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Saratoga Investment Corp 7.50%

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FY2011 Annual Report · Saratoga Investment Corp 7.50%
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African Mining &
Exploration Plc

ANNUAL REPORT 
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 421272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4contEnt S

Business review

Chairman’s Statement 

Chief Executive’s Report 

governance

Report of the Directors 

Corporate Governance Statement 

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

Report of the Independent Auditor  

financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income  

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position  

Company Statement of Financial Position  

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity  

Company Statement of Changes in Equity  

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows  

Company Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

AGM Information

Notice of Annual General Meeting 

Company Information 

Page

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36

IBC

AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011 1

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4chAirMAn’ S StAtEMEnt

In last year’s inaugural Chairman’s Statement I was able 
to  describe  the  achievements  the  Company  had  made 
in  a  relatively  short  space  of  time.  It  is  therefore  with 
some frustration, that despite the Company pursuing a 
solid  strategy,  the  expected  benefits  have  not  yet  fully 
materialised.  However,  I  believe  that  a  platform  has 
been  created  which  should  prove  fruitful  as  we  move 
forward. The Company’s recent investment in RAB and 
auger drilling capability is expected to provide effective 
reconnaissance  exploration  capability  and  should  help 
counter  the  shortage  of  basic  drilling  equipment 
available  from  subcontractors  in  the  region.  The  delay 
of  its  eventual  deployment  to  the  field  hampered  our 
progress  on  the  ground.  However,  the  drill  rig  is  now 
fully operational and provides the Company with great 
flexibility.

West Africa Operations
Our  Company 
is  focused  on  the  exploration  and 
subsequent development of gold assets in West Africa. 
Mali, our initial country of operation, is the third largest 
gold producer in Africa and has a long and rich history 
of  gold  discoveries.  Our  West  African  operation  is 
based in Bamako, the Capital of Mali, a country widely 
regarded as a model of development and democracy in 
West Africa. Recent events in Mali have seen a military 
coup d’état at the end of March, followed by sanctions 
imposed  by  ECOWAS  (Economic  Community  of  West 
African  States)  which  were  subsequently  lifted,  and 
an  interim  President,  Dioncounda  Traore  who  was 
previously the parliamentary speaker, has been installed. 
Elections  are  scheduled  for  the  end  of  May.  I  am  very 
pleased to report that all employees are safe, as is the 
Company’s property and equipment, and the impact on 
the  Company’s  exploration  efforts  so  far  was  minimal. 
Indeed  the  Company  was  able  to  commence  an  auger 
drilling  programme  on  the  Karan  permit  area  in  early 
April.  However,  in  light  of  some  continued  unrest  in 
Bamako some disruption to our drilling programme may 
occur, especially due to shortages in fuel supplies.

Exploration 
Although  we  believe  that  our  current  permits  in  Mali, 
Karan  and  Diatissan,  have  the  potential  for  providing 
a  significant  resource  base  we  are  actively  seeking 
opportunities to expand our areas of interest in additional 
geologically  prospective  areas.  Initial  results  from  the 
Karan  drilling  programme,  which  reported  low  grade 
gold halos had been intersected along with high grade 
intercepts of up to 11 g/t Au, were below expectations 
but  have  positively  contributed  to  the  Company’s 
understanding of the permit area. Five additional drilling 
targets  have  been  identified  and  a  drilling  programme 
has commenced.

The investment in our operational and drilling capability 
is being viewed very favourably by potential joint venture 
partners, and indeed we have recently signed an MOU on 
a prospective permit area which lies within the Yanfolila 
Greenstone Belt in Southern Mali.

financial
At the time of Admission to AIM in November 2010, the 
Company  raised  £4.3  million  net  of  expenses,  this  was 
augmented by £1.6 million received following the exercise 
of warrants in the first half of 2011. This has provided the 
Company with a healthy cash balance which continues 
to be utilised principally to conduct detailed exploration 
programmes on the Company’s permits in Mali. 

Social responsibility
The Company and its management are cognisant of its 
social and environmental responsibilities in the areas in 
which we operate and are committed to the development 
and maintenance of good relationships with stakeholder 
communities.  To  this  end,  the  Board  has  formulated 
a  Community  Relations  policy  which  focuses  on  the 
positive interaction with the local community especially 
bearing in mind the significant artisanal mining which is 
taking place. This policy was implemented and already 
forms the basis for effective community relations in our 
permit areas as required by the Government.

2 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4chAirMAn’ S StAtEMEnt

Market performance
Although the gold market continues to be strong this was 
not reflected in stock market performance. As at mid April 
2012 the AIM mining sector index was trading at almost 
30% below the level of 1 January 2011. The Company’s 
share  price  performance  has  been  no  exception  to 
this  trend.  Unfortunately  the  coup  in  Mali  added  to 
uncertainty in the region and negatively affected investor 
confidence.  However,  with  the  quantitative  easing 
measures implemented in the US, the UK and elsewhere, 
and the debt crises in particularly the Eurozone during 
this year investment interest in gold remains high. 

Board changes
Since I last reported Martyn Churchouse, the Company’s 
Technical  Director,  resigned  from  the  Company  due  to 
conflicting  commitments  which  would  have  prevented 
him from properly fulfilling his duties and providing the 
level of attention required by the Company. 

outlook
The  organisation’s  enhanced  and  growing  capacity 
provide a foundation that allows the Company to move 
forward positively in 2012 and I believe that we are in a 
stronger position compared with the same time last year. 
I would like to thank all the Company’s stakeholders for 
their strong support in the last year and I look forward 
to  the  coming  year,  which  I  hope  will  be  exciting  and 
rewarding for the Company and its Shareholders.

Stephen D oke
Chairman
4 May 2012

AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011 3

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4AGM InformationBusiness ReviewGovernanceFinancial StatementschiEf ExE cutivE’S rEport

During  the  period  the  Company  has  maintained  a 
clear  focus  on  its  strategy  of  creating  a  gold  focussed 
exploration  company  concentrating  on  quality  early 
exploration opportunities in West Africa. A key objective 
in achieving this has been to build a strong operational 
capability  and  setting  up  a  network  of  relationships  in 
the  region.  In  addition  we  have  investigated  a  number 
of  3rd  party  permit  opportunities  in  Mali,  Guinea  and 
Senegal in order to diversify our exploration portfolio.

Acquisition of Drilling Rig
Following the completion of the initial 12,400 metre RC 
drilling campaign, the Company intended to undertake 
a RAB drilling programme to provide the necessary data 
on existing targets to outline where more RC and Core 
drill needed to be done. In addition, the Company had 
targeted  an  Auger  drilling  programme  on  both  Karan 
and Diatissan permits to identify additional drill targets. 
However the scarcity of drill rigs with this capability in 
West  Africa,  combined  with  the  demands  for  longer 
term drilling contracts made the acquisition of our own 
capability very attractive. The Board therefore made the 
decision to acquire a RAB and auger drill rig. 

The drill rig, which is mounted on an all-terrain vehicle, is 
capable of both RAB and Auger drilling and can drill down 
to depths greater than 100 metres in favourable ground 
conditions. Its rugged design and 4x4 functionality makes 
it highly mobile and will enable it to access rough terrain 
and  road  conditions  conventional  truck  mounted  drill 
rigs cannot operate in. This should enable the Company 
to  operate  during  periods  of  seasonal  rain  thereby 
extending  the  length  of  the  effective  annual  drilling 
season.  With  the  acquisition  of  support  equipment,  a 
mobile exploration camp and the investment in ground 
magnetic survey equipment, AME has the capability to 
sample  horizons  beneath  the  laterite  cover  that  masks 
most  of  the  West  African  Gold  Belt,  simply  and  cost 
effectively. In areas which show enhanced prospectivity, 
the  Company  plans  to  undertake  follow  up  RC  and 
diamond core drilling. 

The Company’s investment in the drilling rig and support 
equipment puts us in a strong position to negotiate JV 
opportunities  with  holders  of  prospective  ground  and 
capitalise  on  our  growing  contacts  in  West  Africa.  The 
effectiveness  of  this  strategy  was  confirmed  by  the 

signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 
Sahelienne  des  Mines  SARL  in  April  2012.  Sahelienne 
des  Mines  is,  a  Malian  registered  company  that  owns 
the Tekeledougou exploration permit in Southern Mali. 
The  MOU  gives  AME  an  exclusive  option  to  enter  into 
an exploration joint venture following a six month due 
diligence period during which time AME will complete a 
preliminary exploration programme.

Operations
Karan permit
The  Karan  permit  area  consists  of  a  single,  rectangular 
exploration permit for a total of 250km2, and is located 
approximately  90km  southwest  of  the  Malian  capital, 
Bamako, on a metalled road.

In the first half of 2011 the Company conducted a reverse 
circulation drilling programme of 12,400 metres focusing 
on a number of priority targets. The evidence accumulated 
to  date,  from  drilling  data  and  other  sources,  suggests 
the  presence  of  gold  mineralisation  associated  with  a 
regional shear zone that extends north to south across 
the  Karan  permit  with  smaller  cross-cutting  and  sub-
parallel  faults  occurring  within  this  structural  corridor. 
The next step is to further enhance our understanding 
of  the  underlying  geology  which  is  complicated  by  the 
presence of a laterite cover and a thick saprolite layer of 
highly weathered rocks which extends in some cases to 
100 metres in depth. The Company’s recently acquired 
drilling capability is an essential tool in achieving this.

The  outline  plan  for  the  Karan  permit  is  that  RAB  drill 
fences will be completed at the three previously drilled 
targets  of  Mana,  Fintakourouni  and  Kouroudjin  to 
provide  full  cross-structure  coverage,  with  additional 
RAB drilling at two targets near Kouroudjin, as identified 
from  the  Induced  Polarisation  (IP)  geophysical  survey, 
with follow up drilling taking place once the assay results 
of the initial RAB drilling have been processed.

A ground magnetic survey over the Farague geochemical 
anomaly  will  also  be  conducted  to  provide  structural 
information prior to auger drilling. The same approach 
will  be  used  on  several  additional  targets  identified  by 
Newmont in 2011.

4 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4chiEf ExE cutivE’S rEport

Kouroudjin, fintakarouni and Mana targets
RAB  drill  fences  have  been  planned  to  further  test 
mineralisation identified during 2011’s RC drilling. Fences 
will be placed with an azimuth of 252-72°, perpendicular 
to  the  structure  indicated  by  the  artisanal  pits,  field 
structural  measurements  and  regional  geophysics. 
Three fences  have  been planned  at  each of the Mana, 
Fintakourouni and Kouroudjin targets, centred upon the 
best intercepts from the RC drilling. Nine RAB holes have 
been  planned  for  each  fence,  with  50m  hole  spacing, 
the hole depths will be decided on site and the number 
of  holes  at  each  fence  amended  based  on  the  drilling 
results and observations.

IP work yielded some interesting results and correlations 
with  the  best 
intercepts  from  the  RC  drilling  at 
RC11KDJ001 and 012. These anomalies appear to have a 
NNW strike and will be tested initially by two RAB holes 
as recommended by the IP consultant. These RAB holes 
drill  into  a  chargeability  anomaly,  which  is  twinned  by 
another similar, yet stronger anomaly to the west.

farague target
The Farague area contains the most strongly anomalous 
geochemical results within the Karan Permit. It was tested 
with a termite mound sampling programme in Q2 of 2011 
which further delineated an anomalous zone. This area will 
be the subject of ~ 20 line km of ground magnetometer 
survey  prior  to  drilling.  The  results  of  this  geophysical 
survey will be used in conjunction with the geochemical 
results to create a plan for drilling an auger grid.

Diatissan Permit
The Diatissan permit is located in the West of Mali in a 
greenstone belt that includes the world class Sadiola and 
Loulo mines.

In  order  to  identify  RAB  drill  targets  at  this  permit, 
which contains several areas with geochem anomalies, 
AME  commenced  its  planned  work  programme  last 
year,  whereby  the  previously  excavated  trenches  were 
cleaned  and  re-sampled.  The  re-sampling  exercise 
proved  difficult  due  to  the  poor  quality  of  mapping 
information from the original study. GPS co-ordinates of 
the original study did not match up with the re-trenching 
data, so meaningful correlation between the two sets of 
data was not possible. On the basis that AME has greater 
confidence in the data from its own programme it will 
use  this  data  in  conjunction  with  a  ground  magnetic 
survey  over  the  majority  of  the  permit  area  to  define 
drill targets. The ground magnetic survey has just been 
finished and the preliminary interpretation has already 

defined one drill target at a structure that parallels the 
general  trend  over  a  distance  of  400  to  600m.  Further 
analysis of the data will be undertaken with the intention 
of identifying additional drill targets.

Initial  drilling  at  Diatissan  is  planned  on  at  least  four 
target areas, after the drilling programme at Karan. Two 
targets  have  anomalous  gold  in  soil  and  stock  works 
of  quartz  veining  in  trenches.  Each  target  will  initially 
be  drilled  with  five  RAB  holes  perpendicular  to  the 
structural trend. A third target area where another five 
RAB holes are planned is defined by distinct ridges where 
tourmaline  sandstone  is  present.  The  fourth  target  is 
at  the  magnetic  anomaly.  Subsequent  targets  will  be 
defined  upon  completion  of  the  interpretation  of  the 
ground magnetometer survey data.

guinea reconnaissance permits
In  May  2011  AME  was  granted  three  reconnaissance 
permits in Guinea. Following geological investigation, it 
was concluded that the permits were unlikely to yield an 
economic  gold  resource  and  will  not  be  pursued.  AME 
will  continue  to  monitor  opportunities  to  enhance  its 
exploration portfolio.

Social responsibility
We  continue  to  enjoy  excellent  relationships  with  the 
local population at both of our exploration permits. This 
has developed through our local subsidiary Tobon Tondo 
over a period of almost 16 years at Diatissan and over 
7 years at Karan. The geological studies and preparation 
for  the  planned  drilling  programme,  which  began  at 
Karan in April, have provided frequent opportunities to 
regularly engage with the local community in line with 
AME’s Community Relations Policy.

outlook
Our  new  operational  drilling  capability  puts  AME  in  a 
stronger position to identify potential resources at low 
cost  whilst  at  the  same  time  allowing  AME  to  react 
quickly to opportunities. This provides AME with a strong 
competitive  advantage  which  opens  up  opportunities 
to  establish  resource  potential  on  both  the  Company’s 
existing properties, as well as any prospective properties 
under JV agreements. I am confident that the Company 
will start to gain traction as a result of the decisions and 
actions taken to date.

Mark c Jones
Chief Executive Officer 
4 May 2012

AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011 5

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4AGM InformationBusiness ReviewGovernanceFinancial Statements 
 
rEport of thE DirEctorS

The  Directors  present  their  report  with  the  financial 
statements of the Company and the Group for the year 
ended 31 December 2011. 

Principal Activities and Business Review
The  principal  activity  of  the  Group  in  the  year  under 
review was exploration primarily of gold in two separate 
locations  in  the  Republic  of  Mali,  namely  Karan  and 
Diatissan. 

The  loss  of  the  Group  as  set  out  on  page  13  is  a  fair 
reflection of the Group’s performance. Additionally the 
Company invested £920,476 on mineral exploration and 
evaluation on the licences it holds; this is capitalised as 
an intangible asset as set out in Note 9 in the financial 
statements.

A review of the Group’s performance for the year and 
its prospects are included in the Chairman’s Statement 
on pages 2 and 3 and the Chief Executive’s Report on 
pages 4 and 5.

Dividends
The  Directors  do  not  recommend  the  payment  of  a 
dividend (2010: £nil).

Events Since the Reporting Date
There are no events since the reporting date to disclose. 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The Board has identified various risk factors which taken 
individually or together may have a materially adverse 
effect  on  the  Company’s  business.  The  principal  risks 
and how they are managed are as follows:

General Exploration Risk
Mineral  exploration  is  a  high  risk  undertaking  and 
there can be no guarantee that exploration will result 
in  the  discovery  of  an  economically  viable  ore  body. 
Exploration  tenements  are  carefully  selected  by 
experienced  experts  in  regions  of  proven  prospective 
geology.  A  methodical,  staged  approach 
is  taken 
to  the  work  and  different  technologies,  as  well  as 
extensive  fieldwork  are  used  to  identify  targets  for 
trenching and later drilling.

Attraction and Retention of Key People 
The  success  of  the  Company  is  dependent  on  the 
expertise  and  experience  of  the  Directors  and  senior 
management and the loss of one or more could have 
a material adverse effect on the Company. The Board 
has put in place a remuneration policy which includes 
a share option scheme in order to motivate and retain 
key employees. 

Future Funding Requirements
The  Company  has  an  ongoing  requirement  to  fund 
its  exploration  activities  and  may  need  to  obtain 
finance  from  the  equity  markets  in  the  future.  Senior 
Management  and  the  Board  closely  monitor  the 
cashflows  of  the  Group.  Cashflow  projections  are 
presented  regularly  to  the  Board  for  review  and  this 
assists  in  ensuring  expenditure  is  focussed  on  areas 
of  greatest  exploration  potential.  Overheads  and 
administration costs are carefully managed.

Exploration Licence Titles
The licences will be subject to applications for renewal 
and  any  renewal  is  usually  at  the  discretion  of  the 
relevant  government  authority.  The  licences  in  the 
Company’s portfolio have been the subject of legal due 
diligence in order to establish valid legal title.

Country Risk
The  Company  carries  out  exploration  in  countries 
which  have  experienced  political  instability  which 
may cause disruption to the Company’s activities. This 
risk  is  mitigated  by  ensuring  the  Company  meets  its 
work  and  expenditure  obligations,  that  it  prioritises 
local  in-country  employment  and  that  it  maintains 
good  relationships  at  all  levels  with  government, 
administrative  bodies  and  other  stakeholders.  The 
Board  actively  monitors  political  and  regulatory 
developments.

Directors
The  Directors  who  have  held  office  during  the  period 
from 1 January 2011 to the date of this report (unless 
otherwise stated) are as follows: 

M J Churchouse – resigned 16 June 2011 
M C Jones 
D D Chikohora 
S D Oke 
R A Williams – appointed 8 March 2011

6 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4 
 
rEport of thE DirEctorS

The  Directors’  beneficial  interest  (including  the  beneficial  interests  of  their  immediate  family)  in  the  ordinary 
shares of the Company are as follows:

M C Jones
M J Churchouse
D D Chikohora
S D Oke
R A Williams

no. of shares held at 
31 December 2011 

no. of shares held at 
31 December 2010

1,850,000
300,000
–
–
–

1,850,000
300,000
–
–
–

The Directors’ interests in the share options and warrants of the Company are as follows:

options 
at 1 Jan 
2011

options 
granted 
during the 
year

forfeited 
during 
the year

options 
at 31 Dec 
2011

Exercise 
price

Date of 
the grant

first 
date of 
exercise 

final 
date of 
exercise 

Shares
M J Churchouse 2,000,000
3,000,000
M C Jones
600,000
D D Chikohora 
750,000
S D Oke
–
R A Williams
Warrants
M J Churchouse 2,000,000
3,000,000
M C Jones
600,000
D D Chikohora 
750,000
S D Oke
–
R A Williams

–  (2,000,000)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
500,000

–
3,000,000
600,000
750,000
500,000

– (2,000,000)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
3,000,000
600,000
750,000
–

10p 22/10/10
10p 22/10/10
10p 22/10/10
10p 22/10/10
16.1p 07/03/11

12.5p 22/10/10
12.5p 22/10/10
12.5p 22/10/10
12.5p 22/10/10
–

–

21/10/11
21/10/11
21/10/11
21/10/11
07/03/11

21/10/11
21/10/11
21/10/11
21/10/11
–

21/10/15
21/10/15
21/10/15
21/10/15
06/03/16

21/10/15
21/10/15
21/10/15
21/10/15
–

The remuneration of Directors during the year was as follows:

Executive Directors

M C Jones

M J Churchouse

non-Executive Directors

S D Oke

D D Chikohora

R A Williams

Directors’ 
emoluments 
2011

Directors’ 
emoluments 
2010

150,048

24,028

40,000

25,000

20,363

37,512

31,250

10,000

6,250

–

259,439

85,012

AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011 7

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rEport of thE DirEctorS

continued

Directors’ indemnity
The Group has agreed to indemnify its Directors against 
third party claims which may be brought against them 
and  has  in  place  a  Directors  and  Officers’  insurance 
policy.

group’s policy on payment of creditors
The Group’s policy on the payment of all trade creditors 
is to ensure that the terms of payment, as specified and 
agreed with creditors, are not exceeded. Trade creditors 
as at 31 December 2011 represents 17 days (2010: 16 
days) as a proportion of the total amount invoiced by 
creditors during the year ended on that date.

Political and Charitable Contributions
The Group made a donation of £100 (2010: £nil) to the 
British  Heart  Foundation  during  the  year.  No  political 
donations were made by the Group in the year (2010: 
£nil).

going concern
After making enquiries, the Directors have reasonable 
expectation  that  the  Company  and  the  Group  have 
in  operational 
adequate 
existence  for  the  foreseeable  future.  For  this  reason 
they  continue  to  adopt  the  going  concern  basis  in 
preparing the financial statements.

to  continue 

resources 

Statement as to Disclosure of Information to Auditors
So far as the Directors are aware, there is no relevant 
audit  information  (as  defined  by  Section  418  of  the 
Companies Act 2006) of which the Group’s auditors are 
unaware, and each Director has taken all the steps that 
he ought to have taken as a Director in order to make 
himself aware of any relevant audit information and to 
establish  that  the  Group’s  auditors  are  aware  of  that 
information.

Auditors
The  auditors,  BDO  LLP,  will  be  proposed 
for 
reappointment  at  the  forthcoming  Annual  General 
Meeting.

On behalf of the Board:

Mark c Jones
Chief Executive Officer 
4 May 2012

8 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

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The  Company,  being  listed  on  AIM,  is  not  required  to 
comply with  the UK Corporate Governance Code (“the 
Code”) issued in May 2010. However the Company has 
given consideration to the provisions set out in Section 1 
of the Code annexed to the Financial Services Authority 
Listing Rules. The Directors support the objectives of the 
Code and intend to comply with those aspects that they 
consider relevant to the Group’s size and circumstances. 
Details of these are set out below.

the Board of Directors
The Board currently comprises one Executive and three 
Non-Executive  Directors.  The  Board  formally  meets 
approximately  every  two  months  and  is  responsible 
for  setting  and  monitoring  Group  strategy,  reviewing 
budgets  and  financial  performance,  ensuring  adequate 
funding,  examining  major  acquisition  opportunities, 
formulating  policy  on  key  issues  and  reporting  to  the 
Shareholders.

internal financial control
The Board is responsible for establishing and maintaining 
the Group’s system of internal financial controls. Internal 
financial  control  systems  are  designed  to  meet  the 
particular needs of the Group and the risk to which it is 
exposed, and by its very nature can provide reasonable, 
but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement 
or loss. The Directors are conscious of the need to keep 
effective  internal  financial  control.  Due  to  the  relatively 
small size of the Group’s operations, the Directors are very 
closely involved in the day-to-day running of the business 
and as such have less need for a detailed formal system 
of internal financial control. The Directors have reviewed 
the  effectiveness  of  the  procedures  presently  in  place 
and  consider  that  they  are  appropriate  to  the  nature 
and scale of the operations of the Group. The Directors 
have implemented necessary controls and procedures to 
comply with the UK Bribery Act 2010.

The Audit Committee
An  Audit  Committee  has  been  established  which 
comprises  three  Non-Executive  Directors  –  Roger 
Williams (who chairs the Committee), Stephen Oke and 
Douglas  Chikohora.  The  Committee  is  responsible  for 
ensuring that the financial performance of the Group is 
properly  reported  on  and  monitored,  and  for  meeting 
the auditors and reviewing the reports from the auditors 
relating to accounts and internal controls. The Committee 
also  reviews  the  Group’s  annual  and  interim  financial 
statements before submission to the Board for approval. 
The role of the Audit Committee is also to consider the 
appointment of the auditors, audit fees, scope of audit 
work and any resultant findings.

The Remuneration Committee
The  Remuneration  Committee  comprises  three  Non-
Executive  Directors  –  Douglas  Chikohora  (who  chairs 
the  Committee),  Stephen  Oke  and  Roger  Williams.  It 
is  responsible  for  reviewing  the  performance  of  the 
Executive Director and for setting the scale and structure 
of his remuneration, paying due regard to the interests 
of  Shareholders  as  a  whole  and  the  performance  of 
the Group. The remuneration of the Chairman and the 
Non-Executive Directors is determined by the Board as 
a whole, based on a review of the current practices in 
other companies.

Anti-Bribery and Corruption
It  is  the  Company’s  policy  to  conduct  business  in  an 
honest  way,  and  without  the  use  of  corrupt  practices 
or acts of bribery to obtain an unfair advantage in line 
with  the  UK  Bribery  Act  2010.  The  Company  takes  a 
zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and 
is  committed  to  acting  professionally,  fairly  and  with 
integrity  in  all  its  business  dealings  and  relationships 
wherever  it  operates  and  implementing  and  enforcing 
effective systems to counter bribery.

AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011 9

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StAtEMEnt of DirE ctorS’ rESponSiBilitiES

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  keeping  adequate 
accounting  records  that  are  sufficient  to  show  and 
explain  the  Company’s  transactions  and  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  requirements  of 
the Companies Act 2006. 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.

Website Publication
The  Directors  are  responsible  for  ensuring  the  Annual 
Report and the Financial Statements are made available 
on  a  website.  Financial  statements  are  published  on 
the  Company’s  website  in  accordance  with  legislation 
in  the  United  Kingdom  governing  the  preparation 
and  dissemination  of  financial  statements,  which 
may  vary  from  legislation  in  other  jurisdictions.  The 
maintenance  and  integrity  of  the  Company’s  website 
is  the  responsibility  of  the  Directors.  The  Directors’ 
responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the 
financial statements contained therein.

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

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial 
statements  for  each  financial  year.  Under  that  law 
the  Directors  have  elected  to  prepare  the  Group  and 
Company  financial  statements 
in  accordance  with 
International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRSs)  as 
adopted  by  the  European  Union.  Under  company  law 
the Directors must not approve the financial statements 
unless  they  are  satisfied  that  they  give  a  true  and  fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Group and Company 
and  of  the  profit  or  loss  of  the  Group  for  that  period. 
The  Directors  are  also  required  to  prepare  financial 
statements in accordance with the rules of the London 
Stock Exchange for companies trading securities on the 
Alternative Investment Market. 

In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are 
required to:

●●

select  suitable  accounting  policies  and  then  apply 
them consistently;

●● make judgements and accounting estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent;

●●

●●

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

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

10 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

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to the members of African Mining & Exploration Plc

We have audited the financial statements of African Mining & Exploration Plc for the year ended 31 December 2011 which 
comprise the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated and Company statement of financial 
position, the consolidated and Company statement of changes in equity, the consolidated and Company statement 
of cash flows and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is 
applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and, as regards 
the parent Company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. 

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

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

Scope of the Audit of the financial Statements
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the APB’s website at www.frc.org.uk/apb/
scope/private.cfm. 

opinion on financial Statements
In our opinion: 

●●

●●

●●

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and the parent Company’s affairs as 
at 31 December 2011 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended;

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

the parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by 
the European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and

●●

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

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

AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011 11

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continued

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

●●

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

●●

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

●●

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

●● we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Scott Knight (senior statutory auditor)
For and on behalf of BDO LLP, statutory auditor
55 Baker Street
London
W1U 7EU
United Kingdom
4 May 2012

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127). 

12 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4conSoliDAtED StAtEMEnt of coMprEhEnSivE incoME

for the year ended 31 December 2011

Revenue
Administrative expenses
operating loss
Finance income
loss before tax
Taxation
loss for the year attributable to equity owners of the parent
other comprehensive income
Exchange gains/(losses) arising on translation of foreign operations
other comprehensive income for the year
total comprehensive income for the year attributable to 
equity owners of the parent

loss per share attributable to equity owners 
of the parent expressed in pence per share: 
Basic and diluted

Notes

2011
£

2010
£

–
(1,530,297)
(1,530,297)
19,445
(1,510,852)
–
(1,510,852)

4
5
6

–
(761,865)
(761,865)
2,090
(759,775)
–
(759,775)

5,166
5,166

(10,501)
(10,501)

(1,505,686)

(770,276)

8

(1.84)

(2.88)

The notes form part of these financial statements.

AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011 13

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as at 31 December 2011

Assets
non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
total non-current assets
current assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
total current assets
total assets
Equity and liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Share capital
Share premium
Foreign currency reserve
Warrant reserve
Share-based payment reserve
Merger reserve
Retained earnings
total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
liabilities
current liabilities
Trade and other payables
total liabilities
total equity and liabilities

Notes

2011
£

2010
£

9
10

12
13

14

1,167,560
182,726
1,350,286

49,881
3,378,474
3,428,355
4,778,641

281,883
40,885
322,768

78,849
4,004,606
4,083,455
4,406,223

842,133
4,997,699
13,886
579,500
407,133
572,314
(2,705,408)
4,707,257

708,115
3,429,561
8,720
708,115
67,771
572,314
(1,323,171)
4,171,425

15

71,384
71,384
4,778,641

234,798
234,798
4,406,223

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 4 May 2012 and were signed on its behalf by: 

Mark c Jones
Chief Executive Officer 

Company number: 07307107

The notes form part of these financial statements.

14 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4coMpAny StAtEMEnt of finAnciAl  poSition

as at 31 December 2011

Assets
non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments
Other receivables
total non-current assets
current assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
total current assets
total assets
Equity and liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Called up share capital
Share premium
Warrant reserve
Share-based payment reserve
Retained earnings
Merger reserve
total equity
liabilities
current liabilities
Trade and other payables
total liabilities
total equity and liabilities

Notes

2011
£

2010
£

9

11
12

12
13

14

8,973
–
127,227
1,559,066
1,695,266

46,938
3,375,105
3,422,043
5,117,309

–
–
125,927
201,094
327,021

71,765
4,000,994
4,072,759
4,399,780

842,133
4,997,699
579,500
407,133
(1,697,360)
(82,188)
5,046,917

708,115
3,429,561
708,115
67,771
(660,026)
(82,188)
4,171,348

15

70,392
70,392
5,117,309

228,432
228,432
4,399,780

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 4 May 2012 and were signed on its behalf by: 

Mark c Jones
Chief Executive Officer 

Company number: 07307107

The notes form part of these financial statements.

AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011 15

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4AGM InformationGovernanceBusiness ReviewFinancial StatementsconSoliDAtED StAtEMEnt of chAngES in  EQuity

for the year ended 31 December 2011

Share 
capital
£

Share 
premium
£

foreign 
currency 
reserve
£

Warrant 
reserve
£

Share- 
based 
payment 
reserve
£

123,615
–
584,500 4,000,000
– (570,439) 
–

 –

19,221

–
– 500,000
–
–
 –  208,115 

–
–
–
 –

retained 
earnings
£

Merger 
reserve
£

total 
equity
£

(355,281) 312,116

99,671
260,198 5,344,698

–
  –

(208,115) 

–
 –

(570,439) 
– 

–
 –

–   (10,501) 
 –
708,115  3,429,561 
134,018  1,559,670 

 –

 –
 –
8,720  708,115 
– 
–

– 
–
–  (128,615) 

–

 –
 –

(759,775) 

(770,276) 
 –
 67,771 
 67,771 
  67,771  (1,323,171)  572,314  4,171,425 
–  1,693,688 
8,468
–
 –
– 

– 
–
128,615 

– 
–
– 

5,166 
– 

–  (1,505,686)
339,362
– 
13,886  579,500  407,133  (2,705,408)  572,314  4,707,257 

–  (1,510,852) 
– 

– 
–  339,362 

–
 –

–
–

8,468
 –

– 
–

842,133  4,997,699 

At 1 January 2010
Issue of share capital
Fundraising costs
Bonus issue of warrants
Total comprehensive 
expense for the year
Share-based payments
At 31 December 2010
issue of share capital 
fundraising costs
Exercise of warrants
total comprehensive 
expense for the year
Share-based payments
At 31 December 2011

The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within owners’ equity:

reserve 

Description and purpose

Share capital 

Amounts subscribed for share capital at nominal value.

Share premium 

Amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.

Warrant reserve 

Fair value of the warrants issued.

Merger reserve 

Amounts resulting from acquisitions under common control.

Foreign currency reserve 

 Gains/losses arising on retranslating the net assets of Group  
operations into Pound Sterling.

Share-based payment 
reserve 

Represents the accumulated balance of share-based payment charges 
recognised in respect of share options granted by African Mining
and Exploration Plc, less transfers to retained losses in respect of  
options exercised.

Retained earnings 

Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated
statement of comprehensive income.

The notes form part of these financial statements.

16 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4 
 
 
 
 
 
coMpAny StAtEMEnt of chAngES in  EQuity

for the year ended 31 December 2011

Share 
capital
£

Share 
premium 
£

Warrant 
reserve
£

 –

 –
708,115 4,000,000
(570,439)
–

–
–

–
500,000
–
208,115

–  –

–

Share- 
based 
payment 
reserve
£

retained 
earnings
£

Merger 
reserve
£

total
equity
£

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
(208,115)

–  –
– 5,208,115
(570,439)
–
–
–

(451,911)

–

(451,911)

–  –
–

–
708,115 3,429,561
134,018 1,559,670
8,468
–

–
–

–
–
708,115
–
–
(128,615)

–
67,771
67,771
–
–
–

–
–
(660,026)
–
–
128,615

(82,188)
–

(82,188)
67,771
(82,188) 4,171,348
– 1,693,688
8,468
–
–
–

–  
–

–
–
842,133 4,997,699

–
–
579,500

– (1,165,949)
339,362
–
407,133 (1,697,360)

– (1,165,949)
339,362
–
(82,188) 5,046,917

At 1 January 2010
Issue of share capital
Fundraising costs
Bonus issue of warrants
Total comprehensive    
expense for the year 
Acquisition under
common control
Share-based payments
At 31 December 2010
issue of share capital
fund raising costs
Exercise of warrants
total comprehensive     
expense for the year                    
Share-based payments
At 31 December 2011

The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within owners’ equity:

reserve 

Description and purpose

Share capital 

Amounts subscribed for share capital at nominal value.

Share premium 

Amounts subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.

Merger reserve 

Amounts resulting from acquisitions under common control.

Warrant reserve 

Fair value of the warrants issued.

Share-based payment 
reserve 

Represents the accumulated balance of share-based payment charges 
recognised in respect of share options granted by African Mining 
and Exploration Plc, less transfers to retained losses in respect of 
options exercised. 

Retained earnings 

Cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated
statement of comprehensive income.

The notes form part of these financial statements.

AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011 17

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4AGM InformationGovernanceBusiness ReviewFinancial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
conSoliDAtED StAtEMEnt of cASh  floWS

for the year ended 31 December 2011

cash flows used in operating activities
Loss for the year
Depreciation and amortisation charges
Share-based payment reserve charge
Shares issued in lieu of payment to extinguish liabilities
Finance income
cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables
Net cash used in operating activities
cash flow used in investing activities
Purchase of intangible fixed assets
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Interest received
Net cash from investing activities
cash flow from financing activities
Amount repaid to Directors
Issue of IPO shares net of costs
Issue of other shares
Exercise of warrants
Net cash from financing activities
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 
Exchange differences
cash and cash equivalents at end of year

2011
£

2010
£

(1,510,852)
19,690
339,362
86,000
(19,445)
(1,085,245)
28,968
(154,946)
(1,211,223)

(920,476)
(165,085)
19,445
(1,066,116)

–
–
–
1,607,688
1,607,688
(669,651)
4,004,606
43,519
3,378,474

(759,775)
3,363
67,771
169,737
(2,090)
(520,994)
(78,820)
114,844
(484,970)

(68,010)
(40,480)
2,090
(106,400)

(10,599)
4,429,561
168,053
–
4,587,015
3,995,645
4,294
4,667
4,004,606

18 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4coMpAny StAtEMEnt of cASh  floWS

for the year ended 31 December 2011

cash flows used in operating activities
Loss for the year
Depreciation and amortisation charges
Share-based payment reserve charge
Shares issued in lieu of payment to extinguish liabilities
Finance income
cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital
Increase in trade and other receivables
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables
net cash used in operating activities
cash flow used in investing activities
Investment in subsidiaries
Purchase of intangible fixed assets
Interest received
Net cash from investing activities
cash flow from financing activities
Issue of IPO shares net of costs
Exercise of warrants
Net cash from financing activities
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
cash and cash equivalents at end of year

2011
£

2010
£

(1,165,949)
2,667
339,362
86,000
(19,445)
(757,365)
(1,333,145)
(149,572)
(2,240,082)

(1,300)
(11,640)
19,445
6,505

(451,911)
–
67,771
–
(2,090)
(386,230)
(272,859)
228,432
(430,657)

–
–
2,090
2,090

–
1,607,688
1,607,688
(625,889)
4,000,994
3,375,105

4,429,561
–
4,429,561
4,000,994
–
4,000,994

AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011 19

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for the year ended 31 December 2011

1.  Accounting policiES
Basis of preparation
These  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU and IFRIC interpretations and with those parts of the Companies Act 
2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The financial statements have been prepared under the 
historical cost convention. 

The  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  by  the  merger  method  of  accounting  on  the 
historical cost basis except, as explained in the accounting policies below. Historical cost is generally based on 
the consideration given in exchange for assets. The principal accounting policies are set out below.

presentational and functional currency
The  functional  currency  of  the  Company  is  Pound  Sterling.  Each  entity  in  the  Group  determines  its  own 
functional currency and items included in the Financial Statements of each entity are measured using that 
functional currency. The presentational currency of the Group is Pound Sterling.

going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Board consider that the Group has 
sufficient cash resources to enable it to continue with the planned exploration projects.

Basis of consolidation
The Group accounts consolidate the accounts of African Mining and Exploration Plc and its foreign subsidiaries, 
as set out below. The foreign subsidiaries have been consolidated in accordance with IFRS 3, and IAS 21 “The 
effects of Foreign Exchange Rates.”

Inter-Company transactions and balances between Group companies are eliminated in full.

Business combinations
Accounting for the Company’s acquisition of the controlling interest in New Mines Holdings Limited
The Company’s controlling interest in its directly held, wholly owned subsidiary, New Mines Holdings Limited 
was acquired in the prior year through a transaction under common control, as defined in IFRS 3  Business 
Combinations. The Directors note that transactions under common control are outside the scope of IFRS 3 and 
that there is no guidance elsewhere in IFRS covering such transactions.

IFRS contain specific guidance to be followed where a transaction falls outside the scope of IFRS. This guidance 
is included at paragraphs 10 to 12 of IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors. 
This requires, inter alia, that where IFRS does not include guidance for a particular issue, the Directors may 
also consider the most recent pronouncements of other standard setting bodies that use a similar conceptual 
framework to develop accounting standards. In this regard, it is noted that United Kingdom Financial Accounting 
Standards Board (ASB) has issued an accounting standard covering business combinations (FRS 6) that is similar 
in a number of respects to IFRS 3.

FRS 6 (and US GAAP) does include guidance for accounting for group reconstructions of this nature. Having 
considered  the  requirements  of  IAS  8  and  the  related  UK  and  US  guidance  the  transaction  by  which  the 
Company  acquired  its  controlling  interest  in  New  Mines  Holding  Ltd  has  been  accounted  for  on  a  merger 
or pooling of interest basis as if both entities had always been combined. Consequently, the corresponding 
figures for the prior year reflect the results of the combined entities. The combination has been accounted for 
using book values, with no fair value adjustments made nor goodwill created.

20 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

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notES to thE conSoliDA tED finAnciAl  StAtEMEntS

1.  Accounting policiES continued

foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded in the functional currency by applying spot exchange 
rate ruling at the date of transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are 
retranslated at the functional currency rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date.

Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using 
exchange rates as at the dates of the initial transactions. Non-monetary items measured at the fair value in a 
foreign currency are translated using exchange rates at the date when the fair value was determined.

The income statements of individual Group companies with functional currencies other than Pound Sterling are 
translated into Pound Sterling at the average rate for the period and the balance sheet translated at the rate of 
exchange ruling on the balance sheet date. Exchange differences which arise from retranslation of the opening 
net assets and results of such subsidiary undertakings are taken to reserves. On disposal of such entities, the 
deferred cumulative amount recognised in equity relating to that particular operation is recognised in income 
statement.

intangible Assets
Deferred development costs
Once a licence has been obtained, all costs associated with mineral property development and investments are 
capitalised on a project-by-project basis pending determination of the feasibility of the project. Costs incurred 
include appropriate technical and administrative expenses but not general overheads. If a mining property 
development project is successful, the related expenditures will be amortised over the estimated life of the 
commercial ore reserves on a unit of production basis. Where a licence is relinquished, a project is abandoned, 
or is considered to be of no further commercial value to the African Mining and Exploration Group, the related 
costs will be written off.

Unevaluated mineral properties are assessed at reporting date for impairment in accordance with the policy 
set out below.

If  commercial  reserves  are  developed,  the  related  deferred  development  and  exploration  costs  are  then 
reclassified as development and production assets within property, plant and equipment.

  Mineral properties
  Mineral properties are recorded at cost less amortisation and provision for diminution in value. Amortisation 

will be over the estimated life of the commercial ore reserves on a unit of production basis.

Other intangible assets
Other intangibles are recorded at cost less amortisation and provision for diminution in value. Amortisation is 
calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its estimated useful life of 3 years. 

property, plant and Equipment
Tangible  non-current  assets  used  in  exploration  and  evaluation  are  classified  within  tangible  non-current 
assets as property, plant and equipment. To the extent that such tangible assets are consumed in exploration 
and evaluation the amount reflecting that consumption is recorded as part of the cost of the intangible asset. 

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continued

1.  Accounting policiES continued

Depletion is provided on Gold mining assets in production using the unit of production method; based on proven 
and probable reserves, applied to the sum of the total capitalised exploration, evaluation and development 
costs, together with estimated future development costs at current prices.

Depreciation on assets not in production is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off the cost 
less estimated residual value of each asset over its estimated useful life.

Plant & Equipment  4–10 years
Office Equipment 
  Motor Vehicles   

4 years
4 years

financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s statement of financial position when the 
Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

financial Assets
Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not 
quoted in an active market. They are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs that are directly 
attributable to their acquisition or issue, and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective 
interest rate method, less provision for impairment.

Impairment provisions are recognised when there is objective evidence (such as significant financial difficulties 
on the part of the counterparty or default or significant delay in payment) that the African Mining and Exploration 
Group  will  be  unable  to  collect  all  of  the  amounts  due  under  the  terms  receivable,  the  amount  of  such  a 
provision being the differences between the net carrying amount and the present value of the future expected 
cash flows associated with the impaired receivable. For receivables, which are reported net, such provisions 
are recorded in a separate allowance account with the loss being recognised within administrative expenses in 
the statement of comprehensive income. On confirmation that the receivable will not be collectable, the gross 
carrying value of the asset is written off against the associated provision.

The African Mining  and  Exploration  Group’s loan  and  receivables  comprise other receivables  and  cash  and 
cash equivalents in the consolidated statement of financial position. Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash 
in hand and balances held with banks. Cash equivalents are short term, highly liquid accounts that are readily 
converted to known amounts of cash.

There is no significant difference between carrying value and fair value of loans and receivables.

financial liabilities
Other liabilities
Other liabilities consist of trade and other payables, which are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently 
carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest method.

There is no significant difference between the carrying value and fair value of other liabilities.

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1.  Accounting policiES continued

taxation
Current taxes are based on the results shown in the financial statements and are calculated according to local 
tax rules, using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred  tax  is  recognised  in  respect  of  all  timing  differences  that  have  originated  but  not  reversed  at  the 
balance  sheet  date.  A  deferred  tax  asset  is  recognised  to  the  extent  that  it  is  probable  that  future  taxable 
profits will be available against which temporary differences can be utilised.

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

Share-based payments

  Where equity settled share options are awarded to employees, the fair value of the options at the date of 
grant is charged to the consolidated income statement over the vesting period. Non-market vesting conditions 
are taken into account by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each balance sheet 
date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of 
options that eventually vest. Market vesting conditions are factored into the fair value of the options granted. 
As  long  as  all  other  vesting  conditions  are  satisfied,  a  charge  is  made  irrespective  of  whether  the  market 
vesting conditions are satisfied. The cumulative expense is not adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting 
condition.

  Where the terms and conditions of options are modified before they vest, the increase in the fair value of the 
options, measured immediately before and after the modification, is also charged to the consolidated income 
statement over the remaining vesting period.

  Where equity instruments are granted to persons other than employees, the consolidated income statement 

is charged with the fair value of goods and services received.

Key Accounting Estimates and Judgements
The preparation of financial information in conformity with IFRS requires the use of estimates and assumptions 
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of financial information and the reported 
amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. Although these estimates are based on management’s best 
knowledge of the amounts, event or actions, actual results ultimately may differ from those estimates. The key 
accounting estimates and judgements are set out below:

(a)  Carrying value of mineral properties and development costs

The African Mining and Exploration Group assesses at each reporting period whether there is any indication 
that these assets may be impaired. If such indication exists, the Group estimates the recoverable amount 
of the asset. In the early stages of exploration an indication of impairment may arise from drilling and assay 
results or from management’s decision to terminate the project. The recoverable amount is assessed by 
reference to the higher of ‘value in use’, where a project is still expected to be developed into production 
(being the new present value of expected future cash flows of the relevant cash generating unit) and ‘fair 
value  less  cost  to  sell’.  As  at  31  December  2011  there  is  no  indication  of  impairment  in  respect  of  the 
mineral properties and development costs set out in Note 9.

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continued

1.  Accounting policiES continued
(b)  Deferred development costs

The African Mining and Exploration Group has to apply judgement in determining whether exploration and 
evaluation expenditure should be capitalised within intangible assets as deferred development costs or 
expensed. The African Mining and Exploration Group has a policy of capitalising all deferred development 
costs (as set out above). Management therefore exercises judgement based on the results of economic 
evaluations,  prefeasibility  or  feasibility  studies  in  determining  whether  it  is  appropriate  to  continue  to 
carry these costs as an intangible asset or whether they should be impaired. The total value of deferred 
development costs capitalised as at each of the reporting dates is set out in Note 9.

(c)  Share-based payments

In determining the fair value of share-based payments made during the period, a number of assumptions 
have been made by management. The details of these assumptions are set out in Note 20.

Accounting Developments During 2011
The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued various amendments and revisions to International 
Financial Reporting Standards and IFRIC interpretations. The amendments and revisions were applicable for 
the year ended 31 December 2011 but did not result in any material changes to the financial statements of the 
Group or Company.

Accounting Developments not yet Adopted
Various new standards and amendments have been issued by the IASB up to the date of this report which are 
not applicable until future periods and some have not yet been endorsed by the European Union. The Directors 
do not expect these will have a material impact on the financial statements of the Group or Company.

2.  SEgMEntAl rEporting

The Group complies with IFRS 8 Operating Segments, which requires operating segments to be identified on 
the basis of internal reports about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating 
decision maker, which the Company considers to be the Board of Directors. In the opinion of the Directors, the 
operations of the Group comprise one class of business, being the exploration primarily of gold in West Africa.

3.  EMployEES AnD DirE ctorS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Operational
Non-operational

Staff costs (excluding Directors) 

Salaries
Social security
Share-based payment expense (see Note 20)

24 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

2011

2010

20
8
28

11
8
19

2011
£

2010
£

183,752
11,220
32,758
227,730

107,094
1,175
7,140
115,409

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3.  EMployEES AnD DirE ctorS continued

Directors’ remuneration

Salaries
Social security
Share-based payment expense (see Note 20)

2011
£

2010
£

259,439
10,030
306,604
576,073

85,012
5,194
60,631
150,837

The Directors are considered to be the key management of the Group. Details of Directors’ remuneration and 
the highest paid Director are disclosed in the Report of the Directors. No Directors accrued pension benefits 
during any of the periods presented.

4.  finAncE incoME

Deposit account interest

5.  loSS BEforE incoME t Ax

The loss before income tax is stated after charging/(crediting):

Depreciation and amortisation
Auditors’ remuneration:
– Statutory audit of the Group financial statements
– Tax advice
– Other services
Foreign exchange differences
Fundraising costs
Operating lease payments
Share-based payments charge

2011
£

2010
£

19,445

2,090

2011
£

2010
£

19,690

3,363

24,500
7,500
4,032
47,775
–
27,577
339,362

26,243
–
69,000
27,726
116,977
–
237,508

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continued

6. 

incoME tAx
Analysis of the tax charge
No liability to UK corporation tax arose on ordinary activities for the year ended 31 December 2011 nor for the 
year ended 31 December 2010. 

factors Affecting the tax charge
The reasons for the difference between the actual tax charge for the year and the standard rate of corporation 
tax in the United Kingdom applied to the result for the year are as follows: 

Loss on ordinary activities before tax
Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by the standard rate
of corporation tax in the UK of 26.5% (2010: 28%)
Effects of:
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Tax losses carried forward
Total income tax

2011
£

2010
£

(1,510,852)

(759,775)

(400,376)

(212,737)

1,067
399,309
–

40,082
172,655
–

Deferred tax
The Group has carried forward losses amounting to £2,673,844 as at 31 December 2011 (2010: £1,167,018). 
As the timing and extent of taxable profits are uncertain, the deferred tax asset arising on these losses has not 
been recognised in the financial statements.

7.  loSS of pArEnt  coMpAny

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the profit and loss account of the parent Company 
is not presented as part of these financial statements. The parent Company’s loss for the financial year was 
£1,165,949 (2010: £525,386). 

8.  EArningS pEr ShArE

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary Shareholders by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares adjusted to assume the 
conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

In  accordance  with  IAS  33  as  the  Group  is  reporting  a  loss  for  both  this  and  the  preceding  year  the  share 
options are not considered dilutive because the exercise of share options would have the effect of reducing 
the loss per share.

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8.  EArningS pEr ShArE continued
Reconciliations are set out below.

Basic loss per share
Losses attributable to ordinary Shareholders
Weighted average number of shares
Loss per share

9. 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Group)

cost
At 1 January 2010
Additions
Exchange differences
At 1 January 2011
Additions
Exchange differences
At 31 December 2011
Amortisation
At 1 January 2011
Charge for the year
Exchange differences
At 31 December 2011
net book value
At 31 December 2011
At 31 December 2010

2011
£

2010
£

(1,510,852)
(759,775)
82,124,728 26,390,952
0.0288

0.0184

Exploration 
and 
evaluation 
£

222,133
68,010
(8,260)
281,883
908,836
(32,132)
1,158,587

–
–
–
–

other
£

–
–
–
–
11,640
–
11,640

–
2,667
–
2,667

total
£

222,133
68,010
(8,260)
281,883
920,476
(32,132)
1,170,227

–
2,667
–
2,667

1,158,587
281,883

8,973
–

1,167,560
281,883

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9. 

intAngiBlE ASSEtS (company)

continued

cost
At 1 January 2011
Additions
At 31 December 2011
Amortisation
At 1 January 2011
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2011
net book value
At 31 December 2011
At 31 December 2010

other
£

–
11,640
11,640

–
2,667
2,667

8,973
–

10.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Group)

plant and 
machinery
£

Motor 
vehicles
£

office 
equipment
£

cost
At 1 January 2010
Additions
At 1 January 2011
Additions
Exchange differences
At 31 December 2011
Depreciation
At 1 January 2010
Charge for year
At 1 January 2011
Charge for year
Exchange differences
At 31 December 2011
net book value
At 31 December 2011
At 31 December 2010

–
–
–
162,282
(5,519)
156,763

–
–
–
5,950
(202)
5,748

151,015
–

–
40,480
40,480
–
(877)
39,603

–
2,231
2,231
9,587
(268)
11,550

28,053
38,249

28 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

total
£

–
11,640
11,640

–
2,667
2,667

8,973
–

total
£

4,748
40,480
45,228
165,085
(6,817)
203,496

980
3,363
4,343
17,023
(596)
20,770

4,748
–
4,748
2,803
(421)
7,130

980
1,132
2,112
1,486
(126)
3,472

3,658
2,636

182,726
40,885

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11.  INVESTMENTS (Company)

At 1 January 2011
Additions
At 31 December 2011

Shares 
in Group 
undertakings
£

125,927
1,300
127,227

The addition in the year represents the investment in African Mining & Exploration Mali S.A.R.L. being 100% of 
share capital acquired.

The Company had the following subsidiary undertakings, either directly or indirectly, at 31 December 2011, 
which have been included in the consolidated financial statements.

Subsidiary

country of 
incorporation

nature of business

class of 
share

% holding

New Mines Holdings Limited
Tobon Tondo S.U.A.R.L.
African Mining & Exploration Mali 
S.A.R.L.
Société African Mining & Exploration 
Guinea S.A.R.L.

St Kitts & Nevis
Republic of Mali Mining & exploration

Holding company

Ordinary
Ordinary

100%
100%

Republic of Mali Mining & exploration

Ordinary

100%

Guinea

Mining & exploration

Ordinary

62%

12.  trADE AnD othEr  rE cEivABlES

Non-current: 
Amounts due from subsidiaries

Current:
VAT recoverable
Other receivables

group

company

2010
£

2011
£

2010
£

–
–

1,559,066
1,559,066

201,094
201,094

2011
£

–
–

21,233
28,648
49,881

61,773
17,076
78,849

20,410
26,528
46,938

61,773
9,992
71,765

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13.  cASh AnD cASh EQuivAlEntS

continued

group

company

2011
£

2010
£

2011
£

2010
£

Cash at bank and in hand

3,378,474

4,004,606

3,375,105

4,000,994

14.  ShArE cApitAl

Allotted, issued and fully paid

At beginning of year
Issued during year
Other issue
Exercise of warrants
IPO issue
At end of year

2011

2010

£0.01 
ordinary 
shares 
number

£0.01 
ordinary 
shares
 number

£

£

70,811,500

708,115 12,361,500

123,615

540,299
12,861,507
–
84,213,306

5,403
128,615

8,450,000
–
– 50,000,000
842,133 70,811,500

84,500
–
500,000
708,115

During the year 540,299 shares were issued to extinguish liabilities of £86,000 and 12,861,507 shares were 
issued in exchange for each ‘2010 Warrants’ exercised for a total consideration of £1,607,688.

Refer to Note 20 for details of unissued warrants.

15.  trADE AnD othEr  pAyABlES

Current: 
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income

group

company

2011
£

16,234
9,646
45,504
71,384

2010
£

164,978
11,260
58,560
234,798

2011
£

15,242
9,646
45,504
70,392

2010
£

164,229
11,260
52,943
228,432

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16.  finAnciAl  inS truMEnt S

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

There have been no substantive changes in the Group’s exposure to financial instrument risks, its objectives, 
policies and processes for managing those risks or the methods used to measure them from previous periods 
unless otherwise stated in this note.

Principal Financial Instruments
The  principal  financial  instruments  used  by  the  Group,  from  which  financial  instrument  risk  arises,  are  as 
follows:

– trade and other receivables
– cash at bank
– trade and other payables

Trade and other payables fall due for payment within 3 months from the balance sheet date.

The  Group  has  sufficient  funding  in  place  to  meet  its  operational  commitments  and  is  not  exposed  to  any 
liquidity risk.

The Group’s policy is to ensure that it will always have sufficient cash to allow it to meet its liabilities when they 
become due. To achieve this aim, it seeks to maintain cash balances (or agreed facilities) to meet expected 
requirements for a period of at least 45 days.

The Board receives rolling 12-month cash flow projections on a quarterly basis as well as information regarding 
cash balances. At the balance sheet date, these projections indicated that the Group expected to have sufficient 
liquid resources to meet its obligations under all reasonably expected circumstances.

Foreign Exchange Risk
The  Group  is  exposed  through  its  operations  to  foreign  exchange  risk  which  arises  because  the  Group  has 
overseas operations located in West Africa whose functional currency is CFA. The Group’s net assets arising 
from overseas operations are exposed to currency risk resulting in gains or losses on retranslation into Pound 
Sterling.

Foreign  exchange  risk  also  arises  when  individual  Group  entities  enter  into  transactions  denominated  in  a 
currency other than their functional currency. The Group’s policy is, where possible, to allow Group entities to 
settle liabilities denominated in their functional currency (primarily Euro, CFA or Pound Sterling) with the cash 
generated from their own operations in that currency. Where Group entities have liabilities denominated in a 
currency other than their functional currency (and have insufficient reserves of that currency to settle them) 
cash  already  denominated  in  that  currency  will,  where  possible,  be  transferred  from  elsewhere  within  the 
Group. To mitigate the risk of the CFA/Euro expenditure in Mali, the Group holds cash in a Euro denominated 
bank account, sufficient to meet committed expenditure and other liabilities. The CFA has a permanent fixed 
exchange rate with Euro.

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continued

16.  finAnciAl  inS truMEnt S continued

As at 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2010, the currency exposure of the Group was as follows:

At 31 December 2011

cash and cash equivalents
other receivables
trade and other payables
At 31 December 2010
Cash and cash equivalents
Other receivables
Trade and other payables

gBp
£

3,311,488
46,938
70,391

Euro
£

63,616
–
47

2,659,164
71,765
176,238

1,341,830
7,084
–

cfA
£

2,092
2,943
946

3,612
–
–

gnf
£

total
£

1,278
–
–

3,378,474
49,881
71,384

–
–
–

4,004,606
78,849
176,238

Capital disclosures
The Group’s objectives when maintaining capital are:

–  to safeguard the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for 

Shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders, and

–   to provide an adequate return to Shareholders by pricing products and services commensurately with the 

level of risk.

The Company currently does not have any debt.

17.  contingEnt liABilitiES

Details of contingent liabilities where the probability of future payments/receipts is not considered remote 
are set out below, as well as details of contingent liabilities, which although considered remote, the Directors 
consider should be disclosed.

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

Deferred consideration payable for strategic investment in
future mining and exploration projects

The above amounts relate to the following contingent liabilities:

2011
£

2010
£

1,492,389

3,688,091

On commercial discovery or commencement of mining operations, a fee of $50,000 and $1,312,000 will be 
payable to the Mali Government, for the Diatissan and Karan licence areas respectively. In order to meet the 
terms of the exploration licences the Group is committed to spend, before March 2014, 1,136,000,000 CFA 
(£1,451,251), the balance outstanding at 31 December 2011 was 478,304,720 CFA (£848,995). The licences 
can be surrendered to the Mali Government and these costs would not need to be incurred.

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18.  rElAtED pArty DiScloSurES

Details  of  Directors’  remuneration  are  given  in  Note  3.  During  the  year  £1,950  (2010:  £350)  was  paid  to 
Mr  Scott  Jones  (son  of  Mark  Jones)  for  website  development  and  maintenance  of  which  £nil  (2010:  £350) 
remained unpaid and £150,048 (2010: £37,512) was payable to J Cubed Ventures Ltd (Company controlled by 
Mark Jones) for consultancy fees of which £12,504 (2010: £29,384) remained unpaid. The amounts payable to 
J Cubed Ventures Ltd have been included in the Directors’ remuneration in Note 3.

19.  opErAting lEASE coMMitMEnt S

No later than 1 year
Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years
Later than 5 years

2011
£

2010
£

56,172
134,448
22,104
212,724

–
–
–
–

20.  ShArE optionS AnD WArrAnt S 

Upon  admission  to  AIM,  the  Company  issued  70,811,500  warrants,  the  ‘2010  Warrants’.  Each  warrant  was 
issued as part of a share and warrant ‘unit’. Each 2010 Warrant entitles the 2010 warrant holder to subscribe 
for one Ordinary Share at 12.5 pence at any time from the date of Admission until the second anniversary of 
Admission. Full terms can be found on the admission document, page 105. During the year 12,861,507 shares 
were issued in exchange for each ‘2010 warrant’ exercised leaving 57,949,993 unexercised ‘2010 warrants’ at 
31 December 2011.

In addition to the share and warrant units issued as part of the admission to AIM, African Mining and Exploration 
Plc also operates an approved share option plan for Directors and employees. On 22 October 2010 and 7 March 
2011, the Company issued share options and warrants to Directors, Non-Executive Directors and employees of 
the Company as follows:

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continued

20.  ShArE optionS AnD WArrAnt S continued

part A Share and Warrant options

options 
at 1 Jan 
2011

options 
granted 
during 
the year

forfeited 
during the 
year

options 
at 31 Dec 
2011

Exercise 
price

Date of 
the grant 

first 
date of 
exercise

final 
date of 
exercise

2,000,000
3,000,000
1,000,000
6,000,000

Shares – Directors
M J Churchouse
M C Jones
Shares – Others
Total
Warrants – Directors
M J Churchouse
2,000,000
3,000,000
M C Jones
Warrants – Others 1,000,000
6,000,000
Total

–
– (2,000,000)
– 3,000,000
–
700,000
(500,000)
200,000
200,000 (2,500,000) 3,700,000

10p 22/10/10 21/10/11 21/10/15
10p 22/10/10 21/10/11 21/10/15
10p 22/10/10 21/10/11 21/10/15

–
– (2,000,000)
– 3,000,000
–
500,000
–
– (2,500,000) 3,500,000

(500,000)

  12.5p 22/10/10 21/10/11 21/10/15
12.5p 22/10/10 21/10/11 21/10/15
12.5p 22/10/10 21/10/11 21/10/15

part B Share and Warrant options

options 
at 1 Jan 
2011

options 
granted 
during 
the year

options 
at 31 Dec 
2011

Exercise 
price

Date of 
the grant 

first 
date of 
exercise

final 
date of 
exercise

Shares – non-Executive Directors
D D Chikohora
S D Oke
R A Williams
Total
Warrants – non-Executive Directors
D D Chikohora
S D Oke
Total

600,000
750,000
–
1,350,000

600,000
750,000
1,350,000

600,000
–
750,000
–
500,000
500,000
500,000 1,850,000

600,000
–
750,000
–
– 1,350,000

10p 22/10/10 21/10/11 21/10/15
10p 22/10/10 21/10/11 21/10/15
16.1p 07/03/11 07/03/11 06/03/16

12.5p 22/10/10 21/10/11 21/10/15
12.5p 22/10/10 21/10/11 21/10/15

The terms of the two option plans are as follows:

part A – options
Each of the Directors and key employees were granted 1 option and 1 warrant to purchase the above number 
of shares at the time of IPO. Issues in 2011 were granted for options only.

34 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

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notES to thE conSoliDA tED finAnciAl  StAtEMEntS

20.  ShArE optionS AnD WArrAnt S continued

The options may not be exercised before the satisfaction of the non-market performance conditions  listed 
below. 

performance conditions:
As to 20% of the shares under this option – the completion of the Karan Scoping Study.

As to 30% of the shares under this option – the confirmation of a JORC Inferred Resource.

As to 50% of the shares under this option – the confirmation of a JORC MC-1 Inferred Resource of at least 
500,000 troy ounces of gold.

part B – options
Each of the Non-Executive Directors were granted 1 option and 1 warrant to purchase the above number of 
shares at the time of IPO. Issues in 2011 were granted for options only.

There  are  no  performance  conditions  attached  to  option  under  this  plan,  instead  the  following  conditions 
apply to options under this plan:

Share options
a)  not  more  than  one-third  of  the  number  of  shares  under  this  option  may  be  acquired  prior  to  the  first 

anniversary of Admission.

b)  not more than two-thirds of the number of shares under this option may be acquired before the second 

anniversary of Admission.

  Warrant options

The  warrants  under  this  option  plan  may  not  be  exercised  before  either  the  2010  Warrants  have  all  been 
exercised or may no longer be exercised. 

All of the options and warrants attract a share-based payment charge under IFRS 2.

The share-based payment charge for options and warrants related to Directors, Non-Executive Directors and 
employees have been calculated using a Black–Scholes Model and using the following parameters:

Stock asset price
Option strike price
Maturity (years)
Risk-free interest rate
Volatility
Option (fair value)

 2010 issue
Share options

2010 issue
Warrant options

2011 issue
Share options

£0.10
£0.10
5
2.5%
95% 
£0.0730

£0.10
£0.125
5
2.5%
95%
£0.0698

£0.1038 – £0.1612
£0.1038 – £0.1612
5
2.5%
95%
£0.0757 – £0.1176

This  fair  value  is  the  cost  that  is  charged  to  the  Statement  of  Comprehensive  Income  and  is  spread  over  
the  expected  vesting  period  which,  for  non-market  vesting  conditions  (as  noted  above),  is  revised  at  each 
period end.

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noticE of AnnuAl gEnErAl MEEting

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of African Mining & Exploration Plc (‘the Company’) will be 
held at the offices of the Company’s Solicitors, Memery Crystal LLP, 44 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1AP 
on 15 June 2012 at 11:00 a.m. for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing the following resolutions 
which will be proposed as ordinary resolutions in the cases of resolutions 1-4 and as a special resolution in the case 
of resolution 5.

orDinAry BuSinESS
1  To receive the report of the Directors and the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended 

31 December 2011.

2  To re-elect as a Director of the Company, Mark Christopher Jones, who retires by rotation under the articles of 

association of the Company and, being eligible, offers himself for re-election.

3  To reappoint BDO LLP as auditors of the Company to act until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting 

and to authorise the Directors to determine the remuneration of the auditors.

orDinAry rESolution
4  That in substitution for all existing and unexercised authorities, the Directors of the Company be and they are 
hereby  generally  and  unconditionally  authorised  for  the  purpose  of  section  551  of  the  Companies  Act  2006 
(‘the Act’) to exercise all or any of the powers of the Company to allot equity securities (within the meaning of 
Section 560 of the Act) up to a maximum nominal amount of £500,000 provided that this authority shall, unless 
previously revoked or varied by the Company in general meeting, expire on the earlier of the conclusion of the 
next Annual General Meeting of the Company or 15 months after the passing of this Resolution, unless renewed 
or extended prior to such time except that the Directors of the Company may before the expiry of such period 
make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after the expiry of such 
period and the Directors of the Company may allot relevant securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as 
if the authority conferred hereby had not expired.

SpEciAl rESolution
5  That in substitution for all existing and unexercised authorities and subject to the passing of the immediately 
preceding Resolution, the Directors of the Company be and they are hereby empowered pursuant to section 570 
of the Act to allot equity securities (as defined in section 560 of the Act) pursuant to the authority conferred upon 
them by the preceding Resolution as if section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment provided that 
the power conferred by the Resolution, unless previously revoked or varied by special resolution of the Company 
in general meeting, shall be limited:

(a)  arising from the exercise of options and warrants outstanding at the date of this resolution;

(b)  to  the  allotment  of  equity  securities  in  connection  with  a  rights  issue  in  favour  of  ordinary  Shareholders 
where the equity securities respectively attributable to the interest of all such Shareholders are proportionate 
(as nearly as may be) to the respective numbers of the ordinary shares held by them subject only to such 
exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors of the Company may consider appropriate to deal with 
fractional  entitlements  or  legal  and  practical  difficulties  under  the  laws  of,  or  the  requirements  of  any 
recognised regulatory body in, any territory;

(c)  the grant of a right to subscribe for, or to convert any equity securities into Ordinary Shares otherwise than 

under sub-paragraph (a) above, up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £100,000; and

36 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

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(d)  to the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above) of equity securities up 
to an aggregate nominal amount of £168,427 (approximately 20% of the Company’s issued share capital) in 
respect of any other issues for cash consideration;

and shall expire on the earlier of the date of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company or 15 months 
from the date of the passing of this Resolution save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or 
agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may 
allot equity securities in pursuance of such offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired.

If you are a registered holder of Ordinary Shares in the Company, whether or not you are able to attend the meeting, 
you may use the enclosed form of proxy to appoint one or more persons to attend and vote on a poll on your behalf. 
A proxy need not be a member of the Company.

A form of proxy is provided.

This may be sent by facsimile transfer to 01252 719 232 or by mail using the reply paid card to:

The Company Secretary
African Mining & Exploration Plc
c/o Share Registrars Limited
Suite E
First Floor
9 Lion and Lamb Yard
Farnham
Surrey GU9 7LL

In either case, the signed proxy must be received no later than 48 hours (excluding non-business days) before the time 
of the meeting, or any adjournment thereof.

Registered Office:  

By order of the Board

Third Floor 
55 Gower Street 
London WC1E 6HQ   

Stephen ronaldson
Company Secretary
4 May 2012

Registered in England and Wales Number: 07307107 

AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011 37

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noticE of AnnuAl gEnErAl MEEting

continued

notES to thE noticE  of gEnErAl MEEting
Entitlement to Attend and vote
1  Pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001, the Company specifies that only 
those members registered on the Company’s register of members 48 hours before the time of the Meeting shall 
be entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting.

Appointment of proxies
2 

If you are a member of the Company at the time set out in Note 1 above, you are entitled to appoint a proxy to 
exercise all or any of your rights to attend, speak and vote at the Meeting and you should have received a proxy 
form with this notice of meeting. You can only appoint a proxy using the procedures set out in these notes and 
the notes to the proxy form.

3  A proxy does not need to be a member of the Company but must attend the Meeting to represent you. Details 
of how to appoint the Chairman of the Meeting or another person as your proxy using the proxy form are set out 
in the notes to the proxy form. If you wish your proxy to speak on your behalf at the Meeting you will need to 
appoint your own choice of proxy (not the Chairman) and give your instructions directly to them.

4  You may appoint more than one proxy provided each proxy is appointed to exercise rights attached to different 
shares. You may not appoint more than one proxy to exercise rights attached to any one share. To appoint more 
than one proxy, please contact the registrars of the Company, Share Registrars Limited on 01252 821 390.

5  A vote withheld is not a vote in law, which means that the vote will not be counted in the calculation of votes for 
or against the resolution. If no voting indication is given, your proxy will vote or abstain from voting at his or her 
discretion. Your proxy will vote (or abstain from voting) as he or she thinks fit in relation to any other matter which 
is put before the Meeting.

Appointment of proxy using hard copy proxy form
6  The notes to the proxy form explain how to direct your proxy how to vote on each resolution or withhold their 

vote.

To appoint a proxy using the proxy form, the form must be:

–  Completed and signed;

–  Sent or delivered to Share Registrars Limited at Suite E, First Floor, 9 Lion and Lamb Yard, Farnham, Surrey 

GU9 7LL or by facsimile transmission to 01252 719 232; and

–  Received  by  Share  Registrars  Limited  no  later  than  48  hours  (excluding  non-business  days)  prior  to  the 

Meeting.

In the case of a member which is a company, the proxy form must be executed under its common seal or signed 
on its behalf by an officer of the company or an attorney for the company.

Any power of attorney or any other authority under which the proxy form is signed (or a duly certified copy of 
such power or authority) must be included with the proxy form.

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Appointment of proxy by Joint Members
7 

In  the  case  of  joint  holders,  where  more  than  one  of  the  joint  holders  purports  to  appoint  a  proxy,  only  the 
appointment submitted by the most senior holder will be accepted. Seniority is determined by the order in which 
the names of the joint holders appear in the Company’s register of members in respect of the joint holding (the 
first-named being the most senior).

changing proxy instructions
8  To change your proxy instructions simply submit a new proxy appointment using the methods set out above. Note 
that the cut-off time for receipt of proxy appointments (see above) also apply in relation to amended instructions; 
any amended proxy appointment received after the relevant cut-off time will be disregarded.

Where you have appointed a proxy using the hard-copy proxy form and would like to change the instructions 
using another hard-copy proxy form, please contact Share Registrars Limited on 01252 821 390.

If you submit more than one valid proxy appointment, the appointment received last before the latest time for 
the receipt of proxies will take precedence.

termination of proxy Appointments
9 

In order to revoke a proxy instruction you will need to inform the Company using one of the following methods:

By sending a signed hard copy notice clearly stating your intention to revoke your proxy appointment to Share 
Registrars Limited at Suite E, First Floor, 9 Lion and Lamb Yard, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7LL or by facsimile transmission 
to 01252 719 232. In the case of a member which is a company, the revocation notice must be executed under 
its common seal or signed on its behalf by an officer of the Company or an attorney for the Company. Any power 
of attorney or any other authority under which the revocation notice is signed (or a duly certified copy of such 
power or authority) must be included with the revocation notice.

In either case, the revocation notice must be received by Share Registrars Limited no later than 48 hours (excluding 
non-business days) prior to the Meeting.

If you attempt to revoke your proxy appointment but the revocation is received after the time specified then, 
subject to the paragraph directly below, your proxy appointment will remain valid.

Appointment of a proxy does not preclude you from attending the Meeting and voting in person. If you have 
appointed a proxy and attend the Meeting in person, your proxy appointment will automatically be terminated.

issued Shares and total voting rights
10  As at 4 May 2012, the Company’s issued share capital comprised 84,213,306 ordinary shares of £0.01 each. Each 
ordinary share carries the right to one vote at a general meeting of the Company and, therefore, the total number 
of voting rights in the Company as at 4 May 2012 is 84,213,306.

communications with the company
11  Except as provided above, members who have general queries about the Meeting should telephone the Company 
Secretary, Dominic Traynor, on (020) 7580 6075 (no other methods of communication will be accepted). You 
may not use any electronic address provided either in this notice of general meeting; or any related documents 
(including the chairman’s letter and proxy form), to communicate with the Company for any purposes other than 
those expressly stated.

AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011 39

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continued

crESt
12  CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service 
may do so for the General Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof by using the procedures described in the 
CREST Manual. 

CREST Personal Members or other CREST sponsored members, and those CREST members who have appointed 
a voting service provider(s) should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be able to 
take the appropriate action on their behalf.

In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made using the CREST service to be valid, the appropriate CREST 
message (a “CREST Proxy Instruction”) must be properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & Ireland 
Limited’s specifications and must contain the information required for such instructions, as described in the CREST 
Manual (available via euroclear.com/CREST). 

The message, regardless of whether it relates to the appointment of a proxy or to an amendment to the instruction 
given to a previously appointed proxy must, in order to be valid, be transmitted so as to be received by the issuer’s 
agent (ID: 7RA36) by the latest time(s) for receipt of proxy appointments specified above. For this purpose, the 
time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message by the 
CREST Applications Host) from which the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in 
the manner prescribed by CREST. After this time, any change of Instructions to proxies appointed through CREST 
should be communicated to the appointee through other means.

CREST  members  and,  where  applicable,  their  CREST  sponsors  or  voting  service  providers  should  note  that 
Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited does not make available special procedures in CREST for any particular messages. 
Normal system timings and limitations will therefore apply in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is 
the responsibility of the CREST member concerned to take (or, if the CREST member is a CREST personal member 
or sponsored member or has appointed a voting service provider(s), to procure that his or her CREST sponsor or 
voting service provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be necessary to ensure that a message is transmitted by 
means of CREST by any particular time. In this connection, CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST 
sponsors or voting service providers are referred, in particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual concerning 
practical limitations of the CREST system and timings.

The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of 
the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.

40 AfricAn Mining & ExplorAtion plc — ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2011

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4Directors 

Secretary 

Registered Office 

Company InformatIon

M C Jones 
D D Chikohora 
S D Oke 
R A Williams 

Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director 

S F Ronaldson
55 Gower Street
London
WC1E 6HQ

Third Floor
55 Gower Street
London
WC1E 6HQ

registered number 

07307107 (England and Wales)

auditors 

Bankers 

nominated advisors  
& Brokers 

Solicitors 

registrars 

BDO LLP
Chartered Accountants
& Statutory Auditors
55 Baker Street
London
W1U 7EU

NatWest Bank Plc
St James’ & Piccadilly Branch
PO Box 2DG
208 Piccadilly
London
W1A 2DG

Singer Capital Markets Limited 
1 Hanover Street
London
W1S 1YZ

Memery Crystal LLP
44 Southampton Buildings
London
WC2A 1AP

Share Registrars
9 Lion & Lamb Yard
Farnham
Surrey
GU9 7LL

Website 

www.ameplc.co.uk

Copyright ©African Mining and Exploration Plc

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
African Mining & Exploration Plc
Second Floor
3 Shepherd Street
London
W1J 7HL

www.ameplc.co.uk

21272-04  09/05/2012 Proof 4