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Polymetal International

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FY2019 Annual Report · Polymetal International
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Polymetal International plc
Annual Report 2019

 Performance
Technology
 Growth

Polymetal International plc is a leading 
precious metals mining group, operating in 
Russia and Kazakhstan. A major employer 
in its regions of operation, Polymetal is 
one of the most sustainability- and 
responsibility-driven companies in 
the sector.

2019 was an excellent year for our Company. 
We delivered on our promises, and strengthened 
our options for future growth.

Contents
Achieving excellence 
in all we do

Achieving outstanding performance in Kyzyl

10

Building growth

14

This was an exciting year for 
Polymetal with remarkable 
achievements at Kyzyl and 
further advancement of our 
growth pipeline.

  Read more on page 04

Leveraging capabilities in POX-2

12

Integrating sustainability 
throughout

08

Strategic report
Board Chair’s statement  
Group CEO statement  
At a glance  
Where we operate  
Business model  
Market review  
Our strategy  
Capital allocation  
Key performance indicators  
Operating review  
Sustainability  
Financial review  
Risks and risk management  

Governance
Board of Directors  
88
Senior management  
90
Board Chair’s letter  
92
Corporate governance  
93
Audit and Risk Committee report  
104
Nomination Committee report  
110
Safety and Sustainability Committee report   114
Remuneration report  
116
Directors’ report  
141

02
04
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
50
64
78

Financial statements
Directors’ responsibility statement  
Independent auditor’s report  
Consolidated financial statements  
Notes to the consolidated 
  financial statements  
Alternative performance measures  

Appendices
Ore reserves and mineral resources  
Group production statistics  
Financial highlights  
Glossary 
Shareholder information  

146
148
154

158
206

208
218
219
 220
224

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 01 

2nd largest

gold producer in Russia

9 operations

in Russia and Kazakhstan

The only gold mining company in 

FTSE 100
2 major

development projects

1st

pressure oxidation plant in FSU

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESBoard Chair’s statement
Enhancing market opportunities

Investment case
Six reasons to invest in Polymetal

Polymetal shows a consistent approach towards achieving 
its key strategic goals with the focus on mine life extensions 
across mature assets and further greenfield development, as 
well as continuing to maintain a track record of substantial 
dividend flow to our shareholders. By generating a healthy 
free cash flow of $299 million during the year, we were able 
to pay out dividends totalling $240 million in 2019 while our 
dividend yield over the last five years has averaged 5%1. The 
Board proposes a final dividend for 2019 of $0.42 per share. 
The Company will also pay out $94 million in special 
dividends in March 2020.

Building a sustainable future 
We continue to emphasise the importance of corporate 
governance, recognising the role it has to play in reinforcing the 
excellent credentials that Polymetal has as a safe investment. 
Our operational achievements are also underpinned by the 
value that we place on the environmental, social and 
governance (ESG) issues that have increasingly become the 
focus of society in general and our industry in particular. Our 
progress is largely driven by a strong corporate culture and 
has contributed to Polymetal’s international recognition as a 
leading ESG exponent within Russia and the CIS. In 2019, the 
Company was reaffirmed as a member of the Dow Jones 
Sustainability and FTSE4Good indices.

Our biggest failure of the year is having to report two 
Polymetal employee fatalities and one contractor fatality 
in the workplace. Attaining zero fatalities remains a core 
goal and this is underpinned by the KPI structure, which 
maintains a penalty factor for fatal accidents of up to 50% 
of annual bonus earned for non-safety related KPIs.

Looking ahead
Finally, I would like to thank management and employees 
for their commitment and for delivering a solid set of results, 
and also to say thank you to my Board colleagues for their 
support throughout the year. 

The outlook for the gold market in 2020 remains positive 
due to the continued uncertainty in the geopolitical and 
global macroeconomic situation, low interest rates and the 
momentum created by significant purchases of gold reserves 
by central banks. At Polymetal, we are well positioned to take 
advantage of these favourable conditions.

Ian Cockerill
Board Chair

1 

Including special dividend for FY2019 paid in March 2020 and proposed final 
dividend for FY2019.

Our operational achievements are 
underpinned by the value that we 
place on environmental, social and 
governance issues.

This year marks the start of my tenure as Chair of Polymetal. 
I am both delighted and privileged to take over the helm of 
such a great company, while acknowledging the sterling 
efforts of my predecessor, Bobby Godsell, who stood down 
at the last Annual General Meeting.

My first impressions since joining the Company are extremely 
favourable. Run by a solid, experienced, commercially and 
operationally astute management team, Polymetal already 
has a great suite of assets in its portfolio and an impressive 
project pipeline that will ensure the future growth of the 
business. I am also impressed by the emphasis on capital 
discipline and the long-term view of investing in high-grade 
projects that offer both returns on capital and sustainable 
dividends for our investors. 

Great achievements in 2019
This is further borne out by the confidence that capital 
market participants have in Polymetal: buying into the vision, 
commitment, hard work, exceptional track record and 
consistent delivery on guidance and promises that the 
Company demonstrates; thereby, making it one of the 
best performing gold stocks in 2019. This also led to our 
re-admittance to the FTSE 100 Index on the London Stock 
Exchange in September.

The Kyzyl project is a remarkable story of Polymetal 
succeeding where others have failed. In 2019, the updated 
ore reserves estimate added eight years to the life of mine 
and, with 343 Koz of annual gold production and $355 million 
of Adjusted EBITDA, Kyzyl is now the largest contributor to 
the Company’s robust performance. Our key development 
projects Nezhda and POX-2 remain on track and on budget. 

02 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Within its sector, Polymetal has acquired the reputation of achieving operational 
excellence and developing a growth pipeline that is the envy of its peers, resulting 
in consistent delivery of significant dividends to its shareholders. With its focus on 
high-grade assets and leading competence in the treatment of refractory ores allied 
with strong capital discipline and exemplary governance, the Company continues to 
create sustainable value.

1 Focus on high-grade assets

Return on investment in the precious 
metals industry is reliant on grades and mining 
conditions. We achieve better returns and lower 
risks from our project portfolio by setting 
appropriate thresholds on head grades 
and largely focusing on open-pit mines.

2 Leading competence in 

treatment of refractory ores
Polymetal has been developing refractory ore 
deposits since 2007. Our pressure oxidation 
(POX) processing hub in Amursk, which is 
now undergoing a major expansion, was key 
to extracting value from Albazino, Mayskoye, 
and, more recently, Kyzyl, as well as Nezhda in 
the near future. Moreover, as more and more 
gold resources globally tend to be refractory, 
our technological expertise in environmentally 
friendly refractory ore processing will be a key 
strategic advantage, including being in the 
market buying third party feedstock.

3 Strong capital discipline

We engender a strong focus on capital 
discipline throughout the business; maximising 
risk-adjusted return on capital is our priority in 
all investment decisions. We do not retain 
excess cash and return free cash flow to 
shareholders through substantial dividend 
payments while maintaining a safe 
leverage level.

4 Exemplary governance

We believe that good corporate governance 
is key to the ongoing success of the business 
and value creation for our stakeholders. We are 
compliant with all regulatory requirements and 
are recognised as sustainability leaders in 
Russia and Kazakhstan, adopting best 
practice in nurturing relationships with all 
of our stakeholders in government, industry, 
and the communities where we operate.

5 Investing in exploration

Investment in both greenfield and near-mine 
exploration provides us with a cost-effective 
increase in our reserve base and, along with 
successful acquisitions, is the key source of 
our long-term growth.

6 Operational excellence

We pride ourselves on our operational 
excellence and delivering on our promises 
to shareholders. Despite difficult trading 
conditions, we beat our production guidance 
for the eighth consecutive year.

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 03 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESGroup CEO statement
Kyzyl – a key driver for the business

Our decision to invest in Kyzyl was re-affirmed yet again 
with the latest ore reserves update: an increase of 1.3 Moz, 
up by 18%, with the bulk coming from open-pit. Total cash 
costs were tracking at $399/GE oz, 11% below budget, 
driven by lower mining costs, as well as reduced processing 
costs with plant throughput increasing to 2.0 million tonnes.

Long-term value creation
The success at Kyzyl, together with a robust performance 
at other mines, has enabled us to progress our longer-term 
development pipeline and ensure a steady stream of 
dividends. With permitting completed and government 
approval for Nezhda, mining and construction are both 
on schedule.

Our large-scale downstream project, POX-2 in Amursk, 
was approved for construction in February 2019 and will 
process concentrates from Kyzyl, Nezhda, Mayskoye and 
Voro. From the second half of 2023, POX-2 is expected to 
generate significant economic benefits as all refractory 
concentrates will be processed in-house. The project 
incorporates several important design features that will 
minimise its environmental impact. 

In 2019, following an extensive exploration campaign, 
Polymetal more than doubled ore reserves to 2.8 Moz 
of gold at the Veduga gold deposit. Given the type of 
mineralisation, high grade and location, we have decided 
that the project has the potential to become our next 
growth project rather than a candidate for outright sale.

Prognoz, located relatively close to Nezhda, is one of 
the top three undeveloped silver deposits in the world. We 
completed the preliminary design stage and geotechnical 
drilling to establish the optimum site for the construction of 
a concentrator, and we are aiming for an initial ore reserves 
estimate in 2020. 

Successful exploration results with the subsequent 
re-evaluation of ore reserves at Kyzyl, Veduga and Kutyn, 
helped grow our reserve base by 5%, without diluting the 
average grade.

Exemplary record on sustainability
Sustainability remains a key pillar of our strategy. Our major 
initiatives include transitioning our mines to dry tailings, 
reducing our fresh water usage and carbon footprint, 
electrification of our fleet at certain mines and our first 
investments in renewable energy at remote operations. 

In 2019, we achieved a 26% decrease in fresh water 
consumption, and remain committed to gradually increasing 
the share of water reused in our processing cycle. 

This was an exciting year for Polymetal 
with remarkable achievements at Kyzyl 
and further advancement of our growth 
pipeline. Once again, we delivered on 
our targets, resulting in strong free 
cash flow and record EBITDA and net 
profit for the year. 

Kyzyl has performed very strongly since its start-up in 2018, 
surpassing both our own guidance and feasibility study 
projections. In 2019, it was the key driver behind our excellent 
operating results, contributing 343 Koz towards the total 
Group production of 1,614 GE Koz, which represents 3% 
growth and exceeds our original production guidance of 
1.55 Moz.

This also helped underpin our strong financial results 
for the year, which were additionally supported by 
favourable gold prices: a record net profit of $483 million 
and Adjusted EBITDA of $1,075 million. Polymetal generated 
a healthy level of free cash flow, totalling $299 million, and 
declared a substantial dividend of $385 million for 2019 
($0.82 per share).

$1,075m

Adjusted EBITDA1
2018: $780m
+38%

1  Defined in the Alternative performance measures section on pages 206–207.

A successful year: 
Outstanding performance supported by 
sustainable development across the business

Operating responsibly:
Integrating 
sustainability 
throughout

  Read more on page 08

Kyzyl:
Outstanding 
performance

  Read more on page 10

Amursk POX-2:
Leveraging core 
expertise for 
value creation

  Read more on page 12

Nezhda:
Building  
growth

  Read more on page 14

The other important milestone is a shift towards safer 
methods of waste storage, particularly dry-stack tailings. 
This technology significantly reduces the probability of dam 
failure and minimises potential damages in the event of an 
accident. It is already in operation at Amursk and Voro, and 
will be extended to Nezhda, Prognoz, POX-2 and Omolon. 

However, sadly, I have to report two Polymetal 
employee fatalities and one contractor fatality and send my 
condolences to the families and friends of these colleagues. 
The safety of our employees remains paramount and we 
continue to evolve our safeguarding procedures in order to 
prevent further incidents. We will not be satisfied until we 
achieve our target of zero fatalities. From 2020 and 
onwards, significant safety-related changes have been 
made to the remuneration structure for all levels of 
Company management. 

Looking to the future
In 2020–2021, we anticipate that production will remain 
roughly flat at 1.6 Moz. Following the launch of Nezhda in 
the second half of 2021, we expect a resumption of growth 
that will enable us to deliver 1.85 Moz by 2023.

At Kyzyl, we expect continued high grades with sustained 
and stable production, making it our most significant 
contributor to free cash flow. Construction will continue at 
Nezhda and POX-2 as will development activities at Prognoz 
and Viksha. At Veduga, the focus will be on the ore reserves 
estimate with a target of achieving at least 5.0 Moz by 2021. 

Meanwhile, we will continue to invest in greenfield 
exploration to find virgin deposits in the Former Soviet 
Union, mostly through partnerships with junior explorers. 
We will also divest additional non-core assets in 2020. This 
supports Polymetal’s ambitions for management to focus 
on long-life, low-cost production within its core operations 
and projects. 

None of this could have been achieved without the 
commitment of our employees. I thank them for their efforts 
and look forward to their support in helping Polymetal realise 
its future goals.

Vitaly Nesis
Group CEO

04 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 05 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
Sustained success:
Delivered by a 
purpose-driven 
culture

Once again, we have delivered on our promises 
with an excellent set of results based on our 
strongly purpose-driven culture. In particular, 
Kyzyl, our flagship project, fulfilled its potential, 
and our investments in the Company’s future 
pipeline were also on track.

A very successful year
Delivering on our promises and commitment to sustainable cash 
returns to our shareholders is a distinguishing feature of Polymetal in 
the sector. Our production guidance has been exceeded for the 
eighth year in a row. Strong earnings during the period reflect 
solid operational delivery and, most notably, excellent results from 
Kyzyl. We are also fully on track with the construction of our Nezhda 
and POX-2 development projects. Strong operating performance 
and a favourable commodity price environment enabled us to both 
finance these projects and generate significant free cash flow during 
2019. This, in turn, allowed us to sustain a sector-leading dividend 
yield and provide cash returns to our shareholders through regular 
and special dividends, while ensuring that the leverage ratio remains 
at our target level. 

   Culture, purpose and values – pages 02, 20, 99

  Operating review – pages 32–49

  Financial review – pages 64–77

ROBUST PERFORMANCE
PRODUCTION (KOZ GE)

1,550 1,562

1,550

1,614

1,433

1,400

1,267

1,260 1,269

1,220

1,600

1,500

1,400

1,300

1,200

1,100

1,000

900

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Guidance

Actual

06 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Image: Smelting at Voro

$483m 

Net profit
2018: $355m

$385m 

Dividends proposed
2018: $223m

TRANSLATING PRODUCTION INTO DIVIDENDS
($)

We are pleased to report record earnings and 
solid free cash flow for the year underpinned 
by a robust operating performance and strong 
commodity prices. We have also advanced our 
key strategic projects, reduced net debt and paid 
substantial dividends.

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.62

0.60

0.51

0.54

0.51

0.47

0.39

0.37

0.33 0.32

Vitaly Nesis
Group CEO

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Free cash flow $/share

Dividends paid, $/share

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 07 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESOperating responsibly:
Integrating 
sustainability 
throughout

Below: Solar power 
plant at Svetloye

26%

decrease in fresh water consumption

39%

female qualified personnel

0.19

LTIFR
2018: 0.09

$15m 

invested in local communities
2018: $10m

Tailings storage facilities
Polymetal operates nine tailings storage facilities (TSF) 
at operating mine sites in Russia and Kazakhstan, as well as 
two dry-stack facilities. In 2019, tailings storage came under 
the spotlight within our sector. Despite Polymetal having zero 
environmental incidents in this area in 2019 and being in 
compliance with local and international TSF design and 
maintenance standards, we welcomed pressure from 
investors to add extra safeguards to avoid future incidents. 
We have announced our commitment to move towards 
dry-stack storage facilities, to deploy this technology at all 
new sites and dispose of 15% of all our tailings as dry 
stacks by 2024. 

  Read more on sustainability on pages 50–63

Polymetal’s strategy and culture places great emphasis on 
integrating sustainability and maintaining good governance 
practices to create long-term value for all of its stakeholders.

Global climate change
We fully recognise that climate change requires us to be more 
resilient and carbon neutral. This means innovating in extraction 
methods that minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, 
while adapting to a changing climate. Market volatility related 
to climate risks is likely to increase and be on the agenda of 
investors. Our newly adopted Climate Management System 
is at the heart of our approach to mitigation of the potential 
impacts of climate change at our sites.

Diversity 
We believe that workforce diversity is a strength and we 
are deeply committed to equal opportunities and terms of 
employment. We actively recruit people on merit, eliminating 
any discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, religion, 
political opinions, nationality or social origin. In particular, we 
aim to create the right conditions for the greater inclusion of 
women within both our workforce and leadership team.

By focusing on responsible mining and 
production, we are able to contribute both 
to our stakeholders and the natural world.

Vitaly Savchenko
Chief Operating Officer

Left: A quality 
inspector at Voro

08 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 09 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESKyzyl:
Outstanding 
performance

  Read more on Kyzyl on page 36

Key performance figures

TCC, $/GE oz

AISC, $/GE oz

Gold production, Koz

Grade, g/t

Throughput, Mtpa

1  Open-pit mining.

Forecast in feasibility study 2015

Delivered

5621

5811

325

6.9

1.8

399

514

344

7.1

2.0

8.2 Moz

Reserves of GE at 6.3 g/t

27 years

Life of mine

343 GE Koz

Production
2018: 96 GE Koz
+257%

$514/GE oz 

AISC
-38%

Exceptional delivery
In 2019, Kyzyl was the key driver behind 
our excellent operating results, with the 
largest contribution of 343 Koz towards 
Group total production of 1,614 GE Koz, 
and delivering Adjusted EBITDA of $355 
million, one-third of the Group’s total.

These robust operating results 
had a positive impact on the Group’s 
cost level: Kyzyl total cash costs were 
tracking at $399/GE oz and AISC at 
$514/GE oz, significantly below the 
Company’s average and feasibility 
study levels, and down 28% year-on-
year as the mine delivered in excess of 
its design capacity and planned grade. 

Polymetal’s important development project Kyzyl 
made a substantial contribution to our robust operating 
performance in 2019, its first full year of operation.

Exceeding all expectations
Kyzyl has performed very strongly since 
its start-up and in 2019, it outperformed 
budget on throughput, grade and 
production. The processing plant is 
now running at a rate of 2.0 Mt per 
annum – above its nameplate capacity 
of 1.8 Mt per annum. We have also 
incorporated the recent drilling results 
into an updated reserve, extending 
open-pit life-of-mine at this flagship 
operation. The updated ore reserves 
estimate comprised an 18% increase in 
gold contained compared with reserves 
as at the end of 2018. Total life-of-mine 
is extended by eight years to 2047 with 
open-pit mining now ending in 2031.

ORE PROCESSED
(KT)

550

525

500

475

476

512

502

510

Q1 2019

Q2 2019

Q3 2019

Q4 2019

GOLD IN CONCENTRATE
(KOZ)

92

96

106

110

100

95

80

65

Q1 2019

Q2 2019

Q3 2019

Q4 2019

Kyzyl is our undisputed 
success story. It delivered 
a robust performance in 
2019, exceeding the initial 
plan on grade, throughput 
and production.

Vitaly Savchenko
Chief Operating Officer

10 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 11 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESAmursk POX-2:
Leveraging core expertise 
for value creation

  Read more on Amursk POX on pages 41, 102–103

Key project milestones

2019

2020

2021

2022

Start of detailed engineering 
and construction

Receipt of all permits, 
delivery of the autoclave 
on site

Completion of civil 
construction works

Start of commissioning 
activities

2023

Full ramp-up

Leveraging our core technical capabilities, de-risking our 
business model and creating substantial value with POX-2. 

fully compliant with the International 
Cyanide Management Code. POX-2 also 
fits well with our sustainable development 
strategy, incorporating important design 
features to minimise its environmental 
impact such as dry tailings storage and 
closed water circuit.

Stakeholder engagement
Engaging with local stakeholders to ensure 
that their interests are taken into account 
has been an integral part of the Board’s 
decision-making and approval of 
POX-2 construction. 

18%

IRR*
*risked upside case

250–300 Ktpa

Concentrate capacity

9.0 Moz

Life-of-mine gold production

$100–150/oz

Averaged impact on costs reduction

Core technical capabilities
Emerging trends in the global gold 
mining industry, with more and more 
resources being refractory, make POX-2 
crucial to Polymetal’s long-term strategy. 
The project will ensure the strategic 
security of downstream processing 
as environmental regulations tighten in 
China, as well as creating capacity for 
the treatment of third-party refractory 
concentrates. POX-2 will process 
double refractory concentrates from 
Kyzyl, Nezhda, Mayskoye and Voro. 
After its start-up in 2H 2023, POX-2 
is expected to generate significant 
long-term economic benefits due to 
lower in-house processing costs 
and higher recoveries vs third-
party offtakers.

In 2019, the Amursk POX plant became 
the second gold production operation 
in Russia and the FSU to be certified as 

POX-2 will unlock the value of Polymetal’s 
substantial refractory reserve base while 
also having positive environmental, social 
and economic impacts.

Valery Tsyplakov
Managing Director, Polymetal Engineering

GOLD PRODUCTION THROUGH AMURSK POX 
(KOZ)

1,000

800

600

400

200

443

347

POX-2

POX-1

2018

2019

With POX-2

Albazino

Mayskoye 

Kyzyl

3rd party

OUR ORE TYPES
(%)

32

32

36

100

80

60

40

20

38

14

48

55

22

23

2019 
Production

2023
Production

Ore 
Reserves

Non refractory

Single refractory 

Double refractory

12 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 13 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESNezhda:
Building growth

  Read more on Nezhda on page 47

Key project milestones

2019

2020

2021

Start of construction, first ore 
mined

Construction and 
commissioning of power plant 
completed

Mechanical completion, 
commissioning activities and 
first production

2022

Full ramp-up

A world-class long-life gold deposit with robust economics. 
First production is planned for Q4 2021 with full ramp-up 
by Q2 2022.

29%

IRR*
*At $1,200 gold price

4.4 Moz 

Reserves of GE at 3.6 g/t

25 years

Life of mine

155–180 GE Koz

Expected annual production

Below: The Nezhda plant.

A world-class gold deposit
Nezhda is a long-life, high-grade asset with robust 
economics. The project is capital light and will contribute 
to shareholder dividends in 2022. 

The proved and probable ore reserves are 38 Mt, at an 
average grade of 3.6 g/t GE per 4.4 Moz of GE contained. 
Mineral resources comprise 8.1 Moz of GE with an average 
GE grade of 5.1 g/t.

The feasibility study envisions 25 years of production 
from 2021 to 2045. This is based on a conventional 
1.8 Mtpa flotation concentrator with a gravity concentration 
circuit. Annual production during the first full three years of 
operation will be 180 Koz, with 155 Koz average annual gold 
production during the first 15 years of open-pit operation.

Construction activities
Construction started in March 2019. During the year, 
we completed permitting and received final government 
approval for Nezhda, and we completed the processing 
plant building metalworks and winterisation. All equipment 
is now contracted, and mining and construction are both on 
schedule. As of the year-end, 45% of the work at Nezhda 
had been completed, and we are positive about completing 
this project on time and within budget. 

Above: Site of the Nezhda mine.

NEZHDA PROJECT COMPLETION SCORECARD

Construction at 
Nezhda is progressing 
on schedule and, as of 
the year-end, about 45% 
had been completed.

Roman Shestakov
Deputy CEO, Project development 
and construction

Engineering

Contracting

Equipment 
delivery

Construction

Main building / 
Processing plant

90%

80%

70%

55%

Ore preparation 
complex

100%

100%

70%

10%

Storage 
facility

Power 
complex

100%

100%

100%

80%

100%

100%

80%

5%

Infrastructure 
and camp

100%

100%

100%

90%

Tailings storage 
facility №1

70%

50%

50%

30%

Start up Q4 2021

14 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 15 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESAt a glance
A sustainable, thriving future

With its portfolio of nine gold and silver mines and a pipeline of growth 
projects, Polymetal International plc is a leading precious metals group with 
operations in Russia and Kazakhstan. Investing in sustainable development 
is core to Polymetal’s future plans and benefits all its stakeholders.

Polymetal today

2nd largest

gold producer in Russia and 
16th in the world1

9 operations

across 2 countries

1  Metals Focus 2018.

2 major

development projects 

FTSE 100

constituent 

First POX facility

MSCI Russia

in Former Soviet Union

constituent

Key financial figures

Revenue

$2,246m

(2018: $1,882 million)

All-in sustaining cash cost

$866/GE oz

(2018: $864/GE oz)

Total cash cost

$655/GE oz

(2018: $654/GE oz)

Free cash flow

$299m

(2018: $134 million)

Adjusted EBITDA

$1,075m

(2018: $780 million)

Net profit

$483m

(2018: $355 million)

PROFILE AMONG PEERS 
AVERAGE RESERVE GRADE (g/t GE)

PROVEN TRACK RECORD
ANNUAL PRODUCTION BASED ON 80:1 AG/AU RATIO (KOZ OF GE)

DIVIDEND PAID SINCE POLYMETAL IPO
($/GE OZ PRODUCED)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN
(%)

5.6

3.7

3.2

2.9 2.8

2.4 2.2

6

5

4

3

2

1

1.8 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.0 0.9 0.7

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

1,267

1,269

1,433

1,562

1,614

142

131

129

200

150

100

50

60

56

55

54

48

45

34

24

13

12

250

200

150

100

d

l
i

h
c
s
h
c
o
H

l

a
t
e
m
y
l

o
P

1 

2018 data.

1
d
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a
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g
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l

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a
E

i

o
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g
A

1
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a
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1
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y

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1
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o
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l

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m
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N

n
a
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A
n
a
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l

1
d
o
G
2
B

t
s
e
r
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e
N

1
o

l
l
i

n
s
e
r
F

i

1
n
m
a
t
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e
C

s
s
o
r
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i

1
a
r
r
e
t
n
e
C

k
s
v
o

l

v
a
p
o
r
t
e
P

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

l

a
t
e
m
y
l

o
P

i

n
m
a
t
n
e
C

o

l
l
i

n
s
e
r
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n
a
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a
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a
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a
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g
a
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l

d
o
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k
c

i
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B

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r
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w
e
N

a
r
r
e
t
n
e
C

s
s
o
r
n
K

i

Source: Companies’ data, Bloomberg.

l

d
o
g
o
g
n
A

l

5
1
b
e
F
1
1

5
1

r
p
A
1
1

5
1
g
u
A
1
1

5
1
c
e
D
1
1

6
1
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p
A
1
1

6
1
g
u
A
1
1

6
1
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D
1
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7
1
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p
A
1
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7
1
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7
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8
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A
1
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8
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A
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9
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1
1

Polymetal

FTSE Gold Mines Index

FTSE 100

Focus on high grade and lower cost assets

Production start

2018

2021

2025

2027

8.3

10.4

12.6

Legacy assets

Reserve grade, GE g/t

Resource grade, GE g/t

3.0

4.4

Reserves

Resources

3.5
8.2

Kyzyl

6.3

5.4

3.4

8.1

4.4

Nezhda

Prognoz

3.6

5.1

N/A

10.5

Viksha

N/A

N/A

33.7

25.2

Total

3.7

5.2

Value distribution

$397m

wages, salaries and other payments 
and benefits for employees

$233m

taxes paid

$35m

$15m

environmental investments

community investment 

$1.2m

invested in training

$155m

sustainability-linked loans 
in the portfolio

16 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 17 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Where we operate
Creating growth opportunities

We now have two major development projects underway 
and are exploring further growth opportunities. These are 
in addition to our portfolio of operations in Russia and 
Kazakhstan: nine gold and silver mines, some of which 
are located in remote regions.

 Viksha

12

+

St. Petersburg

Operating mine

Development projects

Further growth opportunities

Competence centre

+ City/town

Sea port

RUSSIA

3

 Voro
+

Ekaterinburg

2

+
 Varvara

Kostanay

 Veduga

13

Krasnoyarsk +

+

Nur-Sultan

Oskemen

KAZAKHSTAN

 Kyzyl

+
1

Asset
1 Kyzyl

GE production
343 Koz

Reserves  
(GE)
8.2 Moz

Adjusted  
EBITDA
$355m

AISC  
($/GE oz)
$514

2 Varvara

149 Koz

1.7 Moz

$93m

$1,064

3 Voro

107 Koz

1.5 Moz

$104m

$460

4 Mayskoye

129 Koz

2.0 Moz

$43m

$1,264

5 Omolon

205 Koz

0.7 Moz

$123m

$880

6 Dukat

302 Koz

1.4 Moz

$141m $12.2 (SE)

7 Svetloye

134 Koz

0.5 Moz

$142m

$449

Processing

2.0 Mtpa flotation + POX/
concentrate off-take

3.0 Mtpa leaching for gold ore,  
1.0 Mtpa flotation for copper ore

950 Ktpa CIP circuit, 1.0 Mtpa 
heap leach circuit 

850 Ktpa flotation + POX/
concentrate offtake

850 Ktpa CIP/Merrill-Crowe 
(Kubaka), 1.0 Mtpa heap leach 
(Birkachan)

2.0 Mtpa flotation (Omsukchan) 
+ 450 Ktpa Merrill-Crowe 
(Lunnoye)/concentrate offtake

1.4 Mtpa heap leach

Pevek

+

4

 Mayskoye

 Omolon

 Dukat

5

6

Prognoz

11

10

Magadan +

 Nezhda

+

 Okhotsk

+

Yakutsk

7

 Svetloye 

 Albazino

8

9
Khabarovsk

+

+

 Vanino

Amursk POX HUB

+

Nakhodka

We operate in

2

countries and 11 regions

We cover 

11

time zones

2,285 km

of roads and winter roads in operation

100+

licensed properties

The first solar power 
plant in mining in Russia

GE production
241 Koz
430 Koz

Reserves  
(GE)
1.9 Moz
94.1% recovery

Adjusted  
EBITDA
$167m
–

AISC  
($/GE oz)
$872
–

9

Asset
8 Albazino
 Amursk 
POX-1
9 Amursk 
POX-2
10 Nezhda

550 Koz1 

96% recovery2

155–180 Koz1 

4.4 Moz

11 Prognoz

20 Moz1 (SE)

256 Moz (SE)

12 Viksha
13 Veduga

200 Koz1

5.7 Moz (PdE)
2.0 Moz

1  Expected annual production.
2  Expected.

Processing

1.6 Mtpa flotation + POX 

POX + cyanidation 
downstream processing 
facility

High-temperature POX, 
intensive cyanidation

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

1.8 Mtpa flotation/gravity 
concentration + offtake/
Amursk POX

1.0 Mtpa flotation + 
leaching + Merrill-Crowe

Flotation + offtake

1.5 Mtpa conventional 
flotation + Amursk POX

18 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 19 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES  
Business model
Building a sustainable future for all our stakeholders

The fundamentals of investing in the skills and expertise that 
are aligned to our key competencies, allied with our strong 
financial discipline, enable us to both deliver throughout the 
cycle and create a sustainable future for all our stakeholders.

Our capitals

Financial
Strong balance sheet and a large portfolio of available undrawn 
credit facilities; access to international equity markets and use 
of shares as acquisition currency.

  Read more on pages 64–77

Human
11,611 employees; attracting and retaining high-potential 
employees across Russia and Kazakhstan; nurturing young 
leaders to manage further growth.

  Read more on pages 59, 113

Natural
Portfolio of high-grade reserves; water, energy and fuel to run 
our operations.

  Read more on pages 16, 18, 35, 60–61, 208–217

Business
Key competencies in refractory gold concentrate trading; 
sustainable relationships with contractors and suppliers.

  Read more on pages 03, 04, 12–13, 30–46

Intellectual
Investment in skills and expertise; use of leading technologies 
in refractory gold processing (POX); selective mining; 
development of know-how.

  Read more on pages 02, 03, 12, 27, 30–46, 59, 94, 98, 113

Social and relationship
Constructive relationships with local government 
and communities; transparent and productive dialogue 
with stakeholders.

Our purpose
We believe responsible and efficient 
mining can be a force for good for 
society. We aspire to be equal to the 
challenge and deliver benefits to all 
impacted by our corporate existence.

What makes us different
Focus on high-grade assets

Strong capital discipline

Investing in exploration

Leading competence in treatment  
of refractory ores

Exemplary governance

Operational excellence

  Read more on pages 50, 52, 54, 59, 62, 100–103

  Read more on page 03

Factors determining our long-term growth

Market trends  
and opportunities
Our investments in attractively 
priced high-quality assets 
enable us to generate a 
consistently sustainable free 
cash flow and deliver returns for 
our shareholders.

  Read more on pages 22–23

Risk management
We have a robust risk 
management system in 
place, which is designed to 
mitigate potential risks to the 
sustainability and success of 
the business.

  Read more on pages 78–87

Governance
We are committed to 
maintaining world-class 
ethical standards that drive 
behaviours across every 
aspect of our business.

  Read more on pages 88–115

Material issues
•  Socio-economic value creation
•  Health and safety
•  Communities
•  People
•  Water
•  Environmental management
•  Climate change
•  Waste
•  Suppliers and partners
•  Compliance

  Read more on pages 56–57

TRANSPORT

MINE

PROCESS

K e y goals

DEVELOP

EXPLORE

e
c
n
a
m
r
o
f
r
e
p
G
S
E

y

r

a

l

e

c

n

a

obust perfor m

R

G

o

p

v

m

e

r

e

n

x

a

E

n

c

e

a

n

Our strategy

  Read more  
on pages 24–25

Deliv

e
rin

g

g

r

o

w

t

h

S

u

CLOSE/ 
RECLAIM

SELL

s

t

a

i

n
a
b

l

e
d
i
v
i
d
e
n
d
s

e c uring the future
U SIN ESS

d s
u

stainability

S

I
N

T

E

G

R

Grow our bus i n e s s

ATING SUSTAINABILITY THR O U G H O U T   O

R   B

U

  Read more on pages 50–63

Creating value for...

Shareholders
We deliver a sustainable 
dividend stream.

$385m 
proposed for 2019

Employees
We provide competitive remuneration, 
which is above the regional average, 
and comfortable working conditions, 
as well as motivating career 
development opportunities.

Local communities
We invest in our local communities, 
providing employment opportunities 
and improving infrastructure, and engage 
with them to gain their support for the 
projects that we undertake.

$1.2m 
invested in professional training

$15m 
invested in social projects

Other capital providers
We have an excellent credit history  
and strong partnerships within 
financial markets.

4.26%
average cost of debt in 2019

Suppliers
We provide fair terms and have 
established long-term and mutually 
beneficial partnerships, while ensuring 
suppliers’ integrity and ESG compliance.

State authorities
We contribute to the national wealth 
and are a significant tax payer in our 
regions of operation, supporting local 
governments’ social projects.

7,698 
potential contractors audited for ethical 
principles and anti-corruption policies

$233m
taxes paid

20 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 21 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
Market review

During 2019, uncertainty around global economic prospects, 
declining interest rates and rising geopolitical tensions sparked 
an investment demand for precious metals. These factors largely 
determined the performance of gold, silver and PGMs, all of which 
demonstrated significant growth. 

Gold
In 2019, gold broke its own 2018 record and had the 
best performance since 2010, rising by 19% year-on-year 
to $1,523/oz. The average price for the year amounted to 
$1,393/oz, a 10% year-on-year increase, reaching its highest 
level since 2013. Until May, gold was relatively flat, hovering 
around $1,300/oz. But a rally started from early June and by 
September the price hit a multi-year high of $1,546/oz as the 
Federal Reserve shifted to cutting rates for the first time since 
the financial crisis, while US/China trade tensions and Brexit 
concerns increased. In the beginning of Q4, gold lost some of 
its previous gains, dropping to $1,450/oz as Brexit and US/
China resolutions continued into 2020, and investor interest 
shifted towards riskier assets. However, in December, gold 
rebounded by 4%, finishing the month at $1,523/oz as 
investors repositioned ahead of 2020.

Subsequently, annual gold demand was boosted by a 
significant rise in investment flows into ETFs and similar 
products used as ‘safe haven’ assets. Gold-backed ETFs 
saw an inflow of 401 tonnes (comprising 9% of the total gold 
demand) compared to 76 tonnes in 2018. ETF holdings totalled 
2,886 tonnes1 by the year-end. On the contrary, investment in 
gold bars and coins dropped 20% year-on-year to 871 tonnes1 
– the lowest level since 2009. Most of the decline came from a 
sharp downturn in the two largest markets: China and India. 
Central banks were net buyers for the tenth consecutive year. 
The three largest purchases were Turkey (+159 tonnes), Russia 
(+158 tonnes) and Poland (+100 tonnes).

Overall, total central bank demand comprised 650 tonnes1, 
the second highest level of annual purchases for 50 years after 
2018. Full-year gold demand in the technology sector fell by 

2% year-on-year to 327 tonnes1 as 2019 was a weaker year for 
the whole electronics industry. Jewellery demand declined by 
6% to 2,107 tonnes1 affected by the steep rise in the gold price 
in the second half of the year, which decreased affordability. 
As the remarkable growth of investments into gold backed 
ETFs was offset by a decline in the two largest demand 
categories, jewellery and bars and coins, the total annual gold 
demand increased by 1% year-on-year to 4,356 tonnes1.

Global gold supply in 2019 was up 2% year-on-year to 
4,776 tonnes1. A 1% decline in mine production was offset 
by an 11% growth in recycled gold supply which totalled 
1,304 tonnes1 spurred by price dynamics.

Silver
During 2019, silver mostly tracked gold price dynamics 
driven by similar factors including global economic and 
political concerns, as investors perceived silver as another 
‘safe haven’ investment. As a result, the silver price jumped 
by 17% year-on-year to $18.0/oz with the peak level of 
$19.3/oz also reached in September. 

On the demand side, silver industrial fabrication was at a 
record high. However, several areas of silver electrical and 
electronic end-uses struggled against a backdrop of the 
escalating US-China trade war, although the negative 
impact was mitigated by higher silver usage in other 
categories, especially in the automotive sector. Global silver 
jewellery and silverware demand also recorded increases, led 
by India. Lastly, ETFs and physical investment both increased 
year-on-year, with the latter helping to drive the silver price.

1  Gold Demand Trends Full Year 2019 published by World Gold Council.

Platinum group metals
Platinum surged by 22% year-on-year in 2019 to $971/oz, 
spurred by a considerable increase in investment demand 
pushing the market into a deficit, though physical consumption 
continued to face challenges. Industrial demand was weak 
due to a reduction in the sale of diesel cars and an overall 
decline in automotive sales. Jewellery continued its downward 
trend on the back of higher prices. 

Palladium posted another spectacular year with performance 
soaring by 52% year-on-year to $1,920/oz, the premium over 
platinum nearly reaching 100%. The jump was due to a 
large deficit in the palladium market throughout the year, 
strengthened by expectations of this situation persisting 
on the back of exhausted available inventories and despite 
slowing global petrol auto sales.

Mine production around the world
In 2019, global gold mine production totalled 3,464 tonnes, 
1% lower than in 2018. Output from China, the world’s 
largest gold producer, declined for the third consecutive year, 
falling 6% year-on-year as a result of tougher environmental 
regulations. However, the biggest negative contribution 
came from Indonesia where the largest gold mine, Grasberg, 
experienced a depletion of higher-grade ore. Laggards also 
included South American and South African countries where 
social conflicts at several mines resulted in limited production. 
This decline was almost fully compensated by the growth of 
gold production in Russia (+8% year-on-year), Australia (+3%), 
Turkey (+66%) and several West African nations. Silver 
production was also marginally down impacted by 
disruptions and strikes across South America.

Our operating environment
Hard rock mining is the second largest industry in Russia 
after oil and gas. Despite the country’s vast resource 
potential in precious metals, it remains largely underexplored 
with a lack of investment in the sector, due mainly to tight 
and complex exploration regulations as well as the limited 
availability of foreign investment. 

GOLD AND SILVER PRICE
($/OZ)

GOLD DEMAND BY CATEGORY IN 2018 AND 2019
(TONNES)

CURRENCY AND OIL PRICE

Gold
1,600

1,550

1,500

1,450

1,400

1,350

1,300

1,250

Silver
21

20

19

18

17

16

15

8%
000

7%

15%

00

9%

15%

2%

25%

20%

000

48%

51%

02 Jan
19

02 Mar
19

02 May
19

02 Jul
19

02 Sep
19

02 Nov
19

31 Dec
18

Gold

Silver

Source: LBMA.

Source: Metals Focus; World Gold Council.

2019 – Total 4,356
Jewellery
Investment – bars and coins
Investment – ETFs
Central banks, other institutions
Technology

2018 – Total 4,401
Jewellery
Investment – bars and coins
Investment – ETFs
Central banks, other institutions
Technology

2,107
871
401
650
327

2,240
1,094
76
656
335

RUB/US$
70

66

62

58

54

Brent crude oil, $
80

74

68

62

56

01 Jan
19

RUB/US$

01 Mar
19

01 May
01Jul
19
19
Brent crude oil, $

01 Sep
19

01 Nov
19

01 Jan
20

Source: LBMA

In 2019, the oil market rebounded after its sharp decline in Q4 
2018. The Brent crude oil price ended the year at $66 per 
barrel, an increase of 23% year-on-year, with the average 
price amounting to $65 per barrel. Throughout the year, oil 
was pushed higher by expectations and announcements of 
OPEC+ supply cuts, concerns about US sanctions against 
Iran and drone and missile attacks on Saudi facilities. 
However, this positive outlook was impeded by US/China 
trade tensions.

Higher oil prices, the improving Russian economy, 
increased inflow of foreign investments into Rouble assets 
and lower inflation expectations provided support for the 
national currency. In 2019, the Russian Rouble/US Dollar 
average exchange rate weakened by 3% year-on-year from 
a 62.7 RUB/US$ average rate in 2018 to 64.7 RUB/US$ 
in 2019. This had a moderate positive impact on the 
mining sector, resulting in a lower Dollar value for Rouble-
denominated operating costs and higher margins. Russia 
remains among the lowest-cost major gold producing 
countries. The country’s gold production was up 8% to 
approximately 320 tonnes.

Although Kazakhstan has a significantly smaller share in 
global gold mine production, it has a strong growth profile, 
attributable to a good climate for foreign investment in the 
sector and supportive government incentives. In 2019, 
Kazakhstan increased its refined gold production by 5% 
year-on-year to approximately 58 tonnes. The Tenge was 
relatively stable during the year, staying close to the levels it 
had reached after significant depreciation in the second half 
of 2018. The average rate weakened by 11% to 383 KZT/
US$ making a positive impact on the Kazakh gold 
mining economy.

How we respond to these trends 
We are utilising our experience in mine performance 
optimisation and the pursuit of high-grade and high-
optionality assets in order to ensure sustainable 
economics against the backdrop of volatility in commodity 
prices and foreign exchange rates. 

Our strong performance in 2019, due in part to the 
successful ramp-up of our Kyzyl flagship operation, with 
cash costs of $399/oz, record production of 1,614 Koz of 
GE and solid financials, re-affirms the success of our 
approach and our ability to deliver on our long-term 
strategy. In order to limit our exposure to risk, in the 
process of project approval, we continue to stress test all 
projects with a 20% discount to spot prices and a 10% 
increase in operating costs, ensuring that our operations 
can be sustained even under volatile market conditions. 
Similarly, we continue to review the prices used for our 
reserve-and-resource statement on a regular basis to 
reflect market fluctuations. To learn more about our 
market risk management process, please see page 86.

22 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 23 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESOur strategy
Attaining growth and dividends

Key goals 

Our strategic objectives

Pay significant and 
sustainable dividends 
through the cycle

  Read more on pages 26, 64, 143

Robust  
performance

Continue to grow 
our business without 
diluting its quality

   Read more on pages 05, 14, 27, 32–34, 
47–49 

Delivering 
growth

Securing  
the future

Exemplary ESG 
performance

   Read more on pages 02, 04, 50, 
114–115 

Governance and 
sustainability

Ensure robust operating 
and financial performance 
at existing mines

Focus on full-capacity utilisation 
and robust cost performance of 
our operating mines by driving 
continued operating improvement. 
Continuously extend life-of-mine by 
investing in near-mine exploration. 
This will allow us to generate free 
cash flow and translate it into 
significant dividends

Deliver medium-term growth 
through advancing Nezhda 
and POX-2

Nezhda is Russia’s fourth 
largest gold property. Low capital 
intensity makes it an excellent fit 
for Polymetal’s core capabilities. 
POX-2 will unlock the value of 
refractory reserves. The aim is for 
100% of the Company’s refractory 
ore to be processed in-house.

Build and advance long-term 
growth pipeline

At the same time as delivering 
free cash flow, we want to secure 
high-quality sources of long-term 
growth through our own greenfield 
exploration programme. We are 
actively looking at targets within 
the Former Soviet Union where 
we can create value with our 
core competencies.

Maintain high standards of 
corporate governance and 
sustainable development

Maintaining high standards 
of corporate governance and 
sustainable development gives 
us a licence to operate and 
the much-needed trust of all 
stakeholders. Health and safety 
at our operations is a key priority.

Risks

Performance in 2019

Targets for 2020

•  Production risk
•  Tax risk
•  Market risk
•  Currency risk
•  Liquidity risk
• 

Interest-rate risk

•  Market risk
•  Exploration risk
•  Construction and 
development risks

•  Exploration risk
•  Construction and 
development risks

•  Market risk

•  Health and safety risk
•  Environmental risk
•  Legal risk
•  Political risk

1.6 Moz 
GE produced in 2019, up 3% year-on-year and 
above original guidance 
$1,075 million 
Adjusted EBITDA up 38% compared with 2018
$385 million 
Dividend declared ($0.82 per share)
5% increase in reserves 
Excellent exploration results at existing mines, 
notably Kyzyl, Veduga and Kutyn 

Nezhda
•  Start of construction
•  First ore mined
•  Plant framework construction and 

winterisation completed 

POX-2
•  Start of detailed engineering 

and contracting

•  Autoclave foundation completed

2.8 Moz 
More than doubling ore reserves at Veduga 
5.7 Moz of PdE 
Updated mineral resources estimate for Viksha 
110%
Increase in gold contained to 812 Koz – updated 
open-pit ore reserves estimate at Kutyn 
First strategic partnerships
with junior exploration companies 

•  1.6 Moz GE production
•  Development projects at existing operations, 
aimed at either extending the life-of-mine or 
reducing costs, namely at Mayskoye, Voro 
and Dukat

•  $650–700/GE oz Total cash costs guidance
•  Commitment to a zero-fatalities target and 

further improvements across health and safety

Nezhda
•  Start of equipment installation
•  Construction and commissioning of power 

plant to be completed

POX-2 
•  Receipt of all permits
•  Delivery of the autoclave on-site 

•  Additional drilling and initial ore reserves 

estimate for Prognoz

•  Complete ore reserves estimate update at 

Veduga

•  Further advancing and exploration activities 

at Viksha

•  Continuing investment in greenfield 

exploration through partnerships with junior 
exploration companies

•  Full compliance with the provisions of the 

•  Ultimate goal of zero fatalities and LTIFR ≤ 0.2 

• 

UK Corporate Governance Code
Industry Mover distinction from 
RobecoSAM for excellent sustainability 
performance

•  MSCI Environmental, Social and 

Governance Leaders index

•  Amursk POX and Voro plants certified 
as being in full compliance with the 
International Cyanide Management Code
•  Full disclosure on tailings storage facilities
•  Sustainability-linked loan with Societe 

at all operations

•  New sustainability/ESG KPI for the Group 
CEO and relevant senior management 
•  30% female representation in the diversity 

target group

•  Financial assessment of climate-related risks 

within our climate management system
•  Continuous reduction of fresh water use
•  Further implementation of dry-stack storage 

method across the Group

•  Continued compliance with global and local 

Generale

best practices

•  Average Board tenure reduced to 4.5 years
•  33% female directors

Capital allocation
Adherence to strong capital discipline is the foundation of our strategy

  Read more on pages 26–27

Remuneration
See how we link our remuneration to performance

  Read more on pages 116–140

24 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 25 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESCapital allocation
Building long-term value per share

Our business model is our key strength, providing a platform for 
both growth and significant shareholder returns by generating 
a sustainable free cash flow throughout the cycle.

Regular dividends are  
a shareholder’s right

Target Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA 
of 1.5x 

Disciplined portfolio management

Investing for a sustainable future

We prioritise the payment of regular dividends over 
investment in growth. We are committed to delivering 
superior returns with a dividend policy of paying 50% 
of underlying earnings, subject to a hard ceiling of a 
Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio below 2.5x. 

In line with this policy, the Board proposed a final 
dividend equal to $0.42 per share, and announced 
a $0.20 per share special dividend for 2019. The 
discretionary payment is awarded based on available 
free cash flow (post regular dividends), the Company’s 
leverage, market outlook, forward-looking financial 
projections and growth opportunities. This brings 
the total dividends proposed for the 2019 full year 
to $0.82 per share.

From free cash flow for 2012–2019 totalling $1.7 billion, 
Polymetal paid out $1.5 billion to shareholders through 
regular dividends in each year since the IPO and 
significant special dividends in five1 years out of eight. 
This represents an average of $160 per ounce of gold 
produced and provides a sector-leading dividend yield of 
5% over the five-year period and 6.5% in 2019, including 
the proposed dividend for the full year 2019 (based on 
average share price for the period).

DIVIDEND PER OUNCE PRODUCED 

Dividend proposed $/GE oz

Average realised gold price, $/oz

1,219

1,247

1,253

1,127

300

200

100

1,411

1,500

1,300

1,100

900

700

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Dividend  proposed, $/GE oz

Average realised gold price, $/oz

Including the special dividend for 2019 announced in January 2020. 

1 
2  Post M&A for 2019 and 2018.

Our near-term objective is to ensure that the Group’s  
Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio is no more than 1.5x

As at 31 December 2019, Polymetal achieved a Net 
debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.38x (2018: 1.95x), 
well below the Group’s target leverage ratio of 1.5x. 
The Group’s net debt decreased 3% to $1.48 billion 
while the Adjusted EBITDA grew 38% to $1.08 billion, 
supported by strong commodity prices and further 
production growth driven by Kyzyl’s first year of 
operation at full design capacity. 

The Company continued to generate significant free 
cash flow that amounted to $299 million2 (2018: $134 
million). During 2019, we continued to successfully 
manage our balance sheet and significantly extended 
the maturity of $675 million of loans to 2024–2029 while 
maintaining the stable average cost of debt at 4.26%.

1.38

Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA
2018: 1.95

4.26%

Average cost of debt
2018: 4.19%

$299m

Free cash flow1,2
2018: $134m

Capital prioritised for safe and efficient technologies

We are finding new ways to work more sustainably as 
a business. In environmental stewardship, we continue 
to focus on zero-harm principles when designing and 
operating our mines. We have also taken our first steps 
with introducing renewable energy, especially in regions 
that have no access to the electricity grid. We are 
committed to improving the efficiency of our water and 
energy usage, recognising the impacts of climate change, 
and shifting towards safer methods of waste storage.

POX-2 will incorporate several important design features 
that will minimise the environmental impact and mitigate 
against related risks. It will also expand the scope of our 
existing social partnership agreements and create more 
than 400 new permanent jobs

  Read more on pages 12, 41

The success of our business is dependent on our 
relationships with key external stakeholders which 
determine our social licence to operate. We will 
continue to engage with stakeholders and be 
responsive to their needs.

  Read more about stakeholder engagement on pages 54–55, 100–103

We impose strong capital discipline on all investment 
decisions across the business

•  We apply high IRR hurdle rates (starting from 12% 
real unlevered at a $1,200/oz gold price for a base 
case project).

•  Our strong preference is for high-grade, 

low-cost and low capital intensity projects 
with development optionality.

•  We minimise our capital costs by employing a 

centralised hub-based system that handles ores 
from different high-grade sources. 

•  We preserve our focus by streamlining high-cost  

and short-lived assets.

We have made significant progress reshaping our 
portfolio, creating a more focused business. In 2018–
2019, we divested several operations, including the 
Kapan mine in Armenia and Okhotsk in Russia, resulting 
in $111 million net cash inflows and a $20/oz positive 
impact on our cash costs and profitability. The excess 
cash was used to pay down debt in line with our strategy. 

After the successful completion of Kyzyl on time and 
below budget in 2018, we started the construction of 
Nezhda (29% base case IRR) and POX-2 (14% base 
case IRR) in Q1 2019. Nezhda is one of the largest 
undeveloped high-grade deposits in Russia with 
12.4 Moz of gold resources (inclusive of ore reserves) 
at 4.5 g/t. It will start contributing to free cash flow and 
dividends by 2022. POX-2 will fully de-risk our business 
model by bringing all concentrate processing in-house 
and eliminating our dependence on concentrate 
offtake from 2H 2023. 

26 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 27 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESKey performance indicators

Link to strategy:

  Robust performance

  Securing the future

   KPI linked to executive remuneration

  Delivering growth

  Governance and sustainability

Operating

Financial

Sustainability

GOLD EQUIVALENT
PRODUCTION
(Koz)

+3%

REVENUE
($m)

+19%

TOTAL CASH COST1
ALL-IN SUSTAINING CASH COST1
($/GE oz)

+0%
+0%

1,433

1,562

1,614

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

1,815

1,882

2,246

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

893

864

866

658

654

655

1,000

800

600

400

UNDERLYING RETURN ON EQUITY1
(ROE) (%)

+3%

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
($m)

+27%

GHG INTENSITY 3
(TONNES PER KT OF ORE PROCESSED)

-1%

16

16

19

20

15

10

5

383

344

450

350

250

150

436

75.6

75.1

80

60

40

20

N/A1

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

Annual target for gold equivalent (GE) 
production is an indicator to the market 
of our confidence in delivering stable and 
reliable growth.

In 2019, annual GE production of 1,614 Koz, 
an increase of 3% over 2018, exceeded the 
original guidance for the eighth year in a row.

Top-line indicator, heavily dependent on 
commodity prices but also driven by the 
delivery of production volumes.

In 2019, revenue increased by 19% 
year-on-year to $2,246 million on the 
back of higher volumes and metal prices. 
Gold and silver sales were broadly in 
line with production volume trends and 
further supported by the release of 
working capital.

Total cash cost

All-in sustaining cash cost

High-grade, full capacity utilisation and 
continued operational improvement, as 
well as foreign exchange rates and oil price 
are the key drivers behind total cash cost 
(TCC) per ounce.

TCC was flat at $655/GE oz. AISC 
amounted to $866/GE oz and remained 
broadly unchanged. The robust results 
at Kyzyl had a positive impact on costs, 
offsetting the impact of domestic 
inflation and planned GE grade  
decline at mature operations.

Return on equity (ROE) is one of the 
most important metrics for evaluating a 
company’s profitability and measures the 
efficiency with which a company generates 
income using the funds that shareholders 
have invested.

In 2019, ROE (based on underlying 
net earnings and average equity 
adjusted for translation reserve) was 
19% (2018:16%), and remains one 
of the highest in the sector.

Our rigorous approach to all investment 
decisions ensures tight controls on capital 
expenditure, boosting the return on 
capital invested for shareholders and the 
sustainable development of the business.

Capital expenditure was $436 million, 
up 27% compared with 2018 and above 
the initial guidance of $380 million, due to 
accelerated pre-stripping and construction 
at Nezhda.

Reducing GHG emissions: we are 
taking steps to build a truly sustainable 
economy by measuring and disclosing our 
environmental impact.

We fully recognise that climate change 
will require us to be more carbon neutral. 
Polymetal aims to continuously improve 
energy efficiency at our mines and engage 
with business partners to enhance GHG 
transparency. In 2019, GHG intensity 
(scope 1 and scope 2) decreased by 1%.

Relevance to strategy

Relevance to strategy

Relevance to strategy

Relevance to strategy

Relevance to strategy

Relevance to strategy

ORE RESERVES
(Moz)

+5%

ADJUSTED EBITDA1
($m)

+38%

FREE CASH FLOW POST-M&A1 
($m)

+122%

30

25

20

15

24.0

25.2

20.9

1,200

900

600

300

1,075

745

780

299

300

200

120

134

56

DIVIDENDS DECLARED
FOR THE YEAR
($/SHARE)

+71%

NET EARNINGS2
UNDERLYING NET EARNINGS1
($m)

+36%
+31%

586

LOST TIME INJURY
FREQUENCY RATE
(LTIFR)

+111%

0.19

0.82

0.44

0.48

1.00

0.75

0.50

0.25

600

450

300

150

354

376

355

447

483

0.15

0.09

0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

Extending mine life through near-mine 
exploration and new discoveries from 
greenfield exploration both contribute to the 
Company’s long-term growth prospects.

Adjusted EBITDA provides an indicator of 
our ability to generate operating cash flows 
from the current business.

A key indicator in any business; 
generating a healthy free cash flow 
enables us to provide significant cash 
returns for shareholders.

In 2019, the Company increased its ore 
reserves by 5% to 25.2 Moz of GE driven 
by successful exploration results with the 
subsequent re-evaluation at Kyzyl, Veduga, 
Kutyn and initial evaluation at Primorskoye.

Adjusted EBITDA was $1,075 million, up 
38% compared with 2018, on the back 
of higher production volumes, higher 
commodity prices and stable costs. 
The Adjusted EBITDA margin was at 
48% (2018: 41.4%).

The Company continued to generate 
significant free cash flow that amounted 
to $299 million after asset disposal and 
acquisition, supported by a net cash 
operating inflow of $696 million.

Our aim is to deliver meaningful dividends 
to our shareholders at all stages of both the 
commodity cycle and our investment cycle.

Net earnings

Underlying net earnings

Underlying net income is a comprehensive 
benchmark of our core profitability, excluding 
foreign exchange gains/losses, impairments 
and one-off non-recurring items.

In 2019, dividends of $385 million ($0.82 per 
share) were declared, including a special 
dividend of $94 million ($0.20 per ordinary 
share announced in January 2020).

Underlying net earnings increased by 
31% to $586 million on the back of 
higher operating profit.

An improvement in the health and safety 
of employees at our operations is a key 
priority with a goal of zero fatalities.

Sadly, the Company did not reach its zero-
fatalities target in 2019: safety performance 
deteriorated both in terms of frequency 
of lost-time injuries and the number of 
fatalities. LTIFR in 2019 amounted to 0.19 
(2018: 0.09).

Relevance to strategy

Relevance to strategy

Relevance to strategy

Relevance to strategy

Relevance to strategy

Relevance to strategy

1  Defined in the Alternative performance measures section on page 206–207.
2  Profit for the financial period.
3  Excluding Kapan and Okhotsk operations. As the new methodology has been applied since 2019 for more precise disclosure of emissions, data for 2018 has been 

restated accordingly for comparative purposes and includes continuing operations only.

28 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 29 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
Operating review
Kyzyl enhances successful operations

In 2019, Polymetal continued to deliver 
a solid set of operating results. Production 
from continuing operations grew by 14% 
year-on-year to 1,609 Koz GE.

1,316 Koz

Gold production
2018: 1,216 Koz

Key operating highlights

Stripping, Mt
Underground development, km

Ore mined, Mt

Open-pit
Underground

Ore processed, Mt

Average grade in ore processed 
(gold equivalent, g/t)

Production

Gold, Koz
Silver, Moz
Copper, Kt

Gold equivalent, Koz1 

Sales

Gold, Koz
Silver, Moz
Copper, Kt

Gold equivalent, Koz2

2019

158.6
105.8

17.2

13.0
4.2

15.0

4.0

1,316
21.6
2.5

1,614

1,366
22.1
2.8

1,631

21.6 Moz

Silver production 
(2018: 25.3 Moz)

2018

Change

GOLD EQUIVALENT PRODUCTION BY MINE IN 2019
(%)

126.7
130.0

14.0

9.3
4.7

15.2

3.9

1,216
25.3
3.9

1,562

1,198
25.7
3.3

1,535

+25%
-19%

+23%

+40%
-10%

-1%

+1%

+8%
-15%
-37%

+3%

+14%
-14%
-15%

+6%

-4%

7

8

21

8

9

19

13

15

  Kyzyl

  Dukat

  Albazino/Amursk

  Omolon

  Varvara

  Svetloye

  Mayskoye

  Voro

TOTAL (continuing 
operations) 

  Kapan

  Okhotsk 

12 months ended 31 December

2019

2018

Change

343

302

241

205

149

134

129

107

96

306

308

195

142

136

117

107

257%

-1%

-22%

+5%

+5%

-1%

+10%

-1%

1,609

1,407

+14%

5

–

51

104

-90%

NA

TOTAL (including 
discontinued operations)

1,614

1,562

+3%

Average headcount

11,611

12,140

Health and safety

Fatalities3
LTIFR

2
0.19

1
0.09

+100%
+111%

1  Based on 1:80 Ag/Au, 5:1 Cu/Au and 2:1 Zn/Au conversion ratios.
2  Based on actual realised prices.
3  Polymetal employees.

Processing 
The volume of ore processed remained largely unchanged 
over the previous year at 15.0 Mt (2018: 15.2 Mt): increased 
throughput at Kyzyl fully compensated for the disposal of 
assets, while other mines operated at a stable pace. 

The average gold equivalent grade in ore processed 
increased by 1% year-on-year to 4.0 g/t, slightly above 
the average reserve grade of 3.7 g/t. Scheduled moderate 
grade declines at Albazino (processing of lower grade ore 
from the Ekaterina-1 open pit) and Dukat (the Omsukchan 
concentrator processing larger volumes of lower-grade ore), 
as well as minor declines at Mayskoye and Voro, were 
offset by high-grade Kyzyl outperforming expectations on 
gold grade and Omolon (Kubaka mill processing larger 
volumes of higher grade ore from Birkachan and Olcha 
underground mines).

Production and sales 
In 2019, Polymetal continued to deliver a solid set of 
operating results. Production from continuing operations 
grew by 14% year-on-year to 1,609 Koz GE. 

The key driver behind this performance was Kyzyl: full-year 
gold production came in at 343 Koz, while the operation 
exceeded design specifications on throughput, grade and 
production. GE production at Dukat totalled 302 Koz, almost 
flat year-on-year. At Albazino/Amursk, the total gold output 
amounted to 241 Koz, a 22% decline year-on-year on the 
back of the decrease in production from Albazino 
concentrate (affected by processing of lower grade ore from 
the Ekaterina-1 open pit) and lower volumes of third-party 
feed processed at the POX plant. At Omolon, GE production 
was up 5% year-on-year to 205 Koz on the back of larger 
volumes of higher grade ore being processed. Varvara GE 
output increased to 149 Koz driven by higher mining and 
railing volumes at Komar. Gold production at Mayskoye 
totalled 129 Koz, a 10% increase over 2018, positively 
impacted by higher recoveries. Voro and Svetloye also 
delivered a solid set of results: GE production was 107 Koz 
and 134 Koz, respectively, and remained stable year-on-year. 

Metal sales in 2019 were 1,631 Koz of gold equivalent, 
up 6% compared with 2018, broadly following production 
dynamics. While most of the sales comprised refined 
metals, we continue to sell concentrates from Dukat (gold/
silver), Varvara (gold/copper), Mayskoye (refractory gold) 
and Kyzyl (double refractory gold) to offtakers. Offtake 
allows us to maximise our margins and achieve an optimal 
combination of transportation costs and treatment charges/
recoveries; this being one of our core competencies. 

Delivering on targets
In 2019, Polymetal exceeded both original and updated 
production guidance for the eighth year in a row. Robust 
production combined with positive gold price dynamics 
were the key drivers for strong free cash flow generation. 
The Company’s GE production for 2019 amounted to 
1,614 Koz, an increase of 3% over 2018 and 4% above 
the original production guidance of 1.55 Moz. A strong 
contribution from Kyzyl more than compensated for 
operating asset disposals (Okhotsk and Kapan), 
while the rest of the portfolio generated stable results. 

Gold production for the full year was up 8%, while silver 
output decreased by 15% on the back of asset disposals 
and planned grade decline at Dukat. Gold sales of 1,366 
Koz were up 14% year-on-year, while silver sales were 
down 14% year-on-year at 22.1 Moz, broadly in line with 
production dynamics and further supported by working 
capital release.

Analysis of production results
Mining 
Stripping volumes in 2019 grew by 25% to 158.6 Mt of 
rock moved, driven mostly by stripping at Komar (Varvara), 
Kyzyl and Veduga. Following a successful in-fill drilling 
campaign, open-pit mining recommenced at the Birkachan 
mine (Omolon) with a view to extending the operation of the 
heap leach facility. Open-pit mining started at the Yolochka 
mine (Omolon).

Underground development decreased by 19% to 
106 km (2018: 130 km), mainly due to the disposal of 
Kapan. However, this was partially offset by the increase in 
underground development at the Khrustalny and Smely 
ore zones (Dukat).

Total ore mined increased by 23% year-on-year to 17.2 Mt 
(2018: 14 Mt), mainly driven by open-pit mining restarting 
at Birkachan (Omolon), as well as increased volumes of 
open-pit mining at Kyzyl, which operated above its nameplate 
throughput capacity, and at the Komar mine (Varvara).

17.2 Mt

Ore mined
+23%

4.0 GE g/t

Average grade in ore processed
+1%

30 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 31 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
Operating review continued

Exploration 
Greenfield and brownfield exploration is a core element in 
our strategy for driving long-term growth and has proved to 
be one of the most efficient growth sources for Polymetal 
historically. Extending mine life through near-mine exploration 
at existing operations and new discoveries from greenfield 
exploration both contribute to the Company’s long-term 
development prospects. Our exploration activities are 
focused on six regions in Russia (Khabarovsk, Magadan, 
Karelia, Yakutia, Chukotka and Ural) as well as 
on Kazakhstan. 

Our key exploration objectives in 2019 were:

•  Brownfield exploration projects in close proximity to the 

Company’s operating assets, notably: exploration drilling 
at Kyzyl’s second ore zone, East Bakyrchik (5.3 km); 
Varvara (exploration drilling at the East Tarutin gold-
copper deposit and Elevator totalling 28.3 km and 4.8 km, 
respectively); Omolon (5.6 km of exploration drilling at 
Nevenrekan): Voro (23 km of drilling at Pescherny and the 
Voro northern and western flanks).

•  Full revaluation of ore reserves and mineral resources 
at Kyzyl, based on data from the drilling campaign 
(additional 239 diamond drill holes, 41.5 km of drilling). 
•  Updated ore reserves and mineral resources estimate at 
Veduga based on exploration activities conducted in 
2017–2018.

•  Updated mineral resources estimates at Viksha.
•  Updated ore reserves and mineral resources estimate at 
the Kutyn gold project based on the results of drilling 
conducted in 2017–2019.

•  Continued exploration activities at the southern flanks of 
the Nezhda deposit with the goal of identifying new 
mineralised zones and updating the mineralisation 
estimates of the known ore bodies.

OUR EXPLORATION SITES

Competence centre

+ City/town

Sea port

Operating mine

Development projects

Further growth opportunities

Exploration areas

Viksha

+

St. Petersburg

+

Moscow

Saum
Tamunier
Pescherny
Galka
Krasnoturinsky

Pevek

+

Mayskoye

Omolon 

Dukat 

+

 Evensk

Olcha flanks
Burgali
Yolochka
Irbychan
Nevenrekan

Terem
Perevalnoye
Dukat flanks
Primorskoye

Tomtor

Prognoz

Nezhda

+

 Magadan

Yakutsk

+

Svetloye

+
+

Okhotsk
Ulya

Fortuna
Levoberezhny

Albazino

Vanino

+
Amursk POX hub

Voro

RUSSIA

Ekaterinburg

+

Varvara

+

Kostanay

 Veduga

+

Krasnoyarsk

+

Oskemen

Kyzyl

KAZAKHSTAN

Komar flanks
East Tarutin

Bakyrchik flanks

Kutyn
Urkachik
Albazino flanks

Exploration and development projects

Operating mines

Development projects

Exploration

Prospecting

12

16

11

13

4

1

2

3

6

14

17

5

7

15

19

18

8

8

10

Key projects

  Operating mines
  Development projects
  Exploration brownfield 
  Exploration greenfield
  Prospecting brownfield
  Prospecting greenfield

17
projects

9

projects

15
projects

33
projects

KAZAKHSTAN

URAL 

KHABAROVSK

MAGADAN

OTHER SEGMENTS

1  Bakyrchik flanks

4  Krasnoturinsky

7  Kutyn

2   Komar flanks

3  East Tarutin

5  Galka

6  Voro

8  Albazino flanks

9  Svetloye

10  Urkachik

11  Yolochka

12  Burgali

13  Perevalnoye

14  Nevenrekan

15  Olcha flanks

16  Nezhda (Yakutia)

17  Viksha (Karelia)

18   Veduga  

(Krasnoyarsk Region)

19  Prognoz (Yakutia)

32 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 33 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES  
Operating review continued

Key 2019 achievements
In 2019, Polymetal succeeded in extending life-of-mine 
at producing assets and continued to invest in the next 
generation of assets. Exploration activities were carried 
out at 52 licensed properties. Thirteen new licences were 
obtained for geological studies, exploration and production of 
gold, silver, PGMs and copper. In total, 198 km of drilling was 
completed. The total capital expenditure on exploration was 
$46 million; this is 10% lower than in 2018 because of the 
completion of major drilling campaigns at Nezhda and 
Dukat in 2018.

Peninsula and the Chaunsk District of Chukotka, Russia, 
with the goal of combining Polymetal’s financial and 
permitting clout with the fresh thinking and fast decision-
making of junior partners. 

2020 targets
In 2020, Polymetal will continue to invest in both near-mine 
and greenfield exploration projects in order to increase 
ore reserves. 

The key objectives are as follows:

As a result of our exploration efforts, meaningful reserve and 
resource estimates were completed during the year, including: 

•  Prepare initial ore reserves estimate for East 

Bakyrchik (Kyzyl)

•  An updated JORC-compliant ore reserves and mineral 
resources estimate at Kyzyl: 41.7 Mt of ore with an 
average grade of 6.3 g/t containing 8.5 Moz of gold. 
Open-pit reserves increased by 37% to 4.2 Moz of gold 
contained at an average grade of 5.7 g/t, while 
underground reserves were up 4% to 4.3 Moz of gold 
contained at an average grade of 7.1 g/t. Total life-of-
mine extended by eight years (to 2047), while life-of-mine 
for the open pit increased by five years (to 2031) 
compared with the previous estimate conducted in 2015.

•  An increase of more than double in ore reserves at 

Veduga. The updated ore reserves estimate comprises 
18.9 Mt of ore with an average grade of 4.6 g/t 
containing 2.8 Moz of gold. Open-pit reserves increased 
by 31% to 0.8 Moz of gold contained (28% of total 
reserves) at an average grade of 3.8 g/t.

•  An updated JORC-compliant open-pit ore reserves 

estimate at Kutyn: 8.4 Mt of ore with an average grade 
of 3.0 g/t containing 812 Koz of gold. This represents a 
110% increase in gold contained in comparison with the 
previous reserve estimate prepared in 2015.

•  An updated JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate 
at Viksha. The new estimate incorporates data from 359 
additional diamond drill holes (44 km) completed by 
Polymetal in 2017–2018. The total amount of four metals 
contained is 5.7 Moz of PdE at an average grade of 
1.1 g/t of PdE.

•  Initial JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate at 

Elevator (Varvara). Resources amounted to 402 Koz of 
gold with an average grade of 1.8 g/t. This offset the 
decrease in resources at Varvara and Komar attributable 
to changes to the boundaries of the mineral resources.
•  Initial ore reserves estimate at the Primorskoye deposit 
(Dukat) amounted to 12.2 Moz silver equivalent with an 
average grade of 3,113 g/t at a cut-off grade of 1,115 g/t 
of silver equivalent (for processing at the Lunnoye plant).
•  An increase of additional mineral resources at Albazino 
by 159 Koz to 1.8 Moz GE with an average grade of 
4.6 g/t; Nevenrekan (Omolon hub) by 78 Koz to 242 Koz 
of GE with an average grade of 19.3 g/t; and Emmy and 
Lyudmila ore zones (Svetloye) by 109 Koz 

In 2019, we formed our first strategic partnerships with junior 
exploration companies for early-stage exploration in the Taimyr 

34 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

•  Prepare initial ore reserves estimate for Prognoz
•  Complete ore reserves estimate update at Veduga 
•  Prepare initial ore reserves estimate for Voro refractory ore
•  Prepare initial mineral resources estimate at 

Talgiy (Urkachik site, Albazino)

•  Upgrade mineral resources categories at Elevator.

The Company also plans to further develop its co-operation 
with junior exploration companies and enter into several new 
strategic partnerships. In 2020, the results of the first field 
season of working with existing junior partners are expected.

Exploration areas and volumes (mine site exploration excluded)

Brownfield
Kyzyl
Albazino
Mayskoye
Varvara hub
Voro hub
Omolon hub
Svetloye hub
Dukat hub
Okhotsk (sold in December 2018)

Subtotal

Greenfield
Yakutia

Nezhda
Prognoz

Veduga
Kutyn
Viksha
Urals
Other

Subtotal

Total

Drilling, km

2019

5.3
13.2
–
45.3
23.3
11.8
2.8
0.6
–

2018

7.3
26.8
29.5
53.2
32.9
21.3
5.9
27.6
15.9

102.4

220.6

43.1
1.8
41.4
19.2
16.1
11.9
3.9
1.9

96.1

198.5

85.7
25.9
59.8
–
19.8
14.7
9.3
–

129.6

350.2

Reserves and Resources 
In 2019, Group Ore Reserves increased by 5% year-on-year 
to 25.2 Moz of gold equivalent due to successful exploration 
results with the subsequent re-evaluation of ore reserves at 
Kyzyl, Veduga, Kutyn and an initial estimate at Primorskoye 
(Dukat hub). GE Ore Reserves per share also grew by 5%. 

Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources summary1,2

Ore Reserves (Proved + Probable), gold equivalent Moz

Gold, Moz
Silver, Moz

Average reserve grade, GE g/t 

Ore Reserves per share, GE oz/per share

Mineral Resources (Measured + Indicated + Inferred), gold equivalent Moz

Gold, Moz
Silver, Moz

Average resource grade, GE g/t

ORE RESERVES RECONCILIATION
(GE OZ)

30

27

24

21

18

24.0

+0.1

+2.6

-0.2

+0.5

25.2

-1.8

Ore 
Reserves at 
1 January 
2019

Metals 
to gold 
equivalent 
conversion 
price ratio 
change

Depletion Revaluation1  Change in 
ownership2

Initial Ore 
Reserves 
estimate

Ore 
Reserves at 
1 January 
2020

1  

2 

Including the effect of the expected sale and stockpiles write-off of Sopka Kvartsevaya 
(-199 Koz) and Dalneye (-58 Koz) deposits.
Lichkvaz sale.

Gold reserves were up 6% at 23.7 Moz, while silver reserves 
decreased 14% to 116 Moz. The share of gold in Ore 
Reserves increased to 94%.

Mineral Resources (additional to Ore Reserves) declined by 
4% year-on-year to 25.4 Moz of GE. The Lichkvaz disposal 
and conversion of Mineral Resources to Ore Reserves at 
Kyzyl, Primorskoye and Veduga were largely compensated by 
an initial Mineral Resources estimate of Elevator (Varvara hub) 
and an increase in resources at Albazino and Svetloye. The 
share of gold in Mineral Resources stands at 80%, with silver 
at 17%. 

The average grade in Ore Reserves remained largely 
unchanged over the previous year at 3.7 g/t of GE. It continues 
to be one of the highest within the global sector. The average 
Mineral Resources grade also remained stable at 5.2 g/t of GE.

Outlook for 2020
Safety remains a top priority for Polymetal. We continue to 
focus on further improvements across health and safety 
metrics and reiterate our commitment to a zero-fatalities target 
in relation to all employees and contractors on our sites.

1 January 2020

1 January 2019

Change

25.2

23.7
116.0

3.7

0.054

25.4

20.3
337.7

5.2

24.0

22.3
135.0

3.8

0.051

26.3

21.0
354.9

5.1

+5%

+6%
-14%

-2%

+5%

-4%

-3%
-5%

+1%

In 2020, we expect stable operating performance to 
ensure steady financial results, while continued progress 
with the Nezhda and POX-2 projects will enable us to resume 
production growth in 2022. The Company reiterates its current 
production guidance of 1.6 Moz of GE in both 2020 and 2021. 
Production in both years will be weighted towards the second 
half of the year due to seasonality.

At Kyzyl, the Company intends to push the throughput 
further to the 2.1 Mtpa level by the second half of 2020. 
We expect grade-driven production increases at Omolon 
and Albazino, as well as a sustained contribution from 
Varvara, Svetloye and Mayskoye. Production at Dukat and 
Voro will continue to decline gradually on the back of the 
planned depletion of higher-grade ore sources.

At the same time, we will focus on advancing our long-term 
project pipeline. At Nezhda, we plan to start equipment 
installation and complete the construction and commissioning 
of the power plant by the year-end. At POX-2, the goal is 
to receive all necessary permits and deliver the autoclave 
on-site. We will continue to advance Prognoz and Veduga, 
concentrating on additional drilling as well as initial and 
upgraded ore reserves estimates, which will inform our 
future investment decisions. 

We will also continue running a number of development 
projects at existing operations, aimed at either extending the 
life-of-mine or reducing costs. This includes Mayskoye, where 
a new mining method and a conveyor ore transportation 
system will enable cost-effective and lower carbon footprint 
operations at deep underground levels. We are in the process 
of reducing our reliance on diesel power, and with it our 
environmental impact, through renewable energy projects 
at remote sites. Another large project, the flotation circuit at 
Voro, will extend the life-of-mine there by 10+ years. 

1  Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources from continuing operations. 

Kapan mine was classified as a discontinued operation as at 1 January 2019 
and is not included in this estimate; Lichkvaz, Oroch, Sopka Kvartsevaya, 
Dalneye and Irbychan mines were classified as discontinued operations as 
at 1 January 2020 and are not included in this estimate.

2  Mineral Resources are additional to Ore Reserves. Total Ore Reserves and 

Mineral Resources numbers include base metals (copper, zinc and lead). 
PGM Mineral Resources are presented separately and are not included in 
the calculation of the gold equivalent. Any discrepancies in calculations are 
due to rounding.

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 35 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
Operating review continued
Operating assets

Kyzyl

343 Koz 
Payable production 

8.2 Moz 
Gold reserves 

$399/GE oz 
Total cash cost

27 years 
Estimated life-of-mine 

Location: East Kazakhstan 
Region, Kazakhstan

Processing: 2.0 Mtpa flotation 
+ POX/concentrate offtake

Managing director: 
Kenbeyil Isaev

Employees: 1,245

Mining: Open-pit (~14 years) 
followed by underground 

Mines
1

Bakyrchik

Processing 
Kyzyl
(flotation)
Concentrate to 
downstream
POX
Third parties

Exploration
2

Bolshevik
Bakyrchik flanks

3

+

Town
Railway

Production start date: 2018

Life of mine: 2047

2

1

3

+

Oskemen

POX

Kyzyl

First year at full capacity with excellent results
In 2019, Kyzyl continued to exceed budget on throughput 
and grade, contributing one-third of the Group’s EBITDA. 
In addition, in 2019 we concluded the first stage of extending 
the open-pit life-of-mine at this flagship operation.

Mining
At Kyzyl, stripping volumes increased to 67.5 Mt, up 11% 
compared with 60.9 Mt in 2018. The annual amount of ore 
mined was 2,000 Kt, average gold grade in ore mined was 
7.4 g/t, up 33% year-on-year, driven by mining activity at the 
near-surface area with significant high-grade lenses.

Processing and production
Full-year gold production was at 343 Koz of gold, while gold 
in concentrate produced amounted to 404 Koz. 

Concentrator throughput reached the nameplate capacity 
of 2.0 Mtpa, 11% above the original design of 1.8 Mtpa. 
The Company intends to push the throughput further to 
2.1 Mtpa by the second half of 2020. Average gold grade in 
ore processed was 7.1 g/t, compared with 5.7 g/t in 2018. 

The Company moved to increase the share of gold contained 
in low-carbon concentrate processed at Amursk POX to 70% 
(versus the planned 50%). This will ensure higher production 
and lower costs at Kyzyl.

Exploration and reserves update
The updated estimate for Bakyrchik conducted in 2019 
incorporates data from an additional 239 diamond drill 
holes, 41.5 km of drilling. Open-pit reserves are now equal 
to 3.9 Moz of gold with an average grade of 5.6 g/t. 
Underground reserves increased to 4.3 Moz with an 
average grade of 7.1 g/t. The life of the open-pit mine 
increased from 10 years to 14 years. 

In 2019, Polymetal continued exploration drilling at Kyzyl’s 
second ore zone, East Bakyrchik (Promezhutochny and 
Gluboky Log sections), to study the possibility of an open-pit 
expansion. Twenty-four drill holes totalling 5.3 km of drilling 
were completed, which resulted in the identification of the 
contours of ore bodies and mineralisation boundaries.

In 2020, the Company plans to update the ore reserves and 
mineral resources estimates to include the results of the 
East Bakyrchik evaluation. 

Priorities for 2020
•  Sustained production and increased throughput 
•  Construction of the third stage of the tailings dam
•  Initial ore reserves estimate at East Bakyrchik in Q4 2020
•  Implementing automated fleet dispatch system.

Dukat

2nd
largest primary silver 
mine globally1

302 GE Koz 
2019 production 
(-1%)

2.52 Mt 
Ore processed 
(+2%)

$10.0/SE oz 
Total cash cost  
(2018: $9.3/SE oz)

Location: Magadan Region, 
Russia

Managing director: 
Dmitry Galtchuk

Employees: 1,757

Mining: Underground

Processing: 2.0 Mtpa flotation 
(Omsukchan) + 450 Ktpa 
Merrill-Crowe (Lunnoye)/ 
concentrate offtake

Production start date: 2000

Life of mine: 2024 (Lunnoye), 
2026 (Dukat)

Mines
1

Lunnoye

Processing

Lunnoye
(cyanide leaching 
and Merrill-Crowe)
Precipitate to 
downstream

Omsukchan
(flotation/
gravity) 

2

3

4

Dukat
Goltsovoye
Perevalnoye
Processing

Omsukchan
(flotation/gravity) 

Exploration
4

Perevalnoye

+

Town
Roads

1

4
2

+

Omsukchan
3

Magadan

+

Consistent contribution from Russia’s 
largest primary silver mine
In 2019, the Dukat hub produced 19.3 Moz of silver, 
delivering according to plan. Despite planned grade declines 
at the underground mine, Dukat continues to be a steady 
contributor to the Group’s EBITDA and free cash flow.

Mining 
During 2019, underground mines at Dukat, Lunnoye 
and Goltsovoye operated at full capacity, and the total 
amount of ore mined at the Dukat hub increased by 4% 
year-on-year to 2.5 Mt. Underground development was flat 
year-on-year at 60 km.

At Dukat, the volume of ore mined remained virtually 
unchanged, recording another high level at 1,658 Kt. 
Underground development increased by 14% to 39 km. 
Average silver grade decreased by 8% to 253 g/t in 
accordance with the mine plan. 

At Lunnoye, the amount of ore mined was down 5% to 512 
Kt, while average silver grade decreased by 13% year-on-year 
to 248 g/t in line with budget on the back of the depletion of 
high-grade areas in zone 9. Underground development 
remained flat at 11 km.

At Goltsovoye, the volume of ore mined increased by 31% 
year-on-year to 253 Kt, and the average silver grade was 
343 g/t, up 7% compared with the previous year. Mining at 
Goltsovoye has now been completed with the operation 
transferred to care and maintenance.

At Perevalnoye, positive exploration results led to a significant 
increase in the average widths of ore body and in reserve 
tonnage, leading to a possible life-of-mine extension. 
Underground development was 4.4 km, up 23% year-on-year.

Processing and production 
Full-year silver production at the Dukat hub was 7% lower 
year-on-year at 19.3 Moz, on the back of planned moderate 
grade declines at the underground mine. The decline was 
primarily driven by the Omsukchan concentrator processing 
larger volumes of lower-grade ore as well as a fall in 
recoveries due to the processing of material from 
Goltsovoye crown pillars.

In 2019, the Omsukchan concentrator processed a record 
volume of more than 2 Mt of ore while maintaining stable 
recoveries for both gold and silver of 85.6% and 86.3% 
respectively. This was due to the successful operation of the 
ore quality control system, based on geological and process 
mapping. Average gold grade processed remained largely 
unchanged over the previous year at 0.5 g/t, while average 
silver grade decreased by 4% to 285 g/t. Gold production 
decreased by 7% to 27.4 Koz, while silver production at 
15.8 Moz was down 4% year-on-year. 

1  Based on published results of peer group.

36 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 37 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESOperating review continued
Operating assets

Dukat continued

At Lunnoye, processing volumes remained flat at 461 Kt. 
Average gold grade increased by 5% to 1.4 g/t while average 
silver grade was down by 22% to 256 g/t. Average gold and 
silver recoveries were up by 2% and 1%, respectively. Gold 
production grew 8% year-on-year to 18.0 Koz. Reconstruction 
of the sixth stage of tailings dams has been finished.

During the year, several improvement projects aimed at 
ensuring stable operating performance at Lunnoye were 
undertaken: construction and entry into service of a chemical 
warehouse; technical refitting of the explosive materials 
warehouse; and installation of auxiliary mill drives.

Reserves and Resources
According to the initial estimate, ore reserves of the 
Primorskoye deposit amounted to 12.2 Moz silver equivalent 
with an average grade of 3,113 g/t at a cut-off grade of 1,115 
g/t of silver equivalent (for processing at the Lunnoye plant). 
Additional mineral resources decreased by 20.3 Moz in 
silver equivalent as a result of the conversion. 

Priorities for 2020
•  Further upgrade of the tailings dam at Dukat
•  Optimisation programme aimed at improving the quality 

of concentrate 

•  Life-of-mine extension through advancing the 

Perevalnoye and Primorskoye projects, start of 
infrastructure construction

•  A change in the processing scheme for selective flotation, 

driven by the start of Perevalnoye ore processing.

Omolon

205 Koz 
GE production 
(+5%) 

2,973 Kt 
Ore mined 
(2018: 1,014 Kt)

$749/GE oz 
Total cash costs 
(2018: $647/GE oz)

$123m
Adjusted EBITDA 
(+16%)

Location: Magadan Region, 
Russia

Managing director: 
Samat Kozhakaev

Employees: 1,107

Mining: Open-pit/
underground 

Processing: 850 Ktpa 
CIP/Merrill-Crowe (Kubaka), 
1 Mtpa heap leach 
(Birkachan) 

Production start date: 2010

Life of mine: 2024

Mines
1

Birkachan

Processing

Birkachan 
(heap leach)

2

3

4

Tsokol
Olcha
Sopka

Processing
Kubaka
(CIL and 
Merrill-Crowe) 

Exploration
Burgali
5
Nevenrekan
Yolochka

6

7

1

3

5

2

7

4

6

+

Evensk

Magadan

+

Flexible ore feedstock mix
In 2019, Omolon delivered stable financial and operating 
results, with GE production of 205 Koz, a 5% increase 
compared with 2018 driven by larger volumes of higher 
grade ore processed at the Kubaka mill.

Mining
In 2019, the total ore mined was up three-fold year-on-year 
to 2,973 Kt due to open-pit mining recommencing at 
Birkachan and the start of open-pit mining at Yolochka. 
Underground development was 13 km and remained 
unchanged compared with the previous year. 

Following a successful in-fill drilling campaign, open-pit 
mining recommenced at the Birkachan mine with a view 
to extending the operation of the heap leach facility and 
replacing the ore from the Sopka open pit, which was fully 
depleted in Q2 2019. Total ore mined from the open pit 
comprised 1,629 Kt, with average gold grade at 1.4 g/t. 
The underground mine delivered 169 Kt of ore mined, up 
19% year-on-year, with average gold grade increased by 
10% to 10.6 g/t. Underground development was flat at 
5 km for the year.

Open-pit mining at Sopka was completed. Total ore mined 
was 418 Kt, down 33% year-on-year. The mining fleet has 
re-located to a new satellite deposit, Yolochka (80 km from 
the Kubaka mill), where mining commenced in 2019.

Processing
Full-year gold production increased by 8% year-on-year to 
178 Koz as the Kubaka mill processed larger volumes of 
higher grade ore from the Birkachan and Olcha 
underground mines.

The volume of ore processed at the Kubaka mill decreased 
by 3% to 834 Kt. Gold recovery remained stable at 95.5% 
and silver recovery decreased by 9% to 79%, driven by the 
change in feedstock mix. Average silver grade was down 
3% to 95 g/t, while average gold grade increased by 13% 
to 6.4 g/t. 

Gold production at the Birkachan heap leach increased to 
14.1 Koz, 9% above the 2018 level. The total volume of ore 
stacked decreased to 897 Kt, down 10% year-on-year. 

Exploration and resources
Exploration drilling of 5.6 km was completed at the 
Nevenrekan deposit to close the ore bodies along the strike 
at zone 1 and assess their extension. Mineral resources 
increased by 78 Koz to 242 Koz of GE with an average 
grade of 19.3 g/t.

Priorities for 2020
•  Grade-driven production increase
•  Completion of project documentation and start 
of construction of dry-stack storage at Kubaka 

•  Advancing the solar power station project 
(project design, equipment procurement)

At Yolochka, the volume of ore mined amounted to 474 Kt, 
with the average gold grade at 4.5 g/t.

•  Expected sale of Sopka low grade ore stockpiles and 

related mining and exploration licences.

At Tsokol, the underground development increased by 8%, 
with 165 Kt of ore mined and a 29% decrease in the 
average gold grade to 5.2 g/t. 

At Olcha, total mining volumes increased by 27% to 117 Kt, 
while underground development was down 9% year-on-
year. The average gold grade decreased to 7.5 g/t, down 
23% year-on-year.

+

Town
Roads

38 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 39 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESOperating review continued
Operating assets

Amursk POX Hub

430 Koz 
Total gold production 
through POX (+36%)

211 Kt 
Concentrate processed 
(+20%)

94.1% 
POX recovery

Location: Khabarovsk 
Territory, Russia

Managing director: 
Vadim Kipot

Employees: 
485

Feed: Albazino, Mayskoye, 
Kyzyl, 3rd party concentrate

Processing: Concentrate POX 
+ cyanidation

Production start date: 2012

Mines
1

2

3

+

Pevek

1

+

Mayskoye
Albazino
Kyzyl
Concentrate 
to downstream
Processing

Amursk POX 
(POX + cyanidation) 

+

Vanino

2

+

Khabarovsk

Nakhodka

+

Town
Sea port
Road
Railway 
Water routes

3

Leveraging our core technical capabilities 
Gold production at the Amursk POX increased by 36% 
year-on-year driven by the 2018 expansion (commissioning 
of the second oxygen plant) that allowed us to introduce 
high-grade Kyzyl concentrate into the feed. The processing 
of large volumes of double-refractory Kyzyl concentrate, 
starting from Q2 2019, has significantly changed the 
operating parameters and led to a 3% year-on-year decline 
in recoveries. The POX plant currently runs at its expanded 
design capacity.

The Amursk POX plant became the second gold production 
operation in Russia and FSU that has been certified as fully 
compliant with the International Cyanide Management Code 
(Cyanide Code) as both a gold mining company and 
separately as a cyanide transporter by the International 
Cyanide Management Institute (ICMI).

2019 highlights
In 2019, the Amursk POX plant achieved record operating 
results. The volume of concentrate processed increased by 
20% to 211 Kt, while total gold production amounted to 430 
Koz, 36% up year-on-year, due to the successful and timely 
launch of the POX debottlenecking project in Q4 2018. 
Increased POX capacity enables higher gold recoveries 
from concentrate and reduces downstream processing 
costs, thus improving the economics at Kyzyl and 
broadening the scope for the profitable treatment of 
third-party feedstock.

The volume of Albazino concentrate processed was down 
slightly by 3% at 142 Kt. The average grade in concentrate 
was 51.2 g/t, down 10% year-on-year. Recoveries from 
Albazino concentrate exceeded the design level at 95.4%.

52 Kt of high-grade low-carbon Kyzyl concentrate were 
introduced to the feed during 2019, with a recovery level 
of 92.4%. By implementing tight feed management 
procedures, the POX team managed to stabilise the 
average POX recovery ratio at a level above 94%.

The output from Veduga concentrate amounted to 28 Koz for 
the full year. There was no treatment of Mayskoye concentrate 
at Amursk POX in 2019 as the capacity was taken up by 
higher-grade and higher-margin material. 

The operation meets ISO 14001 and 45001 requirements 
for environmental and safety management.

Priorities for 2020
•  Processing concentrate from Kyzyl, Albazino and 

Veduga with designed recoveries

•  Technical re-equipment of cake warehouse (phase 4) 
•  Laboratory reconstruction.

Unlocking the value of refractory reserves 
and ensuring strategic security

POX-2 leverages our core technical capabilities and 
is expected to generate significant economic benefits as 
all refractory concentrates will be retained for in-house 
processing as opposed to selling to third-party offtakers. 
The project will ensure the strategic security of downstream 
processing against the backdrop of tightening environmental 
regulation in China, as well as enabling Polymetal to create the 
capacity for treatment of third-party refractory concentrates.

POX-2 also fits well with our sustainable development 
strategy. The environmental footprint of the Company’s value 
chain will decrease significantly because of the substantial 
reductions in air pollution, water usage, and solid toxic waste 
and as a consequence of the change in downstream 
processing technology (POX instead of roasting), zero-water 
discharge and dry storage of process tailings. To read more 
about our engagement with stakeholders in connection with 
the development of POX-2 see page 102. The operation is 
expected to be commissioned in Q3 2023 and fully ramped 
up by the end of that year.

2019 highlights
In early 2019, the Board approved the POX-2 project on 
the basis of the recently completed feasibility study and 
authorised the start of construction.

The 2019 feasibility study results confirmed that the 
second POX line will significantly increase the value of 
Polymetal’s refractory reserve base, comprising approximately 
55% of total ore reserves. The facility will process concentrates 
from Polymetal’s mines at Kyzyl, Nezhda, Mayskoye, and the 
refractory part of Voro. The plant’s design throughput capacity 
is 250–300 Ktpa of concentrate. 

In 2019, contracts were signed for the main processing 
equipment including the autoclave vessel (Coek Engineering) 
and the oxygen station (Linde), as well as desorption, 
electrolysis, carbon reactivation and smelting units, 
equipment for the concentrate preparation section (roll 
crushers, acid-resistant mills, steep-angle conveyors) and 
intensive cyanidation unit, high-pressure auxiliary equipment, 
and the front-end section of the water treatment plant. 
Polymetal also signed a comprehensive contract for the 
detailed engineering of high-pressure sections of the 
facility with Hatch. 

Amursk POX-2

600 Koz 
Expected annual gold 
production

250–300 Kt 
Annual concentrate 
capacity

$431m 
Start-up capital expenditure 
fully funded from operating 
cash flow

Location: Khabarovsk 
Region, Russia

Feed: Kyzyl, Nezhda, 
Mayskoye, Voro, 3rd party 
concentrate

Processing: High-temperature 
POX, intensive cyanidation

Production start date: Q3 2023

Full ramp-up: End of Q4 2023

Pevek

1

+

Mayskoye
Albazino
Kyzyl
Concentrate 
to downstream
Processing

Amursk POX 
(POX + cyanidation) 

Mines
1

2

3

+

+

Vanino

2

+

Khabarovsk

Town
Sea port
Road
Railway 
Water routes

3

Nakhodka

+

Construction of a new concentrate storage facility is under way.

The autoclave foundation was completed. The vessel to carry 
the autoclave from the port of Antwerp to the mouth of the 
Amur river was chartered and is expected to sail in late July.

Priorities for 2020
•  Receipt of all permits 
•  Delivery of the autoclave on-site. 

40 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 41 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESOperating review continued
Operating assets

Albazino

2,133 Kt 
Ore mined 
(+20%)

$167m 
Adjusted EBITDA 
(-9%)

241 Koz 
Total gold production 
(-22%)

159 Kt
Concentrate processed at 
the Amursk POX (-6%)

High-grade profile and underground 
development 

In 2019, Albazino performance was affected by processing of 
lower grade ore from the Ekaterina-1 open pit, resulting in an 
Adjusted EBITDA decrease by 9% year-on-year to $167 million. 

Mining 
At Albazino, the amount of ore mined from the open pit was 
up 13% to 1,555 Kt, while average gold grade was down 25% 
to 3.9 g/t. 

Underground mine productivity continued to improve with 
ore mined up 43% year-on-year to 578 Kt. Ekaterina-2 should 
become the main source of higher grade ore from the second 
half of 2020.

As a result, the total amount of ore mined increased 20% 
year-on-year to 2,133 Kt.

Processing and production
Ore processed remained largely unchanged at 1,736 Kt, 
above nameplate capacity, with average grades processed 
of 4.6 g/t, down 13% year-on-year.

Location: Khabarovsk 
Region, Russia

Managing director: 
Oleg Voronin

Employees: 1,203

Mining: Open-pit/
underground 

Mines
1

Albazino

Processing

Albazino (flotation)

Concentrate to 
downstream

POX

Exploration

2

3

+

Urkachik
Albazino flanks

Town
Sea port
Railway

Processing: 1.6 Mtpa flotation 
+ POX and CIL processing 
at Amursk

Production start date: 2009

Life of mine: 2035

Gold recoveries at the Albazino concentrator improved to 
86.6% compared with 85.7% in 2018, while concentrate yield 
was 8%. Concentrate of 144 Kt with an average grade of 47.7 
g/t was produced, up 1% year-on-year. Gold in concentrate 
volume was down 12% to 221 Koz, driven by processing 
lower grade ore from Ekaterina-1. 

Nikolaevsk-
on-Amur
+

Kherpuchi
+
1
+
Oglongi

3

2

Komsomolsk-on-Amur

+

Khabarovsk

+

Vanino

+

The total gold output for 2019 amounted to 241 Koz, a 22% 
decline year-on-year. Apart from the decrease in production 
from Albazino concentrate, this was because of lower 
volumes of third-party feed being processed at the POX plant. 

Exploration and resources 
In 2019, exploration activities were focused on additional 
prospecting for mineral resources at the Ekaterina-2 mine. 
Additional mineral resources increased by 159 Koz to 
1.8 Moz GE with an average grade of 4.6 g/t.

Exploration was carried out at the Talgiy section of the 
Urkachik area (47 thousand m3 of trenches, 4.7 km of drilling). 
In 2020, Polymetal plans to continue exploration drilling at 
Talgiy in order to prepare an initial mineral resources estimate. 
Additional resources are expected to be established on the 
flanks of the deposit due to the identification of new ore bodies 
and the evaluation of new prospective areas (Pikhtovy site).

Priorities for 2020
•  Commencement of open-pit mining at Farida
•  Commencement of underground mining at Ekaterina-2
•  Determining optimum development parameters for Olga 

Zone underground

•  Implementing a cable rock support system for 

underground mining.

Varvara

149 Koz 
GE production 
(+5%) 

3,663 Kt 
Total ore processed 
(+1%)

$93m 
Adjusted EBITDA 
(+21%)

Location: Kostanay Region, 
Kazakhstan

Managing director: 
Igor Nikolishin

Employees: 1,273

Mining: Open-pit

Processing: 3.0 Mtpa leaching 
for gold ore, 1.0 Mtpa 
flotation for copper ore

Production start date: 2007 
(operated by Polymetal 
since 2009)

Life of mine: 2032

Mines
1

2

3

Varvara
Komar
Maminskoye
Processing
Varvara
(leaching for gold ore, 
flotation for copper ore)

4

2

3
3

1

+

Kostanay

Exploration
4

East Tarutin

+

Town
Roads

Increased capacity at Komar confirms 
solid performance

In 2019, Varvara hub delivered a record level of GE 
production of 149 Koz, up 5% year-on-year, driven by 
increased railing capacity at Komar.

Mining
Total mining volumes were 3,943 Kt, an increase of 
26% year-on-year. The average grades in float and leach 
ore were 1.3 g/t and 1.2 g/t, up 3% and down 5%, 
respectively. At Komar, the average grade was 1.4 g/t, 
down 2% year-on-year.

Processing and production
GE production grew by 5% to 149 Koz. This was primarily 
due to higher mining and railing volumes at Komar. In 2019, 
Varvara continued to toll-treat high-grade ore from Veduga, a 
total amount of 113 Kt with an average gold grade of 11.6 g/t.

The total ore processed remained stable at 3,663 Kt. At the 
flotation circuit the volume processed grew by 23% to 559 Kt, 
while at the leaching circuit it decreased by 3% to 2,991 Kt. 

Gold grade in ore processed improved to 1.5 g/t, a 5% 
increase year-on-year. 

A new Company-owned locomotive has been successfully 
commissioned and is expected to further drive down Komar 
ore transportation costs.

Exploration and resources
At Elevator, 4.8 km of drilling was completed, exploring 
for primary gold ore suitable for open-pit mining. Based 
on exploration activity in 2019 and previous years, an initial 
mineral resources estimate was prepared. Resources 
amounted to 402 Koz of gold with an average grade of 1.8 
g/t. The inclusion of Elevator’s resources offset the decrease 
in resources at Varvara and Komar attributable to changes 
in the mineral resources boundaries. Total additional mineral 
resources for the hub decreased by 150 Koz to 1.5 Moz 
of GE. 

At the East Tarutin copper-gold deposit, 28.3 km was 
drilled, including 21.7 km of exploration drilling, in order 
to prepare an initial mineral resources estimate. 

In 2020, the Company plans to continue exploration on 
the flanks of the Elevator deposit with the aim of upgrading 
the categories of mineral resources and converting them into 
ore reserves.

Priorities for 2020
•  Starting the construction of the new tailings storage facility 
•  Processing ores from Komar and Yubileynoye, using the 

full capacity of the processing plant

•  Upgrade mineral resources categories at Elevator.

42 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 43 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESOperating review continued
Operating assets

Svetloye

1,573 Kt 
Total ore mined 
(+19%)

$142m 
Adjusted EBITDA 
(+15%)

134 Koz 
Gold production 
(-1%)

$310/GE oz 
Total cash cost 
(+3%)

Processing: 1.4 Mtpa 
heap leach

Production start date: 2016

Life of mine: 2022

+
Ulya

+

Okhotsk

3
1

2

Location: Khabarovsk 
Territory, Russia

Managing director: 
Vasilina Tarabarova

Employees: 611

Mining: Open-pit

Mines
1

Svetloye

Processing
Svetloye
(heap leach)
Precipitate to 
downstream

Third parties

Exploration
2
Fortuna
Levoberezhny

3

+

Town
Sea port
Roads

Reliable lowest cost operation 
Svetloye continued to contribute significantly to Polymetal’s 
operating performance while being the lowest cash-cost 
operation of the Group.

Mining
In 2019, total ore mined at Svetloye increased by 19% to 
1,573 Kt, while average gold grade stabilised at 3.8 g/t.
At the Emmy open-pit mine, the positioning system has 
been implemented. 

Processing and production
Svetloye delivered a solid set of results: the amount of ore 
stacked was at the planned level of 1,301 Kt, a decrease 
of 6% compared with 2018. Gold production was stable 
at 134 Koz and was additionally supported by Svetloye’s 
excellent cash-cost performance with TCC of $310/oz and 
AISC of $449/oz.

In 2018, we were the first mining company in Russia to install 
a solar power plant, with a capacity of 1 MW to supply the 
main production site at Svetloye, as well as a 100 kW wind 
turbine at Unchi seaport, the local supply hub for Svetloye. 
The new solar power plant and wind turbine are both now 
fully operational, generating renewable energy and preventing 
the release of 731 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Exploration and resources 
In 2019, exploration was carried out on the remote flanks 
of the Svetloye deposit. An increase in additional mineral 
resources of 109 Koz at the Emmy and Lyudmila ore zones 
was obtained due to the improvement in quality of the ore 
and wider ore bodies.

At Levoberezhny (35 km from Svetloye), the results of in-fill 
drilling confirmed the continuity of mineralisation and the 
viability of using heap leaching to recover gold.

In 2020, the Company plans to continue exploration drilling 
and trenching on the flanks of the Emmy and Lyudmila ore 
zones with the aim of further increasing the mineral 
resources base. 

Priorities for 2020
•  Preparation of pre-feasibility study for the Levoberezhny 

ore zone

•  Feasibility study for the Lyudmila ore zone
•  Piloting X-ray radiometric sorting
•  Start of mining at Emmy, construction and 

commissioning of infrastructure. 

1  From solar power plant at Svetloye and a wind turbine at the seaport of Unchi.

Mayskoye

129 Koz 
Total gold production 
(+10%)

878 Kt 
Ore processed 
(+2%)

6.1 g/t 
Average gold grade  
(-14%)

2.8 Moz 
Additional mineral 
resources

Location: Chukotka, Russia

Managing director: 
Tagir Ibragimov

Employees: 1,014

Mining: Open-pit/
underground

Processing: 850 Ktpa 
flotation + POX/concentrate 
offtake

Production start date: 2013

Life of mine: 2037

Mines
1

Mayskoye

Processing

Mayskoye 
(flotation)

Concentrate to 
downstream

POX 
Third parties

Exploration
Mayskoye deeper levels

+

Town
Sea port
Roads
Water routes

Pevek

1

+

+

Vanino

Khabarovsk

+

Nakhodka

+

Long-life high-grade refractory gold mine
In 2019, Mayskoye produced 129 Koz of gold, 
a 10% increase compared with 117 Koz in 2018, 
making a sustained contribution to the Group’s 
strong operating performance. 

Mining 
In 2019, the volume of ore mined comprised 813 Kt, with 
volume of ore mined from underground remaining stable at 
635 Kt, while open-pit mining halved to 178 Kt. The average 
gold grade in ore mined was down 5% year-on-year to 
6.1 g/t. 

Processing 
In 2019, ore processed was up 2% year-on-year to 
878 Kt, with an average gold grade of 6.1 g/t (2018: 7.1 g/t). 
Recoveries increased to 82.1% (2018: 79.1%). In the second 
half of the year, Mayskoye switched back to processing 
sulphide ore from the underground mine; consequently, 
grade fell and recoveries jumped.

The gold in concentrate produced increased by 
10% year-on-year and comprised 132 Koz, reflecting 
higher recoveries and higher volume of ore processed 
at the circuit.

Total payable gold production at Mayskoye increased by 
10% to 129 Koz. In 2019, all Mayskoye concentrate was 
sold to China, as the capacity at the Amursk POX was 
taken up by higher-margin material.

At Mayskoye, we are running development projects for 
a new mining method and a conveyor ore transportation 
system, which will enable cost-effective and lower carbon 
footprint operations at deep underground levels. A backfill 
system aimed at reducing dilution and improving grade is 
expected to start in 2022 with a positive effect of a $100/
GE oz reduction in AISC. A new haulage system includes 
conveyors plus an electric fleet to reduce ventilation, fuel 
consumption and carbon footprint.

Priorities for 2020
•  Development of backfilling system: basic engineering 

and design, equipment contracting

•  Start construction of conveyor ore transportation system
•  Stable throughput and production.

44 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 45 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESOperating review continued
Operating assets

Voro

106 Koz 
Gold production 
(0%)

1,050 Kt 
Ore processed at CIP 
(+5%)

Focus on life-of-mine extension through 
flotation circuit
In 2019, the Voro plant became the second Polymetal gold 
production operation to be certified as fully compliant with 
the International Cyanide Management Code.

$383/GE oz 
Total cash cost 
(-2%) 

69%
Adjusted EBITDA margin 
(2018: 66%)

Mining
Open-pit mining at Voro has been concluded. Technical 
studies to determine the feasibility of underground mining 
are under way and are expected to be finalised in Q1 2021. 

Nezhda

4.4 Moz 
Ore Reserves 

25 years 
Life-of-mine

$234m 
Start-up capital expenditure

1.8 Mtpa
Concentrator capacity

Location: Sverdlovsk Region, 
Russia

Managing director: 
Boris Balykov

Employees: 741

Mining: Open-pit

Processing: 950 Ktpa 
CIP circuit, 1 Mtpa heap 
leach circuit

Production start date: 2000 
(HL), 2005 (CIP)

Life of mine: 2028 (CIP)

Mines
1

Voro

Processing
Voro 
(heap leach/
CIL/Merrill-Crowe)

Exploration
2

Pescherny
Saum
Tamunyer
Voro flanks

3

4

5

+

Town

3

4

+

1

Karpinsk
5
+

Serov

2

+

Nizhny Tagil

+

Ekaterinburg

The Company is currently preparing the initial ore 
reserves estimate for the Pescherny satellite deposit with 
the results of both to be presented in Q2 2020. 

In 2019, the total volume of ore mined was 18% lower 
year-on-year at 946 Kt. Average gold grades for primary 
and oxidised ore were 3.2 g/t and 1.6 g/t, respectively.

Processing and production
Total gold production at Voro remained flat year-on-year 
at 106 Koz, on the back of higher staking volumes, which 
offset the lower ore grades processed at the CIP facility.

In 2019, the CIP plant delivered a record throughput of 
1,050 Kt of ore processed, up 5% year-on-year, while gold 
recovery edged up to 86.3% compared with 81% in 2018. 
The average gold grade in ore processed was 3.5 g/t, 
a 10% decrease from 2018. 

At the heap leach plant, gold production was up two-fold 
year-on-year at 14.6 Koz, maintaining gold recovery at 
76.6% (73.2% in 2018).

Resources and exploration 
Additional mineral resources at the Voro hub remained 
mostly unchanged over the previous year at 1.3 Moz of GE 
with an average grade of 4.9 g/t.

At Voro, a total of 10.5 km of exploration drilling was 
completed in 2019 in order to estimate underground mineral 
resources on the northern flank and mineral resources of 
oxidised ores for open-pit mining on the western flank.

At Pescherny, 12.4 km was drilled. Technological studies 
and a set of field and laboratory hydrogeological and 
engineering geological studies were completed.

Priorities for 2020
•  Advancing Voro flotation project: refractory processing 

to complement the treatment of ore stockpiles

•  Preparation of pre-feasibility study for Voro underground 

mine to replace low-grade stockpiles

•  Intensive near-mine exploration
•  Initial ore reserves estimate for the Pescherny 

satellite deposit.

A world-class long-life gold deposit 
Nezhda is Russia’s fourth largest gold property with 
excellent exploration potential. The project is capital light 
and will contribute to dividends per share in 2022.

Development
In 2019, pre-stripping and construction proceeded 
according to plan. Full design documentation was approved 
by the Chief Environmental Expertise, a government agency 
in charge of environmental permitting. 

All of the main and auxiliary equipment has been 
contracted. Construction and installation works at the 
concentrator, crusher and cake storage are proceeding 
according to plan. Construction of the mine camp and 
storage facilities has been completed. 

Repairs to the road between the Kolyma federal highway 
and the mine site were completed and the road made ready 
for the delivery of technological equipment for the plant and 
the power station in Q1 2020. 

The concentrator building was fully winterised and 
the installation of equipment began in January 2020. 
Construction of the foundations for flotation and thickening 
sections is under way with the tails thickener foundation 
completed. The haulage road between the mine and the 
concentrator has been built but the construction of two 
bridges along this road is ongoing.

In 2019, exploration activities focused on the southern 
flanks of the Nezhda deposit. According to the preliminary 
estimates, an increase in open-pit mineral resources is 
possible. In 2020, Polymetal plans to continue exploration 
activities on the flanks of the deposit to identify new 
mineralised zones and update the mineralisation estimates 
of the known ore bodies.

Location: Republic of Sakha 
(Yakutia), Russia

17 years of underground 
mining 2029-2045) 

Processing: Flotation/Gravity 
concentration + off-take/ 
Amursk POX

Production start date: Q4 2021

Life of mine: 2045

Managing director: 
Alexander Simon

Employees: 495

Mining: 25 years (19 years 
of conventional open-pit 
mining 2019-2037, 

Mines
1

Nezhda

Processing

Nezhda
(flotation + gravity)
Precipitate to 
downstream

POX-2
Third parties

1

Yakutsk

++

+

Okhotsk

Nizhny Bestyakh

Priorities for 2020
•  Start of equipment installation
•  Construction and commissioning of the power plant to 

be completed 

•  Update the mineralisation estimates of known ore bodies.

+

Town
Roads
Railway

46 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 47 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESOperating review continued
Key exploration projects

Veduga

2.0 Moz 
Ore reserves at 4.5 g/t Au

 $250m 
Capital expenditure

 200 Koz 
Production of gold 
per annum

Mining: Open-pit (4 years) 
followed by underground 
(15 years)

Processing: 1.5 Mtpa 
conventional flotation + 
Amursk POX

Location: Krasnoyarsk 
Region, Russia

Managing director: 
Victor Demeschik

Employees: 221

Ownership: 74.3%

Mines
1

Veduga

Processing

Veduga
(conventional 
flotation)
Concentrate to 
downstream

POX

1

Krasnoyarsk +

+

Town
Roads
Railway

Substantial increase in reserves prompting 
change in asset development approach
In 2019, Polymetal more than doubled ore reserves 
at the Veduga gold deposit following an extensive 
exploration campaign.

Development
In 2019, the Company prepared an updated mineral 
resources and ore reserves estimate, based on exploration 
activities (57 additional diamond drill holes, 24 km of drilling) 
conducted from 2017–2018. At 31 December 2019, the 
deposit’s ore reserves totalled 2.7 Moz of gold with an 
average grade of 4.5 g/t, which is 1.4 Moz more than in the 
previous evaluation. Additional mineral resources have 
halved to 200 Koz due to the conversion to ore reserves. 

The bulk of new reserves is located at depths of 500 m to 
790 m below the surface. Mineralisation is represented by 
two contiguous sub-vertical ore bodies with an average true 
width of 14 m and 21 m. The thickness of the ore bodies 
varies from 1 m to 65 m.

During 2019, the Company carried out 19.2 km of exploration 
drilling at the deeper levels of the known ore bodies.

In 2020, Polymetal plans to evaluate the potential Ore 
Body 1 to a horizon of 650 m below surface level and also 
continue to identify new resources at the Strelka ore zone. 
The Company expects to achieve an increase of at least 
1 Moz of gold in mineral resources as a result of this 
exploration campaign.

Currently, mining at Veduga focuses on a high-grade 
open-pit mine, which supplies ore for processing at 
Polymetal’s Varvara or Kyzyl mill with concentrate 
subsequently treated at the Amursk POX. The output from 
Veduga concentrate amounted to 28 Koz for the full year.

Due to the increase in reserve during 2019 and the potential 
of a significant extension of further underground reserves, 
the Company has decided to continue with the development 
of this asset. The conceptual project schedule assumes an 
investment decision in Q4 2021. The processing plant would 
then be launched in the second half of 2024, with the start 
of underground mining scheduled for 2028. Polymetal’s 
preliminary assessment presumes capital expenditure of 
$250 million for the initial project.

Priorities for 2020
•  Evaluating the potential Ore Body 1
•  Continuing exploration at Strelka ore zone
•  Ore reserves updated estimate in 2020 and investment 

decision in 2021.

Prognoz

Viksha

256 Moz 
Mineral resources at 789 g/t

 $250m 
Start-up capital expenditure

165 Mt 
Mineral resources

2H 2021 
Initial ore reserves estimate

20 Moz 
of silver annual production

5.7 Moz 
of PdE 

Palladium – 67%
Platinum – 12%
Gold – 10%

Location: Republic of Sakha 
(Yakutia), Russia

Processing: Flotation + 
Leaching + Merrill-Crowe

Location: Republic of Karelia, 
Russia

Managing director: 
Alexander Akamov

Employees: 93

Mining: Open-pit (5–8 years), 
followed by underground 
(10 years)

Mines
1

Prognoz

Processing

Prognoz 
(flotation + 
leaching + 
Merrill-Crowe)

+

Town
Roads

Resources: 256 Moz of SE at 
789 g/t (JORC)

Managing director: 
Vladimir Dunaev

Employees: 93

Mining: Open-pit

Mines
1

Viksha

Processing
Viksha

1

+

Town

Yakutsk

++

Nizhny Bestyakh

Processing: Flotation + 
offtake/hydrometallurgic 
plant

Additional resources: 5.7 Moz 
of PdE at 1.1 g/t (JORC)

1

Petrozavodsk +

+

St. Petersburg

Strengthening of our long-term growth pipeline
Prognoz is the largest undeveloped primary silver deposit in 
Russia and currently one of the world’s top silver 
development projects. 

Our first PGM asset and one of the world’s 
largest open-pittable PGM resources
Viksha is Polymetal’s first PGM (platinum group metals) 
project with high potential as a large open-pittable deposit.

In 2019, the Company conducted 41.4 km of drilling 
comprising 31.1 km of exploration drilling, 5.3 km of 
geotechnical drilling for plant construction, 2.5 km of 
hydrogeological drilling and 2.4 km of technological drilling.

In 2019, the resource model of the Viksha deposit was 
updated: total mineral resources decreased to 5.7 Moz of 
PdE, while the share of measured and indicated resources 
increased from 13% to 65%.

In 2020, Polymetal plans to prepare initial ore reserves and 
updated mineral resources estimates of the Prognoz deposit 
as well as carrying out additional exploration activity.

In 2020, exploration activities are set to continue with a view 
to upgrading the deposit’s resources.

48 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 49 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES10%

of tailings are  
dry-stacked 

14%

decrease in product  
carbon footprint

Sustainability
Embedding sustainability

It is an exciting time to lead Polymetal’s 
sustainability work and I am hugely 
grateful to colleagues around the 
business for continuing to raise the bar, 
ensuring that sustainability reaches 
every corner of our operations. 

External validation

Polymetal recognised in Dow 
Jones Sustainability Emerging 
Markets Index for the second 
consecutive year.

Inclusion in MSCI ESG Leaders 
index series with score improved 
to ‘A’.

Sustainalytics score improved 
to 88 with Leader position in 
precious metals group among 
55 peers.

In July, ISS-Oekom upgraded 
Polymetal’s rating from C to C+. 
The Company showed significant 
progress in all social and 
governance rating indicators and 
the eco-efficiency indicator. 

Awarded Best Communication  
of ESG and Best Annual Report 
(International) at the IR Society 
Best Practice Awards 2019.

Companies are often talking about ‘embedding’ and 
‘integrating’ sustainability. In a business as complex and 
globally diverse as ours, that is no mean feat. It’s why 
I’m truly proud of the progress we’ve made in 2019 to 
ensure that we have a consistent and overarching 
Polymetal approach.

The risk management and human resources processes that 
protect, engage and motivate our more than 11,000 people 
were further strengthened. Also, reflecting our strategic 
objective of sustainable and inclusive growth, we saw more 
women moving into management positions. It will take time 
to fully redress gender imbalances but approaches such as 
quotas for certain roles, promoting female candidates from 
our Talent Pool and starting monthly gender ratio monitoring 
are creating positive impacts for the Company.

I believe we do a very good job of listening and responding 
to employee ideas and concerns. We are now extending 
our training centre offer, improving the transparency of our 
reward and recognition system, and reviewing physical 
working and living conditions. 

As an extractive industry, rigorous environmental management 
has always been something we take extremely seriously. 
Water being an obvious priority, in 2018 we set a target to 
decrease fresh water use, and I am pleased to report that 
we achieved a 26% reduction in fresh water consumption. 

Innovative new technologies are critical to sustainable 
development globally, so as a part of the Russian UN Global 
Compact delegation, we were delighted to represent Russia 
and the mining industry with our POX technology for safer 
and greener gold recovery at the fourth session of the 
United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, 
Kenya. Also in 2019, our Amursk POX and Voro sites 
achieved full certification under the International Cyanide 
Management Code.

Finally, reflecting our commitment to embedding 
sustainability into the core business, in 2019 we agreed 
a bilateral sustainability-linked credit facility of up to 
$75 million with Societe Generale. It links the pricing of 
the loan to five key environmental and social indicators.

While we can take away a lot of positives from 2019, we 
should not be complacent about the ongoing necessity 
to safeguard our colleagues, engage with our stakeholders 
and reduce our environmental footprint. I look forward to us 
further cementing a business that is effective, accountable 
and, above all, sustainable.

Daria Goncharova
Chief Sustainability Officer

0.19

LTIFR

$15m 

invested in local  
communities

50 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 51 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESSustainability continued

Aligning sustainability with consistently robust 
investor returns requires high levels of innovation 
and accountability for our actions. 

Sustainability governance
Delivering on our strategic sustainability objectives 
requires leadership from the very top of the Company. 
This is overseen by Board-level Committees, with our 
Group CEO having ultimate accountability. The Safety and 
Sustainability Committee has a mandate to provide support 
to the Board on the Group’s safety record, sustainability 
performance and ethical conduct. It oversees our approach 
and implementation of short- and long-term policies and 
standards. The Committee also ensures that we work 
ethically, transparently and responsibly, engaging with 
key stakeholders and local communities. The Company 
complies fully with the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Our approach
We believe responsible and efficient mining can be a 
force for good and take a long-term view of both the 
environmental and social impacts of our activities. Our 
strategy of focusing on high-grade deposits in specific 
geographies minimises our environmental footprint and 
at the same time enables us to gain a better understanding 
of the needs and priorities of local communities. It also 
reinforces our belief that sharing the economic benefits 
of mining fairly between stakeholders is essential if we 
are to retain the social licence to operate.

We are deeply committed to sustainability and continuous 
improvement, which translates into safer working conditions 
for people, responsible environmental management, support 
for our local communities and growing economic value for 
our stakeholders. Our sustainability strategy is designed to 
meet the principles of the UN Global Compact, to which 
we signed up voluntarily in 2009. We comply with the Ten 
Principles relating to the environment, labour, human rights 
and anti-corruption, and participate in the UN National 
Network Russia. Alongside our corporate values of dialogue, 
compliance, ethical conduct, fairness, stewardship and 
effectiveness, the Ten Principles help inform our 
sustainability policies.

We also support the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 
Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDGs) as illustrated on the page opposite. 

Stakeholders and materiality
As well as operating as a responsible business and mitigating 
risks that may impact society, we also proactively invest in 
meaningful dialogue with a diverse range of stakeholders. 
We do this through a range of channels and any feedback 
or concerns inform our materiality decisions, as well as our 
disclosure and risk management.

Stakeholder engagement is a key aspect of sustainability 
reporting. We report most material topics according 
to GRI Standards. As part of this, we identify the social, 
economic and environmental issues that our stakeholders 
care most about. We also analyse industry and societal 
trends, investor and ESG analyst requests, peer 
companies, community grievances, risks identified 
and issues reported to our Board. Ten high-priority issues 
were identified through our most recent poll, with economic 
efficiency and safety of most concern. The table on pages 
56–57 outlines the top ten high-priority material issues of 
high priority, how each issue fits into our sustainability 
priorities and our progress in 2019.

Board approval of the POX-2 project at Amursk is a 
prime example of stakeholder engagement in action. 
Before finalising the investment decision, we consulted with 
all of the relevant stakeholder groups and, at their behest, 
initiated several long-term projects to improve the amenities 
and landscape in the Amursk area. These will also be 
crucial in helping fill newly created jobs at the plant. 
Read more on pages 12, 41, 100–103.

Minimising risk
We have developed our Risk Management System (RMS) 
to minimise risks across the business, help us achieve our 
strategic objectives and create sustainable value for our 
stakeholders. Managing sustainability risks is part of our 
overall RMS. Our priority is to identify and mitigate our 
most critical risks across our most material issues. The list 
of significant risks is determined based on the strategic 
goals of the Group, available resources, risk appetite and 
opportunities. Along with operational and financial risks, 
we include sustainability risks in the company-wide RMS 
and in the annual internal audit plan. There are also other 
sustainability risks which we assess but which do not have 
significant influence on the Group’s operational 
performance or business reputation.

Managing climate risk
Potential climate change could have significant physical 
impacts, particularly in the permafrost regions where we 
operate. Market volatility related to climate risks is likely 
to increase and be on the agenda of investors. To this 
end, our Climate and Energy Management systems 
and Carbon Management Policy form the heart of our 
mitigation approach. Management systems include an 
Energy Efficiency Programme to improve how we plan our 
energy use through better energy monitoring, metering 
and reduction, in line with ISO 50001, the international 
standard for energy management.

Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals

We support the UN’s 2030 Agenda 
for Sustainable Development and 
its 17 Sustainable Development 
Goals (SDGs):
We have mapped our sustainability 
strategy to the Goals, taking specific 
action on 73 targets that are relevant 
to our business and to which we can 
contribute. We have identified risks 
that relate to achieving the Goals 
and incorporated them into our risk 
management system. We have also 
evaluated our impact on these target 
areas, and are working to maximise 
our positive, and minimise any 
negative, impact. Finally, we have set 
targets to measure our progress.

Key principles for the responsible business 
We are a business with much to contribute, not only to our investors but also to society 
and the natural world. We apply the following principles across our business activities 
and these embody our determination to operate responsibly.

We take a very 
long-term view of 
both positive and 
negative impacts 
of our activities

We believe stability 
and transparency 
breed predictability, 
certainty, and 
efficiency

We are extremely 
averse to significant 
sustainability risks 
and are prepared 
to invest to 
mitigate them

We take into 
account the whole 
value chain of our 
final product

We believe fair 
sharing of the 
economic benefits 
of mining between 
stakeholders is 
necessary for 
maintaining the social 
licence to operate

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESSustainability continued
Stakeholder engagement

Trust takes time to win – but it can be lost in an instant. As well as operating 
as a responsible business and mitigating risks that may impact society, we also 
proactively invest in meaningful dialogue with a diverse range of stakeholders. 
In doing so, we create long-term value for wider society. 

We engage with our stakeholders through a range of channels and 
any feedback or concerns inform our materiality decisions, as well as 
our disclosure and risk management. Read more about Board 
engagement with stakeholders on pages 100–103.

Stakeholder group

Shared value

Related risks 

How we manage these risks 

Key focus 2019

Engagement and response 2019

Employees

Our people are one of our core 
strengths and assets; the success 
of our business depends upon their 
expertise, dedication and skills. 

In return, we provide competitive 
remuneration and invest in professional 
and personal development. We also 
ensure a safe and healthy working 
environment.

• 
 Human rights risks
•  Unfair remuneration 

practices

•  Unequal opportunities 
for recognition and 
development

Communities and 
non-governmental 
organisations (NGOs)

We share the resources we depend 
upon with communities and positive 
relationships are essential.

•  Human rights risks
• 

 Local communities’ 
concerns with changing 
living conditions 
 Negative impact on the 
culture and traditions of the 
local population, including 
indigenous people

We work directly with communities 
and with relevant NGOs for mutual 
benefit. In particular, we focus on 
protecting the rights of indigenous 
communities and supporting them 
to flourish.

• 

Government/
local authorities

Positive relationships with national and 
local governments are critical to our 
licence to operate.

•  Negative effect on national 
interests of the country 
of operation

Suppliers, contractors 
and customers

Shareholders

We comply with all laws and regulations 
and engage transparently, particularly 
on mining legislation issues.

Those we trade with are vital to 
our value creation. We build stable, 
long-term relationships based on 
mutually beneficial terms.

In collaboration with our business 
partners, both up and down the 
supply chain, we strive for 100% 
compliance with ethical, environmental 
and safety standards.

We constantly deliver sustainable 
value to our shareholders. In turn, 
these investors provide the capital to 
develop and expand our operations 
responsibly and sustainably.

•  Payment delays
•  Breach of contractual 

obligations

•  Actual contractual 

costs exceeding the 
planned budget

•  Shareholders dissatisfaction 
with the dividend policy
•  Decrease in the value of 

shares as a result of poor 
sustainability performance 
and thus decrease in the 
confidence of shareholders 
and investors 
 Failure to achieve the 
planned financial effect of 
M&A deals

• 

• 

• 

 Salaries comparable to 
or above industry levels
 Effective system of 
personnel development, 
improving professional 
and managerial skills

•  Providing favourable social 
and living conditions for 
employees

• 

Identifying social risks 
through ongoing dialogue 
with local communities
•  Social investments in the 
development of territories 
and other cultural and 
environmental projects

•  Social investments in 

each region of operation

•  Ensuring best practice 
in labour relations, 
environmental 
management, safety, 
etc, and communicating 
them to the authorities

•  Setting the same 

• 

• 

• 

safety requirements 
for contractors we do 
for our employees
 Focusing on long-term 
co-operation with 
contractors

 Corporate governance 
system that meets stock 
exchange requirements 
and applies world-best 
practices
 Risk management system 
aimed at increasing the 
long-term value of the 
Company by establishing 
control over principal 
business risks and 
emerging risks

•  Wages, benefits and social packages
•  Equal career opportunities
•  Human rights
•  Working and living conditions
•  Health and safety
• 
•  Training, development and education
•  Compliance with relevant ESG standards and best practices

Internal communication

•  Employee satisfaction survey 
•  Worker councils and their representatives 
• 

Internal hotline, website, suggestion boxes and grievance 
mechanisms 

•  Meetings and face-to-face communication with management 
•  Performance reviews 
•  Employees questions to the Group CEO and Board with 

internally published responses

Infrastructure development

• 
•  Financial contributions and in-kind donations
•  Human rights
•  Grievances mechanisms
•  Local employment
•  Environmental and health impacts 
•  Local culture, lifestyle, language and traditions

•  Operational and sustainability performance 
• 
Infrastructure development impact 
•  Social investments and human rights 
•  Grievance mechanisms and open dialogue 
•  Local employment 
•  Environmental and health impacts and environmental 

responsibility 

•  Regulatory compliance
•  Taxes
•  Labour issues
•  Health and safety
•  Environmental responsibility
• 
•  Local employment

Infrastructure and community development 

•  Working groups and meetings
•  Direct correspondence
Industry conferences 
• 

•  Direct correspondence
•  Contractual relationships
•  Meetings and trainings
•  Compliance audits with Polymetal’s requirements with a 

•  Contractual relationships 
•  Meetings and training 
•  Compliance audits with Polymetal’s requirements with focus 
on safety, environmental stewardship and labour practices 

focus on safety

•  Supply chain transparency

•  Financial, operational and sustainability performance
•  Capital allocation and dividends
•  Alignment of shareholder and management interests 
•  Regulation, economics and politics
•  Mergers and acquisitions
•  Compliance with environmental, social and governance (ESG) 

standards and best practice

•  Health and safety

Investor conferences 

•  Constructive dialogue at the General Meetings 
•  Annual and Sustainability Reports 
• 
•  ESG meetings 
•  Presentations and conference calls 
•  Site visits
•  Direct communication

54 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESSustainability continued
Material issues

Maintaining high standards of corporate governance and sustainable 
development requires a focused approach on the issues that stakeholders tell 
us are the most material for Polymetal – and for society and the environment.

Material issues

Targets and indicators

Performance in 2019

UN Sustainable 
Development Goal

Material issues

Targets and indicators

Performance in 2019

UN Sustainable 
Development Goal

•  Transparent tax disclosure
•  Ensuring local hiring
•  Prioritising of local procurement

•  $233m taxes paid
•  96% nationals among employees
•  48% of local supplier purchases in 
Russia and 84% in Kazakhstan

Socio-economic  
value creation

•  No major or catastrophic 
environmental incidents

•  Reduction of direct impacts on 

biodiversity

•  Zero environmental incidents
•  10 environmental programmes on water 
management, air quality, waste and 
biodiversity conservation

Environmental 
management

•  Zero fatalities
•  LTIFR below 0.2

•  Regrettably two employee fatalities and 

one contractor fatality

•  0.19 LTIFR 

•  Decrease of GHG emissions 
and energy consumption 
Improving climate reporting 

• 

Health and safety

Climate change

•  14% reduction of carbon footprint per Koz 

of GE

•  Climate management system and 
standards implemented at 100% 
of operating sites 

•  100% of relevant staff received training 

on climate management system

•  Assessed Scope 3 emissions
•  Estimated carbon footprint of our 

end product

•  No community conflicts
•  Maintaining good relationships
•  Supporting local communities
•  Effective engagement

•  Zero conflicts
•  133 letters of gratitude
•  $15m invested 
•  588 inquires received and resolved

•  Keeping turnover rate <6%
• 

Improving equality and diversity

•  5.8% employee turnover
•  21% of employees are women
•  86% employees under collective 

agreements

•  $1.2 million invested in staff training

•  Reduction of fresh water use for 

processing per unit of 
production by at least 4% by 
2021 (2018 base year)

•  10% reduction in fresh water use for 
processing per unit of production 
compared to 2018 (in the target scope)

•  26% reduction in the volume of fresh 

water use compared to 2018
•  87% of water reused/recycled

Communities

People

Water 

•  15% of dry tailings storage 

by 2024

•  Reuse of at least 20% of 

•  Tailings storage facilities report published
•  10% of tailings dry stacked
•  6 tailings storage facilities audited by 

annual volumes of overburden/
waste rock

governmental authorities

•  14% of waste reused 

• 

Intensifying engagement with 
stakeholders on responsible 
supply chain

•  7,698 suppliers audited
• 

Increased due diligence requirements 
(labour rights, safety, taxes and legal 
compliance)

•  Ensuring full legal compliance
•  Zero penalties for 
non-compliance

•  $8 thousand in fines for 2 labour cases
•  $1.5 thousand in fines for 12 minor cases 

of environmental non-compliance

Waste

Suppliers  
and partners

Compliance

56 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sustainability continued

Health and safety
Our approach to health and safety is about strong leadership, 
a zero-harm culture and stringent risk management. In 
2018–2019, our Group CEO and operational executive team 
formally committed to personal accountability, with health 
and safety indicators added to their remuneration-linked 
KPIs. They can forfeit up to 50% of their annual bonus 
earned for non-safety-related KPIs if long-term disabilities 
or fatalities occur among our employees and, from 2020, 
this will also extend to include contractors.

As well as decisive leadership, a safety-positive 
culture fosters a sense of self-responsibility and care 
for colleagues. Our health and safety departments track 
injury-free hours onsite so employees and contract workers 
can monitor safety performance in real-time. We run a 
safety hotline for reporting any concerns or suggestions. 

Our Occupational Health and Safety Management 
System operates at all sites and is audited annually under 
ISO 45001. Each year, we review and update risks. 

A risk-based approach
Individual units across our production facilities, plants 
and mines that have been classified as ‘hazardous’ are fully 
insured and we conduct annual qualitative hazardous risk 
assessments, informing employees of the outcomes. We 
investigate and analyse the root causes of all workplace 
accidents and key incidents, engaging authorities and 
informing relevant teams about any findings and proposed 
improvements, including additional training if required. 

A Critical Risks Management (CRM) system is 
deployed at all sites, supported by a Health and Safety 
Action Plan. In 2019, increased critical risks included falling 
rock, slipping and jamming by rotating mechanisms. Our 
Action Plan focused on critical risk management, transport 
and contractor safety; 136 measures were tackled during 
the year, including piloting a RealTracR system across our 
open-pit mining fleet, installing additional road signs and 
implementing further driver safety training.

Engaging employees and contractors
We deploy a shift-by-shift risk assessment model, which is 
most rigorously implemented in hazardous areas such as 
roads, mines, plants and power supplies. Encouraging 
employees to provide feedback on any observed safety 
risks as soon as they start their shift is critical if we want 
to promptly react to any issues. 

Operational safety is equally as important for contract 
workers. We now rank contractors based on safety risk 
exposure and those failing to improve are barred from 
further tendering. 

Health and safety performance in 2019
LTIFR increased in 2019 due to the aforementioned rise in 
tripping and falling incidents that caused 12 accidents. Far 
more regrettable, however, was the loss of two colleagues, 
a jumbo drill rig operator at the Mayskoye underground 
mine and a pump station operator in the Kubaka pit at our 
Omolon operation, where sadly a contractor also died 
during truck maintenance.

As a result of the fatality at our Mayskoye site, we have 
updated the risk assessment cards for jumbo drillers 
and created a safety manual for replacing drill bits. The 
performance-based pay system for these staff has been 
changed to ensure safety comes above productivity. 
All drilling machinery is now equipped with sensors that 
automatically halt drilling if a worker accidentally enters the 
hazardous area. In relation to the second fatality, we have 
rigorously inspected all safety fences, water collectors and 
reservoirs, and added further safety measures to minimise 
manual risk. We have incorporated more safety-related 
terms and obligations into our agreements with contractors. 

All sites offer health and safety briefings and information 
boards/posters across their premises. In 2019, 5,438 
employees attended health and safety training (including 
mandatory training for those involved in dangerous work 
and refresher sessions for other staff). All contractors 
working at any of our sites are required to undergo safety 
training before starting work.

Mining has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, 
but the balance is shifting. Increasingly at Polymetal, 
more women are interested in careers in engineering 
and surveying, and progressing into senior management 
positions. Our goal is to gradually increase gender diversity 
in every function and eliminate the gender pay gap, which 
currently stands at 1.30 (2018: 1.294). We have identified key 
positions where female representation needs to be improved. 
In 2020, we plan to provide diversity training for all hiring 
managers and reach a target of 40% female candidates 
among those applying for work or internships.

Labour rights 
We understand the importance of collective agreements 
in defining contractual terms of employment. In 2019, 86% 
of all employees and 100% of operating site staff were 
covered by collective bargaining agreements and we have 
Workers’ Councils at each of our operating sites.

Our Supplier Code of Conduct helps us to eliminate any 
risks of human trafficking, modern slavery or underage 
labour in the communities where we operate.

Listening to our people 
In 2019, our Group-wide employee satisfaction survey 
(conducted every two years) was completed by more 
than 5 thousand employees. We also ran approximately 50 
focus groups to capture qualitative data. Overall employee 
satisfaction increased to 84% (from 81% in the 2017 survey3). 
The key drivers were salary, social benefits and job security.

Employees
We provide our 11,611 people with fair and inclusive working 
environments, competitive salaries and equal terms of 
employment. We go beyond mandatory compliance and 
induction training, offering bespoke training plans for staff 
with tailored development and review at every appraisal. 

We believe that businesses do best when they reflect the 
diverse nature of society. We apply a strict zero-tolerance 
stance on any discrimination or harassment. All employees 
must comply with our Corporate Code of Conduct, which 
includes our zero-tolerance stance on conflicts of interest, 
bribery, bullying and consumption of alcohol or drugs. 

Talent attraction and retention
Our employees are fairly compensated with a remuneration 
framework that is designed to reward performance, placing 
equal emphasis on delivery and behaviours through 
short-term incentives1. We also award performance-based 
bonuses monthly and annually, and align wage growth with 
inflation. From 2020 we will be applying sustainability/ESG 
performance indicators to the Group CEO and relevant 
senior management bonus.

Employees can access a range of training opportunities, 
both on-the-job (via our in-house training centre), online 
distance learning (particularly in remote locations) or via 
external training providers. Our training experts are at the 
forefront of industry best practice, attending industry events 
and drawing on the latest research and developments. 
In 2019, we invested $1.2 million in staff training.

Diversity and equal opportunities
We are committed to equal opportunities and terms of 
employment, and recruit people based on merit. We do not 
discriminate on any grounds, including gender, race, skin 
colour, religion, disability, nationality, social origin or political 
opinions. We also comply fully with international and 
government policies on employing people with disabilities. 

POLYMETAL EMPLOYEES

CONTRACTORS

HEADCOUNT AND TURNOVER 

20

15

10

5

0.4

20

0.3

15

0.19

0.15

0.09

0.2

10

0.28

0.27

0.1

5

0.20

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

11,553

12,140

11,611

5.4

5.8

5.8

15,000

12,000

9,000

6,000

3,000

10%

8%

6%

4%

2%

2017

2018

Fatalities

Severe injuries 

2019
Minor injuries

LTIFR

2017

2018

2019

Fatalities

Severe and minor injuries  

LTIFR

Male

2017

Female

2018

Turnover %

2019

1  For employees working in hazardous environments such as underground 

operations, performance-based remuneration is excluded due to safety risks. 
Here, we apply a time-paid system, based on the number of hours worked 
and the work completed.

2  Diversity target group includes a set of positions where female representation 
needs to be improved and where the female labour market exists, such as 
geologists, surveyors, technical specialists and managers.

3  The previously disclosed number (82%) was recalculated due to changes 

in methodology.

4  2018 figure adjusted from 1.32 to 1.29 to reflect Kazakh subsidiaries.

58 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESSustainability continued

Environment
Our Environmental Management System (EMS) is the 
cornerstone of our approach and we are proud that all 
production sites are certified to the ISO 14001 global 
standard. To further prioritise action on our most material 
issues, in 2019 we rolled out issue-specific management 
systems for our priority risks of climate change, cyanide 
management, mine closure and tailings storage. Internal and 
external auditing are fundamental features of our 
environmental management.

We are confident that any emergency dam failure would have 
no impact on local communities. However, given the number 
of incidents in the wider mining industry, we published our 
first Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF) disclosure in 2019. 

This is in addition to our established Tailings and Water 
Storage Facilities Policy and TSF Management System. 
We have tailored both to each operating site and appointed 
responsible employees. System performance can be 
accessed by Polymetal management and employees, 
as well as stakeholders and regulatory agencies.

Water: a shared resource
Although we do not operate in regions of water stress, our 
mining operations rely on water and they discharge treated 
water. Ensuring the right water balance means monitoring, 
metering and auditing our water use, while also carefully 
managing discharge water quality. As a resource we all 
share, working with the community is central to our 
approach. We also partner with local governments and 
community organisations to support long-term water 
security, including funding infrastructure projects.

We minimise our fresh water withdrawal by extracting water 
from runoff that has naturally seeped into our underground 
mines and recycling it. We are committed to gradually 
increasing the share of water reused in our processing 
cycle, so from 2020 we will more proactively plan water 
consumption and reuse.

All discharge is purified using mechanical, physico-
chemical and biological processes. We also continually 
monitor the quality of surface and ground water to ensure 
zero contamination. In 2020, we plan to upgrade water 
treatment facilities at the Voro, Dukat and Albazino mines. 
We are pleased to report zero cases of acidic water release 
to date. This is testament to our meticulous laboratory 
testing for nitrites, nitrates, ammonium, heavy metals, 
salts and cyanides. 

Tailings storage
We operate nine tailings dams in Russia and Kazakhstan. 
Each is rigorously monitored and inspected daily, with 
checks on pipelines, pump stations, water levels and dams. 

Dry-stack storage methods are already in operation at our 
Amursk and Voro mines, and will be extended to Nezhda, 
Prognoz, POX-2 sites and Omolon. The technology 
significantly reduces the possibility of dam failure and 
eliminates run-off contamination. We have committed to 
15% of TSFs operating dry-stack processes by 2024.

Cyanide management
Cyanide is used in our operations to recover gold from 
the ore. In 2019, we established a Cyanide Management 
System to ensure a consistent approach to cyanide 
handling, procurement, transportation, storage, processing, 
decommissioning, employee safety, emergency response, 
training and engaging stakeholders. Aligning with the 
International Cyanide Management Code, we are proud to 
report full certification for our Amursk POX and Voro sites. 

A positive legacy
In 2019, we launched a Mine Closure Management 
System for a more consistent approach across all sites 
that incorporates a stakeholder engagement process. 
At the end-of-life of a mine, a system of geological 
and environmental surveying is activated to ensure that 
underground operations, drilling sites and buildings are safe 
for people and the environment. As well as underground 
mining, we apply environmental principles in closures 
connected to our wider infrastructure such as tailings 
storage, waste dumps, process plants and roads. 

ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENT
(%)

26

13

23

$35m

of environmental
investment

56

Water
Land
Waste
Air quality
Other

Climate change: balancing risk 
and opportunity
We fully recognise that global climate change will require 
us to be more resilient and carbon neutral. This means 
innovating in extraction methods that minimise greenhouse 
gas (GHG) emissions, while adapting to a changing climate. 

Our key impacts lie in the gold supply chain where 
energy use is significant. We have formally committed 
to supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 13: 
to ‘take urgent action to combat climate change and its 
impact’ by disclosing actual and potential climate-related 
risks and opportunities, where such information is material. 
We recognise that mining products are integral to any 
transition to a low-carbon economy, whether it is gold in 
electronic products or silver and copper in wind and solar 
energy components. 

We have adopted climate-related metrics since 2013 and 
report our energy and GHG profile to CDP (formerly the 
Carbon Disclosure Project). Systematically widening the 
scope of our GHG emissions reporting underpins how we 
will manage both climate risk and opportunity. In 2019, this 
included reassessing baseline emissions, engaging with 
suppliers and transport organisations to measure and 
report their carbon footprints. Individual Polymetal sites 
have energy efficiency targets. 

Alongside our energy management efforts, renewable energy 
will play a crucial role in reducing our climate risk exposure. It 
is also critical to our energy security and business continuity 
at remote mining sites that lack connection to grid power. In 
2019, we assessed climate-related risks at all our sites. No 
serious risks were identified1.

Embracing opportunities in a low-carbon economy
Renewable energy at remote mining sites will set us 
apart from our peers by strengthening business continuity 
via energy self-sufficiency. However, in order to benefit fully 
from a low-carbon economy, we need the full extraction 
supply chain on-side. We are therefore working to engage 
with our partners (upstream and downstream) to reduce 
the carbon footprint of our products and contribute to 
climate stability. 

We have undertaken a number of innovative projects to help 
achieve net-zero emissions including: 

•  Process improvements and energy efficiency: 
the use of unmanned drones to identify inefficiencies 
in processes and transport; efficient technologies such 
as LED lighting; processes such as mechanical rock 
excavation, advanced fragmentation, bulk sorting, in-pit 
conveying; and the use of renewable or decarbonised 
electricity generation. At our Nezhda mine (under 
construction), we are evaluating a project to replace 
six diesel power plants with a total installed capacity of 
20 MWh with a 274 km transmission line to the energy grid 
– an example of how we can invest today for low-carbon 
rewards tomorrow.

•  Cogeneration plants for heat reuse: we operate 
facilities at Dukat, Omolon and Amursk and Albazino 
which produce additional energy using waste heat from 
processing plants to provide electricity and heat for 
other premises. 

•  Decarbonising transport: we are already operating 

electric vehicles at our Mayskoye mine in Russia and testing 
electric dump trucks developed by Sandvik. In early 2020, 
we hope to receive the first test sample of underground 
electric vehicles that will both reduce our carbon footprint 
and also reduce ventilation costs by up to 30%.

Delivering our approach
Robust governance is critical to our approach. The Polymetal 
Board has ultimate accountability for decision-making and 
for ensuring that any material climate-related risks are 
appropriately identified, managed, and monitored. Climate 
related issues are regularly on the agenda at Board meetings. 
All energy managers at plants or facilities that generate 
significant GHG emissions, as well as mechanics operating in 
mining and transport divisions, now have remuneration-linked 
KPIs relating to their performance in managing energy. There 
are now also ESG KPIs for senior managers Group-wide.

Read more about our climate-related risks and opportunities, 
strategy and metrics disclosures consistent with the 
approach set out by the Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) on pages 44–45 of our 
Sustainability Report.

1  Detailed list of risks is disclosed in the Sustainability Report (page 38). 
Environmental risk are disclosed in the Sustainability Report (page 17).

GHG EMISSIONS1
(%)

51

21

28

Scope 1
Scope 2
Scope 3 (upstream)

1 

Greenhouse gas scopes as set by ISO/TR 14069:2013 Greenhouse gases
Quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions for organisations
– Guidance for the application of ISO 14064-1.

60 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
Sustainability continued

Socio-economic development
Creating jobs, supply chain opportunities and making tax 
contributions are just some of the ways in which we deliver 
tangible socio-economic value at local and regional levels. 
But we go beyond this, with programmes to invest directly 
in our communities and deliver long-term positive legacies 
where we operate. 

Our Policy on Social Investment aims to improve living 
standards for local people and facilitate regional economic 
development. It outlines our approach to charitable, social 
and political donations, as well as contributions to the social 
stability of our workforce and our investments in social and 
economic development. It also lays out our monitoring 
procedures and stakeholder engagement.

Through our Community Engagement Policy we embrace 
and empower open dialogue with our neighbours – at every 
site and on every project. In it, we outline key principles 
and activities such as how we identify stakeholders and 
ensure effective feedback mechanisms and regular 
information disclosure. 

Human rights
Upholding basic freedoms and human dignity is 
fundamental to how we create value for society. We pay 
particular attention to regions where we exist side-by-side 
with indigenous communities. In 2019, we assessed 
human rights risks at all our sites and are pleased to 
report no cases of human rights violations connected 
with Polymetal’s employees or contractors. 

Online training is delivered to employees (322 managers 
in 2019) with particular exposure to human rights risks, 
namely those working in human resources, security, 
procurement and health and safety. A risk assessment 
across all sites in Russia and Kazakhstan confirmed that 
risk levels were low. 

Our commitment to social investment
In 2019, we invested more than $15 million in local 
communities, bringing our investment over five years to 
more than $45 million. Our strategic investments have 
been targeted at healthcare and active living, education, 
infrastructure, culture and Indigenous Minorities of the 
North. We have also made charitable donations worth 
almost $1.8 million and in-kind support such as delivering 
food, fuel and medicines to remote and indigenous 
communities and reindeer herders, as well as building 
and maintaining roads to isolated areas.

In dialogue with our neighbours
Stakeholders have the opportunity to relay their questions 
or concerns through a number of channels. We evaluate our 
impact through gathering and analysing detailed feedback 
from communities and those benefiting from our social 
investment projects. In 2019, we conducted community 
polls involving 1,164 people, and held 77 meetings, site 
visits and public gatherings (including 19 hearings for local 
community members and indigenous people). Our community 
engagement was higher than in 2018 despite of the sale of our 
Kapan operation in Armenia. We have expanded our 
community engagement procedures to our recently 
acquired development projects in Yakutia.

During the year, we focused on increasing engagement in 
social and environmental events and our employees took 
part in more than 70 volunteering events. We collaborate 
with non-profit organisations to ensure that our donations 
go to those most in need. 

Responsible procurement
Our procurement guidelines stipulate fair, competitive 
partnerships and full compliance with all regulations. 
Suppliers are selected via an open-tender process, 
which includes assessing for compliance with our corporate 
governance principles and anti-corruption policies. Some 
also complete a prequalification questionnaire about ethical 
and sustainability conduct. In 2019, we assessed 7,698 
potential contractors; 320 were barred from participating 
in procurement procedures due to non-compliance.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AND ENGAGEMENT
(AS % OF TOTAL SPEND)

2 2

8

12

12

41

$15.1m

invested in social projects 
(2018: $10 million)

Community issue

Activities

  Sports

  Infrastructure

  Education

  Charitable donations

  Culture

61 projects and events

49 projects

98 projects

97 projects

94 projects, events and actions

23

   Indigenous Minorities of the North

76 events and targeted assistance actions

  Healthcare 

13 projects and events

Non-financial information statement
The following information is provided in compliance with the Non-Financial Reporting Directive requirements. The table 
below sets out where relevant information can be found in this Annual Report. More detailed information is available in our 
Sustainability Report or on the Company’s website: www.polymetalinternational.com.

Reporting requirement

Policy and standards

Relevant information 

Business model

Universal matters

Environmental matters

Employees

Human rights

Social matters

Anti-corruption and 
anti-bribery

•  UN Global Compact
•  EBRD Environmental and Social Policy
•  Cyanide Code 
•  Responsible Gold Mining Principles 
•  Corporate Code of Conduct

•  Environmental Policy
•  Carbon Management Policy
•  Tailings and Water Storage Facilities 

Management Policy

•  Energy Policy
•  Mine Closure Policy
•  Acid rock drainage management standard
• 
• 

ISO 14001
ISO 15001

ILO, national labour codes
ISO 45001

• 
• 
•  Employment and labour standards
•  Health and Safety Policy 
•  Policy on Diversification of the Staff Structure
•  Human Resources Management Policy
•  Standard Regulation on Social Conditions and 

Service Quality Control 

•  Collective agreements
•  Recruitment standards

•  UNDHR 
•  Human Rights Policy
•  Modern Slavery Act Statement
•  Supplier Code of Conduct

•  Business model, pages 20–21
•  Strategy, pages 24–25

•  Employees, page 59
•  Code of Conduct, Company’s website
•  Our approach, page 52
•  EBRD loan, Sustainability Report, page 03

•  Environment, page 60;  

Sustainability Report, pages 36–45

•  Environmental risk, page 84;  

Sustainability Report, page 16–17

•  Employees, page 59;  

Sustainability Report, pages 26–35

•  Health and safety, page 58;  

Sustainability Report, pages 26–29

•  Diversity and equal opportunities, page 59; 

Sustainability Report, pages 32–33
•  Human capital development, page 59; 

Sustainability Report, page 33

•  Health and safety risk management, pages 58, 83; 

Sustainability Report, pages 28 and 16–17

•  Corporate culture, pages 02 and 99; 

Sustainability Report, page 12

•  Human rights, page 62;  

Sustainability Report, pages 51–52

•  Community Engagement Policy
•  Political and Charitable Donations Policy
•  Procurement Guidelines
•  Policy on Social Investments

•  Community engagement, page 62;  
Sustainability Report, pages 46–53

•  Our commitment to social investment, page 62; 

Sustainability Report, page 48

•  Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy
•  Supplier Code of Conduct
•  Procurement Policy and Guidelines
•  Gifts and Entertainment Policy
•  Policy on Use of Agents, Representatives, 

Intermediaries and Contractors’ Due Diligence

•  Whistleblowing Policy
•  Policy on Disciplinary Action for Violation 

of Anti-Bribery and Corruption Procedures

•  Anti-corruption, pages 52, 62;  
Sustainability Report, page 52
•  Workforce engagement, page 101
•  Code of Conduct, Company’s website

Principal risks and impact 
from business activity

•  Risks Policy

Non-financial key performance 
indicators

•  GRI
•  SASB
•  TCFD

•  Risks and risk management, pages 78–87; 

Sustainability Report, pages 16–17

•  Our performance, pages 56–57
•  Sustainability highlights, pages 50–51
•  Key performance indicators, page 29

62 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 63 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESFinancial review
Polymetal delivers a strong financial performance

The Company once again reported both solid 
profit and cash flow for the year, reduced its 
net debt and paid substantial dividends 
to shareholders.
Maxim Nazimok
Chief Financial Officer

$2,246m

Revenue 
2018: $1,882m

$299m

Free cash flow
2018: $134m

•  Net debt1 decreased to $1,479 million (31 December 
2018: $1,520 million), representing a Net debt/Adjusted 
EBITDA ratio of 1.38x (2018: 1.95x), well below the Group’s 
target leverage ratio of 1.5x. The Company continued to 
generate significant free cash flow1 which amounted to 
$299 million4 (2018: $134 million), supported by a net cash 
operating inflow of $696 million (2018: $513 million).
•  A final dividend of $0.42 per share (approx. $197 

million) representing 50% of the Group’s underlying net 
earnings for 2H 2019 has been proposed by the Board in 
accordance with our dividend policy while remaining 
within the Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA target of 1.5x and 
comfortably below the hard ceiling ratio of 2.5x. In January 
2020, the Board also announced a special dividend of 
$0.20 per ordinary share (approx. $94 million). This will 
bring the total dividend declared for FY 2019 to $385 
million (2018: $223 million), or $0.82 per share versus 
$0.48 per share in 2018.

Financial highlights
•  In 2019, revenue increased by 19%, totalling $2,246 
million (2018: $1,882 million). Average realised gold and 
silver prices followed market dynamics and increased by 
13% and 11%, respectively. Gold sales were 1,366 Koz, 
up 14% year-on-year, while silver sales were down 14% 
to 22.1 Moz, in line with production volume trends and 
further supported by working capital release.

•  Group Total cash costs1 (TCC) for the full year were 
stable compared with 2018 at $655/GE oz, 1% above 
the Group’s guidance of $600–650/GE oz owing to higher 
domestic diesel prices and higher royalties. All-in 
sustaining cash costs1 (AISC) were broadly unchanged 
from 2018 at $866/GE oz, 2% above the Group’s 
guidance of $800–850/GE oz, driven by the same factors. 
•  Polymetal posted record Adjusted EBITDA1 of $1,075 

million, a 38% increase over 2018, against the 
backdrop of higher production volumes, higher 
commodity prices, and stable costs. Adjusted EBITDA 
margin reached 48% (2018: 41%).

•  Net earnings2 were a record $483 million (2018: 

$355 million), with basic EPS of $1.02 per share (2018: 
$0.78 per share). Underlying net earnings1 increased 
by 31% to $586 million on the back of higher 
operating profit. 

•  Capital expenditure was $436 million3, up 27% 

compared to $344 million in 2018 and above the initial 
guidance of $380 million, mostly due to accelerated 
pre-stripping and construction at Nezhda. Construction 
at Nezhda is around 45% complete as of year end.

Key figures1

Revenue, $m
Total cash cost, $/GE oz
All-in cash cost, $/GE oz
Adjusted EBITDA, $m

Average realised gold price3
Average realised silver price3

Net earnings, $m
Underlying net earnings, $m
Return on assets8, %
Return on equity (underlying) 8, %

Basic EPS, $/share
Underlying basic EPS, $/share
Dividend declared during the period, $/share4
Dividend proposed for the period, $/share5

Net debt, $m
Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA

Net operating cash flow, $m
Capex, $m
Free cash flow before M&A, $m6
Free cash flow post-M&A, $m7

Market summary
Precious metals
Please see the Market overview on pages 22–23.

2019

2,246
655
866
1,075

1,411
16.5

483
586
20%
19%

1.02
1.25
0.51
0.82

1,479
1.38

696
436
256
299

2018

1,882
6542
8642
780

1,253
14.8

355
447
17%
16%

0.78
1.00
0.47
0.48

1,520
1.95

513
344
176
134

Change

+19%
+0%
+0%
+38%

+13%
+11%

+36%
+31%
+3%
+3%

+31%
+26%
+9%
+71%

-3%
-29%

+36%
+27%
+45%
+122%

Foreign exchange
The Group’s revenues and most of its borrowings are denominated in US Dollars, while the majority of the Group’s 
operating costs are denominated in Russian Roubles and Kazakh Tenge. As a result, changes in exchange rates affected 
our financial results and performance. 

In 2019, the oil market rebounded after its sharp decline in the fourth quarter of 2018. The Brent crude oil price ended the 
year at $66 per barrel, an increase of 23% year-on-year. Higher oil prices, improving country sentiment, increased inflow of 
foreign investments into Rouble assets and lower inflation expectations provided support for the national currency. In 2019, 
the Russian Rouble weakened by 3% year-on-year from a 62.7 RUB/$ average rate in 2018 to 64.7 RUB/$ in 2019. This 
had a moderately positive impact on the mining sector, resulting in a lower Dollar value for Rouble-denominated operating 
costs and higher margins. The spot rate as at 31 December 2019 appreciated by 11% to 61.9 RUB/$ compared with 
31 December 2018.

In 2019, the Kazakh Tenge was relatively stable during the year, staying close to the levels it had reached after significant 
depreciation in the second half of 2018. The average rate weakened by 11% to 383 KZT/$, which is supportive for the 
economics of Kazakh gold miners.

1  The financial performance reported by the Group contains certain Alternative 
Performance Measures (APMs) disclosed to complement measures that are 
defined or specified under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). 
For more information on the APMs used by the Group, including justification 
for their use, please refer to the Alternative performance measures section on 
pages 206–207. 

2  Profit for the financial period.
3  On a cash basis, representing cash outflow on purchases of property, plant 

and equipment in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

4  After asset disposal and acquisition.

1  Totals may not correspond to the sum of the separate figures due to rounding. % changes can be different from zero even when absolute amounts are unchanged 
because of rounding. Likewise, % changes can be equal to zero when absolute amounts differ for the same reason. This note applies to all tables in this section.

2  Restated in respect of Dukat’s TCC for 2018 to include the concentrate treatment charges by the third-party offtakers.
3  Excluding effect of treatment charges deductions from revenue.
4  FY 2019: final dividend for FY 2018 declared in May 2019 and interim dividend for the first half of 2019 declared in September 2019. FY 2018: final dividend for FY 2017 

declared in May 2018 and interim dividend for the first half of 2018 declared in September 2018.

5  FY 2019: interim, final and special dividend for FY2019. FY 2018: interim and final dividend for FY2018.
6  Net cash generated by operating activities less net cash used in investing activities excluding acquisitions of joint venture and associate, loans forming part of net 

investment in joint ventures and proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries.

7  Free cash flow including cash used in/received from acquisition/disposal of assets and joint ventures.
8  Defined in the Alternative performance measures section on pages 206–207.

64 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 65 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESFinancial review continued

Revenue analysis
Sales volumes

Gold
Silver 
Copper

Gold equivalent sold3

Sales by (metal)

Gold
Average realised price4
Average LBMA gold price
Share of revenues

Silver 
Average realised price 
Average LBMA silver price
Share of revenues

Other metals
Share of revenues

Total revenue

Koz
Moz
Kt

Koz

2019

1,366
22.1
2.8

1,631

2018

Change

 1,198 
25.7
 3.3 

1,535

+14%
-14%
-15%

+6%

Volume 
variance, 
$m

207

Price 
variance, 
$m

207

-53

22

$m
$/oz
$/oz

$m
$/oz
$/oz

$m

2019

1,882
1,411
1,393
84%

349
 16.5 
16.2
16%

15
1%

2018

Change, %

 1,468 
1,253
1,269
78%

380
14.8
15.7
20%

34
2%

+28%
+13%
+10%

-8%
+11%
+3%

-56%

2,246

1,882

+19%

117

247

In 2019, revenues grew 19% year-on-year to $2,246 million on the back of higher volumes and metal prices. 

Gold sales volumes increased by 14%, while silver sales volumes decreased by 14% year-on-year, both broadly following 
production volumes. This resulted in total gold equivalent volume sold increasing by 6%.

The average realised price of gold was $1,411/oz in 2019, up 13% from $1,253/oz in 2018, and 1% above the average 
market price of $1,393/oz. The average realised silver price was $16.5/oz, up 11% year-on-year and 2% above the market 
price of $16.2/oz. Larger volumes of Polymetal’s sales were recorded in 2H 2019 when both gold and silver market prices 
were meaningfully higher.

The share of gold sales as a percentage of total revenue increased from 78% in 2018 to 84% in 2019, driven by a 
corresponding shift in production and sales volume by metal. 

REVENUE BY OPERATION
($m)

478

379

382

406

374

293

231

TOTAL
$2,246m
$1,882m

203

178

195

169

167

134

149

115

115

Omolon

Varvara

Svetloye Mayskoye

Voro

Okhotsk1

Kapan2

61

N/A

5

94

Kyzyl

Dukat

Albazino/
Amursk

2018

2019

1 
2 

Okhotsk sold in Q4 2018.
Kapan sold in Q1 2019.

Analysis by segment/operation

Magadan

Khabarovsk

Kazakhstan

Ural

Continued operations

Discontinued operations
Khabarovsk
Armenia

Revenue, $m

2019

2018

Change

Dukat
Omolon
Mayskoye
Total

Albazino/Amursk
Svetloye
Total

Kyzyl
Varvara
Total

Voro

Total

Okhotsk1
Kapan2

382
293
167
842

374
195
569

478
203
681

149

379
231
115
725

406
169
575

94
178
272

134

2,241

1,706

–
5

115
61

+1%
+27%
+45%
+16%

-8%
+15%
-1%

+409%
+14%
+150%

+11%

+31%

-100%
-92%

+19%

Gold equivalent sold, Koz  
(silver for Dukat, Moz)

2019

24.1
210
132
619

266
137
403

353
147
500

107

2018

25.7
182
112
604

318
136
454

85
141
226

107

1,628

1,391

–
4

93
52

1,631

1,535

Change

-6%
+15%
+18%
+2%

-16%
+1%
-11%

+317%
+4%
+121%

-0%

+4%

-100%
-92%

+6%

Continued and discontinued operations Total

2,246

1,882

Sales at all operating mines were broadly in line with planned production dynamics. Kyzyl outperformed the original budget 
and delivered total gold production and sales of 343 Koz and 353 Koz, respectively.

Cost of sales

On-mine costs

Consumables and spare parts
Services
Labour
Other expenses

Smelting costs

Consumables and spare parts
Services
Labour
Other expenses

Purchase of ore and concentrates from third and related parties
Mining tax

Total cash operating costs

Depreciation and depletion of operating assets
Rehabilitation expenses

Total costs of production

Increase in metal inventories
Write-down of metal inventories to net realisable value

Total change in metal inventories

Write-down of non-metal inventories to net realisable value
Idle capacities and abnormal production costs

2019
$m

488
120
230
133
5
360
155
140
63
2
59
115

1,022

250
 5 

1,277

(98)
19

(79)

(1)
4

2018
$m

482
121
222
133
6
349
159
118
70
2
100
97

1,028

228
1

1,257

(187)
21

(166)

2
3

Total cost of sales

1,201

1,096

Change

+1%
-1%
+4%
–
-17%
+3%
-3%
+19%
-10%
–
-41%
+19%

-1%

+10%
+400%

+2%

-48%
-10%

-52%

-150%
+33%

+10%

3  Based on actual realised prices.
4  Excluding effect of treatment charges deductions from revenue.

1  Okhotsk sold in Q4 2018.
2  Kapan sold in Q1 2019.

66 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 67 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESFinancial review continued

Cash operating cost structure

Services
Consumables and spare 
parts
Labour
Purchase of ore from third 
and related parties
Mining tax
Other expenses

2019
$m

370

275
196

115
59
7

Share

36%

27%
19%

11%
6%
1%

2018
$m

340

280
203

97
100
8

Share

33%

27%
20%

9%
10%
1%

1,022

100% 1,028

100%

TOTAL
$1,022m
$1,028m

Other expenses

CASH OPERATING COST STRUCTURE
($m)

370

340

280

275

203

196

115

97

100

59

Services

Consumables
and spare parts

Labour

2018

2019

Purchase of ore
from third and
related parties

Mining tax

8

7

Other 
expenses

In 2019, the total cost of sales increased by 10% to $1,201 million, reflecting a volume-based increase in production and 
sales (3% and 6% year-on-year, respectively, in gold equivalent terms), combined with domestic inflation (3%) and growth 
of domestic diesel prices by approximately 20%. Another driver of cost increase was the increase in depreciation charges, 
namely at Kyzyl.

The cost of services was up 9% year-on-year, driven both by production growth and higher volumes of transportation 
services during the period, notably at Omolon (ore transportation from the Olcha underground mine) and Kyzyl 
(concentrate transportation). 

The cost of consumables and spare parts decreased by 2% compared with 2018, mostly caused by the Russian Rouble 
and Kazakh Tenge depreciation combined with the effect of high-cost asset disposals, offsetting the increase of gold 
equivalent production volume and the impact of domestic diesel price increases.

The total cost of labour within cash operating costs in 2019 was $196 million, a 3% decrease over 2018, mainly stemming 
from decrease in average headcount following asset disposals, partially offset by production growth and annual salary 
increases (tracking domestic CPI inflation). 

Mining tax increased by 19% year-on-year to $115 million, above production volume increases, mainly impacted by higher 
metal prices.

Depreciation and depletion was $250 million, up 10% year-on-year, of which $15 million is included within the increase 
in metal inventories. The increase is mostly attributable to Kyzyl with a relatively high book value of fixed assets and 
mineral rights.

In 2019, a net metal inventory increase of $98 million was recorded (excluding write-downs to net realisable value) mainly 
represented by silver concentrate produced but not yet sold at Dukat, and ore stockpiles at Omolon (heap leach ore at 
Birkachan) and Varvara. The Group recognised a $19 million write-down to net realisable value of its lower grade metal 
inventories, excluding write-off of an asset held for sale (see Note 22 of the consolidated financial statements).

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Labour
Services
Share based compensation
Depreciation
Other 

Total

Total labour

2019
$m

138
12
8
7
17

182

346

2018

127
12
16
3
17

175

342

Change

+9%
–
-50%
+133%
–

+4%

+1%

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SGA) increased by 4% year-on-year from $175 million in 2018 to $182 million in 
2019, mainly caused by the increased headcount of administrative personnel with the launch of Kyzyl and by commencement 
of POX-2 and Nezhda project development, as well as regular salary reviews.

Social payments 
Exploration expenses 
Provision for investment in Special Economic Zone
Taxes, other than income tax 
Lichkvaz exploration expenses and mineral rights write-off 
Other expenses

Total

2019  
$m

24
19
11
11
–
3

68

2018  
$m

 16 
13
11
13
24
(2)

75

Change

+50%
+46%
–
-15%
-100%
NA

-9%

Other operating expenses decreased to $68 million in 2019 compared with $75 million in 2018. Increase in social payments 
was mostly attributable to social expenditures at Kyzyl and the Amursk POX-2 project.

In 2018, following the binding agreement for the sale of Kapan, the Group had fully written down the carrying value of the 
Lichkvaz development project, giving rise to a charge of $24 million.

Total cash costs per gold equivalent ounce 
Year-on-year1

Magadan

Khabarovsk

Kazakhstan

Ural

Continued operations

Discontinued operations
Khabarovsk
Armenia

Continued and discontinued 
operations

Cash cost per GE ounce, $/oz

Gold equivalent sold, Koz (silver for Dukat, Moz)

2019

20182

Change

Dukat (SE oz) 3
Omolon
Mayskoye
Total

Svetloye
Albazino/Amursk
Total

Kyzyl
Varvara
Total

Voro

Total

Okhotsk4
Kapan5

 10.0 
 749 
 1,072 
 867 

 310 
 734 
 590 

 399 
 723 
 494 

 383 

 653 

 – 
1,306 

 9.3 
 647 
 829 
735

 301 
 670 
 592 

 554 
 688 
 638 

 391 

 636 

 746 
 987 

+8%
+16%
+29%
+18%

+3%
+10%
-0%

-28%
+5%
-23%

-2%

+3%

-100%
+32%

2019

24.1
210
 132 
619

137
266
403

353
147
500

107

2018

25.7
182
112
604

136
318
454

85
141
226

107

1,628

1,391

–
4

93
52

Change

-6%
+15%
+18%
+2%

+1%
-16%
-11%

+317%
+4%
+121%

0%

+17%

-100%
-92%

Total

 655 

 654 

+0%

1,631

1,535

+6%

In 2019, total cash costs per gold equivalent ounce sold (TCC) were effectively flat year-on-year at $655/GE oz. The robust 
operating results at Kyzyl had a positive impact on cost level, offsetting the impact of fuel price increases, general domestic 
inflation and asset-specific factors at some of the mature assets (most importantly Mayskoye with concentrate fully diverted 
to Chinese offtake).

Total cash cost by operation: 

•  Kyzyl’s total cash costs were at $399/GE oz, significantly below the Group’s average and feasibility study levels and 
down 28% year-on-year, as the mine delivered in excess of its design capacity and planned grade during the period.
•  Dukat’s total cash costs per silver equivalent ounce sold (SE oz) increased by 8% year-on-year to $10.0/SE oz. The cost 

increase is attributable to the planned moderate decrease in silver grade.

1  Total cash costs comprise cost of sales of the operating assets (adjusted for depreciation expense, rehabilitation expenses and write-down of metal and non-metal 

inventory to net realisable value and certain other adjustments) and general, administrative and selling expenses of the operating assets. Gold equivalent sales volume 
is calculated based on average realised metal prices in the relevant period. Total cash cost per gold equivalent ounce sold is calculated as Total cash costs divided by 
total gold equivalent unit ounces sold. For more information refer to the Alternative performance measures section on pages 206–207.

2  Restated for Dukat’s TCC to include the effect of treatment charges.
3  Dukat’s total cash cost per gold equivalent was $859/GE oz (2018: $752/GE oz) and was included in the Group TCC calculation. 
4  Okhotsk sold in Q4 2018.
5  Kapan sold in Q1 2019.

68 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 69 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESFinancial review continued

•  At Omolon, TCC amounted to $749/GE oz, an increase of 16% year-on-year, which was driven by the switch to 
processing lower grade ore from Birkachan open pit and high ore transportation costs at Olcha underground.

•  TCC at Mayskoye were $1,072/GE oz, a 29% increase year-on-year, mostly driven by a higher share of concentrate 

sales to offtakers, increased share of high-cost underground mining and decline in average grade processed.

All-in sustaining cash cost per ounce

•  Svetloye was the lowest cost operation in 2019, with TCC of $310/GE oz, almost unchanged compared with $301/GE 

Magadan

oz in 2018, delivering a solid and stable set of operating results.

•  At Albazino/Amursk, TCC were $734/GE oz, up 10% compared with 2018. The cost performance was mostly 
attributable to processing of lower grade ore from the Ekaterina-1 open pit, as well as higher cost third-party 
concentrate processed at the Amursk POX.

•  At Varvara, TCC were $723/GE oz, increasing by 5% year-on-year, mainly stemming from a higher cost of mining at 

Komar and processing additional feed from higher cost third-party ore. 

•  At Voro, TCC were $383/GE oz, almost unchanged year-on-year. The heap leach facility and CIP plant continued to 

deliver a stable performance in line with the mine plan despite moderate grade declines. 

TOTAL CASH COSTS BY OPERATION
($/GE OZ)

TOTAL
$655/GE OZ
$654/GE OZ

ALL-IN SUSTAINING CASH COSTS 
BY OPERATIONS ($/GE OZ)

TOTAL
$866/GE OZ
$864/GE OZ

1,264

1,072

10

829

829

872

880

816

11.1

800

12.2

1,064

940

970

723

688

734

670

749

9.3

647

554

391

383

399

301

310

Khabarovsk

Kazakhstan

Ural

Continued operations

Discontinued operations
Khabarovsk
Armenia

Continued and discontinued operations

Dukat (SE oz)
Omolon
Mayskoye
Total Magadan

Svetloye
Albazino/Amursk
Total Khabarovsk

Kyzyl
Varvara
Total Kazakhstan

Voro

Total

Okhotsk1
Kapan2

Total

2019
$/GE oz

2018
$/GE oz

 12.2 
 880 
 1,264 
 1,036 

 449 
 872 
 728 

 514 
 1,064 
 675 

 460 

 864 

 – 
1,320

 866 

 11.1 
 816 
 970 
 869 

 425 
 800 
 715 

 829 
 940 
 899 

 477 

 855 

 846 
 1,131 

 864 

Change

+10%
+8%
+30%
+19%

+6%
+9%
+2%

-38%
+13%
-25%

-3%

+1%

-100%
+17%

+0%

425

449

477 460

514

Reconciliation of all-in costs

All-in sustaining cash costs at all operating mines generally followed total cash cost dynamics.

Svetloye

Voro

Kyzyl

Varvara

Albazino/
Amursk

Omolon

Dukat1

Mayskoye

Svetloye

Voro

Kyzyl

Albazino/
Amursk

Omolon

Dukat1

Varvara

Mayskoye

2018

2019

1 

Silver equivalent oz for Dukat.

The charts below summarise major factors that have affected the Group’s TCC dynamics year-on-year:

RECONCILIATION OF TCC MOVEMENTS
($/GE OZ)

RECONCILIATION OF AISC MOVEMENTS
($/GE OZ)

800

600

400

200

654

-79

-19

-19

50

21

18

29

655

1,000

864

-96

-24

-9

50

21

23

37

866

750

500

250

2018

US$ rate
change

Effect of
Kyzyl
on 2019
cash costs

Effect of
high-cost
asset
disposal

Change in
average
grade
processed

Change
in sales
structure at
mature
operations

Domestic
inflation

Other

2019

2018

US$ rate
change

Effect of
Kyzyl
on 2019
cash costs

Effect of
high-cost
asset
disposal

Change in
average
grade
processed

Change
in sales
structure at
mature
operations

Domestic
inflation

Other

2019

All-in cash costs1
All-in sustaining cash costs amounted to $866/GE oz and remained broadly unchanged year-on-year. AISC by mines were 
represented on the opposite page.

Total, $m

Per GE oz, $

2019

2018

Change

2019

2018

Change

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation, depletion and write-down of 
inventory to net realisable value (Note 6)

 953 

 925 

+3%

 582 

 600 

-3%

Adjusted for:

Idle capacities
Inter-segment realised profit on metal inventory
Treatment charges deductions reclassification to cost of sales

 (4)
 (8)
 63 

 (3)
 (34)
 51 

+29%
-76%
+24%

 (3)
 (5)
 38 

 (2)
 (22)
 33 

+50%
-77%
+15%

General, administrative and selling expenses, excluding 
depreciation, amortisation and share based compensation (Note 6)

 74 

 77 

-3%

 45 

 50 

-10%

Adjusted for:

SGA of development projects

Total cash costs
SGA and other operating expenses not included in TCC
Capital expenditure excluding new projects
Exploration expenditure (capital and current)

All-in cash costs

Net finance cost
Capitalised interest
Income tax expense

After-tax all-in cash costs

Development capital
Other expenses and SGA for development assets

 (7)
 1,070 
 154 
 98 
 94 

 (6)
 1,010 
 124 
 128 
 72 

1,416

1,334

74
9
135

63
11
71

+25%
+6%
+24%
-23%
+31%

+6%

+17%
-16%
+90%

1,635

1,479

+11%

236
15

146
18

+62%
-17%

 (4)
655
 94 
 60 
 57 

866

45
6
82

999

144
9

 (4)
654
80
83
 47 

864

41
7
46

958

95
12

–
–
+18%
-28%
+21%

+0%

+10%
-14%
+78%

+4%

+52%
-25%

All-in costs

1,885

1,643

+15%

1,152

1,064

+8%

1  All-in sustaining cash costs comprise total cash costs, all selling, general and administrative expenses for operating mines and head office not included in TCC (mainly 

represented by head office SG&A), other expenses (excluding write-offs and non-cash items, in line with the methodology used for the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA), 
and current period capital expenditure for operating mines (i.e. excluding new project capital expenditure (Development capital), but including all exploration expenditure 
(both expensed and capitalised in the period) and minor brownfield expansions). For more information refer to the Alternative performance measures on pages 206–207.

1  Okhotsk disposed of in Q4 2018.
2  Kapan disposed of in Q1 2019.

70 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 71 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESFinancial review continued

Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA margin1
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA

Profit for the financial period
Finance costs (net)2
Income tax expense
Depreciation and depletion

EBITDA

Foreign exchange loss, net
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries, net
Share based compensation
Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability
Write-down of assets held for sale
Other non-cash items
Revaluation of initial share in Prognoz
Lichkvaz exploration expenses and mineral rights write-off 

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA margin

Adjusted EBITDA per gold equivalent oz

Adjusted EBITDA by operation

Magadan

Khabarovsk

Kazakhstan

Ural

Corporate and other and intersegment operations

Continued operations

Discontinued operations
Khabarovsk
Armenia

Continued and discontinued operations

ADJUSTED EBITDA BY OPERATION
($m)

TOTAL
$1,075m
$780m

355

54

184

167

142 137 142

124

123

106

103

88

93

77

43

35

51

0

11

0

In 2019, Adjusted EBITDA jumped by 38% year-on-year to $1,075 million, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 48%. 
The increase was mainly driven by a 13% growth in the average realised gold price and an 11% growth in the average 
realised silver price, combined with a 6% increase in sales volumes and a higher share of low-cost production at Kyzyl. 

In 2019, Kyzyl contributed one-third of total Adjusted EBITDA amounting to $355 million. At all other operating mines, 
except for Albazino/Amursk, Adjusted EBITDA increased on the back of growing metals prices. At Albazino/Amursk, 
the decrease was mainly driven by decline in GE sales (down 16%) and higher total cash costs (up 10%). 

Other income statement items
Polymetal recorded a net foreign exchange loss in 2019 of $36 million (2018: $40 million loss), mostly attributable to 
inter-company loans with different functional currencies in the lending and borrowing subsidiaries. This foreign exchange 
loss was partially offset by the revaluation of the Dollar-denominated borrowings of Russian operating companies, the 
functional currency of which is the Russian Rouble. The Group’s average gross debt during 2019 was $1,816 million, 
mostly denominated in Dollars, while the RUB/$ exchange rate decreased from 69.5 RUB/$ as at 31 December 2018 
to 61.9 RUB/$ as at 31 December 2019. 

The Company does not use any hedging instruments for managing foreign exchange risk, other than a natural hedge 
arising from the fact that the majority of the Group’s revenue is denominated or calculated in Dollars.

In 2019, the Company completed disposal of the Kapan mine to Chaarat Gold Holdings Limited. The total consideration 
received amounted to $55 million, of which $10 million was settled in Chaarat’s convertible notes. Subsequent to the reporting 
date, the Group signed a settlement agreement with Chaarat, delivering the convertible bonds back to Chaarat and receiving 
its newly issued ordinary shares. In December 2019, the Group disposed of the remaining entities with net assets of $4 million, 
comprising the Armenia segment, for $1 million. This resulted in total loss on disposal of $16 million recognised in the income 
statement in the period. For more information refer to Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements.

In November 2019, the Company set off a group of assets within the Omolon hub with a carrying value of $41 million, 
including Sopka and Dalneye low grade ore stockpiles and related mining and exploration licences, in a separate legal 
entity, with the intention to dispose of this group of assets through sale to a third party during 2020. The expected sale 
price approximates to $13 million plus NSR royalty, so as of 31 December 2019 the Group recognised a loss of $28 million. 
For more information refer to Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements.

Net earnings, earnings per share and dividends
The Group recorded a net income of $483 million in 2019, an increase of 36% compared with $355 million in 2018. 
Underlying net earnings attributable to the shareholders of the Parent were $586 million, compared with $447 million in 2018.

2019
$m

483
74
135
242

934

36
16
12
23
28
26
–
–

1,075

48%

659

2019
$m

141
123
43
307

167
142
309

355
93
448

104

(93)

1,075

–
–

1,075

2018
$m

 355 
 63 
 71 
 186 

 675 

 40 
 54 
12
 (7)
 – 
 23 
 (41)
 24 

 780 

41%

508

2018
$m

137
106
35
278

184
124
308

54
77
131

88

(87)

718

51
11

780

Change

+36%
+17%
+90%
+30%

+38%

-10%
-70%
–
-429%
N/A
+13%
-100%
-100%

+38%

+6%

+30%

Change

+3%
+16%
+23%
+10%

-9%
+15%
+0%

+557%
+21%
+242%

+18%

+7%

+50%

-100%
-100%

+38%

Dukat
Omolon
Mayskoye
Total

Albazino/Amursk
Svetloye
Total

Kyzyl
Varvara
Total

Voro

Total

Okhotsk1
Kapan2

Total

1  Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure of the Company’s operating performance 

and cash generation capacity (excluding impact of financing, depreciation and 
tax) and a key industry benchmark allowing peer comparison. Adjusted EBITDA 
also excludes the impact of certain accounting adjustments (mainly non-cash 
items) that can mask underlying changes in core operating performance.
The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA (a non-IFRS measure) as profit for the 
period adjusted for depreciation and amortisation, write-downs and reversals 
of inventory to net realisable value, share-based compensation expenses, 
gains and losses on disposal or revaluation of investments in subsidiaries, joint 
ventures and associates, rehabilitation expenses, bad debt allowance, foreign 
exchange gains or losses, changes in fair value of contingent consideration, 
finance income, finance costs, income tax expense and other tax exposures 
accrued within other operating expenses. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted 
EBITDA divided by revenue.

2  Net of finance income.

Kyzyl Albazino/
Amursk

Svetloye

Dukat

Omolon

Voro

Varvara Mayskoye Okhotsk

2018

2019

-87 -93
Kapan Corporate 
and other

72 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

1  Okhotsk disposed of in Q4 2018.
2  Kapan disposed of in Q1 2019.

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 73 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
Financial review continued

Reconciliation of underlying net earnings1

Profit for the financial period attributable to the shareholders of the Parent
Write-down of metal inventory to net realisable value
Tax effect on write-down of metal inventory to net realisable value
Foreign exchange (gain)/loss
Tax effect on foreign exchange (gain)/loss
Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability
Tax effect on change in fair value of contingent consideration
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries
Write-down of assets held for sale
Lichkvaz exploration expenses and mineral rights write-off 
Revaluation of initial share in Prognoz

Underlying net earnings attributable to the shareholders of the Parent

2019
$m

480
19
(4)
36
(7)
23
(5)
16
28
–
–

586

2018
$m

 354 
 21 
 (4)
 40 
 7 
 (7)
 (1)
 54 
 – 
 24 
 (41)

 447 

Change

+35%
-10%
-5%
-10%
N/A
N/A
N/A
-70%
N/A
N/A
N/A

+31%

Basic earnings per share were $1.02 per share compared with $0.78 per share in 2018 and were affected by one-off items, 
including gains/losses on disposal of subsidiaries. Underlying basic EPS2 was $1.25 per share, compared with $1.00 per 
share in 2018, driven by robust financial performance from continuing operations.

In accordance with the Company’s dividend policy, the Board has proposed to pay a final dividend of $0.42 per share 
(giving a total expected dividend of $197 million) representing 50% of the Group’s underlying net earnings for the period. 
During 2019, Polymetal paid a total of $240 million in dividends, representing final dividends for FY2018 and interim 
dividends for the first half of 2019. An additional $94 million of special dividends ($0.20 per share) was paid in March 2020.

Capital expenditure1

Growth projects
Nezhda3
POX-2

Existing operations
Dukat
Varvara
Albazino/Amursk
Kyzyl
Mayskoye
Omolon
Svetloye
Voro
Kapan
Okhotsk
Corporate and other
Exploration
Capitalised stripping

2019
$m

 100 
 56 

 39 
 33 
 28 
 14 
 14 
 9 
 7 
 3 
 – 
 – 
 10 
 46 
 77 

2018
$m

–
44

16
38
30
54
11
13
7
1
7
3
15
51
54

436

344

Change

N/A
+28%

+146%
-13%
-8%
-75%
+23%
-32%
-4%
+248%
-100%
-100%
-31%
-11%
+43%

+27%

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
($M)

500

400

300

200

100

33

39

56

100

28

14

14

9

7

3

77

436

46

10

Nezhda
development
project

POX-2 
development
project

Dukat

Varvara

Albazino/
Amursk

Kyzyl

Mayskoye

Omolon

Svetloye

Voro

Corporate
and other

Exploration

Capitalised
stripping

Total

Development projects

Operating assets 

Exploration and capitalised stripping

In 2019, total capital expenditure was $436 million2, up 27% year-on-year mainly on the back of capital expenditure at 
Nezhda and POX-2. Capital expenditure excluding capitalised stripping costs was $359 million in 2019 (2018: $290 million).

The major capital expenditure items in 2019 were as follows:

•  Across all operating mines, except for Dukat, capital expenditure declined or remained roughly flat year-on-year and 
was mainly represented by regular mining fleet replacements and maintenance expenditure at processing facilities.
•  At Dukat, capital expenditure in 2019 comprised $39 million, mainly representing the scheduled upgrade of the tailings 

storage facilities, purchases of mining fleet and the Perevalnoye satellite mine underground development.

•  At Varvara, capital expenditure of $33 million is mainly related to the upgrade of the mining fleet at Komar and purchase 

of a railroad locomotive and freight cars.

•  Capital expenditure at Albazino of $28 million was mostly represented by development of the Ekaterina-2 pit, purchases 

of mining fleet, construction of the drain system and construction of two accommodation camps. 

•  Capital expenditure at Amursk POX was $56 million, an increase of 28% year-on-year, related to the POX-2 development 

project. Project capex was mainly represented by the detailed engineering and contracting for equipment for the 
concentrate preparation section, intensive cyanidation unit, water treatment plant and construction of a new concentrate 
storage facility. The autoclave foundation was completed.

•  $100 million was invested at Nezhda mostly related to the construction of the concentrator building, the mine camp 

and related facilities, and the ore haulage road.

•  The Group continues to invest in standalone exploration projects. Capital expenditure for exploration in 2019 was 

$46 million compared with $51 million in 2018.

•  Capitalised stripping costs totalled $77 million in 2019 (2018: $54 million) and are attributable to accelerated stripping at 
Nezhda ($25 million), as well as operations with stripping ratios exceeding their life-of-mine averages during the period, 
including in particular Kyzyl ($22 million), Albazino ($11 million) and Varvara ($9 million).

1  Underlying net earnings represent net profit for the year excluding the impact of key items that can mask underlying changes in core performance.
2  Underlying basic EPS are calculated based on underlying net earnings.
3  Excluding capitalised stripping.

1  On a cash basis.
2  On accrual basis, capital expenditure was $469 million in 2019 (2018: $377 million).

74 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 75 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESFinancial review continued

Cash flow analysis

Operating cash flows before changes in working capital
Changes in working capital

Total operating cash flows

Capital expenditure
Acquisition costs in business combinations and investments in associates and joint ventures
Disposals cash proceeds
Other

Investing cash flows

Financing cash flows
Net changes in gross debt
Dividends paid
Contingent consideration payment

Total financing cash flows

Net decrease/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

2019
$m

904
(208)

696

(436)
–
43
(4)

(397)

(169)
(240)
(13)

(422)

(123)

379
(3)

253

2018
$m

614
(101)

 513 

 (344)
(57)
15
 7 

 (379)

 443 
 (213)
 (6)

 224 

 358 

 36 
 (15)

 379 

Change

+47%
+106%

+36%

+27%
-100%
+187%
-157%

+5%

-138%
+13%
+117%

-288%

-134%

+953%
-80%

-33%

Total operating cash flows in 2019 strengthened significantly year-on-year. Operating cash flows before changes in working 
capital increased by 47% year-on-year to $904 million. Net operating cash flows were $696 million, compared with $513 
million in 2018. This was affected by an increase in working capital in 2019 of $208 million (2018: $101 million), mainly 
represented by the release of prepayments for gold bullion received as of 31 December 2018 for delivery during 2019. 

Total cash and cash equivalents decreased by 33% year-on-year and comprised $253 million, with the following items 
affecting the cash position of the Group:

•  Operating cash flows of $696 million.
•  Investment cash outflows totalled $397 million, up 5% year-on-year and mainly represented by capital expenditure 

(up 27% year-on-year to $436 million) offset by cash proceeds on disposal of Kapan ($40 million).

•  Payment of regular dividends for 2018 and the first half of 2019 amounting to $240 million.
•  The net decrease in borrowings of $169 million. 

Liquidity and funding

Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt

Gross debt

Less: cash and cash equivalents

Net debt

Adjusted EBITDA

Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA

2019
$m

 214 
 1,518 

1,732

 253 

1,479

1,075

1.38

2018
$m

117
1,782

1,899

379

1,520

780

1.95

Change

+83%
-15%

-9%

-33%

-3%

+38%

-29%

The Group’s net debt decreased to $1,479 million as of 31 December 2019, representing a Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA ratio 
of 1.38x, well below the Group’s target ratio of 1.5x.

The proportion of long-term borrowings comprised 88% as at 31 December 2019 (94% as at 31 December 2018). 
In addition, as at 31 December 2019, the Group had $1.9 billion (31 December 2018: $1.1 billion) of available undrawn 
facilities, of which $1.08 billion is committed from a wide range of lenders that maintain its operational flexibility in the 
current environment. 

The average cost of debt remained low at 4.26% in 2019 (2018: 4.19%) supported by the ability to negotiate competitive 
margins given the solid financial position of the Company and its excellent credit history. The Group is confident in its ability 
to repay its existing borrowings as they fall due. 

2020 outlook
While we recognise that our financial performance is dependent on the RUB/$ exchange rate, inflation in Russia and oil price 
dynamics, Polymetal expects to deliver a strong financial performance in 2020, which will be driven by the following factors:

•  The Company reiterates its current production guidance of 1.6 Moz of GE for each of FY2020 and 2021. 
•  TCC in 2020 are expected to be in the range of $650–700/GE oz while AISC is expected at $850–900/GE oz. The 

expected increase over 2019 cost levels is driven by the appreciation of the Russian Rouble and increased domestic 
diesel fuel prices compared to 2019, as well as increased royalties on the back of continued strong gold and silver price 
performance. The guidance remains contingent on the Rouble/Dollar exchange rate and oil price.

•  Capital expenditures in 2020 are expected to be approximately $475 million. The $50 million increase compared with 

the previous estimate is driven by accelerated pre-stripping at Nezhda, and several environmentally driven investments, 
as well as a stronger Rouble. 

As a result, the Company expects to continue to deliver positive free cash flow and pay regular dividends in 2020.

Maxim Nazimok
Chief Financial Officer

76 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 77 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESRisk and risk management

A robust risk culture enables us to respond rapidly and 
appropriately to any risk management challenges or opportunities 
that might hamper or boost the achievement of our strategic, 
tactical and operational goals.

Our approach
Accurate and timely risk identification aligned with 
effective mitigation procedures are the bedrock of 
Polymetal’s approach to minimising the risks to all 
our stakeholders. Inevitably, like all companies in the 
mining sector, we not only face a wide range of potential 
risks, including macroeconomic and market volatility, 
environmental issues, geopolitical crises and resource 
nationalism, but these also have the propensity to shift 
and change dramatically. In order to deliver our strategic 
objectives and create sustainable value, meticulous risk 
management is a vital component of our overall 
business model.

Specifically, during 2019, we focused strongly on bolstering 
a risk-aware culture throughout Polymetal:

•  Elements of risk culture assessment have been 

embedded into periodic surveys at the Group and 
entity level. Read more on page 80.

•  We have enhanced risk governance by reviewing risk 
management policies and procedures to ensure that 
they both reinforce a risk-averse culture and support the 
dissemination of risk management processes throughout 
the Group.

•  We have increased the input from top and line managers 

on how best to manage our operational risks.
•  Employees at all levels are tasked with clear risk 

responsibilities in their everyday duties, with any changes 
in risk profile shared through operations management.

Risk management framework
All businesses have to deal with elements of risk 
that are varied and unpredictable, and this is obviously 
more heightened within the global mining industry. 
Polymetal’s Board is ultimately responsible for identifying 
the principal risks that are pertinent to the Group and 
assessing the potential impact on our business 
model, day-to-day operations, future performance, 
stakeholders, our values and solvency or liquidity. 
There is a particular focus on sustainability and the 
possible environmental and social impacts within the 
communities where we operate.

As part of their annual assessment of the future 
prospects and long-term viability of the Group, the 
Board also reviews these risks and any potential 
impacts, while at the same time evaluating the 
effectiveness of the mitigating actions put in place to 
deal with such eventualities. Details of the approach 
taken to assess long-term viability are on page 144. 
In addition, three times a year, the Audit and Risk 
Committee undertakes a review to approve the 
Group’s overall risk profile.

The Company’s attitude to risk management is 
based upon our shared corporate culture with great 
emphasis placed on risk awareness at every level, be 
it management, employees, contractors or our supply 
chain. This is reinforced by our risk management 
framework, designed to ensure that Polymetal achieves 
its strategic objectives by properly identifying risks, 
assessing their potential impact and having the right 
processes and procedures in place to deal with them. 
While this is overseen by the Board and executive 
management, the need for pro-active responsibility 
towards risk within day-to-day operations is essential 
for positive outcomes.

We continuously monitor and refine our risk 
management and other internal control systems 
to meet the changing requirements of the business. 
They incorporate international best practice and 
adjustments to the UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2018 as well as complying with the COSO 
ERM 2017 framework.

Risk governance framework

n
w
o
d
p
o
T

Governance and 
oversight at 
corporate level

The Board
•  Set the tone on risk management culture.
•  Maintain sound and effective risk management and internal control systems.
•  Define risk appetite and approve risk management policies, guidelines 

and processes.

•  Responsible for principal risk identification and ongoing monitoring of the 
Company’s risk exposure to ensure that material matters are managed in 
alignment with strategic objectives.

Assistance to the 
Board by reviewing 
and monitoring of 
principal risks and 
procedures

The Board committees
•  The Audit and Risk Committee reviews the effectiveness of the risk management 

process, develops and oversees implementation of risk management strategies and 
makes recommendations to the Board. 

•  The Safety and Sustainability Committee measures the impact of the Company’s 

initiatives and supports the Audit and Risk Committee in monitoring sustainability risks.

•  Further information on the Board and its Committees is given in the Governance 

section on pages 92–115.

Support the Audit 
and Risk Committee 
in evaluating the 
Group’s risk profile 
and internal 
controls 
implemented by 
management

Internal audit function
•  Define and monitor the risk management process and mitigation tools and actions. 
•  Plan and execute assurance activities to ensure there are policies and procedures 

in place to support the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control system.

•  Prepare regular risk and internal control reports for approval by the Audit and Risk 

Committee and maintain the Risk Assurance Map.

•  Perform risk analysis on growth projects, detailing the specific conditions and risks 
faced by the new project. Further information on the internal audit function is given 
on page 107.

p
u
m
o
t
t
o
B

Operating risk 
management 
across mining 
operations and 
exploration

Operational managers
•  Risk awareness embedded into day-to-day operations.
•  Risk identification and assessment performed across business operations on an 

everyday basis.

•  Implementation of risk mitigation programmes and operational monitoring of 

internal controls.

78 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
Risk and risk management continued

Risk culture
For several years, we have focused on creating a robust risk 
culture to support risk management across all business 
units. To increase risk-aware thinking at all management 
levels the risk management framework was defined as a 
business enabler; we involved more business unit managers 
in risk discussions and surveys, while also encouraging and 
educating them in risk and risk management.

Risk owners take responsibility for risks, including 
controlling or mitigating them at all levels and across 
individual business units.

Risk capacity
Risk appetite statement
The risk appetite of the Group is considered in relation 
to the principal risks and their impact on the ability to meet 
the Group’s strategic objectives. The Board assesses the 
Group risk appetite, which is set to balance opportunities 
for business development and growth in principal areas, 
whilst maintaining reputation and high levels of stakeholder 
satisfaction. Within the context of risk management, the 
Board communicates the principal risk appetite and 
tolerance through the Group strategy planning process.

Tolerance limits
The nature of our risk profile demands a prudent approach 
to corporate risk, our decisions regarding risk tolerance, 
and risk mitigation actions. Internal controls and risk 
interventions are set to assist us in fulfilling our 
commitments to stakeholders.

The Group periodically revises the risk tolerance levels of its 
principal risks.

The Group has a zero-tolerance approach to the 
following risks:

•  Fatalities
•  Corruption
•  Disclosure of commercial secrets
•  Accidents at construction
•  Severe violation of human rights and freedoms

Risk management strategy and plan
We have a built-in process for regularly updating and 
reviewing the risk management policies and procedures to 
address new developments and introduce best practice.
Risk assessment forms an integral part of management and 
planning for the whole Group and its current projects.

Risk process

Potential risk impacts

1. Risk identification and documentation
Our policy is to identify and assess risks at the earliest 
possible stage and to implement an appropriate risk 
response and internal controls in advance. Our risk 
management procedures are designed to delegate the 
responsibility for risk identification while avoiding gaps 
and duplications, and are embedded into accounting 
and documentation systems to identify information on 
potential risk triggers. Polymetal’s risk identification 
system considers not only single, mutually exclusive 
risks, but also multiple linked and correlated risks.

2. Risk assessment
Once identified, potential risk factors are assessed to 
consider the quantitative and qualitative impact that they 
might have on the business and the likelihood of the event 
(see next page). Together these create a risk profile.

Risk matrices and assurance maps are used to 
record, prioritise and track each risk through the risk 
management process.

3.  Development and implementation of risk 

mitigation strategies

When the appropriate ranking has been identified, a 
response to each risk is formulated and implemented. 
Management assesses the effects of a risk’s likelihood 
and impact, as well as the costs and benefits of possible 
mitigating actions.

A response is then determined and implemented to bring 
the risk within acceptable tolerance levels.

4. Monitoring and reporting
Ongoing monitoring processes are embedded in 
Polymetal’s business operations. Risk matrices and 
assurance maps are used to re-evaluate and adjust 
controls in response to changes in the Company’s 
objectives, its business and the external environment.

Management is responsible for the implementation 
of effective follow-up procedures to ensure appropriate 
actions occur in response to changes in risk and 
control assessments.

Risk impact

Insignificant

Minor

Moderate

Major

Catastrophic

Harm to people

Slight injury or health 
effects – first aid/
minor medical 
treatment level

Minor injury or health 
effects – restricted 
work or minor lost 
workday case

Major injury or health 
effects – major lost 
workday case/
permanent disability

Permanent total 
disabilities, single 
fatality

Multiple fatalities

Environmental impact

Minimal harm

Material harm

Serious harm

Major harm

Extreme harm

Business disruption/
asset damage and other 
consequential loss

Less than 1% 
Adjusted EBITDA 

1–5% 
Adjusted EBITDA

5–10% 
Adjusted EBITDA

10–20%
Adjusted EBITDA

More than 20% 
Adjusted EBITDA 

Legal and regulatory

Low-level legal issue Minor legal issue; 

non-compliance and 
breaches of the law

Major breach of the 
law; prosecution 
and penalties 
applied

Very considerable 
penalties and jail term

Serious breach 
of the law; 
investigation/report 
to authority, 
prosecution and/or 
moderate penalty 
possible

Impact on reputation

Public awareness 
may exist but no 
public concern

Local public concern Regional public 

concern

National public 
concern

International public 
concern

Likelihood

Rare

Unlikely

Possible

Likely

Almost certain

Never occurred or is 
highly unlikely to occur 
in the next 20 years

Occurred several times 
or could happen within 
20 years

Occurred at some point 
within 10 years and may 
re-occur within 10 years

Occurred infrequently: 
less than once a year and 
is likely to re-occur within 
5 years

Occurred frequently: one 
or more times per year 
and is likely to re-occur 
within one year

Rating of principal risks level

Almost 
certain

Likely

Possible

Unlikely

Rare

d
o
o
h

i
l

e
k
L

i

6

2

4

9

3

5

1

10

12

11

8

7

Insignificant

Minor loss

Moderate
Consequence

Major loss

Catastrophic loss

Risk level

Low risk

Medium risk

High risk

Extreme risk

Operational risks
1  Production risks
2   Construction and 
development risks*

3   Exploration risk

Sustainability risks
4  Health and safety risk
5   Environment risk

Political and social risks
6  Legal risk 
7  Political risk
8  Tax risk

Financial risks
9  Market risk*
10 Currency risk* 
11 Liquidity risk*
12 Interest rate risk

*   This risk was considered as part 

of the viability assessment as detailed 
on page 144.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESRisk and risk management continued
Principal risks

The Group’s principal risks and related mitigation strategies 
are set out below. Principal business risks are identified by 
the Board based on a detailed understanding of the 
Company, its markets and the legal, social, political, 
economic, technological, environmental and cultural 
environments in which we operate, and robust assessment 
of the likelihood of occurrence and potential consequences 
of risk events. 

For the current reporting period, we validated the 
continued importance of our 12 principal risks and our 
risk profile remains stable relative to last year, except for 
the increase in tax risk exposure.

To read more about emerging risks see page 87. 

Operational risks

Risk description and potential effect

Risk response/mitigation actions

1. Production risks
The risk of failure to meet the planned production 
programme. Failure to meet production targets may 
adversely affect operating performance and the financial 
results of the Group. The key sources of risk may include:

• 

• 

Inability to achieve volume, grade or recovery 
assumed in life-of-mine plans.

•  Failure of supply chains to procure complex logistics 

to remote locations.

•  Failure to retain key employees or to recruit new staff.
•  Failure of contractors to meet required performance 

standards.

Risk level: High risk

Risk exposure trend: 2019 – No change

Link to strategy: Robust performance

2. Construction and development risks
Inability to achieve target return on capital for large 
investment projects, such as building new mines and 
processing facilities or extension/refurbishment of existing 
operating mines, due to delay in commissioning or capital 
expenditure overruns. This may have a negative impact on 
the Group’s financial performance and cash flows.

Risk level: Medium risk

Risk exposure trend: 2019 – No change

Link to strategy:  Delivering growth 
Securing the future

Inability to achieve volume, grade or recovery assumed 
in life-of-mine plans
Annual, quarterly and monthly production budgeting and subsequent 
monthly control against budget is designed to mitigate the risk. The 
effectiveness and efficiency of the production process is ensured by 
the senior management of the Group’s engineering and production 
team. An approved production programme includes substantial volume 
of operational prospecting works, such as in-fill drilling and grade 
control sampling. To mitigate the risk, the Group invests considerable 
amounts in ore quality assessment procedures and seeks to control ore 
quality by separate stockpiling of ore with the required characteristics.

•  Failure of supply chains to procure complex logistics to 

remote locations
The Group has implemented and constantly improves the supply 
chain system to closely link the production demand of resources with 
inventory levels, optimise the number of order placements and ensure 
the in-time inventory and equipment delivery to production sites.

•  Failure to retain key employees or to recruit new staff

Remuneration policies are designed to incentivise, motivate and 
retain key employees. There is an increased focus on health and safety 
– refer to pages 58–59, 114–115 of this Annual Report. There is an 
active promotion of a positive corporate culture within the Group.

•  Failure of contractors to meet required performance standards

The contractors’ performance control system is designed, implemented 
and applied.

•  The Company applies global best practices in project management. 
The Group’s technical personnel are in charge of the project’s capital 
expenditure, including project support, supply chain management and 
permitting process. A significant share of projects is developed by the 
in-house engineering company, Polymetal Engineering, which has vast 
experience and a successful track record of design and ramp-up of 
mines and processing facilities. We are continuously improving our 
construction risk management systems and employ leading world-class 
consultants in applicable areas.

Risk description and potential effect

Risk response/mitigation actions

3. Exploration risk
Exploration and development are time and capital-intensive 
activities and may involve high degrees of risk but are 
necessary for the future growth of the business. Failure 
to discover new reserves of sufficient magnitude could 
adversely affect the Company’s future performance. 
This is an inherent risk for the mining industry that 
affects long-term ability to maintain production profile 
and sustainability.

Risk level: Medium risk

Risk exposure trend: 2019 – No change

Link to strategy:  Delivering growth  
Securing the future

Sustainability risks
4. Health and safety risk
The Group operates potentially hazardous sites such 
as open-pit and underground mines, exploration sites, 
processing facilities and explosive storage facilities. 
The operation of these sites exposes our employees 
to a variety of health and safety risks.

Risk level: Extreme risk

Risk exposure trend: 2019 – No change

Link to strategy: Governance and sustainability

•  Risk and uncertainty are inherent for exploration and 

development activities.

•  The Group invests considerable amounts in key exploration projects 
to obtain sufficient information about the quantity and quality of new 
reserves and to estimate expected cash flows. 

•  The Group’s Chief Geologist and engineering teams have a strong 
track record of successful greenfield and brownfield exploration, 
leading to the subsequent development of exploration fields into 
commercial production.

•  The advancement of the exploration project is subject to rigorous 
reviews through pre-established project stages that are linked to 
estimates of the resource potential and its economic prospects. 

•  A control system covering occupational and industrial safety in the 
Company is in place, including risk assessment of individual work 
places and the use of safety equipment for the protection of employees.

•  Our approach to health and safety is about strong leadership, a 

zero-harm culture and stringent risk management. In 2018–2019, 
our Group CEO and COO, alongside other senior managers, formally 
committed to personal accountability and developed additional 
security measures to ensure employees’ strict compliance with 
safety requirements.

•  Risk management remains the bedrock of how we manage health 
and safety and the Group’s Health and Safety Policy, together with 
our Occupational Health and Safety Management System, is in place 
across all sites and audited annually against ISO 45001 compliance. 
For all production sites, a Critical Risks Management (CRM) system 
is deployed, supported by a Health and Safety Action Plan. 

•  Each year, we review and update risks across the Group. Each key 
process and location has its own risk map and mitigation plan. We 
deploy a shift-by-shift risk assessment model, which is rigorously 
implemented in hazardous areas such as roads, mines, plants and 
power supplies.

•  Our 2019 Action Plan focused on critical risk management, transport 
and contractor safety. It comprised 136 measures that were tackled 
during the year. This included piloting a RealTracR system across our 
open-pit mining fleet to prevent collisions, installing additional road 
signs and implementing further safety training for drivers.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESRisk and risk management continued
Principal risks

Sustainability risks continued

Risk description and potential effect

Risk response/mitigation actions

5. Environmental risk
Major pollution arising from operations and climate change 
include air and water pollution, incidents at the tailings 
storage facility and water facility, and land contamination. 
Potential impacts include fines and penalties, statutory 
liability for environmental redemption and other financial 
consequences that might be significant. For more details 
refer to the Sustainability Report, page 17.

Risk level: High risk

Risk exposure trend: 2019 – No change

Link to strategy: Governance and sustainability

•  The Company operates a certified environmental management system 
that meets international standards and all our production sites are 
certified compliant with ISO 14001.

•  The Company has implemented a number of initiatives to monitor and 
limit the impact of its operations on the environment, including external 
audit assessment of the performance indicators and adopting industry 
best practice for corporate and mine level policies and procedures.
•  The Company has a Climate and Energy Management System and 
Carbon Management Policy. Both include standards for risks and 
opportunities assessment. The Management System includes an 
energy-efficiency programme to improve our use of energy resources 
through better energy monitoring, metering and reduction, in line with 
ISO 50001, the international standard for energy management.
Identification and assessment of climate risks include physical risks 
(acute, chronic), transitional risks, political and legal risks, technological 
risks, market risks, and reputational risks. For details see page 52 of the 
Annual report and page 17 of the Sustainability Report.

• 

•  We have also disclosed climate-related data in accordance with the 
recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD). For details please refer to pages 44–45 of the 
Sustainability Report.

•  Since 2018, when we established our Tailings and Water Storage Facilities 
Policy alongside a Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF) Management System, 
we have tailored both to each operating site and appointed responsible 
employees. The system is aimed at timely identification of any deviation at 
every stage of the facility’s lifecycle (designing, engineering, construction, 
operation, maintenance, upgrading, mothballing and closure). All findings 
are accessible by the Company management, employees, stakeholders 
and regulatory agencies and are used to enhance control, prevent 
accidents, and prepare emergency response plans. All our TSFs undergo 
regular audits for compliance with these requirements as well as safety 
examinations. TSFs are also regularly monitored by environmental and 
engineering teams, with on-site inspections of pipelines, pump stations, 
water levels and dam bodies.

•  We conduct engineering, seismic and geological surveys, and test pulp 
at least once every five years. Using monitoring data (temperature of 
soils, depression curve) and physical features of materials used for the 
TSF foundation and dam construction, we adjust stability calculations 
and risk assessment.

•  The Group constantly reviews the list of measured and controlled 
environmental parameters to ensure compliance with current 
environmental risk management requirements.

.

Risk description and potential effect

Risk response/mitigation actions

•  Polymetal has a successful track record of operating in Russian and 

Kazakh jurisdictions, having developed its own expertise in corporate, 
tax, licensing and other legal areas.

•  Corporate and operating management teams are responsible for meeting 
the legal requirements in their operating activities. Head office and on-site 
legal teams guarantee appropriate controls over compliance issues.
•  The Group’s policy is to ensure strict legal compliance in all jurisdictions 
where Group companies operate. The Group’s financial and legal teams 
monitor current legislation and proposed changes, and incorporate these 
into the practice, involving leading external experts where appropriate.

•  The Group actively monitors political developments on an ongoing 
basis. We aim to maintain open working relationships with local 
authorities in the countries where we operate.

•  Sanctions imposed on Russian individuals and businesses in 2014–2019 
have not currently had any direct influence on the Group’s operations. 
Neither the Group nor its major shareholders are targeted by US or EU 
sanctions. However, to a limited extent, sanctions have affected both the 
macroeconomic situation in Russia and interest rates for borrowings. 

•  The Company has designed and implemented a Group Sanctions 
Compliance Policy, outlining general principles and approaches 
to sanctions compliance in the Group’s operations. Respective 
Local Sanctions Compliance Policies have been adopted in Russia 
and Kazakhstan. 

Political and social risks
6. Legal risk
Operating in developing countries, such as Russia and 
Kazakhstan, involves the risk that changes in tax and 
other legislation may occur from time to time.

The most sensitive areas are the regulation of foreign 
investment in the development of mineral resources at 
strategic deposits and in strategic minerals, private 
property, environmental protection and taxation.

In recent years, the governments of Russia and 
Kazakhstan have become more consistent regarding the 
introduction of new regulations and taxes, demonstrating 
an awareness of investment climate issues. However, in the 
application of existing legislation requiring interpretation, 
courts often uphold the more assertive position of the tax 
authorities, which does not always coincide with the 
Company’s position.

As a result of changes in laws and regulations, certain 
types of transactions and technologies may become 
unavailable to the Group or the costs of compliance may 
be increased.

Risk level: Medium risk

Risk exposure trend: 2019 – No change

Link to strategy: Governance and sustainability

7. Political risk
Operating in Russia and Kazakhstan involves some risk 
of political instability, which may include changes in 
government, negative policy shifts and civil unrest.

Financial and economic sanctions imposed in 2014–
2019 by the US and the EU on certain businesses and 
individuals in Russia increased political tensions and 
economic instability; there is a risk that further sanctions 
could impact the Group’s ability to operate in Russia.

Russia’s complex relations with the US and EU, as well 
as its involvement in conflicts in the Middle East, may 
potentially present a risk to Group’s operations.

In addition, there is a risk that due to the deterioration of 
the macroeconomic situation, governments in Russia 
and Kazakhstan may consider imposing currency 
controls and limitations on capital flows.

These factors are not expected to affect the Group’s 
operating performance, yet may have a negative impact 
on the ability of the Group to secure external financing.

These factors may have an adverse effect on the 
Group’s market value and operating environment.

Risk level: High risk

Risk exposure trend: 2019 – No change

Link to strategy: Governance and sustainability

84 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESRisk and risk management continued
Principal risks

Risk description and potential effect

Risk response/mitigation actions

Political and social risks continued
8. Tax risk
Due to frequent changes in tax legislation in Russia and 
Kazakhstan, lack of established practices in tax law 
means that additional costs such as taxes or penalties 
may occur. The taxation risk level correlates with the legal 
and political risks levels. 

Multinational companies will continue to be subject to 
considerable public scrutiny across the world within the 
Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) action plan.

Risk level: High risk

Risk exposure trend: 2019 – Increase

Link to strategy: Robust performance

Financial risks
9. Market risk
Gold and silver price volatility may result in material and 
adverse movements in the Company’s operating results, 
revenues and cash flows.

Risk level: Extreme risk

Risk exposure trend: 2019 – No change

Link to strategy:  Robust performance 

Delivering growth 
Securing the future

10. Currency risk
The risk arises from the Company’s receipts from metal 
sales and foreign currency denominated debt, as well 
as the foreign currency denominated cost of imported 
capital goods and consumables.

Risk level: High risk

Risk exposure trend: 2019 – No change

Link to strategy: Robust performance

•  The Group’s policy is to comply fully with the requirements of applicable tax 
laws, providing adequate controls over tax accounting and tax reporting.

•  Nevertheless, the ongoing changes to Russian and Kazakh tax 

legislation, and evolving practice of the application of these laws in 
courts, could lead to tax disputes and potential additional tax liabilities.

•  The Group regularly evaluates its tax positions to ensure they are 

adequately reflected in the consolidated financial statements. To date, the 
Group is not aware of any significant outstanding tax claims which could 
lead to additional taxes accrued in the future (beyond amounts already 
booked or disclosed in the Group’s financial statements). The Group 
applies a conservative approach to provisioning for probable tax liabilities.

•  The Group is continuously monitoring its tax strategies and tax 

structures to comply with the new landscape created by BEPS without 
suffering unwarranted disruptions in business operations or incurring 
excessive costs.

•  Despite the fact that there were no significant changes in tax legislation 
in the reporting period, given the Group’s conservative approach to 
assessing tax risks, the tax risk has been upgraded to take account 
of the growth of business operations.

The Company has developed and, to the extent necessary, 
implemented procedures to ensure consistent cash flow generation 
at operating mines, including:

•  Redistribution of ore feedstock between deposits within a hub to 
achieve higher margins due to better grade profile, better logistics 
or less expensive mining methods

•  Deferring the start of production while continuing ore stacking to 

achieve better cost profiles due to positive effects of scale

•  Managing the volume of third-party ore purchases
•  Staffing level review and hiring freeze
•  Asset-level cost-cutting.

Reserve and resource prices, as well as cut-off grades, are reviewed at least 
annually to conservatively reflect the prevailing commodity price levels. Short-, 
medium- and long-term life-of-mine plans are adjusted as appropriate.

Stress testing for these conservative price assumptions is performed to 
ensure the resilience of operating mines in a stress scenario and continued 
value creation. Contingency action plans have been developed to address 
performance in a stress scenario.

While the price of precious metals remains volatile, the measures taken by 
the Company ensure that each operating mine remains cash-flow positive. 
The Company will continue with this approach.

Currently, the Group does not hedge its commodity price exposure since 
its strategy is to offer stakeholders full exposure to the potential upside of 
gold and silver pricing.

•  Natural hedging is used to reduce the risk exposure: revenue 

is matched with US Dollar-denominated debt.

•  Flexible budgeting is used to monitor the effect of exchange rate 

fluctuations on the Group’s financial results. The Group has determined 
critical exchange rates levels for its operations and is monitoring risk 
against these levels.

•  During 2019, there was moderate volatility of the Russian Rouble 
and Kazakh Tenge exchange rates against foreign currencies.
•  As at 31 December 2019, 99% of the Group’s total debt was 

denominated in US Dollars. The Company will continue to retain most 
of its loan portfolio in US Dollars.

Risk description and potential effect

Risk response/mitigation actions

11. Liquidity risk
The inability to raise sufficient funds to meet current 
operating or ongoing financial needs or to develop new 
projects and growth.

Inadequate cash management in terms of cash flow 
forecast, available resources and future requirements.

Risk level: Medium risk

Risk exposure trend: 2019 – No change

Link to strategy: Robust performance

•  The Group’s treasury function is responsible for ensuring that there are 

sufficient funds in place, including loan facilities, cash flow from operating 
activities and cash on hand to meet short-term business requirements. 
Long-term credit lines and borrowings are used to finance new projects 
and organic growth.

•  The Group ensures that significant undrawn committed facilities are in 

place to cover any funding gaps.

•  Liquidity risk was successfully managed during 2019: the target level of 
annual debt repayments was achieved, while average tenor significantly 
improved and exceeded four years as a result of refinancing efforts during 
the year.

•  The Group generated significant free cash flow in 2019, while increasing 

the total limit of the undrawn credit lines.

12. Interest rate risk
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk as a 
significant part of the Group’s debt portfolio is US 
Dollar-denominated floating rate borrowings.

Risk level: Medium risk

Risk exposure trend: 2019 – No change

Link to strategy: Robust performance

•  The Group monitors recent trends for any increase in base rates by 

the US Federal Reserve. The magnitude of risk remains low due to the 
comfortable leverage position of the Group and the low share of interest 
costs in total expenditures.

•  Current and future negotiations with banks for potential financing deals 
include assessment of their fixed versus floating rates and stress testing 
against various market rate dynamics.

•  More than 70% of the loan portfolio is now locked at a fixed interest rate. 

LIBOR, which is applicable to 30% of the Group’s loan portfolio, decreased 
0.8% in 2019 and helped to improve the Group’s average cost of debt. 

Emerging risks
In addition to the currently identified risks, the Company has a 
process of identifying and addressing emerging risks. 
Emerging risks are defined as circumstances or trends that 
could significantly impact the Company’s financial strength, 
competitive position or reputation within the next five years and 
have a long-term impact for several years. Emerging risks can 
be very difficult to quantify given the potentially unknown and 
far-reaching impacts on industry and external environment in 

general. Emerging risks are particularly important in the 
context of the Company’s strategic planning. Accordingly, we 
identify the critical assumptions in strategic plans that could be 
impacted by these emerging risks.

We involve top and line management into the dialogue to 
identify the emerging risks during internal communications, 
technical council meetings, and project risk analysis, including 
approval of charters of significant projects by the Board.

Current emerging risks
When identifying and assessing risks, the Group also draws up a watch list of emerging risks, whose potential impact is not clear 
at the present time, and the most notable of these are set out below. We monitor them in line with our risk management process. 

Resource nationalism

An attempt by individual states to assert greater control over natural resources in their territory by restricting 
global extractive industries through the limitation of foreign investment in the sector, limitation or duties for 
bullion/concentrate exports and/or mining super-profit tax. Historically, both Russia and Kazakhstan have 
maintained a safe and predictable investment climate for the mining industry. However, globally, resource 
nationalism is on the increase within the mining sector. The Group actively engages with governmental and 
local authorities in its regions of operation in order to monitor and address any potential issues.

Tightening environmental 
regulations in China 
and related market 
transformation

The Chinese government continues to introduce regulatory measures and greater enforcement to help 
overcome environmental challenges. This has already had wide-ranging ramifications for mining and 
mineral processing worldwide. Currently, Polymetal sells its double refractory gold concentrates (more than 
20% of total sales in 2019) to Chinese offtakers. Therefore, any environmental restrictions for concentrate 
imports could affect the Group’s ability to sell these materials. The Group is currently building the POX-2 
expansion project, which will eliminate its dependence on Chinese offtakers. 

Cybersecurity risk

Management has assessed that risks associated with cybersecurity currently do not represent a key risk. 
However, given the importance of enterprise information systems on the activities of the Group, we identify 
them as emerging. Maintaining cyber resilience is a priority for the Group. The Group’s strategy provides 
for cybersecurity risk management in accordance with a series of standards ISO / IEC 27001 (ISO 27001). 
The Group uses an information technology management platform based on the COBIT package (Control 
Objectives for Information and Related Technology), which provides a complete set of high-level 
requirements to be considered for effective control of each IT process. The Group carefully monitors 
emerging information security threats and the management of network and information flows.

In 2018, an external independent audit of the security of the corporate network was conducted by an 
independent cybersecurity consultant, Jet Infosystems. The audit revealed no critical weaknesses in the 
control system and procedures. In 2019, an external independent audit of the safety of the production 
process control system was conducted by Satel, an independent information security consulting centre. 
No significant errors in the system and control procedures were detected. 

Coronavirus epidemic

Management has considered the recent coronavirus spread and although the epidemic presently has not 
had any material impact on the business operations of the Group, including, inter alia, its ability to ship 
concentrate to its offtakers in China. Management will continue to carefully monitor the situation (including 
the extent to which the virus spreads outside of China), and take mitigating action as and when appropriate.

86 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESBoard of Directors
Committed to the highest standards of governance

1. Ian Cockerill
Chair of the Board of Directors

3. Vitaly Nesis
Group Chief Executive Officer

5. Italia Boninelli
Independent non-executive Director

6. Tracey Kerr
Independent non-executive Director

7. Christine Coignard
Independent non-executive Director

9. Jean-Pascal Duvieusart 
Non-executive Director

Appointed: 12 December 2019.
Previous experience: More than 
20 years’ international experience in building 
human capital through culture and change 
management, and corporate performance 
enhancement. She is an executive coach and 
organisational design consultant, focusing 
on strategy facilitation, remuneration, conflict 
resolution, HR advisory and leadership 
development. Executive VP for Organisational 
Development at AngloGold Ashanti, 2010–
2016. Senior VP for Human Resources at Gold 
Fields, 2007–2010. Group Human Resources 
Director for Network Healthcare Holdings Ltd, 
2004–2006. 
Qualifications: MA in Psychology from 
the University of the Witwatersrand, 
Johannesburg.
Other roles: Independent Non-executive 
Director of Hospice Witwatersrand (South 
Africa). Patron of WIMSA (Women in Mining 
in South Africa).

R

Appointed: 29 September 2011.
Previous experience: Member of JSC 
Polymetal Board, 2004–2012. CEO of 
Vostsibugol, 2002–2003. Strategic Development 
Director at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant in 
2000. McKinsey in Moscow, 1999–2000. Merrill 
Lynch in New York, 1997–1999.
Qualifications: BA in Economics from Yale 
University. MA in Mining Economics from 
St. Petersburg Mining Institute. 
Other roles: Chief Executive of JSC Polymetal 
since 2003.

S

4. Victor Flores
Independent non-executive Director

Appointed: 30 January 2020.
Previous experience: Started his career as 
a sector analyst at United Services Advisors 
(now US Global Investors), an investment 
management company focusing on natural 
resources and precious metals, before 
becoming Portfolio Manager and Chief 
Investment Officer. Managing Director and 
Senior Mining Analyst at HSBC for 11 years. 
Partner responsible for gold investments at 
Paulson & Co, 2009–2018. Director at Midas 
Gold Corp. and Tower Hill Mines, 2017–2019. 
Qualifications: BSc in Geological Sciences 
and MSc in Energy and Mineral Resources 
from the University of Texas at Austin. CFA 
charter holder since 1992.
Other roles: Director of Strategic Projects at 
Orion. Director of Lydian International Limited.

A

Appointed: 23 April 2019.
Previous experience: Chair of Blackrock 
World Mining Trust, 2016–2019. Lead 
Independent Director of Ivanhoe Mines, 
2011–2019. Non-executive Director of Orica, 
2010–2019. Director of Endeavour Mining 
Corp (ASX), 2013–2019. Executive Chair 
and Chair of Petmin, 2010–2017. CEO of 
AngloCoal, 2008–2009. Managing Director, 
COO and CEO of Gold Fields, 1999–2008. 
Executive Officer Business Development and 
African Operations for AngloGold, 1997–1999.
Qualifications: BSc (Hons) in Geology from 
Chelsea College of Science and Technology, 
University of London. MSc in Mineral 
Production Management from Royal School 
of Mines, London. Management Development 
Programme at University of South Africa. 
Advanced Management Programme at 
Templeton College, Oxford University.
Other roles: Independent non-executive 
Director of BHP. Director of Leadership 
for Conservation in Africa and Chair of 
Conservation 360, both conservation NGOs.

N   S

2. Ollie Oliveira 
Senior Independent non-executive Director

Appointed: 25 April 2018.
Previous experience: Founder and 
Managing Partner of Greengrove Capital 
LLP. Independent non-executive Director of 
Dominion Diamond Corporation; Chairman 
of its Audit Committee, 2013–2015. Head 
of Corporate Finance, Director of Diamond 
Trading Company (DTC) and Member of 
DTC and De Beers Executive Committees, 
1997–2008; Executive Director, Strategy and 
Business Development in De Beers holding 
company, 2001–2008. Finance Manager, 
Corporate and International Finance in Anglo 
American Corporation of South Africa Ltd, 
1989–1997. Group Finance Director of Press 
Corporation Ltd, 1980–1989. Touche Ross 
(now Deloitte), 1974–1980.
Qualifications: BCom from University 
of KwaZulu-Natal. Fellow of ICMA (UK). 
Member of South African Institute of 
Chartered Accountants.
Other roles: Non-executive Director of 
Blackrock World Mining Trust. Non-executive 
Director and Senior Independent Director 
at Antofagasta; Chairman of its Project 
and Audit and Risk Committees.

N   A   R

Appointed: 1 January 2018. 
Previous experience: 30 years’ experience 
in the international mining industry. Held the 
role of Group Head of Exploration with Anglo 
American Plc, 2011–2015. Before joining 
Anglo American in 2011 she held technical 
and exploration management roles with Vale 
and BHP Billiton, based in Australia, UK, 
Canada and Brazil. 
Qualifications: MSc in Economic Geology 
from University of Tasmania. Diploma in 
Company Direction from the Institute of 
Directors, UK. 
Other roles: Group Head of Safety 
and Sustainable Development in Anglo 
American plc.

Appointed: 1 July 2014. 
Previous experience: 30 years’ experience 
in international banking and consultancy: Royal 
Bank of Canada, Société Générale, Citi and 
Apogee Gold Fund, Boston. Project Manager 
for Interros, Russia. Director of investments and 
financing for Norilsk Nickel. Managing Director 
at HCF International Advisers. 
Qualifications: Business degree from 
Emlyon, France. MBA from Schulich School 
of Business, Toronto, Canada. 
Other roles: Managing Director and 
Founding Partner of Coignard & Haas GmbH. 
Independent Director at Eramet; member of 
Audit, Risks and Ethics, and Strategy and 
Corporate Social Responsibility committees.

S   R

R   A

Appointed: 29 September 2011.
Previous experience: Managing Partner 
for Central Europe and the CIS at McKinsey 
– joined in 1992 working in Brussels, New 
York and Central Europe; Managing Partner 
in Prague. Consultancy and advisory services 
to banks, insurers and industrial companies in 
Russia and Central Europe. Former Executive 
Director of Nomos Bank. 
Qualifications: MBA from the University 
of Chicago. Master’s degree in Commercial 
Engineering, Catholic University of Louvain, 
Belgium.
Other roles: Shareholder of PPF Group NV. 
Group CEO of Home Credit International a.s., 
Board member of Home Credit BV and the 
Anglo-American School of Moscow. Member 
of the European Regional Business Council of 
the World Economic Forum Davos. 

8. Giacomo Baizini 
Independent non-executive Director

S  

Appointed: 1 January 2018. 
Previous experience: EVRAZ plc Group 
CFO in 2009–2014; various positions 
in operations planning and business 
development after joining the Group in 2005. 
Prior to joining EVRAZ, Mr Baizini was a 
management consultant with McKinsey & 
Co in their Milan and Tokyo offices. 
Qualifications: Summer MBA from the 
Kellogg Graduate School of Management. MA 
Hons in Physics from the University of Oxford. 
Diploma of Industrial Engineering from the 
Japan Management Association. 
Other roles: General Manager of EVRAZ 
Group SA.

A   N   R  

10. Konstantin Yanakov 
Non-executive Director

Appointed: 29 September 2011.
Previous experience: Member of 
JSC Polymetal’s Board of Directors, 
2008–2012; member of its Audit Committee. 
Various positions at MDM Bank. CFO of 
JSC Polymetal until 2004. Board Member at 
Piraeus Bank, Inbank, Greek Organisation of 
Football Prognostics, and Tiscali. Supervisory 
Board Member of Rigensis Bank. 
Qualifications: MBA from the London 
Business School. PhD in Economics from 
Russian State University of Management. 
Degree in Global Economics from the 
Government of Russia’s Finance Academy.
Other roles: Board Member of the East 
Mining Company. Director of ICT Holding. 
Deputy Director General in charge of Finance 
at CJSC ICT, Moscow Branch; Board Member 
of CJSC ICT. General Director (sole executive 
body) of LLC ICT-Kapital.

Key

  Committee Chair

A   Audit and Risk Committee
N   Nomination Committee
R   Remuneration Committee
S   Safety and Sustainability Committee

3

10

6

9

7

8

2

1

5

4

88 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 89 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESSenior management
Diverse professional team delivering business excellence

1. Vitaly Nesis
Group Chief Executive Officer 

See biography on page 88.

2. Vitaly Savchenko
Chief Operating Officer

Appointed: 2009.
Experience: Director of the Production 
Department, 2007–2009, senior production 
and technical positions since 2004. Chief 
Underground Mine Engineer at Priargunskoye 
Mining and Chemical Company as well as 
various managing positions at the mine, 
1994–2003. Recipient of second and third-
category Miner’s Glory Medal. 
Qualifications: Degree with Honours in 
Underground Mineral Mining engineering, 
Kyrgyz Mining Institute. MBA from the UK’s 
Open University Business School.

3. Sergey Trushin
Deputy CEO, Mineral Resources

Appointed: 2010.
Experience: Chief Geologist at the 
Khabarovsk Exploration Company, 2008–
2010. Chief Geologist at Albazino Resources 
2006–2008 and various positions at Albazino 
Resources since 1998. Geologist with 
Dalnevostochnie Resources, 1991. Geologist 
with the Production Geological Association 
‘Dalgeology’ and the Nizhne-Amursk 
exploration expedition in the preceding 
six years. 
Qualifications: Degree in Geological 
Surveying and Mining Engineering Exploration 
from the Novocherkassk State Polytechnic 
Institute.

4. Pavel Danilin
Deputy CEO, Strategic Development

6. Maxim Nazimok
Chief Financial Officer

Appointed: 2009.
Experience: Previous roles in Polymetal: 
Director of Corporate Finance and Investor 
Relations, Head of Corporate Finance. 
Head of Corporate Finance at CJSC ICT, 
2002–2003. Deputy Head of Currency 
Department and Head of Financial Resources 
Department at the Kaliningrad branch of Bank 
Petrocommerce, 1998–2001. 
Qualifications: MBA from the University 
of California at Berkeley, Haas School 
of Business. Degree in Economics 
and Management, Kaliningrad State 
Technical University. 

5. Roman Shestakov
Deputy CEO, Project Development 
and Construction

Appointed: 2009.
Experience: Chief Engineer at Gold 
of Northern Urals, 2007–2009. Pit 
superintendent, 2006–2007. Mine 
superintendent at the Okhotsk Mining and 
Exploration Company, 2004–2005. Mining 
engineer in the Production and Technical 
Department of JSC Polymetal Management 
in the preceding two years. 
Qualification: Honours degree in Open-
pit Mining from the Mining Department of 
St. Petersburg State Mining Institute. MBA 
from the UK’s Open University Business 
School.

Appointed: 2017.
Experience: Previous roles in Polymetal: 
Finance Director, 2015–2016; Chief Financial 
Controller, 2011–2015. Deputy Chief Financial 
Officer at Nomos Bank in 2010–2011; Director 
of Business Planning and Analysis from 2009. 
Head of Management and IFRS Reporting 
at MDM Bank, 2008–2009. Various financial 
positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers, 
2003–2008.
Qualifications: BA in Economics from 
St. Petersburg State University. Graduated 
with distinction from the Executive MBA-
Global Programme at London Business 
School and Columbia Business School. 
Fellow member of ACCA.

7. Valery Tsyplakov
Managing Director, Polymetal Engineering

Appointed: 2004.
Experience: Previous roles in Polymetal: 
Deputy General Director for Mineral 
Resources, Design and Technology and 
senior roles in Production and Technology, 
and Technological Research Departments, 
2000–2004. Department Head at the Soviet 
Union Research Institute of Aeronautical 
Automation. Prior to this, a quest scientist 
at Aarhus University’s Physics Institute 
(Denmark). Research Fellow in the Plasma 
Physics Department of the Moscow Physics 
and Engineering Institute. Professional 
Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals 
& Mining (London). 
Qualifications: Degree in Experimental 
Nuclear Physics, Moscow Physics and 
Engineering Institute. PhD in Physics and 
Mathematics.

12. Evgeny Vrublevskiy 
Director of PMTL Holding Ltd, Head of Treasury

Appointed: 2015. 
Experience: Director of PMTL Holding Ltd 
and Head of Treasury since 2015. Treasury 
Manager at UFG Asset Management, 2014–
2015. Treasury Manager at Inteco Group, 
2012–2014. Head of Settlements at UniCredit 
Securities, 2008–2012. Various positions with 
Uralsib Capital in Moscow, 2005–2008
Qualifications: BA in Management from 
Moscow State Mining University. MA in 
Economics from Witte University Moscow. 
Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) 
designation awarded by the Association for 
Financial Professionals (AFP). Advanced 
Certificate from Cyprus Securities and 
Exchange Commission.

8. Igor Kapshuk
Chief Legal Officer

Appointed: 2015.
Experience: Previously worked in Polymetal 
as Head of the Legal Department from 2005 
and Deputy Head from 2003. Deputy General 
Counsel, Head of the Department for Legal 
Matters and Head of Claims Department at 
the branch of Siberia Energy Coal Company 
and at Vostsibugol (Irkutsk), 2001–2003. 
Legal advisor for Pharmasintez, 1999–2001. 
Legal advisor and acting Head of the Legal 
Department at the Irkutsk Tea-Packing 
Factory, 1997–1998. Legal advisor at an 
insurance company (Irkutsk), 1994–1997. 
Qualifications: Degree from the Law School 
of Irkutsk State University.

9. Tania Tchedaeva
Director, Corporate Governance 
and Company Secretary

Appointed: 2011.
Experience: Company Secretary at Orsu 
Metals Corporation, 2008–2011. Various 
positions in Oriel Resources plc, 2004–2008.
Qualifications: MSc in Finance from London 
Business School, 2008. Fellow of ICSA: The 
Governance Institute. Degree in Translation 
and Interpretation from Moscow State 
Linguistic University.

10. Eugenia Onuschenko 
Director, Corporate Finance

Appointed: 2009. 
Experience: Joined Polymetal in 2008 as 
Head of the Bank Financing department 
and later served as the Head of Corporate 
Finance and Investor Relations. Prior to joining 
Polymetal, held several roles at Ernst & Young 
in transaction advisory services. Career focus 
on corporate and project finance, capital 
markets and investor relations.
Qualifications: Graduate of St. Petersburg 
State University of Economics and Finance. 
Bachelor’s degree in Economics and 
Management from Grenoble University 
Pierre-Mendes, France.

11. Daria Goncharova 
Chief Sustainability Officer

Appointed: 2015.
Experience: Joined Polymetal in 2010 in the 
corporate finance and investor relations team. 
Prior to this, held a business development role 
at GiproShakht Severstal from 2008 to 2009.
Qualifications: Graduate of St. Peterburg’s 
Russian Presidential Academy of National 
Economy and Public Administration. 
Master’s in Green Management, Energy and 
Corporate Social Responsibility from Bocconi 
University, Milan.

6

1

5

2

8

11

12

9

7

4

10

3

90 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 91 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESBoard Chair’s letter

Stakeholder and employee 
engagement continues to be a major 
focus and feeds into the decision-
making of the Board. 

Dear shareholders
This is my first year as a Director and Chair of the Board at Polymetal, 
and I am particularly pleased to have joined the Company at this stage 
of its development. Polymetal’s IPO was in 2011 and since then the 
Group management, led by its Board and chaired by Bobby Godsell, 
has taken Polymetal from strength to strength. In 2019 Polymetal is 
now a FTSE 100 company with world-class assets, a leader in ESG 
practices, and proud of delivering on its promises. 

During the year, I participated in multiple meetings and site visits as 
part of a busy succession and induction process. I observed first-
hand Polymetal’s best-in-class facilities, competent management, 
employees who are proud to work for the Company, and suppliers 
who value co-operation with an international organisation, as well 
as communities that welcome the opportunities provided by our 
social investment programmes. I also met with some of the Group’s 
biggest shareholders. This was a good introduction to Polymetal 
and its operations, and I look forward to continuing the work that 
Bobby started. 

Board succession
Having largely completed our Board succession programme, we are 
continuing to review the ongoing needs of the Board. Polymetal’s 
next step is to ensure that it not only retains and trains its existing 
employees, but also engages with and attracts new young talent in 
an increasingly competitive labour market. With that in mind, I am 
happy to welcome to the Board Italia Boninelli, who brings with her 
20 years’ experience in developing leadership and human capital. In 
addition, as we become a more mature company and our shareholder 
engagement needs start to change, we are fortunate to have Victor 
Flores as a Board member. Victor, who joined in January 2020, is one 
of the best analysts in our industry with in-depth knowledge and over 
30 years’ experience in finance, investing and research. Both Italia 
and Victor will stand for election at the 2020 AGM and I very much 
hope for your endorsement of these new appointments.

92 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

However, sadly we say goodbye to two Board colleagues, 
Christine Coignard and Jean-Pascal Duvieusart, who will not be 
offering themselves for re-election at the 2020 AGM. As Chair 
of the Remuneration Committee, Christine has been pivotal in 
shaping Polymetal’s governance and remuneration practices. 
Congratulations to Jean-Pascal on his new job and I appreciate that 
it is no longer possible to continue as a non-executive Director. Ollie 
Oliveira succeeds Christine as Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
and I have joined the Safety and Sustainability Committee.

Stakeholder and employee engagement
The Board has a long-established history of taking stakeholders’ 
views into account when making business decisions. As part of 
the UK Code requirements, the Board continued to consider the 
interests of key stakeholders in Board discussions and decision-
making. We also increased the focus on building and maintaining 
successful engagement mechanisms with a wide range of 
stakeholders, acknowledging that active communication is vital 
for a successful and sustainable business.

Employee engagement has long been an area of strength for 
companies within the mining industry or for those with a unionised 
workforce, and Polymetal is no different. The Company’s executive 
management already engages effectively with its employees 
through a number of channels. In 2019, we further strengthened 
this by introducing a new employee engagement programme, with 
employees able to pose questions directly to the Board. We look 
forward to integrating this annual feedback session into the future 
decision-making and strategic planning processes of the Board. 
You can read more about workforce engagement on page 101.

Next year we will continue developing engagement mechanisms 
with the Group’s other stakeholders. This will include two deep-
dive sessions to help us to improve our understanding of the needs 
of our suppliers, contractors and communities. 

Corporate governance
The new UK Code was introduced in 2018 and effective from 
1 January 2019. The Company has taken all the necessary steps to 
ensure continued compliance, including revised terms of reference for 
the Board and its Committees as well as setting out comprehensive 
work plans for 2019.

Adherence to the strictest of international standards and exacting best 
practice is the foundation of our approach to corporate governance 
and guides the Company’s business operations. This has earned 
Polymetal its high standing among the investor community as well 
as from its employees and other stakeholders. I am grateful to the 
management, employees and my Board colleagues for their work 
and support throughout the year and I look forward to steering the 
Company through this next phase of its development. 

Ian Cockerill
Board Chair

Statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance code
The Directors are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance. As a premium UK-listed company, during the 
year ended 31 December 2019, Polymetal International was required to comply with the UK Corporate Governance Code (the UK 
Code) – published in July 2018 and available through the UK Financial Reporting Council’s website – or, where the provisions of the 
UK Code have not been complied with, to provide appropriate explanations. During 2019, the Company was in compliance with all 
provisions of the UK Code. Detailed information about how Polymetal applies principles of the UK Code is available in the Corporate 
Governance section on the Company’s website: www.polymetalinternational.com.

As well as complying with the UK Code, the Company has complied with all applicable regulations of the Moscow Stock Exchange 
and Astana International Exchange, and respective Russian securities laws and AIX Markets Listing Rules.

Areas of focus in 2019
The following Board discussions, linked to the Company’s overall strategy and UK Code requirements, took place in 2019:

Areas of focus

Board leadership and Company purpose 

  Read more on pages 02–15, 25, 30–49, 57, 60, 75, 84, 92, 98–99, 100–103, 113, 114–115, 142–143

•  Quarterly and annual production results
•  Exploration update

•  Operational update
•  Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves update

•  POX-2 project approval

•  Nezhda project update

Strategic 
priorities

•  Strategy review
•  Progress report on digital initiatives

•  M&A transactions approval

•  Tailings storage facilities safety review
•  Approach to corporate culture, Group purpose and values 

•  Safety and sustainability risk management (Amursk)
•  Astana International Exchange listing in Kazakhstan 

Division of responsibilities 

  Read more on pages 94–95, 115, 100–103, 105, 109 

•  Review of Group policies and subsidiary governance
•  New policies approval 

•  Overview of stakeholder relationships (including risks, 
challenges, and opportunities)/ workforce engagement

•  Review of schedule of matters reserved for the Board and 

terms of reference of Committees

•  Annual and Sustainability reports review and approval 

•  Modern Slavery Statement review 
•  Annual reporting process: timing and responsibilities 
•  Convening the AGM, approval of shareholder materials

Composition, succession and evaluation 

  Read more on pages 92, 94–98, 104, 110–111, 114, 118

•  Chair succession progress and new Chair appointment 
• 
•  Progress on external Board evaluation

Independent non-executive Directors’ succession planning

•  Directors’ appointment and re-appointment at the AGM 

and composition of Board Committees 

•  2020 Board work plan

•  Directors’ disclosure of interest 
•  Directors & Officers liability insurance renewal

•  Articles of association update 
•  Otkritie nomination

Audit, risk and internal control 

  Read more on pages 104–109

•  Approval of preliminary and annual financial results 
•  Half-year 2019 financial update and results
•  Price assumptions for reserve and resource estimates 

•  Annual review of effectiveness of risk management and 

control systems

•  Risk tolerance discussion

•  Revised budget for 2019 and special dividend consideration
•  Hedging policy review 

•  Support for dividend proposal/declaration of solvency 
•  Analysis of investment in Kapan 

•  Audit tender decision

Remuneration 

  Read more on pages 118–123, 132–140

•  Remuneration policy review and approval 

(including executive Director’s fee)

•  Chair, executive and independent non-executive 

Directors’ fees review

Link to strategy:

  Robust performance

  Delivering growth

  Securing the future

  Governance and sustainability

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 93 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
Corporate governance

Governance framework

The Board

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee 
ensures a balance of skills, 
knowledge, independence, 
experience and diversity on 
the Board and its Committees and 
ensures orderly succession to both 
Board and management positions. 

Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee 
helps the Board to monitor 
the integrity of the Group’s 
financial statements; reviews 
the effectiveness of the Group’s 
system of internal controls and 
risk management systems.

See page 110 for the Nomination 
Committee report.

See page 104 for the Audit and 
Risk Committee report.

Safety and Sustainability 
Committee
The Safety and Sustainability 
Committee monitors the 
Group’s social, ethical, 
environmental and safety 
performance, and oversees all 
sustainable development issues 
on behalf of the Board.

See page 114 for the Safety and 
Sustainability Committee report.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee 
is responsible for the Group 
Remuneration Policy, and for 
setting pay levels and bonuses 
for senior management and 
employee benefit structures.

See page 116 for the 
Remuneration Committee 
report.

Group CEO
The Group CEO takes ultimate responsibility for delivering on strategy and operating performance.

Board responsibilities
Strategy. Define the commercial strategy and long-term objectives 
of the Group.

Expenditure. Approve annual operating and capital expenditure 
budgets and any material changes to them.

Governance. Oversee the Group’s operations, ensuring 
competent and prudent management, sound planning, a strong 
system of internal control and compliance with all statutory and 
regulatory obligations.

Performance. Review the performance of the Group in the light of 
its business strategy, objectives, business plans and budgets, and 
ensure that any necessary corrective action is taken.

Extension of Group activities. Approve any material extension 
of the Group’s activities into new businesses or geographic areas 
and any decision to cease to operate all or any material part of the 
Group’s business.

Stakeholder communications. Ensure a mutual understanding 
of objectives, maintain a constructive dialogue with all 
stakeholders, and promote a healthy corporate culture. 

Role and structure of the Board
As of the date of this report, the Company’s Board comprises the 
non-executive Chair, one executive Director and eight non-executive 
Directors. Excluding the Chair, six members of the Board are 
independent non-executive Directors. The page opposite shows the 
current structure of the Board and its Committees along with the 
status of each Director. 

The Company’s corporate governance framework safeguards 
against any conflict of interest, including the complete independence 
of the Audit and Risk, Nomination and Remuneration Committees 
and disclosure of any related party transactions in the financial 
statements, as well as preventing any individual from having 
unfettered powers of decision-making. 

The Board has determined Christine Coignard, Ollie Oliveira, 
Tracey Kerr, Giacomo Baizini, Italia Boninelli and Victor Flores to 
be independent non-executive Directors. Ian Cockerill met the 
independence criteria on appointment.

The Company considers that the Board and its Committees have 
the appropriate balance of skills, experience, independence and 
knowledge of the Company to enable them to discharge their 
respective duties and responsibilities effectively. All Directors have 
access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary, and 
are able to take independent professional advice, if necessary, at the 
Company’s expense.

BOARD SKILLS
(%)

BOARD INDEPENDENCE
(%)

BOARD DIVERSITY
(%)

90

50

70

60

100

80

60

40

20

10

30

30

40

60

70

Mining and 
sustainability

Business 
strategy

Finance

Investment 
banking

Law and 
governance

Board Chair
Non-independent Directors
Independent Directors

Men
Women

Roles of the Chair, Group CEO and Senior Independent Director
The Board has approved the division of responsibilities between the Chair and the Group CEO and defined the role of the Senior 
Independent Director.

Chair
Ian Cockerill  N   S
The Chair reports to the Board and is responsible for the 
leadership and overall effectiveness of the Board and for 
setting the Board’s agenda. Mr Cockerill has been able to 
commit sufficient time to his role as non-executive Chair of 
Polymetal International and the Board believes that other 
commitments did not adversely affect his contribution to 
the Company. 

Chair’s responsibilities include:
•  Effective running of the Board
•  Ensuring that there is appropriate delegation of authority 

Group CEO
Vitaly Nesis  S
The Group CEO exercises his role through his executive 
and/or Director positions in the Group sub-holding 
companies. He reports to the Chair and the Board directly 
and upholds the Group’s responsibilities to its shareholders, 
customers, employees and other stakeholders. 

The Group CEO’s responsibilities include:
•  Developing Group strategy, including communicating 
annual plans and commercial objectives to the Board
Identifying and executing strategic opportunities

• 
•  Reviewing the operational performance and strategic 

to executive management

direction of the Group

•  Promoting a culture of openness and debate between 

•  Making recommendations on remuneration policies, 

the executive and non-executive Directors

•  Ensuring that the Directors receive accurate, timely and 

clear information

•  Ensuring that the views of the shareholders are 

communicated to the Board as a whole.

terms of employment and effective succession planning 
for senior employees

•  Ensuring effective communication with shareholders 

and that appropriate, timely and accurate information is 
disclosed to the market, with issues escalated promptly 
to the Board.

Independent non-executive Directors
Christine Coignard  R   A
Tracey Kerr  S   R
Giacomo Baizini  A   N   R
Italia Boninelli  R
Victor Flores  A
The independent non-executive 
Directors are determined to 
be independent in character 
and judgement, and free from 
relationships or circumstances that 
may affect or could appear to affect 
their judgement. Their role is to 
challenge the strategy and scrutinise 
the performance of management in 
meeting agreed goals and objectives, 
to monitor the reporting of the 
Company’s performance, to review 
the integrity of financial information 
and ensure that internal financial 
controls and risk management 
systems are robust and defensible. 
They determine the appropriate level 
of remuneration for the Group CEO 
and have a primary role in appointing 
and, when necessary, removing him.

Non-executive Directors
Konstantin Yanakov
Jean-Pascal Duvieusart  S
Non-independent non-executive 
Directors include Mr Yanakov 
(who is a representative of 
Powerboom Investments Limited) and 
Mr Duvieusart (who is a representative 
of PPF Group). Mr Nesis is the brother 
of the beneficial owner of Powerboom 
Investments Limited. Save for the 
potential conflicts inherent in these 
relationships, there are no potential 
conflicts of interest between the 
duties owed by the Directors or senior 
management to the Company and 
their private interests or other duties.

Senior Independent Director
Ollie Oliveira  R   A   N
In 2018, Mr Oliveira was appointed 
Senior Independent Director (SID). 
He attended a series of one-on-
one meetings with institutional 
shareholders and investors, arranged 
as part of the Company’s roadshow, 
and the investor events organised by 
the Company’s brokers. The Board 
is regularly updated on shareholders’ 
opinions following meetings with the 
Directors and management.

SID’s responsibilities include:
•  Being available to major 

shareholders in order to listen 
to their views and help develop 
a balanced understanding of 
their issues and concerns 

•  Acting as an intermediary for the 
other Directors if necessary.

Separate meetings are held between the non-executive Directors without the Chair or the Group CEO being present; between 
non-executive Directors without the Chair, led by the SID, to appraise his performance annually and on such other occasions 
as appropriate; and between the independent non-executive Directors without the other non-executive Directors being present. 
This includes both formal and informal meetings.

94 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 95 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESCorporate governance continued

Board meeting attendance
In 2019, the Board met eight times and had additional training 
sessions and informal discussions. 

Board member

Ian Cockerill1 

Bobby Godsell2

Vitaly Nesis

Jonathan Best2

Christine Coignard

Tracey Kerr

Ollie Oliveira

Jean-Pascal Duvieusart

Giacomo Baizini

Konstantin Yanakov

Italia Boninelli3

1  Director from 23 April 2019.
2  Director until 23 April 2019.
3  Director from 12 December 2019.

Board meetings

4/4

2/4

 8/8

4/4

8/8

8/8

8/8

7/8

8/8

7/8

1/1

Further business was approved by a Board Committee on six 
occasions by way of a conference call and by written resolution 
on two additional occasions. The Board also held informal 
discussions at the time of the site visit and when receiving 
quarterly production updates.

Board site visits
Annual site visits greatly improve the Board’s understanding of 
Polymetal’s operations and organisation, and are an invaluable 
contribution to the Board’s evaluation of the Group’s business plan 
and strategy. They also provide the Board with an opportunity 
to talk with local senior management and employees about their 
experience of working for Polymetal. Since the IPO, the Directors 
have visited all of the Company’s key operations.

On a three-day visit to the Company’s operations in the Far East of 
Russia (Amursk and Albazino) during 2019, the Board of Directors 
gained first-hand insights into the work of local management, and 
the challenges and opportunities that they face. They met with key 
mine executives and employees, and were given a detailed tour 
of production facilities at Amursk, including an update on the new 
POX-2 facility. More detailed information about the 2019 site trip can 
be found on page 102.

Board and Committee meetings in 2019
In 2019, in addition to the regular Board and Committee meetings, we held additional meetings to address a shareholder’s Director nomination 
and fatalities at our operations. In addition, the Remuneration Committee had an information session with the Company’s remuneration 
consultants PwC, the Safety and Sustainability Committee met with senior management in the St. Petersburg office and the Audit and Risk 
Committee met with the audit tender participants. 

Every year, our December meeting is dedicated to our plans for the next year. From 2020, we are revising our meeting schedule to 
spread the workload more evenly throughout the year, move our strategy session from January to June to better align with any feedback 
received from our shareholders at both the April AGM and investor day, and move our governance and planning meeting to November to 
ensure that management has sufficient time to reflect on the results achieved throughout the year. Additional meetings will be scheduled 
should the need arise. 

Board evaluation
In accordance with corporate governance requirements, the 
most recent externally facilitated evaluation was undertaken in 
2019 by Fidelio Partners, an independent Board Development and 
Executive Search consultancy, who also conducted Polymetal’s 2016 
evaluation. Fidelio’s relationship with Polymetal focused only on Board 
effectiveness; Fidelio did not provide recruitment, search or other 
advisory services. 

The Board confirms that recommendations from the 2016 evaluation 
have largely been implemented including, most importantly, those 
for Board succession. The three key areas for improvement were: 
Polymetal’s distinctive position – implications for the Board; the 
challenge of succession and safety first: 

•  As part of succession planning, the following members have 
joined the Board since 2016: Mr Baizini, who has experience 
of working for companies in both the West and the East, 
and is fluent in Russian; Ms Kerr, who is London-based and 
has 30 years’ experience in the international mining industry, 
including safety and sustainability; Mr Oliveira, who has over 
16 years’ experience in engaging with London-based institutional 
investors, including the role of Senior Independent Director of 
a large mining company; Mr Cockerill, who has over 40 years’ 
experience in the sector and an outstanding record in mining 
and corporate governance at all levels; Ms Boninelli, who brings 
with her 20 years’ experience in developing leadership and 
human capital; Mr Flores, who is one of the most highly regarded 
analysts in our industry with in-depth knowledge and over 
30 years’ experience in finance, investing and research. 
•  With reference to the succession of the Group CEO and 

senior management, the Nomination Committee had detailed 
discussions about the short-term and long-term approach to 
the further development of the internal pipeline of candidates, 
drawn from the most capable of the Group employees. 

Areas for Board focus

Next steps for consideration

•  The Safety and Sustainability Committee continues to oversee 

and support the work of the executive team in reducing fatalities 
by firmly embedding a safety-first culture. The annual plan for 
the Committee’s work ensures that internal processes are in 
line with relevant market practice. Ms Kerr became the Chair of 
the Safety and Sustainability Committee, bringing a wealth of 
experience to the role. In addition, from 2020, the measurement 
criteria for the health and safety KPI will be absence from 
work after an accident rather than the frequency of accidents, 
ensuring that the focus is on overall safety and near misses 
within the Group. The 50% penalty in cases of fatalities will also 
now include long-term disabilities and fatalities occurring at our 
contractors. Further information is available on page 115.

Fidelio’s 2019 Board evaluation focused on enhancing 
Board effectiveness and the value that the Board delivers. In its 
evaluation, Fidelio has drawn heavily upon the UK Code and also 
taken into account the international footprint of the Company and 
its assets. Fidelio conducted interviews with Board members, 
senior management and employees including those involved in 
stakeholder engagement, reviewed various materials and observed 
a Board meeting and meetings of all the Committees. 

Fidelio concluded that the Polymetal Board is open and willing 
to engage, and has relevant experience and skills, a clear 
commitment to good governance and Board members who bring 
their operational, financial and governance experience to the Board 
debate. Fidelio highlighted several forward-looking themes with the 
most important noted in the table below. These provide a focal point 
for the Board for the development of implementation plans. 

Shareholder and stakeholder engagement Stakeholder engagement: establish a link between stakeholder engagement, community 
work that Polymetal is already undertaking and the requirements of the UK Code; produce a 
clear statement of Polymetal’s approach to Board-level employee engagement; continue to 
interpret and better understand the findings arising from employee engagement. 

Month

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Board

Audit and Risk
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

Nomination
Committee

Safety and 
Sustainability Committee

Training sessions and 
informal meetings

GM

Committee meetings

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

GM

AGM

1

1

3

2

1

Board dynamics and development

Shareholder engagement: continue to develop relationships with leading institutional 
shareholders; Head of Investor Relations to report to the Board regularly on investor 
relations strategy.

Nomination Committee: executive succession planning; medium-term skill matrix 
requirements and further medium-term Board refreshment to ensure that this is staggered; 
ensure collaboration with the Remuneration Committee, including on diversity, the pipeline and 
related communication.

Remuneration Committee: appoint a single point of contact at executive level to support 
and drive the work of the Committee.

Audit and Risk Committee: ensure the critical relationship with the internal auditor 
is maintained and expanded; cyber/technology risk to be fully considered; develop a FTSE 
100 peer network.

Safety and Sustainability Committee: ensure that ESG factors are appropriately reflected in 
compensation; liaise with the Audit and Risk Committee on environmental reporting; frame Board 
support for the Paris Accord.

•  Ensure individual feedback for Board members, including clarity on Board and executive roles
•  Build a closer understanding of Polymetal, its operations and environment
•  Continue to support the executive through facilitating introductions
•  Establish peer networks, for Committee Chairs in particular
•  Support Committee Chairs in building ownership.

96 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 97 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESCorporate governance continued

Training 
Polymetal invests significant amounts of time and money into 
training employees, but it is as important that Directors continue 
to develop and refresh their understanding of the Group’s 
activities. Every year the Board, as part of the site trip, meets local 
management at operations and Directors familiarise themselves 
with the technology used, logistics, health and safety standards 
and supplier management. The Board is kept informed of relevant 
developments in the Company by way of monthly management 
reports, including comprehensive information on operating and 
financial performance, and the progress of capital projects.

It is also essential that the Directors regularly refresh and update 
their skills and knowledge with both external and internal training 
when necessary. Members of the Board individually attend 
seminars, conferences and training events to keep up-to-date about 
developments in key areas. Board meetings include presentations 
from Group experts to ensure the Directors have access to the 
wealth of knowledge within the Company as well as presentations 
from external providers.

Directors’ information and training sessions 2019 

Board

January: 

D&O insurance, market overview

April: 

Directors’ responsibilities (Morgan Stanley)
Digital reinvention of the mining industry 
(Ward Howell)

August: 

Tailings storage facilities

December: 

Rare earth market overview

Audit Committee

March: 

IFRS 16 Leases (Deloitte)

December: 

Approach to capitalisation
Audit market reform (Deloitte)

Remuneration Committee

January: 

New UK Governance Code update

April: 

Remuneration review – market update (PWC)

December: 

Regulatory and governance update 
(proxy advisors)

Safety and Sustainability Committee

March: 

Transparency in the supplier chain

December: 

Management performance measures and 
ESG metrics

Induction
To provide a thorough induction to new Board members, they are 
granted access to the induction ‘dataroom’ with information about 
the Company, its current Board and Committee members, sector 
market update, Board and Committees terms of reference, corporate 
documents and Group policies. All Directors have electronic 
access to the materials of all previous Board and Committee 
meetings, minutes, Group policies, results of Board and Committee 
evaluations, D&O insurance policy and AGM results, as well as 
the Company’s annual, interim financial and quarterly production 
results and sustainability reports. They are updated on corporate 
governance rules and practices, including those relating to their roles 
as non-executive Directors. As part of the induction process, new 
Directors familiarise themselves with the arrangements for Board and 
Committee meetings and site visits, along with existing remuneration 
and compensation procedures, Board and Committee meeting 
schedules and external training options for the next year. In addition 
to the ‘dataroom’, induction meetings are arranged, to give new 
Directors the opportunity to discuss appropriate issues with fellow 
Directors, the Group CEO and executive team. 

Board induction programme for Ian Cockerill 
Mr Cockerill was appointed as Board Chair in April 2019 and a 
tailored induction programme was implemented to enable his 
participation in Board discussions with a sound understanding of 
the Group’s long-term strategy, business model, operations and 
governance structure. Engagements involved meetings with fellow 
Directors, senior management, division heads, technical briefings 
and site visits.

Topic 

Meetings held

Business strategy Meeting with Strategic Development 

Department

Finance

Operations

Engineering

Meeting with Group CFO, Head of IFRS 
reporting, Head of Internal Audit, Head of 
Corporate Finance

Meeting with Group COO, Deputy CEO (Mineral 
Resources), Deputy CEO (Construction and 
Development), key Project Managers for 
Nezhda, POX and Kyzyl

Tour of Polymetal Engineering facilities 
(laboratories, data mine department), Meeting 
with Head of Engineering Department, Head of 
Laboratories, Head of the Project Department

Safety, health

Meeting with Group COO, Head of H&S 
Department

Human capital

Meeting with the HR Department 

Sustainability and 
environment

Shareholders

Culture

Governance

Meeting with Chief Sustainability Officer

Meeting with shareholders as part of the Board 
engagement programme

Series of lunches and dinners with Group CEO 
and top management

One-on-one meetings with all Directors, meeting 
with Company Secretary

In addition, Mr Cockerill visited our Kyzyl operation in Kazakhstan, 
where he met with senior management, key employees and toured 
the facilities. 

Culture, purpose and values 
Corporate culture
Polymetal’s culture is firmly aligned with its strategy and recognised 
and supported by the Board. All Directors are expected to act with 
integrity, lead by example and promote the desired culture. The 
success of Polymetal is entirely down to its people. Our robust 
performance is based on each employee taking pride in their work 
and responsibility for their actions, understanding their individual 
impact on the business and being open to new challenges. 

Monitoring the impact of any corporate culture is challenging. 
In 2019, 380 innovative solutions (2018: 114) were proposed by 
employees from 11 subsidiaries, of which 183 were implemented 
(2018: 82) and 73 (2018: 16) are being considered. We provided 
780,054 training hours for 10,453 of our employees, an investment 
of $1.2 million by the Company. At Polymetal, we are proud that 
employees value working for the Company: our employee turnover 
rate is low at 5.8% (2018: 5.8%) and, in an employee survey, 84% 
(2018: 82%) said they were satisfied with working for Polymetal. In 
2019, the rate of absenteeism was 0.011 (2028: 0.012).

Growth through innovation
We deliver growth using a range of strategies and innovative solutions. 
By thinking creatively, we are able to explore future opportunities 
for expanding our operations that are often overlooked by other 
companies. We are not afraid of turning challenging situations to 
our advantage in order to progress towards our goals. 

A learning company
We secure our future by encouraging continuous learning and self-
development among all our employees. Our culture of continuous 
learning with Group-wide training and development opportunities is 
critical to improving skills, motivating employees and ensuring the 
ongoing success of the Company. As part of the cycled-learning 
process, we provide professional and managerial education 
through our corporate training network, digital training hubs and 
training centres. Given our vast geography, we have also developed 
advanced distance-learning systems to complement the work of our 
training centres and on-site training facilities. Innovative methods 
are widely used to train our Talent Pool and target groups for key 
positions throughout the Company.

A shared corporate culture
Sustainability and safety are our licence to operate. Responsibility 
at all levels of the Company is key to ensuring strong governance 
and ethics: from the Board of Directors to the Group as a whole, 
down to individual subsidiaries and to the employees. Accountability 
at all levels from the Board down is seen as central to embedding 
a shared corporate culture within Polymetal and employees have a 
vital role to play in reinforcing corporate values, both at work and in 
their everyday lives. 

Our corporate culture is pivotal to delivering the long-term success 
of the Company and the Board recognises that our employees are 
central to this process.

In 2019, the Board continued to discuss Polymetal’s culture, 
purpose and values. We undertook a corporate culture survey, 
which largely confirmed that employees throughout the Group 
have a shared culture. 1,203 employees participated in the survey, 
encompassing managers (17%), specialists (32%) and other 
employees (51%). The main attributes pinpointed in the culture 
profile were learning, purpose and order; unusually, the first two 
of these being more akin to those expected of a start-up company 
rather than an established organisation such as ours. Polymetal’s 
employees share a common understanding of our purpose, and are 
keen on learning while requiring structure and order to focus on their 
goals. The Board was very impressed with how accurately senior 
managements’ understanding of the Group culture was reflected in 
the survey. The survey also confirmed that employees do not feel 
pressured into achieving short-term goals, in line with Polymetal’s 
focus on long-term growth. We were encouraged by the level of 
engagement from those working in our mining and processing 
facilities and feel that this reflects positively on the overall safety 
of our employees.

The Board acknowledges that culture is not set in stone and that this 
is an ongoing process. In 2020, the Board discussions will focus on: 

•  The Board’s vision and continuing discussion and monitoring 

• 
• 

• 

of the Company’s culture, purpose and values
Internal discussions to formulate precise wording
Internal PR activities to promote the desired Company culture, 
purpose and values, including through the intranet, an online 
course for new employees and a visual communication 
programme
Implementation of HR processes: communication with 
labour market and employees, recruiting the right people 
and retaining talent.

CORPORATE CULTURE SURVEY RESULTS

Flexibility

Learning

Purpose

Enjoyment

Independence

People interactions

Results

Authority

e
g
n
a
h
c

o
t

e
s
n
o
p
s
e
R

Stability

Safety

Caring

Order

Interdependence

98 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
Corporate governance continued
Board stakeholder engagement

The Board is ultimately responsible for the direction, management, performance and long-
term sustainable success of the Company. It sets the Group’s strategy and objectives, taking 
into account the interests of all its stakeholders. A good understanding of our stakeholders 
enables us to factor the potential impact of strategic decisions on each stakeholder group 
into Boardroom discussions. 

Pursuant to the UK Code the Board has regard to the factors set out in section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 when 
making decisions1. Directors also have regard to other factors which we consider relevant to the decision being made. 
By considering the Company’s purpose, vision and values together with its strategic priorities and having a process 
in place for decision-making the Board aims to make sure that its decisions are fair, consistent and predictable. 
See more on stakeholder engagement on page 54.

Shareholders
We have a structured approach to our shareholder 
engagement, which includes market updates, meetings, 
roadshows, shareholder consultations and General Meetings. 
We ensure that shareholders’ interests are considered as part 
of our Board decision-making process.

Investor meetings
In 2019, Polymetal held over 200 investor meetings during 
eight non-deal roadshows and eleven industry conferences 
organised in nine different countries in Europe and North 
America. These roadshows included sessions on ESG and 
corporate governance, during which the Chief Sustainability 
Officer and members of the Board (including the Chair) met 
with investors. 

Investor days and site tours
Polymetal organised two Capital Market Days in April and 
November attended by more than 50 investors and analysts. 
Senior management provided updates on Polymetal’s 
strategy and mid-term growth outlook, with a particular 
focus on current operations and their exploration prospects. 
In February 2019, we also held a workshop outlining the 
investment decisions for the POX-2 key development project. 

In September 2019, we organised site visits to Amursk-POX 
and Albazino for industry analysts and investors.

Annual General Meeting:
•  At the AGM, the Board communicates directly with 

shareholders about the business and they, in return, 
have an opportunity to meet and pose questions to the 
Directors in attendance. 

•  The AGM is held in London to facilitate easier participation 
by shareholders. The Board Chair and Chairs of all Board 
Committees make themselves available to answer any 
questions that shareholders may have. 

•  The Annual Report and Notice of the AGM are made 
available – in printed form and on our website – at 
least 20 working days before the AGM to ensure that 
shareholders have time to consider them in detail. 

•  The AGM voting results are reported via the London Stock 

Exchange and on our website.

Shareholder consultation 
In 2019, the Group’s revised Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
was the main focus of shareholder engagement. The Chair 
of the Remuneration Committee, supported by the SID, 
had both conference calls and face-to-face meetings with 
institutional shareholders. As part of the process, proxy 
advisors were consulted and their feedback was incorporated 

into the revised policy. Further information is available in the 
Remuneration Committee report on page 121. 

The Company welcomes further discussion with shareholders 
in relation to the Remuneration Policy and we will continue to 
engage with shareholders when considering material changes 
to our strategy, Board or remuneration policies.

Board Chair, Senior Independent Director 
and Committee Chairs
Since his appointment in April 2019, Mr Cockerill has 
participated in two investor days and had several in-person 
meetings with institutional shareholders in order to understand 
their views. In 2020, the Board Chair will continue to facilitate an 
open dialogue with shareholders. 

The SID, Mr Oliveira, played a major role in shareholder 
engagement during the Chair transition process and Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy consultation. He continues to make 
himself available to all shareholders in order to hear their 
views and help develop a balanced understanding of their 
issues and concerns.

All Committee Chairs offer themselves for shareholder 
meetings on a regular basis. In 2019, the Chairs of both the 
Remuneration and the Safety and Sustainability Committees 
had meetings with institutional shareholders. 

Image: POX-2 workshop, February 2019.

1  Polymetal is incorporated in Jersey under the Companies (Jersey) Law 

1991 (as amended). The Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 does not include 
any provision equivalent to s. 172 of the Companies Act 2006, and the 
Companies Act 20016 does not apply directly to Polymetal. As a 
consequence, Polymetal is not obliged to report on s. 172 compliance in 
the same manner as a company incorporated under the Companies Act 
2006. However, as a premium listed company, Polymetal must comply 
with the UK Code, including certain disclosures of considerations of the 
interests of its stakeholders and workforce engagement.

Workforce engagement 
In 2019, the Board performed an in-depth review of its largest 
stakeholder group – its workforce – setting up an employee 
engagement system, which will continue in the ensuing years. 
The success of our business depends upon the expertise, 
dedication and skill of our people: 

•  The Group employs approximately 12,000 people, who 
work at its operations, on exploration and development 
projects and at the Group’s corporate offices. 

•  We hire the most talented staff and focus on engagement, 
increasing diversity and equal opportunities for women, 
decreasing labour turnover and facilitating training and 
career development.

•  We also work hard to provide a safe working environment, 
competitive wages and social packages, comfortable living 
conditions and career progression.

•  The Group maintains constructive, transparent and 
attentive relationships to ensure the retention of its 
employees, avoid labour disputes and contribute to 
operational excellence.

•  Our commitment to integrity and compliance is set out in 
the Group’s Code of Conduct and through Group policies 
and standards, including Whistleblowing, Anti-Bribery and 
Corruption, Staff and Management Diversity and Human 
Rights, all of which are available on our website. 

A formalised approach to workforce engagement is a 
requirement of the UK Code. The Board, in close co-operation 
with Group management has developed a communication tool 
that takes into account the Group’s wide geographic spread 
and often extremely remote locations. A constructive feedback 
process allows employees to engage directly with Directors so 
that they are made aware of any concerns among the workforce. 
Alongside this, the Company’s executive management already 
operates an effective means of engagement with its employees 
through a number of channels, including direct lines to the Group 
CEO and departmental heads. Following an evaluation of these 
communication channels, information boards and the corporate 
newspaper were identified as the most engaging and, in 2019, a 
new employee engagement programme was introduced. During 
the reporting period, there were no complaints or grievances 
relating to discrimination or violation of human rights. 

Board and employee communications
There are direct lines to the Group CEO and departmental 
heads. Employee satisfaction surveys are conducted on a 
regular basis with the results disseminated via the intranet and 
a summary provided to the Nomination Committee. In 2019, 
employees from every subsidiary used various workforce 
engagement channels to ask a total of 1,039 questions on a wide 
range of topics: 34 individual questions and 12 from groups of 

employees were addressed to Directors. Employees received 
responses from the relevant Directors or the Board as a whole 
directly and these were also published on information boards, 
the intranet and in the corporate newspaper.

QUESTIONS ASKED BY TOPIC
(%)

35

40

30

20

10

15

15

12

9

6

6

3

Strategic development
Remuneration and social benefits
Labour practice
Environmental issues

Corporate culture

Training and development
Corporate finance

Other

Colle

c
ti

n

g

A nalysis

CIRCLE OF CONTINUOUS FEEDBACK

Informin g

R
e

a

c

t

i

o

n

a

n

d correction

Analysis of the questions received during this year’s workforce 
engagement was very informative. The Board was pleased 
that employees understood the strategic role of the Board 
with the majority of questions about Polymetal’s future. 
Training issues came second in line with the Group culture as 
a learning company while remuneration was third. As a result 
of this, information on the intranet was updated to ensure that 
employees have access to relevant data about the business. 
Remuneration questions were analysed separately by the 
Remuneration Committee and a section on the intranet was 
set up outlining the Group remuneration practices. 

In 2020, the Directors’ direct line is included in the circle of 
continuous feedback for our employees. 

100 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
Corporate governance continued
Board stakeholder engagement continued

The Amursk POX plant is our headline operation and its expansion with the 
construction of POX-2 will be a protracted and involved process. Engaging with 
local stakeholders to ensure that their interests are taken into account has been 
an integral part of the Board’s long-term decision-making.

Amursk POX-2: engaging with local 
stakeholders
In early 2019, the Board finalised its investment decision to proceed 
with the proposed POX-2 project at Amursk, but this was not 
before intense discussions about how to capitalise on the success 
of the plant and an extensive review of the interests of all relevant 
stakeholder groups were undertaken. Following this consultation, 
a number of long-term projects were initiated that were of particular 
importance to the local community, POX employees and their 
families. These included the renovation of educational, medical and 
sports facilities as well as improving the amenities and landscape 
around Amursk. With a requirement to fill newly created jobs for the 
plant, an educated and skilled workforce plus attractive residential 
environs would be crucial factors.

In 2018, the Company began implementing a programme of 
life quality improvement and urban environmental development 
in Amursk. We have already invested over $3 million in new 
infrastructure projects, training initiatives and other issues raised 
through stakeholder engagement, which are highlighted in the 
table opposite.

With the expansion project well underway, the Board visited 
Amursk in August 2019 to talk to local management about the 
challenges and opportunities of the POX-2 project. They also 
visited the town itself to see the progress that has already been 
made on social and environmental schemes.

Above: POX-2 workshop, February 2019.

Stakeholders

Employees 

Challenge 

Approach 

POX-2 will create more than 470 new 
jobs, increasing to around 900 by 
2022/23:

•  Lack of potential highly qualified 

employees in the region
•  Low interest in employment 

opportunities among young people
•  Competition for human resources 
with other mining companies

Local community 

Social impact
Negative perception of the Amursk 
District due to its remoteness and 
underdeveloped infrastructure

•  A training centre, opened in 2016, now includes 52 licensed 

qualification programmes

•  Ongoing recruitment campaign
• 
•  Attract university students through employment events and 

Invite experts from other countries

other PR activities

•  Encourage school children to look at metal and mining 

industry as a future profession

•  Partnering with the Amursk Polytechnic College and by 2022, 

their graduates will have guaranteed job opportunities 
at Polymetal

•  Maintain the image of the Amursk POX as a leading, 

reliable employer

•  Prepare city infrastructure for relocation of new employees 

and their families: apartment building for 100 families

• 

Improve Amursk city look and attractiveness: renovation 
of river embankment, central square and bus station in 
Amursk city

•  Education: equipment for a biology and chemistry lab at a 

school and environmental centre, school renovation 

•  Sport and healthcare: renovation of a sports grounds and 

facilities; support children’s football tournaments; renovation 
of a women’s health clinic

•  Culture: renovation of the cinema centre and a culture hall for 
young people that hosts festivals, conferences, art exhibitions

•  Grievance mechanism to understand concerns of the 
population, public hearings, social polls and surveys, 
site visits

Environmental impact

•  Water recycling system and drainage system design to 

prevent water discharge

•  Responsible cyanide management programme
•  Heat recuperation system 
•  Dry stacking of tailings

Government and industry 
authorities

•  Extended and complex permitting 

process

•  Advance planning and regular meetings with officials
•  Specialist department at the management company in 

•  Strict regulatory compliance

charge of permitting

•  Use of investment road maps based on previous 

successful projects
Increased tax payments to local government 

• 

Suppliers and contractors 

•  Project with extended execution
•  Long delivery terms
•  Complex technical requirements
•  Thresholds for Russian-based 

suppliers

•  Transparent tendering process
•  Flexible advance payment and delivery terms
•  Pre-tender qualification requirements for prompt engagement 

with a smaller pool of contractors

•  Up to 30% local procurement
•  Up to 70% local suppliers

Shareholders 

•  Short-term reduction in dividend 

•  POX-2 workshop for more than 50 institutional investors and 

payment

•  Capital allocation

analysts to communicate project rationale

•  Non-deal roadshows in London and EU plus follow-up calls 

and meetings with investors

•  Site visit to Amursk POX for investors and industry analysts

102 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESAudit and Risk Committee report

Ensuring that all our business 
decisions also offer the best returns 
for our shareholders.

Audit and Risk Committee 
meeting attendance

Board member

Giacomo Baizini (Chair)

Jonathan Best1 

Christine Coignard

Ollie Oliveira

1  Chair until 23 April 2019.

Meetings

7/7

2/2

7/7

7/7

Three further informal meetings took place as part of the audit tender process. 

Two further meetings took place with external and internal auditors without 
management present.

The Audit and Risk Committee is an independent body, 
consisting only of independent non-executive Directors with 
relevant skills and experience in financial reporting and risk 
management. The Committee is chaired by Mr Baizini and 
its other members are Mr Oliveira and Ms Coignard. Mr Best 
served as a Committee Chair prior to the AGM on 23 April 
2019, but did not offer himself up for re-election. From 30 
January 2020, Mr Flores became a further member of the 
Committee. The Board considers that the composition 
and work of the Audit and Risk Committee comply with the 
requirements of the UK Code.

Dear shareholders
Having served as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee since 
2018, I am honoured to have been appointed as its Chair and to take 
over the mantle from Jonathan Best, whose dedicated leadership 
has steered the work of the Committee for the last eight years.

While 2019 has been a good year for gold, Polymetal operates in a 
capricious environment with both volatile markets and economies, 
which in turn influence commodity prices and exchange rates. 
Alongside this, we are ever mindful of the increasingly complex 
governance and accounting frameworks that drive the internal 
controls and risk management processes of our business. We 
believe that we have developed robust and sound mechanisms to 
handle any eventuality successfully, but at the same time recognise 
the need to guard against complacency.

Minimising business risk
Minimising risk is core to every strategic and operational element 
of Polymetal’s business and in its commitment to its stakeholders. 
As part of the Audit and Risk Committee’s remit, we undertake 
assessments of the Company’s principal risks and risk levels, 
including regular deep dives, as well as allocating time to discussing 
any emerging risks to its operations. We maintain a continuous 
dialogue with management to ensure that information about 
key risks and potential impacts are communicated at all levels 
throughout the Company. This year a greater emphasis was 
given to significant issues (as disclosed on page 106) and critical 
judgements and estimates (see page 105) with relevant disclosures 
made in the year-end accounts. 

Audit tender 
In 2019, the Audit and Risk Committee, supported by Polymetal’s 
highly professional finance team, led the audit tendering process 
for financial years starting from 2020 in accordance with applicable 
regulations and legislation. This was a thorough process and 
we are grateful to the audit firms who took the time and effort to 
participate. We believe that Deloitte LLP is a first-class candidate 
and in reaching our decision, we considered the overall audit 
quality and the principal criteria in the tendering process, as well 
as the experience and expertise of Russian/CIS and UK teams. 
Deloitte’s strong focus not only on the financial statements, 
but also on the strategic report and best practices in corporate 
governance will provide us with a well-structured, rigorous and 
successful reporting process. 

Investing for the future
With Kyzyl now fully operational, in 2020 we will be turning our 
attention to Nezhda and POX-2, our two major development 
projects. The Audit and Risk Committee receives regular updates 
from management to confirm that there are tight controls on capital 
expenditure and that these projects are progressing to schedule. 
This time next year, we will need to make investment decisions 
about Veduga and Prognoz, our pipeline projects. With that in mind, 
we will continue to robustly monitor and control our spending to 
ensure the best returns on investment for our shareholders. 

Giacomo Baizini
Chair, Audit and Risk Committee

Key responsibilities

Focus during 2019

Integrity 
of financial 
statements

•  Monitoring the integrity of the Group’s 
consolidated financial statements

•  Reviewing financial statements, including 
the consistency of accounting policies 
across the Group, the methods used to 
account for significant transactions, the 
reasonableness of significant estimates 
and judgements and the clarity and 
completeness of disclosure

•  Reviewed and recommended for approval financial and risk 

information included in the Annual Report

•  Reviewed and recommended for approval Polymetal’s results for the 

six months to 30 June 2019

•  Supervised preparation of the longer-term viability statement
•  Deep dive into significant accounting policies (including approach to 
capitalisation, leases in accordance with new IFRS 16, accounting 
for exploration and evaluation assets)

Internal controls 
and risk 
management

•  Reviewing the effectiveness of the 

Group’s system of internal controls and 
risk management and ensuring 
shareholders’ interests are properly 
protected

•  Reviewed the critical risks and exposures, including significant 
judgements, findings, impairments and tax risks; discussed 
emerging risks

•  Reviewed reporting from internal auditors on key controls and 

approved internal audit plan

•  Monitoring and reviewing the 

•  Performed an in-depth review of several subsidiaries (Polymetal 

effectiveness of the Group’s internal audit 

Engineering, Albazino, Kyzyl, Amursk POX, Omolon); reviewed risk 
management systems at Amursk POX

•  Monitored the effectiveness of internal audit
•  Approved significant transactions

External auditor

•  Making recommendations to the Board 
on the appointment or removal of the 
Group’s external auditor

•  Reviewing the effectiveness of the 

external audit process

•  Reviewing the independence and 

objectivity of the external auditor and the 
appropriateness of the provision of any 
non-audit services

•  Approved the terms of external audit engagement (including the 

scope) and the Group’s external audit plan

•  Reviewed audit planning report for 2019 year end
•  Reviewed the actual external audit fee in 2019 compared with the 
authorised amount; approved the terms of engagement, including 
the scope of the audit

•  Reviewed the independence and effectiveness of the external auditor 
•  Performed the full audit tender process and selected Deloitte LLP as 

external auditor

Policies and 
procedures

•  Reviewing the Group’s policies and 

•  Supervised compliance with the Company’s Anti-Bribery and 

procedures for preventing and detecting 
bribery and fraud, and the systems and 
controls in place to ensure that the 
Group complies with relevant regulatory 
and legal requirements

Corruption, Whistleblowing, Treasury and other policies and procedures

•  Reviewed approach to related-party transactions
•  Performed internal assessment of the Committee’s effectiveness 

and adopted an action plan 

•  Reviewed the Committee’s terms of reference 
•  Reviewed the work plan for 2020

Fair, balanced and understandable
The Board and the Audit and Risk Committee are satisfied that 
the Annual Report is fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Group’s position, performance, business model and strategy. The 
Committee ensured that the Company has applied the following 
robust process:

• 

• 

• 

In October, Group management and external auditors 
hold a planning session. Clear instructions and a timeline 
are provided to all participants of the annual reporting 
process. All regulatory requirements and best practice 
recommendations are monitored and communicated to the 
participants on an ongoing basis.
In late December, members of all Board Committees receive 
the relevant draft sections of the Annual Report to ensure that 
the key messages and information disclosed are aligned with 
the Company’s strategy and performance, and are consistent 
with their understanding of the Company’s business. 
In February, the Committee holds a conference call to 
review critical accounting judgements and estimates 
disclosed in the notes to the financial statements and to 
discuss any significant issues related to the consolidated 
financial statements. The Committee takes into account the 
conclusions and observations made by the external auditor 
over key judgements and significant issues.

•  The Committee reviews the disclosure of Alternative 

Performance Measures (APMs) to ensure appropriate 
prominence of APMs and IFRS measures and their 
presentation throughout the Annual Report. A guide 
to APMs can be found in the ‘Alternative performance 
measures’ section on page 207.
In late February, all Directors receive and review a full draft 
of the Annual Report and consolidated financial statements 
to ensure consistency of disclosure of the Company’s 
established purpose, values and strategy. 
In early March, the Committee reviews the final Annual 
Report and financial statements – including significant 
accounting issues explained in the notes to the consolidated 
financial statements, based on its knowledge, discussions, 
management papers or other interactions with management, 
as well as the conclusions of external auditors – and 
recommends them to the Board for approval.
In early March, the preliminary financial statements are 
approved by the Board for release to the London Stock 
Exchange to ensure timely disclosure of financial information.
In mid-March, the Annual Report is approved by the Board 
for publication on the Company’s website and circulation to 
its shareholders.

• 

• 

• 

• 

104 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 105 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
Audit and Risk Committee report continued

Significant issues related to the financial statements
The Committee assesses whether suitable accounting policies have been adopted and whether management has made appropriate 
estimates and judgements. During the year, the Committee has focused in particular on the key issues and areas of judgement 
listed below as being business-sensitive. The Committee has also reviewed detailed external auditor reports outlining audit work 
performed and any issues identified in respect of key judgements (see the independent auditor’s report on pages 148–153).

Significant issues addressed by the Committee

How the Committee addressed the issues

Significant corporate transactions
Accounting for acquisitions and disposals involves a number 
of judgements, specifically in respect of determining purchase 
price allocation, estimating the fair value of the contingent 
consideration and gains and losses arising on the transactions.

Recoverability of metal inventories
At 31 December 2019, the Group held $520 million in respect 
of inventory, including ore and concentrate stockpiles and heap 
leach work in progress totalling $498 million. In accordance with 
IAS 2 Inventories, inventory is required to be valued at the lower 
of cost or net realisable value. 

The assessment of the recoverability of ore stockpiles and 
heap leach work in progress requires management judgement, 
including determination of expected metal volume to be recovered, 
processing costs and future prices to be realised on sale. 

Recoverability of exploration and evaluation assets
At 31 December 2019, the Group held exploration and 
evaluation (E&E) assets of $410 million (2018: $367 million). 

E&E costs are capitalised based on the ‘successful efforts’ 
method when management concludes that future economic 
benefits are likely to be realised as a result of exploration 
activities and internal assessment of Mineral Resources. 
The evaluation of future prospects of the asset requires 
significant judgement. 

Tax exposures
The Group is subject to income tax and mining taxes in 
the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan. Judgement is 
required in determining the tax due when dealing with 
different tax legislation.

At 31 December 2019, probable exposures total $10 million and 
predominantly relate to a risk identified in respect of Russian 
mineral extraction tax.

Longer-term viability statement
The viability statement, scenario analysis process and key risks 
factored into the analysis are presented on 144–145.

The Committee reviewed the accounting for disposals made by the 
Group in the year (disposal of Kapan and Irbychan Gold, see page 
176), as well as finalising of the allocation of purchase price to the 
assets and liabilities acquired in the previous year (acquisition of 
Veduga, see page 172). The Committee challenged the key 
judgements made by management in these areas and concluded 
that these were made appropriately and consistently. In all cases 
the Committee concluded that the disclosures made in the Annual 
Report were appropriate and clear. See pages 171–176. 

Management performed net realisable value calculations by 
estimating the recoverability and valuation of metal inventories as 
of 30 June 2019 and 31 December 2019.

The Committee examined the price assumptions used by 
management as well as unit costs, treatment charges and other 
internal assumptions used in determining the net realisable value 
of unfinished goods within metal inventories (ore and concentrate 
stockpiles). The Committee is satisfied that the appropriate 
write-down of metal inventories to net realisable value has been 
recognised in the current financial year. See Note 22 on page 192.

Management performed detailed analysis of the recoverability 
of E&E assets as at 31 December 2019. 

The Committee examined the management analysis of 
recoverability of exploration and evaluation assets and assessed 
management’s approach to determine whether the existing 
exploration and evaluation assets are likely to generate future 
economic benefits and whether any indicators of impairment had 
been identified. The factors assessed included the nature and 
objective of the project, the project’s current stage and the extent 
of E&E that has been performed, project timeline, main risks of the 
project and the latest geological results and testings.

This review did not indicate any concerns with the carrying 
value of the Group’s exploration and evaluation assets as at 
31 December 2019. See Note 19 on page 190.

The Committee received updates on the status and progress of 
tax audits and evaluated management’s assessment of various 
tax risks and appropriateness of provisions made in the financial 
statements, where applicable.

The review did not identify any concerns with respect to 
the Group’s tax compliance and relevant disclosure in the 
financial statements. See Note 13 on page 184 and Note 17 
on pages 186–188.

The Committee exercised oversight of the viability statement 
development process, including assessment of the Group’s 
prospects made by management, the time horizon over which 
the assessment is made, the basis of preparation and the results 
of risk-scenario analysis. The Committee concluded that the 
scenarios analysis, time horizon and assumptions used are severe 
and feasible, and well aligned with the Group’s budgeting and 
strategy process. See pages 144–145.

Internal controls and risk management 
Risk management
Risk management is the responsibility of the Board and is integral 
to the achievement of the Group’s strategic objectives. The Board 
is satisfied that there is an ongoing process, which was operational 
during the year and up to the date of approval of the Annual 
Report, for identifying, evaluating and managing the principal risks 
faced by the Group, as described on page 79.

The Board takes account of material changes and trends in 
the risk profile, including robust assessment of the Company’s 
emerging risks, and considers whether the control system, 
including reporting, adequately supports the Board in achieving its 
risk management objectives. The Group’s Risk Management Policy 
and Process ensures that the procedures are embedded in all of 
Polymetal’s systems and processes, ensuring that the Company’s 
responses to risk remain current and dynamic. 

The Group enforces a responsible business culture throughout all 
Group entities to mitigate principal risks and to keep residual risk 
at an acceptable level. The Audit and Risk Committee assists the 
Board with its assessment of the Group’s principal risks and its 
review of the effectiveness of the risk management process. The 
Committee reviews reports on the Group-level risk profiles and 
controls that are in place during its meetings throughout the year.

The Group has implemented enterprise and operational policies 
and controls to manage risks that may affect achievement of the 
Group’s strategic objectives. Transaction-level internal controls are 
designed to enhance the value of operational-level objectives and 
accountability of new projects and initiatives.

In conducting its annual review of the effectiveness of risk 
management and the internal control system (including financial, 
operating and compliance controls), the Committee considers the 
key findings from the ongoing monitoring and reporting processes, 
management representations and independent assurance reports. 
Management provides a timely response to issues raised by 
internal audit. Where possible, the issues are resolved within one 
reporting period. 

Further details of the Group’s risk management framework and 
risk governance are provided on pages 78–79.

Internal audit (IA)
The IA Department supports the Board, through the Audit and 
Risk Committee, in evaluating the Company’s and the Group’s 
governance framework. It also aims to raise levels of understanding 
and awareness of risk and control throughout the Group. 

Internal auditors maintain organisational independence from 
Group management by reporting to the Audit and Risk Committee 
on substantive matters and to the Group CEO for administrative 
purposes; the internal auditors additionally report their findings to 
the members of the Group’s executive management. Any potential 
conflicts of interest should be disclosed by the internal auditors as 
they arise; internal auditors are not allowed to audit areas where 
they have held operational roles in the previous 12 months. 

The IA Department’s annual work plan is approved by the Audit 
and Risk Committee. It is based on a risk tolerance evaluation 
that ensures the achievement of the Group’s operating objectives 

and focuses on the principal risks the of Group’s risk profile. 
The head of the IA reports to the Board through the Audit and 
Risk Committee. The KPIs of the head of the IA are: completion of 
work in accordance with the approved plan, quality of audits and 
the number of follow-up audits, where agreed recommendations 
have been implemented. 

In addition to the Audit and Risk Committee assessment, the internal 
auditors use an annual self-certification process, which requires 
managers throughout the Group to personally confirm the testing 
of internal controls and compliance with Group policies within their 
business or function, as well as the steps taken to address actual 
or potential issues that are identified. The results of self-certification 
as well as management response thereto are provided to the 
Committee along with other reports on the internal audit activities.

The IA Department also performs periodic external certification, 
the most recent of which started at the end of 2018 with the results 
presented to the Audit and Risk Committee in March 2019. It was 
confirmed that the independence and objectivity of the Group’s 
IA Department is in compliance with international standards for 
internal audit. 

Internal control framework and activities
The management structure of the Group and internal policies and 
procedures are aimed at maintaining a robust control framework 
within the Group to encourage the achievement of strategic 
objectives within set risk tolerance levels. This framework includes:

•  An appropriate tone set from the top (Board level), aimed at 

building the appropriate control environment and ethical climate

•  Management support of a comprehensive risk management 

system (for more detail refer to pages 78–79)

•  Strong segregation of duties including internal controls over 

sensitive transactions

•  Specific control activities implemented at all levels of the Group
•  A periodic review of the effectiveness of internal controls.

The governance framework reflects the specific structure 
and management of the Group, where authority and control 
are delegated by the Board to different levels, from senior 
management to the managers of the Group’s operating entities 
and then cascaded down to business and project managers as 
appropriate. Within this framework, authority is delegated with 
clearly prescribed limits and decisions are escalated where either 
project size or risk profile require a higher level of authority. In 
addition to controls operating at transaction level (production, 
exploration, construction, procurement), the control framework 
also includes a set of general procedures for transaction approval, 
financial accounting, reporting and budgeting.

The Board confirms that the actions it considers necessary have 
been or are being taken to remedy any failings or weaknesses 
in the Group’s system of internal controls. Based on the results 
of the review of risk management and internal control activities 
undertaken by the Board and the Audit and Risk Committee, the 
Board considers that the risk management and internal control 
systems are in accordance with the relevant principles and 
provisions of the UK Code and other applicable guidance.

106 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 107 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESAudit and Risk Committee report continued

Audit tender 
The Group has a policy of tendering the external audit at least 
every ten years. The most recent tendering process took 
place from January to May 2019, with a view to appointing 
the external auditor for the 2020 audit, which also coincides 
with the completion of the five-year term of our current audit 
partner. Deloitte LLP has been our auditor for 10 years, 
following our listing on the London Stock Exchange. Deloitte 
was invited to participate in this tendering process, along with 
other appropriately qualified international audit firms. 

The tender process was held in compliance with the 
Competition and Markets Authority regulations, applicable EU 
requirements and Financial Reporting Council (FRC) guidance. 
The Audit and Risk Committee was responsible for:

• 

Initiating and supervising the competitive audit 
tender process

•  Making the recommendation to the Board of Directors as 
to its first and second choice candidates for appointment 
pursuant to the competitive tendering process

•  Negotiating and agreeing the audit fee and the scope of audit
Influencing the appointment of the audit engagement partner.
• 

In order to ensure that the tendering process was transparent, 
fair and effective, the background and other information 
requested by the contesting firms was downloaded to the 
online data room and provided via email in case of specific 
queries. No conflicts of interest were identified during the 
designing and conducting of the audit tender process. 
Confirmations of independence were received from the firms 
by a predetermined deadline.

Management held several meetings with participating firms 
based on their requests. An assessment was undertaken 
to evaluate which firm would be capable of carrying out the 
required audit services, taking into consideration both the 
following criteria and the combined performance as a whole:

•  Audit quality and expertise, including recent FRC quality 

review reports

•  Tender documentation overview
•  Mining sector experience of the firm and business 

knowledge, experience with FTSE 100 companies and 
associated regulation and governance

•  Audit team competence, resources and cultural fit
•  Communication skills
•  Quality control, service approach and audit plan, including 

transition planning

•  Commercial aspects (applicable only for final presentation).

Following the completion of the evaluation, the Audit and 
Risk Committee recommended Deloitte LLP to the Board 
for approval as external auditors for the year commencing 
1 January 2020. The decision was driven by expertise, better 
resources and the audit approach to delivering high quality 
audit services to Polymetal. After considering the Committee’s 
recommendation, the Board proposed Deloitte LLP as auditor 
subject to shareholders’ approval at the Company’s 2020 
AGM. The Company is in compliance with the provisions of 
The Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies Market 
Investigation Order 2014.

External auditor
External auditor appointment
The re-appointment of Deloitte LLP as the Group’s external auditor 
is reviewed annually by the Audit and Risk Committee. Deloitte 
LLP was appointed auditor in 2011, with Deloitte CIS having been 
auditor of JSC Polymetal since 2007. James Leigh was appointed 
as audit partner in 2015. The Committee’s assessment of the 
external auditor’s performance and independence underpins its 
recommendation to the Board to propose to shareholders the 
re-appointment of Deloitte LLP as auditor until the conclusion of the 
AGM in 2021. Resolutions to authorise the Board to re-appoint and 
determine the auditor’s remuneration will be proposed at the AGM 
on 27 April 2020. Dean Cook will take over as audit partner for 2020.

Non-audit services by the external auditors
The Audit and Risk Committee monitors the Company’s 
relationship with its external auditor in relation to the provision 
of non-audit services to ensure that auditor objectivity and 
independence are safeguarded. This is achieved by disclosure of 
the extent and nature of non-audit services (see Note 15 to the 
consolidated financial statements) and the prohibition of selected 
services being provided by the external auditor.

Pre-approval thresholds are in place for the provision of permitted 
non-audit services by the external auditor. Non-audit services are 
approved by management (if below $5,000), Chairman of the Audit 
and Risk Committee (if between $5,000 and $20,000), and Audit 
and Risk Committee (if above $20,000). Certain types of audit 
related work, up to a cumulative annual value of $100,000, may be 
undertaken by the auditor without prior referral to the Audit and Risk 
Committee. Any further non-audit work is subject to approval by the 
Audit and Risk Committee in further tranches of $100,000. In the 
event that the cumulative value of non-audit fees exceeds $500,000 
in any given year, separate approval by the Audit and Risk Committee 
is required explaining why there is no threat to independence. Further 
information is available on the Company’s website.

Following the Jersey Financial Services Commission’s consultation 
on changes to the Crown Dependencies’ Audit Rules and Guidance, 
the definition of Public Interest Entities incorporated in the European 
Economic Area (EAA PIEs) was extended to market traded 
companies (MTCs) such as Polymetal. Therefore, going forward the 
Audit and Risk Committee will apply the new EU Audit legislation 
and changes to the UK Ethical Standard, which introduced new 
restrictions and prohibitions on non-audit services to EEA PIEs.

In 2019, non-audit fees were $0.50 million of which $0.45 million 
were incurred for audit-related assurance services for the Group’s 
half-year review. Non-audit fees represented 46% of the 2019 audit 
fee (2018: 48%). Non-audit fees, excluding audit-related services, 
amounted to $0.05 million, or 3% (2018: 5%) of total fees for audit 
and audit-related services.

The Audit and Risk Committee has considered information 
pertaining to the balance between fees for audit and non-audit 
work for the Group in 2019 and concluded that the nature and 
extent of non-audit services provided do not present a threat to 
the external auditor’s objectivity or independence.

Auditor independence
The auditors are required each year to confirm in writing to the 
Committee that they have complied with the independence rules of 
their profession and regulations governing independence, and that 
they have complied with the requirements of the Company’s policy 
on provision of non-audit services. The external auditor is required to 
maintain appropriate records to provide reasonable assurance that 
its independence from the Company is not impaired.

Review of the effectiveness of the external audit process and 
audit quality
The Audit and Risk Committee has adopted a formal framework 
in its review of the effectiveness of the external audit process and 
audit quality which focuses on the following areas:
•  The audit partners, with particular focus on the lead audit 

engagement partner

•  The audit team
•  Planning and scope of the audit and identification of areas 

The principles and provisions 
In the reporting period, all members of the Committee had 
financial experience and competence relevant to the sector in 
which the Company is operating; Messrs Baizini and Oliveira have 
competence in accounting (detailed information on the experience, 
skills and qualifications of all Committee members can be found 
on pages 88–89). Ms Coignard is Chair and Messrs Oliveira and 
Baizini are members of the Remuneration Committee, which 
ensures continuity between the workings of both Committees. 

of audit risk

•  Execution of the audit
•  The role of management in an effective audit process
•  Communications by the auditor with the Audit and Risk 

Committee, and how the auditor supports the work of the 
Audit and Risk Committee

•  How the audit contributes insights and adds value
•  The independence and objectivity of the audit firm and the 

quality of the formal audit report to shareholders.

An auditor assessment is completed annually by each member of 
the Audit and Risk Committee and by the CFO by way of a formal 
questionnaire. Feedback is also sought from the Group CEO, other 
members of the finance team, divisional management and the head 
of internal audit. The feedback from this process is considered by 
the Audit and Risk Committee, and is provided both to the auditor 
and to management. Action plans arising are also reviewed by 
the Committee.

The effectiveness of management in the external audit process 
is assessed principally in relation to the timely identification and 
resolution of areas of accounting judgement, the quality and 
timeliness of papers analysing those judgements, management’s 
approach to the value of the independent audit, the booking 
of audit adjustments arising (if any) and the timely provision 
of draft public documents for review by the auditor and the 
Audit and Risk Committee.

Policies and procedures
Evaluation
In 2019, the Committee carried out a comprehensive self-evaluation 
of its performance. The members of the Committee, CFO and 
members of the finance team completed a thorough assessment 
questionnaire on the work of the Audit and Risk Committee and other 
related issues, including external audit and the quality, experience 
and expertise of the internal auditors. Based on the assessment 
results, the areas that needed attention were aggregated and 
incorporated into the 2020 Committee work plan. All comments 
received were fairly minor and the areas of further focus included:

•  Succession planning for future members of the Audit and 

Risk Committee

•  Training to understand the principles and developments in 

corporate reporting and regulation

•  Timing of the Committee and Board meetings, and timing and 
frequency of meetings between various participants in the 
annual reporting process

•  Enhanced communication between the Committee and various 

participants in the annual reporting process

•  Continued work on the review of related party transactions 

and appropriateness of accounting policies, including APMs, 
used in accordance with the European Securities and Markets 
Authority (ESMA) guidelines.

Ultimate responsibility for reviewing and approving the interim and 
annual financial statements remains with the Board. The Board 
considers that the Audit and Risk Committee complies with the 
provisions of the UK Code, FRC Guidance on Audit Committees 
and Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related 
Financial and Business Reporting.

The Committee gives due consideration to applicable laws and 
regulations, the provisions of the UK Code and the requirements 
of the Listing Rules.

UK Bribery Act 2010
The Company and its Directors are committed to ensuring 
adherence to the highest legal and ethical standards. This is 
reflected in every aspect of the way the Group operates. Bribery 
is a criminal offence in the countries in which the Group operates. 
Corrupt acts expose the Group and its employees to the risk of 
prosecution, fines and imprisonment, as well as endangering the 
Company’s reputation. The Group has a Code of Conduct in place, 
which refers to its Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy. The policy 
extends across all of the Group’s business dealings in all countries 
and territories in which the Group operates and applies to Directors, 
managers and all employees of the Group, as well as relevant 
business partners and other relevant individuals and entities. The 
policy prohibits the payment, offer or authorisation of bribes, the 
receipt or acceptance of a bribe, or the payment, offer or promise 
to pay any facilitating payments. The Board attaches the utmost 
importance to this policy and applies a zero-tolerance approach to 
acts of bribery and corruption by any of the Group’s employees or 
by business partners working on the Group’s behalf. 

As part of implementation of internal procedures to comply with the 
UK Bribery Act, the Group has a formalised Whistleblowing Policy 
which defines the processes in place for staff to communicate, in 
confidence, concerns about possible improprieties, unethical or 
illegal activities and ensures that arrangements are in place for the 
independent investigation of such matters. Management reports 
to the Committee twice a year on implementation of policies and 
procedures within the Group’s operations, and any instances of 
corruption or unethical conduct within the Group. Further information 
on due diligence processes implemented by the Company in 
pursuance of those policies is available in the Sustainability Report. 
The Company affirms that it has not denied any personnel access to 
the Audit and Risk Committee and that it has provided protection to 
whistleblowers from adverse personnel action.

All policies and procedures on prevention of bribery and corruption 
are annually reviewed by the Audit and Risk Committee for any 
changes required to be recommended to the Board. 

The Code of Conduct, Anti-Bribery and Corruption and 
Whistleblowing Policies are available on the Company’s website.

108 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 109 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESNomination Committee report

We have made significant progress in 
our Board succession programme.

Nomination Committee composition 
and meeting attendance

Board member

Ollie Oliveira (Chair)1

Tracey Kerr2 

Giacomo Baizini

Ian Cockerill3

Meetings

5/5

5/5

5/5

3/3

1  Chair until 31 December 2019. 
2   Member until 30 January 2020.
3  Member from 15 May 2019 and Chair from 30 January 2020.

The Nomination Committee comprises three independent 
non-executive Directors who have no personal financial 
interest in the matters to be decided, other than as a 
shareholder (where applicable). In 2019, the Committee 
was chaired by Mr Oliveira to facilitate the Board Chair 
succession programme; from 30 January 2020, Mr Cockerill 
became Chair of the Nomination Committee. Ms Kerr was a 
Committee member until 30 January 2020. 

The Board considers that the composition and work of the 
Nomination Committee complies with the requirements of the 
UK Code. 

Dear shareholders
In June 2018, I was appointed Chair of the Nomination Committee 
and tasked by the Board to undertake a structured search process 
for a new non-executive Board Chair. In March 2019, the Board 
was delighted to announce that Ian Cockerill had accepted the 
position of Board Chair and his appointment was approved by 
the shareholders in April at the 2019 AGM. He has brought to our 
Company and Boardroom exceptional experience in mining and 
corporate governance at both executive and non-executive levels. 

The Nomination Committee also continued with the execution 
of the succession plan for non-executive Directors, previously 
approved by the Board and notified to shareholders. We are 
pleased to confirm that this programme is now substantially 
completed with Italia Boninelli having joined the Board in 
December 2019 and Victor Flores in January 2020. Our two 
new colleagues bring human capital expertise and an in-depth 
knowledge of both the gold industry and the institutional investors 
thereof, across three different continents. 

In the last two years, we have made five new appointments and the 
composition of the Board has been substantially altered. In making 
these appointments, we were fortunate to receive applications 
from very good and experienced candidates. We are now drawing 
on the skills and experience of our newest members, who are 
reviewing our business and practices with fresh eyes, but at the 
same time we retain sufficient representation from Directors with 
an acquired historic knowledge of the Company’s business.

In January 2020, I handed over the Chair of the Nomination 
Committee to Ian. Along with my fellow members, I will assist him 
with reviewing the ongoing leadership needs of the Group, both 
executive and non-executive, to enable us to continue to compete 
effectively in the marketplace. Ian will now play the key role of 
defining the structure of the future Board and ensuring that new 
Board members quickly gain an understanding of Polymetal’s 
strategy, culture and values. 

The Nomination Committee fully supports the Board’s objectives 
in maintaining the highest possible standards of corporate 
governance throughout the business. The continued development 
of the executive pipeline is a major challenge and focus of the 
Nomination Committee: Polymetal already has very good technical 
and management teams but needs to continue to develop and retain 
the best industry experts and enhance existing expertise. 

Thus far we have been successful, with minimum rotation at 
executive and management levels. Going forward, formalised and 
structured succession planning is vital for the Company’s continuing 
development and ensures that the leadership is aligned to corporate 
strategy, both at Board and senior management levels. It is our remit 
and objective to ensure that we have a Board and management 
team that continues to be composed of representatives with 
world-class skills in finance, mining, ESG and governance and 
stakeholder engagement.

Ollie Oliveira
Senior Independent Director, Chair, Nomination Committee

Key responsibilities

Focus during 2019

•  Leads a formal, rigorous and transparent process 

•  Continued with the independent non-executive Director 

for Board appointments

succession programme 

Board structure 
review and 
evaluation

•  Regularly reviews the Board structure, size and 

composition and makes recommendations to the 
Board about any changes

•  Makes recommendations to the Board about the 
Directors’ re-appointment at the end of their term 
of office

•  Reviews the results of the Board performance 
evaluation that relate to the composition of the 
Board and individual Directors

Leadership and 
conflicts of 
interest

•  Keeps under review both executive and non-
executive leadership needs of the Group

•  Requires Directors and proposed appointees to 
the Board to disclose any conflict of interest or 
significant commitments, with an indication of 
the time involved

•  Requires Directors to apply for approval before 
undertaking additional external appointments

•  Supervised the tailored induction process 
•  Reviewed the time required from non-executive Directors
•  Continued to review the skills and experience of the 

Board, term limits of Directors, concept of independence 

•  Reviewed the structure, size and composition of all 

Committees, including skills, knowledge, experience 
and diversity and made recommendations to the Board 
about changes

•  Made recommendations to the Board about the 

re-election of Directors at the AGM

•  Continued succession discussion at executive level, 
including support in developing a diverse pipeline

•  Reviewed the report on the development of participants 

in the Young Leaders Programme 

•  Discussed the personal development plan for the senior 

management team and Young Leaders

•  Received an update of the externally facilitated Board 

evaluation 

•  Kept under review the executive leadership needs of the 
Group in order to ensure the continued ability of the 
Group to compete effectively in the marketplace

Diversity and 
governance

•  Leads on diversity and provides a statement of the 
Board’s policy on diversity, including gender, any 
measurable objectives that it has set for 
implementing the policy and progress on achieving 
objectives

•  Focuses on the Company’s approach to succession 
and planning, and how both support developing a 
diverse pipeline

•  Reviews the Company’s gender balance within the 

•  Reviewed HR reports, including headcount, costs, 

diversity, professional development, employment culture, 
approach to the learning process and training 
benchmarking information 

•  Discussed diversity highlights, including the policy on 
diversity and inclusion, how it had been implemented 
and progress on achieving the objectives
•  Reviewed the Committee’s terms of reference
•  Reviewed the work plan for 2020

Group leadership team

Board succession
In 2017, the Company started its Board succession programme in response to the external Board evaluation feedback and to ensure that the 
Board continued to work effectively to achieve the Group’s objectives. Polymetal appointed Spencer Stuart, an international search firm, to 
assist with the phased refresh of its Board. No other services were provided by Spencer Stuart and it has no other connections with Polymetal. 

In 2018, three new Directors, Tracey Kerr, Giacomo Baizini and Ollie Oliveira, were appointed and three existing Directors, Russell Skirrow, 
Len Homeniuk and Marina Grönberg, stepped down from the Board. In 2019, Ian Cockerill and Italia Boninelli joined the Board while neither 
Bobby Godsell nor Jonathan Best offered themselves for re-election at the AGM. In 2020, Victor Flores became a non-executive Director. 

As a result of the structured succession process, the Board members now have a combination of skills covering all of Polymetal’s strategic 
objectives, including business strategy, finance, mining and sustainability, investment banking, human capital and governance. The average 
length of service on the Board has reduced to 4.5 years; the Board still has sufficient historic knowledge about the Company while also 
drawing on the skills and experience of its newest members.

Board Director

Victor Flores

Italia Boninelli

Ian Cockerill

Ollie Oliveira

Giacomo Baizini

Tracey Kerr

Christine Coignard

Vitaly Nesis

Konstantin Yanakov

Jean-Pascal Duvieusart

Tenure on 1 March 2020

0–2 years

2–6 years

6–9 years

1 month

3 months

10 months

1 years 9 months

2 years 2 months

2 years 2 months

5 years 7 months

8 years 3 months

8 years 3 months

8 years 3 months

110 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 111 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
Nomination Committee report continued

The Nomination and Remuneration Committees undertook an 
in-depth review of the workforce gender pay gap during 2018. 
It concluded that, while there is no gender pay gap for the same 
positions, the gender imbalance within the mining industry in 
general impacts the gender pay ratio in Polymetal, which in 2019 
was 1.30 (2018: 1.291). The Board determined that in order to 
narrow the gender pay gap, Polymetal needs to continue 
improving its talent pipeline. 

The Group HR department identified the following priority areas 
for 2020: 

•  Providing training for the HR department diversity/gender 
specialist, responsible for hiring and promotion processes
•  Supporting women’s ambitions to master new professions 

and build careers

•  Creating more options for enhancing both the vocational 

and leadership skills and qualifications of employees within 
the Company

•  Enhancing Polymetal’s brand to make it more appealing to 

all candidates.

The Group’s focus is on attracting, retaining and promoting 
women in professions traditionally dominated by men: production, 
processing, metallurgy, geology, construction and procurement. 
It is also essential to create a pipeline of candidates deemed 
capable of achieving senior management positions in such roles 
as mine surveyor/geologist and specialists in production or mine 
planning. In 2019, 20% of such vacancies were filled by women. 
We have identified a diversity target group and set a 30% female 
representation target. Further information is available on page 59. 

Looking to the future, it is vital that women are also 
represented at a more junior level and we have made significant 
improvements in the gender balance of our Talent Pool; almost 
doubling the number of women over the past two years from 
10% in 2017 to 19% in 2019. At least one-third of participants in 
our Young Leader Programme are now women.

We believe that increasing female representation will benefit 
the Group and we actively endorse female participation in 
Polymetal’s management. We acknowledge that reducing the 
gender imbalance, and with it the gender pay gap, is a long-term 
goal and we will continue to focus on inclusivity and diversity in 
order to enable our employees to fulfil their potential.

Diversity and gender pay
Polymetal is committed to the principles of non-discrimination, 
inclusion and diversity for both the Board and its employees. 
All have equal opportunities regardless of gender, age, race, 
nationality, language, origin, wealth, residence, religion and other 
beliefs, social or other personal circumstances. The Company’s 
Code of Conduct and Policy on Diversification of the Staff Structure 
outline the principles and approach to diversity and prohibit any 
discrimination. Regular compliance monitoring is undertaken by 
the HR department, which ensures that our internal procedures 
are implemented throughout all Group companies. No instances 
of discrimination were reported in 2019. The Group is in full 
compliance with all local legislation in the countries where it 
operates that prohibit any discrimination in payment and promotion. 

Board gender diversity is addressed as part of the Board 
succession programme, including considering candidates with 
little or no previous Board experience in public companies for 
appointment as non-executive Directors. We are assisted in this 
process by Spencer Stuart, an international search firm and 
signatory to the voluntary Code of Conduct on gender diversity 
and best practice. The lead partner on the assignment is female. 
Since the official start of the Board succession programme in 
2017, we have appointed two additional female Directors: Tracey 
Kerr and Italia Boninelli. This means that we achieved the 33% 
target of women on the Board ahead of the 2020 deadline for 
FTSE 350 companies, as defined by the Hampton-Alexander 
Review. The Board’s Nomination Committee continues working 
hard to ensure that this proportion of women on Polymetal’s 
Board is at least sustained. 

GENDER COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD
(%)

78

78

100

80

60

40

22

Male

2017
Female

22

2018

70

30

2019

In 2019, the overall proportion of women working in the Group 
was: 21% (2018: 20%).

Male

Female

2019

2018

2017

2019

2018

2017

79% 80% 79% 21% 20% 21%

Employee 
gender parity

All employees, 
of which:

Managers

78% 77% 77% 22% 23% 23%

61% 60% 60% 39% 40% 40%

Employees 
with vocational 
training or higher 
education

Workers

88% 88% 88% 12% 12% 12%

1  2018 number adjusted from 1.32 to 1.29 to reflect Kazakh subsidiaries.

The Young Leaders Programme
Our Young Leaders Programme is now well established and 
ongoing. This programme helps to evaluate the Talent Pool 
and tailors training for the future senior management needs of 
the Group. Within the programme, regular meetings take place 
between Young Leaders and Board members, which enable the 
Board to challenge and debate with the Young Leaders, who in 
return have an opportunity to ask questions and interact directly 
with the Board. In the previous year, one third of the Young 
Leaders were female; this proportion will increase to 40% in 2020. 

On the second day, the Young Leaders attended Polymetal’s 
Investor Day at the London Stock Exchange with presentations 
given by the Board Chair, Group CEO and Group CFO. These 
illustrated how the work of individual subsidiaries feeds into 
the overall results of the Group and is presented to institutional 
investors. The Young Leaders also had the chance to see how the 
LSE operates and learn more about financial markets. Returning 
to Polymetal, these Young Leaders then participate in a corporate 
training programme to further develop both their professional and 
personal skills as part of our Talent Pool as their careers progress 
within the Company. 

Every year a group of Young Leaders, specialists from different 
departments and subsidiaries who have excelled in their jobs, are 
chosen to make a Board presentation in London. This group is 
divided into two and each allocated a topic to prepare. Training 
is provided on both the particular topic and general presentation 
skills. Prior to the trip to London, the groups have internal 
conference calls to discuss the presentations and then practice 
their presentations in front of their colleagues in St. Petersburg. 

In 2019, the group of Young Leaders included geologists, 
engineers, development and construction, procurement, 
production, mine planning, mineral resources, economic and 
finance and investment project specialists. The schedule for the 
first day in London included introductions to Board members, 
an overview from executive search company Ward Howell of the 
‘Digital Reinvention of the Mining Industry’ which was followed by 
the two presentations from the Young Leaders on their visions for 
digital initiatives within the Group. These presentations included 
actual case studies from Polymetal’s sites as well as highlighting 
the potential for digital development within the Group. There were 
plenty of opportunities for networking and informal discussions 
with Directors and Group senior management. 

Young Leaders’ development progress
Since the start of the programme, our Young Leaders have been 
an active part of our development pipeline with promotions for 
ten young leaders from the first cohort in 2016, five from 2017, 
six from 2018 and four from the 2019 programme. 

YOUNG LEADERS’ DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS 
(NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS)

4

9

6

5

10

2

5

2

2016

2017

Young leaders yet to be promoted

2018

2019
Young leaders promoted

Left and below: 
Young leaders 
at the meeting 
with the Board 
in London

Above: 
Young leaders at the London Stock Exchange

112 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 113 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESSafety and Sustainability Committee report
Safety and Sustainability Committee report

At Polymetal, we have pledged to 
promote best sustainability practice 
throughout the business. 

Safety and Sustainability Committee 
composition and meeting attendance

Board member

Tracey Kerr (Chair)

Vitaly Nesis 

Jean-Pascal Duvieusart

Meetings

4/4

4/4

4/4

The Safety and Sustainability Committee comprises three 
Directors. The Committee is chaired by Ms Kerr and its other 
members are Messrs Nesis and Duvieusart. From 30 January 
2020, Mr Cockerill became a further member of the Safety 
and Sustainability Committee. 

Dear shareholders
At Polymetal, we have made health and safety fundamental to 
our business operations, with our primary focus on the well-being 
of our employees. 

Our principal objective is to have no fatalities. However, regrettably, 
I have to report two fatalities in 2019 at our Mayskoye and Omolon 
mines in Russia. I offer my sincere condolences to the family, friends 
and colleagues of Messrs Magafurov and Kalabashkin. In both 
cases we conducted detailed investigations and have implemented 
measures to address the key findings. We have improved the 
safeguarding processes and procedures in the workplace resulting 
in a decrease in the frequency of injuries and increased recognition 
of situations that could lead to serious incidents. But it is obvious 
that more needs to be done to reinforce a stronger safety ethos 
among all our employees and avert further fatalities.

Starting this year, we made two major changes in our approach to 
safety. Firstly, our contractors must now follow the same strict health 
and safety rules that apply to our own employees; they are included 
in our in-house training and persistent non-compliance is a case for 
contract termination. In addition, from 2020, we will be changing our 
health and safety KPI. Instead of using the lost-time injury frequency 
rate (LTIFR), which records frequency of accidents, we will move 
to measuring our results in terms of actual days off work following 
an accident, which will help us monitor and address the severity of 
injuries. We will continue to apply a penalty of up to 50% in cases 
of fatalities or severe injuries, and will start taking into account long-
term disabilities and fatalities occurring at our contractors. 

During 2019, there was greater scrutiny of corporates and how 
they perform their duties and act as good corporate citizens. We 
are glad to confirm that we remain ahead of many of our peers 
in our environmental, social and governance (ESG) projects. As 
part of Polymetal’s pledge to promote best sustainability practice 
throughout the business, we will be adding an ESG metric to 
our Group CEO’s KPI. This will then cascade down to relevant 
employees to further emphasise our ongoing focus on this important 
area of governance. Further information is available in the ESG 
scorecard section on the next page. 

We have a comprehensive work plan for 2020, including in-depth 
reviews of our relationships with contractors, safety leadership and 
culture, Cyanide Code compliance, energy efficiency and carbon 
footprint, and the first financial assessment of climate-related risks 
and their impacts. As well as the implementation of our ESG policies, 
we will evaluate plans to improve our risk management and internal 
control procedures pertaining to compliance with ESG strategies 
and policies, including emerging risks. 

With my fellow Committee members, I am looking forward 
to undertaking these duties on behalf of the Company and 
its stakeholders.

Tracey Kerr
Chair, Safety and Sustainability Committee

Safety

Sustainability

Ethical 
conduct

Key responsibilities

Focus during 2019

•  Receives reports from management on significant 

•  Deep dive analysis of risks: traffic safety (Kazakh 

safety, health and sustainability issues 
•  Oversees management’s interaction with 

regulatory authorities on safety, health and 
sustainability matters 

•  Reviews and monitors the safety, health and 
sustainability performance of the Group 

•  Considers whether an independent audit of processes 
is appropriate and reviews audit results and findings on 
health, safety and sustainability, the action plans 
pursuant to the findings and the result of investigations 
into significant events

•  Oversees the Company’s overall approach to 

sustainability, including the establishment and periodic 
review of the safety, health and sustainability strategy 
and policies

•  Receives regular updates from management regarding 
compliance with safety, health and environmental 
legislation and internal targets; commitment to the 
principles of the International Council on Mining and 
Metals and the UN Global Compact regarding 
sustainable development and the policies and systems 
in place to monitor such compliance

operation case study) and safety of gas-flame and 
welding works (Khabarovsk Area operation case study)

•  Safety performance analysis of incidents and risk 

assessment; safety plan implementation 

•  Health and safety report for 2019 and team work plan 

for 2020

•  Critical Risk Management System focus in 2020 and 

safety plan

•  Review of Mayskoye and Omolon contractor fatalities

•  Review of Sustainability Report for 2018 
•  Deep dive analysis: mine closure
•  Human rights risk assessment 
•  Deep dive analysis: tailings storage facilities management
•  Sustainability strategy and gap analysis, progress and 

plans review

•  Analysis of priority projects for 2020–2021 and key 

focus areas

•  Ensures that the Company consistently exhibits and 

•  Risk management and internal control procedures 

promotes ethical, transparent and responsible 
behaviour, engages with key stakeholders and 
communities, and contributes to the development and 
growth of healthy and sustainable communities 
•  Monitors the effectiveness of the safety, health and 
sustainability policies, systems, risk management 
programmes and processes in place 

•  Liaises with the Audit and Risk Committee and internal 
audit function, oversees the implementation of the 
safety, health and sustainability risk management and 
internal control procedures

for compliance with health, safety and sustainability 
strategy and policies (Amursk)

•  Modern Slavery Act Statement and implementation 

of the Modern Slavery Policy (offtakers included in the 
scope of the annual review) 

•  Review of the Group approach to the policies relating to 
safety and sustainably and the relevant policies (Tailings 
Management, Mine Closure, Environment, Health and 
Safety) and recommendation for the Board approval
•  Review of sustainability KPIs for the CEO and senior 

management

•  Reviews the benchmarking of the policies, systems and 

•  Review of the Committee’s performance and its terms 

monitoring processes

of reference 

•  Review of the work plan for 2020

ESG scorecard
In line with the Company’s enhanced emphasis on ESG, from 2020 
the KPI structure for the Group CEO will be changed by reducing 
the KPIs for production and total cash cost by 5% each and 
introducing a 10% sustainability/ESG KPI. To ensure a continuing 
focus on safety, the penalty factor for fatal/severe cases of up to 
50% of annual bonus earned for non-safety-related KPIs will remain 
unchanged. The resulting KPI structure for 2020 will comprise:

Performance against the scorecard will be assessed by the Safety 
and Sustainability Committee and recommended for approval by 
the Board, with the Group CEO abstaining on any decisions in 
relation to the scorecard. Retrospective targets will be published in 
the subsequent year’s Annual Report. 

This KPI will cascade down to the following groups of employees: 
Group CEO, COO, mine directors, subsidiary directors and their 
deputies, senior managers in the management company and 
heads of the main operational units and their deputies.

•  Production (20%)
•  Total cash cost (20%) 
•  Completion of new projects on time and within budget (25%)
•  Health and safety (25%)
•  ESG (10%)

The sustainability/ESG KPI will be defined each year by the Safety 
and Sustainability Committee in line with the Group’s long-term 
targets and will be based on a comprehensive scorecard. For 2020, 
our focus will be on people management, environment, social 
policy in areas of operation and other management and corporate 
programmes. Further information on remuneration is available 
in the Remuneration Committee’s report on pages 116–140.

Group 1

CEO and COO

Group 2

Mine directors, subsidiary directors  
and their deputies, top managers in  
the management company

Group 3

Heads of the main operational units 
and their deputies

114 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 115 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESRemuneration Committee report
Remuneration at a glance

The overview below summarises the vesting outcomes for our 
incentives during 2019, and the alignment of these outcomes with 
our corporate strategy, and the actual payments to the Group CEO 
for 2019. 

OUR REMUNERATION POLICY

KEY FEATURES

Base salary

To attract and retain 
high-calibre executives 

•  Annual review by 
  Remuneration Committee
• 
Increases in line with the
   wider workforce, except
  where a change in the 
  scope of the role occurs

GROUP CEO PAY VS POLYMETAL PERFORMANCE

2020 PROPOSED GROUP CEO BASE SALARY VS 
MARKET BENCHMARK1
($ THOUSANDS)

447

376

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

586

600

1,500

450

300

150

1,200

900

600

300

448

2017

2018

2019

Polymetal

Median – Upper Quartile

Median – Lower Quartile

Total CEO pay, $ thousands

Underlying net earnings, $ million

1 

Data per 2019 Report on FTSE 100 Director's Remuneration. GBP translated to US$ 
using cross-rate as of 31.12.2019. 

.

%
0
0
1

%
0
0
1

%
5
2
1

Year

Annual bonus

To focus on achieving 
annual performance goals, 
based on KPIs and strategy 

•  Maximum bonus opportunity
  – 120% of base salary
•  50% of the bonus earned 
is compulsorily deferred 
into shares

•  Penalty factor for fatal/
  severe accidents

50% 
subject
to 3-year
deferral

50% cash

1/3 shares

1/3 shares

1/3 shares

Variable pay outcomes
Annual bonus payment made in respect of performance for the 
year comprised 52% of base salary, or $216,816. Further details 
on the performance measures, targets and actual outcomes are 
provided on page 134. 

Performance Share Plan

To provide long-term 
alignmentwith shareholders’ 
interests by delivering 
above‑market returns 

•  Default grant level – 
  125% of base salary
•  4-year vesting period and 
  an additional mandatory
  1-year holding period
•  TSR performance against
  global peers

Shares

1-year 
post-vest
holding  

$216,816

Annual bonus
2018: $254,069 

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

SINGLE TOTAL FIGURE OF REMUNERATION (AUDITED INFORMATION)
The graph below sets out total remuneration for the Group CEO for 2019.
Further details are provided on page 133.

Group CEO

9
1
0
2

8
1
0
2

$433,843

$216,816

$222,553 

$284,701

Total $920,868 

$427,818

$254,069

$284,701 

Total $1,024,523

$47,656 

$57,935

Base salary
Annual bonus
Pension
Performance Share Plan

PSP vesting

During the four-year performance period ending 29 April 2019 
for the PSP awards made in 2015, Polymetal achieved a positive 
absolute TSR of 56.1% and outperformed a median TSR of 34.8% 
of the FTSE Gold Mines Index constituents. Further details on PSP 
vesting are provided on page 135.

32.1%

Vesting of 2015 PSP grant
2018: 39.1% 

$222,553

PSP face value
2018: $284,701

2019 ANNUAL BONUS OUTCOMES
(% OF TARGET)

100

80

60

40

20

23

74

16

35

52

-22

Production
on budget

TCC

New projects

Achievement
before penalty
factor

Penalty
factor for
fatalities

Final 
achievement

4-YEAR TSR VS FTSE GOLD MINES PEERS
(%)

300

250

200

150

100

50

274.9

34.8

56.1

Threshold
performance level
(Median TSR Growth)

Polymetal
performance
(TSR Growth)

Maximum
performance level
(Upper decile
TSR Growth)

116 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 117 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Committee report 

Dear shareholders
2019 was a busy year for both corporate governance and 
remuneration matters, with the majority of London-listed 
companies, including Polymetal, requesting shareholders to 
approve their revised Directors’ Remuneration Policy. Changes 
stipulated in the UK Code as well as secondary legislation and 
updated guidelines by major proxy advisors and governance teams 
of major institutional investors provided us with a clear framework 
to review our Remuneration Policy and reporting practices. 

Remuneration features in 2019
In 2019, we implemented our Remuneration Policy which operated 
as intended, and without the need to exercise any discretion. 

The total 2019 remuneration of Mr Nesis, Group CEO and only 
executive Director, comprised $920,868. As a result of the strong 
performance of the Company and achieving set KPIs (as disclosed 
on page 134), an annual bonus of $216,816, representing 52% of 
base salary and 41% of maximum opportunity, was awarded to the 
Group CEO in respect of 2019. Effective 1 April 2020, Mr Nesis’s 
salary will increase by the Russian inflation rate of 4%, which is in 
line with the average increase for the rest of our workforce. This will 
result in a revised Group CEO base salary of $447,745 per annum. 
The current base salary of the Group CEO is below lower quartile for 
companies of comparable sector and size.

In 2019, key Group employees benefited from the vesting of 
Polymetal’s Performance Share Plan (PSP) for the second year in 
a row. During the four-year vesting period (2015–2019), Polymetal 
achieved a positive absolute TSR of 56.1% and outperformed the 
median TSR of 34.8% of the FTSE Gold Mines Index constituents. 
This resulted in the PSP vesting at 32.1% of maximum. The shares 
awarded are subject to a mandatory one-year holding period 
following vesting. In 2019, the PSP benefited 414 participants 
including senior management, selected mid-management and 
specialists. We trust that this plan serves to further motivate and 
retain all of our PSP participants.

Supporting core values
We employ almost 12,000 people in our offices, mines and 
processing facilities. Our people are often required to work in remote 
regions with extreme weather conditions that generally require 
fly-in, fly-out arrangements. Like the rest of our industry peer group, 
having a highly skilled workforce with a range of specialist skills is 
a prerequisite to achieving our long-term goals. Many of our senior 
managers graduated at top Russian and international universities. 
Talented people are both scarce and in demand; hence formulating 
an appropriate remuneration package is key to hiring, retention and 
motivation for Polymetal.

We believe that fundamental to this is having an even-handed 
approach throughout the organisation, fostered through a 
Remuneration Policy with consistently applied principles and 
structures. We offer our executive Director and management 
team a competitive package. This consists of a base salary that 
is supplemented with individual incentives, which draw on key 
strategic, operating, financial and ESG metrics for the business. 
We further align the interests of the Company’s management 
and shareholders through a long-term performance share plan 
covering 414 key employees within our organisation. 

Our updated Remuneration Policy will 
ensure continued alignment with our 
strategy and culture, with management 
focusing on running a sustainable 
business while generating superior 
shareholder returns.

Remuneration Committee 
meeting attendance

Board member

Christine Coignard (Chair)

Giacomo Baizini

Jonathan Best1

Ollie Oliveira

Italia Boninelli2

1  Member until 23 April 2019.
2  Member from 12 December 2019.

Meetings

6/6

6/6

2/2

6/6

0/0

Further business conducted by the Committee was approved 
by written resolution on one further occasion.

The Remuneration Committee comprises four independent 
non-executive Directors who have no personal financial interest 
in the matters to be decided, other than as a shareholder 
(where applicable). The Committee is chaired by Ms Coignard 
and its other members are Messrs Oliveira and Baizini, and Ms 
Boninelli. Mr Best served on the Committee prior to the AGM on 
23 April 2019, but did not put himself forward for re-election. Ms 
Kerr joined the Committee on 30 January 2020.

The Board considers that the composition and work of the 
Remuneration Committee complies with the requirements of 
the UK Code.

Remuneration 
Policy

Key responsibilities

Focus during 2019

•  Determining, within agreed terms of reference, the 

•  Approach to remuneration: executive remuneration 

remuneration of the Chair and specific 
remuneration packages for the executive Director, 
the Company Secretary and members of senior 
management, including any pension rights and 
compensation payments

strategy and structure; employee remuneration review, 
including results of internal survey, salary benchmarking, 
workforce engagement on remuneration

•  Annual review of the Board Chair’s fee
•  Performance Share Plan (PSP) update and scheme 

analysis. A list of criteria for PSP inclusion

•  Updated Remuneration Policy to be proposed at the 2020 

AGM following shareholder consultation

Remuneration of 
executive 
management 

•  Making recommendations to the Board on the 

Group’s policy on the remuneration of executive 
management

•  Approval of bonuses and deferred shares issued to the 
Group CEO and senior management. Confirmation that 
there was no malus or clawback

•  Formulating suitable performance criteria for the 

•  Senior management salary review; approval of KPIs 

performance-based pay of executive management

for 2019

Governance and 
employee benefit 
structures

•  Reviewing and overseeing all aspects of any 
executive share scheme operated by or to be 
established by the Company

•  Having a duty of care to keep abreast and act upon 
changes in law, regulations and other published 
guidelines or recommendations regarding the 
remuneration of directors of listed companies, 
including formation and operation of share schemes
•  Considering and making recommendations to the 

Board concerning disclosure of details of 
remuneration packages and structures, in addition 
to those required by law or regulations

•  Reviewing and advising the Board on any major 

changes in employee benefit structures throughout 
the Company or the Group

•  Approval of PSP grant for 2019
•  Approval of the PSP vesting (award of 2015 grant)

•  Final approval of the Remuneration Report for 2019
•  New UK Governance Code/legal/proxy guidance update: 

impact on disclosure requirements

•  Review of the Committee’s terms of reference
• 
•  Review of the work plan for 2020

Internal evaluation

Obviously, it is not just remuneration that helps us retain highly 
dedicated and loyal employees – staff turnover in 2019 was only 
5.8%. This starts with our core values, consistently applied across 
the organisation. We have a relatively young workforce with an 
average age of 39 years but, at the same time, we have a good mix 
of generations that complement and work well with each other. We 
are proud supporters of gender diversity, at management level and 
at an operational level. We also focus on training opportunities that 
enable all our employees to develop relevant hard and soft skills as 
we look to growing our future leadership.

2019 was the first year in which we formalised our workforce 
engagement programme with the Board. This was in addition to 
the meetings that Directors already have with Group employees 
during Board meetings, visits to Group subsidiaries and site 
trips. A ‘direct line’ communication channel offered employees 
throughout the Group an opportunity to ask the Board questions. 
The Board received 34 questions from individual employees and 12 
from groups of employees, 15% of which related to remuneration. 
The Remuneration Committee carefully reviewed the questions 
relating to remuneration and responded to each individual employee. 
The answers to all of the questions received as part of the Board 
engagement programme were published on the intranet and in the 
corporate newspaper. Within the intranet, a dedicated page was 
set up to communicate to the Group employees how executive 
remuneration aligns with the wider Company pay policy. For details 
on workforce engagement refer to page 101.

To read more about how the Committee addresses the factors of 
clarity, simplicity, risk, predictability, proportionality and alignment 
to culture, see page 127.

Changing our Remuneration Policy
The revised Directors’ Remuneration Policy will be put forward for 
shareholder approval at the AGM scheduled for April 2020. The 
Remuneration Committee has given significant thought to the 
relevance and applicability of the existing policy and has considered 
potential changes to it in the context of Polymetal’s current strategy 
and industry-specific market conditions as well as evolving UK 
governance practices. A shareholder and proxy advisor consultation 
period ran in October–December 2019 and the Board Chair, SID 
and I participated in several meetings and calls requested by 
our shareholders. We listened carefully and can confirm that no 
significant concerns about the proposals were raised. 

The main objectives of the revised policy remain the same: 

•  Structure the remuneration package towards long-term 

corporate performance taking into consideration the interests 
of all of our stakeholders as a whole.

•  Attract and fairly reward high-calibre directors and executives 
in respect of the responsibilities undertaken and comparable 
pay levels.
Incentivise management to maximise the value of Polymetal 
and align the interests of executives with those of shareholders.

• 

The Committee believes that the current pay structure for 
executive management is well aligned to the strategy of maintaining 
stakeholder value through growth and cash flow generation 
alongside a culture with high standards of corporate governance 
and sustainable development for the following reasons:

•  There is a good balance between fixed and variable pay. Variable 
pay represents more than 50% of the total remuneration package 
for the Group CEO.

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Remuneration Committee report continued

Remuneration Committee report continued
Remuneration Policy update

•  The KPIs used are tailored to the strategic objectives and 

corporate culture.

•  The KPIs currently used for variable pay can be objectively 

measured and are within management’s control. Use of directly 
controllable KPIs ensures not only strategic alignment, but also 
reinforces the motivational impact of the annual bonus targets.

•  Deferral of 50% of the annual bonus ensures that the short-
term annual targets are not achieved at the expense of 
long-term shareholder value creation. This also enables 
management to participate in the share price and dividend 
upside and strengthens alignment between management and 
shareholders’ interests.

•  Finally, the long-term incentive plan provides a further significant 
incentive to execute the strategy of long-term value creation. It 
only generates significant payouts if Polymetal excels among its 
peers on delivering TSR by combining growth and dividends.

We were pleased to see that most of the recent provisions for 
legal, regulatory, guidelines and best practice governance and 
reporting updates applicable to us were already built into our 
existing Remuneration Policy and reports. We have also looked 
at the mechanics of the Performance Share Plan (PSP) since 
it first vested in 2018 and made minor adjustments to improve 
the plan. As a consequence, we have fine-tuned the process for 
vesting PSP shares without much altering the expected outcomes. 
We have introduced a two-year post-cessation requirement for 
a minimum shareholding by our executive Director and senior 
executives. We have clarified the rules on malus and clawback, 
and improved the framework for the use of any necessary 
discretion. Finally, for the first time since listing in 2011, we have 
introduced a fee for the Senior Independent Director (SID) and 
have increased the fee for our Board Chair in line with the market. 
In both cases, the changes reflect the increased complexity 
and responsibilities of the roles as well as the time commitment 
necessary to discharge these duties. We will continue to report on 
a voluntary basis on CEO pay ratio (page 137) and the gender pay 
gap (page 112). 

From 2020, we will be increasing the scope of sustainability KPIs 
within the annual bonus scheme. In line with the Company’s 
enhanced emphasis on sustainability and corporate social 
responsibility, from 2020 the KPI structure for the Group CEO and 
the relevant senior management will be changed: an additional 
10% ESG KPI will be introduced, with simultaneous decreases of 
both production and TCC KPIs from 25% to 20%. The share of 
two sustainability KPIs (health and safety and the new ESG) will 
constitute 35% of the total of five KPIs. To ensure a continuing 
focus on safety, the penalty factor for fatal/severe cases – a 
reduction of up to 50% of the annual bonus earned for non-
safety-related KPIs – remains unchanged. The new ESG KPI will 
be defined each year by the Company’s Safety and Sustainability 
Committee in line with the Group’s long-term targets and will 
be based on a comprehensive scorecard. Performance against 
the scorecard will be assessed by the Safety and Sustainability 
Committee and recommended for approval by the Board with 
the Group CEO abstaining on any decisions in relation to the 
scorecard. Further information can be found on page 115.

We believe that the revised Remuneration Policy will both continue 
to motivate and retain our high-calibre executive team, with its 
historic track record of delivering on a sustainable business model 
and generating superior shareholder returns. The revised fees 
for the Board Chair and SID will ensure that Directors are fairly 
compensated for their time and contribution to ensuring best 
corporate governance practice in Polymetal. 

We would like to thank you for your continued support for the 
Company’s Remuneration Policy and Remuneration Committee 
report. The current Directors’ Remuneration Policy was approved 
by shareholders on 16 May 2017 with 99.10% votes cast in favour, 
with a subsequent 98%+ of votes in favour of implementation 
during 2017–2019. The Board and the Remuneration Committee 
are unanimous in proposing that the minor changes to the 
Remuneration Policy detailed within this report are in the best 
interests of the Company and we would ask for your approval of 
the revised policy at the 2020 AGM.

Going forward
At the time of the AGM, I will have served six years on Polymetal’s 
Board: as Senior Independent Director; Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee; a member of both the Audit and Risk Committee and 
the Nomination Committee. These have been exciting times during 
which, and on all strategic, operational, financial and ESG fronts, 
Polymetal has become a world leader in the precious metals 
sector. Our market capitalisation has more than doubled and we 
have gained international recognition for our achievements. It has 
been an honour to have contributed to this in my role as a Director. 
As the Company embarks on the next phase of its development 
and fine tunes its corporate culture including diversity across all 
levels of the organisation, I feel it is time for me to move on and 
make room for new sets of skills on the Board. I will not therefore 
present myself for re-election as a Director at this AGM. 

Italia Boninelli and Tracey Kerr joined the Committee in 2019 and 
2020 respectively. Ollie Oliveira has served on the Committee 
since April 2018 and has been pivotal in refining our procedures 
and practices. He will chair the Remuneration Committee from the 
2020 AGM onwards.

I would like to thank you for your very strong support during the 
last six years and, like you, I look forward to following further 
developments at Polymetal.

Christine Coignard
Chair, Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee confirms that many aspects of the policy are already in line or ahead of market practice, including base 
salary, pension, annual bonus, Deferred Share Plan, and vesting period of Performance Share Plan.

The Remuneration Committee has determined that certain aspects of our Remuneration Policy require amendment in order to reflect 
the changing environment in which Polymetal operates. After detailed discussions, the Remuneration Committee and the Board (where 
applicable) are proposing the following, with the changes highlighted in the tables below.

Summary of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy 

Element of policy

Current policy

Base salary

Pension

Annual bonus

LTIP (Deferred 
Shares Awards)

LTIP (Performance 
Share Plan)

Any increase in base salary is typically 
in line with the wider workforce, unless 
there are exceptional circumstances or 
a significant change of responsibilities, 
which may warrant a higher increase. 
The current base salary of the Group 
CEO is below the lower quartile for 
companies of comparable sector 
and size.

The Group CEO and senior 
executives’ pension contributions do 
not exceed the mandatory defined 
contribution made to the pension fund 
of the Russian Federation (10% of total 
pay). The Group does not fund any 
additional pension contributions or 
retirement benefits. For new hires, 
pension contributions will be limited to 
the mandatory contributions required 
by applicable law. 

KPIs are reviewed and approved on 
an annual basis, targets are disclosed 
retrospectively. KPIs for the senior 
executives’ team mirror those of the 
Group CEO where applicable and 
include directly controllable metrics.

50% of the Group CEO’s and senior 
executives’ bonus is deferred into 
shares released in equal instalments 
over three years by way of deferred 
share awards.

Vesting period:
A vesting period of four years applies 
with an additional post-vest holding 
period of one year.

Opportunity:
Maximum grant permitted under 
the plan rules is 200% of salary 
per annum.

Default grant level is expected to be 
150% of base salary.

Revised approach

No change

Rationale for update

No change

This approach is in line with the 
wider workforce.

No change

No change

No change

An amendment in order to reduce the 
risk of potential excessive gains arising 
from the potential volatility of Polymetal’s 
share price.

Maximum grant permitted under the 
plan rules is 150% of salary per 
annum.

Default grant level is expected to be 
125% of base salary.

The value that can be received in the 
year of vesting will be limited to 
twice the face value of the award 
on grant. Any gains above this will be 
forfeit before the start of the one-year 
holding period. In certain exceptional 
circumstances, the Remuneration 
Committee will be able to use 
discretion to disapply the cap.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
Remuneration Committee report continued
Remuneration Policy update continued

LTIP (Performance 
Share Plan)
continued

Performance metrics used and 
period applicable:
Vesting is tied to Polymetal’s relative 
TSR performance against FTSE Gold 
Mines Index constituents:

•  0% vests for below median 

performance

•  20% vests at median performance
•  100% vests at top decile 
performance and above.

Vesting occurs on a linear line 
basis between median and top 
decile performance.

No award will vest if absolute 
TSR is negative, regardless of 
relative performance.

Vesting is tied to Polymetal’s relative 
TSR performance against FTSE Gold 
Mines Index constituents:

•  0% vests for below median 

performance

•  20% vests at median performance
•  100% vests at upper quintile 

performance and above.

Vesting occurs on a linear line basis 
between median and upper quintile 
performance.

No award will vest if absolute TSR is 
negative, regardless of relative 
performance.

The revised vesting scale will be better 
tailored to reward for the Company’s 
underlying relative performance versus 
that of peers. This amendment is not 
expected to produce any large changes 
in pay-outs but will strip out the effect of 
abnormal one-off performances in the 
top decile of the peer group. Bringing 
the performance requirement down to 
the upper quintile with a simultaneous 
reduction in quantum maintains similar 
pay for performance with maximum 
pay-out still requiring performance 
significantly above market peers.

Minimum 
shareholding 
requirement 

Operation:
The Group CEO is required to build a 
minimum shareholding over a 
four-year period.

Executives will be required to build a 
minimum shareholding over a 
five-year period.

Malus and 
clawback

Opportunity:
500% of base salary for the 
Group CEO.

Clawback and malus provisions apply 
for the unvested portion of the LTIP 
(both DSA and PSP); the 
Remuneration Committee may, at any 
time up to and including vesting, 
reduce the number of shares that 
vest, should it consider that a material 
misstatement, misconduct and/or a 
failure of risk management occurs.

No clawback is applied to the cash 
part of the annual bonus, as this 
provision would contradict the labour 
law of the Russian Federation.

500% of base salary for the Group 
CEO. A requirement to retain the 
same minimum shareholding will 
apply for two years post-cessation 
of employment.

For unvested shares under the LTIP 
(both DSA and PSP) an employee 
loses the vesting rights unless there 
are good leaver circumstances. In 
addition, there are certain provisions 
for the reduction of the LTIP vesting, 
including clawback. LTIP rules will be 
amended to make specific reference 
to malus and clarify clawback 
provisions to include misconduct 
or fraud, misstatement of accounts, 
corporate failure, serious reputational 
damage or failure of risk management 
and may be revised by the 
Remuneration Committee from 
time to time.

Independent non-executive Directors’ (INED) remuneration
INEDs’ fees will be denominated and paid in US Dollars in line with the $/GBP exchange rate used in the Company’s most recent 
Annual Report. (Historically, INEDs’ fees were paid in GBP, but disclosed within the remuneration report in US Dollars.) This brings the 
payment of INED fees in line with the Group reporting and the Company’s functional currency. Proposed 2019 fees are largely in line with 
the estimated 2019 fees disclosed in the Annual Report 2018, other than for some minor changes due to the rounding of the resulting 
US Dollar fee amounts. 

In addition, in response to the increasing regulatory and governance compliance requirements and significant time commitment needed, 
in line with typical market practice, the introduction of an additional fee is proposed for performing the role of the Senior Independent 
Director, set at 20% of the annual INED Board fee. The revised Directors’ fees are proposed as follows:

INED basic fee

Additional fees:

Senior Independent Director

Audit and Risk Committee Chair

Remuneration Committee Chair

Safety and Sustainability Committee Chair

Nomination Committee Chair

Committee membership fee (not payable to the Committee Chair)

Board and Committee meeting attendance fee

Proposed 
revised INED 
fees, from 2020 
onwards, $ 

Amounts 
estimated for 
2019 as stated 
in Annual 
Report 2018, $

% change

127,000

127,080

-0.06

25,000

38,000

19,000

19,000

19,000

13,000

4,000

–

38,124

19,062

19,062

19,062

12,708

3,812

N/A

-0.33

-0.33

-0.33

-0.33

2.30

4.92

List of provisions largely in line with 
guidance to the Code and typically 
applied FTSE practice.

Independent Board Chair remuneration 
In response to the increased prominence and complexity of the role of the Board Chair at Polymetal and to better align remuneration 
with current market levels, an increase in the Chair’s fee is proposed; this has not been amended since the Company’s IPO in 2011. 
After careful consideration, the Remuneration Committee has determined that this increase is appropriate in light of the wider scope and 
greater responsibilities required of this role at Polymetal, largely due to the increased scale and complexity of the Company, as well as the 
subsequent demands and time commitment. The revised fee will be at the median of FTSE 100 companies.

Independent Board Chair fee

Amounts 
estimated for 
2019 as stated 
in Annual 
Report 2018, $

Proposed 
revised Chair 
fee, $

500,000

317,700

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESRemuneration Committee report continued
Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Summary table
At the AGM on 27 April 2020, the Committee will be requesting shareholder approval of the following Remuneration Policy to cover a 
period of three years. The Policy will apply from the date of approval. No changes to the previous policy have been made, other than 
where indicated earlier in this report on page 121.

Element and purpose/
link to strategy 

Operation

Executive Director – Group CEO

Opportunity

Performance metrics used 
and period applicable

Over the policy period, the base 
salary for the Group Chief Executive 
Officer will be set at an appropriate 
level within the peer group and will 
increase in line with base salary 
increases for the wider workforce, 
except where a change in the scope 
of the role occurs. 

The annual base salary for the 
reporting year and the current year is 
set out in the Annual Report on 
Remuneration and on page 139.

Pension contribution does not 
exceed the mandatory contribution 
made to the pension fund of the 
Russian Federation.

Currently 10% of total pay.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Maximum bonus opportunity – 120% 
of base salary with the following 
weightings at target:

The annual bonus is earned based on 
the achievement of a mix of financial 
and non-financial measures over the 
financial year.

•  Production (20%) – 150% 

maximum

•  Total cash cost1 (20%) – 150% 

maximum

•  Completion of new projects on 
time and within budget (25%) 
– 100% maximum

•  Health and safety (25%) – 100% 

maximum

•  ESG (10%) – 100% maximum.

There is an additional penalty factor 
for fatal/severe cases of up to 50% 
of the annual bonus earned for 
non-safety-related KPIs.

Target bonus opportunity – 100% of 
base salary.

The Committee has discretion to vary 
the list and weighting of performance 
metrics over the life of this Remuneration 
Policy. In addition, the Committee has 
discretion to vary performance metrics 
part-way through a year if there is a 
significant event, which causes the 
Committee to believe that the original 
performance metrics are no longer 
appropriate. No discretion was applied 
in 2019.

Base salary
To attract and 
retain high-calibre 
executives

Pension
To provide funding 
for retirement

The Committee reviews the base 
salary on an annual basis and, 
when setting base salary for the 
following year, takes into account 
general economic and market 
conditions, underlying Group 
performance, the level of increases 
made across the Group as a whole, 
the remuneration of executives in 
similar positions in FTSE and global 
mining peers, and individual 
performance.

The Group does not fund any 
pension contributions or retirement 
benefits, except contributions to 
the mandatory pension fund of the 
Russian Federation, as required 
by Russian law. 

The Group pays defined 
contributions to the mandatory 
pension fund. This permits retiring 
employees to receive a defined 
monthly pension for life from the 
statutory pension fund.

Benefits

The Group does not provide any 
benefits for its Group CEO.

Annual bonus
To focus on 
achieving annual 
performance goals, 
which are based on 
the Group’s KPIs 
and strategy

The annual bonus result is 
determined by the Committee after 
the year end, based on performance 
against defined targets.

Annual bonuses are paid three 
months after the end of the financial 
year to which they relate.

50% of the annual bonus earned is 
paid in cash and the remaining 50% 
is compulsorily deferred into shares, 
which are released annually to the 
employee over the next three years 
in equal instalments through the 
Deferred Share Awards (DSA) plan.

Clawback conditions apply to the 
DSA. No clawback is applied to the 
cash part of the annual bonus, as 
this provision would contradict the 
labour law of the Russian Federation.

Details of the DSA are set out on the 
next page.

1  As defined on page 69.

Element and purpose/
link to strategy 

Operation

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

Deferred Share 
Awards plan (DSA)
Deferral to 
encourage 
retention and 
alignment with 
shareholders’ 
interests

Performance Share 
Plan (PSP)
To provide 
long-term 
alignment with 
shareholders’ 
interests by 
delivering 
sustainable 
above-market 
shareholder returns

50% of the annual bonus earned is 
paid in cash and the remaining 50% 
is compulsorily deferred into shares, 
which are released annually to the 
employee over the next three years 
in equal instalments.

Clawback and malus provisions 
apply for the unvested portion of the 
DSA; the Remuneration Committee 
may, at any time up to and including 
vesting, reduce the number of 
shares that vest, should it consider 
that misconduct or fraud, material 
misstatement of accounts, corporate 
failure, serious reputational damage, 
or failure of risk management occurs.

Dividend equivalents will be received 
on vested shares, reflecting the value 
of dividends that have been paid 
during the period from the grant 
date to the vesting date.

Under the PSP, annual rolling 
conditional share awards are made 
with a four-year vesting period and 
an additional mandatory holding 
period of one year following vesting.

Stretch performance targets reward 
participants for delivering positive 
absolute and superior relative TSR 
performance against global peers 
over the performance period.

Clawback and malus provisions 
apply for the unvested portion of the 
PSP, whereby the Remuneration 
Committee may, at any time up to 
and including vesting, reduce the 
number of shares that vest, should 
it consider that misconduct or fraud, 
material misstatement of accounts, 
corporate failure, serious 
reputational damage, or failure 
of risk management occurs.

Retesting of the performance 
conditions in future years is not 
allowed under any circumstances.

Opportunity

Not applicable.

Maximum grant permitted under 
the plan rules is 150% of salary 
per annum.

Default grant level is expected to be 
125% of base salary.

The value that can be received in the 
year of vesting will be limited to twice 
the face value of the award on grant. 
Any gains above this will be forfeit 
before the start of the one-year 
holding period. In certain exceptional 
circumstances, the Remuneration 
Committee will be able to use 
discretion to disapply the cap. 
Outstanding awards during 2016, 
2017, 2018, and 2019 had a default 
grant level of 150% of salary.

Dividend equivalents will be received 
on vested shares, reflecting the value 
of dividends that have been paid 
during the period from the grant 
date to the vesting date.

Performance metrics used 
and period applicable

Entitlement to this deferred 
component is subject to continued 
employment over the deferral period.

In normal circumstances, DSAs 
will continue until the normal time of 
vesting upon cessation of employment 
due to death, injury, ill-health, 
disability, redundancy, retirement, 
or any other circumstance which the 
Committee determines (Good Leaver 
Circumstances). Alternatively, the 
Board may determine that DSAs will 
vest immediately. In both 
circumstances there would be no 
pro-rating of the DSAs for the time 
from the award date until cessation 
of employment or for performance.

No performance conditions apply to 
the DSA shares as they have been 
subject to fulfilment of annual KPIs.

Vesting is based on relative TSR, 
measured over 4 years against the 
constituents of the FTSE Gold Mines 
Index and also on the Company’s 
absolute TSR.

Peers are ranked and the Company’s 
position determines vesting:

•  0% vests for below median 

performance

•  20% vests at median performance
•  100% vests at upper quintile 
performance and above.

Vesting occurs on a linear line basis 
between median and upper quintile 
performance.

No award will vest if absolute TSR is 
negative, regardless of relative 
performance.

The Committee may substitute, vary 
or waive the performance targets if 
an event occurs which causes the 
Committee to consider that the target 
is no longer appropriate.

The Committee has discretion to vary 
the proportion of awards that vest to 
ensure that the outcomes are fair and 
appropriate, and reflect the underlying 
performance of the Group.

Use of discretion for LTIP programme (DSA and PSP)
When setting forward-looking targets, it is not always possible to predict the outcomes, especially with the quickly changing market 
environment and the volatility of our sector. The Committee retains the right to exercise discretion, both upwards and downwards, to 
ensure that the level of award payable is appropriate. The Committee will make adjustments to retain the original intent and challenge of the 
performance measure in the event of, for example, corporate transactions, significant commodity, share price or other macroeconomic volatility 
or changes to accounting standards. If any discretion is exercised, the rationale will be fully disclosed in the subsequent Annual Report.

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Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Element and purpose/
link to strategy 

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics used 
and period applicable

500% of base salary for the Group 
CEO. The retention of the full 
shareholding is required for two 
years post-cessation of 
employment. 

Not applicable.

Fees are reviewed, but not 
necessarily increased, on an 
annual basis.

Not applicable.

Any increase in non-executive 
Directors’ fees will normally be in line 
with market levels for similar roles in 
UK-listed companies, except where 
a change in the scope of the role 
occurs. Current fee levels are set 
out in the Annual Report on 
Remuneration.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) continued

Minimum 
shareholding 
requirements
To strengthen 
alignment between 
the interests of the 
executive Director 
and those of 
shareholders

Executive Directors will be required 
to build a minimum shareholding 
over a five-year period.

Unvested shares under the PSP 
or DSA are not taken into account 
when calculating progress towards 
the minimum shareholding 
requirements.

For the purposes of determining 
whether the requirements have 
been met, the share price is 
measured at the end of each 
financial year.

Post vesting and tax, all shares 
acquired under PSP and DSA 
awards must be retained until the 
shareholding requirement is met.

Non-executive Directors

Fees for non-
executive Directors
To attract and 
retain high-calibre 
non-executive 
Directors

The fees of independent non-
executive Directors are set by 
reference to those paid by other 
FTSE peer companies.

Fees are set to reflect the 
responsibilities and time spent by 
non-executive Directors on the 
affairs of the Company.

No fees are paid to non-independent, 
non-executive Directors.

Non-executive Directors are not 
eligible to receive benefits and do 
not participate in incentive or 
pension plans.

The following fees are paid in addition 
to the non-executive Director base 
fee: Committee Chair’s fee; Senior 
Independent Director fee; Committee 
membership fee; and Board, 
Committee and General Shareholder 
Meeting attendance fees.

The Remuneration Committee 
determines the framework and 
broad policy for the remuneration 
of the Board Chair for approval by 
the Board.

The remuneration of non-executive 
Directors is a matter for the Board 
Chair and the executive members of 
the Board, i.e. the Group CEO.

Directors do not participate in 
discussions relating to their 
own fees.

Performance measures and targets
The Committee selected the performance conditions indicated in the policy table because they are central to the Company’s overall 
strategy, and include the key metrics used under the annual bonus and LTIP by the Group CEO to oversee the operation of the business.

Performance targets for all of our incentive plans are reviewed annually and, where appropriate, are typically set at a level that is in line 
with the Company’s plans and budget.

Changes to the policy
The updates that will apply for the Remuneration Policy from 2020 are set out on page 121.

Remuneration Policy alignment with the UK Code
When determining executive remuneration policy, the Committee is addressing the following principles as set out in the revised UK Code:

UK Code principle

How it is addressed

Clarity
Remuneration arrangements should 
be transparent and promote effective 
engagement with shareholders and 
the workforce.

Simplicity
Remuneration structures should avoid 
complexity and their rationale and 
operation should be easy to understand.

Risk 
Remuneration arrangements should ensure 
reputational and other risks from excessive 
rewards, and behavioural risks that can arise 
from target-based incentive plans, are 
identified and mitigated.

Predictability 
The range of possible values of rewards to 
individual directors and any other limits or 
discretions should be identified and 
explained at the time of approving the policy.

Proportionality 
The link between individual awards, 
the delivery of strategy and the long-term 
performance of the company should be 
clear. Outcomes should not reward 
poor performance.

•  Senior management interests are aligned with those of our shareholders and the 

Company’s long-term objectives. 50% of the bonuses awarded each year to the Group 
CEO and the senior management team are deferred into shares in the Company through 
the DSA over a period of three years and malus provisions apply to the unvested awards. 

•  The PSP provides an additional focus for key employees of the Group on delivering 

superior TSR. Stringent PSP vesting conditions, based on above median relative TSR 
and underpinned by positive absolute shareholder returns, are therefore fully aligned with 
sustainable shareholder-value creation. 

•  A vesting period of four years under the PSP, over which malus conditions apply to the 
unvested awards, with an additional post-vest holding period of one year (resulting in a 
total term of five years) ensures that management focuses on the long-term interests of 
the Company and of its stakeholders.

•  To read more about how we engage with our stakeholders, see pages 54 and 100.

The general structure of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy is simple and straightforward, 
including three main elements:

•  Fixed: base salary (any increase is typically in line with the wider workforce) and pension 
contributions (do not exceed the mandatory defined contribution to the statutory pension 
fund, in line with the wider workforce). 

•  Short-term: annual bonus based on achievement of financial and non-financial KPIs. 
KPIs for the senior executives’ team mirror those of the Group CEO where applicable 
and include directly controllable metrics.

•  Long-term incentive plan: provides a further significant incentive to execute the strategy 
of long-term value creation. DSA (50% of the Group CEO’s and senior executives’ bonus 
based on annual KPIs is deferred into shares released in equal instalments over three 
years) and PSP (based on relative and absolute TSR over a vesting period of four years, 
followed by an additional post-vest holding period of one year).

•  The Committee can use discretion in particular circumstances to override 

excessive outcomes.

•  The Remuneration Policy is aligned with the Group’s risk management 

assessment process.

•  Caps are applied to short-term and long-term remuneration to reduce the risk of potential 

excessive gains, as well as malus and clawback provisions. 

•  The scenario analysis on page 128 provides estimates of the minimum target and 

• 

maximum opportunity for the Group CEO remuneration. 
In addition, the effect of future share price increases on the LTIP outcome has been 
illustrated on page 128.

•  Performance-related pay makes up a significant proportion of the remuneration package 
(53% and 69% of total remuneration for target and maximum performance scenarios, 
respectively), with an appropriate balance between the reward for short- and long-term 
performance. 

•  The drivers of variable pay (KPIs) are stretching, well-aligned with the Company’s 

strategic and operational objectives, and cascade throughout the organisation in a way 
that ensures our employees’ pay is aligned to Polymetal’s performance and to the wider 
principles of the policy. 

•  Performance targets for all incentive plans are reviewed annually and, where appropriate, 

are typically set at a level that is in line with the Company’s plans and budget.

Alignment to culture 
Incentive schemes should drive behaviours 
consistent with company purpose, values 
and strategy.

•  The KPIs used are tailored to the strategic objectives and corporate culture.
•  The management KPIs include significant weighting towards sustainability metrics, 

with the Group CEO’s component purposefully focused on ESG. More than 70 different 
ESG KPIs are individually applied throughout the Group to the employee most able to 
make a difference.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESRemuneration Committee report continued
Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

Illustration of application of the Remuneration Policy
The composition and structure of the remuneration package for the Group CEO under four performance scenarios (minimum 
performance, target performance, maximum performance and maximum with share price appreciation) is set out in the chart below.

This chart shows that the proportion of remuneration delivered through short-term and long-term incentive schemes is in line with our 
Remuneration Policy and changes significantly across the three performance scenarios. As such, the package promotes the achievement of 
both short-term and long-term performance targets and drives the alignment of the Group CEO’s interests with the interests of shareholders.

Note: 
Scenario values are translated at the budgeted exchange rate of 63 RUB/$.

APPLICATION OF REMUNERATION POLICY

Maximum with share price appreciation

26%

31%

47%

Maximum

Target

Minimum          

29%

34%

45%

Total: $1.9m

35%

Total: $1.6m

42%

11%

Total: $1.1m

100%

Total: $0.5m

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

Fixed elements of remuneration

Single year variable

Multiple year variable

Minimum

Target

Maximum

Maximum with share price 
appreciation

Fixed elements

Base salary and pension Base salary and pension Base salary and pension Base salary and pension

Single year variable

Multiple year variable

Performance against 
quantitative KPIs is below 
budget by more than 
10%. Non-achievement 
of qualitative or non-
financial KPIs.

0% pay-out.

Performance against 
quantitative KPIs is at 
budgeted levels. Full 
achievement of non-
financial KPIs. 100% 
of base salary pay-out 
(83.3% of maximum 
opportunity). Includes 
DSA awards.

Share price performance 
is below the median of 
FTSE Gold Mines Index 
constituents. 

No shares vest.

Scenario is based on 
125% policy awards. 
Share price performance 
is at median of FTSE 
Gold Mines Index 
constituents. Shares 
equivalent to 25% of base 
salary vest under the 
PSP (20% of total 
shares available).

Performance against 
quantitative KPIs is 
above budgeted levels. 
Full achievement of 
non-financial KPIs. 120% 
of base salary pay-out 
(100% of maximum 
opportunity). Includes 
DSA awards.

Share price performance 
is in the top quintile of 
FTSE Gold Mines Index 
constituents. Shares 
equivalent to 125% of 
base salary vest under 
the PSP (100% of total 
shares available).

Performance against 
quantitative KPIs is 
above budgeted levels. 
Full achievement of non-
financial KPIs. 120% of base 
salary pay-out (100% of 
maximum opportunity). 
Includes DSA awards.

Share price performance is in 
the top quintile of FTSE Gold 
Mines Index constituents. 
Shares equivalent to 125% 
of base salary vest under 
the PSP (100% of total 
shares available).

Share price appreciation of 
50% has been assumed.

No allowance has been made for the payment of dividend equivalents.

Approach to recruitment remuneration
The Committee’s approach to recruitment remuneration is to pay a competitive overall package, as appropriate, to attract and motivate 
the right talent for the role. If an executive is promoted to the Board from within the Company, any pre-existing awards or benefits that 
were made available to them prior to becoming a Director (and not in anticipation of an imminent promotion to the Board) will be retained 
and allowed to vest or be provided under the original terms.

The following table sets out the various components that would be considered for inclusion in the remuneration package for the appointment 
of an executive Director. Any new Director’s remuneration package would include the same elements, set at a level consistent with the 
scope of the role (at a level not exceeding that of the Group CEO as set out in the Remuneration Policy table), and be subject to the same 
constraints as those of existing executive Directors performing similar roles, as shown below.

Area

Policy and operation

Base salary and 
benefits

Pension

Annual bonus

The base salary level will be set by taking into account the experience of the individual and the salaries paid in 
comparable companies. Depending on the circumstances of any particular appointment, the Committee may 
choose to set the base salary below market median and increase the amount paid over a period of time to 
achieve alignment with market levels for the role (with reference to the experience and performance of the 
individual), subject to the Company’s ability to pay. In line with the Remuneration Policy, as set out in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy table, no benefits will be provided to recruited Directors.

Pension contributions will be limited to the mandatory contributions required by Cypriot/Russian/Kazakh or any 
other applicable law, as set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy table.

The executive Director will be eligible to participate in the annual bonus scheme as set out in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy table. The maximum annual opportunity is 120% of base salary. 50% of any bonus is 
deferred into shares under the DSA, as set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy table.

Long-term incentives

The executive Director will be eligible to participate in the PSP part of the LTIP at the Remuneration Committee’s 
discretion and in line with the details set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy table. The maximum annual 
grant permitted under the scheme rules is 150% of base salary and the normal grant level is up to 125% of base 
salary. Performance measures would apply, as set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy table. 

Replacement awards

Other

The Committee will seek to structure any replacement awards so that overall they are no more generous in terms 
of quantum or timing than the awards to be forfeited as a consequence of the individual joining the Company. In 
determining the quantum and structure of any replacement awards, the Committee will seek to replicate the fair 
value and, as far as practicable, the timing, form and performance requirements of the forfeited remuneration. 
The maximum value of replacement awards is capped at 50% of the individual’s base salary and at least 50% 
of any replacement award should be delivered in the Company’s shares.

Should relocation of a newly recruited executive Director be required, reasonable costs associated with this 
relocation will be met by the Company. Such relocation support may include, but not be limited to, payment of 
legal fees, removal costs, temporary accommodation/hotel costs, a contribution to stamp duty and replacement 
of non-transferable household items. In addition, and in appropriate circumstances, the Committee may grant 
additional support in relation to the payment of school fees and the provision of tax advice. The Company will 
reimburse the executive Director for all reasonable expenses which they may incur while carrying out 
executive duties.

Policy on payment for loss of office
The Committee’s approach when considering payments in the event of termination is to take into account individual circumstances, 
including the reason for termination, contractual obligations of both parties, applicable share plan and pension scheme rules (including 
any relevant performance conditions).

Vitaly Nesis is an executive Director of Polymetal International plc and Group CEO of JSC Polymetal, a 100% subsidiary of the Group, 
incorporated in Russia. Further details are set out in the current Directors’ service contracts section on page 132.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESRemuneration Committee report continued
Directors’ Remuneration Policy continued

The table below summarises the key elements of the executive Director policy on payment for loss of office.

Area

Policy and operation

Notice period

Polymetal International
Six months from Company
Six months from Director

JSC Polymetal
With immediate effect from Company
One month from Director

Compensation 
for loss of office 
in service 
contracts

Treatment of 
annual bonus 
awards

No entitlement in respect of directorship of Polymetal International.

Up to three times average monthly salary in respect of directorship of JSC Polymetal in accordance with provisions 
of the labour law of the Russian Federation.

Where an executive Director’s employment is terminated after the end of the performance year, but before the payment 
of the annual bonus is made, the executive may be eligible for an annual bonus award for that performance year subject 
to an assessment based on performance achieved over the period. No award will be made in the event of gross 
misconduct. Where an executive Director’s employment is terminated during a performance year, a pro-rated annual 
bonus award for the period worked in that performance year may be payable, subject to an assessment based on 
performance achieved over the period.

Treatment of 
unvested DSAs 
under plan rules

In normal circumstances, DSAs will continue until the normal time of vesting upon cessation of employment in Good 
Leaver Circumstances. Alternatively, the Board may determine that DSAs will vest immediately. In both circumstances, 
for the DSA already granted, there would be no pro-rating for time from the award date until cessation of employment or 
for performance.

Treatment of 
unvested PSP 
awards under 
plan rules

Any outstanding award will lapse at cessation of employment with the Group, unless the cessation is due to Good 
Leaver Circumstances, in which case the award will usually vest as normal in accordance with the terms of the award. 
Alternatively, the Committee may determine that the award will vest immediately.

The Committee will determine the proportion of the award that will vest, taking into account (where relevant) the extent 
to which the performance conditions have been met or are likely to be met at the end of the performance period, and 
any other factors the Committee may consider relevant. The number of shares will also be pro-rated down to reflect the 
reduced service period.

Post-cessation 
shareholding 
requirement

The executive Director is to retain a minimum shareholding requirement (500% of base salary or actual shareholding 
if lower) for two years post-cessation of employment. Shares must be kept with a broker who can implement blocks 
on trades.

Exercise of 
discretion

Any discretion available in determining the treatment of incentives upon termination of employment is intended only to 
be relied upon to provide flexibility in unusual circumstances. The Committee’s determination will take into account the 
particular circumstances of the Director’s departure and the recent performance of the Group.

Corporate event

In relation to PSP awards, in the event that the Company’s shares cease to trade on the London Stock Exchange or 
any other recognised stock exchange (delisting) or the Directors of the Company pass a resolution to the effect that 
delisting is imminent or where the Board determines that a ‘significant event’ has occurred, which may be a demerger, 
winding-up or compulsory acquisition of the Company, or any other event as determined by the Board, at the discretion 
of the Board and, where applicable, with the consent of the acquiring company, PSP awards will not vest but will be 
exchanged for new PSP awards.

In the event that the PSP awards are exchanged for new PSP awards:

•  The award date of the new PSP award shall be deemed to be the same as the award date of the original PSP award.
•  The new PSP award will be in respect of shares in a company determined by the Board which may include any 

acquiring company.

•  The new PSP award must be equivalent to the PSP award and will vest at the same time and in the same manner as 

the PSP award.

Where relevant, either the vesting of the new PSP award must be subject to any performance conditions which are, so far 
as possible, equivalent to any conditions applying to the PSP award, or no performance conditions will apply but the value 
of shares comprised in the new PSP award shall be the value of the number of shares which would have vested under the 
PSP award if they had not been exchanged for new PSP awards.

DSAs shall vest immediately and shall not be pro-rated for time or performance if any of the events referred to above occur.

Remuneration Policy for other employees
The Remuneration Policy for other members of the executive team and broader management team within the Group is consistent in 
both structure and KPIs to that of the Group CEO. While the value of remuneration will vary throughout the Group, depending upon the 
individual’s role, significance to the business and the level of responsibility, the remuneration of all senior executives consists of a base 
salary, an annual bonus and participation in the LTIP (the PSP and DSA). 

The KPI structure for all of our senior managers and key employees is tailored to individual responsibilities and performance. To reflect the 
aim of zero fatalities, the bonus calculation system for the Group CEO, some senior managers and mine management has a major focus 
on health and safety KPIs, adjusting bonus outcomes on all KPIs in the case of fatalities. We aim to ensure the corporate cohesiveness of 
the team as well as to support individual success and development.

Shareholding requirements are also set below the Group CEO level. Operation of the DSA programme for the most senior employees 
mirrors the executive Director’s arrangement set out in the policy table, where 50% of the annual bonus is deferred into shares and 
released annually to the employees over a period of three years.

The Remuneration Policy for the wider group of employees is aimed at aligning pay with the achievement of targeted results for each 
employee. The Company’s policy on fair pay provides for the payment of additional remuneration for employees living in difficult climatic 
locations and the delivery of appropriate levels of pay for different levels of work. The bonus component of remuneration for mid-level 
management and operational staff is measured based upon the achievement of production targets, increasing output, the level of justified 
cost savings and health and safety records. In terms of pension arrangements, the Company applies a consistent approach for the Group 
CEO and other employees, and adheres to the mandatory pension contributions required under applicable laws.

Polymetal is firmly committed to acknowledging and rewarding employees’ hard work and achievements. To help us attract and retain the best 
candidates, we offer a competitive remuneration package and benefits, which exceed regional averages in our areas of operation. We also aim 
to provide a pleasant and effective working environment as well as training or further education and other opportunities for our employees. 

Salaries are considered for annual increases based on the Company’s performance results, inflation rates and the competitive level of 
salaries versus the wider market. In 2019, an average 4% increase in compensation was made to the Group CEO and the general workforce, 
in line with Russian inflation. Effective from 1 April 2020, a 4% increase will be made in Russia and 6% in Kazakhstan in line with inflation.

Employees up to three levels below the Board (approximately 650 employees throughout the Group) are eligible to participate in the PSP at the 
discretion of the Remuneration Committee. In 2019, 414 employees were awarded the PSP. From 2020, the PSP policy default grant level is 
125% of base salary for the Group CEO (subject to the approval of the revised Directors’ Remuneration Policy), in line with other participants.

Top-down approach to remuneration structure within the Group

Employee level

Group CEO

Executive Committee

Mine managing directors and senior executives

Senior managers and key personnel2

Other employees

Number of  
employees

Maximum bonus 
percentage of salary

Proportion of bonus 
deferred into shares (DSA)

Normal LTIP  
award grant

1

7

19

657

10,927

120%

120%

120%

30–60%

10–30%

50%

50%

50%

N/A

N/A

125%1

125%

125%

125%

N/A

1  The maximum annual grant permitted under the scheme rules is 150% of base salary. 
2  PSP participants from the pool of senior managers and key personnel are recommended by the Company and approved by the Board. Being granted options in 

one year does not necessarily mean they will be granted the following year.

Statement of consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the Group
In setting the Policy for the Group CEO, the Committee takes into account a range of factors, including remuneration packages and 
overall base salary increases awarded to the wider employee population during the year. 

The Committee did not formally consult with the employees when reviewing the Policy, however considered informal feedback through 
our formalised workforce engagement programme with the Board, ‘direct line’ communication channel, and through the intranet, where 
a dedicated page was set up to communicate to Group employees how executive remuneration aligns with the wider Company pay 
policy. 15% of all questions received by the Board related to remuneration; the Committee carefully reviewed them and responded to 
each individual employee. The answers to all of the questions received as part of Board engagement programme were published on the 
intranet and in the corporate newspaper. For details on workforce engagement refer to page 101.

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Annual Report on Remuneration

Current Directors’ service contracts
Group CEO
The table below highlights key elements of the service contract of the Group CEO with JSC Polymetal, the Russian holding company of 
the Group where he holds the CEO position:

Date of contract
Expiry of term
Payment in lieu of notice
Pension

1 September 2018
31 August 2023
None
None, except for defined contributions to the mandatory pension fund of the Russian Federation

At expiration of the previous five-year employment contract, on 31 August 2018, JSC Polymetal, a 100% indirect subsidiary of the 
Company incorporated in Russia, entered into an employment contract with Mr Nesis as its Group Chief Executive Officer (Group CEO). 
The contract was renewed on the same terms for a further period of five years.

Under the terms of the contract, the Group CEO undertakes to perform general management of JSC Polymetal and arrange for its 
commercial, economic, social and other activities with a view to providing for JSC Polymetal’s further development. The employment 
contract does not contain any specific grounds for early termination. The contract can be terminated at any time on one month’s 
notice by Mr Nesis and with immediate effect by JSC Polymetal in accordance with Russian labour and civil law. This could result in 
compensation of three average monthly salaries.

Mr Nesis entered into an appointment letter (as amended) with the Company in relation to his appointment as an executive Director. 
This appointment took effect on 29 September 2011 and was conditional on admission of shares to trading on the London Stock 
Exchange. Mr Nesis does not receive any fees in respect of his appointment as a Director of Polymetal International plc but is entitled to 
reimbursement of his reasonable expenses incurred in relation to carrying out his duties as a Director. The appointment of Mr Nesis as a 
Director may be terminated at any time in accordance with the Articles of Association and he is subject to annual re-election at the Annual 
General Meeting of shareholders. Mr Nesis can terminate his appointment as a Director on six months’ notice. He is not entitled to receive 
any compensation in respect of his role as Director on termination of this appointment.

The full terms and conditions of appointment are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office in Jersey and its office in Cyprus.

Non-executive Directors 
Non-executive Directors do not have service contracts and the terms of their appointment are set out in letters of appointment. 
The appointment of any non-executive Director may be terminated at any time in accordance with the Articles of Association and they 
are subject to annual re-election at the Annual General Meeting of shareholders. The appointment of each non-executive Director may be 
terminated by either party on one month’s notice. A non-executive Director is not entitled to receive any compensation on termination of 
their appointment. Each non-executive Director is subject to confidentiality restrictions without limitation in time.

The full terms and conditions of appointment of all of the Directors are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office in 
Jersey and its office in Cyprus.

Dates of contract or appointment for non-executive Directors are set out in the table below:

Director

Victor Flores

Italia Boninelli

Ian Cockerill

Ollie Oliveira

Giacomo Baizini

Tracey Kerr

Christine Coignard

Konstantin Yanakov

Jean-Pascal Duvieusart

Bobby Godsell1

Jonathan Best2

1  Director until 23 April 2019.
2  Director until 23 April 2019.

Date of appointment

Notice period

30 January 2020

11 December 2019

23 April 2019

25 April 2018

1 January 2018

1 January 2018

1 July 2014

29 September 2011 

29 September 2011 

29 September 2011

29 September 2011 

1 month

1 month

1 month

1 month

1 month

1 month

1 month

1 month

1 month

1 month

1 month

Single total figure of remuneration (audited)
Summary
From 1 April 2019, the approved salary increase for the Group CEO was 4%, which is in line with Russian inflation and the average 
increase for the rest of our workforce. From 1 April 2020 the salary increase will be 4% in line with inflation and the rest of the 
Russian-based workforce. The revised Group CEO base salary is $447,745 per annum (using 63 RUB/$ exchange rate).

As a result of the strong performance of the Company and achieving the set KPIs (other than for health and safety performance), 
the Group CEO received a bonus of 41% of maximum opportunity for the year (which constitutes 52% of his base salary or $216,816), 
with 50% of bonus deferred into shares vesting over a period of the next three years under the terms of the DSA. 

No discretion has been used in respect of non-executive and executive Directors’ remuneration throughout the reporting period. 
The Group CEO is the only executive member of the Board.

Group CEO
The table below sets out the 2019 remuneration for the Group CEO. 

The Group CEO’s remuneration is denominated in Russian Roubles and converted to US Dollars for presentation purposes. 
The approach to exchange rates and Russian Rouble remuneration equivalent is set out in footnote 1 to this table.

Base salary

Taxable benefits

Annual bonus

2019

2018

2019

2018

20192

2018

2019

PSP3,4

2018

Pension

Group CEO total 
remuneration

2019

2018

2019

2018

433,843

427,818

–

–

216,816

254,069

222,553

284,701

47,656

57,935

920,868 1,024,523

1  The amounts are translated at the average rates of the Russian Rouble to the US Dollar for 2019 and 2018, respectively.
2  50% of the bonus received in 2019 will be deferred into 7,228 shares on 3 March 2020 at $15.21 (RUB 969) per share (using average price for the 90-day period 
ending 31 December 2019). In line with the policy disclosed on page 125, deferred shares will be released in equal tranches over a period of three years in March 
2021, March 2022 and March 2023 and are not subject to further performance conditions.
In 2019, further to the vesting of the PSP awards made in 2015, 21,236 shares (2018: 28,992 shares) were issued to Mr Nesis. Further details on PSP vesting are 
provided on page 135. These shares are subject to a mandatory one-year holding period following vesting. 
In 2019, $41,779 of the $222,553 vesting under the PSP was in relation to share price appreciation, excluding shares accrued relating to dividends.

3 

4 

Non-executive Directors
Details of total fees paid to non-executive Directors and the Board Chair during 2019 and 2018 are set out in the table below. Effective 
1 January 2019, non-executive Directors’ fees were converted from British Pounds Sterling and fixed in US Dollars as stated in the Annual 
Report 2018, the exchange rate being 1.27.

Italia Boninelli1

Ian Cockerill2

Ollie Oliveira

Giacomo Baizini

Tracey Kerr

Christine Coignard

Bobby Godsell3

Jonathan Best4

Russell Skirrow

Leonard Homeniuk

Konstantin Yanakov

Jean-Pascal Duvieusart

Total non-executive fees

1  Director from 11 December 2019.
2  Director from 23 April 2019.
3  Director until 23 April 2019.
4  Director until 23 April 2019.

Note:
The amounts for 2019 and 2018 are translated at average GBP/$ exchange rates.

Non-executive Directors do not receive performance-related pay.

Total fees ($)

2019

11,789

239,518

214,108

231,682

193,435

182,237

110,187

77,568

–

–

 – 

 – 

2018

139,898

206,835

195,930

220,727

366,260

218,708

74,783

64,642

 – 

 – 

1,260,523

1,487,782

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Annual Report on Remuneration continued

Single total figure of remuneration – Additional information (audited)
Annual bonus targets and outcomes
The targets for annual bonus measures and performance against these targets are set out below:

Maximum 
opportunity 
(% of base salary)

Weight

Threshold

Target Maximum

Outcome Achievement

2019 

37.5%

37.5%

 1,398 

 695

 1,553

 1,631

 632

 600

1,614

655

35%

16%

25%

1 point

10 points

10 points

9.2 points

23%

25%

25%

25%

25%

25%

Nil fatalities; 
reduction of 
LTIFR1 by 10% 
year-on-year

Nil fatalities; 
reduction of 
LTIFR1 by 10% 
year-on-year

N/A

2 fatalities 
and 3 
severe 
cases

100%

125%

Up to 50% of bonus 
earned for non-safety 
related KPIs (10% for 
each fatality/two 
severe cases) – up to 
37.5% of total bonus

100%

125%

N/A

N/A

N/A

2 fatalities 
and 3 
severe 
cases

0%

74%

-22%

52%

Measures

Achieving production budget, Koz

Total cash cost per ounce of gold 
equivalent produced, $/oz

Completion of new projects on 
time and within budget

Health and safety

Total achievement before 
penalty factor

Penalty factor for fatal/
severe cases

Final achievement for the year, 
% of base salary

1  Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate.

Safety penalty factor for fatal/severe cases is up to 50% of the annual bonus earned for non-safety related KPIs. This resulted in the 
Group CEO receiving a bonus of 41% of maximum opportunity for the year (which constitutes 52% of his base salary or $216,816).

Deferred Share Awards Plan (audited)
DSA deferred shares granted in 2019
50% of annual bonus for 2018 was deferred into 12,369 shares on 20 March 2019 at $9.66 (RUB 644) per share (using average price 
for the 90-day period ending 31 December 2018). In line with the policy disclosed on page 125, deferred shares will be released in equal 
tranches over a period of three years in March 2020, March 2021 and March 2022 and are not subject to further performance conditions.

Recipient

Deferred
shares under

Date of 
grant

End of deferral 
period

Shares 
granted

Share price 
period

Group CEO

DSA grant 2019

20 March 2019

March 2022

12,369 Average price 
for the 90-day 
period ending 
31 December 
2018

Share 
price, $

9.66

Face 
value, $

119,485 

DSA deferred shares vested in 2019
In accordance with the policy, part of the award of deferred shares under the DSA, which was granted in March 2016, March 2017 and 
March 2018, vested on 20 March 2019 and was transferred to the Group CEO, totalling 8,933 shares (including an additional 659 share 
awards for dividend equivalents). 

DSA deferred shares grant proposed for 2020
In addition, further to the bonus approval for the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group CEO will receive in March 2020 a deferred 
bonus award in shares under the terms of the DSA (50% of the annual bonus earned is paid in cash and the remaining 50% is compulsorily 
deferred into shares). Share awards will vest annually over the next three years in equal instalments (in March 2021, 2022 and 2023), subject 
to continued service in the Group. Under the terms of the DSA, dividend equivalents will be received on vested shares reflecting the value 
of the dividends which have been paid during the period from the grant date to the vesting date. Dividend equivalents will also be paid 
as shares.

Summary of DSA deferred shares outstanding as of 3 March 2020
The current number of outstanding deferred shares under DSA (following 12,369 deferred shares granted in 2019) is represented as follows:

Name

Position

Year of grant

Number of 
deferred DSA 
shares granted

Number of DSA 
shares vested in 
2019

Additional share 
awards for dividend 
equivalents

Total number of 
shares vested 
under DSA grant

Outstanding 
shares under 
DSA grant

Vitaly Nesis

Group CEO

2016

2017

2018

2019

Total

6,656

7,909

10,261

12,369

37,195

2,218

2,636

3,420

–

8,274

258

216

185

–

659

6,914

5,488

3,605

–

16,007

–

2,637

6,841

12,369

21,847

Performance Share Plan (audited)
PSP award made in 2019
Under the PSP, a conditional award of 60,740 ordinary shares (at target grant level of 150% of annual base salary at March 2019) with no 
par value was made to Mr Nesis in 2019. It is exercisable following a respective four-year vesting period, subject to performance measures 
determined by Polymetal. For this award, vesting is based on relative TSR, measured against the constituents of the FTSE Gold Mines Index 
and also on the Company’s absolute TSR. Peers are ranked and the Company’s position determines vesting (0% vests for below median 
performance; 20% vests at median performance; 100% vests at top decile performance and above). No award will vest if absolute TSR is 
negative, regardless of relative performance. 

Recipient

Group CEO

Award

Grant date

Performance period

Shares granted

Market share 
price on grant 
date1, $

Notional value in 
case of 100% 
vesting, $

PSP grant 2019

9 April 2019 April 2019–April 2023

60,740

10.96

 665,710 

1  Closing spot share price at 9 April 2019.

PSP award vested in 2019
PSP awards vest based on relative TSR, measured over four years against the constituents of the FTSE Gold Mines Index and also on the 
Company’s absolute TSR. The four-year performance period ended on 29 April 2019 for the PSP awards made in 2015. These awards paid 
out 100% of maximum for top decile performance, 20% of maximum for median performance, and 0% of maximum for performance below 
median or if absolute TSR was negative. Polymetal achieved a positive absolute TSR of 56.1% and outperformed a median TSR of 34.8% of 
the FTSE Gold Mines Index constituents. Accordingly, the 2015 performance share awards have partially vested at 32.1% of the total awards 
granted. Additional share awards for the dividend equivalent during the four-year performance period were also paid. Further to the vesting 
of the PSP awards made in 2015, 21,236 shares vested to Mr Nesis. These shares are subject to a mandatory one-year holding period 
following vesting. No discretion was exercised in respect of changes in the share price since the date of the award.

Recipient

Vesting award

Vesting date

Performance period

Shares vested

Group CEO

PSP grant 2015

30 April 2019

April 2015–April 2019

21,236 (incl. 
3,305 shares 
for dividend 
equivalent)

Market share price on 
vesting date, $

10.48

Face value, $ 

222,553 (incl. 
34,636 for 
dividend 
equivalent)

The value of PSP vested and awarded to the Group CEO in respect of the 2015 PSP grant is included in the single total figure table on 
page 133.

Summary of PSP share options outstanding as of 3 March 2020 

Name

Vitaly Nesis

Position

Year of grant/
Year of vesting

Group CEO

2015/2019

2016/2020

2017/2021

2018/2022

2019/2023

Total number of share options 
outstanding under the PSP 

Number of PSP 
share awards 
granted

PSP awards 
release in 2019

Number of PSP 
shares vested 
(see below)

Outstanding 
shares under 
PSP grant

66,166

48,507

47,249

55,570

60,740

278,232

66,166

21,236

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 – 

 48,507 

 47,249 

 55,570 

60,740

212,066

134 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 135 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Committee report continued
Annual Report on Remuneration continued

Other scheme interests awarded during the financial year
No other share awards were made to the Group CEO in 2019.

Group CEO’s pay in the last nine years

Total pension entitlements (audited)
Save for the Group’s defined contributions to the mandatory pension fund of the Russian Federation during the financial year ended 
31 December 2019, no amounts were set aside or accrued by the Group to provide pension, retirement or other benefits to the Directors 
and senior management. This is in line with the rest of the workforce.

Loss of office payments or payments to past Directors (audited)
No loss-of-office payments or payments to past Directors were made in the year under review.

Directors’ shareholdings (audited)
The Group CEO is required to retain a shareholding equal to five times his base salary, i.e. 145,114 shares.

For the purposes of determining whether the requirements have been met, the share price is measured at the end of each financial year. 
Shares are valued for these purposes at the year-end price of $15.7 per share at 31 December 2019 translated at the closing exchange 
rate of the US Dollar to the Russian Rouble as at 31 December 2019.

Shares that count towards shareholding requirements include unrestricted shares. The table below sets out the number of shares held, 
or potentially held, by Directors. For details of outstanding conditional share awards held by the Group CEO at 31 December 2019, 
refer to page 135.

Shares held

Options held

Shareholding 
requirement 
(% of salary)

Unvested 
(subject to 
performance 
conditions)

Unvested (not 
subject to 
performance 
conditions)

Owned 
outright 

Vested but 
unexercised

Exercised in 
year

Current 
shareholding 
(% of salary) Guideline met

500%

3,273,230

29,300

15,000

5,500

2,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

11,278%

–

–

–

–

yes

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Director

Vitaly Nesis

Ian Cockerill

Ollie Oliveira1

Christine Coignard2

Bobby Godsell3

–

1  Shares are held by a person closely associated with Mr Oliveira.
2  Shares are held by a person closely associated with Ms Coignard.
3  Shares held by Mr Godsell at the date of his resignation as a Director on 23 April 2019. 

Performance graph 
To provide context to the Company’s performance in its specific sector of operation, the graph below illustrates the Company’s TSR 
performance relative to the constituents of the FTSE Gold Mines Index, from the date of the Company’s listing on the London Stock 
Exchange in October 2011. 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN
(%)

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

1
1
t
c
O
8
2

1
1
c
e
D
8
2

2
1
b
e
F
8
2

2
1
r
p
A
8
2

2
1
n
u
J
8
2

2
1
g
u
A
8
2

2
1
t
c
O
8
2

2
1
c
e
D
8
2

3
1
b
e
F
8
2

3
1
r
p
A
0
3

3
1
n
u
J
0
3

3
1
g
u
A
1
3

3
1
t
c
O
1
3

3
1
c
e
D
1
3

4
1
b
e
F
8
2

4
1
r
p
A
0
3

4
1
n
u
J
0
3

4
1
g
u
A
1
3

4
1
t
c
O
1
3

4
1
c
e
D
1
3

5
1
b
e
F
8
2

5
1
r
p
A
0
3

5
1
n
u
J
0
3

5
1
g
u
A
1
3

5
1
t
c
O
1
3

5
1
c
e
D
1
3

6
1
b
e
F
9
2

6
1
r
p
A
0
3

6
1
n
u
J
0
3

6
1
g
u
A
1
3

6
1
t
c
O
1
3

6
1
c
e
D
1
3

7
1
b
e
F
8
2

7
1
r
p
A
0
3

7
1
n
u
J
0
3

7
1
g
u
A
1
3

7
1
t
c
O
1
3

7
1
c
e
D
1
3

8
1
b
e
F
8
2

8
1
r
p
A
0
3

8
1
n
u
J
0
3

8
1
g
u
A
1
3

8
1
t
c
O
1
3

8
1
c
e
D
1
3

9
1
b
e
F
8
2

9
1
r
p
A
0
3

9
1
n
u
J
0
3

9
1
g
u
A
1
3

9
1
t
c
O
1
3

9
1
c
e
D
1
3

Polymetal

FTSE Gold Mines Index

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Group CEO total remuneration ($) 920,868 1,024,523 726,928

496,411

511,665

907,790 1,081,572 1,037,413 1,138,013

Annual bonus – % of maximum

PSP award – % of maximum

41%

27%

49%

33%

44%

40%

33%

90%

–

 – 

 – 

–

88%

–

90%

137%1

–

–

1  An additional bonus was awarded by the Remuneration Committee to Mr Nesis for the successful IPO of the Company in November 2011. Mr Nesis was required to 
devote a significant amount of time above and beyond his normal day-to-day responsibilities as CEO to successfully bring about the IPO. Excluding the additional 
bonus, the annual bonus comprised 49% of maximum opportunity in 2011.

Percentage change in Group CEO’s remuneration
The table below shows the percentage change in the Group CEO total remuneration from 2018 to 2019, compared to the average change 
for all Group employees. To ensure the comparability of this figure, and to minimise distortions, the all-employee average remuneration 
figure is based on full-time permanent employees. 

% change

Group CEO

Average employee

Base salary

Annual bonus

+1%

+1%

-15%

+8% 

Taxable 
benefits

N/A

N/A

Group CEO to employee pay ratio
The UK regulations on CEO pay ratio disclosure do not apply to Polymetal as the Group has less than 250 UK employees, but we support 
the move to transparency of remuneration levels across the wider workforce and we have therefore chosen to voluntarily publish our 
median CEO pay ratio. The use of a pay ratio, and how it moves over time, is intended to help the stakeholders to make a balanced 
evaluation of how pay arrangements are delivered across the whole employee population.

A significant proportion of the Group CEO’s remuneration package is performance-related and dependent on the achievement of 
financial and non-financial KPIs, as well as dependent on LTIP outcomes based on Polymetal TSR performance. Therefore, the ratio 
could range significantly from year to year. The Committee will continue to take into account factors such as internal relativities and ratios 
when considering executive pay.

The table provides the pay ratio of the Group CEO’s total remuneration to the equivalent pay for the lower quartile, median and upper 
quartile of Group employees (calculated on a full time basis). The Group CEO remuneration is the total single figure remuneration for 2019 
contained on page 133. Employee pay data was determined for the first nine months of 2019 with a projected calculation of the salary 
component of pay and benefits for the full financial year.

Year

2019

2018

Remuneration data, $

CEO single total figure of remuneration

Group employee remuneration 25th percentile

Median Group employee remuneration

Group employee remuneration 75th percentile

Method 25th percentile

Median 75th percentile

Option A

Option A

70:1

79:1

40:1

47:1

25:1

29:1

2019

2018

920,868

1,024,523

13,152

22,797

36,211

13,043

21,752

34,770

136 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 137 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Committee report continued
Annual Report on Remuneration continued

Remuneration Committee report continued
Implementation of the Remuneration Policy in 2020

Relative importance of spend on pay
The chart below shows how employee remuneration costs compare with profit before tax and distributions made to shareholders in 2019 
and 2018.

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYEE PAY
($m)

+31%

586

447

+3%

397

387

+13%

240

213

Total employee
pay1

Return to
shareholders2

Underlying 
net earnings3

2018

2019

1 
2 
3 

Note 14 of consolidated financial statements.
Dividends paid during the period, Note 18 of consolidated financial statements.
Refer to the Alternative Performance Measures section.

Advisors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) provided Polymetal with information and support in relation to general remuneration matters and 
implementation of the Company’s remuneration policy. PwC is a member of the Remuneration Consultants’ Group (RCG) and a signatory 
of the RCG Voluntary Code of Practice, and incorporates the principles of the Voluntary Code of Practice into its engagement. No other 
services were provided by PwC during 2019 other than external assurance services for the Company’s Sustainability Report and tax 
advisory. Fees paid to PwC in relation to remuneration services provided to the Committee in 2019 totalled $30,800 (2018: $9,463), 
with fees quoted in advance and based on the level of complexity of the work undertaken. 

PwC was selected in 2013, after submitting a proposal to management, to carry out benchmarking as part of a competitive process, 
the results of which were presented to the Remuneration Committee for approval.

During its work in 2019, the Committee was aided by the Group CEO, Board Chair, SID and senior finance and human resources 
executives of the Company.

Statement of consideration of shareholders’ views
The Committee regularly consults with the Company’s major shareholders, and sought their feedback on the revised Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy. The shareholder consultation period started in October 2019 and the Board Chair, Senior Independent Director and 
the Remuneration Committee Chair participated in several meetings and calls requested by shareholders. In line with a shareholder query 
and to ensure that the safety KPI is preserved at 25% level, the ESG KPI was introduced by reducing both the production and TCC KPIs 
by 5%, rather than splitting the safety KPI into 15% safety and 10% ESG KPI. The maximum bonus opportunity is preserved at 125% of 
base salary. No other concerns over the proposals were raised and the Board will proceed with recommending the revised Remuneration 
Policy to Polymetal’s shareholders for approval in April 2020.

Shareholder support for the Remuneration Policy and 2018 Directors’ Remuneration Committee report
The Company received shareholder approval of its Remuneration Policy at the AGM on 25 May 2017 to cover a period of three years. 
The policy applied from the date of approval. The Directors’ annual Remuneration Committee report was put to an advisory shareholder 
vote at the 2019 AGM of the Company. The table below shows full details of the voting outcomes.

Remuneration Policy (at the 2017 AGM)

294,388,477 (99.10%)

2,675,792 (0.90%)

2018 Remuneration Committee report (at the 2019 AGM)

387,649,359 (98.93%)

4,175,376 (1.07%)

335,724

945,322

Votes for

Votes against

Votes withheld

In 2020 and subject to shareholder approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy on 27 April 2020, the Committee intends to implement 
the Remuneration Policy for executive and non-executive Directors as follows:

Group CEO
Base salary
In accordance with the policy, the Group CEO’s salary will be increased (in Roubles) by a total of 4% in 2020 in line with the rest of the 
workforce. Base salary for the Group CEO for 2019 and 2020 is set out below:

Group CEO

2020 salary

2019 salary

% change

RUB 28,207,920

RUB 27,123,000

$447,745

$417,277

4.0%

7.3%

Base salary for 2020 is translated at the budgeted exchange rate of Russian Rouble to US Dollar for 2020. 

Pension and benefits
No pension or benefits plans are in place for 2020, except for the defined pension contributions to the mandatory pension fund of the 
Russian Federation.

Annual bonus
The prospective targets for annual bonus measures are considered commercially sensitive by the Board, particularly in the gold mining 
industry, because of the sensitivity of information that their disclosure may provide to the Company’s competitors, given that these are 
largely based outside the UK and hence are not subject to the same reporting requirements as the Company. Targets and outcomes will 
be disclosed retrospectively at the end of the performance year.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (Deferred Share Awards Plan and Performance Share Plan)
Deferred Share Awards Plan
The Committee intends to defer annual bonus awards earned for the 2020 performance period in line with the policy disclosed on page 124.

Performance Share Plan
The Committee intends to make an award under the PSP to the Group CEO in 2020, in line with the policy disclosed on page 125. Vesting 
is based on relative TSR measured against the constituents of the FTSE Gold Mines Index and on the Company’s absolute TSR. Peers 
are ranked and the Company’s position determines vesting:

Below threshold

Threshold

Maximum

TSR v FTSE Gold Mines Index

Pay-out

Below median performance

Median performance

Upper quintile performance

0%

20%

100%

Straight-line vesting will occur between median and upper decile performance. No award will vest for performance below median, 
or if the Company’s absolute TSR performance is negative, regardless of relative performance.

138 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 139 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESRemuneration Committee report continued
Implementation of the Remuneration Policy in 2020

Directors’ report

Non-executive Directors
There was no change to the non-executive Directors’ fees in 2019. Effective 1 January 2019, non-executive Directors’ fees were converted 
from British Pound Sterling and fixed in US Dollars as stated in the Annual Report 2018. Fee rates for 2020 are shown on the assumption 
that changes to the Directors’ Remuneration Policy will be accepted by shareholders at 2020 AGM. 

Role

Non-executive Board Chair

Senior Independent Director

Independent non-executive Director basic fee

Additional fees

Audit and Risk Committee Chair

Chair of other Committees

Committee membership fee (not payable to the Committee Chair)

Board and Committee meeting attendance fee

Approval
This report was approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by

2020 fees ($)

500,000

25,000

127,000

38,000

19,000

13,000

 4,000

2019 fees ($)

 317,700 

No additional fee

 127,080 

 38,124 

 19,062 

 12,708 

 3,812 per meeting

Christine Coignard
Chair, Remuneration Committee

The Directors submit the Annual Report of Polymetal International plc together with 
the audited financial statements of Polymetal International plc for the year ended 
31 December 2019.

Corporate governance
Refer to pages 94–99 for a description of the Group’s corporate 
governance structure and policies.

Financial and business reporting
The Board believes that the disclosures set out in the 
Strategic report on pages 1 to 87 of this Annual Report provide 
the information necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Company’s performance, business model and strategy.

Auditors
Each of the persons who is a Director at the date of approval of this 
Annual Report confirms that:

•  So far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit 
information of which the Group’s auditor is unaware. 

•  The Director has taken all steps that they should have taken 
as a Director in order to make himself or herself aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the Group’s 
auditor is aware of that information.

Deloitte LLP has expressed its willingness to continue in office 
as auditor and a resolution to re-appoint it will be proposed at 
the forthcoming AGM. The Audit and Risk Committee reviews 
both the level of the audit fee and the level and nature of non-audit 
fees as part of its review of the adequacy and objectivity of the 
audit process.

Directors
The Directors, their status and Board Committee memberships are 
set out on pages 88 to 89 of the Annual Report.

Re-election policies
In accordance with the UK Code, all Directors are subject to 
annual re-election. Full terms and conditions of the appointment 
of non-executive Directors are available for inspection at the 
Company’s registered office in Jersey and its office in Cyprus.

The Directors’ biographical details are set out on pages 88–89. 
Following their performance evaluations, the Board and the 
Chair consider that each of the Directors standing for election 
or re-election will continue to be an effective contributor to the 
Group’s success and demonstrates commitment to their role. 

Appointment and replacement of Directors
The Board may appoint a person who is willing to act as a Director, 
either to fill a vacancy or as an additional Director and, in either 
case, whether or not for a fixed term. Irrespective of the terms of 
his or her appointment, a Director so appointed shall hold office 
only until the next AGM. If not re-appointed at such AGM, they 
shall vacate office at its conclusion.

The Company may, by ordinary resolution, remove any Director from 
office (notwithstanding any provision of the Company’s Articles or 
of any agreement between the Company and such Director, but 
without prejudice to any claim that they may have for damages for 
breach of any such agreement). No special notice needs to be given 
of any resolution to remove a Director and no Director proposed 
to be removed has any special right to protest against his or her 
removal. The Company may, by ordinary resolution, appoint another 
person in place of a Director removed from office.

Directors’ interests
Directors’ interests are disclosed in annual declarations and the 
Company Secretary is notified promptly of any changes to those 
interests. Before each Board meeting, independent non-executive 
Directors reconfirm their independence and all Directors disclose 
whether they hold any interests in any matters to be reviewed at 
the Board meeting. Information on Directors’ interests in the shares 
of the Company is set out in the Remuneration report on page 136.

Directors’ indemnities
To the extent permitted by the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, 
the Company has indemnified every Director and other officer of 
the Company (other than any person (whether an officer or not) 
engaged by the Company as auditor) out of the assets of the 
Company against any liability incurred by them for negligence, 
default, breach of duty, breach of trust or otherwise in relation 
to the affairs of the Company. This provision does not affect any 
indemnity to which a Director or officer is otherwise entitled.

Board and Committee terms of reference
In line with the new UK Corporate Governance Code, effective 
from 1 January 2019, the terms of reference for the Board and 
its Audit and Risk, Nomination and Remuneration Committees 
were updated to reflect best practice. The updated terms 
of reference for all Board Committees can be found in the 
Corporate Governance section on the Company’s website: 
www.polymetalinternational.com. The schedule of matters 
reserved to the Board and its Committees is reviewed at 
least annually. 

140 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 141 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESDirectors’ report continued

Political donations
The Company may not make a political donation to a political 
party or other political organisation, or to an independent 
election candidate, or incur any political expenditure, unless such 
donation or expenditure is authorised by an ordinary resolution 
of shareholders passed before the donation is made or the 
expenditure incurred. No such donations were made in 2019 
(2018: none).

Capital structure
The structure of the Company’s share capital is detailed in Note 31 
to the financial statements. There are no specific restrictions on 
the size of a holding or on the transfer of shares, which are both 
regulated by the Articles of the Company and applicable legislation. 
The Directors are not aware of any agreements between holders of 
the Company’s shares that may result in restrictions on the transfer 
of shares or on voting rights.

The Articles of the Company can be altered by a special resolution 
of the Company. A resolution is a special resolution when it is 
passed by three-quarters of the members who (being entitled 
to do so) vote in person, or by proxy, at a General Meeting of the 
Company. Pursuant to the Company’s Articles, the Directors have 
the power to allot Equity Securities (as defined in the Articles).

There are a number of agreements that take effect, alter or 
terminate upon a change of control of the Company, such as 
commercial contracts, bank loan agreements and employees’ 
share plans. None of these is considered to be significant in 
terms of their likely impact on the business of the Group as a 
whole. Furthermore, the Directors are not aware of any agreements 
between the Company and its Directors or employees that provide 
for compensation for loss of office or employment that occurs 
because of a takeover bid. Substantial shareholdings in the 
Company are disclosed on page 224.

Details of employee option schemes are set out in the 
Remuneration report on page 131. There were no acquisitions 
of the Company’s own shares in 2019. 

As at 31 December 2019, the Group and its subsidiaries held no 
treasury shares (31 December 2018: no shares).

At the AGM of the Company held in 2019, the power to allot 
Equity Securities (as defined in the Articles) was renewed up 
to an aggregate number of 156,456,103 ordinary shares, provided 
that the Directors’ power in respect of such an amount may only 
be used in connection with a pre-emptive issue (as defined in 
the Articles).

The Directors are further empowered pursuant to Article 10.4 of 
the Company’s Articles to allot Equity Securities for cash as if 
Article 11 of the Articles (Pre-emptive rights) did not apply and 
for the purposes of paragraph (b) of Article 10.4 of the Articles, 
the Non Pre-emptive Shares (as defined in the Articles) are an 
aggregate number of up to 23,468,415 ordinary shares. The 
Directors are empowered to allot an additional 23,468,415 Equity 
Securities for cash as if Article 11 of the Articles (Pre-emptive 
rights) did not apply and for the purposes of paragraph (b) of 
Article 10.4 of the Articles. This additional authority can be used 
only for the purposes of financing (or refinancing, if the authority 
is to be used within six months after the original transaction) a 
transaction that the Directors of the Company determine to be an 
acquisition or other capital investment of a kind contemplated by 
the Statement of Principles on Disapplying Pre-Emption Rights 
most recently published by the Pre-emption Group.

The authorities above will, unless previously revoked or varied, 
expire at the conclusion of the Company’s next AGM (or, if earlier, 
at the close of business on the date which is 15 months after the 
date of the resolution which granted them, being 23 July 2020).

Pursuant to Article 57 of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, the 
Company is authorised to make market purchases of ordinary 
shares of the Company, provided that:

•  The maximum number of ordinary shares to be purchased is 

46,936,830 ordinary shares.

•  The minimum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for 

each ordinary share is 1 penny.

•  The maximum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid 

for each ordinary share is the higher of:
 – an amount equal to 105% of the average of the middle 

market quotations of an ordinary share in the Company as 
derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List 
for the five business days immediately preceding the day on 
which the ordinary share is contracted to be purchased; or

 – an amount equal to the higher of the price of the last 

independent trade of an ordinary share and the highest 
current independent bid for an ordinary share as derived 
from the London Stock Exchange Trading System.
•  Pursuant to Article 58A of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, 

the Company may hold as treasury shares any ordinary shares 
purchased pursuant to the authority conferred in this resolution.

This authority will expire at the conclusion of the Company’s next 
AGM or 18 months from the date of the passing of this resolution, 
being 23 October 2020 (whichever is earlier).

Approval of share issues, consideration for which does not 
exceed $25 million, is delegated to any Director holding any 
executive office.

As of 3 March 2020, the total issued share capital of the 
Company comprises 470,230,200 ordinary shares of no par value, 
each carrying one vote. During the year, 819,892 ordinary shares 
in the Company were issued in accordance with the Long-Term 
Incentive Plan.

Dividends
The Group’s profit for the year ended 31 December 2019 attributable 
to equity holders of the Company was $480 million (2018: $354 
million). Underlying net earnings (for details refer to the Financial 
review section) in 2019 were $586 million (2018: $447 million). In 
August 2019, the Company declared an interim dividend of $0.20 
per share (2018: $0.17 per share), which was paid in September 
2019. In February 2020, the Company declared a special dividend 
of $0.20 per share (2018: none), which was paid in March 2020.

The Directors have proposed the payment of a final dividend of 
$0.42 per share (2018: $0.31 per share).

Annual General Meeting
The AGM of shareholders of the Company will take place on 
Monday 27 April 2020 in London, UK. Notice of AGM and Form 
of Proxy will be sent out in due course.

Having taken all matters considered by the Board and brought 
to the attention of the Board during the year into account, we are 
satisfied that the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced 
and understandable, and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business 
model and strategy.

On behalf of the Board

Ian Cockerill
Board Chair
3 March 2020

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESDirectors’ report continued

In accordance with provision C.2.2 of the UK Corporate Governance Code, and taking 
into account the Group’s current position and the principal risks that would threaten the 
business model, future performance and finance ability of the Company, for a period 
longer than the 12 months required by the going concern statement, management 
prepared a viability analysis which was assessed by the Board for approval.

Going concern
In assessing its going concern status, the Group has taken account 
of its financial position, anticipated future trading performance, 
its borrowings and other available credit facilities, and its forecast 
compliance with covenants on those borrowings and its capital 
expenditure commitments and plans. As at 31 December 2019, the 
Group held $253 million of cash and had net debt of $1,479 million, 
with $1,904 million of additional undrawn facilities of which $1,079 
million are considered committed. Debt of $214 million is due for 
payment within one year. The Group’s cash generation and liquidity 
remains strong and the Group believes it will be able to operate 
within existing facilities. 

The Board is satisfied that the Group’s forecasts and projections, 
having taken account of reasonably possible changes in trading 
performance, show that the Group has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for at least the next 12 months 
from the date of this report and that it is appropriate to adopt the 
going concern basis in preparing the condensed consolidated 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Viability statement
Based on key drivers and measures of success used within the 
business, the Board has assessed the prospects of the Group, 
taking account of the potential impact of the principal risks to 
the Group’s business model and ability to deliver its strategy, 
including solvency and liquidity risks during the reasonably reliable 
lookout period.

Assessment of prospects
Management has considered the Group’s long-term prospects 
aligned to the sustainability of the business model (detailed on 
pages 20–21) and covering a period of the average of Polymetal’s 
life-of-mine of 13 years, primarily with reference to the results 
of the Board-approved strategy (detailed on pages 24–25). 
Management has also considered the Group’s current strong 
financial position, including the level of cash at 31 December 2019 
and the Group’s historic ability to generate free cash flow and 
raise and refinance debt as required. 

The overall macroeconomic backdrop is expected to remain 
supportive for gold, with the numerous political and economic 
uncertainties likely to lead to stock market volatility and higher 
risk aversion. 

The strategic planning process is undertaken annually, and includes 
analyses of Polymetal’s current position, growth projects pipeline, 
cash flow, investment decisions and returns to shareholders. 
Accordingly, and considering global prospects for gold and gold 
price, history of exploration success and ability to buy good deposits 
at commercial amounts, the Board believes the prospects for the 
Group in the long run remain good. 

Viability lookout period
The period over which the Board considers it possible to form a 
reasonable expectation as to the Group’s viability, based on the 
stress testing and scenario planning process employed by the 
Group, is the three-year period to December 2022. This is within the 
Group’s routine medium-term forecasting, performed on the annual 
basis, and covering strategic and investment planning. The Board 
is confident that routine operational risks are being monitored and 
managed effectively within this three-year lookout period, and the 
Group’s scenario planning is focused primarily on plausible changes 
in external factors, providing a reasonable degree of confidence 
whilst still providing an appropriate longer-term outlook.

Principal risks
The Board has continued to place appropriate emphasis on 
risk management in 2019, taking into account material external 
economic and geopolitical challenges and considering the Group’s 
responsiveness to changes within its business environment. The 
detailed assessment of the principal risks and uncertainties facing 
the Group is set out on pages 81–87 of this Annual Report. 

The corporate planning process is underpinned by detailed 
life-of-mine plans, and overlaid with scenario stress testing. The 
stress tests are designed to evaluate the resilience of the Group 
to the potential impact of principal risks and the availability and 
effectiveness of the mitigating actions that could be taken to avoid 
or reduce the impact of the underlying risks. In considering the 
likely effectiveness of such actions, the conclusions of the Board’s 
regular monitoring and review of risk and internal control systems, as 
discussed on pages 106–107, are taken into account.

Our stress testing focuses in particular on 10% adverse changes 
in market prices of gold and silver and foreign exchange rates, as 
well as 10% overrun capital expenditure on POX-2 and Nezhda 
projects, and demonstrates that under reasonably possible 
downside assumptions, only limited mitigating actions are 
required to maintain liquidity and covenant compliance.

There is no change in the Group’s stated dividend policy 
during the lookout period both in base and stress scenarios, 
but dividends are assumed to be linked to profits and therefore 
would reduce if profits reduce. 

Expectations
The Board confirms that taking into account the Group’s 
current position and based upon the robust assessment of 
the principal risks facing the Group and related stress testing, 
together with available mitigating actions, the Board has a 
reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period to 
31 December 2022. 

Key assumptions
The key assumptions underpinning the Board’s 
assessment of longer-term viability include gold and silver 
prices, production volumes, foreign exchange rates and the ability 
to roll forward borrowing facilities as they fall due in the ordinary 
course of business. These assumptions are consistent with those 
used for business planning purposes, and also for the assessment 
of impairment indicators and the recoverability of ore stockpiles and 
heap leach work in progress.

Assessment of viability
In order to assess the resilience of the Group to threats to its viability 
posed by principal risks in severe but plausible scenarios, the model 
was subjected to stress analysis together with an assessment of 
potential mitigating actions. 

The four most significant risks in terms of their potential 
financial impact are modelled together as a single stress scenario 
to understand their combined financial impact. These cover risks 
associated with market, currency, liquidity and construction, as 
set out below. The remaining principal risks are considered to 
be either immaterial or too remote to affect our viability over a 
three-year period.

The resulting impact on key metrics was considered with 
particular focus on solvency measures including debt headroom 
and covenants.

Liquidity and solvency
The Group is considered to be viable if its financial covenants are 
maintained within prescribed limits, and if there is available debt 
headroom to fund operations. 

The sources of funding available to the Group are set out in Note 25 
to the consolidated financial statements. Our base case projections 
demonstrate that the Group should be able to operate within 
the currently available debt facilities and comply with all related 
covenants during the lookout period. The committed undrawn 
facilities of $1,079 million noted above have an average period of 
maturity of four years.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESDirectors’ responsibility statement

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements 
for each financial year. Under that law the Directors are required 
to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted for use in 
the European Union (IFRS). The financial statements are required 
by law to be properly prepared in accordance with the Companies 
(Jersey) Law 1991. International Accounting Standard 1 requires 
that financial statements present fairly for each financial year the 
Group’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. 
This requires the faithful representation of the effects of transactions, 
other events and conditions in accordance with the definitions and 
recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, income and expenses set 
out in the International Accounting Standards Board’s ‘Framework 
for the preparation and presentation of financial statements’.

Responsibility statement 
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

• 

• 

the financial statements, prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards, give a true and 
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit 
or loss of the company and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole; and
the management report, which is incorporated into the 
strategic report, includes a fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and the position of the company 
and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as 
a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that they face.

In virtually all circumstances, a fair presentation will be achieved by 
compliance with all applicable IFRSs. However, the Directors are 
also required to:

By order of the Board

•  properly select and apply accounting policies;
•  present information, including accounting policies, in a manner 

that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable 
information;

•  provide additional disclosures when compliance with the 

specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users 
to understand the impact of particular transactions, other 
events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and 
financial performance; and 

•  make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue 
in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the 
reasonably reliable lookout period of three years.

Ian Cockerill
Board Chair

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting 
records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that 
the financial statements comply with the Companies (Jersey) Law 
1991. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the 
Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention 
and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Vitaly Nesis
Group CEO
3 March 2020

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of 
the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s 
website. Legislation in the UK and Jersey governing the preparation 
and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation 
in other jurisdictions.

Financial statements
Contents

Independent auditor’s report  

Consolidated financial statements

Consolidated income statement  
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income  
Consolidated balance sheet  
Consolidated statement of cash flows  
Consolidated statement of changes in equity  

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1.  General 
2.  Significant accounting policies  
3.   Critical accounting judgements and key sources  

of estimation uncertainty  
4.  Acquisitions and disposals  
5.  Assets held for sale and discontinued operations  
6.  Segment information  
7.  Revenue  
8.  Cost of sales  
9.  On-mine costs  
10. Smelting costs  
11. Depletion and depreciation of operating assets 
12. General, administrative and selling expenses 
13. Other operating expenses, net  
14. Employee costs  
15. Auditor’s remuneration  
16. Finance costs  
17.  Income tax  
18. Dividends  
19. Property, plant and equipment  
20. Goodwill  
21. Investments in associates and joint ventures  
22. Inventories  
23. Trade receivables and other financial instruments  
24. Cash and cash equivalents  
25. Borrowings  
26. Environmental obligations  
27. Trade payables and accrued liabilities  
28. Commitments and contingencies  
29. Fair value accounting  
30. Risk management activities  
31. Stated capital account and retained earnings  
32. Share-based payments  
33. Related parties  
34. Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows  
35. Subsequent events  

148

154
154
155
156
157

158
160

169
171
176
178
181
182
183
183
 183
 184
184
185
185
186
186
189
189
190
191
192
193
193
194
195
195
196
198
199
202
203
204
204
205

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
Independent auditor’s report to the members 
of Polymetal International plc

Report on the audit of the financial statements
1. Opinion
In our opinion the financial statements of Polymetal International plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’):

•  give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs as at 31 December 2019 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;
•  have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European 

Union and IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB);

•  have been prepared in accordance with Companies (Jersey) Law, 1991.

We have audited the financial statements which comprise: 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

the Consolidated income statement;
the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income;
the Consolidated balance sheet;
the Consolidated statement of cash flows;
the Consolidated statement of changes in equity; and
the related notes 1 to 35.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union and as issued by the IASB. 

2. 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 Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements 
in the UK, including the Financial Reporting Council’s (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.

3. Summary of our audit approach

Key audit matters

The key audit matters that we identified in the current year were:

•  Recoverability of exploration and evaluation assets; and 
•  Recoverability of heap leach ore stock piles and work in progress.

Materiality

The materiality that we used for the financial statements was US$25 million (2018: US$21 million) which 
was determined on the basis of adjusted profit before tax. 

We have adjusted profit before tax for net foreign exchanges losses of US$36 million (2018: US$40 
million), write down of assets held for sale of US$28 million (2018: nil) and the net loss on disposal of 
subsidiaries of US$16 million (2018: US$54 million). As there was no impact in 2019, there was no 
adjustment for a revaluation gain on the initial share on business combination (2018: US$41 million).

Scoping

Our scoping identified 12 components:

•  Dukat, Omolon, Albazino and Kyzyl were subject to a full scope audit; and
•  Specified procedures were performed at Svetloye, Voro, Varvara, Amursk, Mayskoye, Nezhda, 

Amikan and the Corporate component.

This scoping represents a change from our 2018 audit with Svetloye and Voro both moving from a full 
scope audit to focused procedures. Nezhda and Amikan, which were acquired in 2018, were previously 
considered as part of the Corporate component. Our coverage and scoping assessment are discussed 
further in section 7 below.

A number of balances across all components were tested centrally, as the business activities, processes 
and controls related to these balances are centralised in the Group’s head office.

Significant changes in our 
approach

The risk associated with accounting for corporate asset transactions was identified as a key audit matter 
in 2018 but was considered to be less relevant for the 2019 audit as there were no significant corporate 
asset transactions undertaken. 

Additionally, the risk associated with the recoverability of metal inventories has been pinpointed in 2019 
to the ore designated for heap leaching in addition to the heap leach work in progress. See the Key audit 
matters description below for further information. 

Going concern is the basis of preparation 
of the financial statements that assumes 
an entity will remain in operation for a 
period of at least 12 months from the date 
of approval of the financial statements.

We confirm that we have nothing material to 
report, add or draw attention to in respect of 
these matters.

Viability means the ability of the Group 
to continue over the time horizon 
considered appropriate by the Directors. 

We confirm that we have nothing material to 
report, add or draw attention to in respect of 
these matters.

4. Conclusions relating to going concern, principal risks and viability statement

4.1. Going concern
We have reviewed the Directors’ statement in note 1 to the financial statements 
about whether they considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing them and their identification of any material uncertainties to 
the Group’s ability to continue to do so over a period of at least twelve months from 
the date of approval of the financial statements.

We considered as part of our risk assessment the nature of the Group, its business 
model and related risks, including where relevant the impact of the relevant political and 
economic environments including Brexit, the requirements of the applicable financial 
reporting framework and the system of internal control. We evaluated the Directors’ 
assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, including challenging 
the underlying data and key assumptions used to make the assessment, and evaluated 
the Directors’ plans for future actions in relation to their going concern assessment.

We are required to state whether we have anything material to add or draw attention 
to in relation to that statement required by Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) and report if the 
statement is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit.

4.2. Principal risks and viability statement
Based solely on reading the Directors’ statements and considering whether they were 
consistent with the knowledge we obtained in the course of the audit, including the 
knowledge obtained in the evaluation of the Directors’ assessment of the Group’s 
ability to continue as a going concern, we are required to state whether we have 
anything material to add or draw attention to in relation to:

• 

• 

• 

the disclosures on pages 78–87 that describe the principal risks, procedures 
to identify emerging risks, and an explanation of how these are being managed 
or mitigated;
the Directors’ confirmation on page 144 that they have carried out a robust 
assessment of the principal and emerging risks facing the Group, including those 
that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity; or
the Directors’ explanation on page 141–145 as to how they have assessed the 
prospects of the Group, over what period they have done so and why they consider 
that period to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet 
its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, including any related 
disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions.

We are also required to report whether the Directors’ statement relating to the 
prospects of the Group required by Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent 
with our knowledge obtained in the audit.

5. Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, 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) that we 
identified. These matters included 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.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESIndependent auditor’s report to the members 
of Polymetal International plc continued

5.1. Recoverability of exploration and evaluation assets

Key audit matter 
description

At 31 December 2019, the Group held exploration and evaluation (E&E) assets of US$407 million (2018: US$365 million).

Recoverability of E&E assets is dependent on the expected future success of exploration activities. E&E costs, including 
geophysical, topographical, geological and similar types of costs, are capitalised into exploration assets if management 
concludes that future economic benefits are likely to be realised based on an assessment of exploration results and 
identified mineral resources.

How the scope of 
our audit responded 
to the key audit 
matter

The evaluation of each asset’s future prospects requires significant judgement. Under IFRS 6 Exploration for and 
evaluation of mineral resources, potential indicators of impairment include management’s plans to discontinue the 
exploration activities, lack of further substantial exploration expenditure planned, expiry of exploration licences in the 
period or in the near future, or existence of other data indicating the expenditure capitalised is not recoverable.

Refer to the Audit Committee report on page 106 and the disclosure in Note 19 on page 189. Additionally note that the 
accounting policy is shown in Note 2 on page 160.

We have reviewed and challenged management’s assumptions used in the assessment of the recoverability of the 
Group’s E&E assets, the most significant being the Prognoz asset at US$312 million (2018: US$265 million).

We have obtained an understanding of the design and implementation of management’s relevant controls relating to the 
recoverability of E&E assets.

We have reviewed the Board minutes to confirm that there are no plans to discontinue exploration activities and reviewed 
the Board approved budget for 2020 to check that specific exploration project spend was identified, where relevant.

We have assessed the recoverability of assets by meeting with operational management to discuss material E&E 
assets, reviewing drilling and other testing results in the year and confirming future development plans.

We have evaluated licence conditions to check that there were no breaches of key terms, and no licences have expired 
or expire in the near term.

Key observations

No additional impairments of E&E assets were identified from the work performed. 

5.2. Recoverability of heap leach ore stock piles and work in progress 

Key audit matter 
description

At 31 December 2019 ore stockpiles designated for heap leaching and heap leach work in progress balance was 
US$57 million (2018: US$71 million). At 31 December 2019 total inventories recorded were US$758 million (2018: 
US$639 million).

How the scope of 
our audit responded 
to the key audit 
matter

Due to a longer heap leach processing cycle that can take up to three years, lower margins and limited track record of 
processing, we consider that the recoverability assessment of these types of metal inventories requires a higher degree 
of judgement, and is more sensitive to changes in key assumptions. Historically, the majority of write downs to metal 
inventories related to ore designated for heap leaching or the heap leach work in progress.

Refer to the Audit Committee report on page 106 and the disclosure in Note 22 on page 192. Additionally note that the 
accounting policy is shown in Note 2 on page 160.

We have attended inventory counts performed by management’s experts, performed roll forward testing from the count 
dates through to year end by testing management’s metal inventory models, and assessed management’s experts’ 
methodology, expertise and objectivity. 

We have obtained an understanding of the design and implementation of relevant controls in relation to metal 
inventory measurement.

We have tested the net realisable value (‘NRV’) to assess whether costs exceed NRV and an impairment should be 
recorded. To assess management’s assumptions we have:

•  Challenged the technical recovery assumptions through comparison to actual achieved recoveries and/or approved 

life of mine plans; 

•  Challenged the cost assumptions against actual processing costs and the approved budgets and life of mine plans;
•  Challenged the price assumptions used by management by comparing these to the long term analyst consensus for 

long term inventories and forward curves for short term inventories; 

•  Performed look back tests of recoverability of heap leach ore stockpiles and heap leach work in progress held at 

31 December 2018.

We have also performed substantive analytical procedures on management’s inventory costing calculations.

Key observations

No additional write-downs of heap leach ore stockpiles and work in progress were identified from the work performed.

6. Our application of materiality
6.1. Materiality
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic decisions 
of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in planning the scope of our audit work 
and in evaluating the results of our work.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Group Materiality

US$25 million (2018: US$21 million)

Basis for determining 
materiality

We used the Group’s adjusted profit before tax as the key benchmark. This approach is consistent with our 
2018 audit and the selected materiality figure represents 3.6% of the adjusted profit before tax figure (2018: 
4.4%) and 1.3% of net assets (2018: 1.5%).

Rationale for the 
benchmark applied

The use of this metric is consistent with our 2018 audit and has been chosen on the basis that the adjusted 
profit before tax is a key benchmark for management and investors to appraise the Group’s performance.

We have adjusted profit before tax for net foreign exchanges losses of US$36 million (2018: US$40 million), 
write down of assets held for sale of US$28 million (2018: nil) and the net loss on disposal of subsidiaries of 
US$16 million (2018: US$54 million). As there was no impact in 2019, there was no adjustment for a revaluation 
gain on the initial share on business combination (2018: US$41 million).

6.2. Performance materiality
We set performance materiality at a level lower than materiality to reduce the probability that, in aggregate, uncorrected and undetected 
misstatements exceed the materiality for the financial statements as a whole. Group performance materiality was set at 70% of Group 
materiality for the 2019 audit (2018: 70%). In determining performance materiality, we considered the following factors:

•  Our risk assessment, including our assessment of the Group’s overall control environment; 
•  The consistent organisational structure of the Group relative to the prior year audit; and
•  Our past experience as auditors which has indicated a low number of uncorrected misstatements identified in prior periods.

6.3. Error reporting threshold
We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the Committee all audit differences in excess of US$1.25 million (2018: 
US$1.05 million), as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We also report 
to the Audit Committee on disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation of the financial statements.

7. An overview of the scope of our audit
The Group holds various mining assets in Russia and Kazakhstan. Our scoping identified 12 components (Svetloye, Dukat, 
Omolon, Albazino, Voro, Varvara, Amursk, Mayskoye, Kyzyl, Nezhda, Amikan and a single component comprising the support 
function corporate entities).

Our 2019 scoping followed the same approach as in 2018 where the audit team performed central testing over a number of the 
Group’s standardised processes and controls. For balances which were tested centrally, we have performed substantive audit 
procedures on all components.

We determined the scope of the procedures to be performed at each component on the balances not tested centrally. We have 
performed full scope audits at Dukat, Omolon, Albazino and Kyzyl. Focussed procedures were performed at Svetloye, Voro, Varvara, 
Amursk, Mayskoye, Nezhda, Amikan and the Corporate component. This represents a change from our 2018 scoping where both 
Svetloye and Voro were previously subject to a full scope audit.

The Group audit team was involved in the work of the component auditors at all stages of the audit process. The signing partner and 
senior members of the Group engagement team visited the head office in St. Petersburg regularly throughout the year and during the final 
audit in 2020. Senior members of the team visited Varvara (2018: Amursk).

Our audit work was executed at levels of materiality applicable to each individual component, which were between US$12.5 million and 
US$20.0 million (2018: US$8.4 million and US$18.9 million).

150 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 151 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESIndependent auditor’s report to the members 
of Polymetal International plc continued

REVENUE
%

METAL INVENTORIES
%

E&E ASSETS
%

100

100

41

59

Tested at a Group level

Full scope audit
Specified procedures

Tested at a Group level

8. 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.

10. 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 FRC’s website at:  
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements
11. Opinions on other matters prescribed by our engagement letter
In our opinion the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the provisions 
of the UK Companies Act 2006 as if that Act had been applied to the Company.

12. Matters on which we are required to report by exception
Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records
Under the Companies (Jersey) Law, 1991 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
•  proper accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or proper 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.

• 

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

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

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.

In this context, matters that we are specifically required to report to you as uncorrected material misstatements of the other information 
include where we conclude that:

•  Fair, balanced and understandable – the statement given by the Directors that they consider the annual report and financial 

statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy, is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or

•  Audit Committee reporting – the section describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters 

communicated by us to the Audit Committee; or

•  Directors’ statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code – the parts of the Directors’ statement required 
under the Listing Rules relating to the Group’s compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code containing provisions specified for 
review by the auditor in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.10R(2) do not properly disclose a departure from a relevant provision of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

9. Responsibilities of Directors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, 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 Group’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 Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

13. Use of our report
This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Article 113A of the Companies (Jersey) Law, 1991. 
Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in 
an auditor’s report and those matters we have expressly agreed to report to them on in our engagement letter 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.

James Leigh, FCA 
For and on behalf of Deloitte LLP

Recognised Auditor
London, UK
3 March 2020

152 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 153 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESConsolidated financial statements
Consolidated income statement

Consolidated balance sheet

 Year ended 31 December 2019 

 Year ended 31 December 2018

Continuing 
operations
$m

Discontinued 
operations
$m

Continuing 
operations
$m

Discontinued 
operations 
$m

 Note

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
General, administrative and selling 
expenses
Other operating expenses, net
Share of loss of associates and 
joint ventures

Operating profit
Foreign exchange loss, net
Revaluation of initial share on business 
combination
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries, net
Write-down of assets held for sale
Change in fair value of contingent 
consideration liability
Finance income
Finance costs

Profit before income tax
Income tax expense

Profit for the financial period

Profit for the financial period attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the Parent
Non-controlling interest

7
8

12
13

4
4
4

29

16

17

2,241
(1,197)

1,044

(181)
(68)

–

795
(36)

–
(16)
(28)

(23)
7
(81)

618
(135)

483

480
3

483

5
(4)

1

(1)
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–

Total 
Group
$m

2,246
(1,201)

1,045

(182)
(68)

–

795
(36)

–
(16)
(28)

(23)
7
(81)

618
(135)

483

480
3

483

1,706
(971)

735

(164)
(47)

(1)

523
(37)

41
(54)
–

7
8
(71)

417
(65)

352

351
1

352

Earnings per share ($)
Basic
Diluted

31
31

 1.02 
 1.01 

 – 
 – 

 1.02 
 1.01 

 0.79 
 0.79 

Total 
Group
$m

1,882
(1,096)

786

(175)
(75)

(1)

535
(40)

41
(54)
–

7
8
(71)

426
(71)

355

354
1

355

 0.79 
 0.79 

176
(125)

51

(11)
(28)

–

12
(3)

–
–
–

–
–
–

9
(6)

3

3
–

3

 – 
 – 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Profit for the period1
Items that may be reclassified to profit and loss
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations
Currency exchange differences on intercompany loans forming net investment in foreign operations, 
net of income tax
Currency exchange differences recycled to income statement on disposal of foreign operation

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the Parent
Non-controlling interest

 Year ended 
31 December 
2019
$m

 Year ended 
31 December 
2018
$m

483

353

(54)
–

782

777
5

782

355 

(485)

17 
19 

(94)

(95)
1 

(94)

1  Profit for the year ended 31 December 2019 includes a loss of $13 million arising on the disposal of Kapan discontinued operation. Profit for the year ended 
31 December 2018 included $3 million of profits relating to discontinued operations and a loss of $63 million arising on the disposal of such operations, 
amounting to a net loss of $60 million.

Assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
Goodwill
Investments in associates and joint ventures
Non-current loans and receivables
Deferred tax asset
Non-current inventories

Total non-current assets
Assets held for sale
Current inventories
VAT receivable
Trade receivables and other financial instruments
Prepayments to suppliers
Income tax prepaid
Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Prepayments received
Current borrowings
Income tax payable
Other taxes payable
Current portion of contingent consideration liability
Current lease liabilities
Liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale

Total current liabilities
Non-current borrowings
Contingent consideration liability
Deferred tax liability
Environmental obligations
Non-current lease liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

NET ASSETS

Stated capital account
Share-based compensation reserve
Translation reserve
Retained earnings

Shareholders’ equity

Non-controlling interest

Total equity

Note

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018 restated1 
$m

19
20
21

17
22

5
22

23

24

27
7
25

29
20
5

25
29
17
26
20

31
32

4

2,810
31
16
2
10
73
114

3,056
14
644
149
48
62
18
253

1,188

4,244

(153)
(5)
(214)
(7)
(41)
(7)
(3)
(1)

(431)
(1,518)
(59)
(196)
(57)
(29)
(3)
(1,862)

(2,293)

1,951

2,424
26
(1,302)
780

1,928

23

1,951

2,419
–
15
2
6
73
102

2,617
74 
537
95
81
44
8
379

1,218

3,835

(146)
(100)
(117)
(8)
(37)
(5)
–
(8)

(421)
(1,782)
(49)
(152)
(32)
–
(2)
(2,017)

(2,438)

1,397

2,414
24
(1,599)
540

1,379

18

1,397

Notes on pages 158 to 205 form part of these financial statements. These financial statements are approved and authorised for issue by 
the Board of Directors on 3 March 2020 and signed on its behalf by:

Vitaly Nesis
Group CEO

Ian Cockerill
Board Chair

1  Restated following determination of the final fair value of the assets acquired and 

the liabilities assumed as at the acquisition date in respect of the Amikan 
business combination. Refer to Note 4.

154 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 155 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated financial statements
Consolidated statement of cash flows 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Net cash generated by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Loans forming part of net investment in joint ventures
Net cash outflow on acquisitions
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries
Loans advanced
Receipt of repayment of loans provided

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings obtained
Repayments of borrowings
Repayments of principal under lease liabilities
Dividends paid
Contingent consideration paid

Net cash (used in)/from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial period

Year ended 
31 December 
2019
$m

 Year ended 
31 December 
2018
$m

696

(436)
 –
–
43
(6)
2

(397)

1,244
(1,410)
(3)
(240)
(13)

(422)

(123)
379
(3)

253

513

(344)
(51)
(6)
15
(28)
35

(379)

1,697
(1,254)
–
(213)
(6)

224

358
36
(15)

379

Note

34

19

4
4

25
25
20
18
29

24

24

Number of 
shares 
outstanding 
(unaudited)

Stated 
capital 
account
$m

Share based 
compensation 
reserve
$m

Translation 
reserve
$m

Retained 
earnings
$m

Note

Total equity 
attributable 
to the 
parent
$m

Non-
controlling 
interest
$m

Balance at 1 January 2018
Profit for the financial year
Other comprehensive income, 
net of income tax
Share based compensation
Shares allotted to employees
Issue of shares for business 
combinations
Issue of shares for contingent 
consideration
Issue of shares to acquire 
non-controlling interest
Dividends

Balance at 31 December 2018
Profit for the financial year
Other comprehensive loss, 
net of income tax
Share based compensation
Shares allotted to employees
Dividends

430,115,480
–

2,031
–

–
–
1,001,365

32
32

–
–
9

4

36,402,296

358

29

31
18

32
32
18

1,015,113

834,055
–

10

6
–

469,368,309
–

2,414
–

–
–
819,892
–

–
–
10
–

Balance at 31 December 2019

470,188,201

2,424

21
–

–
12
(9)

–

–

–
–

24
–

–
12
(10)
–

26

(1,151)
–

406
353

1,307
353

(448)
–
–

–

–

–
–

(1,599)
–

297
–
–
–

(1,302)

–
–
–

–

–

(6)
(213)

540
480

–
–
–
(240)

780

(448)
12
–

358

10

–
(213)

1,379
480

297
12
–
(240)

Total
 equity
$m

1,307
355

(449)
12
–

375

10

–
(213)

1,397
483

299
12
–
(240)

–
2

(1)
–
–

17

–

–
–

18
3

2
–
–
–

1,928

23

1,951

156 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 157 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1. General

Corporate information
Polymetal Group (the Group) is a leading gold and silver mining group with operations in Russia and Kazakhstan.

Polymetal International plc (the Company) is the ultimate parent entity of Polymetal Group. The Company was incorporated in 2010 as 
a public limited company under Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 and has its place of business in Cyprus. Its shares are traded on the 
London, Moscow stock exchanges and Astana International Exchange.

Significant subsidiaries
As at 31 December 2019 the Company held the following significant mining and production subsidiaries:

Name of subsidiary

Gold of Northern Urals CJSC
Svetloye LLC
Magadan Silver JSC

Mayskoye Gold Mining Company LLC
Omolon Gold Mining Company LLC

Albazino Resources Ltd
Amur Hydrometallurgical Plant LLC
Varvarinskoye JSC
Bakyrchik Mining Venture LLC
Komarovskoye Mining Company LLC
South-Verkhoyansk Mining Company JSC
Prognoz Silver LLC
GRK Amikan LLC

Deposits and 
production facilities

Segment

Country of 
incorporation

31 December 
2019

31 December 
2018

Effective interest held, %

Voro

Ural
Svetloye Khabarovsk
Magadan

Russia
Russia
Russia

Magadan
Magadan

Russia
Russia

Dukat
Lunnoye
Arylakh
Mayskoye
Birkachan
Tsokol
Burgali
Olcha

Albazino  Khabarovsk
AGMK Plant Khabarovsk
Kazakhstan
Varvara
Kazakhstan
Bakyrchik
Kazakhstan
Komar
Yakutia
Nezhda
Prognoz
Yakutia
Veduga Khabarovsk

Russia
Russia
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Russia
Russia
Russia

100
100
100

100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
74.31

100
100
100

100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
74.31

Going concern
In assessing its going concern status, the Group has taken account of its financial position, anticipated future trading performance, its 
borrowings and other available credit facilities, and its forecast compliance with covenants on those borrowings and its capital expenditure 
commitments and plans. As at 31 December 2019, the Group held $253 million of cash and had net debt of $1,479 million, with $1,904 
million of additional undrawn facilities of which $1,079 million are considered committed. Debt of $214 million is due for payment within one 
year. The Group’s cash generation and liquidity remains strong and the Group believes it will be able to operate within existing facilities. 

The Board is satisfied that the Group’s forecasts and projections, having taken account of reasonably possible changes in trading 
performance, show that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next 12 months from the 
date of this report and that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the consolidated financial statements for the 
year ended 31 December 2019.

Basis of presentation
The Group’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019 are prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union. The financial statements have been prepared on 
the historical cost basis, except for certain financial instruments which are measured at fair value as of end of the reporting period and 
share-based payments which are recognised at fair value as of measurement date. 

The following accounting policies have been applied in preparing the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 
31 December 2019. 

New standards adopted by the Company and changes in accounting policies
The accounting policies applied are consistent with those adopted and disclosed in the Group financial statements for the year ended 
31 December 2018, except for changes arising from the adoption of the following new accounting pronouncements which became 
effective in the current reporting period:

IFRS 16 Leases;
IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments;

• 
• 
•  Amendments to IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures;
•  Amendments to IFRS 9 Financial Instruments;
•  Amendments to IAS 19 Employee Benefits;
•  Annual Improvements to IFRSs: 2015–17 Cycle: IFRS 3 Business Combinations, IAS 12 Income Taxes and IAS 23 Borrowing Costs.

The Group has determined these amendments do not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements or are not 
applicable to the Group, except for IFRS 16.

IFRS 16 Leases replaced the following standards and interpretations: IAS 17 Leases and IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement 
contains a Lease. The new standard provides a single lessee accounting model for the recognition, measurement, presentation and 
disclosure of leases. IFRS 16 applies to all leases including subleases and requires lessees to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases, 
unless the lease term is 12 months or less, or the underlying asset has a low value. Lessors continue to classify leases as operating or 
finance. The principal impact of IFRS 16 is the change of lessee’s accounting treatment for the contracts which were previously classified 
as operating leases. 

The Group has elected to adopt the modified retrospective transition approach and so any cumulative effect of transition to IFRS 16 
is recognised in retained earnings with no restatement of the comparative period. The comparative period was not restated and is 
presented in accordance with the accounting policy set out in the 2018 Annual Report.

On transition, lease liabilities were recognised as the present value of lease payments still to be made, discounted at the appropriate 
incremental borrowing rate of 9.96% applicable at 1 January 2019 to the borrowings in Russian Roubles or Kazakh Tenge. For the majority 
of leased assets, the corresponding right-of-use asset was recognised equal to the value of the lease liability at 1 January 2019, adjusted for 
any accrued or prepaid lease payments. Total right-of-use assets and respective lease liabilities, recognised at 1 January 2019, amount to 
$31 million and principally relate to the leased office buildings and other property (Note 20). The Group has determined that surface lease 
arrangements with municipal government for the purposes of mining and exploration activities fall out of the IFRS 16 scope.

From 1 January 2019, in the Group’s Income Statement depreciation of right-of-use assets and interest expense on the lease liabilities 
are recognised instead of operating lease expenses under IAS 17. During the year ended 31 December 2019, in relation to leases under 
IFRS 16 the Group recognised the depreciation of right-of-use assets of $4 million and unwind of discount on lease liabilities of $3 million, 
which are excluded from EBITDA. For the year ended 31 December 2018, $7 million of operating lease costs were charged and deducted 
from EBITDA. 

The table below presents a reconciliation from operating lease commitments disclosed at 31 December 2018 to lease liabilities 
recognised at 1 January 2019. The Group has previously disclosed the minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating 
leases based on contract terms. For the purposes of IFRS 16, the amount was revised based on the available extension options and 
management estimation of whether the Group is reasonably certain to exercise these options.

Operating non-cancellable lease commitments disclosed under IAS 17 at 31 December 2018
Adjustment to the expected lease term
Effect of discounting
Lease liabilities recognised at 1 January 2019

New accounting standards issued but not yet effective
The following standards and interpretations were in issue but not yet effective as of reporting date:

$m

12
38
(19)
31

IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts, effective for annual period beginning on or after 1 January 2021 with earlier application is permitted.

• 
•  Definition of a Business - Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 

1 January 2020.

•  Definition of Material – Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in 

Accounting Estimates and Errors, effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020. 

•  Amendments to IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and IAS 28 Joint Ventures: Sale or Contribution of Assets between an 

Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture, the effective date of the amendments has yet to be set; however, earlier application of the 
amendments is permitted.

The Group has determined these standards and interpretations are unlikely to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial 
statements or are not applicable to the Group.

158 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 159 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

2. Significant accounting policies

Basis of consolidation
Subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements of the Group include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, from the 
date that control effectively commenced until the date that control effectively ceased. Control is achieved where the Company is exposed, 
or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over 
the investee.

Income and expenses of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the period are included in the consolidated income statement from 
the effective date of acquisition and up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate.

When necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with those 
used by the Group.

All intra-group balances, transactions and any unrealised profits or losses arising from intra-group transactions are eliminated 
on consolidation.

Changes to the Group’s ownership interests that do not result in a loss of control over the subsidiaries are accounted for as equity 
transactions. The carrying amount of the Group’s interests and Non-controlling interests are adjusted to reflect the change in their relative 
interests in the subsidiaries. Any difference between the amount by which the Non-controlling interest is adjusted and the fair value of the 
consideration paid or received is recognised directly in equity and attributed to the owners of the Company.

When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, the profit or loss on the disposal is calculated as the difference between 1) the aggregated 
fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any retained interest and 2) the previous carrying amount of the assets 
(including goodwill), and liabilities of the subsidiary and Non-controlling interests.

Business combinations
IFRS 3 Business Combinations applies to a transaction or other event that meets the definition of a business combination. When 
acquiring new entities or assets, the Group applies judgement to assess whether the assets acquired and liabilities assumed constitute 
an integrated set of activities, whether the integrated set is capable of being conducted and managed as a business by a market 
participant, and thus whether the transaction constitutes a business combination, using the guidance provided in the standard. 
Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method. The consideration for each acquisition is measured at the 
aggregate of the fair values (at the date of exchange) of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments issued by 
the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree. Acquisition-related costs are recognised in the consolidated income statement as 
incurred. Transaction costs incurred in connection with the business combination are expensed. Provisional fair values are finalised within 
12 months of the acquisition date.

Where applicable, the consideration for the acquisition may include an asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration 
arrangement. Contingent consideration is measured at its acquisition date fair value and included as part of the consideration transferred 
in a business combination. Subsequent changes in such fair values are adjusted against the cost of acquisition retrospectively with the 
corresponding adjustment against goodwill where they qualify as measurement period adjustments. Measurement period adjustments are 
adjustments that arise from additional information obtained during the measurement period about facts and circumstances that existed 
at the acquisition date. The measurement period may not exceed one year from the effective date of the acquisition. The subsequent 
accounting for contingent consideration that does not qualify for as a measurement period adjustment is based on how the contingent 
consideration is classified. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not subsequently remeasured. Contingent consideration 
that is classified as an asset or liability is remeasured at subsequent reporting dates in accordance with IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent 
Liabilities and Contingent Assets or IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with the corresponding amount being recognised in profit or loss.

The identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are recognised at their fair value at the acquisition date, except that:

•  Deferred tax assets or liabilities and liabilities or assets related to employee benefit arrangements are recognised and measured in 

accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes and IAS 19 Employee Benefits, respectively;

•  Liabilities or equity instruments related to share-based payment arrangements of the acquiree or share-based payment arrangements 
of the Group entered into to replace share-based payment arrangements of the acquiree are measured in accordance with IFRS 2 
Share-based Payment at the acquisition date; and

•  Assets (or disposal groups) that are classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and 

Discontinued Operations are measured in accordance with that Standard.

Where a business combination is achieved in stages, the Group’s previously held interests in the acquired entity are remeasured to fair 
value at the acquisition date (i.e. the date the Group attains control) and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognised in the consolidated 
income statement. Amounts arising from interests in the acquiree prior to the acquisition date that have previously been recognised in 
equity are reclassified to profit or loss, where such treatment would be appropriate if that interest was disposed of.

Non-current assets held for sale
Non-current assets (and disposal groups) classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less 
costs to sell.

Non-current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered through a sale 
transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the asset (or 
disposal group) is available for immediate sale in its present condition.

Management must be committed to the sale which should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year 
from the date of classification.

When the Group is committed to a sale plan involving loss of control of a subsidiary, all of the assets and liabilities of that subsidiary are 
classified as held for sale when the criteria described above are met, regardless of whether the Group will retain a non-controlling interest 
in its former subsidiary after the sale.

Goodwill and goodwill impairment
Goodwill arising in a business combination is recognised as an asset at the date that control is acquired (the acquisition date). Goodwill 
is measured as the excess of the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any Non-controlling interests in the acquiree, and 
the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree (if any) over the net of the acquisition date amounts of the 
identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.

If the Group’s interest in the fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets exceeds the sum of the consideration transferred, the 
amount of any Non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree 
(if any), the excess is recognised immediately in the consolidated income statement as a bargain purchase gain.

Goodwill is not amortised but is reviewed for impairment at least annually. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated 
to each of the Group’s cash-generating units expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. Cash-generating units to which 
goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be 
impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than its carrying amount, the impairment loss is allocated first 
to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the 
carrying amount of each asset in the unit. An impairment loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed in a subsequent period.

On disposal of a subsidiary, the attributable goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

Acquisition of mining licences
The acquisition of mining licences is often effected through a non-operating corporate entity. As these entities do not represent a business, 
it is considered that the transactions do not meet the definition of a business combination and, accordingly, the transaction is accounted for 
as the acquisition of an asset. The net assets acquired are accounted for at cost. Where asset acquisition is achieved in stages net assets 
acquired are accounted for as the sum of cost of the original interest acquired and the cost of additional interest acquired.

Investments in associates and joint ventures
An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence and that is neither a subsidiary nor an interest in a joint 
arrangement. Significant influence constitutes the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but 
does not extend to a control or joint control over the enactment of those policies. The results and assets and liabilities of associates are 
incorporated in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting.

A joint arrangement is defined as an arrangement of which two or more parties have joint control. Joint control is the contractually agreed 
sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require unanimous consent of the 
parties sharing control.

A joint operation is a joint arrangement in which the parties that share joint control have rights to the assets, and obligations for the 
liabilities, relating to the arrangement. This includes situations where the parties benefit from the joint activity through a share of the 
output, rather than by receiving a share of the results of trading. In relation to its interest in a joint operation, the Group recognises: its 
share of assets and liabilities; revenue from the sale of its share of the output and its share of any revenue generated from the sale of the 
output by the joint operation; and its share of expenses. 

A joint venture is a joint arrangement in which the parties that share joint control have rights to the net assets of the arrangement and is 
accounted for using the equity accounting method.

When entering in a new joint arrangement, the Group applies judgement to assess whether the parties that have joint control over 
the arrangement have rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement (joint operation) or rights to 
the net assets of the arrangement (joint venture), using the guidance provided in the standard. When a joint arrangement has been 
structured through a separate vehicle, consideration has been given to the legal form of the separate vehicle, the terms of the contractual 
arrangement and, when relevant, other facts and circumstances.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued

2. Significant accounting policies continued

The Group translates its income and expenses in presentation currency on a monthly basis. During the years ended 31 December 2019 
and 31 December 2018 exchange rates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements were as follows:

Equity method of accounting
Under the equity method, an investment in an associate or a joint venture is initially recognised in the consolidated balance sheet at cost 
and adjusted thereafter to recognise the Group’s share of the profit or loss and other comprehensive income of the investee. When the 
Group’s share of the losses of an associate or a joint venture exceeds the Group’s interest in that entity, the Group ceases to recognise its 
share of further losses. Additional losses are recognised only to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or 
made payments on behalf of the investee.

Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent 
liabilities of an investee at the date of acquisition is recognised as goodwill, which is included within the carrying amount of the investment. 
Any excess of the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities over the cost of acquisition, 
after reassessment, is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

The requirements of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets (IAS 36) are applied to determine whether it is necessary to recognise any impairment 
loss with respect to the Group’s investments. Where an indicator of impairment exists or the carrying value of the asset contains goodwill 
with an indefinite useful life, the entire carrying amount of the investment (including goodwill) is tested for impairment in accordance with 
IAS 36 as a single cash generating unit through the comparison of its recoverable amount (the higher of value in use and fair value less 
costs to sell) with its carrying amount. Any impairment loss recognised forms part of the carrying amount of the investment. Any reversal 
of that impairment loss is recognised in accordance with IAS 36.

When a Group entity transacts with its investees, profits and losses resulting from the transactions with the investee are recognised 
in the Group’s consolidated financial statements only to the extent of interests in the associate or the joint venture that are not related 
to the Group.

Functional and presentation currency
The functional currency for each entity in the Group is determined as the currency of the primary economic environment in which it 
operates. For all Russian entities the functional currency is the Russian Rouble (RUB). The functional currency of the Group’s entities 
located and operating in Kazakhstan (Varvarinskoye JSC, Bakyrchik Mining Venture LLC, Inter Gold Capital LLC, Komarovskoye Mining 
Company LLC) is the Kazakh Tenge (KZT). The functional currency of the Group’s entity located and operating in Armenia (Kapan MPC 
CJSC) was the Armenian Dram (AMD). The functional currency of the parent company Polymetal International plc and its intermediate 
holding companies is the US Dollar.

The Group has chosen to present its consolidated financial statements in US Dollars ($), as management believes it is a more convenient 
presentation currency for international users of the consolidated financial statements of the Group as it is a common presentation 
currency in the mining industry. The translation of the financial statements of the Group entities from their functional currencies to the 
presentation currency is performed as follows:

•  All assets and liabilities are translated at closing exchange rates at each reporting period end date;
•  All income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates for the periods presented, except for significant transactions 

that are translated at rates on the date of such transactions;

•  Resulting exchange differences are recognised in other comprehensive income and presented as movements relating to the effect 

• 

of translation to the Group’s presentation currency within the Translation reserve in equity; and
In the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash balances at the beginning and end of each reporting period presented are 
translated using exchange rates prevalent at those respective dates. All cash flows in the period are translated at the average 
exchange rates for the periods presented, except for significant transactions that are translated at rates on the date of transaction.

On the disposal of a foreign operation (i.e. a disposal of the Group’s entire interest in a foreign operation, or a disposal involving loss 
of control over a subsidiary that includes a foreign operation, a disposal involving loss of joint control over a jointly controlled entity that 
includes a foreign operation, or a disposal involving loss of significant influence over an associate that includes a foreign operation), all of 
the exchange differences accumulated in equity in respect of that operation attributable to the owners of the Company are reclassified to 
profit or loss.

In the case of a partial disposal that does not result in the Group losing control over a subsidiary that includes a foreign operation, the 
proportionate share of accumulated exchange differences are re-attributed to Non-controlling interests and are not recognised in the 
consolidated income statement. For all other partial disposals (i.e. reductions in the Group’s ownership interest in associates or jointly 
controlled entities that do not result in the Group losing significant influence or joint control), the proportionate share of the accumulated 
exchange differences is reclassified to the consolidated income statement.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments on identifiable assets and liabilities acquired arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation are 
treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation and translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the end of each reporting 
period. Exchange differences arising are recognised in equity.

31 December 2019
Year ended
Average
Maximum monthly rate
Minimum monthly rate

31 December 2018
Year ended
Average
Maximum monthly rate
Minimum monthly rate

Russian 
Rouble/US 
Dollar

Kazakh 
Tenge/US 
Dollar

Armenian 
Dram/US 
Dollar

61.91
64.74
67.35
62.94

69.47
62.68
67.66
56.79

381.18
382.84
389.23
377.87

384.20
344.76
372.41
320.70

479.70
480.53
488.33
476.00

483.75
483.03
486.30
480.45

The Russian Rouble, Kazakh Tenge and Armenian Dram are not freely convertible currencies outside the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan 
and Armenia, accordingly, any translation of Russian Rouble, Kazakh Tenge and Armenian Dram denominated assets and liabilities into 
U.S. Dollar for the purpose of the presentation of consolidated financial statements does not imply that the Group could or will in the 
future realise or settle in U.S. Dollars the translated values of these assets and liabilities.

Foreign currency transactions
Transactions in currencies other than an entity’s functional currencies (foreign currencies) are recorded at the exchange rates prevailing 
on the dates of the transactions. All monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rates 
prevailing at the reporting date. Non monetary items carried at historical cost are translated at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of 
transaction. Non-monetary items carried at fair value are translated at the exchange rate prevailing on the date on which the most recent 
fair value was determined. Exchange differences arising from changes in exchange rates are recognised in the consolidated income 
statement. Exchange differences generated by monetary items that forms part of the intra-group net investment in the foreign operation 
are recognised in the consolidated financial statements within foreign currency translation reserve.

Property, plant and equipment
Mining assets
Mining assets include the cost of acquiring and developing mining assets and mineral rights. Mining assets are depreciated to their 
residual values using the unit-of-production method based on proven and probable ore reserves according to the JORC Code, which 
is the basis on which the Group’s mine plans are prepared. Changes in proven and probable reserves are dealt with prospectively. 
Depreciation is charged on new mining ventures from the date that the mining asset is capable of commercial production. In respect of 
those mining assets whose useful lives are expected to be less than the life of the mine, depreciation over the period of the asset’s useful 
life is applied. 

Mineral rights for the assets under development are included within Exploration and development. When a production phase is started, 
mineral rights are transferred into Mining assets and are depreciated as described below.

Capital construction-in-progress
Capital construction-in-progress assets are measured at cost less any recognised impairment. Depreciation commences when the 
assets are ready for their intended use. 

Exploration and development assets
Mineral exploration and evaluation costs, including geophysical, topographical, geological and similar types of costs, are capitalised into 
exploration assets if management concludes that future economic benefits are likely to be realised based on current internal assessment 
of exploration results and identified mineral resources. 

Exploration and evaluation expenditures are transferred to development assets when commercially-viable reserves are identified, so 
that the entity first establishes proved and probable reserves in accordance with JORC Code and respective mining plan and model 
are prepared and approved. At the time of reclassification exploration and evaluation assets are assessed for impairment based on the 
economic models prepared.

The costs to remove any overburden and other waste materials to initially expose the ore body, referred to as stripping costs, are 
capitalised as a part of mining assets when these costs are incurred.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

2. Significant accounting policies continued

Non-mining assets
Non-mining assets are depreciated to their residual values on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. When parts of an 
item of property, plant and equipment are considered to have different useful lives, they are accounted for and depreciated separately. 
Depreciation methods, residual values and estimated useful lives are reviewed at least annually.

Estimated useful lives are as set out below:

Machinery and equipment
Transportation and other assets

5–20 years
3–10 years

Gains or losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment are determined by comparing the proceeds from disposal with the asset’s 
carrying amount at the date. The gain or loss arising is recognised in the consolidated income statement.

Stripping costs
During the production phase of a mine when the benefit from the stripping activity is the improved access to a component of the ore 
body in future periods, the stripping costs in excess of the average ore to waste ratio for the life of mine of that component are recognised 
as a non-current asset. After initial recognition, the stripping activity asset is depreciated on a systematic basis (unit-of-production 
method) over the expected useful life of the identified component of the ore body made accessible as a result of the stripping activity.

Estimated ore reserves
Estimated proven and probable ore reserves reflect the economically recoverable quantities which can be legally recovered in the future 
from known mineral deposits. The Group’s reserves are estimated in accordance with JORC Code.

Leases
The Group assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease, at inception of the contract. The Group recognised a rights-of-use asset 
and a corresponding lease liability with respect to all lease arrangements in which it is the lessee, except for short-term leases (defined as 
leases with a lease term of 12 months or less), leases of low value assets and leases for the purposes of mining and exploration activities, 
which fall out of the IFRS 16 scope. For these leases, the Group recognises the leases payments as operating expenses on a straight-line 
basis over the term of the lease.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted 
by using the rate implicit in the lease. If this rate cannot be readily determined, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate.

The lease liability is presented as a separate line in the consolidated statement of financial position. The lease liability is subsequently 
measured by increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on the lease liability based on the effective interest method and by 
reducing the carrying amount to reflect the lease payments made. The right-of-use assets comprise the initial measurement of 
the corresponding lease liability, lease payments made at or before the commencement day and any initial direct costs. They are 
subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses and are presented as a separate line in the 
consolidated financial statements.

Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter period of lease term and useful life of the underlying asset. The Group applies IAS 36 
to determine whether a right-of-use asset is impaired and accounts for any identified impairment loss as described below.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment
An impairment review of property, plant and equipment is carried out when there is an indication that those assets have suffered an 
impairment loss or there are impairment reversal indicators. If any such indication exists, the carrying amount of the asset is compared 
to the estimated recoverable amount of the asset in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss or its reversal (if any). Where 
it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-
generating unit to which the asset belongs. 

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. The carrying amounts of all the cash-generating units 
are assessed against their recoverable amounts determined based on a fair value less costs to sell calculation. Fair value is based on the 
application of the Discounted Cash Flow Method (DCF) using post-tax cash flows. The DCF method is attributable to the development of 
proved and probable reserves and certain resources where a relevant resource-to-reserve conversion ratio can be reasonably applied.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the 
asset (or cash generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised as an expense immediately in the 
consolidated income statement.

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the 
revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but only to the extent that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the original 
carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised in prior periods. Impairment loss may be 
subsequently reversed if there has been a significant change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the 
last impairment loss was recognised.

A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised in the consolidated income statement immediately.

Inventories
Metal inventories
Inventories including refined metals, metals in concentrate and in process, doré and ore stockpiles are stated at the lower of production 
cost or net realisable value. Production cost is determined as the sum of the applicable expenditures incurred directly or indirectly in 
bringing inventories to their existing condition and location. Work in-process, metal concentrate, doré and refined metal are valued at 
the average total production costs at each asset’s relevant stage of production (i.e. the costs are allocated proportionally to unified metal 
where unified metal is calculated based on prevailing market metal prices). Ore stockpiles are valued at the average cost of mining that 
ore. Where ore stockpiles and work in-process are not expected to be processed within 12 months, those inventories are classified as 
non-current.

Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price for that product based on forward metal prices for inventories which are 
expected to be realised within 12 months, and the flat long-term metal prices for non-current inventories, less estimated costs to 
complete production and selling costs.

Consumables and spare parts
Consumables and spare parts are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Cost is determined on the weighted average moving 
cost. The portion of consumables and spare parts not reasonably expected to be used within one year is classified as a long-term asset in 
the Group’s consolidated balance sheet. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion 
and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when a Group entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the 
instrument.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition 
or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss) are 
added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction 
costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recognised 
immediately in the consolidated income statement.

Trade receivables without provisional pricing that do not have a significant financing component (determined in accordance with IFRS 15 
Revenue from Contracts with Customers) are not initially measured at fair value, rather they are initially measured at their transaction price.

Financial assets
All recognised financial assets are measured subsequently in their entirety at either amortised cost or fair value, depending on the 
classification of the financial assets. Financial assets are classified as either financial assets at amortised cost, at fair value through other 
comprehensive income (FVTOCI) or at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) depending upon the business model for managing the 
financial assets and the nature of the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset.

Trade receivables without provisional pricing that do not contain provisional price features, loans and other receivables are held to collect 
the contractual cash flows and therefore are carried at amortised cost adjusted for any loss allowance. The loss allowance is calculated in 
accordance with the impairment of financial assets policy described below.

Trade receivables arising from sales of gold, silver, copper and zinc concentrates with provisional pricing features are exposed to future 
movements in market prices and have contractual cash flow characteristics that are not solely payments of principal and interest and are 
therefore measured at fair value through profit or loss and do not fall under the expected credit losses model (ECL) described below.

Effective interest rate method
The effective interest rate method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial instrument and of allocating interest income 
or expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that discounts estimated future cash receipts or payments 
(including all fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums 
or discounts) through the expected life of the financial instrument, or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on 
initial recognition.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued

2. Significant accounting policies continued

Impairment of financial assets
The Group recognises a loss allowance for expected credit losses on investments in debt instruments that are measured at amortised cost, 
trade and other receivables and contract assets, except for trade accounts receivable with provisional pricing. The amount of expected 
credit losses is updated at each reporting date to reflect changes in credit risk since initial recognition of the respective financial instrument.

The Group always recognises lifetime ECL for trade receivables and other receivable. The expected credit losses on these financial 
assets are estimated using a provision matrix based on the Group’s historical credit loss experience, adjusted for factors that are specific 
to the debtors, general economic conditions and assessment of both the current as well as the forecast direction of conditions at the 
reporting date, including time value of money where appropriate.

For all other financial instruments, the Group recognises lifetime ECL when there has been a significant increase in credit risk since 
initial recognition. However, if the credit risk on the financial instrument has not increased significantly since initial recognition, the Group 
measures the loss allowance for that financial instrument at an amount equal to 12-month ECL.

Lifetime ECL represents the expected credit losses that will result from all possible default events over the expected life of a financial 
instrument. In contrast, 12-month ECL represents the portion of lifetime ECL that is expected to result from default events on a financial 
instrument that are possible within 12 months after the reporting date.

The Group writes off a financial asset when there is information indicating that the debtor is in severe financial difficulty and there is no 
realistic prospect of recovery, e.g. when the debtor has been placed under liquidation or has entered into bankruptcy proceedings, or in 
the case of trade receivables, when the amounts are over two years past due, whichever occurs sooner. Financial assets written off may 
still be subject to enforcement activities under the Group’s recovery procedures, taking into account legal advice where appropriate. Any 
recoveries made are recognised in profit or loss.

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

Financial liabilities
All financial liabilities (including borrowings) are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities
The Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire. 
The difference between the carrying amount of the financial liability derecognised and the consideration paid and payable is recognised 
in the consolidated income statement.

Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily 
take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time as the 
assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale.

Investment income earned on the temporary investment of specific borrowings pending their expenditure on qualifying assets is 
deducted from the borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation.

All other borrowing costs are recognised in the consolidated income statement in the period in which they are incurred.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances, cash deposits and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months 
or fewer, which are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

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

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting 
date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured using the cash flows 
estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows.

Environmental obligations
An obligation to incur environmental restoration, rehabilitation and decommissioning costs arises when disturbance is caused by the 
development or ongoing production of mining assets. Such costs arising from the decommissioning of plant and other site preparation 
work, discounted to their net present value using a risk-free rate applicable to the future cash flows, are provided for and capitalised at 
the start of each project, as soon as the obligation to incur such costs arises. These costs are recognised in the consolidated income 
statement over the life of the operation, through the depreciation of the asset in the cost of sales line and the unwinding of the discount 
on the provision in the finance costs line. Costs for restoration of subsequent site damage which is created on an ongoing basis during 
production are provided for at their net present values and recognised in the consolidated income statement as extraction progresses.

Changes in the measurement of a liability relating to the decommissioning of plant or other site preparation work (that result from changes 
in the estimated timing or amount of the cash flow or a change in the discount rate), are added to or deducted from the cost of the related 
asset in the current period. If a decrease in the liability exceeds the carrying amount of the asset, the excess is recognised immediately in 
the consolidated income statement.

The provision for closure cost obligations is remeasured at the end of each reporting period for changes in estimates and circumstances. 
Changes in estimates and circumstances include changes in legal or regulatory requirements, increased obligations arising from 
additional mining and exploration activities, changes to cost estimates and changes to the risk free interest rate.

Employee benefit obligations
Remuneration paid to employees in respect of services rendered during a reporting period is recognised as an expense in that reporting 
period. The Group pays mandatory contributions to the state social funds, including the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation and 
Kazakhstan, which are expensed as incurred.

Taxation
Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax. Income taxes are computed in accordance with 
the laws of countries where the Group operates.

Current tax
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the period. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the consolidated 
income statement because of items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other periods and items that are never taxable 
or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the 
reporting date.

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

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and associates, 
and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that 
the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences 
associated with such investments and interests are only recognised to the extent that it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable 
profits against which to utilise the benefits of the temporary differences and they are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.

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

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in which the liability is settled or 
the asset realised, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. 
The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the 
Group expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

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

Current and deferred tax
Current and deferred tax is recognised in the consolidated income statement, except when they relate to items that are recognised in 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case, the current and deferred tax is also recognised 
in consolidated statement of comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively. Where current tax or deferred tax arises from the 
initial accounting for a business combination, the tax effect is included in the accounting for the business combination.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESNotes to the consolidated financial statements continued

2. Significant accounting policies continued

Uncertain tax positions
Provision for uncertain tax positions is recognised within current tax when management determines that it is probable that a payment 
will be made to the tax authority. For such tax positions the amount of the probable ultimate settlement with the related tax authority is 
recorded. When the uncertain tax position gives rise to a contingent tax liability for which no provision is recognised, the Group discloses 
tax-related contingent liabilities and contingent assets in accordance with IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. 
As of 31 December 2019 management has identified a total exposure (covering taxes and related interest and penalties) of $100 million in 
respect of contingent liabilities (2018: $47 million), including $99 million related to income tax (2018: $46 million).

Revenue recognition
The Group has three major streams: the sale of gold and silver bullions and sale of copper, zinc, gold and silver concentrate and doré. 
Revenue is measured at the fair value of consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in a contract with a customer in exchange 
for transferring promised goods, excluding amounts collected on behalf of third parties, such as value added tax (VAT). Group recognises 
revenue when it transfers control of a product or service to a customer.

Sale of gold and silver bullion
The Group processes doré produced in the Russian Federation into London Good Delivery Bars prior to sale. This final stage of 
processing is carried out on a toll-treatment basis at state-owned refineries. The Group sells gold and silver bullion to banks through 
long-term agreements. The sales price, as determined in the agreement, may be variable based upon the London Bullion Market 
Association (LBMA) spot or fixed price, however the Group does not enter into fixed price contracts. For domestic sales, control and title 
passes from the Group to the purchaser at the refinery gate with revenue recognised at that point. For export sales, once the gold and/
or silver bars have been approved for export by Russian customs, they are then transported to the vault of the purchaser. Control and title 
passes and revenue is recognised at the point when the gold and/or silver bars are received by the purchaser.

Sales of copper, zinc, gold and silver concentrate
The Group sells copper, gold and silver concentrate under pricing arrangements where final prices are determined by quoted market 
prices in a period subsequent to the date of sale. Concentrate sales are initially recorded based on forward prices for the expected date 
of final settlement. Revenue is recorded at the time of shipment, when control pass to the buyer. Revenue is calculated based on the 
copper, gold and silver content in the concentrate and using the forward London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) or London Metal 
Exchange (LME) price to the estimated final pricing date, adjusted for the specific terms of the relevant agreement. Revenue is presented 
net of refining and treatment charges which are subtracted in calculating the amount to be invoiced. 

Doré
Doré sales arrangements are similar to the copper, zinc, gold and silver concentrate pricing arrangements described above, with shorter 
quotational periods of up to 14 days.

Share-based compensation
The Group applies IFRS 2 Share-based Payments to account for share-based compensation. IFRS 2 requires companies to recognise 
compensation costs for share-based payments to employees based on the grant-date fair value of the award.

The fair value of the awards granted under Performance Share Plan (PSP) (as defined in the Remuneration report) is estimated using a 
Monte-Carlo model valuation (see Note 32). 

Awards which are granted under Deferred Share Awards (DSA) plan and are released over a period of three years, are measured at share 
price at a grant date and are prorated across periods to the different vest dates (see Note 32).

The fair value of the awards granted is recognised as a general, administrative and selling expense over the vesting period with a 
corresponding increase in the share-based compensation reserve. Upon the exercise of the awards the amounts recognised within the 
share-based compensation reserve are transferred to stated capital account.

Earnings per share
Earnings per share calculations are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted 
earnings per share are calculated using the treasury stock method, whereby the proceeds from the potential exercise of dilutive stock 
options with exercise prices that are below the average market price of the underlying shares are assumed to be used in purchasing the 
Company’s common shares at their average market price for the period.

3. Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the course of preparing the financial statements, management necessarily makes judgements and estimates that can have a significant 
impact on those financial statements. The determination of estimates requires judgements which are based on historical experience, 
current and expected economic conditions, and all other available information.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis, with revisions recognised in the period in which the estimates 
are revised and in the future periods affected. The judgements involving a higher degree of estimation or complexity are set out below. 

Critical accounting judgement
The following is the critical accounting judgement (apart from judgements involving estimation which are dealt with separately below), 
made in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies during the year that has the most significant effect on the amounts 
recognised in the financial statements.

Recoverability of exploration and evaluation assets
Exploration and evaluation assets include mineral rights and exploration and evaluation costs, including geophysical, topographical, 
geological and similar types of costs. Exploration and evaluation costs are capitalised if management concludes that future economic 
benefits are likely to be realised and determines that economically viable extraction operation can be established as a result of exploration 
activities and internal assessment of mineral resources. 

According to IFRS 6 Exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources, the potential indicators of impairment include: management’s 
plans to discontinue the exploration activities, lack of further substantial exploration expenditure planned, expiry of exploration licences 
in the period or in the nearest future, or existence of other data indicating the expenditure capitalised is not recoverable. At the end of 
each reporting period, management assesses whether such indicators exist for the exploration and evaluation assets capitalised, which 
requires significant judgement.

As of 31 December 2019 total exploration and evaluation costs capitalised amount to $387 million (2018: $365 million) with the 
most significant asset of $314 million (2018: $290 million) attributable to the Prognoz silver property acquired during the year ended 
31 December 2018.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty
The following are the sources of estimation uncertainty that carry the most significant risk of material effect on next year’s accounts, 
being items where actual outcomes in the next 12 months could vary significantly from the estimates made in determining the reported 
amount of an asset or liability.

Cash flow projections for fair value accounting and impairment testing
Expected future cash flows used in DCF models are inherently uncertain and could materially change over time. They are significantly 
affected by a number of factors including ore reserves, together with economic factors such as commodity prices, exchange rates, 
discount rates and estimates of production costs and future capital expenditure.

•  Ore reserves and mineral resources - Recoverable reserves and resources are based on the proven and probable reserves and 
resources in existence. Reserves and resources are incorporated in projected cash flows based on ore reserve statements and 
exploration and evaluation work undertaken by appropriately qualified persons (see below). Mineral resources, adjusted by certain 
conversion ratio, are included where management has a high degree of confidence in their economic extraction, despite additional 
evaluation still being required prior to meeting the required confidence to convert to ore reserves.

•  Commodity prices – Commodity prices are based on latest internal forecasts, benchmarked against external sources of information. 
Polymetal currently use a flat real long-term gold and silver price of $1,200 per ounce (2018: $1,200) and $15 per ounce (2018: $15), 
respectively. Medium-term assumptions for the years 2020–2022 for gold and silver prices are of $1,400 per ounce (2018: $1,200) 
and $17 per ounce (2018: $15), respectively.

•  Foreign exchange rates – Foreign exchange rates are based on latest internal forecasts, benchmarked with external sources of 

information for relevant countries of operation. Management have analysed RUB/$ rate movements for the year ended 31 December 
2019. Long-term RUB/$ exchange rate is estimated at 65 RUB/$ (2018: 65 RUB/$), while medium term rate for the years 2020–2022 
is estimated at 63 RUB/$ (2018: 65 RUB/$).

•  Discount rates – The Group used a post-tax real discount rate of 9.0% (2018: 9.0%). Cash flow projections used in fair value less 

costs of disposal impairment models are discounted based on this rate. 

•  Operating costs, capital expenditure and other operating factors – Cost assumptions incorporate management experience 

and expectations, as well as the nature and location of the operation and the risks associated there with. Underlying input cost 
assumptions are consistent with related output price assumptions. Other operating factors, such as the timelines of granting licences 
and permits are based on management’s best estimate of the outcome of uncertain future events at the balance sheet date.

No impairment for property, plant and equipment was recognised during the year ended 31 December 2019 as no indicators of impairment 
were identified. The sensitivities for goodwill impairment testing are disclosed in Note 21, and in the absence of indicators for impairment, 
these are not extended to impairment testing more generally. The sensitivity of items held at fair value is not material.

168 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 169 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESOre reserve estimates may change from period to period as additional geological data becomes available during the course of operations 
or if there are changes in any of the aforementioned assumptions. Such changes in estimated reserves may affect the Group’s financial 
results and financial position in a number of ways, including the following:

Revaluation of initial share on business combination
Nezhda
Amikan

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

3. Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty 
continued

Ore reserves
An ore reserve estimate is an estimate of the amount of product that can be economically and legally extracted from the Group’s properties. 
Ore reserve estimates are used by the Group in the calculation of: depletion of mining assets using the units-of-production method; 
impairment charges and in forecasting the timing of the payment of decommissioning and land restoration costs. Also, for the purpose of 
impairment review and the assessment of the timing of the payment of decommissioning and land restoration costs, management may take 
into account mineral resources in addition to ore reserves where there is a high degree of confidence that such resources will be extracted.

In order to calculate ore reserves, estimates and assumptions are required about geological, technical and economic factors, including 
quantities, grades, production techniques, recovery rates, production costs, transport costs, commodity demand, commodity prices, 
discount rates and exchange rates. Estimating the quantity and/or grade of ore reserves requires the size, shape and depth of ore bodies 
to be determined by analysing geological data such as the logging and assaying of drill samples. This process may require complex and 
difficult geological judgements and calculations to interpret the data.

•  Assets’ carrying values due to changes in estimated future cash flows;
•  Depletion charged in the consolidated income statement where such charges are determined by using the units-of-production method;
•  Provisions for decommissioning and land restoration costs where changes in estimated reserves affect expectations about the timing 

of the payment of such costs;

•  Carrying value of deferred tax assets and liabilities where changes in estimated reserves affect the carrying value of the relevant 

assets and liabilities; and

•  Contingent consideration liabilities where these are determined by the future production levels.

Ore reserves are subject to the annual reestimation (please refer to the Reserves and Resources section of the Annual Report). Based on 
the ore reserves estimates as of 1 January 2020, the depreciation charge for the year ended 31 December 2019 would decrease by $24 
million (2018: decrease by $20 million compared with using the ore reserves estimates as of 1 January 2019).

Recoverability of deferred tax assets 
Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting 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 tax asset to be utilised (Note 17). There is an application of judgement in assessing the amount, 
timing and probability of future taxable profits and repatriation of retained earnings. These factors affect the determination of the appropriate 
rates of tax to apply and the recoverability of deferred tax assets. These judgements are influenced, inter alia, by factors such as estimates of 
future production, commodity lines, operating costs, future capital expenditure and dividend policies. If actual results differ from these estimates 
or if these estimates must be adjusted in future periods, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows may be negatively affected. 

Deferred tax assets arising from tax losses carried forward recognised as of 31 December 2019 amount to $136 million (2018: $167 million). 
Tax losses carried forward represent amounts available for offset against future taxable income generated by Mayskoye Gold Mining Company 
LLC, JSC South-Verkhoyansk Mining Company and JSC Polymetal Management (Russian Federation) and were recognised in full. Each legal 
entity within the Group represents a separate tax-paying component for income tax purposes. The tax losses of one entity cannot be used to 
reduce taxable income of other entities of the Group. The gross tax losses have an indefinite life. It is not practical to show the likely impact on 
the deferred tax balances of changes in corporate parameters because of number of legal entities with tax losses available and the different tax 
attributes applicable to each entity.

Uncertain tax positions
As of 31 December 2019 management has identified a total exposure (covering taxes and related interest and penalties) of $100 million in 
respect of contingent liabilities (2018: $47 million), including $99 million related to income tax (2018: $46 million). 

Recoverability of stockpiles and work in-process
The assessment of the recoverability of metal inventories requires judgement both in terms of calculating expected costs to process and refine 
ore stock piles to produce concentrate or doré for sale, and in terms of estimating future prices to be realised on sale (Note 22). The Group uses 
survey and assay techniques to estimate quantities of the ore stockpiled and ore stacked in heap leach pads, as well as the recoverable metal 
in the material and work in-process. The amount of the recoverable metals, that will be available for sale, is determined based on technological 
recoveries, which are established for each deposit and extraction technology. Changes in these estimates can result in a change in mine 
operating costs of future periods and carrying amounts of inventories.

During the year ended 31 December 2019 the Group provided for the net realisable value of metal inventories in the amount of $19 million 
(year ended 31 December 2018: write-down of $21 million).

The amount of inventories held at net realisable value at 31 December 2019 is $44 million (31 December 2018: $99 million).

The key assumptions used in determining the net realisable value of inventories at 31 December 2019 are consistent with those used for 
goodwill impairment testing as described on page 169.

Valuation of contingent consideration payable
The Group has recorded contingent consideration liabilities of $66 million as at 31 December 2019 (2018: $54 million) related to various 
acquisitions made, as set out in Note 29 to the financial statements. Various estimates must be made when determining the value of contingent 
consideration to be recognised at each balance sheet date. The assumptions made are consistent with those made for impairment testing 
purposes (see above), and additional assumptions are included in Note 29. Significant changes in assumptions could cause an increase, or 
reduction, in the amount of contingent consideration payable, with a resulting charge or credit in the consolidated income statement. 

4. Acquisitions and disposals

Summary of acquisitions and disposals in consolidated statement of profit and loss

Note

2019
$m

2018
$m

–
–

–

(13)
–
(3)

(16)

(28)

(28)

20
21

41

–
(63)
9

(54)

–

–

5

Total

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries, net
Kapan
Khakanja
Other

Total

Write-down of assets held for sale
Irbychan

Total

(a) Year ended 31 December 2019
Kapan mine disposal
In October 2018 the Group entered into a legally binding agreement to sell its 100% interest in the Kapan mine to Chaarat Gold Holdings 
Limited (Chaarat), an unrelated party. The disposal was effected as a part of the programme to dispose of smaller short-lived assets. 
Kapan was the major part of the Armenia cash-generating unit and the Armenia operating segment, and therefore as of 31 December 
2018 it met the definition of a discontinued operation and an asset held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 Assets Held for Sale and 
Discontinued Operations. As of 31 December 2018 the proceeds from the Kapan disposal were expected to approximate to its carrying 
amount, so no impairment loss was recognised following the classification of this operation as held for sale.

On 30 January 2019, the transaction was completed. The total consideration received amounted to $55 million, subject to working capital 
adjustments. $10 million was settled in Chaarat’s convertible notes maturing in 2021 and the remaining $45 million was received in cash. 

The notes conversion price was set at $0.25 million per 527,871 ordinary shares, which equalled 21,114,840 Chaarat ordinary shares. The 
convertible notes met the definitions of financial asset under IFRS 9 Financial instruments and therefore were to be classified as a financial 
asset in their entirety. The convertible notes failed the solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI) criterion and were accounted for at fair 
value through profit and loss. The fair value of the convertible bonds as of date of transaction approximated to $11 million. 

As part of the transaction an intercompany loan of $11 million outstanding as of 31 December 2018 and 30 January 2019 was assigned to 
Chaarat for no consideration.

On 29 July 2019, the Company signed a settlement agreement with Chaarat delivering the convertible bonds back to Chaarat and 
receiving its 14,638,020 newly issued ordinary shares, as well as finalising the working capital adjustment at nil and releasing Polymetal 
from warranties and indemnities under the sale and purchase agreement. The adjustment to the consideration resulting from this settlement 
agreement amounts to $5 million, being the realised loss on conversion of the convertible notes. The total loss on disposal of Kapan 
recognised during the year ended 31 December 2019 therefore amounted to $13 million.

Charaat shares received are quoted shares and accounted for at fair value through profit and loss and are presented within trade 
receivables and other financial instruments (Note 23).

170 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 171 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

4. Acquisitions and disposals continued

The net assets of the disposed subsidiary at the date of disposal were as follows:

Property, plant and equipment
Deferred tax asset
Inventories
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Net assets disposed of

Cash consideration received
Fair value of the convertible bonds received
Working capital adjustment
Adjustment per settlement agreement

Total consideration received

Loss on disposal of a subsidiary

$m

40 
7 
17 
2 
7 
(9)

64 

45 
11 
– 
(5)

51 

13 

As of 31 December 2018 Kapan was classified as held for sale and discontinued operation in accordance with IFRS 5 Assets held for sales 
and discontinued operations. The major classes of assets and liabilities held by Kapan and their carrying values as of 31 December 2018 
approximate to the carrying values as of the disposal date. The results of the Kapan operations are shown as discontinued operations in the 
consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of cash flows and are presented in Note 5.

In December 2019 the Group disposed of the remaining entities of the Armenia segment. These entities had a net asset value of 
$4 million and were disposed of for $1 million resulting in a loss on disposal of $3 million.

Amikan purchase price allocation
On October 2018 the Group acquired an additional 31.7% stake in GRK Amikan LLC (“Amikan”), the licence holder for the Veduga 
property. Veduga is a high-grade refractory gold deposit with reserves of 1.4 Moz of gold at 4.8 g/t and additional mineral resources 
of 0.4 Moz at 4.9 g/t.

Following this acquisition, the Group increased its overall ownership in the Veduga gold deposit to 74.3%. 

Polymetal has been a partial owner of the property since 2006 with the original 50% stake acquired through the JV with AngloGoldAshanti 
and subsequently diluted by external equity financing. From 2012 the Group’s equity ownership was 42.65% and it exercised significant 
influence over the property. The investment was accounted for using the equity method of accounting. In 2012–2018 2,882 kt of ore with the 
average grade of 3.84 g/t containing 356 koz of gold was extracted from the open-pit mine at Veduga. Historically ore was sold to multiple 
processing plants including Varvara. 

As the Amikan operations represent an integrated set of activities with a focus on mining and extraction of precious metals, it was 
determined that it meets the definition of a business pursuant to IFRS 3 and that it should be fair value accounted for using the 
acquisition method.

Consideration transferred
The total consideration comprised $21.5 million, payable by issuing 2,456,049 Polymetal new ordinary shares. The number of issued 
shares has been determined by dividing $19.7 million by $8.036, the spot price of ordinary shares of the Company on the Main Market 
of the London Stock Exchange as at market close on 10 October 2018 in U.S. Dollars. The fair value of the consideration transferred was 
determined based on the 12 October 2018 closing share spot price of $8.78.

As the Group obtained control over the Amikan gold property, which was previously considered a joint venture operation that constituted 
a business, the Group’s previously recognised share of the business subject to joint control was remeasured in accordance with IFRS 3. 
The remeasurement resulted in a fair value gain of $21 million as of the acquisition date, and was recognised in the income statement.

The non-controlling interest (25.69% ownership interest in Amikan) recognised at the acquisition date was measured as the proportionate 
share in the recognised amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets and amounted to $17 million.

Assets acquired and liabilities recognised at the date of acquisition
The initial accounting of the Amikan acquisition was provisionally determined at 31 December 2018 based on the management’s best 
estimate. The purchase price allocation was updated based on the updated DCF model. The updated model includes the processing of 
ore which was written off on preliminary purchase price allocation, resulting in an increase of inventories fair value balance and decrease 
of amount allocated to mineral rights.

The amounts recognised in respect of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed and its reconciliation to the provisional 
accounting are set out in the table below:

Assets acquired and liabilities recognised at the date of acquisition 

Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets
Environmental obligations
Borrowings
Deferred tax liabilities

Fair value of the net assets acquired

Consideration transferred
Fair value of shares issued
Initial investment in JV as of acquisition date
Revaluation gain
Non-controlling interest at fair value

Total consideration

Cash and cash equivalents acquired

Provisional amounts 
previously reported
$m

Adjustments
$m

Adjusted 
amounts
$m

101
5
4
(1)
(1)
(26)
(14)

68

22
8
21
17

68

4

(7)
7
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

94
12
4
(1)
(1)
(26)
(14)

68

22
8
21
17

68

4

The effect of the finalisation of the Amikan acquisition accounting on the Group balance sheet is as follows: 

Property, plant and equipment
Non-current inventories

Change in equity

31 December 2018 
(previously stated)
$m

Fair value 
adjustments
$m

31 December 
2018 (restated)
$m

2,426 
95 

– 

(7)
7 

– 

2,419 
102 

– 

(b) Year ended 31 December 2018
During the year ended 31 December 2018 the Group completed the Amikan, Prognoz silver property and Nezhda gold property business 
combinations, and the Tarutin asset swap which was accounted for as the asset acquisition. 

172 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 173 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

4. Acquisitions and disposals continued

The purchase price allocations for Prognoz and Nezhda were finalised in 2018, while the Amikan purchase price allocation was finalised 
during 2019 as discussed above. The amounts recognised in respect of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are set 
out in the table below:

Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Environmental obligations
Borrowings
Deferred tax liabilities

Fair value of the net assets acquired

Fair value of shares issued
Cash consideration paid
Contingent consideration payable 
Option fair value
Initial investment in JV as of acquisition date
Less consideration allocated to the Shareholders’ loan
Revaluation gain
Non-controlling interest at fair value

Total consideration

The summary of transactions is discussed in detail below.

Prognoz
$m

Nezhda
$m

Amikan 
(restated)
$m

Tarutin
$m

290
–
–
2
–
–
(42)
(50)

200

200
–
14
–
10
(24)
–
–

200

322
3
–
10
(10)
(1)
(78)
(38)

208

136
10
–
11
31
–
20
–

208

94
12
4
(1)
–
(1)
(26)
(14)

68

22
–
–
–
8
–
21
17

68

3
–
–
–
–
–
(3)
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

Total
$m

709
15
4
11
(10)
(2)
(149)
(102)

476

358
10
14
11
49
(24)
41
17

476

Prognoz silver property acquisition
In April 2018 the Group completed the acquisition of the Prognoz silver deposit in Yakutia, Russia (“Prognoz”), through two consecutive 
deals. On 13 April 2018 the Group completed the acquisition of the 45% stake from Polar Acquisition Ltd (PAL) for consideration paid 
through the issue of 6,307,000 Polymetal new ordinary shares and on 23 April 2018 acquired the remaining 50% a stake from the private 
investor for consideration paid by issuing 14,152,668 new ordinary shares of the Company. The initial 5% interest in Prognoz was previously 
accounted for as a joint venture under IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements.

In addition to the share considerations paid to PAL and the private investor Polymetal also committed to pay a net smelter return (“NSR”) 
royalties as described in Note 29.

As a result of the transactions, Polymetal consolidated its 100% stake in Prognoz.

The Group determined that it obtained control over Prognoz as of 23 April 2018.

Prognoz is the largest undeveloped primary silver deposit in Eurasia with JORC-compliant Indicated and Inferred Resources, estimated 
by the Group in 2018 of 256 Moz at 789 g/t silver equivalent. As the Prognoz operations represent an integrated set of activities with 
a focus on exploration, it was determined that it meets the definition of a business pursuant to IFRS 3 and that it should be fair value 
accounted for using the acquisition method.

Consideration transferred
The fair value of the newly issued 6,307,000 ordinary shares issued as part of the consideration paid for Prognoz to PAL was determined 
based on the spot price at the acquisition date, being $9.63, and it was valued at $61 million.

The fair value of the newly issued 14,152,668 ordinary shares issued as part of the consideration paid for Prognoz to the private investor 
was determined based on the spot price at the acquisition date, being $9.83, and it was valued at $139 million, with $24 million allocated 
to the acquired shareholders’ loan.

The NSR royalties meet definition of contingent consideration and are accounted for at their fair value at the acquisition date as the 
described in Note 29. The input assumption applied were as follows.

The fair value of the NSR payable to PAL was determined using the long-term silver price assumption of $15 per ounce. At the acquisition 
date, the fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated at $9 million. 

The fair value of the NSR payable to the private investor was estimated at $5 million by applying the key assumptions set out below:

Silver price volatility
Silver price as of acquisition date/long-term real price per ounce
Discount rate

31.69%
$16.94/$15
9%

Nezhda gold property acquisition 
In 2018 Polymetal consolidated 100% interest in Nezhdaninskoye gold deposit (“Nezhda”) in Yakutia, Russia, by acquiring 7% for $8 million 
in cash as part of the shareholder agreement signed in July 2017 and by exercising a call option to acquire the remaining 75.3% stake for 
consideration of $146 million, payable in cash and Polymetal shares. The completion of the sale, including the exercise of the call option were 
subject to approval by the Russian Federal Government’s Commission on Foreign Investments into Companies of Strategic Importance. 

The initial 17.7% interest in Nezhda was previously accounted for as a joint venture under IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements. In November 
2018, Polymetal received all necessary regulatory approvals and completed the acquisition of the remaining 82.3% stake in Nezhda from 
entities owned by Ivan Kulakov.

The Group determined that it obtained control over the Nezhda gold property on 26 November 2018.

As Nezhda operations represent an integrated set of activities with a focus on exploration, it was determined that it meets the definition 
of a business pursuant to IFRS 3 and that it should be fair value accounted for using the acquisition method.

Consideration transferred
The fair value of the 13,486,579 ordinary shares issued as part of the consideration paid was determined based on the spot price at the 
acquisition date, being $10.07, and it was valued at $136 million. The fair value of the Call Option described above represents part of the 
consideration transferred and comprised $11 million as of acquisition date. 

As the Group obtained control over the Nezhda gold property, which was previously considered a joint venture operation that constituted 
a business, the Group’s previously recognised share of the business subject to joint control was remeasured in accordance with IFRS 3. 
The remeasurement resulted in a fair value gain of $20 million as of the acquisition date, and was recognised in the income statement.

Tarutin asset swap
In April 2018, Polymetal reached an agreement with the Russian Copper Company (“RCC”) for an all-share exchange of Polymetal’s 
Tarutin property in Russia for 85% of RCC’s East Tarutin property in Kazakhstan. As a result of the transaction, Polymetal received 85% 
of Tarutinskoye LLP, the licence holder for the copper-gold East Tarutin deposit located in Kazakhstan. In return, Polymetal transferred 100% 
of Vostochny Basis LLC, the licence holder for the copper-gold Tarutin deposit located in the Russian Federation. The transaction represents 
an asset swap and does not entail any additional payments or deferred considerations.

East Tarutin is a copper-gold deposit located in proximity to the Varvara processing plant and is expected to source the ore for further 
processing at the Varvara hub.

The acquired company did not meet the definition of a business pursuant to IFRS 3 and the transaction represents the acquisition of mineral 
rights through a non-operating corporate entity and does not give rise to goodwill or a gain. Based on IFRS 3 guidance the carrying amount 
of the assets given up represent the cost of the investment in East Tarutin (Kazakhstan). As a result the Group purchased mineral rights of 
$3 million.

Khakanja disposal
In December 2018 the Group disposed of its Khakanja operations (Okhotskaya Mining and Exploration Company LLC), which comprise the 
600 Ktpa processing plant, related infrastructure at the Khakanja mine, and old stockpiles at Khakanja, Avlayakan and Ozernoye deposits with 
current ore reserves of approximately 0.1 Moz of GE, as well as exploration properties of Kundumi and Mevachan. The total consideration for 
Khakanja comprised $30 million of which $5 million was received in cash and $25 million represented relinquished bank debt. Simultaneously 
the Group disposed of its Okhotskiy port assets, which were previously accounted for as a part of Khakanja operations, for a consideration of 
$2 million paid in cash. The disposal of Khakanja operations was effected as part a strategy of selling smaller short-lived assets.

174 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 175 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

4. Acquisitions and disposals continued

The net assets of the disposed subsidiary at date of disposal were as follows: 

Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Other current assets (net)
Environmental obligations
Borrowings

Fair value of the net assets disposed

Cash consideration received

Loss on disposal

Cumulative exchange differences in foreign operation recycled from translation reserve

Total loss on disposal

$m

19
40
21
(4)
(25)

51

7

(44)

(19)

(63)

The results of Khakanja operations are shown as discontinued operations in the consolidated income statement and statement of 
consolidated statement of cash flows (Note 5).

During 2018 the Group disposed of its minor subsidiaries Svetlobor platinum exploration project and Kirankan gold deposit, as well as its 
interest in the joint venture Aktogai Mys LLC (Dolinnoye exploration licence in Kazakhstan). 

5. Assets held for sale and discontinued operations

Irbychan Gold
In November 2019 the Group carved out a group of assets with an aggregate carrying value of $41 million, including the Omolon low grade 
ore stock pile and related mining and exploration licenses, into a separate legal entity. The group plans to dispose of this group of assets 
through a sale to a third party in the next 3–6 months, as a part of the Group strategy to dispose of smaller and low-margin assets. A non-
binding agreement for the sale was reached with the third party in December 2019, but has not yet been formalised.

The group of assets meets the definition of a disposal group as per IFRS 5 Assets held for sale and discontinued operations, so it is 
presented separately in the balance sheet as of 31 December 2019. Irbychan Gold does not represent a separate major line of business 
or geographical area of operations or a part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of such, thus it was concluded that it doesn’t meet 
the definition of discontinued operation. The expected sale price approximates to $13 million. The disposal group as a whole is subject 
to the measurement requirements of IFRS 5, so as of 31 December 2019 was measured at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value 
less costs to sell, and the Group recognised a loss of $28 million as detailed below:

Property, plant and equipment
Non-current inventories
Other assets and liabilities

Total assets held for sale

Deferred tax liability
Environmental obligations

Total liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale

Net assets classified as held for sale

31 December 2019

Carrying 
value
$m

Write-down
$m

Fair value 
less cost to 
sell
$m

11
31
1

43

(1)
(1)

(2)

41

(9)
(20)
–

(29)

1
–

1

(28)

2
11
1

14

–
(1)

(1)

13

Kapan and Khakanja operations disposal
Kapan (see also Note 4) was identified as the major part of the Armenia cash generating unit and the Armenia operating segment, and 
therefore at 31 December 2018 it met the definition of a discontinued operation and an asset held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 
Assets held for sale and discontinued operations.

In December 2018 the Group disposed of its Khakanja operations, which was identified as a separate cash generating unit and a 
separate major line of business, included in the Khabarovsk segment, and therefore at 31 December 2018 it also met the definition of 
a discontinued operation in accordance with IFRS 5 Assets held for sale and discontinued operations.

The results of Khakanja operations and Kapan are shown as discontinued operations in the consolidated income statement and 
statement of consolidated statement of cash flows:

Revenue
Expenses, net

Profit before income tax
Attributable income tax expense

Profit for the financial period
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations
Attributable tax expense

Net loss attributable to discontinued operations 
(attributable to equity shareholders of the Parent)

Net cash generated by/(used in)

Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities

Year ended 
31 December 2019

Year ended 31  
December 2018

Kapan
$m

Total
$m

Kapan
$m

Khakanja
$m

5 
(5)

– 
– 

– 
(13) 
– 

(13) 

– 
– 
– 

5 
(5)

– 
– 

– 
(13) 
– 

(13) 

– 
– 
– 

61 
(81)

(20)
(2)

(22)
– 
– 

(22)

5 
(10)
– 

115 
(86)

29 
(4)

25 
(63)
– 

(38)

15 
 (8)
 25 

Total
$m

176 
(167)

9 
 (6)

3 
(63)
– 

(60)

 20 
(18)
 25 

As of 31 December 2018 Kapan was classified as held for sale and discontinued operation in accordance with IFRS 5 Assets held for 
sales and discontinued operations. The major classes of assets and liabilities held by Kapan and their carrying values as of 31 December 
2018 approximate to the carrying values as of disposal date.

The major classes of assets and liabilities held by Kapan which comprise operations classified as held for sale as of 31 December 2018 
are as follows:

Property, plant and equipment
Deferred tax assets
Inventories
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets

Total assets classified as held for sale

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Total liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale
. 

$m

 40 
7
 16 
3 
8 

74 

 (8)

 (8)

176 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 177 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

6. Segment information
The Group has identified five reportable segments:

•  Magadan (Omolon Gold Mining Company LLC, Magadan Silver JSC, Mayskoye Gold Mining Company LLC);
•  Ural (Gold of Northern Urals CJSC);
•  Khabarovsk (Albazino Resources Ltd, Amur Hydrometallurgical Plant LLC, Svetloye LLC; GRK Amikan LLC);
•  Kazakhstan (Varvarinskoye JSC, Komarovskoye Mining Company LLC, Bakyrchik Mining Venture LLC);
•  Yakutia (South-Verkhoyansk Mining Company JSC, Prognoz Silver LLC).

As the Group disposed of its Kapan operations in 2019 the entire Armenia segment is disclosed as discontinued operations.

Reportable segments are determined based on the Group’s internal management reports, which are separated based on the Group’s 
geographical structure. Minor companies and activities (management, exploration, purchasing and other companies) which do not meet 
the reportable segment criteria are disclosed within corporate and other segment. Each segment is engaged in gold, silver or copper 
mining and related activities, including exploration, extraction, processing and reclamation. The Group’s segments are based in the 
Russian Federation and Kazakhstan. 

From 1 January 2019 management identified the Yakutia segment, comprising the Nezhda development and the Prognoz 
exploration operations, acquired during the year ended 31 December 2018, which were previously reported within Corporate and other. 
From 1 January 2019 management presents GRK Amikan LLC, which was previously reported within Corporate and other, within the 
Khabarovsk segment, as the Veduga ore is processed at Amur Hydrometallurgical Plant LLC. The comparative information has been 
restated on a consistent basis.

The measure which management and the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the CODM) use to evaluate the performance of the Group is 
segment Adjusted EBITDA, which is an Alternative Performance Measure (APM). For more information on the APMs used by the Group, 
including definitions, please refer to page 206.

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with those of the Group’s accounting policies under IFRS.

Revenue shown as Corporate and other comprises, principally, intersegment revenue relating to the supply of inventories, spare parts 
and fixed assets, and rendering management services to the Group’s production entities. Intersegment revenue is recognised based on 
costs incurred plus a fixed margin basis. From 1 January 2019 the Group reports revenue and cost of sales, pertaining to its productions 
entities, net of any intersegmental revenue and cost of sales, related to the intercompany sales of ore and concentrates, as well as 
intercompany smelting services, as this presentation is more meaningful from management and forecasting perspective. The comparative 
information has been restated on a consistent basis.

Business segment current assets and liabilities, other than current inventory, are not reviewed by the CODM and therefore are not 
disclosed in these consolidated financial statements. The segment adjusted EBITDA reconciles to the profit before income tax as follows:

Year ended 31 December 2019 ($m) Kazakhstan Khabarovsk Magadan

Ural Yakutia

Total 
continuing 
segments

Total 
discontinued 
operations

Corporate 
and other

Intersegment 
operations 

and balances Total

Revenue from external customers
Intersegment revenue
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation, 
depletion and write-down of inventory 
to net realisable value

Cost of sales
Depreciation included in Cost of sales
Write-down of metal inventory to net 
realisable value
Write-down of non-metal inventory 
to net realisable value
Rehabilitation expenses

General, administrative and selling 
expenses, excluding depreciation, 
amortisation and share based 
compensation

General, administrative and 
selling expenses
Depreciation included in SGA
Share-based compensation

Other operating expenses excluding 
additional tax charges

Other operating expenses
Bad debt and expected credit 
loss allowance
Additional tax charges/fines/penalties

Share of income of associates and 
joint ventures

Adjusted EBITDA

Depreciation expense
Rehabilitation expenses
Write-down of non-metal inventory 
to net realisable value
Write-down of metal inventory to net 
realisable value
Share-based compensation
Bad debt and expected credit 
loss allowance
Additional tax charges/fines/penalties

681
–

207

295
(87)

–

–
(1)

14

16
(2)
–

12

12

–
–

 –

448

89
1

–

–
–

–
–

569
–

228

278
(49)

 –

– 
(1)

17

18
(1)
– 

15

18

(1)
(2)

 –

309

50
1

 –

–
–

1
2

842
–

149
–

476

582
(92)

(12)

1
(3)

31

32
(1)
–

27

26

–
1

 –

37

51
(7)

(7)

–
–

4

4
–
–

5

5

–
–

 –

308

103

93
3

(1)

12
–

–
(1)

7
–

–

7
–

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

 –

 –
–

8

8
–
– 

(1)

(1)

–
–

 –

(7)

–
–

 –

–
–

–
–

2,241
–

948

1,206
(235)

(19)

1
(5)

74

78
(4)
–

58

60

(1)
(1)

–

1,161

239
5

(1)

19
–

1
1

Operating profit / (loss)

358

255

202

89

(7)

897

Net foreign exchange gains
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries
Write-down of assets held for sale
Change in fair value of contingent 
consideration liability
Finance income
Finance costs

Profit before tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the financial period

Current metal inventories
Current non-metal inventories
Non-current segment assets:

Property, plant and equipment, net
Goodwill
Non-current inventory
Investments in associates

Total segment assets

Additions to non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of subsidiaries

95
26

815
–
41
–

977

89
–

132
41

584
–
24
–

781

114
–

230
114

394
16
47
–

801

84
–

30
5

18
–
3
–

56

5
–

–
10

817
–
–
–

827

155
–

487
196
–
2,628
16
115
–

3,442

447
–

5
–

4

4
–

 –

 –
–

1

1
–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

 –

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–
249

155

155
–

–

–
–

102

118
(4)
(12)

9

9

–
–

–

– 2,246
–

(249)

(164)

943

(164) 1,201
(235)

–

–

–
–

(19)

1
(5)

(15)

162

(15)
–
–

182
(8)
(12)

(1)

(1)

–
–

–

66

68

(1)
(1)

–

(17)

(69) 1,075

4
–

–

–
12

–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

243
5

(1)

19
12

1
1

(33)

(69)

795

(36)
(16)
(28)

(23)
7
(81)

618

(135)

483

443
201

(45)
(12)

– 2,810
16
–
114
(1)
2
–

(58) 3,586

–
–

470
–

1
17

182
–
–
2

202

23
–

178 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 179 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

6. Segment information (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2018 ($m) Kazakhstan Khabarovsk Magadan

Ural Yakutia

Total 
reportable 
segments

Total 
discontinued 
operations

Corporate 
and other

Intersegment 
operations 
and balances

Total

Revenue from external customers
Intersegment revenue (restated)
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation, 
depletion and write-down of inventory 
to net realisable value

Cost of sales (restated)
Depreciation included in Cost of sales
Write-down of metal inventory to net 
realisable value
Write-down of non-metal inventory 
to net realisable value
Rehabilitation expenses

General, administrative and selling 
expenses, excluding depreciation, 
amortisation and share-based 
compensation

General, administrative and 
selling expenses
Depreciation included in SGA
Share-based compensation

Other operating expenses excluding 
additional tax charges

Other operating expenses
Lichkvaz exploration expenses and 
mineral rights write-off 
Additional tax chargers/fines/penalties

Share of income of associates and 
joint ventures

Adjusted EBITDA

Depreciation expense
Rehabilitation expenses
Lichkvaz exploration expenses and 
mineral rights write-off 
Write-down of non-metal inventory 
to net realisable value
Write-down of metal inventory to net 
realisable value
Share-based compensation
Additional tax chargers/fines/
penalties

272
–

121

159
(37)

–

(1)
–

15

16
(1)
–

8

8

–
–

 –

128

38
–

1

–
–

–

575
–

245

298
(53)

–

–
–

15

15
–
–

7

7

–
–

 –

308

53
–

–

–
–

–

725
–

134
–

392

487
(71)

(21)

(2)
(1)

32

32
–
–

23

23

–
–

 –

278

71
1

2

21
–

–

38

47
(9)

–

–
–

4

4
–
–

5

5

–
–

 –

87

9
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

2

2
–
–

–

–

–
–

 –

(2)

–
–

–

–
–

–

1,706
–

796

991
(170)

(21)

(3)
(1)

68

69
(1)
–

43

43

–
–

–

799

171
1

–

3

21
–

–

Operating profit / (loss)

89

255

183

78

(2)

603

Net foreign exchange gains
Revaluation of initial on business 
combination
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries
Change in fair value of contingent 
consideration liability
Finance income
Finance costs

Profit before tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the financial period

Current metal inventories
Current non-metal inventories
Non-current segment assets:

Property, plant and equipment, net
Goodwill
Non-current inventory
Investments in associates

Total segment assets

Additions to non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of subsidiaries

57
22
–
823
–
22
–

924

134
–

95
36
–
486
–
15
–

632

104
94

194
99
–
364
15
65
–

737

74
–

33
5
–
20
–
2
–

60

5
–

–
5
–
585
–
–
–

590

21
612

379
167
–
2,278
15
104
–

2,943

338
706

176
–

107

119
(13)

–

1
–

11

11
–
–

3

28

(24)
(1)

 –

55

13
–

24

(1)

–
–

1

18

–
–
–
3
–
–
–

3

15
–

–
235

144

144
–

– 1,882
–

(235)

(158)

889

(158) 1,096
(183)

–

(21)

(2)
(1)

–

–

95

109
(2)
(12)

6

4

–
2

(1)

(11)

2
–

–
12

(2)

(23)

–
9
–
145
–
–
2

156

24
3

(14)

160

(14)
–
–

175
(3)
(12)

–

–

–
–

–

52

75

(24)
1

(1)

(63)

780

–
–

–
–

–

186
1

24

2

21
12

(1)

(63)

535

(40)

41
(54)

7
8
(71)

426

(71)

355

368
(11)
169
(7)
–
–
– 2,426
15
–
102
(2)
2
–

 (20) 3,082

–
–

377
709

7. Revenue

Continuing operations 

Gold (thousand ounces)
Silver (thousand ounces)
Copper (tonnes)

Total

Year ended 31 December 2019 

Year ended 31 December 2018

Volume 
shipped 
(unaudited)

Volume 
payable 
(unaudited)

Average 
price  
($ per oz/t 
payable) 
(unaudited)

1,410
22,507
2,864

1,363
22,076
2,705

1,377
15.8
5,176

Volume 
shipped 
(unaudited)

Volume 
payable 
(unaudited)

Average 
price  
($ per oz/t 
payable) 
(unaudited)

1,120 
24,110 
1,932 

1,096 
23,735 
1,827 

1,227
14.8
5,474

$m

1,878
349
14

2,241

Total continuing and discontinued operations 

Year ended 31 December 2019 

Year ended 31 December 2018

Volume 
shipped 
(unaudited)

Volume 
payable 
(unaudited)

Average 
price  
($ per oz/t 
payable) 
(unaudited)

1,413
22,538
3,016
(8)

1,366
22,107
2,842
(7)

1,377
15.8
5,278
–

Volume 
shipped 
(unaudited)

Volume 
payable 
(unaudited)

1,224 
26,118 
3,542 
6,625 

 1,198 
 25,675 
3,348 
5,625 

Average 
price  
($ per oz/t 
payable) 
(unaudited)

1,226
14.8
5,675
2,667

$m

1,882
349
15
–

2,246

Gold (thousand ounces)
Silver (thousand ounces)
Copper (tonnes)
Zinc (tonnes)

Total

Geographical analysis of revenue by destination is presented below:

$m

1,345 
351 
10 

1,706

$m

1,468 
380 
19 
15 

1,882

Sales within the Russian Federation
Sales to Kazakhstan
Sales to East Asia
Sales to Europe

Total

Continuing operations 
Year ended 

Total continuing and 
discontinued operations 
Year ended

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

1,044
655
472
70

2,241

1,038
338
245
85

1,706

1,044
655
472
75

2,246

1,153
338
263
128

1,882

Included in revenues for the year ended 31 December 2019 are revenues which arose from the sales to the Group’s largest customers, 
whose contribution to the Group’s revenue exceeded 10% of the total revenue. In 2019 revenues from such customers amounted to 
$659 million, $439 million, $338 million and $266 million respectively (2018: $490 million, $228 million, $203 million and $173 million, 
respectively). 

Revenue is derived principally from the sale of gold and silver bullions, copper, gold and silver concentrate and doré. The Group sells 
gold and silver bullions to banks through long-term agreements. The sales price, as determined in the agreement, is based on the spot 
London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) price. Copper, zinc, gold and silver concentrate and doré are sold under pricing arrangements 
where final prices are determined by quoted market prices in a period subsequent to the date of sale.

The Group enters into prepaid bullion sales arrangements, which are settled solely through bullion shipments and are priced based on 
the spot London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) price, prevailing of the date of the respective shipment. The arrangements fall under 
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers and respective advances received represent contract liabilities, which are presented 
on the face of the balance sheet as prepayments received. There were no prepayments received under such arrangements as of 
31 December 2019 (31 December 2018: $100 million). As of 31 December 2019 contract obligations related to the concentrate sales 
amount to $5 million and were accounted for as prepayments received (31 December 2018: nil).

180 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 181 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

7. Revenue continued

Presented below is an analysis per revenue stream:

Year ended 31 December 2019
Bullions
Concentrate
Doré

Year ended 31 December 2018
Bullions
Concentrate
Doré

8. Cost of sales 

Magadan
$m

Khabarovsk
$m

Ural
$m

Kazakhstan
$m

Discontinued 
operations
$m

412
430
–

842

362
363
–

725

513
34
22

569

563
12
–

575

149
–
–

149

134
–
–

134

–
245
436

681

–
107
165

272

–
5
–

5

115
61
–

176

Total
$m

1,074
714
458

2,246

1,174
543
165

1,882

Cash operating costs
On-mine costs (Note 9)
Smelting costs (Note 10)
Purchase of ore and concentrates from third parties
Purchase of ore from related parties (Note 33)
Mining tax

Total cash operating costs

Depreciation and depletion of operating assets (Note 11)
Rehabilitation expenses

Total costs of production

Increase in metal inventories
Write-down of metal inventories to net realisable value (Note 22)
Write-down of non-metal inventories to net realisable value (Note 22)
Idle capacities and abnormal production costs

Total

Continuing operations 
Year ended 

Total continuing and 
discontinued operations 
Year ended

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

485
359
59
–
115

1,018

250
5

1,273

(98)
19
(1)
4

1,197

417
314
66
22
87

906

210
1

1,117

(174)
21
4
3

971

488
360
59
–
115

1,022

250
5

1,277

(98)
19
(1)
4

482
349
78
22
97

1,028

228
1

1,257

(187)
21
2
3

1,201

1,096

Mining tax includes royalties payable in Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Armenia. Mining tax in Russian Federation and Kazakhstan is 
calculated based on the value of the precious metals extracted in the period. This value is usually determined based on the realised selling 
price of precious metals or, in case if there were no sales during the period, cost of production of metals extracted (Russian Federation) or 
the average market price (Kazakhstan) during the reporting period. The royalty payable in Armenia was calculated as a percentage of actual 
sales during the reporting period.

Idle capacities and abnormal production costs were expensed as incurred and relate to idle capacities when processing plants are 
stopped for general maintenance.

9. On-mine costs

Services
Labour
Consumables and spare parts
Other expenses

Total (Note 8)

10. Smelting costs

Consumables and spare parts
Services
Labour
Other expenses

Total (Note 8)

Continuing operations 
Year ended 

Total continuing and 
discontinued operations 
Year ended

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

229
132
119
5

485

185
122
107
3

417

230
133
120
5

488

222
133
121
6

482

Continuing operations 
Year ended 

Total continuing and 
discontinued operations 
Year ended

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

155
139
63
2

359

143
109
60
2

314

155
140
63
2

360

159
118
70
2

349

11. Depletion and depreciation of operating assets

On-mine
Smelting

Total (Note 8)

Continuing operations 
Year ended 

Total continuing and 
discontinued operations 
Year ended

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

188
62

250

154
56

210

188
62

250

169
59

228

Depreciation of operating assets excludes depreciation relating to non-operating assets (included in general, administrative and selling 
expenses) and depreciation related to assets employed in development projects where the charge is capitalised. Depreciation expense, 
which is excluded from the Group’s calculation of Adjusted EBITDA (see Note 6), also excludes amounts absorbed into unsold metal 
inventory balances.

182 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 183 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

12. General, administrative and selling expenses

14. Employee costs

Labour
Services
Share-based compensation (Note 32)
Depreciation
Other 

Total

Including
Mine site expenses
Corporate head office expenses

Total

13. Other operating expenses, net

Lichkvaz exploration expenses and mineral rights write-off 
Social payments
Exploration expenses
Provision for investment in Special Economic Zone
Taxes, other than income tax
Other expenses

Total

Continuing operations 
Year ended 

Total continuing and 
discontinued operations 
Year ended

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

136 
8
12
8 
17

181

78 
103 

181

120
14
12
3
15

164

69 
95 

164

137 
8
12
8 
17

182

79 
103 

182

127
16
12
3
17

175

80 
95 

175

Continuing operations 
Year ended 

Total continuing and 
discontinued operations 
Year ended

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

–
24
19
11
11
3

68

–
14
12
11
13
(3)

47

–
24
19
11
11
3

68

24 
16 
13 
11 
13 
(2)

75

For the operations held in the Special Economic Zone of the Russian Far East, Omolon Gold Mining Company LLC and JSC Magadan Silver 
are entitled to the decreased statutory income tax rate of 17%, as well as decreased mining tax rate (paying 60% of standard mining tax 
rates). In return for obtaining this tax relief the members of the regional free Economic Zone are obliged to invest 50% of their tax savings 
each year in the Special Economic Zone Development Programme, amounting to $11 million in 2019 (2018: $11 million). 

During the year ended 31 December 2019 exploration expenses include write downs of $9, which were previously within exploration and 
development assets (2018: nil).

Operating cash flow spent on exploration activities amounts to $10 million (2018: $12 million).

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Share-based compensation

Total employee costs

Reconcilation:
Less: employee costs capitalised
Less: employee costs absorbed into unsold metal inventory balances

Employee costs included in cost of sales

Continuing operations 
Year ended 

Total continuing and 
discontinued operations 
Year ended

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

313
71
12

396

(43)
(15)

338

278
68
12

358

(35)
(30)

293

314
71
12

397

(43)
(15)

339

303
72
12

387

(37)
(32)

318

The weighted average number of employees during the year ended 31 December 2019 and year ended 31 December 2018 was:

Magadan
Khabarovsk
Kazakhstan
Armenia
Ural
Yakutia
Corporate and other

Total

Less discontinued operations

Total continuing operations

Compensation of key management personnel is disclosed within Note 33.

15. Auditor’s remuneration

Fees payable to the auditor and their associates for the audit of the Company’s Annual Report
United Kingdom
Overseas
Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries

Total audit fees
Audit-related assurance services 

Total audit and half-year review fees
Other services

Total non-audit fees

Total fees

Non-audit fees as % of audit and half-year review fees

Year ended 

31 December 
2019

31 December 
2018

4,023
2,305
2,472
69
752
478
1,712

 4,048 
 2,807 
 2,163 
 953 
 809 
412
 1,528 

11,811

 12,720 

69

 1,539 

11,742

 11,181 

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

0.35
0.74
0.06

1.15
0.47

1.62
0.03

0.03

1.65

2%

 0.36 
 0.72 
 0.05 

 1.13 
 0.46 

 1.59 
 0.08 

 0.08 

 1.67 

5%

184 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 185 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

16. Finance costs

Interest expense on borrowings
Unwinding of discount on lease liabilities (Note 20)
Unwinding of discount on environmental obligations (Note 26)
Unwinding of discount on contingent consideration liability (Note 29)

Total

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

72
3
4
2

81

67
–
3
1

71

No significant amount of finance cost related to the discontinued operations in either year.

During the years ended 31 December 2019 interest expense on borrowings excludes borrowing costs capitalised in the cost of qualifying 
assets of $9 million (2018: $11 million). These amounts were calculated based on the Group’s general borrowing pool and by applying an 
effective interest rate of 4.26% (2018: 4.19%) to cumulative expenditure on such assets.

17. Income tax
The amount of income tax expense for the years ended 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 recognised in profit and loss is as follows:

Current income taxes
Deferred income taxes

Total

Continuing operations 
Year ended

Total continuing and 
discontinued operations 
Year ended

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

101
34

135

101
(36)

65

101
34

135

108
(37)

71

A reconciliation between the reported amounts of income tax expense attributable to income before income tax is as follows: 

Profit before income tax 
Theoretical income tax expense at the tax rate of 20%
Effect of Special Economic Zone and Regional Investment project decreased tax rates
Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions
Revaluation of initial share on business combination
Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability
Current year losses not recognised and losses previously recognised written-off
Non-deductible interest expense
Non-taxable consolidation adjustments on disposal of subsidiaries
Adjustments in respect of prior periods
Other non-taxable income and non-deductible expenses

Total income tax expense

Year ended 

31 December 
2019 
$m

31 December 
2018 
$m

618
124
(34)
5
–
4
6
14
3
(1)
14 

135

 426 
 85 
 (27)
 7 
 (8)
1
 1 
 14 
 3 
(5)
–

 71 

The actual tax expense differs from the amount which would have been determined by applying the statutory rate of 20% for the Russian 
Federation and Kazakhstan to profit before income tax as a result of the application of relevant jurisdictional tax regulations, which disallow 
certain deductions which are included in the determination of accounting profit. These deductions include share-based payment expenses, 
social related expenditures and other non-production costs, certain general and administrative expenses, financing expenses, foreign 
exchange related and other costs.

Omolon Gold Mining Company LLC and Magadan Silver JSC are entitled to the decreased statutory income tax rate of 17% for the 
operations held in the Special Economic Zone of the Russian Far East, the rate of 17% was used in calculation of income tax provision 
and deferred tax positions for those entities. Svetloye LLC is subject to tax relief as Regional Investment Project and is entitled to the 
statutory income tax rate of 0% up to 2021. Amursk Hydrometallurgical Plant LLC is entitled to income tax rate of 0% up to 2023 and tax 
rate of 10% in 2024–2028.

Tax exposures recognised in income tax 
During the year ended 31 December 2019 and the year ended 31 December 2018 no individual significant exposures were identified as 
probable and therefore provided for. Management has identified a total exposure in respect of contingent liabilities (Note 28) (covering taxes 
and related interest and penalties) of approximately $99 million being uncertain tax positions (31 December 2018: $46 million) which relate to 
income tax. Management do not believe that it is probable that material tax will be payable in respect of these items.

Income tax amounts included in other comprehensive income
An analysis of tax by individual item presented in the Consolidates statement of comprehensive income is presented below: 

Net foreign exchange gains/(losses) on net investment in foreign operation
Current tax expense
Deferred tax expense

Total income tax recognised in other comprehensive income

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

5
–

5

(1)
(1)

(2)

Current and deferred tax assets recognised within other comprehensive income relates to the tax losses originated by foreign currency 
exchange losses, allowable for tax purposes and generated by monetary items that forms part of the intragroup net investment in the 
foreign operation. These foreign currency exchange losses are recognised in the consolidated financial statements within foreign currency 
translation reserve.

Deferred taxation
Deferred taxation is attributable to the temporary differences that exist between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial 
reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes.

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the reporting period.

Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred tax assets

Total 

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

(196)
73

(123)

 (152)
73 

 (79)

186 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 187 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

17. Income tax continued
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the Group has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following analysis shows 
deferred tax balances presented for financial reporting purposes:

18. Dividends
Dividends recognised during the years ended 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 are detailed in the below:

At 1 January 2018

Charge to income statement
Acquisitions (Note 4)
Disposals (Note 4)
Reclassified as held for sales (Note 5)
Recognised in other comprehensive income
Exchange differences

At 31 December 2018

Charge to income statement
Reclassified as held for sales (Note 5)
Exchange differences

At 31 December 2019

Property, 
plant, and 
equipment 
and other 
non-current 
assets
$m

(159)

(5)
(124)
1
(2)
–
34

(255)

(5)
–
(21)

(281)

Trade and 
other payables
$m

Tax losses
$m

Other
$m

8 

(3)
– 
–
–
–
(1)

4 

11
–
1

16

126 

46 
20 
(2)
–
–
(23)

167

(40)
–
9

136

9 

(1) 
2 
2
(5)
(1)
(1)

5

–
1
–

6

Total
$m

(16)

37 
(102)
1
(7)
(1)
9

(79)

(34)
1
(11)

(123)

The Group believes that the recoverability of the recognised deferred tax asset (DTA) of $136 million at 31 December 2019 (2018: 
$167 million), which is related to the tax losses carried forward, is more likely than not based upon expectations of future taxable income 
in the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan.

From 1 January 2019 in accordance with Russian Federation tax law regarding loss carryforwards, loss carryforwards are limited to 50% of 
taxable profit in tax years throughout 2021. From 2022 the limitation will expire and it will be possible to fully utilise loss carryforwards against 
the corporate tax base in a given year and losses incurred from 2007 can be carried forward for an indefinite period until fully utilised.

Losses incurred in certain taxable entities in recent years have created a history of losses as of 31 December 2019. The Group has 
concluded that there is sufficient evidence to overcome the recent history of losses based on forecasts of sufficient taxable income in the 
carry-forward period.

Tax losses carried forward represent amounts available for offset against future taxable income generated predominantly by Mayskoye 
Gold Mining Company LLC, Varvarinskoye JSC, Bakyrchik Mining Venture LLC and JSC South-Verkhoyansk Mining Company. Each legal 
entity within the Group represents a separate tax-paying component for income tax purposes. The tax losses of one entity cannot be 
used to reduce taxable income of other entities of the Group.

The Group’s estimate of future taxable income is based on established proven and probable reserves which can be economically 
developed. The related detailed mine plans and forecasts provide sufficient supporting evidence that the Group will generate taxable 
earnings to be able to fully realise its net DTA even under various stressed scenarios. The amount of the DTA considered realisable, 
however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period are reduced due to 
delays in production start dates, decreases in ore reserve estimates, increases in environmental obligations, or reductions in precious 
metal prices. 

No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of $112 million (2018: $109 million) as it is not considered probable that there will 
be future taxable profits against which the losses can be utilised. 

The deferred tax liabilities for taxes that would be payable on the unremitted earnings of certain of the Group subsidiaries have not been 
recognised as the Group has determined that the undistributed profit of its subsidiaries will not be distributed in the foreseeable future. 
The temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, for which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised, 
amount to $3,363 million (2018: $2,459 million).

Cents per 
share

30
17
31
20
20
42

$m

136
77
146
94
94
197

Dividends

Deducted from 
the equity 
during the 
period

 Proposed in 
relation to the 
period

2018
2018
2019
2019
2020
N/A

213

240

2017
2018
2018
2019
2019
2019

223

385

Paid in

May 2018
September 2018
May 2019
September 2019
March 2020
N/A

213

240

Final dividend 2017
Interim dividend 2018
Final dividend 2018
Interim dividend 2019
Special dividend 2019
Final dividend 2019

Total dividends for the year ended 31 December 2018

Total dividends for the year ended 31 December 2019

19. Property, plant and equipment

Development 
assets
$m

 Exploration 
assets
$m

 Mining assets
$m

 Non-mining 
assets 
$m

 Capital 
construction 
in-progress 
$m

Cost
Balance at 31 December 2017
Additions 
Transfers
Reclassified as held for sale
Change in environmental obligations
Acquisitions restated (Note 4)
Eliminated on disposal of subsidiary 
Disposals and write-offs including fully depleted mines
Translation to presentation currency
Balance at 31 December 2018 (restated)
Additions 
Transfers
Reclassified as held for sale
Change in environmental obligations
Disposals and write-offs including fully depleted PPE
Translation to presentation currency

Balance at 31 December 2019

655
34
(453)
–
–
297
(4)
(24)
(39)
466
84
(12)
–
–
(5)
56

589

150
45
(54)
–
–
291
(13)
–
(54)
365
43
(50)
(9)
–
(4)
42

387

2,024
162
724
(47)
2
102
(61)
(140)
(417)
2,349
174
111
–
15
(177)
181

2,653

61
6
1
(2)
–
–
(2)
(4)
(10)
50
5
10
(6)
–
(2)
7

64

 Total 
$m

3,166
377
–
(61)
(1)
709
(83)
(168)
(559)
3,380
470
–
(15)
16
(190)
306

276
130
(218)
(12)
(3)
19
(3)
–
(39)
150
164
(59)
–
1
(2)
20

274

3,967

188 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 189 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

19. Property, plant and equipment continued

Movements of the lease liabilities for the year ended 31 December 2019 are as follow:

Development 
assets
$m

 Exploration 
assets
$m

 Mining assets
$m

 Non-mining 
assets 
$m

 Capital 
construction 
in-progress 
$m

Accumulated depreciation, amortisation
Balance at 31 December 2017
Charge for the period
Reclassified as held for sale
Eliminated on disposal of subsidiary 
Disposals and write-offs including fully depleted mines
Translation to presentation currency
Balance at 31 December 2018
Charge for the period
Reclassified as held for sale
Disposals and write-offs including fully depleted mines
Translation to presentation currency

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(1,081)
(254)
20
56
135
190
(934)
(270)
–
175
(95)

(31)
(5)
1
2
1
5
(27)
(9)
4
1
(2)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

 Total 
$m

(1,112)
(259)
21
58
136
195
(961)
(279)
4
176
(97)

Balance at 31 December 2019

 – 

 – 

 (1,124)

 (33)

 – 

 (1,157)

Net book value

31 December 2018 (restated)

31 December 2019

 466 

589 

 365 

387 

 1,415 

 1,529 

 23 

 31 

 150 

 274 

 2,419 

 2,810 

Lease liabilities

Balance at 1 January 2019
New lease contracts
Unwinding of discount on lease liabilities
Repayments of lease liability
Termination of lease contracts
Translation to presentation currency

Total lease liabilities

Less current portion of lease liabilities

Total non-current lease liabilities

31 December 
2019
$m

(31)
(8)
(3)
6
8
(4)

(32)

(3)

(29)

The Group excluded the following lease agreements from the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities and continues to account those 
lease agreements as lease expenses:

•  Lease agreements with variable payments;
•  Lease agreements of land plots to explore for or use minerals and similar non-generative resources;
•  Short-term lease agreements that expire within 12 months from the date of initial application;
•  Lease agreements of low value assets (of $5,000 or less).

The balance of as 31 December 2018 was restated as a result of finalisation of the Amikan acquisition accounting (Note 4).

Amounts recognised in profit and loss for the year ended 31 December 2019 are as follow:

Mining assets, exploration and development assets at 31 December 2019 included mineral rights with net book value which amounted to 
$1,258 million (31 December 2018: $1,216 million) and capitalised stripping costs with net book value of $109 million (31 December 2018: 
$76 million). Mineral rights of the Group comprise assets acquired upon acquisition of subsidiaries.

No property, plant and equipment was pledged as collateral at 31 December 2019 or at 31 December 2018.

20. Leases
Movements of the right-of-use assets for the year ended 31 December 2019 are as follow:

Right-of-use assets
Balance at 1 January 2019
Additions
Depreciation charge for the period
Disposals
Accumulated depreciation of assets disposed
Translation to presentation currency

Balance at 31 December 2019

The most significant leases of the Group are office leases.

31 December 
2019
$m

31
8
(4)
(9)
1
4

31

Expenses relating to lease exemptions
Unwinding of discount on lease liabilities
Depreciation of right-of-use assets

Total lease expenses

21. Goodwill
Goodwill has been allocated for impairment testing purposes to the following cash-generating units:

Cost and Accumulated impairment losses
At 1 January
Translation effect

At 31 December

Mayskoye
Dukat

Total

Year ended 
31 December 
2019 
$m

(2)
(3)
(4)

(9)

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

15
1

16

12
4

16

18
 (3)

15

11
4

15

The carrying amount of goodwill is reviewed annually to determine whether it is in excess of its recoverable amount. The recoverable 
amount of the cash-generating unit is determined based on a fair value less costs to sell calculation. Fair value is based on the application 
of the Discounted Cash Flow Method (DCF) using post-tax cash flows. The DCF method is attributable to the development of proved 
and probable reserves. The impairment testing procedure and related assumptions are described in detail in “Key sources of estimation 
uncertainty” section above.

190 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 191 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

21. Goodwill continued
Sensitivity analysis
For Dukat and Mayskoye management has performed an analysis as to whether a reasonably possible adverse change to any of the key 
assumptions would lead to impairment. 

The following scenarios were considered as reasonably possible and were used for this sensitivity analysis:

•  10% simultaneous decrease in gold and silver prices over the life of mine;
•  10% appreciation in RUB/$ exchange rates;
•  10% increase in operating expenses over the life of mine; and 
•  0.5% increase in the discount rate applied.

The key assumptions used as at 31 December 2019 in determining net realisable value of inventories (including the commodity price 
assumptions for long-term stockpiles) were consistent with those used in the goodwill impairment review (Note 3). For short-term metal 
inventories applicable quoted forward prices as of 31 December 2019 were used: gold and silver price of $1,540 per ounce (2018: 
$1,300) and $18 per ounce (2018: $16), respectively.

The write-downs presented above exclude the Irbychan Gold ore impairment, which is recognised as part of the write down of assets 
held for sale to their fair value (Note 5).

During the year ended 31 December 2019 the Group recognised a reversal of previous write-down of consumables and spare parts 
inventory of $1 million (year ended 31 December 2018: write-down of $2 million).

The amount of inventories held at net realisable value at 31 December 2019 is $44 million (31 December 2018: $99 million).

Each of the sensitivities above has been determined by assuming that the relevant key assumption moves in isolation, and without regard 
to potential mine plan changes and other management decisions which would be taken to respond to adverse changes in existing 
management projections. No scenarios would result in impairment of any of the recognised goodwill.

23. Trade receivables and other financial instruments

22. Inventories

Inventories expected to be recovered after twelve months
Ore stock piles
Consumables and spare parts

Total non-current inventories

Inventories expected to be recovered in the next twelve months
Ore stock piles
Copper, gold and silver concentrate
Work in-process
Doré
Metal for refining
Refined metals

Total metal inventories

Consumables and spare parts

Total current inventories

Write-downs of metal inventories to net realisable value
The Group recognised the following write-downs to net realisable value of its metal inventories: 

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018 restated
$m

78
36

114

214
131
75
10
12
1

443

201

644

75
27

 102 

174
116
55
14
9
1

 369 

168

 537 

Ore stock piles
Ore in heap leach piles
Copper, gold and silver concentrate

Total

Year ended 31 December 2019

Year ended 
31 December 
2018

Ural
$m

Magadan
$m

Total 
operating 
segments
$m

Total operating 
segments
$m

–
(7)
–

(7)

(12)
(3)
3

(12)

(12)
(10)
3

(19)

(9)
(9)
(3)

(21)

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

25
16
(2)

39
7
2

9

48

 60 
 22 
 (3)

 79 
–
 2 

 2 

 81 

Receivables from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales
Other receivables
Less: Allowance for doubtful debts

Total trade and other receivables
Chaarat shares
Short-term loans provided to third parties

Total other short-term financial instruments

Total

The average credit period on sales of copper, gold and silver concentrate at 31 December 2019 was 13 days (2018: 22 days). No interest 
is charged on trade receivables. The Group’s doubtful debt relates to its non-trade receivables, which are fully impaired. 

24. Cash and cash equivalents

Bank deposits 

Current bank accounts 

– U.S. Dollar
– other currencies
– U.S. Dollar
– other currencies

Total

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

179
16
55
3

253

 361 
 7 
 1 
 10 

 379 

Bank deposits as at 31 December 2019 are mainly presented by the U.S. Dollar deposits, bearing an average interest rate of 1.31% per 
annum and KZT demand deposits bearing an interest rate of 7.52% (2018: U.S. Dollar deposits, bearing an average interest rate of 3% 
per annum and KZT demand deposits, bearing an interest rate of 5%).

192 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 193 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

25. Borrowings
Borrowings at amortised cost:

 Actual interest rate at

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

26. Environmental obligations
Environmental obligations include decommissioning and land restoration costs and are recognised on the basis of existing project 
business plans as follows: 

Type of rate

31 Dec 
2019

31 Dec 
2018

Current
$m

Non-
current
$m

Total
$m

Current
$m

Secured loans from third parties
U.S. Dollar denominated
U.S. Dollar denominated

Total
Unsecured loans from third parties
U.S. Dollar denominated
U.S. Dollar denominated
Euro denominated

Total

floating
fixed

3.61%
4.00%

N/A
4.00%

floating
fixed
fixed

3.48%
4.25%
2.85%

4.35%
4.56%
2.85%

–
136

136

26
52
–

78

214

75
236

311

350
849
8

75
372

447

376
901
8

1,207

1,518

1,285

1,732

Non-
current
$m

 – 
 372 

 372 

 940 
 470 
 – 

Total
$m

 – 
 436 

 436 

 951 
 504 
 8 

 1,410 

 1,463 

– 
 64 

 64 

 11 
 34 
 8 

 53 

 117 

 1,782 

 1,899 

Bank loans
The Group has a number of borrowing arrangements with various lenders. These borrowings consist of unsecured and secured loans and 
credit facilities denominated in U.S. Dollars. Where security is provided it is in form of a pledge of revenue from certain sales agreements.

Movements in borrowings are reconciled as follows:

At 1 January
Borrowings obtained
Borrowings acquired 
Borrowings disposed
Repayments of borrowings
Net foreign exchange losses
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations
Arrangement fee amortisation

At 31 December

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

 1,899 
 1,244 
– 
 – 
 (1,410)
 (61)
 61 
 (1)

 1,732 

 1,456 
 1,697 
26
 (25)
 (1,254)
 (110)
 110
 (1)

 1,899 

At 31 December 2019, the Group had undrawn borrowing facilities of $1,904 million (31 December 2018: $1,119 million), of which 
$1,079 million are considered committed (31 December 2018: $1,069). The Group complied with its debt covenants throughout 2019 
and 2018. 

The table below summarises maturities of borrowings: 

Year ended, 31 December 2019
31 December 2020
31 December 2021
31 December 2022
31 December 2023
31 December 2024
31 December 2025
31 December 2026
31 December 2027
31 December 2028
31 December 2029

Total

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

–
214
241
241
257
279
–
125
125
125
125

 117 
 263 
 500 
 446 
 469 
 104 
–
–
–
–
–

1,732

 1,899 

Opening balance
Change in estimate of environmental obligations (Note 13)
Decommissioning liabilities recognised as increase in Property plant and equipment (Note 19)
Rehabilitation expenses
Effect of unwinding of discount
Reclassified to discontinued operations
Acquired in business combinations (Note 4)
Disposal of subsidiary (Note 4)
Translation effect

Closing balance

Year ended 

31 December 
2019 
$m

31 December 
2018 
$m

32
(2)
16
5
4
(1)
–
–
3

57

 39 
 (1)
 (1)
 1 
 3 
 (1)
 2 
 (4)
 (6)

 32 

The principal assumptions are related to Russian Rouble and Kazakh Tenge projected cash flows. The assumptions used for the 
estimation of environmental obligations were as follows:

Discount rates
Inflation rates
Expected mine closure dates

Year ended

31 December 
2019

31 December 
2018

5.21%–8.1% 7.23%–10.68%
2%–4.6%
1–34 years

2%–6%
1–30 years

The Group does not hold any assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling environmental obligations.

The discount rates applied are based on the applicable government bond rates in Russia and Kazakhastan. The expected mine closure 
dates are consistent with life of mine models and applicable mining licence requirements.

27. Trade payables and accrued liabilities

Trade payables
Accrued liabilities
Labour liabilities
Provision for investment in Special Economic Zone (Note 13)
Other payables

Total 

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

73
49
14
12
5

 72 
 39 
 12 
 11 
 12 

153

 146 

In 2019 the average credit period for payables was 30 days (2018: 28 days). There was no interest charged on the outstanding payables 
balance during the credit period. The Group has financial risk management policies in place, which include budgeting and analysis of 
cash flows and payment schedules to ensure that all amounts payable are settled within the credit period.

194 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 195 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

28. Commitments and contingencies
Commitments
Capital commitments
The Group’s budgeted capital expenditure commitments as at 31 December 2019 amounted to $152 million (2018: $87 million).

Social and infrastructure commitments
In accordance with a memorandum with East-Kazakhstan Region Administration (local Kazakhstan government) the Group participates 
in financing of certain social and infrastructure development project of the Region. During the year ended 31 December 2019 the Group 
paid $5 million (2018: $2 million) under this programme and the total social expense commitment as at 31 December 2019 amounts to 
$18 million (2018: $26 million), payable in the future periods as follows:

Within one year
From one to five years
Thereafter

Total

31 December 
2019 
$m

31 December 
2018 
$m

5
13
–

18

2
20
4

26

Forward sale commitments
The Group has certain physical gold and silver forward sale commitments which are priced at the prevailing market price, calculated with 
reference to the LBMA or LME gold price, which are accounted for as executed as the Group expects to, and has historically, physically 
delivered into these contracts.

Contingencies
Taxation
Russian tax, currency and customs legislation is subject to varying interpretations, and changes, which can occur frequently. 
Management’s interpretation of such legislation as applied to the transaction and activity of the companies of the Group may be 
challenged by the relevant regional and federal authorities and as a result, significant additional taxes, penalties and interest may be 
assessed. Fiscal periods remain open to review by the authorities in respect of taxes for three calendar years preceding the year of 
review. Under certain circumstances reviews may cover longer periods.

During 2019 and 2018 the Group has been involved in certain litigation in Russia. Management has identified a total exposure (covering 
taxes and related interest and penalties) of $100 million in respect of contingent liabilities (2018: $47 million), including $99 million related 
to income tax (2018: $46 million).

29. Fair value accounting
The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, grouped 
into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable as follows:

•  Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
•  Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for 

the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and

•  Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not 

based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

At 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018, the Group held the following financial instruments:

Receivables from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales
Chaarat shares
Contingent consideration liability

Receivables from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales
Contingent consideration liability

31 December 2019

Level 1
$m

Level 2
$m

Level 3
$m

–
7
–

7

25
–
–

25

–
–
(66)

(66)

31 December 2018

Level 1
$m

Level 2
$m

 – 
 – 

 – 

 60 
 – 

 60 

Level 3
$m

 – 
 (54)

 (54)

Total
$m

25
7
(66)

(34)

Total
$m

 60 
 (54)

 6 

During the reporting periods, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, trade and other payables and short-term debt recorded 
at amortised cost approximate to their fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments. The estimated fair value of the 
Group’s debt, calculated using the market interest rate available to the Group as at 31 December 2019, is $1,482 million (2018: $1,660 
million), and the carrying value as at 31 December 2019 is $1,732 million (2018: $1,899 million) (see Note 25). 

Receivables from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales
The fair value of receivables arising from copper, gold and silver concentrate sales contracts that contain provisional pricing mechanisms 
is determined using the appropriate quoted forward price from the exchange that is the principal active market for the particular metal. 
As such, these receivables are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Contingent consideration liabilities
The table below sets out a summary of changes in the fair value of the Group’s Level 3 financial liabilities for the year ended 31 December 2019:

Opening balance
Additions (Note 4)
Change in fair value, included in profit or loss
Unwinding of discount (Note 16)
Settlement though issue of shares (Note 31)
Cash settlement

Total contingent consideration

Less current portion of contingent consideration liability

Total non-current contingent consideration

31 December 2019

31 December 
2018

Omolon
$m

Kapan
$m

Komar
$m

Prognoz
$m

Total
$m

11
–
2
1
–
(3)

11

(5)

6

8
–
(2)
–
–
(6)

–

–

–

21
–
22
–
–
(4)

39

(2)

37

14
–
1
1
–
–

16

–

16

54
–
23
2
–
(13)

66

(7)

59

Total
$m

62
14
(7)
1
(10)
(6)

54

(5)

49

196 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 197 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

29. Fair value accounting continued
Omolon
In 2008, the Group recorded a contingent consideration liability related to the acquisition of 98.1% of the shares in Omolon Gold Mining 
Company LLC (“Omolon”). The fair value of the contingent consideration liability was determined using a valuation model which simulates 
expected production of gold and silver at the Kubaka mine and future gold and silver prices to estimate future revenues of Omolon. 
This liability is revalued at each reporting date based on 2% of the life-of-mine revenues with the resulting gain or loss recognised in the 
consolidated income statement. The liability recognised as at 31 December 2019 is $11 million, including the current portion of $5 million.

Kapan
In 2016 the Group completed the acquisition of DPMK, the company owning the Kapan mine and processing plant in Armenia. The seller 
was entitled to receive a 2% NSR (Net Smelter Return) royalty on future production from the Kapan Gold Mine capped at $25 million. At 
the 31 December 2018, the fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated at $8 million, including current portion of $1 million. 
In January 2019, following the sale of Kapan (Note 4), the Group agreed with DPMK, to terminate the royalty owed to DPM via a buyout 
for a cash consideration of $6 million.

Komar
In 2016 the Group completed the acquisition of Orion Minerals LLP, the holding company for the Komarovskoye Gold Deposit (“Komar”) 
in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The seller is entitled to the contingent consideration that was determined based on the LOM model of the 
Komarovskoye mine and calculated using Monte Carlo modelling (see below). At the 31 December 2019, the fair value of the contingent 
consideration was estimated at $39 million.

Prognoz
During year ended 31 December 2018 the Group completed the acquisition of Prognoz silver property. The consideration transferred 
included two separate contingent consideration liabilities. The first contingent liability represents a net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty of 
between 2 and 4% pro-rated for the 45% holding, and dependent on the applicable statutory mineral extraction tax rate at the time when 
the asset enters commercial production. The royalty agreement is subject to a cap that increases progressively with the silver price. The 
fair value of the contingent liability is determined using a valuation model based on expected silver production and forecasted long-term 
flat silver prices. 

The second contingent liability represents the NSR royalty in the range of 0.5% to 2.5%, pro-rated for the 50% holding and capped at 
$40 million. The royalty will be only payable if silver price is $19/oz or higher, with the actual royalty rate within the range determined on 
a progressive scale dependent on silver price. The fair value of the royalty is similarly determined using a valuation model based on the 
expected production of silver at the silver prices as above and is calculated using Monte Carlo modelling, which simulates expected 
production silver and the silver prices to estimate Prognoz future revenues. 

As of 31 December 2019, the fair value of the total contingent consideration for Prognoz was estimated at $16 million. 

Assumptions used in the valuation of the Omolon and Prognoz are consistent with those used in the calculation of net realisable value of 
metal inventories, such as long-term metal prices and discount rates. Estimated production volumes are based on life of mine plans and 
are approved by management as part of the long-term planning process. 

Monte-Carlo assumptions
Monte-Carlo modelling contingent consideration was performed with the following inputs, where applicable:

•  Gold price volatility: 16.30%
•  Silver price volatility: 30.63%
•  Average gold price for the last quarter prior to valuation date/ounce: $1,482
•  Average silver price for the last quarter prior to valuation date/ounce: $17.32

The Directors consider that a reasonably possible change in a valuation assumption would not have a material impact on the financial 
statements for contingent considerations payable. 

30. Risk management activities
Capital management
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return 
to stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The Group’s overall strategy is to provide value to stakeholders 
by maintaining an optimal short-term and long-term capital structure, reducing cost of capital, and to safeguard the ability to support the 
operating requirements on an ongoing basis, continuing the exploration and development activities.

The capital structure of the Group consists of net debt (borrowings as detailed in Note 25 offset by cash and cash equivalents and bank 
balances as detailed in Note 24) and equity of the Group comprising the Stated Capital account, reserves and retained earnings.

The Group’s committed borrowings are subject to certain financial covenants. Compliance with covenants is reviewed on a semi-annual 
basis and the Group’s Board is satisfied with forecast compliance with covenants on those borrowings. 

The Group’s Board reviews the capital structure of the Group on a semi-annual basis. As part of this review, the Board considers the cost 
of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital.

Major categories of financial instruments
The Group’s principal financial liabilities comprise borrowings, derivatives, trade and other payables. The Group has various financial 
assets such as accounts receivable, loans advanced and cash and cash equivalents.

Financial assets
Financial assets at FVTPL
Receivables from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales (Note 23)
Chaarat shares
Loans and receivables, including cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 24)
Trade and other receivables (Note 23)
Non-current loans and receivables (Note 23)

Total financial assets

Financial liabilities 
Financial liabilities at FVTPL
Contingent consideration liability (Note 29)
Financial liabilities at amortised cost
Borrowings (Note 25)
Trade and other payables (Note 27)

Total financial liabilities

Year ended 

31 December 
2019 
$m

31 December 
2018 
$m

25
7

253
16
10

311

 60 
–

 379 
 21 
 6 

 466 

66 

 54 

1,732
89

1,887

 1,899 
 87 

 2,040 

Trade and other payables exclude employee benefits and social security.

The main risks arising from the Group’s financial instruments are foreign currency and commodity price risk, interest rate, credit and 
liquidity risks.

At the end of the reporting period, there are no significant concentrations of credit risk for receivables at FVTPL. The carrying amount 
reflected above represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk for such receivables.

Presented below is a summary of the Group’s accounts receivable with embedded derivative recorded on the consolidated balance 
sheet at fair value.

198 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 199 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

30. Risk management activities continued

Consolidated balance sheet location 

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

Receivable from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales

Accounts receivable

25

 60 

Receivable from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales Revenue

Location of gain (loss) recorded 
in profit or loss

Year ended 

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

2

 5 

Foreign currency and commodity price risk
In the normal course of business the Group enters into transactions for the sale of its commodities, denominated in U.S. Dollars. In addition, 
the Group has assets and liabilities in a number of different currencies (primarily Russian Rouble and Kazakh Tenge). As a result, the Group 
is subject to transaction and translation exposure from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

The Group does not currently use derivative instruments to hedge its exposure to foreign currency risk.

The carrying amounts of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies other than functional currencies of the 
individual Group entities at 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 were as follows:

U.S. Dollar
Euro

Total

Assets 

Liabilities

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

31 December 
2019
$m

31 December 
2018
$m

253
–

253

 356 
 – 

356

697
10

707

 792 
 9 

801

U.S. Dollar denominated assets and liabilities disclosed above exclude balances outstanding held in Polymetal International plc and its 
intermediate holding companies, where the functional currency is U.S. Dollar ($) as described in Note 2.

Provisionally priced sales
Under a long-established practice prevalent in the industry, copper, gold and silver concentrate sales are provisionally priced at the time 
of shipment. The provisional prices are finalised in a contractually specified future period (generally one to three months) primarily based 
on quoted LBMA or LME prices. Sales subject to final pricing are generally settled in a subsequent month. 

Interest rate risk
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk because entities in the Group borrow funds at both fixed and floating interest rates. The risk 
is managed by the Group by maintaining an appropriate mix between fixed and floating rate borrowings. The Group does not currently 
hedge its exposure to interest rate risk.

The Group’s exposure to interest rates on financial assets and financial liabilities are detailed in the liquidity risk section of this note.

For floating rate liabilities, the analysis is prepared assuming the amount of the liability outstanding at the end of the reporting period 
was outstanding for the whole period. A 100 basis point increase or decrease is used when reporting interest rate risk internally to key 
management personnel and represents management’s assessment of the reasonably possible change in interest rates. If interest rates 
had been 100 basis points higher/lower and all other variables were held constant, the Group’s profit for the year ended 31 December 
2019 would have decreased/increased by $6 million (2018: $7 million). This is mainly attributable to the Group’s exposure to interest rates 
on its variable rate borrowings.

The Group’s sensitivity to interest rates has increased during the current period mainly due to the increase in variable rate debt instruments.

Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a customer may default or not meet its obligations to the Group on a timely basis, leading to financial losses 
to the Group. The Group’s financial instruments that are potentially exposed to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and 
cash equivalents and loans and receivables.

Trade accounts receivable at 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 are represented by provisional copper, gold and silver 
concentrate sales transactions. A significant portion of the Group’s trade accounts receivable is due from reputable export trading 
companies. With regard to other loans and receivables the procedures of accepting a new customer include checks by a security 
department and responsible on-site management for business reputation, licences and certification, creditworthiness and liquidity. 
Generally, the Group does not require any collateral to be pledged in connection with its investments in the above financial instruments. 
Credit limits for the Group as a whole are not set up.

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-
rating agencies. The major financial assets at the balance sheet date other than trade accounts receivable presented in Note 24 are cash 
and cash equivalents at 31 December 2019 of $253 million (2018: $379 million).

Currency risk is monitored on a monthly basis by performing a sensitivity analysis of foreign currency positions in order to verify that 
potential losses are at an acceptable level.

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to settle its liabilities as they fall due.

The table below details the Group’s sensitivity to changes in exchange rates by 10% which is the sensitivity rate used by the Group for 
internal analysis. The analysis was applied to monetary items denominated in respective currencies at the reporting dates.

Profit or loss (RUB to U.S. Dollar)
Profit or loss (KZT to U.S. Dollar)

Year ended 

31 December 
2019 
$m

31 December 
2018 
$m

(26)
(19)

 (24)
 (20)

The Group’s liquidity position is carefully monitored and managed. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining detailed budgeting, 
cash forecasting processes and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities to help ensure that it has adequate cash 
available to meet its payment obligations.

The following table details the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its financial liabilities with agreed repayment periods. The 
table has been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the Group 
can be required to pay. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows. To the extent that interest flows are floating rate, the 
undiscounted amount is derived from interest rate curves at the end of the reporting period. The contractual maturity is based on the 
earliest date on which the Group may be required to pay.

200 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 201 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

30. Risk management activities continued
Presented below is the maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities as at 31 December 2019: 

Weighted average number of shares: Diluted earnings per share
Both basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated by dividing profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent by 
the weighted average number of outstanding common shares before/after dilution respectively. The calculation of the weighted average 
number of outstanding common shares after dilution is as follows:

Borrowings 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Contingent consideration liabilities (Note 30)
Lease liabilities (Note 20)

Total

Borrowings
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Contingent consideration liabilities (Note 30)

Total

 31 December 2019

Less than
3 months
$m

3–12 months
$m

1–5 years
$m

More than
5 years
$m 

 68 
 89 
 4 
 1 

 162 

Less than
3 months
$m

 34 
 64 
2 

 100 

 216 
1 
 3 
 4 

 224 

 1,106 
 –
45 
 22 

 1,173 

 639 
 – 
 28 
20 

 687 

31 December 2018

3–12 months

$m

 169 
 23 
 6 

 198 

1–5 years
5 years
$m

 1,866 
 – 
 26 

 1,892

More than
 $m 

 107 
– 
34

 141 

Total
$m

 2,029 
 90 
 80 
 47 

 2,246 

Total
$m

 2,176 
87
 68 

 2,331 

31. Stated capital account and retained earnings
As at 31 December 2019, the Company’s issued share capital consisted of 470,188,201 ordinary shares (2018: 469,368,309 ordinary 
shares) of no par value, each carrying one vote. The Company does not hold any shares in treasury (2018: none). The ordinary shares 
reflect 100% of the total issued share capital of the Company.

The movements in the Stated Capital account in the year were as follows:

Balance at 31 December 2017
Share issue for Prognoz
Share issue for Kyzyl deferred consideration
Share issue for Amikan
Share issue for Nezhda
Share issue for Saum
Issue of shares in accordance with DSA and LTIP plans

Balance at 31 December 2018

Issue of shares in accordance with DSA and LTIP plans

Balance at 31 December 2019

Stated capital account
no. of shares

Stated capital account
$m

 430,115,480 
 20,459,668 
 1,015,113 
 2,456,049 
 13,486,579 
 834,055 
 1,001,365 

 469,368,309 

819,892

470,188,201

 2,031 
 200 
 10 
 22 
 136 
 6 
 9 

 2,414 

10

2,424

Reserves available for distribution to shareholders are based on the available cash in the Company under Jersey law. The Group has 
unremitted accumulated retained earnings based on local accounting standards of approximately $3.4 billion (2018: $2.5 billion), which if 
remitted without restrictions would fund the Group’s anticipated dividends for a number of years, after allowing for related tax payments. 
The directors believe that the Company therefore has access to cash to fund the Group’s anticipated dividends for a number of years.

Weighted average number of outstanding common shares
Dilutive effect of share appreciation plan

Weighted average number of outstanding common shares after dilution

Year ended 

31 December 
2019

31 December 
2018

 469,926,157 
6,475,641 

 449,016,966 
 1,497,087 

476,401,798

450,514,053

There were no adjustments required to earnings for the purposes of calculating the diluted earnings per share during the year ended 
31 December 2019 (year ended 31 December 2018: nil). 

At 31 December 2019 the outstanding LTIP awards issued under all outstanding tranches represent dilutive potential ordinary shares 
with respect to earnings per share from continuing operations as these are in the money as of reporting date (31 December 2018: the 
outstanding LTIP awards issued under 2014–2016 tranches represent dilutive potential ordinary shares).

The awards issued under management bonus deferral award plan are dilutive as of 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 being 
contingently issued shares and are included in the calculation of diluted EPS based on the weighted average number of shares that would 
be issuable if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period.

32. Share-based payments
For the year ended 31 December 2019, share-based compensation in the amount of $12 million including $2 million of management 
bonus deferral award (2018: $12 million and $1 million, respectively) was recognised in general, administrative and selling expenses in the 
consolidated income statement (Note 12). As of the reporting date the unrecognised share-based compensation expense related to non-
vested equity-settled stock appreciated rights is detailed as follows:

Tranche 2015
Tranche 2016
Tranche 2017
Tranche 2018
Tranche 2019

31 December 2019 

31 December 2018

Number of 
option 
granted
shares

Expected 
amortisation 
period
years

Unrecognised 
share-based 
compensation 
expense 
$m

Expected 
amortisation 
period
years

Unrecognised 
share-based 
compensation 
expense 
$m

 2,636,366 
 2,039,787 
 2,070,002 
 2,549,754 
 2,831,753

–
0.3
1.3
2.3
3.3

–
1
4
6
10

21

0.3
1.3
2.3
3.3
N/A

1 
3 
8 
9 
 N/A 

21

During the year ended 31 December 2019 total amount of 819,892 shares were released and issued in accordance with management 
bonus plan deferral award and the long-term incentive plan (2018: 1,001,365 shares in accordance with management bonus plan deferral 
award and the long-term incentive plan). The assumptions used in the calculation and fair value of one award, calculated based on those 
assumptions, are set in the table below:

Risk free rate
Expected volatility
Constant correlation
Expected life, years
Share price at the date of grant ($)
Fair value of one award ($)

Tranche 2015

Tranche 2016

Tranche 2017

Tranche 2018

Tranche 2019

1.17%
43.70%
30.86%
 4 
 8.2 
 3.8 

1.11%
42.05%
32.32%
 4 
 10.3 
 4.6 

1.60%
41.65%
34.49%
 4 
 13.3 
 6.9 

2.49%
34.03%
33.70%
 4 
 10.2 
 4.0 

2.32% 
33.87% 
39.54% 
4 
11.0 
4.3 

Dividend yield is not incorporated into the calculation of the fair value of the awards, as Dividend equivalents will be received on vested 
shares, reflecting the value of dividends, which have been paid during the period from the grant date to the vesting date.

202 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 203 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

33. Related parties 
Related parties are considered to include shareholders, affiliates, associates, joint ventures and entities under common ownership and 
control with the Group and members of key management personnel. 

As of 31 December 2019 and for the year ended 31 December 2019 the Group does not have any significant balances outstanding or 
significant transactions with the related parties. For the year ended 31 December 2018 transactions with related parties were represented by 
purchases of ore from equity method investments of $22 million and sales of machinery and equipment to the joint ventures of $15 million.

As of 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 the share of non-controlling interest in Amikan GRK amounting to the $7 million was 
held by a related party (31 December 2018: $5 million).

The remuneration of directors and other members of key management personnel during the periods was as follows:

There were no significant non-cash transactions during the year ended 31 December 2019, other than in respect of share based 
payments (2018: the issuance of 38,251,464 shares for several business combinations and other transactions).

Cash outflows related to exploration amounted to $39 million for the year ended 31 December 2019 (2018: $43 million). During the year 
ended 31 December 2019, the capital expenditure related to the new projects, increasing the operating capacity amounts to $246 million 
(2018: $146 million).

35. Subsequent events
There were no subsequent events.

Share-based payments
Short-term benefits of board members
Short-term employee benefits

34. Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows

Year ended 

31 December 
2019 
$m

31 December 
2018 
$m

3
2
3

8

3
2
3

 8 

Year ended 
31 December 
2019
$m 

Year ended 
31 December 
2018
$m 

Notes

Profit before tax
Adjustments for:

Depreciation and depletion recognised in the statement of comprehensive income
Write-down of exploration assets and construction in progress
Write-down of metal inventories to net realisable value
Write-down of non-metal inventories to net realisable value
Share-based compensation
Finance costs
Finance income
Rehabilitation expenses
Change in contingent consideration liability
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures
Foreign exchange gain
Revaluation of initial share on business combination
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries, net
Write-down of assets held for sale
Other non-cash expenses

19
22
22
12, 32
16

29

Movements in working capital

Increase in inventories
Increase in VAT receivable
Increase in trade and other receivables
Increase in prepayments to suppliers
(Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables
Increase in other taxes payable

Cash generated from operations

Interest paid
Interest received
Income tax paid

Net cash generated by operating activities

618

243 
9
19
(1)
12
81
(7) 
5
23
–
36
–
16
28
4 

1,086

(81)
(45)
(54)
(12)
(16)
–

878
(81)
6
(107)

696

426

186
24
21
2
12
71
(8)
1
(7)
1
40
(41)
54
–
3

785 

(150)
(19)
(24)
(34)
134
3

695
(74)
4
(112)

513

204 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 205 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alternative performance measures

Introduction
The financial performance reported by the Group contains certain Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) disclosed to complement 
measures that are defined or specified under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). APMs should be considered in addition 
to, and not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance, financial position or cash flows reported in accordance with IFRS.

The Company believes that these measures, together with measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide the readers with 
valuable information and an improved understanding of the underlying performance of the business.

APMs are not uniformly defined by all companies, including those in the Group’s industry. Therefore, the APMs used by the Group may 
not be comparable to similar measures and disclosures made by other companies. 

Purpose
APMs used by the Group represent financial KPIs for clarifying the true financial performance of the Company and measuring it against 
strategic objectives, given the following background:

•  Widely used by the investor and analyst community in mining sector and, together with IFRS measures, APMs provide a holistic view 

of the Company.

•  Applied by investors to assess earnings quality, facilitate period-to-period trend analysis and forecasting of future earnings, 

understand performance through eyes of management.

•  Highlight key value drivers within the business that may not be obvious in the financial statements. 
•  Ensure comparability of information between reporting periods and operating segments by adjusting for uncontrollable or one-off 

factors that impact upon IFRS measures.

•  Used internally by management to assess financial performance of the Group and its operating segments.
•  Used in the Group’s dividend policy.
•  Certain APMs are used in setting Directors’ and management’s remuneration. 

APMs and justification for their use

Group APM Closest equivalent  

IFRS measure

Adjustments made to  
IFRS measure

Rationale for adjustments

Underlying 
net earnings

•  Profit/(loss) 

•  Write-down of metal inventory to net realisable value 

for the financial 
period attributable 
to equity 
shareholders of 
the Company

(post-tax)

•  Write-down of development and exploration assets 

(post-tax)

•  Foreign exchange (gain)/loss (post-tax)
•  Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability 

•  Exclude the impact of key significant one-off 
non-recurring items and significant non-cash 
items (other than depreciation) that can mask 
underlying changes in core performance.

(post-tax)

•  Gains/losses on acquisition, revaluation and disposals of 
interests in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures 
(post-tax).

•  No equivalent

•  Underlying net earnings (as defined above)
•  Weighted average number of outstanding common shares.

•  Exclude the impact of key significant one-off 
non-recurring items and significant non-cash 
items (other than depreciation) that can mask 
underlying changes in core performance.

•  No equivalent

•  Underlying net earnings (as defined above)
•  Average equity at the beginning and the end of reporting 

•  The most important metric for evaluating a 

company’s profitability

year, adjusted for translation reserve.

•  Measures the efficiency with which a 

company generates income using the funds 
that shareholders have invested.

•  No equivalent

•  Underlying net earnings (as defined above) before interest 

•  A financial ratio that shows the percentage 

Underlying 
earnings 
per share

Underlying 
return on 
equity

Return on 
assets

and tax

•  Average total assets at the beginning and the end of 

reporting year.

•  Finance cost (net)
•  Depreciation and depletion
•  Write-down of metal and non-metal inventory to net 

realisable value

•  Write-down of development and exploration assets 
•  Share-based compensation
•  Bad-debt allowance
•  Net foreign exchange gain/losses
•  Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability
•  Rehabilitation costs
•  Additional mining taxes, VAT, penalties and accrued interest
•  Gains/losses on acquisition, revaluation and disposals of 
interests in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.

of profit a company earns in relation to its 
overall resources.

•  Exclude the impact of certain non-cash 

elements, either recurring or non-recurring, 
that can mask underlying changes in core 
operating performance and be a proxy for 
operating cash flow generation.

Adjusted 
EBITDA 

•  Profit/(loss) before 

income tax

Net debt

Net debt/
EBITDA 
ratio

Free cash 
flow

Free cash 
flow post 
M&A

•  Not applicable

•  Net total of current 
and non-current 
borrowings 
•  Cash and cash 
equivalents

•  No equivalent

•  Not applicable

•  Cash flow from 

operating activity 
less cash flow from 
investing activities

•  Acquisition costs in business combinations and 
investments in associates and joint ventures

•  Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries.

•  Cash flow from 

•  Not applicable

operating activity 
less cash flow from 
investing activities

Total cash 
costs (TCC)

•  Total cash 

operating costs

•  General, 

administrative and 
selling expenses

•  Depreciation expense
•  Rehabilitation expenses 
•  Write-down of inventory to net realisable value 
Intersegment unrealised profit elimination
• 
• 
Idle capacities and abnormal production costs
•  Excludes Corporate and Other segment and 

development assets.

•  Measures the Group’s net indebtedness, 
which provides an indicator of the overall 
balance sheet strength.

•  Used by creditors in bank covenants.

•  Used by creditors, credit rating agencies and 

other stakeholders.

•  Reflects cash generating from operations 
after meeting existing capital expenditure 
commitments.

•  Measures the success of the Company in 
turning profit into cash through the strong 
management of working capital and capital 
expenditure.

•  Reflects cash generation to finance returns to 
shareholders after meeting existing capital 
expenditure commitments and financing 
growth opportunities.

•  Calculated according to common mining 

industry practice using the provisions of the 
Gold Institute Production Cost Standard.
•  Gives a picture of the Company’s current 

ability to extract its resources at a reasonable 
cost and generate earnings and cash flows 
for use in investing and other activities.

All-in 
sustaining 
cash costs 
(AISC)

•  Total cash 

•  AISC is based on total cash costs, and adds items relevant 

• 

operating costs

•  General, 

administrative and 
selling expenses

to sustaining production such as other operating 
expenses, corporate level SG&A, and capital expenditures 
and exploration at existing operations (excluding growth 
capital). After-tax all in cash costs includes additional 
adjustments for net finance cost, capitalised interest and 
income tax expense. All-in costs includes additional 
adjustments on that for development capital.

Includes the components identified in the 
World Gold Council’s Guidance Note on 
Non-GAAP Metrics – All-In Sustaining Costs 
and All-In Costs (June 2013), which is a 
non-IFRS financial measure.

•  Provides investors with better visibility into the 

true cost of production.

206 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 207 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESReserves and Resources

Ore Reserves as at 1 January 20201

Tonnage

Grade

Content

Tonnage

Grade

Content

Kt

Au, 
g/t

Ag
 g/t

Cu 
%

Zn
%

Pb
%

GE 
g/t

Au 
Koz

Ag 
Koz

Cu 
Kt

Zn
 Kt

Pb 
Kt GE Koz

Proved

Standalone mines

Albazino
Mayskoye
Kyzyl project 
(Bakyrchik)2

Dukat hub

Dukat
Lunnoye
Goltsovoye
Arylakh
Perevalnoye

Varvara hub

Varvara3
Komar 

Omolon hub

Birkachan
Olcha
Tsokol Kubaka
Yolochka4

Voro hub

Voro
Maminskoye5

Svetloye hub

Svetloye

Development and 
exploration projects

Nezhda6
Veduga7
Kutyn8

Total Proved

Probable

6,510

4,430
1,220
860

6,020

4,680
1,070
60
180
30

18,090

13,700
4,390

4,660

3,610
240
370
440

13,600

8,790
4,810

1,290

1,290

14,080

11,730
490
1,860

64,250

Standalone mines

58,420

11,080
Albazino
Mayskoye
7,640
Kyzyl project (Bakyrchik)2 39,700

3.5
7.1
5.4

0.5
1.1
–
0.7
–

0.8
1.3

2.2
7.2
5.0
4.6

1.5
1.9

2.7

3.6
2.7
3.5

4.1
7.0
6.3

Dukat hub

Dukat
Lunnoye
Arylakh
Perevalnoye
Primorskoye9

4,310

2,710
770
130
580
120

0.5
1.9
0.8
–

252
227
327
258
8.3 2,227

–
–
–

261
271
355
260
247

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
1.62

–
–
–
–
1.43

–
–

0.46
–

7
21
7
5

3
–

–

20
–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
2.24
–

–
–
–
1.69
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

4.4

3.5
7.1
5.4

3.7

3.6
4.3
4.4
3.9
3.9

1.0

0.9
1.3

3.0

2.3
7.4
5.0
4.7

1.7

1.5
1.9

2.7

2.7

3.8

3.9
2.7
3.5

2.5

924

492
282
150

–

–
–
–

113 50,989

69 39,247
9,350
39
671
–
1,462
4
259
–

545

363
183

436

260
53
59
65

724

429
295

110

110

–

–
–

1,166

862
152
83
68

849

849
–

–

–

1,626

7,603

1,372
42
211

7,603
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

8.6

8.6
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

0.5

–
–
–
–
0.5

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

0.5

–
–
–
–
0.5

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

924

492
282
150

725

542
148
8
22
4

600

417
183

449

269
54
59
66

730

436
295

110

110

1,706

1,452
42
211

4,478 60,607

8.6

0.5

0.5

5,243

6.0 11,254

1,446
1,716
8,092

–

–
–
–

126 42,460

43 21,961
5,591
47
1,389
4
4,764
–
8,754
33

4.1
7.0
6.3

4.6

3.5
4.7
4.9
4.3
30.2

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

12.9

–
–
–
12.9
–

– 11,254

–
–
–

9.7

–
–
–
9.7
–

1,446
1,716
8,092

641

307
115
21
79
119

Varvara hub
Varvara3
Komar 

Omolon hub

Birkachan
Olcha
Tsokol Kubaka
Burgali

Voro hub

North Kaluga10
Maminskoye5

Svetloye hub

Svetloye

Development and 
exploration projects

Nezhda6
Veduga7
Kutyn8

Total Probable

Proved + Probable

Standalone mines

Albazino
Mayskoye
Kyzyl project (Bakyrchik)2

Dukat hub

Dukat
Lunnoye
Goltsovoye
Arylakh
Perevalnoye 
Primorskoye9

Varvara hub

Varvara3
Komar 

Omolon hub

Birkachan
Olcha
Tsokol Kubaka
Burgali
Yolochka4

Voro hub

Voro
North Kaluga10
Maminskoye5

Kt

20,600
4,390
16,210

1,150

700
60
90
300

10,210

320
9,890

4,320

4,320

46,240

26,290
13,410
6,540

145,250

64,930

15,510
8,860
40,560

10,330

7,390
1,840
60
310
610
120

38,690

18,090
20,600

5,810

4,310
300
460
300
440

23,810

8,790
320
14,700

Au, 
g/t

Ag
 g/t

Cu 
%

Zn
%

Pb
%

GE 
g/t

Au 
Koz

Ag 
Koz

Zn
 Kt

Pb 
Kt

GE 
Koz

–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

1.1
1.7

7.4
6.7
5.9
9.1

6.7
1.9

–
–

0.59
–

23
19
9
37

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

101
–

5.81
–

5.58
–

2.7

–

3.4
4.6
2.9

3.9
7.0
6.3

13
–
–

–
–
–

0.5
1.5
–
0.7
–

258
253
355
289
257
8.3 2,227

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
2.21 1.68
–

–

0.9
1.6

3.1
7.1
5.1
9.1
4.6

1.5
6.7
1.9

–
–

0.52
–

10
20
7
37
5

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

3
101
–

–
5.81
–

–
5.58
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

1.6
1.5
1.7

7.9

7.6
6.9
6.0
9.5

2.4

17.1
1.9

2.7

2.7

3.7

3.5
4.6
2.9

3.9
7.0
6.3

4.1

3.6
4.5
4.4
4.4
4.2
30.2

1.4

1.1
1.6

4.0

3.2
7.3
5.2
9.5
4.7

2.0

1.5
17.1
1.9

Cu 
Kt

9.1
9.1
–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

1,090
218
872

293

171
15
18
89

797

179
618

376

376

5,549

2,960
1,989
601

1,056

1,056
–

18.9

18.9
–

18.1

18.1
–

1,033
161
872

283

166
14
18
86

688

70
618

376

376

5,434 10,981

2,844 10,981
–
1,989
–
601

–
–
–

933

518
41
28
347

–

–

–

–
–
–

4.3 19,194 55,431

28.0

31.0

9.7 20,000

5.8 12,178

1,938
1,998
8,242

239 93,449

112 61,209
87 14,941
671
2,852
5,023
8,754

–
7
–
33

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

– 12,178

–
–
–

1,938
1,998
8,242

13.4

10.2

1,366

–
–
–
–
13.4
–

–
–
–
–
10.2
–

1,578

523
1,055

720

426
67
76
86
65

–

–
–

17.7

17.7
–

2,100

1,380
193
111
347
68

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

1,412

1,904

429
70
913

849
1,056
–

18.9

–
18.9
–

18.1

–
18.1
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

849
264
8
43
83
119

1,690

635
1,055

741

440
69
77
89
66

1,527

436
179
913

208 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 209 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESReserves and Resources continued

Ore Reserves as at 1 January 20201 continued

Mineral Resources as at 1 January 20201

Svetloye hub

Svetloye

Development and 
exploration projects

Nezhda6
Veduga7
Kutyn8

Tonnage

Grade

Kt

5,610

5,610

60,320

38,020
13,900
8,400

Au, 
g/t

2.7

2.7

3.4
4.5
3.0

Ag
 g/t

Cu 
%

Zn
%

Pb
%

–

15
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

GE 
g/t

2.7

2.7

Au 
Koz

486

486

Ag 
Koz

–

3.7 7,059

18,585

3.6 4,216
4.5 2,032
812
3.0

18,585
–
–

Content

Cu 
Kt

Zn
 Kt

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

Pb 
Kt

–

–

–

–
–
–

GE 
Koz

486

486

7,255

4,412
2,032
812

Total Proved + Probable

209,500

3.7 23,672 116,038

36.6

31.6

10.2 25,243

1  Ore Reserves are reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012). Any discrepancies in calculations are due to rounding.
2  Previous estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.07.2019. Price: Au = $1,200/oz. Revised estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2020 (accounts only 

for depletion).

3  Cu grade in Ore Reserves only represents average grade in flotation feed. Ore Reserves for flotation: 1.9 Mt Proved and 1.6 Mt Probable.
4  Stockpiled Ore Reserves. Price: Au = $1,400/oz and Ag = $17/oz.
5  Estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2014. Price: Au = $1,300/oz. Revised estimate was not performed due to lack of material changes.
6  Estimate prepared by CSA as at 01.04.2018. Price: Au = $1,200/oz and Ag = $16/oz. Revised estimate was not performed due to lack of material changes.
7  Previous estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.03.2019. Revised estimate was prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2020 (accounts only for depletion). 

Ore Reserves are presented in accordance with the Company’s ownership equal to 74.3%.

8  Estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.10.2019. Price: Au = $1,300/oz. Revised estimate as at 01.01.2020 was not performed due to lack of material changes.
9 
10  Initial estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.07.2014. Price: Au = $1,300/oz, Ag = $20/oz, Cu = $7,000/t and Zn = $1,700/t. Revised estimate was not performed 

Initial estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2020. Price: Au = $1,400/oz, Ag = $16/oz.

due to lack of material changes.

Tonnage

Grade

Content

Kt

Au, 
g/t

Ag
 g/t

Cu 
%

Zn
%

Pb
%

GE 
g/t

Au 
Koz

Ag 
Koz

Cu 
Kt

Zn
 Kt

Pb 
Kt

GE 
Koz

Measured

Standalone mines

Albazino
Mayskoye2

Dukat hub

Dukat
Lunnoye
Goltsovoye
Arylakh

Varvara hub

Varvara3
Komar

Omolon hub

Birkachan
Olcha
Tsokol Kubaka

Voro hub

Voro
Maminskoye4

Svetloye hub

Svetloye

Development and 
exploration projects

Nezhda5
Veduga6
Kutyn7

4,620

3,440
1,180

1,360

670
530
80
80

6,660

6,520
140

680

410
160
110

1,230

250
980

740

740

1,160

220
380
560

2.7
13.0

–
–

0.9
1.8

443
422
– 1,018
717

1.4

–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

0.39
–

0.8
2.0

1.4
4.9
9.6

2.6
1.4

1.0

4.0
0.7
4.3

–
–
–

–
–

–

5
15
10

6
–

–

9
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–

5.3

2.7
13.0

7.1

6.2
6.9
12.7
10.4

1.5

1.5
2.0

3.5

1.5
5.0
9.7

1.6

2.6
1.4

1.0

1.0

3.1

4.1
0.7
4.3

792

296
496

–

–
–

53 21,149

19 9,505
31 7,126
– 2,625
4 1,893

172

163
9

75

19
25
31

65

20
44

23

23

115

28
9
77

–

–
–

183

71
77
34

45

45
–

–

–

61

61
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

22.4

22.4
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

 – 
–
–

 – 
–
–

 – 
–
–

 – 
–
–

Total Measured

16,450

3.2 1,295 21,438

22.4

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

 – 
–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

 – 
–
–

792

296
496

309

133
116
33
27

314

305
9

77

19
25
32

65

21
44

23

23

115

29
9
77

– 1,696

210 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 211 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
Reserves and Resources continued

Mineral Resources as at 1 January 20201 continued

Tonnage

Grade

Content

Kt

Au, 
g/t

Ag
 g/t

Cu 
%

Zn
%

Pb
%

GE 
g/t

Au 
Koz

Ag 
Koz

Cu 
Kt

Zn
 Kt

Pb 
Kt

GE 
Koz

Indicated

Standalone mines

Albazino
Mayskoye2
Kyzyl (Bakyrchik, Bolshevik) 8

Dukat hub

Dukat
Lunnoye
Goltsovoye
Arylakh
Perevalnoye
Primorskoye9

Varvara hub

Varvara3
Komar
Elevator10

Omolon hub

Birkachan
Olcha
Tsokol Kubaka
Burgali
Nevenrekan

Voro hub

Voro
Tamunier11
Maminskoye4
Saum12
Pescherny13

Svetloye hub

Svetloye
Levoberezhny14

Development and 
exploration projects

Nezhda5
Kutyn7
Prognoz15

Total Indicated

8,400

3,910
1,190
3,300

780

430
140
90
50
50
20

13,090

2,960
5,770
4,360

560

160
50
10
50
290

6,150

50
2,190
1,150
1,260
1,500

4,450

2,270
2,180

11,360

2,770
3,020
5,570

44,790

4.6
10.0
4.7

0.9
2.3
–
1.2
–
3.8

1.4
2.0
1.8

14.7
9.2
6.1
8.4
13.2

2.7
3.4
1.5
2.4
7.8

2.8
4.1

5.4 1,466

4.6
10.0
4.7

6.9

6.4
5.6
9.9
7.7
7.4
10.0

1.9

1.7
2.0
1.8

17.1

14.9
9.5
6.2
8.6
21.9

5.5

2.7
3.5
1.5
9.9
7.8

3.4

2.8
4.1

7.7

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

581
382
503

27

13
10
–
2
–
2

759

130
372
257

226

74
15
2
14
121

775

5
242
55
96
378

492

201
291

–
–
–

457
270
796
519
446
879

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
3.98
–

–
–
–

–
–

–
2.94
–

23
28
11
19
770

4
10
–
45
–

–
–

–
–
–

0.49
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
2.14
–

–
–
–
3.39
–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–

3.7
4.1
 – 

16
–
808

–
–
2.15

3.9
4.1
11.6

331
396

1,423
–
 –  144,710

–

–
–
–

11,850

6,372
1,200
2,331
820
682
445

–

–
–
–

7,255

113
45
4
32
7,061

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

5.2

5.2
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

1.9

–
–
–
–
1.9
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

– 1,466

–
–
–

1.4

–
–
–
–
1.4
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

581
382
503

172

90
25
29
12
11
5

792

163
372
257

308

75
15
2
15
201

2,523

26.8

42.6

– 1,082

6
690
–
1,827
–

–
–
–
26.8
–

–

–
–

727 146,134

–
–
–
42.6
–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–

5
245
55
399
378

492

201
291

– 119.8 2,823

346
–
–
–
396
–
– 119.8 2,081

–

–
–

–

–
–
–

5.0 4,472 167,762

32.0

44.5 121.2 7,134

Tonnage

Grade

Content

Kt

Au, 
g/t

Ag
 g/t

Cu 
%

Zn
%

Pb
%

GE 
g/t

Au 
Koz

Ag 
Koz

Cu 
Kt

Zn
 Kt

Pb 
Kt

GE 
Koz

Measured + Indicated

Standalone mines

13,020

5.4 2,258

Albazino
Mayskoye2
Kyzyl (Bakyrchik, Bolshevik) 8

Dukat hub

Dukat
Lunnoye
Goltsovoye
Arylakh
Perevalnoye
Primorskoye9

Varvara hub

Varvara3
Komar 
Elevator10

Omolon hub

Birkachan
Olcha
Tsokol Kubaka
Burgali
Nevenrekan

Voro hub

Voro
Tamunier11
Maminskoye4
Saum12
Pescherny13

Svetloye hub

Svetloye
Levoberezhny14

Development and 
exploration projects

Nezhda5
Veduga6
Kutyn7
Prognoz5

7,350
2,370
3,300

2,140

1,100
670
170
130
50
20

19,750

9,480
5,910
4,360

1,240

570
210
120
50
290

7,380

300
2,190
2,130
1,260
1,500

5,190

3,010
2,180

12,520

2,990
380
3,580
5,570

3.7
11.5
4.7

0.9
1.9
–
1.3
–
3.8

1.0
2.0
1.8

5.1
5.9
9.2
8.4
13.2

2.6
3.4
1.4
2.4
7.8

2.3
4.1

3.7
0.7
4.1
–

3.7
11.5
4.7

7.0

6.3
6.6
11.2
9.4
7.4
10.0

1.7

1.5
2.0
1.8

9.6

5.2
6.1
9.3
8.6
21.9

4.8

2.6
3.5
1.4
9.9
7.8

3.1

2.3
4.1

7.3

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

877
879
503

80

32
41
–
6
–
2

932

293
381
257

301

92
40
34
14
121

840

25
242
99
96
378

515

224
291

–
–
–

448
391
900
643
446
879

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
3.98
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
2.94
–

–
–
–

0.40
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
2.14
–

–
–
–
3.39
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

10
18
10
19
770

5
10
–
45
–

–
–

15
–
–
808

–

–
–
–

32,999

15,876
8,326
4,956
2,713
682
445

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

27.6

27.6
–
–

7,438

185
122
38
32
7,061

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

1.9

–
–
–
–
1.9
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

– 2,258

–
–
–

1.4

–
–
–
–
1.4
–

877
879
503

481

223
141
62
40
11
5

– 1,106

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

467
381
257

384

94
41
34
15
201

2,569

26.8

42.6

– 1,147

52
690
–
1,827
–

–
–
–
26.8
–

–

–
–

842 146,195

–
–
–
42.6
–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–

25
245
99
399
378

515

224
291

– 119.8 2,938

–
–
375
–
–
9
473
–
–
– 119.8 2,081

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
2.15

3.9
0.7
4.1
11.6

359
9
473

1,484
–
–
– 144,710

Total Measured + Indicated 61,240

4.5 5,768 189,200

54.5

44.5 121.2 8,830

212 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 213 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESReserves and Resources continued

Mineral Resources as at 1 January 20201 continued

Tonnage

Grade

Content

Kt

Au, 
g/t

Ag
 g/t

Cu 
%

Zn
%

Pb
%

GE 
g/t

Au 
Koz

Ag 
Koz

Cu 
Kt

Zn
 Kt

Pb 
Kt

GE 
Koz

Inferred

Standalone mines

26,570

Albazino
4,710
Mayskoye2
5,180
Kyzyl (Bakyrchik, Bolshevik) 8 16,680

6.1
11.3
5.5

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

0.8
1.8
–
0.3
–

487
409
703
473
418
7.0 1,713

1.7
2.4
1.6

10.3
9.2
15.5
8.9

3.2
1.9
7.3

2.0
2.3

5.1
4.4
3.2
–

–
–
–

0.61
–
–

41
15
23
299

4
45
 – 

–
–

9
–
–
635

–
–
–
–

 – 
 – 
 – 

–
–

–
–
–
–

6.8 5,772

6.1

922
11.3 1,884
5.5 2,967

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
3.17 3.07
–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

 – 
 – 
 – 

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

 – 
 – 
 – 

–
–

7.0

6.7
6.8
8.8
6.2
6.8
24.3

1.9

2.0
2.4
1.6

13.3

10.7
9.3
15.8
12.3

5.4

3.3
2.3
7.3

2.1

2.0
2.3

68

39
18
–
2
–
9

342

86
111
145

132

19
10
74
30

177

50
1
127

22

19
3

5,772

922
1,884
2,967

595

326
68
34
36
102
31

359

103
111
145

145

20
10
75
41

178

50
1
127

22

19
3

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

–

–
–

–

–
–
–

41,662

23,762
4,064
2,689
2,703
6,225
2,221

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

14.7

–
–
–
–
14.7
–

–

–
–
–

14.2

–
–
–
–
14.2
–

–

–
–
–

2.8

2.8
–
–

1,199

75
16
110
998

88

69
20
 – 

–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

5.4 8,003 105,502

–
–
–
–
–
–
– 1.73

5.2 7,552
139
4.4
312
3.2
–
9.2

13,679
–
–
91,822

77.9

9,474

–
–
–
77.9

7,696
139
312
1,327

5.6 14,517 148,451

2.8

14.7

92.2

16,546

Dukat hub

Dukat
Lunnoye
Goltsovoye
Arylakh
Perevalnoye 
Primorskoye9

Varvara hub

Varvara3
Komar
Elevator10

Omolon hub

Olcha
Tsokol Kubaka
Burgali
Nevenrekan

Voro hub

Tamunier11 
Saum12
Pescherny13 

Svetloye hub

Svetloye
Levoberezhny14

Development and 
exploration projects

Nezhda5
Veduga6
Kutyn7
Prognoz15

Total Inferred

2,640

1,520
320
120
180
460
40

5,770

1,560
1,450
2,760

340

60
30
150
100

1,030

480
10
540

330

290
40

54,980

46,440
980
3,060
4,500

91,660

Tonnage

Grade

Content

Kt

Au, 
g/t

Ag
 g/t

Cu 
%

Zn
%

Pb
%

GE 
g/t

Au 
Koz

Ag 
Koz

Cu 
Kt

Zn
 Kt

Pb 
Kt

GE 
Koz

Measured + 
Indicated + Inferred

Standalone mines

39,590

12,060
Albazino
Mayskoye2
7,550
Kyzyl (Bakyrchik, Bolshevik) 8 19,980

4.6
11.4
5.4

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
3.25
–

6.3 8,030

4.6 1,798
11.4 2,763
5.4 3,470

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

7.0

149

74,661

–
–
–
–
3.06
–

6.5
6.7
 10.2
7.6
6.9
 20.3

71
59
–
8
–
11

39,638
12,390
7,645
5,415
6,907
2,666

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

0.8
1.9
–
0.8
–

471
396
819
545
420
6.1 1,478

1.1
2.1
1.8

5.1
6.9
9.2
13.7
12.1

2.6
3.4
1.4
2.4
7.7

2.3
4.1

5.0
3.4
3.7
–

–
–
–

0.42
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
2.11
–

–
–
–
3.36
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

10
23
11
22
644

5
9
–
45
–

–
–

10
–
–
731

1.8 1,274

1.6
2.1
1.8

10.4

 5.2
7.1
9.3
 13.9
 19.3

379
493
402

433

92
58
43
88
151

–

–
–
–

30.4

30.4
–
–

8,637

185
197
54
142
8,059

–

–
–
–
–
–

2.6
3.4
1.4
9.8
7.7

3.0

2.3
4.1

25
292
99
97
505

537

243
294

52
759
–
1,846
–

–
–
–
26.8
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–

5.7 8,845 251,697

–
–
–
1.96

5.1 7,911
149
3.4
3.7
785
 10.5

15,164
–
–
– 236,533

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

16.6

–
–
–
–
16.6
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

– 8,030

– 1,798
– 2,763
– 3,470

15.6 1,077

–
–
–
–
15.6
–

548
208
96
75
113
37

– 1,465

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

570
493
402

529

94
60
44
89
242

–
–
–
42.6
–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–

25
296
99
400
505

537

243
294

– 197.8 12,412

– 8,071
–
149
–
–
–
785
–
– 197.8 3,408

4.9 1,017

2,657

26.8

42.6

– 1,325

Dukat hub

Dukat
Lunnoye
Goltsovoye
Arylakh
Perevalnoye
Primorskoye9

Varvara hub

Varvara3
Komar
Elevator10

Omolon hub

Birkachan
Olcha
Tsokol Kubaka
Burgali
Nevenrekan

Voro hub

Voro
Tamunier11 
Maminskoye4
Saum12 
Pescherny13

Svetloye hub

Svetloye
Levoberezhny14

Development and 
exploration projects

Nezhda5
Veduga6
Kutyn7
Prognoz15

4,780

2,620
990
290
310
510
60

25,520

11,040
7,360
7,120

1,580

570
270
150
200
390

8,410

300
2,670
2,130
1,270
2,040

5,520

3,300
2,220

67,500

49,430
1,360
6,640
10,070

1  Mineral Resources are reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012) and are additional to Ore Reserves. Lichkvaz, Oroch, Sopka Kvartsevaya, Dalneye and 

Irbychan as of 01.01.2020 are classified as discontinued operations and excluded from the estimate. Any discrepancies in calculations are due to rounding.

2  Previous estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2019. Revised estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2020 (accounts only for depletion).
3  Cu grade estimate is presented for rock and powder ore with high Cu grade only (total Mineral Resources of rock and powder ore with high Cu grade are 5.1 and 

5.9 Mt of ore respectively).

4  Estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2014. Price: Au = $1,300/oz. Revised estimate was not performed due to lack of material changes.
5  Estimate prepared by CSA as at 01.04.2018. Price: Au= $1,200/oz, Ag = $16/oz. Revised estimate was not performed due to lack of material changes.
6  Previous estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.03.2019. Revised estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2020 (accounts only for depletion). Mineral 

Resources are presented in accordance with Company’s ownership equal to 74.3%.

7  Previous estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.10.2019. Price: Au = $1,300/oz. Revised estimate was not performed due to lack of material changes.
8  Previous estimate of Zone 1 was prepared by Polymetal as at 01.07.2019. Revised estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2020 (accounts only for depletion). 

Previous estimate of Zone 2 (East Bakyrchik) prepared by RPA Inc. as at 01.01.2015. Estimate of Bolshevik section was prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2019, 
revised estimate was not performed due to lack of material changes.

9  Revised estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2020. Price: Au= $1,400/oz, Ag = $16/oz.
10  Initial estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2020.
11  Estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2018. Price: Au = $1,200/oz, Ag = $16/oz. Revised estimate was not performed due to lack of material changes.
12  Initial estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2017. Au = $1,200/oz, Ag = $16/oz, Cu = $4,500/t and Zn = $1,900/t. Revised estimate was not performed due to 

lack of material changes.

13  Estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2019. Revised estimate was not performed due to lack of material changes.
14  Estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 01.01.2019. Revised estimate was not performed due to lack of material changes.
15  Estimate prepared by SRK Consulting (Russia) Limited as at 01.08.2018. Price: Ag = $16/oz, Pb = $2,200/t. Revised estimate was not performed due to lack of 

material changes. Recalculation into gold equivalent was made by Polymetal based on Au= $1,200/oz, Ag = $15/oz.

Total Measured + 
Indicated + Inferred 

152,900

See notes on previous page.

5.2 20,285 337,651

57.2

59.2 213.4 25,376

214 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 215 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESReserves and Resources continued

PGM Mineral Resources as at 1 January 20201

Gold equivalent data is based on “Metal equivalent conversion ratios” provided below. 

Measured
Viksha project

Total Measured

Indicated

Viksha project

Total Indicated

Measured + Indicated
Viksha project

Total Measured + Indicated

Inferred
Viksha project

Total Inferred

Measured + Indicated + Inferred
Viksha project

Total Measured + Indicated + Inferred

Tonnage

Grade

Content

Mt

6.9

6.9

100.5

100.5

107.4

107.4

57.4

57.4

164.8

164.8

Pd, 
g/t

Pt, 
g/t

Au, 
g/t

Cu, 
%

PdE2, 
g/t 

Pd, 
Moz

Pt, 
Moz

Au, 
Moz

Cu, 
Kt

PdE, 
Moz

0.8

0.8

0.7

0.7

0.7

0.7

0.7

0.7

0.7

0.7

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.09

0.09

0.10

0.10

0.10

0.10

0.10

0.10

0.10

0.10

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

0.2

0.2

2.4

2.4

2.6

2.6

1.4

1.4

3.9

3.9

0.1

0.1

0.8

0.8

0.9

0.9

0.5

0.5

1.4

1.4

0.03

0.03

6.5

6.5

0.5

0.5

96.2

96.2

0.5 102.7

0.5 102.7

0.3

0.3

58.4

58.4

0.8 161.0

0.8 161.0

0.2

0.2

3.5

3.5

3.7

3.7

2.0

2.0

5.7

5.7

1  Mineral Resources are reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012). Estimate prepared by Polymetal as at 05.09.2019. Price for Pd = $1,500/oz, Pt = $800/
oz, Au = $1,200/oz and Cu = $6,000/t. Revised estimate was not performed due to lack of material changes. Discrepancies in calculations are due to rounding.

2  PdE is calculated using the following formula: PdE = Pd (g/t) + Pt (g/t)/2.35 + Au (g/t)/1.46 + Cu (%)/0.76.

This estimate was prepared by employees of JSC Polymetal Management Company and JSC Polymetal Engineering, led by Mr Valery 
Tsyplakov, who assumes overall responsibility for the Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Report. 

Mr Tsyplakov is employed full-time as the Managing Director of JSC Polymetal Engineering and has more than 19 years’ experience in 
gold, silver and polymetallic mining. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (FIMMM – Fellow of Institute of Materials, 
Minerals & Mining, London), London, and a Competent Person under the JORC Code. 
Listed below are other Competent Persons employed by the Company that are responsible for relevant research on which the Mineral 
Resources and Ore Reserves estimate is based:

•  Geology and Mineral Resources – Roman Govorukha, Head of Geologic Modelling and Monitoring Department, JSC Polymetal 

Management Company, MIMMM, with 19 years’ relevant experience

•  Mining and Ore Reserves – Igor Epshteyn, Head of Mining Process Department, JSC Polymetal Engineering, FIMMM, with 38 years’ 

relevant experience

•  Concentration and Metals – Igor Agapov, Deputy Director of Science and Technology, JSC Polymetal Engineering, MIMMM, 

with 22 years’ relevant experience.

All the above mentioned Competent Persons have sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits 
under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian 
Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’ (JORC Code).

All Competent Persons have given their consent to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on their information in the form and 
context in which it appears.

Metals prices used in estimating Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves are listed below (unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes):

Au = $1,200/oz;
Ag = $15.0/oz;
Cu = $5,500/t;
Zn = $2,200/t.
Pb = $2,000/t

Reporting of Metal Equivalents
Gold equivalent conversion ratio 
GE=Me/k
Where Me is the evaluated metal content (silver g/t, copper %, zinc %, lead %)

Where k is the metal to gold equivalent conversion rate that is calculated considering the difference in metals value issuing the 
following formula:

for silver: k= ((Au price/31.1035 - (Au price /31.1035 – Treatment charge Au)*(Royalty Au)/100 – (Treatment charge Au))*(Recovery Au)/
((Ag price/31.1035 – (Ag price/31.1035 – Treatment charge Ag)*(Royalty Ag)/100 – (Treatment charge Ag))*(Recovery Ag))), 

for copper or zinc or lead: k = 100*((Au price/31.1035) – (Au price/31.1035 – Treatment charge Au)*(Royalty Au)/100 – (Treatment change 
Au))*(Recovery Au))/(((Me price) – (Me price - Treatment charge Me)*(Royalty Me)/100 – (Treatment charge Me))*Recovery Me))),

where Royalty is the mineral extraction tax at applicable rate, recovery – the life-of-mine expected recovery of the respective metal in the 
processing technology applied.

Metal equivalent conversion ratios

Deposit

Ore processing technology

Dukat
Lunnoye (Ore Zone 5)
Lunnoye (Ore Zones 6,7,9)
Arylakh
Goltsovoye
Perevalnoye
Primorskoye

Varvara
Birkachan

Olcha
Tsokol Kubaka
Burgali
Irbychan
Yolochka
Nevenrekan
Voro North
Voro West (oxide ore)

North Kaluga
Tamunier
Saum

Prognoz

Conventional flotation
Cyanidation + Merrill Crowe process
Cyanidation + Merrill Crowe process
Cyanidation + Merrill Crowe process
Conventional flotation
Conventional flotation
Concentrate sales 
Cyanidation + Merrill Crowe process (run-of-mine ore) 
Primary ore with high copper content: Conventional flotation
Cyanidation + carbon-in-pulp
Heap leaching + carbon-in-column
Cyanidation + Merrill Crowe process
Cyanidation + carbon-in-pulp
Cyanidation + Merrill Crowe process
Cyanidation + Merrill Crowe process
Cyanidation + carbon-in-pulp
Cyanidation + Merrill Crowe process
Cyanidation + carbon-in-pulp
Heap leaching + Merrill Crowe process
Cyanidation + carbon-in-pulp
Conventional flotation
Conventional flotation
Oxide ore: Cyanidation + carbon-in-pulp
Cu-Zn primary ore: Conventional flotation
Cu-Zn loose ore: Conventional flotation
Zn – Conventional flotation
Conventional flotation (open-pit)
Conventional flotation (underground)

Ag

83
94
82
80
80
80
91
141

101
80
100
100
105
89
89
89
132
155
138
91
199
111
113
63
168
75
75

k

Zn

Cu

Pt

Pb 

3.01

5.73

0.51

0.68

7.76

0.54
0.38

1.91
1.38
0.62

3.32
1.91

216 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 217 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICES 
Group production statistics

Financial highlights

Consolidated highlights

Waste mined, Kt
Underground development, m
Ore mined, Kt
Open-pit
Underground
Ore processed, Kt

Gold grade processed (incl. by-product copper and zinc), g/t
Silver grade processed, g/t
GE grade processed, g/t

TOTAL PRODUCTION

Gold, Koz
Silver, Moz
Copper, t
Zinc, t

Gold equivalent, Koz based on 80:1 Ag/Au ratio

Gold equivalent production by mine, GE Koz
Kyzyl
Dukat 
Albazino-Amursk
Omolon 
Mayskoye
Varvara
Voro
Svetloye
Okhotsk 
Kapan

FY 2015

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

FY 2019

65,345
73,079
12,679
9,626
3,053
10,821
2.8
108
4.2

861
32.1
827
 – 

1,267

 – 
 393 
 220 
 188 
 138 
 72 
 141 
 – 
 114 
 – 

82,133
92,161
13,380
9,506
3,874
11,417
2.9
92
4.0

890
29.2
1,454
 2,888 

1,269

 – 
 369 
 244 
 170 
 116 
 85 
 129 
 23 
 108 
 26 

114,008
115,352
12,589
8,241
4,347
13,037
3.0
74
3.9

126,696
130,000
13,979
9,319
4,660
15,162
3.2
60
3.9

158,560
105,819
17,224
13,022
4,202
15,024
3.3
52
4.0

1,075
26.8
2,715
4,794

1,433

 – 
 322 
 269 
 202 
 124 
 130 
 120 
 106 
 111 
 50 

1,216
25.3
3,875
5,381

1,562

 96 
 306 
 308 
 195 
 117 
 142 
 107 
 136 
 104 
 51 

1,316
21.6
2,452
1,042

1,614

 343 
 302 
 241 
 205 
 129 
 149 
 107 
 134 
 – 
 5 

Total

 1,266 

 1,269 

 1,433 

 1,562 

 1,614

Revenue, $m
Adjusted EBITDA, $m
Adjusted EBITDA margin, %

Average realised gold price, $/oz
Average LBMA closing gold price, $/oz
Average realised silver price, $/oz
Average LBMA closing silver price, $/oz

Total cash cost, $/GE oz
All-in sustaining costs, $/GE oz

Net earnings/ (loss), $m
Underlying net earnings, $m

Underlying EPS, $/share
Dividends declared during the period, $/share
Dividend declared for the period, $/share

Operating cash flow, $m
Capital expenditures, $m
Free cash flow (pre M&A), $m
Free cash flow (post M&A), $m

FY 2015

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

FY 2019

1,441
658
46%

1,127
1,160
 14.7 
 15.7 

538
733

 221 
291

 0.70 
0.51
0.51

 491 
 205 
 263 
 191 

1,583
759
48%

1,216
1,250
 16.3 
 17.1 

570
776

 395 
 382 

 0.90 
 0.37 
0.42

 530 
 271 
 257 
 129 

1,815
745
41%

1,247
1,258
 16.1 
 17.0 

658
893

 354 
 376 

 0.88 
 0.32 
0.44

 533 
 383 
 143 
 56 

1,882
780
41%

1,253
1,269
14.8
15.7

649
861

 355 
 447 

 1.00 
 0.47 
0.48

 513 
 344 
 176 
 134 

2,246
1,075
48%

1,411
1,393
16.5
16.2

655
866

483
 586 

1.25
0.51
0.82

 696 
436
256
299

1
1

2

3
4

5
6

ROIC

23%

18%

15%

17%

19%

1  Excluding effect of treatment charges deductions from revenue.
2  Refer to the Alternative Performance Measures section for definition and details.
3  Based on declaration date. 
4  Dividend declared for the FY include interim, final and special dividend paid for the financial year.
5  Free cash flow (pre M&A) is defined as net cash flow from operating activities (including interest received) less cash flows used in investing activities excluding 

acquisitions of JVs and associates, cash outflow on business combination and put option exercise expenses. 

6  Free cash flow (post M&A) is defined as free cash flow including cash used in/received from acquisition/disposal of assets and joint ventures.

Source:
Consolidated audited IFRS financial statements for the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015.

218 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 219 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESGlossary

Abbreviations and units of measurement

AGM

Annual General Meeting

CIS

E&E

EITI

GE

ILO

ISO

IMN

JORC

JSC

LBMA

LTIP

N/A

NM

OHSAS

PdE

PGM

POX

SE

Commonwealth of Independent States

Exploration and evaluation assets

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

gold equivalent

International Labour Organisation

International Organisation for Standardisation

Indigenous Minorities of the North

Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee

joint stock company

London Bullion Market Association

Long-Term Incentive Programme

not applicable

not meaningful

Occupational Health And Safety 
Assessment Series

palladium equivalent

platinum group metal

pressure oxidation

silver equivalent

UDHR

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

g/t

GJ

km

Koz

Kt

Ktpa

m

Moz

Mt

Mtpa

MWh

gram per tonne

gigajoules

kilometres

thousand ounces

thousand tonnes

thousand tonnes per annum

metres

million ounces

million tonnes

million tonnes per annum

megawatt hour

Oz or oz

troy ounce (31.1035 g)

pp

t

TJ

tpd

percentage points

tonne (1,000 kg)

terajoule

tonnes per day

Technical terms
Assay
A chemical test performed on a sample of any material to 
determine the amount of valuable metals contained in 
the sample

Ag
Silver

Au
Gold

Carbon-in-leach or CIL 
A technological operation in which slurry containing gold 
and silver is leached by cyanide in the presence of activated 
carbon. Gold is absorbed onto activated carbon in parallel 
with leaching

Carbon-in-pulp or CIP
A technological operation in which slurry containing gold and 
silver is leached by cyanide initially without and subsequently 
in the presence of activated carbon. Gold absorption onto 
carbon starts only after preliminary leaching

Compound annual growth rate (CAGR)
The rate of return required for an investment to grow 
from its opening balance to its ending balance, assuming the 
reinvestment of profits at the end of each year during 
this period

Concentrate
 A semi-finished product of mineral processing (flotation or 
gravity separation) containing significantly more value per unit 
of weight than ore and subject to further processing for the 
production of metals or other substances in final useful form

Cu
Copper

Cut-off grade
The minimum grade at which mineralised material can be 
economically mined and processed (used in the calculation 
of ore reserves)leaching with cyanide as the leaching agent

Debottlenecking 
The process of identifying specific areas and/or equipment 
at our mining facilities that limit production flow and 
optimising them to increase the overall capacity

Diamond drilling
Recovers mineral samples from depth or from within areas 
that are harder to drill by cutting a long cylindrical core 2cm 
or more in diameter

Dilution
The share (percentage) of material below the cut-off grade 
that is extracted together and irretrievably mixed with ore 
during mining. All other things being equal, higher dilution 
leads to lower grade in ore mined

Indicated resource 
That part of a resource for which tonnage, grade 
and content can be estimated with a reasonable level 
of confidence. It is based on exploration, sampling and 
testing information gathered through appropriate 
techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, 
pits, workings and drill holes. The locations are too widely 
or inappropriately spaced to confirm geological and/or 
grade continuity but are spaced closely enough for 
continuity to be assumed

Doré
One of the traditional end-products of a gold/silver mine; an 
alloy containing 90% in sum of gold and silver as well as 
10% of impurities

Dry tailings
A method of tailings storage in a form of a filtered wet 
(saturated) and dry (unsaturated) cake that can no longer 
be transported by pipeline due to its low moisture content. 
Significantly reduces the possibility of dam failure, lowers 
the potential damage from such accident and eliminates 
tailings run-off

Exploration
Activity ultimately aimed at discovery of ore reserves for 
exploitation. Consists of sample collection and analysis, 
including reconnaissance, geophysical and geochemical 
surveys, trenching, drilling, etc

Flotation 
A technological operation in which ore-bearing minerals 
are separated from gangue minerals in the slurry based on 
variance in the interaction of different minerals with water. 
Particles of valuable concentrate are carried upwards with 
froth and collected for further processing

Inferred resource 
That part of a resource for which tonnage, grade and 
content can be estimated with a low level of confidence. 
It is inferred from geological evidence and assumed but not 
verified geological and/or grade continuity. It is based on 
information gathered through appropriate techniques from 
locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and 
drill holes which may be limited or of uncertain quality 
and reliability

In-fill drilling 
A conventional method of detailed exploration on an already 
defined resource or reserve, consisting of drilling on a denser 
grid to allow more precise estimation of ore body parameters 
and location

Internal rate of return (IRR) 
The interest rate at which the net present value of all the 
cash flows (both positive and negative) from a project or 
investment equal zero and is used to evaluate the 
attractiveness of a project or investment

JORC-compliant
Exploration results, mineral resources and ore reserves are 
all reported according to the mining industry’s JORC Code, 
managed by the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee

Grade
The relative amount of metal in ore, expressed as grams per 
tonne for precious metals and as a percentage for 
most other metals

Leaching 
The process of dissolving mineral values from solid into 
liquid phase of slurry

Head grade 
The grade of ore coming into a processing plant

Heap leach 
A technological operation in which crushed material 
is laid on a sloping, impervious pad where it is leached by 
cyanide solution to dissolve gold and/or silver. Metals are 
subsequently recovered from pregnant leach solution by CIC 
or the Merrill-Crowe process

Life-of-mine (LOM)
The length of time during which it is anticipated ore reserves 
will be extracted 

Measured resource
That part of a resource for which tonnage, densities, shape,  
physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be 
estimated with a high level of confidence. It is based on 
detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing 
information gathered through appropriate techniques from 
locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and 
drill holes. The locations are spaced closely enough 
to confirm geological and grade continuity

220 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 221 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESGlossary continued

Merrill-Crowe process
A technological operation for extraction of gold and/or silver 
after cyanide leaching. In the first step slurry containing gold 
and/or silver is separated into liquid and solid phases by 
washing the solids off in countercurrent decantation 
thickeners. In the second step pregnant leach solution 
(liquid phase of slurry) is filtered to remove impurities and 
deaerated. Finally, gold and silver are deposited onto 
the solid bed of claylike material where they replace zinc 
particles which pass into a solution. Merrill-Crowe 
is preferentially used for silver-rich ores

Mill
A mineral processing plant 

Mineralisation
A rock containing valuable components, not necessarily 
in the quantities sufficient for economically justifiable 
extraction. Consists of ore minerals and gangue

Offtake agreement
A contract between Polymetal and a purchaser to buy 
a specified amount of future production

Open-pittable
Amenable for economically feasible mining by 
open-pit methods

Open-pit mine
A mine that is entirely on the surface. Also referred to as 
open-cut or open-cast mine

Pd
Palladium

POX or pressure oxidation
A technological operation in which slurry is subjected 
to high pressure and high temperature in an autoclave with 
the goal to destroy sulphide particles enveloping gold 
particles and make slurry amenable to cyanide leaching

Precipitate
The semi-finished product of mineral processing by 
Merrill-Crowe process, normally containing very high 
concentrations of silver and/or gold

Preg-robbing
A characteristic of gold-bearing ore denoting the presence 
of organic carbon matter which may lead to lower recovery 
in conventional cyanide leaching. Lower recovery is due to 
losses of gold absorbed into the above-mentioned organic 
carbon instead of absorbing into man-made carbon 
introduced to the slurry in CIP or CIL.

Primary ore
Unoxidised ore

Probable reserves
The economically mineable part of an indicated (and in 
some cases measured) resource, which has a lower level 
of confidence than proved reserves but is of sufficient 
quality to serve as the basis for a decision 
on the development of the deposit

Ore
The part of mineralisation that can be mined and processed 
profitably

Production
The amount of pure precious metals, measured in 
thousands of ounces for gold, millions of ounces for silver 
and tonnes for copper, produced following processing

Ore body
A spatially compact and geometrically connected 
location of ore

Ore mined
Ore extracted from the ground for further processing

Proved reserves
The economically mineable part of a measured resource, 
which represents the highest confidence category 
of reserve estimate. The style of mineralisation or other 
factors could mean that proved reserves are not achievable 
in some deposits

Ore processed
Ore subjected to treatment in a mineral processing plant

Pt
Platinum

Ore stacked
The ore stacked for heap leach operations

Overburden 
This is the material that sits above an ore body, such as the 
rock and soil, during exploration

Oxidised ore
Ore in which both ore minerals and gangue are fully 
or partially oxidised thus impacting its physical and 
chemical properties and influencing the choice of 
a processing technology

Reclamation
The restoration of a site after mining or exploration activity 
is completed

Recovery or recovery rate
The percentage of valuable metal in the ore that 
is recovered by metallurgical treatment in the final or 
semi-finished product

Refractory
A characteristic of gold-bearing ore denoting impossibility 
of recovering gold from it by conventional cyanide leaching

Reserves
The economically mineable part of a measured and/or 
indicated mineral resource. It takes into account mining 
dilution and losses. Appropriate assessments and studies 
have been carried out, and include consideration of and 
modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, 
economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and 
governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate 
at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be 
justified. Reserves are subdivided in order of increasing 
confidence into probable reserves and proved reserves

Resources 
A concentration or occurrence of material of intrinsic 
economic interest in or on the earth’s crust in such form, 
quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for 
eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, 
geological characteristics and continuity of resources are 
known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological 
evidence and knowledge. Resources are sub-divided in 
order of increasing geological confidence, into inferred, 
indicated and measured categories

SAG mill
A semi-autogenous grinding mill, generally used as 
a primary or first stage grinding solution

Step-out exploration drilling
Holes drilled to intersect a mineralisation horizon or 
structure along strike or down dip

Stope
A large underground excavation entirely within an ore body, 
a unit of ore extraction

Stripping
The mining of waste in an open-pit mine

Tailings
Part of the original feed of a mineral processing plant that 
is considered devoid of value after processing

Underground development
Excavation which is carried out to access ore and prepare 
it for extraction (mining)

Waste
Barren rock that must be mined and removed to access 
ore in a mine

222 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Annual Report & Accounts 2019 Polymetal International plc | 223 

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDICESShareholder information

As at 3 March 2020, the Company’s issued share capital consisted of 470,230,200 ordinary shares of no par value. 
The Company does not hold any ordinary shares in treasury. The ordinary shares reflect 100% of the total issued share 
capital of the Company.

Substantial shareholdings as at 3 March 2020
In accordance with the FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR 5), as at 3 March 2020 the Company received 
notification of the following material interests in voting rights over the Company’s issued ordinary share capital (including 
qualifying financial instruments): 

Full name of shareholder

ICT Holding Ltd and Powerboom Investments Limited

Fodina B.V.

Public Joint-Stock Company ‘Bank Otkritie Financial Corporation’

Details of person subject to the 
notification obligation

Total number 
of voting rights

% of voting 
rights 

Alexander Nesis

Petr Kellner

Public Joint-Stock Company ‘Bank 
Otkritie Financial Corporation’

128,802,676

27.39%

30,583,504

32,525,673

6.50%

6.92%

Alexander Mosionzhik

Alexander Mosionzhik

15,000,000

3.19%

St. Petersburg office (Russia) JSC 
Polymetal, the Russian holding company 
of the Group
Office 1063 
2 Prospect Narodnogo Opolcheniya 
St. Petersburg 198216 
Russian Federation
+7 812 334 3666
+7 812 677 4325

Nur-Sultan office (Kazakhstan)
Polymetal Eurasia LLP
10 D Kunaeva Street 
Nur-Sultan 010000 
Republic of Kazakhstan 
+7 717 261 0222

Company secretary
Tania Tchedaeva

Media contacts
FTI Consulting
Leonid Fink
Viktor Pomichal
+44 20 3727 1000

Investor relations
Evgeny Monakhov
Kirill Kuznetsov +44 20 7887 1475 (UK)
+7 812 334 3666 (Russia)
ir@polymetalinternational.com

Registrar
Computershare Investor Services (Jersey) 
Limited
Queensway House
Hilgrove Street
St Helier 
Jersey JE1 1ES 
Channel Islands

Auditors
Deloitte LLP
2 New Street Square 
London EC4A 3BX 
United Kingdom

Brokers
Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc
20 Bank Street
London E14 4AD
United Kingdom

RBC Europe Limited
Riverbank House 
2 Swan Lane 
London EC4R 3BF 
United Kingdom

Panmure Gordon & Co 
One New Change
London EC4M 9AF
United Kingdom

Legal counsels
Jersey legal advisors to the Company
Carey Olsen 
47 Esplanade 
St Helier 
Jersey JE1 0BD 
Channel islands

English and US legal advisors to the 
Company
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP 
65 Fleet Street 
London EC4Y 1HS 
United Kingdom

Cypriot legal advisors to the Company 
Andreas M. Sofocleous & Co LLC 
Proteas House 
155 Makariou III Ave 
Limassol 3026 
Cyprus

Contacts
Registered address (Jersey)
44 Esplanade
St Helier 
Jersey JE4 9WG 
Channel Islands 
+44 1534 504 000 
Registered No. 106196

Head office, Limassol (Cyprus)
Parthenonos, 6
3rd floor
3031, Limassol,
Cyprus
+357 25 558090

London office (UK)
Berkeley Square House
Berkeley Square
London W1J 6BD
United Kingdom
+44 20 20 7887 1475

224 | Polymetal International plc Annual Report & Accounts 2019

Visit our website
www.polymetalinternational.com

Sustainability report 2019 
www.polymetalinternational.com/en/sustainability/

This report is printed on paper which is FSC® certified 
(the standards for well-managed forests, considering 
environment, social and economic issues).

Designed and produced by Instinctif Partners 
www.creative.instinctif.com

Front cover and inside front cover: Open-pit mining at Voro

Polymetal International plc
44 Esplanade
St Helier
Jersey JE4 9WG
Channel Islands
Registered No. 106196

www.polymetalinternational.com