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Vast Resources plc

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FY2017 Annual Report · Vast Resources plc
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Overview of the year

Chairman’s Report

Strategic Report

Report of the Directors

Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities

2

4

6

13

16

Group Statement of Changes in Equity

Company Statement of Changes in Equity

Group and Company statements of 
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Group and Company statements of cash 
(cid:430)(cid:82)(cid:90)

Statement of Accounting Policies

Independent Auditor’s Report to 
the Members of Vast Resources Plc

17

Notes to Financial Statements

Group statement of 
comprehensive income

Company information

19

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22

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24

(cid:22)(cid:21)

(cid:25)(cid:20)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview of the year

Vast  Resources  plc  (‘Vast’  or  the  ‘Company’)  has  focussed  its  portfolio  of  mining  assets
towards a Romania centric polymetallic mining base with the partial divestiture of its gold
mining holding in Zimbabwe agreed during the year under review, and completed post
period end. Production at Vast’s initial two mines, the Manaila Polymetallic Mine in Romania
(‘MPM’) and the Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine in Zimbabwe (‘PPGM’) increased considerably
over  prior  year  levels.  The  Company’s  mineralised  footprint  in  Romania  was  materially
expanded with the award of several exploration licences culminating post period end in a
landmark step towards achieving the Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine (‘BPPM’) right to mine,
following success in a formal selection process.

Financial
•

230% increase in revenue to $23.8 million (2016: $7.2 million)

•

•

•

72%  decrease  in  loss  from  continuing  operations  to  $2.4  million  (2016:  $8.5  million)  –  mining  and
production operations in Zimbabwe performed strongly. However delays in improvements to operational
performance in Romania and the corporate overhead continued to weigh heavily on profitability

There were no discontinued operations in the year under review whereas a loss of $8.7 million from
discontinued operations was incurred in 2016

Cash balance at period end of $1.326 million (2016: $0.831 million)

Post period end:
•

Cash balance of $0.425 million in the Group, plus a further $128,700 held in Breckridge Investments
(Private) Limited (‘Breckridge’) in Zimbabwe as at 31 August 2017

Operational Development
•

Prospecting licence granted over Faneata tailings dam adjacent to BPPM

•

•

•

•

•

Maiden JORC Resource estimate published at MPM which increased the previously estimated open-pit
resources under the Russian classification by approximately 8 times

Zinc production commenced with the installation of a new flotation line in MPM

Construction of a sulphide processing plant at PPGM commenced in the first quarter of calendar 2017 –
construction was funded by an overdraft facility with a local bank, supplemented by internally generated
cash flows

Agreement  to  dispose  of  an  effective  25%  interest  in  PPGM  and  Giant  Gold  Mine  for  $4  million  in
conjunction with a loan of $4 million from Sub-Sahara Goldia Investments (completed post period end)

Agreement to acquire the remaining 49.9% interest in Sinarom Mining Group, the operating company of
MPM, providing the Company with a 100% interest in MPM (completed post period end)

Post period end:
•

Much delayed remedial capital expenditure undertaken to streamline mining and processing operations
at MPM

•

•

•

4,037 Troy Ounces of gold produced at PPGM in quarter ended June 2017

828 and 157 tonnes of copper and zinc concentrate respectively produced at MPM in quarter ended June
2017

Success in formal selection process concerning the award of an association licence at BPPM

2 VAST RESOURCES

Funding
•

Fundraising share issues during the year:

Issue proceeds

US$

Sterling

Shares issued

Issued to

476,314
497,829
198,761
2,054,720
4,354
144,294
2,251,256
368,009
328,124
199,010

6,522,671

324,425
500,000
203,660
1,663,579
3,922
117,000
1,809,561
300,000
263,158
161,570

5,346,876

324,424,770
140,211,632
203,660,040
583,711,881
784,409
42,469,635
999,032,113
75,000,000
52,631,578
161,569,805

2,583,495,863

Crede capital – conversion of warrants
Existing investor group
Exercise of warrants by existing investor group
Open offer and supplementary placing
Exercise of open offer warrants
To settle liabilities
Conversion of Bracknor Fund loan notes
Exercise of Bracknor fund warrants
Exercise of warrants by brokers
Exercise of warrants by Management

Management
•

3 October 2016 – resignation of Graham Briggs as Non-Executive Director and appointment of Brian Moritz

•

•

16 November 2016 – at the Annual General Meeting of the Company William Battershill retired as director
by rotation and did not offer himself for re-election. Brian Moritz was appointed Chairman of the Company
in his place.

13 March 2017 – Appointment of Craig Harvey as Chief Operations Officer

Post period end:
•

30 June 2017 – Appointment of Brian Basham as Non-Executive Director

VAST RESOURCES  3

Chairman’s Report

It gives me great pleasure to present this my first chairman’s report since taking up the role on the 3rd October
2016. I would like to thank William Battershill for his service to the company as chairman and a director during
its transition from an exploration company to a mining company. His enthusiasm, commitment and support
played an important part in this transition of the company’s objectives.

Strategic Highlights
This financial year has seen a significant increase in turnover from US$7.2 million in 2016 to US$23.8 million.
The operating loss has reduced from US$8.0 million in 2016 to US$1.6 million, and the comprehensive loss
attributable to shareholders from US$16.2 million in 2016 to US$3.7 million.

The retention of free cash flow in Zimbabwe to finance the development of the phase two sulphide processing
facilities at the Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine; the funding of the Romanian overhead costs; the funding of
maintaining the listing in the United Kingdom and the associated overheads; and the financial support for
operations at the Manaila Polymetallic Mine along with the care and maintenance of the Baita Plai Polymetallic
mine in Romania; have required further injection of capital via equity raisings and additional borrowings.

During the year, there were also changes agreed in the ownership of certain subsidiary companies. Following
period end part of our interest in the Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine was sold, although we retain voting control
over Pickstone-Peerless. The cash generated from that sale was used, in part, to purchase the minority interest
in the Manaila Polymetallic Mine, where we now own a 100% interest. While both of these transactions were
negotiated during the year, they only reached completion following the reporting date.

Zimbabwe
Higher than normal rainfall affected operations at Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine; nevertheless 239,199 tons of
ore were milled compared to a target of 240,000 tons. Access to the higher-grade areas was restricted and low
grade areas and stockpiles had to be utilised resulting in the production of 16,500 ounces of gold compared to
the target of 18,000 ounces.

Post year end, milling rates and gold production have reverted to expected levels and work on the sulphide
phase two expansion has commenced.

Romania
The improving trend experienced at Manaila Polymetallic Mine in the first three quarters of the financial year
was severely hampered by unexpected extremely cold weather conditions experienced in the fourth quarter.
The cold weather stopped mining and processing operations and therefore the volume of copper and zinc
concentrate production. Post year end, the weather conditions returned to normal and the improvement in
production has resumed.

Significant  achievements  during  the  year  included: the  removal  of  the  high  levels  of  zinc  in  the  copper
concentrate  thereby  eliminating  the  zinc  penalty;  achieving  the  optimum  copper  concentrate  grade;  the
production of a separate zinc concentrate and a second income stream; increased copper and zinc concentrate
quantities; and commencement of the installation of a gravity gold circuit to recover free gold that was not
being recovered in the copper and zinc concentrate production.

The Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine association exploitation licence has remained a key focus of activity in Romania
as the quality of the ore body and the potential profit and cash generation of this mine has persuaded the board
to persevere with the licence application. It is very pleasing to note that this effort has now been rewarded by
the selection announced on 30 August 2017 of our subsidiary company for the award of the licence. We now
anticipate the grant of the right to mine very shortly.

4 VAST RESOURCES

Management
Craig Harvey has been appointed Chief Operating Officer. He is mainly focussed on Romania and improving the
mine  planning  and  mining  at  Manaila  Polymetallic  Mine  along  with  the  various  processing  improvements
earmarked for the metallurgical complex at Iacobeni. The granting of the Baita Plai licence will require further
involvement in Romania as this mine is brought back into production.

Craig also continues to provide support for the mining operations at Pickstone-Peerless, the evaluation of the
Giant Gold Mine and other potential gold opportunities in Zimbabwe.

Carl Kindinger has assumed the full functions of the CFO role and the corporate secretarial role has been
transferred to corporate secretaries Shakespeare Martineau. As stated previously, Roy Tucker indicated his
desire to wind down his involvement in the company and these changes in the CFO role and the transfer of the
corporate secretarial role are designed to facilitate this objective.

Funding
US$4.2 million was secured during the year via share issues by way of the conversion of warrants issued in
association with capital raisings; an open offer to shareholders; the settlement of liabilities; and the Bracknor
equity facility for US$5 million that was terminated after its initial tranche of US$2 million. In addition, an
additional US$5.3 million was secured during the year through debt financing, with $3.4 million of debt being
repaid.

The  ongoing  funding  of  the  U.K.  and  Romania  overheads,  and  the  further  support  required  to  bring  the
Romanian operations to a cash generative position requires additional capital. The company is in discussions
with potential strategic partners and expects finalisation of the strategic funding options shortly.

Corporate structure and strategy
The geographical and cultural diversity between Romania and Zimbabwe involves the board in reviewing on an
ongoing basis the corporate structure and the strategy going forward. In addition, within the shareholder base
there are differing perceptions and expectations with regards to the countries and metals produced by the
company.

In the event of a separation between the Romanian and Zimbabwe operations there would be individual listed
entities with shareholders initially equally represented in both companies. This would enable shareholders to
focus investment in either, or both companies, as they wished.

The  potential  strategic  investment  referred  to  earlier  could  be  the  catalyst  to  achieving  the  objective  of
establishing separate listed companies to focus on Zimbabwe and Romania.

Appreciation
The  continued  support  of  shareholders  is  appreciated;  it  is  planned  that  during  the  current  financial  year
operations in Romania will become cash generative and that developments in Zimbabwe will enable access to
cash, because of the anticipated strategic investment in the group.

To fellow directors, past and present, thank you for your advice and support, and to management and staff in
both Romania and Zimbabwe for their continued efforts on behalf of the company.

Brian Moritz
Chairman

VAST RESOURCES  5

Strategic Report

Principal activities, review of business and future developments

Vision
The vision of the Company is to become one of the largest copper producers in Eastern Europe whilst retaining
a significant interest in the potential increasing gold production in Zimbabwe.

Principal activities
Vast  is  a  diversified  mining  company  with  open  pit  polymetallic  operations  and  a  planned  underground
polymetallic mine in Romania, and an open pit gold mine in Zimbabwe. We hold gold and diamond related mining
claims in Zimbabwe and have a presence in Zambia with interests in a rare earth and phosphate project. We
mine  and  produce  copper  and  zinc  concentrate  and  gold  bullion.  We  operate  a  regional  model,  with  our
registered office in London, United Kingdom and offices in Bucharest, Romania and Harare, Zimbabwe.

Review of business

Zimbabwe

Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine – PPGM
PPGM continued to generate free cash flow. This was occasioned by a substantial increase, over prior year levels,
in tonnage milled and gold production despite some weather-related disruptions. Cash costs per ounce of gold
produced declined to $819 /oz on the higher volumes of production. Profitability has exceeded expectations.
Prior to the commencement of the construction of the new sulphide plant cash levels reached $2.5 million. The
sulphide plant will expand milling capacity by 75% to 35,000 tonnes per month and will come on stream in the
third quarter of 2017. The plant is and will be part funded by a bank loan which is expected to be repaid out of
internally generated cash flow within 12 to 18 months of the start of production.

In  line  with  the  company’s  policy  of  support  for  the  local  community  and  strengthening  relations  with
government a joint venture agreement for a toll treatment plant to recover gold from nearby artisanal mining
activities was been concluded and construction was completed during early 2017.

Giant Gold Mine – GGM
Evaluation  of  GGM,  located  28km  from  PPGM,  which  has  a  current  JORC-compliant  inferred  resource  of
500,000oz of gold, commenced in the year under review.

Romania

Manaila Polymetallic Mine (“MPM”) together with extensions and proximal licences
Insufficient funding for both pre-stripping activity and remedial capital expenditure, together with unusually
adverse winter weather conditions, took a heavy toll in reduced production levels, which fell well below the
targeted 15,000 tons per month of mill feed. Plant overheads were not fully recovered as a result. Cash costs
of  concentrate  exceeded  realisable  sales  values  per  tonne  by  a  wide  margin.  Nevertheless,  noteworthy
achievements during the year include the reduction of zinc contained in copper concentrate to commercially
acceptable levels, a steady improvement in quantity and quality of copper concentrate produced, and the
introduction of a separate zinc concentrate. As a result, a reduction in refining charges and penalties have
secured higher metal concentrate prices.

In March 2017, a gravity concentrator was commissioned in order to recover a pyrite concentrate with gold and
silver credits. Test throughput has proved to be inconsistent in terms of quantity and quality of the concentrate.
Independent process consultants have been brought to site to assist in resolving these issues. We are now
focused on the development required to increase quantity to a level commensurate with our mining rate.

6 VAST RESOURCES

Recent funding made available to the Company has enabled commencement of the necessary remedial capital
expenditure on the plant. Furthermore, a crusher has been ordered which will allow for the crushing circuit to
deliver smaller sized feed in order to decrease milling time. Although the cost of transporting ore 34Km from
the open pit to the plant continues to erode profitability, trucking capacity has been expanded after year end,
thus ensuring this is no longer a limiting factor in production. Together these measures should enable the full
production target of 15,000tpm to be achieved in September 2017. A significant improvement in performance
has already been achieved since the reporting date.

We are undertaking a drilling programme that is nearing completion at the Carlibaba extension to the current
Manaila licence area. Initial drilling results are promising. The objective is to prove the potential of a second
open pit mining operation at Manaila. Full results from the Carlibaba drill programme are anticipated for release
in September 2017 together with an outline of Carlibaba’s development path.

A new metallurgical processing facility is proposed which will deal with ore from Manaila and Carlibaba. This is
intended to reduce significantly the cost of transportation and processing of ore thereby driving down the cash
cost per tonne milled. It will also enable the plant to be contained in a controlled environment, thus materially
reducing the adverse effect of severe winter weather.

In December 2016, the Company expanded its potential resource base through the granting of two prospecting
licences proximal to MPM – Piciorul Zimbrului and Magura Neagra – over which, from previous exploration, there
are  initial  estimates  of  substantial  polymetallic  resources.  Exploration  licences  will  be  applied  for  once
prospecting work is complete.

Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine (“BPPM”) and Faneata Tailings Dam
We  are  aware  of  shareholders’  frustrations  regarding  the  timescales  for  the  grant  of  the  BPPM  mining
association licence (sub-licence), but following the Company’s success in a formal selection process, we are now
very confident that the right to mine will be granted shortly. It needs to be emphasized that the past delays
have arisen from the unusual legal background to the situation for which there is no precedent in Romanian
mining history. Since 2014, Vast, through its subsidiary companies, has been granted five licences all promptly
and without any difficulties.

Once the association licence is granted, the Company anticipates that production could begin within six months
and has forecast a start-up capital expenditure budget of $1.2 million to make the mine operational.

Meanwhile expenditure at BPPM has been limited to the required care and maintenance requirements and
some capital expenditure to comply with health and safety regulations that permit continued access to the
important areas of the mine such as the pumping stations.

A prospecting licence was granted in May 2016 over the Faneata tailings dam located 7km from the BPPM.
Subject to the outcome of the feasibility study the intention is to use the BPPM processing facility.

An internally generated Maiden Faneata JORC Compliant Resource Estimate in March 2017 defined a total
Mineral  Resource  of  3.0Mt  (Gross,  2.4Mt  being  net  to  Vast).  Metallurgical  test  work  has  commenced  to
determine an optimal processing method. A feasibility study to recover the contained metals is underway. An
application has been made for an exploitation permit over the tailings dam in anticipation of positive feasibility
results. Preliminary economic assessment indicated a break even total processing recovery of 25%.

VAST RESOURCES  7

Strategic Report

continued

Corporate
In January 2017 the Company contracted with Sub-Sahara Goldia Investments (“Sub-Sahara”) firstly to raise
US$4 million through a divestment of an effective 25% interest in PPGM and GGM, and secondly US$4 million
by way of a loan, both subject to certain conditions precedent. Draw down of a significant part of the monies
was not completed until June 2017 due to delays in complying with the conditions precedent, principally
obtaining consent of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

In March 2017 the Company announced the acquisition of the remaining 49.9% equity stake in SC Sinarom
Mining Group SRL (“Sinarom”) (the operator of MPM) and also announced that discussions were continuing
concerning further transactions in relation to Sinarom which could include the introduction of a joint venture
partner or securing debt at the subsidiary level in order to increase production at both MPM and the newly
acquired Piciorul Zimbrului and Magura Neagra licences.

In July 2017, it was announced that conditional heads of terms had been signed with a corporate finance and
investment firm with significant experience in, and investment in, Romania (the “Investor”). This provided for a
two-stage investment totalling US$10 million for the purpose of the Company’s capital expenditure and working
capital requirement, mostly for the expansion of Romanian operations. The investment was subject to the rights
of Sub-Sahara under the terms of its loan agreement, which gave Sub-Sahara a right to provide equivalent
finance if the terms and conditions were the same, which right has been exercised by Sub-Sahara in August
2017. Sub-Sahara has indicated it wishes to work with the Investor and the two parties are in discussion with
each other and with Vast to deliver a mutually acceptable investment and corporate strategy. Meanwhile, in
order to prevent any further delay in the grant of the BPPM mining association licence, it was announced on
13 September 2017 that Sub-Sahara had provided an additional loan of $1.68 million for payments in connection
with the BPPM association licence.

Strategy and Key Performance Indicators
Our strategy is to:

•

•

•

•

•

develop  an  appropriate  geographic  and  product  profile  consistent  with  our  strengths,  available
opportunities and risks;

focus on optimising our operations to produce positive cash flow;

add value to operations by increasing our resources and reserves;

attract appropriate joint venture partners and public institutions to invest in the Company;

maintain  optionality  on  Zimbabwe  gold  production  without  significant  increase  in  investment  risk  in
Zimbabwe.

A key issue for the Company has been a lack of, or delay in obtaining, adequate funding for Romania. This has
caused utilisation of plant in need of refurbishment and without adequate back-up. As a result the necessary
production volume to yield the targeted cash flow has not been achieved. This was partly remedied by the
delayed finance obtained from the January 2017 Sub-Sahara transaction, but would be fully addressed by the
consummation of the funding represented by the heads of terms announced in July 2017 or equivalent finance
from Sub-Sahara or elsewhere.

PPGM in Zimbabwe, which was adequately capitalised for the first phase oxide mining and processing and had
the benefit of new plant, has produced cash flow in excess of targets. The cash generated has been applied in
funding the second phase new sulphide plant at PPGM and subsequently is planned to finance the development
of GGM. The cash generated currently is therefore not available to fund the Company’s overheads or Romanian
development.

Excluding  Zimbabwe,  the  Company  was  a  net  cash  absorber.  Inter  alia, a  corporate  overhead  in  excess  of
$2 million p.a. had to be funded by debt and dilutive equity raises in the absence of a dividend flow from
Zimbabwe.

8 VAST RESOURCES

Management believes that delivering in the next two years on a second open pit at MPM and a new processing
facility at MPM will increase production volumes appreciably and favourably transform the financial metrics of
the Company.

In the light of the explanation of the financial constraints affecting Romania, we should also highlight the fact
that it has been impossible to raise funding for investment in Zimbabwe. This resulted in bringing in a 50%
investor to get the first phase at PPGM into production. Furthermore, cash generated from the first phase is
therefore needed for the second phase development and the development of GGM. Consequently, funding for
head office and Romania was raised through the disposal of 25% of PPGM and a loan from Sub-Sahara.

Key performance indicators
In executing its strategy, the Board considers the Company’s key performance indicators to be:

•

Cash cost per tonne milled

–

–

–

Cash cost per tonne is derived from aggregate cash costs divided by tonnes milled and measures
productivity.

For PPGM the cash cost for the year was $57/t, 10% higher than the 2016 result.

For MPM the cash cost for the year was $47/t, 30% higher than the 2016 result.

•

Cash costs or per ounce sold for gold and per tonne sold for copper concentrate

–

–

–

Cash cost per ounce sold is calculated by dividing aggregate cash cost by gold ounces produced or
concentrate tonnes produced;

For PPGM the cash cost was $819/oz Au, 39% lower than the 2016 result;

For MPM the cash cost was $1,653/t, 36% higher than the 2016 result.

•

Plant utilisation as in targeted production volumes processed

–

–

PPGM processed a mill feed of 239,608 tonnes for the year, 103% higher than the 2016 level. The
targeted plant capacity in 2017 was 240,000 tonnes per annum;

MPM processed a mill feed of 97,285 tonnes for the year, 66% higher than the 2016 level, but 46%
below the target of 180,000 tonnes per annum.

•

Total resources and reserves

–

–

–

–

These measure our ability to discover and develop new ore bodies and to replace and extend the life
of our operating mines.

In Zimbabwe, continual evaluation of dormant operations takes place with a view to supplementing
the mineral resource base in that country.

In Romania, the focus is on converting the significant inferred mineral resources, defined exploration
targets and prospecting licences into measured and indicated mineral resources which would support
a feasibility study.

At MPM, the current drilling programme is expected to outline a second open pit by upgrading
inferred mineral resources to a minimum of indicated mineral resources.

•

The rate of utilisation of the Group’s cash resources. This is discussed further below.

VAST RESOURCES  9

Strategic Report

continued

Cash resources
•

As can be seen from the statement of financial position, cash resources for the Group at 31 March 2017
were approximately $1.3 million (2016: $0.8 million). During the year, the cash inflows from operations
were  $2.9  million  (2016:  $1.7 million  outflow)  and  the  inflows  from  financing  activities  were  a  net
$6.1 million (2016: $7.6 million), after the repayment of borrowings of $3.4 million (2016: $1.2 million).
Against this, the outflows from investing activities were $8.5 million (2016: $8.1 million). The Directors
monitor the cash position of the Company closely and seek to ensure that there are sufficient funds within
the business to allow the Company to meet its commitments and continue the development of the assets.
During the year to 31 March 2017, of the $9.4 million of financing raised from share issues and loan
drawdowns, $8.8 million, or 93%, was spent on directly developing the three mining properties in Romania
and Zimbabwe.

•

•

The Directors closely monitor the development of the Company’s assets and focus on ensuring that the
regulatory requirements of the licences are in good standing always and that any capital expenditure on
the assets is closely controlled and monitored. Details of the Company’s spend on capital items in the year
are set out in note 10 of the financial statements.

The loss after tax arising from continuing operations during the year was $3.6 million (2016: $6.9 million)
However,  over  the  year  there  was  net  cash  generated  by  operations  of  $2.9  million  as  a  result  of
$6.5 million of non-cash items, principally, depreciation, share option and other share based payment
charges, together with movement of a deferred tax credit. The Company raised fresh share capital of
$4.2 million (2016: $5.2 million), raised new loan finance of $5.3 million (2016: $3.6 million) and retired
debt  of  $3.4  million  (2016:  $1.2  million).  The  net capital  expenditure  on  the  development  on  mine
properties was $8.8 million (2016: $8.7 million). The overall increase in cash available to the Group was
therefore $0.5 million (2016: $2.3 million reduction).

Principal risks and Uncertainties
The Board has identified the following as being the principal strategic and operational risks (in no order of
priority)

•

•

Risk – Going concern
The Group will require more cash for its near term investment purposes – particularly for the development
of the BPPM association licence once it is received and for the expansion of Manaila operations to achieve
planned  increases  in  mining  and  production  capacity  –  but  is  confident  that  it  will  be  able  to  raise
$10 million in cash from investors with whom the Board is currently in negotiation, or otherwise.

However, this position could be undermined by a failure to secure the $10 million investment. Further
lengthy delays or the failure to be awarded, despite the Company’s selection, the BPPM association licence
could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s cash flow. The inability to have funds externalised
from Zimbabwe to the Company’s treasury in the United Kingdom exacerbates the Company’s dependence
on equity and debt raises to fund corporate overheads. These factors together with unseasonal severe
climatic conditions, unforeseen delays in permitting for new mining or plant capacity, cost overruns or
adverse commodity price movements are indicative of the material uncertainties which may cast significant
doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Mitigation/Comments
The Board will continue to engage potential investors to aid understanding of the fundamental strength
of the Company’s business to be able to attract additional funding when required. The Board will also
whenever possible retain sufficient cash margin to offset contingencies.

Risk – Mining
Mining  of  natural  resources  involves  significant  risk.  Drilling  and  operating  risks  include  geological,
geotechnical, seismic factors, industrial and mechanical incidents, technical failures, labour disputes and
environmental hazards.

10 VAST RESOURCES

•

•

•

Mitigation/Comments
Use of strong technical management together with modern technology and electronic tools assist in
reducing risk in this area. Good employee relations are also key in reducing the exposure to labour disputes.
The Company is committed to following sound environmental guidelines and is keenly aware of the issues
surrounding each individual project.

Risk – Commodity prices
Commodity prices are subject to fluctuation in world markets and are dependent on such factors as mineral
output and demand, global economic trends and geo-political stability.

Mitigation/Comments
The Company’s management constantly monitors mineral grades mined and cost of production to ensure
that mining output becomes or remains economic always. Mining and production shortcomings mentioned
above have been addressed in Romania and once output has stabilised at satisfactory levels, it will be
possible  to  hedge  future  price  fluctuations  by  entering  forward  selling  contracts.  Beyond  that,  the
Company aims to become a low-cost producer of copper and zinc concentrate in Romania by adopting the
expansion strategy for Romania.

Risk – Management and Retention of Key Personnel
The successful achievement of the Company’s strategies, business plans and objectives depends upon its
ability to attract and retain certain key personnel.

Mitigation/Comments
The Company’s policy is to the foster a management culture where management is empowered and where
innovation and creativity in the workplace are encouraged. To retain key personnel, the Company has
introduced a “Share Appreciation Rights Scheme” for directors and senior executives which it will shortly
be reviewing to take account of all current circumstances.

Risk – Country and Political
The Company’s operations are based in Zimbabwe and Romania. Emerging market economies could be
subject to greater risks, including legal, regulatory, economic and political risks, and are potentially subject
to rapid change. In Zimbabwe, the principal risks remain a scarcity of foreign exchange, difficulty with
externalisation of funds, and the risk of indigenisation. The country’s Indigenisation Regulations are subject
to change and are of uncertain effect. Further information on the Indigenisation Regulations is given in
Note 26. With respect to the Giant Gold Mine, where artisanal miners are present, any delay in resolving
this issue could impact development of the mine.

Mitigation/Comments
The Company’s management team is experienced in its areas of operation and skilled at operating within
the framework of the local culture in Romania and Zimbabwe to progress its objectives. In addition, in
Zimbabwe our co-investors, Grayfox and Sub-Sahara are well established locally and also experienced and
skilled in dealing with the authorities and local communities. The Company routinely monitors political
and regulatory developments in each of its countries of operation. In addition, the Company actively
engages  in  dialogue  with  relevant  Government  representatives  to  keep  abreast  of  all  key  legal  and
regulatory developments applicable to its operations. The Company has several internal processes and
checks in place to ensure that it is wholly compliant with all relevant regulations to maintain its mining or
exploration licences within each country of operation. The Company’s strategy as announced in January
2017 was to reduce exposure to Zimbabwe and focus on developing its interests in Romania.

•

Risk – Social, Safety and Environmental
The Group’s success may depend upon its social, safety and environmental performance, as failures can
lead to delays or suspension of its mining activities.

Mitigation/Comments
The Group takes its responsibilities in these areas seriously and monitors its performance across these
areas on a regular basis.

VAST RESOURCES  11

Strategic Report

continued

Outlook
The  current  period  under  review,  as  with  last  year,  has  seen  further  progress  in  the  development  of  the
Company’s operational status post its exploration focus which had continued until early 2014.

Once again there have been significant challenges that have been overcome by management’s dedication and
hard work; unusually high rainfall levels in Zimbabwe, and extreme cold coupled with lack of necessary capital
through funding delays in Romania.

Pickstone-Peerless  Gold  Mine  has  performed  very  well  and  the  phase  two  sulphide  processing  facility
development  is  making  good  progress.  The  planned  increase  in  annual  milling  tonnage  from  circa  twenty
thousand tonnes per annum to thirty-five thousand tonnes per annum with an expected grade increase to
3.5 grammes per tonne is expected shortly.

Work on the evaluation of Giant Gold Mine has commenced with a view to increasing the defined resources and
completion of a scoping study as preludes to pre-feasibility and bankable feasibility studies. In addition, further
gold mining opportunities continue to be examined.

In Romania, several significant objectives have been achieved, the most notable being the selection of African
Consolidated Resources SRL as the recipient of the Baita Plai association licence, the funding of the licence
requirements, and the commencement of the final procedures to issue the licence. Additionally, two strategic
investors have indicated interest in funding the reopening and redevelopment of the two existing mining
operations.

The expectation is that phase one of the reopening of the Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine at ten thousand tonnes
ore mined and processed per month will be achieved in mid-2018.

The minority interest of 49.9% in Sinarom Mining Group SRL, the operating company of the Manaila Polymetallic
Mine, has been acquired giving the Vast Group total ownership of the mine. Improvements to the open cut
mining operation at Manaila and to the metallurgical complex at Iacobeni have resulted in high grade copper
and zinc concentrate production and the commencement of a gravity gold concentrate that will provide a third
income stream when optimised.

To complement the expected production from Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine and the improved production at the
Manaila Polymetallic Mine, Vast will, with the benefit of the planned additional funding, be progressing the
construction of a new metallurgical complex adjacent to the Manaila open cut mine. In addition to improved
capacity and the benefit of modern technology in terms of lower costs and improved recoveries, the new
complex will save transport costs of ore and tailings between the mine and the current complex. These transport
costs currently represent up to 33% of the total operating cost of the mine.

The  short  to  medium  term  objective  of  Vast  is  to  have  two  cash  generating  mines  in  both  Romania  and
Zimbabwe, whilst seeking additional and potentially larger mining operations in both countries.

As always, my thanks to fellow board members and management for the commitment and hard work that has
been put into the company.

On behalf of the Board

Roy A. Pitchford
Group Chief Executive Officer

12 VAST RESOURCES

Report of the Directors

The  Directors  present  their  report  together  with  the  audited  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended
31 March 2017.

Results and dividends
The Group statement of comprehensive income is set out on page 19 and shows the loss for the year.

The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend (2016: nil).

Financial instruments
Details of the use of financial instruments by the Company and its subsidiary undertakings are contained in note
20 of the financial statements.

Directors
The Directors who served during the year and up to the date hereof were as follows:

Roy Tucker
Roy Pitchford
William Battershill
Eric Diack
Graham Briggs
Brian Moritz
Brian Basham

Date of Appointment
5 April 2005
7 April 2014
30 May 2014
30 May 2014
22 December 2015
3 October 2016
30 June 2017

Date of resignation

16 November 2016

3 October 2016

Directors’ interests
The interests in the shares of the Company of the Directors who served during the year were as follows:

William Battershill *
Graham Briggs *
Eric Diack
Brian Moritz
Roy Pitchford
Roy Tucker

Total

* Former director

31 March 2017

Share options

31 March 2016

Ordinary shares
–
–
–
–
–
31,607,029

& warrants Ordinary shares
28,750,659
4,166,625
–
–
–
31,607,029

–
–
–
–
–
5,208,313

Share options
& warrants
–
4,166,625
–
–
–
5,208,313

31,607,029

5,208,313

64,524,313

9,374,938

VAST RESOURCES  13

Report of the Directors

continued

Employee Benefit Trust
The following shares are held in an unapproved Employee Benefit Trust. The Directors’ beneficial interest in
these shares is as follows:

Subscription
price

Outstanding at
31 March 2016

Exercised
during last
12 months

Granted
during last
12 months

Roy Tucker

8.75p

1,500,000

9.00p

750,000

6.00p

2,750,000

Total

5,000,000

See note 22 for further details of the EBT

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Outstanding at
31 March 2017

1,500,000

750,000

2,750,000

5,000,000

Exercise date

50% Jul 2010
50% Jul 2011
50% Aug 2011
50% Aug 2012
50% Aug 2012
50% Aug 2013

Share Appreciation Rights Scheme
The following Directors have been granted rights under the Company’s Share Appreciation Rights Scheme:

Vesting period

Grant date

SARs awarded

Start

Finish

1 Jun 2015

12,000,000

31 Mar 2016

31 Mar 2019

1 Jun 2015

20,000,000

31 Mar 2016

31 Mar 2019

1 Jun 2015

12,000,000

31 Mar 2017

31 Mar 2020

1 Jun 2015

10,000,000

31 Mar 2016

31 Mar 2019

1 Jun 2015

8,000,000

31 Mar 2017

31 Mar 2020

Eric Diack

Roy Pitchford

Roy Tucker

See note 22 for further details of the SARS

Directors’ remuneration

2017

William Battershill *
Graham Briggs *
Eric Diack
Brian Moritz
Roy Pitchford
Roy Tucker

Total

* resigned during year

2016

William Battershill *
Graham Briggs *
Eric Diack
Roy Pitchford
Roy Tucker

Total

* Former Director

14 VAST RESOURCES

Salary/Fees
$’000

Other
$’000

35
15
15
14
210
169

458

75
8
60
210
187

540

–
–
–
1
5
6

12

–
–
–
-
–

–

Total
$’000

35
15
15
15
215
175

470

75
8
60
210
187

540

Part of the remuneration of Roy Tucker represents payment for UK office services that are provided by Roy
Tucker under his consultancy contract at his expense. His remuneration also includes irrecoverable VAT. No part
of the remuneration paid, (2016: nil) has been settled by issuing shares.

The Company has qualifying third party indemnity provisions for the benefit of the Directors.

Future developments
The Company’s plans for future developments are more fully set down in the Strategic Report, on pages 6 to 12.

Research and development
During  the  period  at  MPM,  SGS  laboratories  in  the  UK  conducted  metallurgical  test  work  and  ore  type
characterisation. Out of this test work regime, independent consultants Minxcon derived the chemical reagent
recipe that has been used to successfully separate the copper and zinc from a single concentrate, and to produce
a saleable copper concentrate and zinc concentrate. Further research into the recovery of a gold rich pyrite
concentrate was implemented in the latter portion of the year.

Further research has been conducted on utilising a thermal process to separate the copper and zinc, which if
successful, may have a material impact on operating costs by reducing the quantity of chemical reagents used
in the current flotation process.

Core  drilling  at  the  existing  open  pit  at  MPM  was  undertaken  to  confirm  the  polymetallic  grades  in  the
immediate vicinity of the open pit as derived from historic information. This information was then incorporated
into the database used to derive the current mineral resource estimate for MPM.

The Faneata tailings storage facility was drilled during the year with a mineral resource estimation undertaken.
Metallurgical test work at the ALS laboratories in Perth, Western Australia, commenced at year end with a view
to defining a possible process to be utilised to recover the minerals from the tailings storage facility.

Disabled employees
The  Company  gives  full  consideration  to  applications  for  employment  from  disabled  persons  where  the
candidate’s particular aptitudes and abilities are consistent with adequately meeting the requirements of the
job. Opportunities are available to disabled employees for training, career development and promotion.

Where existing employees become disabled, it is the Company’s policy to provide continuing employment
wherever practicable in the same or an alternative position and to provide appropriate training to achieve this
aim.

Auditors
All of the current Directors have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of
any information needed by the Company’s auditors for the purposes of their audit and to establish that the
auditors are aware of that information. The Directors are not aware of any relevant audit information of which
the auditors are unaware. The Company’s auditor, Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP, was initially appointed on 25 April
2016 and it is proposed by the Board that they be reappointed as auditors at the forthcoming AGM.

Events after the reporting date
These are more fully disclosed in Note 28.

By order of the Board

Ben Harber
Secretary

21 September 2017

VAST RESOURCES  15

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  Strategic  Report,  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 financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRSs’) as adopted by the EU and applicable law.

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 company and the group and of the profit or loss of the
group for that period. 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 applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

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

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 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.

They are further responsible for ensuring that the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors and other
information included in the Annual Report and Financial Statements is prepared in accordance with applicable
law in the United Kingdom.

The maintenance and integrity of the Company’s website is the responsibility of the Directors; the work carried
out by the auditors does not involve the consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept
no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred in the accounts since they were initially presented on
the website.

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of the accounts and the other
information included in annual reports may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

16 VAST RESOURCES

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Vast
Resources Plc

We have audited the financial statements of Vast Resources Plc for the year ended 31 March 2017 which
comprise Group and Parent Company Statements of Financial Position, the Group Statement of Comprehensive
Income, the Group and Company Statements of Cash Flow, the Group and Parent 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.

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

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities, the directors are responsible for the
preparation  of  the  financial  statements  and  for  being  satisfied  that  they  give  a  true  and  fair  view.  Our
responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law
and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing
Practices Board’s 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 Financial Reporting Council’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 of the parent company’s
affairs as at 31 March 2017 and of the group’s loss for the year then ended;

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

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

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

•

•

the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the
financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

the  Directors’  Report  and  Strategic  report  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  applicable  legal
requirements.

VAST RESOURCES  17

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Vast
Resources Plc

continued
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 the statement of accounting policies in the financial statements concerning the Group’s
and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Further funds will be required to finance the Group’s and
Company’s working capital requirements and the development of the Group’s Romanian assets. If cash flow
from existing sources was not sufficient to meet the Group’s commitments the Directors are confident that
additional funds could be successfully raised from other sources. However, there are no binding agreements in
place to date. These conditions indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt
about the Group’s and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include
the adjustments that would result if the Group and Company were unable to continue as a going concern.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the
audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to
report to you if, in our opinion:

•

•

•

•

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

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

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

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

Stephen Bullock
Senior Statutory Auditor
For and on behalf of Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP

Statutory Auditor
St Bride’s House
10 Salisbury Square
London EC4Y 8EH

Dated: 21 September 2017

18 VAST RESOURCES

Group statement of comprehensive income

for the year ended 31 March 2017

31 Mar 2017
Group
$’000

31 Mar 2016
Group
$’000

Note

22

4
4

5

13

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Overhead expenses

Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment
Profit (loss) on sale of property, plant and equipment
Share option and warrant expense
Other administrative and overhead expenses

Loss from operations
Finance income
Finance expense

Loss before taxation from continuing operations
Taxation (charge) credit

Loss after taxation from continuing operations
Gain on business combination
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

Total profit (loss) for the year

Other comprehensive income
– items that may subsequently be reclassified to either profit or loss
Gain on available for sale financial assets
Exchange gain (loss) on translation of foreign operations

Total comprehensive profit (loss) for the year

Total profit (loss) attributable to:
– the equity holders of the parent company
– non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive profit (loss) attributable to:
– the equity holders of the parent company
– non-controlling interests

Loss per share – basic and diluted
Profit (loss) per share from continuing operations – basic and diluted

8
8

23,767
(17,381)

6,386
(8,047)

(2,593)
81
(1,648)
(3,887)

(1,661)
105
(812)

(2,368)
(1,193)

(3,561)
–
–

(3,561)

7,200
(5,608)

1,592
(9,615)

(2,151)
(57)
(3,368)
(4,039)

(8,023)
1
(509)

(8,531)
1,658

(6,873)
41
(8,739)

(15,571)

3
750

10
(135)

(2,808)

(15,696)

(4,437)
876

(3,561)

(3,684)
876

(2,808)

(0.13)
(0.13)

(16,100)
529

(15,571)

(16,225)
529

(15,696)

(1.02)
(0.44)

The accompanying accounting policies and notes on pages 32 to 60 form an integral part of these financial
statements.

VAST RESOURCES  19

Group Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31 March 2017

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20 VAST RESOURCES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Changes in Equity

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VAST RESOURCES  21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group and Company statements of financial position

As at 31 March 2017

31 Mar 2017
Group
$’000

31 Mar 2016
Group
$’000

31 Mar 2017
Company
$’000

31 Mar 2016
Company
$’000

Note

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment in subsidiaries
Loans to group companies
Deferred tax asset

Current assets
Inventory
Receivables
Available for sale investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total Assets

Equity and Liabilities
Capital and reserves attributable
to equity holders of the Parent
Share capital
Share premium
Share option reserve
Foreign currency translation reserve
Available for sale reserve
EBT reserve
Retained deficit

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Non-current liabilities
Loans and borrowings
Provisions

Current liabilities
Loans and borrowings
Trade and other payables
Bank overdraft

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total Equity and Liabilities

10
11
12
5

14
15
16

17
19

17
18
17

38,563
–
–
465

39,028

2,811
5,960
10
1,326

10,107

49,135

19,420
74,802
1,890
(1,228)
–
(3,942)
(69,828)

21,114

12,394

33,508

3,166
1,095

4,261

3,076
7,431
859

11,366

15,627

49,135

32,539
–
–
1,658

34,197

1,912
3,896
8
831

6,647

–
218
35,962
–

36,180

–
1,606
5
1,239

2,850

40,844

39,030

16,105
71,652
2,099
(1,978)
(3)
(3,942)
(67,471)

16,462

11,518

27,980

911
954

1,865

2,504
6,729
1,766

10,999

12,864

40,844

19,420
74,802
1,890
(4,954)
–
(3,942)
(48,633)

38,583

–

38,583

–
–

–

–
447
–

447

447

–
218
33,963
–

34,181

–
412
5
615

1,032

35,213

16,105
71,652
2,099
(4,954)
–
(3,942)
(46,098)

34,862

–

34,862

–
–

–

–
351
–

351

351

39,030

35,213

The accompanying accounting policies and notes on pages 32 to 60 form an integral part of these financial
statements.

The parent Company reported a loss after taxation for the year of $4.615 million (2016: $5.807 million).

The financial statements on pages 19 to 60 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors
on 21 September 2017 and were signed on its behalf by:

Roy C. Tucker
Director

21 September 2017

22 VAST RESOURCES

Registered number 05414325

Group and Company statements of cash flow

for the year ended 31 March 2017

31 Mar 2017
Group
$’000

31 Mar 2016
Group
$’000

31 Mar 2017
Company
$’000

31 Mar 2016
Company
$’000

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Profit (loss) before taxation for the year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation & impairment charges
(Profit) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
Convertible loan fair value adjustment
Liabilities settled in shares
Warrant and share option expense

Changes in working capital:
Decrease (increase) in receivables
Increase in inventories
Increase (decrease) in payables

Cash generated (used) in operations

Investing activities:
Payments to acquire property, plant and equipment
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Restricted cash movement
(Increase) decrease in loans to group companies

Total cash used in investing activities

Financing Activities:
Proceeds from the issue of ordinary shares,
net of issue costs
Proceeds from loans and borrowings granted
Repayment of loans and borrowings

Total proceeds from financing activities

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

(2,369)

(8,531)

(4,615)

(5,812)

2,593
(81)
223
2,289
1,648

4,303

(1,657)
(722)
1,010

(1,369)

2,934

(8,769)
234
–
–

(8,535)

4,176
5,272
(3,352)

6,096

495
831

1,326

2,151
57
–
1,457
3,368

(1,498)

670
(1,779)
867

(242)

(1,740)

(8,718)
5
637
–

(8,076)

5,160
3,626
(1,229)

7,557

(2,259)
3,090

831

–
–
223
2,289
1,648

(455)

(1,194)
–
96

(1,098)

(1,553)

–
–
–
(1,999)

(1,999)

4,176
–
–

4,176

624
615

1,239

10
65
–
1,457
3,368

(912)

(67)
–
(145)

(212)

(1,124)

–
–
–
(4,522)

(4,522)

5,160
–
(1,229)

3,931

(1,715)
2,330

615

The accompanying accounting policies and notes on pages 32 to 60 form an integral part of these financial
statements.

VAST RESOURCES  23

Statement of Accounting Policies

General information
Vast Resources plc and its subsidiaries (together “the Group”) are engaged principally in the exploration for and
development of mineral projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and Eastern Europe. Since incorporation the Group has
built  an  extensive  and  interesting  portfolio  of  projects  in  Zimbabwe  and  more  recently  in  Romania.  The
Company’s ordinary shares are listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

Vast Resources plc was incorporated on 5 April 2005 as a public limited company under UK Company Law with
registered number 05414325. It is domiciled and registered at 60 Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 0HR.

Basis of preparation and going concern assessment
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial information are set out below. The
policies have been consistently applied throughout the current year and prior year, unless otherwise stated.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRSs and IFRIC interpretations) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as adopted by
the European Union and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies preparing their
accounts under IFRS.

The  consolidated  financial  statements  incorporate  the  results  of  Vast  Resources  plc  and  its  subsidiary
undertakings as at 31 March 2017.

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention on a going concern basis.

At  the  date  of  these  financial  statements  the  Directors  expect  that  the  Group’s  Zimbabwean  operations,
together with a locally agreed overdraft facility, will provide it with sufficient cash flow to support its capital
requirements  in  Zimbabwe.  However,  the  Group  will  require  further  funding  to  finance  the  Group’s  and
Company’s working capital requirements and the development of the Group’s Romanian assets. The Directors
are confident that the Company will be able to raise funds for such requirements from investors as required
although no binding funding agreement is in place at the date of this Report. These conditions indicate the
existence of material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the Group’s and Company’s ability to
continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include the adjustment that would result if the
Group and Company were unable to continue as a going concern.

Changes in Accounting Policies
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, a number of Standards and Interpretations were in
issue but were not yet effective. The Directors do not anticipate that the adoption of these standards and
interpretations, or any of the amendments made to existing standards as a result of the annual improvements
cycle, will have a material effect on the financial statements in the year of initial application.

Areas of estimates and judgement
The preparation of the Group financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates are based on management’s
best knowledge of current events and actions, actual results may ultimately differ from those estimates. The
estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts
of assets and liabilities in the next financial year are discussed below:

Useful lives of property, plant & equipment

a)
Property, plant and equipment are depreciated over their useful economic lives. Useful economic lives are based
on management’s estimates of the period that the assets will be in operational use, which are periodically
reviewed for continued appropriateness. Due to the long life of certain assets, changes to estimates used can
result in significant variations in the carrying value. More details, including carrying values, are included in note 10
to the financial statements.

24 VAST RESOURCES

Impairment of intangibles and mining assets

b)
The Group reviews, on an annual basis, whether deferred exploration costs, acquired as intangible assets or
property,  plant  &  equipment  (“PP&E”),  mining  options  and  licence  acquisition  costs  have  suffered  any
impairment. The recoverable amounts are determined based on an assessment of the economically recoverable
mineral reserves, the ability of the Group to obtain the necessary financing to complete the development of
the reserves and future profitable production or proceeds from the disposition of recoverable reserves. Actual
outcomes may vary.

Share based payments

c)
The Group operates an equity settled and cash settled share based remuneration scheme for key employees.
Employee services received, and the corresponding increase in equity, are measured by reference to the fair
value of equity instruments at the date of grant.

In addition, the Group may frequently enter into financial arrangements that involve the convertibility of part
or all of the liabilities assumed under these arrangements into shares in the parent Company, under an option
arrangement.

The fair value of these share options is estimated by using the Black Scholes model on the date of grant based
on certain assumptions. Those assumptions are described in note 22 and include, among others, the expected
volatility and expected life of the options.

Going concern and Inter-company loan recoverability.

d)
The Group’s cash flow projections, which have used conservative assumptions on forward commodity prices,
indicate that the Group should have sufficient resources to continue as a going concern, although, as stated in
the Principal risks section of the strategic report, the Group will require additional funding for its near-term
investment plans. While the Group is confident of its capacity to raise this funding, should it not materialise, or
if the projections not be realised, the Group’s going concern would depend on the success of future fund-raising
initiatives. These conditions indicate the existence of material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt
about the Group’s and Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The  recoverability  of  inter-Company  loans  advanced  by  the  Company  to  subsidiaries  depends  also  on  the
subsidiaries realising their cash flow projections.

Provisions

e)
The Group is required to estimate the cost of its obligations to realise and rehabilitate its mining properties.

The estimation of the cost of complying with the Group’s obligations at future dates and in economically
unpredictable  regions,  and  the  application  of  appropriate  discount  rates  thereto,  gives  rise  to  significant
estimation uncertainties.

VAT recoverable

f)
In countries where the Group has productive mining operations carried out by its subsidiaries, those subsidiaries
are registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) with their respective local taxation authorities and, as their outputs
are predominantly zero-rated for VAT, receive net refunds of VAT in respect of input tax borne on their inputs.
This amount is carried as a receivable until refunded by the State, which can take some considerable time, both
in Zimbabwe and Romania.

The amount carried as a receivable is determined in accordance with the returns submitted to the taxation
authorities. While every effort is made by Management to ensure these returns are correct, the aggressive
taxation regime in Zimbabwe, coupled with that nation’s Government’s ongoing and critical fiscal crisis, may
give rise to circumstances where part of these amounts may subsequently prove to be irrecoverable, or only
recoverable after a prolonged period.

Further details of the specific amounts concerned are given in note 15.

VAST RESOURCES  25

Statement of Accounting Policies

continued

Basis of consolidation
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 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 also
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. Inter-company 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.

Business combinations
The financial information incorporates the results of business combinations using the purchase method. In the
statement of changes in equity, the acquirer’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
Group statement of comprehensive income from the date on which control is obtained. The assets acquired
have been valued at their fair value. Any excess of consideration paid over the fair value of the net assets
acquired is allocated to the mining asset. Any excess fair value over the consideration paid is considered to be
negative goodwill and is immediately recorded within the income statement.

Where business combinations are discontinued, whether by closure or disposal to third parties, any resultant
gain or loss on the discontinued operation is identified separately and dealt with in the Group’s consolidated
income statement as a separate item.

Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”)
The Company has established an Employee Benefit Trust. The assets and liabilities of this trust comprise shares
in the Company and loan balances due to the Company. The Company includes the EBT within its accounts and
therefore recognises an EBT reserve in respect of the amounts loaned to the EBT and used to purchase shares
in the Company. Any cash received by the EBT on disposal of the shares it holds will be recognised directly in
equity. Any shares held by the EBT are treated as cancelled for the purposes of calculating earnings per share.

Financial assets
The  Group’s  financial  assets  consist  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  other  receivables  and  available  for  sale
investments. The Group’s accounting policy for each category of financial asset is as follows:

26 VAST RESOURCES

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

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

The Group’s loans and receivables comprise other receivables and cash and cash equivalents in the statement
of financial position.

Cash and cash equivalents
These amounts comprise cash on hand and balances with banks. Cash equivalents are short term, highly liquid
accounts that are readily converted to known amounts of cash. They include short-term bank deposits and short-
term investments.

Any cash or bank balances that are subject to any restrictive conditions, such as cash held in escrow pending
the conclusion of conditions precedent to completion of a contract, are disclosed separately as “Restricted
cash”.

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

Available for sale
Non-derivative financial assets not included in the categories above are classified as available-for-sale and
comprise  the  Group’s  strategic  investments  in  entities  not  qualifying  as  subsidiaries,  associates  or  jointly
controlled entities. They are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognised directly in equity. Where
a decline in the fair value of an available-for-sale financial asset constitutes evidence of impairment, for example
if the decline is significant or prolonged, the amount of the loss is removed from equity and recognised in the
profit or loss for the year.

Financial liabilities
The Group’s financial liabilities consist of trade and other payables (including short terms loans) and long term
secured borrowings. These are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently carried at amortised cost, using
the effective interest method. Where any liability carries a right to convertibility into shares in the Group, the
fair value of the equity and liability portions of the liability is determined at the date that the convertible
instrument is issued, by use of appropriate discount factors.

Foreign currency
The functional currency of the Company and all of its subsidiaries outside Romania is the United States Dollar,
while the functional currency of the Company’s Romanian subsidiaries is the Romanian Lei (RON); these are the
currencies of the primary economic environment in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate.

Transactions entered into by the Group entities in a currency other than the currency of the primary economic
environment  in  which  it  operates  (the  “functional  currency”)  are  recorded  at  the  rates  ruling  when  the
transactions occur. Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the rates ruling at the date
of the statement of financial position. Exchange differences arising on the retranslation of unsettled monetary
assets and liabilities are similarly recognised immediately in profit or loss, except for foreign currency borrowings
qualifying as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.

VAST RESOURCES  27

Statement of Accounting Policies

continued

The exchange rates applied at each reporting date were as follows:

•

•

•

31 March 2017

$1.2253: £1 and $1: RON 4.2615

31 March 2016

$1.4367: £1 and $1: RON 3.9349

31 March 2015

$1.4836: £1 and $1: RON 4.1115

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of a business combination over the total acquisition date fair value
of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired. Cost comprises the fair value of assets
given, liabilities assumed and equity instruments issued, plus the amount of any non-controlling interests in the
acquiree plus, if the business combination is achieved in stages, the fair value of the existing equity interest in
the acquiree. Contingent consideration is included in cost at its acquisition date fair value and, in the case of
contingent consideration classified as a financial liability, re-measured subsequently through profit or loss. Any
direct costs of acquisition are recognised immediately as an expense.

Goodwill  is  capitalised  as  an  intangible  asset  with  any  impairment  in  carrying  value  being  charged  to  the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Where  the  fair  value  of  identifiable  assets,  liabilities  and  contingent  liabilities  exceed  the  fair  value  of
consideration paid, the excess is credited in full to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on
the acquisition date.

Intangible assets

Mining rights
Mineral rights are recorded at cost less amortisation and provision for diminution in value. Amortisation will be
over the estimated life of the commercial ore reserves on a unit of production basis.

Licences for the exploration of natural resources will be amortised over the lower of the life of the licence and
the estimated life of the commercial ore reserves on a unit of production basis.

Inventories
Inventories are initially recognised at cost, and subsequently at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost
comprises all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their
present  location  and  condition.  Weighted  average  cost  is  used  to  determine  the  cost  of  ordinarily
inter-changeable items.

Mining inventory includes run of mine stockpiles, minerals in circuit, finished goods and consumables. Stockpiles,
minerals in circuit and finished goods are valued at their cost of production to their point in process using a
weighted average cost of production, or net realisable value, whichever is the lower. Low grade stockpiles are
only recognised as an asset when there is evidence to support the fact that some economic benefit will flow to
the Company on the sale of such inventory. Consumables are valued at their cost of acquisition, or net realisable
value, whichever is the lower.

Investment in subsidiaries
The Company’s investment in its subsidiaries is recorded at cost less any impairment.

Leased assets
Where assets are financed by leasing agreements that do not give rights approximating ownership, these are
treated as operating leases. The annual rentals are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the
term of the lease.

28 VAST RESOURCES

Non-controlling interests
For business combinations completed on or after 1 January 2010 the Group has the choice, on a transaction by
transaction basis, to initially recognise any non-controlling interest in the acquiree which is a present ownership
interest and entitles its holders to a proportionate share of the entity’s net assets in the event of liquidation at
either acquisition date fair value or, at the present ownership instruments’ proportionate share in the recognised
amounts  of  the  acquiree’s  identifiable  net  assets.  Other  components  of  non-controlling  interest  such  as
outstanding share options are generally measured at fair value.

The total comprehensive income of non-wholly owned subsidiaries is attributed to owners of the parent and to
the non-controlling interests in proportion to their relative ownership interests.

Pension costs
Contributions to defined contribution pension schemes are charged to profit or loss in the year to which they
relate.

Production expenses
Production  expenses  include  all  direct  costs  of  production,  including  depreciation  of  property  plant  and
equipment involved in the mining process, but excluding mine and Company overhead.

Property, plant and equipment
Land  is  not  depreciated.  Items  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  are  initially  recognised  at  cost  and  are
subsequently carried at depreciated cost. As well as the purchase price, cost includes directly attributable costs
and the estimated present value of any future costs of dismantling and removing items. The corresponding
liability is recognised within provisions.

Depreciation is provided on all other items of property and equipment so as to write off the carrying value of
items over their expected useful economic lives. It is applied at the following rates:

Buildings

Plant and machinery

Fixtures, fittings & equipment

Computer assets

Motor vehicles

–

–

–

–

–

2.5% per annum, straight line

15% per annum, reducing balance

20% per annum, reducing balance

33.33% per annum, straight line

15% per annum, reducing balance

Proved mining properties
Depletion and amortisation of the full-cost pools is computed using the units-of-production method based on
proved reserves as determined annually by management.

Capital works in progress
Property, plant and equipment under construction are carried at its accumulated cost of construction and not
depreciated until such time as construction is completed or the asset put into use, whichever is the earlier.

Provision for rehabilitation of mining assets
Provision  for  the  rehabilitation  of  a  mining  property  on  the  cessation  of  mining  is  recognised  from  the
commencement of mining activities. This provision accounts for the full cost to rehabilitate the mine according
to good practice guidelines in the country where the mine is located, which may involve more than the stipulated
minimum legal commitment.

VAST RESOURCES  29

Statement of Accounting Policies

continued

When accounting for the provision the Company recognises a provision for the full cost to rehabilitate the mine
and  a  matching  asset  accounted  for  within  the  non-current  mining  asset.  The  rehabilitation  provision  is
discounted using a risk-free rate, which is linked to the currency in which the costs are expected to be incurred,
and the applicable inflation rate applied to the cash flows. The unwinding of the discounting effect is recognised
within finance expenses in the income statement.

Revenue
Revenue from the sales of goods is recognised when the Group has transferred the significant risks and rewards
of ownership to the buyer and it is probable that the Group will receive the previously agreed upon payment.
These criteria are considered to be met when the goods are delivered to the buyer. Where the buyer has a right
of return, the Group defers recognition of revenue until the right to return has lapsed. However, where high
volumes of sales are made to established wholesale customers, revenue is recognised in the period where the
goods are delivered less an appropriate provision for returns based on past experience. The same policy applies
to warranties.

Provided the amount of revenue can be measured reliably and it is probable that the Group will receive any
consideration, revenue for services is recognised in the period in which they are rendered.

Share based payments

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

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

Where equity instruments are granted to persons other than employees, the fair value of goods and services
received is charged to profit or loss, except where it is in respect to costs associated with the issue of shares, in
which case, it is charged to the share premium account.

Cash-settled share based payments
The Company also has cash-settled share based payments arising in respect of the EBT (see below and Note
22). A liability is recognised in respect of the fair-value of the benefit received under the EBT and charged to
profit or loss over the vesting period. The fair-value is re-measured at each reporting date with any changes
taken to profit or loss.

Remuneration shares
Where remuneration shares are issued to settle liabilities to employees and consultants, any difference between
the fair value of the shares on the date of issue and the carrying amount of the liability is charged to profit or
loss.

Stripping costs
Costs incurred in stripping the overburden to gain access to mineral ore deposits are accounted for as follows:

Stripping costs incurred during the development phase of the mine (before production begins) are capitalised
as part of the depreciable cost of building, developing and constructing the mine. Capitalised costs are amortised
using the units of production method, once production begins.

30 VAST RESOURCES

Stripping costs incurred during the production phase of the mine which give rise to the production of usable
inventory are accounted for in accordance with the principles contained in the group’s policy on Inventories.
Stripping  costs  incurred  in  the  production  phase  of  the  mine  which  result  in  improved  access  to  ore  are
capitalized  and  recognized  as  additions  to  non-current  assets  provided  that  it  is  probable  that  the  future
economic benefit from improved access to the ore body associated with the stripping activity will flow to the
Company, that it is possible to identify the component of the ore body to which access has been improved and
that the costs relating to the stripping activity associated with that component of the ore body can be measured
reliably.

Tax

The major components of income tax on the profit or loss include current and deferred tax.

Current tax
Current  tax  is  based  on  the  profit  or  loss  adjusted  for  items  that  are  non-assessable  or  disallowed  and  is
calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.

Tax is charged or credited to the statement of comprehensive income, except when the tax relates to items
credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the tax is also dealt with in equity.

Deferred tax
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the
statement of financial position differs to its tax base, except for differences arising on:

•

•

•

The initial recognition of goodwill;

The initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and at
the time of the transaction affects neither accounting or taxable profit; and

Investments in subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities where the Group is able to control the timing of
the reversal of the difference and it is probable that the differences will not reverse in the foreseeable
future.

Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that taxable profit will
be available against which the difference can be utilised.

The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively
enacted  by  the  reporting  date  and  are  expected  to  apply  when  deferred  tax  liabilities/(assets)  are
settled/(recovered). Deferred tax balances are not discounted.

VAST RESOURCES  31

Notes to Financial Statements

1. Segmental analysis
The Group operates in one business segment, the development and mining of mineral assets. The Group has
interests in two geographical segments being Southern Africa (primarily Zimbabwe) and Europe (primarily
Romania).

The Group’s operations are reviewed by the Board (which is considered to be the Chief Operating Decision
Maker (‘CODM’)) and split between mining exploration and development and administration and corporate
costs.

Exploration and development is reported to the CODM only on the basis of those costs incurred directly on
projects. All costs incurred on the projects are capitalised in accordance with IFRS 6, including depreciation
charges in respect of tangible assets used on the projects.

Administration and corporate costs are further reviewed on the basis of spend across the Group.

Decisions are made about where to allocate cash resources based on the status of each project and according
to the Group’s strategy to develop the projects. Each project, if taken into commercial development, has the
potential to be a separate operating segment. Operating segments are disclosed below on the basis of the split
between exploration and development and administration and corporate.

Mining, exploration 
and development
Europe
$’000

Africa
$’000

Administration
and corporate
$’000

2017
Revenue
Production costs
Gross profit (loss)
Depreciation & impairment
Profit (loss) on sale of property plant & equipment
Share option & warrant charge
Other administrative and overhead expenses
Finance income
Finance expense
Taxation (charge)
Profit (loss) for the year from continuing operations
Loss for the year from discontinued operations
Total assets
Total non-current assets
Additions to non-current assets
Total current assets
Total liabilities

2,629
(3,746)
(1,117)
(1,338)
81
–
(769)
1
–
–
(3,141)
–
10,878
9,001
2,681
1,876
7,362

21,138
(13,635)
7,503
(1,251)
–
–
(457)
104
(89)
(1,193)
4,617
–
34,860
29,720
6,386
5,141
6,213

–
–
–
(4)
–
(1,648)
(2,661)
–
(724)
–
(5,037)
–
3,397
307
–
3,090
2,052

Total
$’000

23,767
(17,381)
6,386
(2,593)
81
(1,648)
(3,887)
105
(812)
(1,193)
(3,561)
–
49,135
39,028
9,067
10,107
15,627

32 VAST RESOURCES

Mining, exploration 
and development
Europe
$’000

Africa
$’000

Administration
and corporate
$’000

2016
Revenue
Production costs
Gross profit (loss)
Depreciation
Profit (loss) on sale of property plant & equipment
Share option & warrant charge
Other administrative and overhead expenses
Finance income
Finance expense
Taxation credit
Profit (loss) for the year from continuing operations
Loss for the year from discontinued operations
Total assets
Total non-current assets
Additions to non-current assets
Total current assets
Total liabilities

1,812
(1,436)
376
(1,554)
–
–
(197)
–
–
–
(1,375)
–
10,922
8,394
4,801
2,529
6,086

5,388
(4,172)
1,216
(582)
–
–
(1,213)
–
(130)
1,658
949
(8,739)
29,198
26,495
4,796
2,703
4,449

–
–
–
(15)
(56)
(3,368)
(2,269)
1
(340)
–
(6,447)
–
724
(692)
8
1,415
2,329

Revenue analysis by geographical location, product and customer

Total
$’000

7,200
(5,608)
1,592
(2,151)
(56)
(3,368)
(4,079)
1
(470)
1,658
(6,873)
(8,739)
40,844
34,197
9,605
6,647
12,864

Gold bullion
Mineral concentrates

2017

2016

Romania

Zimbabwe

Romania

Zimbabwe

–
2,629

2,629

21,138
–

21,138

–
1,812

1,812

5,388
–

5,388

100% of sales (2016: 100%) in both Romania and Zimbabwe were made to a single customer in each respective
country.

There  are  no  non-current  assets  held  in  the  Company’s  country  of  domicile,  being  the  United  Kingdom
(2016: $nil).

VAST RESOURCES  33

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

2. Group loss from operations

Operating loss is stated after charging/(crediting):
Auditors’ remuneration (note 3)
Depreciation and impairment
Employee pension costs
Share option and warrant expense
Foreign exchange (gain)
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

3. Auditor’s remuneration

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s
annual accounts
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for other services:
– Audit of the accounts of subsidiaries
– Other services

4. Finance income and expense

Finance income
Interest received on bank deposits
Other interest received

Finance expense
Interest paid on secured borrowings
Interest paid on unsecured borrowings
Convertible loan raising costs
Bank overdraft interest

5. Taxation

Income tax on profits
Deferred tax charge (credit)

Tax charge (credit)

34 VAST RESOURCES

2017
Group
$’000

114
2,550
139
1,648
(285)
103

2017
Group
$’000

40

73
1

114

2017
Group
$’000

1
104

105

246
58
473
35

812

2017
Group
$’000

–
1,193

1,193

2016
Group
$’000

110
2,151
16
3,368
(53)
56

2016
Group
$’000

40

70
–

110

2016
Group
$’000

1
–

1

223
160
0
126

509

2016
Group
$’000

–
(1,658)

(1,658)

The tax assessed for the year is lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The differences are
explained as follows:

Loss before taxation
Loss before taxation at the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of
20% (2016: 20%)
Expenses disallowed for tax
Difference in tax rates in local jurisdiction
Loss carried forward
Tax charge on losses

2017
Group
$’000

2,368

474
(102)
(525)
(153)
–

2016
Group
$’000

8,531

3,139
(1,902)
(1,900)
663
–

Deferred  tax  assets  are  only  recognised  in  the  Group  where  the  company  concerned  has  a  reasonable
expectation of future profits against which the deferred tax asset may be recovered.

The asset arises in a subsidiary company which has allowable tax losses of $1.8 million (2016: $6.4 million), which
are expected to be utilised in the immediate forthcoming periods.

Factors that may affect future tax charges:

Tax losses

Accumulated tax losses

2017
Group
$’000

22,158

2016
Group
$’000

22,005

2017
Company
$’000

13,833

2016
Company
$’000

13,038

However, of this total, only $1.8 million is anticipated to be offsettable against profits in the immediate future.
The balance will only be recoverable against future profits, the timing of which is uncertain, and a deferred tax
asset has not been recognised in respect of these losses. A deferred tax asset has not been recognised in respect
of accumulated tax losses for the Company.

6. Employees

Staff costs (including directors) consist of:
Wages and salaries – management
Wages and salaries – other

Consultancy fees
Social Security costs
Healthcare costs
Pension costs

The average number of employees (including directors) during the year was as follows:

Management
Other operations

2017
Group
$’000

1,129
3,905

5,034

1,456
489
108
139

7,226

17
365

382

2016
Group
$’000

1,531
746

2,277

1,056
160
131
67

3,691

13
312

325

VAST RESOURCES  35

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

7. Directors’ remuneration

Directors’ emoluments
Company contributions to pension schemes
Healthcare costs
Termination payments

Directors and key management remuneration

Gain on share options exercised by directors (not charged to profit or loss as
explained below)

The Directors are considered to be the key management of the Group and Company.

2017
Group
$’000

458
12
–
–

470

–

2016
Group
$’000

540
–
–
–

540

–

Four of the Directors at the end of the period have share options receivable under long term incentive schemes.
The highest paid Director received an amount of $210,000 (2016: $210,000).

Included within the above remuneration are amounts accrued at 31 March 2017; please refer to the Directors’
Report for full detail.

8. Loss per share
Loss per ordinary share has been calculated using the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
during the relevant financial year.

The weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for the period is:
Losses for the period: ($’000)
Loss per share basic and diluted (cents)
Loss per share from continuing operations – basic and diluted

The effect of all potentially dilutive share options is anti-dilutive.

31 Mar 2017
Group

31 Mar 2016
Group

3,457,555,538
(4,437)
(0.13)
(0.13)

1,579,576,275
(16,100)
(1.02)
(0.44)

9. Loss for the financial year
The Company has adopted the exemption allowed under Section 408(1b) of the Companies Act 2006 and has
not presented its own income statement in these financial statements.

36 VAST RESOURCES

10. Property, plant and equipment
Group

Fixtures, 
Plant and fittings and 
equipment
machinery
$’000
$’000

Computer
assets
$’000

Motor
vehicles
$’000

2,493

3,908

1,442
392

105

77

6
–

214

62

–
–

(257)

(23)

(102)

18

–

–

174

–

58
–

–
–

165

(6)

46
1

–
–

202

101

13

227

200

17

269

188

47
–

(30)

13

487

72

240
2

(159)
–

253

72

Cost at
31 March 2015
Additions during
the year
Acquired through
business
combination
Reclassification
Disposals during
the year
Foreign exchange
movements

Cost at
31 March 2016

Revaluation
Additions during
the year
Reclassification
Disposals during
the year
Impairment
Foreign exchange
movements

Cost at
31 March 2017

Depreciation
at 31 March 2015
Charge for the
year
Disposals during
the year
Foreign exchange
movements

Charge for the
year
Disposals during
the year
Foreign exchange
movements

Depreciation at
31 March 2017

7,996

23

559
946

(97)
(962)

(65)

8,401

1,295

1,069

7

902

(55)

(41)

Depreciation
at 31 March 2016 2,157

(214)

(22)

(101)

(30)

–

92

29

–

(2)

–

116

23

–

–

1

296

76

(61)

(28)

Buildings
and 
Improve-
ments
$’000

Mining
assets
$’000

Capital 
Work in
progress
$’000

Total
$’000

2,193

18,807

393

24,474

376

3,372

1,622

9,605

936
–

(17)

71

3,559

318

47
(470)

(17)
–

–
–

–

5

–
(392)

2,432
–

–

–

(429)

107

22,184

1,623

36,189

–

–

407

1,281
1,520

6,836
(1,999)

–
–

–
–

9,067
–

(273)
(962)

4

225

(1)

6

234

154

(3)

(40)

–

–

1,853

151

604

2,151

–

–

151

833

–

(6)

–

–

(368)

14

604

3,650

–

–

–

2,017

(119)

(117)

(4)

(5)

(37)

(206)

(39)

(78)

(434)

605

3,231

24,946

6,382

43,994

2,963

119

139

283

345

978

604

5,432

Net book value
at 31 March 2016 5,840

Net book value
at 31 March 2017 5,438

73

83

58

88

191

3,325

22,033

1,019

32,539

322

2,886

23,968

5,778

38,563

VAST RESOURCES  37

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

10. Property, plant and equipment continued

Company

Plant and
machinery
$’000

Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment
$’000

Computer
assets
$’000

Motor
vehicles
$’000

Buildings
and
Improve-
ments
$’000

19
–
(14)

5

–
–

5

19
–
(14)

5

–
–

5

–

–

89
–
(66)

23

–
–

23

79
10
(66)

23

–
–

23

–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

Total
$’000

305
–
(247)

58

–
–

58

230
10
(182)

58

–
–

58

–

–

2017
Company
$’000

218
–

218

2016
Company
$’000

218
–

218

Cost at 31 March 2015
Additions during the year
Disposals during the year

Cost at 31 March 2016

Additions during the year
Disposals during the year

Cost at 31 March 2017

Depreciation at 31 March 2015
Charge for the year
Disposals during the year

Depreciation at 31 March 2016

Charge for the year
Disposals during the year

Depreciation at 31 March 2017

Net book value at 31 March 2016

Net book value at 31 March 2017

197
–
(167)

30

–
–

30

132

(102)

30

–
–

30

–

–

11. Investments in subsidiaries

Cost at the beginning of the year
Additions during the year

Cost at the end of the year

38 VAST RESOURCES

The principal subsidiaries of Vast Resources plc, all of which are included in these consolidated Annual Financial
Statements, are as follows:

Company

African Consolidated Resources 
PTC Limited (note i)
African Consolidated Resources 
SRL

Canape Investments (Private) 
Limited
Dallaglio Investments (Private) 
Limited (note ii)
Millwall International 
Investments Limited
Moorestown Limited

Sinarom Mining Group 
SRL (note ii)
Vast Resources Romania Ltd

Country of
registration

BVI

Class

Romania

Proportion
held
by group
2017

Proportion 
held by 
group
2016

Nature of 
business

–%

–%

Nominee company

Ordinary

80%

80%

Zimbabwe

Ordinary

100%

100%

Zimbabwe

Ordinary

50%

50%

BVI

BVI

Ordinary

100%

100%

Ordinary

100%

100%

Romania

Ordinary

50.1%

50.1%

United 
Kingdom

Ordinary

100%

100%

Mining exploration and
development
Mining exploration and
development
Mining exploration and
development
Holding company

Mining exploration and
development
Mining exploration and
development
Holding company

The table above shows the principal subsidiaries of the Company. A full list of all group subsidiaries is given in
Note 29, at the end of this report.

Notes

i. The Company has effective control of this entity.

ii. The Company has effective control of this entity by virtue of its casting vote.

iii. See note 28 for details of post reporting date events concerning the Company’s holding in this subsidiary.

12. Loans to Group companies
Loans to Group companies are repayable on demand, subject to relevant exchange control approvals being
obtained. The treatment of this balance as non-current reflects the Company’s expectation of the timing of
receipt.

13. Business combinations during the year

Sinarom Mining Group
On 22 July 2015 the Group acquired 50.1% of the voting equity instruments of Sinarom Mining Group SA (SMG),
a Romanian company whose principal activity is ownership and operation of the Manaila mine in Romania. The
principal reason for this acquisition was to expand the Group’s mining operations.

This acquisition was reported in the year to 31 March 2016 and included a restatement of the value of the
underlying property, plant and equipment in accordance with the best estimates of management at the time.
In the current year a professional valuation of the Company’s assets has been undertaken which results in this
previous re-statement being reduced. The resultant impairment of $575,254 has been treated as an impairment
of value in the current year.

VAST RESOURCES  39

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

13. Business combinations during the year continued

Details of the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, purchase consideration and gain arising,
as reported in the year to 31 March 2016, are as follows:  

Property, plant and equipment
Mining asset
Inventories
Receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Less: Payables

Net assets

Non-Controlling interest therein (49.9%)
Fair value of consideration paid - Cash
Gain on business combination

14. Inventory

Minerals held for sale 
Production stockpiles 
Consumable stores 

Year to 31 March 2016

Book value
$’000

Adjustment
$’000

Fair value
$’000

1,448
943
68
432
1

2,892
(2,892)

–

985
(943)
–
–
–

–

2,433
–
68
432
1

2,934
(2,892)

42

21
–
21

Mar 2017
Group
$’000

1,369 
606 
836 

2,811 

Mar 2016
Group
$’000

595 
510 
807 

1,912 

Mar 2017
Company
$’000

Mar 2016
Company
$’000

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

There is no material difference between the replacement cost of stocks and the amount stated above.

Mar 2017
Group
$’000

Mar 2016
Group
$’000

Mar 2017
Company
$’000

Mar 2016
Company
$’000

101 
694 
457 
1,677 
3,031 

5,960 

14 
998 
–
659 
2,225 

3,896 

–
181
–
1,425 
–

1,606 

–
412 
–
–
–

412 

15. Receivables

Trade receivables 
Other receivables 
Short term loans 
Prepayments 
VAT 

40 VAST RESOURCES

At 31 March 2017:

Trade receivables
Other receivables

At 31 March 2016:

Trade receivables
Other receivables

Carrying
amount 
before
deducting
any
impairment
loss

110
694

804

Carrying
amount 
before
deducting
any
impairment
loss

1,151 
1,198 

2,349 

Of which: not impaired as at 
31 March 2017 and past due 
in the following periods:

Of which: 
Neither
impaired
Net nor past due
on 31 March
2017

carrying
amount

Related
impairment
loss

9
–

9

101
694

795

–
198

198

More than
three
months
and not 
more than
six months

–
210

210

Not 
more than
three 
months

101
3

104

More than 
six months

–
283

283

Of which: not impaired as at 
31 March 2016 and past due 
in the following periods:

Of which: 
Neither
impaired
Net nor past due
on 31 March
2016

carrying
amount

14 
998 

14 
998 

1,012 

1,012 

More than
three
months
and not 
more than
six months

–
–

–

Not 
more than
three 
months

–
–

–

More than 
six months

–
–

–

Related
impairment
loss

1,137
200 

1,337 

At the reporting date, of the total amount carried as VAT receivable, $2,374,058 relates to subsidiary companies
in Zimbabwe where the ongoing fiscal crisis experienced by the State manifests itself in long delays in recovering
input tax from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). Of this $2,374,058, $247,582 is due to Canape
Investments (Private) Limited (Canape) where it is part of an ongoing dispute with ZIMRA as to the allowability
of the input tax. This dispute dates back to 2011 and has thus far resulted in the recovery of over $500,000 of
allowable input tax, of which the balance due is subject to gaining final approval from ZIMRA.

While ZIMRA did issue assessments for VAT totalling $2,998,363 in January 2017, Canape did lodge objections
to these assessments and Canape and its professional advisors in Zimbabwe are of the opinion that this objection
has de facto been allowed, and that the likelihood of eventually recovering this amount is good, although there
does remain some uncertainty as to the date by which the amount will ultimately be refunded.

Of the amount of $2,126,476 due to Breckridge Investments (Private) Limited, $1,430,483 is past due for
repayment, with $324,481 being overdue for more than 12 months. The overdue amount was received in full
in July 2017.

At  the  reporting  date,  of  the  total  amount  carried  as  VAT  receivable,  $484,101  relates  to  the  Romanian
subsidiary, African Consolidated Resources SRL (‘AFCR’), which company expects to receive the association
mining licence at Baita Plai. The Romanian Revenue Authority has confirmed that this will be repaid subject to
their normal audit procedures, when the association mining licence is in hand. Legal advice received by AFCR is
that the VAT is repayable in any event.

16. Available for sale investments
Available for sale investments comprise shares in quoted companies

VAST RESOURCES  41

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

17. Loans and borrowings

Non-current 
Secured borrowings 
Unsecured borrowings 
less amounts payable in less than 12 months 

Current
Bank overdrafts 
Unsecured borrowings 
Current portion of long term borrowings 

Total loans and borrowings 

Non-current secured borrowings consist of:

Mar 2017
Group
$’000

Mar 2016
Group
$’000

Mar 2017
Company
$’000

Mar 2016
Company
$’000

4,839 
–
(1,673)

3,166 

859 
1,403 
1,673 

3,935 

7,101 

1,978 
127 
(1,194)

911 

1,766 
1,310 
1,194 

4,270 

5,181 

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

- 

–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–

- 

(i)

(ii)

$1,656,042 loan from a third party secured by a pledge of the Group’s shareholding in its subsidiary
company, Canape Investments (Private) Limited. The loan bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum. The
loan is repayable in four equal six-monthly amounts commencing in April 2016. The loan was repaid in full
on 6 July 2017.

$3,106,182 loan from a third party secured by a pledge over the Company’s shareholding in all its operating
subsidiaries in Zimbabwe and Romania. The loan bears interest at 12% per annum and is repayable by
March 2021. A further $1,000,000 of this facility was drawn down after the reporting date.

(iii) $76,642 asset financing loans secured on the underlying movable assets belonging to ACR SRL.

Current unsecured borrowing consists of:

(i)

(ii)

$1,150,000 loan from the non-controlling interest in Dallaglio Investments (Private) Limited, the operating
company for the Pickstone Peerless Gold Mine.

$172,557 loans from the non-controlling interests in African Consolidated Resources SRL, the holder of
the rights to the Baita Plai Mine.

(iii) $79,772 short term bank loan to Sinarom Mining Group SRL, which is under dispute.

The loans from the non-controlling interests are interest free and have no fixed terms of repayment.

The overdraft is held in Breckridge Investments (Private) Limited. It bears interest at 12% per annum and is
secured  by  a  Special  Notarial  General  Covering  Bond  over  the  plant  and  equipment  of  the  Company,  and
guarantees given by the shareholders, which includes Canape Investments (Private) Limited.

18. Trade and other payables

Trade payables 
Other payables 
Other taxes and social security taxes 
Accrued expenses 

42 VAST RESOURCES

Mar 2017
Group
$’000

Mar 2016
Group
$’000

Mar 2017
Company
$’000

Mar 2016
Company
$’000

5,784 
1,325 
237 
85 

7,431 

3,491 
2,259 
681 
298 

6,729 

–
447 
–
–

447 

–
351 
–
–

351 

At 31 March 2017:

Trade payables
Other payables

At 31 March 2016:

Trade payables
Other payables

19. Provisions

Ageing of amounts payable: amounts due for:

Amount

30 days

60 days

90 days

120 days

5,784
1,325

4,145
1,010

217
14

44
18

17
14

Ageing of amounts payable: amounts due for:

Amount

30 days

60 days

90 days

120 days

3,491
2,259 

1,988 
548 

237 
11 

30 
11

146 
34

150 days 
or more

1,361
269

150 days 
or more

1,090 
1,655 

Provision for rehabilitation of mining properties
– Provision brought forward from previous years
– Liability recognised during year

Mar 2017
Group
$’000

Mar 2016
Group
$’000

Mar 2017
Company
$’000

Mar 2016
Company
$’000

954
141

1,095

–
954

954

–
–

–

–
–

–

As more fully set out in the Statement of Accounting Policies on page 29, the Group provides for the cost of
the rehabilitation of a mining property on the cessation of mining. Provision for this cost is recognised from the
commencement of mining activities.

This provision accounts for the estimated full cost to rehabilitate the mines at both Manaila and Pickstone
Peerless according to good practice guidelines in the country where the mine is located, which may involve
more than the stipulated minimum legal commitment. When accounting for the provision the Group recognises
a provision for the full cost to rehabilitate the mine and a matching asset accounted for within the non-current
mining asset.

20. Financial instruments – risk management

Significant accounting policies
Details of the significant accounting policies in respect of financial instruments are disclosed on pages 24-29.
The Group’s financial instruments comprise available for sale investments (note 16), cash and items arising
directly from its operations such as other receivables, trade payables and loans.

Financial risk management
The Board seeks to minimise its exposure to financial risk by reviewing and agreeing policies for managing each
financial risk and monitoring them on a regular basis. No formal policies have been put in place in order to hedge
the Group and Company’s activities to the exposure to currency risk or interest risk; however the Board will
consider this periodically. No derivatives or hedges were entered into during the year. 

The Group and Company is exposed through its operations to the following financial risks:

•
•
•

Credit risk
Market risk (includes cash flow interest rate risk and foreign currency risk)
Liquidity risk 

VAST RESOURCES  43

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

20. Financial instruments – risk management continued

The policy for each of the above risks is described in more detail below.

The principal financial instruments used by the Group, from which financial instruments risk arises are as follow:

•
•
•
•

Receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other payables (excluding other taxes and social security) and loans
Available for sale investments

The table below sets out the carrying value of all financial instruments by category and where applicable shows
the valuation level used to determine the fair value at each reporting date. The fair value of all financial assets
and financial liabilities is not materially different to the book value.

Loans and receivables
Cash and cash equivalents 
Receivables 
Loans to Group Companies 
Available for sale financial assets
Available for sale investments (valuation level 1) 
Other liabilities
Trade and other payables (excl short term loans) 
Loans and borrowings 

2017
Group
$’000

1,326 
5,960 
–

10 

7,431 
7,101 

2016
Group
$’000

831 
3,896 
–

8 

6,728 
5,181 

2017
Company
$’000

1,239 
1,606 
35,962 

5 

447 
–

2016
Company
$’000

615 
412 
33,963 

5 

351 
–

Credit risk
Financial assets, which potentially subject the Group and the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist
principally of cash, short-term deposits and other receivables. Cash balances are all held at recognised financial
institutions. Other receivables are presented net of allowances for doubtful receivables. Other receivables
currently form an insignificant part of the Group’s and the Company’s business and therefore the credit risks
associated with them are also insignificant to the Group and the Company as a whole.

The Company has a credit risk in respect of inter-company loans to subsidiaries. The recoverability of these
balances is dependent on the commercial viability of the exploration activities undertaken by the respective
subsidiary companies. The credit risk of these loans is managed as the directors constantly monitor and assess
the viability and quality of the respective subsidiary’s investments in intangible mining assets.

Inter-company  loan  amounts  between  the  holding  company  and  its  Zimbabwean  subsidiary,  Canape
Investments, are subject to credit risk in so far as the Zimbabwe’s exchange control regulations, which change
from time to time, may prevent timeous settlement.

Maximum exposure to credit risk
The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk by category of financial instrument is shown in the table below:

2017
Carrying 
value
$’000 

1,326 
5,960 

2017
Maximum
exposure
$’000 

1,551 
5,477 

2016
Carrying
value
$’000 

831 
3,896 

2016
Maximum
exposure
$’000 

831 
3,896 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Receivables 

44 VAST RESOURCES

The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk by class of financial instrument is shown in the table below:

Cash and cash equivalents 
Receivables 
Loans to Group Companies * 

2017
Carrying 
value
$’000 

1,239 
1,606 
35,962 

2017
Maximum
exposure
$’000 

1,478 
1,606 
38,135 

2016
Carrying
value
$’000 

615 
412 
33,963 

2016
Maximum
exposure
$’000 

615 
412 
33,963 

*Net of impairment charges on advances to Group companies of $8.5 million (2016 – $8.5 million) 

Market risk

Cash flow interest rate risk
The  Group  has  adopted  a  non-speculative  policy  on  managing  interest  rate  risk.  Only  approved  financial
institutions with sound capital bases are used to borrow funds and for the investments of surplus funds. 

The Group and the Company seeks to obtain a favourable interest rate on its cash balances through the use of
bank deposits. At the reporting date, the Group had a cash balance of $1.326 million (2016: $0.831 million)
which was made up as follows:

Sterling 
United States Dollar 
Euro 
Lei (Romania) 

2017
Group
$’000 

692 
612 
2 
20 

1,326 

2016
Group
$’000 

437 
351 
1 
42 

831 

At the reporting date, the Company had a cash balance of $1.239 million (2016: $0.615 million) which was made
up as follows:

Sterling 
United States Dollar 
Euro 
Lei (Romania) 

2017
Company
$’000 

2016
Company
$’000 

691 
547 
1 
–

1,239 

437 
177 
1 
–

615 

The Group had interest bearing debts at the current year end of $5.698 million (2016: $3.744 million). These
are made up as follows:

Secured long term loans
Bank overdraft

Interest 
rate

12%
12%

These loans are repayable as follows:
– Within 1 year
– Between 1 and 2 years
– In more than 2 years

2017
Group
$’000

4,839
859

5,698

2,532
16
3,150

2016
Group 
$’000

1,978
1,766

3,744

2,651
1,093
–

2017
Company
$’000

2016
Company
$’000

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–

VAST RESOURCES  45

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

20. Financial instruments – risk management continued

Foreign currency risk
Foreign exchange risk is inherent in the Group’s and the Company’s activities and is accepted as such. The
majority of the Group’s expenses are denominated in United States Dollars and therefore foreign currency
exchange risk arises where any balance is held or costs are incurred, in currencies other than United States
Dollars. At 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2016, the currency exposure of the Group was as follows:

At 31 March 2017 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other payables 
Available for sale investments 

At 31 March 2016 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other payables 
Available for sale investments 

Sterling 
$’000 

US Dollar 
$’000 

692 
110 
(240)
–

437 
82 
(249)
–

612 
4,776 
(4,028)
10 

351 
2,182 
(1,108)
8 

Euro 
$’000 

2 
–
(54)
–

1 
–
–
–

Other 
$’000 

20 
1,074 
(3,109)
–

42 
1,632 
(6,840)
–

Total 
$’000 

1,326 
5,960 
(7,431)
10 

831 
3,896 
(8,197)
8 

The effect of a 10% strengthening of Sterling against the US dollar at the reporting date, all other variables
held constant, would have resulted in decreasing post tax losses by $56,690 (2016: $27,159 increase). Conversely
the effect of a 10% weakening of Sterling against the US dollar at the reporting date, all other variables held
constant, would have resulted in increasing post tax losses by $56,690 (2016: $27,159 decrease).

At 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2016, the currency exposure of the Company was as follows:

At 31 March 2017 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Loans to Group companies 
Trade and other payables 
Available for sale investments 

At 31 March 2016 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Other receivables 
Loans to Group companies 
Trade and other payables 
Available for sale investments 

Sterling 
$’000 

US Dollar 
$’000 

692 
85 
201 
(240) 
5 

437 
82 
69 
(250)
5 

546 
1,521 
34,717 
(207) 
–

177 
330 
32,779 
(101)
–

Euro 
$’000 

1 
–
1,044 
–
–

1 
–
1,115 
–
–

Other 
$’000 

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

Total 
$’000 

1,239 
1,606 
35,962 
(447) 
5 

615 
412 
33,963 
(351)
5 

Liquidity risk
Any borrowing facilities are negotiated with approved financial institutions at acceptable interest rates. All
assets and liabilities are at fixed and floating interest rate. The Group and the Company seeks to manage its
financial risk to ensure that sufficient liquidity is available to meet the foreseeable needs both in the short and
long term. See also references to Going Concern disclosures in the Strategic Report on page 10.

As set out in Note 18, of the consolidated trade and other payables balance of $7.109 million, $5.386 million is
due for payment within 60 days of the reporting date. 

46 VAST RESOURCES

Capital
The objective of the directors is to maximise shareholder returns and minimise risks by keeping a reasonable
balance between debt and equity. In previous years the Company and Group has minimised risk by being purely
equity financed. In the current year, the Group has assumed debt risk but has kept the net debt amount as low
as possible.

The Group’s debt to equity ratio is 17.2% (2016: 15.5%), calculated as follows:

Loans and borrowings
Less: cash and cash equivalents
Net debt
Total equity
Debt to capital ratio (%)

21. Share capital

As at 31 March 2015
Issued during the year *

As at 31 March 2016
Issued during the year *

As at 31 March 2017

2017
$000’s

7,101
(1,326)
5,775
33,508
17.2%

Ordinary 0.1p
No of 
shares

Nominal
value

Deferred 0.9p
No of
shares

Nominal
value

1,358,647,327 
721,261,269

2,079,908,596
2,583,495,863

2,183 
1,072

3,255
3,315

863,562,664 
-

863,562,664
-

4,663,404,459

6,570

863,562,664

12,852 
-

12,852
-

12,852

2016
$’000

5,181 
(831)
4,350 
27,980 
15.5%

Share
premium

66,105 
5,547

71,652
3,150

74,802

* Details of the shares issued during the year are as shown in the table below and in the Statement of Changes of Equity on pages 20-21.

There were no shares reserved for issue under share options at 31 March 2017 (2016:13,970,022). The number
of shares held by the EBT at 31 March 2017 was 32,500,000 (2016: 32,500,000), see note 22 for additional details
about the EBT.

The deferred shares carry no rights to dividends or to participate in any way in the income or profits of the
Company. They may receive a return of capital equal to the amount paid up on each deferred share after the
ordinary shares have received a return of capital equal to the amount paid up on each ordinary share plus
£10,000,000 on each ordinary share, but no further right to participate in the assets of the Company. The
Company may, subject to the Statutes, acquire all or any of the deferred shares at any time for no consideration.
The deferred shares carry no votes.

The ordinary shares carry all the rights normally attributed to ordinary shares in a company subject to the rights
of the deferred shares.

See also Note 28 on page 57-58 for details of share issues after the reporting date.

Date of issue

2016
10 Aug 2015
20 Aug 2015
12 Oct 2015
12 Oct 2015
16 Oct 2015
16 Oct 2015
8 Jan 2016
11 Jan 2016
11 Mar 2016

Number
of shares

Issue
price
(pence)

Purpose of issue

107,701,662
7,000,000
3,000,000
4,500,000
154,649,140
23,097,237
156,250,000
62,500,000
50,000,000

1.2
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.8
0.8
0.8

Issued for cash – general placing .
Exercise of warrants
Exercise of warrants
Exercise of warrants
Settle loan repayment
Settle liabilities
Issued for cash – Crede Capital.
Issued for cash – Managers’ placing.
Issued for cash – general placing

VAST RESOURCES  47

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

21. Share capital continued

Date of issue

24 Mar 2016
24 Mar 2016
30 Mar 2016

7 Apr 2016
12 Apr 2016
14 Apr 2016
25 Apr 2016
19 May 2016
27 Jun 2016
8 Jul 2016
11 Jul 2016
2 Aug 2016

17 Aug 2016
17 Aug 2016
17 Aug 2016
29 Sep 2016
13 Oct 2016
13 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016

3 Nov 2016

15 Nov 2016

21 Nov 2016

24 Nov 2016

25 Nov 2016
25 Nov 2016
28 Nov 2016

29 Nov 2016

9 Dec 2016
30 Dec 2016
22 Feb 2017
28 Feb 2017
6 Mar 2017
27 Mar 2017

28 Mar 2017

48 VAST RESOURCES

Issue
price
(pence)

Purpose of issue

0.1
0.1
0.1

Exercise of warrants - Crede Capital
Exercise of warrants - Crede Capital
Exercise of warrants - Crede Capital

Number
of shares

52,509,000
81,535,714
18,518,516

721,261,269

120,000,000
55,555,550
60,140,493
60,000,000
84,284,277
76,111,100
37,037,036
300,000,001
181,992,582

101,719,298
16,153,846
26,315,789
120,691
122,120
47,619,046
31,853,636
428,571,428

0.1
0.24
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.63
0.285
0.285

0.285
0.26
0.285
0.5
0.5
0.28
0.1
0.21

105,263,158

0.19

58,823,529

0.17

66,666,666

0.15

66,666,666

0.15

77,596
127,548,940
139,000,000

0.5
0.1
0.15

134,040,666

0.15

376,409
129,716,169
12,500,000
37,500,000
25,000,000
52,631,578

87,593

2,583,495,863

0.5
0.1
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.5

0.5

Exercise of warrants - Crede Capital
Issued for cash to investors
Exercise of warrants - Crede Capital
Exercise of warrants - Crede Capital
Exercise of warrants - Crede Capital
Exercise of warrants by investors
Issued for cash to investors
Issued for cash – general placing
Issued for cash - open offer to existing
shareholders
Issued for cash – supplementary placing
Settle liabilities
Placing shares issued to broker
Exercise of open offer warrants
Exercise of open offer warrants
Issued for cash to investors
Exercise of management warrants
Loan Notes converted by 
Bracknor Fund Ltd
Loan Notes converted by 
Bracknor Fund Ltd
Loan Notes converted by 
Bracknor Fund Ltd
Loan Notes converted by 
Bracknor Fund Ltd
Loan Notes converted by 
Bracknor Fund Ltd
Exercise of open offer warrants
Exercise of warrants by investors
Loan Notes converted by 
Bracknor Fund Ltd
Loan Notes converted by 
Bracknor Fund Ltd
Exercise of open offer warrants
Exercise of management warrants
Exercise of warrants - Bracknor Fund Ltd
Exercise of warrants - Bracknor Fund Ltd
Exercise of warrants - Bracknor Fund Ltd
Exercise of placing warrants issued 
to broker
Exercise of open offer warrants

All issues during the year were for the
purpose of provision of additional funds
for opportunities in Romania and for
general corporate purposes

Crede Capital financing agreement
As  reported  in  the  report  for  the  year  to  31  March  2016,  on  4  January  2016  the  entered  into  a  financing
agreement with Crede CG III Limited (Crede) by which Crede would subscribe for new ordinary shares of 0.1p
each in the Company in order to raise up to £5.0 million. In addition to the new ordinary shares Crede would
also receive one warrant for each share issued, which warrant would entitle it either to one share at a price of
130% of the issue price of the shares to which the warrant related or to a number of shares to be determined
by a calculation based on a Black Scholes valuation of the shares at the time of exercise. 

In January 2016 the first tranche of funding was executed and the initial 156,250,000 new Ordinary Shares had
been issued together with 156,250,000 warrants. As at 31 March 2016 Crede had exercised 70,745,774 warrants
and held 85,504,226 unexercised warrants. These were all exercised during the current year, as detailed in the
table above.

On 5 April 2016, the Company announced that it was withholding its consent to the issue of the second tranche
of shares and warrants, as this would result in Crede exceeding the 25% shareholding limit contained in the
agreement. 

On 1 July 2016, at the General Meeting of the Company held on that date to seek approval from members for
authority to issue further shares to Crede in the course of the third tranche of the agreement, the shareholders
voted not to consent to the increase of capital required. This gave the Company the right to terminate the
agreement which right the Company then exercised.

Directors and Management financing agreement
As previously reported, on 6 January 2016 the Directors of the Company, together with certain senior managers,
subscribed an aggregate amount of £0.5 million on the same terms as agreed with Crede; 62,500,000 new
Ordinary Shares were issued by the Company together with 62,500,000 warrants.

As at 31 March 2016, 11,356,077 of these warrants had been exercised and 18,518,516 new ordinary Shares
issued. At 31 March 2016, the Directors and senior managers held 51,143,923 unexercised warrants; of these,
a total of 36,560,673 were exercised during the current year, as detailed in the table above.

At 31 March 2017, the Directors and senior managers held 5,208,313 unexercised warrants.

Existing shareholders financing agreement

As  reported  in  the  report  for  the  year  to  31  March  2016,  on  4  March  2016  the  Company  entered  into  an
agreement with a number of existing shareholders (the “Investors”) for their subscription for up to £0.8 million,
on similar terms as agreed with Crede. The investments was to be in four tranches, on 4 March 2016; 3 April
2016; 4 July 2016 and 3 October 2016 respectively.

The first tranche of £400,000 resulted in 50,000,000 new Ordinary Shares and 50,000,000 warrants being issued
by the Company. At 31 March 2016 the Investors had exercised the 50,000,000 warrants, exchanging them for
81,535,714 new ordinary Shares; at 31 March 2016 the Investors had no unexercised warrants remaining from
the initial subscription.

The second, third and fourth tranches of the arrangement proceeded as agreed. A total of 140,211,632 shares
were subscribed for; in addition 140,211,632 warrants were issued. Of these, 133,597,871 were exercised before
31 March 2017. The total funds raised in the three tranches was £603,661

At 31 March 2017 there remained 6,613,756 warrants unexercised by these investors.

Bracknor Fund financing arrangement
On 11 October 2016, the Company announced it had entered into an agreement with Bracknor Fund Limited
(“Bracknor”) under which Bracknor subscribed for US$2 million convertible Loan Notes in the Company, with a
commitment by Bracknor to provide a further US$3.0 million, in tranches of US$1.0 million, if requested.

VAST RESOURCES  49

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

21. Share capital continued

The Loan Notes were unsecured, interest free and may be capable of conversion into ordinary shares in the
Company at any time during a 12-month conversion period immediately following the Subscription, at a price
equal to 90% of the lowest average price of the Shares in the five business days immediately preceding the
conversion date. In addition, warrants were to be issued to Bracknor exercisable at 130% of the lowest Average
Price of Shares in the five business days immediately preceding the issue of the Loan Notes.

The funds realised from the Subscription were to be applied to the ongoing refinement to the zinc production
line at Manaila, ongoing drilling to expand the maiden JORC resource at Manaila, the drilling, evaluation and
design of the Faneata Tailings Dam reprocessing facility, the initial payments associated with the Baita Plai
Mining sub-licence, once granted, and the general corporate overheads of the Company.

The Loan Notes, together with 80,425,000 warrants, were issued on 10 October 2016.

The Loan Notes were converted between 26 October 2016 and 29 November 2016, as more fully detailed in
the table above. Bracknor exercised a total of 75,000,000 warrants, being issued a total of 300,000,000 shares,
between 22 February 2017 and 6 March 2017. As at 31 March 2017, a total of 5,450,000 warrants are still
unexercised.

The  charges  arising  from  the  issue  of  warrants  in  connection  with  all  of  the  foregoing  four  financing
arrangements have been accounted for and the charge in respect of these warrants has been recognised.

22. Share based payments

Equity – settled share based payments
The Company has granted share options and warrants to directors, staff and consultants. 

In June 2015, the Company also established a Share Appreciation Scheme to incentivise directors and senior
executives.  The  basis  of  the  Scheme  is  to  grant  a  fixed  number  of  ‘share  appreciation  rights’  (SARs)  to
participants. Each SAR is credited rights to receive at the discretion of the Company ordinary shares in the
Company or cash to a value of the difference in the value of a share at the date of exercise of rights and the
value at date of grant. The SARS are subject to various performance conditions.

The tables below reconcile the opening and closing number of SARs in issue at each reporting date:

Exercise
price
Options

0.8p
0.8p

Exercise
price
Options

0.8p
0.8p

In issue 
at 31 March
2016

57,000,000
40,000,000

97,000,000

In issue 
at 31 March
2015

Issued during Lapsed during
year

year

Exercised
during year

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

Issued during Lapsed during
year

year

Exercised
during year

–
–

–

57,000,000
40,000,000

97,000,000

–
–

–

–
–

–

In issue 
at 31 March
2017

57,000,000
40,000,000

97,000,000

In issue 
at 31 March
2016

57,000,000
40,000,000

97,000,000

Final exercise date

March 2019
March 2020

Final exercise date

March 2019
March 2020

50 VAST RESOURCES

The tables below reconcile the opening and closing number of share options and warrants in issue at each
reporting date:

Exercise
price
Options

0.5p
2.0p
Warrants
0.4p
0.5p
0.5p
0.5p
variable
variable

Exercise
price
Options

0.5p
0.5p
0.6p
2.0p
4.0p
5.0p
5.0p
5.0p
5.0p
5.0p
10.0p
Warrants
0.5p
variable

In issue 
at 31 March
2016

6,809,709
500,000

–
6,659,903
–
–
136,648,149

Issued during Lapsed during
year

year

Exercised
during year

–
–

6,809,709
500,000

–
–

In issue 
at 31 March
2017

–
–

Final exercise date

80,425,000
–
617,834,687
13,340,097
–
140,211,632

–
–
–
–
–
–

75,000,000
–
53,415,987
–
122,064,899
133,597,876

5,425,000
6,659,903
564,418,700
13,340,097
14,583,250
6,613,756

October 2019
December 2017
June 2019
December 2017
January 2021
March 2021

150,617,761

851,811,416

7,309,709

384,078,762

611,040,706

In issue 
at 31 March
2015

8,403,709
10,000,000
4,500,000
500,000
2,000,000
15,000,000
5,000,000
2,500,000
3,500,000
1,500,000
5,000,000

Issued during Lapsed during
year

year

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
2,000,000
15,000,000
5,000,000
2,500,000
3,500,000
1,500,000
5,000,000

Exercised
during year

1,593,590
10,000,000
4,500,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

In issue 
at 31 March
2016

6,809,709
-
-
500,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Final exercise date

December 2016

December 2016

6,659,903
-

-
268,750,000

-

-
132,101,851

6,659,903
136,648,149

December 2017
January 2021

64,563,612

268,750,000

34,500,000

148,195,441

150,617,761

Outstanding at the beginning of the year
Granted during the year
Lapsed during the year
Exercised during the year
Outstanding at the end of the year
Exercisable at the end of the year

2017

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
(pence)

0.70
0.12
0.55
0.39
0.44
0.44

Number

247,617,761
851,811,416
7,309,709
384,078,762
708,040,706
708,040,706

2016

Weighted
average
exercise price
(pence)

3.28
0.70
5.67
0.67
0.70
0.70

Number

64,563,612
315,750,000
34,500,000
148,195,441
247,617,761
207,618,171

The  weighted  average  remaining  lives  of  the  share  options  or  warrants  outstanding  at  the  end  of  the  period  is
28 months (2016: 50 months). All of the 708,040,706 options and warrants outstanding at 31 March 2017 are fully
vested in the holders and are exercisable at that date; in 2016, of the 247,617,761 options and warrants outstanding,
all were fully vested in the holders while 40,000,000 options were not yet exercisable.

VAST RESOURCES  51

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

22. Share based payments continued

Fair value of share options 
The fair values of share options and warrants granted have been calculated using the Black Scholes pricing model
which takes into account factors specific-to-share incentive plans such as the vesting periods of the plan, the expected
dividend yield of the Company’s shares and the estimated volatility of those shares. Based on the above assumptions,
the fair values of the options granted are estimated to be:

Share
Option or
Warrant
Value

variable
variable
0.5p
0.5p
0.5p
variable
0.5p
0.4p

Grant 
date

Apr 16
Jul-16
Jul-16
Aug-16
Aug-16
Oct-16
Oct-16
Oct-16

Share
price 
at date 
of grant

0.240p
0.360p
0.315p
0.265p
0.290p
0.280p
0.300p
0.320p

Vesting
periods

Mar-21
Mar-21
Jun-19
Jun-19
Jun-19
Mar-21
Dec-17
Oct-19

Volatility

Life
(years)

Dividend
yield

135%
135%
76%
76%
76%
135%
76%
76%

5.00
5.00
4.11
4.01
3.97
5.00
3.77
3.97

nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil

Risk free
interest
rate

1.5%
1.5%
0.63%
0.34%
0.34%
1.5%
0.18%
0.18%

Fair value

0.2055p
0.3082p
0.5670p
0.0522p
0.0664p
0.2397p
0.0677p
0.1012p

Volatility  has  been  based  on  historical  share  price  information.  A  higher  rate  of  volatility  is  used  when
determining the fair value of certain options in order to reflect the special conditions attached thereto

Based on the above fair values the expense arising from equity-settled share options and warrants made was
$1,648,400 (2016: $1,154,347).

Cash-settled share based payments
The directors of the Company have set up an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) in which a number of employees
and  directors  are  participants.  The  EBT  holds  shares  on  behalf  of  each  participant  until  such  time  as  the
participant exercises their right to require the EBT to sell the shares. On the sale of the shares the participant
receives the appreciation of the value in the shares above the market price on the date that the shares were
purchased by the EBT, subject to the first 5% in growth in the share price, on an annual compound basis, being
retained by the EBT. The participant pays 0.01p per share to acquire their rights. The table below sets out the
subscription price and the rights exercisable in respect of the EBT.

As set out in the EBT accounting policy note, the EBT has been included as part of the Company financial
statements and consolidated as part of the Group financial statements.

Exercise
price

Outstanding
at 31 March
2016

Exercised
during last
12 months

Lapsed
during Last
12 months

Granted
during last
12 months

Outstanding
at 31 March
2017

Date exercisable from

8.75p
8.75p
9.00p
9.00p
6.00p
6.00p

6,000,000
6,000,000
2,500,000
2,500,000
7,750,000
7,750,000

32,500,000

-
-
-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-
-
-
-

-

6,000,000
6,000,000
2,500,000
2,500,000
7,750,000
7,750,000

32,500,000

July 2010
July 2011
August 2011
August 2012
August 2012
August 2013

As at 31 March 2017 a total of 32,500,000 of the EBT participation rights were exercisable.

52 VAST RESOURCES

Exercise
price

Outstanding 
at 31 March
2015

Exercised
during last
12 months

Lapsed 
during last 
12 months

Granted
during last 
12 months

Outstanding 
at 31 March
2016

Date exercisable from

8.75p
8.75p
9.00p
9.00p
6.00p
6.00p

6,000,000
6,000,000
2,500,000
2,500,000
7,750,000
7,750,000

32,500,000

-
-
-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-
-
-
-

-

6,000,000
6,000,000
2,500,000
2,500,000
7,750,000
7,750,000

32,500,000

July 2010
July 2011
August 2011
August 2012
August 2012
August 2013

As at 31 March 2016 a total of 32,500,000 of the EBT participation rights were exercisable.

Fair value of EBT participant rights 
The fair values of the rights granted to participants under the EBT have been calculated using a Black Scholes
valuation model. Based on the assumptions set out in the table below, as well as the limitation on the growth
in share price attributable to the participants (as set out in the table above) the fair-values are estimated to be:

Rights exercisable from:

Jul 2010

Jul 2011

Aug 2011

Aug 2012

Aug 2012

Aug 2013

Grant date
Validity of grant 
Vesting periods

Share price at date of grant
Volatility
Dividend yield
Risk free investment rate
Fair value

Aug 2009
10 years
Aug 2009 –
Jul 2010
8.75p
51%
Nil
0.65%
Nil

Oct 2010
10 years

Aug 2009
10 years

Oct 2010
10 years
Aug 2009 – Oct 2010 – Oct 2010 –
Aug 2012
Aug 2011
9.00p
9.00p
51%
51%
Nil
Nil
0.65%
0.65%
Nil
Nil

Jul 2011
8.75p
51%
Nil
0.65%
Nil

Sep 2011
10 years
Sep 2011–
Aug 2012
6.00p
51%
Nil
0.65%
Nil

Sep 2011
10 years
Sep 2011–
Aug 2013
6.00p
51%
Nil
0.65%
Nil

The group has recorded liabilities in respect of the EBT of $nil and $nil in 2016 and 2017. Fair value of the EBT
is determined by using the Black Scholes model using the assumptions noted in the above table. The group
recorded total expenses of $nil and $nil in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The total intrinsic value at 31 December
2016 and 2017 was $nil and $nil, respectively.

Volatility has been calculated by reference to historical share price information.

Warrant and Share option expense

Warrant and share option expense:
– In respect of remuneration contracts
– In respect of financing arrangements

Total expense / (credit)

2016
Group
$’000

198
1,450

1,648

2015
Group
$’000

723
2,645

3,368

23. Reserves
Details of the nature and purpose of each reserve within owners’ equity are provided below:

•
•

•

•

Share capital represents the nominal value at 0.1p each of the shares in issue.
Share premium represents the balance of consideration received net of fund raising costs in excess of the
par value of the shares.
The share options reserve represents the accumulated balance of share benefit charges recognised in
respect of share options granted by the Company, less transfers to retained losses in respect of options
exercised or lapsed.
The foreign currency translation reserve represents cumulative foreign exchange differences arising from
the translation of the Financial Statements of foreign subsidiaries; this reserve is not distributable by way
of dividends.

VAST RESOURCES  53

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

23. Reserves continued

•

•

•

The available for sale reserve represents the gains/(losses) arising on recognising financial assets classified
as available for sale at fair value.
The EBT reserve has been recognised in respect of the shares in the Company purchased by the EBT; the
reserve serves to offset against the increased share capital and share premium arising from the Company
effectively purchasing its own shares.
The retained deficit reserve represents the cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the Group
statement of comprehensive income.

24. Non-controlling Interests
Breckridge Investments (Private) Limited is a 50% owned subsidiary of the Company that has material non-
controlling interests (NCI). Control is exercised by the Group by virtue of a casting vote held by the Chairman of
the Company, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Group.

African Consolidated Resources SRL is an 80% owned subsidiary of the Company which also has a NCI. This
follows the merger of this company with Mineral Mining in February 2016

Sinarom Mining Group SA is a 50.1% owned subsidiary of the Company which also has a NCI.

Summarised financial information for these three entities, before intra-group eliminations, is presented below
together with amounts attributable to NCI:

Breckridge 
Investments
$’000

African
Consolidated
Resources
SRL
$’000

Sinarom
Mining
Group SA
$’000

21,137 
(13,635)
7,502 
(1,418)
6,084 
61 
6,145 
(1,193)
4,952 
(2,427)

7,231 
(6,320)
–
911 

–
–
–
(563)
(563)
–
(563)
–
(563)
11 

(364)
(1,211)
1,506 
(69)

2,630 
(3,746)
(1,116)
(1,461) 
(2,578)
–
(2,578)
–
(2,578)
1,540 

(1,914)
(1,235)
3,175 
26 

Total NCI
$’000

23,767 
(17,381)
6,386 
(3,442)
2,943 
61 
3,004 
(1,193)
1,811 
(876)

4,953 
(8,766)
4,681 
868 

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

10,764 
465 
2,065 
3,054 
22 

3,044 
4,204 
14,040 

5,399 
–
14 
640 
1 

5,894 
1,361 
250 

3,890 
–
733 
459 
31 

7,292 
2,053 
(1,897)

20,053 
465 
2,811 
4,153 
54 

16,230 
7,618 
12,393 

For the year ended 31 March 2017

Revenue 
Cost of sales 
Gross profit (loss) 
Administrative expenses 
Operating profit (loss) 
Finance expense 
Profit (loss) before tax 
Tax expense / credit 
Profit (loss) after tax 
Total comprehensive profit (loss) allocated to NCI 

Cash flows from operating activities 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Net cash inflows/(outflows) 

As at 31 March 2017
Assets:

Property plant and equipment 
Deferred tax asset 
Inventory 
Receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Liabilities: 

Loans and other borrowings 
Trade and other payables 
Accumulated non-controlling interests 

54 VAST RESOURCES

Breckridge 
Investments
$’000

African
Consolidated
Resources
SRL
$’000

Sinarom
Mining
Group SA
$’000

5,388 
(4,172)
1,216 
(1,708)
(492)
(130)
(622)
1,658 
1,036 
473 

(978)
(5,395)
4,571 
(1,802)

–
–
–
(630)
(630)
–
(630)
–
(630)
432 

(509)
(1,907)
1,575 
(841)

1,812 
(1,436)
376 
(1,122)
(746)
–
(746)
–
(746)
(377)

(1,471)
(1,759)
3,234 
4 

Total NCI
$’000

7,200 
(5,608)
1,592 
(3,460)
(1,868)
(130)
(1,998)
1,658 
(340)
528 

(2,958)
(9,061)
9,380 
(2,639)

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

–
5,418 
1,658 
1,091 
1,594 
18 

2,916 
1,533 
11,614 

–
4,463 
–
126 
825 
70 

127 
2,885 
260 

–
3,929 
–
695 
808 
5 

86 
2,985 
(356)

–
13,810 
1,658 
1,912 
3,227 
93 

3,129 
7,403 
11,518 

For the year ended 31 March 2016

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross Profit (loss)
Administrative expenses
Operating loss
Finance expense
Loss before tax
Tax expense / credit
Profit (loss) after tax
Total comprehensive profit (loss) allocated to NCI

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Net cash inflows/(outflows)

As at 31 March 2016
Assets:
Intangible assets
Property plant and equipment
Deferred tax asset
Inventory
Receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Liabilities:

Loans and other borrowings
Payables
Accumulated non-controlling interests

25. Related party transactions

Company and group
Directors and key management emoluments are disclosed in notes 6 and 7.

Group
The non-controlling interest in African Consolidated Resources SRL, where 20% of the shareholding of the
subsidiary is held by third parties (the “AP Group”), consisting as to a majority of a director and senior executives
of the group, namely:

Roy Tucker
Andrew Prelea
Senior Romanian management
Non-related party

(Director)
(Executive)

2%
8%
2%
8%

At the reporting date, there was an amount owing by African Consolidated Resources SRL to the AP Group of
$117,303 (2016: $127,039)

At the reporting date, there was an amount owing by African Consolidated Resources SRL to the individual
related members of the AP Group, totalling $23,233 (2016: $79,934). 

VAST RESOURCES  55

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

25. Related party transactions continued

At the reporting date, there was an amount owing by African Consolidated Resources SRL to Ozone Homes SRL
(Ozone) of $52,448 (2016: $89,428) in respect of transactions undertaken by Ozone in 2014. Ozone is a company
controlled by Andrew Prelea, the senior Group executive in Romania. Since the reporting date US$39,000 of
the amount due to Ozone has been settled.

At the reporting date, there was an amount owing by Breckridge Investments (Private) Limited (Breckridge) to
Hopina  Investments  (Private)  Limited  (Hopina)  of  $1,150,000  (2016:  $1,150,000)  in  respect  of  plant  and
equipment disposed of to Breckridge at the commencement of operations at Pickstone Peerless Gold Mine.
Hopina is a company controlled by the non-controlling interest in Breckridge.

26. Contingent liabilities and capital commitments

Contingent liability – Zimbabwe Indigenisation
Indigenisation regulations extant stipulate that all Zimbabwean registered mining companies, with a net asset
value over a certain threshold transfer not less than 51% of their issued shares to indigenous persons within a
five-year period. These regulations are relevant to both Vast Resources Zimbabwe (Private) Limited and Canape
Investments (Private) Limited and their subsidiaries which are Group companies registered and operating in
Zimbabwe.

Following the profitability achieved from the operation of the Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine, these regulations
now  come  into  effect  in  respect  of  the  Group’s  subsidiary,  Breckridge  Investments  (Private)  Limited
(“Breckridge”). The company’s 50% partner, Grayfox Investments (Pvt) Ltd, has an approved indigenisation plan
in place and, on account of this, Breckridge has obtained a Certificate of Provisional Compliance under the
Indigenisation Regulations, which certificate is effective until 31 May 2018.

All other Zimbabwean companies in the Group were or are in a net liability position at the reporting date, due
to them being financed by loans from the holding or other group companies. As such the Directors believe that
there is currently no compulsion to affect any transfer of shareholding in these subsidiaries to any third party.
Counsel’s opinion supports this view. 

A  number  of  announcements  have  been  made  in  the  local  media  of  possible  amendments  to  the  current
regulations  which  are  intended  to  reassure  foreign  investors  in  the  Mining  Sector.  These  have  included
suggestions that local ownership of any mining company listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange would be
included in the calculation of any indigenous shareholding. Further, in April 2016 the President of Zimbabwe
made a public statement that foreign mining companies operating in Zimbabwe would now comply with the
Indigenisation law through retained earnings rather than through the transfer of a controlling 51% shareholding
to locals. Compliance with the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Policy would now be the retention
of value, in the form of wages, salaries, taxation, community ownership schemes and other activities such as
procurement  and  linkage  programmes.  However,  at  the  date  of  reporting  these  changes  have  not  been
incorporated into the relevant regulations and their final effect remains uncertain.

If the company’s Zimbabwean subsidiaries had to transfer equity interests to local indigenised parties this could
result  in  share  based  payment  charges  and/or  loss  of  control  of  the  subsidiaries.  The  full  effect  that  this
legislation might have on the operations of the Group is yet to be quantified and is subject to some uncertainty.
It is the Group’s stated policy that it will comply with the Indigenisation Regulations once they are clarified and
codified.

Contingent liability – Tax Investigation in Zimbabwe
On 25 January 2017, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority issued assessments for Value Added Tax, penalties and
interest against Canape Investments (Private) Limited (Canape) for a total of $2,998,363 for the years 2009 to
2015. Canape has entered a formal objection to these assessments. The management of Canape, advised by its
professional advisors, consider that little, if any, of the amounts assessed are due and that any amounts which
may become payable are fully provided for.

56 VAST RESOURCES

27. Litigation

Marange
In 2006 the Group registered several mining claims in Marange under shelf companies. At that time the Group
was not aware that the shelf companies had not actually been registered. In Zimbabwe the registration process
had started but the companies were only registered a short period after the claims were registered in their
names. After the registration of the claims 120,031.87 carats of diamonds were acquired from the claims. The
Zimbabwe Mining Commissioner subsequently cancelled the registration of the claims on the instructions of
the  Minister  of  Mines.  The  Group  instituted  proceedings  in  the  Zimbabwe  High  Court  challenging  the
cancellations of the registration of the claims. The Zimbabwe High Court handed down a judgement declaring
that the cancellations were invalid and that the Group legally held the claims. The High Court also ordered that
the diamonds, which had been seized from the Group’s offices in Harare, should be returned.

The Minister of Mines instructed the Attorney General to note an appeal to the Supreme Court. The appeal was
noted but the Attorney General renounced agency because he considered that there were no valid grounds of
appeal. The diamonds that were seized from the Group were not returned. They are being held in the vault of
the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

The Minister of Mines subsequently wrote to the High Court judge asking him to rescind his judgement on the
basis that the Group had fraudulently withheld information in order to get a favourable judgement. Although
the Judge had no jurisdiction to deal with the matter because it was on appeal to the Supreme Court, he did
issue a judgement rescinding his earlier judgement. The Group has appealed against that judgement. Legal
opinion is to the effect that the Rescission Judgement is fatally flawed. The Minister withdrew his appeal to the
Supreme Court so if the Supreme Court upholds the appeal against the Rescission Judgement the claims will
revert to the Group.

In 2010, soon after the issue of the Rescission Judgement, the Attorney General laid criminal charges against
the Group the allegations being that registration of the claims in the names of the non- registered companies
was prejudicial to the Ministry of Mines; alternatively, the Group was illegally in possession of the diamonds
above. The Group applied to the High Court for the charges to be quashed. More than 2 years later, in May 2013,
the Judge handed down his judgement. He ruled that he could not quash the charges and that the Group should
have applied for a stay of proceedings until the appeal had been determined. The suggested application has
since been made to the Attorney General. Legal opinion is to the effect that the possibility of conviction on any
of the charges is very remote. However, the Attorney General has now withdrawn the charges because, instead
of the charges being laid against the parent company or any active group subsidiary, they were laid against
African Consolidated Resources (Private) Limited, a company registered in Zimbabwe, which is a shelf company
and not a group company. It could not have been involved because it had no staff.

28. Events after the reporting date

Acquisition of remaining share of Sinarom Mining Group SRL
On 22 March 2017 the Company announced that it had concluded an agreement to acquire the remaining 49.9%
of  Sinarom  Mining  Group  SRL  (“Sinarom”)  through  which  the  Company  owns  its  interest  in  the  Manaila
Polymetallic Mine in Romania, thus increasing the Company’s ownership of the producing mine to 100%.

The  consideration  for  the  purchase  of  the  shares  and  outstanding  loan  account  owned  by  the  former
shareholder was US$1,135,000, with US$400,000 payable by 31 March 2017 and the balance of US$735,000 on
30 April 2017. Transfer of the shares was to take place on the making of the final payment. These payments
were made in due course and the shares transferred on 19 July 2017. From this date Sinarom has operated as
a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

Strategic investment in the Group
On 24 July 2017 the Company announced that it had entered into a conditional heads of terms relating to a
proposed two stage investment of up to US$10 million in Vast (‘the Proposed Investment’) by a corporate
finance and investment firm with significant experience and investments in Romania (the ‘Investor’).

VAST RESOURCES  57

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

28. Events after the reporting date continued

The Proposed Investment was subject to the rights of Sub-Sahara Goldia Investments (‘Sub-Sahara’) pursuant
to its loan agreement with the Company which gives Sub-Sahara a right to provide equivalent finance to the
Proposed Investment if the terms and conditions are the same. Sub-Sahara has exercised that right but has
indicated it wishes to work with the Investor to deliver a mutually investment and corporate strategy. 

On 13 September 2017 it was announced that Sub-Sahara had provided an additional $1.68 million on a 180 day
loan for payments in connection with the BPPM association licence. 

Disposal of non-controlling interest in subsidiary
On 30 May 2017 the Company announced that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe had approved the assignment
of 49.99% of the Company’s interest in its loan from its principal Zimbabwean subsidiary, Canape Investments
(Private) Limited. As a result, in accordance with the announcement of the made by the Company on 30 January
2017,  all  conditions  precedent  relating  to  the  agreement  to  dispose  of  a  non-controlling  portion  of  its
investment in the Pickstone-Peerless and Giant Gold mines had now been met and the disposal will therefore
be completed. The Group retains effective voting control over both the Pickstone-Peerless and Giant Gold asset
holding companies.

Exercise of warrants
Warrants were exercised, and shares issued, as follows:

Date

5 April 2017
1 June 2017
14 June 2017
26 July 2017

Warrants exercised

Shares issued

6,116
20,000,000
51,386
225,017

6,116
20,000,000
51,386
225,017

Appointment of non-executive director
On 30 June 2017 Brian Basham was appointed to the board as a non-executive director

Change in Company Secretary and Registered Office
On 8 May 2017 Roy Tucker retired from the position of Company Secretary and Ben Harber, of Shakespeare
Martineau  LLP,  was  appointed  in  his  place.  In  addition,  the  Company’s  registered  office  was  changed  to
60 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0HR.

29. Group subsidiaries
A full list of all subsidiary companies and their registered offices is given below:

Company

Country of 
registration

Reg.
office

Group Interest
2016
2017

African Consolidated Resources SRL
African Consolidated Resources PTC Ltd *
Vast Resources Nominees Limited **
Breckridge Investments (Private) Limited
Cadex Investments (Private) Limited
Canape Investments (Private) Limited
Conneire Mining (Private) Limited
Dallaglio Investments (Private) Limited

Romania
BVI
UK
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe

Dashaloo Investments (Private) Limited
Zimbabwe
Exchequer Mining Services (Private) Limited Zimbabwe
Fisherman Mining Limited

Zambia

Heavystuff Investment Company 
(Private) Limited
Kleton Investments (Private) Limited

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe

58 VAST RESOURCES

1
3
4
5
5
6
6
5

6
6
7

6
5

nil

80% 80%
nil
100% 100%
50% 50%
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
50% 50%

100% 100%
100% 100%
49.6% 100%

Nature of business

Mining development
Nominee company
Nominee company
Mining Production
Claim holding
Mining investment
Claim holding
Holding Company for 
Breckridge Investments 
(Private) Limited
Claim holding
Claim holding
Mining exploration and
development

100% 100%
50% 50%

Claim holding
Claim holding

Company

Country of 
registration

Reg.
office

Group Interest
2016
2017

Lafton Investments (Private) Limited
Lescaut Investments (Private) Limited
Lomite Investments (Private) Limited
Lotaven Investments (Private) Limited
Mayback Investments (Private) Limited
Millwall International Investments Limited
Moorestown Limited

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
BVI
BVI

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Romania
UK

Mystical Mining (Private) Limited
Naxten Investments (Private) Limited
Nivola Mining (Private) Limited
Olebile Investments (Private) Limited
Perkinson Investments (Private) Limited
Possession Investment Services 
(Private) Limited
Rabame Investments (Private) Limited
Sackler Investments (Private) Limited
Schont Mining Services (Private) Limited
Sinarom Mining Group SRL
Vast Resources Romania Limited
Vast Resources Zimbabwe (Private) Limited  Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Accufin Investments (Private) Limited
Zimbabwe
Aeromags (Private) Limited
Campstar Mining (Private) Limited
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Chaperon Manufacturing (Private) Limited
Charmed Technical Mining (Private) Limited Zimbabwe
Chianty Mining Services (Private) Limited
Zimbabwe
Corampian Technical Mining (Private) Limited Zimbabwe
Deep Burg Mining Services (Private) Limited Zimbabwe
Deft Mining Services (Private) Limited
Zimbabwe
Elfman Investment Services (Private) Limited Zimbabwe
Febrim Investments (Private) Limited
Zimbabwe
Filkins Investment Services (Private) Limited Zimbabwe
Gerry Investment Company (Private) Limited Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Gigli Investment Services (Private) Limited
Zimbabwe
Hemihelp Investments (Private) Limited
Zimbabwe
Isiyala Mining (Private) Limited
Zimbabwe
Katanga Mining (Private) Limited
Zimbabwe
Kengen Trading (Private) Limited
Kielty Investments (Private) Limited
Zimbabwe
Lucciola Investment Services 
(Private) Limited
Lyndock Investment Company 
(Private) Limited
Maglev Investment Services 
(Private) Limited
Malaghan Investments (Private) Limited
Methven Investment Company 
(Private) Limited
Mimic Mining (Private) Limited
Monteiro Investments (Private) Limited

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

5
5
5
5
5
3
3

6
6
6
6
6

6
6
6
6
2
8
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

6

6

6
6

6
6
6

100% 100%
560% 50%
100% 100%
50% 50%
50% 50%
100% 100%
100% 100%

100% 100%
100% 100%
50% 50%
100% 100%
100% 100%

Nature of business

Claim holding
Claim holding
Claim holding
Claim holding
Claim holding
Holding company
Mining exploration and
development
Claim holding
Asset holding
Claim holding
Claim holding
Claim holding

Claim holding
Claim holding
Claim holding
Claim holding

100% 100%
50% 50%
100% 100%
100% 100%
50.1% 50.1% Mining production
Mining investment
100% 100%
Mining investment
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%
Dormant
100% 100%

100% 100%

Dormant

100% 100%

Dormant

100% 100%
100% 100%

Dormant
Dormant

100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%

Dormant
Dormant
Dormant

VAST RESOURCES  59

Notes to Financial Statements

continued

29. Group subsidiaries continued

Company

Nedziwe Mining (Private) Limited
Nemies Investment Services 
(Private) Limited
Notebridge Investments (Private) Limited
Pickstone-Peerless Mining (Private) Limited
Prudent Mining (Private) Limited
Rania Haulage (Private) Limited
Re-Energised Investments (Private) Limited
Regsite Mining Services (Private) Limited
Riberio Mining Services (Private) Limited
Swadini Miners (Private) Limited
Tamahine Investments (Private) Limited
The Salon Investments (Private) Limited
Vono Trading (Private) Limited
Warkworth Investment Services 
(Private) Limited
Wynton Investment Company 
(Private) Limited
Zimchew Investments (Private) Limited

Country of 
registration

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe

* 
**

The company has effective control of this entity
Formerly ACR Nominees Ltd

Reg.
office

Group Interest
2016
2017

Nature of business

6

6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

6

6
6

100% 100%

Dormant

100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%

Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant

100% 100%

Dormant

100% 100%
100% 100%

Dormant
Dormant

Notes -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Addresses of Registered offices:
Sat Iacobeni,Str.Minelor Nr.20, Jud. Suceava, Romania
Str.9 Mai, Nr.20, Baia Mare, Jud.Maramures, 430274 Romania
Nerine Chambers, PO Box 906, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Nettlestead Place, Nettlestead, Maidstone, Kent ME18 6HE, United Kingdom
121 Borrowdale Road, Gun Hill, Harare, Zimbabwe
6, John Plagis Avenue, Alexandra Park, Harare, Zimbabwe
Suite 2, Diplomatic Centre, Mass Media, Off Alick Nkhata Road, Lusaka, Zambia
60 Gracechurch Street, London, United Kingdom, EC3V

60 VAST RESOURCES

Company information

Directors

Secretary and registered office

Non-Executive Chairman
Chief Executive Officer
Finance Director
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director

Brian Moritz
Roy Aubrey Pitchford
Roy Clifford Tucker
Brian Arthur Basham
Eric Kevin Diack

Ben Harber
60 Gracechurch Street,
London EC3V 0HR

Country of incorporation

United Kingdom

Legal form

Website

Auditors

Nominated & Financial Adviser

Joint Corporate Brokers

Bankers

Registrars

Public Limited Company

www.vastresourcesplc.com

Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP
St Bride’s House
10 Salisbury Square
London EC4Y 8EH

Beaumont Cornish Limited
2nd Floor, Bowman House
292 Wilson Street
London EC2M 2SJ

Brandon Hill Capital Limited
1 Tudor Street
London EC4Y 0AH

Peterhouse Corporate Finance Limited
Eldon Street
London EC2M 7LD

Standard Bank Isle of Man Limited
Standard Bank House
1 Circular Road
Douglas
Isle of Man 1M1 1SB

Capita Registrars
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent BR3 4TU

Registered number

05414325

VAST RESOURCES  61

Notes

62 VAST RESOURCES

VAST RESOURCES  63

64 VAST RESOURCES

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