Quarterlytics / Basic Materials / Copper / Hillgrove Resources

Hillgrove Resources

hgo · ASX Basic Materials
Claim this profile
Ticker hgo
Exchange ASX
Sector Basic Materials
Industry Copper
Employees 201-500
← All annual reports
FY2015 Annual Report · Hillgrove Resources
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
ANNUAL REPORT
for year ended 31 December 2015

CONTENTS
Chairman’s Statement 

Managing Director’s Report  

Key Project Overviews  

Directors’ Report 

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

Financial Statements 

  Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and  
  Other Comprehensive Income 

  Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements  

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members 

Shareholder Information for Listed Public Companies 

1

3

6

10

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

79

80

82

CORPORATE diRECTORy

CORpORaTE aNd  
REgiSTEREd OffiCE
5-7 King William Road,  
Unley S.A. 5061,  
Australia

Tel: +61 8 7070 1698

KaNmaNTOO COppER miNE
Eclair Mine Road 
Kanmantoo S.A. 5252 
Australia

Tel:  + 61 8 8538 6800 
Fax: + 61 8 8538 5255

SHaRE REgiSTRy
Boardroom Pty Limited 
Level 7, 207 Kent Street 
Sydney N.S.W. 2000 
Australia

Tel: + 61 2 9290 9600 
Fax: + 61 2 9279 0664

BaNKERS
Westpac Banking Corporation 
31 Willoughby Road 
Crows Nest N.S.W. 2065 
Australia 

Macquarie Bank Limited 
50 Martin Place 
Sydney N.S.W. 2000 
Australia

Barclays Bank PLC 
225 George Street 
Sydney N.S.W. 2000 
Australia

audiTORS
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu 
Grosvenor Place 
225 George Street 
Sydney N.S.W. 2000 
Australia

WEB SiTE
www.hillgroveresources.com.au

gENERal ENquiRiES 
Info@hillgroveresources.com.au

 
 
CHAiRMAN’s sTATEMENT

a significant deterioration 
in the copper price and 
underperformance of the 
mining operation have resulted 
in Hillgrove moving to reduce 
operating costs further in 2016, 
as highlighted in the Events 
Subsequent to Reporting date 
(page 25 and Note 32 on page 
74) and the going Concern Note 
(Note 1 (a) (i) on page 50). 

During 2015 the Board has 
implemented the following actions:

 ■ The previous debt was refinanced 
and the new debt was sculptured 
to reflect the revenue profile of the 
significant Giant pit cutback.

 ■ The refinancing required a capital 
raising in which all Directors 
participated.

 ■ The CEO & Managing Director was 

replaced on a lower salary.

 ■ The Head Office in Sydney was 
closed and employees made 
redundant.

 ■ The Head Office functions were 
relocated to Adelaide with an 
approximate 50% staff reduction.

 ■ Support services were transferred 
to South Australia to capture the 
benefit of much lower service 
charges.

 ■ The salary freezes in place since 

2013 have continued.

 ■ Kanmantoo costs were targeted and 

were substantially reduced.

 ■ In December the CEO & Managing 

Director took a further 15% 
temporary salary reduction, placing 
him on a salary below what he was 
recruited for as General Manager.  
At the same time the Board took a 
20% temporary fee reduction.

 ■ The Company reach an agreement 

with the South Australian 
Government, which included 
financial assistance to fund a water 
pipeline to double the potential 
available water.

 ■ The Company added to the 

hedge book during the year at an 
opportune occasion.

1

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

The Hon. Dean Craig Brown, AO 
Independent Non-Executive Chairman

 ■ The size of the Board was reduced 
by one person to reduce costs.

 ■ The exploration program was 

suspended for the immediate term.

 ■ The Indonesian assets were placed 
on care and maintenance until they 
are sold.

 
 
I thank Steve McClare for the leadership 
he has provided in tough times. I also 
acknowledge the great partnerships and 
support the Company has with its key 
contractors, who are an integral part 
of the continued successful operation 
of the Company. I thank the whole 
Hillgrove team on their commitment, 
professional approach, and dedication.

The strategic focus of the Company is 
on the creation of value for shareholders 
via further improvements in operational 
performance at the Kanmantoo 
Copper Mine, growing the Kanmantoo 
regional resource through exploration, 
completing the major cutback for the 
Giant pit, and ensuring our capital 
structure aligns with the life of mine 
plan. 

The Board appreciates the ongoing 
support of its many shareholders and 
hopes you can join us at our Annual 
General Meeting in Adelaide in May to 
hear further about our drive to return 
value on your investment in Hillgrove 
Resources.

2

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

CHAiRMAN’s sTATEMENT

Considerable effort has been devoted by 
the Board, management and employees 
towards ensuring the Company survives 
this challenging period and putting 
the foundations in place to thrive 
and prosper when the copper price 
improves. The large number of Board 
meetings reflects this commitment 
to ensure strategic leadership and 
direction through this challenging 
period. 

Management has focussed on core 
operational activities and to build the 
unique operational capability of the 
Kanmantoo Team. At the heart of the 
operation is a fundamental commitment 
to engage with our surrounding 
communities through the hard working 
Kanmantoo and Callington Community 
Consultative Committee. This has led to 
many gains, including:

 ■ A local employment policy, which 
has resulted in Hillgrove being 
the largest employer in the Mount 
Barker Council district.

 ■ Significant progress to measure, 

report, enhance and mitigate offsite 
impacts such as blasting and dust.

 ■ Improving operational capability 
through employee-driven idea 
generation, which has meant lower 
costs and increased productivity.  

 ■ Progressive rehabilitation using 

native plants all sourced locally and 
grown in an extremely successful 
seed production area on the mining 
lease.

 ■ Open and transparent 

communication with local 
communities, with a focus on 
striving to achieve the high 
standards we have set and that the 
communities expect from us.

Whilst the initial increase in revenue 
associated with accessing the heart 
of the Kanmantoo orebody for the 
third time (Main Pit in the 1970’s, 
Kavanagh in 2013 and now Giant) 
will be utilised to reduce debt, there 
remains significant value and potential 
to return value to shareholders. The 
Board has used consensus pricing to 
arrive at our $145.6M carrying value 
reflected in the balance sheet, and 
has added transparency by showing 
the pricing used and the sensitivity to 
price variation. The value is impacted 
by copper price with a five percent 
movement equivalent to approximately 
$30M.

During the past year Mr Doug Snedden 
and Mr Greg Hall retired from the Board. 
Doug was a very effective Chairman 
of the Audit and Risk Committee and 
Greg, as Managing Director, guided 
the Company through the ramp-up of 
production from the Kavanagh Pit.  
I would like to thank them both for their 
considerable contribution.

Whilst it has not yet translated to 
shareholder returns, the commitment 
and dedication of the Hillgrove 
employees has been second to none 
throughout the year. From the Sydney 
head office employees who worked 
to the end transitioning their roles to 
Adelaide in a very professional manner, 
the commercial team transforming 
the company accounting systems, 
the processing team successfully 
introducing oxide ore treatment, the 
mining team continuing to improve and 
develop their capacity, and the technical 
and administrative teams constantly 
optimising and enhancing value.  

 
 
 
MANAGiNG diRECTOR’s REPORT

Calendar year 2015 was 
particularly challenging for 
Hillgrove Resources, our 
industry, our employees and our 
shareholders. The copper price 
fell 26%, the mined areas and 
historic stockpiles significantly 
underperformed and capital 
markets significantly tightened. 
However this was countered by, 
Hillgrove’s hedging from the 
previous year, additional 
hedging placed in may 2015 
(14,000 tonnes at $7,797/tonne), 
re-financing, continued cost and 
productivity improvements at 
Kanmantoo and reduction and 
relocation of corporate activities. 

3

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

Our operating revenue was $139.5M, 
at an average realised price of $3.57/lb 
from 17,306t of copper in concentrate. 
The underlying EBITDA was $18.8M 
and an underlying net loss of $14.5M. 
The net loss after tax was $127.4M. 
This was largely due to the inclusion 
of impairment charges and provisions 
against assets of $112.9M and the 
resulting impact of the lower commodity 
price environment.

The Board has made the decision to 
provide impairment provisions against 
the following:

 ■ The full $29.9M carrying value of the 

Indonesian exploration assets,

Mr Steven McClare - Chief Executive 
Officer and Managing Director

 ■ The full $1.4M of exploration 

expenditure for Kitticoola and Wheal 
Ellen, and

 ■ A reduction of $69.8M against 

Kanmantoo.

This has resulted in a carrying value of 
$145.6M for the Kanmantoo Operation. 
The assumptions and details utilised to 
calculate the value are outlined within 
this report. The disparity between the 
current market capitalisation of Hillgrove 
and the carrying value is attributable 

to the free cash generation post debt 
repayments at consensus pricing, which 
anticipate higher prices in coming years.  
Importantly it should be noted that a +/- 
5% movement in the Australian dollar 
copper price alters the carrying value of 
the Kanmantoo operation by +/- $30M.

The Kanmantoo operation has made 
considerable progress on the cutback of 
Giant Pit, which has required significant 
cash investment.  

 
 
MANAGiNG diRECTOR’s REPORT

Community, Safety, Environment and Stakeholders
The safety of our people is of the utmost importance and thanks to the intensive 
focus by our employees the total recordable injury frequency rate fell by 43% over 
the 12 months to 31 December 2015. In addition there has been considerable 
progress made on the integrated risk management system and consolidating all of 
the Group’s risks into the one methodology called the Kan-Do system.

4

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

The local Kanmantoo/Callington 
community have been pivotal during 
the year at providing input into areas for 
improvement, measuring performance, 
conducting inspections and providing 
feedback. There have been many 
hundreds of hours of time and effort 
by the KCCCC members in striving to 
achieve the best mutually agreeable 
outcome.

The first large scale progressive 
rehabilitation of active mining areas 
has commenced on the northern 
slopes of the tailings storage facility at 
Kanmantoo. The area completed in 
the year was 12 hectares of Significant 
Environment Offset and 10 hectares 
of Integrated Waste Landform (tails 
dam and waste dump integration) of 
the active mining areas as required 
under the current PEPR. The plants 
and grasses were all sourced from 
the site during the time before mining 
commenced and are cultivated in the 
onsite seed production areas shown on 
the back page of this report.

Hillgrove has entered into a formal 
partnership with the South Australian 
Government. This partnership has 
included the successful completion 
of a six kilometre water pipeline from 
the Murray Bridge to Onkaparinga 
Pipeline to the onsite storage facility at 
Kanmantoo. This pipeline is critical to 
both warranting continuous supply to 
the current operations and opening up 
opportunities for future use post mining.  

 
 
Operations
Hillgrove undertook a number of 
operational initiatives to ensure the 
Company remained on track to complete 
the Giant cutback, these included:

the grade of the historic stockpiles was 
lower than planned, the facility was 
built and operated achieving every 
performance criteria.

Optimising the processing plant run rate 
to an instantaneous rate of five million 
tonne per annum. Whilst the material is 
harder at depth, the estimate is that this 
will lead to a rate in excess of 3.3 million 
tonnes on a continuous basis.

The mining team put in considerable 
effort to improve geological modelling, 
reduce dilution, remain productive in 
small footprint areas and incorporate 
progressive rehabilitation into the active 
mining cycle. 

The oxide treatment facility (CPS) 
was constructed and successfully 
ran throughout 2015. There was a 
considerable amount of effort put in 
place by the processing team and whilst 

The administrative and commercial 
team successfully transitioned all 
infrastructure and commercial activities 
to South Australia without a single 
interruption or loss of quality of service.

5

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

 
 
KEy PROjECT OvERviEws

KaNmaNTOO COppER miNE, SOuTH auSTRalia
mining production was over 20 million tonnes for the second consecutive year and record 
processing throughput, combined with improved operating efficiencies, resulted in the lowest 
mining and processing unit costs for the project to date.  

6
6

d
d
e
e
t
t
i
i

m
m
i
i
L
L

s
s
e
e
c
c
r
r
u
u
o
o
s
s
e
e
R
R
e
e
v
v
o
o
r
r
g
g
l
l
l
l
i
i

H
H

KaNmaNTOO HigHligHTS 
 ■ 43% REduCTiON iN TOTal REpORTaBlE iNJuRy 

fREquENCy RaTE (TRifR)

 ■ RECORd pROCESSiNg THROugHpuT Of 4.1m TONNES 
aNd miNiNg Of OVER 20m TONNES fOR THE SECONd 
CONSECuTiVE yEaR

 ■ RECORd lOW miNiNg aNd pROCESSiNg uNiT COSTS

 ■ CONTROllEd pOTENTial SulpHidiSaTiON CiRCuiT 

COmmiSSiONEd ON TimE aNd ON BudgET, 
SuCCESSfully pROCESSiNg 702 THOuSaNd TONNES  
Of OXidE ORE iN THE 2015 CalENdaR yEaR

 ■ 74,971dmT Of COppER CONCENTRaTE pROduCEd, 

RESulTiNg iN 17,306 TONNES Of CONTaiNEd COppER 
iN CONCENTRaTE

 
 
 
 
 
KaNmaNTOO COppER miNE, SOuTH auSTRalia (continued)

Hillgrove’s flagship development is the 
open pit Kanmantoo Copper Mine in 
South Australia, located 55 kilometres 
from Adelaide and close to road, rail, 
power and the Port of Adelaide. The 
exploration and mining lease is dotted 
with historical copper and base metal 
operations and includes the former 
Kanmantoo Mine; a medium sized 
copper operation that operated from 
1971 to 1976.  Little of that original 
pit can be seen today as mining has 
progressed rapidly since the project 
received the green light in October 2010 
and production started in late 2011.

The location of the Kanmantoo 
Copper Mine simplifies the provision 
of infrastructure, with a main highway 
passing close to the project and being 
approximately 90km by road to the Port 
of Adelaide, permitting the trucking of 
copper concentrate. The mine site is 
connected to the electricity grid and 
has mains water available, although 
most of the process water is supplied by 
the District Council of Mount Barker’s 
treated waste water program.   

Gawler

Nuriootpa

Angaston

Tanunda

Lyndoch

EL 5628

Mount
Pleasant

Sedan

Swan Reach

M urray

ADELAIDE

EL 5628

Mannum

R iver

7

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

Gulf

St. Vincent

KANMANTOO
COPPER PROJECT
Tenement Map

Mineral Lease

Nairne

Mount Barker
Echunga

Kanmantoo

ML 6345
Callington

EL 5627
Wheal Ellen

Murray Bridge

Tailem Bend

Exploration Licence

Meadows

Strathalbyn

Milang

L a k e
A l e x a n d r i n a

Fleurieu

Peninsula

Goolwa

Victor Harbor

NORTH

0

20

kilometres

Meningie

This joint initiative enables waste water 
to be reused and the surplus made 
available for the local community and 
agriculture.  In partnership with the 
South Australian Government, additional 

water capacity was installed this year from 
the Murray River which provides 100% 
redundancy to the Mount Barker supply  
if required and enhances Hillgrove’s 
active dust suppression programme.

 
 
KEy PROjECT OvERviEws

KaNmaNTOO COppER miNE, SOuTH auSTRalia (continued)

8

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Approximately 200 Hillgrove personnel 
currently staff the mine.  Due to 
Kanmantoo’s location close to the  
outer-Adelaide regional centres of  
Mt Barker and Murray Bridge there 
is no requirement to provide fly in/fly 
out facilities.  The resulting mix of staff 
comprises approximately 20% from 
the local area, 60% from the nearby 
regional area and the remainder from 
greater Adelaide.

Along with Hillgrove’s direct 
employment, specialist contract services 
are being undertaken by Andy’s 
Earthmovers (Asia Pacific) Pty Ltd 
(equipment supply and maintenance), 
Roc-Drill Pty Ltd (blast hole drilling) 
and Maxam Australia Pty Ltd (explosive 
suppliers), who have a combined 
permanent workforce of some 55 
employees on site. The combination 
of specialised contract skills and 
experienced Hillgrove employees has 
allowed a high level of quality control 
in the critical areas of drilling, blasting, 
productivity and dilution control during 
mining operations.

Along with direct employment 
opportunities and the significant use 
of local suppliers and businesses, 
Hillgrove has supported local township 
community events and sporting groups, 
and engaged with local Councils on 
support and provision of services.  The 
Company also supports the awareness 
of and education in the mining industry 
through its support of mining training, 
induction programs and scholarships for 
study in the resources industry. 

The potential for further ore extensions 
and discoveries and growth of the global 
copper/gold Resource at Kanmantoo is 
high. The Project’s regional exploration 
prospects range from grass roots to 
those with significant intercepts and 
historic mining. Exploration drilling 
during CY15 intersected copper 
sulphide mineralisation through the 
southern extent of a geophysical 
anomaly identified earlier in the 
year, with a 433 metre deep RC hole 
returning the following assays at a depth 
of 300 metres below surface of 28 
metres @ 0.61% Cu, 0.14g/t Au, and 
2.6g/t Ag at a 0.20% Cu cut off.

Further drilling could provide additions 
to the Mineral Resources at depth 
and along strike of the open pit, and 
if converted to Ore Reserves could 
result in the expansion of the open 
pit, increases in the mining rate and 
extension of mine life.

The completion of two satellite pits, 
Emily Star and Nugent, has enabled 
backfilling to commence, providing 
both a short haul which reduces 
haulage costs, as well as meeting our 
environmental closure obligations.  
Additionally, approval of the mining 
extension plan in CY14 allowed the 
footprint of the final integrated waste 
landform to take shape, 25ha of 
which was rehabilitated ahead of the 
winter period in order to promote seed 
growth.  Rehabilitation works continue 
as part of the mining process, which 
is the most cost effective way to meet 
our environmental obligations and 
allows us to progressively manage our 
environmental liability.  

The processing plant continued to 
outperform design capacity with over 
4.1M tonnes crushed and milled in 
CY15, 25% higher than the previous 
year. The Controlled Potential 
Sulphidisation (CPS) circuit in the 
process plant was commissioned on 
time and on budget, enabling copper 
recovery from 702k tonnes of oxide ores 
in CY15 which had been stockpiled 
since the commencement of the project.  

Mining costs were $11.27/BCM, and 
processing costs $5.99/tonne milled, 
both of which were record lows as a 
result of continued operating efficiencies 
in both work areas.  C1 costs of 
US$2.11/lb was within guidance of 
US$2.00/lb to US$2.25/lb.

Kanmantoo management continued its 
engagement during the year with the 
local Kanmantoo Callington Community 
Consultative Committee (KCCCC) in 
regards to improving key community 
concerns and beginning to plan how 
the mine can have a lasting positive 
effect on the local area, through 
shared infrastructure and enhancing 
the local environment by linking 
onsite rehabilitation works with offsite 
vegetation.   

 
 
iNdONESiaN pROJECTS

In 2013 the Board decided to wind back 
expenditure at Hillgrove’s Indonesian 
assets at Bird’s Head in West Papua 
and Sumba Island in order to preserve 
cash. Since then Hillgrove has retained 
exploration care and maintenance 
teams at the project offices.

The Indonesian assets still have the 
potential to realise value and the 
Company has continued to pursue 
options to realise this value with the 
assistance from our Jakarta based joint 
venture partners.  A major Indonesian 
company is currently conducting due 
diligence on the Sumba project.

9

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

BiRd’S HEad pROJECT
Hillgrove is a direct 80% shareholder 
in PT Akram Resources Pte Ltd which 
holds the IUP Eksplorasi 40/2010 
(Izin Usaha Pertambangan) covering 
220.0km² granted in March 2010 for 
seven years.  

Hillgrove is responsible for the sole 
funding and management of all 
exploration and development activities 
up to a decision to mine.  

The Bird’s Head licence is located in 
north-western West Papua, Indonesia.  
The regional centre of Sorong, located 
approximately 130km to the southwest 
of the licence where a PT Akram office 
has been established, is supported by 
regular commercial air and sea services. 
The licence area is sparsely populated 
and covers areas ranging from the 
coast through to moderate elevations 
of around 2,500m within 40km of the 
coast.

SumBa pROJECT
Hillgrove is a direct 80% shareholder 
in PT Fathi Resources Pte Ltd held 
IUP 322, covering nearly 490km2 or 
some 5% of the island of Sumba, up 
until November 2015, when the permit 
expired and Hillgrove has lodged an 
application to renew the IUP as a 
Produksi licence.

Hillgrove is responsible for the sole 
funding and management of all 
exploration and development activities, 
up to a decision to mine. 

Sumba is something of a geological 
oddity, with its highly prospective 
basement island arc volcanic lithology 
being approximately 90 million years 
old: significantly older than similar island 
arc settings such as Newmont’s Batu 
Hijau porphyry copper-gold mine on the 
nearby island of Sumbawa. 

The island is covered in geologically 
recent marine sediments that effectively 
mask and preserve highly gold-
prospective underlying volcanic units.  
Uplift of the island and subsequent 
erosion of this sedimentary cover has 
created windows through the sediment 
to the underlying volcanic lithology, 
where PT Fathi Resources had focused 
its exploration efforts.

 
 
10

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

diRECTORs’ REPORT

The directors present their report on the consolidated entity (referred to hereafter as “the group”) 
consisting of Hillgrove Resources limited (Hillgrove or the Company) and the entities it controlled 
during the 12 months ended 31 december 2015.

During 2014 the Group changed its financial year end from 31 January to 31 December with Australian Securities & Investments 
Commission (ASIC) approval. As a result the current reporting period (CY15) is for 12 months from 1 January 2015 to 31 
December 2015 and the comparative period is for 11 months from 1 February 2014 to 31 December 2014.

diRECTORS aNd OffiCERS
The Directors and Officers of the Company at any time during the 12 month period or since the end of 31 December 2015 are:

Name/Qualifications

Experience and special responsibilities

The Hon. Dean Craig Brown, AO

Independent Non-Executive Chairman / Chairman Nomination Committee

Qualifications 

Experience

B.Rur.Sc., Grad.Dip. Bus.Admin., M.Rur.Sc., D.Sc.(Hon), FAICD

Former Premier and Minister of the South Australian Government and Member of South 
Australian Parliament from 1973-1985 and 1992-2006. Dean was also Deputy Premier and 
Leader of the Opposition.  He was a Director of AACM International Pty Ltd (1986-92), a 
Senior Agricultural Scientist, the Premier’s Special Advisor on Drought (2007-11), a Director 
of the National Youth Mental Health Advisory Board (Headspace) (2006-09) and Chairman of 
InterMet Resources Limited (2008-13).

Dean undertakes corporate advisory consulting to a variety of companies and is also a Director 
of Scantech Limited (2007- ), Chairman of the Playford Memorial Trust (member since 2008 
and Chairman since 2011), a Director of Foodbank SA (2006- ), a Director of Mission Australia 
(2012- ), Chairman of Skills IQ and a member of several advisory Boards. 

Dean Chairs the Nomination and the Remuneration Committees and is a member of the Audit 
and Risk Committee.

Appointed 1 September 2006

Mr John Edwin Gooding 

Independent Non-Executive Director 

Qualifications 

Experience

Assoc Dip. Mining Eng., FIE Aust., F. Aus. IMM, MAICD

John is a Mining Engineer with over 40 years’ experience in the resources industry.  He 
has held executive management positions with CRA, Normandy Mining, MIM, Xstrata (CEO 
Xstrata Copper Australia), Ok Tedi Mining and Roche Mining. John has extensive experience 
in gold and base metal mining (both open-cut and underground) through the management 
and operation of mines in Australia and internationally. He has been a Board member of the 
PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum since 2009 and has previously held directorships in 
a number of companies within the resources industry.  John is Managing Director and CEO at 
Highlands Pacific Limited (2007- ).

John is a member of the Remuneration, Audit and Risk and Nomination Committees.

Appointed 31 May 2007

Mr Maurice William Loomes

Non-Executive Director

Qualifications

Experience

B.Comm (Econ Hons), F.Fin. 

Maurice joined the Hillgrove Board on 25 November 2013. Maurice has a Bachelor of 
Commerce (Econ Hons) and over 40 years’ experience in investment analysis and strategy 
gained across many industries, including roles at Bain and Company, Industrial Equity Limited, 
Westmex Limited, Guinness Peat Group PLC and many others. He has also held numerous 
directorships of public companies including CIC Australia Limited (1994-2013), Guinness Peat 
Group PLC (1996-2000) and Tower Limited (2003-2005). Maurice is currently a Non-Executive 
Director of Ariadne Australia Limited (2004- ) (a significant shareholder of Hillgrove Resources) 
and Calliden Group Ltd (2000- ).

Maurice is a member of the Remuneration, Audit and Risk and Nomination Committees.

Appointed 25 November 2013

 
 
diRECTORS aNd OffiCERS (continued)

Name/Qualifications

Mr Philip Baker 

Qualifications 

Experience

Experience and special responsibilities

Independent Non-Executive Director 

CPA, MAICD, BBus, PGDipBA

Phil is a CPA with over 30 years in the mining industry. He started with MIM Holdings in 1980 
undertaking various roles before leading the development and construction of the Ernest 
Henry copper/gold mine from 1995-97, and then responsible for the copper refinery and 
other operations in north Queensland. He became Group Treasurer and later EGM - Strategy, 
Planning and Development, before leaving MIM in 2003.  Phil was then CFO and Company 
Secretary at Peplin Limited and later QMAG Limited before joining Lihir Gold Limited in 2007 
as CFO, serving as CEO for three months in 2010 before the takeover by Newcrest Ltd.  After 
a period consulting to the resources industry, Phil joined Rio Tinto in 2012 as CFO of Pacific 
Aluminium to help prepare it for divestment, leaving in late 2013 when it was reintegrated into 
Rio Tinto Alcan.  

Phil is a member of the Remuneration, Audit and Risk and Nomination Committees.

11

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

Appointed 29 October 2014

Mr Steven McClare 

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

Qualifications

Experience

Mr Paul Kiley

Qualifications

Experience

BEng (Mining), M.Aus.IMM

Steve joined Hillgrove in September 2012 as the General Manager Operations at the 
Kanmantoo Copper Mine and in May 2015 he was promoted to Chief Executive Officer and 
Managing Director.  Previously the Deputy General Manager, then Head of Mining Operations 
for Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations, Steve has spent a significant portion of his 
career constructing, ramping up and optimising mining operations, including Telfer, Cadia Hill, 
Ridgeway Deeps and Cadia East for Newcrest, and Callie for Newmont.  With a background that 
includes management of Normandy’s White Devil Mine, and also various roles within Mount 
Isa Mines and a work/study Mining Engineering Cadetship with Western Collieries when he 
joined the industry in 1989. Steve boasts significant experience within industry ranging from 
underground operations to 150ktpa to 26mtpa, to open pit operations of 2mtpa to 24mtpa 

Steve is a member of the Treasury Committee.

Appointed 27 May 2015

Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary

B.Ec, CPA

Paul joined Hillgrove in June 2015 on a contract basis and was appointed to the role as an 
employee on 1 December 2015. Paul has over thirty years of experience in the mining, oil and 
gas industries. He spent 13 years with Newmont (and previously Normandy) in a number of 
executive roles including Director for Corporate Development for Newmont’s Asia Pacific region 
and the Group Risk Manager. He also spent six years in senior roles with Occidental Oil & Gas, 
working in both Australia and the United States of America. Paul is also an independent non-
executive director of SIPA Resources Limited.

Paul is a member of the Treasury Committee.

Appointed 12 June 2015.

 
 
diRECTORs’ REPORT

diRECTORS aNd OffiCERS (continued)
Retired directors and Officers

Name/Qualifications

Experience and special responsibilities

Mr Douglas Norman Snedden

Independent Non-Executive Director / Chairman Audit and Risk and Treasury Committees

12

Qualifications

Experience

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Mr Gregory Hall 

Qualifications

Experience

B. Economics and Accounting

Doug has more than 30 years’ experience in finance, audit, strategic management and 
outsourcing, largely gained through a distinguished career at Accenture (formerly Andersen 
Consulting). He has experience working in Australia, as well as the United Kingdom, South 
Africa, USA and the Asia Pacific region; providing management and financial advice to some 
of Australia’s biggest companies before retiring from the position of Managing Director of 
Accenture’s Australian business in June 2008. 

Doug has been a Director of a number of organisations since 1996 and currently holds 
directorships at Transfield Services Limited (2009- ), UXC Limited (2012- ), Sirca Technology 
Pty Ltd (2012- ), the Black Dog Institute (2001- ), St James Ethics Centre (2007- ) and is 
Chairman of Odyssey House (NSW) (2012- ) and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (2013- ).

Doug was Chairman of the Audit and Risk and Treasury Committees, and was a member of the 
Nomination and Remuneration Committees.

Resigned  30 May 2015.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

B.Eng, M AusIMM and MAICD 

Greg joined Hillgrove in February 2013 bringing three decades of experience in the resources 
industry. Having trained as a Mining Engineer, he worked in senior mine operational 
management and resource marketing roles before joining Toro Energy Limited as Managing 
Director upon its start up in 2006. Prior to this he was Director of Sales with Rio Tinto’s 
Bauxite and Alumina division. Greg has also held a variety of senior technical and operational 
management roles at WMC Resources Limited at its nickel operations and the Olympic Dam 
project, and with ERA Ltd at their Ranger and Jabiluka operations, and later as Marketing 
Manager (North America) responsible for uranium sales. Greg is a Non-Executive Director of 
Toro Energy Limited (2006- ). 

Greg was a member of the Treasury Committee.

Resigned 26 May 2015

Mrs Shanthi Smith

Company Secretary / Group Finance Manager

Qualifications

Experience

B.Com, CPA

Shanthi was the Company Secretary of Hillgrove Resources Limited. She has been with the 
Company since 2010 in the role of Group Finance Manager and has been extensively involved 
in the financial management of the construction, financing, and operations of the Company 
during this time. Shanthi started her career in Big 4 chartered accountancy before moving into 
the commercial arena where she has over 18 years’ experience across a diverse range of roles 
and industries. She has held various senior management positions in finance, commercial and 
planning roles, most recently at Caltex Australia and the London Organising Committee of the 
2012 Olympic Games.

Shanthi was a member of the Treasury Committee.

Resigned 31 August 2015

 
 
 
diRECTORS aNd OffiCERS (continued)

directors’ meetings
The number of Directors’ meetings and number of meetings attended by each of the Directors of the Company during the  
12 month period are:

Meetings Held

Director

Hon. D C Brown, AO

Mr J E Gooding

Mr M W Loomes

Mr P Baker

Mr S P McClare

Mr D N Snedden

Mr G C Hall

Board

Remuneration  
Committee

Audit  
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Treasury 
Committee

A

22

22

22

22

10

13

12

B

22

21

20

22

10

12

12

A

4

4

4

2

2

2

2

B

4

4

4

2

2

2

2

A

2

2

2

2

1

1

1

B

2

1

2

2

1

1

1

A

1

1

1

1

-

-

1

B

1

1

1

1

-

-

1

A

-

-

-

2

2

1

1

B

-

-

-

2

2

1

1

13

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

A – Number of meetings held during the Directors time in office

B – Number of meetings attended

On 30 July 2015 the Board decided all four non-executive Directors (NED’s) would become members of the Nomination, 
Remuneration and Audit and Risk Committees. 

As outlined in the Operating and Financial Review section below, the 2015 financial year required the close monitoring of the 
refinancing and the operations and many decisions to be approved which required the regular meeting of the Board to monitor 
progress and make the required changes in a timely manner. This resulted in a high number of Board meetings.

The Treasury Committee members include Mr P Baker, Mr S McClare, Mr P Kiley and Mr J Sutanto.

pRiNCipal aCTiViTiES
Hillgrove is an Australian mining company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: HGO) focused on copper 
production from its Kanmantoo Copper Mine in South Australia. 

The Kanmantoo Copper Mine is located some 55 kilometres from Adelaide in South Australia. Kanmantoo is an open-cut mine 
with a 2013 declared Mineral Resource of 31.3M tonnes (4.02Mt Measured, 22.27Mt Indicated, 5.00Mt Inferred) grading 0.78% 
copper and 0.20g/t gold.  It has ramped up since construction was completed at the end of 2011 to an ore throughput of up to 
3.6M tonnes p.a., to produce up to 90,000 dry metric tonnes of copper concentrate, containing more than 20,000 tonnes copper 
and associated gold and silver per annum over the targeted 10 year mine life.

Production of concentrate from the Kanmantoo Copper Mine has been underway since November 2011, with sales of copper 
concentrate to Freepoint Commodities LLC under a 100% copper concentrate off take agreement.

REViEW Of CONSOlidaTEd fiNaNCial RESulTS 
During the reporting period, the Consolidated Entity (Hillgrove) renewed its focus on the operation and development of the 
Kanmantoo Mine. As part of this strategy, the Corporate Office was relocated from Sydney to Adelaide in a formal partnership with 
the South Australian Government. The Corporate Office activities, including the vast majority of externally sourced expertise is 
now sourced from South Australia. The high quality, moderately priced services available in South Australia and the reduction in 
rent, travel, and accommodation has led to significantly lower overheads. 

 
 
  
diRECTORs’ REPORT

REViEW Of CONSOlidaTEd fiNaNCial RESulTS (continued)

14

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Hillgrove generated operating revenue 
of $139.5 million for the 12 months 
to December 2015, at an average 
realised price for copper of $3.57/lb 
(US$2.74/lb) (prior year $3.62/lb). This 
was achieved from Kanmantoo Copper 
Mine production of 75,028 tonnes of 
dry concentrate containing 17,306 
tonnes of copper. During the cut-back 
of the Giant Pit, which was initiated in 
early 2015, the mine plan necessitated 
mining of ore from the satellite pits and 
processing of stockpiled ore. Production 
and in turn revenue during 2015 was 
affected adversely by a number of 
factors including the underperformance 
of the satellite pits and the lower 
grade of ore from the historical oxide 
stockpiles which also led to lower 
copper recovery through the processing 
plant. This has led to a reduction in 
Underlying EBITDA from $53.7 million 
in 2014 to $18.8 million in 2015 and 
subsequently an Underlying net loss 
after tax of $14.5 million. Moreover, 
in the upper thin lenses of Giant Pit, 
there was also underperformance 
of the geological model. Hillgrove 
implemented a thorough and extensive 
review which resulted in the adoption 
of an updated geological model during 
the fourth quarter of the year. This 
review concluded that, for the life of the 
mine, the copper in aggregate remains 
as expected albeit with a different 
production profile.

Statement of profit or loss 
For the year ended 31 December 2015, the net loss after tax was $127.4 million 
compared to a profit after tax of $3.8 million for the 11 month period ended  
31 December 2014. The net loss after tax was largely due to the inclusion of 
impairment charges and provisions against assets of $112.9 million as a result of the 
lower commodity price environment. These are non-cash items and it is to be noted 
that an impairment is not a write off, but a provision which can be reversed in the 
event of improvements in market outlook or operational performance, including mine 
life extensions.

Change

(28.6)

1.3

(27.3)

2.9

17.2

(1.4)

2.0

0.4

0.6

(29.0)

0.4

0.6

(0.5)

(0.2)

(0.6)

(7.6)

(34.9)

(0.5)

(1.0)

36.4
-

5.9

(30.5)
(100.7)

$ million

Revenue from sale of concentrate

Hedge gains / (losses)

TOTAL REVENUE

Cash costs of production

Mining

Prestrip and deferral

Processing

Transport and shipping

Treatment and refining

Other direct costs

Inventory movements

Royalties

Corporate costs

Gain/(Loss) on disposal of assets

Other income

Net foreign exchange gain/(loss) realised

12 months to 
31 Dec 2015

11 months to 
31 Dec 2014

130.5

9.0

139.5

(78.9)

32.3

(24.6)

(6.4)

(17.9)

(7.9)

(9.6)

(1.6)

(4.3)

(0.5)

0.2

(1.5)

159.1

7.7

166.8

(81.8)

15.1

(23.2)

(8.4)

(18.3)

(8.5)

19.4

(2.0)

(4.9)

-

0.4

(0.9)

TOTAL CASH COSTS OF PRODUCTION

(120.7)

(113.1)

UNDERLYING EBITDA

Depreciation and amortisation

Net foreign exchange gain/(loss) unrealised

UNDERLYING EBIT
Net interest and financing charges

Income tax (expense)/benefit

UNDERLYING NPAT
Non-underlying items, net of tax

Reported net profit / (loss) after tax

Non-underlying Items

Impairment - long term stockpiles write down

Impairment - Indonesian exploration write down

Impairment - Australian exploration write down

Impairment - Kanmantoo assets write down

Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives

18.8

(36.4)

(1.0)

(18.6)

(3.9)

8.0

(14.5)

(112.9)

(127.4)

(11.8)

(29.9)

(1.4)

(69.8)

-

53.7

(35.9)

-

17.8
(3.9)

2.1

16.0
(12.2)

3.8

(131.2)

(13.8)

-

-

-

1.6

2.0

(29.9)

(1.4)

(69.8)

(1.6)

Total Non-underlying Items

(112.9)

(12.2)

(100.7)

 
 
 
REViEW Of CONSOlidaTEd fiNaNCial RESulTS (continued)

Cash flow overview

$ million

Net cash inflows from operating activities

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash inflows / (outflows) from  
financing activities

Net decrease in cash held

Cash and cash equivalents  
at the end of the year

Operating activities 

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

12.7

(21.9)

6.5

(2.8)

46.7

(30.0)

(24.3)

(7.6)

Change

(34.0)

8.1

30.8

4.8

6.1

8.9

(2.8)

15

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

$ million

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

Receipts from customers

119.4

149.9

Payment to suppliers, employees and contractors

(106.7)

(103.2)

Change

(30.5)

(3.5)

Net cash inflows from operating activities

12.7

46.7

(34.0)

Cash inflows from operating activities for the 12 months ended 31 December 2015 
were $12.7 million, which is $34.0 million lower than the prior 12 month period cash 
flow of $46.7 million. The decrease is mainly due to a reduction of cash receipts 
from sales due to lower production coupled with higher payments during CY15 vs 
CY14.

investing activities

$ million

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

Payments for exploration activities

Payments for property, plant and equipment

Proceeds on sale of plant and equipment and 
assets held for sale

(1.0)

(21.6)

(0.3)

(29.8)

0.7

0.1

Net cash inflows from investing activities

(21.9)

(30.0)

Change

(0.7)

8.2

0.6

8.1

Cash flows from investing activities amounted to an outflow of $21.9 million in the 
current period compared to an outflow of $30.0 million in the previous period. The 
decrease is in respect to lower spend on capital works such as the Tailings Storage 
Facility extension and pre-strip from new pits of $21.6 million in comparison to 
$29.8 million in the previous period. 

 ■ Revenue for the 12 months to 

31 December 2015 was $139.5 
million (CY14: $166.8 million). This 
drop was due primarily to copper 
production decreasing from 20,693 
tonnes in CY14 to 17,306 tonnes in 
CY15, as well as a decrease in the 
average realised price from $3.62/lb 
in CY14 to $3.57/lb in CY15.

 ■ During the period, production of 

75,028 tonnes of dry concentrate 
containing 17,306 tonnes of copper 
was sold from the Kanmantoo 
Copper Mine (CY14: 90,583t of dry 
concentrate containing 20,693t of 
copper).

 ■ Deferred Mining: costs carried 

forward as at 31 December 2015 
were $17.0 million and relate to the 
Giant Pit. Deferred mining costs 
from 2014 of $2.8 million related 
to the Nugent and Emily pits and 
were fully allocated to the cost of 
production during 2015. 

 ■ Pre-Strip: during the year, $18.1 
million of pre-strip mining costs 
relating to the Giant Pit were 
capitalised in the balance sheet. 
Pre-strip costs for upper levels of 
pits with a strip ratio greater than 
10:1 (waste:ore) are capitalised and 
amortised over the life of the mine.   

 ■ Long term stockpiles: were written 
down by $11.8 million during the 
year (cash and non-cash) compared 
to $13.8 million in the prior period. 
This is a result of the higher 
grade stockpiles being treated, 
reducing the grade of the remaining 
stockpiles. This in turn reduced the 
recoverability of copper from these 
stockpiles and, in combination 
with a drop in copper prices, has 
led to the write off of the long term 
stockpiles.

 
 
diRECTORs’ REPORT

REViEW Of CONSOlidaTEd fiNaNCial RESulTS (continued)

16

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

financing activities 

$ million

Net proceeds from issue of shares

Repayment of borrowings

Proceeds from borrowings

Net interest paid

Net cash inflows / (outflows) from  
financing activities

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

9.2

-

(18.0)

(21.9)

17.2

(1.9)

-

(2.4)

Change

9.2

3.9

17.2

0.5

6.5

(24.3)

30.8

Cash flows relating to financing activities show an inflow of $6.5 million, mainly due 
to proceeds received from the issuance of new shares in conjunction with the debt 
refinancing in mid-2015.

Statement of financial 
position
Total equity decreased by $104.3 million 
reflecting the increase in contributed 
equity from the rights issue of $9.4 
million, an increase in reserves of 
$13.7 million due to revaluation of the 
unexpired hedging position as at 31 
December 2015, and the loss for the 
period of $127.4 million. 

property, plant and 
equipment
During the year, the carrying value 
of property, plant and equipment 
decreased by $65.8 million to 
$145.6 million.  This is a result of 
the impairment charges of $69.8 
million, depreciation of $35.0 million 
and additions of $39.0 million, which 
includes $17.0 million of deferred 
mining costs which are classified as 
non-current. 

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 
December 2015 of $6.1 million reduced 
by $2.8 million from the 31 December 
2014 balance of $8.9 million. This was 
primarily due to a reduction in cash 
receipts from operating activities as a 
result of lower production. 

inventories
The decrease in inventories by $25.8 
million to $6.9 million is the result of the 
following:

 ■ $4.0m – value of material added to 
the long-term stockpiles during the 
year;

 ■ ($13.3m) – removal of material 

from the long-term stockpiles and 
processed during the year;

 ■ ($11.8m) – net realisable value 
adjustments resulting from the 
drop in copper prices, together with 
adjustments to recoverability and 
grade estimates;

 ■ ($2.8m) – deferred mining costs 

expense;

 ■ ($1.7m) – reduction in ROM and 

finished goods; and

 ■ ($0.2m) – reduction in spares 

inventory.

Deferred mining costs as at 31 
December 2014 of $2.8 million were 
fully allocated to the cost of production 
during the year to 31 December 
2015. An amount of $17.0 million 
was capitalised during the period as 
deferred mining costs for the Giant Pit 
and is included in property plant and 
equipment.

derivative financial 
instruments
The net position on derivative financial 
instruments as at 31 December 2015 
was an asset of $19.6 million in 
comparison to a net liability of $1.1 
million at 31 December 2014. The 
increase in asset value of the hedge 
book is due to the fall in spot copper 
prices because the average hedged 
price is higher than the spot copper 
price at balance date. After close out 
of contracts during the year and some 
replacement hedging, the nominal 
amount of copper hedging in tonnes 
is 16,476 tonnes at an average price 
of A$7,758 at 31 December 2015 
compared to 18,531 tonnes at an 
average price of A$7,723 as at 31 
December 2014.

 
 
REViEW Of CONSOlidaTEd fiNaNCial RESulTS (continued)

(i) 

Commodity price, exchange rate and discount rate assumptions

Bloomberg consensus pricing with the following copper prices applied (real prices):

$ per pound 

June 2015 

December 2015 

2016

$3.79

$3.42

2017

$3.85

$3.58

2018

$3.90

$3.75

2019+

$3.68

$3.26

Percentage reduction

(9.8%)

(7.0%)

(3.8%)

(11.4%)

The AUD:USD forward curve in December 2015 (beginning at 0.732 in January 2016)  
as well as a discount rate of 9.50% (real) were used.

The Directors consider the above assumptions remain reasonable in a period of high volatility, 
but any sustained change in market prices and rates that are materially different from the 
above assumptions could result in a different set of assumptions applied to future valuations 
for impairment testing. By way of example, a +/- 5% movement in the AUD copper prices will 
increase or decrease the Kanmantoo carrying value by approximately $30 million.

17

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

(ii) 

Reserves and resources

Based on sensitivity analysis conducted on the existing resource, it has been 
concluded reserves and resources do not represent an indicator of impairment as at 
31 December 2015.

(iii) 

production activity and operating and capital costs

Cash Generating Units have been reviewed by updating Life of Mine Plans and 
assumptions, including operating costs, capital costs, and production activity in line 
with actual operating and cost performances.

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables have 
increased by $1.8 million during the 
period, reflecting the lower income and 
cash inflows generated during the Giant 
Pit cutback.

Contributed equity
Contributed equity increased by $9.4 
million as a result of the rights issue 
of 40,310,719 shares at 25 cents per 
share less transaction costs in June 
2015.

Borrowings
Total borrowings (current and non-
current) as at 31 December 2015 are 
$18.9 million, of which debt is $18.0 
million (US$14.0m) and lease liabilities 
are $0.9 million.  

impairment of  
non-current assets
In accordance with the consolidated 
entity’s accounting policies, impairment 
testing is carried out to ensure assets 
are not carried at more than their 
recoverable amount at balance date. 
As the recoverable amount can vary 
with prevailing market conditions, 
impairment testing is a point in time 
calculation to reflect those market 
conditions. An impairment is not a 
write off but a provision which can be 
reversed in the event of improvements 
in market outlook or operational 
performance including mine life 
extensions.

Based on the Board’s decision to 
simplify and consolidate the Group’s 
focus onto its Kanmantoo operations, 
the Directors decided to write down the 
full $29.9 million carrying value for the 
Indonesian exploration assets, which are 
currently on care and maintenance. 

The Directors believe the projects still 
have potential value and Management 
continues to pursue options to realise 
this value.

In addition to this, an impairment 
provision was made for $1.4 million 
of exploration expenditure relating to 
Wheal Ellen and Kitticoola tenements. 

A valuation approach reflecting the 
prevailing weaker economic climate and 
declining commodity price environment 
resulted in a $14.8 million impairment 
charge against Kanmantoo which was 
announced for the half year ended 30 
June 2015. This has been increased 
by $55.0 million resulting in a $69.8 
million impairment charge against the 
Company’s Kanmantoo operations for 
the full year. This reduces Kanmantoo’s 
carrying value to approximately $145.6 
million. The entity reviewed a number of 
factors when considering the indicators 
of impairment, which included:

 
 
diRECTORs’ REPORT

REViEW Of OpERaTiONS fOR THE yEaR aNd OuTlOOK

18

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Hillgrove is an Australian mining company listed on the Australian Securities 
Exchange (ASX: HGO) focused on copper production from its Kanmantoo Copper 
Mine in South Australia. 

Kanmantoo is an open-cut mine located 55 kilometres from Adelaide. Production 
has ramped up since construction was completed at the end of 2011 to an ore 
throughput rate for the processing plant of up to 4.1Mtpa, to allow production up 
to 90,000 dry metric tonnes of concentrate, containing more than 20,000t copper 
and associated gold and silver per annum. Copper concentrate production from the 
Kanmantoo Copper Mine is sold to Freepoint Metals & Concentrates LLC under a 
100% off take agreement.  

KaNmaNTOO COppER miNE pERfORmaNCE 

)
s
d
n
a
s
u
o
h
t
(

t
n
e
m
e
v
o
M
M
C
B

l
a
t
o
T

2200

2000

1800

1600

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

1,702

1,006

1,535

1,101

1,626

641

1,986

1,822

1,722

1,693

954

991

1,049

924

1,530

579

1800

1600

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

)
s
d
n
a
s
u
o
h
t
(

s
e
n
n
o
T

e
r
O

l
a
t
o
T

Apr 2014 
Q1 CY14 

Jul 2014 
Q2 CY14 

Sep 2014 
Q3 CY14 

Dec 2014 
Q4 CY14 

Mar 2015 
Q1 CY15 

Jun 2015 
Q2 CY15 

Sep 2015 
Q3 CY15 

Dec 2015 
Q4 CY15

Total BCM movements (LHS)

Total Ore tonnes (RHS)

July repeated (LHS)

July repeated (RHS)

*   As a two month period, July 2014 was included again in the September 2014 quarter for 

comparison purposes.

Mining unit costs reduced from $12.50/BCM in CY14 to $11.27/BCM in CY15, 
with production steady. The declining BCM movements and ore mined in recent 
quarters are a result of accelerating access to the ore in Giant, in preference to 
highly productive flat bench (top down) mining which would lead to irregular copper 
delivery. As a result of this, it is expected to increase the ore mined in CY16 by 
approximately 50%, from what was experienced in the December 2015 quarter. This 
change was a direct result of reviewing the geological model, whereby there was less 
copper in the upper portion of the pit, and more at depth.

Hillgrove’s workforce at the Kanmantoo Copper Mine now stands at 200 staff, 80% 
of whom live in the local and Adelaide Hills regions, and has continued to operate 
effectively and safely.  

During 2015, Hillgrove achieved 
production of 74,971 tonnes of dry 
concentrate containing 17,306 tonnes 
of copper at the Kanmantoo Copper 
Mine, which was slightly below the 
annual guidance provided. This was 
somewhat offset by gold production of 
6,790oz, which was above guidance.  
Key operational aspects by year end 
included:

 ■ Ore processed for CY15 was ahead 
of guidance at 4,104kt, (CY14: 
3,023kt).

 ■ Nugent and Emily pits were mined 
out, with Nugent being currently 
backfilled.

 ■ The cut-back in the Giant Pit over 

the main orebody is well advanced, 
with the majority of higher 
stripping ratio benches underway 
or complete. The mine will drop 
below the LOM average strip ratio 
in mid-2016 (percentage of waste 
moved decreases with depth).
Records included the highest plant 
throughput of 4,104kt ore and total 
tonnes mined to date of 20,892kt in 
CY15; this was a result of increased 
efficiencies. The controlled potential 
sulphidisation plant upgrade was 
completed and commissioned 
successfully. This plant met all of the 
technical expectations but output 
was affected by the lower grade of 
historic stockpiles.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REViEW Of OpERaTiONS fOR THE yEaR aNd OuTlOOK (continued)

KaNmaNTOO quaRTERly millEd TONNES, COppER RECOVERy (%) 
aNd mill RuN TimE (%)

)
s
d
n
a
s
u
o
h
t

-

t

m
d
(

s
e
n
n
o
T

d
e
l
l
i

M

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

93.2

92.1

94.3

91.9

93.3

92.2

93.4

93.2

89.8

86.9

95.1

94.9

87.1

85.4

92.7

88.9

756,501

837,787

534,187

894.519

959,184

1,040,740

1,120,887

982,921

Apr 2014 
Q1 CY14 

Jul 2014 
Q2 CY14 

Sep 2014 
Q3 CY14 

Dec 2014 
Q4 CY14 

Mar 2015 
Q1 CY15 

Jun 2015 
Q2 CY15 

Sep 2015 
Q3 CY15 

Dec 2015 
Q4 CY15

Milled Tonnes (LHS)

July repeated (LHS)

Primary Copper Recovery (RHS)

Mill Run Time (RHS)

100

95

90

85

80

75

70

65

60

e
g
a
t
n
e
c
r
e
P

Mill throughput increased 25%, and processing unit costs reduced from $7.76/tonne 
in CY14 to $5.99/tonne in CY15. In addition:

 ■ $1.6 million capital investment was made in raising the tailings storage facility, to 

increase capacity.

 ■ Recovery of primary and oxide ore, as anticipated, was lower in CY15 as a 

result of the processing of lower grade ore. This recovery was in line with the 
grade/recovery curve, which reflects the fixed component nature of the tail from 
processing the ore.

KaNmaNTOO COppER miNE pROduCTiON STaTiSTiCS 

19

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

Revenue
Hillgrove generated operating revenue 
of $139.5 million (CY14: $166.8 million) 
for the year at an average realised price 
of $3.57/lb (US$2.74/lb). This was 
achieved from production of 74,971 
tonnes of dry copper concentrate 
containing 17,306 tonnes copper at the 
Kanmantoo Copper Mine.

Exploration program 
Kanmantoo Copper commenced an 
exploration programme on its mining 
lease and broader regional exploration 
tenement as part of possible future life 
extensions. The work included a gravity 
survey, shallow near mine RAB holes, 
a number of deep RC exploration holes 
and a regional Heli-TEM survey. This 
program and related expenditure was 
placed on hold during the second half of 
2015 in order to conserve cash.

Ore to ROM from Pit

Ore to long term stockpiles

Mined Waste

Total Tonnes Mined

To ROM from LT Stockpiles

Mining Grade to ROM

Ore Milled

Milled Grade            - Cu

                               - Au

Recovery                 - Cu

                               - Au

kt

kt

kt

kt

kt

%

kt

%

g/t

%

%

CY14* to DEC 14

MAR-15 QTR

JUN-15 QTR

SEP-15 QTR

DEC-15 QTR

CY15

11 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

3 months

12 months

2,620

1,172

15,899

19,691

509

0.88

3,023

0.75

0.14

90.8

51.7

888

103

4,631

5,622

-

0.64

959

0.58

0.12

89.8

42.6

899

149

4,265

5,313

193

0.57

1,041

0.49

0.07

82.0

49.3

924

-

4,306

5,230

179

0.51

1,121

0.48

0.09

77.6

46.3

579

-

4,148

4,727

413

0.66

983

0.56

0.17

72.0

49.0

3,290

252

17,350

20,892

784

0.59

4,104

0.52

0.11

80.3

47.1

Cu Concentrate Produced

Dry mt

90,163

21,949

17,947

17,282

17,793

74,971

Concentrate Grade  - Cu

                              - Au

Contained Metal in Conc. - Cu

                                       - Au

                                       - Ag

%

g/t

t

oz

oz

Total Concentrate Sold

Dry mt

23.0

2.3

20,693

6,798

131,901

90,583

22.8

2.2

5,013

1,532

24,920

22,714

23.1

2.1

4,138

1,214

21,554

17,104

24.1

2.7

4,157

1,486

31,334

17,468

22.5

4.5

3,997

2,558

36,592

17,742

23.1

2.8

17,306

6,790

114,399

75,028

The C1 cash cost for CY15 was US$2.11/lb or $2.81/lb (CY14: US$1.97/lb) which was within guidance.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
diRECTORs’ REPORT

REViEW Of OpERaTiONS fOR THE yEaR aNd OuTlOOK (continued)

20

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Kanmantoo Exploration lease
A detailed helicopter-borne EM survey (HeliTEM) over an 
area of 87km2 of prospective geology for sedimentary-
hosted sulphides, including copper, lead, zinc and gold was 
completed.

This survey took place in late April and early May, covering 
520 line kilometres in total. Most areas were flown at 200m 
EW line spacing, but selected interest areas were flown at 
a tighter 100m spacing. During the QAQC process, it was 
evident surficial conductivity issues were minimal and bedrock 
conductivity contrasts were excellent. 

The results are with our consultant geophysicist who will be 
processing and interpreting the data, identifying anomalies, 
defining their size, depth and orientation, modelling, and then 
finally, ranking the anomalies. Hillgrove will report the results 
once they are available. 

In addition to the HeliTEM, Hillgrove undertook a program of 
reverse circulation (RC) drill holes. Hillgrove reported initial 
exploration success in one of its first exploration drill holes 
on the Mining Lease, 200 metres to the north of the current 
resource profile at its Kanmantoo Copper Mine. The 433 
metre deep RC hole returned the following assays at a depth 
of 300 metres below surface:

 ■ 28 metres @ 0.61% Cu, 0.14g/t Au, and 2.6g/t Ag at a 

0.20% Cu cut off – within a broader mineralised zone of:

 ■ 39 metres @ 0.47% Cu, 0.11g/t Au, and 2.1g/t Ag at a 

0.1% Cu cut off, from 324m downhole.

Included within the 28 metre intersection are:

 ■ A higher grade zone of 10 metres @ 0.88% Cu, 0.18g/t 

Au, and 3.2g/t Ag; and

 ■ A peak of 1 metre interval of 2.86% Cu, 0.8g/t Au, and 

9.4g/t Ag.

 
 
 
REViEW Of OpERaTiONS fOR THE yEaR aNd OuTlOOK (continued)

performance
The guidance Hillgrove provided in February 2015 was updated in the September 
quarterly, following the updated Life of Mine Plan. 

guidaNCE fOR Cy15 VERSuS aCTual

CY15

Ore Mined

Ore Processed

Ore Grade Processed

Guidance

Actuals Achieved

2,800 - 3,000kt

2,300 - 2,600kt

3,542kt

4,104kt

0.68 - 0.72% Cu

0.52% Cu

Copper Recovery (excluding CPS)

91.0 - 93.0%

Copper contained in concentrates produced

17,500 - 18,500t

Gold contained in concentrates produced

5,500 - 6,500oz

87.8%

17,306t

6,790oz

C1 Costs

US$2.00 - $2.25 per lb US$2.11 per lb

Capital Projects (excludes pre-strip)*

$5.0M - $6.0M

$5.7 million

* In addition to the capital projects, $18.1 million of pre strip was completed.

21

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

indonesia
Hillgrove continues to maintain 
exploration care and maintenance 
teams at its advanced exploration 
projects at Bird’s Head in West Papua 
and Sumba Island.  Local landholder 
relationships are being maintained at 
the projects.

Parties have and continue to express 
interest and have initiated due diligence 
during the year.  Hillgrove is continuing 
to work with these groups, including 
providing access under confidentiality to 
the exploration database. 

Capital management 
initiatives
During the financial year, Hillgrove 
successfully refinanced its debt in May 
and June 2015, which was completed 
to align the debt repayments with the 
current Life of Mine Plan, as well as to 
advance the cut back of the Giant Pit.

Hillgrove secured debt facility 
arrangements with its two financiers, 
Macquarie Bank Limited and 
Ventures Australia LLC (subsidiary of 
Freepoint Commodities LLC), with a 
US$14 million Pre-export facility, a 
deferral and extension of the existing 
price participation obligations, and 
replacement of the performance 
bonds. In addition to this, Hillgrove 
successfully completed a capital raise 
of approximately $9.2 million net 
through a three (3) for eleven (11) Non-
Renounceable Rights issue.

 
 
diRECTORs’ REPORT

22

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

REViEW Of OpERaTiONS fOR THE yEaR aNd OuTlOOK (continued)

mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Estimate
In August 2013 a Mineral Resource Estimate was released updating the previous 2012 estimate.  The 2013 In Situ Mineral 
Resource Estimate resulted in 29.5Mt at grades of 0.80% copper, 0.20g/t gold and 2.11g/t silver using a cut-off grade of 0.20% 
copper beneath the end of February 2013 topographic surface as outlined below.  

KaNmaNTOO glOBal miNERal RESOuRCE ESTimaTE aT ENd fEBRuaRy 2013 

In Situ Resource

Long Term Stockpiles

Total

JORC 2012 
Classification

Measured

Indicated

Inferred

Measured

Indicated

Tonnage 
(Mt)

2.63

21.77

5.0

29.46

1.39

0.50

1.89

31.30

Note: In Situ Resource >0.20% Cu, Long Term Stockpiles >0.15% Cu.   

KaNmaNTOO glOBal ORE RESERVE ESTimaTE aT ENd fEBRuaRy 2013 

In Situ Reserve

JORC 2012 
Classification

Proven

Probable

Long Term Stockpiles

Proven

Total

Note: In Situ Reserve >0.20% Cu.  Long Term Stockpiles >0.15% Cu.   

Tonnage 
(Mt)

2.5

18.2

20.7

1.4

1.4

22.1

Cu 
(%)

0.88

0.82

0.67

0.80

0.46

0.18

0.39

0.78

Cu 
(%)

0.77

0.72

0.73

0.46

0.46

0.71

Au 
(g/t)

0.10

0.23

0.13

0.20

N/A

N/A

-

0.20

Au 
(g/t)

0.08

0.20

0.18

N/A

-

0.18

Ag 
(g/t)

1.95

2.21

1.79

2.11

N/A

N/A

-

2.11

Ag 
(g/t)

1.7

2.0

1.9

N/A

-

1.9

In November 2013 an Ore Reserve estimate was released, that was prepared in accordance with The JORC Code 2012 Edition. 
The new Reserve showed an increase in both confidence and contained metal when compared to the May 2010 Ore Reserve, 
after taking into account depletion from mining. The total Ore Reserve stands at 22.1Mt at 0.71% copper, 0.18g/t gold and 1.9g/t 
silver for contained metal of 157k tonnes (346Mlbs) of copper, 128k ounces of gold and 1.35M ounces of silver.

 
 
REViEW Of OpERaTiONS fOR THE yEaR aNd OuTlOOK (continued)

Sustainability: 
environment, safety and 
community
Hillgrove’s Sustainability and Work 
Health & Safety Policies provide a 
strong, ethical foundation for our 
approach to health, safety, environment 
and community (HSEC) responsibilities.   
Supporting these policies, Hillgrove 
has implemented an Integrated 
Risk Management System (Kan-do) 
across our operations.  The system 
incorporates a prioritised risk based 
approach and continual improvement 
framework, ensuring our HSEC policy 
objectives and legislative compliance are 
achieved.  

To reduce the risks as low as reasonably 
practicable, the Kan-do system provides 
the appropriate safe systems of work, 
clearly outlined responsibilities and 
accountabilities, and a strong audit 
framework.  Hillgrove has identified its 
Principal HSEC risks and implemented 
the appropriate control measures.  

The Kan-do system is driven by effective 
leadership, the acceptance of individual 
responsibility and the promotion of a 
risk aware culture across its operations 
through the implementation of a Due 
Diligence Model.  The Kan-do system 
is audited on an annual basis, and 
improvements are monitored through 
Hillgrove’s Senior Leadership Team and 
the Audit and Risk Committee.  The 
implementation of the Kan-do system 
has contributed to an improvement 
in the Company’s Health & Safety 
Performance with a 43% reduction in 
the Total Recordable Injury Frequency 
Rate this year.

I

R
T

5

4

3

2

1

0

23

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

25

20

15

10

5

0

e
g
a
r
e
v
A
g
n
i
v
o
M
h
t
n
o
M
2
1
R
F
I
R
T

Jan 
2015 

Feb 
2015 

Mar 
2015 

Apr 
2015 

May 
2015 

Jun 
2015 

Jul 
2015 

Aug 
2015 

Sep 
2015 

Oct 
2015 

Nov 
2015 

Dec 
2015 

TRI

TRIFR 12 months moving average

Backfilling of our first satellite pit 
commenced in CY15 and is near 
completion which will go a long way 
toward addressing visual amenity from 
the eastern aspect of the mine.  

Strategic community engagement 
continues utilising the long established 
Community Engagement Plan (2009). 
Regular reviews and modifications to the 
plan continue to ensure engagement of 
the community remains effective and 
productive. 

We remain pro-active in meeting the 
ongoing challenges and impacts of 
our site through the use of real-time 
monitoring and alert systems focused 
on dust prevention and action and 
blasting notification SMS system. There 
is however always room for improvement 
and as such we utilise working groups 
made up of community and committee 
members and regulators to drive actions 
and ideas to improve performance.

Prudent and environmentally 
responsible operational management 
at Kanmantoo has helped reduce 
our overall rehabilitation expenditure, 
while building our reputation with the 
community as a good neighbour and an 
ethical mining operator.   

Progressive rehabilitation of the site 
has commenced and the Integrated 
Waste Landform (IWL) comprised 
of our waste rock and the tailings 
storage facility has seen considerable 
progress. The continued revegetation 
of the Mining Lease has seen further 
linkages of remnant woodland areas and 
enhancement of conserved remnant 
vegetation. The establishment of high 
quality native vegetation on adjacent 
land is assisting Hillgrove to return 10 
hectares of high quality rehabilitated 
land to the community for every hectare 
of native vegetation we have disturbed. 
The establishment of this vegetation as 
a community asset is being integrated 
into a “Community Master Plan” 
to ensure real benefit back to the 
impacted community and the natural 
environment. We continue to produce 
and harvest native seed as well as 
conduct wild seed collection to ensure 
there are sufficient propagules to enable 
this important work.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
diRECTORs’ REPORT

REViEW Of OpERaTiONS fOR THE yEaR aNd OuTlOOK (continued)

Strategic Vision
The Board has made the decision to 
simplify and consolidate operations with 
a Kanmantoo Operations focus. This 
strategy is designed to ensure all non-
essential expenditure is directly linked to 
near term income generating activities. 
Once the Giant Pit cutback is finalised 
and free cash is being generated the debt 
will be reduced and near mine exploration 
targets capable of supplying existing 
assets will be prioritised.

Even at current consensus pricing there is 
the potential to generate many multiples 
on our current market capitalisation. 
Unlike other companies who only targeted 
costs when the cycle bottomed, Hillgrove 
has been methodically cutting costs for 
several years. It is our intent to be able to 
do for twenty cents what any other can 
do for a dollar, whilst maintaining the very 
high standards we have set ourselves.

The Board has set the vision that any 
future growth must have a realistic 
expectation of delivering an enhanced 
outcome over and above the base case of 
significant cash generation.

Capital Raisings
In June 2015, the Company raised 
$10.08 million, as part of the refinancing 
package, through a non-renounceable 
entitlement issue on a  
3 for 11 basis, which resulted in the issue 
of 40,310,719 shares at 25.0 cents. 

There were no capital raisings in the year 
prior. 

24

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Corporate Review and 
Cost management
The Hillgrove Board and Management 
have continued to focus on improving 
Kanmantoo mine’s operational 
performance, increasing cashflow, 
protection of revenue streams with 
suitable hedging and positioning the 
Company for value generating shareholder 
returns. To this end the Company has 
retained a small core group of key 
executives, while rationalising all other 
activities and reducing employee, 
operational and corporate costs.  In 2015, 
the key areas of improvement and cost 
control which were put in place includes 
the following:

 ■ Reduction in Corporate and 

Exploration office roles from 14 down 
to 3 personnel;

 ■ Move of the Corporate Office as well 
as the vast majority of the externally 
sourced expertise to South Australia 
in 2015 – with access to high quality, 
moderately priced services in the state 
and the significant reduction in rent, 
travel and accommodation;

 ■ A reduction on the annual salary 

of the CEO/MD of 25% in 2015, as 
well as no CPI or annual increases in 
TFR for Key Management Personnel 
(KMP’s) or other employees since 
early 2013;

 ■ Reduction in the CEO’s maximum STI 
from 100% of TFR down to 60%;

 ■ Reduction in the number of Non-

Executive Director Board members 
from five in 2014 to four in 2015;

 ■ Reduction in individual Board 

remuneration of 20%;

 ■ Suspension of STI payments in 2015.

Along with these initiatives which have 
already been put in place, in 2016 
Hillgrove will continue with the following 
initiatives:

 ■ Deferring further salary reviews for all 
employees until at least mid-2016;

 ■ Divestment of the Indonesian 
exploration projects; and

 ■ Continued review of Kanmantoo and 

Corporate costs.

Risks 
The Company currently has a single 
operation asset, the Kanmantoo Copper 
Mine in South Australia. The operation 
provides the Company with all of its 
income. The operation consists of an 
open pit mine and processing plant 
located close to regional communities. 
Concentrate is transported by road in 
containers to the Port of Adelaide and 
then loaded onto ship via the port rotainer 
operation. The concentrate is then 
shipped to the receiver, typically located 
in China. Should any of these elements be 
subject to failure, the Company’s expected 
financial result could be impacted. 

The Company’s annual budget and 
related mine plans and production and 
operation outcomes are subject to a range 
of assumptions and expectations, all of 
which contain a level of uncertainty and 
therefore risk.  The Company adopts a 
risk management framework in order to 
identify, analyse, treat and monitor the 
risks applicable to the Group. The risks 
are formally reported and discussed with 
the Executive on a regular basis and with 
the Board and Audit and Risk Committee 
twice a year.  

The prices received for the Company’s 
commodities (copper, gold and silver) are 
dictated by global markets over which 
Hillgrove and its offtake partner, Freepoint 
Commodities LLC, have no influence. The 
Company takes active steps to hedge the 
copper price in Australian dollars against 
these fluctuations to reduce the direct 
impact on financial performance.

 
 
REViEW Of OpERaTiONS fOR THE yEaR aNd OuTlOOK (continued)

25

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

Hillgrove has begun discussions with its 
key stakeholders including employees, 
major contractors, suppliers and service 
providers, financiers and the South 
Australian Government to seek their 
assistance with this process to ensure 
the Company can bridge any cash flow 
gaps this year and into 2017. 

These key stakeholder discussions have 
advanced and stakeholders and they 
have indicated their favourable response 
to ensure the continued operation of the 
Kanmantoo Mine. 

If Hillgrove can successfully implement 
the package of measures with these 
stakeholder groups, it should be able 
to generate sufficient cash flow from 
operations to continue operating the 
Kanmantoo Mine. Considerable progress 
had been made in these stakeholder 
discussions.  The Company’s financiers 
are generally supportive of the pre-
emptive action being taken.

The directors remain confident that 
there is significant value in the mine 
and believe that the best outcome for 
the company as a whole is achieved by 
implementing the revised LOM plan and 
reducing costs with the cooperation and 
support of all stakeholders.  

For further information refer to Going 
Concern Note (a) (i) on page 50.

dividends
There were no dividends declared or paid 
during the current period or in the prior 
year. 

Significant Changes in the 
State of affairs
Other than those matters listed in this 
report there have been no significant 
changes in the affairs of the Group during 
the period.

Events Subsequent to 
Reporting date
Following a two-day trading halt on the 
ASX on the 31 March 2016, Hillgrove 
announced that since February 2016 
it had not achieved the budgeted 
production levels at its Kanmantoo 
copper / gold mine for the following 
reasons:

 ■ As advised in late 2015, the 

independent evaluation of the 
orebody led to the deferral of 
revenue;

 ■ To address this deferral the previous 
life of mine plan was amended, 
which intensified mining in a smaller 
footprint; 

 ■ Following detailed implementation, 
planning and analysis of recent 
actual performance, it has been 
determined that the planned mining 
sequence was too aggressive; and

as a result of this, the life of mine (LOM) 
plan has been revised to one which 
has a simpler sequence and is based 
upon currently achieved mining rates, 
but which brings forward waste removal 
and in consequence defers copper 
production.

In February 2016, as a consequence 
of this lower production, current 
liabilities increased during the month 
and Hillgrove was in breach of its 
month end, $25,000,000 trade creditor 
financial covenant.  
Subsequent to the end of February, 
Hillgrove obtained a waiver from 
its financiers that removed the 
$25,000,000 month end limit for 
February 2016.

The waiver required the Group to 
achieve 95% (formerly 85%) of its 
payable copper production target, as set 
out in its LOM plan, for the three month 
period from March to May 2016. During 
March 2016 Hillgrove determined that, 
for the reasons outlined above, the LOM 
plan was too aggressive and the 95% 
of its payable copper production target 
would not be achieved.

As a consequence Hillgrove revised its 
LOM plan to lower targets in line with 
recent performance. While this revised 
LOM plan still shows Kanmantoo will 
generate significant value and has 
exploration potential, the anticipated 
near term production levels coupled 
with the need to continue the pre-strip 
and cut-back of the Giant pit are likely 
to result in a cash shortfall in 2016 and 
2017 at current performance levels and 
commodity prices unless cost-reduction 
measures are implemented to improve 
cash flow from operations.

The Board has agreed a process to 
address the anticipated cash flow 
shortfall. As part of this, an independent 
review of the Company’s revised plans 
and forecasts is to be undertaken 
and a range of measures are being 
implemented to reduce costs and 
generate proceeds from asset sales. 

 
 
diRECTORs’ REPORT

REViEW Of OpERaTiONS fOR THE yEaR aNd OuTlOOK (continued)

26

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Events Subsequent to Reporting date (continued)
REViSEd lifE Of miNE plaN aNd OuTlOOK fOR 2016
As a result of the revision to the mine and financial plan (referred to above), the 
CY16 guidance issued on 26 February for the Kanmantoo Copper Mine has been 
revised as follows:

Guidance

Ore Mined

Ore Processed

Copper contained in concentrates 
produced

Gold contained in concentrates 
produced

C1 Costs (at a 0.75 exchange rate)

Capital Projects (excludes pre-strip)*

Previous

Current

2,900kt to 3,100kt

2,500kt to 2,700kt

3,350kt to 3,550kt

2,850kt to 3,050kt

16,500t to  
18,500t

11,000oz to  
13,500oz

US$1.75 to  
US$2.05 per lb

$1.0 million to  
$1.4 million

14,500t to  
16,500t

8,000oz to  
10,000oz

US$1.85 to  
US$2.15 per lb

No change

Environmental Regulation
The consolidated entity’s operations 
are subject to significant environmental 
and other regulations. The consolidated 
entity has a policy of engaging 
appropriately experienced contractors 
and consultants to advise on and 
ensure compliance with environmental 
regulations in respect of its exploration 
and development activities. There have 
been no reports of material breaches 
of environmental regulations in the 
financial period and at the date of this 
report.

For the reasons outlined in the Events Subsequent to Balance Date section above, 
the tonnes mined and processed have been revised downwards.

As a result of the lower ore tonnes mined and processed, copper and gold 
production is now forecast to be lower in CY16., as some of the previous forecast 
CY16  copper and gold metal production is deferred to later years (i.e., there is no 
change to the LOM copper and gold production, just a deferral  to later years).

Gold production is forecast to be significantly higher this financial year relative to 
prior years (by approximately 2,000 ounces, or 500 tonnes of copper equivalent 
based on existing spot prices).

In addition to the above forecast capital expenditure, Hillgrove will continue to 
undertake capital development in pre-strip operations for the Giant Pit ($20.5 million 
in CY16). Deferred mining is forecast to be $10.8 million in CY16. 

The 2016 financial year will be one of continued consolidation,while focussing on the 
Kanmantoo operation and advancing of the Giant Pit cutback giving the Company 
a solid footing for building production rates and improving cash flow beyond this 
year.  As part of this year’s plan, Hillgrove aims to assess the potential for resource 
expansion with evaluation of targets on the Kanmantoo mining lease and the 
surrounding regional tenement.

 
 
 
27

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

iNdEmNifiCaTiON aNd iNSuRaNCE Of OffiCERS aNd audiTORS

Officers’ and auditors’ 
indemnity
Article 7.3(a) of the Company’s 
Constitution provides that “To the 
extent permitted by law, the Company 
must indemnify each Relevant Officer 
against: (i) a Liability of that person; 
and (ii) Legal Costs of that person”. 
The Company indemnifies every 
officer against any liability or costs 
and expenses incurred by the person 
in his or her capacity as officer of the 
Company:

 ■ in defending any proceedings, 

whether civil or criminal, in which 
judgement is given in favour of the 
person or in which the person is 
acquitted, or

 ■ in connection with an application, 
in relation to such proceedings, in 
which the Court grants relief to the 
person under the Corporations Law.

directors’ and Officers’ 
insurance
During the financial year, the Company 
paid a premium in respect of a contract 
for directors’ and officers’ liability 
insurance.  It is a condition of this Policy 
that each Insured and/or any persons 
at their direction or on their behalf 
shall not disclose the existence of any 
Coverage Section, its Limits of Liability, 
the nature of the liability indemnified, or 
the premium payable.

proceedings on Behalf of 
the Company
No person has applied to the Court 
under section 237 of the Corporations 
Act 2001 for leave to bring proceedings 
on behalf of the Company, or to 
intervene in any proceedings to which 
the Company is a party, for the purpose 
of taking responsibility on behalf of 
the Company for all or part of those 
proceedings. No proceedings have been 
brought or intervened in on behalf of 
the Company with leave of the Court 
under section 237 of the Corporations 
Act 2001.

Non-audit Services
The Company may decide to employ 
the auditor on assignments additional 
to their statutory audit duties where the 
auditor’s expertise and experience with 
the Company and/or the consolidated 
entity are important. Details of the 
amounts paid or payable to the auditor 
(Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu) for audit 
and non-audit services provided during 
the period are set out in Note 6.

The Audit and Risk Committee has 
considered the position and is satisfied 
that the provision of the non-audit 
services is compatible with the general 
standard of independence for auditors 
imposed by the Corporations Act 
2001. The Directors are satisfied that 
the provision of non-audit services by 
the auditor, as set out below, did not 
compromise the auditor independence 
requirements of the Corporations Act 
2001. 

None of the services provided 
undermine the general principles 
relating to auditor independence as 
set out in Professional Statement 
F1, including reviewing or auditing 
the auditor’s own work, acting in a 
management or decision-making 
capacity for the Company, acting as 
advocate for the Company or jointly 
sharing economic risk and rewards.  
A copy of the Auditors’ Independence 
Declaration as required under section 
307C of the Corporations Act 2001 is  
set out on page 44.  

The Board is committed to following 
ASX Corporate Governance Council 
Corporate Governance Principles 
and Recommendations. The 
Company adopts these best practice 
recommendations in its policies and 
procedures where it is appropriate to do 
so, given the size and type of Company 
and its operations.  

The Board has a process of reviewing 
all policies and corporate governance 
processes.  Charters are reviewed 
and updated periodically.  These 
charters provide the framework and 
roles of respective committees for the 
appointment of Non-Executive Directors 
to undertake specific responsibilities on 
behalf of the Board.

Details of the corporate governance 
policies adopted by the Company 
and referred to in this statement are 
available on the Company’s website at 
www.hillgroveresources.com.

 
 
Directors’ report

28

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

RemuneRation RepoRt (audited)
The Company’s approach to 
remuneration is outlined in our 
Remuneration and Benefits Policy on 
our website, and is based on providing 
competitive rewards that motivate 
talented employees to deliver superior 
results.

at 2013 levels,

The Giant Pit cutback which continued throughout 2015 required a significant cash 
investment  which has made Hillgrove’s challenge even more difficult and a number 
of remuneration related, cost reduction decisions were taken to meet this challenge, 
including:

 ■ Continuing the pay freeze which was instituted in 2014, with salaries remaining 

 ■ Not granting any STI’s or LTI’s during 2015,

 ■ Reducing staff both at site through natural attrition and through the closure of the 
Sydney corporate office and absorbing many of the functions previously carried 
out in the Sydney Office into the site,

 ■ The Managing Director & CEO taking a 13% reduction in salary and a 20% 

reduction in LTI and STI on appointment, and a further 15% temporary salary 
reduction in December 2015,

 ■ The Board agreeing to a 20% temporary reduction in their salaries, and

 ■ Reducing the Board from five to four non-executive directors.

The Board looks forward to a return to better times but in the meantime it must 
act within the constraints of the current environment to ensure employees are 
remunerated in a manner that encourages active participation, measurable 
contribution, overall satisfaction and retention. 

Employee benefits are assessed on a regular basis against benchmarking data 
evidenced within the broader mining industry and reviewed given the context above.

The Hon. Dean C Brown, AO 
Chairman of the Board 
Chairman, Remuneration Committee 

Responsibility for overall remuneration 
lies with the board supported by the 
board remuneration committee. The 
board is committed to ensuring that the 
company’s remuneration policies are 
fair, responsible and competitive and 
that we communicate remuneration 
arrangements with full transparency.  

The Remuneration and Benefits policy 
aims to:

 ■ Align employee remuneration to the 
principles and measurement of Total 
Shareholder Return (TSR);

 ■ Present progressive incentive 

structures to encourage outstanding 
performance, and hence improved 
TSR;

 ■ Mitigate the business risks 

associated with poor performance, 
market movements and employee 
turnover.

These aims need to be balanced against 
the need to continually reduce operating 
cost at all times, but particularly so in 
challenging times, and the 2015 year 
has certainly been a very challenging 
period for the Company and for the 
mining industry in general, characterised 
by low commodity prices and a stagnant 
world economy.

 
 
 
 
 Title (at year end)

Chairman 
Chairman Remuneration Committee 
Member Audit and Risk Committee 
Chairman Nomination Committee

Director 
Member Remuneration Committee 
Member Audit and Risk Committee 

Member Nomination Committee (1)

Director 
Member Remuneration Committee 
Member Audit and Risk Committee  
Member Nomination Committee

Director 
Chairman Audit and Risk Committee 
Member Nomination Committee 
Member Nomination Committee (1)

29

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

Change in 2015  
Financial Year

Full Year 
Appointed as 
Remuneration Committee 
Chairman  
30 July 2015

Full Year 
Resigned as 
Remuneration Committee 
Chairman 30 July 2015 
Appointed to Nomination 
Committee 30 July 2015

Full Year

Full Year 
Committee Chairman  
30 May 2015 
Appointed to Nomination 
Committee 30 July 2015

RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
The Directors of Hillgrove Resources 
and its Consolidated Entities present the 
Remuneration Report for the Company 
for the year ended 31 December 2015, 
which forms part of the director’s 
report and has been audited in 
accordance with section 308 (3C) of the 
Corporations Act 2001.

The Hon.  
Dean Brown, AO

Non-executive 
Directors

Mr J E Gooding

1.0   introduction
1.1   Scope
This Remuneration Report sets out, 
the remuneration arrangements in 
place for key management personnel of 
Hillgrove Resources Limited (Hillgrove 
or the Company) during the financial 
period ended 31 December 2015 (2015 
Financial Year – CY15).

1.2   Key management  
peRSonnel

Key management personnel have 
authority and responsibility for planning, 
directing and controlling the activities 
of the Company and its entities, 
and comprise the Non-executive 
Directors, the Executive Director and 
Key Management Personnel (KMP) 
Executives. Details of the KMP as at year 
end, those that departed during the year, 
or any changes after year end, are set 
out in the table below.

Mr M W Loomes 
(Non-independent)

Mr P Baker

Executive Directors

Mr S P McClare

KMP Executives

Mr P Kiley

CEO and Managing Director 
Member Treasury Committee

Appointed 27 May 2015

Chief Financial Officer and Company 
Secretary 
Member Treasury Committee

Appointed 1 December 
2015 (2)

Mr L Wallace

General Manager, Kanmantoo

Appointed 1 August 2015

(1)  Following the departure of Mr D N Sneddon the Board decided the remaining four  

Non-Executive Directors should sit on all of the Board committees.

(2)  Employed on a contract basis from 12 June 2015 to 30 November 2015 and as an 

employee from 1 December 2015.

Key Management Personnel: Departures during the 2015 Financial Year

Name

 Title 

Description

Mr D N Snedden

Director 
Chairman Audit and Risk Committee 
Chairman Treasury Committee 
Member Remuneration Committee 
Member Nomination Committee

Mr G C Hall

CEO and Managing Director 
Member Treasury Committee

Mr R L Middleton

Chief Financial Officer

Ms S Smith

Company Secretary and Group 
Finance Manager

Resigned 30 May 2015

Resigned 26 May 2015

Resigned 8 September 
2015

Resigned 31 August 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ report

RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
2.0  Remuneration  
governance
This section of the Remuneration 
Report describes the role of the Board, 
the Remuneration Committee, and 
the use of consultants when making 
remuneration decisions.

Further information on the Remuneration Committee’s role, responsibilities and 
membership is contained in the Corporate Governance Statement which is available 
on the Company’s website www.hillgroveresources.com.au. 

The Remuneration Committee Charter and Remuneration and Benefits Policy can be 
viewed in the Corporate Governance section of the Company’s website  
www.hillgroveresources.com.au.

30

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

2.1   Role of tHe BoaRd  

and tHe RemuneRation  
committee
The Board is responsible for the 
Company’s remuneration strategy 
and policy. Consistent with this 
responsibility, the Board has established 
a Remuneration Committee which 
comprises a majority of independent 
non-executive Directors.

The role of the Remuneration Committee 
is set out in its Charter, which was last 
revised and approved by the Board on 
28 March 2014. In summary the role of 
the Remuneration Committee is to:

 ■ Review and approve the Company’s 
remuneration strategy and policy;

 ■ Consider and propose to the Board 

the remuneration of the CEO 
and consider and approve the 
remuneration of all designated senior 
executives;

 ■ Review and approve Hillgrove 

Resources’ short term incentive 
(STI) and long term incentive (LTI) 
schemes, including amounts, terms 
and offer processes and procedures;

 ■ Determine and approve equity 

awards in accordance with policy 
and shareholder approvals, including 
testing of vesting and termination 
provisions; and

 ■ Review and make recommendations 
to the Board regarding remuneration 
of Non-executive Directors.

2.2   uSe of RemuneRation conSultantS
From 1 July 2011, all proposed remuneration consultancy contracts (within the 
meaning of section 206K of the Corporations Act 2001) are subject to prior approval 
by the Board or Remuneration Committee in accordance with the Corporation Act 
2001.

During the year ended 31 December 2015, no remuneration consultancy contracts 
were entered into by the Company and no disclosure is required under section 300A 
(1) (h) of the Corporations Act 2001.

3.0  non-executive director Remuneration
3.1  non-executive diRectoR RemuneRation  

pHiloSopHy/policy

Advisor/Consultant

Service Provided in CY15

Fees are set by 
reference to key 
considerations

Remuneration is 
structured to preserve 
independence 

Fees for Non-executive Directors are based on the nature of 
the directors’ work and their responsibilities. The remuneration 
rates reflect the complexity of the Company’s and the extent of 
the geographical regions in which the Company operates. 

In determining the level of fees, survey data on comparable 
companies is considered. Non-executive Directors’ fees 
are recommended by the Remuneration Committee and 
determined by the Board. Shareholders approve the aggregate 
amount available for the remuneration of Non-executive 
Directors.

To preserve independence and impartiality, Non-executive 
Directors are not entitled to any form of incentive payments 
and the level of their fees is not set with references to 
measures of Company performance. 
The Company does not have a minimum shareholding 
requirement for Directors.

Advisor/Consultant

Service Provided in CY14

Aggregate Board 
and Committee Fees 
are approved by 
shareholders

The total amount of fees paid to non-executive directors in 
the year ended 31 December 2015 is within the aggregate 
amount approved by shareholders at the AGM in 2009 of 
$450,000 a year.  The individual amounts paid to directors 
have not increased since January 2011.

 
 
 
 
 
 
RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
3.2  non-executive diRectoR feeS and otHeR BenefitS

Elements

Details

Board/Committee fees per 
annum* 

Board Chairman Fee

$120,000 (1)

Board NED Base Fee

$60,000 (1)

Post-employment Benefits

Details

Superannuation

Superannuation contributions are made at a rate of 
9.5% of base fee (but only up to the Government’s 
prescribed maximum contributions limit) which satisfies 
the Company’s statutory superannuation contributions.  
Contributions are included in the base fee.

Other Benefits

Details

Equity Instruments

Other fees/benefits

Non-executive directors do not receive any performance 
related remuneration or performance rights.

No payments were made to non-executive directors 
during the 2015 financial year for extra services or 
special exertions.  Directors are entitled to be reimbursed 
for approved Company related expenditure e.g. flights 
and airfares to attend Board meetings.

(1)   Effective 1 December 2015 and in light of the low commodity price environment, the 

Board agreed to a temporary 20% reduction in fees, which reduced the Chairman’s fee 
from $150,000 to $120,000 and the NED fee from $75,000 to $60,000.

*   Fees include all committee memberships with no extra payments made for number or 

position.

3.3   non-executive diRectoR total RemuneRation  

- SHoRt-teRm ned BenefitS

The table below compares the 12 month period of CY15 to the 11 month period of 
CY14, whilst CY15 looks to be higher it is lower on an annualised basis.

Non-Executive Directors

The Hon.  
Dean Brown, AO

Mr J E Gooding

Mr M W Loomes

(Non-independent) 

Mr P Baker

Mr D N Snedden

(Resigned  31 May 2015)

Year*

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

Fees (1)

$147,500

$137,500

$73,750

$68,750

$73.316

$68,750

$73,750

$13,365

$31,250

$68,750

Non-monetary 
benefits

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total

$147,500

$137,500

$73,750

$68,750

$73,316

$68,750

$73,750

$13,365

$31,250

$68,750

(1)   Effective 1 December 2015, the Board agreed to a 20% fee reduction in the light of 
the economic conditions and low commodity price environment, which reduced the 
Chairman’s fee from $150,000 to $120,000 and the NED fee from $75,000 to $60,000.

31

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

4.0  executive  

Remuneration
4.1  executive Kmp 
RemuneRation  
fRamewoRK
Hillgrove Resources’ executive 
remuneration strategy is designed to 
attract, retain and motivate a highly 
qualified and experienced group of 
executives. The Company has reduced 
its Executive and Corporate team size 
over the past years, resulting in the 
remaining smaller team undertaking 
much broader roles.  Hence 
remuneration levels reflect the broad 
experience needed in these roles.  
The Board believes this is particularly 
important while focussing on tight cost 
control, lower commodity prices and a 
difficult resources market.

Fixed remuneration components 
are determined having regard to the 
specific skills and competencies of 
the senior executive with reference 
to both internal and external 
relativities, particularly local market 
conditions. The ‘at risk’ components of 
remuneration are strategically directed 
to encourage management (and all 
participating executives) to strive for 
superior performance by rewarding 
for the achievement of targets that are 
challenging, clearly defined, understood 
and communicated, risk balanced, and 
within the ambit of accountability of the 
relevant executive.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ report

RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
Executive KMP will be considered for three (3) categories of remuneration, illustrated as follows:

executive Kmp Remuneration objectives

32

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Shareholder value creation 
through equity components

An appropriate balance 
of ‘fixed’ and ‘at-risk’ 
components

The creation of reward 
differentiation to drive 
performance values and 
behaviours

Attract, motivate and retain 
executive talent 

Total Target Remuneration is set by reference to the relevant geographic market

Fixed

At Risk

Total Fixed Remuneration (TFR)

Short Term Incentives (STI)

Long Term Incentives (LTI)

Fixed Remuneration is set based on 
relevant market relativities, reflecting 
responsibilities, performance, 
qualifications, experience and 
location.

STI performance criteria are set by 
reference to Company, Departmental 
and individual performance targets 
relevant to the specific position.

LTI targets are linked to both external 
(relative Total Shareholder Return 
(TSR)) out performance measures 
and internal EPS targets.

Remuneration will be delivered as:

Base salary plus any fixed elements, 
including superannuation or 
equivalents.

Cash.

Equity is held subject to service and 
performance for 3 years from grant 
date. The equity is ‘at risk’ until 
vesting. Performance is tested once 
at the vesting date.

Strategic Intent and Market Positioning 

TFR will generally be positioned 
at the Median level compared to 
relevant market based data, but 
will consider individual experience, 
expertise and performance in the 
role.

Performance incentive is directed to 
achieving challenging targets. TFR 
+ STI is intended to be at or about 
the median of relevant benchmark. 
A “gate opener” principle based on 
target EBITDA is used. 

LTI is intended to align Executive 
KMP with shareholder value and 
returns. TFR + STI + LTI is intended 
to be positioned in the 1st quartile.

Total Target Remuneration (TTR) 
TTR is intended to be positioned at the 1st quartile  
compared to relevant market based comparisons.

 
 
RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
4.2  RemuneRation compoSition mix and timing  

of Receipt
4.2.1  Remuneration mix

The Company endeavours to provide an appropriate and competitive mix of 
remuneration components balanced between fixed and ‘at risk’. The broad 
remuneration composition mix of the Company’s Executive KMP can be illustrated as 
follows: 

Remuneration Mix (Actual) CY 2015

Position

CEO/MD

Senior Executives 
(KMP)

TFR (Cash)

STI (Cash)

LTI (Equity)

100%

Up to 60% of TFR Up to 60% of TFR

100%

Up to 50% of TFR Up to 50% of TFR

Note KMPs are classified as Executives for the purposes of remuneration disclosures 
under the Corporations Act, however not all KMPs are members of the Company’s 
Executive Committee.  

4.2.2  Remuneration – timing of receipt of the benefit

The three complementary components of Executive KMP remuneration are ‘earned’ 
over multiple time ranges. This illustrated in the following chart.

YEAR 1

YEARS 2 & 3

January 
2015

January 
2016

January 
2017

January 
2018

TFR

Performance 
measured (1 year)

TFR

STI

LTI

Performance measured  
(3 years)

STI and LTI  
performance period  
starts and  
new TFR effective

STI service  
period ends

STI service  
period ends

LTI performance  
period ends

33

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

4.3  total fixed  

RemuneRation 
Total Fixed Remuneration (TFR) 
includes all remuneration and benefits 
paid to an Executive KMP calculated 
on a Total Employment Cost (TEC) 
basis. In addition to base salary and 
superannuation, retirement benefits 
are paid in line with the statutory 
Superannuation Guarantee legislation 
prevailing. 

There were no increases to TFR during 
the last two years due to economic 
conditions and company performance.  
Salaries remain at 2013 levels. The 
Remuneration Committee has reviewed 
the STI plan achievements through 2015 
and determined there will be no STI 
awards for 2015 (refer below).  

4.4  vaRiaBle ‘at RiSK’  
RemuneRation
As set out in the Section 4.2, variable 
remuneration forms a portion of the 
CEO/MD and other Executive KMP 
remuneration opportunity. Apart 
from being market competitive the 
purpose of variable remuneration is to 
direct executives behaviours towards 
maximising Hillgrove Resources’ 
value and return to shareholders, by 
targeting short, medium and long term 
performance measures. The key aspects 
are summarised below.

 
 
 
 
 
34

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Directors’ report

RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
4.4.1  Short term incentives (Sti)

STI Programme

Purpose

The STI arrangements are designed to reward executives for the achievement against annual performance 
targets set by the Board at the beginning of the performance period. The STI program is reviewed annually by 
the Remuneration Committee and approved by the Board. 

All STI awards to the CEO/MD and other KMP are approved by the Remuneration Committee and the Board.  

Performance Target 
Areas

The key performance objectives of the Company vary by level but are currently directed to achieving ambitious 
targets, complemented by the achievement of individual performance goals and Company performance.

The performance targets for FY2015 (ending 31 December 2015) were set in the following areas:

 ■ Safety, Environment and Community

 ■ Operational Performance

 ■ Financial Performance

 ■ Capital Management Initiatives

 ■ Planning and Exploration

 ■ Marketing and Investor Relations

Any anomalies or discretionary elements are approved and validated by the Board.

Rewarding 
Performance

Based on the performance target areas set out above, a number of targets are set for each area which 
generally includes a Threshold, Target and Stretch target.  An STI measure can only start to be accumulated 
provided the Threshold level is achieved. 

A “gate opener” principle applies whereby an STI will only start to be awarded to the CEO and KMPs if a 
threshold level of EBITDA is achieved.

All targets are set having regard to prior year performance, market conditions and Board approved budgets. 
Specific targets are not provided in detail due to commercial sensitivity.

Validation of performance against the measures set for the CEO/MD and KMPs involves a review calculation 
and recommendation by the CEO, reviewed and approved by the Remuneration Committee with final Board 
sign-off.

The actual STI awards for KMP in 2015 are as set out in the following table.  

Executive KMP STI Opportunity and Actual 2015 STI awarded – covering the financial year to 31 December 2015 (FY15). 

Position

Maximum STI  
% of FY15 TFR

STI awarded as  
a % of potential

Actual STI award  
in 2015 ($)

Executive Directors

Mr S McClare

CEO and Managing Director

KMP Executives

Mr P Kiley

Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary

Mr L Wallace

General Manager, Kanmantoo Copper Mine

Mr R L S Middleton (1)

Chief Financial Officer

Ms S Smith (2)

Company Secretary and Group Finance Manager

60%

50%

50%

50%

20%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

(1)  Resigned 8 September 2015

(2)  Resigned 31 August 2015

 
 
RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
4.4.2  long term incentives (lti)

The LTI provides an annual opportunity for selected executives and key staff to receive an equity award deferred for three years 
that is intended to align a significant portion of an executives overall remuneration to shareholder value over the longer term. 
All LTI awards remain at risk and subject to clawback (forfeiture or lapse) until vesting and must meet or exceed relative TSR 
performance hurdles over the vesting period, along with other performance criteria.

Long Term Incentives (LTI)

Purpose

To retain key executives and align their remuneration opportunity with shareholder value.

Types of equity awarded

LTI has been provided under the Company’s Executive Long Term Incentive Plan. See Section 5.1 for 
further details. 
Under the LTI selected senior executives and key staff are offered performance rights (to acquire 
ordinary shares of Hillgrove Resources Limited).

Time of grant

In 2016 equity grants will be made after the 2016 AGM.

Time restrictions

Equity grants awarded to the CEO/MD and other KMPs are tested against the performance hurdles set 
at the end of three years. If the performance hurdles are not met at the vesting date, performance rights 
lapse, subject to Board evaluation.  
A service and performance requirement is imposed on all equity grants.

Performance hurdles and 
vesting schedule

There were no equity grants made in 2015. The most recent equity grants were made in 2014 and 
were  subject to the following performance conditions which  were applied equally, with 50% against 
Total Shareholder Return (TSR) ranked against the S&P/ASX Small Resources Index and 50% against 
Cumulative Earnings per Share (EPS) with the following performance conditions:

Ranking of TSR Against S&P/ASX Small Resources Index (3 Years)

35

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

Performance

< 50th percentile

at the 50th percentile

50th to 75th percentile

% of equity to vest

0%

50%

Additional 2% vesting on a straight line interpolation for each 
percentile ranking above the 50th percentile

> 75th percentile

100%

HGO EPS Cumulative

% of equity to vest

Ranking of EPS (3 Years)

< $0.03 per share

At $0.03 per share

$0.03 - $0.04 per share

0%

50%

Additional 5.0% on a straight line interpolation for each increment 
in EPS of $0.001 above $0.03 per share 

> $0.04 per share

100%

Performance rights vest as shares if the time restrictions and relevant performance hurdles are met. 
Special provisions, in accordance with company policies, may apply in the event of termination of 
employment or a Change of Control.

There are no voting rights attached to performance rights.

The size of individual LTI grants for the CEO/MD and other KMPs is determined in accordance with the 
Board approved remuneration strategy mix. See Section 4.2.

The target LTI $ value for each executive once determined is then converted into a number of 
performance rights based on a valuation methodology determined at the grant date, as follows:

Performance right allocation = LTI $ value determined /Hillgrove Resources share price at grant date. 

Voting rights

LTI Allocation 

 
 
Directors’ report

RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
vesting outcomes – performance rights granted 2009 – 2014

36

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Grant Date

24/09/10

03/10/10

24/06/11

21/11/11

10/10/12

Vesting Dates

Vesting Conditions

Sep 2013

Sep 2013

May 2014

May 2014

Oct 2015

TSR Hurdle, KPI, Service

TSR Hurdle, KPI, Service

TSR Hurdle, 2 KPI’s, Service

TSR Hurdle, 2 KPI’s, Service

TSR Hurdle, Service

19/12/12

Jul 2013- Dec 2014

KPI (1), Service

21/06/13

22/07/13

24/06/14

14/07/14

Jun 2014

Jul 2016

Mar 2017

Mar 2017

Service

TSR Hurdle, Service

TSR and EPS Hurdle, Service

TSR and EPS Hurdle, Service

(1)   KPI’s – unit cost reduction and production performance targets.

Vesting 
Conditions 
Tested

Exercise  
Price

Relative TSR 
percentile 
ranking

% Vested  
TSR Hurdle

% Vested 
KPI Hurdle 
Service

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

8

8

8

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

26.3

26.3

74.1

75

Below median

N/A

N/A

TBD

TBD

TBD

0%

0%

98%

100%

50%

N/A

N/A

TBD

TBD

TBD

70%

0%

60%

60%

0%

88.3%

100%

TBD

TBD

TBD

4.5  otHeR RemuneRation elementS and diScloSuReS Relevant to executive Kmp
Specific ‘clawback’ provisions proposed under Corporations Act 2001 amendments will be automatically complied with upon 
legislation, if relevant.

4.5.1  Hedging and margin lending prohibition

Under the Hillgrove Resources Limited – Trading Policy and in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, equity granted under the 
Company’s equity incentive schemes must remain at risk until vested, or until exercised if performance options or performance rights. 
It is a specific condition of grant that no schemes are entered into, by an individual or their associates, that specifically protects the 
unvested value of shares, options or performance rights allocated.

The Company, as required under the ASX Listing Rules, has a formal policy setting down how and when employees may deal in 
Hillgrove Resources securities.  

Hillgrove Resources Limited’s Share Trading Policy is available on the Company’s website www.hillgroveresources.com.au under 
Investor Centre, Corporate Governance. 

4.6  RelationSHip Between peRfoRmance and executive Kmp RemuneRation
4.6.1  Hillgrove Resources financial performance (31 January 2012 to 31 december 2015)

12 months to 31 January

11 months to

12 months to

Sales Revenue ($M)

Underlying EBITDA ($M)

Reported net profit / (loss) ($M)

Return on equity (ROE) % (2)

Basic earnings per share (EPS) (cents)

Diluted EPS (cents)

Share price as at 31 December (cents) (3)

2012

11.6

(8.9)

(8.5)

-4.0%

 (1.0)

(1.0)

172

2013

115.4

17.1

(11.8)

-5.3%

(1.2)

(1.2)

100

2014

139.2

37.8

1.5

0.7%

1.1

1.1

70

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2015

166.8

52.3

3.8

1.6%

2.6

2.5

45

139.5

18.8

(127.4) (1)

-67.7% (1)

(75.4) (1)

(75.4) (1)

16

-64.4%

Total shareholder return (TSR) % (Annual)

-27.9%

-43.2%

-30.4%

-35.3%

(1) 

Includes one off impairment charge of $112.9m. 

(3)  After 8 for 1 share consolidation effective on 17 September 2014.

(2)  Based on average total equity

4.6.2  Hillgrove Resources performance and relationship to executive Kmp remuneration

No STI’s or LTI’s were granted during 2015.

 
 
37

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
4.7  Kmp executive RemuneRation taBleS – audited
As the table below compares the 12 month period of CY15 to the 11 month period of CY14.

Fixed Remuneration

Short-term

Long-term

Total

Year

Salary and 
Fees

Non-
monetary 
benefits

Super-
annuation 
Benefits

Termination 
Benefits

Long 
Service 
Leave

Directors

The Hon. D C Brown

Mr J E Gooding

Mr M W Loomes

Mr P Baker

Mr D N Snedden

Mr E J Zemancheff

Total

Executive Directors

Mr S McClare

Mr G C Hall

Total

Other key management personnel

Mr P G Kiley

Mr L A Wallace

Mr R L S Middleton

Mrs S Smith

Total

KMP Total

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

122,500

110,300

73,750

68,750

66,955

62,851

67,351

12,206

28,539

62,851

-

17,163

426,050

396,972

435,088

368,750

408,219 (1)

502,995

843,307

871,745

26,227

-

283,675

276,760

330,557 (2)

377,667

184,417 (3)

209,706

824,876

864,133

CY15

2,094,233

CY14

2,132,850

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

25,000

27,200

-

-

6,361

5,899

6,398

1,159

2,711

5,899

-

7,837

46,831

53,893

30,006

25,416

15,630

24,088

45,636

49,504

2,492

-

26,949

16,923

12,485 (2)

16,500

22,500 (3)

25,416

64,426

58,839

156,893

162,236

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

147,500

137,500

73,750

68,750

73,316

68,750

73,749

13,365

31,250

68,750

-

25,000

472,881

450,865

465,094

394,166

423,849

527,083

888,943

921,249

28,719

-

310,624

293,683

343,042

394,167

206,917

235,122

889,302

922,972

2,251,126

2,295,086

(1) 

Includes $136,349 termination pay.

(2) 

Includes $55,039 salary and $485 superannuation paid on termination.

(3) 

Includes $33,417 salary and $2,500 superannuation paid on termination.

 
 
38

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Directors’ report

RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
4.7  Kmp executive RemuneRation taBleS – audited (continued)

Variable Remuneration

Total

Short-term

Equity Compensation

Total

Year

Bonus

Value of 
Option

Value of 
Performance 
Shares

Directors

The Hon. D C Brown

Mr J E Gooding

Mr M W Loomes

Mr P Baker

Mr D N Snedden

Mr E J Zemancheff

Total

Executive Directors

Mr S P McClare

Mr G C Hall

Total

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

93,375

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

87,500

13,069

-

(451,423) (2)

110,000

182,273

-

(363,923)

Other key management personnel

CY14

203,375

195,342

Mr P G Kiley

Mr L A Wallace

Mr R L S Middleton

Mrs S Smith

Total

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

CY14

CY15

-

-

-

31,431

-

-

-

-

-

(265,446) (4)

93,375

105,965

-

(82,644)

30,243

30,970

-

(348,090)

KMP Total

CY15

-

(712,013)

CY14

155,049

136,935

CY14

358,424

332,277

(4)  The value of the performance rights forfeited on termination.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

147,500

137,500

73,750

68,750

73,316

68,750

73,749

13,365

31,250

68,750

-

25,000

472,881

450,865

87,500

552,594

106,444

500,610

(451,423)

(27,574)

292,273

819,356

(363,923)

525,020

398,717 1,319,966

-

-

-

28,719

-

310,624

31,431

325,114

(265,446)

77,596

199,340

593,507

(82,644)

124,273

61,213

296,337

(348,090)

541,212

291,984 1,214,958

(712,013) 1,539,113

690,701 2,985,787

Proportion of Total 
Remuneration

Performance 
Related

Equity 
Related

%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

-

-

0%

18%

0%

13%

-

-

0%

-

0%

10%

0%

15%

0%

10%

-

-

-

-

%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

-

-

0%

2%

0%

22%

-

-

0%

-

0%

0%

0%

17%

0%

10%

-

-

-

-

 
 
RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
5.0  equity plan disclosures
5.1  employee SHaRe ScHemeS opeRated By tHe gRoup

Plan Details

Type of Instruments

Details

Purpose

Employee share plan and share 
issues

General Employee Share Plan 
(GESP)

Hillgrove Resources Option and 
Performance Rights Plan 

Option and Performance 
Rights Plan (OPRP)

Refer 4.4.2

To incentivise and align part of employee 
remuneration to shareholder value

To provide equity incentive subject to meeting 
predetermined service and performance 
conditions.

5.2  eSS gRantS to Kmp
5.2.1  analysis of share-based payments granted as remuneration

Details of vesting profile of the performance rights granted as remuneration to each Key Management Personnel are set out 
below:

Key Executives

Grant Date

Number granted

Number vested in 
financial year

Number forfeited 
in financial year

Balance at  
year end

Intrinsic value  
at year end

Performance Rights

39

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

125,000

300,000

312,500

(87,000)

(37,500)

-

-

-

-

737,500

(87,500)

(37,000)

Mr S P McClare

Mr P Kiley

Mr L A Wallace

Mr G C Hall

Mr R L S Middleton

Mrs S Smith

19/12/12

14/07/14

22/07/13

TOTAL

TOTAL

14/07/14

22/07/13

19/12/12

TOTAL

24/06/14

22/07/13

-

112,500

93,750

31,250

237,500

437,500

875,000

TOTAL

1,312,500

14/07/14

22/07/13

19/12/12

TOTAL

14/07/14

22/07/13

10/10/12

TOTAL

300,000

312,500

103,125

715,625

112,500

93,750

25,000

231,250

-

300,000

312,500

612,500

-

93,750

112,500

-

-

$48,000

$50,000

$98,000

-

$15,000

$18,000

-

206,250

$33,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(31,250)

(31,250)

(437.500)

(875,000)

(1,312,500)

(300,000)

(312,500)

(103,125)

(715,625)

(112,500)

(93,750)

(25,000)

(231,250)

1. 

Intrinsic value at year end is the difference between the exercise price and the share price on 31 December 2015.

 
 
Directors’ report

RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
5.2.2  exercise of options granted as remuneration

During the financial year, the following shares were issued or purchased on the exercise of options previously granted as part of 
remuneration:

40

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Key Executives

Executive Directors

Mr S P McClare

TOTAL

Number of shares after 
share consolidation

Amount paid  
$/share

Total Amount paid

Intrinsic value of benefit based  
on year end value of HGO shares

87,500

87,500

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$14,000

$14,000

1.  The value of performance exercised and forfeited during the year is calculated as the market price of shares of the company on the ASX as 
at close of trading on the date the options were exercised or forfeited after deducting the price paid or payable to exercise the option.

2. 

Intrinsic value at year end is the difference between the exercise price and the share price on 31 December 2015.

During the financial year 87,500 performance rights held by executive KMP were exercised.  There are no amounts unpaid on 
the shares issued as a result of the exercise of the performance rights in prior years.

5.2.3  movement of performance rights granted as remuneration

The movement during the reporting period in the number of rights over ordinary shares in Hillgrove Resources Limited held, 
directly, indirectly or beneficially, by each executive KMP, including their personally–related entities, is as follows:

Executive Director

Mr S P McClare

Other KMP

Mr P Kiley

Mr L A Wallace

Held at  
31/12/14 

Granted as 
remuneration

Exercised/ 
Forfeited

Held at  
31/12/15

Vested  
number

Vested and 
exercisable at 
31/12/15

737,500

-

237,500

-

-

-

125,000

612,500

-

-

31,250

206,250

-

-

-

-

-

-

5.2.4  performance rights provided to current executive Kmp as remuneration  

– unvested as at 31 december 2015

Vesting Dates

Tranche

Number Granted  
as at 31/12/15

Grant Date  
Fair Value 

Total Value of 
Rights Granted

Mr S P McClare

Grant Date

14/07/14

Mar 2017

22/7/13

Jul 2016

Mr P Kiley

Total

Total

Mr L A Wallace

14/07/14

Mar 2017

22/7/13

Total

Jul 2016

Tranche 1

Tranche 2

Tranche 1

Tranche 1

Tranche 2

Tranche 1

150,000

150,000

312,500

612,500

-

56,250

56,250

93,750

206,250

0.4496

0.6384

0.4496

0.4496

0.6384

0.4496

67,440

95,760

140,500

303,700

-

25,290

35,910

42,150

103,350

 
 
 
41

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
5.3  Kmp equity inteReStS 
In accordance with the Corporations Act (section 205G (1)), the Company is required to notify the interests (shares and rights to 
shares) of directors to the ASX.

In the interests of transparency and completeness of disclosure we have provided this information for each director (as required 
under the Corporations Act) and all other Key Management Personnel as well.

HGO Ordinary Shares

Options over  
HGO Ordinary Shares

Total Intrinsic Value of  
HGO securities as at year end (1)

Non-Executive Directors

Hon. D C Brown

Mr J E Gooding

Mr M W Loomes

Mr P Baker

Executive Directors

Mr S P McClare

KMP Executives

Mr P Kiley

Mr L A Wallace

367,678

23,490

986,875

100,000

852,273

-

23,864

-

-

-

- 

612,500

-

206,250

-

-

-

-

$98,000

-

$33,000

1. 

Intrinsic value at year end is the difference between the exercise price and the share price on 31 December 2015.

5.4  movement in equity Held
The movement during the reporting period in the number of ordinary shares of Hillgrove Resources Limited held, directly, 
indirectly or beneficially, by each specified Director and executive KMP, including their personally-related entities:

Held as at 31/12/14

Received on  
Exercise of Rights

Net Other Changes (2)

Held as at 31/12/15

Directors

The Hon. D C Brown

Mr J E Gooding

Mr M W Loomes

Mr P Baker

Mr S P McClare

Other KMP

Mr P Kiley (1)

Mr L A Wallace

116,031

18,456

196,875

-

662,500

-

23,864

-

-

-

-

87,500

251,647

5,034

790,000

100,000

102,273

-

-

367,678

23,490

986,875

100,000

852,273

-

23,864

(1)  Employed on a contract basis from 12 June 2015 to 30 November 2015 and as an employee from 1 December 2015.

(2)  Net Other Changes result from a combination of the directors participating in the right issue in June 2015, and on market share purchases.

 
 
Directors’ report

RemuneRation RepoRt (audited) (continued)
6.0  Service contracts and employment agreements
6.1  SeRvice contRactS
The Company does not enter into service contracts for KMP Executives.  The following sets out details of the employment 
contracts for Executive KMPs as at 31 December 2015.  

Employee

Position

Commencement

Fixed Remuneration

Mr S P McClare

Mr P G Kiley

Mr L A Wallace

Chief Executive Officer  
and Managing Director

Chief Financial Officer  
and Company Secretary

General Manager,  
Kanmantoo Copper Mine

25 May 2015

12 June 2015

1 August 2015

$425,000 p.a. (1)  
reviewed periodically

$400,000 p.a. reviewed 
periodically

$330,000 p.a. reviewed 
periodically

Short-term Incentive

Up to 60% of fixed remuneration

Long-term Incentive

Up to 60% of fixed remuneration

Up to 50% of fixed 
remuneration

Up to 50% of fixed 
remuneration

Indefinite

3 months

Up to 50% of fixed 
remuneration

Up to 50% of fixed 
remuneration

Indefinite

3 months

Indefinite

6 months

42

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Contract Length 

Notice periods for  
resignation or termination

Redundancy Benefit

Death or Total and  
Permanent Disability 
Benefit

Change of Control

Termination for serious 
misconduct

National Employment Standards 
and Group Redundancy Policy

National Employment Standards 
and Group Redundancy Policy

National Employment Standards 
and Group Redundancy Policy

No specific benefit

No specific benefit

No specific benefit

No effect

No effect

No effect

No notice required, 
remuneration to the day less 
advance payments and return of 
Company property.

No notice required, 
remuneration to the day less 
advance payments and return 
of Company property.

No notice required, 
remuneration to the day less 
advance payments and return 
of Company property.

No payment STI/LTI

No payment STI/LTI

No payment STI/LTI

Statutory entitlements

All leave and benefits due per 
National Employment Standards

Post-Employment  
restraints

For 6 months:

Must not interfere in Company 
business:

Recruit employees:

Make adverse comments or 
actions by either party.

All leave and benefits due 
per National Employment 
Standards

All leave and benefits due 
per National Employment 
Standards

No adverse comments or 
actions by either party

No adverse comments or 
actions by either party

(1)  On 25 May 2015 Mr McClare was appointed on fixed remuneration of $500,000 pa. In the light of the economic conditions and low 
commodity price environment, on 1 December 2015, Mr McClare agreed to a temporary 15% salary reduction from $500,000 pa to 
$425,000 pa.

 
 
 
Rounding of amountS
The Company is of a kind referred to in Class Order 98/100 issued by the Australian 
Securities and Investments Commission, relating to the “rounding off” of amounts 
in the financial report. Amounts in the financial report have been rounded in 
accordance with that Class Order to the nearest thousand dollars.

auditoRS independence declaRation
A copy of the auditor’s independence declaration as required under section 307C of 
the Corporations Act 2001 is set out on page 44.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors:

Dated at Sydney this 31th day of March 2016

43

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

The Hon. Dean C Brown, AO 
Chairman 

Mr Steve McClare 
Managing Director

 
 
 
 
 
AuDitor’s inDepenDence DeclArA tion

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu 
ABN 74 490 121 060 

Grosvenor Place 
225 George Street 
Sydney  NSW  2000 
PO Box N250 Grosvenor Place 
Sydney NSW 1220 Australia 

Tel:  +61 2 9322 7000 
Fax:  +61 2 9254 1055 
www.deloitte.com.au 

44

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

The Board of Directors 
Hillgrove Resources Limited 
5-7 King William Road 
P.O. Box 372 
UNLEY SA 5061 

31 March 2016 

Dear Board Members 

Hillgrove Resources Limited 

In accordance with section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001, I am pleased to provide the following declaration 
of independence to the directors of Hillgrove Resources Limited. 

As lead audit partner for the audit of the financial statements of Hillgrove Resources Limited for the financial year 
ended  31  December  2015,  I  declare  that  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  and  belief,  there  have  been  no 
contraventions of: 

(i)  the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and 

(ii)  any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.   

Yours sincerely 

DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU 

Jason Thorne 
Partner  
Chartered Accountants 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.  

Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AnnuAl FinAnciAl report   
31 decemBeR 2015

These financial statements are the consolidated financial 
statements for the consolidated entity consisting of Hillgrove 
Resources Limited and its subsidiaries. The financial  
statements are presented in the Australian currency.

Hillgrove Resources Limited is a company limited by shares, 
incorporated and domiciled in Australia. Its registered office  
and principal place of business is:

Hillgrove Resources Limited 
Ground Floor, 5-7 King William Road 
Unley, South Australia 5061

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the 
Directors on 31 March 2016. The Directors have the power  
to amend and reissue the financial statements.

Through the use of the internet, we have ensured that our 
corporate reporting is timely and complete. All press releases, 
financial reports and other information are available at our 
Investors’ Centre on our website www.hillgroveresources.com.au

45

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

contentS
Financial Statements 

  Consolidated statement of profit or loss  

and other comprehensive income 

  Consolidated statement of financial position 

  Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

  Consolidated statement of cash flows 

  Notes to the Financial Statements  

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members 

Shareholder Information for Listed Public Companies 

46

47

48

49

50

79

80

82

 
 
 
 
 
 
consoliDAteD stAtement oF proFit or loss   
AnD o ther comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December 2015

46

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Revenue

Other income

Expenses 

Impairment charges

Interest and finance charges 

Profit / (Loss) before income tax

Income tax benefit 

Profit / (Loss) for the year attributable to owners

Other comprehensive income

Items that may not be reclassified to profit or loss

Other financial assets

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Unrealised gain/(loss) on cash flow hedges taken to equity

Income tax relating to components of other comprehensive 
income

Other comprehensive income for the period  
(net of income tax)

Total comprehensive income for the period 

Total comprehensive income for the period  
is attributable to:

Equity holders of Hillgrove Resources Limited

Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive income

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

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Note

4

5

6

6

6

7

24

24

26

26

8

8

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

 $’000 

139,501

160

(158,245)

(112,915)

(3,856)

(135,355)

7,999

(127,356)

389

(28)

19,220

(5,766)

13,815

(113,541)

(113,541)

-

(113,541)

Cents

(75.36)

(75.36)

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

 $’000 

166,768

439

(147,798)

(13,795)

(3,906)

1,708

2,079

3,787

199

493

9,552

(2,865)

7,379

11,166

11,166

-

11,166

Cents

2.54

2.48

The Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss is to be read in conjunction with  
the notes to the financial statements set out on pages 50 to 78. 

 
 
consoliDAteD stAtement oF FinAnciAl position
As at 31 December 2015

Note

31 Dec 2015

 $’000 

31 Dec 2014

 $’000 

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Other financial assets

Inventories

Derivative financial instruments

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Exploration and evaluation expenditure

Deferred tax assets

Derivative financial instruments

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Provisions

Borrowings

Employee benefits payable

Derivative financial instruments

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Provisions

Borrowings

Employee benefits payable

Derivative financial instruments

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Contributed equity

Reserves

Retained earnings / (accumulated losses)

Total equity

9

10

11

12

26

13

14

15

26

16

17

18

19

26

20

21

22

26

23

24

25

6,100

3,434

-

6,904

10,212

26,650

145,630

2

792

15,577

9,382

171,383

198,033

31,477

2,504

3,826

2,360

-

40,167

6,660

15,116

126

-

21,902

62,069

135,964

216,272

16,122

(96,430)

135,964

47

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

8,854

5,012

229

32,664

1,477

48,236

211,386

4

31,330

13,058

-

255,778

304,014

29,703

1,316

18,363

2,595

1,269

53,246

8,434

673

126

1,285

10,518

63,764

240,250

206,860

2,464

30,926

240,250

The Consolidated Statement of Financial Position is to be read in conjunction with  
the notes to the financial statements set out on pages 50 to 78. 

 
 
consoliDAteD stAtement oF chAnges in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2015

Balance 31 January 2014

Restatement due to change in accounting policy 
(Note 36)

Contributed  
equity

$’000

206,860

Reserves

$’000

(3,320)

Retained  
earnings

$’000

Total equity

$’000

24,999

228,539

-

(2,140)

2,140

-

Restated total equity 1 February 2014

206,860

(5,460)

27,139

228,539

Profit / (Loss)

Transactions with owners:

Other comprehensive income

Share based compensation

Balance 31 December 2014

Profit / (Loss)

Transactions with owners:

Contributions of equity

Other comprehensive income

Share based compensation

Balance 31 December 2015

-

-

-

206,860

-

9,412

-

-

216,272

-

3,787

3,787

7,379

545

-

-

30,926

240,250

(127,356)

(127,356)

-

-

-

9,412

13,815

(157)

(96,430)

135,964

7,379

545

2,464

-

-

13,815

(157)

16,122

48

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

The Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity is to be read in conjunction with  
the notes to the financial statements set out on pages 50 to 78. 

 
 
consoliDAteD stAtement oF cAsh Flows
For the year ended 31 December 2015

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash receipts in the course of operations

Cash payments in the course of operations

Net cash generated by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Payments for exploration and evaluation expenditure

Payments for property, plant and equipment

Proceeds on sale of other financial assets

Proceeds on disposal of plant and equipment

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of shares

Transaction costs on issue of shares

Proceeds from borrowings

Transaction costs of borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Interest received from investments

Interest paid on borrowings

Net cash from / (used) in financing activities

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of  
financial period

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the  
financial period

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

 $’000 

119,379

(106,720)

12,659

(1,042)

(21,589)

235

454

(21,942)

10,078

(830)

18,051

(896)

(18,000)

144

(2,018)

6,529

(2,754)

8,854

6,100

Note

29

23

9

49

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

 $’000 

149,898

(103,230)

46,668

(284)

(29,843)

152

-

(29,975)

-

-

-

-

(21,854)

293

(2,730)

(24,291)

(7,598)

16,452

8,854

The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows is to be read in conjunction with  
the notes to the financial statements set out on pages 50 to 78.

 
 
50

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

notes to the FinAnciAl st Atements
For the year ended 31 December 2015

1.  Statement of Significant  
accounting policieS

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation 
of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. 
Where an accounting policy is specific to one note, the policy 
is described in the note to which it relates.  The financial 
statements are for the consolidated entity consisting of 
Hillgrove Resources Limited and its subsidiaries.

(a)   Basis of preparation

This general purpose financial report has been prepared 
in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards, 
Interpretations and other authoritative pronouncements of the 
Australian Accounting Standards Board and the Corporations 
Act 2001. The financial statements comprise the consolidated 
financial statements of the Group. For the purposes of 
preparing the consolidated financial statements, Hillgrove 
Resources Limited is a for-profit entity.

(i) 

going concern

For the year ended 31 December 2015, the Group incurred 
a loss after tax of $127,356,000 (2014: profit after tax of 
$3,787,000), derived net cash inflows from operating activities 
of $12,659,000 and incurred net cash outflows from investing 
activities of $21,942,000 (2014: inflows from operating 
activities of $46,668,000 and outflows from investing activities 
of $29,975,000).  

As at 31 December 2015 the Group’s current liabilities 
exceeded its current assets by $13,517,000 (2014: 
$5,010,000).  The net current liabilities position is principally 
as a result of actual annual copper production for the 
year ended 31 December 2015 of 17,306Mt being below 
the forecast  lower end estimate of 18,500Mt. The lower 
than estimated cash inflows resulting from the lower than 
estimated production has led to a build-up of current trade 
and other payables to $31,477,000 (2014: $29,703,000) at 
31 December 2015 as the business further developed the 
Kanmantoo asset during the planned cut-back phase of the 
Giant Pit.  

During December 2015 the Group submitted a Life of Mine 
plan (‘LOM plan’) to its financiers. The LOM plan indicated that 
copper production would be at its lowest point during February 
2016 as the business continued the planned cut-back phase 
of the Giant Pit.  As a consequence current liabilities continued 
to increase during February 2016 and the Group breached 
its trade creditor financial covenant, namely to at all times 
keep its trade creditors (excluding other payables) at or below 
$25,000,000, as at 29 February 2016.

Subsequent to 29 February 2016, the Group obtained a waiver 
from its financier that removed the Group’s requirement to 
maintain the balance of trade creditors below the previously 
agreed $25,000,000.  The waiver required the Group to 
achieve 95%, (formerly 85%), of its payable copper production 
target, as set out in its LOM plan,for the three month period 
from 1 March to 31 May 2016.  

During March 2016,and based on current production, 
the Group determined that the LOM plan which required 
intensified mining on a smaller footprint, was too aggressive 
and the 95% of its payable copper production target would not 
be achieved. As a consequence of these operational issues 
the Group has further revised its LOM plan (“revised LOM 
plan’) to a lower target in line with recent performance. On the 
basis of the revised LOM plan the Group’s revised cash flow 
forecasts indicate that the ability of the Group to continue to 
meet its liabilities and obligations as and when they fall due 
over the next 12 months from the date of this financial report 
will be dependent upon the continued financial support of its 
financier and the Group’s ability to source additional funding 
and/or to reduce its cash outflows through a significant cost 
reduction program and/or asset sales. 

The Group’s financier has previously indicated that should 
the Group not be able to achieve its production targets as set 
out in the LOM plan, the Group would be required to source 
additional funding via either a capital raising or alternative 
finance arrangements. In the opinion of the Directors the 
ability of the Group to source additional funding via either 
a capital raising or alternative finance arrangements in the 
current market is restricted. Accordingly, Management  has 
commenced a cost reduction program and are in the process 
of seeking assistance from all key stakeholders of the Group.  
A number of cost savings initiatives have been identified as 
being necessary for the Company and Group to continue as 
going concerns, and consequently discussions with each of 
the key stakeholder groups are currently underway as follows:

1. 

2. 

3. 

Employees have been asked to take a specified 
reduction in salaries and wages until 31 December 
2017 (but not below any award rate);

The South Australian Government has been asked to 
defer receipt of certain amounts payable by the Group.

Large trade creditors representing approximately 68% 
of total trade creditors have been asked to take a 
specified reduction in contracting rates or to consider 
other initiatives which will have the same positive effect 
on the Group’s cash flow. As at the date of signing this 
report the Group has a number of large trade creditors 
outside normal payment terms, albeit agreed with those 
creditors.  

 
 
 
51

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

1.  Statement of Significant  

accounting policieS (continued)

as going concerns and therefore whether they will be able to 
realise their assets and extinguish their liabilities in the normal 
course of business.

(a)  Basis of preparation (continued)
going concern (continued)
(i) 

Consequently, the Group requires the continued 
support of its large trade creditors until copper 
production improves to allow the Group to generate 
sufficient cash flows to settle its liabilities and 
obligations as and when they fall due. Management 
has to date focussed its efforts on managing its three 
major mine contractor trade creditors  with regular and 
ongoing communication programs in place focussed 
on mutually meeting the needs of the trade creditors as 
well as managing the Group’s cash balance; and

Other trade creditors are being asked to provide a 
similar level of assistance as the large trade creditors by 
way of a specified reduction in contracting rates/prices.  
As at the date of signing this report the Group has a 
significant number of outstanding trade creditors not 
attributable to the three main mining contractor trade 
creditors which are outside normal payment terms. The 
continued support of these trade creditors in managing 
the Group’s cash balance throughout 2016 is required.

The Group’s financier has been asked to agree to the 
above initiatives and to continue to support the Group 
as it seeks to agree and implement the cost reduction 
program. The Group will require the ongoing support 
of its financier if it is to continue as a going concern for 
a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing 
the financial report.

4. 

5. 

These key stakeholder discussions have advanced and 
stakeholders have indicated their favourable response to 
ensure the continued operation of the Kanmantoo Mine. 

Whilst the outcome of these initiatives is not expected to 
be known until at least 12 April 2016, the date which key 
stakeholder groups have been requested to confirm their 
responses, Management and the Board expect the Group’s key 
stakeholders will continue to support the Group by way of the 
assistance being sought in the manner as outlined above. In 
this respect, the directors remain confident that there remains 
significant value in the project and the best path forward is in 
the revised LOM Plan, which with the cooperation and support 
of all stakeholders, will result in the best outcome being 
achieved.

Unless the Group is able to obtain the agreement of all the 
relevant stakeholders to all of the matters set out above within 
the agreed period of time, then there is a material uncertainty 
as to whether the Company and Group will be able to continue 

The financial report does not include any adjustments relating 
to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset 
amounts, nor to the amounts and classification of liabilities that 
might be necessary should the Company and Group not be 
able to continue as going concerns.

For further information refer to Events Subsequent to 
Reporting Date on page 25.

(ii) 

compliance with international financial  
Reporting Standards

Compliance with Australian Accounting Standards ensures that 
the consolidated financial statements and notes of Hillgrove 
Resources Limited comply with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs).

(iii) 

Historical cost convention

These financial statements have been prepared under the 
historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation 
of certain financial assets to fair value through other 
comprehensive income and financial assets and liabilities 
(including derivative instruments) at fair value through profit or 
loss – as explained in note (e) below.

(iv) 

critical accounting estimates

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

(b)  Basis of consolidation
(i) 

Subsidiaries

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets 
and liabilities of all subsidiaries of Hillgrove Resources 
Limited (the ‘’parent entity’’) as at 31 December 2015 and the 
results of all subsidiaries for the period then ended. Hillgrove 
Resources Limited and its subsidiaries together are referred 
to in this financial report as the Group.  Subsidiaries are all 
entities controlled by the Group.  Control is achieved when the 
Group has power over the investee, is exposed, or has rights, 
to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and 
has the ability to use its power to affect its returns.

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the 
acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group.  Cost is measured as 
the fair value of the assets given, shares issued or liabilities 
incurred or assumed at the date of exchange.  Transaction 
costs are expensed as incurred, except if related to the issue of 
debt or equity securities.  

 
 
 
 
 
52

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

1.  Statement of Significant  

accounting policieS (continued)

(b)  Basis of consolidation (continued)

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Group obtains 
control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Group loses 
control of the subsidiary. Profit or loss and each component 
of other comprehensive income are attributed to owners 
of Hillgrove Resources Limited and to the non-controlling 
interests where applicable.

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains 
on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. 
Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction 
provides evidence of the impairment of the asset transferred. 
Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where 
necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by 
the Group.

(ii) 

parent entity

The financial information for the parent entity, Hillgrove 
Resources Limited, disclosed in Note 35 has been prepared 
on the same basis as the consolidated financial statements, 
except as set out below.

Investments in subsidiaries and associates are accounted 
for at cost in the financial statements of Hillgrove Resources 
Limited. Dividends received from associates are recognised in 
the parent entity’s profit or loss, rather than being deducted 
from the carrying amount of these investments.

(c) 
(i) 

foreign currency translation
functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of each of the 
Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the 
primary economic environment in which the entity operates 
(‘the functional currency’). The consolidated financial 
statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is 
Hillgrove Resources Limited’s functional and presentation 
currency.

(ii) 

transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional 
currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of 
the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting 
from the settlement of such transactions and from the 
translation at year end exchange rates of monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in 
the profit or loss, except when deferred in equity as qualifying 
cash flow hedges and qualifying net investment hedges.

For the purpose of presenting consolidated financial 
statements, the assets and liabilities of Hillgrove Resources 
Limited’s foreign operations are translated into Australian 
dollars using exchange rates prevailing at the end of the 
reporting period. Income and expense items are translated at 
the average exchange rates for the period, unless exchange 
rates fluctuated significantly during that period, in which case 
the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions are used. 
Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognised in other 
comprehensive income and accumulated in equity (attributed 
to non-controlling interests as appropriate). 

(d) 

impairment of assets

The Group’s non-current assets are reviewed for impairment 
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the 
carrying amount may not be recoverable. 

An impairment charge is recognised for the amount by which 
the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. 
The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value 
less costs of disposal and value in use. For the purposes of 
assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels 
for which there are separately identifiable cash flows called 
cash generating units or CGUs.  Assets that have suffered an 
impairment charge are reviewed for possible reversal of the 
impairment at each reporting date.

The specific methods and assumptions used to estimate the 
discounted future cash flows of the Group’s CGU are outlined 
in more detail in Note 2 “Critical accounting estimates and 
judgements”.

(e) 

financial instruments 

The Group measures financial instruments, such as over-the-
counter derivatives, at fair value at each balance sheet date.  
The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an 
active market is determined using valuation techniques which 
are detailed further in Note 26.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date 
a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently 
re-measured at their fair value. The method of recognising 
the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative 
is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature 
of the item being hedged. The group designates certain 
derivatives as either:

 ■ hedges of the fair value of recognised assets or liabilities or 

a firm commitment (fair value hedge); or

 ■ hedges of a particular cash flow risk associated with a 

recognised asset or liability or a highly probable forecast 
transaction (cash flow hedge).

 
 
 
53

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

1.  Statement of Significant  

2.  cRitical accounting  

accounting policieS (continued)
financial instruments (continued) 

(e) 

The Group documents at the inception of the transaction the 
relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, 
as well as its risk management objectives and strategy for 
undertaking various hedging transactions. The Group also 
documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on 
an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in 
hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes 
in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.

The fair values of various derivative instruments used for 
hedging purposes are disclosed in Note 26. Movements on the 
hedging reserve in other comprehensive income are shown in 
Note 24. The full fair value of a hedging derivative is classified 
as a non-current asset or liability when the remaining hedged 
item is more than 12 months and as a current asset or liability 
when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is less than 
12 months. Trading derivatives are classified as a current asset 
or liability.

(f) 

goods and Services tax (gSt)

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

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

Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST 
components of cash flows arising from investing or financing 
activities which are recoverable from, or payable to the taxation 
authority, are presented as operating cash flows.

(g)  Rounding of amounts

The Company is of a kind referred to in Class Order 98/100 
issued by the Australian Securities and Investments 
Commission, relating to the ‘rounding off’ of amounts in the 
financial report. Amounts in the financial report have been 
rounded in accordance with that Class Order to the nearest 
thousand dollars.

eStimateS and JudgementS
The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning 
the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by 
definition, seldom equal the related actual results. Estimates 
and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on 
historical experience and other factors, including expectations 
of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the 
circumstances.

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

(a)  ore reserve estimates

The Group’s disclosed reserves are its best estimate of 
product that can be economically and legally extracted from 
the relevant mining properties. Estimates are developed after 
taking into account a range of factors including quantities, ore 
grades, production techniques and recovery rates, exchange 
rates, forecast commodity prices and production costs.

The Group’s estimates are supported by geological studies and 
drilling samples to determine the quantity and grade of each 
ore body. Significant judgement is required to generate an 
estimate based on the geological data available.

Changes in reported reserves can impact the carrying value 
of property, plant and equipment including deferred mining 
expenditure, provision for mine rehabilitation, recognition 
of deferred tax assets and the amount of depreciation and 
amortisation charged to the profit or loss.

There has not been a change to the last estimate of the 
Ore Reserve since November 2013 which was prepared in 
accordance with the JORC Code 2012 Edition.

(b)  Recoverability of non-current assets

In accordance with the Group’s accounting policy in Note 
1, non-current assets are assessed for impairment when 
there is an indication that their carrying amount may not 
be recoverable.  The recoverable amount of each Cash 
Generating Unit (CGU) is determined as the higher of value-
in-use and fair value less costs of disposal estimated on the 
basis of discounted present value of future cash flows.  The 
estimates of discounted future cash flows for each CGU are 
based on significant assumptions including;  

 
 
 
 
notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

54

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

2.  cRitical accounting   

eStimateS and  
JudgementS (continued)
(b)  Recoverability of non-current  

assets (continued)

 ■ Estimates of the quantities of ore reserves and the timing of 

access to those reserves;

 ■ Potential extension of the existing ore reserves based on 

exploration drilling results to date;

 ■ Future production levels based on plant throughput and 

recoveries;

 ■ Future copper, gold and silver prices based on broker 

consensus pricing;

 ■ Future exchange rates for the Australian dollar to US dollar 

based on forward curve data;

 ■ Future operating costs of production including capital 

expenditure and rehabilitation;

 ■ The discount rate most appropriate to the CGU (9.5% real).

The ultimate recoupment of costs capitalised and carried 
forward for exploration and evaluation activities is dependent 
on successful development and commercial exploitation, or 
sale of the respective areas. Exploration projects in Indonesia 
which are in an advanced exploration stage continue to be 
held on care and maintenance.  During the year the full $29.9 
million carrying value for the Indonesian exploration assets 
was written down.  In addition, an impairment provision was 
made for $1.4 million in respect of exploration expenditure at 
the Wheal Ellen and Kitticoola tenements which are outside the 
Kanmantoo CGU.  

An impairment charge of $14.8 million against the Kanmantoo 
operations was recorded at half year 30 June 2015 in light of the 
weaker prevailing economic climate and declining commodity 
prices.  A further assessment of the discounted future cash 
flows for the Kanmantoo CGU at year end has resulted in an 
additional impairment charge of $55.0 million bringing the 
full year impact to $69.8 million (Note 13) and reducing the 
Kanmantoo carrying value to approximately $146 million. Key 
rate and price assumptions are provided in note 6d.

(c)  Recoverability of deferred tax assets

The Group’s ability to recognise deferred tax assets relies on 
assumptions about the generation of future taxable profits.  
These taxable profit estimates are based on estimated future 
production, commodity prices, exchange rates, operating 
costs, rehabilitation costs and capital expenditures and as a 
consequence of the impairment write downs in the current 
year, the Group has not recognised all of the potential tax 
benefits as a deferred tax asset.

(d)  pre-strip mine development and  

deferred mining costs

The Group capitalises pre-strip mining costs associated with 
the development of pit structures prior to normal production. 
The amount deferred is calculated according to the waste 
removal ratio when that ratio is significantly higher than the 
normal waste removal ratio expected to be experienced during 
ore production, as indicated by the mine plan.  Capitalised 
pre-strip mining costs are classified under Mine Development 
within Property Plant and Equipment in the balance sheet 
and are being amortised to the Income Statement over the 
remaining life of the Kanmantoo mine.

Deferred mining costs represent the mining costs which are 
normalised for the impact of waste removal ratios and copper 
grades over the productive life of specific pits.  Costs are 
usually deferred in the upper benches of the pit when the 
waste removal ratio is generally higher and the copper grade 
is generally lower than the average of all the ore-producing 
benches in the pit.  The deferred costs are returned to the cost 
of production as the relevant pit reaches its floor depth.

At 31 December 2014, deferred mining costs of $2.8 million 
remained from the Emily and Nugent pit cutback and were 
shown as a current asset on the balance sheet under the 
general heading of Inventories.  These costs were unwound 
to cost of production during the first 5 months of 2015.  The 
Kanmantoo mine is currently developing the Giant pit cutback 
which is a much larger undertaking and full scale production 
from the Giant pit benches will not commence until 2017.  At 
31 December 2015, deferred mining costs were $17.0 million 
and are shown as a non-current asset on the balance sheet 
under the general heading of Property, Plant and Equipment.

(e)  net realisable value of inventories

Inventory is recognised at the lower of cost and net realisable 
value.

The cost of inventory is determined using the allocation of 
costs between production and development activities. Costs 
and activities are monitored at each stage of the production 
process and allocated to physical units.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.  cRitical accounting  

eStimateS and  
JudgementS (continued)
(e)  net realisable value of inventories  

(continued)

Net realisable value (NRV) is based on the estimated amount 
expected to be received when the inventory is completely 
processed and sold.  The estimation of NRV of inventories 
involves judgements about the quantity of metal that can be 
recovered, future commodity prices, production costs and 
selling costs.  

Ore that was mainly stockpiled during the initial period of 
production at Kanmantoo mine was written down by $11.8 
million in 2015 and $13.8 million in 2014.

(f) 

Restoration, rehabilitation and  
environmental obligations

Expenditures related to ongoing restoration, rehabilitation and 
environmental obligation activities are accrued and expensed 
as incurred and included in the relevant exploration activity 
cost or as part of the cost of exploration activities. These 
expenditures are estimated either on the basis of detailed 
cost estimates or are in accordance with statutory provision 
requirements. 

Provision is made for the costs of decommissioning and 
site rehabilitation costs when the related environmental 
disturbance takes place. Provisions are recognised at the net 
present value of future expected costs as outlined in Note 17 
and 20. 

The provision recognised represents management’s best 
estimate of the costs that will be incurred, but significant 
judgement is required as many of these costs will not 
crystallise until the end of the life of the mine.

3.  financial RepoRting  

By Segment

Through its ownership of the Kanmantoo copper mine, the 
Group has one operating segment being in the resources 
industry, in Australia.  The Group also has exploration 
tenement interests overseas, but these tenements are fully 
written down, under minimal care and maintenance and 
therefore are considered to be immaterial, not requiring 
separate segment disclosure.

55

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

4.  Revenue fRom Sale  
of concentRateS

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

139,501

139,501

166,768

166,768

Revenue from sale of 
concentrates

Total revenue

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration 
received or receivable. 

The Group sells copper concentrate and sales of the metals 
contained in the product are recognised when a group entity 
has delivered the concentrate to the customer. Delivery does 
not occur until the product has either been sold at the port 
to the customer or has been loaded onto a ship on the basis 
of a CIF sale. The market price of the copper metal in the 
concentrate is declared by the customer one calendar month 
prior to the month of shipment. The price can be declared 
as either one of: one month before the month of shipment or 
synthetically spread adjusted to five months after the month of 
arrival at the discharge port.

Concentrate sales revenue represents gross proceeds 
receivable from the customer.  Buyer deductions such as 
treatment charges, refining charges, price participation and 
bismuth penalty charges are classified as costs of production.

Revenue also includes the net value realised from the close 
out of commodity forward sale contracts designated as cash 
flow hedges.

Interest revenue is recognised as it accrues, taking into 
account the effective yield on the financial asset.

5.  otHeR income

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

$’000

154

6

160

$’000

294

145

439

Interest

Other income

Total other income

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
56

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Costs of production

Depreciation and 
amortisation

Inventory movement

Cost of goods sold

Government royalties

Corporate and other 
costs

Loss on sale of fixed 
asset and investments

Foreign exchange losses

Net (gain)/loss on 
derivative financial 
instruments

Total Expenses per 
Profit or Loss

notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

6.  expenSeS
Profit before income tax includes the following expenses:

(a) expenses per profit or loss

(c) other required disclosures

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

Employee benefits (excluding 
share-based payments)

$’000

$’000

Share based payments

103,468

125,035

Operating leases (included in 
cost of goods sold)

Note

(i)

36,347

9,617

35,793

(19,350)

149,432

141,478

1,586

2,017

(d) impairment charges 

(ii)

4,283

4,931

492

2,497

20

916

Net realisable value of 
inventories (note 2e)

Property, plant and equipment 
(Kanmantoo CGU)

Exploration assets

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

24,564

(157)

24,048

545

20,525

24,039

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

11,797

13,795

69,816

31,302

-

-

112,915

13,795

(45)

(1,564)

158,245

147,798

Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount 
of an individual asset, the Group estimates the recoverable 
amount of the cash generating unit (CGU) or area of interest to 
which the asset belongs.

(i) 

cash costs of production

Cash costs of production represent costs for mining, 
processing, transport of concentrate to port, site overheads 
and treatment / refining charges.

(ii) 

corporate and other costs

Corporate and other costs reflect the costs incurred in running 
the corporate head office, including relocation and redundancy 
costs associated with the closure of the Sydney office, together 
with Indonesian care and maintenance costs.

(b) interest and finance charges

Discount on unwind of 
rehabilitation provision

Bank fees and charges

Interest on borrowings

Interest payable on financial 
liabilities

Total Interest and  
finance charges

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

1,135

968

1,470

283

683

1,019

2,071

133

3,856

3,906

The Group’s CGUs and area of interests at 31December 2015 
are as follows:

CGU/area of Interest

Kanmantoo (CGU)

Wheal Ellen (area of interest)

Kitticoola (area of interest)

Kanmantoo regional (area of interest)

Birds Head (area of interest)

Sumba Island (area of interest)

(i) 

Kanmantoo cgu

In accordance with the Consolidated Entity’s accounting 
policies and processes, the Company evaluated its Kanmantoo 
CGU at 31December 2015, to determine whether there 
were any indications of impairment. Where an indicator of 
impairment exists, an estimate of the recoverable amount is 
performed.

After consideration of the potential indicators which could 
impact the valuation of the Kanmantoo CGU, the Board 
assessed the carrying value of assets and concluded that 
there were indicators of impairment based on future copper 
prices, long term exchange rates, future costs and Hillgrove’s 
market capitalisation relative to book value. Accordingly, an 
impairment charge of $69.8 million was recognised in relation 
to the Kanmantoo Mine CGU.

 
 
 
 
57

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

6.  expenSeS (continued)
The recoverable amount of the Kanmantoo CGU has been 
determined using the fair value less costs of disposal method 
on the basis of discounted present value of future cash flows. It 
should be noted that discounted cash flow calculations included 
significant judgements and assumptions in making estimates 
of an assets recoverable amount. This is particularly so in the 
assessment of long life assets. The projected cash flows used in 
recoverable amount valuations are subject to variability in key 
assumptions including, but not limited to, the forward profile and 
long-term view of copper and precious metal prices; currency 
exchange rates; discount rates; production profiles; and operating 
and capital costs. A change in one or more of the assumptions 
used in these estimates could result in a change in an asset’s 
recoverable amount.  The Board considered these factors and 
noted the following:

(A)  

Commodity price, exchange rate and discount rate 
assumptions

Bloomberg consensus pricing with the following copper prices 
applied (real prices):

$ per pound 

2016

2017

2018

December 2015 

$3.42

$3.58

$3.75

2019+

$3.26

The AUD:USD forward curve in December 2015 (beginning at 
0.732 in January 2016) as well as a discount rate of 9.50% (real) 
were used.

The Directors consider the above assumptions remain reasonable 
in a period of high volatility, but any sustained change in market 
prices and rates that are materially different from the above 
assumptions could result in a different set of assumptions applied 
to future valuations for impairment testing. By way of example, 
a +/- 5% movement in the AUD copper prices will increase or 
decrease the Kanmantoo carrying value by approximately $30 
million.

(B) 

Reserves and resources

Reserves and resources were subjected to a sensitivity analysis as 
part of the impairment review.

(C) 

Production activity and operating and capital costs

The Kanmantoo CGU has been reviewed by updating long term 
life of mine plans and assumptions, including operating costs, 
capital costs and production activity in line with actual operating 
and cost performances.

Exploration, evaluation and development costs are assessed 
for impairment when facts and circumstances suggest that the 
carrying amounts of assets may exceed their recoverable amount.

impairment of indonesian exploration assets 
(ii) 
The ultimate recoupment of costs carried forward for exploration 
and evaluation phases is dependent on successful development 
and commercial exploitation, or sale of the respective areas.

Exploration projects located at the Birds Head and Sumba Island 
areas of interest are currently in care and maintenance while 
seeking interested parties as potential joint venture partners.  
When assessing whether facts and circumstances suggest that 
the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount:

 ■ based on the Company’s decision to focus on its Kanmantoo 

operations,

 ■ given no future expenditure has been budgeted to be spent 

on these projects, and 

in the absence of an active interested third party the Company 
concluded that the recoverable value of both the Birds Head 
and Sumba Island areas of interest at 31 December 2015 is nil. 
Accordingly, an impairment loss of $29.9 million was recognised. 

(e) assurance services

The following fees were paid or payable for services provided by 
the auditor of the parent entity, its related practices and non-
related audit firms:

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

(i) Audit services

Fees paid to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu:

Audit and review of financial 
reports and other audit work 
under the Corporations Act 2001

Audit of hedge accounting 
adoption

Fees paid to other firms:

Audit and review of financial 
reports (Crowe Horwath)

285,582

224,694

-

52,000

18,040

303,622

17,061

293,755

(ii) Taxation Services

Services by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu:

Tax compliance services, 
including review of income tax 
returns and fuel tax credits

Research and Development 
concession claims

Services by other firms:

Tax Compliance services, 
including income tax returns 
(Crowe Horwath)

Research and development 
concession claims (Shinewing)

(iii) Other Services

Fees paid to other firms:

Other services 
(PricewaterhouseCoopers)

74,475

16,500

-

100,000

9,710

7,545

102,069

186,254

-

124,045

-

-

4,500

4,500

 
 
 
 
 
58

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

7. 

income tax expenSe

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

(a)  income tax expense
Deferred income tax expense comprises:

- (Increase) in deferred tax assets

(9,823)

802

- (Decrease)/increase in deferred 

tax liabilities

Adjustments for income tax of 
prior periods

Income tax benefit attributable to 
profit from continuing operations

3,829

(5,994)

(580)

222

(2,005)

(2,301)

(7,999)

(2,079)

(b)  numerical reconciliation of income 

tax expense to prima facie tax payable

Profit / (loss) from continuing 
operations before income tax 
expense / (benefit)

Tax at the Australian tax rate  
of 30%

(135,355)

1,708

(40,607)

512

Tax effect of amounts which are not  
deductible in calculating taxable income:

- Share based payments 

- Non-deductible expenses

- Tax losses not recognised 

(Indonesia)

- Accounting loss on sale of 
available for sale assets

- Tax losses not recognised 

(Australia)

- Research and development 

concession

- Tax loss on sale of available for 

sale assets

- Adjustment for income tax of 

prior periods

Income tax (benefit)/expense

(68)

207

9,247

114

25,365

164

222

223

3

-

(1,542)

(867)

(114)

(35)

(601)

(7,999)

(2,301)

(2,079)

(c)  amounts recognised directly in equity
Deferred tax – (credited)/debited 
directly to equity

5,480

(2,866)

(d) 

tax consolidation legislation

The income tax expense or revenue for the period is the tax 
payable on the current period’s taxable income based on 
the national income tax rate for each jurisdiction adjusted 
by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable 
to temporary differences between the tax bases of assets 
and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial 
statements, and to unused tax losses. The Group’s liability 
for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been 
enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting 
period. Current and deferred tax balances attributable to 
amounts recognised directly in equity are also recognised 
directly in equity.

Hillgrove Resources Limited and its wholly-owned Australian 
controlled entities have implemented the tax consolidation 
legislation.   The head entity, Hillgrove Resources Limited, and 
the controlled entities in the tax consolidated group account 
for their own current and deferred tax amounts. These tax 
amounts are measured as if each entity in the tax consolidated 
group continues to be a stand-alone taxpayer in its own right.   
The entities in the tax-consolidated group entered into a tax 
sharing agreement and a tax funding agreement. On adoption 
of the legislation, the entities in the tax consolidated group 
entered into a tax sharing agreement which, in the opinion 
of the Directors, limits the joint and several liability of the 
wholly owned entities in the case of a default by the head 
entity.  The entities have also entered a tax funding agreement 
under which the wholly-owned entities fully compensate the 
head entity for any current tax payable assumed and are 
compensated by the head entity for any current tax receivable 
and deferred tax assets relating to unused tax losses or unused 
tax credits that are transferred to it under the tax consolidation 
legislation.

The tax-consolidated group is entitled to claim special tax 
deductions for qualifying expenditures such as the Research 
and Development Tax incentive regime in Australia.  This 
allowance is accounted for as a tax credit, which means 
the allowance reduces income tax payable and current tax 
expense. A deferred tax asset is recognised for unclaimed 
tax credits that are carried forward as deferred tax assets.  In 
calculating the tax expense for the current period the Group 
has estimated the eligible Research and Development costs for 
the year ended 31 December 2015 as $15.4 million resulting 
in a reduction of current tax expense and current tax payable 
of $1.5 million.

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

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

9.  caSH and caSH equivalentS

59

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

Cash at bank and on hand

Restricted cash 

Bank guarantees

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

298

5,598

204

6,100

$’000

592

8,070

192

8,854

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits 
held at call with financial institutions, other short-term and 
highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known 
amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk 
of changes in value.

Restricted cash cannot be accessed without prior consent 
from financiers.

Bank guarantees relate to amounts required for the security 
deposit of the lease at Australia Square Tower. The maximum 
exposure to credit risk and interest rate risk at the reporting 
date is the carrying amount of each class of asset reported 
above. The maximum exposure to foreign exchange risk is 
$1,895 (31 December 2014: $2,669). 

8.  eaRningS peR SHaRe
classification of securities as ordinary shares 

Ordinary shares have been classified as ordinary shares and 
included in basic earnings per share.

classification of securities as potential shares

Outstanding performance rights have been classified as 
potential ordinary shares and included in diluted earnings per 
share.

(a) Basic earnings 

Profit from continuing operations 
attributable to the ordinary equity 
holders of the Company

Profit attributable to ordinary 
equity holders of the Company

(b) Diluted earnings

Profit from continuing operations 
attributable to the ordinary equity 
holders of the Company. 

Profit attributable to ordinary 
equity holders of the Company

12 months to  
31 Dec 2015

11 months to  
31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

(127,356)

3,787

(127,356)

3,787

(127,356)

3,787

(127,356)

3,787

Number

Number

Weighted average number of  
shares used as the denominator

Number for basic earnings per share

Ordinary shares

168,995,974 147,654,799

Number for diluted earnings per share

Ordinary shares

168,995,974 147,654,799

Adjustment for calculation of 
diluted earnings per share:

Options on issue

-

3,683,305

168,995,974 151,338,104

Cents

Cents

(a) Basic earnings per share

(Loss)/profit from continuing 
operations attributable to the 
ordinary equity holders of the 
Company

(b) Diluted earnings per share

(Loss)/profit from continuing 
operations attributable to the 
ordinary equity holders of the 
Company

(75.36)

2.54

(75.36)

2.48

Prior year earnings have been updated to reflect the 2015 rights issue. 

 
 
60

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

10.  tRade and otHeR ReceivaBleS

12.  inventoRieS

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

Trade receivables

Prepayments 

Other receivables

GST receivable

$’000

1,385

785

373

891

3,434

$’000

2,000

Concentrates

905

988

1,119

5,012

ROM stockpile

Oxide and transition ore

Stores and consumables

Deferred mining costs *

$’000

1,043

1,486

492

3,883

-

$’000

1,424

2,773

21,524

4,111

2,832

6,904

32,664

Trade receivables are recognised initially at the value of the 
invoice sent to the customer. For concentrate sales, the 
Group has a single customer under the terms of an offtake 
agreement.  First payment is received within three days of a 
minimum tonnage arriving at Port Adelaide, based on 85% 
of the value. First provisional payment for an additional 10% 
of the value is received three days after ship loading.  Second 
provisional payment for the remaining 5% is made 45 days 
after ship loading.  Sales are generally denominated in US 
dollars.  Revenue is recognised using spot exchange rates on 
the date of the sale, with trade receivables subsequently being 
translated at the exchange rate applicable on the date when 
settled. Unsettled balances at periods ends are revalued using 
the appropriate end of period exchange rate.

11.  otHeR financial aSSetS

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

Listed equity securities  
– at fair value through other 
comprehensive income

* 

Included in Property, Plant and Equipment at 31 December 2015 
- see Note 2(d).

Inventory is recognised at the lower of cost and net realisable 
value.

Pursuant to an inventory net realisable value assessment, the 
carrying value of Oxide and transition ore was written down by 
$11.8 million during the year (2014: $13.8 million).

13.  pRopeRty, plant and  

equipment

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

9,362

(267)

9,095

9,941

(112)

9,829

Land and building

At cost

Accumulated depreciation

Plant and equipment

-

229

At cost

87,170

105,005

The maximum exposure to price risk at the reporting date 
is the carrying amount of the investments shown above. 
Information about the Group’s and parent entity’s exposure to 
price risk is provided in Note 26.

At beginning of period

Additions

Disposals (sale and redemption)

Revaluation surplus/(short fall) 
transfer to equity

At end of period

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

229

-

(286)

57

-

$’000

192

-

(162)

199

229

Accumulated depreciation and 
impairment

Motor vehicles

At cost

Accumulated depreciation

Mine development

At cost

Accumulated depreciation and 
impairment

Deferred Mining Costs*

At cost

Total property, plant and 
equipment

(51,685)

(38,951)

35,485

66,054

1,323

(761)

562

1,167

(601)

566

164,600

194,119

(81,126)

83,474

(59,182)

134,937

17,014

17,014

-

-

145,630

211,386

* 

Included in inventories at 31 December 2014 - see Note2(d). 

 
 
 
 
13.  pRopeRty, plant and  
equipment (continued)

Reconciliations of the carrying amounts for each class of asset 
are set out below:

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

9,829

9,541

-

(579)

(155)

9,095

400

-

(112)

9,829

66,054

76,341

3,309

(76)

3,203

(15)

Land and Building

Carrying amount at beginning  
of period

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation

Carrying amount at end of period

Plant and equipment

Carrying amount at beginning  
of period

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation

Impairment losses

All property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost 
less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment 
losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly 
attributable to the acquisition of the items and costs incurred 
in bringing assets into use.  Costs for repairs and maintenance 
are charged to the statement of profit or loss during the 
financial period in which they are incurred, except when 
repair work demonstrably extends the useful life of the asset in 
question in which case it is added to the cost of the asset.

The straight line method of depreciation to allocate cost, net of 
residual values, is used for buildings and motor vehicles over 
estimated useful lives of 10 years and 4 years respectively.  
Freehold land is not depreciated.  The assets’ residual values 
and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at 
each reporting date.

Plant and equipment and Mine development are depreciated 
based on units of production, proportionate to the forecast 
output of the mine. Changes in factors such as estimates of 
proven and probable reserves that affect the unit of production 
calculations are applied on a prospective basis.

61

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

(12,740)

(13,475)

(21,062)

-

Mine development includes the Kanmantoo mine rehabilitation 
asset (see Note 2(f)).

Carrying amount at end of period

35,485

66,054

Motor vehicles

Carrying amount at beginning  
of period

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation

Carrying amount at end of period

Mine development

Carrying amount at beginning  
of period

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation

Impairment losses

566

199

(46)

(157)

562

743

2

-

(179)

566

134,937

139,055

20,414

(439)

23,574

(4)

(21,945)

(25,214)

(48,754)

-

Reduce provision for rehabilitation

(739)

(2,474)

Carrying amount at end of period

83,474

134,937

Deferred Mining Costs

Carrying amount at beginning  
of period

Additions

Carrying amount at end of period

Total property, plant and 
equipment

-

17,014

17,014

-

-

-

145,630

211,386

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its 
recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater 
than its estimated recoverable amount (Note 1(d)).

14.  exploRation and evaluation  

expendituRe

Exploration, evaluation and 
expenditure

Balance at beginning of financial 
period

Additions

Impairment losses  
(Refer Note 2(b))

Movement due to foreign 
exchange revaluation

Carrying amount at end of period

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

792

31,330

31,330

791

30,550

284

(31,302)

-

(27)

792

496

31,330

The Group accumulates certain costs associated with 
exploration activities on specific areas of interest where 
the Group has rights of tenure and where exploration and 
evaluation activities in the area of interest have not reached a 
stage that permits a reasonable assessment of the existence of 
economically recoverable reserves.

 
 
 
 
notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

15.  defeRRed tax

62

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Deferred tax asset (DTA)

DTA amounts recognised in 
profit or loss

Employee benefits

Rehabilitation provisions

Tax revenue losses (incl. R&D 
credits)

Property, plant & equipment

Other

DTA / (DTL) amounts 
recognised directly in equity

Derivatives

Other

Set-off deferred tax liabilities 
pursuant to set-off provision

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

668

479

21,973

18,694

890

42,704

879

434

17,455

8,256

1,035

28,059

(6,449)

369

(683)

563

(21,047)

(14,881)

Net deferred tax assets

15,577

13,058

An exception is made for certain temporary differences arising 
from the initial recognition of an asset or a liability. No deferred 
tax asset or liability is recognised in relation to these temporary 
differences if they arose in a transaction, other than a business 
combination, that at the time of the transaction did not affect 
either accounting profit or taxable profit or loss.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary 
differences and unused tax losses only if it is probable future 
taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary 
differences and losses.  Unused tax losses and offsets 
for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised are 
approximately $89,788,000 (tax benefit at the Australian tax 
rate of 30%; $26,936,000).

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is 
a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and 
liabilities and when the deferred tax balances relate to the 
same taxation authority.

Deferred tax assets of $2,403,000 (2014: $1,414,000) and 
deferred tax liabilities of $8,614,000 (2014: $850,000) are 
expected to be recovered in less than 12 months of the 
balance sheet date. 

16.  tRade and otHeR payaBleS

Deferred tax liability (DTL)

DTL amounts recognised in 
profit or loss

Deferred mining costs

Property, plant & equipment

Other

5,104

15,705

238

850

14,031

-

Trade payables

21,047

14,881

Other payables and accruals

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

24,749

6,728

31,477

$’000

21,640

8,063

29,703

Amount offset to deferred tax 
assets pursuant to set-off

(21,047)

(14,881)

Net deferred tax liabilities

-

Movements in net deferred  
tax balance

-

Information about the Group’s exposure to liquidity risk is 
provided in Note 26. 

Opening balance

13,058

13,845

Credited / (charged) to profit  
or loss

Credited / (charged) directly  
in equity

Over / (under) provision in  
prior years

Closing balance

5,994

(222)

(5,480)

(2,866)

2,005

15,577

2,301

13,058

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for temporary 
differences at the tax rates expected to apply when the 
assets are recovered or liabilities are settled, based on those 
tax rates which are enacted or substantively enacted for 
each jurisdiction. The relevant tax rates are applied to the 
cumulative amounts of deductible and taxable temporary 
differences to measure the deferred tax asset or liability. 

 
 
63

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of 
transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently 
measured at amortised cost. Any difference between the 
proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption 
amount is recognised in the statement of profit or loss over the 
period of the borrowings using the effective interest method. 
Fees paid on the establishment of loan facilities, which are not 
an incremental cost in relation to the actual draw-down of the 
facility, are recognised as prepayments and amortised on a 
straight-line basis over the term of the facility. 

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities.  Where the 
Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the 
liability at least 12 months after the reporting period, that part 
of the deferred settlement is classified as a non-current liability.

Borrowing costs incurred for the construction of any qualifying 
asset are capitalised during the period of time that is required 
to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use or sale. 
Other borrowing costs are expensed. 

Leases of property, plant and equipment where the Group 
substantially holds all the risks and rewards of ownership are 
classified as finance leases. Finance leases are capitalised 
at the lease’s inception at the lower of the fair value of the 
leased property and the present value of the minimum lease 
payments. The corresponding rental obligations, net of finance 
charges, are included in current and non-current liabilities. 
Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and 
finance charges so as to achieve a constant rate of interest 
on the liability balance outstanding. The interest element of 
the finance cost is charged to the profit or loss over the lease 
period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest 
on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. The 
property, plant and equipment acquired under finance lease 
is depreciated over the shorter of the asset’s useful life and 
the lease term.  Leases in which a significant portion of the 
risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are 
classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating 
leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are 
charged to the profit or loss on a straight line basis over the 
lease period.

17.  pRoviSionS – cuRRent

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

Rehabilitation provision

Make good provision

Movement in provisions

Carrying value at the beginning 
of the period

(Reduce)/increase provision 
recognised

Transfer from/(to)non-current 
provisions

Balance at end of period

$’000

1,944

560

2,504

1,316

382

806

2,504

$’000

1,137

179

1,316

404

-

912

1,316

The rehabilitation provision is based on estimates for 
tenements held and refers to the measures and actions 
required to repair land disturbed by exploration activities. The 
current balance is in respect of the Kanmantoo mine and 
Comet Vale tenement, which are expected to occur over the 
next 12 months. The make good provision of $0.6 million is 
in respect of repairs to damaged equipment and repairs to 
vehicles. 

18.  BoRRowingS – cuRRent

Secured

Pre-export facility

Bank loan – Mezzanine facility

Bank loan – Project Finance

Less transaction costs on loans

Unsecured

Lease liabilities

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

3,832

-

-

(479)

3,353

473

473

-

10,000

8,000

(49)

17,951

412

412

Total current borrowings

3,826

18,363

During the year the Company repaid $18.0 million of debt 
owing on its Mezzanine and Project finance facilities and 
secured a Pre-export Facility of US$14.0 million with Ventures 
Australia LLC, a subsidiary of Freepoint Commodities LLC.  The 
repayments of this facility commence in March 2016 and will 
be completed in June 2018. 

 
 
notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

64

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

19.  employee BenefitS  
payaBle – cuRRent 

Employee benefits payable

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

2,360

$’000

2,595

The costs are estimated on the basis of a closure plan. The 
cost estimates are calculated annually during the life of the 
operation to reflect known developments and are subject 
to formal review at regular intervals. The amortisation or 
‘unwinding’ of the discount applied in establishing the net 
present value of provisions is charged to the statement of profit 
or loss and shown as a financial cost. 

The current provision for employee benefits includes accrued 
annual leave and long service leave.  The portion of the current 
provision relating to eligible long service leave is classified as 
current since the Group does not have an unconditional right 
to defer settlement beyond 12 months.  

Unpaid liabilities for wages and salaries, including non 
monetary benefits, annual leave and sick leave taken, and 
superannuation costs which are expected to be settled within 
12 months of the reporting date are recognised in other 
payables. 

20.  pRoviSionS – non cuRRent

21.  BoRRowingS – non-cuRRent

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

Secured

Pre-export facility 

Less transaction costs on loans

Unsecured

Lease liabilities

15,330

(718)

14,612

504

504

Total non-current borrowings

15,116

-

-

-

673

673

673

Rehabilitation provision

Movement in provisions

Carrying value at the beginning 
of the period

Discount on unwind of 
rehabilitation provision

Transfer (to)/from current 
provisions

Expenditure charged to provision

(Reduce)/increase provision 
recognised

Balance at end of period

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

6,660

$’000

8,434

8,434

11,363

1,136

683

(806)

(1,570)

(534)

6,660

(912)

(279)

(2,421)

8,434

The rehabilitation provision is based on estimates for 
tenements held and refers to the measures and actions 
required to repair land disturbed by exploration and mining 
activities.  Close down and restoration costs include the 
dismantling and demolition of infrastructure and the removal 
of residual materials and remediation of disturbed areas. Close 
down and restoration costs are provided for in the accounting 
period when the obligation arising from the related disturbance 
occurs, whether this occurs during the mine development or 
during the production phase, based on the net present value 
of estimated future costs.

22.  employee BenefitS payaBle 

– non cuRRent

Long service leave

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

126

$’000

126

23.  contRiButed equity
Share capital

Issued and paid up capital for 
188,109,342 fully paid shares  
(31 December 2014: 
147,711,123) 

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

216,272

206,860

 
 
 
 
 
23.  contRiButed equity (continued)
ordinary Shares issued – movements during the period

Opening balance

Share placement

31 Dec 2015

No. of shares

31 Dec 2014

No. of shares

147,711,123

1,179,889,221

40,310,719

-

Employee share schemes/issues

87,500

1,790,550

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

206,860

10,078

(951)

285

$’000

206,860

-

-

-

-

-

-

65

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

-

-

(1,033,969,799)

1,151

188,109,342

147,711,123

216,272

206,860

Less – transaction costs

Deferred tax credit recognised directly in 
equity

Share consolidation (8 to 1)

Adjustment for rounding

Balance at end of period

Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new 
shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of 
tax, from the proceeds.

terms and conditions

Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as 
declared and are entitled to one vote per share at shareholders 
meetings. In the event of winding up the Company, ordinary 
shareholders rank after all other shareholders and creditors 
and are fully entitled to any proceeds of liquidation.

capital risk management

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to 
safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, so it 
can provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other 
stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure 
to reduce the cost of capital. In order to maintain or adjust 
the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of 
dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, 
issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

 
 
 
notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

66

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

24.  ReSeRveS

Employee Share Options reserve

Other financial assets revaluation 
reserve

Cash flow hedges

Foreign currency translation

Movements:

Employee share options reserve 

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

2,490

(1,238)

15,047

(177)

16,122

$’000

2,647

(1,627)

1,593

(149)

2,464

Balance 31 December 2014

2,647

2,102

Share based compensation 
expense

Balance 31 December 2015

Other financial assets 
revaluation reserve

(157)

2,490

545

2,647

Balance 31 December 2014

(1,627)

314

Restatement due to change in 
accounting policy

Revaluation net of amounts 
transferred to statement of other 
comprehensive income 

Profit and loss charge on disposal

-

(2,140)

57

332

199

-

Balance 31 December 2015

(1,238)

(1,627)

Cash flow hedges

Balance 31 December 2014

1,593

(5,094)

Gain arising on changes in fair 
value of hedging instruments 
entered into for cash flow hedges

Cumulative (gain)/loss arising on 
changes in fair value of hedging 
instruments reclassified to profit 
or loss

Deferred tax

Balance 31 December 2015

Foreign currency translation 

29,057

1,899

(9,837)

(5,766)

15,047

7,653

(2,865)

1,593

Balance 31 December 2014

(149)

(642)

Currency translation differences 
arising during the period

Balance 31 December 2015

(28)

(177)

493

(149)

nature and purpose of reserves

(i)  Other financial asset revaluation reserve

Changes in the fair value of investments, such as equities, 
classified as other financial assets, are taken to the other 
financial assets revaluation reserve.  

(ii)  Employee share option reserve

The employee share option reserve is used to recognise the 
fair value of share performance rights issued to employees but 
not exercised. 

(iii)   Hedge reserve

The cash flow hedge reserve represents the effective portion of 
changes in the fair value of the derivatives that are designated 
and qualify as cash flow hedges, net of taxes. The amounts are 
recognised in the profit or loss in the same periods the hedged 
item is recognised in the profit or loss. 

(iv)  Foreign currency translation

Exchange differences arising on translation of the foreign 
controlled entity are recognised in Other Comprehensive 
Income as described in Note 1(c)(ii) and accumulated in 
the foreign currency translation reserve within equity. The 
cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss when the net 
investment is disposed of.

25.  Retained eaRningS

At beginning of the period

Profit attributable to members  
of the parent entity

Restatement due to change  
in accounting policy

Retained profits at end of  
the period

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

30,926

$’000

24,999

(127,356)

3,787

-

2,140

(96,430)

30,926

No dividend was paid during the current period  
(31 December 2014: Nil). The Company has $21.3 million 
of franking credits available for future periods (31 December 
2014: $21.3 million).

 
 
67

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

(a) 

(i) 

market risk

Copper – Price and foreign exchange risk 
management

The Group has exposure to copper commodity prices arising 
from sales contracts that commit the Group to supply copper 
concentrate in future years. The prices for copper concentrate 
supplied under these contracts will be determined at the time 
of delivery with respect to the price of copper, gold and silver 
which is quoted in US dollars. The copper price component 
represents greater than 90% of the copper concentrate sales.

The Group has a policy of maintaining an appropriate level 
of hedging for up to the next three years to manage its 
commodity price and US dollar exposure, with the objective of 
providing more predictable revenue cash flows. The Group has 
entered into copper commodity swaps contracted in Australian 
dollars to hedge both the US dollar copper price risk and 
AUD/USD exchange rate risk. Hedge accounting is applied 
by hedging the copper component of concentrate sales. The 
copper component is a separately identifiable and reliably 
measurable component of copper concentrate, and is hedged 
on a one-to-one basis with the copper commodity swaps.

(ii) 

Gold – Price and foreign exchange risk management

The Group has exposure to gold commodity prices arising 
from sales contracts that commit the Group to supply copper 
concentrate in future years. The price for the gold component 
of copper concentrate supplied under these contracts will be 
determined at the time of delivery with respect to the price of 
gold which is quoted in US dollars.

The following tables detail the Group’s copper and gold 
commodity derivative contracts outstanding at the reporting 
date.

26.  financial RiSK management
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: 
market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group’s overall 
risk management program focuses on the unpredictability 
of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse 
effects on the financial performance of the Group. The Group 
uses derivative financial instruments such as commodity 
swaps and options to hedge certain risk exposures. Derivatives 
are exclusively used for hedging purposes, i.e. not as trading 
or other speculative instruments. The Group uses different 
methods to measure different types of risk to which it is 
exposed. These methods include sensitivity analysis in the 
case of interest rate, commodity price and foreign exchange 
risks and ageing analysis for credit and liquidity risk.

Risk management is carried out by senior management 
under direction of the Board of Directors. The Board provides 
principles for overall risk management, as well as policies 
covering specific areas.

The derivatives held by the Group are summarised below:

Current asset

Copper forwards

Gold forwards

Forward exchange contracts

Non-current asset

Copper forwards

Current liability

Copper forwards

Gold forwards

Forward exchange contracts

Non-current liability

Copper swaps

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

10,132

1,477

2

78

-

-

10,212

1,477

9,382

-

-

-

-

-

-

(822)

(9)

(438)

(1,269)

(1,285)

Net asset / (liability)

19,594

(1,077)

Hedge accounting is applied to all the derivatives in the above 
table, except for forward exchange contracts.

 
 
notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

26.  financial RiSK management (continued) 

68

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Commodity positions at reporting date

Copper forwards (tonnes)

Maturing less than 1 year

Maturing 1-2 years

Gold forwards (ounces)

Maturing less than 1 year

Maturing 1-2 years

Forward exchange contracts at  
reporting date

2015

Average 
Contract 
Price

7,722

7,797

1,471

-

Quantity

8,479

7,997

16,476

285

-

285

Fair Value 
$’000

Quantity

2014

Average 
Contract 
Price

Fair Value 
$’000

10,132

9,382

19,514

2

-

2

16,271

4,240

20,511

1,215

285

1,500

7,845

7,501

1,467

1,471

655

(1,285)

(630)

(3)

(6)

(9)

Average 
Contract 
Exch Rate

Amount

Fair Value 
$’000

Amount

Average 
Contract  
Exch Rate

Fair Value

$’000

USD dollar to AUD contracts

Maturing less than 1 year

4,227,605 

0.7169

78  10,078,199 

0.8647

19,594

The following table summarises the impact of applying hedge accounting for the copper swaps;

Cash flow hedges - swaps to hedge copper price risk

Nominal amount of the hedging instrument

Carrying amount of the hedging instrument

Assets

Liabilities

tonnes

$’000s

$’000s

Line item in the statement of financial position where the  
hedging position is located

Derivative Financial  
Instruments (Note 26)

2015

16,476 

19,594 

-   

(438)

(1,077)

2014

18,531 

    1,477 

    2,107 

Changes in FV of hedging instrument used for calculating  
hedge ineffectiveness

Changes in FV of hedging item used for calculating  
hedge ineffectiveness

Cash flow hedge reserve at 31 December

Change in value of hedging instrument recognised in other  
comprehensive income (pre-tax)

Amount reclassified from the cash flow hedge reserve to  
profit or loss (pre-tax)

Line item in the statement of profit or loss

Cumulative hedge ineffectiveness from designation date  
recognised in profit or loss

gain/(loss) $’000s

         21,262 

             7,541 

gain/(loss) $’000s

gain/(loss) $’000s

20,995 

21,495 

     8,049 

   2,271 

gain/(loss) $’000s

29,057 

    7,653 

(gain)/loss $’000s

Revenue from sale  
of concentrates

(9,837)

(1,899)

gain/(loss) $’000s

        378 

(5)

Line item in the statement of profit or loss that includes  
hedge ineffectiveness

Net gain/loss on  
derivative financial instruments

 
 
69

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

26.  financial RiSK management (continued) 
The fair value of the copper and gold commodity derivative contracts in AUD will be impacted by fluctuations in the spot AUD 
price for each commodity.  Fluctuations in the spot AUD price for each commodity reflect movements in either the underlying 
spot USD price for the commodity and/or movements in the spot AUD/USD exchange rate.  

The fair value of foreign exchange contracts in AUD will be impacted by fluctuations in the spot AUD/USD exchange rate.

The following table details the Group’s sensitivity as at 31 December 2015 to a 10% increase / decrease in the above variables:

Copper forwards at reporting date

Increase in USD copper price of 10%

Decrease in USD copper price of 10%

Decrease in AUD/USD exchange rate of 10%

Increase in AUD/USD exchange rate of 10%

Gold forwards at reporting date

Increase in AUD gold price of 10%

Decrease in AUD gold price of 10%

Forward exchange contracts at reporting date

Increase in AUD/USD exchange rate of 10%

Decrease in AUD/USD exchange rate of 10%

(b) 

interest rate risk management

2015

2014

Profit or loss

Equity

Profit or loss

Equity

-

-

-

-

-

-

683

(489)

(10,553)

10,553

(11,703)

9,575

(41)

41

-

-

(1,558)

1,558

59

(54)

-

-

690

(843)

(14,213)

14,213

(15,742)

12,875

(109)

109

-

-

The Group’s main interest rate risk arises from borrowings. Borrowings issued at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow 
interest rate risk. Borrowings issued at fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk.

As at the reporting date, the Group had the following borrowings:

Borrowings

8.5%

7.7%

18,942

19,036

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

Weighted average interest rate

$’000

The percentage of total borrowings which are at variable rates is 0% (31 December 2014: 94%). 

An analysis by maturities is provided in (e) below. Both receivables and payables are non-interest bearing.

Details of borrowings have been provided in Note 18 and 21. At 31 December 2015, if interest rates had increased/decreased 
by 100 basis points from the year end rates with all other variables held constant, pre tax profit for the year would have been 
decreased/increased by $0 (31 December 2014: $91,000). This is due to borrowings being fixed at 8.5%.

(c) 

foreign exchange risk

The Group sells copper concentrate, the sales value of which is affected by the prevailing US$ exchange rate. The Group has 
entered into copper commodity derivatives contracted in A$ to hedge both the US$ copper price risk and the US$ exchange rate 
risk, with the exposure being the US$ of the unhedged portion of future sales. Sales of copper concentrate in the year ended  
31 December 2015 totalled $139,500,540 (31 December 2014: $166,768,030). 

Management has considered the potential impact of foreign exchange risk on the unhedged revenue stream and deemed it not 
to be material.

 
 
70

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

26.  financial RiSK management (continued) 
The impact of A$/US$ exchange rate on the fair value of the copper commodity derivatives and the gold embedded derivative 
have been detailed above.

The Group has US$ denominated trade receivables of US$1,011,788 (31 December 2014: US$1,640,418). The carrying amount 
of the trade receivables in A$ will be impacted by the A$/US$ exchange rate. 

The following table details the Group’s sensitivity as at 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014:

$‘000

Increase

Decrease

Increase

Decrease

Impact of 10% increase/decrease in A$/US$ exchange 
rate on US$ denominated trade receivables

(126)

138

(182)

222

31 December 2015

31 December 2014

Impact on profit or loss

The Group and parent entity also hold bank accounts denominated in US$ and IDR (Indonesian Rupiah) which had carrying 
values of Nil and $1,895 respectively at 31 December 2015 (31 December 2014: $Nil and $2,669 respectively). Management 
has considered the impact of foreign exchange risk on the cash balance and it is deemed not to be material. 

(d) 

credit risk

Credit risk is managed on a group basis. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, deposits with banks and financial 
institutions, derivative financial instruments and receivables. The Group holds its cash with Westpac Banking Corporation and 
Macquarie Bank. The Group considers these to be appropriate financial institutions. 

The Group has trade receivables of A$1,384,874 (31 December 2014: A$2,000,022). The maximum exposure to credit risk at 
the reporting date is the carrying amount of the financial assets. 

GST refunds are receivable from a government agency and are deemed to have no significant credit risk.

For banks, financial institutions and third party debtors, management assesses the credit quality of the counter party, taking into 
account its financial position, past experience and other relevant factors. The Group has a policy placing no more than 35% of its 
cash balance with any one financial institution. This excludes any amounts held by Macquarie Bank relating to the finance of the 
Kanmantoo process facility. The Group also only places term deposits with AAA and AA rated banks.

(e) 

liquidity risk

Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and marketable securities, the availability of funding 
through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities and the ability to close out market positions. Liquidity risk is managed 
on a Group basis. The Group manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and matching the 
maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities. Surplus funds are generally only invested in instruments that are tradeable in 
liquid markets.

The Group monitors its cash flow on a weekly basis to ensure adequate funds are in place for exploration and production 
activities. The Group and the parent entity had no undrawn borrowing facilities at the reporting date.

Maturities of financial liabilities

The tables below analyse the Group’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the 
reporting date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows 
and includes future interest on borrowings.

 
 
26.  financial RiSK management (continued) 

Less than 1 year

1 to 2 year(s)

2 to 3 years

3 to 4 years

4 to 5 years

More than 5 
years

31 December 2015 ($’000)

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

Copper Commodity Swaps*

Total

31 December 2014 ($’000)

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

Copper Commodity Swaps*

Total

(f) 

fair value estimation

31,477

5,903

-

37,380

29,703

18,912

 1,333

 49,948

-

9,589

-

9,589

-

283

1,423

1,706

-

7,637

-

7,637

-

267

 -

 267

-

-

-

-

-

195

-

 195

-

-

-

-

-

43

-

 43

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 -

71

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

The Group carries derivative financial instruments (copper commodity swaps and options, and gold embedded derivative) at fair 
value on the balance sheet at the reporting date. The fair values of derivative financial instruments (Note 26(a)(i) and (ii)) are 
determined to be of Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy definition below.

The different levels have been defined as follows:

 ■ Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1).

 ■ Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as 

prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (level 2).

 ■ Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs) (level 3).

The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets is based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. A 
market is regarded as active if quoted prices are readily and regularly available from an exchange, dealer, broker, industry group, 
pricing service, or regulatory agency, and those prices represent actual and regularly occurring market transactions on an arm’s 
length basis. 

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, over-the-counter derivatives) is 
determined by using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable market data where it is 
available and rely as little as possible on entity specific estimates. If all significant inputs required to fair value an instrument are 
observable, the instrument is included in level 2. If one or more of the significant inputs is not based on observable market data, 
the instrument is included in level 3.

The carrying amount of financial assets and financial liabilities recognised in the consolidated financial statements approximate 
their fair value.

 
 
notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

26.  financial RiSK management (continued) 
The following table details the techniques used for measuring the fair value of the instruments and their level as at 31 December 
2015 and 31 December 2014:

Instrument Type

Fair value  
31 Dec 2015 
($‘000)

Fair value 31 
Dec 2014 
($‘000)

Level Valuation techniques and key inputs

Copper commodity 
swaps

19,514

(630)

Gold derivative/ Gold 
embedded derivative

2

(9)

Foreign currency 
forward

Listed equity securities

78

-

(438)

229

Future cash flows are estimated using copper forward rates, 
US$/A$ forward exchange rates and the contracted rates. 
Cash flows are discounted at a rate that reflects the time value 
of money and credit risk (entity and counter party credit risk).

Future cash flows are estimated using gold forward rates, 
US$/A$ forward exchange rates and the contracted rates. 
Cash flows are discounted at a rate that reflects the time value 
of money and credit risk (entity and counter party credit risk).

Future cash flows are estimated using US$/A$ forward 
exchange rates and the contracted rates. Cash flows are 
discounted at a rate that reflects the time value of money and 
credit risk (entity and counter party credit risk).

2

2

2

1 Quoted price in an active market.

72

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

27.  SuBSidiaRieS
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following subsidiaries in accordance 
with the accounting policy described in Note 1(b)(i).

Name of controlled entity

Hillgrove Copper Pty Ltd

Hillgrove Copper Holdings Pty Ltd

Hillgrove Exploration Pty Ltd

Hillgrove Mining Pty Ltd

Hillgrove Operations Pty Ltd

Hillgrove Wheal Ellen Pty Ltd

Kanmantoo Properties Pty Ltd

Mt Torrens Properties Pty Ltd

SA Mining Resources Pty Ltd

Hillgrove Indonesia Pty Ltd

Hillgrove Singapore Holdings Pte Ltd

Hillgrove Singapore No 2 Pte Ltd

Hillgrove Singapore No 3 Pte Ltd

Hillgrove Singapore No 4 Pte Ltd

PT Akram Resources 

PT Fathi Resources

PT Hillgrove Indonesia 

Country of  
incorporation

Class of share

Equity holding  
31 Dec 2015 %

Equity holding  
31 Dec 2014 %

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Singapore

Singapore

Singapore

Singapore

Indonesia

Indonesia

Indonesia

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

Ordinary

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

80

80

100

100

80

80

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

80

80

100

100

80

80

100

The proportion of ownership interest is equal to the proportion of voting power held.

transactions with non-controlling interests

There were no transactions with non-controlling interests during the period.

 
 
28.  commitmentS
(a) 

non-cancellable operating lease expense  
commitments

Future operating lease commitments not provided for in the 
financial statements and payable:

Within one year

One year or later and no later 
than five years

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

272

264

536

$’000

217

459

676

The group leases various offices under non-cancellable 
operating leases expiring within five years of the reporting 
date. The leases have varying terms, CPI escalation clauses 
and renewal rights. On renewal, the terms of the leases are 
renegotiated.

(b) 

capital commitments

At 31 December 2015 there were no contracted for capital 
commitments (31 December 2014: Nil).

29.  noteS to tHe Statement  

of caSH flowS
Reconciliation of cash

(a) 

For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash includes 
cash on hand and at bank and short term deposits at call. 
Cash as at the end of the financial year as shown in the 
statement of cash flows is reconciled to the related items in the 
Statement of Financial Position as set out in Note 9.

73

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

(b) 

Reconciliation of operating profit after income tax  
to net cash provided by operating activities 

Operating profit after  
income tax 

Add/(less) items classified as 
investing/financing activities

Loss on sale of investments 

Net loss on sale of fixed assets 

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

(127,356)

3,787

381

111

9

15

Net interest expense

2,560

2,437

Add/(less) non-cash items

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment asset write downs

Inventory NRV write downs

Employee share options

Unrealised FX losses

Unrealised (gain) / losses on 
financial derivatives

Discount on unwind of 
rehabilitation provision

Allocation of deferred mining 
costs to costs of goods sold

Net cash generated by 
operating activities before 
change in assets and liabilities 

Changes in operating assets 
and liabilities

Increase in receivables, 
prepayments and inventories

Increase in trade creditors and 
accruals 

Increase in net deferred tax 
assets

Increase / (decrease) in 
provisions 

Net cash generated by 
operating activities 

36,347

101,118

11,797

(157)

1,162

35,793

-

13,795

545

-

(1,113)

1,374

1,136

683

2,784

3,509

28,770

61,947

(7,946)

(20,323)

1,555

7,101

(7,999)

(2,078)

(1,721)

21

12,659

46,668

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

30.  Key management peRSonnel  

32.  eventS afteR tHe RepoRting  

74

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

diScloSuReS
Key management personnel compensation

(a) 

12 months to 

11 months to

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

Short-term employee benefits

2,094,233

2,132,850

Post-employment benefits

Share based payments

156,893

(712,013)

162,236

690,701

1,539,113

2,985,787

Further detail regarding key management personnel 
compensation can be found in the Remuneration Report. 

31.   Related paRty tRanSactionS 
(a) 

parent entities 

The parent entity within the Group is Hillgrove Resources 
Limited.

(b) 

Subsidiaries

Interests in subsidiaries are set out in Note 27.

(c) 

Key management personnel

Disclosures relating to key management personnel are set out 
in Note 30.

(d) 

Related parties

Loans to controlled entities are netted on consolidation.

The parent Company is the banker for the Group and 
re-allocated via loan account all costs that related to the 
controlled entities. Some assets and liabilities previously 
recognised in the parent Company, mainly consisting of 
property, plant, equipment and exploration related assets, 
have also been transferred to the controlled entities via loan 
account. All these transactions were recorded at cost. 

peRiod 

Following a two-day trading halt on the ASX on the 31 March 
2016, Hillgrove announced that since February 2016 it had 
not achieved the budgeted production levels at its Kanmantoo 
copper / gold mine for the following reasons:

 ■ As advised in late 2015, the independent evaluation of the 

orebody led to the deferral of revenue;

 ■ To address this deferral the previous life of mine plan was 
amended, which intensified mining in a smaller footprint; 

 ■ Following detailed implementation, planning and analysis 
of recent actual performance, it has been determined that 
the planned mining sequence was too aggressive; and

as a result of this, the life of mine (LOM) plan has been revised 
to one which has a simpler sequence and is based upon 
currently achieved mining rates, but which brings forward 
waste removal and in consequence defers copper production.

In February 2016, as a consequence of this lower production, 
current liabilities increased during the month and Hillgrove 
was in breach of its month end, $25,000,000 trade creditor 
financial covenant. Subsequent to the end of February, 
Hillgrove obtained a waiver from its financiers that removed the 
$25,000,000 month end limit for February 2016.

The waiver required the Group to achieve 95% (formerly 85%) 
of its payable copper production target, as set out in its LOM 
plan, for the three month period from March to May 2016. 
During March 2016 Hillgrove determined that, for the reasons 
outlined above, the LOM plan was too aggressive and the 95% 
of its payable copper production target would not be achieved.

As a consequence Hillgrove revised its LOM plan to lower 
targets in line with recent performance. While this revised LOM 
plan still shows Kanmantoo will generate significant value and 
has exploration potential, the anticipated near term production 
levels coupled with the need to continue the pre-strip and cut-
back of the Giant pit are likely to result in a cash shortfall in 
2016 and 2017 at current performance levels and commodity 
prices unless cost-reduction measures are implemented to 
improve cash flow from operations.

The Board has agreed a process to address the anticipated 
cash flow shortfall. As part of this, an independent review of 
the Company’s revised plans and forecasts is to be undertaken 
and a range of measures are being implemented to reduce 
costs and generate proceeds from asset sales. Hillgrove 
has begun discussions with its key stakeholders including 
employees, major contractors, suppliers and service providers, 
financiers and the South Australian Government to seek their 
assistance with this process to ensure the Company can bridge 
any cashflow gaps this year and into 2017. 

 
 
 
 
32.  eventS afteR tHe RepoRting  

peRiod (continued) 

These key stakeholder discussions have advanced and 
stakeholders have indicated their favourable response to 
ensure the continued operation of the Kanmantoo Mine. 

If Hillgrove can successfully implement the package of 
measures with these stakeholder groups, it should be able 
to generate sufficient cashflow from operations to continue 
operating the Kanmantoo Mine. Considerable progress had 
been made in these stakeholder discussions.  The Company’s 
financiers are generally supportive of the pre-emptive action 
being taken.

The directors remain confident that there is significant value in 
the mine and believe that the best outcome for the company 
as a whole is achieved by implementing the revised LOM plan 
and reducing costs with the cooperation and support of all 
stakeholders.  

For further information refer to Going Concern Note (a) (i) on 
page 50.

75

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

33.   contingent liaBilitieS
guarantees

Electranet performance bond to 
support the build, own, operate and 
maintain agreement for installation 
of transmission infrastructure at the 
Kanmantoo site

Environmental bond required under 
the mining and rehabilitation plan 
for Kanmantoo

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

2,087

2,477

10,180

16,750

Security bonds on rental properties

198

192

12,465

19,419

The Electranet and Environment bonds were provided by 
Macquarie Bank limited under the Performance Bond facility 
agreement.

The security bonds on rental properties and tenements are 
provided by Westpac Banking Corporation.

The consolidated entity has obligations to restore land 
disturbed under exploration and mining licences.  The 
consolidated entity has bank guarantees set aside for the 
maximum obligations to the state government departments.  
These bank guarantees may be forfeited if the consolidated 
entity does not meet its obligations under these licence 
agreements.

The Directors are of the opinion that further provisions are not 
required in respect of these matters, as it is not probable that 
a future sacrifice of economic benefits will be required or the 
amount is not capable of reliable measurement.

The consolidated entity had no other contingent liabilities at  
31 December 2015.

 
 
 
notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

34.  SHaRe-BaSed paymentS
options and performance Rights plan (opRp)

Share based compensation benefits are provided by the Options and Performance Rights Plan (OPRP).The securities issued 
under this plan are referred to as performance rights throughout the financial statements.

The Options and Performance Rights Plan (OPRP) is designed to provide long-term incentives for senior managers and above 
(including Executive Directors) to deliver ongoing improvements in shareholder returns. 

Under the plan, participants are granted rights which vest and are exercised three years after offer, subject to the achievement 
of certain pre-set performance measures and service conditions. Participation in the plan is at the Board’s discretion and no 
individual has a contractual right to participate in the plan or to receive any guaranteed benefits.

Rights granted under the plan carry no dividend or voting rights. When exercisable, each performance right is convertible into 
one fully paid ordinary share in Hillgrove Resources Limited. The granting and exercise price of the rights is nil.

The ability for rights to vest and be automatically exercised under the OPRP is dependent on the following:

a)  

The satisfaction of all the Performance Conditions (KPI’s);

b)   The invitee achieving an Annual Performance Appraisal Rating of 50% of more;

76

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

c)  

The invitee complying with all Company policy and procedures (e.g. no disciplinary action against the invitee between offer 
and vesting); and

d) 

The invitee meeting the Service Condition (continued employment) for the rights.

Collectively the above conditions are referred to as the Vesting Conditions.

fair value of performance rights granted in the year

The assessed fair value at grant date of performance rights granted to individuals is allocated equally over the period from grant 
date to vesting date. Fair values at grant date are independently determined using a Binominal Approximation or Monte Carlo 
simulation model (as appropriate). Both models take into account the exercise price, the term, the impact of dilution, the share 
price at grant date, the expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate 
for the term of the performance rights. Expected volatility is based on the Group’s three year rolling daily standard deviation using 
Hillgrove’s closing share price for the six years prior to the grant.

There were no performance rights granted during 2015, the weighted fair value of performance rights granted during 2014 was 
61.7 cents per right.

movements in performance rights during the year

31 December 2015

31 December 2014

Number of  
performance rights

Weighted average 
exercise price ($)

Number of  
performance rights

Weighted average 
exercise price ($)

Balance at beginning of year

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Expired during the year

Share consolidation (8 to 1)

Balance at end of year

Exercisable at end of year

4,462,500

-

(2,561,250)

(87,500)

-

-

1,813,750

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

23,610,000

14,840,000

(210,000)

(2,540,000)

-

(31,237,500)

4,462,500

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 
 
34.  SHaRe-BaSed paymentS  

(continued)

performance rights outstanding at the  
end of the year

At the end of the year there are 1,813,750 performance 
rights outstanding that have been issued under the OPRP. 
The exercise price of these performance rights are Nil 
(31 December 2015: Nil), and the weighted average remaining 
contractual life at the end of the period was 0.9 years  
(31 December 2014:1.8 years).

The 6,250,000 share options outstanding that have been 
issued to Macquarie Bank Limited under the Mezzanine 
finance arrangement (with an exercise price of $1.08) lapsed 
during the period.

Expenses arising from share-based payment transactions

Total expenses arising from share-based payment transactions 
recognised during the period as part of employee benefit 
expense were as follows:

The parent company has issued a guarantee for the payment 
of all debts and monetary liabilities of its subsidiary Hillgrove 
Copper Pty Limited relating to the financing of the Kanmantoo 
Copper Mine. 

Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies of the parent entity are consistent 
with those of the consolidated entity, as disclosed in Note 1. 
Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost, less any 
impairment.

contingent liabilities

Security bond on rental 
properties

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

$’000

198

192

77

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

36.  StandaRdS and  

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

(i) 

$’000

$’000

inteRpRetationS in iSSue 
mandatory standards adopted in the  
current reporting period

Performance rights issued  
under the OPRP

(157)

545

35.  paRent entity infoRmation
Set out below is the supplementary information about the 
parent entity.

Loss after income tax

Total comprehensive income

Balance Sheet 

Total current assets

Total assets

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Shareholders Equity 

Contributed equity 

Reserves

Retained profits

Total equity

Parent

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2014

$’000

(33,498)

(38,244)

$’000

(2,886)

(2,194)

426

757

223,729

258,067

1,089

1,096

11,563

11,580

216,272

206,860

1,253

5,108

1,020

38,607

222,633

246,487

The Group has adopted all of the new and revised Standards 
and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting 
Standards Board that are relevant to its operations and 
effective for the current annual reporting period.  The adoption 
of these mandatory standards has not had a significant impact 
on the Group’s accounting policies or the amounts reported 
during the year.  

(ii) 

early adoption of standards

In the previous financial year, the Group elected to early adopt 
AASB 9 Financial Instruments (AASB 9 (2010) as amended).  
AASB 9 requires that an entity classify its financial assets as 
subsequently measured at either amortised cost or fair value 
depending on the entity’s business model for managing the 
financial assets and contractual cash flow characteristics of the 
financial assets. The adoption of this standard has no material 
impact on the measurement of the Group’s financial assets 
and, therefore, has no impact on the Company’s earnings per 
share for the current period or the prior period.

The adoption of AASB 9 did not impact the original carrying 
amount of the Company’s financial assets, previously 
measured under AASB 139. Under the adoption of AASB 
9, cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and other 
receivables continue to be measured at amortised cost.

 
 
 
 
 
 
notes to the FinAnciAl stAtements For the year ended 31 December 2015

36.  StandaRdS and inteRpRetationS in iSSue (continued) 
(ii) 

early adoption of standards (continued)

Impact on statement of financial position at 1 February 2014

78

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

$’000

Contributed equity

Retained earnings

Reserves

Total effect of equity

As at 1 Feb 2014  
as previously reported

AASB 9 adjustments

As at 1 Feb 2014  
as restated

206,860

24,999

(3,320)

228,539

-

2,140

(2,140)

Nil

206,860

27,139

(5,460)

228,539

Impact on statement of financial position at 31 December 2014

$’000

Contributed equity

Retained earnings

Reserves

Total effect of equity

As at 1 Dec 2014  
as previously reported

AASB 9 adjustments

As at 1 Dec 2014  
as restated

206,860

30,926

2,464

240,250

-

-

-

-

206,860

30,926

2,464

240,250

(iii) 

Standards and interpretations in issue but not yet adopted

At the date of authorisation of the financial statements, the standards and interpretations listed below were in issue but not yet 
effective.

Standard/Interpretation

AASB 9 (2014) ‘Financial Instruments’, and the relevant  
amending standards.  

AASB 2014-3 ‘Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint 
Operations’

AASB 2014-4 ‘Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation  
and Amortisation’

AASB 2014-9 ‘Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements’

AASB 2014-10 ‘Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor  
and its Associate of Joint Venture’

AASB 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ and  
AASB 2014-5 ‘Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards  
arising from AASB 15’

AASB 2015-1 ‘Annual Improvements to Australian Accounting 
Standards 2012-2014 Cycle’

Effective for annual reporting  
periods beginning on or after

Expected to be initially applied  
in the financial year ending

1 January 2018

31 December 2018

1 January 2016

31 December 2016

1 January 2016

1 January 2016

31 December 2016

31 December 2016

1 January 2016

31 December 2016

1 January 2017

31 December 2017

1 January 2016

31 December 2016

 
 
Directors’ DeclArAtion

In the Directors’ opinion:

(a)  

the financial statements and notes set out on pages 46 to 78 are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, 
including:

(i)  

(ii)  

complying with Accounting Standards, the Corporations Regulations 2001 and other mandatory professional 
reporting requirements; and

giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 31 December 2014 and of its 
performance for the financial period ended on that date; and

(b)  

subject to the disclosures in Note 1 (a) (i) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its 
debts as and when they become due and payable.

Note 1(a) confirms that the financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by 
the International Accounting Standards Board.

The Directors have been given the declarations by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by 
section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001.

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the Directors. 

79

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

Dated at Sydney this 31th day of March 2016

The Hon. Dean C Brown, AO 
Chairman 

Mr Steve McClare 
Managing Director

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
inDepenDent AuDitor’s report 
to the Members of Hillgrove Resources Limited

80

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu 
ABN 74 490 121 060 

Grosvenor Place 
225 George Street 
Sydney  NSW  2000 
PO Box N250 Grosvenor Place 
Sydney NSW 1220 Australia 

Independent Auditor’s Report 
to the members of Hillgrove Resources Limited 

DX: 10307SSE 
Tel:  +61 (0) 2 9322 7000 
Fax:  +61 (0) 9322 7100 
www.deloitte.com.au 

Report on the Financial Report 

We were engaged to audit the accompanying financial report of Hillgrove Resources Limited, which comprises 
the  consolidated  statement  of  financial  position  as  at  31  December  2015,  and  the  consolidated  statement  of 
profit or loss and other comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of  cash flows and the consolidated 
statement of changes in equity  for the year then ended, notes comprising a summary  of significant accounting 
policies and other explanatory information, and, the directors’ declaration of the consolidated entity comprising 
the company and the entities it controlled at the year’s end or from time to time during the financial year as set 
out on pages 46 to 79.  

Directors’ Responsibility for the Financial Report 

The directors of the company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair 
view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 and for such internal 
control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true 
and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In Note 1(a)(ii), the directors 
also state, in accordance with Accounting Standard AASB 101 “Presentation of Financial Statements”, that the 
financial statements comply with International Financial Reporting Standards. 

Auditor’s Responsibility 

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on conducting the audit in accordance 
with  Australian  Auditing  Standards.  Because  of  the  matters  described  in  the  Basis  for  Disclaimer  of  Opinion 
paragraph, however, we have not been able to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to provide a basis for 
an audit opinion.  

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

In conducting our audit, we have complied with the independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001. 
We confirm that the independence declaration required by the Corporations Act 2001, which has been given to 
the directors of Hillgrove Resources Limited, would be in the same terms if given to the directors as at the time 
of this auditor’s report. 

Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion 

We draw attention to Note 1(a)(i) ‘Going Concern’ in the financial report which indicates that the consolidated 
entity  incurred  a net  loss  of  $127,356,000  during  the  year  ended  31  December  2015  and,  as  at  that  date,  the 
consolidated entity’s current liabilities exceeded its current assets by $13,517,000. Further we draw attention to 
Note 32 which outlines certain events which have occurred subsequent to balance date, in particular revisions to 
the Life  of Mine plan announced to the Australian Securities Exchange on 31 March 2016  which result in an 
anticipated cash flow shortfall in 2016 and 2017. Both Notes 1(a)(i) and 32 also outline a number of initiatives 
the directors intend to undertake to ensure the company and the consolidated entity are able to continue as going 
concerns.  These initiatives include ensuring the continued financial support of the financier, sourcing additional 
funding,  asset  sales  and/or  reducing  the  cash  outflows  through  a  significant  cost  reduction  program.  The 
significant  cost  reduction  program  requires  support  from  key  stakeholder  groups  comprising  employees,  the 
South Australian Government, large trade creditors, other trade creditors and the financiers. 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 
Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
inDepenDent AuDitor’s report 
to the Members of Hillgrove Resources Limited (continued)

81

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

At the date of this report, we have not been able to obtain sufficient appropriate  audit evidence to support the 
achievement of the initiatives described in Notes 1(a)(i) and 32.  

Further, the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2015 includes the recognition of property, plant 
and equipment, deferred tax assets, derivative financial instruments and capitalised  exploration and evaluation 
expenditure which are expected to be realised in future years. The ability to recover the carrying values of these 
assets is dependent on successfully  implementing the initiatives  outlined in Note 1(a)(i) ‘Going Concern’, and 
the company and the consolidated entity continuing as going concerns.  

These  conditions,  along  with  other  matters  as  set  forth  in  Note  1(a)(i),  indicate  the  existence  of  material 
uncertainties  which  cast  significant  doubt  about  the  ability  of  the  company  and  the  consolidated  entity  to 
continue as going concerns and whether they will realise their assets and discharge their liabilities in the normal 
course of business. 

Given  the  above  circumstances,  in  our  opinion,  the  uncertainties  are  so  material  and  pervasive  that  we  are 
unable to express an opinion on the financial report taken as a whole.  

Disclaimer of Auditor’s Opinion 

Because of the significance of the matters described in the Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion paragraph above, we 
have  not  been  able  to  obtain  sufficient  appropriate  audit  evidence  to  provide  a  basis  for  an  audit  opinion.  
Accordingly, we do not express an opinion as to whether the financial report of Hillgrove Resources Limited: 

(a)  is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: 

(i)  giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 31 December 2015 

and of its performance for the year ended on that date; and 

(ii)  complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001; and 

(b)  complies with International Financial Reporting Standards as disclosed in Note 1(a)(ii). 

Report on the Remuneration Report 

We have audited the Remuneration Report included on pages 28 to 42 of the directors’ report for the year ended 
31 December 2015.  The directors of the company are responsible  for the preparation and presentation of the 
Remuneration Report in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.  Our responsibility is to 
express  an  opinion  on the  Remuneration  Report,  based  on our  audit  conducted  in accordance  with  Australian 
Auditing Standards. 

Opinion 

In our opinion the Remuneration Report of Hillgrove Resources Limited for the year ended 31 December 2015 
complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 

DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU 

Jason Thorne 
Partner 
Chartered Accountants 
Sydney, 31 March 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
shAreholDer inFormA tion For listeD public comp Anies

The following additional information is required by the Australia Securities Exchange 
Limited in respect of listed public companies only.

As at the reporting date the most recent Shareholder information available for disclosure is 
as follows:

(a) 

voting rights and classes of equity securities

As at 16 March 2016, the Company has 188,109,342 listed fully paid ordinary shares. 
Each fully paid share carries on a poll, one vote.

The company also has 1,813,750 unquoted options on issue which are held by  
14 holders.

(b) 

the number of shareholdings holding less than a marketable parcel  
of ordinary shares was 1,773

(c)  distribution schedule of fully paid ordinary Shares  

as at 16 march 2016

82

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

Size of holding

1  -  1,000

1,001  -  5,000

5,001  -  10,000

10,001  -  100,000

100,001 and over

Number of shareholders

515

1,801

628

1,001

133

4,078

(d) 

Securities exchange listing

Quotation has been granted for all the ordinary shares of the Company on all Member 
Exchanges of the Australian Securities Exchange Limited.The ASX code is HGO. 

(e)  company Secretary

Mr Paul Kiley is the Company Secretary.

(f) 

on-market buy-back

There is no current on-market buy-back.

(g) 

Substantial shareholders as at 16 march 2016

An extract of the Company’s register of Substantial Shareholders (who hold 5.0% or more 
of the issued capital) in accordance with Form 604 Notices is set out below:

Name

Portfolio Services Pty Limited, Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Fund 
LP and Platinum Partners Liquid Opportunity Master Fund LT – Ariadne 
Australia Limited

IOOF Holdings – Perennial Investment Partners Limited

Freepoint Metals and Concentrates LLC

Issued capital

15.3%

12.5%

12.3%

 
 
 
 
83

a
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
5

shAreholDer inFormA tion For listeD public comp Anies 
(continued)

twenty largest listed shareholders

The twenty largest shareholders hold 62.0% of the total ordinary shares issued.  
The 20 largest listed shareholders as at 16 March 2016 are listed below:

Shareholder

No. of ordinary  
shares held

% of  
issued shares

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Bell Potter Nominees Ltd

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

23,167,216

21,443,430

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited

11,458,233

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 
– A/C 3

BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd

Portfolio Services Pty Ltd 1

National Nominees Limited

Portfolio Services Pty Ltd 2

Portfolio Services Pty Ltd 3

6,554,859

6,476,570

5,840,415

5,771,941

5,764,252

5,671,775

ABN Amro Clearing Sydney Nominees Pty Ltd

3,968,226

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

J P Morgan Nominees Australia Limited

W Donnelly Services Pty Ltd

Mr Leslie Kroll

Tuwele Pty Ltd

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 
– GSCOECA

Horrie Pty Ltd

Ajava holdings Pty Ltd

Sighet Pty Limited

Mr Christopher Philip Martin Benson

3,511,462

3,236,817

2,260,000

2,250,000

1,578,000

1,549,753

1,490,000

1,315,000

1,296,000

1,100,000

12.3%

11.4%

6.1%

3.5%

3.4%

3.1%

3.1%

3.1%

3.0%

2.1%

1.9%

1.7%

1.2%

1.2%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.7%

0.7%

0.6%

(h) 

interests in mining tenements

115,703,949

61.5%

Tenement

ML 6345

EL 3298

EML 6340

EL 5628

EL 5627

ELA 86/11

PM 53

ML 755

ML 996

IUP 322/2009

IUP 40/2010

Location

Percentage

Kanmantoo, South Australia

Kanmantoo, South Australia

Kanmantoo, South Australia

Kanmantoo, South Australia

Wheal Ellen, South Australia

Aclare South Australia

Kitticoola, South Australia

Armidale, New South Wales

Enmore, New South Wales

Sumba, Indonesia

Bird’s Head, Indonesia

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

80%

80%

(i) 

other information

Hillgrove Resources Limited, incorporated and domiciled in Australia, is a 
publicly listed company limited by shares.

 
 
competent persons
The information in this release that relates to Mineral Resources is based upon information compiled by 
Ms Michaela Wright, who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Ms Wright is 
a full-time employee of Hillgrove Resources Limited and has sufficient experience relevant to the styles of 
mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 
Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves 
(JORC Code)’. Ms Wright has consented to the inclusion in the release of the matters based on their information 
in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this release that relates to Ore Reserves is based upon information compiled by Mr Steven 
McClare, who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr McClare is a full-time 
employee of Hillgrove Resources Limited and has sufficient experience relevant to the styles of mineralisation 
and type of deposit under consideration to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 
‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code)’.  
Mr McClare has consented to the inclusion in the release of the matters based on their information in the form 
and context in which it appears.

Hillgrove Resources Limited confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the 
information included in the previously released reports. In the case of estimates of Mineral Resources or Ore 
Reserves, the company confirms that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the 
estimates in the previously released reports continue to apply and have not materially changed. 

84

d
e
t
i

m
i
L

s
e
c
r
u
o
s
e
R
e
v
o
r
g
l
l
i

H

 
 
This page has been intentionally left blank.

HILLGROVE RESOURCES LIMITED

ACN 004 297 114

ADELAIDE OFFICE
Ground Floor, 5-7 King William Road, Unley SA 5061, Australia
P.O. Box 372, Unley SA 5061, Australia

T: +61 8 7070 1698
W: www.hillgroveresources.com.au