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SolGold

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FY2015 Annual Report · SolGold
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E C U A D O R   |   A U S T R A L I A   |   S O L O M O N   I S L A N D S

p:  + 61 7 3303 0660   |    f :  +61 7 3303 0 6 81   |    e :  info@solgold.com.au   |    w :  www.solgold.com.au

ANNUAL
R E P O R T
2014/15

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Corporate Information  

Chairman’s Statement   

Strategic Report  

Governance  

Independent Auditor’s Report   

Consolidated Statement Of Comprehensive Income  

Consolidated And Company Statements Of Financial Position   

Consolidated And Company Statements Of Changes In Equity  

Consolidated And Company Statements Of Cash Flows  

Notes To The Financial Statements  

02

03

04

42

49

50

51

52

54

55

1      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE INFORMATION

DIRECTORS

Brian Moller (Non-Executive Chairman)
Nicholas Mather (Executive Director)
Dr Robert Weinberg (Non-Executive Director)
John Bovard (Non-Executive Director)

BROKER

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP
Prince Frederick House
35-39 Maddox Street
London W1S 2PP
United Kingdom

COMPANY SECRETARY

Karl Schlobohm

REGISTERED OFFICE 

201 Bishopsgate, 
London EC2M 3AB,
United Kingdom

Registered Number 5449516

AUSTRALIAN OFFICE

Level 27, 111 Eagle St
Brisbane   QLD   4000
Phone: + 61 7 3303 0660
Fax: +61 7 3303 0681
Email: info@SolGold.com.au
Web Site: www.SolGold.com.au

AUDITOR

BDO LLP
55 Baker Street
London W1U 7EU
United Kingdom

NOMINATED ADVISOR

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP
Prince Frederick House
35-39 Maddox Street
London W1S 2PP
United Kingdom

BANKERS

Macquarie Bank Ltd (Brisbane Branch)
345 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Australia

UK SOLICITORS

Locke Lord LLP
201 Bishopsgate,
London EC2M 3AB,
United Kingdom

AUSTRALIAN SOLICITORS

Hopgood Ganim
Level 8, Waterfront Place
1 Eagle Street, 
Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia

REGISTRARS

Computershare Investor Services plc
The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road
Bristol BS99 7NH
United Kingdom

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      2  

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

Dear Shareholder,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of SolGold, I take pleasure in presenting the Annual Report for 2015.

It has been a busy year for the Company as it has continued to focus the majority of its efforts on the exploration of 
Cascabel, its flagship copper gold porphyry project in Ecuador.

To date the Company has completed geological mapping, soil sampling, 14 km² and 9 km² Induced Polarisation and 
Magnetotelluric “Orion” surveys at the Alpala and Aguinaga targets, respectively.  At the time of writing, the Company 
had completed approximately 25 km² of soil sampling and 14km² of electrical surveys, over 21,000 m of drilling and 
expended approximately US$30 m.  Diamond drilling continues with two drill rigs completing approximately 8,000 m 
per rig each, per annum. 

Cascabel is characterised by multiple targets, world class intersections rich in high grades of copper and 
gold, logistic advantages in location, elevation, water supply, proximity to road, port and power services and a 
progressive legislative approach to resource development.

SolGold is planning a resource statement at Alpala the most advanced target at Cascabel by mid-2016, in addition to 
drill testing the other key targets at Aguinaga, Tandayama America and Chinambicito in the Cascabel concession.  By 
the end of 2016 the Company is planning further metallurgical testing, and completion of early stage mine and plant 
design and a scoping study for an economic development at Cascabel.  SolGold is investigating both high tonnage / low 
grade open cut and high grade low tonnage underground developments as a block caving operation.

In Queensland, Australia the Company is evaluating the future exploration plans for the Mt Perry, Rannes and 
Normanby projects.  Joint venture agreements are still being investigated with the strategy for the joint venture 
partner to commit funds and carry out exploration to earn an interest in the tenements. 

In the Solomon Islands, the Company has streamlined its in-country presence after significant drill testing reduced 
the prospectivity of Fauro, Koloula and Malakuna tenements.

The Company continues to receive proposals to participate in new projects, and a number are being considered.  If 
any of these proposals represent a high quality gold-copper opportunity, they will be pursued vigorously.

SolGold’s continued aim is to advance a portfolio of exploration assets and deliver shareholder growth through the 
discovery of gold and copper deposits.  On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank you for your support of the 
Company and I look forward to bringing you further news as our exploration efforts continue.  

Yours faithfully,

Brian Moller

Chairman

3      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

CORPORATE STRUCTURE

Figure 1:  SolGold Corporate Structure.

CORPORATE STRATEGY

The Company’s corporate strategy is to:

•  Create substantial wealth for its shareholders by 

exploring, discovering and defining large inventories 
of, but not limited to, copper and gold metal.

•  Primarily focus on copper and gold, taking up the 
growth potential and increasing global demands

•  Target regions with world class deposits.

•  Maximise shareholder funds on “in the ground” 

exploration expenditure as a proportion of the total 
budget in order to generate high-quality results and 
provide shareholders with “bang for buck”.

•  Secure additional exploration projects by the 

application for new tenements and/or farm-in style 
agreements.

•  Undertake an on-going review of potentially ‘value 
accretive’ opportunities that are presented to the 
company from time to time.

•  Target grass roots level exploration opportunities 

to enable low cost entry into projects.

•  Respect the Communities and Environment in 

which we operate.

•  Focus on disciplined and systematic approach  

to exploration. 

•  Maintain a strong focus on Health and Safety for 

our employees and contractors.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      4  

 
STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

CORPORATE STRATEGY Continued

SolGold has a commitment Corporate Social 
Responsibility and is passionate about the company’s 
active health, safety, community and environment 
programs in its areas of exploration.  The company 
has an outstanding safety record and ensures that its 
people are properly trained and work in a planned and 
controlled manner under procedures that ensure safe 
operations.  Environmental and social management 
programs in 2013 and 2014 have expanded and 
built on the programs initially established in 2012. 
Local concerns regarding mining and exploration 
relate primarily to issues of water use and water 

management. The Cascabel property is situated 
within the boundaries of three communities. The main 
community of Santa Cecilia located in the central part 
of the concession is very supportive of the Company’s 
presence and exploration activities. SolGold continues 
to build strong community relations with the 
communities at Cascabel. SolGold cares deeply about 
community relations and sponsors many community 
enterprises as well as engaging the community 
in regular environmental monitoring studies and 
rehabilitation programs (Figure 2).

Figure 2: SolGold is taking up the growth potential for copper as global urbanisation irrevocably drives copper demand higher (top), and 
imagery from some of SolGold’s current health, safety, community and environment programs (above).

5      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

EXPLORATION STRATEGY

The company’s exploration strategy includes the following elements:

•  Capitalisation of the company’s track record of success in the discovery of mineral resources.

•  Detailed due diligence of project opportunities.

•  A disciplined approach to the evaluation of projects to generate exploration datasets that may include all or some 
of the following exploration activities: geological mapping, stream, soil and rock chip geochemical sampling, and 
geophysical surveying.

•  Generation of drill targets to test ore deposit models based on exploration datasets. 

•  Drill testing targets to define potentially economic mineral resources that the company can take to feasibility 

study stage.

SolGold has a track record of experience at both executive and operations management and board levels to define 
and develop mineral resources from discovery through to feasibility and development.  In line with its corporate 
strategy, SolGold’s focus in 2016 continues towards a world class copper-gold development at Cascabel.  The 
team remains engaged upon project generation globally, targeting tectonically fertile areas and in countries set to 
blossom in the next mining up turn, as well as streamlining assets in Australia and the Solomon Islands (Figure 3).

Figure 3: SolGold areas of interest.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      6  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

EXPLORATION STRATEGY Continued

In Ecuador, the Company is advancing the Cascabel project as well as advancing the La Encrucijada access 
agreement and is undertaking a country wide generative in order to acquire top quality projects in this emerging 
mining country.

In the Solomon Islands, SolGold has streamlined its in-country presence after significant drill testing reduced the 
prospectivity of Fauro, Koloula and Malakuna tenements.  The exciting Kuma project in Guadalcanal has emerged 
as a significant porphyry copper-gold target upgraded by recent geochemical and spectral work by Guadalcanal 
Exploration Pty Ltd (GEX) in 2014-15.  

In Australia, a reassessment of the range of projects held in Queensland has resulted in definition of detailed work 
programs that will be put in place as exploration funds become available.

Project

Cascabel JV

Kuma

Rannes

Mt Perry

Normanby

Cracow West

Westwood

Lonesome

Location

Ecuador

Style

Ownership

Copper Gold Porphyry

JV, SolGold (85% interest)

Solomon Islands

Copper Gold Porphyry

Queensland, Australia

Epithermal Gold

Queensland, Australia

Porphyry and Vein Gold

Queensland, Australia

Gold Copper Porphyry

Queensland, Australia

Epithermal Gold

Queensland, Australia

PGE Layered Intrusion

Queensland, Australia

Epithermal Gold

100% owned

100% owned

100% owned

100% owned

100% owned

100% owned

100% owned

Table 1: SolGold exploration projects 

Figure 4: Some of SolGold’s experienced geoscientists at work.

7      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

ECUADOR

Cascabel Project (85% interest)

Location: 

Ownership: 

180 km north of the capital Quito, Ecuador

Exploraciones Novomining S.A (ENSA) holds 100% of Cascabel concession.  
SolGold owns 85% of ENSA.

Tenement Area: 

50 km2

Primary Target:

Porphyry copper-gold 

The Cascabel project and its flagship discovery, the gold-rich, high grade Alpala porphyry copper-gold deposit 
are located in the Imbabura province of northwest Ecuador.  The Cascabel concession area lies 180 km by road 
north of the capital city of Quito.  The climate zone is tropical-savannah and vegetation is tropical forest with a 
well-developed soil horizon.  Topography rises from elevations of 750 m to 2,100 m and the moderate to steep 
landscape is incised by four large drainage complexes.  A first-order paved highway provides year round access 
and crosses the north-east corner of the concession (Figure 5). A gravel road in good condition provides access to 
the village of Santa Cecilia located in the centre of the concession. Ecuador is undergoing a transformation with 
significant improvements to infrastructure, including five key sea ports, over 10,000 km of new highways, and 10 
new hydroelectric projects. 

Figure 5: Location of the Cascabel project in northwest Ecuador.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      8  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

ECUADOR Continued

Figure 6: Examples of the infrastructure advantages developed within the country.

Northern Ecuador lies within the under-explored northern section of the richly endowed Andean Copper Belt, 
which extends from Chile in the south to Colombia in the north and then north-west into Panama.  The tenement 
lies on the margin of the Eocene and Miocene metallogenic belts which are renowned for hosting some of the 
world’s largest porphyry copper and gold deposits (Figure 7).  

A number of other globally significant deposits have been discovered in the region, some of which are becoming 
mines.  These include the Junin copper project (982 million tonnes at 0.89% Cu), located some 60 km to the 
south-west of Cascabel, the La Colosa porphyry deposit (905 million tonnes at 0.92 g/t Au) located to the north in 
Colombia and the massive Cobre Panama deposit (3.3 billion tonne at 0.36% Cu) located to the north in Panama 
which contains over 26 million ounces of gold.  The Fruta del Norte project in southern Ecuador is among the 
largest and highest grade undeveloped gold projects in the world (23.5 million tonnes at 9.59 g/t Au) and highlights 
the pedigree of potential within the country.

Figure 7: Tectonic (left) and geological (right) setting of the Cascabel property in northern Ecuador, showing nearby major porphyry deposits.  
The Cascabel project area is located above the subducted extension of the Carnegie Ridge, where low angle subduction of buoyant slabs have 
generated zones of high magma flux and an environment for outstanding porphyry copper and gold fertility.    

9      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

ECUADOR Continued

The project is located in the Cordillera Occidental (or Western Cordillera) of the Ecuadorian Andes. Basement 
rocks consist of ocean floor basalts and sediments of Cretaceous age. High-level Eocene (and possibly Late-
Miocene) batholiths and associated granite, granodiorite and diorite bodies intrude volcanic and sedimentary 
rocks of Cretaceous to Tertiary age.  The regional controls that localise gold and copper mineralisation at Cascabel 
are intimately related with the three dimensional interaction of deep seated NE-trending 1st order structures, 
with NW-trending 2nd order (arc-normal) faults, and NNW-trending 3rd order structures (Figure 8).  Within 
the Cascabel concession, volcanic and sedimentary rocks are intruded by a number of Quartz diorite, diorite and 
horneblende diorite stocks and dykes.  The SolGold field teams continue to perform 1:500 scale, “Anaconda” style 
geological over the tenement area and updates to the local geology map remain ongoing.

Figure 8: Regional topographic imagery showing regional structural framework of the Cascabel project area (left), and local geology updated 
from recent field mapping by SolGold geoscientists (right).

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      10  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

ECUADOR Continued

Exploration Highlights

Exploration activities during 2015 included:

•  Anaconda style geological mapping in key areas. 

•  Extension and infill soil sampling across the remaining 
prospective portion of the tenement. Rock-saw 
channel sampling at Alpala and Aguinaga, including 
the discovery of porphyry stock-work copper-gold 
mineralisation outcropping at surface at Aguinaga.  

•  Modelling of heli-magnetic, Orion 3DIP and magneto-

telluric (MT) surveys at Alpala and Aguinaga. 

•  Diamond drilling of drill holes 8 to 12 at Alpala, for 
a total of 7,393.84 m, bringing the total for metres 
drilled at Cascabel to 13,808.92 m.

•  Upgrade of the Alpala field camp and the Rocafuerte 

field office. 

•  Petrographic work on drill core from drill holes at 

Alpala, confirming intrusive lithologies, mineralisation 
styles, paragenesis, and alteration types. 

•  Preliminary metallurgical test work conducted, with 
Rougher flotation recovery tests completed and 
reported. Cleaner recovery tests ongoing.

•  Ongoing environmental management over the 

concession area in line with guidelines provided by the 
Ministry of Environment.

•  Submission of annual technical and environmental 

management reports.

This work has generated seven key areas of interest: 
(Figure 9): 

1)  Alpala (or Alpala Central) 
2)  Alpala Northwest
3)  Alpala Southeast
4)  Aguinaga
5)  Chinamibcito
6)  America-Tandayama
7)  Cristal  

11      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Figure 9: Key sites and prospect areas showing interpreted 
porphyry centres over RTP magnetics background.

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

ECUADOR Continued

The completion of soil gridding and infill across the entire tenement area has produced coincident molybdenum, gold 
and copper / zinc ratio in soil anomalies that suggest a inferred porphyry centre characterised by higher temperatures 
of mineralisation.  The low manganese in soil is inferred to be related to intense late-stage hydrothermal alteration, 
whilst the presence of elevated zinc surrounding these areas of low manganese is a geochemical signature that is 
typical of the metal zonation around porphyry copper-gold deposits (Figure 10).

Figure 10: Examples of soil geochemical anomalism (for molybdenum, manganese and copper-zinc ratio) over the Cascabel project area, 
showing classical porphyry signatures at Alpala, Aguinaga, Chinambicito and America Tandayama. 

Priority target areas at Alpala, Alpala Southest and 
Aguinaga will be drill tested in the coming year, whilst field 
programs continue to assess potential at Chinamibcito, 
and America-Tandayama, as well as detailed follow up 
field work at Alpala Northwest, Alpala Southeast and 
Cristal targets.  A number of other satellite targets are 
being generated in the surrounding areas and exploration 
over the tenement is expected to produce more valuable 
targets that will be brought to drill ready status in the 
coming year.

Alpala

Following the granting of the Environmental License on 27 
August 2013, SolGold commenced diamond drilling on the 
1st September 2013.  Initial drilling focussed on intersecting 
the down-dip extension of outcropping sheeted and stock-

work “B“ type quartz veins in Alpala Creek.  

The completion of twelve diamond core holes over a 
700 m by 250 m area has now defined a northwesterly-
trending, steeply northeast-dipping dike-stock complex 
of diorite to quartz diorite that exceeds 1300 m in 
height. This intrusive complex is hosted by a sequence of 
andesitic volcanoclastic rocks and lavas. The host-rocks 
are mapped as the Oligocene to Early Miocene San Juan 
de Lachas Formation, however, age date constraints from 
studies conducted by SolGold suggest that the lower 
portion of this sequence was deposited in the Eocene.  
The best drill intercept to date is 1312 m at 0.67 % Cu 
and 0.63 g/t Au from 128 m depth in CSD-15-012, which 
includes 576 m at 1.03 % Cu and 1.19 g/t Au. The deposit 
remains open at depth, along- and across-strike like the 
massive La Escondida and Chiquicamata deposits in Chile.  

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      12  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

ECUADOR Continued

The geometry and nature of the mineralisation at Alpala is now quite well understood.  A total of six phases of intrusion 
are defined on the basis of composition and relative timing-relationships with porphyry-related vein-stages. The 
equigranular to sub-porphyritic, hornblende-bearing intrusions are narrow, taper upwards and consist of pre- to 
early-mineralization D10 diorite to microdiorite and QD10 quartz diorite; intra-mineralization D15 diorite and QD15 
quartz diorite; and late-mineralization dikes of D20 diorite and QD20 quartz diorite (Figure 11).  Age dating on zircons 
in mineralised intrusions returned 38.7 + 0.6 Ma, which lies near the boundary of the Middle- to Late-Eocene. The 
porphyry-related vein types and paragenesis at Alpala indicate a systematic progression in time and classical porphyry 
B-type quartz veins contain the majority of the copper and gold in the deposit. Chalcopyrite-rich, C-type sulphide veins 
containing accessory bornite also contain significant amounts of metal and are associated with elevated gold grades. The 
B- and C-type veins are spatially associated with intrusions that show variable feldspar-destructive, sericite-chlorite+clay 
overprinting of biotite-actinolite and chlorite-epidote alteration.

Figure 11: Section 82950 through the centre of the Alpala system showing the geometry of B-vein occurrence intimately associated with 
the intrusion of early D10 diorite and QD10 quartz-diorite phases. Intramineral and late stage dykes and stocks intrude along contacts and 
structures (left).  Examples of “B-“ and “C-“ type veining at Alpala (right). 

During the year, drilling focussed on expanding the known mineralisation at Alpala along strike, both towards the 
northwest and southeast.  The mineralised porphyry copper gold system at Alpala occurs around 150 m in length 
and 50 m width as mapped at surface and drilling to date has identified an extent of 700 m in length and 250 
m width at depth.  All holes returned encouraging results with completion drill holes CSD-14-007 to CSD-15-
012 making valuable additions to the known geometry of the porphyry centre at Alpala.  Anaconda style surface 
mapping of geology, quartz veins, sulphides and alteration was completed and creation of level plans and cross 
sections has led to production of geology models for copper (Figures 12 and 13). 

13      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

ECUADOR Continued

Figure 12: Drill hole locations at Alpala showing downhole copper results (left), and level plan and cross section interpretation examples, 
showing B-vein abundance contours at >2% in yellow and >10% in red (right).

Drill hole CSD-14-007 was terminated at 1672.76 
metres depth after encountering early D10 diorite 
from 1251.26 m to 1298.30 m varying degrees of 
potassic alteration.  Visible copper sulphides continued 
through the remainder of the hole but at progressively 
diminishing intensities, in association with marginal 
inner propylitic alteration types.  From 1298.30 m 
to 1672.76 m there was a progressive reduction in 
quartz vein intensities indicating that the hole was 
progressing beyond the western margin of the system.

Drill hole CSD-14-008 was drilled to 1310.4 m depth 
and intersected the early D10 diorite from 902.0 m to 
973.0 m and passed into the equally prospective early 
QD10 quartz diorite intrusion from 973.0 m to the 
end of the hole.  Copper mineralisation hosted within 
the early intrusions returned moderate to strong 
copper and gold mineralisation in two zones from 904 
m to 1186 m and 1264 m to 1310.5 m respectively.,

Drill hole CSD-14-009 was terminated at 1757.3 m 
and returned very positive intersection comparable to 
globally significant drill intersections at existing large 
porphyry copper-gold deposits, with a total downhole 
interval extending over 1 kilometre that remains open 
at depth.  Hole 9 intersected two distinct high grade 
porphyry stockwork zones from 710 m to 820 m and 
from 1062 m to 1482 m within early D10 and QD10 
intrusives, intra-mineral QD15 dykes and a late QD20 
dyke.  The upper zone is interpreted to represent an 
easterly repeat of the known main orebody that is 
likely to form a zone of coalescence at depth where 
future drill testing is planned.

Drill hole CSD-15-010 confirmed high grade copper and 
gold mineralisation extends to the northwest, intersecting 
the early D10 diorite from 562 m to the end of the hole.  
Drilling encountered difficulties within a clay-rich zone of 
broken ground and was abandoned at 974.8 m.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      14  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

ECUADOR Continued

Drill hole CSD-15-011 was drilled to a depth of 1668.2 m and returned results consistent with observations of 
alteration assemblages in the drill core, which suggest the hole passed along the NW margin of the known high grade 
Alpala Central zone.   However, early D10 diorite host rocks along the lower zone of Hole 11 maintain 0.5-2% B-type 
quartz veins, with significant copper and gold mineralization which yet remains open to the northwest. 

Drill hole CSD-15-012 is the most recent hole drilled on the project and was completed at a depth of 1683.0 m. 
Final assay results from high grade porphyry copper gold mineralisation returned world class intersection of over 
a kilometre downhole. Copper-gold mineralisation was intersected in two distinct zones that SolGold geologists 
expect will coalesce into a broader zone of high grade mineralisation at depth.  The upper portion of the “Eastern 
Limb” zone from 128 to 366 metres depth, is hosted within the San Juan de Lacas Volcanics and returned 238 
m @ 0.47 % Cu and 0.15 g/t Au.  The “Main Limb” zone (1002 m) from 438 to 1440 metres depth, hosted within 
early D10 diorite and QD10 quartz-diorite porphyry, returned 1002 m @ 0.76 % Cu and 0.77 g/t Au.  The 
mineralised zones encountered in Hole 12 are shown along a southwest-northeast cross-section in Figure 3.  The 
238 m intersection over the upper portion of the “Eastern Limb” zone is associated with chalcopyrite and bornite 
mineralisation.  The occurrence of this strong mineralisation within the volcanic cover bodes well for stronger 
intrusive hosted mineralisation at depth.  Chalcopyrite is typically 35% copper and the bulk of the copper bearing 
mineral in a copper porphyry system.  Bornite is significantly richer in copper at approximately 63% copper and is a 
sought after copper mineral species, for its contribution to high grade copper metal sulphide concentrate normally 
sold from a mine.  The 1002 m intersection through the “Main Limb” zone, reflects a broad zone of intense stock 
work quartz - magnetite - chalcopyrite and bornite mineralisation hosted within early stage diorite and quartz diorite 
intrusives.  These characteristics are common in many major porphyry copper-gold deposits around the globe. 

Figure 13: Surface interpretation of copper contours at 0.6% and 1% Cu showing preliminary copper models at 0.6% and 1% Cu (left).  Cross 
section looking east (right). Existing drill holes 1-12 shown in black with planned drill holes shown in red.

15      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

ECUADOR Continued

Hole ID
CSD-13-001

CSD-13-002

CSD-13-003

CSD-13-004
CSD-13-005

CSD-14-006
CSD-14-007

CSD-14-008

CSD-14-009

CSD-15-010

CSD-15-011

CSD-15-012

From
16
16
222
226
126
184
4
54
584
160
24
24
778
1052
702
654
1056
1160
1200
396
396
862
904
1264
430
650
710
650
1062
1208
446
604
760
996
1110
1412
128
438
844
876
1002

To
318
120
322
284
418
226
751.3
156
712
318.3
1330
420
1310
1310
1038
1612
1294
1294
1294
1310.45
862
1310.45
1186
1310.45
1757.35
1738
1482
912
1482
1386
840
840
840
1632
1518
1518
1440
1440
1420
1344
1286

Int.

302
104
100
58
292
42
747.3
102
128
158.3
1306
396
532
258
336
958
238
134
94
914.45
466
448.45
282
46.45
1327.35
1088
772
262
420
178
394
236
80
636
408
106
1312
1002
576
468
284

Cu_%
0.39
0.37
0.65
0.96
0.37
0.50
0.11
0.16
0.23
0.11
0.62
0.32
1.05
1.27
0.18
0.40
0.65
0.75
0.84
0.41
0.25
0.56
0.60
0.71
0.57
0.66
0.80
0.69
1.00
1.60
0.38
0.51
0.86
0.58
0.56
0.73
0.67
0.76
1.03
1.14
1.33

Au_g/t
0.48
0.38
1.00
1.67
0.30
0.68
0.05
0.03
0.14
0.05
0.54
0.17
1.08
1.40
0.12
0.17
0.35
0.50
0.62
0.44
0.24
0.64
0.76
0.58
0.74
0.89
1.19
1.31
1.34
2.47
0.36
0.54
1.19
0.40
0.34
0.50
0.63
0.77
1.19
1.40
1.82

CuEq_%
0.68
0.60
1.25
1.96
0.54
0.91
0.14
0.18
0.31
0.14
0.95
0.43
1.70
2.12
0.25
0.51
0.87
1.05
1.2
0.67
0.39
0.95
1.06
1.05
1.02
1.2
1.51
1.48
1.81
3.08
0.6
0.84
1.57
0.82
0.76
1.03
1.05
1.22
1.75
1.98
2.43

* Data Aggregation Method
   - Intercepts reported with up to 10m internal dilution.  (Excluding bridging to a single sample)
   - Intercepts selected at minimum length 30m, using Cu equivalent cutoff grades and a gold conversion factor of 0.6.

* Gold Conversion Factor calculated from Cu price US$3/lb and Au price US$40/g

Table 2: Selected drill hole intersections at Alpala to date.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      16  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

ECUADOR Continued

Aguinaga

Aguinaga prospect lies along a prominent topographic high (1615 m) about 3 km south of Rocafuerte site office and 
1.3 km to the north-west of Alpala.  The interpreted porphyry centre at Aguinaga occurs at the confluence of a deep 
seated regional north-west trending structure with a major north-east trending lineament. This is the same structural 
regime within the same host rocks that hold the recently discovered porphyry deposit at Alpala.

It is characterised by a classical 500 m x 500 m magnetic high surrounded by an annular magnetic-low which has 
strong similarities with the enormous Alumbrera deposit in Chile, as well as the Grasberg and Batu Hijau magnetic 
signatures.  This geometry is consistent with a large porphyry system characterized by a central magnetic high related 
to an intrusive centre and a magnetite-destructive halo caused by pyritic phyllic / argillic alteration.  The presence of 
a very strong annular chargeability high with a central tapering root at Aguinaga is consistent with sulphide-bearing, 
disseminated and/or stock work style mineralisation peripheral to and above a porphyry stock. (Figure 14).

The textbook style combination of soil geochemical anomalies over the prospect is tremendously convincing.  The 
presence of coincident copper, gold, and molybdenum in soil anomalies supports the inferred porphyry centre at 
Aguinaga.  The low manganese in soil that flanks the central copper zone to the north and south is likely to be related 
to intense late-stage hydrothermal alteration.  The presence of an elevated zinc aureole surrounding this area of low 
manganese is a geochemical signature that is typical of the metal zonation around porphyry copper-gold deposits.

Figure 14: Surface interpretation of copper contours at 0.6% and 1% Cu showing preliminary copper models at 0.6% and 1% Cu.

17      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

ECUADOR Continued

Aguinaga

Reconnaissance field-work initially located mineralised porphyritic diorite along the northern slope of Aguinaga Hill, 
subsequent detailed, 1:500 scale, “Anaconda” style geological and structural mapping has led to the discovery of 
porphyry stock-work copper-gold mineralization outcropping at surface.  Mineralisation is exposed along the upper 
section of Aguinaga Creek, where classic porphyry style ‘B’-type quartz-magnetite-chalcopyrite-bornite stock-work 
veining occurs within porphyritic diorite (Figure 15). The outcropping mineralisation is accompanied by potassic 
(biotite) alteration and remains open to the north where creek sediments and jungle limit further surface exposure.  

Rock-saw channel sampling results over the exposed outcrop returned an open ended intersection of 9.0 m @ 1.01 % 
Cu, and 0.79 g/t Au (Table 3).  Further rock saw channel sampling, and infill soil-sampling along with spectral analysis 
of soils to determine hydrothermal alteration assemblages remain ongoing and SolGold expects to bring the prospect 
to drill-ready status over the coming quarter.

Trench ID

Length (m)

Cu_%

Au_g/t

m x % Cu

m x g/t Au

AG001

AG001

AG001

AG001

AG001

AG001

AG001

Totals

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

9

0.84

1.59

0.8

0.47

0.7

0.26

2.07

1.01

0.57

0.93

0.42

0.24

0.33

0.196

2.11

0.79

0.84

1.59

0.8

0.47

0.7

0.52

4.14

0.57

0.93

0.42

0.24

0.33

0.392

4.22

Table 3:  Rock-saw channel sample results from Trench AG001 at Aguinaga.

Figure 15: Recent discovery of mineralised porphyritic diorite hosting porphyry stock-work copper-gold mineralization outcropping at surface 
along the northern slope of Aguinaga Hill.  

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      18  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

ECUADOR Continued

Figure 16: SolGold’s team at the Rocafuerte field office.  

19      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

SOLOMON ISLANDS

In the Solomon Islands, SolGold has streamlined its in-country presence after significant drill testing reduced the 
prospectivity of the Fauro, Koloula and Malakuna tenements. No further exploration work was carried out on these 
projects and they were subsequently relinquished. The exciting Kuma project in Guadalcanal has emerged as a 
significant porphyry copper-gold target upgraded by recent geochemical and spectral work by GEX in 2014-15. 

Figure 17: Location of the Kuma exploration license held by SolGold in the Solomon Islands.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      20  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

SOLOMON ISLANDS Continued

Kuma project (100% owned application)

Location: 

37 km south-east of the capital Honiara, Solomon Islands

Ownership: 

100% owned

Tenement Area: 

43 km2

Primary Target:

Copper gold porphyry deposits

The Kuma project lies just to the south-west of a series of major NW-SE-trending arc-parallel faults. These faults 
are associated with numerous Cu and Au anomalies, including the Sutakiki prospect and the Mbetilonga prospect 
(formerly part of the Guadalcanal Joint Venture).  The project area overlies a 3.5-kilometre wide, annular, caldera-
like topographic feature.  Annular and nested topographic anomalies in the region suggest the presence of 
extensive batholiths of the Koloula Diorite beneath the volcanic cover of the Suta Volcanics.  The prospect geology 
is dominated by a 4km by 1km lithocap. This extensive zone of argillic and advanced argillic alteration is caused by 
hydrothermal fluids that emanate from the top of porphyry copper-gold mineralising systems, and thus provides a 
buried porphyry copper gold target (Figure 18).  

Figure 18:  Section showing conceptual model over the Kuma prospect, showing geochemical zonation and an alteration lithocap overlying a 
buried porphyry copper-gold system

21      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

SOLOMON ISLANDS Continued

The geochemically anomalous portion of the 
Kuma lithocap (northwest end) lies within 
the annular topographic anomaly.  Kuma, 
has a spectacular oxidized float boulder trail 
along the Kuma River and was traced to 
Alemba and Kolovelo creeks which lead to 
discovery of broad hydrothermal alteration 
zones and lithocap (Figure 19).   

Figure 19:  Geological setting of the Kuma lithocap along Tabala Ridge (top) and 
the discovery of classical porphyry style leached cap and lithocap rocks at Kololevu 
and Alemba creeks (above).

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      22  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

SOLOMON ISLANDS Continued

Figure 20:  Soil geochemical zonation over the Kuma prospect showing a central 
molybdenum high with coincident manganese depletion with an annular zinc halo 
(top), and simplified geology showing extent of mapped silica-clay-pyrite (above).

23      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Previous exploration completed at Kuma 
under the Guadalcanal Joint Venture 
between SolGold and Newmont included 
extensive geochemical sampling (BLEG, 
rock chip and channel samples), geological 
mapping, a magnetic survey and an 
electromagnetic survey.  Geochemical 
results define a central zone of manganese 
depletion (Mn < 200 ppm) inferred to 
indicate the destruction of mafic minerals 
by hydrothermal alteration.   Zinc > 75 
ppm forms an annulus to this zone, and 
Molybdenum > 4 ppm lies along the margins 
of the manganese low indicating potential 
for porphyry Cu-Au mineralization at 
depth. TerraSpec spectral analysis of sieved 
coarse fraction soil samples covering the 
Kuma lithocap area, was completed at a 
commercial laboratory in Australia.  The 
results integrated with known geology in 
the prospect area has highlighted a primary 
porphyry target centre in the northern 
portion of the lithocap. (Figures 20 and 21).  

The prospecting licence (PL 08/06) 
expired on 11 April 2015 and accordingly 
the carrying value of $0.31 million 
was considered to be impaired and an 
impairment charge of $0.31 million (2014: 
$nil) was recognised during the year. 

Anaconda style geological mapping is 
planned for the coming year so as to bring 
the project to drill ready status in 2016. 
Three steeply-inclined diamond core 
drill-holes, each about 800 m deep, are 
envisaged for an initial test of the target 
area.  Drill Sites will be located following 
Anaconda style geological mapping within 
and peripheral to the target area.  Silica 
ledges and dickite anomalies controlled 
by high level structure can be tested to 
provide vectors toward the centre of 
the Kuma porphyry gold-copper system 
and the identification and orientation of 
dikes (porphyritic felsic), veins (quartz 
and epidote) and fractures (containing 
chalcopyrite or magnetite). 

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

SOLOMON ISLANDS Continued

Figure 21:  Combined imagery showing summary of interpreted hydrothermal alteration zones and 
geochemical anomalies, over RTP magnetics.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      24  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA

There was no exploration activity on the projects in Queensland during the period.  Joint venture opportunities are 
being sought for these projects and it is pleasing to note that there has been much interest by junior exploration 
and mining companies. However, despite this interest, the continued challenging equities markets are making it 
difficult for companies to raise the exploration funds to complete joint venture deals and commence exploration.

Figure 22:  Location of tenements held by SolGold in Queensland, Australia.

25      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA Continued

Mount Perry (100% SolGold)

Location: 

130 km north-west of Gympie, Queensland, Australia

Ownership: 

100% owned

Tenement Area: 

89 granted sub-blocks (circa 277 km²) and 103 application sub-blocks (circa 336 km²; 
primarily tenement consolidation areas). 

Primary Target:

High grade, lode gold deposits and possible gold porphyry deposits

The Mt Perry Goldfield is located four 
hours by road from Brisbane and is host 
to more than 60 named and numerous 
other unnamed historical mines and 
workings (see Figure 23). The area lies 
adjacent to Evolution’s 100,000 ounce 
per annum Mt Rawdon Gold Mine which 
lies at the intersection of two major 
geological fault structures; the Mt Bania 
and Darling Lineaments. Current published 
resources at Mt Rawdon stand at 36.7 
million tonnes at 0.87g/t gold for 1 million 
ounces, and historical production has 
been approximately 1 million ounces.  
Exploration at Mt Perry has focussed along 
two mineralised structural zones (The 
Augustine-New Moonta trend and the 
Chinamans-Reagans trend (Figure 23). The 
structural orientations of these are similar 
to the major structures that host the Mt 
Rawdon gold mine. 

Figure 23:  Mt Perry project showing the prospect areas, and the Mt Rawdon mine 
and major regional structures. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      26  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA Continued

The ‘Augustine-New Moonta trend’ extends over a 20 km long north-east trending corridor from Augustine in 
the south-west to the New Moonta mines in the north-east.  Sulphide-mineralised breccia bodies with variable 
gold, silver, base metals and with occurrences of uranium characterise the Augustine-New Moonta trend. The 
second target zone is the ‘Chinamans-Reagans trend’. This target zone is characterised by copper-molybdenum 
porphyries with gold and zinc anomalous halos in the south of the project area, and it merges with the 7 km long 
and strongly mineralised Chinaman’s Creek – Reid’s Creek – Spring Creek – Reagan’s target immediately to the 
north.  Extensive airborne magnetic and electromagnetic surveys have been conducted over the Mt Perry Project 
area, together with detailed soil sampling, rock chip sampling and geological mapping surveys. This has been 
followed by drilling programs that conducted first pass reconnaissance drilling on numerous targets.  Exploration 
at Mt Perry has identified several high grade vein-style targets and lower grade, high-tonnage porphyry-style gold 
targets.  Independent review of the geological resource potential of the area concluded that the prospects have a 
combined potential to host between 200,000 ounces (base case) and 700,000 ounces (geological potential) of gold.  
A significant amount of the tenement remains unexplored, leaving the potential for unrecognised prospects to be 
discovered within the area.  SolGold encourages interest in a JV partnership to continue exploration at Mt Perry.   

Figure 24:  Augustine North section displaying an interpreted high-grade 
shoot dipping to the north-east (top), and long-section through the Bania Lode, 
showing gram-metre values over the 400 m strike length of drill testing (above).

27      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA Continued

Figure 25:  Chinamans Creek North section displaying interpreted Au and As lodes through the SW lode 
(Caledonian Reef) and Middle lode

Figure 26:  Spring Pig cross section, displaying interpreted Au and As lodes.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      28  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA Continued

Normanby project (100% SolGold)

Location: 

120 km north-west of Mackay, Queensland, Australia

Ownership: 

100% owned

Tenement Area: 

171 granted sub-blocks (circa 550 km²) and 100 application sub-blocks (circa 321 km² which 
are  primarily consolidation areas).

Primary Target:

Cu-Au porphyry deposits and batholith associated gold vein deposits

The Normanby Project is located at the southern margin of eastern Australia’s densest cluster of million ounce gold 
deposits, the nearest of which is the Mt. Carlton Au-Ag mine, located 40 km to the northwest of Normanby.

SolGold’s exploration to date has focussed around the Normanby Goldfield, a collection of 70 historical workings. 
Work programs have included extensive stream sediment, soil and rock chip sampling, an airborne magnetic survey 
and 50 drill holes totalling 1523 m in length. The most significant intersections were at the Mt Flat Top prospect and 
included an intersection of 42 m grading 1.16 g/t gold and 34 m grading 1.22 g/t gold. The mineralisation has the 
geological features of a porphyry copper system with a high gold to copper ratio. A second phase of drilling may be 
carried out to test the lateral and vertical extension of this potential porphyry target. Regional-scale stream sediment 
and rock chip sampling has identified numerous anomalous areas, including the Mt Crompton breccia pipe. 

No field exploration was conducted in 2015 at Normanby as SolGold is seeking expressions of interest to joint 
venture the Normanby project. 

Figure 27:  Mt Flat Top cross-section, displaying Au (colour histograms) and Cu (black line) assay grades.

29      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA Continued

Rannes project (100% SolGold)

Location: 

140 km west of Gladstone, Queensland, Australia

Ownership: 

100% owned

Tenement Area: 

209 granted sub-blocks (circa 655 km²) and 203 application sub-blocks (circa 651.5 km²) 
which are primarily consolidation areas).

Primary Target:

Disseminated and vein gold and silver deposits

SolGold’s principal targets at the Rannes 
project are structurally-controlled, low-
sulphidation epithermal gold-silver deposits. 
Thirteen prospects have been identified 
within the Permian-aged Camboon 
Volcanics, with the majority lying along 
north-northwest trending fault zones.  
Exploration has included tenement wide 
stream sediment, soil and rock chip sampling 
surveys.  A detailed airborne magnetic 
survey was recently re-interpreted to 
enhance the development of the structural 
model of the belt.  Exploration methods 
have included a 3D IP (Induced Polarisation) 
survey, geological mapping, and trenching all 
contributing to definition of additional drill 
targets at several prospects.  

Figure 28:  Overview of the Rannes project displaying the main prospects, soil 
gold anomalies and a simplified geology map. Indicated and inferred gold resources 
exist at Kauffmans and Crunchie, while untested prospect targets exist at Woolein, 
Bojangles and Longfellow.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      30  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA Continued

A total of 473 holes have been drilled at the Rannes project for a total of 58,887 m. Most of this drilling has 
occurred at Kauffmans prospect (151 holes) and the Crunchie prospect (90 holes), while lower metreage drill 
programs have been conducted at the Shilo, Cracklin Rosie, Porcupine, Brother, Spring Creek and Police Camp 
Creek prospects.   The geometry and nature of the Kauffmans and Crunchie systems are well understood (Figures 
29 and 30). 

Figure 29:  Cross section trending north-south through the Crunchie Ag-Au deposit, showing drill hole results.

Figure 30:  Cross section trending southwest-northeast through the Kauffmans Au-Ag deposit, showing 
geology and alteration over the ore zone with key drill hole results.

31      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA Continued

Mineral resources estimates were completed by Hellman & Schofield Pty Ltd, and by H&S Consulting Pty. Ltd., 
independent geological consultancies.  The most recent resource estimate includes resources in both Indicated 
and Inferred categories for reporting under the JORC Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.  
The current combined indicated and inferred resource estimate stands at 12.23 million tonnes at 0.6 g/t gold and 
23.18 g/t silver; for 237,240 ounces Au and 9,105,072 ounces Ag.  Table 4 lists the current resource estimates at 
the five main prospects. These estimates are based on gold to silver ratio of 1:50 and a 0.5 g/t Au equivalent cut-off.

Project

CUT OFF 
(Au.Eq)

Resource 
category

M.Tonnes

Kauffmans

0.5

Crunchie

1.5

Cracklin’

Porcupine

Brother

0.5

0.5

0.5

TOTAL (All Prospects)

Indicated

Inferred

Indicated

Inferred

Inferred

Inferred

Inferred

1.58

3.49

2.40

3.20

0.43

0.57

0.57

12.24

Au 
(g/t)

0.79

0.74

0.46

0.49

0.59

0.50

0.60

0.63

Ag 
(g/t)

10.30

8.90

42.40

39.80

5.60

7.50

1.10

Ounces 
(Au)

40,304

83,060

35,833

49,797

8,023

9,202

11,021

Ounces 
(Ag)

522074

999278

Ounces 
(Au.Eq)

50729

103092

3310000

102100

4040000

130676

76145

137085

204,90

9544

11941

11434

23.18

237,240

9105072

419516

Table 4:  Resource estimates at Kauffmans, Crunchie, Cracklin, Porcupine and Brother as of 23 May 2012. The gold equivalent values are 
based on a ratio of 1:50 (Au:Ag). The resource at 0.3 g/t Au cut-off was announced on 23 May 2012.  SolGold welcomes expressions of interest 
from potential JV partners to continue exploration at Rannes.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      32  

STRATEGIC REPORT

OPERATIONS REPORT

QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA Continued

Cracow West project (100% SolGold)

Location: 

260 km west-north-west of Gympie, Queensland, Australia

Ownership: 

100% owned

Tenement Area: 

47 granted sub-blocks (circa 146 km²) and 30 application sub-blocks (circa 93.16 km²)

Primary Target:

Low-sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag deposits

Cracow West is located 15 km to the north-west of Evolution Mining’s Cracow gold mine (approximately 1.5 million 
ounces of gold). Gold mineralisation at the mine is associated with Permian-aged, low-sulphidation, epithermal 
quartz veins which have been emplaced along north-west and north-northwest trending fault zones. SolGold’s 
initial exploration concept was to explore for a similar deposit to Cracow gold mine but a recent review of the 
regional geology suggests that the anomalism seen at Cracow West may be associated with a later phase of Triassic 
intrusions, suggesting a later mineralisation event.    

SolGold’s exploration at Cracow West has included stream sediment, soil and rock chip sampling. This has 
identified three significant prospects; Dawson Park, Kambrook and Theodore Bends. A ‘SAM’ survey (sub-audio 
magnetotellurics) has also been completed over the Kambrook and Dawson Park prospect. This has identified a 
potential buried target at Dawson Park, which coincides with a distinct soil tellurium anomaly at surface.

Figure 31:  A conceptual geological cross-section through the Cracow West project and the surrounding area. The age of the intrusions 
interpreted below Dawson Park and Theodore has been interpreted to be Late Permian to Early Triassic.  

Qualified Person:

Information in this report relating to the exploration results is based on data reviewed by Mr Nicholas Mather 
(B.Sc. Hons Geol.), the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  Mr Mather is a Fellow of the Australasian 
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy who has in excess of 25 years’ experience in mineral exploration and is a 
Qualified Person under the AIM Rules.  Mr Mather consents to the inclusion of the information in the form 
and context in which it appears.

33      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

INTERESTS IN TENEMENTS

EPM 

EPM name 

Principal holder 

Project 

Expiry

Queensland 

25245

17354

19410

16420

18760

19243

19639

25300

18032

18035

Ecuador 

402288

601147

601256

601168

Mount Perry Consolidated 

 Acapulco Mining Pty Ltd 

Clarke Range 

 Acapulco Mining Pty Ltd

Normanby Consolidated 

 Acapulco Mining Pty Ltd 

Dee Valley 

Westwood 

Lonesome 

 Central Minerals Pty Ltd 

 Central Minerals Pty Ltd 

 Central Minerals Pty Ltd 

Goovigen Consolidated 

 Central Minerals Pty Ltd 

Cooper Consolidated 

 Central Minerals Pty Ltd

 Mt Perry 

 Normanby 

 Normanby 

 Rannes 

 Rannes 

 Rannes 

 Rannes 

 Rannes

Cracow West 

Tim Shay 

 Central Minerals Pty Ltd 

 Central Minerals Pty Ltd 

 Cracow West 

 Cracow West 

Cascabel

La Encrucijada

La Encrucijada 1

Alumbre

Exploraciones Novomining S.A.

Cascabel

Exploraciones Novomining S.A.

La Encrucijada

Exploraciones Novomining S.A.

La Encrucijada

Exploraciones Novomining S.A.

La Encrucijada

21/Jan/18

27/Feb/16

16/Jun/17

20/Sep/16

22/Jan/17

22/Jan/17

19/Oct/17

04/Mar/18

11/Oct/16

03/Nov/15

26/Apr/35

19/May/35

19/May/35

19/May/35

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      34  

STRATEGIC REPORT

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Directors consider that the factors and risks 
described below are the most significant.

FUNDING RISKS

The Group’s ability to effectively implement its 
business strategy over time may depend in part on 
its ability to raise additional funds and/or its ability to 
generate revenue from its projects. The need for and 
amount of any additional funds required is currently 
unknown and will depend on numerous factors related 
to the Group’s current and future activities.  

If required, the Group would seek additional funds, 
through equity, debt or joint venture financing. There 
can be no assurance that any such equity, debt or joint 
venture financing will be available to the Group in a timely 
manner, on favourable terms, or at all. Any additional 
equity financing will dilute current shareholdings, and 
debt financing, if available, and may involve restrictions on 
further financing and operating activities.

If adequate funds are not available on acceptable 
terms, the Group may not be able to take advantage 
of opportunities or otherwise respond to competitive 
pressures, as well as possibly resulting in the delay or 
indefinite postponement of the Group’s activities.

GENERAL EXPLORATION AND 
EXTRACTION RISKS

There is no certainty that the Company will identify 
commercially mineable reserves in the Tenements.  
The exploration for, and development of, mineral 
deposits involves significant uncertainties and the 
Company’s operations will be subject to all of the 
hazards and risks normally encountered in such 
activities, particularly given the terrain and nature of 
the activities being undertaken.  Although precautions 
to minimise risks will be taken, even a combination of 
careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not 
eliminate all of the hazards and risks.  

The targets identified by the Company’s personnel 
and consultants, are based on current experience and 
modelling and all available data.  There is no guarantee 
that surface sample grades of any metal or mineral taken 
in the past will persist below the surface of the ground.  
Furthermore, there can be no guarantee that the 
estimates of quantities and grades of gold and minerals 
disclosed will be available for extraction and sale.

35      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Reserve and resource estimates are expressions 
of judgement based on knowledge, experience and 
industry practice.  Estimates which were valid when 
originally calculated may alter significantly when 
new information or techniques become available.  In 
addition, by their very nature, resource estimates 
are imprecise and depend to some extent on 
interpretations, which may prove to be inaccurate.

TITLE RISK

SolGold’s tenements and interest in tenements are 
subject to the various conditions, obligations and 
regulations which apply in the relevant jurisdictions 
including Ecuador in South America, Queensland, 
Australia and the Solomon Islands. If applications 
for title or renewal are required this can be at the 
discretion of the relevant government minister or 
officials. If approval is refused, SolGold will suffer a loss 
of the opportunity to undertake further exploration, 
or development, of the tenement. SolGold currently 
knows of no reason to believe that current applications 
will not be approved, granted or renewed. Some of 
the properties may be subject to prior unregistered 
agreements or transfers or native or indigenous 
peoples’ land claims and title may be affected by 
undetected defects. No assurance can be given that 
title defects do not exist. If a title defect does exist, it 
is possible that SolGold may lose all or a portion of the 
property to which the title defects relates.

PERMITTING RISK IN ECUADOR

As with all jurisdictions in which SolGold operates, a 
particular permitting regime exists in Ecuador with 
which SolGold must comply.  Before commencing 
any exploration activity, SolGold may be required to 
negotiate access and compensation arrangements 
with any interested land access groups and relevant 
authorities in Ecuador.  SolGold has engaged 
experienced advisors and consultants to assist with 
negotiations, however, there is no guarantee that all 
necessary access and compensation arrangements will 
be entered in a timely manner, on favourable terms, 
without onerous conditions or at all.  Similarly, no 
guarantees can be made as to timeframes within which 
negotiations may be finalised or the reasonableness of 
third parties.  Failure to obtain all necessary permits, 
licenses and access and compensations arrangements 
may have a material adverse effect on SolGold. 

STRATEGIC REPORT

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

AUSTRALIAN NATIVE TITLE RISK

The effect of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (“NTA”) 
is that existing and new tenements held by SolGold 
in Australia may be affected by native title claims and 
procedures.  SolGold has not undertaken the historical, 
legal or anthropological research and investigations at 
the date of this report that would be required to form 
an opinion as to whether any existing or future claim 
for native title could be upheld over a particular parcel 
of land covered by a tenement.  

There is a potential risk that a determination could 
be made that native title exists in relation to land the 
subject of a tenement held or to be held by SolGold 
which may affect the operation of SolGold’s business 
and development activities.  In the event that it is 
determined that native title does exist or a native 
title claim is registered, SolGold may need to comply 
with procedures under the NTA in order to carry 
out its operations or to be granted any additional 
rights such as a Mining Lease.  Such procedures may 
take considerable time, involve the negotiation of 
significant agreements, involve a requirement to 
negotiate for access rights, and require the payment 
of compensation to those persons holding or claiming 
native title in the land which is the subject of a 
tenement.  The administration and determination of 
native title issues may have a material adverse impact 
on the position of SolGold in terms of its cash flows, 
financial performance, business development, ability to 
pay dividends and share price.

VOLATILITY OF COMMODITY PRICES

SolGold’s possible future revenues will probably be 
derived mainly from Gold and Copper and/or from 
royalties gained from potential joint ventures or from 
mineral projects sold. Also, during operations by 
SolGold, the revenues earned will be dependent on the 
terms of any agreement for the activities. Consequently, 
SolGold’s potential future earnings could be closely 
related to the price of either of these commodities.

Gold and Copper prices fluctuate and are affected 
by numerous industry factors, many of which are 
beyond the control of SolGold. Such factors include, 
but are not limited to, demand for CDIs, technological 
advancements, forward selling by producers, 
production cost levels in major producing regions, 
macroeconomic factors, inflation, interest rates, 

currency exchange rates and global and regional 
demand for, and supply of, Gold and Copper.  

If the market price of Gold and Copper sold by SolGold 
were to fall below the costs of production and remain 
at such a level for any sustained period, SolGold would 
experience losses and could have to curtail or suspend 
some or all of its proposed mining activities.  In such 
circumstances, SolGold would also have to assess the 
economic impact of any sustained lower commodity 
prices on recoverability.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT RISKS

If the Company discovers a potentially economic 
resource or reserve, there is no assurance that the 
Company will be able to develop a mine thereon, 
or otherwise commercially exploit such resource 
or reserve. Further, there can be no assurance that 
the Company will be able to manage effectively the 
expansion of its operations or that the Company’s 
current personnel, systems, procedures and controls 
will be adequate to support the Company’s operations 
as operations expand.  Any failure of management 
to manage effectively the Company’s growth and 
development could have a material adverse effect on 
the Company’s business, financial condition and results 
of operations.  There is no certainty that all or, indeed, 
any of the elements of the Company’s current strategy 
will develop as anticipated.

CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS

The future of the ordinary shares and the Company’s 
asset and liability values may fluctuate in accordance with 
movements in the foreign currency exchange rates.  For 
example, it is common practice in the mining industry for 
mineral production revenue to be denominated in USD, 
although some but not all of the costs of exploration 
production will be incurred in USD and not all of the ore 
or metal obtained from the Tenements will be sold in USD 
denominated transactions.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      36  

STRATEGIC REPORT

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

LAND ACCESS RISK

Land access is critical for exploration and evaluation 
to succeed.  In all cases the acquisition of prospective 
tenements is a competitive business, in which 
propriety knowledge or information is critical and 
the ability to negotiate satisfactory commercial 
arrangements with other parties is often essential.

Access to land for exploration purposes can be 
affected by land ownership, including private 
(freehold) land, pastoral lease and native title land 
or claims under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).  
Immediate access to land in the areas of activities 
cannot in all cases be guaranteed. SolGold may be 
required to seek consent of land holders or other 
persons or groups with an interest in real property 
encompassed by, or adjacent to, SolGold’s tenements. 
Compensation may be required to be paid by SolGold 
to land holders so that SolGold may carry out 
exploration and/or mining activities. Where applicable, 
agreements with indigenous groups have to be in place 
before a mineral tenement can be granted. 

Rights to mineral tenements carry with them various 
obligations in regard to minimum expenditure levels 
and responsibilities in respect of the environment and 
safety. Failure to observe these requirements could 
prejudice the right to maintain title to a given area.

In the case of mining and exploration operations in 
the Solomon Islands, there is a complex land tenure 
structure and while the Tenements and those Access 
Agreements entered into between Australian 
Resource Management (ARM) Pty Ltd (“ARM”) and 
Honiara Holdings Pty. Ltd. and various landowners 
entitle it to explore for the duration of the term of 
each PL, the existing legislative framework only 
provides for limited forms of negotiation between the 
landowners/community leaders on the one hand and 
mining companies on the other. It is also incumbent 
on the Director of Mines and the mining tenement 
holder to identify which landowners and community 
leaders they need to negotiate with. SolGold does 
not guarantee that the identifications made to date 
and upon which the Access Agreements are currently 
based may not be contested. As a consequence 
there may be unexpected difficulties experienced in 
progressing a promising resource into a commercial 
mining operation.

37      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

SolGold has also procured Access Agreements for 
areas within the Tenements. Whilst SolGold believes 
that it is entitled to rely upon the same to conduct 
exploration within these areas, no assurance can be 
given that there may not be some future challenge to 
SolGold’s ability to do so.

Whilst SolGold has the Access Agreements with 
landowners covering the majority of the prospective 
areas identified by SolGold within the Tenements, 
its ability to carry out exploration in the residual 
areas will require additional access agreements to 
be entered into.  The ability of SolGold to secure the 
benefits of all the Access Agreements is dependent 
upon, inter alia, the contracting parties’ willingness to 
perform and discharge their obligations thereunder. 
There may be legal and commercial limitations 
in respect of enforcement of contractual rights. 
Additionally, SolGold will not be permitted to explore 
in areas nominated by the landowners as reserved or 
protected areas in the Solomon Islands under section 
4(2) of the Mining Act. Whilst SolGold is actively 
seeking to liaise with landowners to identify relevant 
reserved or protected areas, some considerable 
uncertainty exists as to the precise location of these 
areas, the identification of which requires the input 
of the indigenous population. The inability of SolGold 
to identify these areas, or a claim by landowners that 
reserved or protected areas exist over areas identified 
by SolGold as prospective, may have a material 
adverse effect on the ability of SolGold to conduct its 
exploration programme in the manner identified in this 
document.

Government policy, impassable or difficult access as a 
result of the terrain, seasonal climatic effects or inclement 
weather can also adversely impact SolGold’s activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL RISK

SolGold’s operations and projects are expected to 
have an impact on the environment, particularly if 
advanced exploration or mine development proceeds. 
Its activities are or will be subject to in-country 
national and local laws and regulations regarding 
environmental hazards. These laws and regulations 
set various standards regulating certain aspects 
of health and environmental quality and provide 
for penalties and other liabilities for the violation 
of such standards. In certain circumstances they 

STRATEGIC REPORT

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

establish obligations to remediate current and former 
facilities and locations where operations are or were 
conducted. Significant liability could be imposed on 
SolGold for damages, clean-up costs, or penalties in 
the event of certain discharges into the environment, 
environmental damage caused by previous owners 
of property acquired by SolGold or its subsidiaries, 
or non-compliance with environmental laws or 
regulations. SolGold proposes to minimise these risks 
by conducting its activities in an environmentally 
responsible manner, in accordance with applicable 
laws and regulations, and where possible, by carrying 
appropriate insurance coverage. Nevertheless, there 
are certain risks inherent in SolGold’s activities which 
could subject it to extensive liability.

GEOPOLITICAL, REGULATORY AND 
SOVEREIGN RISK

The availability and rights to explore and mine, as well 
as industry profitability generally, can be affected by 
changes in government policy that are beyond the 
control of SolGold.

SolGold’s exploration tenements are located in Ecuador, 
the Solomon Islands and Australia and are subject to 
the risks associated with operating both in domestic 
and foreign jurisdictions. As the Solomon Islands and 
Ecuador are developing countries, their legal and 
political systems are emerging when compared to those 
in operation in Australia and the United Kingdom. Such 
risks include, but are not limited to: 

•  economic, social or political instability or change;
•  hyperinflation, currency non-convertibility or 

• 

instability;
changes of law affecting foreign ownership, 
government participation, taxation, working 
conditions, rates of exchange, exchange control, 
exploration licensing, export duties, resource 
rent taxes, repatriation of capital, environmental 
protection, mine safety, labour relations; 
•  government control over mineral properties 
or government regulations that require the 
employment of local staff or contractors or require 
other benefits to be provided to local residents; 
•  delays and declines in the standard and effective 
operation of SolGold’s activities, unforeseen and 
un-budgeted costs, and/or threats to occupational 

health and safety as a consequence of geopolitical, 
regulatory and sovereign risk.

Queensland

The Queensland Minister for Natural Resources,  
Mines and Energy conducts reviews from time to time 
of policies relating to the granting and administration of 
mining tenements.  At present, SolGold is not aware of 
any proposed changes to policy that would affect  
its tenements. 

In Queensland, the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 
2003 and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage 
Act 2003 (which commenced on 16 April 2004) impose 
duties of care which require persons, including SolGold, 
to take all reasonable and practical measures to avoid 
damaging or destroying Aboriginal cultural heritage.  
This obligation applies across the State and requires 
SolGold to develop suitable internal procedures to 
discharge its duty of care in order to avoid exposure to 
substantial financial penalties if its activities damage 
items of cultural significance. Under this legislation, 
indigenous people can exercise control over land with 
respect to cultural heritage without necessarily having 
established the connection element (as required under 
native title law).  This creates a potential risk that 
the tenement holder may have to deal with several 
indigenous individuals or corporations, where no native 
title has been established, to identify and manage 
cultural heritage issues.  This could result in tenement 
holders requiring lengthy lead times to manage cultural 
heritage for their projects. 

Changing attitudes to environmental, land care,  
cultural heritage and indigenous land rights’ issues, 
together with the nature of the political process, provide 
the possibility for future policy changes. There is a risk 
that such changes may affect SolGold’s exploration 
plans or, indeed, its rights and/or obligations with 
respect to the tenements.

Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands minerals board may from time 
to time amend and review its policies on mining and 
exploration in the Solomon Islands. Any such changes 
in Government policy may affect the ability of SolGold 
to conduct and undertake mining and exploration in the 
Solomon Islands.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      38  

STRATEGIC REPORT

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Ecuador

SolGold’s Cascabel project in Ecuador may be exposed to potentially adverse risks associated with the evolving rules 
and laws governing mining expansion and development in that jurisdiction. Additionally, SolGold’s operations may be 
detrimentally affected in the event that the Ecuadorian government were to default on its foreign debt obligations or 
become subject to wider global economic and investment uncertainty. SolGold is not aware of any current material 
changes in legislative, regulatory and public policy initiatives in Ecuador, however any future or proposed changes may 
adversely affect the Cascabel project or SolGold’s ability to operate successfully in Ecuador.

Under the current legislative regime, a mining corporation and the Ecuadorian Government must enter into an 
exploitation contract prior to exploitation of natural resources. There is no certainty that SolGold will be able to 
successfully enter into an exploitation contract, or enter into one on commercially favourable terms, and such a 
scenario may adversely impact on the Cascabel project or render it uneconomical.

39      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

STRATEGIC REPORT

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Company achieved several milestones during the 
financial year ended 30 June 2015.  These included:

•  Drilling of five holes at the Cascabel project, 
intersecting long runs of copper and gold 
mineralisation and the team gaining a better 
understanding of the geology and mineralisation of 
the potential prospects.

•  Second drill rig mobilised to the Cascabel project to 

test additional targets at Alpala.

•  The completion of successful raisings totalling 

approximately $6.23 million during the year from 
institutional and professional investors.

RESULTS

The Group incurred a loss before tax of $4,238,216 
for the year (2014: $4,831,343), inclusive of the 
decision to expense $1,175,172 (2014: $2,246,491) for 
exploration expenditure associated with tenements that 
were surrendered or which had expired during the year.  
A detailed assessment of the carrying values of deferred 
exploration costs is provided in Note 24.

CLOSING CASH

As at 30 June 2015, the Group held cash balances of 
$0.32 million (2014: $4.55 million).

POST REPORTING DATE EVENT

On 2 October 2015, the Company executed 
Convertible Note Deeds with substantial shareholders, 
DGR Global Limited and Tenstar Trading Limited for a 
total funding of $2,332,000.

On 19 November 2015, the Company issued an 
additional 62,263,534 shares at £0.015 to raise the 
equivalent of $2 million in a combination of cash and 
debt conversions pursuant to a private placement 
to progress its exploration and project development 
efforts across its portfolio of projects in the Solomon 
Islands, Ecuador and Queensland, Australia. 

The Directors are not aware of any other significant 
changes in the state of affairs of the Group or events 
after the reporting date that would have a material 
impact on the consolidated financial statements. 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

OUTLOOK

As at 30 June 2015, the Group had net assets 
of approximately $30.4 million, an increase of 
approximately $0.8 million over the previous financial 
year.  This increase was largely associated with the 
completion of $5.9 million in share placements and the 
open offer, net of costs, offset by the decrease in the 
value of available for sale financial assets of $2 million 
and the exploration write off of $1.2 million recognised 
in respect of the Groups’ exploration assets and annual 
operating expenses of approximately $3.1 million. 

CASH FLOW

Our cash expenditure for the year was approximately 
$11.1 million.  Cash of approximately $6.9 million was 
received from the issue of shares.  Accordingly, the 
net cash outflow of the Company for the year was 
approximately $4.2 million.

Cash of approximately $8.5 million was invested by the 
Group on exploration expenditure during the year.

The exploration programs for 2016 will focus on 
Cascabel along with finding joint venture partners for 
the Group’s, Rannes, Normanby, and Mt Perry projects. 
Discussions on the future exploration programs at each 
of the projects are detailed in the Operations Report.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Given the stage of the Group’s operations, the Board 
regards the maintenance of tenure and land access 
arrangements, maintenance of operation capabilities 
and the continued collection of exploration data in 
order to advance the prospectivity of the project areas 
to be the key performance indicators in measuring 
the Group’s success. The review of the business with 
reference to key performance indicators is set out in 
the Operations Report and Financial Review.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      40  

STRATEGIC REPORT

FINANCIAL REVIEW

FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND RISK MANAGEMENT

The Board regularly reviews the risks to which the Group is exposed and ensures through Board Committees and 
regular reporting that these risks are managed and minimised as far as possible. The Audit Committee is responsible 
for the implementation and review of the Group’s internal financial controls and financial risk management systems.

NOMINATED ADVISORS AND BROKERS

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP acts as Nominated Advisor and Broker to the Company.

EQUITY

Since the date of the last Annual Report, the Company has issued the following equities:

On 8 July 2014, the Company issued 4,360,000 options to its Board of Directors. The options consist of two tranches 
with varying exercise prices and vesting conditions which are dependent on the Company’s share price. The options 
expire on 8 July 2017.

On 19 December 2014, the Company issued an additional 33,591,828 shares at £0.03 to raise $1.9 million pursuant 
to a private placement to progress its exploration and project development efforts across its portfolio of projects in 
the Solomon Islands, Ecuador and Queensland, Australia. 

On 9 April 2015, the Company issued an additional 74,708,041 shares at £0.03 to raise $4.3 million pursuant to an 
open offer to progress its exploration and project development efforts across its portfolio of projects in the Solomon 
Islands, Ecuador and Queensland, Australia. 

On 19 November 2015, the Company issued an additional 62,263,534 shares at £0.015 to raise the equivalent of 
$2 million in a combination of cash and debt conversions pursuant to a private placement to progress its exploration 
and project development efforts across its portfolio of projects in the Solomon Islands, Ecuador and Queensland, 
Australia. 

At year end the Company had a total of 760,453,071 shares and 21,380,000 options on issue.  As at the date of 
this report, the Company had a total of 822,716,605 shares and 21,380,000 options on issue.

The strategic report was authorised for issue and signed on behalf of the directors by,

Nicholas Mather

Executive Director
8 December 2015

41      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS AND COMPANY SECRETARY

The Board consists of one Executive Director and three Non-Executive Directors. 

Nicholas Mather

(Executive Director)

Nicholas Mather (58), appointed 11 May 2005, graduated in 1979 from the University of Queensland with a B.Sc. 
(Hons, Geology). He has over 25 years’ experience in exploration and resource company management in a variety of 
countries. His career has taken him to numerous countries exploring for precious and base metals and fossil fuels. 
Nicholas Mather has focused his attention on the identification of and investment in large resource exploration 
projects.

He was Managing Director of BeMaX Resources NL (an ASX-listed company) from 1997 until 2000 and instrumental 
in the discovery of the world class Ginkgo mineral sand deposit in the Murray Basin in 1998. As an executive Director 
of Arrow Energy NL (also ASX-listed) until his resignation in 2004, Nicholas Mather drove the acquisition and 
business development of Arrow’s large Surat Basin Coal Bed Methane project in south-east Queensland. He was 
managing Director of Auralia Resources NL, a junior gold explorer, before its USD23 million merger with Ross Mining 
NL in 1995. He was a non-executive Director of Ballarat Goldfields NL until 2004, having assisted that company in its 
recapitalisation and re-quotation on the ASX in 2003.

Nicholas Mather is Managing Director and Chief Executive of DGR Global Limited and non-executive Director of 
ASX-listed companies Armour Energy Limited, Aus Tin Mining Limited, Navaho Gold Limited, and Lakes Oil NL and 
LSE AIM-listed company IronRidge Resources Limited.

Brian Moller

(Non-Executive Chairman)

Brian Moller (56), appointed 11 May 2005, is a corporate partner in the Brisbane-based law firm Hopgood Ganim 
Lawyers, the Australian solicitors to the Company. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1981 and has been a partner at 
Hopgood Ganim since 1983. He practices almost exclusively in the corporate area with an emphasis on capital raising, 
mergers and acquisitions.

Brian Moller holds an LLB Hons from the University of Queensland and is a member of the Australian Mining and 
Petroleum Law Association.

Brian Moller acts for many publicly-listed resource and industrial companies and brings a wealth of experience and 
expertise to the board, particularly in the corporate regulatory and governance areas. He is a non-executive Director 
of ASX listed DGR Global Limited, Navaho Gold Limited, Aguia Resources Limited and Platina Resources Limited, and 
the non-executive Chairman of ASX-listed Aus Tin Mining Limited.

Dr Robert Weinberg

(Non-Executive Director)

Rob Weinberg (68), appointed 22 November 2005, gained his doctorate in geology from Oxford University in 1973. 
He has more than 40 years’ experience of the international mining industry and is an independent mining research 
analyst and consultant.  He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London and also a Fellow of the Institute of 
Materials, Minerals and Mining.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      42  

GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS AND COMPANY SECRETARY

Prior to his current activities he was Managing Director, Institutional Investment at the World Gold Council. 
Previously he was a Director of the investment banking division at Deutsche Bank in London after having been 
head of the global mining research team at SG Warburg Securities. He has also held senior positions within Société 
Générale and was head of the mining team at James Capel & Co. He was formerly marketing manager of the gold and 
uranium division of Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Ltd. 

John Bovard

(Non-Executive Director)

John Bovard (68), appointed 2 November 2009, is a civil engineer with over 40 years’ experience in mining, heavy 
construction, project development and corporate management throughout Australia.  His career to date has included 
roles as CEO of public companies and both Executive and Non-Executive Directorships.  He holds a Bachelor’s 
Degree in Civil Engineering, is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and a Fellow of the 
Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Bovard is currently the Non-Executive Chairman of the ASX-listed Aus Tin Mining Ltd.  Other roles within the past 
five years have included Non-Executive Chairman of Orbis Gold Limited (resigned 17 February 2015), Non-Executive 
Director of Australian Pacific Coal Limited (resigned 29 November 2012), acting as the interim CEO of Australian 
Solomons Gold Ltd (April 2007 to January 2008) and the Non-Executive Chairman of Axiom Mining Ltd (June 2006 
to April 2007).  From March 2002 to June 2006, Mr Bovard acted as the CEO of Asia Pacific Resources Ltd (listed 
on the TSX) developing a large potash resource in Thailand.  Other Directorships have included Danae Resources NL 
(Managing Director) and Greenwich Resources Plc, both through to early 2006.  

He was also Project Manager for the $A800 million Phosphate Hill Fertiliser Project for Western Mining Corporation 
(WMC) situated south of Mount Isa in Queensland, Australia.  Other previous project experience includes managing 
the construction of the Porgera Mine in Papua New Guinea, the Super Pit expansion at Kalgoorlie, and the 
development of the Bronzewing Gold Mine in Western Australia.  He was previously the General Manager of the 
giant OK Tedi porphyry Copper Gold Mine.  John Bovard’s corporate profile, together with his extensive experience in 
south west Pacific mining operations and construction is considered to be of great value to SolGold Plc.

COMPANY SECRETARY

Karl Schlobohm

(Company Secretary)

Karl Schlobohm (46) has over twenty years’ experience in the accounting profession across a wide range of businesses 
and industries.  He has previously been contracted into CFO roles with ASX-listed resource companies Discovery 
Metals Limited and Meridian Minerals Limited, and as Company Secretary of ASX-listed Linc Energy Limited, Agenix 
Limited, Discovery Metals Limited and Global Seafood Australia Limited.

Mr Schlobohm is a Chartered Accountant and holds Bachelor Degrees in Commerce and in Economics, and a 
Master’s Degree in Taxation.

Mr Schlobohm is also contracted to act as the Company Secretary of the AIM listed IronRidge Resources Limited and 
ASX-listed DGR Global Limited, Navaho Gold Limited, Aus Tin Mining Limited and Armour Energy Limited.

43      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The Directors present their annual report and audited 
financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The principal activities of SolGold plc (the “Company”) 
and its subsidiaries (together “SolGold” or the “Group”) 
are gold and mineral exploration in Ecuador, the 
Solomon Islands, and Queensland, Australia. Details of 
the Group’s activities, together with a description of 
the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group, 
and the development of the business, are given in the 
Strategic Report.  

CURRENCY

The functional currency of the subsidiaries in Australia 
is considered to be Australian Dollars (A$). The 
functional currency of the subsidiaries in Solomon 
Islands is considered to be Solomon Islands Dollars 
(SBD$). The functional currency of the subsidiaries 
in Ecuador in considered to be United States Dollars 
(US$).  The presentational currency of the Group is 
Australian dollars (“A$”) and all amounts presented 
in the Directors’ Report and financial statements 
are presented in Australian dollars unless otherwise 
indicated.

The principal activity of the Company is that of a holding 
company.

RESULTS

BUSINESS REVIEW

The Group’s consolidated loss for the year was 
$4,238,661 (2014: $4,831,216).

A detailed review of the Group’s business and future 
developments is set out in the Operations Report and 
Financial Review.

CHANGES IN SHARE CAPITAL  
DURING 2015

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group at 
its present stage of development are given under Risks 
and Uncertainties.

GOING CONCERN

In common with many exploration companies, the 
Company raises finance for its exploration and 
appraisal activities in discrete tranches.  The Group 
and the Company have not generated revenues from 
operations.  As such, the Group’s and Company’s ability 
to continue to adopt the going concern assumption 
will depend upon a number of matters including future 
successful capital raisings for necessary funding and the 
successful exploration and subsequent exploitation of 
the Group’s tenements. 

It should be noted that the current working capital 
levels will not be sufficient to bring the Company’s 
projects into full development and production and, in 
due course, further funding will be required.  In the 
event that the Company is unable to secure further 
finance either through third parties or capital raising, it 
may not be able to fully develop its projects.

A statement of changes in the share capital of the 
Company is set out in Note 17 to the financial 
statements.

DIVIDENDS PAID OR RECOMMENDED

The Directors do not recommend the payment of a 
dividend (2014: nil). 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company does not undertake financial instrument 
transactions that are speculative or unrelated to the 
Company’s or Group’s activities. The Company’s 
financial instruments consist mainly of deposits with 
banks, accounts payable, and loans to subsidiaries.  
Further details of financial risk management objectives 
and policies, and exposure of the Group to financial risks 
are provided in Note 20 to the financial statements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      44  

GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The Directors who held office during the period were as follows:

Alan Martin 

CEO & Managing Director (resigned as CEO and Managing Director 17 May 2015)

Nicholas Mather

Executive Director 

Brian Moller

Non-Executive Chairman 

Robert Weinberg

Non-Executive Director

John Bovard

Non-Executive Director

The Company has a Directors’ and Officers’ Liability insurance policy with Chartis Australia Insurance Limited for all 
its Directors.

The Directors who held office at the end of the financial year held direct and indirect interests in the ordinary shares 
and unlisted options of the Company as shown in the tables below.

Shares held

Nicholas Mather

Brian Moller

Robert Weinberg

John Bovard

At 30 June 2015

At 30 June 2014

85,519,570

3,086,942

3,118,484

3,858,812

65,519,569

2,393,972

2,304,971

3,307,553

There were 4,360,000 options issued to Directors during the year (2014: 16,000,000).

Share options held

At 30 June 2015

At 30 June 2014

Option price

Exercise period

Nicholas Mather

Brian Moller

Robert Weinberg

John Bovard

1,500,000

1,100,000

880,000

880,000

3,000,000

14p-28p

08/07/15 -08/07/17

-

-

-

14p-28p

08/07/15 -08/07/17

14p-28p

08/07/15 -08/07/17

14p-28p

08/07/15 -08/07/17

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

In formulating the Company’s corporate governance 
procedures the Board of Directors takes due regard 
of the principles of good governance set out in the 
UK Corporate Governance Code  to the extent they 
consider appropriate in light of the Company’s size, 
stage of development and resources.  However, given 
the size of the Company, at present the Board of 
Directors do not consider it necessary to adopt the 
Code in its entirety. 

The Board of SolGold plc is made up of one Executive 
Director and three Non-executive Directors.  Nicholas 
Mather is an Executive Director.  It is the Board’s 
policy to maintain independence by having at least 
half of the Board comprising Non-executive Directors 
who are free from any material business or other 

relationship with the Group.  The structure of the 
Board ensures that no one individual or group is able 
to dominate the decision making process.

The Board ordinarily meets on a monthly basis 
providing effective leadership and overall control and 
direction of the Group’s affairs through the schedule 
of matters reserved for its decision.  This includes 
the approval of the budget and business plan, major 
capital expenditure, acquisitions and disposals, risk 
management policies and the approval of the financial 
statements.  Formal agendas, papers and reports are 
sent to the Directors in a timely manner, prior to  
Board meetings.  The Board also receives summary 
financial and operational reports before each 
Board meeting.  The Board delegates certain of its 
responsibilities to management, who have clearly 
defined terms of reference.

45      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

All Directors have access to the advice and services 
of the Company Secretary, who is responsible for 
ensuring that all Board procedures are followed.  Any 
Director may take independent professional advice 
at the Company’s expense in the furtherance of his 
duties.  One third of the Directors retire from office 
at every Annual General Meeting of the Company.  
In general, those Directors who have held office 
the longest time since their election are required to 
retire.  A retiring Director may be re-elected and a 
Director appointed by the Board may also be elected, 
though in the latter case the Director’s period of 
prior appointment by the Board will not be taken into 
account for the purposes of rotation.

The Audit Committee, which meets not less than twice 
a year, is responsible for ensuring that the financial 
performance, position and prospects of the Group 
are properly monitored as well as liaising with the 
Company’s auditor to discuss the accounts and the 
Group’s internal controls.  The Committee is comprised 
of the entire Board of Directors.  The Audit Committee 
has reviewed the systems in place and considers these 
to be appropriate.

The Remuneration Committee meets at least once 
a year and is responsible for making decisions on 
Directors’ and key management’s remuneration 
packages. The Committee is comprised of the entire 
Board of Directors.

The remuneration of the non-executive Directors is 
determined by the executive Directors who consider 
it essential, notwithstanding the small size of the 
Company and the fact that it is not yet revenue earning, 
to recruit and retain individuals of the highest calibre 
for that role. Consequently they believe that it is in the 
interests of shareholders that non-executive Directors 
should be provided with share options in addition to 
the level of fees considered affordable.  On 8 July 2014, 
4,360,000 options were issued or just under 0.57% of 
the current issued share capital, and in the opinion of 
the executive Director this is not of sufficient magnitude 
as to affect their independence.

Company’s principal communication with its investors is 
through the Annual General Meeting, the annual report 
and accounts, the interim statement and its website.

The 2015 Annual General Meeting will provide an 
opportunity for the Chairman and/or Chief Executive 
Officer to present to the shareholders a report on 
current operations and developments and will enable 
the shareholders to question and express their views 
about the Company’s business.  A separate resolution 
will be proposed on each substantially separate issue, 
including the receipt of the financial statements and 
shareholders will be entitled to vote either in person or 
by proxy.

A Health, Safety, Environment and Community 
Committee (HSEC Committee) is responsible for the 
overall health, safety and environmental performance 
of the Company and its operations and its relationship 
with the local community in Ecuador, Solomon Islands 
and Queensland, the Committee is comprised of the 
entire Board of Directors.

EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION STRATEGY

Remuneration of the Executive Director is established 
by reference to the remuneration of executives 
of equivalent status both in terms of the level of 
responsibility of the position and by reference to 
their job qualifications and skills.  The Remuneration 
Committee will also have regard to the terms which 
may be required to attract an executive of equivalent 
experience to join the Board from another company.  
Such packages include performance related bonuses 
and the grant of share options.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Details of related party transactions for the Group 
and Company are given in note 22. Key management 
personnel remuneration disclosures are given in note 5.

DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITY

The Board attaches importance to maintaining good 
relationships with all its shareholders and ensures 
that all price sensitive information is released to all 
shareholders at the same time, in accordance with the 
AIM rules of the London Stock Exchange rules.  The 

The Company has arranged appropriate directors’ and 
officers’ insurance to indemnify the directors against 
liability in respect of proceedings brought by third 
parties. Such provisions remain in force at the date of 
this report.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      46  

GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

AUDITOR

A resolution for the appointment of the Company’s 
auditor will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On 2 October 2015, the Company executed 
Convertible Note Deeds with substantial shareholders, 
DGR Global Limited and Tenstar Trading Limited for a 
total funding of $2,332,000.

On 19 November 2015, the Company issued an 
additional 62,263,534 shares at £0.015 to raise the 
equivalent of $2.39 million in a combination of cash 
and debt conversions pursuant to a private placement 
to progress its exploration and project development 
efforts across its portfolio of projects in the Solomon 
Islands, Ecuador and Queensland, Australia. 

The Directors are not aware of any other significant 
changes in the state of affairs of the Company after the 
reporting date that is not covered in this report.

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES 
STATEMENT

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

Company law requires the directors to prepare 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.  

47      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

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;
state whether they have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union, subject to any material departures disclosed 
and explained in the financial statements; and
•  prepare the financial statements on the going 
concern basis unless it is inappropriate to  
presume that the Group and the Company will 
continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate 
accounting records that are sufficient to show and 
explain the 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.

GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

DISCLOSURE OF AUDIT INFORMATION

In the case of each person who are Directors of the Company at the date when this report is approved:

•  So far as they are individually aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is 

unaware; and

•  Each of the Directors has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a Director to make themselves 

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

This report was approved by the board on 8 December 2015 and signed on its behalf.

Karl Schlobohm

Company Secretary

Lvl 27, 111 Eagle St
Brisbane QLD 4000
Australia

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      48  

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SOLGOLD PLC

We have audited the financial statements of SolGold 
PLC for the year ended 30 June 2015 which comprise 
the group statement of financial position and company 
statement of financial position, the group statement of 
comprehensive income, the group statement of cash flows, 
the group statement of changes in equity and the company 
statement of changes in equity and the related notes. The 
financial reporting framework that has been applied in their 
preparation is applicable law and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European 
Union and, as regards the parent company financial 
statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of 
the Companies Act 2006.

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

Respective responsibilities of directors and 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 Financial Reporting 
Council’s (FRC’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 FRC’s website at  
www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate.

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 30 June 2015 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.

Emphasis of matter — Going concern
In forming our opinion on the financial statements, which 
is not modified, we have considered the adequacy of the 
disclosures made in note 1 to the financial statements 
concerning the Group’s and-the Company’s ability to 
continue as a going concerns. The Directors acknowledge 
that additional funds need to be raised either through other 
finance arrangements or capital raisings. This cannot be 
guaranteed and there are no legally binding agreements 
in place relating to the raising of additional funds. These 
circumstances indicate the existence of a material 
uncertainty, which may cast significant doubt on the Group 
and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The 
financial statements do not include the adjustments that 
would result if the company were unable to continue as a 
going concern.

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

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 beenreceived 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.

Anne Sayers (senior statutory auditor)

For and on behalf of BDO LLP, statutory auditor
London
United Kingdom
8 December 2015

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

49      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Other income

Expenses

Exploration costs written-off

Administrative

Operating loss

Finance income

Finance costs

Loss before tax

Tax expense

Loss for the year

Notes

12

6

6

3

7

Other comprehensive income

Items that may be reclassified into profit or loss

Change in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets     

10b

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Loss for the year attributable to:

Owners of the parent company

Non-controlling interest

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to:

Owners of the parent company

Non-controlling interest

Group

2015

$

-

-

-

-

(1,175,172)

(3,066,982)

(4,242,154)

10,570

(7,077)

Group

2014

$

-

-

50,504

(2,246,491)

(2,652,356)

(4,848,343)

18,185

(1,058)

(4,238,661)

(4,831,216)

-

-

(4,238,661)

(4,831,216)

(2,045,919)

1,159,075

(5,125,505)

(4,197,335)

(41,326)

(4,238,661)

(5,258,040)

132,535

(5,125,505)

1,703,620

72,158

(3,055,438)

(4,831,216)

-

(4,831,216)

(3,055,438)

-

(3,055,438)

Loss per share

Basic loss per share

Diluted loss per share

8

8

Cents per share

Cents per share

(0.6)

(0.6)

(0.8)

(0.8)

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

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      50  

CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 30 June 2015

Assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Investment in subsidiaries

Investment in available for sale securities 

Loans receivable and other non-current assets

Total non-current assets

Other receivables and prepayments

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Equity

Share capital

Share premium

Other reserves

Accumulated loss

Non-controlling interest

Total equity

Liabilities

Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Notes

11

12

9

10(b)

13

15

16

17

17

18

Group

2015

$

Group

2014

$

Company

Company

2015

$

2014

$

419,898

133,742

11,118

16,801

30,748,723

21,451,449

-

640,855

-

896,197

159,433

-

30,379,601

21,941,839

2,942,116

894,192

2,942,116

169,353

7,169

7,169

32,224,251

24,696,660

31,292,080

25,548,780

151,295

321,440

472,735

1,112,340

4,547,229

5,659,569

136,872

1,015,123

215,312

4,159,071

352,184

5,174,194

32,696,986

30,356,229

31,644,264

30,722,974

13,184,721

11,106,524

13,184,721

11,106,524

82,212,310

78,434,985

82,212,310

78,434,985

1,761,936

2,763,046

772,428

2,758,752

(67,023,534)

(62,826,199)

(65,874,946)

(62,005,995)

223,107

90,572

-

-

30,358,540

29,568,928

30,294,513

30,294,266

2,338,446

2,338,446

2,338,446

787,301

1,349,751

787,301

1,349,751

787,301

1,349,751

428,708

428,708

428,708

32,696,986

30,356,229

31,644,264

30,722,974

The above consolidated and company statements of financial position should be read in conjunction with the 
accompanying notes.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board and were signed on its behalf on 8 
December 2015.

Nicholas Mather

Director

51      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Notes

Share capital

Share 
premium

Available-
for-sale 
financial 
assets 
reserve

Share 
option 
reserve

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve

Change in 
proportionate 
interest reserve

Accumulated 
loss

Non-
controlling 
interests

Total

$

$

$

$ 

$

$

$

$

Balance at  
30 June 2013

Loss for the year 

Other 
comprehensive 
income 

Total 
comprehensive 
income for 
 the year 

New share capital 
subscribed

Share issue costs

Value of share 
and options 
issued to 
Directors, 
employees and 
consultants

Value of share 
options forfeited 
during the year 

Value of bonus 
shares issued to 
employees 

Non-controlling 
interest in 
subsidiary 
acquired

Balance at  
30 June 2014

Loss for the year 

Other 
comprehensive 
income 

Total 
comprehensive 
income for  
the year 

New share capital 
subscribed

Share issue costs

Value of share 
and options 
issued to 
Directors, 
employees and 
consultants

Balance at  
30 June 2015

17

9,361,755

66,418,526

10,390

3,222,873

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,703,620

-

1,703,620

1,732,825

12,595,988

-

(722,860)

-

-

-

-

11,944

143,331

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

35,989

(2,214,120)

-

-

-

-

72,158

72,158

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(67,864)

(60,209,103)

(4,831,216)

-

(4,831,216)

-

-

-

2,214,120

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

18,804,441

(4,831,216)

1,775,778

(3,055,438)

14,328,813

(722,860)

35,989

-

155,275

90,572

22,708

17

11,106,524

78,434,985

1,714,010

1,044,742

72,158

(67,864)

(62,826,199)

90,572

29,568,928

-

-

-

-

-

-

(2,045,919)

-

(2,045,919)

2,078,197

4,156,344

-

(379,019)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

59,595

-

985,214

985,214

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(4,197,335)

(41,326)

(4,238,661)

173,861

(886,844)

(4,197,335)

132,535

(5,125,505)

-

-

-

-

-

-

6,234,541

(379,019)

59,595

13,184,721

82,212,310

(331,909)

1,104,337

1,057,372

(67,864)

(67,023,534)

223,107

30,358,540

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

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      52  

 
CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 30 June 2015 Continued

Notes

Share capital

Share 
premium

Available-for-
sale financial 
assets 

Share option 
reserve

Accumulated 
loss

Total

$

$

$

$

$

$

Balance at 30 June 2013

17

9,361,755

66,418,526

10,390

3,222,873

(59,610,996)

19,402,548

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,703,620

1,703,620

New share capital subscribed

1,732,825

12,595,988

Share issue costs

Value of shares and options issued to Directors, 
employees and consultants

Value of share options forfeited during the year

-

-

-

(722,860)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

35,989

(4,609,119)

(4,609,119)

-

1,703,620

(4,609,119)

(2,905,499)

-

-

-

14,328,813

(722,860)

35,989

-

(2,214,120)

2,214,120

Value of bonus shares issued to employees

11,944

143,331

-

155,275

Balance at 30 June 2014

17

11,106,524

78,434,985

1,714,010

1,044,742

(62,005,995)

30,294,266

Loss for the year 

Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

-

-

-

New share capital subscribed

2,078,197

4,156,344

Share issue costs

Value of shares and options issued to Directors, 
employees and consultants

-

-

(379,019)

-

-

(2,045,919)

(2,045,919)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

59,595

(3,868,951)

(3,868,951)

(2,045,919)

(3,868,951)

(5,914,870)

-

-

-

6,234,541

(379,019)

59,595

Balance at 30 June 2015

13,184,721

82,212,310

(331,909)

1,104,337

(65,874,946)

30,294,513

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

53      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Cash flows from operating activities

Operating loss

Depreciation

Share based payment expense

Write-off of exploration expenditure

Notes

Group

2015

$

Group

Company

Company

2014

$

2015

$

2014

$

(4,242,154)

(4,848,343)

(3,871,748)

(4,625,649)

18,378

59,595

35,025

191,264

9,573

59,595

10,254

191,264

1,175,172

2,246,491

674,815

-

-

(Profit) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment

(888)

(50,504)

-

Impairment of investments in subsidiaries

-

-

349,581

2,045,216

(Increase) decrease in other receivables and prepayments

961,045

(801,252)

878,250

(742,377)

Increase (decrease) in trade and other payables

80,792

803,470

(284,748)

741,150

Net cash outflow from operating activities

(1,948,060)

(2,423,849)

(2,184,682)

(2,380,142)

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received

Interest paid

Security deposit (payments)/refunds 

10,570

(7,077)

4,346

18,185

(1,058)

(4,622)

9,873

(7,076)

-

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

(439,333)

(102,575)

(3,890)

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment

134,801

157,863

-

16,531

(1,052)

(1,600)

(4,355)

-

Acquisition of exploration and evaluation assets

(8,485,005)

(5,825,393)

(19,496)

(398,347)

Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of cash)

23

Investment in available for sale securities 

Investment in associates

Loans advanced to third parties

Loans advanced to subsidiaries

-

-

-

-

13,901

(779,982)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(779,982)

-

-

(8,242,457)

(5,756,661)

Net cash outflow from investing activities

(8,781,698)

(6,523,681)

(8,263,046)

(6,925,466)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from the issue of ordinary share capital

6,877,414

13,360,770

6,877,414

13,360,770

Payment of issue costs

Repayment of borrowings

(373,445)

(722,859)

(373,445)

(722,859)

-

(23,576)

-

-

Net cash inflow from financing activities

6,503,969

12,614,335

6,503,969

12,637,911

Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(4,225,789)

3,666,805

(3,943,759)

3,332,303

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year

4,547,229

880,424

4,159,071

826,768

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

16

321,440

4,547,229

215,312

4,159,071

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

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      54  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company is a public limited company incorporated 
in England and Wales and is listed on the AIM market of 
the London Stock Exchange.

(a)  Statement of compliance

 The consolidated financial statements and 
company financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) and their 
interpretations issued by the International 
Accounting Standards Board (IASB), as adopted 
by the European Union. They have also been 
prepared in accordance with those parts of the 
Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies 
reporting under IFRS. 

 The accounting policies set out below have been 
applied consistently throughout these consolidated 
financial statements.

 (b)    Basis of preparation of financial statements 

and going concern

 The consolidated financial statements are 
presented in Australian dollars (“A$”), rounded to 
the nearest dollar.

 The Company was incorporated on 11 May 2005. 
The Group from incorporation has prepared 
the annual consolidated financial statements in 
accordance with IFRS. A separate statement of 
comprehensive income for the parent company has 
not been presented as permitted by section 408 of 
the Companies Act 2006.

 The financial statements have been prepared on 
a going concern basis which contemplates the 
continuity of normal business activities and the 
realisation of assets and discharge of liabilities in 
the ordinary course of business.  The Company 
has not generated revenues from operations.  In 
common with many exploration companies, the 
Company raises finance for its exploration and 
appraisal activities in discrete tranches.  At the 
reporting date, the Group had a net working capital 
deficit position of $1,865,711, compared with a net 
current asset position in 2014 of $4,872,268.  As 
such, the Company’s ability to continue to adopt 

55      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

the going concern assumption will depend upon 
a number of matters including future successful 
capital raisings for necessary funding and the 
successful exploration and subsequent exploitation 
of the Group’s tenements. 

 Subsequent to the end of the year, the Company 
has continued its drilling operations at its Cascabel 
project and has incurred approximately $1.2 million 
in exploration and evaluation expenditure to 31 
October 2015.  In order to fund this exploration 
and evaluation expenditure along with the net 
current asset deficit, the Company raised $2.33 
million through the execution of convertible note 
deeds and a further $2.39 million through the 
issue of 62,263,534 shares at £0.015 which was a 
combination of cash and debt conversions.

 It should be noted that the current working capital 
levels will not be sufficient to bring the Company’s 
projects into full development and production and, 
in due course, further funding will be required.  In 
the event that the Company is unable to secure 
further finance either through other finance 
arrangements or capital raisings, it may not be 
able to fully develop its projects and this may have 
a consequential impact on the carrying value of 
the related exploration assets and the investment 
of the parent company in its subsidiaries.  In 
the absence of these matters being successful, 
there exists a material uncertainty that may cast 
significant doubt on the entity’s ability to continue 
as a going concern, and therefore, it may be unable 
to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the 
ordinary course of business.

(c)  Basis of consolidation

(i)  Subsidiaries

 The consolidated financial statements 
incorporate the financial statements of the 
Company and entities controlled by the 
Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 30 June 
each year.  

 Where the company has control over an 
investee, it is classified as a subsidiary. The 
company controls an investee if all three of the 
following elements are present: power over 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING POLICIES Continued

the investee, exposure to variable returns from 
the investee, and the ability of the investor to 
use its power to affect those variable returns. 
Control is reassessed whenever facts and 
circumstances indicate that there may be a 
change in any of these elements of control.

 De-facto control exists in situations where 
the company has the practical ability to direct 
the relevant activities of the investee without 
holding the majority of the voting rights. In 
determining whether de-facto control exists 
the company considers all relevant facts and 
circumstances, Including:

•  The size of the company’s voting rights 

• 

relative to both the size and dispersion of 
other parties who hold voting rights 
Substantive potential voting rights held by 
the company and by other parties
•  Other contractual arrangements
•  Historic patterns in voting attendance.

 The consolidated financial statements present 
the results of the company and its subsidiaries 
(“the Group”) as if they formed a single entity. 
Intercompany transactions and balances 
between group companies are therefore 
eliminated in full.

 The consolidated financial statements 
incorporate the results of business 
combinations using the acquisition method. 
In the statement of financial position, the 
acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and 
contingent liabilities are initially recognised 
at their fair values at the acquisition date. The 
results of acquired operations are included in 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income from the date on which control is 
obtained. They are deconsolidated from the 
date on which control ceases.

 The results of subsidiaries acquired or 
disposed of during the year are included in 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income from the effective date of acquisition 
or up to the effective date of disposal, as 
appropriate.  Where necessary, adjustments are 
made to the financial statements of subsidiaries 

to bring the accounting policies into line with 
those used by the Group.

 Non-controlling interests are allocated their 
share of net profit after tax in the statement of 
comprehensive income and presented within 
equity in the consolidated statement of financial 
position, separately from the equity of the 
owners of the parent.

(ii)  Associates

 Associates are all entities over which the Group 
has significant influence but not control or joint 
control, generally accompanying a shareholding 
of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. 
Investments in associates are accounted 
for in the consolidated financial statements 
using the equity method of accounting, after 
initially being recognised at cost. The Group’s 
investment in associates includes goodwill (net 
of any accumulated impairment loss) identified 
on acquisition.

 The Group’s share of its associates’ post-
acquisition profits or losses is recognised in 
profit or loss and its share of post-acquisition 
movements in other comprehensive income 
is recognised in other comprehensive income 
where applicable. The cumulative post-
acquisition movements are adjusted against the 
carrying amount of the investment. Dividends 
receivable from associates reduce the carrying 
amount of the investment.

 When the Group’s share of losses in an 
associate equals or exceeds its interest in the 
associate, including any other unsecured long-
term receivables, the Group does not recognise 
further losses, unless it has incurred obligations 
or made payments on behalf of the associate.

(iii) Transactions eliminated on consolidation

 Intra-group balances and any unrealised gains 
and losses or income and expenses arising 
from intra-group transactions, are eliminated 
in preparing the consolidated financial 
statements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      56  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING POLICIES Continued

(d)   Foreign currency

 Transactions in foreign currencies are translated 
at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of 
the transaction.  Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies at the year-end 
are translated into Australian dollars at the foreign 
exchange rate ruling at that date.  Any resultant 
foreign exchange currency translation amount is 
taken to the profit and loss.

 The functional currency of the subsidiaries in 
Australia is considered to be Australian Dollars 
(A$). The functional currency of the subsidiaries in 
the Solomon Islands is considered to be Solomon 
Islands Dollars (SBD$). The functional currency 
of the subsidiaries in Ecuador is considered to 
be United States Dollars (US$).  The assets and 
liabilities of the entities are translated to the group 
presentation currency at rates of exchange ruling 
at the reporting date. Income and expense items 
are translated at average rates for the period. Any 
exchange differences are taken directly to reserves. 
On disposal of an entity, cumulative deferred 
exchange differences are recognised in the income 
statement as part of the profit or loss on sale.

 The Company’s functional and presentation 
currency is Australian dollars (A$).  The exchange 
rates applied in preparation of these financial 
statements at 30 June 2015 were £0.4872/A$1.0, 
US$0.76575/A$1.0 and SBD$6.0205/A$1.0 (30 
June 2014: £0.5544/A$1.0, US$0.9439/A$1.0 
and SBD$6.9001/A$1.0).  The average exchange 
rates applied for the year ended 30 June 2015 was 
US$0.84034/A$1.0 (2014: US$0.9143/A$1.0).

(e)  Property, plant and equipment

(i)  Owned assets

 Items of property, plant and equipment are 
stated at cost less accumulated depreciation 
(see below) and impairment losses (see 
accounting policy i below). 

(ii)  Subsequent costs

 The Group recognises in the carrying amount 
of property, plant and equipment the cost of 
replacing part of such an item when that cost 
is incurred if it is probable that the future 

57      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

economic benefits associated with the item 
will flow to the Group and the cost of the item 
can be measured reliably.  All other costs are 
recognised in the statement of comprehensive 
income as an expense as incurred.

(iii) Depreciation

 Depreciation is charged to the statement of 
comprehensive income on a straight-line basis 
over the estimated useful lives of each item of 
property, plant and equipment.  The estimated 
useful lives of all categories of assets are: 

 Office Equipment 
 Furniture and Fittings 
 Motor Vehicles   
 Plant and Equipment 
 Land and Buildings 

  3 years
  5 years
  5 years
  5 years
12 years

 The residual values and useful lives are 
assessed annually.  Gains and losses on disposal 
are determined by comparing proceeds with 
carrying amounts and are included in the 
statement of comprehensive income.

(f) 

Intangible assets

Deferred exploration costs
 Costs incurred in relation to the acquisition of, or 
application for, a tenement area are capitalised 
where there is a reasonable expectation that the 
tenement will be acquired or granted.  Where the 
Group is unsuccessful in acquiring or being granted 
a tenement area, any such costs are immediately 
expensed.

 All other costs incurred prior to obtaining the 
legal right to undertake exploration and evaluation 
activities on a project are written-off as incurred.  

 Exploration and evaluation costs arising following 
the acquisition of an exploration licence are 
capitalised on a project-by-project basis, pending 
determination of the technical feasibility and 
commercial viability of the project.  Costs incurred 
include appropriate technical and administrative 
overheads.  Deferred exploration costs are carried 
at historical cost less any impairment losses 
recognised.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING POLICIES Continued

 If an exploration project is successful, the related 
expenditures will be transferred to mining assets 
and amortised over the estimated life of the ore 
reserves on a unit of production basis.

 The recoverability of deferred exploration and 
evaluation costs is dependent upon the discovery 
of economically recoverable ore reserves, the 
ability of the Group to obtain the necessary 
financing to complete the development of ore 
reserves and future profitable production or 
proceeds from the disposal thereof.

(g) 

 Loans receivables, other receivables and 
prepayments

 Other receivables and prepayments are not 
interest bearing and are stated at their nominal 
amount less provision for impairment.

(h)  Cash and cash equivalents

 Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, 
deposits held at call with banks, other short-term 
highly liquid investments with original maturities 
of three months or less, and bank overdrafts.  Bank 
overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current 
liabilities on the statement of financial position.

(i) 

Impairment

 Whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset 
may not be recoverable the asset is reviewed for 
impairment.  An asset’s carrying value is written 
down to its estimated recoverable amount (being 
the higher of the fair value less costs to sell and 
value in use) if that is less than the asset’s carrying 
amount.

 Impairment reviews for deferred exploration 
costs are carried out on a project-by-project basis, 
with each project representing a potential single 
cash generating unit.  An impairment review is 
undertaken when indicators of impairment arise, 
typically when one of the following circumstances 
apply:

•  The period for which the entity has the right to 
explore in the specific area has expired during 

• 

the period or will expire in the near future, and 
is not expected to be renewed;
Substantive expenditure on further 
exploration for and evaluation of mineral 
resources in the specific area is neither 
budgeted nor planned;

•  Exploration for and evaluation of mineral 
resources in the specific area have not led 
to the discovery of commercially viable 
quantities of mineral resources and the entity 
has decided to discontinue such activities in 
the specific area; and 
Sufficient data exist to indicate that, although 
a development in the specific area is likely 
to proceed, the carrying amount of the 
exploration and evaluation asset is unlikely 
to be recovered in full from successful 
development or by sale.

• 

(j) 

 Share capital

 The Company’s ordinary shares are classified as 
equity.

(k)  Employee benefits

(i)  Share based payment transactions

 The Group measures the cost of equity-settled 
transactions with employees by reference to 
the fair value of the equity instruments at the 
date at which they are granted.  Estimating fair 
value for share based payment transactions 
requires determining the most appropriate 
valuation model, which is dependent on the 
terms and conditions of the grant.  This estimate 
also requires determining the most appropriate 
inputs to the valuation model including the 
expected life of the share option, volatility and 
dividend yield and making assumptions about 
them.  The assumptions and model used for 
estimating fair value for share based payment 
transactions are disclosed in Note 19. 

(ii)  Retirement benefits

 The Group operates a defined contribution 
pension scheme. Contributions payable for 
the year are charged to the statement of 
comprehensive income.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      58  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING POLICIES Continued

(l)  Provisions

 Provisions are recognised when the Group has a 
legal or constructive obligation as a result of past 
events, it is more likely than not that an outflow of 
resources will be required to settle the obligation, 
and the amount can be reliably estimated.

(m)  Trade and other payables

 Trade and other payables are not interest bearing 
and are stated at their nominal value. The effect of 
discounting is immaterial.

liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable 
profit, and differences relating to investments in 
subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably 
not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount 
of deferred tax provided is based on the expected 
manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying 
amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates 
enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting 
date. A deferred tax asset is recognised only to 
the extent that it is probable that future taxable 
profits will be available against which the asset can 
be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the 
extent that it is no longer probable that the related 
tax benefit will be realised.

(n)  Revenue

(r)  Segment reporting

 During the exploration phase, any revenue 
generated from incidental sales is treated as a 
contribution towards previously incurred costs and 
offset accordingly.

(o)  Other income

 Other income is recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income as it accrues.

(p)  Financing costs and income

(i)  Financing costs

 Financing costs comprise interest payable 
on borrowings calculated using the effective 
interest rate method.

(ii)  Finance income

 Interest income is recognised in the statement 
of comprehensive income as it accrues, using 
the effective interest method.

 (q)  Taxation

 Deferred tax is provided using the balance 
sheet liability method, providing for temporary 
differences between the carrying amounts 
of assets and liabilities for financial reporting 
purposes and the amounts used for taxation 
purposes. The following temporary differences 
are not provided for: goodwill not deductible for 
tax purposes, the initial recognition of assets or 

59      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

 The Group determines and presents operating 
segments based on information that is internally 
provided to the Board of Directors, who are the 
Group’s chief operating decision makers.

 An operating segment is a component of the Group 
that engages in business activities from which it 
may earn revenues and incur expenses, including 
revenues and expenses that relate to transactions 
with any of the Group’s other components.  An 
operating segment’s operating results and asset 
position are reviewed regularly by the Board to 
make decisions about resources to be allocated to 
the segment and assess its performance, for which 
discrete financial information is available.

 Segment results that are reported to the Board 
include items directly attributable to a segment, as 
well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable 
basis.  Unallocated items comprise mainly 
corporate office assets, head office expenses, and 
income tax assets and liabilities.  

(s)  Business combinations

 Business combinations occur where an acquirer 
obtains control over one or more businesses 
and results in the consolidation of its assets and 
liabilities.

 Business combinations are accounted for by 
applying the acquisition method, unless it is a 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING POLICIES Continued

combination involving entities or businesses 
under common control. The acquisition method 
requires that for each business combination one 
of the combining entities must be identified as 
the acquirer (i.e. parent entity). The business 
combination will be accounted for as at the 
acquisition date, which is the date that control 
over the acquiree is obtained by the parent entity. 
At this date, the parent shall recognise, in the 
consolidated accounts, and subject to certain 
limited exceptions, the fair value of the identifiable 
assets acquired and liabilities assumed. In addition, 
contingent liabilities of the acquiree will be 
recognised where a present obligation has been 
incurred and its fair value can be reliably measured. 

 The acquisition may result in the recognition 
of goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase. 
The method adopted for the measurement of 
goodwill will impact on the measurement of any 
non-controlling interest to be recognised in the 
acquiree where less than 100% ownership interest 
is held in the acquiree.

 The acquisition date fair value of the consideration 
transferred for a business combination plus 
the acquisition date fair value of any previously 
held equity interest shall form the cost of the 
investment in the separate financial statements. 
Consideration may comprise the sum of the assets 
transferred by the acquirer, liabilities incurred by 
the acquirer to the former owners of the acquiree 
and the equity interests issued by the acquirer.

 Fair value uplifts in the value of pre-existing equity 
holdings on acquisition are taken to the statement 
of comprehensive income. Where changes in the 
value of such equity holdings had previously been 
recognised in other comprehensive income, such 
amounts are recycled to profit or loss. 

 Included in the measurement of consideration 
transferred is any asset or liability resulting 
from a contingent consideration arrangement. 
Any obligation incurred relating to contingent 
consideration is classified as either a financial 
liability or equity instrument, depending upon the 
nature of the arrangement. Rights to refunds of 
consideration previously paid are recognised as 
a receivable. Subsequent to initial recognition, 

contingent consideration classified as equity is 
not remeasured and its subsequent settlement 
is accounted for within equity. Contingent 
consideration classified as an asset or a liability is 
remeasured at each reporting period to fair value 
through the statement of comprehensive income 
unless the change in value can be identified as 
existing at acquisition date.

 All transaction costs incurred in relation to 
the business combination are expensed to the 
statement of comprehensive income.

(t)  Project financing / farm-outs

 The Group, from time to time, enters into funding 
arrangements with third parties in order to 
progress specific projects.  The Group accounts 
for the related exploration costs in line with the 
terms of the specific agreement.  Costs incurred 
by SolGold plc are recognised as intangible assets 
within the financial statements.  Costs incurred by 
third parties are not recognised by SolGold plc.

(u)  Leases

 Leases of fixed assets where substantially all the 
risks and benefits incidental to the ownership 
of the asset, but not the legal ownership are 
transferred to entities in the Group, are classified 
as finance leases.

 Finance leases are capitalised by recording an asset 
and a liability at the lower of the amounts equal to 
the fair value of the leased property or the present 
value of the minimum lease payments, including 
any guaranteed residual values.  Lease payments 
are allocated between the reduction of the lease 
liability and the lease interest expense for the 
period.

 Leased assets are depreciated on a straight-line 
basis over the shorter of their estimated useful 
lives or the lease term.

 Lease payments for operating leases, where 
substantially all the risks and benefits remain with 
the lessor, are charged as expenses on a straight-
line basis over the period of the lease.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      60  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING POLICIES Continued

(v)  Financial instruments

(iv) Financial liabilities 

 Recognition and Initial Measurement
 Financial instruments, incorporating financial 
assets and financial liabilities, are recognised when 
the entity becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument.

 Financial instruments are initially measured at fair 
value plus transactions costs where the instrument 
is not classified as at fair value through profit or 
loss. Transaction costs related to instruments 
classified as at fair value through profit or loss are 
expensed to profit or loss immediately. Financial 
instruments are classified and measured as set out 
below.

Classification and Subsequent Measurement
(i)  Loans and receivables 

 Loans and receivables are non-derivative 
financial assets with fixed or determinable 
payments that are not quoted in an active 
market and are subsequently measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest rate 
method.

(ii)   Financial assets at fair value through profit  

or loss
 Financial assets at fair value through profit 
or loss are financial assets held for trading.  A 
financial asset is classified in this category if 
acquired principally for the purpose of selling 
in the short term.  Derivatives are classified as 
held for trading unless they are designated as 
hedges.  Assets in this category are classified as 
current assets.  These assets are measured at 
fair value with gains or losses recognised in the 
profit or loss.

(iii) Available-for-sale financial assets

 Available-for-sale financial assets comprise 
investments in listed and unlisted entities and 
non-derivatives that are either designated 
in this category or not classified in any other 
categories.  After initial recognition, these 
investments are measured at fair value 
with gains or losses recognised in other 
comprehensive income.

61      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

 Non-derivative financial liabilities (excluding 
financial guarantees) are subsequently 
measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest rate method.

Fair value
 Fair value is determined based on current bid 
prices for all quoted investments.  Valuation 
techniques are applied to determine the fair 
value of all other financial assets and liabilities, 
where appropriate, including recent arm’s length 
transactions, reference to similar instruments and 
option pricing models.

Derecognition
 Financial assets are derecognised where the 
contractual rights to receipt of cash flows expires 
or the asset is transferred to another party 
whereby the entity no longer has any significant 
continuing involvement in the risks and benefits 
associated with the asset. Financial liabilities 
are derecognised where the related obligations 
are either discharged, cancelled or expire. The 
difference between the carrying value of the 
financial liability extinguished or transferred to 
another party and the fair value of consideration 
paid, including the transfer of non-cash assets or 
liabilities assumed, is recognised in profit or loss. 

Impairment of financial assets
 An assessment is made at each reporting date to 
determine whether there is objective evidence 
that a specific financial asset or a group of financial 
assets may be impaired.  If such evidence exists, 
the estimated recoverable amount of that asset 
is determined from available information such 
as quoted market prices or by calculating the net 
present value of future anticipated cash flows.  
In estimating these cash flows, management 
makes judgements about a counter-party’s 
financial situation and the net realisable value of 
any underlying collateral.  Impairment losses are 
recognised in the profit or loss.

 Impairment losses on assets measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest rate 
method are calculated by comparing the carrying 
value of the asset with the present value of 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING POLICIES Continued

estimated future cash flows at the original effective 
interest rate.

 Where there is objective evidence that an 
available for sale financial asset is impaired (such 
as a significant or prolonged decline in the fair 
value of an available for sale financial asset) 
the cumulative loss that has been recognised 
in other comprehensive income is reclassified 
from equity to profit or loss as a reclassification 
adjustment.  When a subsequent event reduces 
the impairment of an available for sale debt 
security the impairment loss is reversed through 
profit or loss. When a subsequent event reduces 
the impairment of an available for sale equity 
instrument the fair value increased is recognised in 
other comprehensive income.

equity. Amounts are reclassified to profit or 
loss when the associated assets are sold or 
impaired.

(ii)  Share option reserve

 The share based payments reserve is used to 
recognise:

• 

• 

the grant date fair value of options issued 
to employees but not exercised.
the grant date fair value of shares issued to 
employees.

(iii) Change in proportionate interest reserve

 This reserve is used to record the differences 
which may arise as a result of transactions with 
non controlling interests that do not result in a 
loss of control.

(w)  Accounting policies for the Company

(iv) Foreign currency translation reserve

 The accounting policies applied to the Company 
are consistent with those adopted by the Group 
with the exception of the following:

(i)  Company statement of comprehensive income

 As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies 
Act 2006, the statement of comprehensive 
income of the Company has not been 
separately presented in these financial 
statements.  The Company’s loss for the year 
was $3,868,951 (2014: $4,609,119).

(ii)  Subsidiary investments

 Investments in subsidiary undertakings 
are stated at cost less impairment losses.  
Expenditure incurred by plc on behalf of a 
subsidiary, for assets that could be capitalised 
in accordance with IFRS 6, is recorded within 
investments in subsidiary undertakings.

(x)  Nature and purpose of reserves

(i)  Available for sale financial assets reserve
 Changes in the fair value and exchange 
differences arising on translation of 
investments, such as equities, classified 
as available for sale financial assets, are 
recognised in other comprehensive income 
and accumulated in a separate reserve within 

 Exchange differences arising on translation of 
foreign controlled entities are recognised in 
other comprehensive income and accumulated 
in a separate reserve within equity. The 
cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or 
loss when the net investment is disposed of.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      62  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING POLICIES Continued

(y)  Changes in accounting policies

 The Group has applied all of the new standards and amendments applicable for the annual reporting period 
commencing 1 July 2014:

 Standards and interpretations effective and adopted in the current year
 The following standards, interpretations and amendments became effective during the year and were adopted 
by the Group and Company. These have no material effect on the Group or Company.

Standards

Details of amendment

Annual periods beginning on or after

IFRS 10 Consolidated 
Financial Statements

IFRS 11 Joint 
Arrangements

IFRS 12 Disclosure 
of Interests in Other 
Entities

IAS 27 Separate 
Financial Statements

IAS 28 Investments in 
Associates and Joint 
Ventures

IAS 32 Offsetting 
Financial Assets and 
Financial liabilities

IAS 36 Recoverable 
Amounts (amendments)

IFRS 10 introduces a single control model to determine whether 
an investee should be consolidated. The IFRS supersedes IAS 
27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements and SIC-12 
Consolidation—Special Purpose Entities.

The IFRS supersedes IAS 31 Interests in Joint Ventures 
and SIC-13 Jointly Controlled Entities—Non- Monetary 
Contributions by Venturers. Under IFRS 11, the structure of 
the joint arrangement, although still an important consideration, 
is no longer the major factor in determining the type of joint 
arrangement and therefore the subsequent accounting

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities applies to 
entities that have an interest in a subsidiary, a joint arrangement, 
an associate or an unconsolidated structured entity. IFRS 12 
requires the disclosure of information about the nature, risks and 
financial effects of these interests.

IAS 27 (2011) supersedes IAS 27 (2008). IAS 27 (2011) carries 
forward the existing accounting and disclosure requirements for 
separate financial statements, with some minor clarifications. 
IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements addresses the 
principle of control and the requirements relating to the 
preparation of consolidated financial statements.

IAS 28 (2011) supersedes IAS 28 (2008) and carries forward 
the existing accounting and disclosure requirements with 
limited amendments. On cessation of significant influence or 
joint control, even if an investment in an associate becomes an 
investment in a joint venture or vice versa, the company does not 
re-measure the retained interest.

The amendments clarify when an entity can offset financial assets 
and financial liabilities.

The amendments reverse the unintended requirement in IFRS 
13 Fair Value Measurement to disclose the recoverable amount 
of every cash-generating unit to which significant goodwill or 
indefinite-lived intangible assets have been allocated. Under the 
amendments, the recoverable amount is required to be disclosed 
only when an impairment loss has been recognised or reversed.

Annual improvements to 
IFRS 1 (2010 -2012 and 
2011 – 2013 cycles)

Clarifications as provided on various standards within the cycles 
have been considered in preparation of the current year financial 
statements.

IFRIC 21 Levies

IFRIC 21 provides guidance on accounting for levies in 
accordance with IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and 
Assets for the entity that is paying the levy.

63      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 January 2014

1 July 2014

1 January 2014

 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING POLICIES Continued

International Accounting Standards and Interpretations that have been recently issued or amended but are not yet 
effective have not been adopted by the Group for the annual reporting period ending 30 June 2015.  The impact of 
the adoption of these new standards and interpretations is yet to be assessed by the Group.

The Company anticipates that all of the relevant pronouncements will be adopted in the Group’s accounting 
policies for the first period beginning after the effective date of the pronouncement.  Information of new standards, 
amendments and interpretations that are expected to be relevant to the Group’s financial statements is provided 
below.

• IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’; and
• IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’.

The directors do not expect that the adoption of the standards listed above will have a material impact on the financial 
statements of the Group in future periods, except that IFRS 9 will impact both the measurement and disclosures of 
financial instruments and IFRS 15 may have an impact on revenue recognition and related disclosures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      64  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 2: SEGMENT REPORTING

The group determines and separately reports operating segments based on information that is internally provided to the 
Board of Directors, who are the Group’s chief operating decision makers.

The Group has outlined below the separately reportable operating segments, having regard to the quantitative threshold 
tests provided in IFRS 8, namely that the relative revenue, asset or profit / (loss) position of the operating segment 
equates to 10% or more of the Group’s respective total.  The Group reports information to the Board of Directors along 
company lines.  That is, the financial position of SolGold and each of its subsidiary companies is reported discreetly, 
together with an aggregated Group total.  Accordingly, each company within the Group that meets or exceeds the 
threshold tests outlined above is separately disclosed below.  The financial information of the subsidiaries that do not 
exceed the thresholds outlined above, and is therefore not reported separately, is aggregated as Other Subsidiaries.

30 June 2015

SolGold

ARM

Central Minerals

Acapulco Mining

Solomon Operations

Honiara Holdings

Guadalcanal Exploration

ENSA  

Consolidation / Elimination

Finance 
income
$

Total income

$

Loss for the 
year
$

Assets

Liabilities

$

$

Share based 
payments
$

Depreciation

$

9,873

9,873

(3,868,951)

31,993,846

1,349,750

59,595

186

10

500

-

-

-

-

-

186

10

500

-

-

-

-

-

(389,634)

320,139

32,904,421

12,077

3,670,423

13,186,119

(130,957)

5,812,595

3,767,823

71,510

(2,337)

(4,442)

4

-

9,948

957,562

2,338

1,217,372

(275,500)

15,975,498

10,431,634

349,573

(25,077,858)

(61,486,183)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

9,573

2,455

1,166

5,185

-

-

-

-

-

Total

10,570

10,570

(4,238,661)

32,696,985

2,338,446

59,595

18,378

30 June 2014

SolGold

ARM

Central Minerals

Acapulco Mining

Solomon Operations

Honiara Holdings

Guadalcanal Exploration

Consolidation / Elimination

Total

Finance 
income
$

16,531

206

8

636

-

-

-

803

-

Total income

$

16,531

50,710

8

636

-

-

-

803

-

Loss for the 
year
$

Assets

Liabilities

$

$

Share based 
payments
$

Depreciation

$

(4,609,118)

30,722,975

428,708

191,264

(990,430)

527,746

32,722,393

(41,084)

3,676,099

13,203,872

(49,427)

5,934,325

3,758,596

(29,746)

(2,141)

(1,151,902)

12

2,051

5,294

(2,215)

3,536,328

81,457

957,276

1,215,894

2,751,652

2,044,846

(14,048,601)

(54,332,547)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

18,185

68,689

(4,831,216)

30,356,229

787,301

191,264

Geographical information

Non-current assets

UK

Australia

Solomon Islands

Ecuador

2015
$

-

16,318,251

-

15,905,748

The Group had no revenue during the current and prior year.

65      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

10,254

13,064

2,262

5,183

-

-

-

4,261

-

35,025

2014
$

-

18,170,684

506,145

6,019,831

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 3: LOSS BEFORE TAX

Loss is stated after charging (crediting)

Auditors’ remuneration:

Amounts received or due and receivable by BDO (UK) for:

The audit of the company’s annual accounts

Group

2015

$

Group

2014

$

36,900

30,325

Amounts received or due and receivable by related practices of BDO (UK) for:

The audit of the company’s annual accounts

34,910

24,675

Depreciation

Foreign exchange (gains)/losses

Share based payments

NOTE 4: STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS

Corporate finance and administration

Technical

Group

2015

11

100

111

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

Wages and salaries

Contributions to superannuation

Share based payments

Total staff costs

Group

2015

2,763,284

215,228

17,534

2,996,046

Group

2014

10

120

130

Group

2014

1,767,688

173,094

191,264

2,132,046

18,378

(122,623)

59,595

35,025

29,764

191,264

Company

2015

Company

2014

7

2

9

7

4

11

Company

2015

765,229

58,171

17,534

840,934

Company

2014

1,166,680

62,804

191,264

1,420,748

Included within total staff costs is $1,977,592 (2014: $1,442,712) which has been capitalised as part of deferred 
exploration costs.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      66  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 5: REMUNERATION OF KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

2015

Directors

Alan Martin

Nicholas Mather

Brian Moller

Robert Weinberg

John Bovard

Staff and contractors

TOTAL

Basic annual salary

Other benefits¹

Pensions

Total remuneration

$

444,849¹

150,000

50,000

50,000

50,000

2,318,435

3,063,284

$

-

18,423

13,526

10,542

10,542

-

53,033

$

$

28,011

-

-

-

-

157,057

185,068

472,860

168,423

63,526

60,542

60,542

2,475,492

3,301,385

¹Includes the following payments: Termination payment - $150,000, annual leave payout - $2,228, bonus - $50,000, superannuation - $27,274

Basic annual salary

Other benefits¹

Pensions

Total remuneration

$

$

$

$

2014

Directors

Alan Martin

Nicholas Mather

Brian Moller

Robert Weinberg

John Bovard

Staff and contractors

TOTAL

¹Share based payments issued.

289,808

153,750

47,083

47,083

47,083

680,138

1,264,946

24,434

81,486

-

-

-

75,689

181,609

25,778

-

-

-

-

340,020

235,236

47,083

47,083

47,083

24,476

50,255

780,303

1,496,810

During the year no directors exercised options granted under the employee share option plan (2014: nil).

During the year, employer’s social security costs of $28,011 (2014: $25,778) were paid in respect of remuneration for 
key management personnel.  Alan Martin (CEO and Managing Director - resigned 17 May 2015) and Nicholas Mather 
(Executive Director) are considered to be key management personnel.

NOTE 6: FINANCE INCOME AND COSTS

Interest income

Finance income

Interest cost 

Finance costs

67      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Group

2015

$

10,570

10,570

(7,077)

(7,077)

Group

2014

$

18,185

18,185

(1,058)

(1,058)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 7: TAX EXPENSE

Factors affecting the tax charge for the current year

The tax credit for the period is lower than the credit resulting from the application of the standard rate of corporation 
tax in Australia of 30% (2014: 30%) being applied to the loss before tax arising during the year. The differences are 
explained below.

Tax reconciliation

Loss before tax

Tax at 30% (2014: 30%)

Effects at 30% (2014: 30%) of:

Short term temporary differences

Non-deductible expenses

Tax losses carried forward

Tax on loss

Group
2015
$

Group
2014
$

(4,238,661)

(1,271,598)

(4,831,216)

(1,449,365)

179,781

135,986

955,831

-

437,746

70,371

941,248

-

Factors that may affect future tax charges

The Group has carried forward tax losses of approximately $45 million (2014: $42 million).  These losses may be 
deductible against future taxable income dependent upon the on-going satisfaction by the relevant Group company of 
various tax integrity measures applicable in the jurisdiction where the tax loss has been incurred. The jurisdictions in 
which tax losses have been incurred include Australia, Ecuador and the Solomon Islands.

NOTE 8: LOSS PER SHARE

The calculation of basic loss per ordinary share on total operations is based on losses of $4,238,661 (2014: 
$4,831,216) and the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding of 686,978,658 (2014: 605,395,853).

There is no difference between the diluted loss per share and the basic loss per share presented as the share options 
on issue during the period and prior period were not considered dilutive. At 30 June 2015 there were 21,380,000 
share options on issue (2014: 33,920,000).

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      68  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 9: INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS

Australian Resources Management (ARM) Pty Ltd

Acapulco Mining Pty Ltd

Central Minerals Pty Ltd

Solomon Operations Ltd

Honiara Holdings Pty Ltd

Guadalcanal Exploration Pty Ltd 

Exploraciones Novomining S.A.

Cost

Balance at 30 June 2013

Acquisitions and advances in the year

Balance at 30 June 2014

Acquisitions and advances in the year

Balance at 30 June 2015

Amortisation and impairment losses

Balance at 30 June 2013

Provision for impairment

Balance at 30 June 2014

Provision for impairment

Balance at 30 June 2015

Carrying amounts

Balance at 30 June 2013

Balance at 30 June 2014

Balance at 30 June 2015

Country of 
incorporation and 
operation

Principal 
activity

SolGold plc’s  
effective interest

Australia

Australia

Australia

Solomon Islands

Australia

Australia

Ecuador

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration

Exploration

2015

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

85%

2014

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

85%

                                               Investment in subsidiary undertakings

Shares

$

11,135,657

2,869,222

14,004,879

-

14,004,879

(5,016,948)

-

(5,016,948)

-

Loans

$

51,188,061

5,756,660

56,944,721

8,787,343

65,732,064

(41,945,593)

(2,045,220)

(43,990,813)

-

Total

$

62,323,718

8,625,882

70,949,600

8,787,343

79,736,943

(46,962,541)

(2,045,220)

(49,007,761)

-

(5,016,948)

(43,990,813)

(49,007,761)

6,118,709

8,987,931

8,987,931

9,242,468

12,953,908

21,741,251

15,361,177

21,941,839

30,729,182

The write-down of the deferred exploration costs during the prior year associated with certain projects in Queensland 
and the Solomon Islands lead to the Company recording a provision for impairment of $2,045,220 on the loans 
receivable from Australian Resource Management (ARM) Pty Ltd, Central Minerals Pty Ltd and Guadalcanal 
Exploration Pty Ltd.

Details of all loans within the group made during the year are set out below:

69      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 9: INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS Continued

Shares

$

Loans

$

Total

$

Cost

Total investment in subsidiaries by the Company at 30 June 2013

11,135,657

51,188,061

62,323,718

Advances in the period from SolGold plc to ARM Pty Ltd

Advances in the period from SolGold plc to Acapulco Mining Pty Ltd

Advances in the period from SolGold plc to Central Minerals Pty Ltd

Advances during the period to Honiara Holdings Pty Ltd

Advances during the period to Guadalcanal Exploration Pty Ltd

-

-

-

-

-

Transfer from investments accounted for using the equity method

2,769,647

26,346

138,861

160,718

471

31,108

-

Acquisition and advances during the period to Exploraciones Novomining S.A.

99,575

5,399,156

26,346

138,861

160,718

471

31,108

2,769,647

5,498,731

Total investment in subsidiaries by the Company at 30 June 2014

14,004,879

56,944,721

70,949,600

Advances in the period to ARM Pty Ltd

Advances in the period to Acapulco Mining Pty Ltd

Repayments in the period from Central Minerals Pty Ltd

Advances during the period to Honiara Holdings Pty Ltd

Advances during the period to Guadalcanal Exploration Pty Ltd

Advances during the period to Exploraciones Novomining S.A.

-

-

-

-

-

-

194,967

12,085

(18,389)

1,048

1,863

194,967

12,085

(18,389)

1,048

1,863

8,595,769

8,595,769

Total investment in subsidiaries by the Company at 30 June 2015

14,004,879

65,732,064

79,736,943

NOTE 10: INVESTMENTS

(a)  Investments accounted for using the equity method

Name

Country of 
incorporation

Principal activity

Shares

                  Ownership interest

            Carrying amount

Exploraciones 
Novomining S.A.

Ecuador

Mineral Exploration

ORD

Movements during the year in equity accounted investments

Balance at beginning of year

Carrying value of investment on transfer of intangible assets

Fair value of investment on initial recognition

Share of associates profits after income tax

Carrying value of investment transferred to investments in subsidiaries

Balance at end of year

2015

%

85%

2014

%

85%

2015

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

2015

2014

$

-

$

-

-

2014

$

2,769,647

-

-

-

(2,769,647)

-

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      70  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 10: INVESTMENTS Continued

On 26 August 2013, SolGold plc increased its interest in Exploraciones Novomining S.A. from 30% to 50% and 
subsequently to 85% and as a result changed its accounting treatment from an investment accounted for using the 
equity method to an investment in a subsidiary (see Note 24).

On 24 February 2014, SolGold further increased its interest in Exploraciones Novomining S.A. from 50% to 85%.

(b)  Investments accounted for as available for sale assets

Movements in available for sale financial assets

Opening balance at 1 July

Additions

Fair Value adjustment through other comprehensive income

2015

$

2,942,116

-

(2,045,919)

896,197

2014

$

458,510

779,986

1,703,620

2,942,116

Available for sale financial assets comprise an investment in the ordinary issued capital of Cornerstone Capital 
Resources Inc., listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and an investment in  the ordinary issued capital of Aus 
Tin Mining Ltd, a company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

(c)  Fair value

Fair value hierarchy
 The following table details the consolidated entity’s assets and liabilities, measured or disclosed at fair value, 
using a three level hierarchy, based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the entire fair value 
measurement being:

 Level 1:  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at 

the measurement date.

 Level 2:  Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either 

directly or indirectly.

 Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

 The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities approximate their carrying amounts principally due to 
their short-term nature or the fact that they are measured and recognised at fair value.

The following table represents the Group’s financial assets and liabilities measured and recognised at fair value.

2015

Available for sale financial assets

2014

$

Level 1

896,197

Available for sale financial assets

2,942,116

$

Level 2

$

Level 3

-

-

-

-

$

Total

896,197

2,942,116

The available for sale financial assets are measured based on the quoted market prices at 30 June.

71      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 11: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Land and 
buildings

$

Plant and 
equipment

$

Motor 
vehicles

$

Office 
equipment

Furniture & 
fittings

Total

Company

$

$

$

$

Group

Cost

Balance 30 June 2013

208,144

98,489

120,515

-

-

1,710

50,653

24,444

-

(208,144)

-

(43,406)

75,432

3,977

35,809

-

21,173

523,753

49,934

1,371

16,110

31,502

102,572

-

(251,550)

-

4,355

-

-

-

-

-

-

150,852

101,553

115,218

38,654

406,276

54,289

12,047

5,624

119,708

294,470

-

(134,802)

8,618

28,139

-

282,607

266,845

151,975

3,556

20,474

(2,338)

60,346

29,845

462,791

(137,140)

-

3,890

-

761,772

58,179

Balance 30 June 2013

(110,903)

(79,996)

(83,795)

(65,690)

(16,240)

(356,624)

(27,234)

Depreciation – business combinations

-

(253)

(24,444)

(10,217)

121,120

(10,014)

-

(5,818)

23,071

(312)

(7,659)

-

(68)

(25,077)

-

(1,317)

(35,025)

(10,254)

-

144,191

-

Additions – business combinations

Additions – other

Disposals

Balance 30 June 2014

Effect of foreign exchange on opening balance 

Additions

Disposals

Balance 30 June 2015

Depreciation and impairment losses

Depreciation charge for the year

Disposals

Balance 30 June 2014

Effect of foreign exchange on opening balance

Depreciation charge for the year 

Depreciation capitalised to exploration 

Disposals 

Balance 30 June 2015

Carrying amounts

At 30 June 2013

At 30 June 2014

At 30 June 2015

-

-

-

-

-

-

(90,263)

(90,986)

(73,661)

(17,625)

(272,535)

(37,488)

(706)

(6,696)

(5,624)

(5,082)

(444)

(4,686)

(28,940)

(29,854)

(22,140) 

-

40,541

-

(16)

(1,697)

(4,093)

97

(6,790)

(18,161)

(85,026)

40,639

-

(9,573)

-

-

(126,605)

(91,005)

(100,931)

(23,334)

(341,873)

(47,061)

97,241

-

-

18,493

60,589

36,720

10,567

156,002

175,840

9,742

41,557

51,044

4,933

21,029

37,012

167,130

133,742

419,898

22,700

16,801

11,118

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      72  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 12: INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Cost

Balance 30 June 2013

Additions – expenditure

Additions – business combinations

Balance 30 June 2014

Additions – expenditure

Balance 30 June 2015

Impairment losses

Balance 30 June 2013

Impairment charge

Balance 30 June 2014

Impairment charge

Balance 30 June 2015

Carrying amounts

At 30 June 2013

At 30 June 2014

At 30 June 2015

Deferred Group 
exploration costs

Deferred Company 
exploration costs

$

$

61,331,717

6,022,676

3,097,086

70,451,479

10,472,446

80,923,925

(46,753,539)

(2,246,491)

(49,000,030)

(1,175,172)

(50,175,202)

14,578,178

21,451,449

30,748,723

29,209

611,648

-

640,857

33,533

674,390

-

-

-

(674,390)

-

29,209

640 857

-

Impairment loss
The Group did not consider it necessary to make a provision for impairment during the year (2014: $2,177,290). 
A decision was made to expense $1,175,172 (2014: $69,201) for exploration expenditure associated with other 
tenements that were dropped during the year.  A detailed assessment of the carrying values of deferred exploration 
costs is provided in Note 24.

73      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 13: LOAN RECEIVABLES AND OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS

Security bonds

Group

2015

$

159,433

159,433

Group

2014

$

169,353

169,353

Company

Company

2015

$

7,169

7,169

2014

$

7,169

7,169

Security bonds relate to cash security held against office premises, Lvl 27, 111 Eagle St, Brisbane, Queensland 
Australia, cash security held by Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines against Queensland 
exploration tenements held by the Group and on cash backed bank guarantees held by the Ecuadorian Ministry of 
Environment against Ecuadorian exploration tenements held by the Group.

NOTE 14: DEFERRED TAXATION

Recognised deferred tax assets

Deferred tax assets:

Tax losses

Deferred tax liabilities:

Group

2015

$

Group

2014

$

3,753,665

3,773,166

Temporary timing differences arising on 
intangible assets

Net deferred taxes

(3,753,665)

(3,773,166)

-

-

Unrecognised deferred tax assets

Company

2015

Company

2014

$

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the following amounts.  Deferred tax has been calculated 
at the expected future rate of corporation tax of 30%.

Temporary differences 

Tax losses

Group

2015

$

12,712,206

10,175,920

22,888,126

Group

2014

$

11,967,721

9,829,794

21,797,515

Company

2015

$

-

9,934,125

9,934,125

Company

2014

$

-

9,200,901

9,200,901

The deferred tax asset in respect of these items has not been recognised as future taxable profit is not anticipated 
within the foreseeable future.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      74  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 15: OTHER RECEIVABLES AND PREPAYMENTS

Other receivables

Prepayments

Group

2015

$

151,295

-

151,295

Group

2014

$

1,099,840

12,500

1,112,340

Company

Company

2015

$

136,873

-

136,873

2014

$

1,002,623

12,500

1,015,123

NOTE 16: CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Group

2015

$

Group

2014

$

Company

Company

2015

$

2014

$

Cash at bank

321,440

4,547,229

215,312

4,159,071

Cash and cash equivalents in the 
statement of cash flows

321,440

4,547,229

215,312

4,159,071

NOTE 17: CAPITAL AND RESERVES

(a)  Authorised share capital

At 1 July 2013 – Ordinary shares

Increase in authorised share capital of £0.01 each on 8 July 2014

At 30 June 2014 – Ordinary shares

At 1 July 2014 – Ordinary shares 

Increase in authorised share capital of £0.01 each on 23 January 2015

At 30 June 2015 – Ordinary shares 

2014
No. of shares

620,000,000

200,000,000

820,000,000

2015
No. of shares

820,000,000

200,000,000

1,020,000,000

2014
Nominal value £

6,200,000

2,000,000

8,200,000

2015
Nominal value £

8,200,000

2,000,000

10,200,000

75      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 17: CAPITAL AND RESERVES Continued

(b)  Changes in issued share capital and share premium

No. of  
shares

Nominal 
value

Share 
premium

Total

$

$

$

Ordinary shares of 1p each at 30 June 2013

553,354,342

9,361,755

66,418,526

75,780,281

Shares issued at  £0.13 – bonus shares issued 6 September 2013

700,000

11,944

143,331

155,275

Shares issued at £0.075 – placement 24 September 2013

49,840,967

856,815

5,569,301

6,426,116

Shares issue costs charged to share premium account 

-

-

(322,506)

(322,506)

Shares issued at £0.11 –Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. shares 
as part consideration for SolGold moving to 85% ownership of 
Exploraciones Novomining S.A. 

488,560

8,996

90,579

99,575

Shares issued at £0.09 – placement 24 March 2014

47,769,333

867,014

6,936,107

7,803,121

Shares issue costs charged to share premium account

-

-

(400,353)

(400,353)

Ordinary shares of 1p at 30 June 2014

652,153,202

11,106,524

78,434,985 89,541,509

No. of  
shares

Nominal 
value

Share 
premium

Total

$

$

$

Ordinary shares of 1p each at 30 June 14

652,153,202

11,106,524

78,434,985

89,541,509

Shares issued at £0.03 – Placement 17 December 2014

33,591,828

633,842

1,267,633

1,901,475

Share issue costs charged to share premium account 

-

-

(85,191)

(85,191)

Shares issued at £0.03 – Open offer 9 April 2015

74,708,041

1,444,355

2,888,711

4,333,066

Share issue costs charged to share premium account 

-

-

(293,828)

(293,828)

Ordinary shares of 1p at 30 June 2015

760,453,071

13,184,721

82,212,310 95,397,031

Potential issues of ordinary shares
At 30 June 2015 the Company had 21,380,000 options outstanding for the issue of ordinary shares (2014: 
33,920,000), as follows:

Options
Share options are granted to employees under the company’s Employee Share Option Plan (“ESOP”).  The employee 
share option plan is designed to align participants’ interests with those of shareholders.  

Unless otherwise documented with the Company, when a participant ceases employment prior to the vesting of their 
share options, the share options are forfeited after 90 days unless cessation of employment is due to termination for 
cause, whereupon they are forfeited immediately. The Company prohibits key management personnel from entering 
into arrangements to protect the value of unvested ESOP awards.

The contractual life of each option granted is generally three (3) years. There are no cash settlement alternatives.

Each option can be exercised from vesting date to expiry date for one share with the exercise price payable in cash

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      76  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 17: CAPITAL AND RESERVES Continued

Date of grant

Exercisable from

Exercisable to

Exercise 
prices

Number 
granted

Number at 30 
June 2015

10 May 2013*

15 July 2013

15 July 2013

15 July 2013

When the Company’s share price has 
traded at a minimum of £0.20 on a 30 
day VWAP basis

When the Company’s share price has 
traded at a minimum of £0.20 on a 30 
day VWAP basis

When the Company’s share price has 
traded at a minimum of £0.40 on a 30 
day VWAP basis

When the Company’s share price has 
traded at a minimum of £0.80 on a 30 
day VWAP basis

24 September 2013 When the Company’s share price has 
traded at a minimum of £0.20 on a 30 
day VWAP basis

24 September 2013 When the Company’s share price has 
traded at a minimum of £0.40 on a 30 
day VWAP basis

24 September 2013 When the Company’s share price has 
traded at a minimum of £0.80 on a 30 
day VWAP basis

8 July 2014

8 July 2014

When the Company’s share price has 
traded at a minimum of £0.20 on a 30 
day VWAP basis

When the Company’s share price has 
traded at a minimum of £0.40 on a 30 
day VWAP basis

6 September 2017

£0.14

3,000,000

3,000,000

15 July 2016

£0.14

1,250,000

1,250,000

15 July 2016

£0.28

2,250,000

2,250,000

15 July 2016

£0.50

4,000,000

4,000,000

24 September 2016

£0.14

3,250,000

2,850,000

24 September 2016

£0.28

3,250,000

2,850,000

24 September 2016

£0.50

820,000

820,000

8 July 2017

£0.14

2,180,000

2,180,000

8 July 2017

£0.28

2,180,000

2,180,000

22,180,000

21,380,000

*The options were granted for accounting purposes on 10 May 2013, approved at the Annual General Meeting held on 19 August 2013 and formally allotted on 6 September 2013.

Warrants
There were no warrants outstanding as at 30 June 2015.

Share options issued
On 15 July 2013, the company entered into an agreement to grant 7,500,000 unlisted options to Chief Geologist, 
Bruce Rohrlach. The options have a life of 3 years.  The terms of the share options are as follows:

•  1.25 million Options exercisable at £0.14, vesting once the Company’s share price has traded at a minimum of 

£0.20 on a 30 day VWAP basis;

•  2.25 million Options exercisable at £0.28, vesting once the Company’s share price has traded at a minimum of 

£0.40 on a 30 day VWAP basis; and 

•  4 million Options exercisable at £0.50, vesting once the Company’s share price has traded at a minimum of £0.80 

on a 30 day VWAP basis.

77      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 17: CAPITAL AND RESERVES Continued

On 24 September 2013, the company entered into an agreement to grant 7,320,000 unlisted options to certain 
employees, under its employee share option plan. The options have a life of 3 years.  The terms of the share options 
are as follows:

•  3.25 million Options exercisable at £0.14, vesting once the Company’s share price has traded at a minimum of 

£0.20 on a 30 day VWAP basis;

•  3.25 million Options exercisable at £0.28, vesting once the Company’s share price has traded at a minimum of 

£0.40 on a 30 day VWAP basis; and 

•  0.82 million Options exercisable at £0.50, vesting once the Company’s share price has traded at a minimum of 

£0.80 on a 30 day VWAP basis.

On 8 July 2014, the company entered into an agreement to grant 4,360,000 unlisted options to the Board of 
Directors. The options have a life of 3 years.  The terms of the share options are as follows:

•  2.18 million Options exercisable at £0.14, vesting once the Company’s share price has traded at a minimum of 

£0.20 on a 30 day VWAP basis;

•  2.18 million Options exercisable at £0.28, vesting once the Company’s share price has traded at a minimum of 

£0.40 on a 30 day VWAP basis; and 

Refer to note 19 for further details.

Dividends
The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend (2014: nil).

Capital management
Given the nature of the group’s current activities the entity will remain dependant on equity funding in the short to 
medium term until such time as the group becomes self-financing from the commercial production of mineral resources.

NOTE 18: TRADE AND OTHER CURRENT PAYABLES

Current

Trade payables

Other payables

Accrued expenses

Group

2015

$

1,065,617

326,689

946,140

2,338,446

Group

2014

$

291,409

413,434

82,458

787,301

Company

Company

2015

$

1,000,066

68,019

281,666

1,349,751

2014

$

260,817

85,433

82,458

428,708

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      78  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 19: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Share-based payments
The number and weighted average exercise price of share options are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Lapsed during the year

Granted during the year

Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

Weighted average 
exercise price

Number of  
options

Weighted average 
exercise price

2015

£0.34

£0.41

£0.21

-

£0.27

-

2015

30,920,000

(13,900,000)

4,360,000

-

21,380,000

-

2015

£0.37

£0.47

£0.31

-

£0.34

-

Number of  
options

2015

25,372,000

(9,272,000)

14,820,000

-

30,920,000

-

The options outstanding at 30 June 2015 have an exercise price of £0.14 - £0.50 (2014: £0.14 - £0.50) and a 
weighted average contractual life of 1.46 years (2014: 2.42 years).

Share options held by Directors are as follows:

Share options held

Alan Martin¹

Nicholas Mather

Brian Moller

Robert Weinberg

John Bovard

At 30 June 2015

At 30 June 2014

Option price

Exercise period

-

-

-

-

750,000

750,000

550,000

550,000

440,000

440,000

440,000

440,000

3,000,000

5,000,000

8,000,000

3,000,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

14p

28p

50p

6p

14p

28p

14p

28p

14p

28p

14p

28p

19/08/13 – 19/08/17

19/08/13 – 19/08/17

19/08/13 – 19/08/17

19/08/13 – 19/08/14

08/07/14 – 08/07/17

08/07/14 – 08/07/17

08/07/14 – 08/07/17

08/07/14 – 08/07/17

08/07/14 – 08/07/17

08/07/14 – 08/07/17

08/07/14 – 08/07/17

08/07/14 – 08/07/17

¹ Alan Martin resigned as CEO and Managing Director 17 May 2015.

79      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 19: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Continued

The total number of options outstanding at year end is as follows:

Share options held
at 30 June 2015

Share options held
at 30 June 2014

Option price

-

-

-

3,000,000

-

-

1,250,000

2,250,000

4,000,000

2,850,000

2,850,000

820,000

2,180,000

2,180,000

250,000

250,000

3,000,000

3,000,000

5,000,000

8,000,000

1,250,000

2,250,000

4,000,000

3,050,000

3,050,000

820,000

-

-

£0.14

£0.28

£0.06

£0.14

£0.28

£0.50

£0.14

£0.28

£0.50

£0.14

£0.28

£0.50

£0.14

£0.28

21,380,000

33,920,000

Exercise period

28/06/13 – 28/06/15

28/06/13 – 28/06/15

6/09/13 – 19/08/14 

Vesting from 30 day VWAP of 20p to 06/09/2017

Vesting from 30 day VWAP of 40p to 06/09/2017

Vesting from 30 day VWAP of 80p to 6/09/2017

Vesting from 30 day VWAP of 20p to 15/07/2016

Vesting from 30 Day VWAP of 40p to 15/07/2016

Vesting from 30 Day VWAP of 80p to 15/07/2016

Vesting from 30 Day VWAP of 20p to 24/09/2016

Vesting from 30 Day VWAP of 40p to 24/09/2016

Vesting from 30 Day VWAP of 80p to 24/09/2016

Vesting from 30 Day VWAP of 20p to 08/07/2017

Vesting from 30 Day VWAP of 40p to 24/09/2016

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted is measured by reference to the fair value of 
share options granted.  This estimate is based on either a Black-Scholes model or Monte Carlo Simulation considering 
the effects of the vesting conditions, expected exercise period and the dividend policy of the Company.

Fair value of share 
options and assumptions 

£0.50 Options

£0.28 Options £0.14 Options £0.50 Options

£0.28 Options

£0.14 Options

15 July 2013

15 July 2013

15 July 2013

24 Sept 2013

24 Sept 2013

24 Sept 2013

2014

Number of options

4,000,000

2,250,000

1,250,000

820,000

3,250,000

3,250,000

Fair value at issue date

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Option life

Expected dividends

Risk-free interest rate 
(short-term)

£0.0001

£0.50

£0.0012

£0.0043

£0.28

£0.14

£0.001

£0.50

£0.003

£0.28

£0.011

£0.14

127.46%

127.46%

127.46%

113.24%

113.24%

113.24%

3.00 years

3.00 years

3.00 years

3.00 years

3.00 years

3.00 years

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

1.28%

1.28%

1.28%

1.62%

1.62%

1.62%

Valuation methodology

Monte Carlo 

Monte Carlo  Monte Carlo  Monte Carlo 

Monte Carlo 

Monte Carlo 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      80  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 19: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Continued

Fair value of share options and assumptions 

                          2015

Number of options

Fair value at issue date

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Option life

Expected dividends

Risk-free interest rate (short-term)

Valuation methodology

£0.14 Options

£0.28 Options

8 July 2014

2,180,000

£0.010

£0.140

115.31%

3.00 years

0.00%

2.48%

8 July 2014

2,180,000

£0.003

£0.280

115.31%

3.00 years

0.00%

2.48%

Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo

The calculation of the volatility of the share price was based on the Company’s daily closing share price over the two-
year period prior to the date the options were issued.

NOTE 20: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (GROUP AND COMPANY)

If required, the Board of Directors determines the degree to which it is appropriate to use financial instruments, 
commodity contracts or other hedging contracts or techniques to mitigate risks.  The main risks for which such 
instruments may be appropriate are foreign currency risk and liquidity risk, each of which is discussed below.  The 
main credit risk is the non-collection of loans and other receivables which include refunds and tenement security 
deposits. There were no overdue receivables at year end.

There have been no changes in financial risks from the previous year.

During the year ended 30 June 2015 or 2014 no trading in commodity contracts was undertaken.

Market risk

Interest rate risks
The group’s and company’s policy is to retain its surplus funds on the most advantageous term of deposit available up 
to twelve month’s maximum duration. The increase/decrease of 2% in interest rates will impact the group’s income 
statement by a gain/loss of $6,429 and the company’s income statement by $4,306. The group considers that a 2% +/- 
movement interest rates represent reasonable possible changes.

Foreign currency risk
The Group has potential currency exposures in respect of items denominated in foreign currencies comprising:

•  Transactional exposure in respect of operating costs, capital expenditures and, to a lesser extent, sales incurred in 
currencies other than the functional currency of operations which require funds to be maintained in currencies 
other than the functional currency of operation; and

•  Translational exposures in respect of investments in overseas operations which have functional currencies other 

than Australian dollars. 

81      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 20: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (GROUP AND COMPANY) Continued

Currency risk in respect of non-functional currency expenditure is reviewed by the Board.

The table below shows the extent to which Group companies have monetary assets and liabilities in currencies other 
than the Group functional currency.  Foreign exchange differences on retranslation of such assets and liabilities are 
taken to the statement of comprehensive income.

Solomon Island dollar (SBD)

United States dollar (USD)

Great British Pound (GBP)

Group

2015

$

7,071

61,859

1,800

70,730

Group

2014

$

9,226

323,621

-

332,847

The main currency exposure relates to the effect of re-translation of the Group’s assets and liabilities in Solomon 
Island dollar (SBD) and United States dollar (USD).  A 10% change in the SBD/A$ and USD/A$ exchange rates would 
give rise to a change of approximately $7,073 (2014: $33,285) in the Group net assets and reported earnings. In 
respect of other monetary assets and liabilities held in currencies other than Australian dollars, the Group ensures 
that the net exposure is kept to an acceptable level, by buying or selling foreign currencies at spot rates where 
necessary to address short-term imbalances.

The company did not have any monetary assets and liabilities in currencies other than the company functional currency.

Credit risk

The Group is exposed to credit risk primarily from the financial institutions with which it holds cash and cash deposits.  
At 30 June 2015, the Group had $220,189 in cash accounts with Macquarie Bank Limited in Australia, $22,467 in 
cash accounts with the ANZ Bank in Australia, $14,417 in cash accounts with Westpac Bank in Australia, $4,219 in 
cash accounts with the ANZ Bank in Honiara, Solomon Islands, $55,790 in cash accounts with Banco Guayaquil in 
Ecuador and $4,358 in petty cash.  Including other receivables, the maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting 
date was $472,735 (2014: $5,647,069).

The company is also exposed to credit risk due to the cash balances it holds directly.  It is also exposed to credit risk 
on the loan balances it holds with its subsidiaries. At 30 June 2015, the company had $215,312 in cash and cash 
equivalents and $21,741,251 of intercompany loan balances receivable.  The maximum exposure to credit risk at the 
reporting date was $21,956,563.

Liquidity risks

The Group and Company raises funds as required on the basis of budgeted expenditure for the next 12 to 24 months, 
dependent on a number of prevailing factors. Funds are generally raised in capital markets from a variety of eligible 
private, corporate and fund investors, or from interested third parties (including other exploration and mining 
companies) which may be interested in earning an interest in the project. The success or otherwise of such capital 
raisings is dependent upon a variety of factors including general equities and metals market sentiment, macro-economic 
outlook, project prospectivity, operational risks and other factors from time to time.  When funds are sought, the Group 
balances the costs and benefits of equity financing.  When funds are received they are deposited with banks of high 
standing in order to obtain market interest rates.  The Group deals with banks with high credit ratings assigned by 
international credit rating agencies. Funds are provided to local sites weekly, based on the sites’ forecast expenditure.

All liabilities held by the Group are contractually due and payable within 1 year.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      82  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 20: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (GROUP AND COMPANY) Continued

Fair values
In the Directors’ opinion there is no material difference between the book value and fair value of any of the Group’s 
and Company’s financial instruments. The classes of financial instruments are the same as the line items included on 
the face of the statement of financial position and have been analysed in more detail in notes to the accounts. 

All the group’s financial assets are categorised as loans and receivables and all financial liabilities are measured at 
amortised cost.

NOTE 21: COMMITMENTS

The Company also has certain obligations to expend minimum amounts on exploration in tenement areas.  These 
obligations may be varied from time to time and are expected to be fulfilled in the normal course of operations of 
the Group.

The combined commitments of the Group related to its granted tenement interests are as follows:

Location

Ecuador

Solomon Islands

Queensland

Up to 12 months

13 months to 5 years

Later than 5 years

3,804,472

-

792,500

4,596,972

-

-

819,000

819,000

-

-

-

-

To keep tenements in good standing, work programs should meet certain minimum expenditure requirements.  
If the minimum expenditure requirements are not met, the Company has the option to negotiate new terms or 
relinquish the tenements.  The Company also has the ability to meet expenditure requirements by joint venture or 
farm in agreements.

NOTE 22: RELATED PARTIES

(a)  Group

 Transactions between related parties are on normal commercial terms and conditions no more favourable than 
those available to other parties unless otherwise stated.

Transactions with directors and director-related entities

(i) 

(ii) 

 The Company had a commercial agreement with Samuel Capital Ltd (“Samuel”) for the engagement of 
Nicholas Mather as director of the Company.  For the year ended 30 June 2015 $150,000 was paid 
or payable to Samuel (2014: $153,750).  These amounts are included in Note 5 (Remuneration of Key 
Management Personnel).  The total amount outstanding at year end is $58,358 (2014: $nil).

 The Company has a long-standing commercial arrangement with DGR Global Ltd, an entity associated 
with Nicholas Mather (Director) and Brian Moller (Director), for the provision of various services, 
whereby DGR Global provides resources and services including the provision of its administration and 
exploration staff, its premises (for the purposes of conducting the Company’s business operations), use 
of existing office furniture, equipment and certain stationery, together with general telephone, reception 

83      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 22: RELATED PARTIES Continued

and other office facilities (‘‘Services’’).  In consideration for the provision of the Services, the Company 
shall reimburse DGR Global for any expenses incurred by it in providing the Services.  For the year 
ended 30 June 2015 $360,000 was paid or payable to DGR Global (2014: $264,000) for the provision 
of administration, management and office facilities to the Company during the year.  The total amount 
outstanding at year end was $310,690 (2014: $nil).

(iii)   Mr Brian Moller (a Director), is a partner in the Australian firm Hopgood Ganim lawyers.  For the year 
ended 30 June 2015, Hopgood Ganim were paid $128,681 (2014: $89,039) for the provision of legal 
services to the Company.  The services were based on normal commercial terms and conditions.  The 
total amount outstanding at year end was $74,704 (2014: $16,730).

Share and Option transactions of Directors are shown under Notes 5 and 19.

(b)  Company

 The Company has related party relationships with its subsidiaries (see note 9), Directors and other key 
personnel (see Note 19).

All related party transactions are conducted at arm’s length.

Subsidiaries
 The Company has an investment in subsidiaries balance of $30,729,182 (2014: $21,941,839).  The transactions 
during the year have been included in Note 9.  As the Company does not expect repayment of this amount and 
will not call payment until the subsidiary can adequately pay it out of working capital, this amount has been 
included in the carrying amount of the investment in the Parent Entity’s statement of financial position. 

(c)  Controlling party

In the Directors’ opinion there is no ultimate controlling party.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      84  

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 23: ACQUISITIONS

Exploraciones Novomining S.A.

On 26 August 2013, SolGold plc increased its interest in Exploraciones Novomining S.A. from 30% to 50% and 
effectively was able to govern the financial and operating policies of Exploraciones Novomining S.A. on that date.  
SolGold plc had previously treated its investment in Exploraciones Novomining S.A. as an investment accounted for 
using the equity method.  The following table shows the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at acquisition date.

Identifiable assets and liabilities

Cash

Other receivables and prepayments

Intangible assets - exploration expenditure

Property, plant and equipment

Other noncurrent assets

Trade and other payables

Less: Non-controlling interest

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Acquiree’s carrying amount

$

13,901

25,835

917,676

6,425

74,263

(323,159)

714,941

Fair value

$

13,901

25,835

3,097,086

6,425

74,263

(323,159)

2,894,351

(357,471)

2,536,880

NOTE 24: ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The key elements of the Statement of Financial 
Position that rely on the business judgment of the 
Directors as related to their carrying value include the 
capitalised exploration expenditure, and the business 
combination (also largely reflected in the consolidated 
carrying value of exploration expenditure).

The Directors have carried out an assessment of the 
carrying values of deferred exploration costs and any 
required impairment.

Cascabel joint venture

Under the terms of the JV venture agreement, SolGold 
has met the agreed expenditure commitments and has 
earned a 85% participating interest in Exploraciones 
Novomining S.A. (“ENSA”). Cornerstone Capital 
Resources Inc. holds the other 15% of ENSA.  ENSA is 
an Ecuadorean registered company which holds 100% 
of the Cascabel concession.

85      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Exploration on the Cascabel concession has included: 
geological mapping, stream silt sampling, soil sampling, 
orientation soil sampling, rock chip sampling, channel 
sampling, Terraspec spectral sampling, a helimagnetic 
survey (which has been modelled in 3D), a radiometric 
survey, petrography, gridding in preparation for a 
3D Induced Polarisation (IP) and magnetotelluric 
(MT) survey,  diamond drilling and preparation for 
initial metallurgical testing. The regional exploration 
activity to date has identified seven main prospects: 
Alpala, Alpala Northwest, Alpala Southwest, Aguinaga, 
Chinambicito, America-Tandayama and Cristal. 
The most significant of these is the Alpala prospect 
where twelve drill holes have been completed and a 
thirteenth partial drill hole have been drilled for a total 
combined meterage of 13,809 m.

The completion of soil gridding and infill across 
the entire tenement area has produced coincident 
molybdenum, gold and copper / zinc ratio in soil 
anomalies that suggest an inferred porphyry 
centre characterised by higher temperatures of 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 24: ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS Continued

mineralisation.  The low manganese in soil is inferred 
to be related to intense late-stage hydrothermal 
alteration, whilst the presence of elevated zinc 
surrounding these areas of low manganese is a 
geochemical signature that is typical of the metal 
zonation around porphyry copper-gold deposits.

The aggregate carrying value of $16.90 million is 
considered to be unimpaired.

SolGold 100% owned Projects

Kuma PL 08/06
SolGold had a 100% ownership. The project was at 
an early stage of exploration, which had included: 
geological mapping, rock chip sampling, stream 
sediment sampling, an airborne magnetic survey 
and initiation of both soil sampling and TerraSpec 
mineralogical mapping. This work identified a lithocap, 
which are often found above mineralised porphyry 
complexes.  The prospecting licence (PL 08/06) expired 
on 11 April 2015 and accordingly the carrying value 
of $0.31 million was considered to be impaired and an 
impairment charge of $0.31 million (2014: $nil) was 
recognised during the year.

Fauro PL 12/09
The company could not find a JV partner to pursue 
drilling of gold-copper targets defined in the 
2011/2012 exploration program.  As no JV partner 
has been found to date, the tenement was relinquished 
and the carrying value of $4,534 (2014: $1.03 million) 
is considered to be impaired and an impairment charge 
of $4,534 (2014: $1.03 million) was recognised during 
the year ended 30 June 2015. 

Acapulco mining projects
Acapulco has three granted tenements across 
Queensland.  The granted tenements comprise of 232 
sub-blocks (circa 718 km²).

Extensive airborne magnetic and electromagnetic 
surveys have been conducted over some of the 
tenements, together with detailed stream sediment 
sampling, soil sampling, rock chip sampling and 
geological mapping programs. Furthermore, since May 
2006 a total of 283 holes, equivalent to 24,377.8 m 
have been drilled on the tenements.

The objective has been to step-out from areas of 
known gold mineralisation so that resources can be 
defined and enlarged, with the objective of defining 
a maiden resource.  The Company is seeking a joint 
venture partner to further progress these projects.

The aggregated carrying value of $8.87 million is 
considered to be unimpaired.

Central minerals projects
Central Minerals comprises of seven granted 
tenements which is comprised of 280 sub-blocks (circa 
886 km²).

Extensive airborne magnetic surveys have been 
conducted over the area, together with detailed soil 
and rock chip sampling, trenching, mapping programs 
and an induced polarisation geophysical survey.  Since 
October 2007, a total of 473 holes, equivalent to 
58,886.62m, have been drilled on the tenements.

On 23 May 2012, SolGold announced an updated 
indicated and inferred combined resource at Rannes 
at an 0.3 g/t Au cut-off of 18.7 million tonnes at 
0.92 g/t gold equivalent (gold + silver) for 550,000 
ounces of gold equivalent (296,700 ounces of gold 
and 10,139,000 ounces of silver; values rounded; 
see announcement dated 23 May 2012 for details of 
the resource statement and gold equivalent ratios). 
The resource at an 0.5 g/t Au cut-off is 12.23 million 
tonnes at 0.60g/t gold and 23.18g/t silver; for 237,240 
ounces Au and 9,105,072 ounces Ag (using a gold to 
silver ratio of 1:50). Several other prospects exist that 
contain known gold mineralisation that has not yet 
been included in the resource estimate. The Company 
is seeking a JV partner to progress drilling on the 
Rannes project tenements.

The Central Minerals projects have a carrying value of 
$3.63 million at 30 June 2015 and are considered to 
be unimpaired.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      86  

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2015

NOTE 25: CONTINGENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

A 2% net smelter royalty is payable to Santa Barbara Resources Limited, who were the previous owners of the 
Cascabel tenements.  These royalties can be bought out by paying a total of US$4 million. Fifty percent (50%) of the 
royalty can be purchased for US$1 million 90 days following the completion of a feasibility study and the remaining 
50% of the royalty can be purchased for US$3 million 90 days following a production decision.

There are no contingent assets and liabilities at 30 June 2015 (2014: nil).

NOTE 26: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On 2 October 2015, the Company executed Convertible Note Deeds with substantial shareholders, DGR Global 
Limited and Tenstar Trading Limited for a total funding of $2,332,000.

On 19 November 2015, the Company issued an additional 62,263,534 shares at £0.015 to raise the equivalent 
of $2.39 million in a combination of cash and debt conversions pursuant to a private placement to progress its 
exploration and project development efforts across its portfolio of projects in the Solomon Islands, Ecuador and 
Queensland, Australia. 

The Directors are not aware of any other significant changes in the state of affairs of the Group or events after the 
reporting date that would have a material impact on the consolidated or Company financial statements. 

87      SOLGOLD  ANNUAL REPORT 2015

ANNUAL REPORT 2015  SOLGOLD      88