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Humana
Annual Report 2013

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FY2013 Annual Report · Humana
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 Hummingbird Resources Plc 
is a ‘first mover’ in eastern 
Liberia, committed to 
discovering and developing 
world-class gold deposits.

in this report

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  2  Overview
  4  The year in review

  6  Our presence

  8  Chairman’s statement

 10  Business and Operational review
 12	 	Chief	Executive	Officer’s	statement

 16  Technical summary

  16  Detailed feasibility study

  18  Preliminary economic assessment

 32  Exploration 

  32  Dugbe Shear Zone

  36  Juazohn Shear Zone

  36  Dube Shear Zone

  37  Cestos Shear Zone

  38  Iron Ore

 39  Corporate Social Responsibility

 46  Board of directors

 48  Financial statements
 50  Directors’ report

 55  Directors’ responsibilities statement

 56  Independent auditor’s report

 57  Consolidated income statement

 57  Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

 58  Consolidated balance sheet

 59	 Consolidated	statement	of	cash	flows

 60  Consolidated statement of changes in equity

 61	 Notes	to	the	consolidated	financial	statements

 81  Company balance sheet 

 82	 Company	statement	of	cash	flows

 83  Company statement of changes in equity

 84	 Notes	to	the	company	financial	statements

Discover more on our website:
www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

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Hummingbird has around 7,000km2 
of highly prospective exploration ground 
along three shear zones in the south-east 
of Liberia. 
Over the last eight years Hummingbird 
has carried out a systematic exploration 
programme from grass roots work through 
to	the	definition	of	an	NI	43-101	compliant	
3.8Moz gold Resource discovered at its 
Dugbe 1 Project. A DFS is currently being 
carried out on the Dugbe 1 Project due 
for	completion	in	Q3	2014.

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Hummingbird Resources Plc

Overview

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  4  The year in review
  6  Our presence
  8  Chairman’s statement

 “ A year passes quickly and in next 

year’s annual report i hope to write 
that we are putting the finishing 
touches to a positive DFS for the 
Dugbe 1 Project and construction 
of the Dugbe 1 mine is shortly 
due to commence.”
Daniel Betts  
CeO

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

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the year in review
A year of focused exploration

Hummingbird resources offers investors a unique opportunity 
to participate in the discovery and development of world-class 
mineral deposits in previously unexplored regions of Liberia.

BuiLDing A  
wOrLD-CLASS 
DeveLOPment teAm:
Appointment of Detailed Feasibility 
Study (“DFS”) consultants includes:

ADDitiOnS tO A 
HigHLy exPerienCeD 
“OwnerS’ teAm”:
Formation of the Technical Advisory 
Committee (“TAC”) made up of:

DeveLOPment:
Hummingbird Resources Plc 
(“Hummingbird”) delivered a robust 
Preliminary Economic Assessment 
(“PEA”) on its Dugbe 1 Project in 2013. 
The highlights of the PEA (based 
on 3.5Mtpa and US$1,500 gold 
price) include:

 ► NPV of US$337m

 ► IRR	of	43%

 ► 125,000oz gold/year 

production for 20 year Life 
of Mine (“LOM”)

 ► 20 years’ free cash 

of	US$954m

 ► 2.41	strip	ratio	and	US$759/oz	

Opex	for	first	five	years	
of LOM

 ► MDM Engineering Group 
(“MDM”) to lead the DFS

 ► SRK Consulting (UK) Limited 
(“SRK”) as resource, reserve 
and mining consultants

 ► Coffey Mining Pty Limited 

(“Coffey Mining”) for 
geotechnical studies

 ► AMEC Plc (“AMEC”) for 

Environmental and Social 
Impact Assessment (“ESIA”)

 ► Mark Calderwood: 

Formerly CEO of Perseus 
Mining Limited with over 
200,000oz/year production 
in Ghana

 ► Mike Skead: Formerly 

CEO of Ryan Gold Corp. 
and Head of Exploration 
at Banro Corp. Currently 
VP Project Evaluation 
at Dundee 
Resources Limited

 ► David Pelham: Five years 
as Technical Director of 
Hummingbird Resources 
and led the discovery 
of 3.8Moz gold at the 
Dugbe 1 Project

 ► Nigel Walls appointed 
as Head of Project 
Development: Formerly 
a Director of Wardell 
Armstrong International 
Limited and COO then 
CEO at Ncondezi Coal 
Company Limited

irr of 43%

nPv of 
uS$337m

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Hummingbird Resources Plc

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Creating growth.
By supporting sustainable 
growth, our actions will 
have	long-term	benefits	
for Liberia.

Read more about our commitment to 
corporate responsibility from page 39

FuLLy FunDeD 
DeveLOPment 
PrOgrAmme:
 ► US$5m placement from 

the IFC in December 2012. 
IFC, part of the World Bank 
Group,	made	its	first	mining	
sector investment in Liberia 
in Hummingbird and has 
highlighted Liberia as one of 
its top three priority countries

 ► US$15m royalty agreement 
signed	with	Anglo	Pacific	
Group Plc in December 
2012	for	a	2%	royalty	on	
production over the 
Dugbe 1 Project Area 

 ► US$14m	cash	at	31	May	

2013	with	the	final	US$5m	
royalty tranche pending

DFS unDerwAy:
 ► MDM appointed to lead 

the DFS

 ► SRK appointed as 

resource, reserve and 
mining consultants

eSiA:
 ► AMEC appointed to 
complete the work

 ► AMEC has extensive 
experience across 
West Africa

 ► 15,802m	of	infill	drilling	

 ► All environmental and 

completed in 2013 to date 
on the Tuzon 2.05Moz NI 
43-101	Inferred	Resource	

 ► Coffey Mining oversaw 
geotechnical drilling in 
July and August 2013

 ► DFS due for completion in 
Q3	2014	with	first	gold	pour	
targeted for Q2 2016

social studies underway

exPLOrAtiOn:
 ► Comprehensive 17,000 
line kilometre airborne 
geophysical	survey	flown	
over entire 2,000km2 
Dugbe Shear Zone 
licence area

HummingBirD reSOurCeS in FigureS
Land in Liberia

employees

gold discovered

7,000 km2

3.8 moz

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www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

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Our presence
Our opportunities in eastern Liberia

Liberia lies on the coast of west Africa, sharing borders 
with Côte d’ivoire, guinea and Sierra Leone. the country 
has extensive history in natural resources.

Key FACtS:
 ► Three operating deep 
water ports, new roads 
and railways currently 
being built

 ► Since 2006, foreign direct 

investment (“FDI”) of 
greater than US$17bn has 
flowed	into	the	country

 ► In September 2011, 

ArcelorMittal began 
extracting and processing 
iron ore from the 
Nimba project

 ► Significant	offshore	oil	

discovery with Chevron 
and African Petroleum 
currently undertaking 
further exploration work

 ► Servestal, one of the world’s 
largest steel companies, 
acquired	100%	of	the	Putu	
Iron Ore Project and plans 
to start producing in 2017

 ► The IMF predicts real GDP 
to	increase	by	8.8%	in	2013

BACKgrOunD
With the exception of the capital city 
Monrovia, it is a sparsely populated 
country with a total population of 
over	4	million	on	a	land	area	of	over	
100,000km2. Liberia was founded in 
1847	by	emancipated	slaves	from	
the United States and is one of only 
two African countries not to have 
roots in European colonisation. 
The country enjoyed more than 
100	years	of	peace	before	14	years	
of intermittent civil war at the end 
of the 20th century. Since then there 
has been considerable political and 
economic transformation. A new Liberia 
is now attracting impressive international 
private-sector	investment	–	estimates	
suggest upwards of US$17bn since 2006.

Since 1926 Firestone has owned and 
operated the world’s largest rubber 
plantation, and before the civil war 
Liberia was the world’s third largest 
producer of iron ore. Today, the country 
is focusing its efforts on reforming the 
economic system and rebuilding vital 
infrastructure to support growth. We 
have	a	huge	opportunity	with	our	“first	
mover” advantage to be working in 
Liberia and to help develop industries 
far	beyond	their	pre-war	levels.

LAnD HOLDingS 
reLAtive tO weSt 
AFriCAn PeerS

Hummingbird
Avocet
Keegan
Ampella
Amlib
Aureus

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Hummingbird Resources Plc

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C ÔTE
D’ IV OI RE

SIERRA 
LEONE

GUI NEA

Monrovia

L I B E R I A

Greenville

Development status
Our projects are at various stages 
of exploration and discovery as we 
continue to seek to break new ground.

Dugbe 1 project 

p16

Dugbe Shear Zone 

p32

Juazohn Shear Zone 

p36

Dube Shear Zone 

p36

Cestos Shear Zone 

p37

(iron ore) mount ginka 

p38

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

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Chairman’s statement
Ian	Cockerill,	Non-Executive	Chairman

“ we will keep an open mind to opportunities to 
create meaningful shareholder value from licences.”

ian Cockerill
non-executive Chairman

Highlights

 ► Publication of PEA in April 2013

•	 IRR	of	43%*
•	 NPV	of	US$337m*
•	 Capex of US$212m

 ► Formation of TAC including

•	 Mark Calderwood
•	 Mike Skead

*	Using	a	gold	price	of	US$1,500	and	based	on	3.5Mtpa

It has certainly been a very turbulent 
2013. The gold price started the year 
at satisfactory levels and was then 
pummelled down several hundred 
Dollars in a day. Whatever the causes 
behind this unprecedented drop, it 
only serves to remind us that we still live 
in “interesting times” and our response 
to this volatility has to be the delivery of 
a	project,	fit	for	purpose,	yet	designed	
to withstand any foreseeable gold 
price scenario. I said last year that the 
underlying conditions for a higher yet 
sustainable gold price were in place 
and,	whilst	this	year	the	first	real	signs	
of global economic green shoots 
are emerging, and with it a possible 
secular move out of the gold sector, 
I still feel the doomsayers talking gold 
back to below $800 per oz are deeply 
mistaken. The underlying problems in 
the global economy are still with us 
and will remain so until such time as 
the authorities face up to the need for 
some	serious	fiscal	medicine,	and	as	
such gold deserves a place in any well 
managed investment portfolio.

However, notwithstanding the current, 
well publicised sell off in the junior mining 
sector, over the past twelve months 
Hummingbird has continued to make 
excellent progress on all fronts, as we 

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Hummingbird Resources Plc

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“ we are encouraged by several technical studies 
to determine the most cost effective way to mine, 
process and deliver a highly profitable project.”

gold exploration and production 
company, in a completely new part 
of the West African Shield.

I would like to thank my fellow Board 
members for their diligence this past 
twelve months, to Dan, Will, Tom, Dave 
and all of our staff for their hard work 
and dedication as well. Whilst this year 
has been challenging, the year ahead 
is unlikely to be any easier but we are 
extremely fortunate to have in place 
the	team	we	do.	I	am	confident	the	
fruits of their hard work will soon be 
realised and we will hopefully be 
reporting back next year with a 
positive outlook for the DFS.

ian Cockerill
Chairman
14 August 2013

move	towards	our	stated	near-term	
aim of bringing our Dugbe 1 Project 
into production in 2016. In the last year 
we successfully raised US$20m with 
two exceptional partners, which has 
guaranteed the necessary funding 
to complete our Detailed Feasibility 
Study. These important deals, at 
minimal dilution to existing equity 
holders,	with	the	IFC	and	Anglo	Pacific,	
ensure that we are funded through 
the current comprehensive work 
programme to drive the Dugbe 1 
Project forward to the completion of 
a	DFS	anticipated	for	Q3	2014,	without	
the need to raise additional funds. 
This has insulated us from the market 
through these challenging times and 
sets us apart from many of the other 
juniors	currently	suffering	significant	
funding shortfalls. 

Both deals show that these important 
partners share our positive view of 
the Dugbe 1 Project, and with the 
IFC we have an excellent partner 
to progress through the necessary 
studies. We look forward to their 
valuable support, in particular ensuring 
that Hummingbird adheres to the IFC’s 
rigorous performance standards that 
promote sustainability together with 
social and environmental responsibility 
across all of our business operations.

Our comprehensive Preliminary 
Economic Assessment published in 
April	2013	confirmed	that	the	Dugbe	1	
Project is both achievable and 
economically viable, even if the 
current lower gold price trend 
continues into 2016 when we foresee 
the Company moving into production.

Additionally Hummingbird has 
strengthened its operational team 
to	reflect	the	changing	focus	as	we	
move into the development phase 
so that we possess all of the technical 
skills internally to drive the project 
forward and to work constructively with 
our	globally-renowned	team	of	DFS	
consultants. Together with our consultants 
and the internal Technical Advisory 
Committee, I am certain we have 
the right team in place to achieve the 
best results for all our stakeholders. 

Hummingbird is unique. We are proud 
of our track record of achieving what 
we said we would do when we listed 
on AIM in 2010, being able to add to 
our	highly-skilled	team	as	we	have	
progressed from exploration into the 
development phase and evolving 
our strategy as appropriate but always 
remaining true to our ultimate objective 
of	creating	long-term	shareholder	
value	through	becoming	a	significant	

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

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 “ Hummingbird Resources has really 

helped me a lot. I have gained some 
experience in logistics and geology 
and would love to be a geologist.”

  Samuel W Gbiangbei, Jnr
  Geological Logistician and Database Assistant

I was born into the Mano tribe in Yekepa, 
Nimba County in 1986. In 1991, I started 
my primary education in Yekepa and 
later moved to Guinea in the same year 
due to the civil war. I spent 15 years in 
exile and graduated from the Laine 
Refugee School in the Laine refugee 
camp in Guinea. In Guinea, I worked 
for the Médecins Sans Frontières Swiss 
logistics and medical department.

I returned to Liberia in 2006 following 
the end of the civil war and settled in 
Saclepea, Nimba County. In Saclepea, 
I worked for the Médecins Sans Frontières 
Swiss logistics department and also 
attended the Jesuit Refugee Service 
vocational school where I studied basic 
computer science, management 
and French.

In 2009, I moved to Monrovia primarily 
to study, but unfortunately I was unable 
to. In 2010 I left Monrovia and moved 
to Sinoe County in search of a job. 

In April 2010 I joined the Hummingbird 
Resources team as a labourer where 
I have been trained to perform a 
number of roles from a rig technician 
to a data entry clerk. In October 2010, 
I was offered a role in the Liberia head 
office in Monrovia to serve as the 
Geological Logistician from which I was 
promoted to Database Assistant. Within 
my role I track all the samples from the 
project sites to the lab here in Monrovia 
and in OMAC in Ireland. I also liaise 
with the Government of Liberia 
through the Ministry of Lands, Mines 
and Energy to organise the export 
permits for the samples. 

Hummingbird Resources has really 
helped me a lot. I have gained some 
experience in logistics and geology 
and would love to be a geologist. I look 
forward to seeing Hummingbird build 
gold mines so that many Liberians can 
have the opportunity to work.

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Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

Business and 
operational review

12   Chief Executive Officer’s statement
16  Technical summary

16  Detailed feasibility study
18  Preliminary economic assessment

32  Exploration 

32  Dugbe Shear Zone
36  Juazohn Shear Zone
36  Dube Shear Zone
37  Cestos Shear Zone
38  Iron Ore

39  Corporate Social Responsibility
46  Board of directors

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 “  I have greatly benefited from 

the new work environment and 
personal relationships including 
the Hummingbird team and local 
people. At present, I am looking 
forward to participating in the 
continuing transition process 
from exploration to the gold 
mining stage.”
  Marcellin Rakotondraibe
  Geologist

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

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Chief Executive Officer’s statement
Daniel Betts, Chief Executive Officer

“ The highlight of this last year has been the release 
of an extremely positive PEA on our Dugbe 1 Project.”

Daniel Betts
Chief Executive Officer

Highlights

 ► NPV of US$337m with an IRR of 43% assuming 
a 10% discount factor and US$1,500 gold

 ► Over the first five years 1.4 g/t ore mined 

at US$759/oz cost

 ► Capex of US$212m for 3.5Mtpa plant 

producing 125,000oz gold

 ► Free cash of US$954m over 20 year LOM

A year passes quickly, and in next year’s 
Annual Report I hope to write that we 
are putting the finishing touches to a 
positive DFS for the Dugbe 1 Project 
and construction of the Dugbe 1 
mine is shortly due to commence. 
The following year I hope to write that 
Hummingbird is on the verge of its first 
gold pour and becoming a producer. 
We are progressing rapidly.

The highlight of this last year has been 
the release of an extremely positive PEA 
on our Dugbe 1 Project which shows the 
potential for a robust and profitable 
gold mine with an NPV of US$337m, 
IRR of 43% and free cash of almost 
US$50m per annum over the 20 year 
life of mine producing 125,000oz/year.

Whilst the future of the Company is 
promising, we cannot ignore the 
adversity the gold sector is facing 
today. Writing this statement is not the 
easiest task I have ever had to tackle. 
On the face of it the obvious facts are 
disappointing. Mirroring the fall in the 
price of gold, and in line with many 
of our peers, our share price has lost 
nearly 80% of its value over the 
twelve month period. As a significant 
shareholder myself I am acutely 

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Hummingbird Resources Plc

“ Many of Hummingbird’s directors and employees have 
bought shares in the Company demonstrating their 
commitment and belief in what we are achieving.”

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aware of what is being felt, not just by 
us but by our shareholders and by the 
whole sector. Many of Hummingbird’s 
directors and employees have bought 
shares in the Company demonstrating 
their commitment and belief in what 
we are achieving. Despite the current 
market conditions we remain very 
much on track to achieve our stated 
goals and ambitions. 

Gold may be out of favour at the 
moment, but given the continued 
uncertainty in the world and gold’s 
enduring nature as a long-term store of 
value it is likely to remain an important 
part of any person’s or country’s 
balanced investment portfolio. 

Likewise gold stocks may be out of 
favour, but gold is still around US$1,300 
an ounce, a price at which the IRR of 
the Dugbe 1 Project is an attractive 
30%. This remains an exciting project 
and it is important to remember that 
the current project economics are 
based merely on the gold we have 
identified to date. Excluding the 
potential for further gold discoveries, 
it is a compelling investment proposition 
for a company with a current market 
capitalisation of around £20m. 

In terms of timing we now find 
ourselves in a strong position:

 ► We were the first gold company 

to enter South East Liberia.

 ► We raised the money for our DFS 

through non-conventional methods 
prior to completing a PEA, with 
minimal shareholder dilution showing 
our commitment to preserving 
equity value however possible.

 ► We are now undertaking a DFS 

when few others are in a position, 
financially, to do so. This means that 
we have access to the best advisors 
and consultants. Contracts and 
timeframes are more competitive 
than at any time in recent memory, 
which means that there has not 
been a better opportunity to move 
forward with development projects 
for a long time. 

While the sector is going through 
a period of retrenchment and 
introspection, we will have taken the 
business forward and continued to 
build value for shareholders, which 
I believe will set us apart from the crowd 
when the tide and sentiment turns.

Whilst the current market is undoubtedly 
extremely challenging for all concerned, 
it actually presents what may be looked 
back upon as the greatest buying 
opportunity of a generation and 
hopefully in the course of this report 
we will convince our shareholders, 
both old and new, that Hummingbird 
is one of the best placed companies 
to ride out the storm and capitalise 
on that opportunity. 

Financing
During the year under review 
Hummingbird successfully arranged 
US$20m of funding via a US$5m strategic 
investment from the IFC, part of the 
World Bank, and through a US$15m 
royalty agreement with Anglo Pacific 
Group plc. These agreements mean 
that the Company is fully funded through 
to the end of the DFS and importantly, 
were achieved with minimal dilution 
to shareholders. Given the current 
situation many junior exploration 
and development companies find 
themselves in with a chronic lack of 
funds in a unsupportive market, we 
believe the funding achieved this year 
not only sets us apart from many of our 
peers but also provides significant 
endorsement for Hummingbird’s 
Dugbe 1 Project.

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

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Chief Executive Officer’s statement continued
Daniel Betts, Chief Executive Officer

“ The publication of the PEA formally marked the transition of 
Hummingbird from an exploration company to an exploration 
and development company.”

Financing continued
These funding streams provide 
significant benefits to Hummingbird 
above and beyond the capital. In the 
case of the IFC this investment marked 
its first in the Liberian mining sector. 
The IFC is respected globally by 
governments and investors alike: 
its support provides reassurance 
to our investors and the host country 
that Hummingbird’s activities will be 
conducted at the very cutting edge 
of social and environmental best 
practices, and it acts as a security 
blanket that the Company has the 
support of a major global financial 
institution working with ourselves and 
the Liberian government to bring this 
project to fruition. 

preliminary economic 
Assessment
In Q3 2012 we commenced our PEA 
which was completed and released 
to the market in April 2013. The PEA was 
conducted by Wardell Armstrong 
International Limited (“WAI”) with 
assistance from a number of 
other internationally recognised 
consulting firms.

The purpose of the PEA was to assess 
the potential economic viability of the 
gold we have already discovered in 
the Dugbe 1 Project. 

Because we wanted to be as thorough 
as possible in our understanding of the 
potential for the Dugbe 1 Project, the level 
of work was extremely comprehensive 
for this stage of project. 

The Dugbe 1 Project
The publication of the PEA formally 
marked the transition of Hummingbird 
from an exploration company to an 
exploration and development company.

The PEA showed, as seen above, 
that the Dugbe 1 Project is based 
on a robust resource producing solid 
financial returns. 

Capitalising on the successful PEA and 
the fact that we have funding in place, 
we have been able to commence 
progression towards a DFS resulting 
in the following key appointments:

 ► MDM appointed as lead consultant 

on the DFS;

 ► SRK appointed to carry out resource 
and reserve estimations together 
with mining optimisations;

 ► Coffey Mining appointed for the 

geotechnical studies;

 ► AMEC appointed to carry out 
the Environmental & Social 
Impact Assessment;

 ► Hummingbird has built an ‘owners’ 
team’ headed by Nigel Walls, 
a former director of WAI and COO, 
then CEO, of Ncondezi Coal; and

 ► Technical Advisory Committee was 
formed with Mike Skead, current 
VP Project Evaluation at Dundee 
Resources, Mark Calderwood, 
former CEO of Perseus Mining 
and David Pelham, Non-Executive 
Director of Hummingbird.

I would like to take this opportunity to 
thank David Pelham for his immense 
contribution to the Company over 
the last five years as he moves from 
Technical Director to Non-Executive 
Director. David first worked for 
Hummingbird as a consultant before 
spending the last five years as the 
Company’s Technical Director. David 
has led the geological team from grass 
roots exploration to where we stand 
today with a 3.8Moz gold Resource, 
a positive PEA and DFS well under way. 
It goes without saying that Hummingbird 
has benefited immensely from David’s 
experience during his time as Technical 
Director and we look forward to 
continuing to benefit from it as he 
transitions to Non-Executive Director.

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“ Hummingbird is a rare breed – a gold explorer, a project 
developer, a company which is funded through to DFS, 
with an ambitious management team and a highly 
experienced advisory committee and board.”

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exploration 
As well as transitioning to a developer 
during the year we have also made 
inroads on the exploration front. 
Arguably the most significant of these 
programmes was a 17,000 line km 
airborne magnetic and radiometric 
survey that was flown over the 2,000km2 
Dugbe Shear Zone licence area. This is 
the largest of its kind ever in Liberia and 
we believe it will lead us to many new 
targets once the full interpretation has 
been received. The results, which are 
due imminently, should greatly enhance 
our understanding of the regional 
geology across the shear zone and 
will hopefully help us identify a large 
number of potential targets which 
we will be able to actively explore. 
We will also be able to re-rank the 
prospectivity of all of our exploration 
targets by incorporating this new 
magnetic and radiometric geophysical 
data into our existing data which 
will be a significant step forward. 

Outlook
During the rest of 2013 and as we move 
forward into 2014, Hummingbird is fully 
focused on executing its strategy of 
further advancing the Dugbe 1 Project 
and progressing it closer to production. 

The Company is fully funded for the next 
important stage of its growth and it has 
the team in place to take the project to 
the conclusion of a DFS, at which stage 
the implementation of the first mine in 
south-east Liberia can commence.

Hummingbird is a rare breed – a 
gold explorer, a project developer, 
a company which is funded through 
to DFS, with an ambitious management 
team and a highly experienced advisory 
committee and board. Since its 
formation, the Company has a track 
record of delivery and of finding an 
alternative to the equity markets when 
and if necessary to preserve long-term 
equity value for shareholders. The 
darkest hour comes just before dawn, 
and I think that we have a great deal 
to look forward to. I would like to 
especially thank the whole Hummingbird 
team for their loyalty and dedication 
through this time and I look forward 
to an exciting year ahead.

Daniel Betts 
Chief Executive Officer 
14 August 2013

Dugbe 
Shear Zone
The DSZ is a 2,000km2 group of 
four licences in the south-east 
of Liberia. Within the DSZ is 
Hummingbird’s 3.8Moz Dugbe 1 
Project and a number of other 
highly prospective gold targets. 
A 17,000 line km airborne 
geophysical survey was flown 
over the entire shear zone in 2013 
to further our target generation 
to find the next Dugbe 1 Project. 

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

15

 
 
 
technical summary
Detailed feasibility study

The Company has formed an owners’ team 
with a wealth of experience and expertise 
to take the DFS and ESIA forward.

Key facts

 ► DFS underway and 
all consultants 
appointed

 ► MDM lead 

DFS consultant 
supported by:

 – SRK on Resource 

estimation;

 – Coffey Mining on 
Geotechnical 
Studies; and

 – AMEC on 

hydrological studies.

DFS
Hummingbird completed its PEA in April 2013 and subsequently 
has decided to move directly into a DFS. The primary rationale 
is that sufficient work has been completed over the last two 
years and it is now appropriate to take the project forward 
towards mine construction commencing with a DFS and 
an ESIA.

A comprehensive tender process for 
the DFS consultant was conducted from 
May to the end of June, commencing 
with a total of 17 expressions of interest 
and culminating with a short list of four 
tenderers who made presentations to 
our team during two days of interviews. 
At the end of this it was decided to 
award the contract to the AIM listed, 
Johannesburg-based company 
MDM Engineering Group Limited.

It has been decided to conduct the 
front end engineering and design 
(“FEED”) concurrently with the DFS 
in order to be able to proceed directly 
to an engineering, procurement 
and construction (“EPC”) contract 
at the end of the DFS and therefore 
reduce the overall timeframe to mine 
construction. It is expected that the 
DFS and FEED will be completed by 
the end of Q3 2014. 

MDM is the successor company 
to MDM Ferroman (Pty) Ltd (“MDM 
Ferroman”). Since purchasing MDM 
Ferroman’s 18 years of intellectual 
capital and employing all of their 
key staff in 2006, MDM has been 
implementing a new management 
style and processes. MDM has over 
24 years of operational experience and 
specialises in metallurgical and process 
engineering. Over 40 gold DFSs have 
been completed by the team (such as 
Agbaou in the Côte d’Ivoire for Etruscan 
Resources Inc., 2008), 90% of which 
went on to achieve third party funding, 
and MDM has designed and built over 
30 gold plants across Africa, such as 
the Tarkwa expansion for Gold Fields 
Limited in 2011.

The overall scope of work for the DFS 
consultant is summarised as follows:

 ► process engineering;

 ► civil engineering;

 ► structural engineering;

 ► mechanical engineering;

 ► electrical engineering;

 ► control and instrumentation 

engineering;

 ► front end engineering and design; 

 ► infrastructure;

 ► project risk analysis;

 ► project implementation plan; and

 ► capital and operating cost 

estimates +/- 10%.

16

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

MDM started work on the DFS 
in July 2013, with an initial site visit 
in August. Concurrent with this, 
additional metallurgical test work is 
underway at laboratories in South 
Africa to fine-tune the process flow 
sheet. This test work will be integrated 
into an initial Options Study, as part 
of the DFS, to fully evaluate 
the economic impact of different 
processing scenarios in order to 
produce the most economically 
robust and financeable project. 

Resource estimation
SRK has been appointed as the 
consultant for the resource estimation 
work, following a competitive tender 
process. A site visit to Dugbe to review 
our data, drill core and methodologies 
was completed during June and 
SRK is now advising Hummingbird 
on the resource categorisation 
and geological modelling.

To date 15,802m of infill drilling 
has been completed in 2013.

Reserve and mining
SRK has been appointed to conduct 
the reserve and mining element of 
the DFS following a competitive 
tender process. 

Geotechnical
Coffey Mining in Perth has been 
appointed to run the geotechnical 
studies for the DFS, including the design 
of the tailings management facility. 
The Coffey Mining team already knows 
the project from its previous work on 
the geotechnical section for the PEA. 

Hydrology
AMEC will be conducting all the 
hydrology and hydrogeology studies 
for the DFS and ESIA. A programme of 
ESIA water monitoring holes and holes 
for hydrogeology and associated 
packer testing was drilled over July 
and August for this part of the studies.

timelines
The DFS started in July 2013 and should 
be completed by the end of Q3 2014. 
Similarly, the ESIA started in April 2013 
and should be completed by the end 
of June 2014. 

Hummingbird owners’ team
The Company has formed an owners’ 
team with a wealth of experience 
and expertise to take the DFS and 
ESIA forwards. 

The Project Manager is Nigel Walls 
and he is responsible for overall 
co-ordination of the DFS.

The engineering, cost control and 
engineering management will be 
managed by Howard Rowland 
based in Johannesburg. He has been 
responsible for the tender process 
and will co-ordinate the day to day 
interaction with the DFS contractor, 
monitoring their progress, costs 
and suppliers. 

Mark Fleming, our Chief Geologist, 
will oversee all the geological work, 
such as the Resource estimation.

Kobus de Wet, also based in 
Johannesburg, will manage and 
advise on the metallurgy and process 
test work and provide guidance on 
the process flow sheet. 

The ESIA work will be advised by 
John Eyre and Kim-Marie Clothier 
of North Coast Consulting. They will 
be responsible for maintaining 
oversight of all aspects of the ESIA 
and will co-ordinate the programme 
with our SHEC manager. 

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SpOtLIGHt On LIBeRIA:
environment
We aim to leave a positive 
legacy which survives 
beyond the life of 
mine, economically, 
environmentally and socially.

Read more in our Corporate Social 
Responsibility report from page 39

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

17

 
 
 
technical summary continued
Preliminary economic assessment

The PEA, released in April 2013, highlighted the project 
to be robust from both a technical and economic 
perspective, and WAI saw no impediment to proceed 
directly to a DFS.

Dugbe 1 Project 
Wardell Armstrong International Limited was commissioned 
by Hummingbird in Q3 2012 to prepare a PEA on its Dugbe 1 
Project in Liberia, West Africa.

This PEA documents the geological 
mineral resource, the geological block 
modelling, the mineable resource, 
mineral processing, environmental 
and social issues and a financial 
assessment of the mining operations 
from project commencement to 
the end of mine life. WAI was the 
principal author of the PEA document, 
with input from a number of other 
internationally recognised companies.

The PEA, released in April 2013, 
highlighted the project to be 
robust from both a technical and 
economic perspective, and WAI 
saw no impediment to proceed 
directly to a DFS.

Summary
At the Dugbe 1 Project, a NI43-101 
compliant Inferred mineral Resource 
of 94.1Mt at an average of 1.27g/t Au 
has been confirmed. The resources are 
contained in both the Dugbe F and 
Tuzon deposits. The 3.83Moz resource 
converts to a potentially mineable 
resource, by applying dilution and 
mining recovery, of 67.9Mt at an average 
grade of 1.31g/t Au for 2.87Moz.

A mineral processing recovery of 90% 
has been applied to the potentially 
mineable resource based on a 
significant number of Au recovery tests.

A number of financial scenarios 
for the project were completed by 
applying different mining rates and 
processing technologies. Following 
a review, Hummingbird considers the 
3.5Mtpa owner-operated Tank Leach 
operation possesses the best balance 
of shareholder return, deliverability 
and achievable capital requirements. 
The gold price for the financial analysis 
was set to the three year trailing gold 
price, which at the time of reporting 
was US$1,500/oz.

The Project is situated 75km by road 
from the deep-water port of Greenville 
in south-eastern Liberia.

In terms of the size and average gold 
grade of the project, the Dugbe 1 
Project is considered to represent an 
attractive financial opportunity with 
a robust payback period.

It is estimated that first production 
could be achieved within 18 months 
from the commencement of 
construction of a 3.5Mtpa plant.

Key project facts

 ► post-tax NPV (10%) of 

US$337m giving an IRR 
of 43%;

 ► Capex of US$212m 
with a payback 
period of three years;

 ► 20 year LOM 

produces free cash 
of US$954m; 

 ► contract mining may 
significantly reduce 
initial Capex to 
US$143m and increase 
IRR to 55%;

 ► average annual gold 

production 
of 125,000oz;

 ► a low strip ratio of 3:1 

at Tuzon and potential 
gold recovery of up 
to 90%; and

 ► significant potential 
exists for extending 
the current resources 
and to make new 
discoveries in the 
Project area. 

18

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

Introduction
The PEA is based on the results from 
28 trenches and 279 diamond drill 
holes at the Dugbe F deposit and 
7 trenches and 78 diamond drill holes 
at the Tuzon deposit.

The PEA has been prepared by WAI on 
behalf of Hummingbird. The information, 
conclusions, opinions, and estimates 
contained in it are based on: 

 ► information available to WAI at 
the time of preparing the PEA, 
including previous Technical 
Reports prepared on the Dugbe 1 
Project and associated licences 
in close proximity to the Project;

 ► assumptions, conditions, and 

qualifications as set forth in the PEA; 

 ► data, reports, and other information 
supplied by Hummingbird and other 
third party sources;

 ► the capital expenditure (“Capex”) 

estimates for the mineral processing, 
infrastructure and tailings aspects of 
the project were estimated by GBM 
Minerals Engineering Consultants 
Limited (“GBM”) in 2011. The mining 
Capex aspects of the project were 
estimated by WAI, as well as the 
operating costs for mineral processing 
and mining. Cost estimates were 
generated using cost information 
extracted from industry standard 
databases and cost models; 
WAI and GBM cost models and 
databases; data released by 
public companies such as studies, 
operational reviews and due 
diligence report; and PEA, PFS, 
FS and BFS studies completed 
by WAI; and

 ► the mining operating cost estimates 
have been based upon the results of 
the pit optimisation and subsequent 
mining fleet analysis and therefore 
may differ slightly from the estimates 
used for the actual pit optimisations.

All cost estimates were to an accuracy 
of +/-40%.

Geology and mineralisation
The majority of Liberia and Sierra 
Leone is underlain by the Man Shield, 
an Archaean unit that comprises 
extensive granitic gneisses and 
granitoid rocks, which is in part overlain 
by the Proterozoic Birimian greenstones 
(Figure 1). The Birimian sequence 
surrounds the Man Shield along its 
northern and eastern edges, and 
consists of a series of volcano-
sedimentary rocks, gneisses and 
granites which have been subjected 
to various grades of metamorphism.

 ► quartz-feldspar-biotite-

orthopyroxene-garnet gneiss; and

 ► granitic intrusives of variable grainsize.

Tropical weathering has produced 
a superficial weathering profile which 
includes lateritic soils to a depth of 
5–10m that cover most of the Dugbe 1 
Project area. Outcrops of fresh 
bedrock are generally restricted to 
watercourses and occasional road 
cuttings.

Figure 1: Geology and gold 
deposits of West Africa

In the south-eastern part of Liberia, 
the correlative of the Birimian sequence 
is the Eburnean Metamorphic Province 
which is a largely gneissic terrain. 
In the Dugbe area, these Birimian-age 
rocks form an extensive belt of 
quartz-feldspar-biotite gneisses, 
extending from Greenville to Dugbe. 
The Dugbe 1 Project area is traversed 
by the Dugbe Shear Zone which 
strikes east-northeast, a structure that 
is well defined using aeromagnetic 
and radiometric data (Figure 2).

In the Dugbe 1 Project area, there are 
five main lithological units namely:

 ► quartz-feldspar-biotite gneiss;

 ► quartz-feldspar-biotite-garnet gneiss;

 ► quartz-feldspar-biotite-orthopyroxene 

gneiss;

Figure 2: Recent figure from 
airborne radiometric and 
geophysical survey; focus on 
Dugbe MDA area only

Using a cut-off grade of 0.5g/t Au to 
define a mineralised zone, the Dugbe 
F deposit comprises a single tabular 
zone of mineralisation that is 8-10m 
thick. The mineralisation extends over 
a north-northeast strike distance 
of 2,800m and dips at 20–25° to the 
southeast. Similarly at Tuzon, the 
deposit appears to be comprised 
of a number of stacked mineralised 
zones striking northeast-southwest for 
2,000m and dips at an average of 40° 
towards the south-east.

At both deposits the gold occurs 
as very fine, free grains within micro-
fractures, along grain boundaries 
and in quartz-sulphide stringer veins 
(Figure 3). The mineralisation is 
ubiquitous with elevated sulphide 
occurrence and is conspicuous by 
its lack of associated alteration and 
structure. Rare visible gold has been 
observed in drill core.

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Annual report 2013

19

 
 
 
 
technical summary continued
Preliminary economic assessment

Dugbe 1 Project continued
estimated mineral resources 
As part of the PEA, WAI confirmed 
that the deposit evaluation activities 
being carried out by Hummingbird 
at the Dugbe 1 Project are to a high 
industry standard.

WAI completed an independent audit 
of the identified mineral resources 
previously prepared by ACA Howe 
International Limited (“ACA Howe”). 
ACA Howe undertook the following:

 ► For both deposits mineralised 

envelopes were generated using 
a 0.5g/t Au cut-off grade on 
cross-sections, using both surface 
trenching and diamond core 
data. These envelopes were then 
wireframed to arrive at the current 
tonnage and grade estimations.

 ► The Dugbe F deposit was modelled 
using a columnar model prototype 
which was unfolded along with the  
sample data. The sample data was  
then composited to the full intercept 
width. No top cut was applied. 
The grade estimation was carried 
out using the Inverse Distance 
Weighting Squared (“IDW2”) 
approach on a metal accumulation 
(grade x true thickness).

 ► At Tuzon, the sample data was 
composited to 1m. A top cut of 
7g/t Au was applied to the 
composited data. A block model 
was created within the wireframe 
based on a parent cell size of 10m x 
20m x 10m (X,Y,Z). The Tuzon model 
and sample data was unfolded 
and the estimation also carried 
out using IDW2.

Figure 4: Hummingbird 
drill campaigns at the  
Dugbe 1 Project

Table 1.1: Dugbe F and Tuzon Resource estimates (WAI, 1 March 2013) 
(in accordance with the guidelines of NI43-101)

Dugbe F

Inferred

Tonnage

Au

Metal

tuzon

Inferred

Tonnage

Au

Metal

total

Inferred

Tonnage

Au

Metal

Unit

Mt

g/t

Kg

Koz

Mt

g/t

Kg

Koz

Mt

g/t

Kg

Koz

Cut-off grade (g/tAu)

0.5

43.0

1.28

1.0

30.0

1.47

2.0

3.49

2.48

54,900

44,200

8,640

1,760

1,420

51.1

1.26

31.4

1.57

278

4.90

2.45

64,400

49,300

11,900

2,070

1,590

94.1

1.27

61.4

1.52

382

8.39

2.46

119,000

93,500

20,500

3,830

3,010

660

Figure 3: Fine free gold (Au) 
along grain boundaries at 
Dugbe F (qz-quartz, bi-biotite, 
pl-plagioclase, ap-apatite, 
po-pyrrhotite, as-arsenopyrite)

At Dugbe F, 199 mainly NQ diamond 
core holes totalling 26,201.3m have 
been drilled, with 20,177 samples 
assayed, on a spacing of 160m x 160m 
with some 80m spaced infill in areas 
considered to be more complex 
(Figure 4). 28 trenches have also 
been dug spaced along the deposit 
totalling 2,521.8m for 1,334 samples.

At Tuzon, 65 NQ diamond core holes 
totalling 16,094.3m have been drilled, 
with 7,897 samples assayed, on a spacing 
of 160m x 160m (Figure 4), with some 
additional infill at 80m spacing. Seven 
trenches have also been dug, spaced 
along the deposit, totalling 1,682.0m 
for 666 samples.

This data forms the basis for the 
identified mineral resource estimate 
reported. The database was verified 
by WAI and was considered to be 
of generally good working order 
and suitable for use in an identified 
mineral resource estimate.

20

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

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Figure 5: Grade-tonnage curve of the  
in-situ Mineral Resource for Dugbe F

Figure 6: Grade-tonnage curve of the  
in-situ Mineral Resource for Tuzon

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2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

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3.50

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

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1.80

1.60

1.40

1.20

1.00

0.80

0.60

0.50

0.40

0.20 none

3.00

2.75

2.50

2.25

2.00

1.75

1.50

1.25

1.00

0.75

0.50

0.25

Block model cut-off value Au g/t

Grade Au g/t

Tonnage

Block model cut-off value Au g/t

Grade Au g/t

Tonnage

A summary of the evaluation of in-situ 
Mineral Resources is shown in Table 1.1 
below and the grade-tonnage curves 
for the Dugbe F and Tuzon deposits are 
given in Figures 5 and 6 respectively.

Mineral processing
A significant number of tests for this 
level of study assessing gold recovery, 
on samples distributed throughout 
both deposits, have been undertaken 
at a number of different internationally 
respected laboratories. This test work 
has demonstrated that the mineralised 

rocks at Dugbe F and Tuzon are 
amenable to cyanidation leaching.

a Heap Leach (based on what is 
typical for Heap Leach operations). 

Two principal process routes have been 
considered using sodium cyanide with 
subsequent gold recovery:

 ► Tank Leach (conventional tank 
Carbon-in-Leach (“CIL”)); and

A conceptual flow sheet for Tank Leach 
comprises: single stage crushing, open 
circuit Semi-Autogenous Grinding 
(“SAG”), closed circuit ball milling, 
carbon-in-leach, carbon stripping, 
electrowinning and bullion smelting. 

 ► Heap Leach.

Gold recoveries of up to 90% are 
anticipated with a Tank Leach (based 
on test work completed) and 60% with 

SpOtLIGHt On LIBeRIA:
Access and infrastructure
Hummingbird Resources invests 
directly in the people of Liberia. 
Hummingbird’s activities will 
have positive multiplier effects 
to the wider population. 

Read more in our Corporate Social 
Responsibility report from page 39

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
technical summary continued
Preliminary economic assessment

Dugbe 1 Project continued
Mineral processing continued
The design criteria is given below for 
a conceptual plant based on the 
extraction of 3.5Mtpa ore:

 ► Stage 1 Ore Receiving Section – 
ore will be delivered to a static 
grizzly (-600mm material), then 
moved to a jaw crusher (-150mm 
material), and next to an ore 
stockpile. This circuit will treat 
approximately 750t/hour.

 ► Stage 2 Grinding – ore will be fed 

into an 8.5m x 4.35m SAG mill fitted 
with a 6,000kW motor at a rate of 
440tph. Ore will be ground to 80% 
passing (P80) through 850µm and 
pass into hydro-cyclone classification. 
Underflow from the cyclone will 
pass into a closed circuit Ball mill 
to be ground to a P80 of 75 µm. 
Overflow will return to the SAG mill.

 ► Stage 3 CIL Circuit – product from 
the grinding will be pumped from 
the pre-leach sump to six 3,300m3 
tanks operating in series.

 ► Stage 4 Doré Production – this will 

comprise an elution circuit of AARL 
type design.

 ► Stage 5 Carbon Regeneration – 

this stage will comprise a diesel fired 
rotary kiln and reactivated carbon 
will be returned to the CIL circuit.

 ► Stage 6 Cyanide Detoxification – 
the final stage of the process will 
include cyanide detoxification prior 
to disposal of wastes into a tailings 
management facility.

A conceptual flow sheet for a similarly 
sized Heap Leach process comprises 
pregnant solution from the heap 
sent to a desorption circuit, followed 
by electrowinning and production 
of gold cathode. Due to uncertainties 
surrounding the operation of a Heap 
Leach process in the relatively high 
rainfall tropical environment the 
Tank Leach option would appear 
to provide a more stable and robust 
process option.

Table 1.2: WAI Estimate –  
Potential Mineable Resource for a Tank Leach process route (February 2013)

Classification

Dugbe F Ore

tuzon

total

Waste

Strip ratio

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

In-situ ore

Waste

Strip ratio

total 
tonnes
Mt

Grade
Au 
(g/t)

Contained gold

g

oz

29.6

182

6.15

38.4

115

3.00

67.9

297

4.37

1.32

38,900,000

1,250,000

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.31

50,300,000

1,620,000

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.31

89,200,000

2,870,000

—

—

—

—

—

—

Table 1.3: WAI Estimate –  
Potential Mineable Resource for a Heap Leach process route (February 2013)

Classification

Dugbe F Ore

tuzon

total

Waste

Strip ratio

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

In-situ ore

Waste

Strip ratio

total 
tonnes
Mt

Grade
Au 
(g/t)

Contained gold

g

oz

26.8

134

5.00

40.6

121

2.99

67.4

255

3.79

1.29

34,600,000

1,110,000

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.27

51,700,000

1,660,000

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.28

86,400,000

2,780,000

—

—

—

—

—

—

Mineable resources
WAI performed a series of open pit 
optimisations on the Inferred Resource, 
after applying 5% dilution and a mining 
recovery of 95%, in order to assess the 
potential geometries of the final economic 
pits and the mineable resources for 
the Dugbe F and Tuzon deposits. 
Pit slopes of 55° and 52° were applied 
to Dugbe F and Tuzon respectively.

The results indicate that for the Tank 
Leach process route, the Dugbe 1 Project 

has a total potentially mineable resource 
of 67.9Mt at a diluted average grade 
of 1.31g/t for 2.87Moz of contained 
metal (Table 1.2).

For the Heap Leach process, the 
optimisation results generated a 
potentially mineable resource of 67.4Mt 
at diluted grade 1.28g/t for 2.78Moz 
of gold (Table 1.3).

The pit optimisations were undertaken 
using the most recent block models 
generated by ACA Howe and audited 

22

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

by WAI. Inferred Resources have been 
included within the pit optimisation to 
derive an estimate of the mineable 
resource. For the purposes of the PEA, 
and in order to distinguish the material 
identified as potentially mineable from 
a Reserve as defined under the terms 
of NI 43-101, this material is referred to 
as a “potentially mineable resource”.

Mining
Mining at Dugbe F and Tuzon will be a 
conventional open pit operation with 
ore and waste extracted via drill, blast, 
load and haul. The mining equipment 
fleet is likely to consist of Atlas Copco 
FlexiROC D60 track-mounted drills for 
blast hole drilling, and Liebherr 8m3 
and 15m3 shovels for ore and waste 
excavation respectively.

Upon loading, ore will be hauled from 
Dugbe F and Tuzon pits in plant such as 
Caterpillar (“CAT”) 777G 90t haul trucks 
to a centralised Run-of-Mine (“ROM”) 
pad, from where it will be fed into a 
primary crusher, its entry into the 
processing plant.

Waste from Dugbe F and Tuzon will be 
hauled in 90t trucks to waste dumps 
located on the footwall side of each pit.

Mining operations at the Dugbe 1 Project 
will have a strip ratio of approximately 
3:1 at Tuzon and 6:1 at Dugbe F. The 
resultant open pit footprint at Tuzon is 

approximately 1.75km along strike by 
0.75km across strike and some 200m 
deep, with a resultant total rock 
tonnage of approximately 115Mt. 

WAI generated a series of production 
schedules for each process route 
scenario (Tank Leach and Heap Leach) 
at production rates of 2Mtpa, 3.5Mtpa, 
5Mtpa and 8Mtpa, presented in Table 1.4 
and Table 1.5 on the following pages.

Project infrastructure
Abundant water is available within the 
site location, with annual rainfall in the 
area typically averaging at 4,000mm. 
Large raw water and process water 
tanks are proposed to be established. 
Decanter water from the tailings 
management facility will be returned 
to the plant in preference to raw water 
from environmental sources.

It is estimated that for a 3.5Mtpa plant, 
the power supply required will be 17.5MW. 
For the PEA, power estimations have 
been worked out using US$0.28/kWh, 
which is based on using Light Fuel Oil 
(“LFO”) leased generators. It is believed 
that a significant optimisation of power 
supply can occur that will reduce the 
cost, e.g. the option of using heavy 
fuel oil generators has the potential to 
produce power for around US$0.17/kWh. 
Also, the opportunity for hydroelectric 
power at a number of regional sites 

could be suitable for run-of-river 
hydro-schemes sufficient to produce 
up to 30MW of power at a cost of 
US$0.18/kWh. Potential may also exist 
to use crude palm oil from nearby 
plantations that could be mixed 
direct with LFO to make biodiesel.

WAI has provided a provisional mine 
layout (Figure 7) and identified a 
potentially suitable naturally occurring 
valley some 2.5km to the north of the 
Tuzon deposit that could support 
a tailings management facility.

Figure 7: Dugbe 1 Project

Access will include the upgrade 
of the 75km road from Greenville, 
where a deep water port is located, 
to a two-lane laterite road suitable 
for heavy mining equipment. 

B
u
S
I

n
e
S
S
A
n
D
O
p
e
R
A
t
I
O
n
A
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e
v

I
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W

Global compliance standards
Since Hummingbird Resources began operations in Liberia, we have 
been compliant with the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency 
Initiative (“LEITI”), a scheme designed to ensure financial transparency 
and accountability to an internationally recognised standard. 
Liberia was the first African country to be compliant with the 
global EITI, and we are proud to support this initiative.

Read more in our Corporate Social 
Responsibility report from page 39

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

23

 
 
 
technical summary continued
Preliminary economic assessment

Dugbe 1 Project continued
Project infrastructure continued

Table 1.4: LOM mining production schedules, Tank Leach scenario 

Year

2Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 
3.5Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 
5Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 
8Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 

Year

2Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 
3.5Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 
5Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 

8Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 

Unit

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Unit

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

total

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

67.9
297
4.37
1.31

67.9
297
4.37
1.31

67.9
297
4.37
1.31

67.9
297
4.37
1.31

2.00
2.80
1.40
1.51

3.49
7.00
2.00
1.47

4.99
8.93
1.79
1.44

7.98
15.3
1.91
1.41

1.99
4.50
2.26
1.38

3.49
7.37
2.11
1.37

4.99
9.26
1.86
1.40

7.98
17.3
2.17
1.44

1.99
4.07
2.04
1.42

3.49
5.45
1.56
1.44

4.99
16.8
3.37
1.44

7.98
28.0
3.50
1.23

2.00
3.91
1.96
1.31

3.49
10.2
2.92
1.46

4.99
16.9
3.39
1.30

7.98
27.7
3.47
1.20

2.00
2.92
1.46
1.48

3.50
11.8
3.38
1.32

4.99
12.7
2.55
1.17

6.45
26.7
4.15
1.27

2.00
2.95
1.48
1.56

3.49
11.8
3.38
1.24

4.99
17.5
3.50
1.16

7.98
50.2
6.29
1.22

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

2.00
7.61
3.81
1.30

3.49
20.9
5.97
1.02

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

1.99
13.4
6.71
1.22

3.49
22.6
6.46
1.49

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

2.00
12.7
6.37
1.23

1.63
3.61
2.21
1.73

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

1.99
13.5
6.77
1.22

2.00
13.5
6.78
1.14

2.00
14.1
7.08
1.30

2.00
13.5
6.77
1.19

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

1.99

2.76

1.39

1.42

3.49

10.5

3.00

1.16

4.99

12.3

2.47

1.30

7.98

44.4

5.57

1.30

2.00

11.8

5.91

1.30

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

3.54

1.78

1.28

3.49

11.9

3.41

1.14

3.46

20.6

5.96

1.24

7.98

50.0

6.27

1.28

1.99

12.4

6.23

1.21

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

13.9

6.98

1.22

3.49

12.0

3.42

1.31

4.99

37.1

7.43

1.21

5.62

37.3

6.62

1.53

2.00

12.3

6.15

1.31

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99 

9.23

4.63

1.27

3.49

6.60

1.89

1.27

4.99

31.9

6.39

1.28

—

—

—

—

28

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

5.52

2.77

1.28

3.46

20.5

5.93

1.23

4.99

30.0

6.01

1.38

—

—

—

—

29

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

3.09

1.55

1.23

3.49

24.1

6.90

1.21

4.99

31.2

6.26

1.36

—

—

—

—

30

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

2.34

1.18

1.20

3.49

23.6

6.76

1.17

4.99

31.3

6.28

1.44

—

—

—

—

31

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

7.58

3.80

1.05

3.49

22.4

6.42

1.27

4.62

20.4

4.41

1.22

—

—

—

—

32

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99 

13.0

6.53

1.16

3.49

20.6

5.92

1.29

2.00

7.05

3.53

1.37

3.49

21.8

6.25

1.31

1.99

4.32

2.17

1.23

3.49

22.2

6.37

1.58

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

33

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

34

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

35

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

12.6

6.31

1.37

1.99

12.7

6.38

1.54

1.99

13.0

6.50

1.31

2.00

12.7

6.39

1.07

2.00

12.7

6.37

1.30

1.99

10.2

5.12

1.58

1.63

4.06

2.49

1.74

0.47

0.51

1.08

1.23

24

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

Dugbe 1 Project continued

Project infrastructure continued

Table 1.4: LOM mining production schedules, Tank Leach scenario 

2Mtpa mining schedule

3.5Mtpa mining schedule

5Mtpa mining schedule

8Mtpa mining schedule

2Mtpa mining schedule

3.5Mtpa mining schedule

5Mtpa mining schedule

8Mtpa mining schedule

Year

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Year

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Unit

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Unit

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

67.9

297

4.37

1.31

67.9

297

4.37

1.31

67.9

297

4.37

1.31

67.9

297

4.37

1.31

2.00

7.61

3.81

1.30

3.49

20.9

5.97

1.02

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

2.80

1.40

1.51

3.49

7.00

2.00

1.47

4.99

8.93

1.79

1.44

7.98

15.3

1.91

1.41

1.99

13.4

6.71

1.22

3.49

22.6

6.46

1.49

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

4.50

2.26

1.38

3.49

7.37

2.11

1.37

4.99

9.26

1.86

1.40

7.98

17.3

2.17

1.44

2.00

12.7

6.37

1.23

1.63

3.61

2.21

1.73

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

4.07

2.04

1.42

3.49

5.45

1.56

1.44

4.99

16.8

3.37

1.44

7.98

28.0

3.50

1.23

1.99

13.5

6.77

1.22

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

3.91

1.96

1.31

3.49

10.2

2.92

1.46

4.99

16.9

3.39

1.30

7.98

27.7

3.47

1.20

2.00

13.5

6.78

1.14

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

2.92

1.46

1.48

3.50

11.8

3.38

1.32

4.99

12.7

2.55

1.17

6.45

26.7

4.15

1.27

2.00

14.1

7.08

1.30

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

2.95

1.48

1.56

3.49

11.8

3.38

1.24

4.99

17.5

3.50

1.16

7.98

50.2

6.29

1.22

2.00

13.5

6.77

1.19

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

total

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

1.99
2.76
1.39
1.42

3.49
10.5
3.00
1.16

4.99
12.3
2.47
1.30

7.98
44.4
5.57
1.30

1.99
3.54
1.78
1.28

3.49
11.9
3.41
1.14

3.46
20.6
5.96
1.24

7.98
50.0
6.27
1.28

2.00
13.9
6.98
1.22

3.49
12.0
3.42
1.31

4.99
37.1
7.43
1.21

5.62
37.3
6.62
1.53

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

2.00
11.8
5.91
1.30

1.99
12.4
6.23
1.21

2.00
12.3
6.15
1.31

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

B
u
S
I

n
e
S
S
A
n
D
O
p
e
R
A
t
I
O
n
A
L
R
e
v

I
e
W

1.99 
9.23
4.63
1.27

3.49
6.60
1.89
1.27

4.99
31.9
6.39
1.28

—
—
—
—

28

2.00
12.6
6.31
1.37

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

1.99
5.52
2.77
1.28

3.46
20.5
5.93
1.23

4.99
30.0
6.01
1.38

—
—
—
—

29

1.99
12.7
6.38
1.54

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

2.00
3.09
1.55
1.23

3.49
24.1
6.90
1.21

4.99
31.2
6.26
1.36

—
—
—
—

30

1.99
13.0
6.50
1.31

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

1.99
2.34
1.18
1.20

3.49
23.6
6.76
1.17

4.99
31.3
6.28
1.44

—
—
—
—

31

2.00
12.7
6.39
1.07

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

2.00
7.58
3.80
1.05

3.49
22.4
6.42
1.27

4.62
20.4
4.41
1.22

—
—
—
—

32

2.00
12.7
6.37
1.30

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

1.99 
13.0
6.53
1.16

3.49
20.6
5.92
1.29

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

33

1.99
10.2
5.12
1.58

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

2.00
7.05
3.53
1.37

3.49
21.8
6.25
1.31

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

34

1.63
4.06
2.49
1.74

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

1.99
4.32
2.17
1.23

3.49
22.2
6.37
1.58

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

35

0.47
0.51
1.08
1.23

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

25

 
 
 
technical summary continued
Preliminary economic assessment

Dugbe 1 Project continued
Project infrastructure continued

Table 1.5: LOM mining production schedules, Heap Leach scenario 

Year

2Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 

3.5Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 

5Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 

8Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 

Year

2Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 

3.5Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 

5Mtpa mining schedule 
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 

8Mtpa mining schedule
Ore
Waste
Strip ratio
Au grade 

Unit

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Unit

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

total

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

67.9 
297 
4.37 
1.31 

67.9
297
4.37
1.31

67.9
297
4.37
1.31

67.9
297
4.37
1.31

2.00
5.38
2.69
1.37

3.49
9.39
2.69
1.34

4.99
15.2
3.05
1.30

7.98 
23.2 
2.91
1.33

1.99
6.20
3.11
1.31

3.49
10.5
2.99
1.26

4.98
14.7
2.94
1.29

7.98 
24.2 
3.03
1.35

1.99
5.87
2.94
1.26

3.49
10.4
2.96
1.35

4.99
15.1
3.04
1.46

7.98 
24.2 
3.03
1.34

2.00
6.25
3.13
1.22

3.49
10.2
2.91
1.32

4.99
15.2
3.04
1.33

7.98 
24.4 
3.06
1.18

2.00
5.91
2.96
1.30

3.49
10.6
3.05
1.40

4.99
15.1
3.02
1.29

7.98 
24.5 
3.07
1.17

1.99
6.45
3.24
1.29

3.49
10.6
3.04
1.41

4.99
15.1
3.02
1.20

7.98 
49.9 
6.25
1.26

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

1.99
5.60
2.81
1.28

3.49
19.8
5.68
1.26

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

2.00
6.34
3.18
1.24

3.49
20.1
5.74
1.07

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

1.99
5.69
2.85
1.00

2.32
2.11
0.91
1.29

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

2.00
13.4
6.72
1.21

2.00
11.9
5.95
1.18

2.00
11.9
5.98
1.17

1.99
12.8
6.43
1.23

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

2.00

5.98

3.00

1.47

3.49

10.5

3.01

1.29

4.99

15.5

3.10

1.21

7.98 

30.1 

3.78

1.36

2.00

5.01

2.51

1.34

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

5.94

2.98

1.49

3.49

10.7

3.06

1.20

4.99

14.8

2.96

1.13

7.98 

45.8 

5.73

1.30

1.99

7.70

3.86

1.46

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

5.92

2.97

1.34

3.49

10.1

2.89

1.18

4.99

28.9

5.80

1.19

3.51 

9.04 

2.57

1.21

1.99

11.5

5.75

1.33

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

6.31

3.16

1.38

3.49

9.77

2.80

1.21

4.99

23.6

4.72

1.33

—

—

—

—

28

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

6.44

3.23

1.35

3.49

10.0

2.87

1.21

4.99

26.1

5.23

1.35

—

—

—

—

29

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

6.06

3.04

1.30

2.19

8.73

3.99

1.04

4.99

24.2

4.84

1.47

—

—

—

—

30

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

6.17

3.10

1.15

3.49

22.9

6.55

1.20

4.99

29.0

5.82

1.14

—

—

—

—

31

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

6.45

3.23

1.22

3.49

20.6

5.91

1.22

2.52

3.05

1.21

1.28

—

—

—

—

32

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

5.98

3.00

1.21

3.49

10.2

2.92

1.39

2.00

6.04

3.02

1.14

3.49

17.8

5.11

1.44

2.00

5.52

2.77

1.21

3.49

20.4

5.83

1.48

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

33

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

34

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

35

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

12.1

6.04

1.40

1.99

7.83

3.92

1.85

1.99

12.1

6.07

1.15

2.00

10.9

5.45

1.11

1.99

12.2

6.09

1.07

2.00

4.26

2.13

1.30

1.52

1.34

0.88

1.27

26

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Hummingbird Resources Plc

Dugbe 1 Project continued

Project infrastructure continued

Table 1.5: LOM mining production schedules, Heap Leach scenario 

2Mtpa mining schedule

3.5Mtpa mining schedule

5Mtpa mining schedule

8Mtpa mining schedule

2Mtpa mining schedule

3.5Mtpa mining schedule

5Mtpa mining schedule 

8Mtpa mining schedule

Year

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Year

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Ore

Waste

Strip ratio

Au grade 

Unit

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Unit

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

Mt

Mt

W:O

g/t

67.9 

297 

4.37 

1.31 

67.9

297

4.37

1.31

67.9

297

4.37

1.31

67.9

297

4.37

1.31

1.99

5.60

2.81

1.28

3.49

19.8

5.68

1.26

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

5.38

2.69

1.37

3.49

9.39

2.69

1.34

4.99

15.2

3.05

1.30

7.98 

23.2 

2.91

1.33

2.00

6.34

3.18

1.24

3.49

20.1

5.74

1.07

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

6.20

3.11

1.31

3.49

10.5

2.99

1.26

4.98

14.7

2.94

1.29

7.98 

24.2 

3.03

1.35

1.99

5.69

2.85

1.00

2.32

2.11

0.91

1.29

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

5.87

2.94

1.26

3.49

10.4

2.96

1.35

4.99

15.1

3.04

1.46

7.98 

24.2 

3.03

1.34

2.00

13.4

6.72

1.21

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

6.25

3.13

1.22

3.49

10.2

2.91

1.32

4.99

15.2

3.04

1.33

7.98 

24.4 

3.06

1.18

2.00

11.9

5.95

1.18

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.00

5.91

2.96

1.30

3.49

10.6

3.05

1.40

4.99

15.1

3.02

1.29

7.98 

24.5 

3.07

1.17

2.00

11.9

5.98

1.17

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.99

6.45

3.24

1.29

3.49

10.6

3.04

1.41

4.99

15.1

3.02

1.20

7.98 

49.9 

6.25

1.26

1.99

12.8

6.43

1.23

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

total

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

2.00
5.98
3.00
1.47

3.49
10.5
3.01
1.29

4.99
15.5
3.10
1.21

7.98 
30.1 
3.78
1.36

1.99
5.94
2.98
1.49

3.49
10.7
3.06
1.20

4.99
14.8
2.96
1.13

7.98 
45.8 
5.73
1.30

1.99
5.92
2.97
1.34

3.49
10.1
2.89
1.18

4.99
28.9
5.80
1.19

3.51 
9.04 
2.57
1.21

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

2.00
5.01
2.51
1.34

1.99
7.70
3.86
1.46

1.99
11.5
5.75
1.33

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

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6.31
3.16
1.38

3.49
9.77
2.80
1.21

4.99
23.6
4.72
1.33

—
—
—
—

28

2.00
12.1
6.04
1.40

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

1.99
6.44
3.23
1.35

3.49
10.0
2.87
1.21

4.99
26.1
5.23
1.35

—
—
—
—

29

1.99
7.83
3.92
1.85

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

2.00
6.06
3.04
1.30

2.19
8.73
3.99
1.04

4.99
24.2
4.84
1.47

—
—
—
—

30

1.99
12.1
6.07
1.15

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

1.99
6.17
3.10
1.15

3.49
22.9
6.55
1.20

4.99
29.0
5.82
1.14

—
—
—
—

31

2.00
10.9
5.45
1.11

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

2.00
6.45
3.23
1.22

3.49
20.6
5.91
1.22

2.52
3.05
1.21
1.28

—
—
—
—

32

1.99
12.2
6.09
1.07

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

1.99
5.98
3.00
1.21

3.49
10.2
2.92
1.39

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

33

2.00
6.04
3.02
1.14

3.49
17.8
5.11
1.44

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

34

2.00
4.26
2.13
1.30

1.52
1.34
0.88
1.27

—
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—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

2.00
5.52
2.77
1.21

3.49
20.4
5.83
1.48

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—

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www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

27

 
 
 
technical summary continued
Preliminary economic assessment

Dugbe 1 Project continued
environmental studies
The Government of Liberia, via the 
Environmental Protection Agency 
(“EPA”), has indicated that it requires 
Hummingbird to complete an ESIA 
for the Dugbe 1 Project to comply 
with international standards.

environmental and social issues have 
been identified which are likely to require 
careful consideration and allocation 
of resources for management:

 ►  pollution of surface water and 
changes to surface water flows;

 ►  pollution of groundwater and 

Environmental and socio-economic 
receptors have been identified, 
including: surface water resource, 
groundwater, biodiversity, local 
communities and artisanal mining. 
Based on the high sensitivity of the 
receptors, the following potential 

localised changes to groundwater 
flows and levels;

 ►  loss of, or changes to, significant 

biodiversity, including internationally 
threatened and endangered species;

 ► unplanned increases in the 
human population leading 
to resource issues and complex 
relocation related impacts; 

 ►  presence of a well-established 
artisanal mining industry; and

 ►  cumulative impacts on the 

forest ecosystem.

No unmanageable impacts have 
been identified at this early stage 
of the project’s development.

Table 1.6: Summary of initial capital expenditure for the Dugbe 1 Project

Direct costs

2Mtpa

3.5Mtpa

5Mtpa

8Mtpa

2Mtpa

3.5Mtpa

5Mtpa

8Mtpa

tank Leach

Heap Leach

Direct costs (US$m)
Mining
  Process – single stage crushing
  Process – milling
  Process – leaching
  Process – carbon circuit
  Process – gold room
  Process – tailings detoxification
  Process – reagents
  Process – others

Total process

  Infrastructure
  Power

Total infrastructure and power

Tailings management facility

Total direct (US$m)

EPCM
Temporary facilities
Freight
Communications and vendors
Spares
Working capital
Contingency

Total indirect (US$m)

total initial capital expenditure

53.5
4.99
16.8
6.66
3.89
0.80
1.77
1.44
1.84

38.2

13.5
0.66

14.2

6.90

113

10.1
1.78
1.78
0.89
2.97
13.6
11.9

43.0

156

68.7
6.98
23.5
9.31
5.45
1.13
2.47
2.02
2.58

53.4

18.9
0.92

19.9

9.70

152

14.1
2.49
2.49
1.24
4.15
19.1
16.6

60.2

212

103
8.64
29.1
11.5
6.75
1.39
3.06
3.02
3.19

66.7

23.5
1.14

24.6

12.0

207

17.6
3.10
3.10
1.55
5.16
23.8
20.7

74.9

282

134
11.5
38.5
15.3
8.94
1.85
4.06
3.32
4.23

87.7

24.3
1.52

25.8

16.0

263

22.0
3.88
3.88
1.94
6.47
29.8
25.9

93.8

357

53.5
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

18.3

—
—

13.9

—

85.7

—
—
—
—
—
—
—

68.7
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

25.5

—
—

19.5

—

114

—
—
—
—
—
—
—

103
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

31.6

—
—

24.2

—

159

—
—
—
—
—
—
—

134
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

41.9

—
—

32.0

—

208

—
—
—
—
—
—
—

22.4

108

31.3

145

38.8

198

51.4

259

28

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

 
Capital expenditure
For the 2Mtpa base case, the initial 
capital expenditure was estimated at 
US$156m for a Tank Leach process route 
and US$108m for a Heap Leach 
process route.

The maximum initial capital expenditure 
required to develop the project for the 
8Mtpa case has been estimated at 
US$357m for a Tank Leach operation 
and US$259m for a Heap Leach operation.

The initial capital expenditure estimates 
are summarised in Table 1.6.

The mining component of the estimates 
equates to approximately 35% of the 
total capital cost, with the processing 
capital expenditure (including indirect 
costs) at 50% and the remaining 
15% consisting of infrastructure and 
tailings items.

Sustaining capital expenditure 
throughout the LOM is summarised 
in Table 1.7 below.

Operating costs
Utilising the mining production schedules, 
a fleet and haulage analysis was used 
to estimate the mining operating cost 
over the LOM. This includes estimates 
for drill, blast, load, haul, grade control 
and mine maintenance operations. 

Table 1.7: Estimated LOM sustaining capital expenditure

Category

Unit

2Mtpa

3.5Mtpa

5Mtpa

8Mtpa

Tank Leach operations

US$m

Heap Leach operations US$m

52

31

44

26

35

22

33

20

Table 1.8: WAI operating cost estimate

process route

Tank Leach

Heap Leach

Mining

G&A

Rehabilitation

Unit

2Mtpa

3.5Mtpa

US$/t ore

US$/t ore

US$/t rock

US$/t rock

US$/t ore

20.30

18.00

8.40

2.20

0.50

0.25

7.31

2.07

0.50

0.25

5Mtpa

17.10

6.87

1.68

0.50

0.25

8Mtpa

16.30

6.49

1.60

0.50

0.25

The mining operating costs range from 
US$2.20/t rock to US$1.60/t rock for the 
2Mtpa to 8Mtpa operations respectively, 
with the operating cost decreasing 
as production rate increases and 
economies of scale are achieved. 
Mineral processing operating costs, 
made up of estimates for reagents, 
power, labour and maintenance, 
range from US$20.30/t ore to US$16.30/t 

ore for Tank Leach and US$8.40/t ore 
to US$6.49/t ore for Heap Leach. 
These operating costs assume power 
generation using a light fuel oil plant 
at a cost of US$0.28/kWh (Table 1.8).

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SpOtLIGHt On LIBeRIA:
pygmy Hippo Foundation
In July 2011 we founded the 
Pygmy Hippo Foundation, 
a UK registered charity, 
dedicated to improving 
conservation in Liberia.

Read more in our Corporate Social 
Responsibility report from page 39

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

29

 
 
 
technical summary continued
Preliminary economic assessment

Dugbe 1 Project continued
Life of Mine plan
WAI completed a series of post-tax 
discounted cash flow analyses of the 
Dugbe 1 Project, applying variable 
mining rates and assessing both the 
Tank Leach and Heap Leach options, 
to assess the project’s potential from 
a financial perspective (Table 1.9). 
The resultant models assumed a tax 
holiday for the first three years of 
production during capital redemption, 
followed by a standard 30% tax on 
revenue as from year four.

For a Tank Leach, contractor mining 
scenario, the Dugbe 1 Project generates 
a positive NPV, discounted at 10%, 
ranging between US$118m and 

US$418m depending on the production 
rate, with robust IRRs of 38% to 56% 
respectively. Using a three year trailing 
gold price of US$1,500/oz, the payback 
period is 2–3 years depending on the 
production rate.

For a Heap Leach operating scenario, 
the NPV (10%) ranges between 
US$59m and US$212m, with IRRs 
ranging from 30% to 52% respectively. 
The payback period is 3–4 years, 
depending on the level of production.

For a Tank Leach, owner-operated 
mining scenario (Table 1.10), the 
Dugbe 1 Project generates a positive 
NPV (10%) ranging between US$170m 
and US$504m depending on the 

production rate, with robust IRRs of 30% 
to 47% respectively. Using a three year 
trailing gold price of US$1,500/oz, 
the payback period is 2–3 years 
depending on the production rate.

For a Heap Leach, owner-operated 
scenario, the NPV (10%) ranges 
between US$112m and US$357m, 
with IRRs ranging from 25% to 47% 
respectively. The payback period 
is 3–4 years, depending on the level 
of production.

Table 1.9: Financial analysis of the Dugbe 1 Project – Contractor mining

Summary of Results

LOM totals

Total ore treated

Total gold produced

Total revenue

Total operating cost

Unit

kt

Moz

US$m

US$m

2.5

3,800

2,740

Total operating cost cash 
years 1–5 

US$/oz

952

Total operating cost cash  US$/oz

1,240

Initial capital expenditure US$m

102

Sustaining capital 
expenditure

Total royalty, G&A

Taxes

US$m

US$m

US$m

Operating free cash flow US$m

npv 10%

IRR

payback

LOM strip

Strip years 1–5

US$m

%

Years

Ratio

Ratio

67

389

(119)

384

118

38.2

3.0

4.37

1.82

tank Leach

Heap Leach

2Mtpa

3.5Mtpa

5Mtpa

8Mtpa

2Mtpa

3.5Mtpa

5Mtpa

8Mtpa

67,900

67,900

67,900

67,900

67,400

67,400

67,400

67,400

2.5

3,800

2,400

893

1,100

143

48

389

2.5

3,800

2,340

906

1,080

178

41

389

2.5

3,800

2,190

930

1,020

223

42

389

1.6

2,480

1,780

1,130

1,250

56

42

288

1.6

2,480

1,600

1,020

1,140

78

35

285

1.6

2,480

1,530

939

1,100

95

31

285

(173)

(153)

(138)

(79)

(108)

(103)

641

257

55.3

2.0

4.37

2.39

699

299

46.2

3.0

4.37

2.59

818

418

56.4

2.0

4.37

3.00

224

59.1

29.9

3.0

3.79

2.97

334

127

48.1

2.0

3.79

2.92

358

144

39.9

3.0

3.79

3.02

1.6

2,480

1,410

935

1,030

125

28

285

(92)

427

212

52.0

2.0

3.79

3.02

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Conclusions

In the conclusion of the PEA WAI believed that the 
Dugbe 1 Project represents an attractive opportunity 
with significant potential as the project continues to be 
refined from scoping through to feasibility study level.

In terms of the size and average gold grade of the 
project, it is considered to represent an attractive financial 
opportunity with a short payback period. The financial 
analysis indicates that a Tank Leach, contractor operated 
scenario generates the most attractive economic return, 
although this requires greater initial capital expenditure 
than the Heap Leach scenario. 

Table 1.10: Financial analysis of the Dugbe 1 Project – Owner operated

Summary of Results

LOM totals

Total ore treated

Total gold produced

Total revenue

Total operating cost

Total operating cost  
cash years 1–5 

Unit

kt

Moz

US$m

US$m

US$/oz

Total operating cost cash  US$/oz

Initial capital expenditure US$m

Sustaining capital 
expenditure

Total royalty, G&A

Taxes

US$m

US$m

US$m

Operating free cash flow US$m

npv 10%

IRR

payback

LOM strip

Strip years 1–5

US$m

%

Years

Ratio

Ratio

tank Leach

Heap Leach

2Mtpa

3.5Mtpa

5Mtpa

8Mtpa

2Mtpa

3.5Mtpa

5Mtpa

8Mtpa

67,900

67,900

67,900

67,900

67,400

67,400

67,400

67,400

2.5

3,800

2,160

814

1010

156

52

389

2.5

3,800

1,900

2.5

3,800

1,830

2.5

3,800

1,730

1.6

2,480

1,270

1.6

2,480

1,140

1.6

2,480

1,070

1.6

2,480

995

759

904

212

44

389

768

878

281

35

389

782

835

357

33

389

882

943

109

30

288

793

861

146

25

285

719

824

198

22

285

716

776

259

20

285

(277)

(298)

(266)

(227)

(217)

(223)

(200)

(164)

764

170

30.4

3.0

4.37

1.82

954

337

43.4

3.0

4.37

2.39

990

378

38.6

3.0

4.37

2.59

1,070

504

47.0

3.0

4.37

3.00

563

112

25.4

4.0

3.79

2.97

659

223

38.0

3.0

3.79

2.92

696

266

38.0

4.0

3.79

3.02

751

357

46.9

3.0

3.79

3.02

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

31

 
 
 
 
exploration

exploration has progressed on the Dugbe, Joe village, 
nemo Creek and tiehnpo licences over the past year.

Dugbe Shear Zone (“DSZ”)

Key facts

 ► A prominent northeast–southwest trending 

crustal fault structure

 ► 70km strike length within our licence area

 ► 2,051km2 of licence area

 ► 3.8Moz of Resources in Dugbe 1 Project area, 

currently comprising Dugbe F and Tuzon 
deposits

 ► 75km by road to Greenville port – operational 
deep water port that underwent an upgrade 
during spring 2013

An extensive geophysical and 
radiometric airborne survey was flown 
over 17,000 line km in H1 2013 over the 
entire 2,000km2 Dugbe Shear Zone 
licence area. This is the largest ever 
airborne survey flown in Liberia. 
While final images are still pending 
from the work, early indications are 
that geology south of the Dugbe Shear 
Zone is markedly different from the more 
established understanding of geology 
around the Dugbe 1 Project, north of 
the DSZ. When the complete and 
interpreted images are submitted to 
Hummingbird from the airborne survey, 
this should greatly enhanced our 
understanding of the regional geology 
across the shear zone and will hopefully 
identify a large number of potential 
targets we will be able to actively 
explore. We will also be able to re-rank 
the prospectivity of all of our exploration 
targets by incorporating this new data 
into our existing data which will be 
a significant step forward. 

The Dugbe 1 Project area is a theoretical 
10km radius around the maiden 
Dugbe F Resource and overlaps both 
the Dugbe F and Joe Village licences.

During the last financial year infill drilling 
has commenced in the Dugbe 1 Project, 
mostly on an 80m x 80m grid at Tuzon 
deposit. Tuzon Resource definition has 
become increasingly well-defined, as 
the geological team has re-logged 
the historic and new 2013 drill core to 
create a new more accurate geologic 
model of the deposit, based on an 
improved understanding of the critical 
features of the mineralisation. Following 
the re-logging of Tuzon drill core, a similar 
review of Dugbe F diamond drill core 
is now underway.

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Sampling protocols and data 
collection have been reviewed on all 
levels, in concert with a transfer of the 
Company database from Microsoft 
Access to Datashed. Validation of 
historical data has been conducted, 
and all current practices updated 
to reflect the new arrangement of 
Hummingbird’s database. 

The success of this refined approach 
and increase in detailed knowledge 
of the mineralised zone has led to 
better targeting of gold horizons at 
Tuzon. The reviewed and validated 
data and geologic model will be fed 
into the DFS currently underway, giving 
the best possible information from 
which to base the studies.

The 15,802m of infill drilling completed 
to date in 2013 was designed to increase 
the confidence and categorisation 
of the resource at Tuzon and has also 
been logged to continue the ongoing 
building and development of the 
detailed geological model.

A series of environmental holes have 
been drilled initially to monitor water 
level and water quality in the area, 
using the Geebo River as the baseline 
level. AMEC has been awarded the 
Environmental and Social Impact 

Assessment portion of the DFS, 
and also more recently the 
hydrogeological component 
of the study.

Geotechnical holes are currently 
being drilled in HQ diamond core 
by the same rig. These holes will be 
situated in Tuzon area for current 
feasibility work, with monitoring 
and assessment by Coffey. 

Dugbe licence  
(Blocks A, B, D, F)
Following on momentum from last 
year and the success of exploration 
at the Dugbe 1 Project, work through 
Q3 2012 to Q2 2013 has largely focused 
on development studies to prove 
the economics of the Dugbe F and 
Tuzon deposits. Various studies and 
metallurgical sampling have been 
conducted, in concert with consulting 
parties to complete a PEA in early 
2013 and push forward a DFS which 
is currently underway.

In June 2012 two specific drill 
programmes were drawn up, a 
“statistical cross” at Dugbe F, and 
a grid pattern for Tuzon. These brief 
programmes were needed to inform 
the short range lateral information 

(along strike and across strike), used to 
derive variograms, determine infill drill 
spacing and thereby design effective 
infill drilling programmes for the deposits. 
Fourteen holes were completed at 
Dugbe F and five holes at Tuzon. While 
the Tuzon programme was cut short, 
enough information was acquired 
to allow infill drilling to progress in 
January 2013. 

Drilling and trenching were started in 
early 2013. As the drilling contractor 
was setting up over Tuzon deposit, 
a trench programme of 23 additional 
trenches was planned to confirm 
and extend the known surficial 
outcropping of mineralised zone. 
Once underway a second CS1400 
diamond drill rig was brought in to 
assist, and both rigs remained 
productive and active through to 
programme completion at end of 
May. Results returned from this 
programme were very encouraging, 
both adding confidence to the gold 
grade distribution between existing 
drill holes and continuing to define 
the geological model and structural 
controls on the resource.

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SpOtLIGHt On LIBeRIA:
Community relations
We live and work with the 
communities that surround 
our operations, and explore 
responsibly in light of these. 

Read more in our Corporate Social 
Responsibility report from page 39

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

33

 
 
 
exploration continued

Working out from the Dugbe 1 Project area, our exploration 
teams identified some highly prospective targets in the 
Joe Village licence, around 15km north-west of Dugbe F. 

Dugbe Shear Zone (“DSZ”) continued
Dugbe licence  
(Blocks A, B, D, F) continued
The two rigs each averaged 2,000m 
drilling per month, completing the 
infill programme within four months. 
In full 62 new diamond drill holes 
were completed, for a grand total 
of 15,802m. All core was oriented on 
each run, and after training with Reflex 
staff the ACTII down-hole orientation 
tool was used full time to increase 
precision and reliability of down-hole 
surveys. A total of 10,447 half core 
samples were sent for assay, with final 
results pending in the next few weeks. 

to revisit and assay additional sections 
of the historic drill core as we look 
to properly define the resource 
and move forward through the DFS.

Joe village licence
Working out from the Dugbe 1 
Project area, our exploration teams 
identified some highly prospective 
targets in the Joe Village licence, 
around 15km north-west of Dugbe F. 
This target area is known as NW Joe 
Village. The targets comprise stream 
sediment sample anomalies in an 
area close to drainage watersheds 
and near to artisanal workings (these 
latter points indicate that the source 
to the artisanal gold must be close 
by). Accordingly we undertook 
an extensive series of soil sample 
surveys over four large grids and a 
total of 2,400 samples were taken 
to investigate these targets.

During Q1 2013 the trench programme 
was also extended at Tuzon, from the 
initial 13 to a total of 36 new trenches. 
3,530m planned work produced 1,515 
samples. As these results have come in, 
Hummingbird has seen the steady 
expansion of the mineralised zone 
at surface. All new data is being 
incorporated into our existing 
framework and the geologic model. 

Further trench work was planned and 
commenced for Dugbe F deposit in 
Q1 2013. Thirteen trenches were dug to 
completion producing 894 samples. These 
trenches were planned similarly to the 
programme at Tuzon, to confirm the 
extent of mineralised outcrop at surface.

After work was completed to sample 
and process the new core from 2013 
drilling, work has continued back into 
old drill core where selective sampling 
previously left certain intervals 
un-assayed. With a fresh look at Tuzon 
deposit geology this year and an 
increasingly clear view of the controls 
on mineralisation, it is now important 

These soil grids showed four distinct 
gold-in-soil anomalies within an 
east-west trend, over a strike length 
of 8km. The largest of these is in Grid 6, 
extending for about 2km in strike 
length. These anomalies appear to 
extend from the west where the same 
anomalous zones appear to have 
been identified on the ground of 
Tawana Resources further to the west. 

From these targets identified within 
NW Joe Village, trenching continued 
in relation to positive results from stream 
sediment and soil samples, and in 
proximity to local gold workings. Over 
2,300 channel samples were taken from 
24 trenches in the area, totalling 5,350m 
of work. Results were disappointing in 
the area but not barren and thin zones 

of anomalous gold were noted from 
samples. This area is low-lying and marshy 
with a deeper weathering profile, making 
it harder to reach bedrock and take truly 
representative samples. For this reason 
and to test the deeper, non-leached 
saprolite below, an auger drill was 
acquired recently to further study 
such areas.

The Sackor drill programme was 
completed in Q3 2012, a 20 hole diamond 
drill programme of 3,727m. From this 
3,478 samples were sent for assay 
and returned with favourable results. 

The mineralised zones appear to be 
stacked similar to Tuzon, and though 
of smaller scale are still open to the 
north after first phase drilling. Best 
results include: 

 ► 13.0m @ 1.33 g/t Au in SKDC007;

 ► 7.0m @ 1.63 g/t Au in SHDC008; and

 ► 6.0m @ 3.36 g/t Au in SKDC001.

Sackor is 3km South-West of Dugbe F 
deposit, and represents Hummingbird’s 
third gold discovery within the Dugbe 
1 Project.

West from Dugbe 1 Project the geology 
team set up a trench programme over 
the Sackor 2 gold-in-soil anomaly. Six 
trenches were surveyed and finished for 
1,616m and 728 channel samples taken. 
At Grid 5 in Joe Village a similar size 
programme was initiated in the second 
half of 2012. Five trenches were completed 
for 1,700m, producing 702 samples. These 
areas produced similar results to NW 
Joe Village, where a deeper weathered 
profile was encountered compared to 
the Dugbe 1 anomalies. Low-grade gold 
results on both programmes provide 
target sites for further work. 

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nemo Creek licence
The Nemo Creek licence is a large 
licence area of 690km2 in the south 
of our DSZ licence package. It lies to 
the south of the Dugbe 1 Project area. 
Stream sediment sampling identified 
numerous gold anomalies. Accordingly, 
a total of twelve soil sampling grids 
were designed to investigate these 
anomalies further. These grids amount 
to 20,000 soil samples at 200m x 40m 
spacing, of which nearly 6,500 were 
completed through Q3 2012. Teams 
worked from west to east systematically 
to complete grids as access via logging 
roads opened in this direction.

Four grids were sampled to completion, 
including grids 1, 4, 11, and 12. Assay 
results returned through Q4 2012 
have repeatedly shown bands of 
east-northeast trending gold-in-soil 
anomalies, extending in strike length along 
low ridges between soil lines. Further 
exploration has been proposed to 
investigate these anomalies, with the 

ultimate aim of extending the 
Hummingbird resource base south 
of the DSZ. Nemo Creek represents 
a vast area of interest with strike-parallel 
anomalies emerging in relation to 
local artisanal gold mining activity.

tiehnpo licence
The 665 km2 Tiehnpo licence lies on the 
east end of Hummingbird’s 2,051km2 
ground held along the Dugbe Shear 
Zone, approximately 50km east of the 
Dugbe 1 Project. The north part of the 
Tiehnpo licence area has long been 
known to host extensive artisanal 
workings in alluvial settings. Establishing 
the hard rock source of gold in these 
alluvial workings has been a target for 
the Hummingbird exploration team.

At Sardiaken in the Tiehnpo licence, 
2,800m of trenches were completed 
through to the end of 2012. The steep 
topography in the area allowed work 
to reach good quality saprolite and 
bedrock on most trench lines, and 
structures measured within the workings 

confirmed southerly dipping strata as 
mapped previously. Over 1,400 trench 
samples were collected during the 
programme from 15 separate trenches.

Assays returned during Q4 2012 and Q1 
2013 were not as significant as hoped, 
but do show continuity from trench 
to trench. The anomalous values can 
be traced along strike with respect 
to topography and dip of bedrock. 
The appearance of the gold horizon 
is of a long lateral zone which dips 
to the south and is comparable to 
Dugbe F mineralisation in its geometry. 
Exploration in Sardiaken area is still 
too early stage to fully determine the 
significance of trenching results to date.

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eMpLOYee pROFILe:
Brotris nG Donkeh
Geological Technician
“ With the responsibilities to sample 
and log, I am so happy to work 
with Hummingbird because 
it’s a life improvement.”

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

35

 
 
 
exploration continued

Hummingbird is targeting BIF hosted gold deposits across 
the Zia licence. A large amount of exploration, including 
stream sediment sampling, soil sampling, trenching and 
auger drilling, has occurred across this licence.

Juazohn Shear Zone (“JSZ”)
The JSZ separates younger Proterozoic 
metasediments and metavolcanics 
on the west from Archaean gneisses 
on the east.

of the North-East trending BIF ridge, 
along which numerous artisanal 
gold workings and stream sediment 
anomalies are located.

Zia licence
This licence covers 443km2 and was 
awarded to Deveton Mining Company 
(“Deveton”) in November 2005. 
Hummingbird owns 80% of Deveton.

Hummingbird is targeting BIF hosted 
gold deposits across the Zia licence. 
A large amount of exploration, including 
stream sediment sampling, soil sampling, 
trenching and auger drilling, has 
occurred across this licence during 
the time Hummingbird has owned it. 

In addition 1,950m of scout core 
drilling were completed at the end 
of 2010. While the results did not show 
intersections of obvious economic 
grades, a large number of pyritic 
mineralised zones were intersected, 
with gold values up to 1.7 g/t. In fact, 
the mineralised zones are characterised 
by strong silver and bismuth haloes, 
and further scout drilling is proposed, 
once the status of the licences is finalised 
(Zia and the adjacent licences are 
the subject of an MDA application).

Kana Hills licence
This licence covers 257km2 and was 
awarded to Geotess International 
Corporation in 2004, which was then 
transferred to Afro Minerals Inc. (“Afro”) 
in 2007. Hummingbird owns 80% of Afro. 
The licence adjoins the Zia licence in 
the JSZ and covers the continuation 

Jababli licence
The licence covers 400km2 and was 
awarded to Deveton in October 2009. 
Hummingbird owns 80% of Deveton.

Earlier stream sediment sampling 
work established exciting gold targets 
associated with amphibolite ridges of 
likely Archaean age. Follow-up soil 
sampling defined coincident gold/
arsenic anomalies along a 9km ridge 
with abundant artisanal workings in 
streams draining off it. A trenching 
programme amount of 1,300m in 
length was completed along the 
Peace Camp ridge. This was focused 
on gold-in-soil and stream sediment 
anomalies on the Peace Camp ridge, 
a 9km ridge of amphibolite and other 
metamorphosed rocks of likely 
Archaean age. Trench results were 
disappointing, indicating narrow 
structures containing gold mineralisation. 
However, there are two other prospects 
within the Jababli licence where 
further work is justified:

 ► Sloh Meh – A major artisanal working 
near a watershed, where previous 
soil sampling was unsuccessful due 
to the depth and inhomogeneous 
nature of the soil horizon; and

 ► Peace Camp East – A major 

artisanal working situated to the 
east of Peace Camp ridge, and 
yet to be investigated.

Zwedru licence
This licence covers 1,000km2 and was 
awarded to Hummingbird in April 2010. 
Hummingbird owns 100% of this licence.

A stream sediment sampling 
programme, totalling over 1,140 samples 
on the Zwedru licence revealed a 
number of anomalous gold areas, 
mostly focused around the east and 
southeast of the 1,000km2 licence. 
Follow-up stream sediment samples 
have been taken, confirming the 
extent of these anomalies.

Dube Shear Zone
tawake licence
This licence covers 665km2 and was 
awarded to Hummingbird in April 2010. 
The licence is 100% Hummingbird owned. 
The licence is geologically well-situated, 
lying on the junction of the regional 
scale Dugbe and Dube Shear Zones, 
with evidence of abundant intrusive 
igneous activity. As a point of comparison, 
the gold mineralisation in the Dugbe 
Shear Zone appears to be spatially 
associated with acid intrusive activity.

Over 600 stream sediment samples 
collected on the licence indicate 
broad prospectivity and support the 
idea that the adjoining shear zones 
have acted to increase complexity 
and raised the potential for gold 
mineralisation in the area. 

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Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

Follow-up soil grids with prospect-scale 
geological and regolith mapping have 
been proposed for 2013. The outcome 
of these programmes would determine 
an advance to trenching and possible 
scout drilling.

Gekehn licence

This licence covers 795km2 and was 
awarded to Hummingbird in April 2010. 
The licence is 100% Hummingbird owned. 
570 completed stream sediment samples 
showed greater prospectivity for gold 
in the northern half of the licence.

A general phased plan to enhance 
stream sediment anomalies with 
further sampling is in place for 2013. 
Once these are complete, soil grids 
will be proposed over areas of interest, 
notably in the east where the Dube 
Shear passes through the licence, 
and in the north-west where several 
encouraging stream sediment 
samples are located.

plibo licence
This licence covers 375km2 and was 
awarded to Hummingbird in April 2010. 
The licence is 100% Hummingbird owned.

A total of 470 stream sediment samples 
have been collected on the licence. 
A proposal for over 2,500 soil samples 
was submitted in the last fiscal year to 
define an isoclinal antiform delineated 
by the US Geological Survey (“USGS”). 
These fall into three grids which contain 
a significant proportion of the anomalous 
stream sediment results, and lie in 
a northeast-southwest (“NE-SW”) 
orientation over the top of the structure.

A more detailed exploration plan 
has now been proposed, including 
closer-spaced follow-up stream 
sediment sampling and then soil 
sampling on a 120m x 40m grid. 
These steps will progressively define 
potential targets and justify each 
new phase in turn, with trenching 
and reconnaissance drilling to 
follow if early work is successful.

Cestos Shear Zone
Ba licence
This licence covers 625km2 and was 
renewed by Deveton in October 2011.

Hummingbird owns 80% of Deveton. 
The Ba licence lies in Archaean rocks 
immediately west of the Cestos Shear 
Zone, and is also immediately north 
of Amlib United Minerals Inc’s Cestos 
project, with its multiple gold targets.

In Q3 2012 results were returned for 1,088 
soil samples over three grids within Ba 
licence. Results in the north-east for Grid 3 
are encouraging, showing a possible 
bedrock gold source on an arcuate ridge 
above significant artisanal workings.

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Darius paygar
Storeman
“ I have worked for Hummingbird for over three years. 
Initially I worked in Dugbe Camp and now I am head 
storeman for the Company based in Monrovia and 
in charge of making sure all our field operations are 
correctly supplied. It is an excellent job and I am very 
proud to work for Hummingbird.”

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

37

 
 
 
exploration continued

the Dtt work showed that it is possible to 
obtain concentrate samples with a Fe grade 
averaging 60% to 68% Fe in concentrates 
across the 90 samples.

Iron ore
Mt Ginka licence
This licence covers 155km2 and is held 
in a 50:50 joint venture with Petmin Ltd. 

In previous years a number of exploration 
activities were conducted at the 
Mt Ginka iron ore prospect. These 
included compilation of historical 
work, followed by an airborne 
geophysical survey with geophysical 
interpretation and reviews using highly 
experienced external consultants, 
together with geological mapping 
and an initial trenching programme.

This previous work had identified the 
existence of magnetic iron formation 
(“IF”) units over the 30km long east-west 
trending ridge.

In order to further investigate the 
thickness and character of the 
Mt Ginka iron formation along strike, 
as well as to obtain fresh magnetite 
samples for preliminary test work 
a scout drilling and further trenching 
programme was undertaken in the 
year. Six diamond drill holes were 
completed for a total of 1,058m, and 
eight trenches completed for a total of 
848m. The programme was successful 
in intersecting the main Mt Ginka iron 
formation a number of times, with 
true thicknesses of up to 41m thick in 
trenches on the west side of the 30km 
long ridge, and generally thinner 
on the east. The geological team 
recommended further drilling and 
trenching work, with a focus on the 
west side of the ridge, to further 
define the extent and thickness 
of the iron formation.

silica grains. It should be noted that 
these DTT samples were ground to 
75 micron size, and it is normal for 
magnetite ores to be ground finer than 
that to properly separate the silica and 
magnetite grains. Overall, the DTT work 
is at a successful stage in establishing 
the possibility of upgrading the Ginka 
magnetite ore to a saleable product.

Mt Ginka drill programme

A total of 90 samples from holes 
GKDH-001 and GKDH-002 were 
submitted for Davis Tube Tests (“DTT”). 
The purpose of DTT is to determine 
whether a magnetic iron ore (in this 
case magnetite) is amenable to 
magnetic upgrading, in order to yield 
a saleable magnetite concentrate.

The DTT work showed that it is possible 
to obtain concentrate samples with 
a Fe grade averaging 60% to 68% Fe 
in concentrates across the 90 samples. 
However, Si02 grades remained higher 
than desirable for a magnetite 
concentrate (4.8% to 13% range) 
in many samples. As a result finer 
grind may be necessary to liberate 
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Corporate social responsibility

at Hummingbird we believe that it is our duty to work 
across all of our operations in the most socially and 
environmentally responsible way possible.

From Board level through to our in-country team, every 
Hummingbird employee recognises the importance of working 
safely and respectfully to protect the environment and the 
communities in a country we are privileged to work in.

Hummingbird Resources:

 ► provides a safe working 

environment and invests  
in the skills of our workforce;

 ► engages and consults with local 
communities and other key 
stakeholders, working towards 
development together; and

 ► respects and protects the 

natural environment.

Hummingbird invests directly in the 
people of Liberia. We believe that this 
is the greatest lasting contribution that 
can be made. Our education and 
training programmes are central to our 
CSR strategy, allowing us to operate 

safely and sustainably. By developing 
skills in our workforce, Hummingbird’s 
activities will have positive multiplier 
effects to the wider population. 

Hummingbird takes an industry best 
practice approach to environmental 
and social risk management. By 
identifying and assessing risks early 
in the project cycle, the Company 
can first look at alternative options 
that avoid negative risks altogether, 
such as through changing the location 
or employment of specific technologies. 
Where avoidance is not possible, the 
Company will mitigate these risks through 
specific operating procedures, training 
and management plans. For risks that 
remain after such mitigation measures, 

the Company is committed to offsetting 
or compensating where necessary. 

Although Liberia’s developmental 
and socio-economic challenges 
continue, our actions as a responsible 
company have a long-term impact 
by supporting sustainable growth, 
especially within the rural areas where 
we operate. Living and working in 
Liberia is a great privilege and we 
understand the responsibility we have 
to the citizens of Liberia. We aim to 
leave a positive legacy which survives 
beyond the life of mine, economically, 
environmentally and socially.

Throughout the past year, the 
Company has taken great strides 
to further improve its environmental 
and social management and 
performance. Below are details of 
some of the major achievements to 
date, as well as a timeline for the path 
ahead in the continuing development.

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Benjamin volawuo
Junior Geologist
“ My experience with Hummingbird has been an exciting 
one. I have enjoyed working with my colleagues from 
all around the world. Unlike other companies in Liberia, 
Hummingbird has the largest land acquisition making 
it a major force to be reckoned with in the emerging 
mineral industry in Liberia, enabling us young geologists 
to work in various areas of exploration.”

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

39

 
 
 
Corporate social responsibility continued

Hummingbird resources invests directly in the people 
of liberia. we believe that this is the greatest lasting 
contribution that can be made while we are here.

positive development impacts 
from Hummingbird operations
employment and training

Hummingbird continues to be a 
major employer in Liberia and over 
90% of the Company’s workforce 
are Liberian nationals. In a country 
of high unemployment, this represents 
a significant development impact. 
As the Company progresses towards 
mine development, generating local 
employment opportunities will continue 
to be a priority focus area.

Investing directly into people through 
training and sponsorship is key to our 
corporate strategy. This past year the 
Company has partnered with Education 
Development Centre (“EDC”) in a 
USAID funded education and training 
programme. To date it has seen over 
20 Hummingbird employees through 
an eight month course at two different 
levels. In addition, Hummingbird 
continually trains staff across its 
operations. This includes first aid 
training for field staff, geological 
training courses, environmental and 
social work, computer skills training 
sessions and vocational skill training 
such as carpentry and masonry.

access and infrastructure

Hummingbird has continued to invest 
significant financial and logistical 
resources into the upgrade of the rural 
road network that supports its main 
operational site at the Dugbe 1 Project. 
Infrastructure development remains a 
priority area for Government investment, 
especially in rural counties such as Sinoe, 
not least since improved access can 
bring wide benefits to local communities 
that have for so long been cut off from 
access to basic public services. During 

the early part of 2013 we undertook 
a major road rehabilitation project 
of 40km of road from Plazon bridge 
(located 35km east of Greenville) to 
Dugbe Camp, using a variety of road 
building machines. For the first time 
in many years, ambulances are now 
able to travel from the county capital 
of Greenville to the communities 
surrounding the Dugbe 1 Project site, 
all in less than two hours. Early in 2013, 
Hummingbird worked with a major GSM 
mobile network provider in Liberia, to 
provide network coverage around the 
Dugbe 1 Project area with the erection 
of a GSM tower on the hill adjacent 
to Dugbe Camp, powered by the 
Company’s electricity. This alone has 
significantly transformed the ability 
of the local population, including 
employees in-camp, to communicate 
and will in turn provide impetus for their 
own development. 

Community-level projects

The Company’s work on specific 
community development projects 
continues. However, in order to 
maximise the impact of the social 
investment projects and to adopt a 
targeted and proactive approach, 
Hummingbird initiated a process 
of needs assessment across key 
local communities and other 
local stakeholders, conducting 
development planning consultation 
meetings with local communities, 
government ministries and various 
potential partner organisations. 
Following these rounds of consultation, 
a budget has been approved by 
the Hummingbird Safety, Health, 
Environmental and Community (“SHEC”) 
committee for the implementation of 
a number of projects throughout 2013. 

As a result, during the past year we have 
upgraded smaller access roads into 
communities, rebuilt over ten bridges, 
and built the first hand pump in Joplokpo 
(one of the major traditional host 
communities). Furthermore, the focus 
of this ongoing work will be on the 
provision of safe drinking water and 
improved sanitation. This work will be 
conducted by a local implementing 
NGO partner with oversight provided 
by a committee comprised of 
representatives from both the Company 
and the local communities. Performance 
measurement and evaluation of these 
projects will drive greater social impact 
and enable sustainable community 
involvement and ownership of such 
development projects. The work both 
completed to date, and planned for 
the rest of 2013, combined with ongoing 
stakeholder engagement work will 
form the basis of the Community 
Development Plan that is currently 
being developed in partnership 
with AMEC who is conducting 
our Environmental and Social 
Impact Assessment.

internal capacity building and 
management systems review
Central to the ability of any company to 
implement sustainability programmes on 
the ground is to ensure that the necessary 
human resource requirements are in 
place. To that end, the Company has 
taken a number of steps to bolster the 
environmental and social department 
and put in place clear roles and 
responsibilities. In February 2013, 
Hummingbird contracted independent 
SHEC consultants, North Coast Consulting, 
to help advise the Company through 
the forthcoming ESIA process and 
provide independent oversight of 

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Our education and training programmes are central 
to our Csr strategy, allowing us to operate safely 
and sustainably.

standards and policies commenced 
in March 2013 and are expected to be 
complete by the end of the calendar 
year. Of particular note is the newly 
revised community-level Grievance 
Mechanism that provides a fair and 
transparent manner for stakeholders 
to raise concerns with the Company. 
These are handled according to 
a specific procedure (developed in 
consultation with local communities) 
with set deadlines for provision of 
an initial response and follow-up 
investigation. Statistics on the GM 
are complied and reported on 
monthly to the SHEC committee. 

internal management system review. 
In March 2013 the Company hired a full 
time SHEC Manager, David Hebditch, 
to oversee and manage all SHEC 
related matters in the country. In the 
field, the Company has also taken on 
two Community Liaison Officers with a 
good blend of youth and experience. 
These two positions are key to help 
improve community engagement and 
ensure there is a permanent line of 
communication with local stakeholders. 

Since last year, Hummingbird has worked 
on reviewing all internal policies and 
procedures. This has resulted in a heavily 
updated and more comprehensive 
set of operating standards and policies 
and management plans. These have 
all been developed in line with the IFC 
Performance Standards and informed 
by industry best practice for exploration 
as seen in the PDAC e3 plus guidelines. 
The roll out and implementation of these 

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marcellin 
rakotondraibe
Geologist
“ I have greatly benefited 
from the Hummingbird 
team and local people.”

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Annual report 2013

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Corporate social responsibility continued

maintaining strong community relations with the host 
communities in which the Company works remains 
a key pillar of the company’s Csr strategy.

ifC investment
In December 2012, the Company saw 
the IFC become a major shareholder. 
Adherence to the IFC’s Performance 
Standards enables companies to 
meet international best practice by 
managing environmental and social 
risks and impacts so that development 
opportunities are enhanced. 
Hummingbird is bound to compliance 
with these standards and, as the only 
mining company currently financed 
by the IFC in Liberia, this is a significant 
endorsement of the environmental and 
social credentials of the Company. 

In summary, the IFC standards are:

 ► PS1: Assessment and Management 
of Environmental and Social Risks 
and Impacts;

 ► PS2: Labour and Working Conditions;

 ► PS3: Resource Efficiency and 

Pollution Prevention;

 ► PS4: Community Health, Safety 

and Security;

 ► PS5: Land Acquisition and 
Involuntary Resettlement;

 ► PS6: Biodiversity Conservation 

and Sustainable Management 
of Living Resources;

 ► PS7: Indigenous Peoples; and

 ► PS8: Cultural Heritage.

The IFC Performance Standards cover 
a whole host of environmental and 
social risks, and full details of the current 
version (July 2012) are available through 
the IFC website.

sustainability monitoring 
and transparency
Increasingly companies and other 
organisations are turning to measuring 
their sustainability performance. This 
moves the sustainability agenda from 
generic statements towards measurable 
outcomes. To that end, Hummingbird 
Resources has instigated a number of 
environmental and social monitoring 
programmes that will form the basis for 
the development of key performance 
indicators (“KPIs”) as the Company 
develops. A monthly report is prepared 
by the SHEC Manager and submitted 
to the SHEC committee containing 
details of these statistics.

From May this year, the Board 
has committed to working towards 
reporting to the internationally recognised 
sustainability reporting scheme, the 
Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”). 
This provides a standardised format for 
companies and organisations to report 
on their sustainability performance. 
At first, the Company will report to 
the Level C standard, before moving 
towards Level B and A reporting 
as operations commence and 
the Company grows. 

Lastly, Hummingbird Resources continues 
to support transparency in the extractives 
industry through its annual submissions of 
all Government payments to the Liberia 
Extractive Industries Transparency 
Initiative (“EITI”), the national programme 
aligned to the international EITI scheme. 

Community relations
Maintaining strong community relations 
with the host communities in which 
the Company works remains a key 
pillar of the company’s CSR strategy. 
Hummingbird has clear principles and 

procedures for stakeholder engagement 
that look to engage with communities 
before, during and after all operations. 
Importantly, these look to include 
vulnerable groups such as women 
and youth, as well as take account 
of special economic groups such as 
Artisanal and Smallscale Miners (“ASM”) 
that surround many of the Company’s 
operations. The Company holds regular 
monthly meetings with all key affected 
communities, which are formalised 
in the IFC compliant Stakeholder 
Engagement Strategy, as well as more 
informal quarterly meetings with all 
communities. All of these meetings are 
documented and minuted. Alongside 
the ESIA, a Stakeholder Engagement 
Plan is currently being developed that 
will identify, analyse and structure all 
engagement with a diverse and 
inclusive range of stakeholders.

The Company has now employed a 
community liaison team headed by 
an experienced Liberian national. 
Within each community the Company 
has encouraged and helped instigate 
the formation of committees with 
representatives from each group 
within the community, such as youth, 
women, elders and artisanal miners. 
These are designed to help facilitate 
ease of communication and decision 
making within the community.

environmental management
Hummingbird Resources operates in 
areas of considerable environmental 
importance. The Dugbe 1 Project is 
located within the Upper Guinean 
Rainforest that constitutes a global 
biodiversity hotspot, and is 15km from 
Sapo National Park, Liberia’s foremost 
protected area. As such it is vital that 
Hummingbird’s operations are conscious 

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A first draft of the ESIA is planned to be submitted to the 
epa of liberia in december 2013, with the full twelve month 
baseline studies and submission of the final report for EPA 
approval due at the end of June 2014.

of the environmental impact they may 
have and that necessary procedures 
and risk mitigation plans are in place. 
To that end, the Company has taken 
considerable steps to review and update 
all relevant standard operating 
instructions. Examples include clear 
procedures on minimising unnecessary 
clearance of vegetation during 
geological operations, as well as site 
rehabilitation practices that ensure local 
ecosystems remain in the conditions 
that allow for natural re-vegetation 
to pre-operation levels. The Company 
has a clear bushmeat policy that bans 
all staff and contractors from hunting 
and purchasing bushmeat as well as 
transporting any form of bushmeat in 
Hummingbird vehicles. This is underpinned 
by regular toolbox talks and education 
sessions on the importance of 
ecological management. 

In February of 2013, Hummingbird 
commissioned The Biodiversity 
Consultancy, a leading biodiversity 
specialist group, to conduct a Rapid 
Biodiversity Assessment (“RBA”) and 
preliminary Critical Habitat Assessment 
across Hummingbird licence areas. 
This work has proved invaluable in 
identifying potential species and 
critical habitats where Hummingbird 
operates and will in turn inform the 
baseline studies that will be conducted 
as part of the ESIA. Alongside the RBA 
and internal management system 
review, the ESIA baseline studies will 
help to inform the development of an 
Ecological Management Plan for the 
exploration, construction, operation 
and closure phases of the Company’s 
operations. This will be based on 
international best practice, and 
involve contributions from various 

stakeholders including international 
experts, national policy makers and 
various national and international 
conservation groups. 

environmental and social 
impact assessment 
In April 2013, following a competitive 
tendering process involving a number 
of international consultancy groups, 
Hummingbird commissioned AMEC 
to conduct the ESIA for Hummingbird’s 
flagship Dugbe 1 Project. AMEC, in 
partnership with the Liberian national 
consultancy Earth Environmental 
Consultancy (“EEC”), is tasked with 
developing a robust, IFC and Liberian 
EPA compliant, ESIA. AMEC and EEC 
have assembled a strong multi-
disciplinary team with extensive 
West African and Liberian experience.

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martin t mapika
Land Surveyor
“ I feel at home with 
Hummingbird and 
want to see the 
project getting to 
the mining stage.”

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Annual report 2013

43

 
 
 
Corporate social responsibility continued

it is vital that Hummingbird’s operations are conscious of the 
environmental impact they may have and that necessary 
procedures and risk mitigation are in place.

environmental and social 
impact assessment continued
Baseline studies commenced in May 
2013 with various consultants having 
already conducted a number of site 
visits. As part of the formal ESIA process, 
AMEC and EEC conducted a round of 
Scoping Study Stakeholder consultation 
meetings in late May to help inform 
the development of the ESIA Terms 
of Reference as well as fulfil national 
requirements and introduce the projects 
to a number of key stakeholders. These 
included all national ministries and 
Governmental departments in Monrovia 
and Sinoe, international and national 
non-Governmental organisations, 
as well as of course local communities 
and community leaders around 
the project site. 

A first draft of the ESIA is planned to 
be submitted to the EPA of Liberia in 
December 2013, with the full twelve 
month baseline studies and submission 
of the final report for EPA approval due 
at the end of June 2014. The ESIA will be 
conducted to international standards 
and industry best practice with significant 
input from key Hummingbird stakeholders, 
such as the IFC, helping to ensure that 
the studies are robust and thorough. 
As the most advanced and complete 
environmental and social studies to be 
completed so far by Hummingbird, this 
is an exciting project that will lay the 
basis for ensuring that Hummingbird’s 
operations continue to be undertaken 
in the most environmentally and 
socially responsible manner possible. 

Quick facts –

sapo national park
 ► Liberia’s first and 

only protected area

 ► Located in Sinoe 

County, South-Eastern 
Liberia

 ► 1,804km2

 ► Home to the majority of 
the world’s remaining 
pygmy hippos

 ► Part of the Upper 

Guinean Rainforest – 
a biodiversity hotspot 
of global significance

spOtligHt On liBeria:
leadership for Conservation in africa (“lCa”)

 ►The LCA was established by South African 

 ►The LCA’s vision is “to harness the collective 

National Parks, with support from Gold Fields Ltd 
and the International Union for Conservation 
of Nature (“IUCN”). It held its inaugural meeting 
in August 2006, and works to establish links 
between business and conservation.

will and capacity of business and conservation 
leaders for sustainable conservation-led 
socio-economic development in Africa”. 
By the year 2020, the LCA plans to save 20 million 
hectares of African rainforest and currently has 
membership from 16 African countries. 

Read more at www.lcafrica.org

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in attendance, the gala featured 
special remarks by Madame Anyaa 
Vohiri, Executive Director of Liberia’s 
Environmental Protection Agency. 
The ball was a huge success, raising 
over £80,000 for the PHF. 

In May 2013, Hummingbird’s CEO 
Daniel Betts and Head of Business 
Development Bert Monro cycled the 
famous Lands End to John O’Groats 
challenge, 1,000 miles, to raise funds 
for the PHF. Over ten days, the pair were 
joined by many friends and supporters, 
and were able to raise over £12,000 for 
the Pygmy Hippo Foundation, notably 
from corporate sponsors such as Casimir 
Capital to international extractive 
companies also working in Liberia 
such as Putu Iron Ore Mining Inc. 
and Aureus Mining Inc.

If cycling across the UK wasn’t enough 
of a physical trial, Bert completed the 
Liberian Marathon on 25 August 2013 
to raise further funds for the Pygmy 
Hippo Foundation.

Currently, in addition to raising funds 
to launch a feasibility study of the 
organisation’s PPP plan, the PHF is in 
discussions with the Forestry Development 
Authority on how best to deploy resources 
to effectively improve anti-poaching 
patrols and otherwise equip the staff 
at Sapo National Park. 

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management, especially across Africa. 
Currently, WCS is assisting the PHF and 
LCA in developing a PPP model that 
would be most effective for Sapo 
National Park, which will be determined 
by a comprehensive feasibility study, 
which is planned to commence in 
August 2013. The IFC has expressed its 
interest in supporting the PHF’s efforts 
to reinvigorate Sapo, and the PHF is 
currently in discussion with all relevant 
stakeholders to design a PPP model that 
would involve private-sector support 
for a better-resourced, better-protected 
national park management for Sapo. 
The PHF hopes to prove the success of this 
PPP scheme at Sapo and, in the future, 
help to introduce this concept to protect 
pygmy hippo habitat elsewhere, as well 
as other critical ecosystems in Liberia. 

fundraising events
The PHF formally launched in October 
2012, with a ball at the Natural History 
Museum in London. With over 400 guests 

vision
In October 2012, Hummingbird Resources 
launched the Pygmy Hippo Foundation, 
a UK registered charity, as a catalyst 
for greater conservation in Liberia. The 
Pygmy Hippo Foundation (“PHF”) aims to 
promote the conservation, preservation 
and protection of pygmy hippos’ natural 
habitat in the forests of eastern Liberia.

There are estimated to be fewer than 
3,000 pygmy hippos surviving in the 
remaining patches of Upper Guinean 
tropical forest, a critical ecosystem 
recognised as having one of the world’s 
greatest densities of biodiversity. 

The largest intact stretch is located 
in south-eastern Liberia, around 
Sapo National Park. Focusing on 
the pygmy hippo as a flagship for this 
unique rainforest, the Pygmy Hippo 
Foundation is seeking to undertake 
a partnership with the Government 
of Liberia to enhance the protection 
and management of Sapo National 
Park through a public-private 
partnership (“PPP”). 

towards a conservation partnership
In November 2012, the Pygmy Hippo 
Foundation, along with Leadership 
for Conservation in Africa (“LCA”), 
a South African-based conservation 
organisation, signed a Memorandum 
of Understanding with the Forestry 
Development Authority of the Republic 
of Liberia (“FDA”), to explore possibilities 
for re-developing Sapo National Park 
through using a PPP model. 

In April 2013, PHF and the LCA 
approached the New York-based 
Wildlife Conservation Society (“WCS”), 
known worldwide for its experience 
in different models of national park 

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

45

 
 
 
Board of directors

ian david Cockerill
non-executive Chairman

Ian has nearly 40 years of experience in the mining industry, having been 
responsible for business development at AngloGold, and CEO of both 
Gold Fields Ltd and AngloCoal, between 1997 and 2009. He is currently 
Executive Chairman of Petmin Ltd, an AIM and JSE mining company 
concentrating on bulk commodities, a Non-Executive Director of Orica Ltd 
in Australia, the Senior Lead Independent Director of Ivanplats Ltd, 
Vice-chairman of African Minerals Ltd, and an advisor to several other 
companies associated with the natural resources sector. In addition,  
Ian is Chairman of the Leadership for Conservation in Africa (“LCA”) a not 
for profit organisation promoting sustainable employment opportunities, 
linked to conservation projects, across the African continent.

daniel edward Betts
managing director

Daniel founded Hummingbird in November 2005. After graduating 
from Nottingham University he worked for Accenture Management 
Consultants until he joined the Betts family business in 2000. Founded 
in 1760, the family business is the oldest privately owned gold bullion 
smelters and refiners in the country, and it has a long history of trading 
across the world and dealing in all areas of the precious metal industry. 
Whilst working for the Betts family business Daniel established a number 
of natural resource based businesses in Uganda, Namibia, Sierra Leone, 
Mauritania and Peru, before starting Hummingbird Resources in 2005.

william Benjamin thurston Cook
Operations director

William is a former officer of the British Army having served in the Light 
Infantry. Following his army service he worked in the security sector, 
for companies such as Control Risks, Rubicon and Salamanca Risk 
Management before joining Hummingbird Resources as Country 
Manager. William is experienced in the operational and logistical 
management of projects in challenging environments. In his capacity 
as Operations Director he has been responsible for the establishment 
and ongoing running and development of all of Hummingbird’s 
operational capability in Liberia as well as more recently for the 
general oversight of the DFS and ESIA.

thomas Hill 
finance director and Company secretary

Thomas joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer in September 
2010 and was appointed as Finance Director in July 2012. Prior to this 
Thomas was a senior manager within BDO LLP’s natural resources 
department, where he worked extensively with quoted mining and 
exploration companies and was involved with numerous flotations 
and other corporate transactions. He has a metallurgy, economics 
and management degree from Trinity College, Oxford and qualified 
as a chartered accountant with BDO LLP in 2001.

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stephen alexander Betts
non-executive director

Stephen co-founded the Company in November 2005. He has over 
40 years’ experience in trading with gold and related businesses in 
developing countries, having established several businesses in West 
Africa during his career. He is the chairman of the Stephen Betts group 
of companies. The family business has over 250 years’ history 
in smelting, refining and bullion dealing.

matthew Charles idiens
non-executive director

Matthew co-founded Hummingbird in November 2005 and he has 
19 years’ experience in natural resource companies. He is a founder 
and Director of AIM quoted VANE Minerals plc and also founder and 
Director of Seamwell International Ltd, a private company developing 
underground coal gasification projects in China. From 1995 to 2001 he 
worked as an associate director at Laing and Cruickshank Investment 
Management, part of the Credit Lyonnais Group.

david almgren pelham
non-executive director

David is a mineral geologist with 30 years’ global exploration experience. 
He has worked with a number of mining and exploration companies 
such as Placer Dome Inc, Outkumpu Mining and AMAX Exploration. 
David has broad experience in the exploration and assessment of 
gold deposits, including all major gold deposit types, as well as in the 
exploration and assessment of deposits of gemstones, major base 
metals and energy minerals, with a major focus on Africa. He is credited 
with the discovery of the Chirano 5–6m ounce gold mine in Ghana.

Key tO COmmittee memBersHip

audit committee
remuneration committee
safety, health and environmental committee

Committee Chairman

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48

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financial statements

50  Directors’ report
55  Directors’ responsibilities statement
56  Independent auditor’s report
57  Consolidated income statement
57  Consolidated statement 

of comprehensive income
58  Consolidated balance sheet
59  Consolidated statement of cash flows
60  Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity
61  Notes to the consolidated 

financial statements

81  Company balance sheet 
82  Company statement of cash flows
83  Company statement of 
changes in equity
84  Notes to the company 
financial statements

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49

 
Directors’ report

The Directors present their report on the affairs of the Group, together with the financial statements and Auditor’s Report 
for the year ended 31 May 2013.

Principal activities
The Group’s principal activity is the exploration, evaluation and development of mineral exploration targets, principally 
gold, focused exclusively in Liberia. 

The subsidiary and associated undertakings principally affecting the losses or net assets of the Group in the year are listed 
in note 15 to the financial statements.

Business review and future developments
The purpose of this review is to show how the Group assesses and manages risk and uncertainty and adopts appropriate 
policies and targets. Further details of the Group’s business and expected future developments are also set out in the 
Chairman’s Statement and in the Business and Operational Review.

Principal risks and uncertainties
The Group and Company are subject to various risks relating to political, social, industry, business and financial conditions. 
The following risk factors, which are not exhaustive, are particularly relevant to the Company and the Group’s business activities:

Exploration risk

There is no assurance that the Group’s exploration activities will be successful, and statistically few properties that 
are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines.

Political risk

All of the Group’s operational activities are located in Liberia and the Group is therefore dependent on the political and 
economic situation in Liberia and the wider African region. After 14 years of civil war, hostilities ceased in 2003, and Liberia 
has since experienced a wave of new investment, improved infrastructure, and has become one of the fastest growing 
economies in West Africa. However there can be no assurance that political stability will continue.

Licensing and title risk

The Group’s exploration activities are dependent upon the grant of appropriate licences, concessions, leases, permits and 
regulatory consents which may be withdrawn or made subject to limitations. Such licences and permits are as a practical 
matter subject to the discretion of the applicable Government or Government office. The Group must comply with known 
standards, existing laws and regulations that may entail greater or lesser costs and delays depending on the nature of the 
activity to be permitted. The interpretations, amendments to existing laws and regulations, or more stringent enforcement 
of existing laws and regulations could have a material adverse impact on the Group’s results of operations and financial 
condition. Whilst the Group continually seeks to do everything within its control to ensure that the terms of each licence 
are met and adhered to, third parties may seek to exploit any technical breaches in licence terms for their own benefit.

Additionally whilst the Group has diligently investigated title to all its licences and, to the best of its knowledge, title to all is 
in good standing, this should not be construed as a guarantee of title. If a title defect does exist it is possible that the Group 
may lose all or part of its interest in the relevant properties.

Licence renewal and Mineral Development Agreement risk

There is a risk that negotiations with the Government in relation to the renewal or extension of a licence, or the grant of 
a Mineral Development Agreement (“MDA”), may not result in the renewal, extension or grant taking effect prior to the 
expiry of the previous licence period, and there can be no assurance of the terms of any extension, renewal or grant. 

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Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

Principal risks and uncertainties continued
Financing risk

The development of the Group’s properties will depend on the Group’s ability to obtain financing through the raising of 
equity capital, joint venture of projects, debt financing, farm outs or other means. There is no assurance that the Group 
will be successful in obtaining the required financing. If the Group is unable to obtain additional financing as needed, 
some interests may be relinquished and/or the scope of the operations reduced.

Details about the use of financial instruments by the Company and its subsidiaries as well as exposure to financial risks 
are given in note 24 to the financial statements.

Key performance indicators
Given the stage of development of the Group’s operations, the key performance indicators used by management for 
monitoring progress and strategic objectives for the business are set out below. These are discussed within the CEO’s 
Statement and in the Technical Review below:

Resources – indicated and inferred (ounces Au)

Metres drilled (cumulative)
Samples collected (cumulative)
Exploration expenditure (cumulative)
Cash balance
Share price

31 May 2013

31 May 2012

3,835,000

3,817,000

69,036
109,780
$46.6m
$13.7m
£0.415

53,316
76,192
$32.5m
$15.5m
£1.115

corporate governance
The Company is subject to the corporate governance regime of the United Kingdom. The Directors acknowledge the 
importance of the guidelines set out in the Corporate Governance Code and the QCA Guidelines and therefore intend 
to comply with these so far as is appropriate having regard to the size and nature of the Company.

Board

The Board currently comprises seven members, three of whom are executive. The Board meets regularly and is responsible 
for strategy, performance, approval of major capital projects and the framework of internal controls. To enable the Board 
to discharge its duties, all Directors receive appropriate and timely information. Briefing papers are distributed to all Directors 
in advance of Board meetings, and all Directors have access to the advice and service of the Company Secretary. The Articles 
of Association provide that Directors will be subject to re-election at the first opportunity after their appointment and they 
will voluntarily submit to re-election at intervals of three years.

Audit committee

The audit committee comprises Matthew Idiens (Chairman) and Stephen Betts. The audit committee is responsible for 
reviewing a wide range of financial matters including the annual and interim reports, the Company’s internal control and 
risk management system. The audit committee’s responsibilities include meeting with the Company’s auditor and agreeing 
the scope of their audit. 

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Directors’ report continued

corporate governance continued
Remuneration committee

The remuneration committee comprises Ian Cockerill (Chairman), Matthew Idiens and Stephen Betts. The remuneration 
committee is responsible for reviewing the performance of the executive directors, setting their remuneration levels and 
determining the design and setting the targets for any incentive schemes operated by the Company for the Directors. It is 
also responsible for determining at which point the Company should adopt any form of share option plan, and considering 
the grant of options under any such plan. The Board itself determines the remuneration of the non-executive directors.

safety, health and environmental committee (“sHEc”)

The SHEC comprises Ian Cockerill (Chairman), Daniel Betts and William Cook. SHEC is responsible for formulating and reviewing 
the safety, health and environmental policies of the Group. It is also responsible for ensuring that all Directors are kept informed 
of their health and safety obligations.

Post balance sheet events
Events after the reporting date have been disclosed in note 26 to the financial statements.

Results and dividends
The results of the Group for the year ended 31 May 2013 are set out in the Consolidated Income Statement. The Directors 
do not recommend payment of a dividend for the year (2012: $nil). 

Directors and Directors’ interests
The Directors of the Company during the year and their beneficial interests in the ordinary shares of the Company for the 
year were as follows:

ID Cockerill1
SA Betts2,4
MC Idiens
RJH Smith
DE Betts3,4
WBT Cook
DA Pelham
TR Hill5

number 
of shares at 
31 May 2013

531,083
673,500
3,219,607
—
4,611,048
287,150
2,325
92,617

Number 
of shares at 
31 May 2012*

531,083
539,100
3,219,607
41,130
4,476,648
287,150
2,325
92,617

1 – ID Cockerill’s interests are held by family trusts in which he has a beneficial interest.

2 –  SA Betts’s interests consist of 109,000 shares held by SA Betts, 92,500 shares held by Caroline Betts, 292,0004 shares held by Stephen Betts & Sons Limited, 

and 180,0004 shares held by the Stephen Betts & Sons Limited (Self Administered) Pension Scheme. 

3 –  DE Betts’s interest consists of 4,139,048 shares held by DE Betts, 292,0004 shares held by Stephen Betts & Sons Limited, and 180,0004 shares held 

by the Stephen Betts & Sons Limited (Self Administered) Pension Scheme.

4 –  The 292,000 shares held by Stephen Betts & Sons Limited and 180,000 shares held by Stephen Betts & Sons Limited (Self Administered) Pension Scheme 

are included in both SA Betts and DE Betts.

5 –  This interest includes contracts for difference over 5,000 ordinary shares, 18,684 ordinary shares which are held in his pension, and 23,933 ordinary shares 

which are owned by his wife.

* Or on appointment if later.

On 18 July 2012 Thomas Hill was appointed as Finance Director of the Company. On 2 November 2012 Roderick Smith 
resigned as a Non-Executive Director of the Company. On 28 June 2013 David Pelham moved from being an Executive 
Director to a Non-Executive Director.

52

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Hummingbird Resources Plc

Directors and Directors’ interests continued
The Directors’ interests in the share options of the Company at 31 May 2013 were as follows: 

Options at 
1 June 
2012*

Options
 granted
 during the
year 

Options
lapsed
 during the 
year

20,000
20,000
—
—

337,500
16,500
16,500
—
—

450,000
16,500
16,500
—
—

270,000
16,500
16,500
—
—

1,125,000
42,000
42,000
—
—

675,000
38,500
38,500
—
—

225,000
32,500
32,500
—
—

67,500
35,500
35,500
—
—

—
—
25,000
25,000

—
—
—
16,500
16,500

—
—
—
16,500
16,500

—
—
—
16,500
16,500

—
—
—
125,000
125,000

—
—
—
65,000
65,000

—
—
—
32,500
32,500

—
—
—
65,000
65,000

—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—

(270,000)
—
(16,500)
(16,500)
(16,500)

—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—

Options at 
31 May 
2013

20,000
20,000
25,000
25,000

337,500
16,500
16,500
16,500
16,500

450,000
16,500
16,500
16,500
16,500

—
16,500
—
—
—

1,125,000
42,000
42,000
125,000
125,000

675,000
38,500
38,500
65,000
65,000

225,000
32,500
32,500
32,500
32,500

67,500
35,500
35,500
65,000
65,000

Exercise
 price

£1.25
£1.25
£1.12
£1.12

£0.486
£1.25
£1.25
£1.12
£1.12

£0.486
£1.25
£1.25
£1.12
£1.12

£0.486
£1.25
£1.25
£1.12
£1.12

£0.486
£1.25
£1.25
£1.12
£1.12

£0.486
£1.25
£1.25
£1.12
£1.12

£0.486
£1.25
£1.25
£1.12
£1.12

£0.486
£1.25
£1.25
£1.12
£1.12

Date 
of grant

First date 
of exercise

Final date 
of exercise

27/06/2011
27/06/2011
11/07/2012
11/07/2012

27/06/2012
27/06/2013
11/07/2013
11/07/2014

27/06/2021
27/06/2021
11/07/2022
11/07/2022

26/10/2010
27/06/2011
27/06/2011
11/07/2012
11/07/2012

26/10/2010
27/06/2011
27/06/2011
11/07/2012
11/07/2012

26/10/2010
27/06/2011
27/06/2011
11/07/2012
11/07/2012

26/10/2010
27/06/2011
27/06/2011
11/07/2012
11/07/2012

26/10/2010
27/06/2011
27/06/2011
11/07/2012
11/07/2012

26/10/2010
27/06/2011
27/06/2011
11/07/2012
11/07/2012

26/10/2010
27/06/2011
27/06/2011
11/07/2012
11/07/2012

24/12/2011
27/06/2012
27/06/2013
11/07/2013
11/07/2014

24/12/2011
27/06/2012
27/06/2013
11/07/2013
11/07/2014

24/12/2011
27/06/2012
27/06/2013
11/07/2013
11/07/2014

24/12/2011
27/06/2012
27/06/2013
11/07/2013
11/07/2014

24/12/2011
27/06/2012
27/06/2013
11/07/2013
11/07/2014

24/12/2011
27/06/2012
27/06/2013
11/07/2013
11/07/2014

24/12/2011
27/06/2012
27/06/2013
11/07/2013
11/07/2014

26/10/2020
27/06/2021
27/06/2021
11/07/2022
11/07/2022

26/10/2020
27/06/2021
27/06/2021
11/07/2022
11/07/2022

26/10/2020
27/06/2021
27/06/2021
11/07/2022
11/07/2022

26/10/2020
27/06/2021
27/06/2021
11/07/2022
11/07/2022

26/10/2020
27/06/2021
27/06/2021
11/07/2022
11/07/2022

26/10/2020
27/06/2021
27/06/2021
11/07/2022
11/07/2022

26/10/2020
27/06/2021
27/06/2021
11/07/2022
11/07/2022

3,586,000

724,000

(319,500)

3,990,500

ID Cockerill
ID Cockerill
ID Cockerill
ID Cockerill

SA Betts
SA Betts
SA Betts
SA Betts
SA Betts

MC Idiens
MC Idiens
MC Idiens
MC Idiens
MC Idiens

RJH Smith 
RJH Smith
RJH Smith
RJH Smith
RJH Smith

DE Betts
DE Betts
DE Betts
DE Betts
DE Betts

WBT Cook
WBT Cook
WBT Cook
WBT Cook
WBT Cook

DA Pelham
DA Pelham
DA Pelham
DA Pelham
DA Pelham

TR Hill
TR Hill
TR Hill
TR Hill
TR Hill

Total 

* Or on appointment if later.

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Directors’ report continued

Directors’ remuneration

ID Cockerill
SA Betts
MC Idiens
RJH Smith 
DE Betts
WBT Cook
DA Pelham
TR Hill

Total Directors’ remuneration

Directors emoluments 
for the year ended
31 May 2013
$’000

Directors emoluments 
for the year ended
31 May 2012
$’000

63
52
54
22
261
222
176
226

1,076

64
51
54
52
218
202
169
—

810

The remuneration committee is in the process of determining the design and setting the targets of a performance based 
incentive scheme for the executive Directors.

Additionally DA Pelham is entitled to a discovery bonus based on $0.10 per proved/probable reserve ounce. 

Directors’ indemnities
The Company has obtained third party indemnity provisions for the benefit of its Directors and Officers. 

supplier payment policy
It is the Group’s policy to make payments, where possible, to suppliers in accordance with agreed terms provided that the 
supplier has performed in accordance with the relevant terms and conditions. Trade payables of the Group at 31 May 2013 
were equivalent to 51 (2012: 35) days’ purchases, based on the average daily amount invoiced by suppliers during the year. 
Trade payables of the Company at 31 May 2013 were equivalent to 28 (2012: 22) days’ purchases, based on the average 
daily amount invoiced by suppliers during the year.

charitable and political donations
The Company has made charitable donations of $180,000 (2012: $118,000) during the year. The Company has not made 
any payments to political parties during the year (2012: $nil).

statement as to disclosure of information to the auditor
Each of the persons who is a Director at the date of approval of this Annual Report confirms that:

 ► so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and

 ► the Director has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a Director in order to make himself aware of any 

relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP has expressed its willingness to continue in office as auditor and a resolution to re-appoint them will 
be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

This Directors’ Report has been approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

DE Betts 
Director 
14 August 2013 

Registered Office:
49–63 Spencer Street, Hockley, 
Birmingham B18 6DE

Company registered in England and Wales 05467327

54

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

 
 
Directors’ responsibilities statement

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Directors’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable 
law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and Company financial statements for each financial year. 
The Directors are required by the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange to prepare Group financial statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union (“EU”) and have elected 
under company law to prepare the Company financial statements in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU.

The financial statements are required by law and IFRS adopted by the EU to present fairly the financial position of the 
Group and the Company and the financial performance of the Group. The Companies Act 2006 provides in relation 
to such financial statements that references in the relevant part of that Act to financial statements giving a true and 
fair view are references to their achieving a fair presentation.

Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. 

In preparing the Group and Company financial statements, the Directors are required to:

 ► select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 ► make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 ► state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs adopted by the EU; and

 ► prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group 

and the Company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s 
and the Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and 
the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also 
responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the 
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included 
on the Hummingbird Resources plc website.

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statement may differ 
from legislation in other jurisdictions.

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independent auditor’s report

scope of the audit of 
the financial statements
A description of the scope of an audit 
of financial statements is provided 
on the Financial Reporting Council’s 
website at http://www.frc.org.uk/Our-
Work/Codes-Standards/Audit-and-
assurance/Standards-and-guidance/
Standards-and-guidance-for-auditors/
Scope-of-audit/UK-Private-Sector-
Entity-(issued-1-December-2010).aspx.

Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion:

 ► the financial statements give a 

true and fair view of the state of the 
Group’s and the parent Company’s 
affairs as at 31 May 2013 and of the 
Group’s loss for the year then ended;

 ► the Group financial statements 

have been properly prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted 
by the European Union;

 ► the parent financial statements 

have been properly prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted 
by the European Union and as 
applied in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006; and

 ► the financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies 
Act 2006.

Opinion on other 
matters prescribed by 
the companies Act 2006
In our opinion the information given in 
the Directors’ Report for the financial 
year for which the financial statements 
are prepared is consistent with the 
financial statements.

We have audited the Group and 
parent Company financial statements 
(“the financial statements”) which 
comprise the Consolidated Income 
Statement, the Consolidated Statement 
of Comprehensive Income, the 
Consolidated and Company 
Balance Sheets, the Consolidated 
and Company Statements of 
Cash Flows, the Consolidated and 
Company Statements of Changes 
in Equity and the related notes. The 
financial reporting framework that 
has been applied in their preparation 
is applicable law and International 
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) 
as adopted by the European Union 
and, as regards the parent Company 
financial statements, as applied in 
accordance with the provisions of 
the Companies Act 2006. 

This report is made solely to the 
Company’s members, as a body, 
in accordance with Chapter 3 of 
Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. 
Our audit work has been undertaken 
so that we might state to the Company’s 
members those matters we are required 
to state to them in an auditor’s report 
and for no other purpose. To the fullest 
extent permitted by law, we do not 
accept or assume responsibility to 
anyone other than the Company and 
the Company’s members as a body, 
for our audit work, for this report, or for 
the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities 
of directors and auditor
As more fully explained in the Directors’ 
Responsibilities Statement the Directors 
are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements and for 
being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view. Our responsibility is to 
audit and express an opinion on the 
financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and International 
Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). 
Those standards require us to comply 
with the Auditing Practices Board’s 
(“APB’s”) Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Matters on which we are 
required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect 
of the following matters where the 
Companies Act 2006 requires us to 
report to you if, in our opinion:

 ► adequate accounting records 

have not been kept by the parent 
Company, or returns adequate for 
our audit have not been received 
from branches not visited by us; or

 ► the parent Company financial 

statements are not in agreement 
with the accounting records and 
returns; or

 ► certain disclosures of Directors’ 
remuneration specified by law 
are not made; or

 ► we have not received all the 

information and explanations 
we require for our audit. 

Andrew Allchin  
(senior statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of  
BAKER tiLLY UK AUDit LLP,  
statutory Auditor 
chartered Accountants
2 Whitehall Quay
Leeds Ls1 4HG
14 August 2013

56

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 May 2013

continuing operations
Revenue

Profit on deemed disposal
Share based payments
Other administrative expenses

Administrative expenses
Finance income
Finance expense
Share of joint venture loss

Loss before tax 
Tax 

Loss for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent

Loss per ordinary share
Basic and diluted ($ cents)

Notes

12
22

5
8
9
12

10

11

2013
$’000

—

—
(679)
(2,786)

(3,465)
463
(145)
(225)

(3,372)
—

(3,372)

2012
$’000

—

588
(1,139)
(3,147)

(3,698)
263
(674)
(46)

(4,155)
—

(4,155)

(6.13)

(7.78)

consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 May 2013

Loss for the year
Other comprehensive income
Exchange translation differences on foreign operations

total comprehensive loss for the year attributable to equity 
holders of the parent

2013
$’000

(3,372)

—

2012
$’000

(4,155)

—

(3,372)

(4,155)

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consolidated balance sheet
as at 31 May 2013

Assets
non-current assets
Intangible exploration and evaluation assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment in joint venture

current assets
Trade and other receivables
Amounts due from joint venture
Cash and cash equivalents

total assets

Liabilities
current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Other financial liabilities
Amounts due to joint venture

total liabilities

net assets

Equity
Share capital
Share premium 
Retained earnings

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Notes

13
14
12

16
12, 16
16

18
19
12

21

2013
$’000

2012
$’000

46,589
607
711

47,907

753
—
13,692

14,445

62,352

2,564
10,049
382

12,995

49,357

908
46,355
2,094

49,357

32,522
1,363
936

34,821

851
35
15,503

16,389

51,210

2,602
—
1,139

3,741

47,469

855
41,922
4,692

47,469

The financial statements of Hummingbird Resources Plc were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue 
on 14 August 2013. They were signed on its behalf by:

DE Betts
Director
company number 05467327

The notes to the consolidated financial statements form part of these financial statements. 

58

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

Consolidated statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 May 2013

Net cash outflow from operating activities

investing activities
Purchases of intangible exploration and evaluation assets
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Interest received

net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities
Net proceeds from issue of shares 
Proceeds from warrants issued
Financial liabilities issued net of issue costs

Net cash from financing activities

net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Notes

23

2013
$’000

(3,822)

(12,458)
(85)
150

(12,393)

4,486
355
9,708

14,549

(1,666)
(145)
15,503

13,692

2012
$’000

(2,201)

(13,391)
(593)
208

(13,776)

42
—
—

42

(15,935)
(674)
32,112

15,503

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consolidated statement  
of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 May 2013

As at 1 June 2011
Comprehensive loss for the year:

Loss for the year

total comprehensive loss for the year

Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners: 

Issue of shares

total transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners

Share based payments

As at 1 June 2012

Comprehensive loss for the year:

Loss for the year

total comprehensive loss for the year

Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners: 

Issue of shares

total transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners

Share based payments

As at 31 May 2013

Share
capital
$’000

854

—

—

1

1

—

855

—

—

53

53

—

908

Share
premium
$’000

41,881

—

—

41

41

—

41,922

—

—

4,433

4,433

—

46,355

Retained
earnings
$’000 

7,490

(4,155)

(4,155)

—

—

1,357

4,692

(3,372)

(3,372)

—

—

774

2,094

Total
$’000

50,225

(4,155)

(4,155)

42

42

1,357

47,469

(3,372)

(3,372)

4,486

4,486

774

49,357

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Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

notes to the consolidated 
financial statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

1 General information
Hummingbird Resources Plc is incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act. The address of the registered 
office is 49–63 Spencer Street, Hockley, Birmingham, West Midlands B18 6DE. 

The nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities are the exploration, evaluation and development of mineral 
exploration targets, principally gold, focused exclusively in Liberia.

2 Adoption of new and revised standards
The financial statements have been drawn up on the basis of accounting policies consistent with those applied in the 
financial statements for the year to 31 May 2012. 

In the current year, the following new and revised Standards have been adopted. The adoption of these standards, 
interpretations and amendments did not materially impact the Group. 

international Financial Reporting interpretations (“iFRic”)

 ► IFRIC 19 

 ► IFRIC 14 

Extinguishing Financial Liability with Equity Instruments

Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirement and Their Interaction 

The following Standards and Interpretations which have not been applied in the financial statements were in issue but not 
yet effective (and in some cases had not yet been endorsed by the EU). The Directors do not expect that the adoption of 
these Standards or Interpretations in future periods will have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company 
or the Group.

 ► IFRS 1 (amended) 

Severe Hyperinflation and Removal of Fixed Dates for First-time Adopters 

 ► IFRS 1 (amended) 

Government Loans

 ► IFRS 7 (amended) 

Disclosures – Transfers of Financial Assets 

 ► IFRS 7 (amended) 

Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

 ► IFRS 9 

 ► IFRS 10 

 ► IFRS 11 

 ► IFRS 12 

 ► IFRS 13 

Financial Instruments

Consolidated Financial Statements

Joint Arrangements

Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities

Fair Value Measurement

 ► IAS 1 (amended) 

Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income 

 ► IAS 12 (amended) 

Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets 

 ► IAS 19 (amended) 

Employee Benefits

 ► IAS 27  

 ► IAS 28  

Separate Financial Statements

Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

 ► IAS 32 (amended) 

Presentation – Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

 ► IFRIC 20 

Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine

3 Significant accounting policies
Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) 
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and as adopted by the EU and those parts of the 
Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.

The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 

The functional currency of all companies in the Group is the United States Dollar (“$”). The financial statements are presented in 
thousands of United States Dollars (‘$’000’). For reference the year-end exchange rate from Sterling to $ was $1.5164 (2012: $1.5576).

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Annual report 2013

61

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notes to the consolidated 
financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 May 2013

3 Significant accounting policies continued
Going concern

The Directors have reviewed forecasts and budgets based on current expected levels of expenditure and have concluded 
that the Group has sufficient funds available to meet its commitments for at least the next twelve months from the date of the 
approval of financial statements. 

The Directors regularly review the funding position of the Group and its cash flow forecasts. As a significant proportion 
of costs are discretionary, the Directors are able to take action to reduce expenditures should this be necessary.

The development of the Group’s properties through to production and revenue generation will depend on the Group’s 
ability to obtain financing through the raising of equity capital, joint venture of projects, debt financing, farm outs or other 
means. There is no assurance that the Group will be successful in obtaining the required financing. If the Group is unable to 
obtain additional financing as needed, some interests may be relinquished and/or the scope of the operations reduced.

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence 
for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual 
financial statements. 

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by 
the Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 May each year. Control is achieved where the Company has the power 
to govern the financial and operating policies of an investee entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

The results of subsidiaries acquired of or disposed of during the year are included in the Consolidated Income Statement 
from the effective date of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate. Where necessary, adjustments 
are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring accounting policies used into line with those used by the 
Group. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. 

Non-controlling interests in the net assets of consolidated subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group’s equity 
therein. Non-controlling interests consist of the amount of those interests at the date of the original business combination 
and the non-controlling interest’s share of changes in equity since the date of the combination. Losses applicable to the 
non-controlling interest in excess of the non-controlling parties’ interests in the subsidiaries equity are allocated against 
the interest of the Group except to the extent that the non-controlling interest has a binding obligation and is able to 
make an additional investment to cover the losses.

Joint ventures

Where the Group holds an interest in a jointly controlled entity, it accounts for its interest using the equity method. Under 
the equity method, the investment in the jointly controlled entity is recognised at cost and the carrying amount is increased 
or decreased to recognise the Group’s share of the profit or loss of the joint venture after the date of recognition. 

Where the Group contributes or sells assets to a joint venture in exchange for an equity interest in the jointly controlled entity, 
the Group recognises in profit and loss for the period the proportion of the gain or loss attributable to the equity interests of 
the other ventures.

Leasing

Rentals payable by the Group under operating leases are charged to income on a straight-line basis over the term 
of the relevant lease.

Foreign currencies

For the purpose of the consolidated financial statements, the results and financial position of each Group company 
are expressed in United States Dollars (“$”), which is the functional currency of all of the entities in the Group, and the 
presentation currency for the consolidated financial statements.

Exchange differences are recognised in the profit or loss in the period in which they arise.

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3 Significant accounting policies continued
taxation

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the 
income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and 
it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using 
tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and 
is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable 
temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be 
available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if 
the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business 
combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, 
and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is 
probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that 
it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is 
realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited 
directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against 
current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends 
to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. 

Property, plant and equipment 

Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised 
impairment loss. 

Depreciation and amortisation is charged so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets, other than land, over their 
estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method, on the following bases:

Development assets – vehicles 

Development assets – other 

33.3% 

33.3%

Other 

 33.3%

The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds 
and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in income.

impairment of property, plant and equipment 

At each balance sheet date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its property, plant and equipment to determine 
whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable 
amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does 
not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the 
cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. 

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future 
cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the 
time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

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notes to the consolidated 
financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 May 2013

3 Significant accounting policies continued

impairment of property, plant and equipment continued 

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying 
amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised as an 
expense immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated 
as a revaluation decrease. 

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the 
revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount 
that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior 
years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised as income immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued 
amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

intangible exploration and evaluation assets

The Group applies the full cost method of accounting for exploration and evaluation (“E&E”) costs, having regard to 
the requirements of IFRS 6 Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources. Under the full cost method of accounting, 
costs of exploring for and evaluating mineral resources are accumulated by reference to appropriate cost centres being 
the appropriate licence area, but are tested for impairment on a cost pool basis as described below. 

E&E assets comprise costs of (i) E&E activities that are ongoing at the balance sheet date, pending determination of 
whether or not commercial reserves exist and (ii) E&E that, whilst representing part of the E&E activities associated with 
adding to the commercial reserves of an established cost pool, did not result in the discovery of commercial reserves.

Costs incurred prior to having obtained the legal rights to explore an area are expensed directly to the income statement 
as they are incurred.

Exploration and evaluation costs

All costs of E&E are initially capitalised as E&E assets. Payments to acquire the legal right to explore, costs of technical 
services and studies, seismic acquisition, exploratory drilling and testing are capitalised as intangible E&E assets.

Such costs include directly attributable overheads, including the depreciation of property, plant and equipment utilised 
in E&E activities, together with the cost of other materials consumed during the E&E phases. 

treatment of E&E assets at conclusion of appraisal activities

Intangible E&E assets related to each exploration licence/prospect are carried forward, until the existence (or otherwise) 
of commercial reserves has been determined. If commercial reserves have been discovered, the related E&E assets 
are assessed for impairment on a cost pool basis as set out below and any impairment loss is recognised in the income 
statement. The carrying value, after any impairment loss, of the relevant E&E assets is then reclassified as development 
and production assets.

impairment of E&E assets

E&E assets are assessed for impairment when facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may exceed 
its recoverable amount. Such indicators include, but are not limited to, those situations outlined in paragraph 20 of IFRS 6 
Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources and include the point at which a determination is made as to whether 
or not commercial reserves exist. 

Where there are indications of impairment, the E&E assets concerned are tested for impairment. Where the E&E assets 
concerned fall within the scope of an established full cost pool, the E&E assets are tested for impairment together with 
all development and production assets associated with that cost pool, as a single cash-generating unit. 

The aggregate carrying value is compared against the expected recoverable amount of the pool, generally by reference 
to the present value of the future net cash flows expected to be derived from production of commercial reserves. Where 
the E&E assets to be tested fall outside the scope of any established cost pool, there will generally be no commercial 
reserves and the E&E assets concerned will generally be written off in full.

Any impairment loss is recognised in the income statement as additional depreciation and amortisation, and separately disclosed. 

The Group considers the whole of Liberia to be one cost pool and therefore aggregates all Liberian assets for the purposes 
of determining whether impairment of E&E assets has occurred.

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3 Significant accounting policies continued
Financial instruments

Recognition of financial assets and financial liabilities

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

Derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities

The Group derecognises a financial asset only when the contractual rights to cash flows from the asset expire, or it transfers 
the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to another entity. If the Group neither 
transfers nor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership and continues to control the transferred asset, the 
Group recognises its retained interest in the asset and an associated liability for the amount it may have to pay. If the Group 
retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a transferred financial asset, the Group continues to recognise 
the financial asset and also recognises a collateralised borrowing for the proceeds received.

The Group derecognises financial liabilities when the Group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or expired. 

trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are measured at initial recognition at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised 
cost less any provision for impairment.

cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments 
that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash with three months or less remaining to maturity and are subject to 
an insignificant risk of changes in value.

trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are initially measured at fair value, and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using 
the effective interest rate method.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation, as a result of past events, for which 
it is probable that an outflow of economic resource will result and that outflow can be reliably measured.

Rehabilitation

Provisions are made for the estimated rehabilitation costs relating to areas disturbed during exploration activities 
up to reporting date but not yet rehabilitated. Changes in estimate are dealt with on a prospective basis as they arise. 

share based payments

The Group has applied IFRS 2 Share based Payment for all grants of equity instruments.

The Group has used shares and share options as consideration for goods and services received from suppliers 
and employees.

Equity-settled share based payments to employees and others providing similar services are measured at fair value at the 
date of grant. The fair value determined at the grant date of such an equity-settled share based instrument is expensed 
on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of the shares that will eventually vest. The 
corresponding amount is credited to retained earnings. 

Equity-settled share based payment transactions with other parties are measured at the fair value of the goods or services 
received, except where the fair value cannot be estimated reliably or excess fair value of the identifiable goods or services 
received, in which case they are measured at the fair value of the equity instruments granted, measured at the date the 
entity obtains the goods or the counterparty renders the service. The fair value determined at the grant date of such an 
equity-settled share based instrument is expensed since the shares vest immediately. Where the services are related to 
the issue of shares, the fair values of these services are offset against share premium.

Fair value is measured using the Black-Scholes model. The expected life used in the model has been adjusted based on 
management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

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notes to the consolidated 
financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 May 2013

3 Significant accounting policies continued
Warrants

Due to the exercise price of the warrants being in a different currency to the functional currency to the Group, at each 
reporting date the warrants are valued at the fair value with changes of fair value recognised in the profit and loss as 
they arise. Fair value is measured using the Black-Scholes model.

Accounting for royalty financing 

In order to determine the appropriate accounting treatment for the royalty financing which is described in note 19 requires an 
assessment of whether the substance of the arrangements constituted a financial liability. As prior to commercial production 
the Group can be required to deliver cash to the provider in certain circumstances which are not all within the Group’s control 
then this is considered by the Group to represent a financial liability. The Group has chosen not to designate this as “a fair value 
through profit or loss” financial liability and therefore it is recognised at amortised cost. On commencement of commercial 
production, once the Group is only obliged to pay a percentage of its revenue, then this is considered to have extinguished 
the financial liability, and this is recognised as a part disposal of the relevant asset.

segmental reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision 
maker. The chief operating decision maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the 
operating segments and making strategic decision, has been identified as the Board of Directors. 

The Board of Directors consider there to be only one operating segment, the exploration and development of mineral 
resources, and only one geographical segment, being Liberia. Therefore, no additional segmental information is presented.

4 critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the Group’s accounting policies, which are described in note 3, the Directors are required to make 
judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent 
from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that 
are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised 
in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future 
periods if the revision affects both the current and future periods.

The following are the critical judgements and estimations that the Directors have made in the process of applying the Group’s 
accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Recoverability of exploration and evaluation assets

Determining whether an E&E asset is impaired requires an assessment of whether there are any indicators of impairment, 
including by reference to specific impairment indicators prescribed in IFRS 6 Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources. 
As E&E assets are assessed for impairment on a cost pool basis the existence and quantum of any impairment is dependent 
on the choice of basis of cost pools. If there is any indication of potential impairment, an impairment test is required based 
on value in use of the asset. This assessment involves judgement as to: (i) the likely future commerciality of each cost pool of 
assets; (ii) when such commerciality should be determined; and (iii) the potential future revenues and the value in use. The value 
in use calculation requires the entity to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit and a 
suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value.

share based payments 

In order to calculate the charge for share based compensation for the options granted on 26 October 2010, on 27 June 2011 and on 
11 July 2012 as required by IFRS 2, the Group makes estimates principally relating to the assumptions used in its option-pricing 
model as set out in note 22.

The critical judgements made in these estimates were for the share options granted on 26 October 2010: the share price 
on the date of grant which was estimated at £0.486 (adjusted for share consolidation) being the price of the most recent 
share issue at the date of grant; and the expected volatility of share price which was estimated based on other quoted 
exploration companies. The critical judgement for the share options granted on 27 June 2011 and 11 July 2012 was the 
expected volatility of the share price which was estimated based on the Company’s own historic volatility and those 
of other quoted exploration companies.

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Hummingbird Resources Plc

5 Administrative expenses by nature

Other income
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note 14)
Staff costs excluding share based payments
Net foreign exchange losses/(gains)
Audit fees (note 6)
Non-audit fees payable to associates of the Company’s auditor (note 6)
Communications and IT
Insurance
Marketing
Charitable donations
Office expenses
Professional and consultancy 
Travel and accommodation
Bank charges
Share based payments 
Profit on deemed disposal (note 12)

2013
$’000

(160)
133
1,300
7
49
—
52
52
279
80
236
506
220
32
679
—

3,465

2012
$’000

—
112
1,563
(5)
44
7
62
51
284
118
187
452
237
35
1,139
(588)

3,698

6 Auditor’s remuneration
Amounts payable to Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP and its associates in respect of both audit and non-audit services: 

Audit fees
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s 
annual accounts

total audit fees

non-audit fees payable to associates of the company’s auditor
Taxation services

total non-audit fees

2013
$’000

2012
$’000

49

49

—

—

44

44

7

7

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notes to the consolidated 
financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 May 2013

7 staff costs
The average monthly number of employees and Directors was:

Directors
Other employees

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
Wages and salaries 
Social security costs
Pension
Share based payments

2013
number

2012
Number

7
188

195

2013
$’000

3,553
(13)
103
774

4,417

7
202

209

2012
$’000

3,133
334
51
1,321

4,839

Within wages and salaries, $992,000 (2012: $779,000) relates to amounts paid to Directors, and included within pension 
is an amount of $78,000 (2012: $29,000) relating to pension contributions in respect of Directors.

Included within staff costs is $2,438,000 (2012: $2,137,000) capitalised to intangible exploration and evaluation assets.

Included within social security costs is a release of a provision of $367,000 (2012: provision of $116,000) for the potential 
employer’s social security contributions in respect of the share options issued to employees and Directors. No amounts 
are payable until the relevant share options are exercised, and the amount actually payable will relate to the actual 
gain made on exercise.

8 Finance income

Interest on bank deposits
Revaluation of warrants (note 21)

9 Finance expense

Foreign exchange loss

The foreign exchange loss arose on non-functional currency bank deposits. 

2013
$’000

157
306

463

2013
$’000

145

145

2012
$’000

263
—

263

2012
$’000

674

674

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Hummingbird Resources Plc

10 tax
The taxation charge for the year can be reconciled to the loss per the income statement as follows: 

Loss before tax

Tax credit at the rate of tax 23% (2012: 26%)
Tax effect of non-deductible expenses
Items not subject to tax
Deferred tax asset not recognised

tax expense and effective tax rate for the year

2013
$’000

(3,372)

(776)
2
(73)
847

—

11 Loss per ordinary share
Basic loss per ordinary share is calculated by dividing the net loss for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders 
of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. 

The calculation of the basic and diluted loss per share is based on the following data:

Losses

Loss for the purposes of basic loss per share being net loss attributable 
to equity holders of the parent

number of shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes 
of basic loss per share

Loss per ordinary share

Basic and diluted 

2013
$’000

(3,372)

2013
number

55,000,447

53,367,031

2013 
$ cents

(6.13)

2012 
$ cents

(7.78)

2012
$’000

(4,155)

(1,080)
3
(152)
1,229

—

2012
$’000

(4,155)

2012
Number

At the balance sheet date there were 6,474,658 (2012: 4,369,255) potentially dilutive ordinary shares. Potentially dilutive 
ordinary shares include share options issued to employees and Directors, warrants issued to the IFC and the conditional 
acquisition of the 20% interest in the Joe Village licence, which it did not previously own as described in note 20. In 2013 
the potential ordinary shares are anti-dilutive and therefore diluted loss per share has not been calculated.

12 Joint venture
On 24 January 2011, the Company, together with its wholly owned subsidiary Iron Bird Resources Inc. (“Iron Bird”), entered 
into an agreement with Petmin Limited (“Petmin”) relating to the Group’s Mount Ginka licence for exploration of iron ore 
in northern Liberia. Petmin Limited has been listed on the JSE since 1986 and the London Stock Exchange’s AIM since 2006. 
Ian Cockerill is Executive Chairman of Petmin Limited. 

The key terms of this agreement were: 

 ► the Mount Ginka licence would be transferred to Iron Bird;

 ► Iron Bird would issue new shares equivalent to 15% of its issued share capital to Petmin for a consideration of $500,000; and

 ► subject to meeting certain criteria, Petmin were obliged to invest a further $1,500,000 in Iron Bird, to increase 

its shareholding to 50%. 

Iron Bird was incorporated by the Company for the purpose of this transaction and the substance of this transaction 
was that the Group contributed the Mount Ginka licence in exchange for a share in the joint venture. 

As a result of this transaction Iron Bird ceased to be a subsidiary and became a joint venture. Therefore the disposal of a 
subsidiary and the recognition of a joint venture using the equity method have been reflected in the financial statements. 

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notes to the consolidated 
financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 May 2013

12 Joint venture continued
On 27 June 2011 Petmin invested $1,500,000 in Iron Bird and as a result was issued new shares in Iron Bird equivalent to 35% 
of its issued share capital to increase its stake in Iron Bird to 50% of its issued share capital.

The profit on the deemed disposal of Iron Bird was determined as follows: 

24 January 2011
$’000

Group’s 100% interest pre transaction:
Non-current assets
Amounts due to Hummingbird Resources (Liberia) Inc.

Net liabilities at the date of disposal

Group’s 85% interest post transaction:

Cost of investment
Share of joint venture assets and liabilities

Gain on deemed disposal

Investment in joint venture:

On the date of recognition of investment in joint venture
Share of joint venture results for the period

investment in joint venture as at 31 May 2011

Share of joint venture results for the period to 27 June 2011

investment in joint venture pre second phase investment on 27 June 2011 (85%)

Share of joint venture assets and liabilities post transaction (50%)

Gain on deemed disposal of 35%

Share of joint venture assets post transaction
Share of joint venture results for the period from 27 June 2011 to 31 May 2012

investment in joint venture as at 31 May 2012

Share of joint venture results for the period from 31 May 2012 to 31 May 2013

investment in joint venture as at 31 May 2013

The Group’s interest in the joint venture as at 31 May 2013 is set out below:

Share of: 
Non-current assets
Current assets
Current liabilities

net assets 

110
 (112)

(2)

—
423

425

$’000

423
(29)

394

(6)

388

976

588

976
(40)

936

(225)

711

$’000

567
207
(63)

711

As at 31 May 2013 $382,000 (2012: $1,139,000) was due from the Company and Group to the joint venture. As at 31 May 2013 
$185 (2012: $35,000) was due from the joint venture to the Company and Group.

The joint venture had no revenue in the period. 

Both Petmin and the Company have the option to contribute equally to future fundraisings.

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13 intangible exploration and evaluation assets

cost
At 1 June 2011
Additions

At 1 June 2012
Additions

At 31 May 2013

$’000

17,582
14,940

32,522
14,067

46,589

Additions to intangible exploration and evaluation assets during the year include $700,000 (2012: $748,000) of capitalised 
depreciation of property, plant and equipment used in exploration and evaluation activities.

14 Property, plant and equipment

Development
assets – vehicles
$’000

Development
assets – other
$’000

cost
At 1 June 2011
Additions
Disposals

At 1 June 2012
Additions
Disposals

At 31 May 2013

Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 June 2011
Charge for the year
Disposals

At 1 June 2012
Charge for the year

At 31 May 2013

carrying amount
At 31 May 2013

At 31 May 2012

1,486
92
(55)

1,523
—
—

1,523

487
451
(23)

915
403

1,318

205

608

690
455
—

1,145
33
—

1,178

301
289
—

590
304

894

284

555

Other
$’000

365
61
—

426
44
—

470

106
120
—

226
126

352

118

200

Of the property, plant and equipment depreciation charged in the year $700,000 (2012: $748,000) was capitalised 
into intangible exploration and evaluation assets, with the balance being charged to the income statement. 

Total
$’000

2,541
608
(55)

3,094
77
—

3,171

894
860
(23)

1,731
833

2,564

607

1,363

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notes to the consolidated 
financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 May 2013

15 subsidiaries
The Company had investments in the following subsidiary undertakings as at 31 May 2013, which principally affected 
the losses and net assets of the Group:

Name

Directly held
Hummingbird Resources (Liberia) Inc.
Afro Minerals Inc.
Golden Grebe Mining Limited
indirectly held
Deveton Mining Company
Sinoe Exploration Limited
Hummingbird Security Limited

16 current assets
trade and other receivables

Other receivables
VAT recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income

Country of
incorporation
and operation

Proportion
of voting 
interest %

Activity

Liberia
Liberia
United Kingdom

100
80

Exploration
Exploration
100 Holding company

Liberia
Liberia
Liberia

80
90
100

2013
$’000

88
273
392

753

Exploration
Exploration
Security

2012
$’000

260
96
495

851

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of the other receivables approximates their fair value and none of which 
are past due. 

cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 May 2013 of $13,692,000 (2012: $15,503,000) comprise cash held by the Group. 
The Directors consider that the carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value.

Amounts due from joint venture

Amounts due from joint venture are disclosed in note 12.

17 Deferred tax
Differences between IFRS and statutory tax rules give rise to temporary differences between the carrying values of certain 
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and for income tax purposes. 

At 31 May 2013, the Group had unrecognised deferred tax assets of $2,300,000 (2012: $1,700,000) in respect of UK and 
Liberian tax losses. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of these amounts as the recovery is dependent 
on the future profitability, the timing and the certainty of which cannot reasonably be foreseen.

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18 trade and other payables

Trade payables
Other taxes and social security
Accruals 
Other payables

2013
$’000

1,862
111
576
15

2,564

2012
$’000

1,393
201
992
16

2,602

The average credit period taken for trade purchases is 51 days (2012: 35 days). Where possible the Group seeks to settle 
agreed payables within the contractual timeframe. 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value. 

Operating lease commitments

At the balance sheet date, the Group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under 
non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive
After five years

2013
$’000

130
361
32

523

2012
$’000

118
121
48

287

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for properties located in Liberia and the head office 
in the UK.

19 Other financial liabilities

Royalty liability
Warrant liability (see notes 8 and 21)

Royalty liability

2013
$’000

10,000
49

10,049

On 17 December 2012 the Group entered into a royalty financing arrangement with APG AUS No 5 Pty Limited (a wholly 
owned subsidiary of Anglo Pacific Group Plc) (“APG”) in relation to the Dugbe 1 Project.

Under the terms of the agreement APG agreed to advance US$15m in three equal tranches subject to the satisfaction 
of certain criteria. 

The first tranche of US$5m was received on 14 March 2013 and the second tranche of US$5m was received on 10 April 2013 
giving a total of US$10m due at 31 May 2013. The third tranche is conditional (unless waived by APG) on a total of 25,000m 
of infill drilling being completed on the Dugbe 1 Project. 

The advances will be converted into a 2% net smelter return royalty from any sales of product mined within a 20km radius of 
Dugbe F. After an initial grace period of six months following the commencement of commercial production, in the event 
that quarterly sales of gold produced are less than 50,000 oz, additional quarterly payments will be required until such time 
as the cumulative royalty paid is US$15m (the maximum total payment in any such quarter is equivalent to the royalty that 
would have arisen on sales of 50,000 oz of gold). Following this period the royalty is 2% except where both the average gold 
price is above $1,800 and sales of gold are less than 50,000 oz, in which case it increases to 2.5% in respect of that quarter.

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notes to the consolidated 
financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 May 2013

19 Other financial liabilities continued
Royalty liability continued

These advances do not bear interest and are only repayable in certain limited circumstances prior to the commencement 
of commercial production. Should the Group cease to use all reasonable commercial endeavours to be granted an MDA 
covering the Dugbe 1 Project, then the advances become repayable.

Until the commencement of commercial production when the liability will be extinguished and treated as a part disposal 
of the Group’s economic interest in the Dugbe 1 Project a financial liability of the amount advanced exists.

Issue costs of US$292,000 have been capitalised within intangible exploration and evaluation assets.

The amounts advanced are secured by legal charges over the assets of Hummingbird Resources (Liberia) Inc. and Sinoe 
Exploration Limited, and a legal charge over the shares of Hummingbird Resources (Liberia) Inc., Sinoe Exploration Limited 
and Golden Grebe Mining Limited. Additionally the Company has provided a guarantee to APG regarding the obligations 
of its subsidiaries in respect of this arrangement.

20 share capital 
Authorised share capital 

As permitted by the Companies Act 2006, the Company does not have an authorised share capital.

issued equity share capital

2013

2012

number

$’000

Number

issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of £0.01 each 

56,726,371

908

53,410,565

The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income. 

At 1 June 2011
Share options exercised (a)

At 1 June 2012
Share options exercised (b)
Issue of shares (c)

At 31 May 2013

(a) share options exercised

$’000

855

Ordinary shares 
of £0.01
Number

53,355,565
55,000

53,410,565
90,000
3,225,806

56,726,371

 ► 55,000 share options were exercised during the prior year raising gross proceeds of £27,000 ($42,000).

(b) share options exercised

 ► 90,000 share options were exercised during the year raising gross proceeds of £43,750 ($70,000).

(c) issue of shares

 ► On 12 December 2012 3,225,806 shares were issued at a strike price of £0.93 to the International Finance Corporation 

(“IFC”) in return for £3,000,000. In addition the Company has granted the IFC warrants to subscribe for a further 1,612,903 
new ordinary shares. The warrants are at a strike price of £1.4415 over a five year term. Issue costs of $43,000 have been 
offset against the consideration received.

On 29 February 2012 the Group entered into a conditional agreement to acquire the 20% interest in its Joe Village licence, 
which it did not previously own, for 103,255 ordinary shares in the Company. At 31 May 2013 the acquisition had not yet 
completed and the shares had not been issued.

74

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Hummingbird Resources Plc

21 Warrants issued
On 12 December 2012 the Company granted 1,612,903 warrants to the IFC:

Total number of warrants granted
Exercise price of the warrants
Exercise date

1,612,903
£1.4415
12/12/2017

The fair value of the warrants granted was estimated as at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model, taking into 
account the terms and conditions upon which the warrants were granted. The expected volatility was determined based 
on the volatility of the Company’s own historic volatility from listing on AIM.

The table below lists the principal assumptions and inputs to the model used to fair value the warrants granted on the 
12 December 2012 and to fair value the warrants at 31 May 2013:

31 May 2013

12 December 2012

Share price 
Expected dividend yield 
Expected volatility 
Expected life 
Risk free interest rate

£0.4150
nil
41.16%
4.5 years
1.06%

The gain arising on the change in value of the warrants between issue and 31 May 2013 is disclosed in note 8.

22 share based payments

Share based payment charge for share options granted 11 July 2012
Share based payment charge for share options granted 27 June 2011
Share based payment charge for share options granted 26 October 2010

total share based payment charge

2013
$’000

598
176
—

774

Included within share based payments, is $95,000 (2012: $218,000) capitalised to intangible E&E assets.

£0.7475
nil
39.74%
5 years
0.80%

2012
$’000

—
654
703

1,357

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Annual report 2013

75

 
 
notes to the consolidated 
financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 May 2013

22 share based payments continued
Equity-settled share based payments granted in the year to 31 May 2013

On 11 July 2012 the Company granted 989,000 share options to certain Directors and employees. 

Total number of share options granted
Exercise price of the options
Exercise period:
Tranche 1 – 11 June 2012 and 11 June 2021
Tranche 2 – 11 June 2013 and 11 June 2021
Number of share options lapsed during the current period
Number of share options outstanding as at 31 May 2013

989,000
$1.738 (£1.12)

494,500
494,500
53,000
936,000

The fair value of equity-settled share options granted was estimated as at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model, 
taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The expected volatility was determined 
based on the volatility of similar quoted companies as well as the Company’s own historic volatility from listing on AIM.

The table below lists the principal assumptions and inputs to the model used for options granted on the 11 July 2012:

Share price at the date of grant
Expected dividend yield 
Expected volatility 
Expected life 
Risk free interest rate

$1.714 (£1.105)
nil
68%
5 years
0.61%

Equity-settled share based payments granted in the year to 31 May 2012

On 27 June 2011 the Company granted 1,023,000 share options to certain Directors, employees and consultants. 

Total number of share options granted
Exercise price of the options
Exercise period:
Tranche 1 – 27 June 2012 and 27 June 2021
Tranche 2 – 27 June 2013 and 27 June 2021
Number of share options lapsed during prior periods
Number of share options lapsed during the current period
Number of share options outstanding as at 31 May 2013

1,023,000
$1.994 (£1.25)

511,500
511,500
 212,000
 83,500
 727,500

The fair value of equity-settled share options granted was estimated as at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model, 
taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The expected volatility was determined 
based on the volatility of similar quoted companies as well as the Company’s own historic volatility from listing on AIM.

The table below lists the principal assumptions and inputs to the model used for options granted on the 27 June 2011:

Share price at the date of grant
Expected dividend yield 
Expected volatility 
Expected life 
Risk free interest rate

$1.978 (£1.24)
nil
70%
5 years
1.87%

76

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

 
 
 
 
22 share based payments continued
Equity-settled share based payments granted in the year to 31 May 2011

On 26 October 2010 the Company granted 78,000 share options with an exercise price of £21.875. On 23 November 2010 
as a result of the bonus issue the Company adjusted the options granted, to increase the number of ordinary shares over 
which options were held by an additional 44 options for every one option held and to decrease the exercise price by a 
factor of 45 such that the option holders were in the same economic position as before the bonus issue. As a result there 
were 3,510,000 options outstanding as of 31 May 2011 with an exercise price of £0.48611 each. These share options are 
exercisable in the period between 24 December 2011 and 26 October 2020. These share options issued to employees 
and Directors normally lapse on cessation of employment or holding office.

Total number of share options granted (post bonus issue)
Exercise price of the options
Exercise period – 24 December 2011 and 26 October 2020
Number of share options exercised in prior periods
Number of share options exercised in the current period
Number of share options lapsed during the current period
Number of share options lapsed during the current period
Number of share options outstanding as at 31 May 2013

3,510,000
£0.48611
3,510,000
55,000
90,000
—
270,000
3,095,000

The fair value of equity-settled share options granted was estimated as at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes 
model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The expected volatility 
was determined based on the volatility of similar quoted companies as the Company was not quoted at the time.

The table below lists the principal assumptions and inputs to the model used for options granted on 26 October 2010: 

Share price at the date of grant
Expected dividend yield 
Expected volatility 
Expected life 
Risk free interest rate

23 Notes to the statement of cash flows

Loss before tax
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Share based payments
Profit on deemed disposal
Finance income
Finance expense
Share of joint venture loss

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
Decrease/(increase) in receivables
(Decrease)/increase in payables
Decrease/(increase) in amounts due from joint venture
(Decrease)/increase in amounts due to joint venture

Net cash outflow from operating activities

$0.778 (£0.486)
nil
65%
5 years
3%

2013
$’000

(3,372)

133
679
—
(463)
145
225

(2,653)
31
(478)
35
(757)

(3,822)

2012
$’000

(4,155)

112
1,139
(588)
(263)
674
46

(3,035)
(196)
280
(35)
785

(2,201)

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Cash and cash equivalents (which are presented as a single class of assets on the balance sheet) comprise cash in hand, 
cash at bank and short-term bank deposits with an original maturity of three months or less. The carrying value of these 
assets is approximately equal to their fair value. 

www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk 

Annual report 2013

77

 
 
 
notes to the consolidated 
financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 May 2013

24 Financial instruments
In common with all other businesses, the Group and Company are exposed to risks that arise from its use of financial 
instruments. This note describes the Group’s and Company’s objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks 
and the methods used to measure them. Further quantitative information in respect of these risks is presented throughout 
these financial statements.

capital

The Company and Group define capital as share capital, share premium and retained earnings. In managing its capital, 
the Group’s primary objective is to provide a return to its equity shareholders through capital growth. Going forward the 
Group will seek to maintain a gearing ratio that balances risks and returns at an acceptable level and also to maintain 
a sufficient funding base to enable the Group to meet its working capital and strategic investment needs. In making 
decisions to adjust its capital structure to achieve these aims, either through new share issues or the issue of debt, 
the Group considers not only its short-term position but also its long-term operational and strategic objectives.

Externally imposed capital requirements

The Group is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements. 

Significant accounting policies

Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of 
measurement, and the basis on which income and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of financial asset, 
financial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Principal financial instruments

The principal financial instruments used by the Group from which financial risk arises are as follows:

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Other receivables 
Amounts due to joint venture (see note 12)

Financial liabilities
Trade payables
Other payables
Royalty liability (see note 19)
Warrant liability1 (see note 21)
Amounts due to joint venture (see note 12)

2013
$’000

13,692
361
—

14,053

1,862
15
10,000
49
382

12,308

2012
$’000

15,503
356
35

15,894

1,393
16
—
—
1,139

2,548

1  The fair value of the warrant liability (see note 21) has been determined using a valuation technique where at least one input (which could have a significant 

effect on the instrument’s valuation) is not based on observable market data and is therefore a level 3 financial instrument. Where inputs can be observed from 
market data without undue cost and effort, the observed input has been used. Otherwise, management determines a reasonable estimate for the input.

General objectives, policies and processes

The Board has overall responsibility for the determination of the Group’s risk management objectives and policies. Whilst 
retaining ultimate responsibility for these, the Board has delegated the authority for designing and operating processes 
that ensure the effective implementation of the objectives and policies to the Group’s finance function. The Board receives 
regular reports from the Finance Director through which it reviews the effectiveness of the processes put in place and the 
appropriateness of the objectives and policies set.

The overall objective of the Board is to set policies that seek to reduce risk as far as practical without unduly affecting 
the Group’s competitiveness and flexibility. Further details regarding these policies are set out below.

78

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

24 Financial instruments continued
General objectives, policies and processes continued

credit risk 

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. 

Credit risk arises principally from the Group’s investment in cash deposits. The Group seeks to deposit funds with reputable 
financial institutions until such time as it is required.

The Group does not have any significant credit risk exposure on trade and other receivables.

The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk. 

Liquidity risk 

Liquidity risk arises from the Group and Company’s management of working capital and the amount of funding 
committed to its exploration programme. It is the risk that the Group or Company will encounter difficulty in meeting 
its financial obligations as they fall due.

The Group and Company’s policy is to ensure that sufficient funds will be available to allow it to meet its liabilities as they fall 
due. To achieve this, the Board receives cash flow projections as well as information regarding available cash balances on 
a regular basis. The Board will not commit to material expenditures prior to being satisfied that sufficient funding is available.

The Group’s financial liabilities are not significant and therefore no maturity analysis has been presented. All financial 
liabilities held by the Group are non-interest bearing. 

Foreign exchange risk and foreign currency risk management

The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk through certain of its costs being denominated in currencies other than 
the functional currency (in particular Sterling), and from holding Sterling cash balances. 

Although the Group has no formal policy in respect of foreign exchange risk, as the majority of the Group’s forecast 
expenditures are in United States Dollars and Sterling, the Group holds the majority of its funds in these two currencies. 
Currency exposures are monitored on a monthly basis.

The carrying amounts of the Group’s and Company’s foreign currency denominated financial assets and monetary 
liabilities at the reporting date are as follows:

Liabilities

Assets

Euros (“€”)
Sterling (“GBP”)
Canadian Dollars (“CAD”)
South African Rand (“ZAR”)
Australian Dollars (“AUD”)

Foreign currency sensitivity analysis

2013
$’000

37
592
—
17
5

2012
$’000

67
392
—
—
—

2013
$’000

55
4,386
6
29
35

2012
$’000

41
8,177
8
30
—

The Group is exposed primarily to movements in GBP against the $. Sensitivity analyses have been performed to indicate 
how the profit or loss would have been affected by changes in the exchange rate between the $ and GBP. The analysis 
is based on a weakening and strengthening of the $ by 10% against the GBP in which the Group has assets and liabilities 
at the end of each respective period. A movement of 10% reflects a reasonably possible sensitivity when compared to 
historical movements over a three to five year timeframe. The sensitivity analysis includes only outstanding foreign currency 
denominated monetary items and adjusts their translation at the period end for a 10% change in foreign currency rates. 

A positive number below indicates an increase in profit where the $ strengthens 10% against the GBP. For a 10% weakening of the 
$ against the GBP, there would be an equal and opposite impact on the profit, and the balance below would be negative.

The following table details the Group’s sensitivity to a 10% strengthening in the $ against the GBP.

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2013
$’000

(380)

2012
$’000

(789)

Annual report 2013

79

 
notes to the consolidated 
financial statements continued
for the year ended 31 May 2013

25 Related party transactions
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation 
and are not disclosed in this note. 

transactions with stephen Betts & sons Limited

During the year the Company charged Stephen Betts & Sons Limited $38,000 (2012: $32,000) under a contract for the provision 
of office equipment and premises. Additionally during the year Stephen Betts & Sons Limited charged the Company $88,000 
(2012: $85,000) under a contract for the provision of staff, office equipment and premises. There were no amounts outstanding 
between the parties as at 31 May 2013 (2012: $nil).

Stephen Betts & Sons Limited is a related party of the Group because Stephen Betts and Daniel Betts are shareholders 
and Directors of that company.

transactions with the Pygmy Hippo Foundation

During the year the Company made charitable contributions to The Pygmy Hippo Foundation of $80,000 (2012: $118,000). At 
31 May 2013 The Pygmy Hippo Foundation owed the Company $18,000 (2012: $nil). The Pygmy Hippo Foundation is a related 
party as Daniel Betts, Thomas Hill and William Cook are Directors of the Company and The Pygmy Hippo Foundation.

Joint venture with Petmin Limited (iron Bird Resources inc)

During the prior year, the Group entered into a transaction with Petmin Limited as described in note 12. Petmin Limited is a 
related part of the Group because Petmin Limited is a joint venture partner and Ian Cockerill is the Executive Chairman of that 
company. During the year the Group received management fees of $160,000 (2012: $60,000) from Iron Bird Resources Inc.

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of the Directors, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in aggregate 
for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures. 

Short-term employee benefits
Social security cost
Pension
Share based payment charge
(Reduction)/provision for potential social security costs on share options

2013
$’000

998
126
78
584
(354)

1,432

2012
$’000

781
96
29
912
92

1,910

26 Events after the reporting date
share options

Since the year end 19,500 share options that were granted on 27 June 2011 and 12,500 share options that were granted 
on 11 July 2013 lapsed. 

80

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

company balance sheet 
as at 31 May 2013

Assets
non-current assets
Investments
Property, plant and equipment
Receivables from subsidiaries

current assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

total assets

Liabilities
current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Other financial liabilities
Amounts due to joint venture

total liabilities

net assets

Equity
Share capital
Share premium
Retained earnings

total equity

Notes

2013
$’000

2012
$’000

31
32
33

33
33

34
34

36

7,730
143
30,624

38,497

722
12,018

12,740

51,237

1,039
49
382

1,470

49,767

908
46,355
2,504

49,767

4,698
215
31,403

36,316

300
13,198

13,498

49,814

1,120
—
1,139

2,259

47,555

855
41,922
4,778

47,555

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 14 August 2013. 

They were signed on its behalf by:

DE Betts
Director

The notes to the Company financial statements form part of these financial statements. 

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Annual report 2013

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Company statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 May 2013

Net cash outflow from operating activities

investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Investment in subsidiaries
Decrease/(increase) in amounts due from subsidiary companies
Interest received

Notes

37

net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities
Proceeds from issue of shares
Proceeds from warrants issued

Net cash from financing activities

net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

cash and cash equivalents at end of year

2013
$’000

(4,027)

(69)
(2,604)
755
69

(1,849)

4,486
355

4,841

(1,035)
(145)
13,198

12,018

2012
$’000

(2,024)

(77)
(2,389)
(13,324)
173

(15,617)

42
—

42

(17,599)
(674)
31,471

13,198

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Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

company statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 May 2013

As at 1 June 2011
Comprehensive loss for the year:

Loss for the year

total comprehensive loss for the year

Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners:

Issue of shares

total transactions with owners 
in their capacity as owners

Share based payments

As at 1 June 2012

Comprehensive loss for the year:

Loss for the year

total comprehensive loss for the year

Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners:

Issue of shares

total transactions with owners  
in their capacity as owners

Share based payments

As at 31 May 2013

Share
capital
$’000

854

—

—

1

1

—

855

—

—

53

53

—

908

Share
premium
$’000

41,881

—

—

41

41

—

41,922

—

—

4,433

4,433

—

46,355

Retained
earnings
$’000

8,123

(4,702)

(4,702)

—

—

1,357

4,778

(3,048)

(3,048)

—

—

774

2,504

Total
$’000

50,858

(4,702)

(4,702)

42

42

1,357

47,555

(3,048)

(3,048)

4,486

4,486

774

49,767

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Annual report 2013

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Notes to the company financial statements
for the year ended 31 May 2013

27 Significant accounting policies
The separate financial statements of the Company are presented as required by the Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”). 
As permitted by the Act, the separate financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards.

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis. The principal accounting policies adopted 
are the same as those set out in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements except as noted below. 

As permitted by section 408 of the Act, the Company has elected not to present its profit and loss account for the year. 
Hummingbird Resources Plc reported a loss for the financial year ended 31 May 2013 of $3,048,000 (2012: $4,702,000). 

investments

Fixed asset investments, including investments in subsidiaries, are stated at cost and reviewed for impairment if there 
are any indications that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

28 critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The Company’s financial statements, and in particular its investments in and receivables from subsidiaries, are affected by 
the critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in respect of the recoverability of exploration 
and evaluation assets which are described in note 4 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Recoverability of investment in subsidiaries and amounts due from subsidiaries

Where the majority of the assets of subsidiary undertakings are exploration and evaluation assets, determining whether an 
investment in and loan to a subsidiary is impaired requires an assessment of whether there are any indicators of impairment, 
of these underlying exploration and evaluation assets. If there is any indication of potential impairment, an impairment test 
is required based on value in use of the asset. This assessment involves judgement as to: (i) the likely future commerciality 
of each cost pool of assets; (ii) when such commerciality should be determined; and (iii) the potential future revenues 
and value in use. The value in use calculation requires the entity to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise 
from the cash-generating unit and a suitable discount rate in order to calculate present value.

As the market capitalisation of the Company was less than the carrying value of the Company’s net assets as at 31 May 2013, 
an impairment review was carried out in respect of the carrying values of the investment in subsidiaries and the amounts due 
from subsidiaries as stated in the Company Balance Sheet. As a result of the positive Preliminary Economic Assessment 
on the Dugbe 1 Project which was published during the year and the Group proceeding with the DFS in respect of the 
Dugbe 1 Project, the Directors consider that there was no impairment as at 31 May 2013.

29 Auditor’s remuneration
The auditor’s remuneration for audit and other services is disclosed in note 6 to the consolidated financial statements. 

30 staff costs
The average monthly number of employees (including Directors) was:

Directors
Other employees

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
Wages and salaries 
Social security costs
Pension
Share based payments

2013
number

2012
Number

7
5

12

7
5

12

 $’000

 $’000

1,482
(185)
101
679

2,077

1,312
281
51
1,321

2,965

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Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

30 staff costs continued
Within wages and salaries, $992,000 (2012: $779,000) relates to amounts paid to Directors for services rendered. Included 
within staff costs is $194,000 (2012: $299,000) recharged to subsidiaries as intangible exploration and evaluation assets. 

Included within social security costs is a release of a provision of $367,000 (2012: $116,000 provision) for the potential 
employers social security contributions in respect of the share options issued to employees and Directors.

Key management remuneration is disclosed in note 25 to the consolidated financial statements.

31 investments

cost 
At 1 June 
Additions

At 31 May 

investment in 
subsidiaries
2013
$’000

Investment in 
subsidiaries
2012
$’000

4,698
3,032

7,730

2,172
2,526

4,698

The Company’s subsidiaries are disclosed in note 15 to the consolidated financial statements. The additions in the year 
relate to certain costs incurred by the Company on behalf of its subsidiaries that are not invoiced to subsidiaries, including 
share based payments. These costs are not repayable by the Company’s subsidiaries.

32 Property, plant and equipment

cost 
At 1 June 2011
Additions

At 1 June 2012
Additions

At 31 May 2013

Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 June 2011
Charge for the year

At 1 June 2012
Charge for the year

At 31 May 2013

carrying amount
At 31 May 2013

At 31 May 2012

Development
assets – other
$’000

38
31

69
16

85

6
21

27
27

54

31

42

Other
$’000

233
61

294
45

339

30
91

121
106

227

112

173

Total
$’000

271
92

363
61

424

36
112

148
133

281

143

215

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Annual report 2013

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Notes to the company financial statements 
continued
for the year ended 31 May 2013

33 current assets
Receivables from subsidiaries

At the balance sheet date amounts receivable from the fellow Group companies were $30,624,000 (2012: $31,403,000). 
These amounts are repayable on demand, however, these are not expected to be repaid within one year and no interest 
is currently charged. The carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value. 

trade and other receivables

Other receivables
VAT recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income

There are no past due or impaired receivables.

cash and cash equivalents

2013
$’000

38
273
411

722

2012
$’000

37
96
167

300

Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 May 2013 of $12,018,000 (2012: $13,198,000) comprise cash and short-term bank deposits 
with an original maturity of three months or less. The carrying value of these assets approximates their fair value. 

The Company’s principal financial assets are bank balances and cash and receivables from related parties, none of which 
are past due. The Directors consider that the carrying amount of receivables from related parties approximates their fair value.

34 current liabilities
trade and other payables

Trade payables
Other taxes and social security
Accruals
Other payables

2013
$’000

689
61
274
15

1,039

The average credit period taken for trade purchases is 28 days (2012: 22 days). 

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value. 

Other financial liabilities

The Company’s other financial liabilities are included within note 21 of the consolidated financial statements.

Amounts due to joint venture

Amounts due by the Company to the joint venture are disclosed in note 12.

Operating lease commitments

At the balance sheet date, the Company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under 
non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive
After five years

2013
$’000

97
—
—

97

2012
$’000

395
54
665
6

1,120

2012
$’000

87
—
—

87

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Company for the UK head office.

86

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

35 share capital
The movements on this item are disclosed in note 20 to the consolidated financial statements. 

36 share based payments
The Company’s share based payments information is disclosed in note 22 to the consolidated financial statements.

37 Notes to the statement of cash flows

Loss before tax
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Share based payments
Finance income
Finance expense

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
Increase in receivables
(Decrease)/increase in payables
(Decrease)/increase in amounts due to joint venture

Net cash outflow from operating activities

38 Financial instruments
The Company’s strategy and financial risk management objectives are described in note 24. 

Principal financial instruments

The principal financial instruments used by the Company from which risk arises are as follows:

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Other receivables

Financial liabilities
Trade payables
Other payables
Warrant liabilities1
Amounts due to joint venture

2013
$’000

(3,048)

133
679
(361)
145

(2,452)
(446)
(372)
(757)

(4,027)

2013
$’000

12,018
30,935

42,953

689
15
49
382

1,135

2012
$’000

(4,702)

112
1,139
(195)
674

(2,972)
(11)
174
785

(2,024)

2012
$’000

13,198
31,536

44,734

395
6
—
1,139

1,540

1  The fair value of the warrant liability (see note 21) has been determined using a valuation technique where at least one input (which could have a 

significant effect on the instrument’s valuation) is not based on observable market data and is therefore a level 3 financial instrument. Where inputs can 
be observed from market data without undue cost and effort, the observed input has been used. Otherwise, management determines a reasonable 
estimate for the input.

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Annual report 2013

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Notes to the company financial statements 
continued
for the year ended 31 May 2013

38 Financial instruments continued
The risks that the Company is subject to in addition to the Group risks described in note 24 are set out below:

credit risk

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Company. 

In addition to the risks described in note 24, which affect the Group, the Company is also subject to credit risk on the 
balances receivable from its subsidiaries (see note 33). 

Foreign currency exposure and sensitivity analysis

The Company’s exposure to foreign currency exposure and sensitivity to exchange rates is the same as the Group’s (see note 24).

39 Related parties
Amounts due from subsidiaries

The Company has entered into a number of unsecured related party transactions with its subsidiary undertakings. The most 
significant transactions carried out between the Company and its subsidiary undertakings are mainly for short and long-term 
financing. Amounts owed from these entities are detailed below:

Hummingbird Resources (Liberia) Inc.

2013
$’000

30,624

2012
$’000

31,403

These amounts are repayable on demand and no interest is currently charged.

The Company’s transactions with other related parties and remuneration of key management personnel are disclosed 
in note 25 to the consolidated financial statements. 

40 Events after the balance sheet date
Events after the balance sheet date are disclosed in note 26 to the consolidated financial statements. 

88

Annual report 2013 

Hummingbird Resources Plc

“ There is a tide in the affairs of men  
which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;  
omitted, all the voyage of their life  
is bound in shallows and in miseries.  
On such a full sea are we now afloat;  
and we must take the current when it serves,  
or lose our ventures” …Brutus

“ Markets are but mere tides, Brutus,  
if waning on shores nearby  
then waxing on those yonder they surely are.  
Steer your boat by celestial star through such immediate torrents;  
see beyond the crushing current at your bow;  
and when the tide waxes once more upon those shores,  
your boat shall rise the fastest” …Basil de Tent

Hummingbird Resources Plc 
22 Mount Row 
London 
W1K 3SF

Tel  +44 (0)20 3416 3560
www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk