since  1996  having  previously  held  senior 
positions in a number of public and private companies 
within the natural resources sector. He has a strong 
professional background, including that as a manager 
with  KPMG,  with  considerable  public  company 
and  corporate  finance  experience  and  experience  of 
emerging markets.

Dal  Brynelsen,  Director,  Canadian,  aged  70,  is 
a graduate of the University of British  Columbia  in 
Urban  Land  Economics.  Mr.  Brynelsen  has  been 
involved in the resource industry for over 30 years. He 
has been responsible for the discovery, development 
and  operation  of  several  underground  gold  mines 
during his career. Mr. Brynelsen is the President and 
a director of Vangold Resources Limited.

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SENIOR EXECUTIVES

Mark Hine, Chief Operating Officer, Australian, 
aged  58,  is  a  mining  engineer  having  graduated 
from the Western Australia School of Mines. He is 
a  member  of  the  Australian  Institute  of  Company 
Directors and a member of the Australian Institute 
of Mining and Metallurgy.  He has extensive mining 
experience with over 25 years of senior management 
roles  in  both  surface  and  underground  mining 
operations. He has held a number of senior positions 
in  the  mining  industry  including  Chief  Operating 
Officer  of  Focus  Minerals  Ltd,  Chief  Executive 
Officer  of  Golden  West  Resources  Ltd,  Executive 
General Manager of Mining Macmahon Contractors 
Pty  Ltd,  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  Queensland 
Industrial  Minerals  Ltd,  Chief  Executive  Officer 
of  Consolidated  Rutile  Ltd  and  General  Manager 
Pasminco of Broken Hill / Elura Mines.

Wendy  Zhang,  Chief  Financial  Officer,  Hebei 
Hua  Ao,  aged  43,  holds  a  Master  of  Accounting 
degree from Macquarie University. She is a Certified 
Practising  Accountant  of  Australia  and  a  qualified 
member of the Chinese Institute of Certified Public 
Accountants  for  11  years.  Prior  to  joining  Griffin, 
she spent the previous 4 years as Financial Controller 
of  Golden  Tiger  Mining’s  joint  venture  operations 
in  China.  Previously  she  was  Chief  Accountant  for 
Shanghai  Silk  Group  and  subsequently  Ann  Taylor 
Shanghai

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Dr Bo Zhou, General Manager China, Australian, 
aged 54, holds a PhD in exploration geology from 
Sydney  University  and  a  BSc  in  economic  geology 
from Peking University. He was Managing Director 
of Sinovus Mining Ltd, an ASX listed company with 
mineral interests in China. Prior to that he was the 
General Manager for Guangxi Golden Tiger Mining, 
a  Sino-Australian  JV  gold  company  focussed  on 
Guangxi, China, controlled by Golden Tiger Mining 
NL, an ASX listed company. He has also worked as 
the  Senior  Geologist  for  Silk  Road  Resources  (A 
Toronto listed company), responsible for evaluating 
various gold properties in Gansu Province in central 
western China. Dr Zhou has considerable experience 
in the Chinese resources sector.

Michael  Hulmes,  General  Manager  of  the 
Caijiaying  Mine,  Australian,  has  an  engineering 
degree from the Royal School of Mines in London 
and an MBA from Deakin University.  He has over 
30  years’  experience  in  the  mining  industry  having 
held senior management roles in Australia, Portugal, 
Papua  New  Guinea  and  Saudi  Arabia  including 
General  Manager  of  Lundin  Mining  in  Portugal, 
General Manager of Ok Tedi Mining in Papua New 
Guinea  and  Chief  Operating  Officer  of  Citadel 
Resources in Australia.  He has extensive experience 
in zinc, copper, gold and nickel mining operations.

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

Back row left to right: Wendy Zhang (Chief Financial Officer - Hebei Hua Ao), Mark Hine (Chief Operating Officer), 
Michael Hulmes (Operations Manager - Caijiaying), Bo Zhou (General Manager - China).

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Front row left to right: Roger Goodwin (Finance Director), Adam Usdan (Director),  
Mladen Ninkov (Chairman), Rupert Crowe (Director), Dal Brynelsen (Director).

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The Directors submit their report together with the audited consolidated financial statements of Griffin Mining Limited (“the 

Company”) and its subsidiaries (“the Group”) for the year ended 31 December 2016.

FINANCIAL RESULTS

The  Group  profit  before  taxation  for  2016  amounted  to  US$10,382,000  (2015  loss  US$940,000).  Taxation  of  US$4,468,000 

(2015 US$1,246,000) has been provided. No dividend was paid in 2016 (2015 nil). US$5,914,000 has been credited to reserves 

(2015 debited US$2,186,000).

The  basic  earnings  per  share  amounted  to  3.30  cents  (2015  loss  1.22  cents).  The  attributable  net  asset  value  per  share  at  31 

December 2016 amounted to 80 cents (2015 78 cents).

With cash flows from operations directed to repaying Chinese banking facilities, the directors do not recommend the payment 

of a dividend at this time.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The principal activity of the Group is that of mining and exploration. A review of the Group’s operations for the year ended 31 

December 2016 and the indication of likely future developments are set out on pages 6 to 23.

DIRECTORS

The Directors of the Company during the year were:

Mladen Ninkov – Australian – Chairman 

Roger Goodwin – British - Finance Director 

Dal Brynelsen – Canadian  

Rupert Crowe - Australian/Irish  

Adam Usdan – American (USA) 

Under the bye laws of the Company, the Directors serve until re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting of the Company. 

Being eligible all the Directors currently in office offer themselves for re-election at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting 

of the Company.

The beneficial interests of the Directors holding office at 31 December 2016 and their immediate families in the share capital of 

the Company were as follows:

Name 

At 31 December 2016 

At 1 January 2016 

Ordinary 
shares, 
number 

33,001 

382,001 

1 

Options over ordinary  
shares, number 
exercisable at 

30 pence 

40 pence 

Ordinary 
shares,  
number 

Options over ordinary 
shares, number  
exercisable at

30 pence 

40 pence

- 

3,500,000 

33,001 

12,000,000  

3,500,000 

900,000 

900,000 

- 

- 

382,001 

1 

900,000 

900,000 

- 

- 

Mladen Ninkov 

Dal Brynelsen 

Rupert Crowe 

Roger Goodwin 

877,830 

1,500,000 

500,000 

877,830 

1,500,000  

500,000 

Adam Usdan 

30,584,556  

3,500,000 

- 

30,574,556 

3,500,000 

-

All of the Directors’ interests detailed are beneficial.

On 6th May 2016 vested options over 4,000,000 shares in the Company together with unvested options over 8,000,000 shares 

in the company both exercisable at 30 pence per share, were sold by Mladen Ninkov for a consideration of 0.5 pence per option.

28

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DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

On 13 February 2014 options (the “40 pence options”) over 5,000,000 new ordinary shares were granted to directors and key 

employees of the Company in order to retain and incentivise key personnel with managerial and operating experience in non-

standard jurisdictions in a tight mining employment market. 

Each 40 pence option will entitle the holder to subscribe for new ordinary shares in the Company at an exercise price of £0.40 

per share on or before 31 December 2018. One third of these options vested on 31 December 2014, one third vesting on 31 

December 2015, and one third on 31 December 2016.

On 6 February 2015 the Board resolved to adopt a new share option scheme (the “30 pence options”) over a total of 20,000,000 

new ordinary shares in the Company in order to retain and incentivise the Company’s directors and management.

Each 30 pence option will entitle the holder to subscribe for new ordinary shares in the Company at an exercise price of 30 pence 

per new ordinary share on or before 31 December 2020. One third of these options vested immediately upon being granted, one 

third of these options vested on 31st December 2016, and a further third of each holder’s options will vest on the granting of a 

new mining licence over Zone II at the Caijiaying mine.

The 30 pence options will not vest if an employee or a director resigns or leaves the Company for cause prior to the vesting event 

taking place.

All the 30 pence options will vest immediately upon a takeover offer being made; or a substantial change in the business of the 

Company or its subsidiaries; or the sale of a substantial asset of the Company or by its subsidiaries; or a change in substantial 

control of the Company taking place prior to the options expiring. 

REMUNERATION POLICY

The remuneration of all executive and non-executive directors, officers and senior employees of the Group is determined by the 

board of directors.

The  Company  is  committed  to  remunerating  senior  executives  in  a  manner  that  is  market-competitive  and  consistent  with 

“Best  Practice”  including  the  interests  of  shareholders.  Remuneration  packages  are  based  on  fixed  and  variable  components, 

determined by the executives’ position, experience and performance, and may be satisfied via cash or equity.

Non-executive directors are remunerated at a level that is consistent with market and industry standards. The cash remuneration 

of non-executive directors consists only of directors’ fees and no retirement benefits are payable.

The Group’s remuneration policy has been based on industry practice rather than Group performance and takes into account the 

risk and liabilities assumed by the directors and executives as a result of their involvement in the speculative activities undertaken 

by the Group. Directors and executives are fairly compensated for the extensive work they undertake.

No performance based bonuses were issued during the reporting year.

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group are set out below, together with details of how these are currently mitigated. 
Further information on how the Group manages risk is given on page 55 to 58.

Risk

Comment

Business 
Impact

Mitigation

Economic Risk

Exposure  to  a  fall  in  zinc, 
gold  and  to  a  lesser  extent 
silver and lead metal prices.

Revenue is dependent upon metal 
prices.

High

In common with other mining companies 
operating  in  China  the  Group  sells  its 
products  by  auction  to  local  smelters 
and  agents,  however,  Griffin  continues 
to review the appropriateness of hedging 
and indicative cost of put options.

Exposure to fluctuations in 
the  Renminbi  /  US  dollar 
exchange rate.

A fall in the value of the Renminbi 
would reduce the US dollar value 
of revenues, whilst an increase in 
the  value  of  the  Renminbi  would 
increase operating cost.

Moderate

The  Renminbi  is  loosely  pegged  to  the 
US dollar.

The Group is subject to increases 
in the market prices for materials, 
services and equipment. 

Moderate

The  Group  seeks  to  agree  long  term 
contracts for all major services and goods 
supplied. 

Exposure 
increases 
to 
in  the  market  prices  of 
materials,  equipment  and 
services the Group uses.  

Country risks

Exposure  to  political  and 
social  risks  in  the  Peoples 
Republic  of  China  (“the 
PRC”).

Griffin’s  assets  are  located  in  the 
PRC and therefore exposed to any 
adverse  changes  in  the  political 
and social situations there.

Exposure 
changes 
to 
in  fiscal  and  regulatory 
regime.

In addition to political/social risks, 
the Group is exposed to changes in 
permitting, environmental, health 
and  safety,  and  tax  regulations 
in  the  PRC  which  may  result  in 
a  more  challenging,  or  costly, 
operating environment.

Low

High

The Group has operated in the PRC for 
19  years  in  which  time  the  country  has 
been relatively stable.

Griffin  actively  engages  with  the  local 
PRC authorities and agencies to identify 
and  minimise  the  impact  of  changes  in 
PRC regulations.

  Operational risk

Reliance on Third Party 
Contractors

30

Griffin uses a number of unrelated 
contractors,  particularly 
its 
for 
mining,  haulage 
and  drilling 
activities.    Each  of  these  activities 
has inherent risk, including injury or 
death to the contractor’s employees.  
Such events cause a total shutdown 
of  all  operational  activities  which 
may  take  a  substantial  time  to 
recommence.

Moderate Griffin  has  an  extensive  Occupational 
Health  and  Safety  Department 
in 
conjunction  with  a  Mining  Manager 
and  his  team  of  underground  foreman 
who  constantly  oversee  all  contractors’ 
activities.

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DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Risk

Comment

Business 
Impact

Mitigation

  Operational risk continued

Exposure to mining 
hazards

The Group is exposed to a number of 
risks  and  hazards  typically  associated 
with  mining  for  example  rock  falls, 
flooding and mechanical breakdowns.

Moderate

Reliability of Mineral 
Resources and Ore 
Reserves

The calculation of Mineral Resources 
and Ore Reserves involves significant 
assumptions  and  estimates  that  may 
prove inaccurate.

Low

to 

Griffin’s  operational  teams  continually 
monitor  mining  and  other  risks,  and 
report 
senior  management  who 
report  to  the  Board  of  directors,  taking 
immediate  and  appropriate  measures 
to  minimise  any  such  risks  and  hazards 
identified.  In  addition, 
the  Group’s 
operations are regularly monitored by the 
PRC Safety Bureaus.

Griffin’s Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve 
estimates  are  prepared  by  third  party 
consultants,  based  in  Australia,    who  are 
deemed “experts” under the JORC Code.

Other

Exposure to a single 
operation

is  reliant  upon  a  single 
Griffin 
the  Caijiaying 
operation,  being 
zinc  gold  mine  in  the  PRC.  Factors 
affecting  operations  at  Caijiaying 
have an impact upon the Group.

Licence administration Griffin, 

its 

through 

subsidiary 
companies, holds a number of mining, 
exploration  and  other  licenses  and 
permits  to  operate.  These  normally 
include 
for  ongoing 
periodic 
operation 
renewal. Renewals are not guaranteed.

conditions 
and 

require 

Finance

Key management

The  Group  has  through  its  local 
subsidiary  drawn  down  bank  loans 
which 
in  common  with  general 
banking  practice  in  the  PRC  are 
for  one  year.  The  renewal  /  rolling 
over  of  these  loans  each  year  is  not 
guaranteed. 

The  management  of  Caijiaying  is 
reliant  on  a  small  number  of  key 
executives,  both  inside  and  outside 
of China.  Their death, retirement or 
departure may have a significant effect 
on the operations of the Company. 

Moderate

High

It  is  the  Company’s  policy  to  pursue 
growth  opportunities  through  expansion 
in the Caijiaying area, as well as reviewing 
acquisition  opportunities  which  can  be 
shown to be value accretive.

All licensing requirements are kept under 
review with operational staff liaising with 
local PRC authorities to ensure conditions 
are  adhered  to  and  applications  made 
timely and in good order.

Moderate

The  Group  seeks  to  comply  with  all 
loan requirements, including the prompt 
payment  of 
interest,  and  maintains 
good  relations  with  the  banks  providing 
facilities to the Group. 

Moderate

Griffin has contractual arrangements with 
all key employees which are renewed on a 
regular basis.

Geological and 
Historical Information

loss  of  historical 

The 
and/or 
geological  information  would  have 
a  very  significant  impact  on  the 
operations of the Company,

Low

Griffin  has  instituted  a  complete  back 
up  system  relating  to  all  geological  and 
operational  data  in  Perth  with  CSA 
Global.  It is updated on a daily basis.

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Although the Company is not required to comply with the UK Corporate Governance Code, it attempts to follow best practice 

as far as possible within the limitations of the Company’s size. In particular, in view of the Company’s size and the limited number 

of  directors,  the  Company  has  not  formally  established:  an  audit  committee;  a  remuneration  committee;  and  a  nominations 

committee.  However,  the  non-executive  directors  informally  fulfil  the  roles  and  responsibilities  normally  expected  of  such 

committees.

The board of directors includes a number of non-executive directors who, with the exception of Adam Usdan, other than their 

shareholding, are considered to be independent as their shareholdings are less than 0.2% of the Company’s issued share capital and 

are free from any business or other relationship which could materially interfere with the exercise of their independent judgement.  

The Board meets regularly and is responsible for the overall strategy of the Group, its performance, management and major financial 

matters. All directors are subject to re-appointment annually at each annual general meeting of the Company’s shareholders.

Various safeguards and checks have been instigated as part of the Company’s system of financial control. These include:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

preparation of regular financial reports and management accounts

preparation and review of capital and operational budgets

preparation of regular operational reports

prior approval of capital and other significant expenditure

regular review and assessment of foreign exchange risk and requirements

regular review of commodity prices and assessment of hedging requirements

AUDITOR

Grant Thornton UK LLP have indicated their willingness to continue in office as auditors to the Company and a resolution 

proposing their appointment will be put to the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

32

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DIRECTORS’ REPORT

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE ACCOUNTS 

Bermudan company law and generally accepted best practice requires the directors to prepare accounts for each financial year 

which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In 

preparing these accounts, the directors have:

• 

selected suitable accounting policies and applied them consistently;

•  made judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• 

stated  whether  applicable  accounting  standards  have  been  followed,  subject  to  any  material  departures  disclosed  and 

explained in the accounts; and

• 

prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume the Company will continue 

in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 

financial position of the Group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Bermuda Companies Act 

1981 as amended. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for 

the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The  directors  are  responsible  for  the  maintenance  and  integrity  of  the  corporate  and  financial  information  included  in  the 

Company’s website. Legislation in Bermuda and the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial 

statements may differ from the legislation in other jurisdictions.

This report was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

Roger Goodwin

Finance Director and Company Secretary 

5th April 2017

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GRIFFIN MINING LIMITED

We have audited the Group financial statements (the ‘financial statements’) of Griffin Mining Limited for the year ended 31st 

December 2016 which comprise the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the 

consolidated statement of financial position, the consolidated statement of changes in equity, the consolidated cash flow statement, 

the accounting policies and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is 

applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union.

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with section 90(2) of the Bermuda Companies Act 

1981. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to 

state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume 

responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or 

for the opinions we have formed.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS AND AUDITOR

As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities in respect of the accounts set out on page 33, the directors 

are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and 

express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK 

and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

SCOPE OF THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable 

assurance  that  the  financial  statements  are  free  from  material  misstatement,  whether  caused  by  fraud  or  error.  This  includes 

an  assessment  of:  whether  the  accounting  policies  are  appropriate  to  the  group’s  circumstances  and  have  been  consistently 

applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall 

presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report 

to  identify  material  inconsistencies  with  the  audited  financial  statements  and  to  identify  any  information  that  is  apparently 

materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the 

audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

OPINION ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs as at 31 December 2016 and of 

its profit for the year then ended in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.

Grant Thornton UK LLP

Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants  
London 

5th April 2017

34

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
For the year ended 31 December 2016
(expressed in thousands US dollars)

Notes 

2016 
$000 

2015
$000

Revenue  

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Administration expenses  

Profit from operations 

Losses on disposal of plant and equipment 

Foreign exchange (losses)     

Finance income 

Finance costs 

Other income 

Profit / (loss) before tax 

Income tax expense 

66,270 

59,779

(37,851) 

(42,948) 

28,419 

(13,218) 

16,831

(12,530)

1 

1 

1 

2 

4 

5 

6 

7 

15,201 

(224) 

(532) 

178 

(4,286) 

45 

10,382 

8 

(4,468) 

4,301

(48)

(447)

202

(5,084)

136

(940)

(1,246)

Profit / (loss) after tax 

5,914 

(2,186)

Basic earnings / (loss) per share (cents) 

Diluted earnings / (loss) per share (cents) 

9 

9 

3.30 

3.26 

(1.22)

(1.22)

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the year ended 31 December 2016

(expressed in thousands US dollars)

Profit / (loss) for the year  

2016 

$000 

5,914 

2015

$000

(2,186)

Other comprehensive income that will be reclassified to profit or loss 

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations 

(3,299) 

(2,967)

Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax 

(3,299) 

(2,967)

Total comprehensive income for the period 

2,615 

(5,153)

36

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at 31 December 2016
(expressed in thousands US dollars)

ASSETS 

Non-current assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Intangible assets – Exploration interests 

Current assets 

Inventories 

Receivables and other current assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 

Share capital 

Share premium 

Contributing surplus 

Share based payments 

Shares held in treasury 

Chinese statutory re-investment reserve 

Other reserve on acquisition of non controlling interests 

Foreign exchange reserve 

Profit and loss reserve 

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 

Non-current liabilities 

Long-term provisions 

Deferred taxation 

Finance lease 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Finance lease 

Bank loans 

Total current liabilities 

Notes 

2016 
$000 

2015
$000

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

18 

19 

20 

21 

20 

22 

204,491 

1,792 

206,283 

6,148 

8,232 

13,218 

27,598 

210,252

1,870

212,122

7,182

3,194

24,062

34,438 

233,881 

246,560 

1,790 

71,310 

3,690 

2,072 

(3,875) 

1,583 

(29,346) 

4,871 

91,174 

143,269 

2,277 

2,607 

3,791 

8,675 

34,466 

2,783 

44,688 

81,937 

1,790

71,310

3,690

1,363

(3,875)

1,595

(29,346)

8,068

85,350

139,945

2,433

2,630

7,454

12,517

28,977

1,982

63,139

94,098

Total equities and liabilities 

233,881 

246,560

Attributable net asset value per share to equity holders of parent 

23 

$0.80 

$0.78

The accounts on pages 35 to 59 were approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:

  Mladen Ninkov 
Chairman 

5th April 2017 

Roger Goodwin
Finance Director

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

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38

GM 16 AnnualRept latest.indd   38

04/04/2017   18:55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
For the year ended 31 December 2016
(expressed in thousands US dollars)

Notes 

Net cash flows from operating activities 
Profit / (loss) before taxation 
Foreign exchange losses  
Finance income 
Finance costs 
Adjustment in respect of share based payments 
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation 
Losses on disposal of equipment 
Decrease  in inventories 
(Increase) / decrease in receivables and other current assets 
Increase in trade and other payables 
Taxation paid 
Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Interest received 
Payments to acquire – mineral interests 
Payments to acquire – plant and equipment 
Payments to acquire – office equipment 
Payments to acquire intangible fixed assets – exploration interests  
Net cash outflow from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Purchase of shares for treasury 
Interest paid 
Finance lease repayments 
Proceeds from bank loans 
Repayment of bank loans 
Net cash outflow from financing activities 

5 
6 
16 
10 

5 
10 
10 
10 
11 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

2016 
$000 

10,382 
532 
(178) 
4,286 
709 
8,526 
224 
1,034 
(6,251) 
3,280 
(641) 
21,903 

178 
(7,361) 
(3,776) 
(102) 
(43) 
(11,104) 

- 
(3,684) 
(2,935) 
- 
(14,891) 
(21,510) 

2015 
$000

(940)
447
(202)
5,084
1,047
6,808
48
10,295
804
2,748
(974)
25,165

202
(8,960)
(7,215)
(3)
(68)
(16,044)

(3,875)
(4,324)
(2,573)
3,171
-
(7,601)

(Decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents 

(10,711) 

1,520

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 
Effects of exchange rates 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise bank deposits 
Bank deposits 

24,062 
(133) 
13,218 

23,371
(829)
24,062

13,218 

24,062

Included within net cash flows of $10,711,000 (2015 $1,520,000) are foreign exchange losses of $532,000 (2015 losses $447,000) 
which have been treated as realised.  

GM 16 AnnualRept latest.indd   39

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF ACCOUNTING

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the 

International Accounting Standards Board and as adopted by the European Union. The significant accounting policies adopted 

are detailed below:

ACCOUNTING CONVENTION

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for certain financial assets which are measured at 

fair value.

NEW AND REVISED STANDARDS THAT ARE EFFECTIVE FOR ANNUAL PERIODS BEGINNING ON OR 
AFTER 1 JANUARY 2016

The Group has not adopted any new standards or amendments that have a significant impact on the Group’s results or financial 

position. The amendments to IFRS11 ‘Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations’ have not had any impact on 

the Group.

STANDARDS, AMENDMENTS AND INTERPRETATIONS TO EXISTING STANDARDS THAT ARE NOT 
YET EFFECTIVE AND HAVE NOT BEEN ADOPTED EARLY BY THE GROUP 

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, certain new standards, and amendments to existing standards have been 

published by the IASB that are not yet effective, and have not been adopted early by the Group. Information on those expected 

to be relevant to the Group’s financial statements is provided below.

Management anticipates that all relevant pronouncements will be adopted in the Group’s accounting policies for the first period 

beginning after the effective date of the pronouncement. New standards, interpretations and amendments not either adopted or 

listed below are not expected to have a material impact on the Group’s financial statements.

IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’

The new standard for financial instruments (IFRS 9) introduces extensive changes to IAS 39’s guidance on the classification and 

measurement of financial assets and introduces a new ‘expected credit loss’ model for the impairment of financial assets. IFRS 9 

also provides new guidance on the application of hedge accounting. 

Although this is not expected to have a significant impact on the Group’s financial statements, management has started to assess 

the impact of IFRS 9 but is not yet in a position to provide quantified information.  At this stage the main areas of expected impact 

are as follows:

• 

the classification and measurement of the Group’s financial assets will need to be reviewed based on the new criteria that 

considers the assets’ contractual cash flows and the business model in which they are managed.

• 

if the Group continues to elect the fair value option for certain financial liabilities (see Note 20), fair value movements will be 

presented in other comprehensive income to the extent those changes relate to the Group’s own credit risk.

IFRS 9 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018.

IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’

IFRS 15 presents new requirements for the recognition of revenue, replacing IAS 18 ‘Revenue’, IAS 11 ‘Construction Contracts’, 

and several revenue-related interpretations. The new standard establishes a control-based revenue recognition model and provides 

additional guidance in many areas not covered in detail under existing IFRSs, including how to account for arrangements with 

multiple  performance  obligations,  variable  pricing,  customer  refund  rights,  supplier  repurchase  options,  and  other  common 

complexities.

Management do not consider that this will have a significant impact on the Group’s financial statements.

IFRS 15 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018.

40

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ACCOUNTING POLICIES

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

STANDARDS, AMENDMENTS AND INTERPRETATIONS TO EXISTING STANDARDS THAT ARE NOT 
YET EFFECTIVE AND HAVE NOT BEEN ADOPTED EARLY BY THE GROUP (CONTINUED)

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’

IFRS 16 will replace IAS 17 and three related interpretations. It completes the IASB’s long-running project to overhaul lease 

accounting. Leases will be recorded in the statement of financial position in the form of a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. 

Management is yet to fully assess the impact of the Standard and therefore is unable to provide quantified information.

However, in order to determine the impact the Group are in the process of:

•  performing a full review of all agreements to assess whether any additional contracts will now become a lease under IFRS 16’s 

new definition.

•  deciding which transitional provision to adopt; either full retrospective application or partial retrospective application (which 

means comparatives do not need to be restated). The partial application method also provides optional relief from reassessing 

whether contracts in place are, or contain, a lease, as well as other reliefs. Deciding which of these practical expedients to 

adopt is important as they are one-off choices.

•  assessing their current disclosures for finance leases and operating leases  as these are likely to form the basis of the amounts 

to be capitalised and become right-of-use assets.

•  determining which optional accounting simplifications apply to their lease portfolio and if they are going to use these exemptions.

•  assessing the additional disclosures that will be required.

IFRS 16 is effective from periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.

GOING CONCERN

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. As at 31 December 2016, Hebei Hua Ao (a subsidiary of 

the Company) had bank loans outstanding of $44,688,000. Having previously rolled over each of the bank facilities, Hebei Hua 

Ao expects to roll over the existing facilities for a further 12 months and since 31 December 2016 has demonstrated its ability 

to service these by paying all interest when falling due and rolling over loans of Rmb 195m ($28m) since 31st December 2016. 

Having considered the cash resources, banking facilities and forecasts for the remainder of the Hebei Hua Ao contract term, the 

directors do not expect any going concern issues to arise.

CONSOLIDATION BASIS

The Group accounts consolidate the accounts of the Company and all its subsidiary undertakings drawn up to 31 December each 

year. Subsidiaries are entities over which the Group has the power to control the financial and operating policies so as to obtain 

benefits from its activities. The Group obtains and exercises control through voting rights. 

Management has reassessed its involvement in Hebei Hua Ao and Hebei Sino Anglo in accordance with IFRS 10’s revised control 

definition and guidance. It has concluded that it has significant influence but not outright control. In making its judgement, 

management considered the Group’s voting rights, the relative size and dispersion of the voting rights held by other shareholders 
and the extent of recent participation by those shareholders in general meetings.

Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its subsidiaries are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated 

unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Amounts reported in the financial statements 

of subsidiaries have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the accounting policies adopted by the Group.

Acquisitions of subsidiaries are dealt with by the acquisition method. The acquisition method involves the recognition at fair 

value of all identifiable assets and liabilities, including contingent liabilities of the subsidiary, at the acquisition date, regardless of 

whether or not they were recorded in the financial statements of the subsidiary prior to acquisition. On initial recognition, the 

assets and liabilities of the subsidiary are included in the consolidated statement of financial position at their fair values, which 

are also used as the bases for subsequent measurement in accordance with the Group accounting policies. Goodwill is stated after 

separating out identifiable intangible assets.

Non controlling interests, presented as part of equity, represent the excess of the purchase price paid to acquire rights over the 

non-controlling interests in subsidiary companies.

GM 16 AnnualRept latest.indd   41

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

REVENUE

Revenue is measured by reference to the fair value of consideration received or receivable by the Group and comprises amounts 

received, net of VAT and production royalties, from sales of metal concentrates to third party customers. Sales are made on a 

delivery / collection basis and are recognised on agreement following open auction of metals in concentrate and where delivery 

is delayed the Group ensures it is compliant with IAS18 under the bill and hold arrangement.

NON CURRENT ASSETS

Intangible assets – exploration cost

Expenditure  on  licences,  concessions  and  exploration  incurred  on  areas  of  interest  by  subsidiary  undertakings  are  carried  as 

intangible assets until such time as it is determined that there are both technically feasible and commercially viable reserves within 

each area of interest and the necessary finance in place, at which time such costs are transferred to property, plant and equipment 

to be amortised over the expected productive life of the asset. The Group’s intangible assets are subject to periodic review at 

least annually by the directors for impairment. Exploration, appraisal and development costs incurred in respect of each area of 

interest which are determined as unsuccessful are written off to the income statement.

Property, plant and equipment

Mine development expenditure for the initial establishment of access to mineral reserves, together with capitalised exploration, 

evaluation and commissioning expenditure, and costs directly attributable to bringing the mine into commercial production are 

capitalised to the extent that the expenditure results in significant future benefits. Property, plant and equipment are shown at 

cost less depreciation and provisions for the impairment of value (see note 10).

Residual values

Material residual value estimates are updated as required, but at least annually whether or not the asset is re-valued.

Depreciation

On 21 May 2012 the term of Hebei Hua Ao’s business licence was extended to 12 October 2037 effective from 25  June 2012. 

The pre existing business licence terminated in 2019. Prior to 25 June 2012, all costs capitalised (mineral interests,  mill and mine 

equipment) within an area of interest, were amortised over the current estimated economic reserve of the area of interest on a 

unit of production basis.

In view of the extension of Hebei Hua Ao’s business licence, thereby increasing the term of Hebeu Hua Ao, the economic lives 

of all non current tangible assets have been reassessed and depreciation rates have been revised with effect from 25 June 2012 to 

reflect the increased term of operations, extractable resource, and economic lives of the assets as follows:

1. 

2.  

3.  

4.  

5.  

Mine acquisition, development, licence, pre production and land use rights - on a unit of production

Plant and buildings - over 25 years on a straight line basis with a 10% residual value

Dry tailings facility held under finance lease- over 15 years on a straight line basis with no residual value 

Mechanical equipment - over 10 years on a straight line basis with a 10% residual value

All other equipment, including vehicles - over 5 years on a straight line basis with a 10% residual value

Impairment

A review for impairment indicators at each reporting date is undertaken. In the event of impairment indicators being identified, 

an impairment test is carried out to assess whether the net book value of the capitalised costs in each area of interest is covered 

by the discounted future cash flows from reserves within that area of interest. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount 

by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and 

value-in-use. To determine the value-in-use, management estimates expected future cash flows from each cash-generating unit 

and determines a suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value of those cash flows. The data used for impairment 

testing  procedures  are  directly  linked  to  the  Group’s  latest  approved  budget,  adjusted  as  necessary  to  exclude  the  effects  of 

future reorganisations and asset enhancements. Estimate and assumptions used in the determining whether an asset has become 

impaired are set out overleaf.

42

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NON CURRENT ASSETS (CONTINUED)

Impairment assessments are based upon a range of estimates and assumptions:

ESTIMATES / ASSUMPTIONS  BASIS

Future production 

Commodity prices  

Exchange rates 

Discount rates 

MINE CLOSURE COSTS

 Proven and probable reserves and resource estimates together with processing capacity

 Forward market and longer term price estimates

 Current market exchange rates

 Cost of capital risk

Mining operations are generally required to restore mine and processing sites at the end of their lives to a condition acceptable to 

the relevant authorities and consistent with the Group’s environmental policies. Whilst the Group strives to maintain, and where 

possible, enhance the environment of the Group’s processing sites, provision is made for site restoration costs in the accounts in 

accordance with local requirements.

INVENTORIES
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value.

Costs incurred in bringing each product to its present location and condition are accounted for as follows:

1. 

2. 

3. 

Consumable stores and spares, at purchase cost on a first in first out basis

Concentrate stockpiles at cost of direct materials, power, labour, and a proportion of site overhead

Ore stockpiles at cost of direct material, power, labour contractor charges and a proportion of site overhead

FINANCIAL ASSETS

Financial assets held by the Group are loans and receivables.

Financial assets are assigned to the different categories on initial recognition, depending on the characteristics of the instrument 

and  its  purpose.  A  financial  instrument’s  category  is  relevant  for  the  way  it  is  measured  and  whether  resulting  income  and 

expenses are recognised in profit or loss or in other comprehensive income.

Financial assets are reviewed by management individually and an assessment of whether a financial asset is impaired is made at 

least at each reporting date. All income and expense relating to financial assets are recognised in the income statement line item 

“finance costs” or “finance income” respectively.

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

market.  They  are  classified  as  current  assets  or  non-current  assets  based  on  their  maturity  date.  Loans  and  receivables  are 

classified as either ‘trade and other receivables’, ‘cash’, or ‘other financial assets’ in the statement of financial position. On initial 

recognition loans and receivables are recognised at fair value plus transaction costs. They are subsequently measured at amortised 

cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. Any change in their value is recognised in profit or loss. 

The Group’s other receivables fall into this category of financial instruments.

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

The Group’s financial liabilities include bank loans, trade and other payables, which are measured at amortised cost using the 

effective interest rate method. On initial recognition financial liabilities are recognised at fair value net of transaction costs.

Financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual agreements of the instrument. 

All interest related charges and, if applicable, changes in an instrument’s fair value that are reported in profit or loss are included 

in the income statement line items “finance costs” or “finance income”.

GM 16 AnnualRept latest.indd   43

43

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

The accounts have been prepared in United States dollars being the local currency of Bermuda. Whilst registered in Bermuda 

the Company, together with its subsidiaries and associates, operate in China, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The functional 

and presentation currency of the parent is US dollars.

Foreign currency transactions by Group companies are recorded in their functional currencies at the exchange rate ruling at the 

date of the transaction.

Monetary assets and liabilities have been translated at rates in effect at the statement of financial position date. Any realised or 

unrealised exchange adjustments have been charged or credited to profit or loss. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost 

are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary items measured at fair value are translated 

using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value was determined.

On consolidation the accounts of overseas subsidiary undertakings are translated into the presentation currency of the Group 

at the rate of exchange ruling at the reporting date and income statement items are translated at the average rate for the year. 

The exchange difference arising on the retranslation of opening net assets is recognised in other comprehensive income and 

accumulated in the foreign exchange reserve. All other translation differences are taken to profit or loss.

The balance of the foreign currency translation reserve relating to an operation that is disposed of is reclassified from equity to 

profit or loss at the time of the disposal.

EQUITY

Equity comprises the following:

1. 

2. 

“Share capital” represents the nominal value of equity shares.

“Share premium” represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value of consideration received for equity shares, 

net of expenses of the share issue.

3. 

“Contributing surplus” is a statutory reserve for the maintenance of capital under Bermuda company law and was created 

on a reduction in the par value of the Company’s ordinary shares on 15 March 2001.

4. 

5. 

6. 

“Share based payments” represents equity-settled share-based remuneration until such share options are exercised.

“Foreign exchange reserve” represents the differences arising from translation of investments in overseas subsidiaries.

“Chinese  statutory  re-investment  reserve”  represents  a  statutory  retained  earnings  reserve  under  PRC  law  for  future 

investment by Hebei Hua-Ao.

7. 

“other reserves on acquisition of non controlling interests” represents the excess of the purchase price paid to acquire non 

controlling interest rights over the non controlling interests in subsidiary companies.

8. 

“Profit and loss reserve” represents retained profits and losses.

EQUITY SETTLED SHARE BASED PAYMENTS

All goods and services received in exchange for the grant of any share-based remuneration are measured at their fair values. Fair 

values of services are indirectly determined by reference to the fair value of the share options awarded. Their value is appraised at 

the grant date and excludes the impact of non-market vesting conditions (for example, production upgrades).

All share-based remuneration is ultimately recognised as an expense in profit or loss with a corresponding credit to “Share based 

payments” in the statement of financial position.

If vesting periods or other non-market vesting conditions apply, the expense is allocated over the vesting period, based on the best 

available estimate of the number of share options expected to vest. 

44

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ACCOUNTING POLICIES

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

EQUITY SETTLED SHARE BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

Estimates  are  subsequently  revised  if  there  is  any  indication  that  the  number  of  share  options  expected  to  vest  differs  from 

previous estimates. Any cumulative adjustment prior to vesting is recognised in the current period. No adjustment is made to any 

expense recognised in prior periods if share options ultimately exercised are different to that estimated on vesting.

Upon exercise of share options the proceeds received net of attributable transaction costs are credited to share capital.

For the financial year ended 31 December 2016 the total expense recognised in profit or loss arising from share based transactions 

was $709,000 (2015: $1,047,000).

SIGNIFICANT JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES

In formulating accounting policies the directors are required to apply their judgement, and where necessary engage professional 
advisors, with regard to the following significant areas:

•  

•  

•  

•  

•  

Impairment review assumptions, property, plant and equipment (note 10). Impairments are assessed by comparison of the 
cash generating unit (the Caijiaying Mine) carrying amounts against the value of future discounted cash flows expected to 
be derived from this unit. The value of the cash flows are estimated by direct reference to the current prevailing value of 
the commodities extracted. Based on current production and costs the directors have determined that the Group requires 
the market price of zinc to be above $2,080 per tonne with gold, silver and lead prices remaining at current prevailing 
levels, to avoid an impairment charge. Non-impairment of all assets is conditional upon continued mining licences and 
permits which the directors consider will be maintained or obtained as appropriate.

Impairment review assumptions, exploration interests (note 11). Impairments are assessed by reference to exploration 
results carried out in an area of interest. Where such exploration indicates that there are no indications of mineralisation 
within the area of interest, provision is made for impairment in value. There were no indicators of impairment in the 
Group’s areas of interest.

Provision for mine closure costs (note 18) have been made in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Peoples 
Republic of China at a rate of Rmb0.5 per tonne of estimated resources. The expected amount of resource due to be 
extracted during the life of the mine is based on estimated rates of extraction which take into account reported measured, 
indicated and inferred levels of resource, the term of the Hebei Hua Ao business licence and current capability of the 
extractive machinery currently in use at the mine.

The  determination  of  the  value  of  Finance  Leased  Asset  (note  10),  and  attributable  Finance  Lease  Interest  (note  20) 
is assessed from future expected utilisation of the asset, assuming half of all tailings will be treated by the asset and the 
Group’s inherent rate of interest on bank loans in  China.

Non-controlling  interests  (note  28)  are  determined  by  reference  to  the  underlying  agreements  and  practice,  with  the 
allocation of the purchase consideration on acquisition of non-controlling interests and extension of the Hebei Hua Ao 
business  licence  between  that  capitalised  to  mineral  interests  and  that  charged  to  reserves  by  reference  to  the  impact 
of future cashflows. Following the acquisition of Griffin’s Chinese partner’s equity interests in the Hebei Hua Ao Joint 
Venture in 2012 and a reappraisal of the arrangements with the Chinese partners, the relationship with them is now in the 
nature of a service provider facilitating Hebei Hua Ao’s operations in China rather than that of non-controlling interests. 
In line with this new arrangement an annual service charge is paid to the Chinese partners, however, due to the potential 
variables the Directors are unable to estimate what, if any, this will be in any future year.  

The  directors  continually  monitor  the  basis  on  which  their  judgements  are  formulated.  Where  required  they  will  make 

amendments to these judgements. Where judgements and estimates are amended between accounting periods, full disclosure of 

the financial implications are given within the relevant notes to the Group accounts.

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

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

that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

DIVIDENDS

Dividend distributions payable to equity shareholders are included in “other short term financial liabilities” when the dividends 

are approved in a directors meeting prior to the reporting date.

TAXATION

Current tax is the tax currently payable based on taxable profit for the year.

Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method on temporary differences. Deferred tax is generally provided on 

the difference between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. However, deferred tax is not provided on 

the initial recognition of goodwill, nor on the initial recognition of an asset or liability unless the related transaction is a business 

combination or affects tax or accounting profit. Deferred tax on temporary differences associated with shares in subsidiaries, 

associates and joint ventures is not provided if reversal of these temporary differences can be controlled by the Group and it is 

probable that reversal will not occur in the foreseeable future. In addition, tax losses available to be carried forward as well as 

other income tax credits to the group are assessed for recognition as deferred tax assets.

Deferred tax liabilities are provided in full, with no discounting. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable 

that the underlying deductible temporary differences will be able to be offset against future taxable income. Current and deferred 

tax assets and liabilities are calculated at tax rates that are expected to apply to their respective period of realisation, provided they 

are enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

Changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised as a component of the tax expense in the income statement, except 

where they relate to items that are recognised in other comprehensive income (such as the revaluation of land) in which case the 

related deferred tax is also charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income or equity.

SEGMENT REPORTING

In identifying its operating segments, management generally follows the Group’s service lines, which represent the main products 

produced by the Group. Management consider there to be only one operating segment being the operations at the Caijiaying Mine 

based in China with production of zinc concentrate, and lead concentrate with associated precious metals credits. All activities of the 

Group are reported through management and the executive directors to the Board of directors of the Company. The measurement 

policies the Group uses for Segment reporting under IFRS 8 are the same as those used in its financial statements.

Corporate assets which are not directly attributable to the business activities of Caijiaying Mine are not allocated to the Chinese 

segment but are reviewed in light of operating expenses by the region in which they occur. In the financial periods under review, 

this primarily applies to the Group’s head office and intermediary holding companies within the Group.

There have been no changes from prior periods in the measurement methods used to determine reported segment profit or loss.

LEASED ASSETS

Finance leases

The economic ownership of a leased asset is transferred to the lessee if the lessee bears substantially all the risks and rewards 

of ownership of the leased asset. Where the Group is a lessee in this type of arrangement, the related asset is recognised at the 

inception of the lease at the fair value of the leased asset or, if lower, the present value of the lease payments plus incidental 

payments, if any. A corresponding amount is recognised as a finance lease liability.

See accounting policy on non-current assets and depreciation and note 10 for the depreciation methods and useful lives for assets 

held under finance leases. The interest element of lease payments is charged to profit or loss, as finance costs over the period of 

the lease.

46

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  SEGMENTAL REPORTING

The Group has one business segment, the Caijiaying zinc gold mine in the People’s Republic of China.  All sales and costs of 

sales in 2016 and 2015 were derived from the Caijiaying zinc gold mine.  

REVENUES 

China 

Zinc concentrate sales 

Lead and precious metals concentrate sales 

Royalties and resource taxes 

COST OF SALES 

China 

ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES 

China 

Australia 

European Union 

2016 
$000 

66,270 

48,430 

21,116 

(3,276) 

66,270 

2015
$000

59,779

45,727

17,487

(3,435)

59,779

(37,851) 

(42,948)

(8,410) 

(474) 

(4,334) 

(13,218) 

(7,433)

(320)

(4,777)

(12,530)

2015
$000

244,496

340

1,724

246,560

16,243

3

16,246

2015
$000

59

55

2

2

6,478

1,047

No.

371

All revenues, cost of sales and operating expenses charged to profit and loss relate to continuing operations.

TOTAL ASSETS 

China 

Australia 

European Union 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 

China 

European Union 

2.  PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS

Profit from operations is stated after charging 

Fees for audit of the Company 

Fees for the audit of the subsidiaries 

Tax compliance 

Other non-audit fees 

Staff costs 

Fair values of options granted to directors and management 

Average number of persons employed by the Group in the year 

2016 
$000 

231,894 

499 

1,488 

233,881 

11,137 

102 

11,239 

2016 
$000 

64 

55 

2 

8 

6,444 

709 

No. 

385 

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3.  DIRECTORS’ AND KEY PERSONNEL REMUNERATION

The following fees and remuneration were receivable by the Directors holding office and key personnel engaged during the year:

Share  Total 
Fees  Salary  Pension 
  & social  
2016 
based 
  security  payments 

Fees  Salary  Pension 
  & social 

Share 
based 
security  payments 

Total 
2015 

costs 

costs 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000

Mladen Ninkov*  

Dal Brynelsen  

Rupert Crowe 

105 

186 

82 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Roger Goodwin  

105 

440 

100 

Adam Usdan 

Key personnel 

82 

- 

560 

440 

- 

1,248 

560 

1,688 

- 

100 

11 

111 

430 

30 

30 

54 

116 

535 

216 

112 

699 

198 

112 

198 

102 

112 

87 

- 

- 

- 

474 

- 

660  1,760 

611 

474 

49  1,308 

- 

1,298 

- 

- 

- 

109 

- 

109 

14 

642 

41 

41 

82 

158 

964 

83 

709  3,068 

611 

1,772 

123 

1,047 

754

239

143

777

245

2,158

1,395

3,553

*Keynes Capital, the registered business name of Keynes Investments Pty Limited as trustee for the Keynes Trust, received fees 

under a consultancy agreement of $1,868,000 (2015 $1,878,000), for the provision of advisory and support services to Griffin 

Mining Limited and its subsidiaries during the year.  Mladen Ninkov is a director and employee of Keynes Investments Pty 

Limited.  

No share options were exercised by the directors in 2016 or 2015

4.  LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Loss on disposal of plant and equipment 

5.  FINANCE INCOME

Interest on bank deposits 

6.  FINANCE COSTS

Interest payable on short term bank loans 

Finance lease interest 

7.  OTHER INCOME

Scrap and sundry other sales 

48

2016 
$000 

224 

2016 

$000 

178 

2016 

$000 

3,684 

602 

4,286 

2016 

$000 

 45 

2015
$000

48

2015

$000

202

2015

$000

4,324

760

5,084

2015

$000

136

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8.  INCOME TAX EXPENSE 

Profit / (loss) for the year before tax 

2016 
$000 

10,382 

Expected tax expense at a standard rate of PRC income tax of 25% (2015 25%) 

2,596 

Adjustment for tax exempt items: 

- Income and expenses outside the PRC not subject to tax 

Adjustments for short term timing differences: 

- In respect of accounting differences 

- Other  

Adjustments for permanent timing differences re prior year costs disallowed 

Adjustments for permanent timing differences other 

Withholding tax on intercompany dividends and charges 

Current taxation expense  

Deferred taxation expense 

Origination and reversal of short term timing differences 

Total tax expense 

843 

(545) 

135 

573 

695 

20 

4,317 

151 

151 

4,468 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

2015
$000

(940)

(235)

662

(202)

78

-

113

17

433

813

813

1,246

The parent company is not resident in the United Kingdom for taxation purposes.  Hebei Hua-Ao paid income tax in the PRC 

at a rate of 25% in 2016 (25% in 2015) based upon the profits calculated under Chinese generally accepted accounting principals 

(Chinese “GAAP”). 

9. EARNINGS / LOSS PER SHARE

The calculation of the basic earnings / loss per share is based upon the earnings / losses attributable to ordinary shareholders 

divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.  The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based 

on the basic earnings per share on the assumed conversion of all dilutive options and other dilutive potential ordinary shares.

Reconciliation of the earnings and weighted average number of shares used in the calculations are set out below:

2016 

2015

Earnings  Weighted  Per share 
amount 
(cents) 

$000  

Average 
number of 
shares 

Loss  Weighted  Per share 
amount 
Average 
$000   
(cents)
number of  
shares 

Basic earnings per share 
Earnings attributable 
to ordinary shareholders 

Dilutive effect of securities 
Options 

5,914  179,091,830 

3.30 

(2,186)  179,091,830 

(1.22)

- 

2,248,862 

(0.04) 

- 

- 

-

Diluted earnings per share 

5,914  181,340,692 

3.26 

(2,186)  179,091,830 

(1.22)

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

10.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

At 31 December 2014 
Foreign exchange adjustments 
Additions during the year 
Transfer rehabilitation deposit 
Disposals 
Depreciation charge for the year 
At 31 December 2015 

Foreign exchange adjustments 
Additions during the year 
Transfer rehabilitation deposit 
Disposals 
Depreciation charge for the year 
At 31 December 2016 

At 31 December 2014 
Cost 
Accumulated depreciation 
Net carrying amount 

At 31 December 2015 
Cost 
Accumulated depreciation 
Net carrying amount 

At 31 December 2016 
Cost 
Accumulated depreciation 
Net carrying amount 

Mineral 
interests 

Mill and 
mobile mine 
equipment 

Office 
furniture &  
equipment 

Total 

$000 

159,851 
(4,528) 
8,960 
32 
- 
(3,696) 
160,619 

(5,113) 
7,361 
27 
- 
(4,750) 
158,144 

180,536 
(20,685) 
159,851 

184,078 
(23,459) 
160,619 

185,252 
(27,108) 
158,144 

$000 

48,476 
(2,913) 
7,215 
- 
(48) 
(3,108) 
49,622 

(3,164) 
3,776 
- 
(224) 
(3,772) 
46,238 

64,558 
(16,082) 
48,476 

67,676 
(18,054) 
49,622 

67,009 
(20,771) 
46,238 

$000 

$000

12 
- 
3 
- 
- 
(4) 
11 

- 
102 
- 
- 
(4) 
109 

98 
(86) 
12 

101 
(90) 
11 

133 
(24) 
109 

208,339
(7,441)
16,178
32
(48)
(6,808)
210,252

(8,277)
11,239
27
(224)
(8,526)
204,491

245,192
(36,853)
208,339

251,855
(41,603)
210,252

252,394
(47,903)
204,491

Mineral  interests  comprise  the  Group’s  interest  in  the  Caijiaying  ore  bodies  including  cost  on  acquisition,  plus  subsequent 
expenditure  on  licences,  concessions,  exploration,  appraisal  and  construction  of  the  Caijiaying  mine  including  expenditure 
for the initial establishment of access to mineral reserves, commissioning expenditure, and direct overhead expenses prior to 
commencement of commercial production and together with the end of life restoration costs.

The office furniture and equipment disclosed above relates solely to the fixed assets of the Company and China Zinc Pty Limited.

During  2013  plant  and  equipment  with  a  deemed  value  of  $12,880,000  were  acquired  under  a  finance  lease,  upon  which 
depreciation  of  $2,466,000  (2015  $1,820,000)  has  been  provided.    At  31  December  2016  the  net  carrying  amount  of  this 
equipment was $8,980,000 (2015 $10,408,000).

The Group assesses the carrying value of the mineral interests, mill and mobile mine equipment at least annually, and more 

frequently in the event of any indications of impairment, by reference to discounted cash flow forecasts of future revenue and 

expenditure for each business segment.  These forecasts are based upon both past and expected future performance, available 

resources and expectations for future markets. The directors have reassessed the net carrying value of capitalised costs at 31st 

50

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

10.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)

December 2016 and in estimating the discounted future cash flows from the continuing operations at the Caijiaying mine the 

following principal assumptions were made:

-  

Future market prices for zinc of $2,500 per tonne and gold of $1,150 per troy ounce.

-   Mine life to end of the business licence in 2037 with ore mined and processed with grades based upon the 2015 depleted 

mineral resource estimate summarised on page 10.

-  

Costs based upon past performance and that budgeted for 2017.

-   Discount interest rate of 6.14%. 

- 

Continued maintenance and grant of applicable licences and permits.

11. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
China  – Zinc / gold exploration interests  

At 1 January 2015 
Foreign exchange adjustments 
Additions during the year 
At 31 December 2015 
Foreign exchange adjustments 
Additions during the year 

At 31 December 2016 

$000

1,914
(112)
68
1,870
(121)
43

1,792

Intangible  assets  represent  cost  on  acquisition,  plus  subsequent  expenditure  on  licences,  concessions,  exploration,  appraisal  and 

development  work.  Where  expenditure  on  an  area  of  interest  is  determined  as  unsuccessful  such  expenditure  is  written  off  to 

profit or loss. The recoverability of these assets depends, initially, on successful appraisal activities, details of which are given in the 

report on operations. The outcome of such appraisal activity is uncertain. Upon economically exploitable mineral deposits being 

established, sufficient finance and necessary licences and permits will be required to bring such discoveries into production.  At 31 

December 2016 $nil (2015 $nil) had been provided and charged to the income statement in respect of the above exploration costs.

12. INVENTORIES

Underground ore stocks 

Surface ore stocks 

Concentrate ore stocks 

Spare parts and consumables. 

2016 

$000 

3,192 

236 

188 

2,532 

6,148 

All inventories are expected to be sold, used or consumed within one year of the balance sheet date.  

13. RECEIVABLES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Receivables 

Advance to Zhangjiakou Guoxin Enterprise Management and Service Center 

Other receivables 

Taxation 

Prepayments 

2016 
$000 

3,677 

2,461 

343 

- 

1,751 

8,232 

2015

$000

2,381

2,340

82

2,379

7,182

2015
$000

-

1,343

150

1,127

574

3,194

During  the  year  $1,983,000  was  incurred  (2015  $307,000  credited)  in  service  charges  with  Zhangjiakou  Guoxin  Enterprise 

Management and Service Center.    

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

14. SHARE CAPITAL

AUTHORISED:

        2016 

    2015

Number 

$000 

Number 

$000

Ordinary shares of US$0.01 each  

1,000,000,000 

10,000 

1,000,000,000 

10,000

CALLED UP ALLOTTED AND FULLY PAID:
Ordinary shares of US$0.01 each 

At 1 January and 31 December 

179,041,830 

1,790 

179,041,830 

1,790

15. SHARES HELD IN TREASURY

At 1 January 

Bought back in during the period 

At 31 December 

        2016 

Number 

8,703,103 

- 

$000 

3,875 

- 

8,703,103 

3,875 

    2015

Number 

$000

- 

8,703,103 

 8,703,103 

-

3,875

3,875

On 11 February 2015 3,000,000 of the Company’s ordinary shares were purchased at a price of 26.5p per share.

On 13 February 2015 4,203,103 of the Company’s ordinary shares were purchased at a price of 26.5p per share.

On 1 May 2015 1,500,000 of the Company’s ordinary shares were purchased at a price of 40.0p per share.

16. SHARE OPTIONS AND WARRANTS 

At 1 January 
2016 

Number 

Granted/ 
(Exercised) /  

(lapsed)
Number 

Options exercisable at 30 pence per share to 31 December 2020 

20,000,000 

Options exercisable at 40 pence per share to 31 December 2018  

5,000,000 

25,000,000 

- 

- 

- 

At 31 December
2016

Number

20,000,000

5,000,000

25,000,000

The following table shows the number and weighted average exercise price of all the unexercised share options and warrants 

at the year end:

2016 

Number  Weighted average 
exercise price 
Pence  

2015

Number 

Weighted average  
exercise price 
Pence

Outstanding at 1 January 

25,000,000 

Lapsed during the year 

Granted during the year 

- 

- 

Outstanding at 31 December  

25,000,000 

32.2 

- 

- 

32.2 

15,000,000 

(10,000,000) 

20,000,000 

25,000,000 

43.3

45.0

30.0

32.2

The estimated value of the options exercisable at 40p up to 31 December 2018, which vested in 3 tranches of 1,666,667 each, 
were 7.4p, 7.9p and 8.4p.

The estimated value of the options exercisable at 30p up to 31 December 2020, which vested in 3 tranches of 6,666,666 each, 
were 6.2p, 7.2p and 6.8p

52

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

16. SHARE OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (CONTINUED)

Inputs into the Binomial valuation model were as follows:

Share price 

Exercise price 

Expected volatility 

Risk free yield 

Dividend yield 

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

Options expiring 
31 December 2020 

Options expiring
31 December 2018

26.5p 

30.0p 

35% 

0.9% 

0% 

33.0p

40.0p

36%

1.3%

0%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price with reference to the 

correlation  with  the  zinc  price  and  zinc  price  volatility  over  the  same  period.  The  Binomial  model  used  assumes  that  the 

options will be exercised early when the share price exceeds the exercise price by a multiple of two.

The Group recognised a total expense of $709,000 (2015 $1,047,000) during the year ended 31 December relating to equity 

settled share option scheme transactions.

17.  DIVIDENDS

No dividends were paid in 2016 (2015 nil). 

18.  LONG-TERM PROVISIONS 

PROVISIONS FOR MINE CLOSURE COSTS 

At 1 January 

Transfer property plant and equipment (note 10) 

Foreign exchange adjustments 

At 31st December 

2016 

$000 

2,433 

27 

(183) 

2,277 

2015

$000

2,582

32

(181)

2,433

Provision for mine closure and rehabilitation costs have been made in accordance with the laws and regulations of China at a 

rate of Rmb 0.5 per tonne of estimated resources. 

19.  DEFERRED TAXATION 

At 1 January 
Foreign exchange adjustments 
Charge for the year 
At 31 December 

2016 

$000 
2,630 
(174) 
151 
2,607 

2017

$000
1,953
(136)
813
2,630

Deferred  taxation  is  provided  in  full  on  temporary  timing  differences  under  the  liability  method  using  a  tax  rate  of  25%.   

The deferred taxation provision arises on accelerated depreciation in the PRC deductable for taxation purposes.

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20.  FINANCE LEASE

Amounts falling due in more than one year 

Amounts falling due within one year 

2016 

$000 

3,791 

2,783 

6,574 

2015

$000

7,454

1,982

9,436

Under the terms of an agreement Hebei Hua Ao pays Rmb21.32 per wet tonne treated by a dry tailings facility at Caijiaying.  

At  the  end  of  the  agreement  term  in  February  2021,  this  facility  becomes  the  property  of  Hebei  Hua  Ao  with  no  further 

payment.  In determining the total liability it is assumed that one half of future production over the term of the agreement 

will be treated by the dry tailings facility. In determining the value of the dry tailings facility and applicable interest a deemed 

interest rate of 6.6% has been applied.   

21.  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade creditors 

Other creditors 

Taxation payable 

Amounts due to Zhangjiakou Guoxin Enterprise Management and Service Centre 

Accruals 

2016 
$000 

14,946 

4,527 

2,549 

5,968 

6,476 

34,466 

2015
$000

16,715

6,739

-

4,325

1,198

28,977

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

of fair value.

22.  BANK LOANS

Bank loans falling due within one year 

2016 
$000 

44,688 

2015
$000

63,139

The bank loans are repayable within one year under revolving facilities and are unsecured.  The bank loans carried interest as 

follows:

Zhangjiakou Commercial Bank 

Bank of Communications 

Bank of China 

2016 

$000 

8,649 

% 

8.7 

2015

$000 

15,400 

%

8.7

15,857 

4.785 

23,100 

4.785

20,182 

44,688 

5.22 

24,639 

5.82

63,139 

23.  ATTRIBUTABLE NET ASSET VALUE / TOTAL EQUITY PER SHARE

The attributable net asset value / total equity per share has been calculated from the consolidated net assets / total equity of the 

Group at 31 December 2016 of $143,269,000 ($139,945,000 at 31 December 2015) divided by the number of ordinary shares 

in issue at 31 December 2016 of  179,041,830 (179,041,830  at 31 December 2015).

54

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

24.  RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group is exposed to a variety of financial risks which result from its operating and investing activities. The Group’s risk 

management is coordinated by its senior management and executive directors and focuses on actively securing the Group’s short 

to medium term cash flows.

Foreign Currency Risk

The  majority  of  the  Group’s  operational  and  financial  cash  flows  are  denominated  in  Chinese  Renminbi  and  United  States 

Dollars with sterling bank deposits held to cover future sterling expenditure estimates. 

Currently the Group does not carry out any significant operations in currencies outside the above.

The Group currently does not have a foreign currency hedging policy. However, the management monitors foreign exchange 

exposure and will consider hedging significant foreign currency exposure should the need arise. In addition, the conversion of 

Renminbi into foreign currencies is restricted and subject to the rules and regulations of foreign exchange control promulgated 

by the government of the Peoples Republic of China.

Sterling bank deposits translated into United States Dollars at the closing rate are as follows:

Short term bank deposits 

2016 

$000 

168 

2015

$000

571

The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the net results for the year and equity in regards to the Group’s sterling deposits 

and the sterling US Dollar exchange rate.  It assumes a + / - 15% (2015 10%) change in the sterling exchange rate for the year 

ended 31 December 2016. These changes are considered to be reasonable based on observation of current market conditions for 

the year ended 31 December 2016. The sensitivity analysis is based upon the Group’s sterling deposits at each reporting date.

If sterling had strengthened against the US Dollar by 15% (2015 10%) this would have had the following impact:

Net result for the year and on equity 

2016 

$000 

30 

If sterling had weakened against the US Dollar by 15% (2014 10%) this would have the following impact:

Net result for the year and on equity 

2016 

$000 

(22) 

2015

$000

63

2015

$000

(52)

Exposures to foreign exchange rates vary during the year depending on the volume of overseas transactions. Nonetheless, the 

analysis above is considered to be indicative of the Group’s exposure to currency risk.

With the Renminbi exchange rate linked to the  value of the US  dollar and  with relatively small amounts held in Australian 

dollars, the effect on the net results and equity of changes in Renminbi and Australian dollar exchange rates are not expected to 

be significant.

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

24.  RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

Foreign Currency Risk (continued)

Foreign currency denominated financial assets and liabilities, translated into US Dollars at the closing rate, are as follows:

2016 

GBP 

$000 

Rmb 

AusD 

$000 

$000 

GBP 

$000 

2015

Rmb 

$000 

885 

15,065 

(213) 

(79,493) 

501 

(54) 

896 

32,385 

(250) 

(96,965) 

672 

(64,428) 

447 

646 

(64,580) 

AusD

$000

338

(11)

327

Financial assets 

Financial liabilities 

Short term exposure 

Interest rate risk

The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Group’s bank deposits with floating 

interest rates. The Group currently does not have an interest rate hedging policy.

The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the net results for the year and equity to a reasonably possible change in interest 

rates of + 300% and - 100% (2015 + 300% - 100%), with effect from the beginning of the year. These changes are considered to 

be reasonable based on observation of current market conditions within which the Group operates. 

The sensitivity analysis is based upon the Group’s deposits at each balance sheet date:

Net result for the year 

2016 

2015

Plus 300%  Minus 100% 

Plus 300%  Minus 100%

$000 

313 

$000 

(178) 

$000 

620 

$000

(202)

Fixed and non interest bearing financial assets and liabilities are as follows:

2016 

2015

Floating  Non interest 
bearing 

interest rate 

Total 

Floating   Non interest 
bearing

interest rate 

Total 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000

Financial Assets 

Cash at bank 

Other receivables 

13,218 

- 

13,218 

24,062 

- 

24,062

- 

8,322 

8,322 

- 

3,194 

3,194

Total Financial Assets 

13,218 

8,322 

21,540 

24,062 

3,194 

27,256

Bank loans 

Finance lease liabilities 

(44,688) 

(6,574) 

- 

- 

(44,688) 

(6,574) 

(63,139) 

(9,436) 

- 

- 

(63,139)

(9,436)

Trade and other payables 

- 

(34,466) 

(34,466) 

- 

(28,977) 

(28,977)

Total Financial Liabilities 

(51,262) 

(34,466) 

(85,728) 

(72,575) 

(28,977) 

(101,552)

Net Financial (liabilities) 

(38,044) 

(26,144) 

(64,188) 

(48,513) 

(25,783) 

(74,296)

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REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

24.  RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

Commodity risk 

The Group is exposed to the risk of changes in commodity prices and in particular that for zinc, gold and to a lesser extent silver 

and lead. The Group currently sells its metal concentrate production by way of open auctions in China. The Group did not hedge 

its metal production in 2016 or in 2015.

The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the net results for the year and equity to a reasonably possible change in the 

market price of zinc, gold and silver of plus 20% and minus 20% (2015 plus 20% and minus 20%), with effect from the beginning 

of the year.  These changes are considered reasonable based upon observation of current market conditions within which the 

Group operates. This sensitivity analysis is based upon the Group’s sales in each year.

Net result for the year - zinc 

7,120 

(7,120) 

6,742 

(6,742)

2016 

2015

Plus 20%  Minus 20% 

Plus 20%  Minus 20%

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000

Net result for year - gold 

Net result for year - silver 

Credit risk

2,190 

(2,190) 

1,656 

(1,656)

617 

(617) 

632 

(632)

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or customer contract, leading 

to a financial loss. The Group is exposed to credit risk from its financing activities, including deposits with banks and financial 

institutions, foreign exchange transactions and other financial instruments. The Group does not normally have trade receivables 

and does not hold collateral as security.

Credit risk from balances with banks and financial institutions is managed by the Board. Investment of surplus funds are made 

only with approved counterparties and within credit limits assigned to each counterparty. Counterparty credit limits are reviewed 

by the Griffin Board on a regular basis. The limits are set to minimise the concentration of risks and therefore mitigate financial 

loss through potential counterparty failure. No material exposure is considered to exist by virtue of the possible non performance 

of the counterparties to financial instruments.

25.  CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND PROCEDURES

The Group’s capital management objectives are:

•   To ensure the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern;

•   To increase the value of the assets of the Group: and

•   To enhance shareholder value in the Company and returns to shareholders.

The  achievement  of  these  objectives  is  undertaken  by  developing  existing  ventures  and  identifying  new  ventures  for  future 

development. The Company will also undertake other transactions where these are deemed financially beneficial to the Company.

The directors continue to monitor the capital requirements of the Group by reference to expected future cash flows.  Capital for 

the reporting periods under review is summarised in the consolidated statement of changes in equity.  The directors consider the 

capital of the Group to be the total equity attributable to the equity holders of the parent of $143,269,000 at 31st December 2016.

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

26.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Group does not enter into derivative transactions such as interest rate swaps, forward rate agreements or forward currency 

contracts. Funds in excess of immediate requirements are placed in US dollar, Chinese Renminbi, and sterling short term fixed 

and floating rate deposits.  The Group has overseas subsidiaries operating in China and Australia, whose costs are denominated 

in local currencies. 

In the normal course of its operations the Group is exposed to commodity price, foreign currency and interest rate risks.

The  Group  places  funds  in  excess  of  immediate  requirements  in  US  dollar,  Chinese  Renminbi,  and  sterling  deposits  with  a 

number of banks to spread currency, interest rate and bank risk. These deposits are kept under regular review to maximise interest 

receivable and with reference to future expenditure and future currency requirements.

Commodity prices are monitored on a regular basis to ensure the Group receives fair value for its products.

The Group held the following investments in financial assets and financial liabilities:

FINANCIAL ASSETS 

Loans and receivables 

Cash and cash equivalents 

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES 

Loans 

Trade and other payables 

2016  
$000 

8,232 

13,218 

21,450 

51,262 

34,466 

85,728 

2015
$000

3,194

24,062

27,256

72,575

28,977

101,552

27.  LIQUIDITY RISK ANALYSIS

Liquidity risk is that the Group might not be able to meet its obligations. The Group manages its liquidity needs by monitoring 

forecast cash inflows and outflows on a weekly and monthly basis for the year ahead and by reference to scheduled debt servicing 

payments and other commitments. Forecast net cash balances and requirements are compared with available borrowing facilities 

to determine any headroom for repayment of debt or shortfall for additional facilities. This analysis shows that with management 

expecting to roll over short term banking facilities (see note 22) available banking facilities are expected to be sufficient over the 

lookout period.

The Group’s objective is to maintain cash and marketable securities to meet its liquidity requirements for the year ahead. This 

objective has been met for the reporting periods. The Group considers expected cash flows from financial assets in assessing and 

managing liquidity risk, in particular its cash resources and trade receivables which are receivable from customers on sale and 

collection of concentrates.

At 31st December 2016, the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities have contractual maturities, including interest payments 

where applicable) as follows:

Bank borrowings 

Finance lease obligations 

Trade and other payables 

Total 

58

Current 

Non-current 

within one year 

$000 

44,688 

2,783 

34,466 

81,937 

$000

- 

3,791 

-

3,791

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016

28.  SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

At 31 December 2016 , Griffin Mining Limited had interests in the share capital of the following principal subsidiary companies.

Name 

China Zinc Pty Ltd 

China Zinc Limited 

Hebei Hua’ Ao Mining  
Industry Company Ltd* 

Class of 
Share held 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Panda Resources Ltd  

Ordinary 

Hebei Sino Anglo Mining  
Development Company Ltd* 

Proportion of 
shares held 

100% 

100% 

88.8% ** 

100% 

90% 

Nature of 
business 

Country of 
incorporation

Service company 

Australia

Holding company 

Hong Kong

Base and precious metals 
mining and development 

China

Holding company 

England

Mineral 
exploration and development 

China

* China Zinc Ltd, China Zinc Pty Ltd and Panda Resources Ltd are directly owned by the Company.  China Zinc Ltd has a 

controlling interest in Hebei Hua’ Ao Mining Industry Company Ltd, see below, and Panda Resources Ltd has a 90% controlling 

interest in Hebei Sino Anglo Mining Development Company Ltd.

** The contract establishing the Hebei Hua’ Ao Mining Industry Company Ltd originally provided that the foreign party (China 

Zinc) received 60% of the cash flows, in accordance with its share in the equity interest in the joint venture.  With effect from 25 

June 2012, the Chinese party receives a minimum fee of Rmb 25m subject to various force majeure provisions and a maximium 

11.2% of profits and cashflows of Hebei Hua Ao. On 21 May 2012 the term of the Hebei Hua Ao’s business licence extended to 

12 October 2037.

Under  the  terms  of  the  agreement  dated  21  May  2012,  Griffin’s  Chinese  Partners  are  obliged  to  provide  various  services  to 

facilitate  Hebei  Hua  Ao’s  operations  in  China  and  as  such  the  amounts  payable  of  $1,983,000  (2015  credited  $307,000)  are 

included in net operating costs rather than attributable to non-controlling interests. Likewise the amounts due at 31st December 

2016 of $5,968,000 (2015 $4,325,000) are included in other payables rather than due to non-controlling interests within equity 

within the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

29. COMMITMENTS

At 31 December 2016 the Group had capital commitments of $556,000 (31 December 2015 $4,029,000).

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G R I F F I N M I N I N G L I M I T E D

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Principal office: 

8th Floor, Royal Trust House, 54 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6LX. UK. 
Telephone: + 44 (0) 20 7629 7772 / Facsimile:  + 44 (0) 20 7629 7773
Email: griffin@griffinmining.com / Website: www.griffinmining.com

Registered office: 

Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, HM11. Bermuda.

China Zinc Pty Ltd office: 

Level 9, BGC Centre, 28 The Esplanade, Perth, WA 6000. Australia.
Telephone: + 61(0) 8 9321 7143 / Facsimile:  + 61 (0) 8 9321 7035

Directors: 

Mladen Ninkov (Chairman)
Roger Goodwin (Finance Director)
Dal Brynelsen 
Rupert Crowe
Adam Usdan

Company Secretary: 

Roger Goodwin

Nominated Adviser  
And Broker for AIM: 

Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited
One New Change, London, EC4M 9AF, UK.

Joint Broker 

Auditors: 

Solicitors: 

Cantor Fitzgerald Europe
1 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf,  London, E14 5RB, UK.

Grant Thornton UK LLP
Grant Thornton House, Melton Street, London, NW1 2EP. UK.

Bird and Bird
8/F China World Office 1, Jianguomenwai Dajie, 
Chao Yang District, Beijing 10004. PRC.

Conyers Dill & Pearman
Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, HM11. Bermuda.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Milton Gate, 60 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4AG. UK. 

King & Wood Malleson
9/F, Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong.

Bankers: 

HSBC Bank plc
27-32 Poultry, London, EC2P 2BX. UK.

The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
HSBC Main Building, 1 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong.

HSBC Bank of Bermuda Ltd
6 Front Street, Hamilton, HM11. Bermuda.

UK Registrars 
And Transfer Agents: 

Capita Registrars (Jersey) Limited
12 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3RT. UK.

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