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Lion Selection Group Limited

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2019 
ANNUAL 
REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lion Selection Group Limited
ABN 26 077 729 572
Level 2, 175 Flinders Street
Melbourne  Vic  3000
Tel:  +61 3 9614 8008
www.lionselection.com.au 

Diamond drill core 
from Awak Mas

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pani Ridge

Contents

02 

03 

04 

11		 

12		 

14		 

16		 

17 

18 

20		 

21 

34 

42 

43 

44 

44 

45 

46 

47 

48 

66 

70 

72 

72 

Chairman’s Letter to Shareholders 

Lion Selection Group Investment Summary

Lion Manager’s Report

Lion Performance

Pani Gold Project

Nusantara Resources

Erdene Resources Development Corp

EganStreet Resources

Manager Performance Incentive

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Corporate Governance Statement

Director’s Report 

Auditor’s Independence Declaration

Lion Selection Group Limited Directors’ Declaration

Financial Statements

Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Year ended 31 July 2019

Statement of Financial Position as at 31 July 2019

Statement of Cash Flows for the Year ended 31 July 2019

Statement of Changes in Equity for the Year ended 31 July 2019

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

Independent Auditor’s Report

Shareholder Information

Lion Selection Group Limited Registry

Corporate Directory

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chairman’s Letter to Shareholders

Your directors provide you with the annual report for the year ended 
31 July 2019. We are pleased to report that the state of your company 
remains strong.

Lion’s portfolio has delivered during the year, benefiting from the 
standout performance for gold.

Your directors provide you with the annual report for the 
year ended 31 July 2019. We are pleased to report that the 
state of your company remains strong.

Lion’s portfolio has delivered during the year, benefiting 
from the standout performance for gold. Driven by low 
to negative interest rates and risk-aversion, investment 
has flowed into physical gold, ETFs and gold equities, 
reflecting gold’s safe-haven investment status and portfolio 
diversification benefits. Although the loudest drivers of the 
rally are trade wars and Brexit, the key fundamental driver 
of gold remains negative yields in the bond market and 
consequential inflated values for many asset classes. The 
uncertainty about how the current extreme monetary policy 
settings will unfold is high, with no clear resolution in sight.  

In order to benefit from the current gold rally, pre-
production gold companies must be in a position to pull 
together technical feasibility, finance and first-class 
teams. The market has begun to recognise the positioning 
of many of Lion’s investees to deliver these elements. This 
has seen corporate activity across the portfolio, with Toro 
Gold acquired by Resolute Mining, Egan Street Resources 
under takeover by Silverlake Resources, and the 
introduction of local strategic partners at Pani (Merdeka 
Copper Gold) and Nusantara Resources (Indika Energy).

Lion remains well positioned to unlock its key investments 
in Pani and Nusantara. Efforts at Pani are aimed at 
combining the Pani IUP project (Lion 33%/ Merdeka 67%) 
with the adjoining Pani Contract of Work (CoW) tenement 
owned by J Resources to create a world class gold asset. 
In addition, step out drilling will shortly commence 
targeting known mineralisation between the Pani IUP 
Resource and J Resources’ CoW. The understanding of 
Pani will unfold as the project is put through the rigours 
of various studies, but initial work suggests potential for a 
multi-million-ounce project with favourable economics.  

2		

|	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

At Nusantara, the Awak Mas gold project is ready to 
go, with the project potential to be unlocked if financing 
discussions can introduce partner Indika Energy at 
the project level and cornerstone project financing. A 
combination of higher gold price and very promising 
extensional drilling at Awak Mas also has the potential 
to materially upgrade the current open-pit ore reserve 
of 1.1Moz based on a USD$1,250/ oz used in last year’s 
DFS compared with the Mineral Resource Estimate of 
2.0Moz using a USD$1,400/oz pit shell. Importantly the 
new extensional result opens up a nearly 1km wide, 
sparsely drilled, potential gold mineralised corridor, that 
lies between the eastern edge of the proposed Awak Mas 
open-pit and the Salu Bulo deposit, further to the east.

Other investments in the Lion portfolio continue to 
progress, largely flying under the radar. In many cases 
these investees have equally compelling fundamentals, 
just at an earlier stage on the development curve. 
Lion continues to see many opportunities, with many 
companies suffering in the doldrums due to the scarcity of 
equity capital holding these companies back.

Lion closely monitors the value and risks of its portfolio. 
Despite the strong financial performance this year, Lion’s 
underlying potential portfolio value proposition remains 
compelling, with unlocking funding risk in many cases 
being the key to realising the upside.

The Lion board would like to thank the Lion team who 
have been particularly active in helping many investees 
throughout the year.

Barry	Sullivan
Chairman

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lion Selection Group Investment Summary

AS	AT	30	SEPTEMBER	2019

Diamond drill site at Awak Mas

COMMODITY

MARKET	VALUE
A$M

Pani	Joint	Venture	(33.3%	Interest)

Gold

39.2

Fair value for Pani based on Merdeka’s acquisition of 66.7% interest 
in the Pani JV from Lion’s previous JV partner in November 2018

Portfolio	

Nusantara Resources

Egan Street Resources

Erdene Resources

Other

•  Portfolio holdings measured at fair value

•  Includes investments held directly by Lion and the value to Lion of 

investments held by African Lion

Net	Cash

Net	Tangible	Assets

NTA	Per	Share

Capital	Structure

Shares	on	Issue:

Share	Price:

Options	on	Issue:

Gold

Gold

Gold

11.5

6.3

2.0

3.4

8.6

A$71.0m

47c

150,134,879

42¢ps

30 September 2019

15,720,958

$0.50 expiry 12 April 2020

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lion Manager’s Report

z
o
/
$
S
U

2000

1800

1600

1400

1200

1000

Au

US$/oz

1.2

1

0.8

0.6

A$:US$

Jan11

Jan12

Jan13

Jan14

Jan15

Jan16

Jan17

Jan18

Jan19

Jan11

Jan12

Jan13

Jan14

Jan15

Jan16

Jan17

Jan18

Jan19

l  Commodity prices have been mostly weak in 2019; the key exception is gold.

l  Gold has provided a strong lead for gold equities.

l  Junior resources companies have underperformed; investors who would typically invest 
in exploration stage companies distracted by technology plays and cannabis investments.

l  However, the mining industry is investing again; exploration activity continues its four 

year growth trend and large miners are investing (or buying outright) in juniors.  Growth 
oriented thinking has re-emerged.

l  The Lion Clock is between 8 and 9 o’clock.

Commodity prices 

Equity investors in miners tend to take a strong lead from 
commodity prices, and as the outlook for commodities 
fluctuates, it influences market interest for producers 
and explorers. Broadly speaking, the performance of 
most mineral commodities over the last 12 months has 
been insufficient to provide a strong lead, with the recent 
exceptions of gold and nickel.

Long term fundamentals for many metals remain broadly 
attractive, driven by under-investment in new supply 
which has the potential to result in a supply shortfall in 
many commodities.  Even so, commodity markets have 
responded to macroeconomic and political factors in 2019.  
Most mineral commodities have weakened during this 
time against a strengthening US dollar. 

Key themes that have affected commodities during the 
past 12 months include:

•  Ongoing posturing between China and the United States 

and prospects of a potential trade war.

•  Evolution of energy storage technologies and electric 
vehicles, and potential for much broader adoption of 
battery technology.  Whilst the long term thematic appears 
robust, recent development of new projects to unlock new 
supply of key battery commodities (graphite, lithium, etc) 
will test the robustness of those commodity markets 
especially how readily demand takes up new supply. 
•  Global settings of central bank and bond rates and 

outlook for interest rates, which has been particularly 
influential for gold.

4		

|	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lion Manager’s Report

10000

T
/
$
S
U

8000

6000

4000

Cu

US$/T

Commodity prices have  
been mostly weak in 2019;  
the key exception is gold

Jan11

Jan12

Jan13

Jan14

Jan15

Jan16

Jan17

Jan18

Jan19

The stand-out commodity which has electrified a significant 
portion of the resources equities market in 2019 has 
been gold.  The fundamentals for gold are driven by an 
intersection of macroeconomics and emotion. Through the 
course of the last 12 months, sentiment towards interest 
rates has shifted from ‘increasing’ to ‘decreasing’ and there 
is talk of fresh quantitative easing in some economies. 
Historically, periods of low to negative real interest rates 
combined with an outlook for weakening real rates have 

been positive for gold, and persistence of global interest 
rate weakness is likely to contribute to a continued robust 
environment for gold. Layered around the macroeconomic 
picture for gold is various geopolitical events that generate 
nervousness in global markets – significant recent 
contributors include: Donald Trump (various themes), 
North Korea, Brexit. Whilst these themes don’t directly 
drive gold, they produce fear and volatility in markets which 
from day to day adds to interest in gold.  

US$ Gold Price vs US real interest rates  
(Federal Reserve Official Rate minus US CPI)

z
o
/
$
S
U
e
i
r
P
d
l
o
G

2000

1500

1000

500

0

-500

-1000

a
p
%
s
e
t
a
R
t
s
e
r
e
t
n
I

l
a
e
R

10

5

0

-5

Sep 70

Sep 75

Sep 80

Sep 85

Sep 90

Sep 95

Sep 00

Sep 05

Sep 10

Sep 15

Source: IRESS data, US Bureau of Labour Statistics

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 5

 
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lion Manager’s Report

Mining Equities – caught in recent market froth 
Resources equities are still well within a continuous year-on-year positive trend established in early 2016.  As a whole, 
Resources have strongly outperformed the rest of the market in that period, particularly during 2016 and 2017.  The 
exception to this pattern has been gold producers, which have not only led the market each year but have continued the 
trend of market outperformance during 2019, led strongly by the standout performance of the gold price whilst the rest of 
the sector is arguably without a clear commodity lead.

Year by year (2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 YTD)  
performance of key ASX stock indices

%
4
7

%
1
2

%
2
3

%
4
5

%

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

%
8
2

%
6
5

%
7
3
-

%
5
1

%
8
2

%
2

%
8
5

%
8
3

%
3

%
4

%
9
-

%
9
1

%
2

%
2
1

%
1
1
-

%
1
2

-20

2016

2017

2018

2019
YTD

2016

2017

2018

2019
YTD

2016

2017

2018

2019
YTD

2016

2017

2018

2019
YTD

2016

2017

2018

2019
YTD

ASX Gold  
Index

ASX 100 
Resources

ASX Small 
Resources

ASX 100 
Industrials

ASX Small 
Industrials

Year	by	year	(2016,	2017,	2018	and	2019	YTD)	performance	of	key	ASX	stock	indices:	ASX	Gold	Index	(XGD),	ASX100	
Resources	Index	(XTR),	ASX	Small	Resources	Index	(XSR),	ASX100	Industrials	Index	(XTI)	and	ASX	Small	Industrials	
(XSI).		Bars	show	incremental	index	appreciation	(dark	grey)	or	loss	(light	grey)	comparing	the	end	of	a	calendar	year	
with	the	opening	prices	of	2016.		2019	YTD	is	to	30	September	2019.		

Source: IRESS data

6		

|	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lion Manager’s Report

But junior resources still neglected
Despite the appealing picture painted by the performance 
of miners, smaller capitalisation junior resources and 
exploration stocks have largely been left behind.  2019 
has been as tough a year as any for junior resources and 
exploration companies to raise funds or experience share 
price appreciation. There is no index which expresses the 
performance of resources juniors, so a direct side-by-side 
comparison with larger miners isn’t possible. However, 
the median share price performance of all the metals and 
mining classified companies which are not included in any 
ASX index provides a suitable indication.  In stark contrast 
to the indices containing large miners which have almost 
doubled since 2016, or gold miners which have almost 
tripled, the juniors have fallen by over 15%.  

Qualitatively, different sources of money sit behind the 
investors which buy equities of larger versus junior 
resources companies.  Institutional investment comprises 
all manner of hedge funds, exchange traded funds and 
other managed investment structures, and when it comes 
to resources tend to direct equity investment toward larger 
companies. The rationale is simple: these institutional 
investors want liquidity and to avoid risks such as funding, 
project commissioning and single asset failure, and the 
solution is to target larger, established miners with diverse 
portfolios. Whilst this tendency can lead to concentration 
of investment in a small number of companies, it appears 
so far that investors are focussed on returns from the gold 
price and are satisfied with the risk / reward (ie minimal risk 
/ potential price premium) equation of the larger companies, 
and not yet ready to take on greater risk (smaller producers, 
project developers, miners in geologically attractive but 
otherwise challenging jurisdictions) in search of a better 
potential reward.  Historically this is consistent with early 
cycle behaviours that have been seen before.

‘Risk Money’ is an expression that describes the kind of 
investor that might invest in early stage ventures such as 
exploration. It is important to distinguish that Risk Money 
is not philosophical, it can invest in any speculative venture 
that has an appealing story attached in any industry.  Whilst 
institutional investors can become part of the Risk Money 
pool, generally speaking Risk Money is non-institutional 
in nature. The dot.com bubble which took place in the late 
1990’s / early 2000’s is an example as well as a useful 
analogy for how we might expect Risk Money to behave 
in the near term. A mining bust unfolded through 1997 
and 1998, exacerbated by the Bre-X scandal and East 
Asian Currency Crisis. Risk Money deserted exploration 
companies in favour of dot.com stocks, which were 
adopting business models to exploit opportunities created 
by the advent of the internet and the World Wide Web.  

Explorers suffered for several years, even after the share 
prices and operating performance of miners had begun 
to correct and it wasn’t until after the dot.com bubble 
popped that Risk Money began to move back to early stage 
resources opportunities. Whilst not necessarily internet 
related, technology focussed companies have captured a 
growing proportion of the interest of Risk Money investors 
for almost a decade. More recently, Risk Money has also 
poured into medicinal cannabis stocks, especially in North 
America. In a general sense, there are many companies 
finding market success in either tech or cannabis that 
share common traits – despite an abundance of investment 
willing to buy new shares, the revenue model is unclear 
and eventual profitability is highly uncertain.  It may be easy 
to be sceptical of this from a distance, but not drastically 
dissimilar from early stage exploration companies.  

There is no doubt, a broad range of opinions surrounding 
the fundamentals for technology or cannabis stocks – the 
fact is that the investors that are prepared to take risks like 
backing explorers and project developers are currently more 
interested in other sectors.  So for an equally risky, but 
perhaps on perception alone far less interesting explorer 
or developer to obtain funding – it needs to tick a lot of 
boxes. There is a strong historical precedent for Risk Money 
moving decisively back to resources 1) after larger miners 
have undergone a share price recovery, 2) fundamentals are 
waning (or have collapsed) in another ‘hot’ sector and 3) 
there is an attractive catalyst underpinning the speculative 
case for the early stage resource sector.

Gold
2.80x

ASX100
Resources
1.95x

Small
Resources
1.91x

ASX100
Industrials
1.16x

Small
Industrials
1.24x

Non-index 
Resource 
Juniors
0.84x

100%  
Break  
Even

Multiple	returns	of	key	ASX	Indices	(ASX	Gold	Index	(XGD),	
ASX100	Resources	Index	(XTR),	ASX	Small	Resources	
Index	(XSR),	ASX100	Industrials	Index	(XTI)	and	ASX	Small	
Industrials	(XSI))	compared	with	the	median	share	price	
performance	of	572	Metals	and	Mining	(GICS	classified)	
stocks	that	are	listed	on	ASX	and	not	included	in	any	
index,	1	January	2016	to	30	September	2019.			

Source: IRESS data, Lion Manager.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lion Manager’s Report

Exploration and Liquidity – the Mining Industry is Investing Again 
The recovery of equity prices for miners, an improvement in operational cash generation and partial recapitalisation of 
the sector has culminated in the recovery of the trend in exploration activity. There has now been three to four years of 
increases in annual exploration expenditure and metres drilled in Australia (according to Australian Bureau of Statistics 
data). Over a long period, the Australian trend has tended to mimic the global trend.  The recommencement of expenditure 
on exploration, which is an investment with an uncertain return profile, and several strong year-on-year increases is a 
strong signal that the mining industry is again investing for the future.

r
t
Q
/
e
r
u
t
i
d
n
e
p
x
E
n
o
i
t
a
r
o
l
p
x
E
n
a
i
l
a
r
t
s
u
A

$m

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

Australian exploration expenditure (LHS)  
and exploration meters drilled (RHS)

r
t
Q
/
d
e
l
l
i
r
D
s
r
e
t
e
M
n
o
i
t
a
r
o
l
p
x
E
n
a
i
l
a
r
t
s
u
A

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

Sep 1989

Sep 1994

Sep 1999

Sep 2004

Sep 2009

Sep 2014

Sep 2019

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, publication 8412.

Exploration appetite is a part indicator that miners are thinking about future growth. However, it is hard to use this as conclusive 
evidence, as the exploration trend lacks any differentiation between greenfields (looking for new discoveries) and brownfields 
(extensional) work, and whether or not exploration is taking place to detect new potential mines, or just replace production.  

Stronger evidence that growth oriented thinking is returning to miners is their own investment behaviour – over the past 
three to four years there has been a trend toward larger miners investing in, or with, junior resources companies, or making 
outright takeover offers.  The public nature of this investment means the intent is not ambiguous, and there is a clear 
common thread that the larger companies are investing to potentially broaden their project portfolio. This is the strongest 
signal the mining industry can send to the market of how it sees value on offer. 

8		

|	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lion Manager’s Report

Then and Now – Comparing Two Cycles 
All cycles share characteristics as they evolve, irrespective of how quickly they evolve or ultimate return they provide, so comparison of 
one period to another is a useful (even if not precise) indicator of what might transpire in the future. 

Clock	Time	(Lion	Clock)

1998-2008

2016-present

Bayan Khundii

Large capitalisation miners recovery commenced

IPO market reopened 

Exploration recommenced

Junior resources recovery commenced

6

7

8

9

August 1998

January 2016

2000 (17 IPO’s vs  
3 in 1998, 5 in 1999)

2016

2002  
Dot.com

2003

2017  
Technology, cannabis

?

?

‘Good years’ of the cycle

9-12

2003 – 2008

%

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

%
n
r
u
t
e
R
x
e
d
n
I

Comparison of mining index performance
1998-2008 versus 2016-present, rebased to the lowest point of ASX100 Resources index in each case (where month = 0)  

Late	90’s	/	Early	00’s:		
Dot.com	bubble

  ASX100 Resources Index 

1998-2008	/	2016-present

  ASX Small Resources Index  1998-2008	/	2016-present

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

Months	after	market	base

Source: IRESS data, Lion Manager

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 9

 
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lion Manager’s Report

The Lion clock depicts the mining cycle according to liquidity indicators that 
are diagnostic of the different stages of the cycle. 

The clock moved to 6 o’clock in early 2016, after the sense of sentiment toward miners flipped 
and became positive. It became 7 o’clock later in 2016 when it became clear that the IPO 
market was opening, and investor interest had commensurately increased. A recapitalisation of 
the sector between capital raisings and improving operating cash flows precipitated an increase 
in funds available for exploration and growth, which moved the clock to 8 o’clock in 2017.

Whilst liquidity has been flowing back into the sector, it has 
clearly favoured larger (particularly mid-tier) companies 
who in turn have been key contributors to exploration 
activity. Many junior companies are yet to benefit from 
the improvement in sentiment, and sentiment in North 
American / European markets are lagging the Australian 
market. However, there have been several consecutive 
year-on-year increases in exploration spend in Australia 

(which mirrors a global trend), as well as growing activity of 
established miners investing in joint ventures or equity of 
smaller resource companies. The industry is sending a clear 
signal that it sees valuable opportunities at attractive prices, 
and is acting on those. We do not feel that the clock has 
moved yet to 9 o’clock – this would require an improvement 
in sentiment in the North American market. However we feel 
strongly that the clock has moved past 8 o’clock.  

Lion Clock – between 8 and 9 o’clock

AGGRESSIVE SELLER

New floats 
(big companies)

Paper takeovers

CAUTIOUS BUYER

People leave big
companies (top $ small
companies short careers)

10

CRASH

12

1

Company liquidations

Declining exploration

L

O

O

K

2

11

L

E L
S

9

8

Rising exploration

New floats
(small companies)

7

BU Y

6

5

BOOM

3

4

Mergers

Cash takeovers

AGGRESSIVE BUYER
CAUTIOUS SELLER

10		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lion Performance

Total shareholder  
return for Lion Selection 
Group versus ASX  
Small Resources 
Accumulation Index

40%

%
6
.
0
3

20%

0%

-20%

%
5
.
0
1

%
4
.
4

%
3

%
8

%
2
.
8

  Lion         

  ASX Small Resources

1 Year  
Return

3 Year  
Return

5 Year  
Return

10 Year  
Return

15 Year  
Return

Return since 
inception

at	31	July	2019

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

15 Years

Return since inception – 21 years

Lion

30.6%

10.5%

3.0%

4.4%

8.0%

8.2%

ASX	Small	Resources

-3.3%

9.9%

4.3%

-4.5%

3.4%

3.9%

Lion places the greatest emphasis on long term returns, as this timeframe 
best matches the investment timeframe approach used by Lion.      

Past performance is no guarantee of future performance, but we believe the long-term 
performance illustrated above endorses the Lion investment model which importantly has 
remained unchanged. Lion takes a portfolio approach to invest in companies with quality 
people and projects, with the advantage of being able to take a long-term investment view, 
elements which are essential to generating excess returns from the small resources sector.

1. 

Investment performance figures reflect the historic performance of Lion Selection Group Limited (ASX:LSG, 1997 – 2007), Lion Selection Limited 
(ASX:LST, 2007-2009), Lion Selection Group Limited (NSX:LGP, 2009-2013) and Lion Selection Group Limited (ASX:LSX, 2013-present)

2.  Methodology for calculating total shareholder return is based on MorningStar (2006), which assumes reinvestment of distributions
3.  Distributions made include cash dividends, shares distributed in specie as a dividend, proceeds from an off-market buyback conducted in Dec 2008, and 
the distribution of shares in Catalpa Resources via the demerger of Lion Selection Limited in Dec 2009. Lion assume all distributions are reinvested, with 
all non-cash distributions sold and the proceeds reinvested on the distribution pay date. 
Investment performance is pre-tax and ignores the potential value of franking credits on dividends that were partially or fully franked.

4. 
5.  Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
6. 
7.  Source: IRESS, Lion Manager

Indices used for comparison are accumulation indices, which assume reinvestment of dividends.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pani Joint Venture (33.3%) 

Since Lion acquired its 33.3% joint venture interest in the Pani Gold 
Project in April 2018 for $16.6m, a number of crucial de-risking  
steps have been achieved. The focus for the joint venture is now on 
advancing project assessment studies and seeking to strike a deal  
with J Resources on its adjoining Pani CoW tenement.

•  Following regulatory approval, 
in August 2018 Lion’s 33.3% 
economic interest in the Pani 
Joint venture was converted into a 
direct ownership interest and Lion 
appointed a representative to the 
board of the Pani Joint Venture.  

•  In November 2018, leading 

Indonesian gold mining company, 
PT Merdeka Copper Gold TbK 
(IDX:MDKA) (Merdeka) became 
Lion’s joint venture partner in the 
Pani Joint Venture after paying 
US$55m cash to buy the 66.6% 
joint venture interest from Lion’s 

former joint venture partner.  
This transaction imputed a 
look through value of $39m for 
Lion’s 33.3% interest. Merdeka’s 
technical, financial and Indonesian 
operations expertise brings 
essential skills to the development 
of the Pani Gold Project.

•  Lion and Merdeka completed a Joint 
Venture Agreement in November 
2018 with respect to the Pani Joint 
Venture setting out the detailed 
arrangements with respect to the 
funding, operation and management 
of the Pani Joint Venture.

•  At July 2019, key permits had been 
obtained for the project including 
the new 100% owned processing 
and refining tenement and forestry 
permits to enable step out drilling 
to take place between the Pani 
IUP Resource and the Resource 
identified on the adjoining Contract 
of Work (CoW) tenement.

The focus for the joint venture is now 
on advancing project assessment 
studies and seeking to strike a deal 
with J Resources on its adjoining 
Pani CoW tenement. If a deal can be 

Pani Superpit concept joins two separate Resources (looking South)

Approx 1.5km

Kolokoa

Baginite

IUP Boundary

Pani IUP Resource:
2.37Moz at 0.82g/t1

Pani Ridge

Pani Luar

Borose

Pani Dalam

STEP OUT 
DRILLING

J Resources’ Resource:
2.06Moz at 0.96g/t2

Informal workings

12		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
consummated, the joint project would 
be a world class gold deposit with 
immediate upside, uniting the  
Pani JV’s 2.37Moz1 Resource with  
J Resources Resource of 2.30Moz2.

Such a deal would unlock optimal 
development of the Pani deposit in a 
‘Superpit’ operation, unrestricted by 
tenement boundaries, including:  

•  Favourable topography: low strip 

ratio, open pit operation amenable 
to bulk mining.

•  Low processing costs anticipated, 

with grid power available.

•  Metallurgical work to date 

suggests high recoveries via heap 
leach or CIL.

•  Due to key permits already being 
in place, it may be possible to fast 
track development. Subject to 
appropriate assessment, initial 
concepts envisage a 250Koz – 
300Koz operation.

In parallel, the Pani joint venture 
continues to progress towards a 
standalone operation for the Pani 
IUP.  A standalone operation would 
entail trucking material on an access 
haul road to the Pani JV’s processing 
and refining area several kilometres 
south of the Pani IUP mining area 
where it would be treated.

Such an operation is also expected 
to be low cost due to favourable 
characteristics, but would not benefit 
from the economies of scale of a 
combined operation.  In addition, 
some mineralisation is expected to be 
challenging to mine due to topography 
and tenement boundaries.

1.  Refer to One Asia Resources Limited news release 

3 December 2014, (https://www.lionselection.
com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/PANI%20
JORC%20RESOURCE.pdf). 

2.  J Resources Reserve and Resources Statement 
31 December 2017. http://www.jresources.com/
assets/uploads/home/JRAP_-_2017_-_RR_
table_@_20171231_(Sanjaya).pdf

Pani IUP (Lion 33.3%/Merdeka 
66.7%) 0.2g/t cut off1

Category Ore  
(Mt)

Grade  
(g/t Au)

Au  
(m oz)

Measured

10.8

Indicated

Inferred

62.4

16.2

1.13

0.81

0.67

0.39

1.63

0.35

Total

89.5

0.82

2.37

Pani CoW (J Resources 
100%) 0.4g/t cut off 2

Category Ore  
(Mt)

Grade  
(g/t Au)

Au  
(m oz)

Measured

13.8

Indicated

Inferred

38.7

14.1

0.95

0.91

1.12

0.42

1.13

0.50

Total

66.6

0.96

2.06

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nusantara Resources

Awak Mas camp and core farm

Nusantara is actively working with strategic partner Indika towards 
financing Awak Mas, anticipated to be partly funded by Indika Energy’s 
purchase of a project interest.

Lion was a cornerstone investor 
in Nusantara’s ASX IPO in 2017.  
The company has completed 
comprehensive assessments of 
mining and processing gold at its 
100% owned Awak Mas Gold project 
located in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, 
culminating in completion of a 
Definitive Feasibility Study during 2018.

Strategic Partner
•  In December 2018 Indonesian 

energy and resources company PT 
Indika Energy Tbk (Indika) invested 
$7M to become Nusantara’s 
19.9% shareholder and strategic 
partner.  At the same time as this 
investment took place, Nusantara 
and Indika entered into a strategic 
relationship focussed on exploring 
avenues for completing the 
financing and development of the 
Awak Mas Gold Project.

•  Richard Ness joined the board of 
Nusantara as a Non-Executive 

Director as the nominee of 
Indika. Richard is a mining 
executive based in Indonesia, 
and former senior executive at 
Newmont Indonesia and Freeport 
Indonesia, and brings a great deal 
of recent and historical, highly 
relevant project development and 
operations experience in Indonesia.

Project Funding and 
Development
•  Nusantara is actively working with 
strategic partner Indika towards 
financing Awak Mas, anticipated to 
be partly funded by Indika Energy’s 
purchase of a project interest.

•  The project is considered 
‘development ready’ and a 
review of Nusantara’s DFS by 
Independent Technical Expert 
identified no technical deficiencies.
•  Follow up confirmatory work since 
the DFS supporting the technical 
studies on metallurgy, quarry 

materials and grade benching 
were completed.  Metallurgical 
test-work increased the estimated 
gold recovery from 91.1% to 93.1% 
gold, and in-fill bench sampling in 
the starter pit area demonstrates 
the potential to uplift the reserve 
grade. 

People
In preparation for development, 
Nusantara appointed Neil Whitaker 
as its new Jakarta based CEO. Neil 
has over 40 years’ experience in the 
mining sector and has held operating 
and senior executive roles with 
companies such as Anglo American, 
Western Mining Corporation, Clough 
Indonesia (Petrosea Tbk) and 
Newcrest Mining. Neil has extensive 
international operating experience 
with a demonstrated background in 
leading resource companies through 
the transitional stages of the full 
project life cycle.

14		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Diamond drill hole intersection 

of 63.7m at 2.12g/t was returned 
from outside (to the west) of the 
current US$1250/oz Reserve and 
US$1400 Resource pit shells.  
This intersection is not only one 
of the best gold intersections on 
the project, but demonstrates the 
continuation of mineralisation to 
the west in the corridor between 
Awak Mas and Salu Bulo.
•  The work completed has 

shown that understanding of 

the prospectivity of the Awak 
Mas region is at an early stage, 
with multiple regional targets 
for further work.  Importantly, 
this work has continued to 
demonstrate the prospectivity of 
the region between Awak Mas 
and Salu Bulo which lays below 
unmineralised ophiolite.  Definition 
of mineralisation in this zone 
has potential game-changing 
consequences for Nusantara and 
sets the scene for an exciting 2020.

Exploration & 
Regional Prospectivity
•  In parallel to progressing 

funding discussions to enable 
development, a geological 
campaign has been conducted 
to refine the geological model 
of Awak Mas and explore for 
extensions and new occurrences 
of mineralisation.

•  Benching conducted within 

the Rante domain (a region of 
mineralisation within the pit 
design currently scheduled to be 
the first mineralisation mined) 
exposed geology on two platforms 
to enable detailed mapping, 
collection of trench samples 
across the floor and face and close 
spaced drilling.  Results of trench 
sampling included 66m at 1.56g/t 
gold (from a trench in the face) and 
62m at 2.3g/t gold (from a trench 
in the floor), which compared 
favourably with the block model 
grades for the same area.  
•  A ground based electrical 
geophysics program was 
completed over a 3km strike 
length of the Salu Bulo deposit 
and areas of potential strike 
extensions.  Targets generated 
from this work are being drill 
tested.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Erdene Resources Development Corp

Diamond drill rig at Bayan Khundii

Erdene is well established in Mongolia, having maintained a team and 
work programs for over a decade. This has resulted in Erdene having 
a strong knowledge of Mongolian geology and the largest proprietary 
technical database.  

Erdene is well established in Mongolia, 
having maintained a team and 
work programs for over a decade. 
This has resulted in Erdene having 
a strong knowledge of Mongolian 
geology and the largest proprietary 
technical database which, combined 
with outstanding relationships and 
community interactions, positions 
the company uniquely to successfully 
transition from exploration to 
operations.  

Erdene’s recent focus has been on two, 
100% owned epithermal gold projects 
in South-West Mongolia. These have 
been progressed by Erdene from 
grass-roots discovery, to have defined 
Resources and now economic studies 
in place with attractive fundamentals.

Highlights:
•  Preliminary Economic Assessment 
for the Khundii Gold Project, which 
combines both the Bayan Khundii 
and Altan Nar discoveries for 
sequential development.  

•  Infill and extensional drilling 

continued to return impressive 
results: eg 112m at 5.9g/t gold at 
Bayan Khundii.

•  Mining license granted for Bayan 
Khundii, which secures long term 
tenure over the project.

•  Partnership with the European 
Bank for Reconstruction and 
Development (EBRD), with the 
establishment of a US$5m 
convertible loan, to contribute 
substantially toward completion of 
an independent feasibility study, 
front end engineering and design.  
EBRD is one of the largest investors 
in Mongolia, and the investment 
is seen as an endorsement of the 

Erdene team, the Khundii Gold 
Project and the company’s approach 
to the social and environmental 
aspects of development.  This 
is likely to position the company 
strongly moving through feasibility 
completion and toward project 
financing during 2020.

•  The pre-feasibility study for the 
Khundii Gold Project envisages 
average gold production of 
60,000oz pa starting with high 
grade production from an open 
pit mine at Bayan Khundii.  The 
combined Bayan Khundii and Altan 
Nar deposits feature Measured 
and Indicated Resources of 839koz 
at 2.59g/t, and the establishment 
investment requirement is expected 
to be low at circa US$40m initial 
capital expenditure to establish 
a long life (10 years), low cost 
(US$746/oz AISC) gold operation.

16		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EganStreet Resources

Reverse circulation drill rig at Rothsay

EganStreet advanced its 100% owned Rothsay gold project during 2019 
including a new Resource and updated Definitive Feasibility Study.  
In July 2019 EganStreet announced a Recommended Takeover Offer  
for EganStreet by Silver Lake Resources Limited that remains in 
progress at the date of this report.

EganStreet listed on ASX in 2016 in 
order to complete assessments of 
mining and processing gold at its 
100% owned Rothsay Gold project 
in the Southern Murchison region of 
Western Australia.

Scoping and Pre-Feasibility studies 
during 2016 and 2017 led to 
completion of a Definitive Feasibility 
Study in 2018.

Highlights:
•  Increased the Mineral Resource 
to 454koz at 9.2g/t, including 
a substantial increase to the 
proportion of Indicated ounces 
which are available for conversion 
to Ore Reserves.

•  The revised Resource enabled an 
update to the Definitive Feasibility 
Study, which incorporated a new 
mine design and increased mining 
inventory of 320koz of gold.

•  Regional exploration work 
returned a number of high-
grade results, demonstrating 
prospectivity of the field for further 
high-grade gold discoveries.  Key 
examples include intersections of 
1m at 29.6g/t, 1m at 29.1g/t and 
1m at 25g/t gold from the Orient 
Shear, which is located less than 
200m west of, and parallel to, the 
main Woodleys Resource.

•  Additionally, mapping work on 

the exploration licenses identified 
historic workings on a geological 
structure not previously examined 
by EganStreet. The structure 
has been drilled in placed by 
previous tenement holders, with 
historic results from the drill hole 
database including 1m at 29.52g/t 
and 4m at 2.64g/t gold. The 
identification of the prospectivity 
of the Karara Shear increased the 
total estimated prospective strike 
by 4km.

•  On 30 July 2019, EganStreet 
announced a Recommended 
Takeover Offer for EganStreet by 
Silver Lake Resources Limited 
(Silver Lake) pursuant to which 
Silver Lake will acquire all of the 
issued and outstanding shares of 
EganStreet. Under the terms of 
the offer, EganStreet shareholders 
will receive 0.27 Silver Lake 
shares for every EganStreet share 
held. Lion entered into a pre-bid 
acceptance deed with Silver Lake 
with respect to all of its shares in 
EganStreet. Silver Lake’s offer can 
only be declared unconditional 
with minimum shareholder 
acceptances (including Lion) of 
38%, subject to Lion’s waiver.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manager Performance Incentive

(a)  The Highwater Mark in respect of which an Annual 

Performance has been paid; or

(b)  The Invested Capital attributable to direct investments 
(ie. excluding funds) at the time the Management 
Agreement, compounded each month by 8% p.a, 
adjusted for new capital raisings and fund distributions 
(“Benchmark Amount”). 

As at the date of this report, the Benchmark Amount is the 
higher hurdle rate at approximately $0.79 per share. 

Lion entered into a Management Agreement with Lion 
Manager Pty Ltd (Lion Manager), under which Lion 
Manager provides the company with management and 
investment services.  The arrangements were approved 
by shareholders at Lion’s AGM on 5 December 2012, with 
ongoing management fees of 1.5% p.a. based on the direct 
investments under management 

The Management Agreement provides that Lion Manager 
is entitled to an annual incentive which would apply where 
Lion’s performance outperforms a benchmark, with the 
ability to settle up to 40 percent of any incentive in Lion 
shares. As at the date of this report no incentive fee had 
accrued with respect to the Lion Manager contract. The 
performance fee is calculated as 15 percent of the amount 
by which the 3 month average market capitalisation of the 
Company attributable to direct investments exceeds a  
3 month average hurdle. The hurdle is the higher of: 

Lion Manager Performance Incentive

$m

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

2
1
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3
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a
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8
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9
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9
1
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 Moving Average Benchmark    

 Market Cap (Direct Investments)   

  Moving Average Market Cap (Direct Investments)

18		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

High grade hand specimen from 
the Rante domain, Awak Mas
|	 19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The activities of Lion are subject to risks that can adversely impact its business and financial condition. The risks and 
uncertainties described below are not the only ones that Lion may face. There may be additional risks unknown to Lion 
and other risks, currently believed to be immaterial, which could turn out to become material.  

Risk	Factor

Nature

Investment	
in	resource	
companies

Lion has investments in a range of resource companies whose exploration, development and mining activities 
are at varying stages. Lion’s investees are subject to operating risks that are inherent to mining and exploration 
activities, and may influence the financial performance and share price of the investees. The value of Lion’s 
investments in these companies, and in turn the financial performance of Lion itself, will continue to be influenced 
by a variety of factors including:

•  general investment, economic and market conditions as outlined above, which can affect the investee’s 

performance and share price;

•  exploration is a speculative endeavour which may not result in investees finding economic deposits capable of 

being successfully exploited;

•  mining operations may be affected by a variety of factors which may or may not be within the control of the investee. 

Whether or not income will result from exploration and development programs depends on the successful establishment 
of mining operations. Factors including costs, integrity of mineralisation, consistency and reliability of ore grades, 
metallurgical recoveries, and commodity prices affect successful project development and mining operations;
•  depending on the location of its exploration and/or mining activities, an investee may be subject to political 
and other uncertainties, including risk of civil rebellion, expropriation, nationalisation, and renegotiation or 
nullification of existing contracts, mining licences and permits or other agreements;
•  reliance on the performance of key management of Lion, investees and Lion Manager;
•  investees may enter into hedging transactions to fix the commodity price for a portion of production and there 
is a risk that the investee may not be able to deliver into these hedges if, for example, there is a production 
shortage at their mining operations, which could adversely affect the investee’s operating performance if the 
commodity price moves unfavourably;

•  investees that borrow money are potentially exposed to adverse interest rate movements that may affect their 

cost of borrowing, which in turn would impact on their earnings and increase the financial risk inherent in their 
businesses. In this situation there is also risk that an investee may not be able to repay its debts and may be at 
risk of bankruptcy;

•  resource nationalisation, politicial unrest, war or terrorist attacks anywhere in the world could result in a decline 

in economic conditions worldwide or in a particular region, which could impact adversely on the business, 
financial condition and financial performance of the investee;

•  there is a risk that investees may lose title to mining tenements if conditions attached to licences are changed 
or not complied with. Further, it is possible that tenements in which Lion’s investees have an interest may be 
subject to misappropriation or legal challenge in jurisdictions without well-established legal systems.  

•  a form of native title reflecting the rights and entitlements of indigenous inhabitants to traditional lands may 
exist on investee’s tenements, such that exploration and/or mining restrictions may be imposed or claims for 
compensation forthcoming; and

•  the high initial funding requirements of emerging exploration and mining companies can result in delays in 

developing projects and a lack of liquidity, which may affect Lion’s ability to invest or divest.  

Market	
Movements

The performance of Lion and the prices at which its shares may trade on ASX can be expected to fluctuate 
depending on a range of factors including movements in inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, general 
economic conditions and outlooks, changes in government, fiscal, monetary and regulatory policies, prices of 
commodities, global geo-political events and hostilities and acts of terrorism. Certain of these factors could affect 
the trading price of Lion’s shares, regardless of operating performance. Lion attempts to mitigate these factors by 
implementing appropriate safeguards and commercial actions but these factors are largely beyond Lion’s control. 
The underlying value of Lion’s investments in its investees also may not be fully reflected in Lion’s share price.

Reliance	
on	key	
personnel

Pani	Gold	
Project

A number of key management and personnel is important to attaining the respective business goals of Lion.  
One or more of Lion’s or Lion Manager’s respective key employees could leave their employment, and this may 
adversely affect the ability of Lion to conduct its business and, accordingly, affect the financial performance and 
share price of Lion. Further, the success of Lion in part depends on the ability of Lion and Lion Manager to attract 
and retain additional highly qualified management and personnel.

The Company is exposed to operating risks associated with holding an interest in the Pani Joint Venture including: 
•  Increased investment portfolio exposure to Indonesian country risk.
•  Concentrated exposure to the inherent risks and uncertainties of the relatively early stage Pani Gold Project operations.  
•  Elevated exposure to the various counterparties to the contractual arrangements that create the ownership 

interest in the Pani Gold Project that may default on their contractual obligations or act in a manner contrary to 
the best interests of the Company.

The Company will need to contribute investment with respect to Pani Joint Venture expenditure. As the Pani Gold 
Project progresses towards development, it is anticipated that the Company will need to undertake an equity 
raising in order to meet its commitments to the Pani Joint Venture, which may ultimately lead to dilution for all 
shareholders. Further, there is no surety that the Company would be successful with raising sufficient funds in an 
equity raising, risking material dilution or loss of its interest in the Pani Joint Venture.

20		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

As a professional investor in junior miners, Lion is particularly focussed 
on the corporate governance of its investee companies. Lion’s approach 
is based on experience through multiple resource cycles and reflects its 
view that in corporate governance one size does not fit all and careful 
consideration must be given for smaller mining companies, notably 
a material sub-set of ASX listed companies. Three key departures are 
relevant, in particular for pre-production mining companies:

(1)

(2)

(3)

The ASX guidelines provide that 
non-executive directors should not 
receive options with performance 
hurdles or performance rights as part 
of their remuneration which may lead 
to bias in their decision making and 
compromise their objectivity. Lion 
notes that pre-production mining 
companies almost always have limited 
cash, and issuing appropriately 
structured options both reduces the 
cash burden on the company and 
provides greater alignment with the 
interests of shareholders.

Because the mineral resource/ore 
reserve usually has both greater value 
and risk than purely financial assets, 
a company’s internal controls and 
processes surrounding establishing 
and announcing these are one of 
the most material aspects for pre-
production mining companies.  
This extends to studies that seek to 
establish parameters around how 
a mining operation might operate. 
This area may have been overlooked 
in the current ASX guidelines and 
consideration should be given for 
how mining companies approve such 
releases, and having geological and 
mining expertise at board level to 
understand the issues and provide 
formal approval. Regulatory debate  
in 2016 focussed on scoping study 
disclosure and restricting release 
of this information which is vital to 
investor comprehension and proper 
functioning of the ASX as a funding 
mechanism. Lion opposes  
any restriction on disclosure of 
feasibility work.

The ASX Corporate Governance 
Council requires listed firms to 
adopt a majority of ‘independent’ 
board members without links 
to management or substantial 
shareholders (ie 5% or greater 
shareholding), or explain ‘if not, why 
not’. The concept is that such directors 
should be more dispassionate and less 
biased in favour of either management 
or significant shareholders. We note 
that there is limited empirical research 
supporting that such boards add value 
to a company, and in Lion’s experience 
this structure can be detrimental 
for junior mining companies. Lion 
concurs that it is essential that a board 
operates as an effective check on 
management, however a non-executive 
director with a significant shareholding 
is often better placed to fulfil this 
role, and has interests closely aligned 
with the general shareholder register. 
Junior mining companies often have 
many challenges to be overcome to 
develop their projects, and need the 
necessary entrepreneurial drive to 
achieve this. In a crisis, an ASX-defined 
independent director risks being 
disinterested, overly conservative, or 
may lack the fortitude to see the task 
through when their personal incentives 
are limited to on-going directors fees.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2018 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

Introduction
The Board of Directors of Lion Selection Group Limited 
(Lion or the Company) is committed to high standards of 
corporate governance. The Company recognises that it has 
responsibilities to its shareholders and personnel, as well 
as to the communities in which it invests.

As required by the ASX Listing Rules, this statement 
discloses the extent to which the Company follows the 
Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations 
released in March 2014 by the ASX Corporate Governance 
Council (ASX Recommendations). Except where 
otherwise explained, the Company follows all of the ASX 
Recommendations. This Corporate Governance Statement 
has been approved by the Board of Directors of Lion 
Selection Group Limited.

PRINCIPLE 1: Lay solid foundations 
for management and oversight

Recommendation	1.1

A listed entity should disclose:

(a)   the respective roles and responsibilities of its 

board and management; and

(b)   those matters expressly reserved to the board 

and those delegated to management.

The	Board
The Board of directors monitors the progress and 
performance of Lion on behalf of its shareholders, by 
whom it is elected and to whom it is accountable. The 
Board charter seeks to ensure that the Board discharges 
its responsibilities in an effective and capable manner.

The Board’s primary responsibility is to satisfy the 
expectations and be a custodian for the interests of its 
shareholders. In addition, the Board seeks to fulfil its 
broader ethical and statutory obligations, and ensure that 
Lion operates in accordance with these standards. The 
Board is also responsible for identifying areas of risk and 
opportunity, and responding appropriately.

Responsibility for the administration and functioning of 
Lion is delegated by the Board to the Chief Executive Officer 
and to Lion Manager Pty Ltd (the Manager), which provides 
investment management services to the Company. Through 
monitoring the performance of these parties at least annually 
by way of performance evaluations, the Board ensures that 
Lion is appropriately administered and managed. Lion’s 
investments are managed by the Manager. Lion’s Board 
reviews the Manager’s performance internally through the 
Manager’s reports, processes and presentations. The Board 
monitors the Manager’s staffing and processes.

22		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

In addition, the Board guides strategic planning and 
ensures it adheres to the interests and expectations of 
Lion’s shareholders, manages risks and opportunities, 
and monitors company progress, expenditure, significant 
business investments and transactions, key performance 
indicators and financial and other reporting.

Management
The Manager has been appointed by Lion to implement 
its investment strategy and manage its investments. This 
includes all steps of the investment selection process and 
the making of recommendations to the Board. 

A Management Agreement has been established to 
formalise the relationship between the Company and the 
Manager. The Manager, under this agreement, undertakes 
to act as investment manager for Lion. The Manager is at 
liberty to engage specialists and consultants as appropriate 
to assist in the investment assessment process and 
provides a regular flow of information to Lion’s directors. 
Lion’s Board retains the power to make the final investment 
decision on the basis of this information and advice. This 
retention of final investment decision allows the Board 
to effectively review the function and proficiency of the 
Manager and of the investment selection processes.

Further information on performance evaluations can be 
found under ASX Principle 8.

Recommendation	1.2

A listed entity should:

(a)   undertake appropriate checks before appointing 
a person, or putting forward to security holders a 
candidate for election, as a director; and
(b)   provide security holders with all material 

information in its possession relevant to a decision 
on whether or not to elect or re-elect a director.

Lion ensures that all candidates for directorship are well 
known to the company. In addition, all appropriate checks 
and due diligence are undertaken by the Lion board prior 
to nominating a director for election. Information about 
candidates who are standing for election or re-election as 
a director including biographical details, qualifications, 
experience and other directorships is provided to 
shareholders to enable them to make an informed decision.

Recommendation	1.3

A listed entity should have a written agreement with 
each director and senior executive setting out the 
terms of their appointment.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

The terms on which the directors and senior executives 
are appointed is set out in the written agreement between 
the Company or the Manager and the individual. This 
establishes the roles and responsibilities of each person, 
their duties and accountabilities.  

Recommendation	1.4

The company secretary of a listed entity should be 
accountable directly to the board, through the chair, 
on all matters to do with the proper functioning of  
the board.

The Company Secretary is responsible for co-ordination 
of all Board business, including agendas, Board papers, 
minutes, communication with regulatory bodies and ASX 
and all statutory and other filings.

Through the Chairman, the Company Secretary is 
accountable directly to the Board on all matters to do with 
the proper functioning of the Board.

Recommendation	1.5

A listed entity should:

(a)   have a diversity policy which includes requirements 

for the board or a relevant committee of the board 
to set measurable objectives for achieving gender 
diversity and to assess annually both the objectives 
and the entity’s progress in achieving them;

(b)   disclose that policy or a summary of it; and
(c)   disclose as at the end of each reporting period 

the measurable objectives for achieving 
gender diversity set by the board or a relevant 
committee of the board in accordance with the 
entity’s diversity policy and its progress towards 
achieving them, and either: 

1.  the respective proportions of men and women 
on the board, in senior executive positions and 
across the whole organisation (including how 
the entity has defined “senior executive” for 
these purposes); or 

2.  if the entity is a “relevant employer” under the 
Workplace Gender Equality Act, the entity’s 
most recent “Gender Equality Indicators”, as 
defined in and published under that Act.16

While the Company does not have a gender diversity policy 
at present, the Company promotes a culture of equal 
opportunity and has the principles of equality, fairness and 
contribution to commercial success at all levels within the 
Company. Lion recognises and values the blend of skills, 
perspectives, styles and attitudes available to the Company 
through a diverse workforce. Different perspectives in 
the investment selection process and stronger problem-
solving capabilities flow from a diverse workforce.

Workplace diversity in this context includes, but is not 
limited to, gender, age, ethnicity and cultural background.

Workplace flexibility involves developing people 
management strategies that accommodate differences in 
background, perspectives and family responsibilities  
of staff.

Recommendation	1.6

A listed entity should:

(a)  have and disclose a process for periodically 
evaluating the performance of the board, its 
committees and individual directors; and
(b)   disclose, in relation to each reporting period, 
whether a performance evaluation was 
undertaken in the reporting period in accordance 
with that process.

Recommendation	1.7

A listed entity should:

(a)  have and disclose a process for periodically 
evaluating the performance of its senior 
executives; and

(b)   disclose, in relation to each reporting period, 
whether a performance evaluation was 
undertaken in the reporting period in accordance 
with that process.

The small scale of the Board and the nature of the 
Company’s activities make the formal establishment 
of a performance evaluation strategy unnecessary. 
Performance evaluation is managed by the Chairman.  
The Chairman assesses each Board member’s 
performance and the performance of management 
(including the Chief Executive Officer), the Board as a 
whole and its committees on an annual basis. This process 
includes one-on-one and collective meetings.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

PRINCIPLE 2: Structure the board to 
add value

Recommendation	2.1

The board of a listed entity should:

(a)   have a nomination committee which: 

1.  has at least three members, a majority of 
whom are independent directors; and 
2.  is chaired by an independent director, 

and disclose: 

3.  the charter of the committee; 
4.  the members of the committee; and 
5.  as at the end of each reporting period, 

the number of times the committee met 
throughout the period and the individual 
attendances of the members at those 
meetings; or

(b)   if it does not have a nomination committee, 

disclose that fact and the processes it employs to 
address board succession issues and to ensure 
that the board has the appropriate balance of 
skills, knowledge, experience, independence and 
diversity to enable it to discharge its duties and 
responsibilities effectively.

Lion recognises that Recommendation 2.1 of the Principles 
and Recommendations of the ASX Corporate Governance 
Council suggests the establishment of a Nomination 
Committee and associated Charter. However, in view of the 
small size of Lion’s Board, the Board in its entirety, acts 
effectively as Nomination Committee and there is no need 
to further subdivide it. As such, a Nomination Committee 
is an unnecessary measure for Lion.

The Lion Board as a whole reviews the size, structure and 
composition of the Board including competencies and 
diversity, in addition to reviewing Board succession plans 
and continuing development.

Recommendation	2.2

A listed entity should have and disclose a board skills 
matrix setting out the mix of skills and diversity that 
the board currently has or is looking to achieve in its 
membership.

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LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Recommendation	2.3

A listed entity should disclose:

(a)   the names of the directors considered by the 

board to be independent directors;

(b)   if a director has an interest, position, association 
or relationship of the type described in Box 2.3 
but the board is of the opinion that it does not 
compromise the independence of the director, 
the nature of the interest, position, association 
or relationship in question and an explanation of 
why the board is of that opinion; and
(c)   the length of service of each director.

It is a policy of Lion that the Board comprises individuals 
with a range of knowledge, skills and experience which are 
appropriate to its objectives.

A summary of the Lion directors’ skills and experience is 
set out below:

Skills	and	Experience

No.	of	Lion	Directors

Leadership	and	Governance

Leadership

Corporate Governance

Strategy

Operations

Geology & Exploration

Infrastructure

Engineering

Project Delivery

Finance	&	Risk

Accounting

Finance

Acquisitions

Risk Management

Mining	Investment

4

4

4

1

2

2

4

2

3

4

4

4

Lion’s Constitution provides that the number of directors is 
to be determined by the Board shall not be less than three. 
As a matter of policy, the Board is comprised of a majority 
of independent non-executive directors. At present, the 
Company has four directors – three independent non-
executive directors, being Barry Sullivan (who is also 
the Chairman), Chris Melloy and Peter Maloney, and an 
executive director, Robin Widdup. The relevant skills, 
experience and expertise of each director as well as the 
period of office held by each director are described in the 
Company’s Annual Report.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

Recommendation	2.4

A majority of the board of a listed entity should be 
independent directors.

The independent and objective judgment of Lion’s  
directors is of paramount importance to the effective 
operation of the Board. Independence is defined for the 
purposes of the director as he/she being independent of 
any business relations, whether managerial or otherwise, 
with Lion or its actual or potential investments which 
might interfere with their ability to make sound, unfettered, 
objective judgments, and act in the best interest of Lion 
and its shareholders. 

The directors’ independence is regularly assessed by the 
Board. 

The majority of the Board of Lion are independent  
non-executive directors.

The executive director, Robin Widdup, is a director of the 
Manager, which manages Lion’s portfolio. To avoid any 
conflict of interest and in keeping with the Corporations 
Act, Mr Widdup is not present during any deliberations 
concerning Lion’s relationship with the Manager, nor does 
he vote in relation to such matters.

Nomination,	Appointment	and	Retirement	of	Directors
If a vacancy occurs or if it is considered that the Board 
would benefit from the services and skills of an additional 
director, the Board selects a panel of candidates 
with appropriate expertise and experience and, after 
assessment, appoints the most suitable candidate.

Lion’s Constitution requires that directors appointed by 
the Board submit themselves for re-election at the first 
meeting of shareholders following their appointment. 
Whilst directors are not appointed for a fixed term, under 
the Constitution, one-third of the directors (excluding any 
Managing Director) must retire by rotation each year and 
submit themselves for re-election by shareholders. 

Directors’	Access	to	Professional	Advice
In the discharge of their duties, directors have the right to 
seek independent professional advice at the expense of the 
Company subject to the prior approval of the Chairman. 

Please see comments under ASX Principle 8 with respect 
to the performance evaluation of the board, its committees 
and individual directors.

PRINCIPLE 3: Act ethically and 
responsibly

Recommendation	2.5

Recommendation	3.1

A listed entity should:

The chair of the board of a listed entity should be an 
independent director and, in particular, should not be 
the same person as the CEO of the entity.

(a)  have a code of conduct for its directors, senior 

executives and employees; and

(b)   disclose that code or a summary of it.

To accord with good corporate governance practices 
and in step with our objective of diversification of Board 
representatives, the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive 
Officer have been segregated. 

Recommendation	2.6

A listed entity should have a program for inducting 
new directors and provide appropriate professional 
development opportunities for directors to develop 
and maintain the skills and knowledge needed to 
perform their role as directors effectively.

The directors of the Board are specifically and individually 
selected for their diverse skills and knowledge already 
acquired through their education, professions, experience, 
positions held and ongoing exposure to industry.  

The Company’s code of conduct is as follows:

The highest standards of corporate governance practice 
and ethical conduct must be upheld by all directors and 
employees of both the Company and the Manager.

All directors and employees of the Company must, and the 
directors must ensure that the Manager and its employees, 
preserve the highest standards of integrity, accountability 
and honesty in their dealings, operating in strict adherence 
to statutory and ethical obligations. All such individuals 
are to be mindful and respectful of relevant policies and 
responsibilities, must avoid all conflicts of interest or, 
where a conflict is able to be managed, must speak with 
the Chairman about how the conflict should be managed 
(who will consult with the board of directors if necessary). 
Where there is uncertainty about whether a conflict exists, 
all directors and employees are encouraged to discuss the 
relevant circumstances with the Chairman. All concerns 
about a breach of this code are to be reported to the 
Chairman (who will in turn consult with the board).

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

The Company’s practices are to be stringently monitored 
by the Board, while the Board itself must adhere to the 
principles of its charter and uphold a high standard of 
independence, objectivity and openness in its dealings and 
relationship with shareholders and the management team.

if the information were generally available, a reasonable 
person would expect it to have a material effect on the 
price or value of securities (“inside information”) and 
the person knows, or ought reasonably to know that the 
information is inside information. 

The Shareholder Communications Strategy, the Securities 
Trading Policy, and the Continuous Disclosure Policy, 
which collectively form a solid ethical foundation for 
company practices, must be complied with at all times.

Securities Trading Policy

The Company’s securities trading policy is as follows:

Introduction
As a result of the nature of the business of Lion and the 
Manager, directors, officers and other employees of Lion 
and the Manager will be in possession of information 
regarding a wide range of small and medium sized 
exploration and mineral production companies. From 
time to time some of this information may be classified as 
“inside” information. They may also be aware of potential 
transactions between small and medium sized exploration 
companies and other companies.

u The Manager has a management contract with Lion, 

and also has management contracts with private funds 
African Lion and Asian Lion. 

u Lion and the Manager will continue to be in the 
possession of information on a variety of small 
companies which at times may be insider information.

u The Manager maintains a parallel Securities Trading 
Policy which applies to all employees and directors of 
the Manager.

u Office space is shared by Lion and the Manager.

1.	 The	Policy	and	Procedures	are	designed	to	prevent	

the	possibility	of	any	actual	or	perceived:

•  conflict of interest between the Manager and Lion; 

and

•  insider trading by the directors and employees (and 

related parties) of Lion. The policy extends to include 
investments for, or on behalf of the relevant director 
or employee, spouse, an associated company or 
trust, or any other related person, company or entity 
(related parties).

Information is taken to be generally available if it: 

•  consists of readily observable matter; or 
•  has been made known in a manner that would, or 

would be likely to, bring it to the attention of persons 
who commonly invest in securities of a kind whose 
prices might be affected by the information and since 
it was so made known, a reasonable period for it to be 
disseminated among such persons has elapsed; or 
•  consists of deductions, conclusions or inferences 

made or drawn from such information. 

  A reasonable person is taken to expect information to 

have a material effect in the price or value of securities 
if the information would, or would be likely to, influence 
persons who commonly invest in securities in deciding 
whether or not to subscribe for, buy or sell the relevant 
securities. 

What	activities	are	prohibited	under	the	Corporations	
Act?

  The Corporations Act prohibits an insider from “trading” 

or “procuring” another person to trade in relevant 
securities and from “tipping” another person in relation 
to the relevant securities, whether as principal or agent. 

(a)  Trading means to subscribe for, purchase or 

sell, or enter into an agreement to subscribe for, 
purchase or sell any such relevant securities; 

(b)  Procuring includes to incite, induce or encourage 
another person to trade in the relevant securities; 
and 

(c)  Tipping means to communicate directly or 

indirectly inside information (or to cause the inside 
information to be communicated) to another person 
where the insider knows, or ought reasonably to 
know, that the other person would or would be 
likely to trade or procure a third person to trade in 
the relevant securities. 

3.	 Supervisory	Procedures

  To assist in the adherence to this policy, the Lion  

Board will:

2.	 Summary	of	the	insider	trading	prohibitions	in	the	

Corporations	Act

	 Meaning	of	insider	and	inside	information
  For the purposes of the insider trading provisions of the 
Corporations Act, a person is an “insider” if the person 
possesses information that is not generally available but, 

•  ensure all directors, officers and employees of Lion 
are familiar with these policies and procedures;
•  review on a regular basis and update as necessary, 

these policies and procedures;

•  seek declarations of interests at each regular Board 

meeting; and

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LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

•  review the trading activity of each director and 

employee from time to time, including trading for 
or on behalf of the relevant director or employee, a 
family member (spouse or minors only), company or 
trust, or any other person, company or entity, and 
whether directly, or through a stockbroker or other 
intermediary.

  Each director, officer and employee of Lion will annually 
provide the Company Secretary with a statement that 
they are aware of this policy (or update), and have 
adhered to it for the prior 12 month period.

4.	 Compliance	Procedures	

  The compliance procedures are as follows:

(a)  Directors and employees of Lion (and their related 

parties) are not to invest in or otherwise trade in 
the securities of:

• 

• 

• 

small and medium sized exploration and mining 
companies, (other than Lion);
any company in which Lion, or any funds managed 
by the Manager, may have a material business 
transaction or association with or where such a 
transaction or association is being contemplated;
any Investee Company of Lion, or any funds 
managed by the Manager.

  For the purposes of this policy:

• 

a small and medium company is defined as one 
with a market capitalisation of less than A$250 
million at the time of investment;

• 

•  material transaction or association means one 
which may be reasonably expected to have a 
material financial effect;
Investee Company means any company in which 
Lion, or any funds managed by the Manager has, or 
is, contemplating an interest; 
additionally, all employees of Lion, prior to 
making a transaction in the resource sector, must 
make reasonable enquiries to ensure they are in 
compliance with this policy.

• 

(b)  Directors and employees of Lion must submit to 
the Lion Board a list of the names of resource 
companies with a market capitalisation below 
A$250 million (at time of purchase or have 
subsequently become) which were existing 
investments of that individual or a related party 
before the Compliance Procedures were enacted or 
in which the individual or related party held shares 
prior to becoming an employee of Lion.

(c)  The sale of investments which apply to 4(b) above 
must be approved in advance by the other Lion 
Directors.

(d)  In special circumstances:

(i) 

following approval by the other Lion Directors, 
directors or employees of Lion may acquire 
new shares in Investee Companies (e.g. floats, 
rights issues and placements) but not existing 
shares;

(ii)  following approval by the other Lion Directors, 
directors or employees of Lion may acquire 
shares through rights issues or placements on 
a pro-rata basis, in small and medium sized 
exploration and mining companies (normally 
only if that individual has a pre existing 
interest);

and

(iii)  in the case of 4(d) above, individuals can sell 
following approval of the other Lion Directors.

If there is a Lion employee or director on the Board 
of the Investee Company each sale must follow the 
approval of that Board member.

(e) (i)  With respect to the purchase and sale of 

shares in Lion by Lion employees or directors, 
transactions must only be in windows (as 
defined below) following quarterly reports, 
half yearly and full yearly financial results 
announcements, and the Annual General 
Meeting provided always that the person is 
not in receipt of inside information. Approval 
for Lion employees or directors to buy or 
sell shares in Lion to be given by one of the 
Directors of Lion.

For this purpose, a window is defined as 
commencing the day after each relevant event 
or announcement, and ending 20 business days 
after that date.

(ii)   With respect to the purchase and sale of shares 

in Lion by Lion directors or employees outside 
the windows defined in 4(e)(i), prior approval to 
be given by the Lion Board.

5.	 Notification	Requirements	

  All details of transactions above must be immediately 

submitted to the Lion Board and recorded in the 
register. The register is to be updated by the Lion 
Company Secretary.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

6.	 Securities	Trading	Policy	–	Voluntary	3	Month	Rule

  The following proposal is an addition to the existing 

Policy but is a voluntary section not requiring notification 
or record keeping with the Lion Company Secretary. 

3 Month Rule
•  All listed investments must be held for a minimum of 

3 months.

Philosophy
•  Lion has an investment culture not a trading culture 
and should look to buy and hold for a medium to  
long term.

•  Individuals should not be active in non-Lion trading 

activities, during work time.

Ethical Policies

Lion’s policies on indigenous communities, the 
environment and social governance are as follows:

Local	Indigenous	Communities
Lion’s policy is that developments of investees are not 
exploitative of local and indigenous communities and must 
assist local communities such through symbiotic project 
development. Investees are to have a focus on health, 
education and employment of indigenous people near to 
investee companies’ development projects.

Environment

Lion’s policy is that the environmental impact of 
developments be in line with country/international 
standards and not adversely impact local communities’ 
geology/economy.

Statement	of	Social	Governance

It is the Company’s objective to achieve sustainable 
economic and social benefits to the communities in which 
mineral activity takes place by:

•  recognising local realities and concerns;
•  promoting dialogue and participation;
•  building social and economic capital; and
•  integrating activities locally and regionally.

To achieve its social governance objectives, the Company 
considers the following areas of activity:

•  Exploration/access to land and resources.
•  Project development and governance of mining and 

processing activity.

•  Rent (royalty, tax etc) capture and distribution.
•  Stewardship of water, biodiversity and energy use.
•  Waste management.
•  Social and environmental aspects of mine closure.

PRINCIPLE 4: Safeguard integrity in 
corporate reporting

Recommendation	4.1

The board of a listed entity should:

(a)   have an audit committee which: 

1.  has at least three members, all of whom are 
non-executive directors and a majority of 
whom are independent directors; and 

2.  is chaired by an independent director, who is 

not the chair of the board,  
and disclose: 

3.  the charter of the committee; 
4.  the relevant qualifications and experience of 

the members of the committee; and 
5.  in relation to each reporting period, the 
number of times the committee met 
throughout the period and the individual 
attendances of the members at those 
meetings; or

(b)   if it does not have an audit committee, disclose 
that fact and the processes it employs that 
independently verify and safeguard the integrity 
of its corporate reporting, including the 
processes for the appointment and removal of 
the external auditor and the rotation of the audit 
engagement partner.

The Company’s audit committee charter is as follows:

Charter of the Lion Audit Committee

Scope	and	Authority

The primary function of the Lion Audit Committee 
is to assist the Board of directors in fulfilling their 
responsibilities by reviewing:

•  the financial information that will be provided to 

shareholders and the public;

•  the systems of internal controls that the Board and 

management have established; and

•  the Company’s auditing, accounting and financial 

reporting processes.

In carrying out its responsibilities the Committee has full 
authority to investigate all matters that fall within the terms 
of reference of this charter. Accordingly, the Committee may:

•  obtain independent professional advice in the 

satisfaction of its duties at the cost of the Company; and
•  have such direct access to the resources of the Company 

Subsequent stages of metals trade, smelting and refining 
may often be beyond the influence of the Company.

as it may reasonably require, including the external 
auditors.

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LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

Composition

•  The Audit Committee shall comprise three non-

executive directors. The Board will determine each 
director’s independence having regard to any past and 
present relationships which, in the opinion of the Board, 
could influence the director’s judgment.

•  The chair of the Audit Committee will be an independent 
non-executive director who is not chair of the Board.
•  All members of the Committee shall have a working 
knowledge of basic finance and accounting practices. 
At least one member of the Committee will have 
accounting or related financial management expertise, 
as determined by the Board.

•  A quorum will comprise any two Committee members.
•  The Committee may invite the external auditor and 
members of the management team and Board of 
directors to attend the meetings and to provide 
information as necessary.

Meetings

•  The Committee shall meet not less than two times a 
year or more frequently as circumstances require.  
Audit Committee minutes will be approved by members 
of the Committee at the following meeting of the 
Committee and tabled as soon as practicable at a 
meeting of the Board.

•  The Company’s senior financial management and 

external auditors shall be available to attend all meetings.

•  As part of its responsibility to foster open 

communication, the Committee should meet separately 
with management and the external auditors, at least 
annually, to discuss any matters that are best dealt with 
privately. The Committee should be available to meet 
with the external auditor if required.

Responsibilities

•  The Board and the external auditors are accountable to 
shareholders. The Audit Committee is accountable to 
the Board. 

•  To fulfil its responsibilities the Committee shall:

Review	of	Charter

•  Review and, if appropriate, recommend to the Board 

updates to this Charter at least annually.

Financial	Reporting

•  Review with management and the external auditors 

the financial statements and ASX releases in respect of 
each half year and full year financial result, and make 
recommendations to the Board in relation to such 
financial statements and ASX releases.

•  Review with management and the external auditors 
the accounting policies and practices adopted by 

the Company and their compliance with accounting 
standards, ASX listing rules and relevant legislation, and 
recommend to the Board any appropriate changes to the 
accounting policies and practices.

•  Discuss with management and the external auditors 

management’s choice of accounting principles 
and material judgments, including whether they 
are aggressive or conservative and whether they 
are common or minority practices and make 
recommendations to the Board in relation to such 
accounting principles and judgments as appropriate.

•  Recommend to the Board that the annual financial 

statements reviewed by the Committee be included in 
the Company’s annual report.

Internal	Financial	Controls

•  Review any reports prepared by the external auditor 

including the effectiveness of the Company’s internal 
financial controls.

•  Assess management’s programs and policies which deal 
with the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls 
over the Company’s business processes.

•  Approve changes to the Company’s formal accounting 

policies and monitor their implementation.

•  Review jointly with management, the external auditors 
and if necessary, legal counsel, any litigation, claim or 
other contingency, including tax assessments, which 
could have a material effect on the financial position or 
operating results of the Company.

•  Review and assess compliance monitoring programs in 
place within the Company, in relation to financial controls.

External	Audit

•  Recommend to the Board the external auditor to be 

proposed to shareholders.

•  Review with the external auditor the planned scope 
of their audit and subsequently their audit findings 
including any internal control recommendations.
•  Periodically consult with the external auditor out of 

the presence of management about the quality of the 
Company’s accounting principles, material judgments 
and any other matters that the Committee deems 
appropriate.

•  Review the performance of the external auditor.
•  Review and recommend the fees and other 

compensation to be paid to the external auditors.
•  Ensure that the external auditor submits a written 

statement outlining all of its professional relationships 
with the Lion Group including the provision of services 
that may affect their objectivity or independence. Review 
and discuss with the external auditors all significant 
relationships they have with the Company to determine 
their independence and its investees.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

Risk	Management

•  Assess the adequacy of the Company’s insurance 

program.

•  Review the Company’s internal controls in relation to 

financial risk.

Other	Matters

•  The Committee shall also perform any other activities 
consistent with this Charter that the Committee or 
Board deems appropriate.  

The current members of the Audit Committee are Peter 
Maloney, Chris Melloy and Barry Sullivan with Peter 
Maloney being the chair.  Details of the number of 
meetings of the Audit Committee held during the year 
and the attendees at those meetings are included in each 
Annual Report.

Recommendation	4.2

The board of a listed entity should, before it approves 
the entity’s financial statements for a financial 
period, receive from its CEO and CFO a declaration 
that, in their opinion, the financial records of the 
entity have been properly maintained and that the 
financial statements comply with the appropriate 
accounting standards and give a true and fair view of 
the financial position and performance of the entity 
and that the opinion has been formed on the basis 
of a sound system of risk management and internal 
control which is operating effectively.

Prior to approval of any financial statement for a financial 
period, the Chief Executive Officer of Lion (who is also 
responsible for the financial reports of the company) 
provides to the Lion Board a declaration in accordance with 
Section 286 of the Corporations Act which also accords 
with Recommendation 4.2

Recommendation	4.3

A listed entity that has an AGM should ensure that its 
external auditor attends its AGM and is available to 
answer questions from security holders relevant to 
the audit.

The external auditor of Lion is duly represented at the 
company’s Annual General Meeting and is available to 
answer questions from shareholders which are relevant to 
the audit.

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LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

PRINCIPLE 5: Make timely and 
balanced disclosure

Recommendation	5.1

A listed entity should:

(a)   have a written policy for complying with its 

continuous disclosure obligations under the 
Listing Rules; and

(b)   disclose that policy or a summary of it.

Lion’s continuous disclosure policy is as follows:

Continuous	Disclosure	Policy

Lion and the Manager are committed to continuous 
disclosure of material information as a means of 
promoting transparency and investor confidence. The 
practices of Lion are fully compliant with the ASX Listing 
Rules, including in particular those regarding continuous 
disclosure. 

Lion will immediately notify the market of any information 
concerning itself which is not subject to the exceptions in 
Rule 3.1A of the ASX Listing Rules and which a reasonable 
person would expect to have a material effect on the price 
or value of Lion’s securities. 

The Chief Executive Officer and the Company Secretary 
of Lion (together, ‘Management’), are responsible for 
the regular review of Lion’s affairs to ensure that any 
relevant information is promptly announced to the ASX. 
Management is well aware of its legal responsibilities 
regarding continuous disclosure under the ASX Listing 
Rules. Management ensures that the processes governing 
the review and release of material information ensures 
compliance with these obligations, and that information 
is released in an efficient and consistent fashion. Where 
there is any disagreement or ambiguity as to the release 
of particular information, members of management will 
consult the full Board. Events such as trading halts, if they 
occur, will be arranged by the Management. 

Release of material information to the ASX is conducted 
by Lion’s Company Secretary. Where the ASX contacts 
Lion, for example in the event of unusual share price 
fluctuations, communications are managed by the 
Company Secretary.

The Company expects listed investee companies to 
adopt and adhere to the same standards of continuous 
disclosures.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

PRINCIPLE 6: Respect the rights of 
security holders

Recommendation	6.1

A listed entity should provide information about itself 
and its governance to investors via its website.

Recommendation	6.2

A listed entity should design and implement an 
investor relations program to facilitate effective two-
way communication with investors

Recommendation	6.3

A listed entity should disclose the policies and 
processes it has in place to facilitate and encourage 
participation at meetings of security holders.

Recommendation	6.4

A listed entity should give security holders the 
option to receive communications from, and send 
communications to, the entity and its security registry 
electronically.

In addition to the management and investment services  
the Manager provides to Lion, it also provides 
comprehensive investor relations services which are 
reviewed annually by the Lion board. Both the Lion board 
and the Manager are mindful of the importance of not  
only providing information, but also encouraging and 
enabling two-way communication between the Company 
and its shareholders.

The Company’s shareholder communications strategy is  
as follows:

Shareholder	Communications	Strategy

Lion places great importance on the communication 
of accurate and timely information to its shareholders 
and market participants. Lion recognises that efficient 
and continuous contact between the Company and the 
interested public, and particularly with shareholders and 
their representatives, is an essential part of earning the 
trust and loyalty of shareholders, building shareholder 
value and allowing shareholders to make informed 
decisions regarding their investment in Lion. Lion 
encourages shareholder participation at general meetings 
and welcomes regular contact with its shareholders.

From time to time members of the Lion Board and 
Manager meet with shareholders and analysts. 
Presentations made to those persons are published in 
the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website 
and released to the market via the ASX if they contain 
information that may be price sensitive and is not already 
publicly available.

www.lionselection.com.au	

ASX announcements, quarterly reports, presentations, 
notices of meetings and explanatory material are posted 
to Lion’s website regularly. Other information on the site 
includes details of Lion’s investment portfolio, Lion’s share 
price, information about the Company and its governance, 
information from the Annual General Meeting and regular 
updates to investors as well as links to the share registry 
and other sites of interest. 

Share	Registry

Lion’s register of shareholders is maintained by 
Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited. 

Lion shareholders with internet access can view and 
update their holding, change their address details or elect 
to receive company communications by logging on to the 
Computershare website and accessing the Investor Centre. 
Alternatively, the Registrar for Lion at Computershare can 
be contacted by mail, phone or fax. 

PRINCIPLE 7: Recognise and  
manage risk

Recommendation	7.1

The board of a listed entity should:

(a)   have a committee or committees to oversee risk, 

each of which: 
1.  has at least three members, a majority of 
whom are independent directors; and 
2.  is chaired by an independent director, and 

disclose: 

3.  the charter of the committee; 
4.  the members of the committee; and 
5.  as at the end of each reporting period, 

the number of times the committee met 
throughout the period and the individual 
attendances of the members at those 
meetings; or

(b)   if it does not have a risk committee or 

committees that satisfy (a) above, disclose that 
fact and the processes it employs for overseeing 
the entity’s risk management framework.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

Recommendation	7.2

The board or a committee of the board should:

(a)   review the entity’s risk management framework 
at least annually to satisfy itself that it continues 
to be sound; and

(b)   disclose, in relation to each reporting period, 
whether such a review has taken place.

In view of the small size of Lion’s Board, the Board in its 
entirety acts, effectively, as a committee to oversee risk and 
there is no need to further subdivide it.

Lion is a specialist investor in listed and unlisted mining 
and exploration companies and assets and its major 
business risk is the performance of these companies and 
assets. Risks associated with the exploration and mining 
industry include geological, technical, political, title and 
commodity pricing risks.

The main areas of business risk to the Company arise from:

Lion has no internal audit function. The Lion board and 
Audit Committee are responsible for establishing and 
maintaining an internal control structure. This structure is 
documented and periodically reviewed with the CEO.

Recommendation	7.4

A listed entity should disclose whether it has any 
material exposure to economic, environmental 
and social sustainability risks and, if it does, how it 
manages or intends to manage those risks.

The activities of Lion are subject to risks that can adversely 
impact its business and financial condition. Risks and 
uncertainties are described in the Company’s Annual Report.

PRINCIPLE 8: Remunerate fairly  
and responsibly

•  failure of an investee company due to one or a number 

Recommendation	8.1

of the above causes;

•  downturn in the stock market; and
•  changes to the law – corporations/taxation legislation.

Individual investments each have their own risks which relate 
to the mining industry generally. Under the guidance of the 
Lion board, Manager has established procedures relating to 
investment and divestment decisions, and management of 
investments with emphasis on risk assessment. The Manager 
reports through monthly reports and at Board meetings on 
Lion’s investments and related risk.

The Board aims to reduce investment risk through 
diversifying investments geographically and avoid over 
dependence on a single commodity, investee company or 
country. In certain circumstances the Board may elect to 
have higher concentrations of the Company’s portfolio in a 
particular commodity, investee company or country if the 
anticipated rewards merit this approach.

Recommendation	7.3

A listed entity should disclose:

(a)   if it has an internal audit function, how the 

function is structured and what role it performs; 
or

(b)   if it does not have an internal audit function, that 
fact and the processes it employs for evaluating 
and continually improving the effectiveness of its 
risk management and internal control processes.

32		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

The board of a listed entity should:

(a)  have a remuneration committee which: 

1.  has at least three members, a majority of 
whom are independent directors; and 
2.  is chaired by an independent director,  

and disclose: 

3.  the charter of the committee; 
4.  the members of the committee; and 
5.  as at the end of each reporting period, 

the number of times the committee met 
throughout the period and the individual 
attendances of the members at those 
meetings; or

(b)  if it does not have a remuneration committee, 
disclose that fact and the processes it employs 
for setting the level and composition of 
remuneration for directors and senior executives 
and ensuring that such remuneration is 
appropriate and not excessive.

Recommendation	8.2

A listed entity should separately disclose its policies 
and practices regarding the remuneration of non-
executive directors and the remuneration of executive 
directors and other senior executives.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Statement

Recommendation	8.3

A listed entity which has an equity-based 
remuneration scheme should:

(a)   have a policy on whether participants are 

permitted to enter into transactions (whether 
through the use of derivatives or otherwise) 
which limit the economic risk of participating in 
the scheme; and

(b)   disclose that policy or a summary of it.

Lion does not have an equity based remuneration scheme.

Compensation	Arrangements	and	Remuneration	
Committee

Due to the small size of the Lion Board and the fact that 
remuneration matters are monitored by the Board in its 
entirety, the Board believes a separate Remuneration 
Committee is unnecessary and inappropriate. 

Neither the Executive Director nor Chief Executive Officer 
receives any remuneration from the Company, but 
are paid by the Manager, which receives fees from the 
Company as per the Management Agreement. Additionally, 
remuneration matters for the Company predominantly 
relate to the remuneration paid to the Manager,  
something which is addressed by a set formula in the 
Management Agreement. 

Lion’s Constitution stipulates that the aggregate 
remuneration available for division amongst the non-
executive directors is determined by the shareholders in 
general meeting. With shareholder approval, the aggregate 
was increased to $200,000 per annum commencing  
1 August 2011. This amount, or some part of it, is divided 
among the non-executive directors as determined by the 
Board. At present the aggregate annual remuneration  
paid to non-executive directors is $132,000.

D&O	Insurance	and	Indemnity

The Company maintains a Directors and Officers and 
Company Reimbursement Insurance Policy.

An indemnity agreement has been entered into between 
Lion and each of the directors of the Company and with the 
Chief Executive Officer and the Company Secretary. Under 
the agreement, the Company has agreed to indemnify 
those officers against any claim or for any expenses or 
costs which may arise as a result of work performed in 
their respective capacities to the extent permitted by law. 
There is no monetary limit to the extent of this indemnity.

Performance	Evaluation

The small scale of the Board and the nature of the 
Company’s activities make the formal establishment 
of a performance evaluation strategy unnecessary. 
Performance evaluation is managed by the Chairman.  
The Chairman assesses each Board member’s 
performance and the performance of management 
(including the Chief Executive Officer), the Board as a 
whole and its committees on an annual basis. This process 
includes one-on-one and collective meetings.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Director’s Report

The Directors of Lion Selection Group 
Limited (‘Lion’ or ‘the Company’) 
submit their report on the operations 
of the Company for the financial year 
ended 31 July 2019.  

At the date of this report, Lion had 
150,134,879 fully paid ordinary shares 
on issue and 15,720,958 options on 
issue with an exercise price of $0.50 
per share and expiry of 12 April 2020.

Directors
The following persons were directors 
of Lion during the financial year and 
up to the date of this report:

•  Barry Sullivan   

Non-Executive Chairman

•  Peter Maloney  

Non-Executive Director

•  Chris Melloy  

Non-Executive Director

•  Robin Widdup  

Director

Principal	Activities
During the financial year the principal 
continuing activities of the Company 
were investment in mining and 
exploration companies.

Operating	and	Financial	Review
This financial report is prepared 
in accordance with Australian 
Accounting Standards and therefore 
includes the result of the “mark-to-
market” of the Company’s investment 
portfolio in both the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income and the 
Statement of Financial Position.  

The Company’s gain before tax for 
the year was $23.7 million (2018: loss 
$11.8 million).

The result for the year reflects a 
mark to market gain of $25.0 million 
with respect to investments, with 
key movements in the portfolio value 
outlined below:

•  An increase of $22.1 million in 
the valuation of Lion’s 33.3% 
interest in the Pani Joint Venture 
reflecting the value imputed by PT 
Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk’s (IDX: 

MDKA) (Merdeka) acquisition of 
66.6% of the joint venture interest 
from Lion’s existing joint venture 
partner for US$55 million in 
November 2018.

•  An increase in the value of Lion’s 
holding in Egan Street Resources 
($2.4 million) following a takeover 
offer for EganStreet Resources 
by Silverlake Resources Limited, 
announced on 30 July 2019 
with Lion entering a Pre-Bid 
Acceptance Deed with Silver Lake 
in respect of its EganStreet shares.

•  An increase in the value of Lion’s 

investment in Nusantara Resources 
Limited ($1.4 million) reflecting 
progress towards financing its 
Awak Mas Gold Project including 
engagement with its strategic 
partner PT Indika Energy Tbk.
•  An increase in the value of Lion’s 
indirect holding in Toro Gold ($0.8 
million) reflecting Toro Gold’s 
announcement that it would be 
acquired by Resolute Mining for 
US$305M (50% cash and 50% 
Resolute shares).

At 31 July 2019 the Company held 
investments valued at $66.3 million 
(31 July 2018: $46.7 million), and  
cash of $2.5 million (31 July 2018: 
$1.5 million).

Pani	Joint	Venture
The Pani Joint Venture is advancing 
the Pani Gold Project with step out 
drilling to commence in 3Q 2019. The 
Pani JV has received all key permits 
including the Pani IUP licence 
containing the Pani gold Resource, a 
processing and refining area and an 
access corridor.

Lion acquired its 33.3% Pani Joint 
Venture interest from One Asia in 
April 2018 having been involved with 
the Pani project since 2012 when Lion 
made its first investment into One 
Asia. One Asia published a Mineral 
Resource Estimate (MRE) of 89.5Mt at 
0.82g/t for 2.37 million ounces of gold 
based on a 0.2g/t cut off (3 December 

2014)1. Technical work on the project 
accelerated in December 2017 
following settlement of a four-year 
ownership dispute.

Mineralisation remains open to 
the south and to the west. It is 
noteworthy that PT J Resources Asia 
Pasifik Tbk (J Resources) holds the 
Contract of Work surrounding the 
Pani IUP and has publicly released a 
resource estimate of 2.063 million oz 
of contained gold2 for the project.  
This suggests the potential for 
continuity of the mineralisation 
across the two tenements and that 
the Pani project has substantial 
potential for a large-tonnage, low-
grade disseminated gold deposit 
amenable to bulk mining.

Dividends
No dividend was declared or paid 
during the year (2018: Nil).  

Compliance	with	Environmental	
Regulations
Lion has a policy that environmental 
impacts of developments of investees 
are in line with country/international 
standards and do not adversely 
impact local communities.  

Lion has not been notified by any 
investee of any environmental breach 
by any government or other agency, 
and is not aware of any such breach.

Significant	Changes	in	the		
State	of	Affairs
There were no significant changes in 
the State of Affairs of the Company.

Significant	Events	after	Balance	Date
Since the end of the year, the 
Company has received distributions 
from African Lion 3 Limited (AFL3) of 
$6.7 million relating to AFL3’s sale 
of its investments in Toro Gold and 
Roxgold.  These distributions include 
$1.2 million distributions receivable 
as at the end of the year.

Other than the event above, there has 
not arisen in the interval between 

34		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Director’s Report

the end of the year and the date of 
this report, any item, transaction or 
event of a material or unusual nature 
which has or may significantly affect 
the operations of the Company, the 
results of those operations, or the 
state of affairs of the Company in 
future periods.

market conditions, exploration, 
operational and political risk, tenure 
of tenements, liquidity and native title 
issues. Because of the vagaries of the 
mining and exploration industry and 
the long term nature of most of Lion’s 
investments, the directors are unable 
to predict future results.

Proceedings	on	Behalf	of	the	
Company
No proceedings have been brought 
or intervened in or on behalf of the 
Company with leave of the court 
under section 237 of the Corporations 
Act 2001.

Likely	Developments	and		
Future	Results
The Company’s future operating 
results will depend on the results 
of its investments. The Company’s 
ability to sustain profits is dependent 
on future sales of investments which 
in turn are dependent on market 
opportunities and the performance of 
the Company’s various investments, 
which are difficult to predict.

There are a wide variety of risks 
associated with the mining and 
exploration industry including 

Corporate	Governance	Statement
In recognising the need for the 
highest standards of corporate 
behaviour and accountability, 
the directors of Lion support the 
applicable principles of good 
corporate governance.  The 
Company’s corporate governance 
statement can be found in the Investor 
section of our website  
www.lionselection.com.au.

Employees
At 31 July 2019 there was 1 full time 
equivalent employee of the Company 
(2018: 1 FTE).    

Remuneration	Report
All disclosures in this remuneration 
report have been audited.  This 
remuneration report outlines the 
director and executive remuneration 
arrangements of the Company 

as required by section 308 (3C) 
of the Corporations Act 2001. For 
the purposes of this report, key 
management personnel of the 
Company are defined as those persons 
having authority and responsibility for 
planning, directing and controlling 
the major activities of the Company, 
directly or indirectly, including any 
director, and includes the executive 
employed by the Company considered 
to meet the definition of key 
management personnel.

Key	Management	Personnel	
Remuneration	Framework
Emoluments of individual Board 
members and other key management 
personnel are determined on the 
basis of market conditions and the 
level of responsibility associated with 
their position. The emoluments are 
not specifically related to company 
performance and there are no long-
term or short-term performance-
related incentives provided to 
key management personnel.  
Remuneration and other terms of 
employment for key management 
personnel are formalised in either 
service agreements or employment 
contracts.  

1.  Refer to One Asia Resources Limited news release 3 December 2014 (https://www.lionselection.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/PANI%20JORC%20RESOURCE.pdf) 

Pani	Joint	Venture	(IUP)

Classification

Tonnes	(Mt)

Cut	off	grade

Au	Grade	(g/t)

0.2	g/t

Au	(Million	Oz)

Measured

Indicated

Inferred

Total

10.8

62.5

16.2

89.5

1.13

0.81

0.67

0.82

0.39

1.63

0.35

2.37

 2. J Resources Reserve and Resources Statement 31 December 2017. http://www.jresources.com/assets/uploads/home/JRAP_-_2017_-_RR_table_@_20171231_(Sanjaya).pdf 

J	Resources	Group	(CoW)

Resource	Classification

Tonnes	(Mt)

Cut	off	grade

Au	Grade	(g/t)

0.4	g/t

Metal	Koz	Au

Measured

Indicated

Inferred

Total	MRE

13.8

38.7

14.1

66.6

0.95

0.91

1.12

0.96

423

1,136

504

2,063

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Voting	and	Comments	at	the	
Company’s	2018	Annual	General	
Meeting
The Company received more 
than 98% of ‘yes’ votes on its 
Remuneration Report for the previous 
financial year. The Company did 
not receive any specific feedback 
at the Company’s 2018 Annual 
General Meeting on its remuneration 
practices.

Details	of	Remuneration
Details of remuneration paid/
payable to directors and the other 
key management personnel of the 
Company are detailed in the table 
below. The benefits provided to 
Key Management Personnel are 
fixed with no at-risk components of 
remuneration.

Director’s Report

The remuneration policy in relation 
to directors is determined by the full 
Board. Remuneration of other key 
management personnel is determined 
by the directors of the Company.  
Directors’ fees are determined within 
an aggregate directors’ fee pool limit, 
which is periodically recommended 
for approval by shareholders. As 
approved by shareholders at the 
Annual General Meeting held on 
1 December 2011, the maximum 
aggregate amount, including 
superannuation contribution, that may 
be paid to directors of the Company 
as remuneration for their services is 
$200,000 for any financial year.

Other key management personnel 
receive a base salary and 
superannuation contributions 
in accordance with Australian 
superannuation guarantee legislation.  

Lion’s only contracted executive,  
Ms Jane Rose, is employed under an 
employment contract with no fixed 
duration. The contractual notice 
period under this agreement is 3 
months with no termination benefit 
specified in the agreement. The other 
Key Management Personnel are 
not subject to any notice period or 
termination benefit with respect to 
their positions with the Company.

The remuneration policy of the 
Company with respect to directors 
and other key management personnel 
provides for Director’s & Officer’s 
(D&O) Insurance cover, but does not 
provide options, shares, loans or any 
other non-monetary benefits.  

36		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Director’s Report

KEY	MANAGEMENT	PERSONNEL	OF	THE	COMPANY	–	REMUNERATION	FOR	YEAR	TO	31	JULY	2019

SHORT	TERM	BENEFITS

SALARIES/	
FEES

CASH		
BONUS

TERMINATION	
BENEFITS

POST-	
EMPLOYMENT
SUPERANNUATION	

TOTAL

NOTES

$

Other	Key	Management	Personnel

2019

NAME	

Directors

B J K Sullivan

P J Maloney

C Melloy 

R A Widdup 

C K Smyth 

J M Rose

Total

2018

NAME	

Directors

B J K Sullivan

P J Maloney

C Melloy 

R A Widdup 

Other	Key	Management	Personnel

C K Smyth 

J M Rose

Total

(a)

(a) 

(a)

(a) 

47,475

15,000

15,000

-

-

86,055

163,530

47,440

15,000

15,000

-

-

86,055

163,495

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

$

4,525

25,000

25,000

-

-

52,000

40,000

40,000

-

-

8,175

62,700

94,230

226,230

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

$

4,525

25,000

25,000

-

-

51,965

40,000

40,000

-

-

8,175

62,700

94,230

226,195

SHORT	TERM	BENEFITS

SALARIES/	
FEES

CASH		
BONUS

TERMINATION	
BENEFITS

POST-	
EMPLOYMENT
SUPERANNUATION	

TOTAL

NOTES

$

(a)  R A Widdup and C K Smyth are employed by Lion Manager Pty Ltd, and do not receive any remuneration from the Company 

Both Mr R A Widdup and Mr C K Smyth are executive directors and beneficial owners of Lion Manager Pty Ltd and have the 
capacity to significantly influence decision making of that company. Lion Manager provides management and investment 
services to Lion. These arrangements were approved by shareholders at Lion’s AGM on 5 December 2012, with ongoing 
management fees of 1.5% p.a. based on the direct investments under management, currently equating to $645,000 per 
annum plus GST. There is an incentive applicable which would apply where Lion’s performance outperforms a benchmark.  
In addition, up to a 12 month termination fee may be applicable should Lion seek to terminate the management agreement.  
Further details of the Management Agreement are set out in the Notice of Meeting for the 2012 AGM, available on Lion’s 
website.  As at the date of this report no incentive fee had accrued with respect to the Lion Manager contract. 

In addition, from 1 August 2013 Lion has requested Lion Manager provide comprehensive Investor Relations services 
associated with Lion’s ASX listing for $12,500+ GST per month for twelve months. These arrangements are reviewed 
annually and may be terminated without fee.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Director’s Report

KEY	MANAGEMENT	PERSONNEL	SHAREHOLDINGS

At the date of this report the direct and indirect interests of the directors and other key management personnel in the 
ordinary shares and options of Lion are detailed below. No shares or options were issued as remuneration.  

SHAREHOLDINGS	OF	KEY	MANAGEMENT	PERSONNEL	OF	THE	COMPANY

NAME

Directors

P J Maloney

C Melloy

R A Widdup

B J Sullivan

Other	Key	Management	Personnel

C K Smyth

J M Rose

Total

NAME

Directors

P J Maloney

C P Melloy

R A Widdup

B J Sullivan

Other	Key	Management	Personnel

C K Smyth

J M Rose

Total

BALANCE		
1	AUGUST	2018

SHARES	ISSUED	AS	
REMUNERATION

NET	CHANGE		
OTHER

CLOSING	BALANCE		
31	JULY	2019

1,940,389

5,561,827

14,724,732

813,074

1,286,152

-

24,326,174

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

250,000

156,250

2,190,389

5,718,077

1,442,545

16,167,277

-

813,074

124,985

1,411,137

-

-

1,973,780

26,299,954

BALANCE		
1	AUGUST	2017

SHARES	ISSUED	AS	
REMUNERATION

NET	CHANGE		
OTHER

CLOSING	BALANCE		
31	JULY	2018

1,740,389

4,861,824

15,520,428*

727,358

416,743

-

23,266,742

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

200,000

700,003

1,940,389

5,561,827

(795,696)*

14,724,732

85,716

813,074

869,409

1,286,152

-

-

1,059,432

24,326,174

*  Mr Widdup’s shareholding as at 1 August 2017 reflected his relevant interest in the Company including 3,822,351 Lion shares issued to Lion Manager on 

27 July 2017 in exchange for US$1,298,644 (A$1,720,058) payable by Asian Lion Limited to Lion Manager. Lion Manager has distributed these shares to its 
ultimate owners with Mr Widdup’s entitlement being determined as 1,256,742 shares.  In addition, Mr Widdup purchased a further 1,418,052 shares via the 
Share Purchase Plan and Share Placement completed in October 2017 and received 351,861 shares by way of in-specie distribution from Lion Manager Pty 
Ltd conducted on 31 July 2018.  

38		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Director’s Report

KEY	MANAGEMENT	PERSONNEL	SHAREHOLDINGS	–	OPTIONS	ON	ISSUE

NAME

Director

P J Maloney

C Melloy

R A Widdup

B J Sullivan

Other	Key	Management	Personnel

C K Smyth

J M Rose

Total

NAME

Director

P J Maloney

C Melloy

R A Widdup

B J Sullivan

Other	Key	Management	Personnel

C K Smyth

J M Rose

Total

BALANCE		
1	AUGUST	2018

OPTIONS	ISSUED	AS	
REMUNERATION

EXPIRED

CLOSING	BALANCE		
31	JULY	2019

-

-

234,572

-

117,251

-

351,823

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

234,572

-

117,251

-

351,823

BALANCE		
1	AUGUST	2017

OPTIONS	ISSUED	AS	
REMUNERATION

EXPIRED

CLOSING	BALANCE		
31	JULY	2018

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

234,572#

234,572#

-

-

117,251#

117,251#

-

-

351,823

351,823

#  Mr Widdup and Mr Smyth received options by way of in-specie distribution from Lion Manager Pty Ltd.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Director’s Report

Information on Directors

Barry	Sullivan		
BSc	(Min),	ARSM,	FAusIMM,	MAICD		
Chairman
Barry Sullivan is an experienced and 
successful mining engineer with a 
career spanning 40 years in the mining 
industry. His initial mining experience 
was gained in the South African gold 
mining industry, followed by more than 
20 years with Mount Isa Mines. In the 
final five years of his tenure with MIM, 
Barry was Executive General Manager 
responsible for the extensive Mount Isa 
and Hilton operations.

Barry was previously a non-executive 
Director and Chairman of Exco 
Resources and a non-executive Director 
of Catalpa Resources, Sedimentary 
Holdings, Bass Metals and Allegiance 
Mining. He was also a non-executive 
director of Lion’s predecessor company, 
Lion Selection Limited.

Barry has been a non-executive 
director of Lion since December 2011, 
becoming Chairman from 25 February 
2016. Barry is also Non-Executive 
Chairman for EganStreet Resources.

Peter	Maloney		
BComm,	MBA	(Roch)	
Non-Executive	Director
Peter Maloney has broad commercial, 
financial and management expertise 
and experience. He has been Chief 
Financial Officer of Lion and an 
executive director of Lion Manager. 
Prior to that he held senior executive 
positions with WMC Resources and a 
number of other companies.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Commerce 
from the University of Melbourne and 
an MBA from University of Rochester. 
He has also completed the Advanced 
Management Program at Harvard 
Business School. 

Peter has been a non-executive 
director of Lion since December 2010, 
including serving as Chairman between 
1 January 2012 and 24 February 2016.

Chris	Melloy		
BE	(Mining)	(Hons),	MEngSc,	
MAusIMM,	F	Fin		
Non-Executive	Director
Chris Melloy is a mining engineer 
with some 40 years’ experience in 
the mining industry in operations, 
securities analysis and investment.  
He held senior positions in MIM and 
JB Were & Son prior to joining Lion.

Chris was an Executive Director of 
Lion Manager from its inception in 
1997 through to 2011, becoming a 
non-executive director of Lion on  
1 November 2012.  

Robin	Widdup		
BSc	(Hons),	MAusIMM		
Director
Robin has over 39 years of industry 
experience. He graduated from Leeds 
University in 1975 with an Honours 
Degree in Geology. From 1986 to 
1997 Robin worked as an Analyst 
and Manager for J B Were & Sons 
– Resource Research team. Robin 
founded Lion Selection Group and 
Lion Manager in 1997.

Robin is Managing Director of Lion 
Manager Pty Ltd and a non-executive 
director of Lion investees Nusantara 
Resources, One Asia and Asian 
Mineral Resources Ltd.

Other Key Management 
Personnel
Craig	Smyth		
BCA	(Acctg),	M	App	Fin,	CA		
Chief	Executive	Officer
Craig Smyth graduated from the 
Victoria University of Wellington 
with a Bachelor of Commerce and 
Administration, and has completed 
his Master of Applied Finance at 
the University of Melbourne. Craig’s 
financial background includes Coopers 
& Lybrand, Credit Suisse First Boston 
(London) and ANZ Investment Bank. 
He is currently the CEO of Lion and 
Executive Director of Lion Manager 
Pty Limited. Craig is a member of the 
Institute of Chartered Accountants of 
Australia and New Zealand.

Craig is a director of PT Pani 
Bersama Jaya with respect to Lion’s 
investment in the Pani Joint Venture.

Jane	Rose		
Investor	Relations	Manager	&	
Company	Secretary
Jane Rose commenced work in 1983 
as a legal administrative assistant.  
During the following 12 years, Jane 
held senior administrative positions 
with Phillips Fox and Corrs Chambers 
Westgarth in Melbourne and Nabarro 
Nathanson in London. 

On returning to Australia, Jane worked 
as Executive Assistant to the Managing 
Director of Acacia Resources Limited 
and AngloGold Ashanti Limited where 
she was also responsible for the 
management of various corporate 
initiatives, including marketing and 
co-ordination of investor relations 
activities. From 2002 to 2006, Jane 
worked for several Lion investees, 
including MPI Mines Ltd, Leviathan 
Resources and Indophil Resources. 
Jane worked with Lion in early 2007 
to assist with the merger, and she 
subsequently joined the company in July 
2007 as Corporate Relations Manager.

In November 2008 Jane was 
appointed Company Secretary. 

40		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Director’s Report

Directors’	Meetings
During the year and up until the date 
of this report, the Company held nine  
directors’ meetings. The table below 
reflects attendances of the directors 
at meetings of Lion’s Board. 

BOARD	OF	DIRECTORS

ATTENDED

MAX.	
POSSIBLE	
ATTENDED

P J Maloney

R A Widdup

B J K Sullivan 

C P Melloy

8

9

7

9

9

9

7

9

Audit	Committee	Meeting
During the year and up until the date 
of this report, the Company held two 
audit committee meetings.

The table below reflects attendances 
of the audit committee meeting.

AUDIT	COMMITTEE

ATTENDED

MAX.	
POSSIBLE	
ATTENDED

P J Maloney

B J K Sullivan 

C P Melloy

2

2

2

2

2

2

Directors’	Benefits
Since the end of the preceding 
financial year, no director has 
received or become entitled to 
receive a benefit, other than 
benefits disclosed in this report as 
emoluments or the fixed salary of a 
full time employee of the Company or 
a related body corporate, by reason 
of a contract made by the Company 
or related body corporate with the 
director or with a firm of which he is a 
member, or with an entity in which he 
has a substantial financial interest.

Rounding	of	Amounts
The Company is of a kind referred to 
in ASIC Instrument 2016/191 relating 
to the ‘rounding off’ of amounts in the 
financial report and Directors’ report. 
Amounts in the financial report 
and Directors’ report have been 
rounded off in accordance with that 
Instrument to the nearest thousand 
dollars unless specifically stated to 
be otherwise.

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

B	J	K	Sullivan
Chairman 

R	A	Widdup
Director  
Melbourne

Indemnification	of	Directors,	
Officers	and	Auditors
An indemnity agreement has been 
entered into between Lion and each 
of the Company’s directors named 
earlier in this report and with the 
Company Secretary.  Under the 
agreement, the Company has agreed 
to indemnify those officers against 
any claim or for any expenses or 
costs which may arise as a result of 
work performed in their respective 
capacities to the extent permitted by 
law. There is no monetary limit to the 
extent of this indemnity.  

Lion has paid an insurance premium 
of $51,749 in respect of a contract 
insuring each of the directors, 
previous directors of the Company, 
and other key management 
personnel, against all liabilities 
and expenses arising as a result of 
work performed in their respective 
capacities, to the extent permitted by 
law.  

Auditor	Independence
We have obtained an independence 
declaration from our auditors, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers, as required 
under section 307 of the Corporations 
Act 2001. A copy can be found on 
page 42.

Non-Audit	Services
No fees for non-audit services were 
paid/payable to the external auditors 
during the year ended 31 July 2019.  
The directors are satisfied that the 
provision of non-audit services is 
compatible with the general standard 
of independence for auditors imposed 
by the Corporations Act.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auditor’s Independence Declaration

As lead auditor for the audit of Lion Selection Group Limited for the year ended 31 July 2019, I declare 
that to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been:

(a)    no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in 

relation to the audit; and

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

Anthony Hodge 
Partner 
PricewaterhouseCoopers 

Melbourne
5 September 2019

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757
2 Riverside Quay, SOUTHBANK VIC 3006, GPO Box 1331, MELBOURNE VIC 3001
T: 61 3 8603 1000, F: 61 3 8603 1999, www.pwc.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

42		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2017 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lion Selection Group Limited
Directors’ Declaration

In accordance with a resolution of the directors of Lion Selection Group Limited, we declare that:

1. 

In the opinion of the directors:

(a) 

the financial statements, notes set out on pages 44 to 65 are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 
and other mandatory reporting requirements, including:

(i)  

(ii)  

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

giving a true and fair view of the financial position of the Company’s position as at 31 July 2019 and 
its performance for the year ended on that date; and

(b) 

there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they 
become due and payable.

2. 

3. 

4. 

Note 2(a) confirms that the financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

This declaration has been made after receiving the declarations required to be made to the directors in accordance 
with section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 for the financial year ended 31 July 2019.

The directors have been given the declaration by the chief executive officer required by section 295A of the  
Corporations Act 2001.

On behalf of the Board

B	J	K	Sullivan	

Chairman 

Melbourne

Date: 5 September 2019 

R	A	Widdup

Director

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTES

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

Gain/(loss) attributable to movement in fair value

Interest Income

Other Income

Exchange Gain/ (loss)

Management fees

Employee benefits

Other expenses

Profit/(Loss)	before	income	tax

Income tax (expense)/benefit

Net	Profit/(Loss)	after	tax

Other Comprehensive Income

Total	Comprehensive	Income/(Loss)	for	the	year

Attributable to:

Non-controlling interest

Members

Basic earnings/(loss) per share

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share

4

4

5

24,951

(10,382)

7

10

53

(802)

(225)

(343)

96

90

-

(804)

(223)

(576)

23,651

(11,799)

-

-

23,651

(11,799)

-

-

23,651

(11,799)

-

-

23,651

(11,799)

Cents	per	share Cents	per	share

15.8

15.8

(9.0)

(9.0)

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

44		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of Financial Position as at 31 July 2019

Current	Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other Receivables

Total Current Assets

Non-Current	Assets

Financial Assets

Property Plant & Equipment

Total Non-Current Assets

Total	Assets

Current	Liabilities

Trade and Other Payables

Total Current Liabilities

Non-Current	Liabilities

Total Non-Current Liabilities

Total	Liabilities

Net	Assets

Equity

Contributed equity

Reserves

(Accumulated losses)

Total	Equity

NOTES

13

6

7

8

9

11

12

10

2019
$’000

2,467

1,214

3,681

66,336

21

66,357

70,038

72

72

-

72

2018
$’000

1,512

9

1,521

46,672

27

46,699

48,220

1,905

1,905

-

1,905

69,966

46,315

126,211

1,341

(57,586)

69,966

126,211

1,341

(81,237)

46,315

The above statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 45

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of Cash Flows for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTES

Cash	flows	from	operating	activities

Interest received

Other income received

Payments to suppliers and employees (including GST)

Net operating cash flows

13(b)

Cash	flows	from	investing	activities

Payments for investments

Payments for property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from investments

Net investing cash flows

Cash	flows	from	financing	activities

Proceeds from issue of shares

Payments for cost of share issue

Net financing cash flows

Net	increase/(decrease)	in	cash	and	cash	equivalents	held

Exchange rate variations on foreign cash

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of financial period

Cash	and	cash	equivalents	at	end	of	financial	period

2019
$’000

7

-

(1,374)

(1,367)

2018
$’000

97

90

(1,584)

(1,397)

(4,185)

(6,771)

-

6,456

2,271

-

-

-

904

51

1,512

2,467

(2)

650

(6,123)

5,529

(21)

5,508

(2,011)

-

3,523

1,512

The above statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes

46		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15,015

(4,461)

5,529

(21)

16,062

46,315

46,315

23,651

-

Statement of Changes in Equity for the Year ended 31 July 2019

Balance	at	31	July	2017

Total	comprehensive	income/(loss)

Transactions	with	owners	in	their	capacity	as	owners

Issue of new securities – Pani acquisition

Buyback and cancellation of securities – Pani acquisition

Issue of new shares – placement/SPP

Expenses of issue of new shares

Balance	at	31	July	2018

ISSUED	
CAPITAL
$’000

111,490

-

13,228

(4,015)

5,529

(21)

14,721

126,211

RESERVES
$’000

ACCUMULATED	
LOSSES
$’000

TOTAL
$’000

(69,438)

(11,799)

42,052

(11,799)

-

-

1,787

(446)

-

-

1,341

1,341

-

-

-

-

-

(81,237)

Balance	at	31	July	2018

126,211

1,341

(81,237)

Total	comprehensive	income/(loss)

Transactions	with	owners	in	their	capacity	as	owners

-

-

-

-

23,651

-

Balance	at	31	July	2019

126,211

1,341

(57,586)

69,966

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

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 47

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTE	1.	 CORPORATE	INFORMATION	

The financial report of Lion Selection Group Limited (‘Lion’ or ‘the Company’) for the year ended 31 July 2019 was 
authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 5 September 2019. The directors have the 
power to amend and reissue the financial report.

Lion is a company limited by shares incorporated in Australia. The nature of the operations and principal activities 
of the Company are described in the Directors’ Report. The registered address of Lion is Level 2, 175 Flinders Lane, 
Melbourne.

NOTE	2.	 SUMMARY	OF	SIGNIFICANT	ACCOUNTING	POLICIES

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial report are set out below. These policies 
have  been  consistently  applied  to  all  the  years  presented,  unless  otherwise  stated.  Comparative  information  is 
reclassified where appropriate to enhance comparability.

(a)	

Basis	of	Preparation

These  general  purpose  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  Australian  Accounting 
Standards  and  Interpretations  issued  by  the  Australian  Accounting  Standards  Board  and  the Corporations Act 
2001. Lion is a for-profit entity for the purpose of preparing the financial statements. 

The  financial  report  complies  with  Australian  Accounting  Standards.  The  financial  report  also  complies  with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).  

The financial report has been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for certain financial assets and financial 
liabilities that have been measured at fair value.

The financial report is presented in Australian dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars 
($’000) unless otherwise stated under the option available to Lion under ASIC Instrument 2016/191. Lion is an entity 
to which the class order applies.

Lion meets the qualifying criteria under AASB 10 of an ‘investment entity’, and entities controlled by Lion (Asian Lion Limited 
and Lion Selection Asia Limited) do not provide investment related services to the Company.  Accordingly, the Company 
has applied the exemption from consolidating these entities and continues to carry these investments at fair value.

(b)	

New	accounting	standards	and	interpretations

New	Standards

A number of new or amended standards have been applied from 1 August 2018, in particular AASB 9 Financial 
Instruments and AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. There was no impact to accounting for the 
Company’s investments from AASB 9 as investments continue to be measured at fair value through profit and loss. 
AASB 15 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements as the Company does not have any 
arrangements within the scope of the standard.   

Accounting	standards	issued	but	not	yet	effective

The Company is required to adopt AASB 16 Leases from 1 August 2019. As at the reporting date, the Company has 
nil non-cancellable operating leases commitments, see note 15.  As a result, the Company does not currently expect 
any impact on adoption of the new standard.

AASB Interpretation 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments is applicable for annual reporting periods beginning 
on or after 1 January 2019. This interpretation clarifies how to apply recognition and measurement requirements 
when there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. Given the nature of the Company’s income tax matters, it is 
not expected to have a material impact on amounts recognised in the financial statements of future periods.

There are no other standards that are not yet effective and that would be expected to have a material impact on the 
entity in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.

(c)	

Significant	accounting	estimates	and	assumptions

The carrying amounts of certain assets and liabilities are often determined based on estimates and assumptions of 
future events. The key estimates and assumptions that have an impact on the carrying amounts of certain assets 
and liabilities are:

48		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

(i)  Fair value of investments and other financial assets

The Company carries its investments at fair value with changes in the fair values recognised in profit or loss. 
The fair value of investments and other financial assets that are not traded in an active market is determined 
based  on  either  the  last  sale  price,  or  where  not  available,  the  market  value  of  underlying  investments.  
Determination of market value involves the Company’s judgment to select a variety of methods and in making 
assumptions  that  are  mainly  based  on  market  conditions  existing  at  each  balance  sheet  date.  The  key 
assumptions used in this determination are set out in note 2(j).

(ii)   Income taxes

Lion is subject to income taxes in Australia. Judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes 
and deferred taxes. There are many transactions and calculations undertaken during the ordinary course of 
business for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Lion recognises liabilities for anticipated tax 
audit issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due. Where the final tax outcome of these 
matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the current 
and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made.

Deferred  tax  assets  are  recognised  for  deductible  temporary  differences  and  unused  tax  losses  only  if  it 
is  probable  that  sufficient  future  taxable  amounts  will  be  available  to  utilise  those  temporary  differences 
and  losses.  This  involves  judgment  regarding  the  future  financial  performance  and  is  therefore  inherently 
uncertain.  To  the  extent  assumptions  regarding  future  profitability  change,  there  can  be  an  increase  or 
decrease in the level of deferred tax assets recognised which can result in a charge or credit in the period in 
which the change occurs.

(d)	

Other	Income

Other income is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to Lion and the 
other income can be reliably measured. The following specific recognition criteria must also be met before other 
income is recognised:

(i)  Interest

Income is recognised as interest accrues using the effective interest method. This is a method of calculating 
the amortised cost of a financial asset and allocating the interest income over the relevant period using the 
effective  interest  rate,  which  is  the  rate  that  exactly  discounts  estimated  future  cash  receipts  through  the 
expected life of the financial asset to the fair value of the financial asset.

(ii)  Dividends

Dividend income is recognised when the shareholders’ right to receive the payment is established.

(e)	

Cash	and	cash	equivalents	

For cash flow statement purposes, cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits held at call with 
financial institutions, other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less or 
that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in 
value, and bank overdrafts.  Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the balance sheet.

(f)	

Trade	and	other	receivables

Trade receivables are generally due for settlement within 30 days and therefore are all classified as current. Trade 
receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method, less loss allowance. 

The Company applies the AASB 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime 
expected loss allowance for all trade receivables. The Company recognises a provision based on historical default 
rates, debtor analysis and the Company’s monitoring of credit risk. Trade and other receivables are written off 
when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 49

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

(g)	

Foreign	currency	translation

Both the functional and presentation currency of Lion is Australian dollars (AUD).

Transactions and Balances

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

Non-monetary items that are measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates 
at the date when the fair value was determined. Translation differences on assets and liabilities carried at fair value 
are reported as part of the fair value gain or loss. For example, translation differences on non-monetary assets and 
liabilities such as equities held at fair value through profit or loss are recognised in profit or loss as part of the fair 
value gain or loss and translation differences on non-monetary assets such as equities classified as available-for-
sale financial assets are included in the fair value reserve in equity.

(h)	

Income	tax

Current tax assets and liabilities for the current and prior periods are measured at the amount expected to be 
recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are 
those that are enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred income tax is provided on all temporary differences at the balance sheet date between the tax bases of 
assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes.

Deferred income tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences except:

•  when the deferred income tax liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or of an asset or liability 
in a transaction that is not a business combination and that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the 
accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss; or

•  when the taxable temporary difference is associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates or interests 
in joint ventures, and the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference can be controlled and it is probable 
that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, carry-forward of unused tax 
assets and unused tax losses, to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which 
the deductible temporary differences and the carry-forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses can be 
utilised, except:

•  when the deferred income tax asset relating to the deductible temporary difference arises from the initial 
recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the 
transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss; or

•  when  the  deductible  temporary  difference  is  associated  with  investments  in  subsidiaries,  associates  or 
interests in joint ventures, in which case a deferred tax asset is only recognised to the extent that it is probable 
that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against 
which the temporary difference can be utilised.

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

Unrecognised deferred income tax assets are reassessed at each balance sheet date and are recognised to the 
extent that it has become probable that future taxable profit will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year 
when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

50		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

(h)	

Income	tax	(continued)

Income taxes relating to items recognised directly in equity are recognised in equity as part of Other Comprehensive 
Income.

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset only if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current 
tax assets against current tax liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to the same taxable entity 
and the same taxation authority.

(i)	

Other	taxes
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST except:

•  when the GST incurred on a purchase of goods and services is not recoverable from the taxation authority, in 
which case the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense item 
as applicable; and

• 

receivables and payables, which are stated with the amount of GST included.

The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included as part of receivables or 
payables in the balance sheet.

Cash  flows  are  included  in  the  Cash  Flow  Statement  on  a  gross  basis  and  the  GST  component  of  cash  flows 
arising from investing and financing activities, which is recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority, are 
classified as operating cash flows.

Commitments  and  contingencies  are  disclosed  net  of  the  amount  of  GST  recoverable  from,  or  payable  to,  the 
taxation authority.

(j)	

Investments,	Other	Financial	Assets	and	Investments	in	Associates

From 1 August 2018, the Company classifies its financial assets into the following categories: 

• 
• 

those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through OCI or through profit or loss), and
those to be held at amortised cost.

The classification depends on the business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of 
the cash flows.  

Lion is a venture capital organisation, and designates its investments as being fair value through profit or loss. The 
scope of AASB 128 Investments in Associates allows the Company to elect to measure that investment at fair value 
through profit or loss in accordance with AASB 9. After initial recognition, investments are measured at fair value, 
with gains or losses on fair value of investments being recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. The 
fair value of assets is re-measured at each reporting date. This recognition is more relevant to shareholders and 
consistent with internal investment evaluation.

The fair value of financial assets traded in active markets is based on their quoted market prices at the end of the 
reporting period without any deduction for estimated future selling costs. The quoted market price used for financial 
assets held by the Company is the current bid price.

The fair value of financial assets that are not traded in an active market are determined using valuation techniques. 
The Company uses a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at 
each reporting date. Valuation techniques used include the use of comparable recent arm’s length transactions, 
reference to other instruments that are substantially the same, discounted cash flow analysis, option pricing models 
and other valuation techniques commonly used by market participants making the maximum use of market inputs 
and relying as little as possible on entity-specific inputs. 

All regular purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on the trade date i.e. the date that the Company 
commits  to  purchase  the  asset.  Regular  purchases  or  sales  are  purchases  or  sales  of  financial  assets  under 
contracts that require delivery of the assets within the period established generally by regulation or convention in 
the marketplace.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 51

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

(j)	

Investments,	Other	Financial	Assets	and	Investments	in	Associates	(continued)

Accounting policies applied until 31 July 2018

The Company has applied AASB 9 retrospectively. As a result, the comparative information provided continues to 
be accounted for in accordance with the Company’s previous accounting policy.

Until 31 July 2018, the company classified its financial assets as either financial assets at fair value through profit 
or loss, loans and receivables, held-to-maturity investments, or available-for-sale investments, as appropriate.  

The measurement at initial recognition did not change on adoption of AASB 9 as financial assets continue to be 
measured subsequently at fair value through profit or loss.  

Investments in controlled entities

During  the  period  the  Company  held  a  100%  ownership  interest  in  Asian  Lion  Limited  and  Lion  Selection  Asia 
Limited  and  controls  these  companies.  Lion  is  an  investment  entity  for  the  purposes  of  AASB  10  Consolidated 
Financial  Statements,  AASB  127  Separate  Financial  Statements,  and  AASB  2013-5  Amendments  to  Australian 
Accounting Standards – Investment Entities.  

AASB 2013-5 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Investment Entities is effective for annual periods 
beginning  on  or  after  1  August  2014,  exempting  ‘Investment  entities’  from  consolidating  controlled  investees.  
Investment entities are entities that:
(a)  obtain  funds  from  one  or  more  investors  for  the  purpose  of  providing  those  investors  with  investment 

management services;

(b)  commit  to  their  investor(s)  that  their  business  purpose  is  to  invest  funds  solely  for  returns  from  capital 

appreciation, investment income or both, and

(c)  measure and evaluate the performance of substantially all of their investments on a fair value basis.

(k)	

Derecognition	of	financial	assets	and	financial	liabilities

(i)  Financial assets 

(l)	

(m)	

Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired 
or have been transferred and the Company has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.

(ii)  Financial liabilities

A financial liability is de-recognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires.

When  an  existing  financial  liability  is  replaced  by  another  from  the  same  lender  on  substantially  different 
terms,  or  the  terms  of  an  existing  liability  are  substantially  modified,  such  an  exchange  or  modification  is 
treated as a de-recognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability, and the difference in 
the respective carrying amounts is recognised in profit or loss.

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

Borrowings
Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently 
measured at amortised cost. Any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption 
amount  is  recognised  in  the  Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income  over  the  period  of  the  borrowings  using  the 
effective interest method. 

Borrowings  are  removed  from  the  balance  sheet  when  the  obligation  specified  in  the  contract  is  discharged, 
cancelled or expired. The difference between the carrying amount of a financial liability that has been extinguished 
or transferred to another party and the consideration paid, including any non-cash assets transferred or liabilities 
assumed, is recognised in profit or loss as other income or finance costs.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless Lion has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the 
liability for at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

52		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

(n)	

(o)	

Payables
Payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method. Payables represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Company prior to the end 
of the financial year that are unpaid and arise when the Company becomes obliged to make future payments in 
respect of the purchase of these goods and services. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 
days of recognition.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when Lion has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it 
is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and 
a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

When  Lion  expects  some  or  all  of  a  provision  to  be  reimbursed,  for  example  under  an  insurance  contract,  the 
reimbursement is recognised as a separate asset but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain. The expense 
relating to any provision is presented in the Statement of Comprehensive Income net of any reimbursement.

If  the  effect  of  the  time  value  of  money  is  material,  provisions  are  discounted  using  a  current  pretax  rate  that 
reflects the risks specific to the liability.  When discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage 
of time is recognised as an interest expense.

(p)	

Employee	leave	benefits	–	Wages,	salaries,	annual	leave	and	long	service	leave

Liabilities  for  wages  and  salaries,  including  non-monetary  benefits,  annual  leave  and  long  service  leave  that 
are expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date are recognised in other payables in respect of 
employees’ services up to the reporting date. They are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the 
liabilities are settled. Liabilities for non-accumulating sick leave are recognised when the leave is taken and are 
measured at the rates paid or payable.

The  liability  for  long  service  leave  for  which  Lion  has  an  unconditional  right  to  defer  settlement  for  at  least  12 
months after the balance sheet date is recognised in the provision for employee benefits and measured as the 
present  value  of  expected  future  payments  to  be  made  in  respect  of  services  provided  by  employees  up  to  the 
reporting date using the projected unit credit method.  

Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods 
of service. Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the reporting date on corporate bonds 
with terms to maturity and currency that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows.

(q)	

Contributed	equity

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

If the entity reacquires its own equity instruments, for example, as a result of a share buy-back, those instruments 
are  deducted  from  equity  and  the  associated  shares  are  cancelled.    No  gain  or  loss  is  recognised  in  the  profit 
or loss and the consideration paid including any directly attributable incremental costs (net of income taxes) is 
recognised directly in equity.

(r)	

Earnings	per	share

Basic earnings per share is calculated as net profit, adjusted to exclude any costs of servicing equity (other than 
dividends) and preference share dividends, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares.

Diluted earnings per share is calculated as net profit, adjusted for:

• 
• 

• 

costs of servicing equity (other than dividends) and preference share dividends;
the after tax effect of dividends and interest associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares that have been 
recognised as expenses; and
other non-discretionary changes in revenues or expenses during the period that would result from the dilution 
of potential ordinary shares, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares and dilutive potential 
ordinary shares, adjusted for any bonus element.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 53

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

(s)	

Segment	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 segments, has been identified as the Board.   

Investments have similar characteristics and so segments are determined on a geographical basis. The company 
invests  only  in  small  and  medium  mining  and  exploration  companies  with  gold  and  base  metal  activities  in 
Australia, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

NOTE	3.	 FINANCIAL	RISK	MANAGEMENT

Lion’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and 
price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. Lion’s overall risk management program is carried out under policies approved by 
the Board of Directors, and focuses on the unpredictability of the financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse 
effects on the financial performance of the Company. The Board provides written principles for overall risk management, as 
well as policies covering specific areas. The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks and they 
are summarised below. Lion also monitors the market price risk arising from all financial instruments.

Lion holds the following financial instruments:

Financial	assets

Cash

Investments in securities

Trade and other receivables

Financial	liabilities

Trade and other creditors

(a)	

Market	risk

(i)  Foreign Currency Risk

2019
$’000

2,467

66,336

1,214

70,017

72

72

2018
$’000

1,512

46,672

9

46,376

1,905

1,905

Lion operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, 
primarily with respect to the United States dollar (USD), including with respect to commitments.  

Foreign  exchange  risk  arises  from  future  commercial  transactions  and  recognised  assets  and  liabilities 
denominated  in  a  currency  that  is  not  the  entity’s  functional  currency.  The  Company  has  a  US  dollar 
denominated  cash  account  to  meet  future  US  dollar  denominated  obligations,  and  the  trade  and  other 
receivables balance is expected to be received in US dollars. To mitigate the Company’s exposure to foreign 
exchange risk, non-AUD cash flows are closely monitored.

Based on the US dollar cash account at the end of the period, if the value of US dollar/AUD exchange rate 
had  increased  by  10%/decreased  by  10%  with  all  other  variables  held  constant,  the  Company’s  post-tax 
profit for the year would have been $232,000 higher/lower as a result of foreign exchange gains/losses. The 
Company’s 2018 post-tax profit is not sensitive to movements in the AUD/USD exchange rate due to limited 
USD denominated asset holdings.  

(ii)  Price risk

Lion is exposed to equity securities price risk, with many of the Company’s equity investments being publicly 
traded. This arises from investments held by Lion and classified on the balance sheet as fair value through 
profit or loss.  

To  manage  its  price  risk,  including  exposure  to  changes  in  commodity  prices  arising  from  investments  in 
equity securities, the Company diversifies its portfolio. Diversification by way of different commodities and 
locations of the portfolio is done in accordance with the limits set by the Company, however from time to 

54		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTE	3.	 FINANCIAL	RISK	MANAGEMENT	(continued)

time the Company may seek to increase exposure to particular investments. Lion does not hedge its equities 
securities price risk. Based on the financial instruments held at the end of the period, if the value of equity 
securities  had  increased  by  10%/decreased  by  10%  with  all  other  variables  held  constant,  the  Company’s 
post-tax  profit  for  the  year  would  have  been  $6,634,000  higher/lower  (2018:  $4,485,500  higher/lower)  as  a 
result of gains/losses on equity securities classified as fair value through profit or loss.

(iii)  Interest Rate Risk Exposures

Lion  is  exposed  to  interest  rate  risk  through  its  primary  financial  assets.  The  interest  rate  risk  exposures 
together with the effective interest rate for each class of financial assets and financial liabilities at balance 
date  are  summarised  below.    Most  assets  and  liabilities  are  current,  maturing  within  one  year,  with  the 
exception of investments in securities, the value of which will be realised at the discretion of the Company.  
No decision has been made regarding the timing of this realisation.

FLOATING	
INTEREST		
RATE
$’000

FIXED		
INTEREST		
RATE		
$’000

NON		
INTEREST	
BEARING				
$’000

TOTAL
$’000

AVERAGE	INTEREST	RATE

FLOATING	%

FIXED	%

376

2,091

-

-

-

1,512

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,214

66,336

376

2,091

1,214

66,336

72

72

2.0

-

-

-

-

-

9

1,512

2.0

9

46,672

46,672

1,905

1,905

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2019

Financial	assets

Cash – AUD

Cash – USD

Bank bills and deposits receivable 

Investment in securities

Financial	Liabilities:

Trade and other creditors

2018

Financial	assets

Cash – AUD

Bank bills and deposits receivable 

Investment in securities

Financial	Liabilities:

Trade and other creditors

(b)	

Credit	risk

Lion  is  exposed  to  credit  risk.  Credit  risk  arises  from  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  deposits  with  banks  as 
well as credit exposures to counter parties, including outstanding receivables and committed transactions. Lion 
has  a  policy  of  maintaining  its  cash  and  cash  equivalents  with  the  ‘top  4’  Australian  Banks.  For  other  counter 
parties, if there is no independent rating, management assesses the credit quality of the party, taking into account 
its financial position, past experience and other factors. The maximum exposure to credit risk approximates the 
carrying values as disclosed above.

Based  on  historical  default  rates,  debtor  analysis  and  the  Group’s  monitoring  of  credit  risk,  no  impairment 
allowance is considered necessary in respect of trade receivables not past due.

Previous accounting policy for impairment of trade receivables.

In the prior year, an allowance for bad debts was made when there was objective evidence that the Company will 
not be able to collect the debts. Bad debts were written off when identified.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 55

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTE	3.	 FINANCIAL	RISK	MANAGEMENT	(continued)

(c)	

Liquidity	risk

Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and marketable securities and the ability to 
close out market positions. Lion manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows 
and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.

(d)	

Fair	value	measurements

The Company carries its investments at fair value with changes in value recognised in profit or loss.

AASB 13 Fair Value Measurement  requires  disclosure  of  fair  value  measurements  by  level  of  the  following  fair 
value measurement hierarchy:

(a)  quoted priced (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1);

(b) 

inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either 
directly (as prices) or indirectly (derived from prices) (level 2); and

(c) 

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

The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets (such as publicly traded securities) is based on 
quoted market prices at the reporting date. 

Recognised fair value measurements

The following tables present the Company’s assets and liabilities measured and recognised at fair value for the 
periods ended 31 July 2019 and 31 July 2018. 

At	31	July	2019

Assets

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Investments

Total	Assets

At	31	July	2018

Assets

LEVEL	1
$’000

LEVEL	2
$’000

LEVEL	3
$’000

TOTAL	
$’000

21,081

21,081

6,334

6,334

38,921

38,921

66,336

66,336

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Investments

Total	Assets

18,623

18,623

11,185

11,185

16,864

16,864

46,672

46,672

Valuation techniques used to derive level 2 and level 3 fair values

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, unlisted investments) 
is determined using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable market data 
where it is available and rely as little as possible on unobservable inputs. If all significant inputs required to fair 
value an instrument are observable, the instrument is included in level 2.

If one or more of the significant inputs is not based on observable market data, the instrument is included in level 3. 

56		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTE	3.	 FINANCIAL	RISK	MANAGEMENT	(continued) 

Specific valuation techniques used to value financial instruments are applied in accordance with the International 
Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines, including:

•  Net assets, looking through to the underlying assets held through interposed investment vehicles.
•  The fair value of unlisted option contracts is determined using a Black Scholes valuation at the reporting date.
•  The use of quoted market prices or dealer quotes for similar instruments where available.
•  Other techniques, such as discounted cash flow analysis, are used to determine fair value for the remaining financial 

instruments.

The  price  of  a  recent  investment  conducted  in  an  orderly  transaction  between  market  participants  generally 
represents fair value as of the transaction date. At subsequent measurement dates, the price of a recent investment 
may be an appropriate reference point for estimating fair value subject to the current facts and circumstances 
including changes in market conditions or changes in the performance of the investee company that would impact 
a market participant’s perspective of fair value.

Valuation Processes

The  Lion  Manager  includes  a  team  that  performs  monthly  valuations  of  the  financial  instruments  required  for 
financial reporting purposes, including level 3 fair values. This team reports directly to the Lion Board. Discussions 
of valuation processes and results are held between the Lion Manager and the Lion Board at least once every six 
months in line with Lion’s half-yearly reporting dates, including changes in level 2 and 3 fair values.

The following table presents the changes in level 3 instruments for the years ended 31 July 2018 and 31 July 2019.

Investments	–	Level	3

Opening Balance 

Transfers out of Level 3 (to level 1)

Transfers out of Level 3 (to level 2)

Other increases (purchases)

Gain/(Losses) recognised in profit or loss

Closing	balance

2019
$’000

16,864

-

-

-

22,057

38,921

2018
$’000

2,496

-

-

16,838

(2,470)

16,864

The Level 3 balance primarily relates to Lion’s investment in One Asia and the Pani Joint Venture. During the prior 
period Lion acquired One Asia’s 33.3% Pani Joint Venture interest and invested further funds in the company.  

Pani Joint Venture

In April 2018 Lion acquired One Asia’s 33.3% economic interest in the Pani Joint Venture in Sulawesi, Indonesia.  The 
transaction involved Lion issuing 35,750,000 Shares and 23,833,333 Options to One Asia, with One Asia distributing 
34,750,000 Shares and 23,166,666 Options by way of an in specie equal capital return to One Asia Shareholders in 
proportion to their respective interests in One Asia. Lion held approximately 35% of the issued share capital of One 
Asia, and accordingly received 12,168,562 Lion shares and 8,112,375 Lion options in One Asia’s capital return that 
were cancelled upon receipt. 

In  August  2018,  Lion  converted  its  economic  interest  to  a  33.3%  equity  interest  in  the  Pani  project  following 
regulatory approvals.

The valuation of Lion’s interest in the Pani JV at 31 July 2019 reflects the value imputed by PT Merdeka Copper Gold 
Tbk’s (IDX: MDKA) (Merdeka) acquisition of 66.6% of the joint venture interest from Lion’s existing joint venture 
partner for US$55 million in November 2018. The determination of fair value has also taken into account recent 
developments in relation to progress of activities for Pani, perspectives on long-term commodity price movements 
and other comparable recent transactions.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 57

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTE	4.	 INCOME	AND	EXPENSES

Gain/(loss)	attributable	to	movement	in	fair	value	of	investments

Mark to Market adjustment for year – investments realised during year

Mark to Market adjustment for year – investments held at end of year

Gain/(loss)	attributable	to	movement	in	fair	value	of	investments	as		
recorded	in	the	Statement	of	Comprehensive	Income

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

(161)

25,112

(56)

(10,326)

24,951

(10,382)

Lion  is  a  long  term  investor  and  investment  performance  generally  spans  a  number  of  financial  periods.  Measured  on 
historic cost, gross profit/(loss) on investments realised during the year includes mark to market adjustments realised in the 
current year as well as mark to market adjustments recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income in prior years 
as set out in the table below.

Results	of	investments	realised	during	year

Proceeds from sale of shares

Historical Cost of investment sales

Gross profit/(loss) measured at historical cost on investments realised

Represented by:

Mark to Market recognised in prior periods (including on acquisition)

Mark to Market recognised in current year

The	total	comprehensive	profit/(loss)	is	after	charging	the	following	other	expenses

Investor Relations

D & O Insurance

Legal Expenses

Depreciation

Corporate overheads

Total	other	expenses

137

(510)

(373)

(212)

(161)

(373)

72

52

25

5

189

343

650

(5,906)

(5,256)

(5,200)

(56)

(5,256)

177

48

151

9

190

576

58		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTE	5.	 INCOME	TAX	EXPENSE

(a)		Statement	of	Comprehensive	Income

Current income tax 

Deferred income tax

Income	tax	expense/(benefit)	reported	in	the	Statement	of	Comprehensive	Income

Reconciliation	of	income	tax	expense

Profit/(loss) from ordinary activities before income tax

Prima facie tax thereon at 30%

Tax effect of permanent and other differences:

Non-deductible expenses

Accounting mark to market movement in the fair value of investments

Realised gain/(loss) on sale of investments

Deductible business related capital expenditure under Section 40-880

Tax benefit not recognised for accounting purposes

Total	current	income	tax	(benefit)/expense	

2019
$’000

2018
$’000

-

-

-

23,651

7,095

-

(7,485)

(112)

(19)

521

-

-

-

-

(11,799)

(3,540)

-

3,115

(1,577)

-

2,002

-

(b)	 Unrecognised	temporary	differences

A deferred tax asset has not been recognised in the Statement of Financial Position as the benefits will only be realised 
if the conditions for deductibility and/or recognition set out in Note 2(h) occur. 

Unrecognised temporary differences at 31 July relate to the following:

Tax losses available – revenue account

Tax losses available – capital account

Temporary Difference – unrealised investments

Note (i)

Accrued Expenses/Other temporary differences

Unrecognised	tax	losses	and	temporary	differences	at	31	July

Potential	Tax	Benefit	@	30%

12,476

70,617

29,411

71

112,575

33,772

11,299

70,052

43,468

63

124,882

37,465

Note (i) – Temporary difference – unrealised investments arises from the difference between the fair value and taxable value of the investment.

NOTE	6.	 RECEIVABLES	(CURRENT)

Share sales receivable

Distributions receivable

Sundry Debtors

Total	current	receivables,	net

30

1,176

8

1,214

-

-

9

9

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 59

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTE	7.	 FINANCIAL	ASSETS

Listed investments (at fair value)

Unlisted investments (at fair value)

Total	non-current	financial	assets

2019
$’000

21,081

45,255

66,336

2018
$’000

18,623

28,049

46,672

Listed  shares  are  readily  saleable  with  no  fixed  terms,  with  the  exception  of  20,802,944  shares  acquired  in  the  IPO  of 
Nusantara Resources Limited that are escrowed until 2 August 2019 ($4,992,707). 

NOTE	8.	 OTHER	ASSETS	(FIXED)

Plant, Property and Equipment – Cost

Accumulated Depreciation

Total	other	assets

NOTE	9.	 PAYABLES	(CURRENT)

Sundry creditors and accruals

Amounts payable to related body corporate

Total	current	payables

79

(58)

21

72

-

72

79

(52)

27

88

1,817

1,905

During the year Asian Lion Limited transferred investments to Lion at market value of $1,419,000 (2018: $512,000 with an 
inter-group loan recognised between the parties). The loan payable to Asian Lion increased to $3,236,000 (2018: $1,817,000), 
before  being  settled  in  2019  in  exchange  for  a  share  buyback  by  Asian  Lion.  The  amount  payable  was  interest  free  and 
payable at call.

NOTE	10.	RETAINED	PROFITS	

Movements	in	retained	earnings	were	as	follows:

(Accumulated losses) at the beginning of the financial year

Net profit/(loss) for period

(Accumulated	losses)	at	the	end	of	the	financial	year

NOTE	11.	CONTRIBUTED	EQUITY

Issued and paid up capital (fully paid)

Opening Balance

Shares Issued – Placement/ SPP

Shares Issued – Pani acquisition

Buyback and cancellation of securities – Pani acquisition

Expenses of Issue of new shares

Issued	and	paid	up	capital	(fully	paid)

60		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

(81,237)

23,651

(57,586)

(69,438)

(11,799)

(81,237)

126,211

111,490

-

-

-

-

5,529

13,228

(4,015)

(21)

126,211

126,211

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTE	11.	CONTRIBUTED	EQUITY	(continued)

Share	Capital

Issued and paid up capital (fully paid)

Opening Balance

Shares Issued

Buyback and cancellation of treasury shares

Issued	and	paid	up	capital	(fully	paid)

2019	
SHARES

2018
SHARES

150,134,879

110,733,981

-

-

51,569,460

(12,168,562)

150,134,879

150,134,879

In  April  2018  Lion  acquired  One  Asia’s  33.3%  interest  in  the  Pani  Joint  Venture  in  Sulawesi,  Indonesia.  The  transaction 
involved Lion issuing 35,750,000 Shares and 23,833,333 Options to One Asia, with One Asia distributing 34,750,000 Shares 
and 23,166,666 Options by way of an in specie equal capital return to One Asia Shareholders in proportion to their respective 
interests in One Asia. Lion held approximately 35% of the issued share capital of One Asia, and accordingly received 12,168,562 
Lion shares and 8,112,375 Lion options in One Asia’s capital return that were cancelled upon receipt.   

Capital Risk Management

Lion’s objective when managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue 
to  provide  returns  for  shareholders.  In  order  to  maintain  or  adjust  the  capital  structure,  Lion  may  adjust  the  amount  of 
dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares.

NOTE	12.	OPTION	RESERVE

Opening Balance

Options Issued – Pani acquisition

Buyback and cancellation of securities – Pani acquisition

Option	Reserve

Options

Opening Balance

Options Issued – Pani acquisition

Buyback and cancellation of treasury shares

Options	on	Issue	

2019
$’000

1,341

-

-

1,341

2018	
$’000

-

1,787

(446)

1,341

2019	
OPTIONS

2018
OPTIONS

15,720,958

-

-

-

23,833,333

(8,112,375)

15,720,958

15,720,958

Under the terms of Lion’s purchase of One Asia Resources Limited’s 33.3% Joint Venture interest in the Pani Gold Project, 
Lion  issued  to  One  Asia  35,750,000  Lion  shares  at  a  deemed  price  of  $0.37  per  share  and  23,833,333  Lion  options  at  a 
deemed price of $0.075 per option exercisable to acquire ordinary shares at $0.50 per share, expiring on 12 April 2020.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 61

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTE	13.	NOTES	TO	THE	STATEMENT	OF	CASH	FLOWS

(a)		Reconciliation	of	cash	and	cash	equivalents	

For the purpose of the Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents includes 
cash  on  hand  and  in  banks,  term  deposits,  cash  managed  by  third  parties  and  other  bank  securities  which  can  be 
liquidated at short notice, net of outstanding bank overdrafts if applicable.

Cash at the end of the year as shown in the Statement of Cash Flows is reconciled to the related item in the Statement 
of Financial Position as follows:

Cash	on	hand	and	at	bank

(b)		Reconciliation	of	Net	Profit/(Loss)	after	Income	Tax	to		

Net	Cash	Provided	by	Operating	Activities	

2019
$’000

2,467

2018	
$’000

1,512

Net profit/(loss) after income tax

23,651

(11,799)

  Adjustments for non cash income and expense items:

Movement in fair value of investments (increase)/decrease in assets

Other non-cash (income)/expense

Decrease/(Increase) in assets:

Other receivables

(Decrease)/increase in liabilities:

Payables

Net	cash	flow	from	operating	activities

(24,951)

(53)

-

(14)

(1,367)

10,382

11

12

(3)

(1,397)

(c)		Non-cash	investing	and	financing	activities	

  During the year Asian Lion Limited transferred investments to Lion at market value of $1,419,000 (2018: $512,000) with 
an  inter-group  loan  recognised  between  the  parties.  The  loan  payable  to  Asian  Lion  increased  to  $3,236,000  (2018: 
$1,817,000), before being settled in 2019 in exchange for a share buyback by Asian Lion. The amount payable was interest 
free and payable at call.

  During 2018 Lion acquired One Asia’s 33.3% interest in the Pani Joint Venture in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The transaction 
involved Lion issuing 35,750,000 Shares and 23,833,333 Options to One Asia, with One Asia distributing 34,750,000 Shares 
and  23,166,666  Options  by  way  of  an  in  specie  equal  capital  return  to  One  Asia  Shareholders  in  proportion  to  their 
respective interests in One Asia. Lion held approximately 35% of the issued share capital of One Asia, and accordingly 
received 12,168,562 Lion shares and 8,112,375 Lion options in One Asia’s capital return that were cancelled upon receipt.  

NOTE	14.	EARNINGS	PER	SHARE

(a)  Earnings/(Loss) used in calculating earnings per share – basic and diluted

2019
$’000

23,651

2019
NUMBER

2018
$’000

(11,799)

2018
NUMBER

(b)	  Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic earnings per share

150,134,879

130,377,770

The calculation of weighted average number for the diluted earnings per share does not include any potential ordinary shares with respect 
to options as the options on issue are not considered to be dilutive for the current period (2018: nil).

62		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Statements	
	
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTE	15.	COMMITMENTS

Superannuation	Commitments

Lion  does  not  have  its  own  superannuation  plan.  The  only  commitment  to  superannuation  is  with  respect  to  statutory 
commitments. At balance date, the Company was contributing to various approved superannuation funds at the choice of 
employees at a minimum rate of 9.5% of salaries paid. Employees are able to make additional contributions to their chosen 
superannuation funds by way of salary sacrifice up to the age based deductible limits for taxation purposes.

NOTE	16.	REMUNERATION	OF	AUDITORS

(a)	 Audit	Services

Audit and review of financial reports

Total remuneration for audit services

(b)	 Non-audit	Services	

2019	
$’000

104,400

104,400

2018	
$’000

99,079

99,079

No fees for non-audit services were paid/payable to the external auditors during the year ended 31 July 2019 (2018: Nil).

NOTE	17.	RELATED	PARTY	DISCLOSURES

(a)	 Directors	and	Key	Management	Personnel

The directors and key management personnel in office during the financial year and up until the date of this report are 
as follows:

Barry Sullivan   
Peter Maloney  
Chris Melloy  
Robin Widdup  
Craig Smyth  
Jane Rose  

(Non-Executive Chairman) 
(Non-Executive Director)
(Non-Executive Director) 
(Director) 
(Chief Executive Officer)
(Company Secretary)

(b)	 Subsidiaries	and	Associates

Lion meets the qualifying criteria under AASB 10 of an ‘investment entity’, and entities controlled by Lion (Asian Lion 
Limited and Lion Selection Asia Limited) do not provide investment related services to the Company.  Accordingly, the 
Company  has  applied  the  exemption  from  consolidating  these  entities  and  continues  to  carry  these  investments  at 
fair value. Similarly, the scope of AASB 128 Investments in Associates allows the Company to elect to measure that 
investment at fair value through profit or loss in accordance with AASB 9. 

Transactions with controlled entities and associates:

Lion	Selection	Asia	Limited	(100%	ownership	interest)

During the year the Company advanced funds to Lion Selection Asia Limited of $3,925,000 (2018: $1,680,000), with a loan 
balance of $5,605,000 (2018: 1,680,000). The amount payable was interest free and payable at call.

Asian	Lion	Limited	(100%	ownership	interest)

During the year Asian Lion Limited transferred investments to Lion at market value of $1,419,000 (2018: $512,000) with 
an  inter-group  loan  recognised  between  the  parties.  The  loan  payable  to  Asian  Lion  increased  to  $3,236,000  (2018: 
$1,817,000),  before  being  settled  in  2019  in  exchange  for  a  share  buyback  by  Asian  Lion.  The  amount  payable  was 
interest free and payable at call.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 63

Financial Statements 
	
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTE	17.	RELATED	PARTY	DISCLOSURES	(continued)

Pani	Joint	Venture	(33%	ownership	interest)

As  at  31  July  2018  Lion’s  33.3%  interest  in  the  Pani  Gold  Project  was  an  economic  interest.  During  2019  regulatory 
approval was received by the Pani Joint Venture allowing for foreign investors to hold equity directly, and Lion’s 33.3% 
economic interest in the Pani Joint Venture was converted into a direct equity ownership interest, with the shares in 
the Pani Joint Venture held by Lion Selection Asia Limited. As part of this restructuring process, during the year the 
Company was repaid loan facilities for $4,324,000.  

(c)	 Key	Management	Personnel	Remuneration

Short term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

(d)	 Lion	Manager	Pty	Ltd	Contract

2019
$’000

163,530

62,700

226,230

2018
$’000

163,495

62,700

226,195

Lion entered into a Management Agreement with Lion Manager Pty Ltd (Lion Manager), under which Lion Manager 
provides the Company with management and investment services. The arrangements were approved by shareholders 
at Lion’s AGM on 5 December 2012, with ongoing management fees of 1.5% p.a. based on the direct investments under 
management, currently equating to $645,000 per annum plus GST. There is an incentive applicable which would apply 
where Lion’s performance outperforms a benchmark. In addition, up to a 12 month termination fee may be applicable 
should Lion seek to terminate the management agreement. Further details of the Management Agreement are set out 
in the Notice of Meeting for the 2012 AGM, available on Lion’s website.  As at the date of this report no incentive fee had 
accrued with respect to the Lion Manager contract. 

In addition, from 1 August 2013 Lion has requested Lion Manager provide comprehensive Investor Relations services 
associated with Lion’s ASX listing for $12,500 + GST per month for twelve months. These arrangements are reviewed 
annually and may be terminated without fee.

NOTE	18.	MATERIAL	INVESTMENTS

The Company had direct ownership of the  
following material investments at year end:

African Lion 3 

Asian Lion 

Egan Street Resources

Erdene Resource Development

Lion Selection Asia

Nusantara Resources

Pani Joint Venture

CARRYING	AMOUNT

ENTITY	OWNERSHIP

2019	
$’000

2018
$’000

2019
%

2018
%

6,281

55

7,292

2,358

42

9,514

38,723

9,006

1,774

4,862

2,338

341

8,132

16,628

24

100

16

6

100

23

33

24

100

16

6

100

32

33*

Each of the above companies is involved in the mining and exploration industry.

*  As at 31 July 2018 Lion’s 33.3% interest in the Pani Gold Project was an economic interest. During 2019 regulatory approval was received by the 
Pani Joint Venture allowing for foreign investors to hold equity directly, and Lion’s 33.3% economic interest in the Pani Joint Venture was converted 
into a direct equity ownership interest.

64		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 July 2019

NOTE	19.	SEGMENT	INFORMATION

Management  has  determined  the  Company’s  segments  based  on  the  internal  reporting  reviewed  by  the  Board  to  make 
strategic decisions.  The Company provides patient equity capital to carefully selected small and medium mining enterprises.  
Investments  have  similar  characteristics  and  so  segments  are  determined  on  a  geographical  basis.    Lion  invests  only 
in  mining  and  exploration  companies  and  projects  with  gold  and  base  metal  activities  in  Australia,  Africa,  Asia  and  the 
Americas.  Information with respect to Geographical Segments is set out below.

AUSTRALIA
$’000

AFRICA
$’000

Net Cash flow from investing activities

(15)

2,077

AUSTRALIA
$’000

AFRICA
$’000

ASIA
$’000

AMERICAS
$’000

UNALLOCATED
$’000

TOTAL
$’000

2019

Mark to Market adjustment

Segment	Income

Segment Expense

Segment	Result	Before	Tax

Segment Assets

Segment Liabilities

Other	Segment	Information

Assets Acquired during the period

Cash	Flow	Information

Net Cash flow from operating activities

2018

Mark to Market adjustment

Segment	Income

Segment Expense

Segment	Result	Before	Tax

Segment Assets

Segment Liabilities

Other	Segment	Information

2,592

2,592

-

2,592

7,568

-

-

15

(754)

(754)

-

(754)

4,862

-

54

1,605

381

381

-

381

6,335

(518)

(518)

-

(518)

9,648

-

-

-

-

ASIA
$’000

22,028

22,028

-

22,028

51,907

-

-

209

(9,087)

(9,087)

-

(9,087)

32,162

1,817

AMERICAS
$’000

UNALLOCATED
$’000

TOTAL
$’000

(50)

(50)

(50)

526

-

-

-

-

-

-

17

(1,317)

(1,300)

3,702

72

24,951

24,968

(1,317)

23,651

70,038

72

-

1,674

(1,367)

-

(1,367)

2,271

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(10,359)

186

(10,173)

(1,603)

(1,603)

(1,417)

(11,776)

1,548

88

48,220

1,905

-

21,786

(1,397)

(2)

5,508

(1,397)

(6,123)

5,508

Assets Acquired during the period

2,606

Cash	Flow	Information

Net Cash flow from operating activities

-

818

18,362

-

Net Cash flow from investing activities

(2,172)

(477)

(3,472)

Net Cash flow from financing activities

-

-

-

NOTE	20.	EVENTS	OCCURRING	AFTER	THE	REPORTING	PERIOD

Since the end of the year, the Company has received distributions from African Lion 3 Limited (AFL3) of $6.7 million relating 
to AFL3’s sale of its investments in Toro Gold and Roxgold. These distributions include $1.2 million distributions receivable 
as at the end of the year.

Other than the event above, there has not arisen in the interval between the end of the year and the date of this report, 
any item, transaction or event of a material or unusual nature which has or may significantly affect the operations of the 
Company, the results of those operations, or the state of affairs of the Company in future periods.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 65

Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report

To the members of Lion Selection Group Limited

Report on the audit of the financial report

Our opinion

In our opinion:

The accompanying financial report of Lion Selection Group Limited (the Company) is in accordance with the 
Corporations Act 2001, including:

(a) 

(b) 

giving a true and fair view of the Company’s financial position as at 31 July 2019 and of its financial  
performance for the year then ended
complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001.

What we have audited

The financial report comprises:

•         the statement of financial position as at 31 July 2019
•         the statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended
•         the statement of changes in equity for the year then ended
•         the statement of cash flows for the year then ended
•         the notes to the financial statements, which include a summary of significant accounting policies
•         the directors’ declaration.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards 
are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial report section of our report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence

We are independent of the Company in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 
2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics 
for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.

Our audit approach

An audit is designed to provide reasonable assurance about whether the financial report is free from material 
misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error. They are considered material if individually or in 
aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the 
financial report.

The principal activities of the Company involve investing in mining and exploration companies through a number of 
listed and unlisted investments.

We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial 
report as a whole, taking into account the geographic and management structure of the Company, its accounting 
processes and controls and the industry in which it operates.

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757
2 Riverside Quay, SOUTHBANK VIC 3006, GPO Box 1331, MELBOURNE VIC 3001
T: 61 3 8603 1000, F: 61 3 8603 1999, www.pwc.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

66		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Materiality

•  For the purpose of our audit we used overall materiality of AU$699,000, which represents approximately 1% of the 

Company’s net assets.

•  We applied this threshold, together with qualitative considerations, to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, 
timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements on the financial report as a whole.

•  We chose net assets, because, in our view the performance of the Company is measured against the net value of 

investments held and it is a commonly accepted benchmark within the investment industry.

•  We utilised a 1% threshold based on our professional judgement, noting it is within the range of commonly acceptable 

thresholds.

Audit scope

•  Our audit focused on where the Company made subjective judgements; for example, significant accounting estimates 

involving assumptions and inherently uncertain future events.

•  The Company’s finance function and corporate office is based in Melbourne, where we predominantly performed our 

audit procedures.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the 
financial report for the current period. The key audit matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial 
report as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 
Further, any commentary on the outcomes of a particular audit procedure is made in that context. We communicated the 
key audit matters to the Audit Committee.

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Carrying value of investments
Refer to note 3(d)

The total carrying value of investments 
comprises 3 levels in line with AASB 13 
Fair Value Measurement:

•  Level 1 - AU$21.1 million
•  Level 2 - AU$6.3 million
•  Level 3 - AU$38.9 million
  Total    - AU$66.3 million

We focused on the fair value applied 
by the Company to listed and unlisted 
investments due to the significant 
impact any movement in the fair value 
as at 31 July 2019 could have on the  
net assets.

We also had particular regard to 
the valuation technique applied by 
the Company to its unlisted equity 
investments and the Pani project. 
There is particular judgement involved 
in estimating the fair value of these 
investments given they are classified as 
Level 3 with unobservable inputs.

We obtained the Company’s investment schedule as at 31 July 2019 which 
includes a listing of each investment held and details the number of shares 
held and value per share. We reconciled this to the amounts recorded by the 
Company as at 31 July 2019, identifying no significant reconciling differences.

We assessed whether the listed and unlisted investment valuation techniques 
used by the Company are in accordance with AASB 13 and other relevant 
accounting standards.

We tested the fair values applied to investments as follows:

•  We obtained confirmations of the number of shares held for all material 

listed and unlisted investments.

•  For all material listed investments (Level 1: AU$21.1 million) we compared 

their fair value to market quoted prices.

•  For a sample of unlisted investments (Level 2: AU$6.3 million) we obtained 
and assessed observable market data, if available, such as the most recent 
transacted price made on arm’s length basis. Where that information 
was unavailable, we reviewed other available financial information such 
as the most recent annual reports, financial statements and shareholder 
presentations in respect of the unlisted investments held by the Company.

•  For the investment in the Pani project (Level 3: AU$ 38.7 million) our 

procedures are outlined below.

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

To test the measurement of the Company’s investment in the Pani project 
as at 31 July 2019, amongst other procedures, we:

•  Considered management’s summary of developments through the year 
to 31 July 2019 relating to the Pani project and potential impacts to the 
fair value of the investment.

•  Tested the calculation prepared by management implying the fair value 

of the Company’s investment in Pani.

•  Considered external economic factors such as long-term commodity 
price movements during the year to consider potential impacts to the 
fair value of the investment in Pani.

•  Inquired of the Company’s management and directors as to whether 
they had identified further matters that would materially impact the 
fair value of the investment in Pani.

•  Evaluated whether, in view of the requirements of Australian 
Accounting Standards, the financial report provided adequate 
disclosure about the investment in Pani.

Fair value measurement of the  
investment in the Pani project
Refer to note 3(d)

In August 2018, the Company’s economic 
interest in the Pani project was converted to a 
33.3% equity interest via acquisition of shares 
in PT Pani Bersama Jaya (‘PT PBJ’).

At 31 July 2019, the Company’s measurement 
of the fair value of its investment in the Pani 
project was primarily based on the implied 
value of a recent market transaction. During 
the year, PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk 
acquired 66% of the shares in PT PBJ for a 
purchase price of US$55 million, implying 
a fair value of AU$38.7 million for the 
Company’s investment in Pani.

This was considered to be a key audit matter 
given:

•  The significance of the Pani project’s value 
as a proportion of the total investments of 
the Company.

•  The judgement involved in estimating 
the fair value of the investment given it 
is classified as Level 3 with unobservable 
inputs.

Other information

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the 
annual report for the year ended 31 July 2019, but does not include the financial report and our auditor’s report thereon. 
Prior to the date of this auditor’s report, the other information we obtained included the Director’s Report. We expect the 
other information to be made available to us after the date of this auditor’s report.

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

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

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

When we read the other information not yet received, if we conclude that there is a material misstatement therein, we are required to 
communicate the matter to the directors and use our professional judgement to determine the appropriate action to take.

68		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Responsibilities of the directors for the financial report

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

In preparing the financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the ability of the Company to continue as a 
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting 
unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to 
do so.

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

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial report is located at the Auditing and Assurance 
Standards Board website at: http://www.auasb.gov.au/auditors_responsibilities/ar2.pdf. This description forms part of 
our auditor’s report.

Report on the remuneration report

Our opinion on the remuneration report

We have audited the remuneration report included in pages 35 to 36 of the directors’ report for the year  
ended 31 July 2019.

In our opinion, the remuneration report of Lion Selection Group Limited for the year ended 31 July 2019 complies  
with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.

Responsibilities

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

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Anthony Hodge 
Partner 

Melbourne
 5 September 2019

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder Information

Top 20 holders of ordinary fully paid shares – 30 September 2019

RANK NAME

NO.	OF	SHARES %	OF	UNITS

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

National Nominees Limited

Rojana Hero Pty Ltd

Mr Robin Anthony Widdup + Mrs Janet Widdup ‹Widdup Super Fund A/C›

J P Morgan Nominees Australia Pty Limited

Inconsultare Pty Ltd ‹Morrison Family S/F A/C›

Mr Mark Gareth Creasy

Mirrabooka Investments Limited

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited

Brigstow Pty Ltd ‹Md & Jl Brook Super Fund A/C› 

Retzos Executive Pty Ltd ‹Retzos Executive S/Fund A/C›

CPAC Melloy Super Pty Ltd ‹Melloy Super Fund A/C›

12 Macquarie Bank Limited

13

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd ‹Jarvis A/C Non Treaty DRP›

14 Mr Dominic Paul McCormick

15 Mrs Pamela Julian Sargood

16 Melcor Investments Pty Ltd

17

Bond Street Custodians Limited ‹Bbbfs - D69416 A/C›

18 WAL Assets Pty Ltd ‹The L A Wilson Property A/C›

19

T E & J Pasias Pty Ltd

20 Majoli Pty Ltd

Total	Top	20	holders	of	ORDINARY	FULLY	PAID	SHARES

Total	Remaining	Holders	Balance

11,887,500

7,483,653

7,219,369

5,506,870

5,200,000

4,448,976

4,360,378

4,017,798

3,791,841

3,670,000

3,082,259

2,919,489

2,854,919

2,425,324

2,381,500

1,411,020

1,393,073

1,207,802

1,200,000

1,195,651

7.92

4.98

4.81

3.67

3.46

2.96

2.90

2.68

2.53

2.44

2.05

1.94

1.90

1.62

1.59

0.94

0.93

0.80

0.80

0.80

77,657,422

72,477,457

51.73

48.27

Distribution of Shareholdings as at 30 September 2019

SIZE	OF	HOLDING	(ORDINARY	FULLY	PAID	SHARES)

NO.	OF	SHAREHOLDERS

1 – 1,000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 –10,000

10,001 – 100,000

100,001 Over 

Total	Shareholders

Number of ordinary shareholders with less than a marketable parcel

353

877

279

509

177

2,195

460

70		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder Information

Voting Rights
All ordinary shares issued by Lion Selection Group Limited carry one vote per share without restriction.

Substantial Shareholders as at 30 September 2019
The following information is extracted from notices received by the company.

NAME

Robin Anthony Widdup

Cooper Investors Pty Ltd

NO.	OF	ORDINARY	SHARES

16,167,277

11,462,262

Lion Directors and Lion Manager Holdings
As at 30 September 2019, the members of the Lion Board and Lion Manager held shares directly and/or indirectly in 
Lion Selection Group Limited as follows:

NAME

Peter Maloney

Chris Melloy

Barry Sullivan

Robin Widdup

Craig Smyth

Tim Markwell

Hedley Widdup

Total   

NO.	OF	ORDINARY	SHARES

2,190,389

5,718,077

813,074

16,167,277

1,411,137

948,702

1,102,353

28,351,009

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

|	 71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lion Selection Group Limited Registry

You can gain access to your security 
holding information in a number 
of ways. The details are managed 
via our registrar, Computershare 
Investor Services, and can be 
accessed as outlined below.

Computershare	Investor	Services	Pty	Limited

Enquiries within Australia 
Enquiries outside Australia 
Investor Enquiries Facsimile 
Investor Enquiries Online 

1300 850 505
+61 3 9415 4000
+61 3 9473 2500
www.investorcentre.com/contact

INVESTORPHONE

INTERNET	ACCOUNT	ACCESS		
VIA	INVESTOR	CENTRE

InvestorPhone provides telephone 
access 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Securityholders can view their details 
online via Investor Centre:

Alternatively, update your details or 
manage your portfolio by registering 
as a member of Investor Centre:

STEP	1  Call 1300 850 505  

STEP	1  Go to  

STEP	1  Go to  

(within Australia) or  
61 3 9415 4000  
(outside Australia)

STEP	2  Say ‘Lion Selection Group 

Limited’

STEP	3  Follow the prompts to gain 
secure, immediate access 
to your holding details, 
registration details and 
payment information.

www.investorcentre.com

www.investorcentre.com

STEP	2  Select ’Access a Single 

STEP	2  Click on ‘Login’ and enter 

your	User	ID and follow		
the	prompts to login, or  
for new users click on  
the ‘Create Login’ link  
and follow the prompts  
to register.

Holding’

STEP	3  Enter your Securityholder 
Reference Number (SRN) 
or Holder Identification 
Number (HIN), postcode or 
country if outside Australia

STEP	4  Enter	LSX or Lion	

Selection	Group	Limited

STEP	5  Agree to the Terms and 

Conditions and type in the 
characters shown and  
click ‘Login’.

Share	Registry

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited
Yarra Falls, 452 Johnston Street, Abbotsford  Vic  3067
Postal Address – GPO Box 2975 Melbourne  Vic  3001

Enquiries within Australia 
Enquiries outside Australia 
Investor Enquiries Facsimile 
Investor Enquiries Online 
Website: 

1300 850 505
+61 3 9415 4000
+61 3 9473 2500
www.investorcentre.com/contact
www.computershare.com

Corporate Directory

Registered	and	Principal	Office

Level 2
175 Flinders Lane
Melbourne  Vic  3000

+61 3 9614 8008
Tel: 
+61 3 9614 8009
Fax:  
info@lsg.com.au
Email: 
Website:  www.lionselection.com.au

Directors
•  Barry Sullivan 

Non-Executive Chairman

•  Peter Maloney 

Non-Executive Director

•  Chris Melloy  

Non-Executive Director

•  Robin Widdup  

Director

Chief	Executive	Officer
Craig Smyth

Company	Secretary
Jane Rose

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers

72		 |	

LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LION SELECTION GROUP LIMITED  2019 ANNUAL REPORT	

Inspecting drill core at Awak Mas core farm
|	 73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Khundii Gold Project

Level 2, 175 Flinders Street, Melbourne Vic 3000.   Tel:  +61 3 9614 8008   Fax: +61 3 9614 8009   www.lionselection.com.au 

Lion	Selection	Group	Limited    ABN 26 077 729 572