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Mineral & Financial Investments

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FY2018 Annual Report · Mineral & Financial Investments
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MINERAL & FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS LIMITED  

Annual Report and Financial Statements 
for the 18 month period ended 30 June 2018 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 

Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

CONTENTS 

REPORTS 

Company Information 

Chairman’s Statement 

Chief Operating Officer’s Report and Investment Review 

Strategic Report 

Directors' Report 

Corporate Governance Report 

Report on Remuneration 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Income Statement and Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Statement of Financial Position 

Statement of Changes in Equity 

Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

page 

2 

3 

5 

7 

8 

10 

11 

12 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 

Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

COMPANY INFORMATION 

DIRECTORS: 

OFFICERS: 

REGISTERED OFFICE: 

COMPANY NUMBER: 

SECRETARY: 

NOMINATED ADVISER: 

JOINT BROKERS: 

REGISTRARS: 

SOLICITORS: 

AUDITORS: 

Jacques Vaillancourt (Chairman) 
Sean Keenan 

Jacques Vaillancourt (Chairman) 
James Lesser (Chief Operating Officer) 

190 Elgin Avenue 
George Town 
Grand Cayman 
KY1-9005 
Cayman Islands 

Incorporated  in  the  Cayman  Islands  with  registered 
number 141920 

Walkers SPV Limited 

W H Ireland 
24 Martin Lane 
London 
EC4R 0DR 
UK 

Novum Securities Ltd. 
10 Grosvenor Gardens 
London 
SW1W 0DH 
UK 

W H Ireland 
24 Martin Lane 
London 
EC4R 0DR 
UK 

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

Charles Russell Speechlys 
5 Fleet Place 
London 
EC4M 7RD 

Welbeck Associates 
Registered Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 
30 Percy Street 
London 
W1T 2DB 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 

Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT  
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

Dear fellow shareholders, 

Mineral & Financial Investments Limited M&FI is an investing company with the invest objectives of a mining finance 
house,  which  includes  providing  investment  in  and  capital  to  finance  mining  companies  and/or  projects  while 
providing  our  shareholders  with  superior  returns.  We  will  seek  to  provide  financing  and  act  as  a  good  partner  in 
exchange  for  meaningful  ownership  levels,  and  board  representation.  We  will  provide  advisory  services  when 
possible and  will be willing to make follow-on  investments  when appropriate.   The full details of our  investing policy 
are set out in the Directors’ Report on page 8.  

During the fiscal period ending 30 June 2018 your company generated net trading income of £315,000 that translated 
into  a  net  profit  of  £55,000  or  0.2p  per  share.  At  the  period  end  of  30  June  2018,  our  Net  Asset  Value  (NAV)  was 
£2,623,000, an increase of 75.5% from the 31 December 2016 NAV of £1,495,000.  The Net Asset Value per Share 
(NAVPS) as at 30 June 2018 was 7.49p per share, up 19.8% from the previous year’s NAVPS of 6.25p. We continue 
to be effectively debt free with working capital of £2.63 million. 

The  world’s  economic  performance  improved  in  2017,  and  the  outlook  continues  to  be  positive.  The  IMF’s  World 
Economic Outlook (Update 16 July 2018) forecasts that global growth will reach 3.9% in 2018 and 2019. This follows 
growth of 3.2% in 2016 and 3.7% in 2017. Advanced economies are expected to see their growth slow a little from a 
peak  of  2.2%  this  year,  while  emerging  markets  should  see  their  growth  rates  continue  to  rise,  reaching  4.9%  this 
year, and 5.1% in 2019. I note this, and the difference in the growth rates between the advanced economies and the 
emerging economies, as the  importance of metal and mineral  demand from emerging markets is more important in 
determining metal demand and ultimately pricing than the advanced economies. 

IMF – World Economic Outlook (July 2018) 

World Output 

Advanced Economies 

Emerging Markets and Developing Economies 

Consumer Prices 

Advanced Economies 

Emerging Markets and Developing Economies 

2016 

3.2% 

1.7% 

4.4% 

0.8% 

4.3% 

2017 

3.7% 

2.4% 

4.7% 

1.7% 

4.0% 

2018 Est. 

2019 Est. 

3.9% 

2.4% 

4.9% 

2.2% 

4.4% 

3.9% 

2.2% 

5.1% 

2.2% 

4.4% 

Also worth noting is the rising expectation of inflation. Advanced Economies inflation was 0.8% in 2016, and expected 
to average 2.2% in 2018, while emerging and developing economies should experience average inflation of 4.4% in 
2018.  Moderate  economic  expansion  and  growing  inflationary  pressures  for  the  Advanced  Economies  set  an 
additional  grappling  hook  over  the  balustrade  that  should  help  metal  prices  pull  themselves  up  from  their  current 
levels over the next 18 months (all data from IMF). 

We have observed that following echo from the Global Credit  Crisis of 2007-2008 there  has been a rise  in political 
populism. We believe that when the electorate fears the absence of control, they will vote for candidates that promise 
strength  and  decisiveness  over  the  status  quo.  We  have  observed  that  the  result  has  seen  increased  turbulence, 
reduced  levels  of  trust  and  diminished  levels  of  predictability  in  international  commercial  and  diplomatic  relations 
dealings as a growing number of strong men, and a few straw men wish to satisfy their electoral bases.. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 

Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT  
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

Despite continued economic expansion, interest rates are essentially unchanged from where they were on January 1, 
2016. How much longer will rates remain low, as inflationary pressures are returning and economic performance has 
been competently positive?  The Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Board, Jerome Powell, has  indicated that we 
should expect three rate hikes in 2018, with one already put into effect. US 10-year treasury rates have evolved from 
being the baseline interest rate for western economies, to being the 16th highest  interest rate level of the 20 largest 
world economies, just ahead of Greece, but behind New Zealand. What does this say? A great deal, but mostly,  we 
believe, that the defence of the US dollar has begun, and that the era of the US dollar being the “world’s currency” is 
drawing to an end..  

Unsurprisingly, Global equity markets are up for the most part over the past 18 months supported by global economic 
growth  and  low  administered  rates.  The  S&P  500  Index  rising  22.8%  to  2,718.37  as  at  our  year  end.  European 
indices  unfortunately, struggled a  little more  – during the same period the EuroStoxx 50 is  up 3.2% to 3395.60 and 
the FTSE 100 is up 6.9% to 7,696.93.  In China the CSI 300 was up 6.1% to 3,510,99, while Japan and Hong Kong 
did better, rising 16.7% and 31.6% respectively. 

Commodities  appear  to  have  risen  healthily,  when  measured  by  the  Reuters-CRB  Index,  which  rose  6%.  However 
this needs to be viewed in the context of a 39.8% increase in oil prices (Brent) and that this masks the wide disparity 
in price performances within the various commodity sectors. By contrast, during the same period, corn  is down 8%, 
as  were  cattle  prices.  We  believe  that  the  current  correction  is  the  product  of  a  rally  in  the  US  dollar  coupled  with 
concerns  about  the  impact,  depth  and  duration  of  the  trade  war  recently  initiated  by  President  Trump.  The  stark 
reality is that there have been very few, if any, significant metal discoveries in the past decade. We believe the sector 
continues to be starved of exploration capital. The continued growth in economic activity, notably from the emerging 
markets that consume far more metals as they transform themselves into increasingly industrialized economies and 
the dearth of exploration will cause, we believe, a leap in metal prices.  

Our  investment  in  TH  Crestgate  progressed  as  we  had  hoped  and  expected,  although  perhaps  exogenous  factors 
moved a little more slowly than we had planned. Our investment in TH Crestgate had as its primary purpose to create 
value for our shareholders by exposing the company to  zinc,  lead and copper market appreciation.  During the  year 
THC  completed  a  resource  update  meant  to  quantify  the  resource  expansion  achieved  through  the  exploration 
activity  it  initiated.  The  resource,  when  acquired,  was  4.5Mt  of  zinc  and  lead  rich  ore.  TH  Crestgate  succeeded  in 
expanding it to a 9.65Mt deposit while maintaining zinc equivalent grades. We believe that with more exploration on 
the  project  that  the  resource  can  be  expanded  further.  For  the  past  12  months  TH  Crestgate  has  been  in  various 
discussions to secure a partner for the Lagoa Salgada project with Mineral & Financial guidance.  

Our Investment in Cap Energy (“Cap”) is valued at its last financing in 2016. The company, which is 76% controlled 
by  its  board  and  management,  is  progressing  three  West  African  offshore  blocks  in  which  it  has  a  significant 
ownership  interest.  These  three  blocks  are  located  off  western  Africa  –  Two  (Block  1  and  Block  5B)  are  located 
offshore Guinea Bissau, and the third (Djifferé) is located offshore Senegal. Cap is working closely with its partners to 
bring a large partner to operate the exploration programs. Significant progress has been made since we last reported 
and we expect that this will begin to bear fruit over the next year. 

M&FI continues to be seeking suitable strategic investment opportunities that we believe will generate above average 
returns while adhering to our standards of prudence. 

We will continue to advance your company with prudence and common sense in 2018-19. 

Jacques Vaillancourt, CFA 
Executive Chairman 
27 July 2018 

www.mineralandfinancial.com 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5 

Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER’S REPORT AND INVESTMENT REVIEW 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

OPERATIONS 

The key to creating shareholder value is to keep costs low, and more particularly lower than the average accretion in 
the Net Asset Value. We have succeeded in reducing our average quarterly operating costs as a percentage of our 
NAV to 1.19%. Put another way, all we have to do is increase our NAV by more than 1.19% and we have created net 
value for our shareholders. During the period we have remained essentially debt free. 

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO 

There has been a very tepid recovery in the mining sector. The investment portfolio now totals £2,269,000, up 78% 
from 31 December 2016. During the 18 month period covered by the annual report the FTSE 350 Mining index rose 
6%, the S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry index rose by 8.9% and the VanEck Vectors Gold Miners index rose by 
6.6%. Metal prices performed much better, on average, than did the underlying mining companies. 

ETF Portfolio 

Gold ETF  
During the past 12 months the Company's gold ETF value, despite the correction in the waning months of the period 
ending 30 June 2018, is still up 15.6% from our purchase price. The position has been an excellent hedge against the 
weakening of the British Pound, our reporting currency.  The issue of Brexit, which most, including ourselves,  would 
have expected to be more advanced in defining its path towards a resolution looks as uncertain as it did 2 years ago. 
A physical gold position is a core holding in our portfolio. We believe gold to be undervalued at current prices and are 
considering adding to our position during the price weakness of this summer. 

Platinum ETF 
Platinum continues to be a perplexing metal. It is our smallest metal investment in GBP value. Platinum supplies are 
principally from two countries, South  Africa primarily, and Russia. Both of these countries currencies are depressed 
and resulting in high prices for platinum in their home currencies. These high prices are drawing marginal sources of 
supply into the markets. Demand is principally from automotive production (37% to 41% of total demand). The arrival 
of Electric Vehicles (EV) to the market place  is casting a distant cloud on  long-term platinum demand. The second 
source of demand is from jewellery production (31% to 38% of total demand), of which in excess of 60% of jewellery 
demand originates from China.  Current sources of demand are emerging while the historical sources of demand are 
flat to down. The election of a new leader in South Africa will slowly reset the economy on a more stable footing, and 
very  slowly  result  in  stabilization  in  the  SA  Rand.  However,  until  a  more  mining  investment  friendly  environment  is 
clearly  apparent,  little  new  capital  will  be  attracted  to  South  Africa  in  general,  and  platinum  mines  specifically.  The 
Company is cautiously optimistic about its platinum investment.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6 

Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER’S REPORT AND INVESTMENT REVIEW 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

Silver ETF 
Silver has a higher degree of price leverage in a rising market for precious metals than other precious metals such as 
gold and platinum. Silver production and overall supply declined in 2017 to 991.7M ounces, down 1.8% from 2016. 
Physical demand  was down 2.3% during the same period.  The company maintained  its silver position, but  is down 
9.4%. Electronics demand for silver is the fastest growing source of new demand for silver. We believe that demand 
will resume its growth in the near future and that silver supply will struggle to grow at the same pace. Going forward 
our silver position will be a trading position. 

No other metal positions were initiated during the period.  

Equity portfolio 

Cap Energy 
We believe Cap has made forward strides in de-risking its assets through negotiating improved terms in both Senegal 
and  Guinea.  Additionally,  the  company  has  advanced  the  geological  attractions  of  all  three  of  its  West  African  off 
shore  oil  and  gas  assets.  Cap  has,  in  conjunction  with  its  partners,  initiated  discussions  and  signed  confidentiality 
agreements  with  several  global  energy  companies  considering  partnering  with  Cap  on  their  highly  prospective 
projects off the west coast of Africa.  

TH Crestgate 
Your  company  owns  49%  of  TH  Crestgate.  TH  Crestgate  owns  100%  of  Redcorp  Empreedimentos  Mineiros  Lda. 
100%.  Redcorp  is  a  Portuguese  company  whose  main  asset  is  the  Lagoa  Salgada  Project.  The  Lagoa  Salgada 
project was acquired  when  zinc and  lead  prices  were at cycle  lows.  The asset, at the time of  its acquisition,  had a 
historical resource, compliant with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 rules, of 4.5Mt on indicated and inferred 
resources.  Thanks  to  the  diligent  work  of  the  teams  at  TH  Crestgate  and  Redcorp  in  Portugal,  the  asset  was 
increased to 9.65Mt resource, also  indicated and inferred.  TH Crestgate has been  very actively seeking a financial 
and operational partner.  

The  value of the Company’s stake in  Anglo Pacific more than  doubled during the previous annual reporting  period, 
which created a good point to exit the investment. The value of the Company’s stake in Glencore more than tripled, 
during the course of 2017-18 and we used this strength to exit the position, well ahead of the company’s share price 
fall  as  a  result  of  the  allegations  from  US  Department  of  Justice.  The  Company  has  acquired  a  shareholding  in 
Ascendant Resources, a Toronto Stock Exchange  listed producer of zinc.  Ascendant’s main asset is the El  Mochito 
mine  in Honduras. We believe that the shares of  Ascendant are undervalued relative to  its earnings and cash flow 
prospects. The Company has a market value of USD47.0 million and has given guidance for 2018 of Free Cash Flow 
of  USD14.0M  to  USD20.0M  this  year.  During  the  period  we  also  initiated  positions  in  Imperial  Metals  (TSX)  and 
Artemis Resources (ASX), which in the context of the current weakness in virtually all metal stocks, have performed 
in line with their comparable peers.  

James Lesser 
Chief Operating Officer 

27 July 2018 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
7 

Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

STRATEGIC REPORT 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

The Directors present their Strategic Report on the Company for the 18 month period to 30 June 2018. 

RESULTS 

The  Group  made  a  profit  after  taxation  for  the  18  months  to  30  June  2018  of  £55,000  (12  months  to  31  December 
2016: £111,000).  The Directors do not propose a dividend (2016: £nil).  

BUSINESS REVIEW AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS 

A review of the business in the period and of future developments is  set out in the Chief  Operating Officer’s review, 
which should be read as part of the strategic review.   

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 

The key performance indicators are set out below:   

COMPANY STATISTICS 

30 June 
2018 

31 December 
2016 

Change % 

Net asset value 

£2,623,000 

£1,495,000 

Net asset value – fully diluted per share 

Closing share price 

Share price premium/(discount) to net asset 
value – fully diluted 

7.5p 

7.9p 

5% 

6.3p 

6.1p 

(3%) 

Market capitalisation 

£2,750,000 

£1,473,000 

+78% 

+21% 

+30% 

− 

+87% 

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES 
The key risk facing shareholders is that the value of the investments falls and that future returns to shareholders are 
therefore lower than they could have been.  

Details of the financial risk management objectives and policies are provided in Note 14 to the financial statements. 

GOING CONCERN 

The  Directors  have  prepared  cash  flow  forecasts  through  to  31  December  2019,  which  assumes  no  significant 
investment  activity  is  undertaken  unless  sufficient  funding  is  in  place  to  undertake  the  investment  activity  and  the 
forecasts demonstrate that the Company is able to meet its obligations as they fall due.  On this basis, the Directors 
have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue operating for the foreseeable 
future.    For  this  reason  they  continue  to  adopt  the  going  concern  basis  in  preparing  the  Company’s  financial 
statements. 

For and on behalf of the Board 

Jacques Vaillancourt, CFA 
Director 

27 July 2018 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8 

Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

The Directors present their annual report together with the audited financial statements for the 18 month period to 30 
June 2018.  

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY AND INVESTING POLICY 
During the year the Company continued to act as an investment company. The following Investing Policy was adopted 
at a General Meeting held 28 November 2013: 

“The  Company’s  Investing  Policy  is  to  invest  in  the  natural  resources  sector  through  investments  in  companies  or 
other assets, which it considers to represent good value and offer scope for significant returns to Shareholders over 
the long term. In particular, the Company will focus on providing new capital for mining companies that require finance 
for their projects. 

Investments will be made in the securities of quoted and un-quoted companies and their assets, units in open-ended 
investment companies, exchange traded funds, physical commodities, derivatives, and other hybrid securities.  

As the Company’s assets grow the intention is to diversify company, geographic, and commodity risks. The Company 
will have a blend of passive and active investments and, if and when appropriate, it may seek to gain control of an 
investee company. 

Returns to Shareholders are expected to be by way of growth in the value of the Company’s Ordinary Shares. The 
Company  may  also  from  time  to  time  make  market  purchases  to  buy  in  the  Company’s  Ordinary  Shares  if  the 
Directors consider this to be in the interests of Shareholders as a whole. The Company will publish a quarterly update 
on its NAV. 

Mineral & Financial Investments Ltd.’s investment policy is focused on the metals and mining industry. 

The  Company’s  strategy  is  to invest,  finance,  and  advise  metals  and  mining  companies  through  “Strategic” 
investments.  The  Company’s  capital,  when  not  deployed  in  strategic  investments,  will  be  captured  and  deployed  in 
our “Tactical” portfolio.” 

POST YEAR END EVENTS 

There have been no material post year-end events. 

DIRECTORS 
The Directors of the Company during the year and subsequently are set out below. 
Jacques Vaillancourt     
Sean Keenan 
Alastair Ford      
Laurence Read 

(resigned 29 December 2017) 
(resigned 25 January 2017) 

There is a qualifying third party indemnity provision in force for the benefit of the Directors of the Company. 

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDINGS 

The  only  interests  in  excess  of  3%  of  the  issued  share  capital  of  the  Company  which  have  been  notified  to  the 
Company as at 23 July 2018 were as follows: 

Lynchwood Nominees Limited 
*Mount Everest Finance SA 
Timothy Darvall 

*Jacques Vaillancourt is the sole shareholder of Mount Everest Finance SA 

Ordinary shares of 
1p each 
number 
8,001,490 
6,214,000 
1,410,920 

Percentage 
 of capital 
% 
22.8% 
17.7% 
4.0% 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9 

Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The  Company  was  incorporated  as  a  corporation  in  the  Cayman  Islands,  which  does  not  prescribe  the  adoption  of 
any  particular  accounting  framework.    Accordingly,  the  Board  has  resolved  that  the  Company  will  follow  applicable 
law and International Financial  Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs) when preparing its 
annual financial statements. 

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  the  preparation  of  the  Company’s  financial  statements,  which  give  a  true  and  fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit, or loss of the Company for the period.  In preparing the 
financial statements, the directors are required to: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

state  whether  IFRSs  as  adopted  by  the  European  Union  have  been  followed,  subject  to  any  material 
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 

prepare  the  financial  statements  on  the  going  concern  basis  unless  it  is  inappropriate  to  presume  that  the 
Company will continue in business. 

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records, for safeguarding the assets of the Company 
and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.  

In so far as the Directors are aware: 

• 

• 

there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditor is unaware; and 

the  Directors  have  taken  all  steps  that  they  ought  to  have  taken  to  make  themselves  aware  of  any  relevant 
audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information. 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information held on the 
Company's website. 

AUDITORS 
The auditors Welbeck Associates have indicated their willingness to continue in office and a resolution that they be 
reappointed will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting. 

For and on behalf of the Board  

Jacques Vaillancourt, CFA 
Director 

27 July 2018 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

The  requirements  of  the  combined  code  of  corporate  governance  are  not  mandatory  for  companies  traded  on  AIM.  
However,  the  Directors  recognize  the  importance  of  sound  corporate  governance  and  have  adopted  corporate 
governance principles that the Directors consider are appropriate for a company of its size. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

The Board of Directors is responsible for the Company’s system of corporate governance.  It comprises an executive 
chairman and one other non-executive director.  The Chairman of the Board is Jacques Vaillancourt. 

The  Board  met  regularly  throughout  the  year.   It  has  a  schedule  of  matters  referred  to  it  for  decision,  which  includes 
strategy  and  future  developments,  allocation  of  financial  resources,  investments,  annual  and  interim  results,  and  risk 
management.   Matters  that  would  normally  be  referred  to  appointed  committees,  such  as  the  audit  and  remuneration 
committees, are dealt with by the full Board. 

INTERNAL CONTROL 

The Board is responsible for maintaining a strong system of internal control to safeguard shareholders’ investment and 
the Company’s assets and for reviewing its effectiveness.  The system of internal financial control is designed to provide 
reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

REPORT ON REMUNERATION 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION 
The Board recognises that Directors' remuneration is of legitimate concern to the shareholders and  it is committed to 
following current best practice.  The Company operates within a competitive environment and its performance depends 
on the effective contributions of the Directors and employees who are compensated accordingly. 

DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION 
The remuneration of the Directors was as follows: 

Jacques Vaillancourt 
Sean Keenan 
Alastair Ford 
Laurence Read 

18 months to 30 June 2018 

Year ending 31 December 2016 

Salary 
and fees 
£'000 

37 
14 
24 
2 

77 

Pension 
£’000 

Total 
£'000 

Salary 
and fees 
£'000 

Pension 
£'000 

Total 
£’000 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

37 
14 
24 
2 

77 

25 
- 
24 
18 

67 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

25 
- 
24 
18 

67 

PENSIONS  
No pension contributions were paid in respect of the directors for the 18 month period to 30 June 2018, or for the year 
ended 31 December 2016. 

BENEFITS IN KIND 
The Directors did not receive any benefits in kind, either in the 18 month period to 30 June 2018, or for the year ended 
31 December 2016. 

BONUSES 
There were no bonuses payable either for the 18 month period to 30 June 2018, or for the year ended 31 December 
2016. 

SHARE OPTION INCENTIVES 
Directors held options as follows.   Further details of options are disclosed in note 11. 

At beginning 
 of period 

Granted 
 in period 

Exercised 
 in period 

Lapsed 
  in period 

At end 
 of period 

Jacques Vaillancourt 

Sean Keenan 

Alastair Ford 

Laurence Read 

105,000 

- 

210,000 

185,000 

230,000 

100,000 

125,000 

- 

- 

- 

110,000 

(295,000) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

335,000 

100,000 

335,000 

- 

Average 
Exercise  
price 

7.62p 

7.50p 

7.74p 

- 

For and on behalf of the Board  

Jacques Vaillancourt, CFA 
Director 

27 July 2018 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT  
TO THE MEMBERS OF MINERAL & FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS LIMITED 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

OPINION 
We have audited the financial statements of Mineral and Financial Investments Ltd (the ‘Company’) for the period 
ended 30 June 2018 which comprise the income statement, the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of 
changes in equity, the statement of financial position, the statement of cash flows, and notes to the financial statements, 
including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their 
preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European 
Union. 

In our opinion, the financial statements: 

• 

• 
• 

give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s affairs as at 30 June 2018 and of its profit for the period 
then ended; 
have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; and 
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of relevant legislation. 

BASIS FOR OPINION 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical 
requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard 
as applied to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these 
requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion. 

CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO GOING CONCERN 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to 
you where: 
• 

the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not 
appropriate; or 
the directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast 
significant doubt about the company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a 
period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

• 

KEY AUDIT MATTERS 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the 
financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement 
(whether or not due to fraud) we identified, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, 
the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were 
addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we 
do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

KEY AUDIT MATTER 

HOW WE ADDRESSED IT 

ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES 

Are prepared on a reasonable and consistent basis 
and are disclosed adequately in the financial 
statements. 

We have considered the basis of the accounting estimates 
applied when preparing the financial statements and considered 
the responses to audit questions with professional scepticism. 

RELATED PARTIES 

We are required to consider if the disclosures made 
in the financial statements are complete and 
accurate and to consider the processes for 
identifying related parties and related party 
transactions. 

We have assessed the Company’s procedures for identifying 
related parties and ensuring the completeness of the disclosures 
that are included in the audit planning pack. 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT  
TO THE MEMBERS OF MINERAL & FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS LIMITED 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

KEY AUDIT MATTER 

HOW WE ADDRESSED IT 

MANAGEMENT OVERRIDE 

We are required to consider how management 
biases could affect the results of the company. 

INVESTMENTS 

We consider the disclosure of the investment net 
book value, the realised and unrealised gains, the 
acquisitions and disposals. 

We have considered the controls in place, remained alert for 
material and unusual items and tested a sample of journals to 
assess the risk. 

We have performed tests of detail through agreement to bank 
statements and the contracts, together with a review of the client 
calculations and valuations. We have tested valuations of the 
listed investments through agreement to London Stock 
Exchange prices at the year end.  

OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY 
Materiality for the Company financial statements as a whole was set at £82,300 (2016: £46,000). 

This has been calculated as 3% of the benchmark of gross assets (2016: 3%), which we have determined, in our 
professional judgment, to be one of the principal benchmarks within the financial statements relevant to members of 
the Company in assessing financial performance of the Company. 

We report to the Director all corrected and uncorrected misstatements we identified through our audit with a value in 
excess of £4,115 (2016: £2,300), in addition to other audit misstatements below that threshold that we believe 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT 
Our audit is risk based and is designed to focus our efforts on the areas at greatest risk of material misstatement, 
aspects subject to significant management judgement as well as greatest complexity, risk and size. 

The investments balance is highly material and four of the investments are unlisted. Additionally, the gain on the sale of 
investments is also highly material. As such testing was detailed, through agreement to bank statements, contracts and 
LSE prices, together with a review of the client calculations and valuations. Specifically, there is a high risk with regard 
to valuation. The cost of these unquoted investments are subjective figures, determined by management. 

We consider management override and related parties to be qualitatively material. Although it is not the responsibility 
of the auditor to discover fraud, clearly any instances of fraud which we detect are material to the users of the financial 
statements.  We have tested manual and automated journal entries, with a focus on those journal entries at year end. 
In addition, as part of our audit procedures to address this fraud risk, we assessed the overall control environment and 
reviewed whether there had been any reported actual or alleged instances of fraudulent activity during the year. For 
Related Parties, we have inquired with the client as the relevant related parties. We have also assessed the 
Company’s procedures regarding related parties. 

OTHER INFORMATION 
The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the 
annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial 
statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we 
do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing 
so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge 
obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or 
apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the 
financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, 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. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT  
TO THE MEMBERS OF MINERAL & FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS LIMITED 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

OPINIONS ON OTHER MATTERS 
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: 

• 

• 

the information given in the strategic report and the directors’ report for the financial period for which the 
financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and 
the strategic report and the directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal 
requirements. 

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION 
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, 
we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report. 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which relevant legislation requires us to 
report to you if, in our opinion: 

• 

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 
from branches not visited by us; or 
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 
• 
• 
certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS 
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement, set out on page 9, the directors are responsible for 
the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such 
internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company’s ability 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 STATEMENTS 
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are 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 
ISAs (UK) 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 these financial statements. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. 

This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance with relevant legislation. Our audit 
work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to 
them in an Auditors' Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or 
assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members as a body, for our audit work, 
for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Jonathan Bradley-Hoare (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of Welbeck Associates 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 

27 July 2018 

London 
United Kingdom 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

INCOME STATEMENT AND STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 30 June 2018 

Investment income 
Net losses on disposal of investments 
Net change in fair value of investments 

Operating expenses 

Operating profit 

Profit before taxation 

Taxation expense 

Profit for the year from continuing operations and total 
comprehensive income, attributable to owners of the Company  

18 months to  
30 June 2018 
£’000 

12 months to 
 31 December 2016 
£’000 

Notes 

2 
(12) 
325 

315 

(260) 

55 

55 

− 

55 

- 
(169) 
455 

286 

(175) 

111 

111 

− 

111 

3 

5 

Profit per share attributable to owners of the Company during the 
year from continuing and total operations: 

6 

Pence 

Pence 

Basic (pence per share) 
Diluted (pence per share) 

0.2 
0.2 

0.6 
0.6 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 
AS AT 30 June 2018 

CURRENT ASSETS 

Financial assets held at fair value through profit or loss 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Trade and other payables 

Convertible unsecured loan notes 

NET CURRENT ASSETS 

NET ASSETS 

EQUITY 

Share capital  
Share premium 
Loan note equity reserve 
Share option reserve 
Capital reserve 
Retained earnings 

Equity attributable to owners of the Company and total equity 

Notes 

30 June 2018 
£’000 

31 December 2016 
£’000 

7 
8 

9 

10 

12 

13 

2,269 
10 
422 

2,701 

68 

10 

78 

2,623 

2,623 

3,095 
5,886 
6 
23 
15,736 
(22,123) 

2,623 

1,274 
7 
274 

1,555 

50 

10 

60 

1,495 

1,495 

2,985 
4,934 
6 
12 
15,736 
(22,178) 

1,495 

The financial statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 27 July 2018 

Jacques Vaillancourt 
Director 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

Share 
capital 
£'000 

Share 
premium 
£'000 

Share option 
reserve 
£'000 

Loan note 
reserve 
£'000 

Capital 
 reserve 
£'000 

Accumulated 
losses 
£'000 

Total 
equity 
£'000 

At 1 January 2016 

2,885 

4,559 

Total comprehensive 
income for the year 

Share issues 

− 

100 

− 

375 

At 31 December 2016 

2,985 

4,934 

Total comprehensive 
income for the period 
Share based payment 
expense 

− 

− 

− 

− 

Share issues 

110 

952 

At 30 June 2018 

3,095 

5,886 

12 

− 

− 

12 

− 

11 

− 

23 

6 

− 

− 

6 

− 

− 

− 

6 

15,736 

(22,289) 

909 

− 

− 

111 

− 

111 

475 

15,736 

(22,178) 

1,495 

− 

− 

− 

55 

− 

− 

55 

11 

1,062 

15,736 

(22,123) 

2,623 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES  
Profit before taxation  
Adjustments for: 
Share based payment expense 
Loss on disposal of trading investments 
Fair value (gain)/loss on trading investments 
Investment income 
Operating cash flow before working capital changes 
(Increase) in trade and other receivables 
Increase in trade and other payables 
Net cash outflow from operating activities 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
Purchase of financial assets 
Disposals of investments 
Investment income 
Net cash outflow from investing activities 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
Proceeds of share issues 
Net cash outflow from financing activities  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents as at 1 January 

Cash and cash equivalents as at 30 June/ 31 December 

18 months to  
30 June 2018 
£’000 

12 months to 
 31 December 2016 
£’000 

55 

11 
12 
(325) 
(2) 
(249) 
(3) 
18 
(234) 

(1,806) 
1,124 
2 
(680) 

1,062 
1,062 

148 
274 

422 

111 

− 
169 
(455) 
− 
(175) 
(1) 
9 
(167) 

(392) 
95 
− 
(297) 

475 
475 

11 
263 

274 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

1 

GENERAL INFORMATION 
The Company was incorporated as a Corporation in the Cayman Islands which does not prescribe the adoption of 
any  particular  accounting  framework.  The  Board  has  therefore  adopted  International  Financial  Reporting 
Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRSs). The Company's shares are listed on the AIM market of 
the London Stock Exchange.   

The Company is an investment company, mainly investing in natural resources, minerals, metals, and oil and gas 
projects.  The registered office of the Company is as detailed in the Company Information on page 2. 
These financial statements are prepared in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest £’000. 

2 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

BASIS OF PREPARATION 
The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  under  the  historical  cost  convention,  and  in  accordance  with 
International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”),  and  International  Financial  Reporting  Interpretations 
Committee  (“IFRIC”)  interpretations.    All  accounting  standards  and  interpretations  issued  by  the  International 
Accounting Standards Board and IFRIC effective for the periods covered by these financial statements have been 
applied. 

CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING REFERENCE DATE 
On 15 June 2018, the Directors agreed to extend the accounting year from 31 December 2017 to 30 June 2018.  
As a result all the 2018 figures in the accounts refer to the 18 month period to 30 June 2018 and the comparative 
figures refer to the 12 month period to 31 December 2016. 

The  principal  accounting  policies  of  the  Company  are  set  out below,  and  have  been  consistently  applied  to  all 
periods. 

GOING CONCERN 
The  Directors  have  prepared  cash  flow  forecasts  through  to  31  December  2019  which  assumes  no  significant 
investment  activity  is  undertaken  unless  sufficient  funding  is  in  place  to  undertake  the  investment  activity.   The 
expenses of the Company's continuing operations are minimal and the cash flow forecasts demonstrate that the 
Company  is  able  to  meet  these  liabilities  as  they  fall  due.    On  this  basis,  the  Directors  have  a  reasonable 
expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future.  For this 
reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Company’s financial statements. 

 KEY ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS 
Estimates and assumptions used in preparing the financial statements are reviewed on an on-going basis and are 
based  on  historical  experience  and  various  other  factors  that  are  believed  to  be  reasonable  under  the 
circumstances.    The  results  of  these  estimates  and  assumptions  form  the  basis  of  making  judgments  about  
carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources: 

SHARE BASED PAYMENTS 
The calculation of the fair value of equity-settled share based awards and the resulting charge to the statement of 
comprehensive income requires assumptions to be made regarding future events and market conditions. These 
assumptions include the future volatility of the Company’s share price. These assumptions are then applied to a 
recognised valuation model in order to calculate the fair value of the awards. 

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
The Company holds investments that have been designated as held at fair value through profit or loss on initial 
recognition. Where practicable the Company determines the fair value of these financial instruments that are not 
quoted (Level 3) using the most recent bid price at which a transaction has been carried out. These techniques 
are  significantly  affected  by  certain  key  assumptions,  such  as  market  liquidity.    Other  valuation  methodologies 
such as discounted cash flow analysis assess estimates of future cash flows and it is important to recognize that 
in that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot always be substantiated by comparison with independent 
markets and, in many cases, may not be capable of being realized immediately. 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

2 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE 

The financial statements comply with IFRS as adopted by the European Union.  The following new and revised 
Standards and Interpretations have been adopted in the current period by the Company for the first time and do 
not have a material impact on the Company. 

IFRS 5, IFRS 7, IAS 19 

Amendments resulting from September 2014 Annual Improvements to IFRSs 

IAS 1 

Amendments resulting from the disclosure initiative 

A number of new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations have been issued but are not yet 
effective  and  not  early  adopted.  None  of  these  are  expected  to  have  a  significant  effect  on  the  Company’s 
financial statements. 

INVESTMENT INCOME 

Dividend  income  from  financial  assets  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  is  recognised  in  the  statement  of 
comprehensive income on an ex-dividend basis. Interest on fixed interest debt securities is recognised using the 
effective interest rate method.  

TAXATION 

Current income tax assets and/or liabilities comprise those obligations to, or claims from, fiscal authorities relating 
to the current or prior reporting period, that are unpaid at the balance sheet date. They are calculated according to 
the tax rates and tax laws applicable to the fiscal periods to which they relate, based on the taxable result for the 
year. All changes to current tax assets or liabilities are recognized as a component of tax expense in the income 
statement. 

Deferred  income  taxes  are  calculated  using  the  liability  method  on  temporary  differences.  This  involves  the 
comparison  of  the  carrying  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  with  their 
respective tax bases.  However, deferred tax is not provided on the initial recognition of goodwill, nor on the initial 
recognition  of  an  asset  or  liability,  unless  the  related  transaction  is  a  business  combination  or  affects  tax  or 
accounting profit.  In addition, tax losses available to be carried forward as well as other income tax credits to the 
Company are assessed for recognition as deferred tax assets. 

Deferred  tax  liabilities  are  always  provided  for  in  full.  Deferred  tax  assets  are  recognised  to  the  extent  that  it  is 
probable  that  they  will  be  able  to  be  offset  against  future  taxable  income.  Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are 
calculated,  without  discounting,  at  tax  rates  that  are  expected  to  apply  to  their  respective  period  of  realisation, 
provided they are enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. 

Most changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised as a component of tax expense in the income 
statement. Only changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities that relate to a change in value of assets or liabilities 
that is charged directly to equity are charged or credited directly to equity. 

FINANCIAL ASSETS 

The  Company's  financial  assets  comprise  investments  held  for  trading,  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and 
receivables, and are recognised in the Company’s statement of financial position when the Company becomes a 
party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

2 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

INVESTMENTS HELD AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS 

All  investments  are  designated  upon  initial  recognition  as  held  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  (FVTPL). 
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Assets are de-recognised at the trade date of the 
disposal. Investments are initially measured at fair value plus incidental acquisition costs. Subsequently, they are 
measured at fair value in accordance with IFRS 9. This is either the bid price or the last traded price, depending on 
the convention of the exchange on which the investment is quoted. The fair value of the financial instruments in the 
balance  sheet  is  based  on  the  quoted  bid  price  at  the  balance  sheet  date,  with  no  deduction  for  any  estimated 
future selling cost.   Where practicable unquoted investments are valued by the directors using primary valuation 
techniques such as recent transactions, last price and net asset value.  Changes in the fair value of investments 
held  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  and  gains  and  losses  on  disposal  are  recognised  in  the  Statement  of 
Comprehensive Income as “Net change in fair value of investments” 

ASSOCIATED UNDERTAKINGS 

Associated  undertakings  are  those  entities  in  which  the  Company  has  significant  influence,  but  not  control,  over 
the financial and operating policies.  Investments  that are held as part of the Company’s investment portfolio are 
carried in the statement of financial position at fair value even though the Company may have significant influence 
over  those  companies.  This  treatment  is  permitted  by  IAS  28  “Investment  in  Associates”,  which  requires 
investments  held  by  a  company  as  a  venture  capital  provider  to  be  excluded  from  its  scope  where  those 
investments  are  designated,  upon  initial  recognition,  as  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  and  accounted  for  in 
accordance with IAS 39, with changes in fair value recognised in the statement of comprehensive income in the 
period of the change.  The Company has no interests in associates through which it carries on its business. 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, together with other short-term, highly 
liquid  investments  that  are  readily  convertible  into  known  amounts  of  cash  and  which  are  subject  to  an 
insignificant risk of changes in value. 

LOANS AND RECEIVABLES 
Loans and receivable from third parties are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently carried at amortised 
cost using the effective interest rate method. 

A provision for impairment is made when there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that 
occurred  after  the  initial  recognition  of  the  financial  asset,  the estimated  future  cash  flows  have  been  affected. 
Impaired debts are derecognised when they are assessed as uncollectible. 

EQUITY 

An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting 
all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received net of direct 
issue costs. 

The  share  premium  account  represents  premiums  received  on  the  initial  issuing  of  the  share  capital.  Any 
transaction  costs  associated  with  the  issuing  of  shares  are  deducted  from  share  premium,  net  of  any  related 
income tax benefits. 

Shares to be issued represent the equity which the Company has committed to issue and which has been issued 
subsequent to the year end.  

The loan note reserve represents the value of the equity component of the nominal value of the loan notes issued. 

The capital reserve represents amounts arising in connection with reverse acquisitions. 

Retained  earnings  include  all  current  and  prior  period  results  as  disclosed  in  the  statement  of  comprehensive 
income together with the cumulative amount of share based expenses transferred to equity. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

2 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES 

Financial  liabilities  are  recognised  in  the  Company’s  balance  sheet  when  the  Company  becomes  a  party  to  the 
contractual provisions of the instrument.  All interest related charges are recognised as an expense in finance cost 
in the income statement using the effective interest rate method.   

The Company's financial liabilities comprise convertible loan notes, and trade and other payables.   

The fair value of the liability portion of the convertible loan notes is determined using a market interest rate for an 
equivalent  non-convertible  loan  note.    This  amount  is  recorded  as  a  liability  on  an  amortised  cost  basis  until 
extinguished  on  conversion  or  maturity  of  the  loan  notes.    The  remainder  of  the  proceeds  is  allocated  to  the 
conversion option, which is recognised and included in shareholders’ equity, net of tax effects.  

Trade  payables  are  recognised  initially  at  their  fair  value  and  subsequently  measured  at  amortised  cost  less 
settlement payments. 

SHARE BASED PAYMENTS 

The Company operates equity settled share based remuneration plans for the remuneration of its employees. 

All services received in exchange for the grant of any share based remuneration are measured at their fair values. 
These  are  indirectly  determined  by  reference  to  the  fair  value  of  the  share  options  awarded.  Their  value  is 
appraised  at  the  grant  date  and  excludes  the  impact  of  any  non-market  vesting  conditions  (for  example, 
profitability and sales growth targets). 

Share  based  payments  are  ultimately  recognised  as  an  expense  in  the  income  statement  with  a  corresponding 
credit  to  retained  earnings  in  equity,  net  of  deferred  tax  where  applicable.  If  vesting  periods  or  other  vesting 
conditions  apply,  the  expense  is  allocated  over  the  vesting  period,  based  on  the  best  available  estimate  of  the 
number of share options expected to vest. Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the 
number  of  options  that  are  expected  to  become  exercisable.  Estimates  are  subsequently  revised,  if  there  is  any 
indication  that  the  number  of  share  options  expected  to  vest  differs  from  previous  estimates.  No  adjustment  is 
made to the expense or share issue cost recognized in prior periods if fewer share options ultimately are exercised 
than originally estimated. 

Upon exercise of share options, the  proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction costs up to the 
nominal  value  of  the  shares  issued  are  allocated  to  share  capital  with  any  excess  being  recorded  as  share 
premium. 

Where  share  options  are  cancelled,  this  is  treated  as  an  acceleration  of  the  vesting  period  of  the  options.    The 
amount that otherwise would have been recognised for services received over the remainder of the vesting period 
is recognised immediately within profit or loss. 

FOREIGN CURRENCIES 

The  Directors  consider  Sterling  to  be  the  currency  that  most  faithfully  represents  the  economic  effects  of  the 
underlying  transactions,  events  and  conditions.   The  financial statements  are  presented  in  Sterling,  which  is  the 
Company’s functional and presentation currency. 

Foreign  currency  transactions  are  translated  into  Sterling  using  the  exchange  rates  prevailing  at  the  date  of  the 
transactions. Foreign currency exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and 
from  the  translation  of  monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign  currencies  at  year  end  exchange 
rates  are  recognised  in  the  income  statement.    Non-monetary  items  that  are  measured  at  historical  costs  in  a 
foreign currency are translated at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction.  Non-monetary items that are 
measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates at 
the date when the fair value was determined. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

2 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

SEGMENTAL REPORTING 

A segment is a distinguishable component of the Company's activities from which it may earn revenues and incur 
expenses,  whose  operating  results  are  regularly  reviewed  by  the  Company's  chief  operating  decision  maker  to 
make  decisions  about  the  allocation  of  resources  and  assessment  of  performance  and  about  which  discrete 
financial information is available. 

As the chief operating decision maker reviews financial information for and makes decisions about the Company's 
investment  activities  as  a  whole,  the  directors  have  identified  a  single  operating  segment,  that  of  holding  and 
trading in investments in natural resources, minerals, metals, and oil and gas projects.  The directors consider that 
it would not be appropriate to disclose any geographical analysis of the Company’s investments. 

3 

OPERATING PROFIT 

Profit from operations is arrived at after charging: 
 Auditors' remuneration: 
- fees payable to the Company's auditors and its  
  associates for the audit of the Company's financial  
  statements     

4 

EMPLOYEE REMUNERATION 

The expense recognised for employee benefits is analysed below: 

Wages and salaries 

2018 
£’000 

2016 
£’000 

12 

10 

2018 
£’000 

89 

89 

2016 
£’000 

67 

67 

Details of Directors’ employee benefits expense are included in the Report on Remuneration on page 11. 
Remuneration for key management of the Company, including amounts paid to Directors of the Company, is as 
follows: 

Short-term employee benefits 

2018 
£’000 

89 

89 

2016 
£’000 

67 

67 

5 

TAXATION 

No provision has been made in respect of current taxation or deferred taxation as the Company is domiciled in the 
Cayman Islands and no corporation tax is applicable. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

6 

EARNINGS PER SHARE 

The basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit/(loss) attributable to owners of the 
Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. 

Profit attributable to owners of the Company 
- Continuing and total operations 

2018 
£’000 

55 

2018 

 2016 
£’000 

111 

2016 

Weighted average number of shares for calculating basic and 
fully diluted earnings per share* 

33,661,491 

17,941,666 

Profit per share from continuing and total operations 
- Basic (pence per share) 
- Fully diluted (pence per share)* 

0.2 
0.2 

0.6 
0.6 

* The weighted average number of shares used for calculating the diluted loss per share is the same as that used 
for calculating the basic  loss per share as the effect of exercise of the outstanding share options  would be anti-
dilutive. 

7 

INVESTMENTS HELD AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS 

1 January  – Investments at fair value 
Cost of investment purchases  
Proceeds of investment disposals 
Loss on disposal of investments 
Fair value adjustment 

31 December  – Investments at fair value 

Categorised as: 
Level 1 - Quoted investments 
Level 3 - Unquoted investments 

2018 
£’000 

1,274 
1,806 
(1,124) 
(12) 
325 

2,269 

1,342 
927 

2,269 

2016 
£’000 

691 
392 
(95) 
(169) 
455 

1,274 

189 
1,085 

1,274 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

7 

INVESTMENTS HELD AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS (continued) 

The Company has adopted fair value measurements using the IFRS 7 fair value hierarchy 

Categorisation within the hierarchy has been determined on the basis of the lowest level of input that is significant 
to the fair value measurement of the relevant asset as follows: 

Level 1 – valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets 
Level 2 – valued by reference to valuation techniques using observable inputs other than quoted prices included 
in Level 1. 
Level  3  –  valued  by  reference  to  valuation  techniques  using  inputs  that  are  not  based  on  observable  market 
criteria. 

LEVEL 3 investments 

Reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurement of investments 

Brought forward 
Purchases 
Disposals 

Fair value adjustment 

Carried forward 

2018 
£’000 

1,085 
683 
(1,022) 
181 

927 

2016 
£’000 

515 
339 
− 
231 

1,085 

Level 3 valuation techniques used by the Company are explained on page 21 (Fair value of financial instruments) 

The Company’s  two largest Level 3 investments are Cap Energy plc. and TH Crestgate GmbH.  

CAP ENERGY PLC 

The  Company  has  a  1.3%  interest  in  Cap  Energy  which  has  been  valued  at  the  issue  price  of  shares  in  Cap 
Energy’s last fund raise in March 2016.   

TH CRESTGATE GMBH (“THC”) 

Investments in THC include both debt and equity instruments which are carried at cost.  

The  Company  has  a  49%  interest  in  THC.    While  the  directors  consider  that  the  fair  value  of  the  Company’s 
interest in THC is in excess of cost its underlying assets are at an early stage of development and so a fair value 
is difficult to determine. 

8 

TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES 

Prepayments 

Total 

2018 
£’000 

10 

10 

2016 
£’000 

7 

7 

The  fair  value  of  trade  and  other  receivables  is  considered  by  the  Directors  not  to  be  materially  different  to 
carrying amounts. 

At the balance sheet date in 2018 and 2016 there were no trade and other receivables past due. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

9 

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 

Trade payables 
Other payables 
Accrued charges 

Total 

2018 
£’000 

18 
18 
32 

68 

2016 
£’000 

25 
7 
18 

50 

The fair value of trade and other payables is considered by the Directors not to be materially different to carrying 
amounts. 

10 

CONVERTIBLE UNSECURED LOAN NOTES 
The  outstanding  convertible  loan  notes  are  zero  coupon,  unsecured  and  unless  previously  purchased  or 
converted they are redeemable at their principal amount at any time on or after 31 December 2014. 

The  net  proceeds  from  the  issue  of  the  loan  notes  have  been  split  between  the  liability  element  and  an  equity 
component, representing the fair value of the embedded option to convert the liability into equity of the Company 
as follows: 

Liability component at beginning and end of period 

2018 
£’000 

10 

2016 
£’000 

10 

The  Directors  estimate  the  fair  value  of  the  liability  component  of  the  loan  notes  at  30  June  2018  to  be 
approximately £10,000 (2016: £10,000) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

11 

SHARE OPTIONS 

  On 31 January 2017 the Company granted 600,000 options to directors and employees, exercisable at 7.50p 
per  share.    At  the  year  end  all  these  options  had  vested  and  are  exercisable  at  any  time  prior  to  the  fifth 
anniversary of the date of grant.  

The fair value of the options granted during the year was determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model.  
The significant inputs to the model in respect of the options were as follows: 

  Date of grant 
  Share price at date of grant 
  Exercise price per share 
  No. of options 
  Risk free rate 
  Expected volatility 
  Life of option 
  Calculated fair value per share 

31 January 2017 

5.50p 

7.50p 

600,000 

1.0% 

50% 

5 years 

1.9245p 

The share based payment charge for the year was £11,000 (2016: £Nil).   

The movements on share options and their weighted average exercise price are as follows: 

  2018 

2016 

Outstanding at 1 January  
Granted 

Exercised 

Number 

500,000 
600,000 

(295,000) 

Outstanding at  30 June/ 31 December 

805,000 

Weighted 
average  
exercise price 
(pence) 

7.89 
7.50 

7.45 

7.65 

Weighted 
average  
exercise price 
(pence) 

7.89 

− 

− 

7.89 

Number 

500,000 

− 

− 

500,000 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

12 

SHARE CAPITAL 

AUTHORISED  

At 31 December 2016 and 30 June 2018 
Ordinary shares of 1p each 

Deferred shares of 24p each 

ISSUED AND FULLY PAID  

At 31 December 2015: 

Ordinary shares of 1p each 

Deferred shares of 24p each 

Ordinary shares issued in year 

At 31 December 2016: 

Ordinary shares of 1p each 

Deferred shares of 24p each 

Ordinary shares issued in period 

At 30 June 2018: 

Ordinary shares of 1p each 

Deferred shares of 24p each 

Number of 
 shares 

Nominal  
Value 
£’000 

Share 
 premium 
£’000 

160,000,000 

35,000,000 

14,034,562 

11,435,062 

10,000,000 

24,034,562 

11,435,062 

11,003,333 

35,037,895 

11,435,062 

1,600 

8,400 

10,000 

140 

2,745 

2,885 

100 

240 

2,745 

2,985 

110 

350 

2,745 

3,095 

4,559 

375 

4,934 

952 

5,886 

The restricted rights of the deferred shares are such that they have no economic value.  

On  20  February  2017,  4,375,000  new  ordinary  shares  were  issued  for  cash  at  8p  per  share  as  the  result  of  a 
private placing. 

On 28 February 2017, 3,000,000 new ordinary shares were issued for cash at 10p per share as the result of a 
private placing. 

On  17  March  2017,  3,333,333  new  ordinary  shares  were  issued  for  cash  at  15p  per  share  as  the  result  of  a 
private placing. 

On 21 December 2017, 110,000 shares and 185,000 shares were issued for cash at 7.5p and 7.89p respectively 
as the result of the exercise of options. 

13 

LOAN NOTE EQUITY RESERVE 

Equity component of convertible loan notes at 1 January 

Equity component of convertible loan notes at 30 June/ 31 December 

2018 
£’000 

6 

6 

2016 
£’000 

6 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

14 

RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES 

The  Company  is  exposed  to  a  variety  of  financial  risks  which  result  from  both  its  operating  and  investing 
activities.  The Company’s risk management is coordinated by the board of directors, and focuses on actively 
securing the Company’s short to medium term cash flows by minimising the exposure to financial markets. 

MARKET PRICE RISK 
The Company’s exposure to market price risk mainly arises from potential movements in the fair value of its 
investments.    The  Company  manages  this  price  risk  within  its  long-term  investment  strategy  to  manage  a 
diversified exposure to the market.  If each of the Company’s equity investments were to experience a rise or 
fall  of  10%  in  their  fair  value,  this  would  result  in  the  Company’s  net  asset  value  and  statement  of 
comprehensive income increasing or decreasing by £228,000 ( 2016:  £127,000). 

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK 
The  Company’s  exposure  to  foreign  currencies  is  limited  to  its  investments  which  are  quoted  on  overseas 
stock markets in currencies other than Pounds Sterling and is not material. 

CREDIT RISK 
The Company's financial instruments, which are exposed to credit risk, are considered to be mainly cash and 
cash  equivalents  and  the  Company’s  receivables  are  not  material.    The  credit  risk  for  cash  and  cash 
equivalents is not considered material since the counterparties are reputable banks. 

The Company's exposure to credit risk is limited to the carrying amount of the financial assets recognised at 
the balance sheet date, as summarised below: 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Other receivables 

2018 
£’000 

422 

− 

422 

2016 
£’000 

274 

− 

274 

LIQUIDITY RISK 
Liquidity  risk  is  managed  by  means  of  ensuring  sufficient  cash  and  cash  equivalents  are  held  to  meet  the 
Company’s payment obligations arising from administrative expenses.   

CAPITAL RISK MANAGEMENT 
The Company's objectives when managing capital are: 

• 

• 
• 

to  safeguard  the  Company  's  ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern,  so  that  it  continues  to  provide 
returns and benefits for shareholders; 
to support the Company 's growth; and 
to provide capital for the purpose of strengthening the Company 's risk management capability. 

The Company actively and regularly reviews and manages its capital structure to ensure an optimal capital 
structure and equity holder returns, taking into consideration the future capital requirements of the Company 
and capital efficiency, prevailing and projected profitability, projected operating cash flows, projected capital 
expenditures and projected strategic investment opportunities.   Management regards total equity as capital 
and reserves, for capital management purposes. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30  Mineral & Financial Investments Limited 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
FOR THE 18 MONTH PERIOD TO 30 June 2018 

15 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

FINANCIAL ASSETS BY CATEGORY 
The  IAS  39  categories  of  financial  assets  included  in  the  balance  sheet  and  the  headings  in  which  they  are 
included are as follows: 

Financial assets: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Investments held at fair value through profit and loss 

2018 
£'000 

422 
2,269 
2,691 

2016 
£'000 

274 
1,274 
1,548 

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES BY CATEGORY 
The  IAS  39  categories  of  financial  liability  included  in  the  balance  sheet  and  the  headings  in  which  they  are 
included are as follows: 

Financial liabilities at amortised cost: 
Convertible unsecured loan notes 
Trade and other payables 

2018 
£'000 

10 
36 
46 

2016 
£'000 

10 
32 
42 

16 

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL COMMITMENTS 

There were no contingent liabilities or capital commitments at 30 June 2018 or 31 December 2016. 

17 

POST YEAR END EVENTS 

There have been no material post year end events. 

18 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Details  of  the  directors’  remuneration  and  the  options  granted  to  directors  are  disclosed  in  the  remuneration 
report on page 11. 

19 

ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY 

The Directors do not consider there to be a single ultimate controlling party. 

1.1